Chapter 767: Luo Qingrou

Chapter 767 Luo Qingrou

Xingxing was initially greatly shocked, but after a night's sleep, she made peace with it.

Her fourth brother was already outstanding, and on top of that, he treated Qing Shuang so well—wasn’t it only natural that Qing Shuang would like him?

She had just thought it would take Qing Shuang some time to realize her feelings, but she hadn’t expected her Qing Shuang sister’s awakening to be so… "unorthodox," as if she had an epiphany.

Not long after Xingxing got up, Luo Shi came again, beaming as she asked whether Xingxing had slept well the night before. If there was any discomfort, she could inform the other officials' wives and let the princess rest for another day—it was only right.

This was a subtle reminder to Xingxing not to forget today’s banquet.

In high spirits, Xingxing smiled and needled Luo Shi: "Madam, are you worried I was frightened by those troublemakers yesterday?" Her tone was light but pointed.

Luo Shi’s smile stiffened slightly.

She wasn’t oblivious—the Princess Fusui was clearly making a dig!

Fortunately, Luo Shi had already discussed countermeasures with Pang Ruhai the night before. She forced a smile and replied, "…Is Your Highness referring to what happened on the street yesterday? I heard about it too. I had intended to visit you last night, but you retired early, and by the time I arrived, you had already gone to bed. I didn’t want to disturb you further… Your Highness may not know, but my husband and I were terrified when we heard you had been accosted in Anjiang. My husband even had those hoodlums questioned all night and found they were drunk and, upon seeing Your Highness’s beauty, got bold ideas… Rest assured, those ruffians were given a proper thrashing last night—a proper chastisement to make amends to Your Highness."

Xingxing laughed again. "I only said one thing, yet the Prefect's Wife has replied with so many. You’re being far too cautious. I was just thinking—what if those troublemakers had encountered another young lady who hadn’t brought guards? Wouldn’t that have ended badly?"

Beads of sweat formed on Luo Shi’s forehead.

She hurriedly said, "Your Highness need not worry. It was just a coincidence, a mere coincidence…"

Xingxing smiled once more. "A coincidence? Meaning, I’m the only one who encountered such a thing?"

Luo Shi froze again.

How was she supposed to answer?

If she agreed—"Yes, it was just a coincidence"—it would sound far too deliberate.

But if she said, "No, it’s not just Your Highness who has encountered such things," it would make her husband seem utterly incompetent…

In an instant, Luo Shi found herself caught in a bind.

Her morning's careful makeup was nearly ruined by sweat.

Xingxing’s gaze was indifferent as she finally said, "I hope such incidents never happen again in Anjiang. I trust Prefect Pang is capable of ensuring that?"

Luo Shi immediately replied, "Of course, of course! Your Highness can rest assured!"

She beat a hasty retreat, sweating bullets.

By now, she no longer dared to underestimate Xingxing in the slightest—this Princess Fusui was not one to mess with!

...

For this banquet, Luo Shi had invited many of Anjiang’s local officials’ wives, as well as prominent ladies from well-to-do families in the area, making it a real to-do—at least by Anjiang’s standards. For Xingxing, however, who had attended all manner of banquets in the capital, even palace feasts on several occasions, there was nothing to write home about.

Luo Shi had figured that such an elaborate banquet—with its exquisitely crafted antique porcelain and freshly picked, flowers arranged to perfection on every table—would surely warrant some praise from Princess Fusui.

Yet while the officials’ wives and noble ladies of Anjiang gushed with praise, Xingxing only offered a few half-hearted thanks for the effort.

Luo Shi was left biting back frustration.

But that wasn’t all. Luo Shi then called over several young girls around Xingxing's age, who lined up gracefully.

"Hm?" Xingxing glanced at Luo Shi.

Earlier, Luo Shi had tried to assign her personal maid to serve Xingxing, but Xingxing had declined, citing her discomfort with being attended by anyone other than her own trusted maid.

Luo Shi smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Princess, these are all daughters of respectable families. Among them are my niece from my maiden family and the proper daughters of other respected madams. I thought that since you've come to Anjiang for sightseeing, having a few local girls from good families accompany you would not only make your journey less lonely but also benefit them greatly if they could receive some advice from you."

Xingxing raised an eyebrow, gave no answer.

When it came to her business, she preferred to have only those she trusted by her side and no one else.

But before Xingxing could refuse, Luo Shi had already promptly urged the young ladies to introduce themselves to the princess.

The girls, knowing this was their big chance, eagerly gathered around.

Surrounded by this lively group of chattering, chirping voices, all from girls her own age looking at her expectantly, Xingxing started feeling dizzy.

The wives of lower-ranking officials below, especially those with daughters among the group, watched anxiously, waiting for Xingxing to make her choice.

Under the weight of so many hopeful gazes, Xingxing eventually selected three girls to accompany her for now.

The chosen girls couldn't contain their joy.

Their relatives grinned from ear to ear, each hoping their daughter might rise in status through Princess Fusui's favor.

As for those not selected, they didn’t lose heart.

After all, the princess hadn't specified how many companions she wanted. If they performed well in front of her today, perhaps they too could get a piece of the action.

...

Among the three selected girls was Luo Shi's niece from her maiden family.

Xingxing hadn't initially intended to pick any companions, but when her gaze fell upon the girl who bore some resemblance to Luo Shi, she changed her mind a little.

Her main objective these days was to attract the attention of Pang Ruhai and the Western tribesman Tuo Bachi, making it easier for her fourth brother Yu Yonggui and Wei Shiyan to work undercover.

Perhaps this niece of Luo Shi's could provide some useful information.

Luo Shi's maiden family wasn't from Anjiang City—in fact, they lived quite far away, in a small county town, and were ordinary folks.

After Luo Shi married Pang Ruhai, she was quick to help her family's interests. Later, claiming she had only raised Pang Jinkang and lacked the blessing of a daughter, she brought several of her more accomplished nieces to Anjiang, where they lived in luxury.

Luo Qingrou, one of the nieces Luo Shi had brought to Anjiang, was among those Xingxing had selected.

When Luo Qingrou first arrived in Anjiang, she had been accompanied by two older sisters and a younger sister.

Additionally, two of the Luo family's most scholarly nephews had also been brought to Anjiang by Luo Shi and were currently studying at the city's finest academy.

At first, Luo Qingrou had been apprehensive, but as she settled into the lavish lifestyle her aunt provided, her worries faded, and she happily embraced her new role as the prefect's cousin.

Later, when Luo Shi married off her two older sisters to two of Pang Ruhai's senior officials as their second wives, Luo Qingrou grew uneasy.

Fortunately, Luo Shi hadn't yet arranged marriages for Luo Qingrou or her younger sister, Luo Qingwu. Luo Qingrou sensed her aunt's intention was for one of them to marry their cousin, Pang Jinkang.

Though Luo Qingrou found Pang Jinkang a bit fat and slow-witted, she couldn't deny that it might still be a good match.

After all, Pang Jinkang was her aunt's only son. If she married him, her mother-in-law would be her own aunt—how could life go wrong?

However, that day when she eavesdropped, her aunt had barely hinted at such an idea when her cousin Kang acted like she was some kind of monster, avoiding her at all costs. This made Luo Qingrou furious.

Before Luo Qingrou could even say anything, she heard her aunt remark, "...She’d just be a concubine. What’s the big deal? I promised your uncle I’d find good matches for your cousins, but you know your cousin Rou—she’s always been picky. I was worried too, but then a fortune-teller read her face and said she was fertile... So I thought, since you’re the only heir in our family, we should find someone fertile to keep the Pang family line going. Since you can only take that Miss Feng as a concubine anyway, what’s wrong with taking one more cousin?"

Luo Qingrou’s head spun.

At that moment, she realized—she had thought her aunt treated her well because she intended to keep her for her cousin Kang as his wife. Never had she imagined her aunt’s plan was to make her a concubine!

A concubine!

Luo Qingrou couldn’t bear to listen further. Her mind was in chaos as she staggered out, using the wall for support.

But eventually, Luo Qingrou gave in to her fate.

She had grown accustomed to this pampered life. How could she return to the Luo family, where only her grandmother rated a personal maid, and she had to do everything herself?

Staying in the Pang household as a concubine, with her bond to Cousin Kang and her own aunt as her mother-in-law—how could life possibly be bad?

Thinking this way, Luo Qingrou gradually accepted the reality.

She only waited for the day her aunt would spell it out plainly.

But Luo Qingrou never expected that when her aunt finally came to discuss it, the instructions she gave left her completely flustered!

...

Recalling her aunt’s orders, her initial excitement of being personally chosen by Princess Fusui as a companion soon cooled.

Nervously clenching her hands, she looked at the stunning princess before her, her palms growing clammy.

Xingxing turned to her with a smile. "Don’t be afraid, Miss Luo. I’m not some three-headed, six-armed monster—I won’t bite your head off."

Seeing the princess joke with her, Luo Qingrou mustered some courage and forced a smile. "You’re teasing me, Your Highness. It’s just... this is my first time meeting someone of your standing, so I’m a bit nervous. Please don’t mind me."

Xingxing’s eyes curved in amusement. "Why would I mind? There’s no need to be so formal, Miss Luo. I only picked you because among the other girls, you stood out from the crowd... By the way, I heard you’re the Magistrate's Wife’s niece?"

Luo Qingrou wasn’t sure what to make of the "you stood out from the crowd" comment. But hearing the princess inquire about her background, she perked up immediately. "Yes, Your Highness. The Magistrate's Wife is my aunt. I’m the fifth in my family."

Xingxing smiled. "Oh, so you have four older sisters?"

She chatted casually with Luo Qingrou like they were swapping gossip.

Remembering her aunt’s instructions to win over Princess Fusui and lower her guard, Luo Qingrou put her game face on and answered every question diligently.

Unknowingly, she ended up letting slip quite a lot to Xingxing.

For example, all four of her sisters had been married off—and to whom?

And so on.

Listening to Luo Qingrou’s answers, Xingxing’s expression turned thoughtful.

This Luo Shi really knew how to play the game.

To win over subordinates, she had married off several of her beautiful nieces.

Then... what about this one in front of her?

Xingxing's gaze fell upon Luo Qingrou.

Luo Qingrou looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, yet her features already had a budding charm. One could imagine that as she matured, she would grow into quite the beauty.

Such a beauty—what did Luo Shi have planned for her?

……

The Yu family had been a hot commodity in the capital, with swarms of people trying to suck up to them. Having seen so much of that, Xingxing was quite adept at handling the social-climbing wives of Anjiang City.

Perhaps because Xingxing was just a young girl, these ladies were all too quick to raise their fruit wines to toast her.

At first, they toasted Xingxing in the name of Anjiang’s citizens, and she drank a few cups to give them face. Unexpectedly, the ladies grew increasingly excessive, laying it on thick—how they admired the princess, how honored they were, begging for her attention—all under various pretexts to coax her into drinking more.

Qing Shuang cut in with a frosty look: "Our princess is still young and shouldn’t drink too much."

Luo Shi also appeared to intervene, chiding with a smile, "Indeed, what are you all thinking? I understand your excitement—seeing such a heavenly presence as the princess being so approachable and gracious—but how could you pressure her like this?"

The lower-ranking officials' wives laughed, "Oh, Magistrate's Wife, the princess is truly divine. We all admire her deeply and long to get closer, which is why we wished to share a few more drinks. Surely the princess isn’t the type to look down on us, right?"

This effectively backed Xingxing into a corner.

But Xingxing wasn't one for these games.

She could drink—but only if she wanted to.

Being cornered like this was no different from being forced into something against her will.

Propping her chin on her hand, Xingxing tilted her head and smiled, "While I may not necessarily look down on you, it seems you look down on me—thinking that if I don’t drink, I’m slighting you?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Scribe's Wife forced out a nervous chuckle, trying to smooth things over: "Princess, that’s not what we meant at all..."

"Exactly, exactly! And please rest assured, Princess, this is just fruit wine—it won’t intoxicate. We merely wished to... keep the mood light."

Xingxing smiled faintly. "So, in other words, I'm here for your amusement?"

The faces of the ladies who had been urging her to drink went white as sheets.

Luo Shi quickly gave Luo Qingrou a pointed look.

Understanding, Luo Qingrou swept forward gracefully with a cup in hand. "The princess is still young. Since the ladies are so insistent, allow me to drink in her stead."