I'm already a concubine, who wants to fight with you?

Chapter 137 Lantern Festival
The news quickly spread throughout the Pei Mansion, and Xie Fei was dumbfounded when he heard it.

"Did Miss Miao really make such a request to the Madam?"

Fu Yu said: "It is absolutely true."

The servants in Qiong Yuyuan also thought it was outrageous, and the news leaked out during their discussion.

Xie Fei felt that Miao might be crazy.

This woman has become more and more flamboyant since she became pregnant. It seems as if her brain has been absorbed by the fetus in her belly. Her every move is simply unbearable to watch.

But Pei Yuan was also very dissatisfied with Xiao Shirong, and allowed Miao to show off to Xiao Shirong and never stopped her.

If this continues, Xiao Shirong's psychology will become more and more distorted.

Fu Yu also felt that Miao was too arrogant, and said, "Miss, why don't you give Miao a word and ask her to be more low-key?"

Xie Fei was holding a medical book and reading by the window wearing a cloak.

Xie Fei flicked through the pages of the book calmly with his slender jade fingers, and said, "What does it have to do with me?"

Whether Xiao Shirong destroyed the Miao family or the Miao family really brought Xiao Shirong down, it had nothing to do with her.

The real master of this mansion is Pei Yuan.

As long as Pei Yuan is still around, there will be one "Miao family" and one "Xiao Shirong" after another, and the turmoil and fighting in the backyard will never stop.

Furthermore, Miao's superficial and arrogant personality meant that even if Xie Fei said something, she would not listen. Instead, she would think that Xie Fei had other intentions.

His eyes were fixed on the page, and the words gradually became blurred.

There seemed to be a dark light in Xie Fei's eyes, and he murmured: "Those two people are as hostile as fire and water. The winner should be decided before the end of the first month."

Fu Yu didn't understand, and Xie Fei didn't explain either.

Outside, the wind and snow were howling, and the bleak and empty sound was like the howling of a ghost.

On the Lantern Festival, the Pei family would offer sacrifices to their ancestors. The heads of the various branches in the Marquisate, as well as their descendants, would gather together to offer sacrifices to their ancestors and gods from morning till night.

Xie Fei is not qualified to attend such occasions.

Before daybreak, Pei Yuan and Xiao Shirong set off in a carriage, one in front and one behind, refusing to ride together.

The concubines were also granted mercy due to Miao's plea and excitedly prepared for the Lantern Festival at night.

Since no one came to disturb him, Xie Fei was able to stay in peace.

After reading a medical book in the morning, she suddenly asked, "Isn't the old lady in the mansion?"

Fu Yu was playing with the bird that was eating food by the window. Hearing this, she said, "The old lady has entered the palace. It's time for her to meet the nobles. Miss, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

Xie Fei said: "I just suddenly felt that the mansion seemed to be a lot quieter."

The old lady entered the palace, and the concubines also had to go to the lantern festival.

Pei Yuan and Xiao Shirong went to worship their ancestors and probably won't come back tonight.

By night, the mansion would become even more deserted.

She originally didn't plan to join in the fun at the Lantern Festival to avoid unnecessary trouble, but after thinking about it, she decided it would be better to be more careful.

"Go and ask if Miao is going to the Lantern Festival."

Fu Yu nodded, pushed the door open and ran away.

As soon as she left, Yuan San appeared at the window.

"I've inquired about it. Miao Xiaoniang is not feeling well and is recuperating in the courtyard."

Xie Fei held the medical book in his hand and clapped his palms slowly.

"Why are you feeling uncomfortable for no reason?"

Yuan San said: "I didn't ask any more questions."

After a pause, he asked again, "Do you think there is something wrong with this, girl?"

Xie Fei thought for a long time and said, "I always feel that it is better not to stay in the mansion."

When Fu Yu came back breathlessly, Xie Fei was already making lanterns.

