Chapter 84: Chapter 84: I Hit You

“Xiuyu, Miss Zhou, regardless of what you say, Second Miss Fu has indeed made a contribution now. These words shouldn’t be spoken anymore; if they reach His Majesty’s ears, it would be unfavorable for you both.” Lin Qingqing said.

“You are just too kind and thus bullied by others. They are all picking on you.” Xu Xiuyu said angrily.

“I am not speaking for them, just concerned about you.” Lin Qingqing said, “That Fu Mingzhu has the worst temper, not giving anyone face at the slightest disagreement. Although Fu Shinian appears weak and harmless, she is deeply scheming and calculates with every word she says.”

“If you can avoid it, it’s best not to provoke them.” Lin Qingqing said softly.

“You’re right.” Xu Xiuyu reluctantly nodded, “I want to see how long they can be so arrogant.”

“Nowadays Fu Shinian’s reputation is damaged, all over Capital City it’s said she and Marquis Changping…” Lin Qingqing shook her head, “She is a clever person, yet who knows what she’s thinking, to belittle herself like this.”

“Isn’t it just wanting to become the Marchioness.” Xu Xiuyu said with a mouth twitch, “But who doesn’t know that the body of Marquis Changping is useless. Even if she becomes the Marchioness, it’ll only be a few years of glory. Once Marquis Changping passes on, the marquis title will fall to the second son, and the future Marchioness will be someone else, leaving her with nothing.”

Xu Xiuyu looked enviously at Lin Qingqing, “Qingqing, after all, you are the fortunate one, you and…”

“Xiuyu.” Lin Qingqing shook her head, “It’s still uncertain.”

“How come, is Miss Lin’s good event approaching?” Zhou Xiulin asked curiously.

How can such matters be talked about carelessly?

Xu Xiuyu wanted to brush it off, but before she could speak, she was suddenly yanked.

Followed by a slap that landed harshly on her face.

Xu Xiuyu was stunned by the slap for a good while, before reacting and shrieking madly, “Who! Who hit me!”

“It was I who hit you.” Fu Shinian said with a frosty face, standing in front of Xu Xiuyu, “How dare you curse Marquis Changping won’t live for a few more years?”

Fu Shinian’s voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Lin Qingqing, seeing this, quickly supported Xu Xiuyu and said, “Xiuyu only spoke casually, Second Miss Fu striking someone is truly improper.”

“Marquis Changping had just managed the epidemic in Ganning, risking his life to check on the critically ill, testing medicine for the people, and finding the source of the epidemic. When the epidemic appeared, he decisively sealed the city to contain the spread, setting an example by not returning to the capital, choosing to live and die with the people in the city.”

“Yet here you are, wishing for Marquis Changping’s early demise, with what intention!” Fu Shinian didn’t mention the matter of Xiao Chengyu catching the Jin Country spies.

This matter was confidential, and she feared spreading it might endanger Xiao Chengyu.

But just handling the epidemic in Ganning was already a significant merit.

Not to mention how much Emperor Jiawen valued Xiao Chengyu.

“Moreover, Marquis Changping is currently in good health, where did you see that he wouldn’t last a few more years?” Fu Shinian said loudly.

The people inside and outside the shop heard Fu Shinian’s words and couldn’t help but point at Xu Xiuyu.

“Really, how can someone curse like that?”

“I saw Marquis Changping today too, and his health seemed quite fine.”

“Exactly, not to mention that Marquis Changping’s health is good now. Even if he was bedridden, one would still not curse for someone’s death.”

“Anyone with a kind heart would wish others well, who would wish someone ill?”

Xu Xiuyu’s face turned pale, “I… I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Then, weren’t you the one who said Marquis Changping wouldn’t last a few more years?” Fu Shinian said coldly.

“I heard it too.” Fu Mingzhu said.

“Only you heard it?” Xu Xiuyu said, bracing herself, “Who knows if you two are intentionally framing and slandering me!”

“Qingqing, testify for me.” Xu Xiuyu grabbed Lin Qingqing’s arm, “Did you hear me say it?”

Xu Xiuyu looked eagerly at Lin Qingqing.

Lin Qingqing hesitated for a moment.

She glanced around, and indeed there weren’t many people around before, who knew that Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian would stand behind them.

But she still worried if she helped Xu Xiuyu and was found lying, she too would be implicated.

In the moment of hesitation, someone suddenly said, “I heard it.”

Lin Qingqing and the other two were startled, not expecting that there would be someone standing behind them.

The three turned around in panic, and saw Yu Jingyun emerging from behind them, the eldest daughter from Elder Yong’an’s residence.

“Mingzhu, Shinian.” Yu Jingyun first greeted them quietly, then said loudly, “I was behind them testing perfumes earlier, and heard it all, Xu Xiuyu indeed said that Marquis Changping wouldn’t last a few more years.”

Yu Jingyun looked at them coldly, “Did you really think no one heard?”

“I advise you, if you want to gossip about someone next time, make sure no one is truly around you.” Yu Jingyun did not involve the shop assistants.

Because Xu Xiuyu and the others couldn’t do anything to her, they might trouble the staff.

“Qingqing.” Xu Xiuyu was so anxious that she nearly cried.

Zhou Xiulin quickly stepped away, distancing herself from Xu Xiuyu to avoid getting involved.

She regretted engaging in the conversation earlier, worrying it might now implicate her.

“Qingqing, please say something for me!” Xu Xiuyu was desperate.

Xu Xiuyu was a friend that Lin Qingqing had managed to make with some difficulty.

Plus, Mr. Xu’s official rank was higher than her father’s, so she didn’t dare to offend him much.

Thus, Lin Qingqing had to reluctantly say, “Indeed, it was Xiuyu’s careless words, but she didn’t mean to curse Marquis Changping. Second Miss Fu, could you perhaps forgive her?”

Fu Shinian tilted her head slightly and said, “The matter of Xu Xiuyu cursing Marquis Changping is confirmed, yet you only stepped up now to play the good person. When Xu Xiuyu was asking for your support just now, why did you stay silent?”

“Had you initially stated that Xu Xiuyu hadn’t said anything about Marquis Changping, even if another witness came forward, it would still be a matter of he-said-she-said. I might not have been able to do much against Xu Xiuyu.” Fu Shinian chuckled, “But you said nothing, which solidified Xu Xiuyu’s words.” Fu Shinian questioned, “Miss Lin, are you truly friends with Xu Xiuyu? Why… why when it mattered, you abandoned her?”

Xu Xiuyu was taken aback, then looked at Lin Qingqing with suspicion.

Yes, why… why didn’t Lin Qingqing help her?

Wasn’t Lin Qingqing her friend?

“Xiuyu, don’t listen to her provocation.” Lin Qingqing hurried to explain, “I was just… too frightened to know how to react. Just now, when Second Miss Fu suddenly slapped, it was truly terrifying.”

“We’ve never encountered such a thing.” Lin Qingqing said pitifully.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep