Chapter 228: Chapter 228
Due to her recent illness, Lin Yanran’s complexion appeared somewhat pale and dull, making her look a bit haggard.
Lin Yanran looked at herself in the bronze mirror, frowned dissatisfied, and ordered the maid to bring the finest rouge, applying layer after layer until her cheeks were as rosy as peach blossoms, feeling satisfied.
Mrs. Qin worried she might tire herself, and advised, "Yan’er, born naturally beautiful and flawless as jade, needs only a touch of powder to surpass countless women, without the need for such extravagance."
Lin Yanran, however, disagreed, "I am to meet the Crown Prince soon, how can I be careless?"
Mrs. Qin was somewhat helpless, "Yan’er’s beauty, how could the Crown Prince not know? You are still ill and cannot..."
Before Mrs. Qin could finish, Lin Yanran interrupted, "It’s precisely because I’m ill that I must dress up well; I can’t let the Crown Prince see my imperfect side."
Mrs. Qin thought that sometimes, the frail look when ill could provoke a man’s protective instincts more.
But Lin Yanran insisted, as she hadn’t formally married the Crown Prince, she couldn’t let him see her unbeautiful side; even if she wanted to gain his sympathy, it should be after marriage.
So, she painted her brows, tinted her lips, styled her hair into a bun, and donned new clothes.
The hairpins on her head swayed gracefully, and the jade bracelets on her hand gleamed brilliantly.
Lin Yanran admired herself in the mirror, her lips slowly curling into a satisfied smile.
This was more like it! Shining and radiant, that’s how she wanted to appear.
"Miss is truly beautiful! Like a fairy descended to the earth! The most beautiful woman in the capital!"
The maid exclaimed in awe, while Mrs. Qin nodded with a smile.
"This is how a Crown Princess Consort should look! Graceful, dazzling, noble! Far superior to the inauspicious fox spirit that can’t even stand on the stage!"
Lin Yanran’s smile froze slightly, unwittingly recalling those stories woven into folktales...
Such as "The Love Affairs of King Qin’s Favorite Concubine," "The Overbearing Prince Fell in Love with Me," "Heaven’s Gift of Destiny: Favorite Concubine Arrives," and the like — various chaotic versions of their stories!
The jealousy and hatred nearly overflowed from her eyes.
She clenched her palm tightly, saying with hatred, "When the day comes that I become Crown Princess Consort, I will make them kneel before me and shine my shoes!"
Mrs. Qin too regretted bringing up that spoilsport (Yun Ran: You’re something; your whole family’s something!).
She quickly agreed with Lin Yanran, "Yes, yes, yes, she’s not worthy of shining your shoes! Yan’er, you’ll soon meet the Crown Prince, don’t let such an unsightly thing ruin your mood."
But despite waiting and waiting, watching as time ticked by, the Crown Prince still hadn’t shown up.
Lin Yanran grew restless, pacing the room anxiously, and Mrs. Qin had no choice but to send a close maid to inquire, specifically instructing her, "Be careful not to upset the Crown Prince."
After a while, the maid returned, and Lin Yanran rushed over, "How is it? Has the Crown Prince arrived?"
The maid ran back, wiping sweat from her forehead and panting slightly, "The Crown Prince and the master are discussing matters in the study and haven’t come out yet."
"It’s been so long, and they’re still discussing?!"
"Replying to Miss, yes, this old servant inquired thoroughly. Since the Crown Prince arrived, he went into the study and hasn’t come out since."
Lin Yanran and Mrs. Qin exchanged glances, both frowning slightly.
"Could something have happened in the court? It’s rare for the Crown Prince to visit the master at this hour and spend so long in the study."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yanran’s heart suddenly filled with worry, "Something happened? Could it be that the Crown Prince is in trouble?"
"Is someone in the court plotting against the Crown Prince?"
"Then, what about the Crown Prince..."
Seeing her starting to imagine wildly and scare herself, Mrs. Qin quickly comforted her, "Yan’er, don’t overthink. I was just speaking casually."
"Perhaps the Crown Prince has some important matters to discuss with the master, who knows."
Lin Yanran remained worried, "But they’ve been discussing for so long... What could it be?"
To reassure her, Mrs. Qin sent the maid to wait outside the study and report as soon as the Crown Prince emerged.
Even so, Lin Yanran’s brow stayed furrowed, and Mrs. Qin had to gently console her.
At this moment, time was passing like years for Lin Yanran.
Meanwhile, Yun Ran was lying by the bedside, painting.
Very seriously painting.
Her delicate brows and eyes looked bright and sly under the flickering warm candlelight, occasionally stealing a laugh at her drawing.
Nangong Mo wheeled over, raising an eyebrow teasingly at her, "Lin Wanyue, what mischief are you up to now? Laughing so sneakily!"
Without lifting her head, Yun Ran scoffed at him, "You’re the sneaky one! You’re the sneakiest! You’re just a sneaky male fox spirit!"
A fox is one thing, but why add ’spirit’?!
Nangong Mo wheeled forward again, leaning over to see her painting, "What are you drawing?"
Yun Ran stretched out a hand, covered his face, and gently pushed him away, "Is a male fox spirit like you worthy of looking at a heroine’s painting?"
Nangong Mo’s handsome face stiffened slightly, his thin lips pursed in protest, "Change the title for this master."
Yun Ran looked up at him, a playful smile curving her lips, eyes bent into crescents, "Want to change the title, huh? But... is this how you ask someone for a favor?"
The man thought for a moment, then looked at her earnestly, "Be good, change the title for this master."
Yun Ran couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
[Are you coaxing a kitten or puppy? Be good? Be good, my foot!] ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Yun Ran extended her hand towards him, her fingers gently lifted.
Nangong Mo looked at her hand, as white as snow and as soft as boneless, feeling an urge to pinch it.
He did reach out and pinch it, only for Yun Ran to slap his hand away, "What are you doing? Silver!"
Nangong Mo’s mouth twitched slightly, looking at the bright-eyed, white-toothed girl somewhat helplessly, "Does changing the title require silver?"
"Of course! Did you think you could change the title just because you wanted to?"
"Without silver, you’re a male fox spirit."
This little money-grubber! This master’s beauty can’t even compare to silver?
The man, slightly jealous, pursed his lips, then pulled out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve and handed them over.
Yun Ran took them, beaming, counted them, kissed them, and tucked them into her bosom.
Is it that this master is not as attractive as silver notes? Why don’t you kiss me voluntarily?!
For a fleeting moment, Nangong Mo wished to turn into a silver note, held in her hand, kissed by her, tucked into her bosom.
He pursed his thin lips, suppressing his jealousy of silver notes, and looked at her with deep eyes, "Now, can the title be changed?"
Yun Ran was in a great mood, her beautiful eyes curved into crescents, "Yes, yes! It’s possible now! What title would you like to change to?"