CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: A REPUTATION FOR GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS

The Second Prince now showed patience towards Xiao Fengxing and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"Your Highness, as far as you know, has anyone proposed a good solution to this matter lately?" Xiao Fengxing inquired.

"Naturally, no one has; otherwise, it wouldn’t be such a headache." The Second Prince said, "In the past few days of morning court, some have proposed solutions, but none worked and were denied by the Emperor."

"Since Your Highness wishes to recommend yourself, you must strive for the greatest momentum." Xiao Fengxing proposed, "The royal hunt next month is only five days away."

"Your Highness is skilled in riding and archery. You might as well mention this matter in front of the Emperor, with court officials present, while offering your catch. It would help you garner a good reputation among the ministers."

The Second Prince already envisioned the scene in his mind, where he would surely receive much acclaim and build his influence.

"You are right." The Second Prince nodded.

"However, to be on the safe side, Your Highness should remain vigilant to avoid being preempted by someone else." Xiao Fengxing reminded, "If that’s the case, Your Highness should speak up sooner rather than wait for the hunt."

"I’m well aware of that." The Second Prince waved dismissively, feeling that Xiao Fengxing’s reminder was unnecessary.

Could he really not know such a thing?

"Indeed, the second son of the Xiao family lives up to his reputation." The Second Prince praised, "If this succeeds, I shall reward you generously."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Xiao Fengxing could not hide his joy.

*

On this day, Fu Mingzhu pulled Fu Shinian along to the street.

"Is there something you want to buy, sister?" Fu Shinian asked.

"Isn’t the royal hunt approaching?" Fu Mingzhu said, "I want to buy a good bow for Er Lang."

When mentioning Xiao Fengxing, Fu Mingzhu’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes showed longing, "Er Lang is excellent in riding and archery; with a good bow, he would surely shine in the hunt."

Fu Shinian: "..."

She couldn’t let Fu Mingzhu waste money like this.

As the two were walking, they happened upon an old man with a child begging for food.

Fu Mingzhu, feeling soft-hearted, took out silver and was about to give it when Fu Shinian stopped her, "Sister, it’s better to give some copper coins. Silver is too conspicuous; with the old man and child, it might not be kept safe and could be snatched."

Giving a bit of copper coin was enough to buy some buns or bread to eat. Those hooligans wouldn’t care for such small change, and the beggars could at least have a full meal.

She remembered in the original book, Lin Qingqing also participated in the royal hunt and encountered a beggar on the way. To show her kindness, she specially took out broken silver for the beggar.

Unexpectedly, it attracted more beggars, and the original beggar’s silver was snatched by older children, and he was beaten.

However, Lin Qingqing, although she didn’t manage things well, managed to display her kindness successfully, gaining the Empress’s attention.

"You make a good point." Fu Mingzhu then retracted the broken silver, but she did not have any copper coins at hand.

Qiu Li, beside Fu Mingzhu, took out a few copper coins, "I have some here."

"I’ll reward you when we return." Fu Mingzhu said with a smile.

"Thank you, miss." Qiu Li handed the copper coins to the old man.

Fu Shinian suddenly thought of something.

In the capital, there is an orphanage, a children’s home, and a Kindness Hall, which respectively take in abandoned infants, children, and helpless elderly people unable to care for themselves.

But people do not know that the Empress is actually supporting these three establishments behind the scenes.

Fu Shinian said, "Sister, although those grandfather and grandson are pitiful, at least the child has a grandfather to take care of him. There are many orphans in the capital who don’t even have family; it’s truly pitiful."

"As far as I know, the children’s home is the place that receives these orphans." Fu Shinian said, "Sister, instead of giving a little when you encounter them on the street, why not donate to the children’s home?"

"The children inside are so unfortunate; who knows what the future holds for them." Fu Shinian said, "It’s better to ask someone to teach them a skill so they can have the ability to make a living in the future."

"That’s indeed a good idea." Fu Mingzhu agreed.

She had money anyway, so she didn’t mind spending it on good deeds.

Fu Shinian thought, "Why don’t we go and take a look now? Then we can discuss with the headmaster how exactly to implement it." Fu Shinian thought it would be better for Fu Mingzhu to spend the money meant for buying a bow for Xiao Fengxing today.

Besides, donating to a children’s home and hiring people to teach the kids require continuous investment.

Let Fu Mingzhu get busy so she wouldn’t have time for Xiao Fengxing, and she wouldn’t have extra money to buy things for him.

The reason she didn’t propose for Fu Mingzhu to donate to the orphanage and Kindness Hall together was to avoid attracting attention and arousing the Empress’s suspicions.

Those nobles in the palace tend to be suspicious when anything happens.

Donating to just one is just right.

"Now?" Fu Mingzhu still wanted to buy a bow for Xiao Fengxing.

"Sister, as the son of the Marquis’s house, what doesn’t Second Young Master Xiao have?" Fu Shinian said, "It’s better to spend the money on people who need it more."

"Moreover, didn’t Second Young Master Xiao say last time that he hopes you will have a gentle and kind reputation in the capital?" Fu Shinian brought up Xiao Fengxing, "Helping the children’s home, such a gentle and kind reputation, would be better than taking care of Lin Qingqing."

Hearing this, Fu Mingzhu immediately perked up, "You’re right!"

Fu Mingzhu immediately put aside the thought of buying gifts for Xiao Fengxing and went to the children’s home with Fu Shinian.

These days, Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian have been busy with matters concerning the children’s home.

There are both boys and girls in the children’s home, and the Cheng family, being in business, knows various craftsmen.

Fu Mingzhu entrusted Cheng Yuanshan to find people to teach girls weaving and embroidery, and also hired a tutor to teach the children to read.

For girls, reading is certainly useful, and the boys might have the chance to pursue scholarly honor in the future.

They went to the children’s home every day, becoming familiar with the staff and children.

Xiao Fengxing was thinking that with the royal hunt approaching, in the past, Fu Mingzhu always sent him gifts before the hunt.

Why this time, with tomorrow being the departure, had Fu Mingzhu not sent any gifts yet?

Xiao Fengxing couldn’t resist and came to the Fu Mansion.

Who knew that Housekeeper Zhou would inform him that Fu Mingzhu was not there?

"When will she return?" Xiao Fengxing asked.

Housekeeper Zhou responded with difficulty, "Well... these days, Miss has been busy each day, so I’m not sure when she’ll be back."

Xiao Fengxing: "..."

Why did he feel that Fu Mingzhu was not as attentive to him as before?

The next day was the Royal Hunt.

The Emperor and Empress, accompanied by the favored concubine, departed from the palace, followed by the carriages of the court officials and their dependents.

The Emperor did not wish to disrupt the people’s lives, so he didn’t clear the streets; soldiers maintained order along the way.

After the Emperor and Empress’s carriages passed, the restrictions on the common folk were lifted for the carriages of the officials and their households.

The many carriages moved slowly, stopping occasionally.

It’s rare for so many noble officials to appear on the streets, so the number of beggars increased.

Many servants from the officials’ households were busy driving away the beggars who approached the carriages.

Due to Xiao Fengxing, the Lin family also had the opportunity to participate in this hunt.

Their carriage was at the back, and the servants in the house were about to drive away a begging child when Lin Qingqing opened the curtain to stop them, "Wait a moment."

Lin Qingqing took out her purse, initially thinking to take out a few copper coins, but realizing that the Emperor and Empress were ahead, only taking out a few copper coins may not sound good if word spread.