In the adjoining ear room, the brazier inside burned brightly. Yun Xu gently stirred the silver-thread charcoal with iron chopsticks, and it made a soft crackling sound.
"What's wrong? You're acting like a fighting cock on the street. Did your cousin make you angry again?"
"You dare to say that! You haven't visited me in over half a month. Have you forgotten your cousin?" .org
Feng Jin Yao couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Since I returned to the manor, I haven't had a moment's rest. You know my mother has been ill, and my sister-in-law hasn't been feeling well either, so the burden of managing the household fell on me. It's also the end of the year, with a thousand and one troublesome matters. I've finally sorted them out, and now I've rushed to deliver New Year's gifts to my grandmother and aunts!"
After speaking, she took out a small booklet from her embrace and mysteriously handed it over.
"You've always wanted to practice pitch-pot, haven't you? I've written down some of my thoughts. I don't know if they're useful, but you can take a look."
"Really?" Bai Si Ruo's eyes lit up, and her previous annoyance vanished.
She treasured the booklet, flipping through it carefully, and her joy grew. "This is more like it."
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. Tell me, what happened to your eldest aunt?"
With a "humph," Bai Si Ruo vented her dissatisfaction, recounting all the vulgar words Shen Shi had used to cause a scene at the Duke's manor. Feng Jin Yao's expression turned cold as she listened.
"Does she think her daughter is some fairy descended to earth? She looks down on my eldest uncle's cousin. Bah! Does she really think our Bai family is her stepping stone to climb higher?"
Shen Shi's ambitions truly were beneath notice. If it weren't for missing the triennial imperial selection, she would probably have set her sights on a noble consort position in the palace.
Since that was the case, perhaps she could lend a hand and fulfill her "wish."
Soon, a plan formed in her mind, and she asked,
"Does cousin know when Sister Xu's wedding day is set?"
"They say it's in May. The weather will be cool then, the transition between spring and summer, so they chose a good day in May."
May. In that case, she still had time to maneuver.
"Originally, it was planned for September. Unfortunately, Elder Ge Xu is frail, and they were worried about his health taking a turn for the worse, so they moved it up."
Bai Si Ruo's face held a hint of sadness, completely devoid of the joy of a good sister's upcoming wedding.
"The thought of her becoming sisters-in-law with Liang Luo makes me feel so stifled. I hope heaven blesses Liang Luo with an early marriage, so she doesn't stay at the Liang family and ruin Ming Yue."
Feng Jin Yao chuckled, looking at Bai Si Ruo with amusement.
"Cousin, are you joking? Sister Xu could be harmed by her? Are you sure?"
Hearing her words, Bai Si Ruo's inner turmoil suddenly cleared. "That's right, with her brain, she can't even outwit me, how could she harm Ming Yue! Hahaha, I feel much better."
She happily patted Feng Jin Yao's shoulder. "If only you were my own sister, then I wouldn't have to look at Bai Si Han every day and get so angry."
"Don't be angry. Didn't the Wei family send an invitation? How about we help her climb a higher branch?"
"You mean..."
"At the Wei family's banquet, only distinguished guests will be present. Since she looks down on ordinary families, let's find her an extraordinary family to fulfill her wish, won't we?"
Bai Si Ruo's eyes lit up. Although she spoke quickly and had a simple mind, it didn't mean she was completely unintelligent.
If Feng Jin Yao had spoken this far and she still couldn't figure it out, then she would truly be foolish.
"Good sister, you truly understand me!"
Looking at Bai Si Ruo's spirited demeanor, Feng Jin Yao felt a surge of emotion.
In her previous life, Bai Si Ruo was to be engaged to the legitimate second grandson of the Kang Prince's manor the following year. If their love had been deep, it would have been one thing, but it had become a scandal known throughout the Eastern Capital.
Thinking of her second brother's miserable life after marrying a princess, Feng Jin Yao was determined not to let her cousin suffer such hardship.
She would find an opportunity to get to know this legitimate grandson!
As they talked, time flowed by second by second.
When Feng Jin Yao set off to leave, it was already Shen Shi.
In the Eastern Capital, it was the liveliest time of the afternoon market.
The Feng family was not far from the Bai family, but the streets they passed through were the most prosperous in the Eastern Capital.
Two rivers ran through the city from north to south, dividing the entire Eastern Capital into four large blocks and several market districts.
Every so often, a stone bridge was built, carved with auspicious clouds and water beast patterns, symbolizing peaceful waterways.
The carriage moved slowly on the road, surrounded by the calls of vendors, very lively.
On both sides were the layouts of shops in front and courtyards in the back. The backyards were mostly residences, and the shops in front sold everything.
Charcoal shops, taverns, incense shops, steamed bun shops, meat pie shops, tea shops, lamb shops, pharmacies...
The goods in the shops were displayed in a dazzling array, captivating the eyes of passersby.
Xiuqiu, sitting in the carriage, also widened her eyes.
Indeed, it was the capital of the Great Jin. Even the liveliness was much greater. Since she had sold herself to the Feng manor, she had few opportunities to go out.
Occasionally, she would go out with the madam and young ladies to offer incense at the Fahua Temple, but she rarely walked this imperial street.
Therefore, she had never even heard of some of the shops, let alone the goods inside. She was curious and peeked out through the half-open curtain.
As it was nearing mealtime, the vendors on both sides began to prepare things for sale in the evening.
Freshly roasted wild fox meat and pork skin, fragrant and mouth-watering. Hot eel soup was simmering in a large pot. Crystal cakes, plum ginger, sugar ice balls, wild duck meat...
Every street snack was tempting the appetites of passersby.
Feng Jin Yao was not a glutton. The aroma drifted into the carriage through the curtain.
Closing her eyes and concentrating, she seemed to sense Xiuqiu's eagerness. "Do you want to eat?"
Xiuqiu, asked by her, felt a little shy and touched her nose.
"Miss, could you let this servant go down and buy some snacks to try? There are some foods this servant has never seen before."
Feng Jin Yao smiled faintly. These maids had few opportunities to go out after selling themselves to the manor. It was understandable for them to want to eat something during this opportunity.
So she nodded and instructed, "Tell the coachman to pull over. You go down and take a look. Buy more of whatever you like to eat, and share some with the maids in the courtyard."
After speaking, she signaled Yun Xu to hand over some money. Xiuqiu was overjoyed.
She repeatedly praised her and quickly got out of the carriage, running towards the lively area.
Yun Xu, seeing her like that, couldn't help but smile.
"Miss just spoils them."
Feng Jin Yao did not reply, her mind entirely occupied with how to sabotage Xu Liang's engagement.
With a bang, there was the sound of popcorn on the roadside, startling the horses pulling the Feng family's carriage.
It neighed loudly and was about to bolt!