Chapter 113: Chapter 113: My Lord, Why Don’t You Deliver It Yourself?

I don’t know if Lin Qingqing and Mrs. Lin truly stayed up day and night sewing cotton shoes, or if they just bought some.

In any case, they produced a hundred pairs of cotton shoes on time and handed them over to General Gu.

General Gu had them thoroughly inspected, and once assured there were no issues, took them all to the army.

Mr. Fu formally assumed the position as the Chief Metropolitan Officer of the capital.

In an instant, the Fu family’s status in the capital rose with the tide.

Both daughters were favored by the emperor and empress, and the younger daughter was closely connected with Marquis Changping’s residence.

Mr. Fu was promoted to the third rank.

With such a Fu family, they were enough to be noticed in the capital.

As such, many households in the capital turned their attention to Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu.

Right after the new year, families began to reach out to the Fu family.

They didn’t immediately express a desire for marriage, just let the younger ones get acquainted and have many opportunities to meet.

But both parties knew the intentions well.

Naturally, there were also those impatient ones who directly hired matchmakers to visit.

All were turned away by Madam Fu.

Aunt Cheng thought over and over, still felt Fu Mingzhu was more suited to a simple household.

Simpler, to prevent Fu Mingzhu’s temperament from being constrained.

The household didn’t need to be too prestigious, that way, Fu Mingzhu’s status as a titled lady would still command respect.

And because Fu Changqin had not yet taken the examination, families were still observing, wanting to see if Fu Changqin could make the list before making further plans.

However, compared with Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian, Fu Changqin indeed had an unremarkable reputation, overshadowed in comparison.

As the spring examination was approaching, many scholars from other places flooded into the capital.

Fu Changqin also diligently studied with Mr. Changshan at the marquis’s residence, who pressed many questions on him.

Xiao Chengyu, in the study, would glance at Fu Changqin from time to time.

Fu Changqin couldn’t stand it any longer, helplessly said, “Marquis, I really am studying hard, not slacking off.”

“I know.” Every time he looked at Fu Changqin, Fu Changqin was diligently writing away, indeed not slacking off, “But since you’re studying hard, how did you know I was looking at you?”

Fu Changqin found this tone very familiar.

Isn’t this the tactic Fu Shinian often uses?

Fu Changqin said, “Marquis, your gaze is so obvious, even while I’m studying, I can feel it.”

Xiao Chengyu paused, asked, “Why hasn’t the second Miss Fu come to the marquis’s residence to see you these days?”

“Every day when I return home, my father tests me, and my sisters listen in, naturally knowing I haven’t been slacking.” Fu Changqin explained, “Shinian is assured, so naturally there’s no need to always come to see me.”

“Moreover, she worries that her frequent visits might disturb my studies.” Fu Changqin further explained.

Xiao Chengyu pursed his lips, said, “Previously she always brought along your favorite pastries.”

“Oh! I’m not that spoiled, needing to eat my favorite pastries to be able to study.” Fu Changqin replied, “Besides, Shinian said, as long as I’m at the marquis’s residence, she’s very assured. The old lady won’t treat me poorly, and the cook’s skills are excellent, they can make all kinds of delicious things, I don’t lack that bit of pastry from home.”

Xiao Chengyu’s eyes lit up, “I remember the second Miss Fu loves the osmanthus cake from our residence, says it’s different from any other place, even Taste Building can’t replicate its flavor.”

“Indeed, Shinian has said that.” Fu Changqin nodded.

“Just as it happens, the kitchen made some osmanthus cake today, take some back.” Xiao Chengyu said.

Fu Shinian hadn’t visited in a while, and hadn’t tasted the snacks from the marquis’s residence.

Xiao Chengyu recalled how previously Fu Shinian would always bring snacks to find him at the marquis’s residence.

To get him to eat, she would always say it was for him to accompany her while eating.

Xiao Chengyu couldn’t help but think of Fu Shinian sitting across from him, holding a piece of pastry like a squirrel with a nut, focusing intently on nibbling, stuffing her cheeks full.

Every time watching her eat, his own appetite would improve, unconsciously eating some along with her.

It’s just been a while since such a scene was seen.

Xiao Chengyu left the study, instructed Shaoyao, “Have the kitchen make some osmanthus cake, pack it up for Mr. Fu to take back.”

“Yes.” Shaoyao nodded while heading to the kitchen, mumbling internally.

Knew from the start that the marquis still had thoughts of the second Miss Fu.

If so, why did he need to say those things to her initially?

Shaoyao muttered to herself as she went to the kitchen and had the cook prepare the osmanthus cake.

But it seemed the second Miss Fu wasn’t picky about food, there wasn’t a pastry the cook made that she didn’t like.

The marquis likely just picked one to use as an excuse to give to the second Miss Fu.

Tomorrow, the day after, and the days to come, he could keep changing excuses to send to the second Miss Fu.

But the cook was delighted to see Shaoyao come, “Why? The marquis has a good appetite today?”

Since the marquis had clearly rejected Fu Shinian, Shaoyao didn’t want the mansion’s servants to misunderstand further, which might tarnish Fu Shinian’s reputation, so she said, “Yes, the marquis suddenly had a craving. Furthermore, Mr. Fu’s studies take a lot of energy, makes him hungry quickly.”

It wouldn’t matter if Fu Changqin’s reputation was affected, as opposed to Fu Shinian.

Without hesitation, Shaoyao shifted the blame to Fu Changqin.

“True, Mr. Fu has always had a good appetite.” The cook commented, “I’ll get to it, and once it’s steamed, I’ll send it to Bamboo Residence.”

“Sorry to trouble you.” Shaoyao said.

Seldom did Xiao Chengyu get a craving, so the cook hurriedly set to work.

Quickly steaming the osmanthus cake, they sent it to Bamboo Residence.

Shaoyao packed it into a food box and delivered it to Xiao Chengyu, “The cook thought you loved it, so made plenty, you should have some.”

Indeed, recalling how Fu Shinian ate the osmanthus cake just now, Xiao Chengyu suddenly felt an appetite.

As the cook made a lot, after packing for Fu Shinian, there was still a plate of it left.

Xiao Chengyu took a piece and ate, but after only half a piece, he found it a bit too sweet and cloying; without Fu Shinian beside him, he really had no appetite.

Shaoyao reminded, “Marquis, osmanthus cake tastes best when eaten warm.”

Xiao Chengyu immediately told the curious-looking Fu Changqin, “You can stop your studies here for today, review the rest back home.”

Xiao Chengyu pointed to the box of osmanthus cake, “Take the osmanthus cake back for the second Miss to eat while it’s still warm.”

Fu Changqin: “…”

So, it’s for Shinian to get to taste warm osmanthus cake, that he’s rushing me home?

“Move quickly.” Xiao Chengyu said, “If you hurry now, you can still make it back to the Fu family in time.”

Fortunately, the Fu family’s residence wasn’t far from the marquis’s residence.

Urged by Xiao Chengyu, Fu Changqin hurriedly packed his things, took the osmanthus cake, and was about to run outside, when Xiao Chengyu called him back, “Be careful, don’t jostle the pastries inside, especially don’t let the osmanthus flowers get jostled off. The second Miss likes the dried osmanthus on top the most, she won’t eat osmanthus cake without it.”

Fu Changqin: “…”

“Marquis, why don’t you deliver it?” Fu Changqin now really wanted to shove the food box back into Xiao Chengyu’s arms.

Young master won’t be serving anymore.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep