Chapter 109.3: Street Parade, This Kind of Jing Wan

Towards these people, Jing Wan didn't pay attention to them. Right now, Ruan Rui Zhong was the Head of the Cabinet Ministers, but his age was also displayed there. How many more years can he still sit on that position for? Serving in the same court as officials, father and son, or grandfather and grandson, can't serve as officials within the third rank and higher at the same time, and people of the same clan also can't have more than three serving within the third rank and higher at the same time. Would the Ruan family be able to immediately have someone rise to the third rank or higher after Cabinet Minister Ruan retires? If they can, there would still only be that one person. As for others, their uncle climbing onto that position, compared to their grandfather being in that position, was two completely separate scenarios. Even people under the same roof would become two different families, and one's social status naturally would fall too. Ruan Fang Fei actually was also the same. If Cabinet Minister Ruan were to suddenly retire or die, just see if she'll still be able to enjoy being worshiped like the stars revolving the moon.

Jing Wan felt, Ruan Fang Fei's gaze on her the whole time. Although she continuously carried a light and shallow smile, those eyes however made one a bit uncomfortable. And most importantly, the others seemingly didn't feel anything.

"On the day of the Grand Elder Princess's birthday, father brought back a flower, but for some unknown reason, it died the next day. Father was really quite heartbroken. Does Miss Luo know the reason why?" Ruan Fang Fei suddenly opened her mouth.

"What other reason can there be, the lowly thing was just unable to adapt to our manor." Someone behind Ruan Fang Fei immediately spoke disdainfully.

"Little five, what nonsense are you saying, shut up." The beauty's expression sunk, yet still had another sense of beauty.

That youth immediately shut his mouth and jokingly begged Ruan Fang Fei for forgiveness.

Jing Wan had raised the flower herself, so she naturally was very clear. Even if one were to completely ignore it, it would still be able to live for another ten days to half a month, and couldn't have just died overnight. There was only one possibility, and that is it was human caused. But, in the Ruan family, who would dare to touch Sir Ruan's things? Jing Wan thought of her previous guess towards Ruan Fang Fei. Was she really that kind of person?

Ruan Fang Fei sensed the slight change in Jing Wan's gaze towards her. This was having sensed something? Then this will be rather interesting, definitely will be more interesting than those previous ones who died without knowing anything at all.

A gentle, kind, magnanimous, and steady person, and from her(RFF) father's mouth she(JW) was further a phoenix among mortals, far surpassing herself. Just don't know if such a person were to one day completely fall from grace, oh, right, or if she herself does something scandalous, don't know whether or not those that have once praised her will become bitter and resentful because of their own error in judgement? That scene will surely be very pretty.

The smile on Ruan Fang Fei's lips became even more obvious.

Ruan Fang Fei however has never once realized that she herself was actually such a person inherently. Without even needing others to harm her, the day when her ugliness is exposed before the world, that will really be the day that'll make many people want to dig out their own two eyes.

Jing Wan's heart jumped. Could it be that she has encountered a pervert? And even the kind that has targeted her for some reason. However, immediately after, Jing Wan straightened up her thoughts. In her past life, in those later few years, did she encounter any less weird things? The different kinds of people she's seen before were plenty, and really encountering one, it was nothing more than countering at every move. Who's scared of who!

The others probably all didn't notice the 'back and forth' between Jing Wan and Ruan Fang Fei. Towards the youth from the Ruan family's words, naturally there were people that got angry, especially the currently turning into a sis-con Luo Jing Bo. "Lowly thing? That's still something that the Head Cabinet Minister took back."

A lowly thing being fancied by your grandfather, what do you mean by this? Questioning your grandfather's eyes? Or are you saying, in your eyes, your grandfather is also a lowly thing?

"You........." That youth's face flushed red in anger.

"Little five, I told you to shut up. Apologies, Miss Luo, Gentleman Luo, my nephew was thoughtless. We definitely didn't mean that, purely just wanting to ask Miss Luo whether or not you know the reason." Ruan Fang Fei very sincerely apologized.

The faces of the Luo family people relaxed a little.

"Miss Ruan has no need to apologize either. It's merely a trivial matter, and hasn't gotten to the point where an elder needs to apologize for a younger generation." Jing Wan also ignored the other party's change in expression, "As for dying overnight, the most likely possibility is probably injuring its roots. Perhaps a young child was messing around and tore it, or perhaps someone carelessly poured hot water on there."

Ruan Fang Fei seemingly came to realization, "So it's still because the servants were careless."

This heart truly was especially vicious! Right now, Jing Wan was at least seventy percent certain, this matter was caused by Ruan Fang Fei.

