Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 274: Clearly Feeling Each Other’s Warmth
There’s no denying that the Capital City is the capital; the streets at night are extraordinarily lively.
Especially the busiest street, which is almost packed shoulder to shoulder.
Qu Fulan also knows the reason; Qingming Festival has just passed, leaving a warm afterglow, and now there are still people releasing sky lanterns by the river.
Because the street is too crowded, Qu Fulan is held protectively by Pei Ji’an in his arms, yet she still can’t avoid being bumped into, not to mention the guards following them, who are entirely useless.
They had to leave the overly bustling street and head towards the river, where it was better.
"Oh my, my hairpin is crooked; my hair is probably a mess too."
"Don’t move; let me fix it for you."
"Your clothes are a bit wrinkled too, Princely Heir."
"What did you call me?"
"... Si."
"Hmm, help me tidy up too."
After making sure they were neat and tidy, the two of them walked slowly toward the riverbank. On both sides, people came and went, with many children running around on the shore, laughter and joy all around.
There were boats on the river, sending out songs from aboard.
Strolling slowly like this felt pretty good.
Many passersby instinctively glanced at them as they passed.
It couldn’t be helped; one was beautiful, the other handsome, seemingly a perfect match. Since ancient times, people have always loved to look at attractive couples.
"Would you like to take a boat ride on the lake?" he asked.
"Sure." Easier than being stared at by passersby.
As it turns out, some people draw attention no matter where they go.
Even though there were singers on the boat, quite a few gazes fell on Qu Fulan. Unlike the pedestrians on the street, these wealthy people’s stares had a strong purpose, some even blatantly so.
Qu Fulan frowned, not understanding why such people were so brazen.
But she soon knew why, because these men were either out with concubines or surrounded by singers.
They assumed Qu Fulan was also a concubine type; otherwise, which noble family would take their lawful wife out in public?
Qu Fulan heard this from people talking next door when she went to freshen up.
"Whose young lord is that? The concubine he brought is really stunning. I wonder if he’s willing to make a trade. If he is, I’d offer anything for it."
"Stop dreaming. Didn’t you see those guards with swords? They’re no ordinary people. Probably the young lord of some powerful noble family. They can have any kind of woman, why would they trade with us?"
The two men then left, sounding regretful.
Qu Fulan only felt uncomfortable hearing it. She knew that in ancient times concubines had no status and were often used by the nobility to secure networks.
Knowing it is one thing, but hearing it for real, she still felt uncomfortable.
When Qu Fulan returned to her seat, thinking she was hiding it well, he noticed, "What’s wrong, not happy?"
"Nothing, just heard some nonsense that made me uncomfortable."
Pei Ji’an didn’t ask what nonsense it was; nonsense wasn’t worth repeating. Rather, it was better to do something else to wash away unpleasant memories.
Someone who could strategize on the battlefield couldn’t fall short in life either.
He took her to a gambling house.
Before going, he asked her to change her clothes, into men’s attire.
When Qu Fulan changed into men’s clothing, there was even a hat that fit her perfectly, as if tailored just for her.
"How did you prepare this? I had no idea," she said, surprised.
That’s not the main point; the point is how he knew they would need it tonight and even brought it along.
"Haven’t you looked at the closet at home?" With one hand behind his back, he looked her up and down, satisfied with what he saw.
Qu Fulan was taken aback, clearly she hadn’t.
He shook his head helplessly, "You’ll know when you see it."
As for bringing it out, it was just in case.
But there’s a rule in the gambling house, everyone must wear a mask to enter. This is to ensure fairness, as people with reputations being seen in such places could make others feel uneasy.
After playing at the casino for a round, Qu Fulan forgot all her worries, even when losing money there was someone to cover it. She even felt that marriage wasn’t so bad.
There were many games in the casino; Qu Fulan only participated in dice games, pot throwing, cockfighting, and other entertainments.
Pei Ji’an didn’t play; he just watched her from the side.
As they left the casino, she asked, "Why didn’t you play?"
Pei Ji’an, for once, showed rare pride, "Winning all the time would get me on the casino’s blacklist."
Qu Fulan imagined the Heir Pei being skilled but unable to enter the casino and laughed until her stomach hurt.
"That’s true, if you always win, they’re not making money and naturally would not welcome you."
That night, Qu Fulan had a great time. Besides visiting the casino, they strolled around the streets. The later streets had fewer crowds, and Qu Fulan bought many trinkets, like a small rabbit-shaped lantern, and later bought some snacks. When her hands were full, she made him hold the little rabbit.
A tall, jade-like man holding a cute rabbit lantern was a funny sight, and the guard wanted to help share the burden but was waved away by Pei Ji’an.
They returned home, and Qu Fulan was still eager for more. Indeed, having someone to accompany you lets you enjoy yourself fully.
"Would you like to go out again tomorrow?" he asked.
Of course, Qu Fulan wanted to. He had a four-day marriage leave, and she shouldn’t work during this time. Staying home was boring and there were many relatives to deal with, so going out was better.
So, the next morning, the Heir Pei took her out. They spent the morning at the shooting range, went to a music and dance hall at noon, and rode horses in the afternoon.
You could say they made the most of the four-day leave, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
They were happy, but others were envious.
Pei Lan and Yao Xing heard that the Heir Pei was taking Qu Fulan out every day and felt like they were bitten by ants, intensely uncomfortable.
But that wasn’t enough. On the last day of Pei’s leave, Qu Fulan received an invitation.
It was delivered by someone from Princess Qing, inviting Qu Fulan to a banquet.
As everyone knows, Princess Qing loved hosting refined gatherings, and any lady in the Capital City who didn’t receive her invitation obviously lacked the status to enter that elite circle.
Even Yao Xing and Pei Lan couldn’t get in despite trying various channels, but now Qu Fulan was invited, showing they were willing to accept her.
No doubt, being the wife of the Heir Pei, her status was self-evident, allowing her entry into any social circle.
Married life brings its own social engagements. With the invitation in hand, Qu Fulan asked just one question.
"Will attending such a banquet give Pei Mansion any negative impact?"
Like standing issues or anything.
"No, Prince Qing is the brother of the current Emperor. He doesn’t engage in political factionalism. Just be careful not to be cornered into gossip by other ladies at the banquet."
Qu Fulan understood, and immediately replied to the invitation.
After sending her RSVP, she also needed to prepare some travel items for him.
Once the four-day leave was over, he had to go out on business, and she didn’t know when he’d return.
Qu Fulan stood in a room with walls full of closets, realizing for the first time how large the wardrobe at home was. The entire room was filled with their clothes—two walls for her, two for him.
There was a variety of clothing, explaining why he said she’d know after seeing the closet.
After selecting clothes and belts, she still needed a headpiece. The headpiece was on the top shelf, beyond her reach. Too lazy to get a stool, she stretched on her tiptoes to reach it, but couldn’t.
"Let me." He walked behind her, stretched out his long arm, and easily took it down.
As Qu Fulan relaxed her heels, she bumped into his chest. She was just about to step forward to avoid him but couldn’t because he suddenly hugged her.
Spring attire was unlike winter’s, and through the fabric, they could distinctly feel each other’s warmth, with an indescribable air floating around them.
