Chapter 141: Chapter 141: A Public Disgrace
Miss Jin was sent flying out the door with a gesture from Heir Pei, landing on the ground outside like a heap of cement, unable to get up for a long while.
This commotion attracted a servant from the Jin Family to come and check on the situation.
Pei Ji’an walked to the doorway, standing with hands behind his back, high and mighty, noble and aloof, "Go and bring Mr. Jin here, and also call for Second Madam Jin."
This was a Young Master indeed, who would dare oppose his words? Someone immediately went to summon them.
Mr. Jin, upon hearing what had happened, felt truly ashamed, awkward, and remorseful. It was such a rare occasion to have esteemed guests at their home, and yet his family members embarrassed themselves like this.
Mr. Jin hurriedly went to apologize to Heir Pei.
When Second Madam Jin arrived and saw her daughter lying unconscious on the ground, she felt as if the sky had collapsed.
"How could Miss Jin go out in perfect health and now be fainted? How are you all looking after the young lady?!"
Then a maid whispered something in her ear, and Second Madam Jin immediately looked up at Heir Pei, but upon meeting his cold gaze, the aura of supremacy made Second Madam Jin shudder deep in her heart.
Even a petty person knows how to read expressions, especially for someone they cannot afford to offend, every move from the other could shake them to the core.
This step seemed to have gone wrong, not able to latch onto the nobleman, but instead angered him.
Not only did he ignore Mr. Jin’s face, but he also threw someone out directly and specifically had her come to see the spectacle, leaving no face at all.
Second Madam Jin felt utterly disgraced, feeling both furious and fearful inside.
In the midst of this farce, Feng Mei’er seized the opportunity to meet Qu Fulan.
"Qu Fulan, what do you mean exactly? I came with good intentions to see you, and you shut me out?" Feng Mei’er’s tone was thoroughly righteous.
Feng Mei’er, after all, was the daughter of a government official, educated in manners unlike merchant daughters, although she very much wished to see Qu Fulan, she knew she had to gain her consent first, otherwise, it would be spread that she was impolite, and it wouldn’t be good for her future marriage prospects.
But who knew that the once obedient Li Jirou had completely changed into Qu Fulan, becoming indifferent towards her, and her anger had already reached its peak, upon meeting her and seeing no one else around, she didn’t have to worry about her image as she questioned her.
"Do you have any business with me?" Qu Fulan asked blandly.
In contrast to Feng Mei’er’s fiery temper, Qu Fulan’s calm demeanor was like a cushion of cotton, making Feng Mei’er’s punches feel ineffectual.
"We are good friends, and it’s rare to reunite. I care for you and wish to visit you, how can you shut me out? Where are your manners and principles?"
Qu Fulan replied, "Your father is suspected of framing my father, do you think I would still regard you as a friend?"
The reason for her vague response was due to a lack of evidence, as the original book merely glossed over this with no hints, so she could only use this to draw a line between them.
Feng Mei’er was stunned by her words, clear panic in her eyes, but she quickly found the flaw, "Who did you hear that from? It’s just others spreading rumors to sow discord, how could my father possibly frame yours when our families have such a good relationship?"
Qu Fulan said, "Whether it’s true or not, I’ll have Xiao Shiqing investigate when I meet him. Until then, I do not wish to see you."
Feng Mei’er instinctively clenched her fingers, feeling threatened, but soon came to realize that there was no evidence yet, and besides, it wouldn’t be found in the future either!
Even on the off chance it was found, it would be when she met Xiao Shiqing, which she didn’t have the chance for now, so there was nothing to worry about.
After quickly understanding the stakes, Feng Mei’er immediately feigned innocence, "For the lifetime I’ve treated you as a friend and worried about you, now you treat me like this, it’s truly heartbreaking."
Qu Fulan remained silent.
Feng Mei’er thought she had convinced her, continuing to play the misery card, "I know you’re having a hard time now and have changed a lot, but where have I had it better? Currently staying at the Jin Family is like living under others’ roofs, but even so, I’ve always let people look around for your whereabouts."
"And after knowing my whereabouts?" Qu Fulan asked.
"Of course, I wanted to help you," Feng Mei’er’s voice became impassioned, "We are like sisters, seeing you reduced to a servant, how could I feel at ease? Don’t worry, when I have the chance, I’ll do my best to ransom you out!"
"What is your chance?" Qu Fulan asked again.
Feng Mei’er believed Qu Fulan had completely fallen for her words, coupled with her thick skin, she no longer cared for modesty as she eagerly said, "I like Heir Pei, Fulan. I am still the daughter of an official; if you help me, once I become the Young Lady, I can return your contract and set you free!"
Qu Fulan laughed.
The book seemed to follow a similar plotline, where the original protagonist was coaxed into helping, foolishly bridging and connecting relationships. Although not marrying into the Pei Family, she succeeded in overturning her status through the Pei Family connections.
How could today’s Qu Fulan let Feng Mei’er use her to climb the social ladder?
Seeing Feng Mei’er lost in her delusional hopes, Qu Fulan suddenly smiled gently at her and said word by word, "You, are, dreaming."
Meanwhile, on Heir Pei’s side, Mr. Jin apologized multiple times and forcefully had Second Madam Jin taken away, finally quieting the small courtyard.
Prince An and the others found it both amusing and infuriating.
"Such girls are terrifying, lacking any sense of shame, and as soon as they see a man, they want to latch on without considering their own status."
"The more ignorant one is, the braver they seem to be."
"Since we’ve already seen Jin Sheng today, we shall leave tomorrow. I don’t want to stay a moment longer."
Having set their sights on Pei Ji’an, what if they turned their sights to us next?
Never mind marrying as a main wife, even as a concubine, it’s out of the question.
The saying goes, marry a wise wife, take a pretty concubine; that Miss Jin lacks even the look, where does she get the confidence to seduce anyone?
After parting with Feng Mei’er, Qu Fulan went to find Heir Pei.
The Jin Family arranged for separate courtyards for Heir Pei and the others to show respect, so now Qu Fulan had to walk a bit to reach him.
On the way, she encountered Jin Pan.
He had been waiting eagerly outside her courtyard, and upon seeing her emerge, he looked at her like a rare treasure, hurrying forward to say, "Mr. Qu."
Qu Fulan was taken aback, instinctively stepping back two steps, feeling displeased inside, but keeping a straight face, "Second Young Master Jin, do you have any business?"
Jin Pan, seeing that she recognized him, smiled even more warmly, "You recognize me, Mr. Qu?"
"The head of the Jin Family specially introduced us today, how could I not recognize you?" Qu Fulan said calmly, "But I have something to attend to, I’ll be on my way, perhaps we’ll chat another time."
Jin Pan blocked her path again, "Don’t be in such a hurry to leave, Mr. Qu. If there’s anything, just let the maids or lads handle it, we are so destined, we should sit down for a good drink."