Chapter 382.2: Strange Object, More Chaos

Speaking of which, it truly was the affairs of life pervious to change. In Li Hong Yuan’s past life, Princess Min Xiang’s fuma was Chen Zheng Min. Having ruined Chen Zheng Min’s future prospects, Princess Min Xiang nevertheless got grasped in Chen Zheng Min’s hand, very much obedient. Even if Chen Zheng Min wasn’t good to her, she still didn’t dare to tell her mother. Yet now, this fifth fuma was like this.

However, no matter how cowardly of a man, on some matters, they won’t silently endure or yield. If endured, or yielded, then there will undoubtedly be a reason. Unfortunately, Princess Min Xiang didn’t understand this bit. On one side, she blindly feels that having married such a man was exceptionally wronging her, yet on the other side, she also enjoyed the sense of accomplishment of completely controlling this man.

Princess Min Xiang feared Li Hong Yuan from the depths of her bones. As such, when meeting with Li Hong Yuan’s line of sight, she just uncontrollably cowered.

This bit, fifth fuma took in. He never knew that this arrogant and haughty, even in front of his Majesty all able to smoothly act clever, Princess Min Xiang, actually had someone she was scared of too, truly a rare sight. Speaking of which, the living Enma’s name was very well-known throughout the entire capital, but his mother and son relationship with Noble Consort Su has always been very good. Although he seemingly didn’t get along too well with Rui Qinwang, he has never heard that there was any disagreement with Princess Min Xiang. Thinking to himself, fifth fuma felt that perhaps there was something unknown to others in this matter. However, this wasn’t something he dared to pry into, nor did he have that ability.

Her daughter strangely being scared of her foster son, Noble Consort Su was also very helpless. It’s not that she has never thought of a way to let them get close, but there wasn’t any use.

Noble Consort Su sat down in the main seat. Her smile was rather happy, “It’s rare for you all to be able to gather together. Now that we’re in Yucui Palace, no need to restrain yourself.”

The people below all responded in agreement.

Some matters, they didn’t want to mention, and some things, it wasn’t good to mention. Everyone said just said some things that neither offended nor made others want to avoid. As such, the atmosphere was rather harmonious and also quite casual. Towards innocent and cute children, Jing Wan all quite liked. Even if a bratty child, when not being bratty, they were also quite lovable. And Rui Qinwang’s two children were actually taught quite well by Rui Wangfei, just they were probably a bit too quiet, lacking the liveliness of a child. Jing Wan knew Noble Consort Su didn’t like her, and she was also too lazy to go incur dislike. Those superficial courtesies, even she would feel they were annoying. Thus, she very much bluntly had the two children called over to her side, letting a certain someone go deal with Noble Consort Su. In any case, Noble Consort Su most likely also just want to pull this son of hers to talk.

Jing Wan then ordered the palace maids of Yucui Palace to bring some things over, both big and small, even bringing over some beads. The two children were already passed the age of randomly shoving things in their mouth, so she didn’t need to worry about anything either.

At first, the two children were still somewhat reserved, even occasionally casting a glance at their own consort mother, but seeing the many variety in Jing Wan’s hands, they gradually start to forget, even hearing ‘wah, sixth aunt, you’re so incredible’, and such words from time to time, their face smiling exceptionally bright.

Jing Wan lightly scraped their little nose, her hands very quickly stringing another lively little animal using the beads. Otherwise, it was just using the various pieces of cloth to piece and stitch together a cute doll. ———Jing Wan’s embroidery although was too tragic to look at, but her basic sewing skill completely wasn’t a problem. Otherwise, it was just very simple drawings, carrying a bit of cartoon style. The entire paper was filled with kittens and puppies, yet they were in thousands of postures, charmingly cute. Then, adding on simple background compositions, it appeared fun and interesting. Small children couldn’t love more…………….Doing on her own was one thing, but to also teach two children, she wasn’t rigid and inflexible either, instead elaborating on each. Even if messing up, she can also ‘change waste into treasure’ in seconds……………

Rui Wangfei, seeing her two daughters smiling very happily, her gaze not just once grew gloomy. She really very rarely saw her daughters smile like this. Speaking of which, the things Jing Wan did were all very simple. Majority of the servant girls were all able to do. In the manor, the servant girls also played with them before, just compared to Jing Wan, it was much more proper, lacking the qualities that delight children. The variety was also just those, not that many, and moreover, when the servant girls played with them, they never dared to let them personally take up the scissors, and can only watched from the side, so this joy naturally reduced some more.

