Meanwhile, Noble Consort Fang returned to Jingwu Courtyard with Yun Zhu.
Yun Zhu's eyes kept replaying the scene of Xiao Mo and Feng Jiang Duo looking at each other. Lost in thought, she didn't hear Noble Consort Fang calling her name several times.
"Yun Zhu?"
Yun Zhu snapped back to attention and immediately apologized to Noble Consort Fang.
"What's wrong with you? You look so pale."
Yun Zhu forced a smile. "I didn't sleep well last night." She paused and said wistfully, "The young county princess is truly beautiful."
"Yes," Noble Consort Fang agreed. "She has outstanding looks and a dignified demeanor, though she's a bit quiet."
As Noble Consort Fang spoke, she thought of Wang Qingyao, who was always chattering non-stop, able to turn one sentence into ten.
"I think the young county princess and the second young master are quite a match, like a golden couple," Yun Zhu said with a smile, testing the waters cautiously.
Noble Consort Fang paused, as if seriously considering Yun Zhu's words.
After a while, she shook her head. "The young county princess is good, but not suitable for A'Mo. A'Mo is already a man of few words, and she is also quiet. If a couple doesn't exchange a word for half a day, how can that work?"
There was one more thing she didn't say: Feng Jiang Duo, as Xiao Mo's savior, couldn't be praised or thanked enough, but as a daughter-in-law, she was still lacking.
Although Feng Jiang Duo was a county princess with noble status, she had been practicing martial arts and appearing in public since childhood, even more so than Wang Qingyao.
Her eldest son's marriage was out of necessity, but she had to be discerning about her younger son's.
Thinking of this, Noble Consort Fang felt a pang of regret for Feng Jiang Duo. If she had been a well-behaved young lady from a respectable family, she would have been a perfect match for Xiao Mo!
Yun Zhu carefully observed Noble Consort Fang's expression and said, as if joking, "I noticed the second young master seems to like the young county princess quite a bit. He looked at her several times at the Old Noble Consort's place..."
Noble Consort Fang was shocked. "You saw that?"
"Yes. And the young county princess also seems to like the second young master."
Noble Consort Fang was too shocked to speak.
Yun Zhu continued, "The young county princess is also strange. Although she saved the second young master, the Prince and Princess are very polite and must have thanked her in Nanzhou long ago. Why did she have to follow them all the way to Duanjing?"
"She's an unmarried young lady, traveling thousands of miles from Nanzhou to Duanjing, without her parents or brothers to accompany her, all alone. If you say she has no ulterior motives, I, your servant, cannot believe it..."
"Although she is a county princess, I heard that Nanzhou is a poor region with barren mountains and scarce resources, far inferior to Duanjing..."
Yun Zhu's words made Noble Consort Fang extremely anxious.
"Then what should we do? The young county princess is the daughter of the Prince of Dingnan, and the Old Noble Consort is an old friend of the Prince of Dingnan. She will surely want the young county princess to marry A'Mo! No, no, I must sever their thoughts before the Old Noble Consort knows about this! Go and get my jewelry box!"
Yun Zhu brought the jewelry box. Noble Consort Fang carefully selected a pile of expensive and dazzling jewelry suitable for young girls and packed them in a small box.
She had intended to go to Nuanshang Pavilion immediately but realized it was getting late. She had to give up and wait until the next day.
That night was spent in Jingwu Courtyard, discussing with Yun Zhu how to make Feng Jiang Duo retreat the next day.
The next morning, Noble Consort Fang eagerly took Yun Zhu to Nuanshang Pavilion.
To her surprise, as soon as they entered, they saw Xiao Mo there, and a doctor was examining Feng Jiang Duo's arm.
"The county princess has a good constitution and has already recovered, but she still needs to be careful..."
The doctor gave some instructions. Feng Jiang Duo didn't listen attentively, but Xiao Mo listened intently, as if he were taking notes. His concern was evident.
Noble Consort Fang's forced smile faltered upon seeing this scene.
After the doctor left, Xiao Mo helped Noble Consort Fang to sit down and asked, "Why has Mother come?"
Noble Consort Fang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I came to see the young county princess."
She gestured for Yun Zhu to bring the box. She personally took it, opened it, and handed it to Feng Jiang Duo. "The young county princess saved A'Mo's life. As a mother, I am very grateful. Please accept these little trinkets for your amusement. I wonder if the young county princess will like them?"
Feng Jiang Duo politely declined. "Consort Fang is too kind. I didn't save him for a reward. I'm just glad the second young master is well. Please take them back."
Noble Consort Fang naturally refused. "Consider it a gift from an elder. I see you're not wearing any jewelry. It might be fine in Nanzhou, but not here in Duanjing. A county princess should have the bearing of a county princess. If you dress so plainly, people might mistake you for a maid from some household!"
Feng Jiang Duo's expression was indifferent. "Who cares what others think?"
Noble Consort Fang was momentarily speechless.
Xiao Mo frowned slightly. "Mother, the young county princess doesn't like wearing jewelry. She appreciates your kindness, but please take the items back."
Noble Consort Fang had no choice but to agree. She then took Xiao Mo's hand and said, "You are not young anymore, and it's time for you to get married. Mother thinks the second daughter of the Minister of Rites is quite good. Shall I arrange for you to meet her sometime?"