Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 395: Why Does He Always Have These Dreams?
At night, Xiao Shiqing had that dream again.
That dream that left her unhappy.
Every time in the dream, he was just a bystander, watching helplessly as the person in the dream, who looked exactly like him, did one absurd thing after another.
Yet he couldn’t participate in any of it.
The content of the dream was different each time. Once, he dreamt she wrote him a letter, but he didn’t read it.
This time, he dreamt she was making clothes overnight for her mother...
Waking up in the middle of the night, Xiao Shiqing felt cold sweat pouring down, wondering why he always had such dreams?
On one side, Xiao Shiqing, unable to fall asleep again after his midnight dream, and on the other side, Pei Ji’an suddenly woke from a dream too, similarly drenched in cold sweat. He looked at the person sleeping soundly beside him, his gaze complicated.
Qu Fulan entered the palace again to tell stories to the Empress Dowager.
Because she had been telling "Dream of the Red Chamber" to the Empress Dowager, it became known to other concubines in the palace, so when she entered the palace again, many concubines were already waiting in the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Qu Fulan: "..." Goodness, the charm of this book really is no small matter, attracting these women like this.
The Empress Dowager, being fond of bustling scenes, welcomed the concubines as long as they weren’t causing trouble, enjoying their chatting and laughter.
Moreover, knowing everyone had come to listen to "Dream of the Red Chamber", the Empress Dowager welcomed them even more—it’s delightful when others share the same fondness for a book she likes.
"Miss Qiu, look at how many people are waiting for you to tell a story, hurry up and satisfy everyone’s cravings." The Empress Dowager smiled.
"Indeed, when the department store opened, ’Dream of the Red Chamber’ became instantly popular and entered the palace, leaving us hungry. Hearing the Empress Dowager had the latest updates, we shamelessly came to listen." one concubine said.
The other concubines agreed.
"That’s right, last time it mentioned Lady Rong from the East Mansion was gone, leaving no one to manage things, and Jia Baoyu recommended someone to Jia Zhen. Who exactly was recommended?"
"Honestly, why bother helping him? That Jia Zhen isn’t a good person, clearly the one who caused Mrs. Qin’s death, yet now pretends innocence, making others do dirty work."
"Exactly! Even his wife fell ill from anger, washing her hands of all matters. Jia Baoyu surely meddles excessively."
"Everyone stop talking, listen to Princess Zhuyu instead, I can hardly wait." they urged.
Finally, they fell silent, eagerly looking at Qu Fulan.
Qu Fulan continued from where she left off last time, and when the audience heard the name from her lips, some were shocked, others understood.
"Turns out it’s Feng! I guessed it would be her, who else but Feng could skillfully manage internal affairs?"
"She’s too young, has never dealt with such matters; if she manages, could things go wrong?"
"Feng made quite an impression from the start. So young yet so capable, such trivial matters should pose no difficulty for her."
"Mrs. Wang doesn’t favor Wang Xifeng, while Mrs. Xing completely ignores it. This family truly appears friendly on the surface but teems with intrigue within."
"Oh dear, how can there be so much chatter when listening to a story? I’ll forbid whoever keeps talking from coming next time." The Empress Dowager feigned anger.
The concubines fell silent.
Qu Fulan continued as she spoke of Wang Xifeng’s might during the mourning, then Lin Daiyu’s return, Yuanchun’s home visit, and Jia Baoyu gifting items—all of this left not only the concubines but even the Empress Dowager restless.
"Did Jia Baoyu really give away Lin Daiyu’s items?"
"He’s too mischievous, how could he give away a girl’s belongings just like that?"
"No wonder Lin Daiyu got upset; I’d be angry too if it were me."
"What happened afterward? Did Lin Daiyu forgive Jia Baoyu? Honestly, he shouldn’t be forgiven, he needs a lesson!"
Seeing the Empress Dowager eagerly staring at her, Qu Fulan dared not linger, clarifying, "Jia Baoyu didn’t give away Lin Daiyu’s belongings; he kept them close and took them out before her."
Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief, "He still has a conscience for not giving away Lin Daiyu’s things."
"And what happens next? It should be finished!" someone urged.
Qu Fulan finally said, "Let’s stop here for today, it’s time for the Empress Dowager to have her meal. Next time I return to the palace, I’ll continue with the story’s plot."
The concubines reluctantly but respectfully stood up to leave, not daring to interrupt the Empress Dowager’s meal.
Yet on the way, many concubines still discussed the plot.
"Wang Xifeng is indeed impressive, so young yet managing a mourning like that, suppressing everyone."
"Exactly, I’d love to be like her."
"People are born like that; it’s not something achieved overnight. To be like her, one might need a full reincarnation."
They chatted and laughed as they left.
This scene was rare, such harmony appearing in a palace filled with open and hidden conflicts, all because of a book.
Even the Empress Dowager found it unbelievable.
"This book you’ve talked about must be extraordinary, it might be renowned for generations."
Qu Fulan was a little surprised to hear this, as the Empress Dowager’s judgment was indeed sharp enough to unravel the mystery at a glance.
During the meal with the Empress Dowager, the Emperor came over just to see his beloved daughter.
After dining together, the Emperor personally escorted his daughter out of the palace, unable to resist asking, "Why didn’t that little Pei fellow accompany you into the palace today?"
"He’s busy with something today, so I didn’t need him to accompany me." Qu Fulan explained.
Hearing this, the Emperor frowned, "What could he be busy with? I recently reassigned his tasks to others, he should be quite free."
Qu Fulan caught the crux of the issue, "Whom did Father reassigned his tasks to?"
The Emperor didn’t hide it, speaking without guilt, "To Xiao Shiqing. Their abilities are comparable; whatever Pei Ji’an can do, Xiao Shiqing can too."
Qu Fulan understood, realizing why he often seemed free—there was someone bearing the burden. But since it was Xiao Shiqing, she felt no guilt herself.
Nonetheless, she explained for her husband, "He’s busy with matters related to the elderly lady, he should be back by now."
Incidentally, as they approached the palace gates, Pei Ji’an’s figure appeared there.
Pei Ji’an inevitably received some criticism from the Emperor, mainly for neglecting his wife, taking things lightly. He offered many apologies before being allowed to take her away.
Once they were in the carriage, Qu Fulan joked, "You actually didn’t need to come all the way here. I’m so familiar with the routes to and from the palace that it feels like second nature. Besides, with guards watching over me, there’s nothing to fear."
Pei Ji’an smiled, "I had to come. The Emperor gave me a scolding even when I did. If I hadn’t, I can’t imagine what punishment I’d face tomorrow."
Qu Fulan chuckled delightedly, then suddenly recalled something and said, "Let’s detour to the department store first."
"Why go there? Isn’t it operating stably now, with An Ruchang and others overseeing things?" Pei Ji’an, concerned for her fatigue after storytelling all day, suggested she rest.
Qu Fulan replied, "I want to see how Li Hua’s shop is progressing."
