Chapter 169: Chapter 169: As Soon as He Saw Fu Shinian, His Gaze Fell Upon Her Face

“I’ve often heard Shinian mention that you and the Princess are good friends.” Mrs. Yan’s face blossomed into a smile, “I’ve never had the opportunity to meet before, but seeing you today, the Princess is truly exceptional.”

Xiao Yingyue was the least patient with dealing with such people, but out of respect for Yan Liqing, she still courteously responded.

She truly didn’t understand how Yan Liqing, such a good person, could have a mother like that.

“I’ve been disturbing here for quite a while.” Xiao Yingyue quickly said, “I should be returning to the manor.”

“Why are you leaving just as you arrived, Princess?” Mrs. Yan immediately said, “Have I disturbed you?”

“I just came to see Liqing, and happened to run into the Princess.” Mrs. Yan said, “You have a good conversation here, I’ll leave first.”

“Madam, please stay, I really should return to the manor.” Xiao Yingyue said, “I’ve been coming here every day these past few days, neglecting my manners.”

After saying this, without waiting for Mrs. Yan to say anything more, Xiao Yingyue hurriedly left.

“Princess, let me see you off.” Mrs. Yan quickly said.

“No need, Madam, please stay.” Xiao Yingyue quickly replied.

“My sister and I will see the Princess off.” Fu Shinian immediately said, promptly leading Xiao Yingyue out with Fu Mingzhu.

“That Mrs. Yan…” Xiao Yingyue couldn’t help but ask.

“She’s a muddle-headed person.” Fu Shinian said, “I didn’t tell you earlier for fear of hurting my cousin’s feelings. Because of Mrs. Yan, my cousin is often deeply distressed. But she’s her mother, and she has no choice.”

“In the future, we probably won’t be able to avoid dealing with Mrs. Yan.” Fu Shinian said apologetically, “I’m really sorry.”

“There’s no need to say that.” Xiao Yingyue said, “She can’t do anything to me. I’ve met plenty like her before, and I know how to handle it.”

“See if you can hint at Miss Yan, telling her not to overthink.” Xiao Yingyue said, “Her mother is her mother, she is herself, I can tell the difference, so she can be at ease.”

“In the end, we aren’t her, even if we understand her feelings, we might not be able to truly put her at ease if we were in her place.” Fu Mingzhu said, “But our words and actions in the future will surely let her know.”

Mrs. Yan stayed in Yan Liqing’s room, excitedly saying, “When I came in earlier, I heard you discussing going horse riding?”

Yan Liqing had no choice but to nod, “Yes, that was the plan, but the date hasn’t been set yet.”

“That’s alright, since it’s been decided, early or late, you’ll definitely go.” Mrs. Yan asked excitedly, “Has the Princess Pingning announced any marriage prospects yet?”

“I don’t know.” Yan Liqing replied.

“She’s been here several times, how can you not even know this?” Mrs. Yan said dissatisfied.

“The Princess merely came to see me out of regard for Shinian and Mingzhu. I’m not familiar enough with her to ask such questions.” Yan Liqing said, relieved, luckily only knowing Xiao Yingyue for a few days, she could still evade the question.

“Mingzhu and Shinian should know, right?” Mrs. Yan immediately said.

“Mother, why not ask them yourself.” Yan Liqing said, “As an unmarried young woman, it’s not appropriate for me to inquire about others’ marriages.”

Mrs. Yan pouted, “Fine, I’ll ask.”

“What use are you, knowing nothing.” Mrs. Yan muttered discontentedly as she left.

She didn’t meet Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian; the two had escorted Xiao Yingyue away, deliberately avoiding her.

With no other choice, Mrs. Yan went to find Yan Sikang.

She brought up matters regarding Xiao Yingyue.

“I’ve not heard that the Princess Pingning has announced any marriage prospects.” Mrs. Yan said, “She has agreed with your sister to go horse riding, you must accompany her.”

Yan Sikang’s eyelid twitched, “You need to perform well then.”

“As for Liqing, I can’t count on her; she has no ambition at all.” Mrs. Yan said, “If you perform well, there’s no reason our family can’t discuss marriage with the marquis’ household.”

“Mother…” Yan Sikang was stunned.

“Originally, Fu Mingzhu was just a concubine’s daughter, even before being titled a lady of the domain, she was betrothed to the marquis’ second son. Although he is also a concubine’s son, he is still from the marquis’ household.” Mrs. Yan said, “Back then, even when your uncle was only a fourth rank official, he could form an alliance with the marquis’ household, so why can’t we?”

Yan Sikang took a deep breath, unwilling to argue with Mrs. Yan.

After all, going back and forth would lead nowhere, so he said, “I will do my best.”

“But mother, my primary task now remains to study and prepare for the examination.” Yan Sikang said.

“Yes, yes.” Mrs. Yan was reminded, “Studying is important, I won’t disturb you further, study well. But also don’t forget about the racecourse.”

Yan Sikang: “…”

“Yes.” Yan Sikang nodded.

After seeing Mrs. Yan off, Yan Sikang let out a sigh.

In the future, when he goes to study at Bailu Academy, it will certainly be difficult for Yan Liqing to handle Mrs. Yan alone here.

It’s best to have Mrs. Yan return to Jinzhou.

He didn’t even know where the letter was by now.

The next day, Xiao Yingyue sent a message inviting them to the racecourse the following day.

Mrs. Yan, upon hearing this, became very excited.

Fu Shinian was worried Mrs. Yan might insist on going along, but unexpectedly Mrs. Yan said, “I’m not fond of such activities, this time you all go on your own.”

Dust flies everywhere during horse riding.

She certainly couldn’t ride a horse, and watching from the side would just get her a face full of dust, so she wasn’t going.

Mrs. Yan then reminded Yan Sikang, “Sikang, take good care of your sisters, don’t let them get hurt.”

“Yes.” Yan Sikang replied.

“Enjoy yourself before you go to Bailu Academy. Once the exam results are released, you should head to the academy.” Madam Fu said.

“Yes.”

Although Mrs. Yan wouldn’t be accompanying them for horse riding, she was too excited to sleep a wink throughout the night.

She got up early the next day and secretly advised Yan Sikang and Yan Liqing, before Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian arrived, to perform well and make themselves stand out.

Yan Sikang and Yan Liqing had long made a private agreement that if they found what Mrs. Yan said unreasonable, they wouldn’t bother arguing with her.

They would simply agree on the surface and do what they deemed fit.

Seeing how obedient Yan Sikang and Yan Liqing had become, Mrs. Yan was very pleased.

The group set off for the racecourse on the outskirts, where the Divine Wind usually stayed in the stables at the mansion, and Fu Shinian always felt it was an injustice to Divine Wind.

A magnificent steed hadn’t been able to run freely.

So this time, she brought Divine Wind along.

Although Fu Shinian had originally gotten Divine Wind from Fu Mingzhu, it was to prevent Fu Mingzhu from giving it to Master Xiao.

Thus, after that incident was resolved, it still was mainly Fu Mingzhu who rode Divine Wind most of the time.

Fu Shinian felt that using Divine Wind as her mount was somewhat unfair to it.

While her riding skills were decent, they weren’t as good as Fu Mingzhu’s.

Xiao Yingyue saw Divine Wind and hurried over, having had several encounters with Divine Wind when visiting Fu Mansion.

However, it was Xiao Chengyu’s first time seeing it.

But Xiao Chengyu couldn’t care less about famous steeds, as his eyes fell on Fu Shinian’s face the moment he saw her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep