Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 283: This Must Be What It Feels Like to Be Loved
Princess Qing invited everyone over to discuss the Dragon Boat Festival race.
The list for the dragon boat race was out. It detailed how many teams there were and who was in each team. The Princess had the list in her hand.
"Every year, those who watch the dragon boat race place bets on a team to win, and each has their own prize. Instead of joining them, we sisters could choose a team we favor. If we win, there’ll be a prize; if we lose, we’ll face a penalty. What do you think?"
This was the life in aristocratic circles. If it wasn’t hosting various elegant gatherings, it was about participating in different activities, all to while away time and entertain oneself.
Originally, Princess Qing and her circle could have played by themselves, but they wanted to include Qu Fulan, and Qu Fulan naturally did not refuse.
It didn’t matter what others thought; the key was that Princess Qing didn’t view her with prejudice, making this friendship worth pursuing.
"It’s fine, but what exactly is the prize for winning, and what’s the penalty for losing? These need to be clarified in advance to ensure fairness," Miss Zhou said.
"I thought the same, which is why I’ve invited everyone here to discuss and decide on the penalties and prizes, write them down, and sign it with fingerprints, so there’s no backing out," the Princess said.
After about a quarter of an hour, everyone finally agreed on the final terms.
The winners will receive a precious gift from everyone. This preciousness isn’t measured by money, the more expensive, the better, but by sincere intent. It’s even better if it’s handmade.
The losers have to do something that will amaze everyone.
Dancing or writing poems would do, as long as it amazes people. To amaze means unanimous agreement; otherwise, the penalty doubles.
Once the dragon boat race results are out, the prizes and penalties need to be delivered and accepted immediately. That’s why the Princess invited everyone to discuss beforehand.
"Young Lady Pei, have you decided what gift you’ll give?" Tao Wan asked.
Although everyone needed to make a gift, she intentionally asked Qu Fulan as if certain she would lose, her hostility very obvious.
Princess Qing couldn’t bear her cousin being so aggressive and had to step in to ease the atmosphere, "Gifts need to be thoughtful. It’s something you’d need to think about slowly at home. It’s not something even I can decide on the spur of the moment."
Zou Yun and Miss Yuan both agreed with the Princess’s view.
The others didn’t speak up but didn’t contradict either.
Qu Fulan noticed that even within a small circle like this, there were still preferences and relationships.
The Princess, Zou Yun, and Miss Yuan were on one side, meaning, whatever the Princess thought, these two stood by her.
Tao Wan got along better with Miss Yu and Miss Zhou, and they often banded together.
After everyone agreed on the matter, they had some tea and snacks and then bid farewell to each other.
As Qu Fulan exited the palace gates, she saw a familiar figure standing by the carriage, somewhat surprised.
She hadn’t expected Pei Ji’an to come and fetch her; wasn’t he supposed to be out of town today? And back so early?
Perhaps Qu Fulan herself wasn’t aware that she felt a surge of joy upon seeing Pei Ji’an.
She saw him dressed in a luxurious brocade robe, standing with his hands behind his back, talking to the guards, his tall figure casting a long shadow on the ground.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head, waved the guards off, and walked towards her.
Qu Fulan smiled, "Weren’t you busy today? How come you’re here?"
"Finished my business early. I heard you were here, so I came by," he said, taking her hand and heading to the carriage.
The two quickly left the palace gates.
Leaving behind the other ladies, who were filled with various expressions.
Some felt envy, others jealousy, and some frustration.
"He only acts this way in front of you, it’s too much," Miss Zhou said to Miss Yu.
Miss Yu said nothing, appearing unaffected, but her hand inside her long sleeves subconsciously clenched tightly.
Some things are only precious once lost; some people, only heartbreaking once missed. Living every day in regret.
Yet, this person continues to appear in front of her repeatedly, how could she endure it?
Tao Wan, responsible for seeing everyone off, also witnessed the scene. Back in the mansion, she complained to her cousin, "Why bother being friends with someone like that? It’s not as if we’re lacking friends. Flaunting their affection in front of everyone, what’s the point?"
Princess Qing, helpless, replied, "A couple being affectionate is perfectly natural. You’ll have your own husband one day, and you can be affectionate too. No need to envy others."
"We’re fine with it, but won’t it be unsightly for Miss Yu? Pei Ji was clearly called out by her just to show off to Miss Yu. Such scheming, cousin, you should stop associating with people like that, or it might harm sisterly affection."
Princess Qing’s expression darkened slightly, "So I need others’ permission for whom I befriend in the future?"
It wasn’t that Princess Qing didn’t care about Miss Yu’s reputation, but Young Lady Pei and Miss Yu held no animosity. Was marrying Pei Ji’an a mistake?
In truth, it was the Yu Family who wronged the Pei Family, not the other way around.
The important thing was that her Prince and Pei Ji’an were on good terms. Should they sever ties with the Pei Family just for one Yu Family?
The Yu Family wasn’t that significant.
Initially, Miss Yu was closer with her cousin, and Princess Qing didn’t initially like Miss Yu, only tolerating her for her cousin’s sake.
And now, should she have to be mindful of them when wanting to make friends?
Tao Wan, seeing her cousin angered, quickly said, "I didn’t mean it that way. I was just thinking of your well-being, not trying to decide for you."
Princess Qing waved her hand, "I know well enough what’s good or bad, no need for others to worry."
That was Princess Qing’s strength—having her own opinions, making her own judgments, not blindly following others. It’s why she became a Princess, after all.
Tao Wan’s expression turned a bit sour, feeling her cousin was disregarding her for an outsider.
Meanwhile, Qu Fulan and Pei Ji’an rode the carriage to a stop at a particular place. As he got out, Qu Fulan lifted the curtain to see, "Oh wow, it’s a tofu skin bun shop."
Whenever she went out to work and didn’t have time to eat, she passed by and bought some tofu skin buns to fill up, and they turned out to be surprisingly tasty.
These tofu skin buns are made with tofu skin and filled with ingredients like black fungus, mushrooms, and greens. Though it sounds simple, making them delicious depends on personal skill.
The shop owner was a woman in her thirties, with a square kerchief tied over her head and wearing coarse clothing, doing everything herself—truly a hardworking woman.
It’s heard that in her earlier years, she lost her husband and had no children, and though she didn’t remarry, she built up her business from a street stall to the small shop she owned today, which wasn’t easy.
If Qu Fulan left home in the morning, she must have breakfast at this tofu skin bun shop.
The owner opened up shop before dawn and worked until evening.
Pei Ji’an, elegantly poised, stood before the modest shop, accepting from the owner the tofu skin buns wrapped in oil paper, paid, and walked back toward the carriage.
Qu Fulan knew they were for her; he rarely ate such things himself.
Whenever she attended banquets, she often returned home hungry. After all, who would stuff themselves at a banquet, risking ridicule? Only occasionally tasting the snacks would suffice, yet she didn’t even like the snacks at banquets.
But he knew even this?
Warmth surged through Qu Fulan’s heart in waves.
This is what it feels like to be cared for, right?
