CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: SUCH A SILLY GIRL

"Nothing." Fu Mingzhu said, "I never knew he would wish for the Lord to die."

Fu Mingzhu frowned and said, "The marquisate was never his to begin with."

Xiao Yingyue breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that it was a pity Fu Mingzhu was betrothed to Xiao Fengxing, being so sensible and all.

Xiao Yingyue hurried to change the subject, not mentioning Xiao Fengxing again, "Niannian, let me tell you, it’s not my imagination, I really feel that lately, my elder brother’s health and spirits have improved. Perhaps it’s thanks to your incense; with good sleep, his spirit naturally improves."

"My incense is just to help with sleep, it’s really the old madam who pays great attention to the health and nurturing of the Lord in daily life." Fu Shinian replied.

She thought, up until now, she had only added 6 points of luck value to Xiao Chengyu, and already there was such a good effect.

If more could be added, it would surely be even better.

Fu Shinian scratched her head, just struggling to find a way.

She could only continue to find ways to reduce Xiao Fengxing’s luck value.

With a large reduction, some would inevitably be transferred to Xiao Chengyu.

Xiao Yingyue saw that Fu Shinian was fine and left.

Unexpectedly, she met Xiao Chengyu just after entering the marquisate gates.

"Elder brother, are you going out?" Xiao Yingyue asked.

"Hmm." Xiao Chengyu nodded lightly, pretending to ask unintentionally, "Just returned from the Fu Mansion?"

"Yes." Xiao Yingyue nodded.

Xiao Chengyu waited for a while, but seeing that Xiao Yingyue had no intention to continue speaking, he had to take the initiative to ask, "How is the second Miss Fu?"

"Thanks to Doctor Zhang, after treating Niannian, she became much better." Xiao Yingyue said, "But since I’ve already checked on her, I didn’t pull her to come over. It’s better to let her rest more."

Xiao Chengyu nodded and went out.

Xiao Yingyue glanced back just in time to see Xiao Chengyu turning away.

"Hmm? Why didn’t elder brother take a carriage when going out?" Xiao Yingyue wondered.

*

The day of Xiao Chengyu’s birthday arrived.

Fu Shinian brought the peace charm she sought and went to the marquisate with Chunmian.

Perhaps due to the tragic overtone of Xiao Chengyu’s birthday, as he grew older, it got closer to the date the Imperial Physician predicted his death.

For Xiao Chengyu, birthdays were not much to celebrate.

So the marquisate was not adorned with lanterns and decorations today.

The servants in the marquisate were even quieter than usual.

This atmosphere hardly resembled that of a birthday celebration.

Fu Shinian entered the main hall and saw the old madam, Xiao Chengyu, and Xiao Yingyue all present.

However, the atmosphere among them seemed fine.

The old madam was all smiles, not dispirited because Xiao Chengyu was another year older and one step nearer to his supposed death day.

"Niannian!" Xiao Yingyue greeted at the door joyfully, pulling Fu Shinian in.

"Old madam." Fu Shinian first greeted the old madam.

"No need for so much courtesy." The old madam smiled, "Today is just our family banquet; no outsiders."

Due to the birthday, Fu Changqin was even given a rare day off from his studies today.

Otherwise, with Fu Changqin studying hard elsewhere, it would be awkward to celebrate a birthday here.

But hearing the old madam say this, Fu Shinian felt a bit embarrassed.

She initially assumed that even a small celebration for Xiao Chengyu would include a few friends.

Unexpectedly, she was the only one invited?

Fu Shinian quietly asked Xiao Yingyue, "Is it just me coming today?"

"Yes." Xiao Yingyue nodded, "My brother isn’t fond of friends, and doesn’t like fussing over birthdays. You’re my best friend, and others are just mere acquaintances, unnecessary to invite."

Fu Shinian: "..."

In this case, she felt a bit pressured.

"In previous years it was just the three of us, today even with just you added, it seems livelier." Xiao Yingyue said happily.

Fu Shinian set aside her pressure and said, "It will keep getting livelier in the future."

The old madam discerned the implication in Fu Shinian’s words, that Xiao Chengyu’s health would improve, seeing many more birthdays.

They wouldn’t need so many reservations in the future, and could invite many guests, leading to a livelier celebration, wouldn’t it?

Xiao Chengyu smiled slightly, not dampening the mood.

He also felt that his health had improved recently, perhaps he could celebrate a few more birthdays.

"Nanny Wang." The old madam called.

Nanny Wang promptly brought over the old madam’s gift with a smile.

"My lord, this is a peace bracelet the old madam personally crafted for you." Nanny Wang stated, "Knowing you dislike ostentation, she only adorned it with a single imperial red bead."

The marquisate is affluent and lacks for nothing.

In such cases, it’s not about value but the old madam’s intentions.

"Thank you, mother." Xiao Chengyu immediately put the bracelet on his left wrist.

Xiao Yingyue gifted a Jade Pendant, with a string she braided herself.

"This Jade Pendant." Xiao Chengyu recognized it.

Xiao Yingyue nodded, "It was blessed at the Law Temple by mother and taken back for me to wear at birth for health and safety."

"I’m now as strong as an ox; this pendant I gift to my brother." Xiao Yingyue said, "It protected me for long, and may it continue to protect my brother."

"Ying Yue..." Xiao Chengyu was touched and almost speechless.

The old madam couldn’t help but tear up, subtly turning away to wipe her eyes.

"Brother, you’ll still have to see me off to marriage, standing strong for me." Xiao Yingyue said, "If I’m ever wronged at the husband’s house, second brother won’t intervene for me."

Xiao Chengyu laughed, "I understand your meaning, I’ve always doubted the Imperial Physician’s age twenty-five prediction. I’ll do my best."

Even if it becomes more painful later, a fate worse than death.

For his mother and Xiao Yingyue, he would grit his teeth and hold on until the very last moment.

Xiao Yingyue nodded with wet eyes, before sitting back.

Fu Shinian finally took out the peace charm she had sought at the Law Temple from her bosom, presenting it to Xiao Chengyu, "This is the peace charm I obtained at the Law Temple."

Xiao Chengyu, recalling that day, took the charm, still warm with Fu Shinian’s body heat.

"Was ascending the path to the mountain the other day for this?" Xiao Chengyu asked.

Fu Shinian nodded, "They say sincerity makes it more effective."

"If there’s a tougher challenge, I can try it too." Fu Shinian stated, "Hoping the Lord keeps it close, perhaps it truly offers protection."

The old madam had already heard from Xiao Yingyue yesterday.

Fu Shinian nearly lost her life seeking the peace charm for Xiao Chengyu.

"Chengyu, make sure to wear this peace charm closely." The old madam said.

Fu Shinian had placed the peace charm in a small pouch, tied with a string securely.

Xiao Chengyu promptly wore it around his neck, tucking it inside his clothes.

"I’ll wear it well." Xiao Chengyu replied, "You..."

Such a silly girl.

He thought of how she had fainted the other day just for seeking this peace charm.

Upon reaching the mountain top, she persisted in completing the offering, gritting her teeth.

How did she manage it all?

The old madam took Fu Shinian’s hand, saying, "Good child, don’t toil so hard like this anymore in the future."