"Miss, have you changed your mind again?" Xie Fei said, "If I don't go, it will be the same as staying alone in the mansion with Miao."

If anything happens to Miao, even if it has nothing to do with her, she will still be implicated.

The three of them closed the door and made lanterns together.

There are various kinds of lanterns that are popular nowadays, such as Luobo lanterns, sheepskin lanterns, Su lanterns, and boneless lanterns. Some are gorgeous and generous, while others are well-behaved and delicate, and are loved by women in Beijing.

As time was too tight, the three of them only had time to make a few poetry lanterns.

This lamp has a bamboo frame and a silk lampshade, which is inscribed with poems, verses, or simple landscape paintings.

With Yuan San around, the outline of the painting took shape quickly, and he wrote the inscription with a flick of his brush in a casual and elegant manner.

Different from his impression, Xie Fei thought that his handwriting should be crooked and ugly.

Who would have known that when he occasionally wrote something, his handwriting was so fluent and decisive, and his characters were vigorous and powerful, penetrating deeply.

When he finished writing, Xie Fei picked up the silk cloth and blew away the blurred ink.

"I've always wanted to ask you, your handwriting is so beautiful, did you practice it specially?"

Where would a tomb robber get the money and energy to practice calligraphy stroke by stroke and persist in doing so?
Yuan San showed a proud and complacent look, shook his head and said: "I am naturally intelligent and can understand things at once. I don't need to practice deliberately, and..."

Xie Fei didn't listen to him at all, and asked Fu Yu again, "What kind of lamp do you want to make?"

Fu Yu's eyes sparkled as she said, "I want a rabbit, a paper rabbit lantern!"

Xie Fei was helpless and looked at Yuan San.

Yuan San looked at the two of them and sighed, "It's windy today, so it's better not to use paper lanterns."

If it catches fire, it will cause a commotion.

Seeing Fu Yu's disappointment, Xie Fei said, "I'll go to Xiang Xiaoniang's courtyard to see if there are any extra items that I can use to make a lantern for you."

Fu Yu was happy then and went to visit each courtyard with Xie Fei.

Yuan San stayed in the room alone and made a few more lanterns.

In the blink of an eye, it was evening, and the concubines, along with their maids and servants, left the house in batches.

Xie Fei also put on a cloak, held a poetry lantern, and leisurely left the house with Fu Yu.

The Lantern Festival in the capital is always very lively, with bright lights, shining brightly, bustling pedestrians, and endless street stalls, creating a good atmosphere of peace and prosperity for the country and the people.

There were many people and patrolling imperial guards, who would occasionally pass through the streets in an imposing manner, and ordinary people would give them some avoidance.

Walking in the crowded crowd, Fu Yu whispered: "Miss, do you feel that there are too many imperial guards?"

Xie Fei also noticed it. Although because of the horse bandit incident and it was the end of the year, patrols by the imperial guards were common.

But these teams of people constantly shuttling back and forth always make people feel uneasy.

Moreover, the imperial guards looked solemn and fully armed, as if something big had happened.

Xie Fei suddenly felt that this day was really unfortunate.

Just stay in the house. I always feel that one of Xiao Shirong and Miao is going to cause trouble.

They went outside to hide, but encountered the imperial guards strengthening the defense, and people were in panic.

It is a difficult decision to go back or stay outside.

Xie Fei looked around, but all he saw were heads.

She whispered to Fuyu, "Where's Datou?"

Fu Yu stood on tiptoe and looked around, trying to find Yuan San among the dense crowd.

"I didn't see it, but don't worry, girl. Third Brother Yuan said that he would follow us secretly."

With Yuan San around, Xie Fei always felt more at ease, but he didn't completely let his guard down.

There are many places to enjoy the lanterns: the main street, arch bridge, riverside, teahouses, and restaurants are crowded with people.

It was still the coldest time of the year, but Xie Fei and Fu Yu were sweating so much that they almost broke the lanterns.

(End of this chapter)