Chapter 34: Discontent - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 34: Discontent
In the adjacent room the fire was burning brightly and Bai Siruo lightly flicked the silver carbon with iron chopsticks, making a slight sound.
"What's wrong? You seem as angry as a fighting rooster. Did your cousin provoke you again?"
"You still have the nerve to say that. You haven't come to see me for more than half a month. Have you forgotten about me, your cousin?"
Feng Jinyao couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Since I returned home, I haven't had a break. You know my mother is bedridden and my sister-in-law is also unwell. So the responsibilities of managing the household fell to me. It's the New Year, with a heap of troubles to deal with. Just when I finally sorted things out, I rushed over to bring New Year gifts to our maternal grandmother and aunt."
As she spoke, she took out a small booklet from her bosom and handed it over mysteriously.
"You've always wanted to practice pitching. I wrote down some insights, not sure if it'll be helpful. Take a look."
"Really?" Bai Siruo's eyes lit up and her previous anger dissipated.
Treating the booklet like a treasure, she flipped through it carefully, becoming increasingly excited. "This is almost perfect."
"Alright, alright, don't be angry anymore. Tell me, what's wrong with our aunt-in-law?"
"Hmph!" Bai Siruo vented her frustration, recounting all the dirty words Shen Shi said when she made a scene at the Duke's mansion, causing Feng Jinyao's face to show a cold expression.
"Does she think her daughter is a fairy descended from heaven? She even looks down on our cousin from Uncle's family. Hmph, does she think our Bai family is her stepping stone? She's just trying to climb up by stepping on us!"
Shen Shi's thoughts were indeed not suitable for polite society. If it weren't for missing the talent selection every three years, she might have already been thinking about a position as a concubine in the palace.
Since that was the case, Feng Jinyao decided to help her fulfill her 'desire.'
Quickly, a plan sprang to mind, and she spoke up.
"Do you know when Miss Xu's wedding date is set?"
"It's set for May, when the weather is still cool and it's the transition from spring to summer, so they chose a good day in May."
May, so she still had time to manipulate things.
"It was originally planned for September, but Mr. Xu's health is weak and they were worried about any setbacks in his condition, so they moved it up."
Bai Siruo's face showed a hint of sorrow, completely devoid of the joy of seeing her close friend getting married.
"Whenever I think about her becoming sisters-in-law with Liang Luo in the future, I feel really depressed. I hope that the heavens will bless Liang Luo to marry someone else soon, so that she won't have to stay in the Xu family and suffer."
Feng Jinyao chuckled and teased Bai Siruo.
"Sister, are you joking? Can Miss Liang really harm her? Are you sure?"
After hearing this, Bai Siruo suddenly realized, "Yeah, with her mentality, she can't even outsmart me, how could she harm Mingyue! Haha, I feel so much better now."
She happily patted Feng Jinyao's shoulder, "If only you were my real sister, then I wouldn't have to deal with that troublemaker Bai Sihan every day."
"Don't be angry, hasn't the Wei family sent invitations? Why don't we help her climb a higher branch?"
"Are you saying..."
"The guests from the Wei family are all distinguished people. Since she looks down on ordinary families, why don't we find her a family that's not ordinary at all, fulfilling her wish, right?"
Bai Siruo's eyes lit up. Although she spoke quickly and had a simple mind, it didn't mean she lacked intelligence.
When Feng Jinyao mentioned this, if she still couldn't figure it out, then she would truly be foolish.
"Good sister, you're always so understanding!"
Watching Bai Siruo's confident appearance, Feng Jinyao felt a sense of regret in her heart.
In her previous life, Bai Siruo was about to be betrothed to the eldest grandson of the Prince Kang's mansion after the New Year. If they were deeply in love, it would have been fine, but unfortunately, their affair became widely known in the Eastern Capital.
Thinking of the tragic days after her second brother married Princess Changlin, Feng Jinyao was determined not to let her cousin suffer the same fate.
She needed to seize the opportunity to meet this eldest grandson of the Prince Kang's mansion!
The two chatted amiably, and time passed swiftly.
By the time Feng Jinyao left, it was already the afternoon.
At this moment, the streets of the Eastern Capital were bustling with activity, as it was the busiest time for the afternoon market.
The Feng family was not far from the Bai family, but the neighborhood they passed through was the most prosperous area of the Eastern Capital.
The city was divided into four large blocks by two rivers running north and south, with east-west streets dividing the city.
At intervals, stone bridges were built, with clouds and water beasts carved on them, symbolizing a peaceful waterway.
The carriage moved slowly along the road, surrounded by the cries of vendors, creating a lively atmosphere.
The shops on both sides were arranged in a front-back layout, with residential houses in the backyards and various shops in the front.
Charcoal shops, taverns, incense shops, baozi shops, meat pie shops, tea shops, mutton shops, and pharmacies...
The items in the shops were dazzling, attracting the attention of passersby.
Sitting in the carriage, Xiuqiu widened her eyes.
Indeed, this was the capital of Great Jin, even the bustling scene was much livelier than usual. Since she entered the Feng Mansion, she rarely had the opportunity to go out. Occasionally, she would go to the Fahua Temple with her lady to pray, but she rarely walked along this imperial street.
Therefore, she had never even heard of some of the shops, let alone the things inside them. Curiously, she peered out through the half-open curtain.
As it was nearing mealtime, the vendors on both sides began to prepare the food they would sell in the evening.
The smell of freshly roasted fox meat and pork skin meat wafted through the air, while the hot eel soup was bubbling in the big pot, crystal cakes, plum ginger, sugar snowballs, wild duck meat...
Every street snack tempted the appetite of passersby.
Feng Jinyao was not fond of food, but the aroma wafting through the curtain made its way into the carriage.
She closed her eyes and listened carefully, as if sensing Xiuqiu's eagerness. "Do you want to eat?"
Feeling a bit shy at being asked, Xiuqiu touched her nose.
"Miss, could I go down and buy some snacks to taste? There are some snacks that I've never seen before."
Feng Jinyao smiled faintly, it wouldn't hurt to let them have some food while they were out. They didn't have many opportunities to go out after entering the mansion anyway, so it was fine to take advantage of this opportunity to taste some food. She nodded and instructed, "Tell the coachman to stop by the side. You can go down and take a look. Buy some snacks you like and also share some with the maids in the courtyard."
After saying that, she gestured for Yunxu to pass some silver coins to Xiuqiu, who was pleasantly surprised.
After expressing her gratitude, Xiuqiu quickly got off the carriage and ran towards the bustling area.
Seeing her like this, Yunxu couldn't help but smile lightly.
"Miss is very indulgent towards them."
Feng Jinyao didn't respond, her mind was focused on how to sabotage Xu Mingyue's marriage.
With a loud bang, the sound of popping popcorn on the side of the road startled the horses pulling the Feng family's carriage.
The horse neighed and seemed to want to gallop away!
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