Naturally there weren't just these two families here. The other families also appeared one after another. Even if there were ones that had higher status than Jing Wan, they still all voluntarily came to greet her. It can be seen, the influence of the incident at the Grand Elder Princess Manor was still very big.

Ruan Fang Fei's popularity was the same as before, but she was just discontent inside.

They all parted ways, each going their own separate route.

Jing Wan saw that her younger sisters were seemingly very interested towards the outside. Actually, even she herself was also somewhat interested. After all, after coming to the capital, she still haven't properly strolled around yet. However, today indeed wasn't the time. There was no more than three days until Luo Jing Bo's wedding. It was very busy back at home. Today, for them to be able to come out to see the excitement was already not easy.

"After a few days, I'll take you all out for a stroll."

Among the Luo family sisters, Jing Wan was known for being a little rich miss and as for exactly how much money she has, no one knows. However, it definitely won't be little. Going shopping with her naturally had its benefits. Luo seventh miss was the most clear about this bit, and nodded with all her might.

Returning to the Luo Manor, everyone went back to their respective courtyards. In the Elegant Haitang Residence, "Miss, this servant feels that Miss Ruan is somewhat questionable. In the future, you best stay far away from her." This wasn't just something that Li Hong Yuan had instructed Gong mama to say, Gong mama herself also sensed that something wasn't right.

Prior to Gong mama leaving the capital, she although was also a shadow guard under Li Hong Yuan, but the shadow guards also had their own respective duties, and Gong mama perhaps was precisely prepared for Jing Wan by Li Hong Yuan from the start. Thus, the times in which she appeared in public were even less. Towards Ruan Fang Fei's matters she really wasn't very clear. The Ruan Fang Fei she knew about was also the one that everyone was familiar with, and Li Hong Yuan didn't deliberately warn her either. The things she told Jing Wan about Ruan Fang Fei before entering the capital were mostly also things on the surface. But after coming in contact with her in close proximately, even if she doesn't know anything about the real Ruan Fang Fei just as before, she would still sense something.

"Mama, please rest assured. She and I, under normal circumstances, won't have any interactions. And if I really encounter her, I will be careful."

Gong mama looked to Jing Wan, "Miss, this is having noticed as well?"

"Having already gotten targeted, how would one still not notice?"

Gong mama raised her brows. Then, was it that Ruan Fang Fei deliberately exposing her tail in front of miss, and at the same time, letting her(Gong mama) discover? Then again, if this wasn't the case, then the first thing Ruan Fang Fei wouldn't be able to escape from would probably be her father's discerning eyes.

"At night, there's going to be a Qiong Lin Banquet[1], so probably tomorrow, they will have the matter between Li Ru Yu and older cousin Min settled."

But in reality, Le Cheng Emperor was an impatient one, and didn't wait until the next day. Before it even reached the time for the afternoon meal, Jing Wan had already received word from someone sent by Luo Old Madam: 'In the afternoon, she'll be taking her into the palace.'

There were no more words beyond this. Jing Wan was rather speechless. Was grandmother really just that reassuring towards her, certain that she won't become timid on the spot? Also, in terms of attire, just, didn't have the slightest taboo or anything? Alright, Gong mama at the earliest was a head gugu[2] in the palace. Although she was the kind with very little power, but the rules and etiquette, she definitely still remembers clearly.

Speaking of which, would Jing Wan get stage fright? Naturally, no. In her past life, when she was still just palm-sized, that degenerate father of hers had already taken her out to face the world. As she grew up, that degenerate also climbed higher and higher as a politician, so the people she met with were naturally all of high status. To get stage fright over something she was long accustomed, now that would be strange.

[1] Qiong Lin Banquet - 'Jasper Forest Banquet'; this is the banquet held for all the new palace graduates (candidates that have successfully passed the imperial exam). It originated in the Northern Song dynasty, and was named such due to being held in the Qiong Lin Park in the palace. Although later on the location of the banquet changed, the name never changed.

[2] Gugu - In literal sense it means 'paternal aunt' but in this context, it's also the title for older servant women in the palace.

T/N: Remember in chapter 103 part 6 when RFF said pouring hot water at the roots will probably kill the flower. Tbh I really enjoy translating RFF parts because there's a lot to analyze from her speech and behavior, especially the nuances in the things she says and how she says it. She definitely the type of person where if you're unaware, she can have you sold off and you'll even happily help her count the money. Her 'back and forth' between Jing Wan was really fun. Ahh so fun to have a good villain, I'm very salty about poorly written villains in novels.