Marry a Duke

Fu Ran had to prepare items for the banquet at Prince Shou's mansion. She didn't need to prepare the gifts, but she had to dress herself up to look presentable.

The news came that Princess Shou's birthday banquet would be held tomorrow, and Madam Wei sent a set of headgear.

Let Fu Ran find his own clothes.

Fu Ran did have a few sets of clothes in his room, but he didn't wear them often. Some of them he had only worn once after buying them.

She picked out a set that was dignified yet polite, and most importantly, one that could fit her growing belly and was decent.

She was not very willing to attend banquets, and she would only go to show courtesy to others.

However, it was difficult for her to refuse the old lady. The old lady had just shown her goodwill. If she refused the first thing she did, it would be to save the old lady's face.

She also hoped that her future life in the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion would be better.

Nanny Xu told her about how Prince Shou sacrificed his life for his country, how difficult it had been for Princess Shou over the years, how she had raised her eldest daughter alone, and how she had witnessed with her own eyes how the Shou Palace had become increasingly deteriorating.

There are no children to inherit the palace.

The only daughter will definitely marry out.

"In this world, it is still difficult for women to survive." Fu Ran felt the same way. It seemed that it was difficult for most women to gain freedom. It was their destiny to obey their fathers at home, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husbands' death.

If you lose your father when you are young, your husband when you are middle-aged, and have no children, then your life is truly miserable.

Princess Shou is such a miserable person.

"Madam is right. Fortunately, the Princess of Shou is of noble status, and the court also remembers the military achievements of the Prince of Shou and has given many rewards to the Shou Palace, so life is not that difficult." As a woman, Nanny Xu also felt the same way.

"It's just that Princess Shou is a woman, and it's inevitable that she will feel sad when she takes the little princess with her."

Fu Ran asked Nanny Xu some more questions about the Prince Shou's Mansion.

Nanny Xu did not keep anything to herself and told Fu Ran everything she knew.

Fu Ran had a rough idea of ​​the personalities of the Princess of Shou and the little princess. The little princess of the Shou Mansion was not spoiled or willful, and was said to be innocent, cute and simple.

But it is this simplicity that makes people a little worried.

If you want to survive in this world, you can't just rely on being innocent and kind. There are man-eating gluttons in the corners who will eat you up when you're not paying attention.

With such a huge Shouwang Mansion and endless rewards, there will definitely be people who will be jealous.

The next morning, Fu Ran changed his clothes, had breakfast in his room, and then went out to Qingfuchang to find Old Madam Wei.

Wei Lin returned to the Shen family yesterday.

Wei Lin's behavior made Madam Wei and Fu Ran angry. She felt that Madam Wei had changed her mind and Fu Ran was taking advantage of her power.

She won't be going back to her parents' home in the short term.

In the courtyard, I met Wei Xuan. He was wearing a dark black brocade robe, which made him look tall and straight, with clear eyebrows and a stern look.

He was not wearing official uniform and his posture was casual.

Considering that he had sent two guards yesterday, she stepped forward and saluted.

"Good morning, Duke."

"Yeah." Wei Xuan looked at her. She had dressed up well today, and her face was also carefully made up. She looked healthy, but her belly——

His eyes fell on her belly. Is it this big?

He took two more glances.

"Can I have breakfast?" he asked.

Fu Ran nodded and replied politely, "I have already eaten some in the room. Is your Excellency ready to eat?"

"Not yet. Let's go to Qingfutang first and have it with my mother."

Huh?

She had heard that whenever Wei Xuan was in the mansion, he would eat both breakfast and dinner with the old lady.

Now it seems to be true. He didn’t miss a single meal. He is truly a filial son.

"It's getting late. I thought you had already eaten." She blurted out in surprise, "Then, the Duke will go first. I'll come find you after you've finished your meal."

She had already eaten and didn't want to be a spectator.

"No need, let's go together." He called her to go without saying anything.

Fu Ran had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow him. She was pregnant and couldn't walk fast, but he walked fast and was ahead in just a few steps.

Fu Ran was also relieved.

He had long legs and walked fast, so if he took a few more steps she would no longer be able to see him and he would be more comfortable.

Wei Xuan was indeed walking fast. Normally, two steps of his were equivalent to three steps of hers.

After walking a few steps, the sound of footsteps became farther and farther away. Looking back, she was already behind.

He raised his brows slightly and his eyes fell on her feet.

A pair of small feet. Since a person is small, his feet are naturally not big and he cannot walk fast.

He stopped where he was, waiting for her.

"You don't have to wait for me, Duke." Fu Ran followed slowly and waved at him, "I've already had breakfast. Go and accompany the old lady quickly. Don't keep her waiting for too long."

"You can eat for both of you. I'll wait for you. Let's go over and eat some more together." His tone did not allow for refusal.

Fu Ran's forehead twitched.

He had to keep up with his pace. This time he walked slowly, following her speed. When they arrived at Qingfuyuan, the old lady had already eaten something to fill her stomach.

Just as Wei Xuan and Fu Ran came together, they didn't say anything.

Now that his attitude towards Fu Ran has changed, if he wants her to continue staying in the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion, they naturally cannot have a relationship as a couple again.

"Xuan'er, support Fu Ran. She is heavy. Don't let her get tired." Old Madam Wei muttered to her son.

Wei Xuan really reached out to support Fu Ran.

She glanced at Aunt Xu who was standing beside her. Originally, it was Aunt Xu who supported her, but now they were each on one side. She was actually not that fragile.

It's just pregnancy, not illness.

If she didn't want to keep up with him, she could walk very fast if necessary.

Upon seeing this, Nanny Xu immediately let go of her hand.

Wei Xuan helped her to her seat.

He sat down next to her. He was tall and even when he sat down he was a head taller than her, which made her feel quite oppressive.

"Madam, I didn't know the Duke would come to Qingfuyuan to dine with you. I have already eaten at Chaoguangyuan." She said with a hint of apology.

"It's okay. You're hungry with a big stomach, so it's only right that you eat early." Madam Wei asked someone to serve the dishes. "You've walked a long way and you've digested the food. Eat some more."

Fu Ran had no choice but to agree.

She had eaten more in the house because she was afraid of getting hungry on the way.

When attending a banquet at someone else's house, she had to know etiquette and be dignified and polite. If she accidentally brought shame upon the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion, it would directly harm her freedom, so she was naturally very cautious.

It is not good to eat too much in front of others, as it is impolite.

At this moment, she really couldn't eat anymore.

The maid filled half a bowl of dumplings for her.

Fu Ran ate it bit by bit and his stomach was already a little full.

Madam Wei asked the servant to give her another fried cake. It smelled delicious, but she could not stand the taste after she was full.

"Eat more. Only when you are full will you have strength." Old Madam Wei called Fu Ran. Only when she is full will she have the strength to raise the fetus in her belly.

Fu Ran was about to respond when she suddenly felt like vomiting and her face turned pale.

The next moment, she turned her head and retched.

Fortunately, she didn't vomit, but it was very uncomfortable. She hadn't felt this way for a while, and it was really painful to do it again.

"Excuse me, I'm going to wash my face first." Fu Ran wanted to get up and leave.

Wei Xuan held her hand.

"Sit down, Bi'an, go and get Doctor Ji."