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

Chapter 30 Criticism

Chapter 30 Criticism

Yao Xiang and Lan Yun, seeing Feng Xiran's sour mood, couldn't help but cover their mouths and snicker. The two sisters were quite amusing, but the gossipy Yao Xiang asked Feng Xiran whether her sister, Feng Muqing, was also like that.

Thinking of her sister Feng Muqing, Feng Xiran shook her head.

The contrast between the original Feng Xiran and Feng Muqing was like night and day. The original Feng Xiran was unskilled, spent her days wandering around, and had such a bad reputation that people would shake their heads when they heard her name. She was quite the wastrel. In contrast, Feng Muqing had been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood. She was obedient and well-mannered. The original Feng Xiran had been jealous of how Feng Tianhuang praised Feng Muqing's cleverness and looked down on her for being more unruly. As a result, she acted out even more, causing trouble everywhere. However, Ling Yu, who had favored Feng Xiran since she was young, didn't care much for Feng Muqing. According to him, children should be lively and happy, and since Feng Muqing was in poor health, she should focus on recuperating instead of wasting energy on intricate studies.

From Feng Xiran and Feng Tianhuang's perspectives, Feng Muqing seemed more suited for succession, but her health was a problem. Despite the physician's advice to avoid overthinking, she insisted on struggling, worsening her condition.

As for why no other princesses were considered? That was not even an option. Feng Tianhuang and Ling Yu, as a young couple, had little desire for romantic matters. The thought of adding more jealous and petty men like Ling Yu to the harem was enough to give her a headache. Thus, she left Ling Yu to handle things alone without adding new complications.

Feng Xiran, with her sharp eyes, had promptly married Jing Sa, which was also a form of strategic alliance. Due to Feng Muqing's health issues, she had not married.

As the carriage neared the city, the noise grew louder. Feng Xiran heard the crowds calling her name and decided to stick her head out to see.

"Oh, the Taizi still looks so charming after all this time! Wasn't it said she was suffering?"

"Do you believe it? Even if she suffers, it's the common people who suffer more. Where could she go?"

"Though the crown princess does look a bit thinner, she is still beautiful!"

......

Some men, believing Feng Xiran made eye contact with them, shyly held their handkerchiefs and covered their faces, which gave Feng Xiran goosebumps and made her withdraw her head.

These city men, with their delicate and affected manners, seemed even more effeminate than her. The laboring men from the countryside seemed rougher and less concerned with appearing delicate.

Thinking of delicate manners, she recalled her original self and her father's figure. Indeed! Upon reaching the palace gate, she saw that familiar figure and immediately felt goosebumps. She forced herself to stay calm and managed a gracious smile as she disembarked from the carriage.

Jing Sa and others also disembarked from their carriage to pay their respects to Feng Tianhuang.

"No need for formalities, Jing Sa, you did well this time!" Feng Tianhuang told him to stand at ease and praised Ling Shuang, Lan Yun, and Yao Xiang. She even gave some rewards to Mo Yan and Xing Zhu. Her gaze seemed to barely linger on Feng Xiran, and only at the end did she lightly glance at her, saying, "Well, this is what you should be doing. Not quite satisfactory, though; still lacking in experience!"

Feng Xiran couldn't help but click her tongue internally. Her mother had always been critical and educational towards the original Feng Xiran, no wonder she rebelled. Doing well was met with scolding, and doing poorly was punished, leading to a thorough sense of frustration. This was a case of no credit but much labor, and it felt somewhat unfair.

Ling Yu, hearing Feng Tianhuang's words, frowned slightly but, with the courtiers present, couldn't challenge Feng Tianhuang's authority. He nudged Feng Muqing to come up and speak.

She forced a smile and stepped forward, speaking gently, "Mother Empress, my younger sister has grown up. She did quite well this time."

"Hmm!" Feng Tianhuang only responded with a simple "Hmm" and then, smiling, ushered Lan Yun and the others inside, leaving Feng Xiran behind.

Feng Xiran had just taken a look at the attire of Feng Muqing and Ling Yu today and thought, tsk tsk! The taste of these two! Father, your face is painted so thickly it's like you're painting a wall. And sister, your dress!

Of course, she didn't miss the flash of anger in Feng Muqing's eyes earlier, which started her. Who could this sister be angry with? Father? Mother Empress?

Seeing that Feng Tianhuang had walked away, Ling Yu immediately pulled Feng Xiran to support him and quietly comforted her, "Your Mother Empress is like this. Don't let it bother you."

The strong smell of makeup made Feng Xiran sneeze twice, causing Feng Tianhuang to turn around repeatedly, almost wanting to reprimand her in public.

Ling Yu anxiously asked if she had caught a cold, and everyone paid no attention to the uncomfortable Feng Muqing behind them. At this moment, Feng Xiran felt a chill. Could it be that her  sister was actually angry because of her?

She glanced back at Feng Muqing and indeed caught the resentful look in her eyes that had not yet been retracted.

Feng Xiran felt a pang of fear but, considering Ling Yu's feelings, simply turned around with a smile and called out for her sister to come over, expressing that she missed her sister and father after such a long time.

The welcoming banquet for Feng Xiran was prepared in the Imperial Minister's Palace. During the banquet, all the officials took turns to toast Feng Xiran, praising her for growing up and taking on some of the Empress's burdens. Feng Tianhuang smiled and replied that there was still much room for improvement and that she needed to work harder.

However, Feng Xiran thought her smile might crack soon. Only the old tutor came over to toast Feng Xiran, giving her a look and patting her shoulder with a satisfied smile, then shaking his head with a smile.

Feng Xiran felt quite puzzled by this.

Yao Xiang, who had likely never tasted such fine wine and dishes, drank excessively and got quite drunk. Lan Yun also struggled with the alcohol, so Feng Xiran suggested that the Mother Empress let them stay temporarily in the Princess's residence and asked Mo Yan and Ji Ming to send them back first.

After the banquet, Feng Xiran, somewhat tipsy, was called by Ling Yu to sober up before heading back.

Seeing Jing Sa, she couldn't help but complain, "Look at you, not even protecting your wife properly. Just after returning, you let those people get her drunk without trying to shield her."

Feng Xiran wanted to defend Jing Sa, but before she could speak, she suddenly vomited. After her stomach had settled somewhat, Ling Yu quickly moved Jing Sa's hand away and stepped forward to pat Feng Xiran's back.

"Clumsy, move out of the way. Is Ran'er alright?"

Seeing Feng Xiran looking uncomfortable again, Ling Yu couldn't help but scold the male attendants for being slow in bringing the hangover soup. When it arrived, it was still too hot to touch.

"Lazy bunch, how can the Princess drink something so hot? Are you trying to burn her? Is it your intention to be so inconsiderate in this weather?"

Feng Xiran frowned at his endless complaints. It was too tedious, and she wasn't in the mood to speak. Ling Yu had a quick temper, and if she said something wrong, it would be a hassle to comfort him. Feng Xiran gestured to Feng Muqing, who also looked uncomfortable, indicating Ling Yu shifted his attention.

Translation Notes:

Imperial Minister's Palace : The residence or location where the banquet was held. Strong smell of makeup : Refers to the heavy use of cosmetics, which can be overpowering. Wine : Refers to alcoholic beverages served at the banquet. Hangover soup : A traditional remedy to alleviate the effects of overindulging in alcohol. old tutor : A respected elder or advisor, often someone with significant experience and wisdom.