A life of leisure is worse than a life of flowers and splendour

Du Shuangshuang was determined not to go out. She even skipped the afternoon's autumn hunting ceremony, claiming she wasn't feeling well. No one would pay attention to her from now on. As for the evening bonfire party, they would have their fun. She just wanted to eat and not go out.

Yet, to her astonishment, she had inexplicably become incredibly popular. Throughout the afternoon, several groups of people came looking for her. Although she knew they had ill intentions, Du Shuangshuang had her maidservant relay the news that she was resting and would not see anyone or leave the house. Even if it was just to go to the toilet, she would send a maidservant to scout the route before setting off. Even with such caution, she still encountered several people on her way back, perhaps because they were afraid of being noticed. They simply wanted to see her embarrass herself, and their words were completely blunt, probably because they were afraid Du Wushuang would not perceive the deeper meaning.

"Du Wushuang, I heard that your engagement with the Crown Prince has been cancelled. What are you proud of now? You're still dreaming of becoming the Crown Prince's consort. Do you think you're worthy of that?"

"Why is it that the eldest prince doesn't want you anymore? Are you too embarrassed to see people?"

"You're so thick-skinned, yet you're still shy? I'm afraid you're sad, hahaha..."

"Don't you even look at yourself? Besides that face, what else can you show?"

"The eldest prince has successfully gotten rid of her. Who will be her next target? Tell your brothers at home to stay away from her. If she sets her sights on you, it will be very troublesome."

"She relies on the old general's military achievements and the favor bestowed by His Majesty to do whatever she wants. She is not a polite person and her face is as thick as a city wall."

Faced with this situation, Du Shuangshuang chose to turn a blind eye. She was certainly furious, but after all, two fists were no match for four hands. She only had one mouth, and those people flocked like ducks. Without a backward glance, she ran straight into the tent, shut the door, and refused all visitors. Du Shuangshuang completely ignored their gossip, even feeling it unnecessary to respond. There were many powerful people in the capital whom she couldn't afford to offend. She couldn't defeat them, and their scolding only made her more angry. Why bother paying attention to them?

As the sun sets, the picturesque sunset glow fills the sky. In this tranquil and beautiful evening, Du Shuangshuang lies casually in the tent, her face rosy. Beside her, two maids, Jinxiu, feed her cut fruit. From time to time, she takes a sip of milk tea made under her guidance. Nearby, a maid, Fanhua, reads to her.

Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps broke the peace. It turned out to be Grandpa, and Du Shuangshuang quickly resumed her elegant sitting posture. Grandpa looked at Du Shuangshuang with concern and asked softly, "Shuang'er, how are you feeling now? Are you feeling better?" His kind eyes were filled with warmth, as if they could flow into one's heart. Modern parents don't love their children, but they rarely have the time to care for them. They always have endless work and things to do. When they have some free time, their father always goes out to play with friends. From childhood to adulthood, they have been raised in a free-range environment.

After growing up, she became extremely independent. She rarely interacted with others and was more accustomed to doing her own thing. She was also rather a homebody. So strictly speaking, she was not particularly familiar with her classmates. She only greeted a few people in her dormitory and chatted occasionally, but their relationship was not very close.

Du Shuangshuang smiled slightly and replied, "Much better, Grandpa. I'm just a little tired and too lazy to entertain those people." Hearing his granddaughter say this, a relieved smile appeared on the grandfather's face.

Then, the servant behind Grandpa came with a tray in his hand, on which was placed a fragrant roasted leg of lamb. The servant handed the tray over, and Jinxiu hurriedly took it.

Grandpa smiled and said, "Shuang'er, I know you like roasted lamb the most. I made this myself and asked the imperial chef to prepare it and leave it for you. Come and try it and see how it tastes."

Jinxiu and Fanhua cut the roasted lamb leg into small pieces, then skewered them and fed them to Du Shuangshuang.

She took a light bite, and the tender and juicy mutton immediately immersed her taste buds in a world of deliciousness. "Wow, it's delicious! Thank you, Grandpa!" Du Wushuang said happily.

Grandpa looked at his granddaughter's satisfied expression, smiled and nodded, then instructed: "Since you are not feeling well, then rest well in the tent. We still have several days anyway. Once you are fully recovered, it won't be too late to go out and have fun."

Du Shuangshuang nodded obediently, saying that she would definitely follow her grandfather's advice. She knew very well how much her grandfather loved her.

