Reincarnated into a Female-Dominated World to Build Infrastructure (Translated)

Chapter 10 Disturbing the Mistress's Peace

Chapter 10 Disturbing the Mistress's Peace

"Is the Princess unhappy?" The magistrate wondered if the meal hadn't been prepared delicately enough. They had, after all, consulted with Mr. Mo Yan to arrange the food according to the Princess's preferences. Some of the dishes were even prepared by Mr. Mo Yan himself.

"Your Highness, the current conditions are rather crude, and this simple meal may be inadequate for you. Please forgive us if it doesn't meet your expectations," the county magistrate also thought that Feng Xiran was dissatisfied with the food. Indeed, the spread couldn't compare to what Feng Xiran was accustomed to, but the circumstances were special, after all.

Seeing their sudden change in expressions, Feng Xiran realized they had misunderstood her and sternly rebuked them: "Look at the situation we're in! Are you trying to put me in danger? The common people are struggling to eat, and you prepare such a lavish feast for me? What would people say if word got out?"

Were they trying to incite public resentment against her?

The magistrate and county magistrate, being shrewd, quickly understood that Feng Xiran was trying to create a public image: "Your Highness, please rest assured, these dishes were prepared out of our own pockets as a token of our respect..."

But Feng Xiran didn't wait for them to finish and waved her hand, ordering the dishes to be removed and distributed to the soldiers instead.

Although her heart ached at the sight of the delicious food, she knew this was the perfect opportunity to establish her authority and win the people's loyalty. She couldn't afford to miss it.

Swallowing her disappointment, she decided it was best not to be tempted and asked Mo Yan to prepare a simpler meal instead. Though it pained her, she knew it was necessary for the sake of her reputation.

"You all should do the same. From now on, you will eat whatever the soldiers and commoners eat," Feng Xiran said, feeling a bit disgruntled and wanting to share her discomfort with the magistrate and county magistrate.

Jing Sa hadn't expected Feng Xiran to go to such lengths. Seeing the simple porridge and vegetable dishes that Mo Yan later brought, he thought that Feng Xiran had indeed sacrificed a lot to gain a good reputation. In the past, if something didn't meet her standards, she would have it thrown away and remade, demanding the finest ingredients—like sending someone to find the best piglets just to make a simple meat porridge.

He was curious to see how Feng Xiran would manage to swallow this deliberately chosen simple fare.

Feng Xiran, having endured hardships in the early days of modern life, didn't mind the simple food. It reminded her of her entrepreneurial beginnings, and at least Mo Yan's cooking skills were decent and to her liking.

She eagerly invited Lan Yun, the magistrate, and the others to join her for the meal.

The magistrate frowned but tried a bite. It wasn't too bad, so she was relieved that it wouldn't completely ruin her taste buds. She couldn't help but feel a bit envious of the soldiers outside.

The soldiers outside, hearing that the food was sent by the Princess, were deeply moved. They bowed in the direction of the Princess, and upon learning that she was also eating simple food, they felt even more loyal and determined to follow her orders.

"Make sure to rest early and stay alert. If it rains, inform me immediately and await my instructions," Feng Xiran said after finishing her meal, dismissing the magistrate and county magistrate to rest.

They all sighed in relief, finally able to return and rest after such exhaustion.

Feng Xiran was also very tired. Her clothes were muddy and soaked from earlier, and after changing into dry clothes, she couldn't hold on any longer and instructed Fei Shuang before going to bed. Jing Sa and the others also went to rest for the time being.

Mo Yan came to Feng Xiran's side while she was still lying down, sleeping in her clothes. He began to take off her boots, which startled Feng Xiran awake.

"Your Highness, let me help you relax," said Mo Yan.

"I was just about to fall asleep. You should go to bed early too. If it rains tomorrow, it will be very busy, and I won't be able to look after you," Feng Xiran, who had been woken up, spoke calmly to Mo Yan without any trace of anger.

Mo Yan, perhaps being a bit stubborn, felt a deep sense of pity. He removed Feng Xiran's silk socks and, seeing that her feet were reddened from the day's travels, was almost moved to tears by his pity for her.

Feng Xiran felt a strange discomfort in her heart. Mo Yan's deep feelings for the original her were so strong that even a small injury could make him cry. She gently comforted him, "I'm fine."

She reached out, intending to wipe away Mo Yan's tears, but just then, Jing Sa returned. He had been thinking about how Feng Xiran's hand was injured and had asked Feng Zhu to find some ointment. When he walked in, he unexpectedly witnessed this scene.

He let out a cold snort, "Apologies for interrupting your pleasant moment, wife."

Feng Xiran, her previous awkwardness now gone due to the interruption, smiled lightly at Mo Yan, "Mo Yan, I'm fine." Then she turned to Jing Sa and asked, "Is there something you need from me?"

Mo Yan, seeing that Jing Sa had arrived, tactfully prepared to step back.

"Why are you backing off? Don't leave, who else will apply the ointment for the princess?" With that, he tossed the ointment to Mo Yan, glanced at Feng Xiran, and then turned to leave.

"That man is so sarcastic. Mo Yan, don't mind him. Let's see what he brought," Feng Xiran urged Mo Yan to check what Jing Sa had just thrown over, not caring about his sarcastic attitude.

The atmosphere was no longer as awkward as it had been earlier. "Your Highness, are you injured?" Mo Yan asked softly.

"Just a small wound, nothing to worry about. It's just a bit of redness, not a big deal," Feng Xiran replied, extending her hand for him to see.

Jing Sa, after leaving, was unaware of the now harmonious atmosphere in the room. He returned to his room and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Feng Zhu, curious as to why his master had returned so quickly, noticed Jing Sa's icy expression, as if he wanted to freeze everyone around him. Sensing the tension, Feng Zhu wisely refrained from asking any questions and kept his distance, busying himself with his own tasks.

Jing Sa's eyes were as cold as frost as he stared intently in the direction of Feng Xiran's room. This woman—her nature was truly hard to change. Even in such circumstances, she could still flirt with others.

As night fell, a light rain began to patter on the windowsill, gradually intensifying. A flash of lightning lit up the sky, almost illuminating the entire room. Mo Yan, lying beside Feng Xiran, quickly got up to close the window, fearing the noise would wake her.

A thunderclap rumbled as if the heavens were being split open, followed by raindrops pounding on the roof like beans on a drum. Feng Xiran was startled awake and, seeing the figure by the window, cried out, "Who's there?"

"It's me, Your Highness."

"Mo Yan, you nearly scared me to death. Why haven't you returned to your room yet?" Feng Xiran felt a rush of warmth in her chest, as if her heart was about to jump out. She calmed herself down before feeling better.

She recalled that Mo Yan had been applying ointment for her earlier. Did she fall asleep while he was doing that?

"Your Highness, was the thunder too loud and woke you up? You should try to rest again. If there's anything important, Fei Shuang will call you."

Feng Xiran, hearing the heavy rain and loud noise, wondered how she could possibly fall asleep now.

She also wondered how things were outside. The arrangements made earlier in the afternoon should hold for a while.

"Mo Yan, you should rest here for a while. The rain is so heavy that you can't go back to your room right now. I'll check the situation."

She tried to open the window to see outside, but the wind was so strong that rainwater blew in. She quickly closed the window again and asked Mo Yan to light the lamp.

"Knock, knock, knock..." The door was suddenly knocked on.