Chapter 1948

Chapter 1948: Fool Chapter 1948: Fool Editor: Henyee Translations Bai Ruirui’s heart raced as she felt a surge of guilt wash over her.

“Eldest Aunt, why do you always have to criticize me for my choice of attire?

Can’t I wear something delicate and elegant like this dress?” First Madam Fan scoffed.

“I never said that!” With those words, she rose from her seat and departed, leaving Bai Ruirui muttering to herself.

When she glanced up, she was startled to find her mother’s unwavering gaze fixed upon her.

She attempted a forced smile.

“Mother…” Fan Ruyin furrowed her brows, scrutinizing her daughter.

“Be honest with me, what’s troubling you today?” “I didn’t—” “Ruirui, I am your mother!” Fan Ruyin’s tone carried a hint of displeasure.

“You can’t deceive me!

I know you harbor disdain for Ms.

Qiao, so why pretend?” The sight of her own daughter fawning over Qiao Xuan right in front of her left her deeply unsettled.

If only she could turn back time and intervene before things escalated.

Bai Ruirui slowly lowered her head, her delicate fingers fidgeting with her clothes nervously.

Despite Fan Ruyin’s persistent inquiries, Bai Ruirui stuck to her story, insisting she feared reprisal from Madam Shao, and thus sought to curry favor with her… Though skeptical, Fan Ruyin found her daughter’s distress genuine.

No matter how hard she pressed, Bai Ruirui remained steadfast, on the verge of tears.

Reluctantly, Fan Ruyin had no choice but to accept her explanation.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Bai Ruirui.

She chastised her—after all, the Fan family hadn’t reached such dire straits yet.

There was no need for a young girl like her to sacrifice herself.

Her mother and grandmother would shield her.

She couldn’t afford to be so naive in the future… Bai Ruirui found solace in Fan Ruyin’s embrace.

Her voice sounded strained as she hummed, her eyes reflecting profound thoughts.

No one could decipher her inner turmoil.

As the Prefect, Shao Yunduan abstained from attending banquets, but he remained occupied throughout the Spring Festival.

He busied himself with visits to esteemed families and hosting gatherings to honor erudite Confucian scholars from across the land.

One such event was organized to welcome Jia Heming and other officials, providing them solace amidst their duties.

Jia Heming, in his capacity as Deputy Prefect, reciprocated, extending the festivities for another day.

Furthermore, Shao Yunduan engaged in discussions with heads of prominent families to chart the development course for Anze Province.

His schedule left him with scarce leisure time throughout the entire festival.

While Shao Yunduan had no intention of attending banquets hosted separately by the Mei and Huo families, they jointly arranged a gathering.

Their motives were threefold: to reciprocate hospitality, to celebrate the advent of spring, and to express gratitude to the Prefect for bringing peace and prosperity to Anze Province.

Thus, Shao Yunduan had to acquiesce, granting them due respect.

Coincidentally, on the 12th day of the first lunar month, the prominent family clans secured the services of the renowned Cool Breeze Gang in Anze Province and extended an invitation to Shao Yunduan.

As they ventured out that day, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were in each other’s company until they diverged along the way.

However, Qiao Xuan returned at three o’clock in the afternoon, prompting Shao Yunduan’s concern that the revelry might continue late into the night.

While Shao Yunduan occasionally attended such gatherings back in the capital, it was a rare occurrence for him here, marking his first attendance.

At dinner, Qiao Xuan found herself dining alone, with Anan occupied elsewhere.

Perhaps due to the prolonged absence of family meals, Qiao Xuan experienced a sudden emptiness in her heart.

Reflecting calmly, she realized the irrationality of her worries and broke into a smile.

She was letting her fears get the best of her—fearing that her husband might succumb to temptation and veer off the righteous path.

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