Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Just Can’t Carry Them!

When the Fu family arrived, they happened to encounter the ladies from the Chen family and the family of the Capital Commandant.

Mr. Fu breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, “It’s a good thing you reminded me, Madam. Otherwise, if Yuanshan and I came together, it would have been too conspicuous.”

Everyone went together to pay respects to the old lady for the New Year. Mr. Fu then found an excuse to pay New Year’s greetings to Xiao Chengyu and took Cheng Yuanshan with him to find Xiao Chengyu.

Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Zheng from the Capital Commandant’s family noticed that the Fu family even brought their concubine along and thought it might be because Fu Mingzhu had become a noblewoman, causing the concubine in their family to feel restless.

However, they quickly noticed that Aunt Cheng didn’t speak much throughout. Only when the old lady inquired did Aunt Cheng respond honestly and modestly.

Truly a well-behaved person.

Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Zheng couldn’t help but wonder secretly which deity the Fu family was blessed by to have such good fortune.

Two capable daughters, a well-behaved concubine, who knows how many troubles this saves.

Later, Xiao Chengyu returned with Mr. Fu and Cheng Yuanshan.

Madam Fu took the opportunity to propose leaving.

As everyone walked out together, they happened to meet General Gu’s family in the corridor.

Mrs. Gu’s eyes lit up when she saw Fu Shinian and she eagerly grabbed Fu Shinian’s hand, “I haven’t seen you in such a long time.”

Fu Shinian blinked. Since when did she have such a good relationship with Mrs. Gu?

Mrs. Gu continued nonchalantly, “Lingyi always talks about you and Mingzhu when she came back, but we were afraid you were too busy lately and didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Have you been busy these past few days?” Mrs. Gu asked.

Madam Fu was also puzzled by this sudden warmth from Mrs. Gu.

She glanced at Mrs. Gu holding Fu Shinian’s hand, made a few guesses in her heart, and said, “Not busy these days. If Lingyi is free, she can arrange to play with my daughters.”

“That would be wonderful,” Mrs. Gu said. “Tomorrow, the Law Temple serves vegetarian meals, and their snacks are exquisite, but not available every day. Tomorrow happens to be a day they serve, why not go together and try them? Yunze can accompany them, ensuring the girls’ safety.”

Madam Fu accepted the suggestion smoothly, “Then I can be completely at ease.”

Xiao Chengyu, with a hand behind his back, slightly lowered his gaze to hide a trace of his expression and couldn’t help but rub the jade ring on his forefinger.

Come to think of it, it had been quite some time since Fu Shinian last showed concern for his health.

Mrs. Gu exchanged a few more words before continuing on with her children.

The Fu family and Xiao Chengyu then walked out together.

Fu Shinian was walking along when she suddenly heard a few coughs. Turning her head, she realized Xiao Chengyu had somehow walked over to her side, covering his mouth as he coughed.

“My lord, have you been unwell lately?” Fu Shinian asked.

“No, it’s just that I haven’t been resting well,” Xiao Chengyu replied.

“Could it be that my sleep incense is no longer effective?” Fu Shinian asked anxiously.

“It’s effective. It’s just that there’s been a lot going on lately, so I’ve been sleeping late,” Xiao Chengyu explained.

“You must take good care of yourself, my lord. No matter how busy you are, you should prioritize your health. Only when you are well-rested can you handle matters with more energy,” Fu Shinian advised.

“Alright.”

“My lord, do make sure to rest early tonight,” Fu Shinian turned to Jing Lai and said, “Jing Lai, you must remind him. If he stays up late and doesn’t listen to you, write it down carefully and report to me.”

Xiao Chengyu slightly curved his lips, “But if I stay up late, you won’t be able to supervise me in time.”

Xiao Yingyue’s eyes lit up, taking the opportunity to say, “That’s right, my brother is always hard to manage. He listens to no one, not even my mother. How about you come and stay at the Marquis’s residence for a few days to keep a close watch on him?”

Fu Shinian: “…”

Isn’t that inappropriate?

Madam Fu: “…”

You two siblings, are you flirting with our daughter right in front of us?

Xiao Yingyue, having seen Mrs. Gu and Gu Lingyi’s reactions earlier, had a strong sense of crisis.

Fortunately, she had come along to see off the Fu family. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have known that others had their eyes on Fu Shinian.

She needs to tell her mother when she gets back to stay on guard.

“Will you, please?” Xiao Yingyue clung to Fu Shinian’s arm, “I haven’t spent quality time with you in ages!”

“I’ve also considered that you’ve been especially busy lately, so I haven’t dared to bother you,” Xiao Yingyue said, “You should stay at the Marquis’s residence for a few days; we can sleep together and chat the night away.”

Fu Shinian turned to Madam Fu and asked, “Mother?”

Madam Fu: “…”

“Didn’t Madam Fu just say that Shinian has nothing going on these days?” Xiao Yingyue hurriedly interjected.

Madam Fu: “…”

A lapse in judgement.

Who would have thought Xiao Yingyue, usually seen as naive, could be so cunning.

Having no choice, Madam Fu said, “In that case, come and stay for a few days, but don’t cause any trouble for the Marquis’s residence.”

“Can I also join you tomorrow at Law Temple?” Xiao Yingyue asked, “I’ve never had the vegetarian meal there yet. Seeing how Mrs. Gu praised it, I’m curious.”

“Sure,” Fu Shinian nodded.

“Brother, will you take me to the Law Temple tomorrow?” Xiao Yingyue asked, “Otherwise, I’ll be afraid to go alone.”

Xiao Chengyu nodded, “Alright.”

“But isn’t my lord very busy recently?” Fu Shinian said, “If it’s too much trouble, we can come pick Yingyue up instead. If my lord rarely gets some free time, better to rest well at home.”

Finishing her words, Fu Shinian noticed that Xiao Chengyu’s complexion seemed worse than before, clearly lacking rest.

“My lord’s complexion doesn’t look good; you should rest more,” Fu Shinian added, “Don’t overwork yourself.”

Xiao Chengyu: “…”

He had met the emperor today to discuss the cotton matter, afraid he would be busy again. Tomorrow might indeed be a busy day.

Xiao Yingyue: “…”

Can’t help it!

Madam Fu smiled and said, “Alright, tomorrow let Changqin bring Mingzhu and Shinian to the Marquis’s residence to pick up Yingyue, then go to the Law Temple together.”

Jing Lai cast a sympathetic glance at Xiao Chengyu.

The Marquis initially wanted Fu Shinian to feel some pity for him, but it seems he overdid it a bit.

Once they were sent off in their carriage, Xiao Chengyu took Mr. Fu and Cheng Yuanshan in his own carriage into the palace.

After General Gu’s family left, Xiao Yingyue quickly ran to find the old Madam, exclaiming, “Mother!”

“I have something to tell you,” Xiao Yingyue said, “When I was seeing the Fu family off, I happened to encounter General Gu’s family on the road.”

“What happened?” The old Madam still hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation.

“Mrs. Gu absolutely has her eyes on Shinian!” Xiao Yingyue said anxiously, telling the old Madam everything that had happened.

The old Madam took a deep breath, “Since when has their family been interested in Shinian?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep