Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Even the Marquis Manor Is Yours to Choose

“With such a steady mindset, everything the Princely Heir does will be successful,” Fu Shinian said.

Xiao Chengyu: “…”

After chatting for a while, a young monk came over to inform them that the vegetarian meal was ready.

The group then got up and walked towards the temple.

Fu Shinian whispered, “Marquis, may we speak privately?”

Xiao Chengyu slowed his pace, trailing slightly behind Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian asked, “The Marquis has always been respectful and very protective of my reputation.”

“Why did you say those words earlier? It led to misunderstandings, and how am I supposed to explain it clearly?” Fu Shinian said in a troubled manner.

“Are you aware that today you were meeting the Princely Heir of Elder Yong’an?” Xiao Chengyu didn’t answer but asked in return.

Fu Shinian paused, said nothing, but her face flushed slightly.

Xiao Chengyu could easily tell, “You know.”

“Although my mother didn’t explicitly say, I can still see it,” Fu Shinian murmured, “I’m not a fool.”

“So, what do you think of the Princely Heir of Elder Yong’an?” Xiao Chengyu asked again.

“From today’s brief encounter, he’s quite good,” Fu Shinian said softly, “However, how could the Marquis ask me something so private.”

“You previously gave me a list to help you investigate, and now you say this?” Xiao Chengyu retorted.

Fu Shinian: “…”

Embarrassed, she had forgotten.

“Speaking of which, how’s the investigation on that list going, Marquise?” Fu Shinian asked.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here today,” Xiao Chengyu said, “I was planning to come to your mansion this afternoon to talk about it.”

“I haven’t brought the list with me.”

“So, you’ve already completed the investigation,” Fu Shinian pressed further, “Do you know much about the Princely Heir of Elder Yong’an?”

“The reputation of Elder Yong’an’s mansion has always been good, disciplined, and Miss Yu was well educated, so I think the Princely Heir is also commendable. I trust the character of Elder Yong’an and his wife,” Fu Shinian muttered.

Xiao Chengyu paused for a moment and said, “The second young lady can take her time to choose.”

“You are favored by the Emperor and Empress, and Mr. Fu’s future is promising. If your elder brother passes the imperial examination, the Fu family’s status will rise even higher,” Xiao Chengyu paused, then said softly, “Not just Elder Yong’an’s mansion, even the Marquis’s mansion would be at your discretion.”

Fu Shinian’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. She didn’t know why, but when Xiao Chengyu mentioned the Marquis’s mansion, she inexplicably thought of Marquis Changping’s mansion.

Why would she think of Marquis Changping’s mansion?

Fu Shinian quickly dismissed this thought, “Thank you for your concern, Marquis. I will choose wisely.”

After speaking, Fu Shinian quickened her steps to catch up with Fu Changqin and Fu Mingzhu, leaving Xiao Chengyu behind, speechless for a long time.

Such a smart girl, how come she didn’t seem to understand what he meant?

Fu Mingzhu never expected Xiao Chengyu to be so shameless as to stay for the vegetarian meal together.

With him around, it was difficult for Madam Yong’an and Madam Fu to make their matchmaking intentions too obvious.

On the way back, Madam Fu asked Fu Shinian in the carriage what she thought of Yu Baihan.

“I hadn’t encountered him before, but from today, he seems fine. However, I still need to understand more,” Fu Shinian cautiously replied.

“Indeed, just because Madam Yong’an and Miss Yu are good, it doesn’t mean Yu Baihan is as well,” Madam Fu nodded.

“But judging from today’s actions and words, the Princely Heir also seems to be a gentle but assertive person,” Fu Shinian said.

Seeing this, Madam Fu felt that Fu Shinian probably had a good impression of Yu Baihan.

Back at home, Fu Mingzhu was about to find an opportunity to talk privately with Madam Fu about Xiao Chengyu’s unusual behavior.

However, Housekeeper Zhou came to report, saying that Xiao Chengyu had arrived.

Fu Mingzhu: “…”

“This Marquis Changping is really intriguing lately. We just saw him this morning, and now he’s here again,” Fu Mingzhu said.

Madam Fu couldn’t help but ask, “Did you find something out?”

Fu Mingzhu wanted to speak but it was too late, as Xiao Chengyu was already striding in.

Upon entering, Xiao Chengyu said, “I didn’t expect to meet Madam at the Law Temple this morning. I had intended to come over this afternoon.”

Xiao Chengyu took out a list from his chest, “The young men in the capital you asked me to investigate earlier, I’ve organized and written detailed information.”

“It wasn’t convenient to tell you about this in front of others this morning since I didn’t have it on me.”

Hearing Xiao Chengyu’s explanation, Madam Fu immediately thought that perhaps Fu Mingzhu had overthought things.

Xiao Chengyu’s actions were clearly very considerate, protecting Fu Shinian as well.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu’s thorough preparation, Madam Fu expressed her gratitude and accepted the list.

“Madam can take a look now, and if there’s anything unclear, I can explain further,” Xiao Chengyu said.

“In that case, I’ll take a look,” Madam Fu smiled and said, “It’ll take time for me to go through it here, so the Marquis might have to wait a while.”

“No problem,” Xiao Chengyu replied.

“Has the Marquis ever visited our Fu Mansion properly?” Madam Fu smiled and said, “Though it’s not as large as the Marquis’s mansion, the garden has also been designed with care.”

“Changqin, take the Marquis for a stroll,” Madam Fu said.

Fu Changqin led Xiao Chengyu to the garden.

The Fu Mansion’s garden was indeed well-built. It followed the rules but showed that within those bounds, a lot of care had been put into its construction.

However, since the garden wasn’t large, it didn’t take long to walk through it.

Fu Changqin was just worried that Xiao Chengyu might suddenly quiz him on his studies, so he braced himself to continue accompanying Xiao Chengyu on the walk.

Xiao Chengyu pretended to ask casually, “I wonder if the second young lady is at home today?”

“She is,” Fu Changqin nodded. Without needing Xiao Chengyu to come up with an excuse, Fu Changqin asked proactively, “Is the Marquis looking for Shinian for something?”

After all, Fu Shinian often went to the Marquis’s mansion to discuss matters related to the Cheng Family’s business with Xiao Chengyu.

So when Xiao Chengyu asked, Fu Changqin didn’t suspect anything. His first reaction was that Xiao Chengyu might need to talk to Fu Shinian about some important matter.

Perhaps the impression that Xiao Chengyu gave during Fu Changqin’s time studying at the Marquis’s mansion was too deep—being strict, meticulous, and extremely responsible.

To the point where Fu Changqin wouldn’t even dream that Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian might have any personal matters.

So just as Xiao Chengyu was about to make up an excuse, Fu Changqin said, “Shinian should be in her courtyard now. I’ll take the Marquis over.”

Fu Changqin thought for a moment and then sent Chang Tai ahead, “I’ll walk slowly with the Marquis. You’re faster, go and see if the second young lady is in her courtyard.”

“Yes.”

Fu Changqin led Xiao Chengyu, introducing things as they walked. Halfway through, Chang Tai returned.

“Young master, Marquis, the second young lady is indeed in the courtyard.”

Thus, Fu Changqin took Xiao Chengyu to see Fu Shinian.

Knowing that Xiao Chengyu was coming, Fu Shinian waited at the courtyard gate.

“Marquis,” upon seeing Xiao Chengyu, Fu Shinian called out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep