Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

At night, on the border, in the mansion of the city lord of Xian City, in the study.

The room was quiet.
Prince Jing Fang Jinling had finished reading the documents and closed his eyes, leaning on the soft cushion. One hand lightly rubbed his eyebrows, and the other hand tapped lightly on the table, listening to the sound of rain outside.
It was unknown what he was thinking.

The door ‘creaked’ open, and Fang Jinling’s close guard, Wei Feng, walked in. “Prince, a letter from the capital has arrived.”

Fang Jinling opened his eyes indifferently, and his low voice rose. “Bring it up.”

Wei Feng presented the letter with both hands. After three years on the border, he had grown accustomed to the monthly letters from the capital. Although he didn’t know what was written in them, every time the prince finished reading the letters, his mood seemed to improve slightly, although it was imperceptible to outsiders.

Fang Jinling’s gaze lingered on the last line of the letter for a moment before he folded it up and put it away.
Seeing Wei Feng still standing there, he asked, “Is there anything else?”

Wei Feng lowered his head and said in a hushed tone, “There’s news from the palace that the Empress thinks of the Prince and asks when you will return to the capital?”

Fang Jinling lowered his eyes, and his index finger curved, tapping on the table.
The Empress thought of him?
He felt no ripple in his heart. Although he was recorded as the Empress’s son, he wasn’t her biological child.
Their relationship was distant, and even when paying respects to the Empress, they would exchange no more than two words. In the end, their relationship was one of mutual need.

“This Prince knows,” he said, without specifying when he would return to the capital.

However, Wei Feng didn’t leave, and it wasn’t mainly for this matter. He thought for a moment before adding, “While Prince is not in the capital, the Empress has arranged for two women to enter the mansion.”
After saying this, he quickly lowered his body, convinced that the prince wouldn’t be pleased after hearing this.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became heavier.

Fang Jinling’s tapping on the table stopped, and his voice was icy cold. “The Empress is getting more and more leisurely.”

Wei Feng didn’t dare to respond and heard the low voice above him. “Let Fu Shan handle it.”

Fu Shan was the head steward of the Prince Jing Mansion, managing the household affairs. He was capable, loyal, and deeply trusted by the Prince Jing. If this matter was entrusted to him, by the time the Prince Jing returned to the mansion, those two women would likely be gone.

Wei Feng retreated, also puzzled by why the Empress was so enthusiastic about sending women to the prince.
After all, the one engaged to the prince was the Empress’s own niece. Wei Feng shook his head, unable to understand the Empress’s actions, knowing only that her actions had displeased the prince.

In the study, Fang Jinling looked at the folded letter, remembering the last sentence, “Miss Luo is doing well.”
A vague image of her elegant figure appeared in his mind.

Before the imperial edict was issued, he had quickly left the capital, and he still didn’t know what she thought. However, now that the edict had been issued, whether she was willing or not, she would have to marry him.

Fang Jinling closed his eyes, leaning on the sandalwood chair.
Thinking of the one he missed, his fingers beside him involuntarily moved.

Unlike the desolate and quiet border, the capital was bustling recently.

Luo Yi’er followed Madam Chu to the Minister of Rite’s mansion, accepting the invitation of Madam Duan, the wife of the Minister of Rites.

Among the daughters of noble families, she was like a fish in water. Her appearance and family background were top-notch, and she had the imperial marriage arrangement. Many people flattered her, and she behaved elegantly and virtuously, with a thousand graces. Many women looked at her with envy, while some others were jealous and resentful, but she ignored them directly, leaving them with a red face.

After the banquet, she mentioned to Chu shi that she wanted to go to the Juman Tower to buy some crispy pastry.
Madam Chu, knowing that she would be entering the royal family in the future, didn’t restrict her and nodded in agreement, only asking her to return to the mansion early.

After entering the Juman Tower with Linglong, she ordered what she wanted in a gentle and soft voice. She soon saw a young lady from a noble family, who also recognized her and came over to greet her.
After a few words, she told her that Princess Qingya would be hosting a flower appreciation banquet soon.

In the private room on the second floor of the Juman Tower, Prince Wen, Fang Jinyu, sat casually by the window, exuding a gentle and refined aura. He was holding a bowl of tea, relaxing, when he suddenly heard a familiar soft and gentle voice from downstairs.
He looked down through the railing and saw a figure in a pearl-white plain silk dress, with a familiar gentle smile on her face, chatting with others.

Fang Jinyu’s eyes flashed with surprise, not expecting to run into her there on a leisurely day.

After a while, the server handed her the packaged pastry, and her maidservant took it. He heard her gentle voice bidding farewell to others, and then she turned to leave.

Fang Jinyu followed her with his gaze, looking out the window, and just managed to see her getting into a sedan chair, which slowly disappeared into the distance.

He remained silent throughout, only turning to look at An Chong, who was standing behind him, and asked in a gentle tone, his brows furrowed, “Is Qingya hosting a banquet recently?”

An Chong nodded. “Yes, it’s said to be a flower appreciation banquet at the Princess’s mansion.”

“When?”

An Chong didn’t understand why he was interested in this today, but he didn’t dare to ask and replied, his head lowered, “Half a month later.”
Fang Jinyu smiled gently and said in a soft voice, “It’s been a long time since I saw that girl.”

“The Princess will definitely send an invitation to your mansion. I’ll make sure to remind the Prince at that time,” An Chong replied.

Fang Jinyu nodded, drank the tea in one gulp, and looked out the window.
The private room fell silent again.

Three days later, Princess Qingya sent an invitation to the Marquis Qi Mansion, directly to the Yunxia Courtyard.
At that time, Luo Yi’er was in a pavilion by the bamboo forest with the second and fourth misses. When the maidservant came to deliver the message, the second miss, Luo Fu, heard it clearly and her eyes lit up. Her smile became even more sincere.

“I’ve been idle recently and embroidered a few sachets. If Third Sister doesn’t mind, I’ll send them to you tomorrow,” Luo Fu said.

Luo Yi’er smiled gently, her eyes shining with a hint of light. She seemed not to notice the intention behind Luo Fu’s words.
“Second Sister’s embroidery skills are always the best in the mansion. I’ll wait for you in the courtyard tomorrow.”

Luo Fu felt a slight awkwardness in her heart. The best embroidery skills in the mansion?
The sisters in the mansion often competed for this title, but Luo Yi’er, the legitimate third miss, never participated.
It was because she was born to the master’s wife and was noble from birth. What they competed for was just something she wouldn’t bother with.

However, Luo Fu’s face smiled happily. “Then I’ll come to Third Sister’s courtyard for a cup of tea tomorrow.”

The fourth miss, Luo Yu, was always gentle. She looked at Luo Fu’s flattering expression and her eyes flashed with a hint of light, almost imperceptibly.
Luo Yi’er glanced at her and smiled, sipping her tea.

As they chatted, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from the garden.
The next moment, Luo Ying, lifting her skirt, ran over, her laughter like silver bells.

“Third Sister, you’re here,” she said.
When she reached the pavilion, she stopped and her cheeks were slightly red from the sun.
A thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her eyes sparkled as she turned them around, and she said in a coquettish tone, “Third Sister, why did you leave me behind? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

The fifth miss, Luo Ying, lost her mother at a young age and was the youngest child in the mansion. She was usually spoiled by the Marquis and often acted cute and adorable. Because she was sweet-tongued, she was a well-behaved and lovable younger sister around Luo Yi’er.

Madam Chu was also gentle with her, making her one of the more prominent ones among the sisters born to concubines.

The second miss, Luo Fu, looked at her behavior coldly and thought it was disgusting how she tried to curry favor. She and the fourth sister were sitting there, but Luo Ying acted as if she didn’t see them. She said she had been looking for them for a long time, but they had been sitting there for over an hour.
Had she searched the entire mansion?
It was obvious that she had heard the news that the princess’s mansion had sent an invitation and rushed over, afraid of missing an opportunity.

Luo Yi’er blinked her eyes and let a maidservant pour her a cup of cold tea. Then she said gently, “It’s hot today, and you’re not used to going out in this weather. That’s why we didn’t call you.”

Luo Fu chimed in timely, “Yes, Third Sister has good intentions, but don’t get misunderstood by Fifth Sister.”

Luo Ying’s smile didn’t change, and she didn’t even glance at Luo Fu. She just smiled sweetly and adorably at Luo Yi’er. “I know Third Sister is the best to me.”

Luo Fu’s expression stiffened, and she gave Luo Ying a cold look. Luo Ying wasn’t intimidated and glared back, neither of them looking down on the other.

Luo Yi’er seemed not to notice the tension between her sisters and drank her tea leisurely. She took the fish food from Linglong and sat by the pavilion, sprinkling it into the fish pond below with her fingers.
She watched as the fish swam up to fight for the food.
She looked at the scene in the pond and smiled gently, her lips curling up. The invitation in her hand was like the fish food, attracting a group of fish to fight and compete.

The sisters discussed the latest fashion trends in clothing and jewelry, and the conversation was filled with flattery towards Luo Yi’er, either directly or indirectly.
She responded with gentle smiles, not revealing much joy despite the usual praise.

After glancing at the time, Linglong leaned over and whispered, “Miss, it’s getting late. The kitchen should be sending lunch to the Yunxia Courtyard soon.”

The group fell silent for a moment. Luo Fu wasn’t in a hurry since she would be visiting the Yunxia Courtyard the next day. She put down her teacup calmly.
“Time flies when we’re together, Third Sister. You should go back for lunch.”

Luo Ying quickly chimed in, not wanting to be outdone. “Yes, it’s getting hot in the sun. Third Sister should head back early. I’ll come visit you at the Yunxia Courtyard tomorrow.”

Luo Yi’er gently tapped Luo Ying’s forehead, smiling and shaking her head, showing a doting expression. “You’re still so playful.”

Luo Ying giggled and hugged Luo Yi’er’s arm, acting spoiled. “Don’t forget to wait for me tomorrow, Third Sister.”

After teasing Luo Ying for a while, Luo Yi’er turned to Luo Fu and said gently, “Second Sister, you should also head back soon.”

Then she stood up, supported by Linglong’s arm. She wore a moon-white long dress with fine craftsmanship, and the sleeves and hem were embroidered with exquisite golden threads.

As Luo Fu and others watched her leave, her figure swaying gracefully, it seemed like she took the brightness of the garden with her.

In an instant, the pavilion felt a bit hotter. Luo Ying was the first to feel impatient. As soon as Luo Yi’er left, she couldn’t help but show her true nature, glancing at Luo Fu and Luo Yu with a spoiled expression, looking triumphant.

“Second Sister and Fourth Sister can stay and enjoy the flowers. I’ll head back first.”

As soon as she left, Luo Fu couldn’t help but spit out, “Look at her acting, her ability to change her expression is probably unmatched even by the most outstanding actors of the Zhang family troupe.”

Luo Yu thought of her sister’s behavior when she was trying to please the third sister, and she smiled without saying a word, biting her lip.