Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 278: Came When I Saw You Weren’t at Home
Miss Yu is seventeen this year. Girls of her age are either already married or engaged, but she has only just begun discussing marriage this year, and there’s a reason for that.
Three years ago, Old Madam Yu passed away, and Yu kept mourning for three years. As filial piety has always been paramount, her actions naturally gained the admiration of the ladies in Capital City, who wouldn’t gossip about her age.
An unmarried girl having her marriage prospects discussed in public naturally blushed.
Tao Wan couldn’t help but tease, "I heard that Young Master Ruan is also participating in the Dragon Boat Race during the Dragon Boat Festival. Sister Yu, you could go and cheer for him then."
Miss Zhou inquired, "Has the Dragon Boat Race lineup been finalized?"
Every year, Prince Qing is in charge of organizing the Dragon Boat Race, so Tao Wan always hears the news faster than others.
Tao Wan gave Miss Zhou a meaningful look, "It hasn’t been completely finalized. Some people are still unsure whether they’ll go, like Prince An, for example."
Miss Zhou blushed as well, unable to resist retorting, "I wasn’t asking about him; your answer was irrelevant."
Miss Zou and Miss Yuan also joined in; they were sisters who often played together.
While the unmarried girls were chatting and laughing here, on the other side, Princess Qing was also chatting with Qu Fulan.
"Have you applied any rouge or powder on your face? Where did you buy it? It’s so exquisite and radiant that it makes even a woman like me feel tempted."
Qu Fulan had indeed applied some; it would be impolite to visit guests without makeup. Besides, she planned to start a skincare business, and promoting herself was a form of advertisement.
"I just made some things out of boredom," Qu Fulan laughed.
"It looks really effective; it seems you have quite some skill," Princess Qing praised.
"If Your Highness likes it, I’ll make some more to send to you, how about that?"
"That would be wonderful, just as long as you don’t exhaust yourself and get blamed by the princely heir later."
"No worries, our family plans to open a cosmetics shop. I’m just trying the recipes myself to ensure their effectiveness before anything goes public."
"That would be even better. Do let me know when it opens."
The other ladies, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel tempted, thinking they would also buy some when the store opened to have a try.
Being good-looking indeed has its advantages; it makes one the center of attention wherever one goes. Of course, appearance is secondary; the main thing is one’s status.
If it weren’t for her status as the Young Lady, no one would pay her attention.
The power of authority is immense, and Qu Fulan has the most right to speak on this. Without power, without support, and without connections, her hard work until now might have only resulted in a small stall earning a few coins a day, at best.
Not to mention now being esteemed as a guest of honor.
Princess Qing looked around and then leaned towards Qu Fulan, quietly asking a question, "I noticed it immediately when you arrived. How did you wrap it so well here?"
Princess Qing’s eyes glanced towards Qu Fulan’s chest. Qu Fulan instantly understood and quietly replied, "Because I’m wearing an undergarment with a bust-enhancing effect."
Princess Qing was thoughtful, "I’ve heard people mention some garment better than bandages for chest support. Is what you’re wearing such an undergarment?"
Qu Fulan nodded and gave Princess Qing a brief lesson on the style and shape of the undergarment and told her where to buy it. Servants could buy it, or she could go herself, very convenient.
Princess Qing nodded immediately.
Although they are young and naturally graceful, if the chest isn’t properly wrapped it feels uncomfortable, or if too big, it even sags. Every outing takes a lot of effort here. If there is some small attire that solves it all at once, who wouldn’t be pleased?
Qu Fulan believed with Princess Qing taking the lead, she could influence many connections.
Finally, as the banquet dispersed, everyone left the Prince’s Mansion. Halfway out, Qu Fulan’s heart briefly skipped, and her steps slightly paused.
Pei Ji’an stood in the pavilion on the left of the road, conversing with a gentleman who by his attire seemed to be Prince Qing himself. Hearing footsteps, Pei Ji’an turned and saw Qu Fulan’s figure, his lips curling slightly.
The ladies and young misses who spotted the Heir Pei had their eyes practically popping out.
Heir Pei must have come to see Prince Qing for business and coincidentally collected the Young Lady, otherwise, if he came specially to pick her up, wouldn’t it be too exaggerated?
Whether true or false, aside from those involved, others couldn’t discern, so everyone left in small groups.
Pei Ji’an bid farewell to Prince Qing and led Qu Fulan, walking side by side.
The two lagged behind others considerably, so much that they eventually fell quite far back. Qu Fulan could only feel her hand being held by someone. She instinctively looked over, only to see him looking straight ahead, expression unchanged; their sleeves hung, discreetly hiding their joined hands.
Once out of Prince Qing’s Mansion, many carriages hadn’t left yet. It seemed like there was excitement to be had, eager to catch some drama.
Qu Fulan instinctively wished to withdraw her hand. He didn’t let go, forcing her to maintain a nonchalant front.
The coachman, seeing their master appear, urged the carriage forward, stopping and setting down the stool. Pei Ji’an assisted Qu Fulan onto the carriage, following her inside.
As the carriage curtain fell, it blocked many gossiping gazes.
A lonely gaze dimmed along with it; if only the engagement hadn’t been broken long ago... how wonderful it would be...
"Stop looking; they are already married. The past is gone. Although the Ruan Family isn’t as esteemed as the Pei Family, it isn’t bad either," Mrs. Yu saw through her daughter’s thoughts at a glance.
Mrs. Yu also felt regret. Yet, having strived for so many years, the Pei Family never acknowledged them. Now, they’d rather marry an isolated orphan than give the Yu Family a chance. Why bother longing? Even longing is to no avail.
Miss Yu lowered her head without saying a word.
She had seen the Young Master Ruan; he’s decent. If no pearl or jade were present before her eyes, she wouldn’t harbor so much discontent. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
The Pei Family’s carriage.
They say a little separation makes the reunion sweeter.
From the moment they entered the carriage, the Heir Pei hadn’t taken his eyes off Qu Fulan, still holding her hand, a smile on his lips, enthusiastically sharing what he saw outside.
Qu Fulan listened attentively, and eventually couldn’t help but ask.
"Why did you come?"
"Came back to the mansion and couldn’t find you, so I came."
"Not even bothered, you could’ve sent someone else."
"I just wanted to see you sooner."
What girl can withstand the impact of such words?
Qu Fulan felt as though her heart was being warmed in sunlight, a comforting warmth that made her relax — like she had melted into a puddle, ripples spreading across a lake surface.
"Is Princess Qing easy to get along with?"
"Quite."
"Did you enjoy yourself at the banquet today?"
"It was alright."
"Did anyone give you a hard time?"
"No."
While saying no, another matter came to her mind, and she glanced at him subtly.
Just that one glance revealed a flaw to him, "Go on, what happened?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand, tending to her hair on her forehead. In the movement, his hand’s distinct joints touched her skin; that area quickly heated and began to spread.
Qu Fulan’s face grew warm. For a moment, she didn’t know how to speak.
"Why aren’t you talking, hm?"
He bent forward, aligning his gaze with hers, earnestly watching her.
Qu Fulan got more embarrassed, speaking incoherently, "Nothing, nothing happened."
"Alright, you’re playing hard-to-get now; let’s see how I’ll deal with you." Pei Ji’an wouldn’t let her off, reaching out to tickle her.
Qu Fulan dodged left and right, eventually laughing so much she couldn’t take it, putting on a stern face, "If you keep it up, I’ll get mad."
"Well, will you say or not?"
He made a gesture as if to tease her again, and Qu Fulan hurriedly said, "I’ll say, I’ll say..."