The two chatted about family matters for a while. Grandpa repeatedly told Du Shuangshuang to take good care of herself. Before leaving, he also told the two maids to take good care of the eldest daughter and to go to him or the second uncle if anything happened. Since the boat trip, the old man felt that his granddaughter was particularly well-behaved and didn't run away so often. He was very satisfied with the way his granddaughter looked now. As for why she had changed so much, the old man thought it was because she had experienced such a disaster and had grown up suddenly. She also saw through many things. Otherwise, whenever he mentioned breaking off the engagement before, his granddaughter would have been as if she wanted to die. This time, she actually took the initiative to bring it up. How could there be such a big change if she didn't see through certain people?

Besides the physical damage, the emotional toll was probably even greater. He felt deeply for his granddaughter, sending her goodies every day as long as she was happy. After all, she was the only child left by the eldest son. As for his eldest son, he hadn't heard from him since he left, and he was afraid he might be in danger. Looking at his granddaughter, he felt as if there was still a glimmer of hope. This was why he was willing to tolerate and even indulge her no matter how stubborn or ignorant she was. Furthermore, the child had been without parents since she was a child, and he felt deeply for her.

After Grandpa left, Du Shuangshuang didn't want to lie down anymore. These days, her family has been very accepting of her change in temperament, and even the two maids around her haven't raised any objections.

In fact, everyone felt that Du Wushuang had grown up during this experience, especially after she took the initiative to agree to cancel the engagement. Everyone in the General's Mansion looked at her with new eyes. It was good that she had grown up. Who would want the arrogant and trouble-making girl from before?

In fact, apart from Second Aunt, who had hoped that Du Wushuang would marry into the royal family to enhance the family's status, no one in the family wanted her to marry into the royal family. Later on, even Second Aunt did not want her to marry into the royal family. Although she was not her own daughter, they were still family after all, and they would prosper and suffer together. However, Du Wushuang was too stubborn and no one could persuade her. Second Aunt also regretted her past thoughts. If it were not for those words, would her niece not have done so many outrageous things? Coupled with those people's deliberate targeting and scheming, the whole general's mansion became a topic of conversation after dinner, which also affected her own two children.

I finished the roasted leg of lamb with the two maids, then got up and walked around the tent to digest the food. I didn't move for the whole afternoon, except for a nap. I ate so much and my stomach was bloated and uncomfortable. My body is really bad and my digestion ability is very poor.

The three of them were taking a walk. Fortunately, everyone was attending the bonfire party and no one noticed the tent. It seemed that no one was like them. Everyone wanted to come out and have fun, make friends, build relationships, and show off in front of the emperor and their superiors.

Suddenly, a black shadow flashed by in the distance and caught Du Shuangshuang's attention. After a closer look, Du Shuangshuang almost screamed in fright. It wasn't just one shadow, but several shadows approached this side, moving quickly and efficiently. In the tent, each family only left two soldiers to guard the tent. After all, this was the inner area, and the soldiers guarding the outer area had almost no blind spots. There were also teams of guards on patrol, so it could be said that it was very safe. The lighting in the tent area was not very good, because there were almost no people in the tent now, and there were no lights inside. There were only two torches at the door of the tent. The people in Du Shuangshuang's tent did not plan to stay outside for a long time, so the candlelight inside was not extinguished, which was extremely conspicuous. Du Shuangshuang sensed the danger, and didn't know if the other party had discovered her. Without time to think about it, she quickly pulled the two maids and ran to the nearby darkness.

"Shh, don't make any noise." Du Shuangshuang quickly spoke in the base's voice, fearing that a slightly louder voice would attract people over.

The two maids were terrified and at a loss for words. Du Shuangshuang observed them, wondering who these people were coming for. Could it be her? She seemed to be the only one in charge of the tent area. That couldn't be possible. She was just a little girl. Even if she was unpopular, they wouldn't kill her, right? Her escape route to the bonfire party was completely blocked. Those people seemed to be coming from that direction. She had no chance of winning against them. Even calling on the tent watchmen would be no match.

Moreover, Du Shuangshuang had seen how well-trained these men were along the way. He saw the guards collapse silently, and he was certain that if he made a sound, he would be killed within five minutes. He couldn't tell if those who fell had fainted or been killed. Was the ancient times so terrifying? The social order wasn't working, either. Du Shuangshuang ran, grumbling to herself, "Modern times are better. You don't need guards when you go out, and your life isn't in danger at every turn. He'd only been here a few months, and already his life had been in danger twice. Life must be tough."