Xiao Chengyu watched Fu Shinian eating with such relish, he couldn't help but feel curious. Could it really be that delicious?
So he couldn't resist picking up the same food and started eating as well.
Unknowingly, he ended up eating a bit more.
The old madam watched in surprise and delight, unable to close her mouth from smiling.
Xiao Chengyu had never eaten this much before.
It's good to eat more, one needs to eat enough to maintain strength.
During the meal, the old madam, not minding Fu Shinian's presence, asked Xiao Chengyu about some official matters.
Xiao Chengyu mentioned the situation at the frontlines where military supplies often couldn't be delivered timely due to various reasons.
The Emperor was troubled by this issue.
After the meal, it was inconvenient to stay, so Fu Shinian proposed to take leave.
The old madam asked the steward to see Fu Shinian off.
As Fu Shinian walked through the corridor, a torrential rain suddenly started.
Fu Shinian had to temporarily stay in the corridor to avoid the rain.
The steward said, "Miss, please wait here for a moment, I've already sent someone to fetch an umbrella."
"Thank you, Housekeeper Jiang." Fu Shinian thanked him politely.
"Miss, you're too polite."
As Housekeeper Jiang finished speaking, they saw Xiao Chengyu holding an umbrella, followed by Jing Lai, apparently heading to the study.
Seeing Fu Shinian halted by the rain in the corridor pavilion, he paused for a moment.
The young lady had sent fragrance and formulas before, and being stranded in the pavilion, he couldn't just ignore it.
So Xiao Chengyu took a turn and walked over.
"Marquis." Fu Shinian called out.
"Come, I'll take you." Xiao Chengyu offered, holding the umbrella.
The Marquis's residence was vast, and if Fu Shinian were to wait here, it would take some time for someone to bring an umbrella.
At this point, she heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Marquis."
Fu Shinian quickly tucked herself under Xiao Chengyu's umbrella.
Xiao Chengyu escorted her to the carriage at the gate. To prevent her from getting wet while boarding, Jing Lai raised his hand high to shield her with the umbrella and was about to help Fu Shinian into the carriage when.
Xiao Chengyu suddenly extended his hand, not saying anything, but clearly indicating for Fu Shinian to hold onto it.
Fu Shinian smiled warmly and thanked him, laying her soft hand on Xiao Chengyu's wrist.
Not sure if it was the rain or the cool weather, but his wrist felt icy, or perhaps it was naturally so.
The slight coolness on her warm palm felt quite pleasant.
Fu Shinian couldn't help but think, during the scorching summer days, staying by Xiao Chengyu's side would certainly be refreshing.
After Fu Shinian boarded the carriage, Jing Lai handed his umbrella to her.
"What about you?" Fu Shinian was embarrassed to let Jing Lai get wet in the rain.
Jing Lai didn't expect that Fu Shinian would worry about a servant getting wet, so he smiled and said, "I am strong, getting a little wet is nothing, I'll just run quickly to the corridor."
Beside them, Xiao Chengyu spoke, "Take it, or do you expect me to give you my umbrella?"
Fu Shinian: "..."
Fu Shinian wouldn't dare let Xiao Chengyu get wet.
Earlier, while under Xiao Chengyu's umbrella, she tried to ensure he was more covered by it.
Fu Shinian accepted Jing Lai's umbrella and thanked both Xiao Chengyu and Jing Lai before leaving by carriage.
In the carriage, Fu Shinian thought of what Xiao Chengyu said during dinner about delivering supplies to the military.
In the original book, Master Xiao first presented the second prince with a prized horse, making an impression in front of him, which was the beginning of his prominence.
But truly, what made the second prince value him was his suggestion for the prince to personally oversee the delivery of the supplies to the military.
With the prince present, naturally, no one dared to cause trouble, nor dared to tamper with the supplies for personal gain.
As a result, the second prince received commendation from the Emperor for this move, earned a good reputation in the military, and laid the foundation for future power pursuits.
And the one who gave this proposal to the second prince, Master Xiao, naturally gained more trust from him.
*
After sending off Fu Shinian, the old madam kept Xiao Yingyue behind and asked with a smile, "How did you get along with that second Miss Fu today?"
"I like her." When Xiao Yingyue mentioned Fu Shinian, her eyes lit up even more, "She looks gentle and easy to bully, but she's actually very formidable. She rendered Aunt Liu speechless. I've never seen Aunt Liu so exasperated!"
"Mother, if you had seen it with your own eyes, it would have been so satisfying!"
When the late Marquis was alive, he favored Aunt Liu.
The old madam, being formidable, managed Aunt Liu well when the Marquis was not home.
However, whenever the Marquis was home, the old madam often got upset because of Aunt Liu, and Xiao Yingyue frequently suffered grievances from her.
"If not for Shinian today, I would have been deceived." Xiao Yingyue said puzzledly, "But I don't understand, what was Lin Qingqing really here for today? She said it was to apologize to me, but she didn't apologize at all."
Xiao Yingyue remembered just then; the situation was chaotic at the time, and Lin Qingqing was sent away by the steward without apologizing.
The old madam didn't want to foul Xiao Yingyue's ears with Lin Qingqing's matter, sensing that Fu Shinian might have some suspicions too.
But there was no concrete evidence, otherwise, there would have been some action.
It's uncertain what the Fu family's stance is, whether they'll still proceed with Xiao Fengxing and Fu Mingzhu's marriage even after knowing or call off the engagement.
Since it's unclear, the old madam decided to hold off, just to see.
She only told Xiao Yingyue, "You, you just think too simply. But the second Miss Fu is clever. Staying with her won't do you any harm. You should keep in touch with her."
*
Fu Shinian returned home and had barely entered the main hall when Mr. Fu and Madam Fu eagerly asked her how it was at the Marquis's residence.
"Everything went well, but I'll have to visit the Marquis's residence often for fragrance making from now on." Fu Shinian said after taking a sip of tea served by Ting Qin, "To express their gratitude, the old madam specifically suggested that my brother goes to the Marquis's residence to study under Mr. Changshan, and asked the Marquis to give him extra encouragement."
"Really?" Mr. Fu was so surprised his eyes almost popped out.
That's Mr. Changshan!
"Didn't Mr. Changshan stop accepting students years ago?" Mr. Fu asked in amazement.
"Mr. Changshan resides at the Marquis's residence and has a close relationship with the Marquis. With both the Marquis and the old madam speaking on my brother's behalf, it's possible for Mr. Changshan to make an exception." Fu Shinian explained.
"Oh my, my dear daughter, little lucky star!" Mr. Fu couldn't help but pinch Fu Shinian's cheek, praising her repeatedly.
"Let go, let go quickly, you're pinching our daughter's cheeks red!" Madam Fu scolded, slapping Mr. Fu's hands away from Fu Shinian's face, "Do you think Niannian's face is made of sticky rice balls?"
"Uh, I couldn't resist, couldn't resist." Mr. Fu lamented, seeing Fu Shinian's reddened cheeks, feeling a little sorry, thinking he hadn't even used much force.
Aunt Cheng, standing by, was quick to soothe Fu Shinian.
"Am I... am I the only one?" Fu Changqin thought, usually at the academy there were many students, and sometimes the teacher couldn't pay attention to him, allowing him some slack time.
But going to the Marquis's residence for study, with Mr. Changshan teaching him one-on-one, he couldn't slack off at all.
So much pressure!
"Not just you." Fu Shinian said with a bright smile.