Jing Wan was both patient and attentive…………..

Not just Rui Wangfei noticed, the others also gradually stopped talking, having their attention gathered on them.

“Sixth sister-in-law appears to be still a child at heart. When you have your own child, you’ll be able to play together, no?” Princess Min Xiang pursed her lips and laughed.

However, the people present, not a single one was unable to understand the ‘tactful’ phrasing. Having married and given birth to children, yet still playing like a child, what was that called? To put it pleasantly, it as just being a child at heart, but to put it unpleasantly, it was just not having grown up. As such, how was one able to serve one’s husband well? How can one pay filial piety to the mother-in-law and father-in-law? Having an innocent and naive daughter-in-law, under normal circumstances, no elders would like.

However, Princess Min Xiang wasn’t a mother, so she didn’t understand that some things, one can’t just look at one-sidedly, and she further didn’t know that regardless of whether it was Rui Wangfei or Noble Consort Su, when seeing the two children smile, just how complicated they felt inside. Didn’t one see that despite Noble Consort Su disliking Jing Wan that much, at this time, she also didn’t say a single word? She further didn’t know that these words of hers made the living Enma that she feared the most record another mark for her.

Li Hong Yuan was already petty to begin with, and on matters regarding Jing Wan’s treatment, he was further so. Even if one were to say just ‘no’ to Jing Wan, one perhaps might just get retaliated against by him at some time.

Speaking of which, Princess Min Xiang didn’t have any good feelings towards Jing Wan either. Mainly, it was still because a few days ago, Noble Consort Su said a few words in front of her. Actually, based on Noble Consort Su’s conduct, she wasn’t the type to gossip behind other’s back either. Even if distorting the problem for her opponents in front of Le Cheng Emperor, it was also having tact. That’s why, she actually didn’t say anything either. Unfortunately, it just got twisted by Princess Min Xiang.

Li Hong Yuan’s gaze lightly swept over, “Since Min Xiang has married, then presumably has also grown up. Assisting one’s husband and educating one’s children, serving the father-in-law and mother-in-law, taking care of one’s younger sister-in-law and brother-in-law, presumably all not anything difficult for you. Just as you’ve said, your sixth sister-in-law still hasn’t grown up, so for many things, there’s no need to excessively nitpick.”

Princess Min Xiang subconsciously trembled in fear, and Li Hong Yuan’s words towards the end further made her uncomfortable. After she married, exactly what it was like, no one was more clear than her. It can be said, Li Hong Yuan’s every word all stabbed her weak spot, making her short of breath from guilt, even not daring to retort a single word.

Noble Consort Su knew that this foster son of hers was quite protective of his wife, and on normal days, afraid was also quite good to her. Although she didn’t know exactly what her daughter was like after marrying, she was still able to make out his complaint towards her daughter, even feeling that the latter words were actually said for her to hear. However, right now, facing Li Hong Yuan, Noble Consort Su was also short on confidence, “Your sixth sister-in-law just likes children. In the future, when you have your own child, it will also be the same.”

Children, in Princess Min Xiang’s world, was further an existence that can’t be mentioned. Having done something like that, she was also unable to be bold and confident. Thus, she further didn’t dare to follow up.

As such, Princess Min Xiang’s abnormality naturally just got detected, and not just by Noble Consort Su.

“Min Xiang, what’s wrong, is there something you’re hiding from consort mother?”

Princess Min Xiang had a huge backing in the palace, so for the most part, she didn’t know how to restrain herself, and also didn’t know how to read others. Compared to those princesses that didn’t have a mother and didn’t have favor, she was practically just a ‘sweet naive idiot’[1]. Of course, it was absolutely in the derogatory sense. That’s why, she was simply unable to hide things. Getting asked like this by Noble Consort Su, she just appeared at a loss for what to do, and subconsciously looked towards her fuma that was next to her. Her complexion was a bit pale, but her gaze contained a warning, and also a plea that even she didn’t realize.

Because of the angle, aside from fifth fuma, only Jing Wan saw when she inadvertently lifted her head. This time, she was a hundred percent certain that there was something wrong between this married couple. And this problem was also quite big. On the eldest princess’s side, it was the husband domineering, the wife timid, but between this pair, it was probably the exact opposite, just don’t know what degree it reached.

[1] Sweet naive idiot (傻白甜), this term, is often used to describe those innocent shoujo manga and mary-sue type characters. Overall it’s a neutral term, but in certain context, it’s also used to mock a character.