CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: DO YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR MARQUIS CHANGPING?

What she needed to do was to ensure that Xiao Fengxing was not highly valued.

Xiao Chengyu first escorted Fu Shinian back to the mansion.

Since the Prince personally welcomed them at the city gate, it was inappropriate for the Fu family to join, so they could only eagerly await at the gate of the Fu Mansion.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu helping Fu Shinian off the carriage, the Fu family members couldn’t wait any longer and hurriedly gathered around.

Madam Fu held Fu Shinian’s face, "You’ve lost weight, how did you become so thin?"

Aunt Cheng pinched Fu Shinian’s arm and waist on the side, "You’ve lost a lot of weight. I heard it’s particularly cold over in Ganning, you really suffered. I bought a lot of supplements, starting today I’ll nourish you back to your previous fair and tender self."

Madam Fu had initially considered, that once Fu Shinian returned, she would punish her properly.

At the very least, having her reflect on her actions was necessary.

But now, seeing Fu Shinian’s state, she couldn’t bear to punish her.

"You must be tired from the journey?" Madam Fu said, "I’ve already ordered someone to light the charcoal in your room and placed a warming stone in your quilt. As soon as it cools, it will be replaced to ensure your quilt stays warm. Go rest well, we’ll wake you for dinner."

"By the way, are you hungry now? Would you like something to eat first?" Madam Fu asked again.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "I haven’t stopped eating along the way, I’m quite full now."

Xiao Chengyu even worried that she might have indigestion from eating too much and provided her with digestive snacks all the way.

Only then did Madam Fu recall Xiao Chengyu, thinking back to Mr. Fu’s previous suspicions.

Even though Madam Fu had scolded Mr. Fu, the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was quite possible.

Now, seeing Xiao Chengyu again, Madam Fu’s feelings were complicated.

"Thank you, Marquis, for taking care of my daughter all the way." Madam Fu restrained herself from immediately driving Xiao Chengyu away.

"This time, it was thanks to the second girl saving my life," Xiao Chengyu said, "Even if I were to face burning cauldrons and raging fires, I’d find it hard to repay."

"The second girl has just returned home and likely has a lot to discuss with her family, so I won’t disturb you any longer."

Once Xiao Chengyu boarded the carriage, the Fu family members quickly escorted Fu Shinian inside.

Though they had many things to ask, seeing Fu Shinian’s exhausted face, they held back and decided to let her rest first.

After Fu Shinian returned to her room, it was only then that Fu Changqin dared to speak, "Luckily, Shinian is safe. Previously, there were rumors in the capital that Shinian had sacrificed herself to trial medicines to save the people of a city. It couldn’t.... It shouldn’t be true, right? Shinian returned safely, didn’t she? No trouble happened."

"Perhaps it is true, but the medicine trials were successful," Fu Mingzhu said solemnly, "She appeared too tired just now to ask her about it. Once she’s rested, we’ll definitely ask during dinner."

Madam Fu, having just dried her tears with a handkerchief, said, "No matter what, the fact that she’s back safe is good!"

"Dear, during dinner you must have a good talk with her, she cannot act so willfully again, doing whatever she wants without telling us."

"Yes, I’ll definitely speak to her," Mr. Fu quickly nodded.

But when dinner time came, seeing Fu Shinian’s face, thinned by at least a circle despite eating all the way, they couldn’t bring themselves to say anything.

They quickly began asking about her situation in Ganning.

Fu Shinian chose less thrilling parts to share.

"Did you truly trial the medicine?" Madam Fu asked.

Fu Shinian paused before slowly nodding, "Someone had to try it after all."

"With so many people, why did it have to be you?" Madam Fu asked angrily and anxiously.

Fu Shinian found it hard to explain, partly it was to save Xiao Chengyu, and partly to counteract Xiao Fengxing’s achievements.

To prevent Xiao Fengxing from gaining Emperor Jiawen’s favor from this medicine prescription.

The current effect seemed quite good.

Not only was Xiao Fengxing not highly valued, but also lost some fortune value.

"The situation was urgent at the time," Fu Shinian said, "If severely ill civilians tried, any error in dosage could cost lives, adding sin."

"Besides, the Marquis also tried it," Fu Shinian added, "I wasn’t the only one."

Madam Fu took a deep breath, "Shinian, I have something to ask you, don’t hide from me, answer truthfully."

Seeing Madam Fu so serious, Fu Shinian felt odd; what matter was so grave?

"Alright," Fu Shinian nodded.

Could her family have discovered her secret?

No, that shouldn’t be.

"Do you like that Marquis Changping?" Madam Fu asked.

"Cough! Cough, cough, cough!" Fu Shinian hadn’t even eaten anything and got choked on her own saliva.

Fu Mingzhu quickly patted Fu Shinian’s back to calm her breathing, handed her a cup of tea, "You haven’t eaten anything, how could you choke?"

Madam Fu, seeing the scene, looked horrified, "Shinian, did I hit a truth, are you feeling guilty?"

Fu Mingzhu gasped in shock, "It couldn’t be, right?"

"Please no!" Fu Changqin cried out.

If Xiao Chengyu truly became his brother-in-law, wouldn’t he be forced to study all the time?

"Mother, what are you talking about!" Fu Shinian finally regained her breath, "I have no such thoughts about the Marquis!"

"Don’t lie to me!" Madam Fu said sternly, "You promised to tell me the truth."

"It is the truth!" Fu Shinian felt wronged, like a misunderstanding that couldn’t be cleared, "I only respect the Marquis, seeing him as an elder."

"Then why did you secretly leave home this time, run all the way to Ganning?" Madam Fu continued.

"It was a coincidence," Fu Shinian explained, "I just wanted to see the world, who knew it would lead to this Ganning matter? It’s impossible not to help, especially when I had the materials at hand, though I never anticipated the epidemic in Ganning City to be that severe. I thought it was just a minor issue..."

"Daughter indeed was careless this time, not because of the Marquis Changping." Fu Shinian forced an explanation.

"Really?" Madam Fu remained a bit skeptical.

"Really."

"If that’s the case, would you be willing to be matched?" Madam Fu asked.

"But isn’t sister also..."

"I am arranging something for your sister," Madam Fu said, "Although your sister should marry first, it does not hurt to arrange for both of you."

Madam Fu cautiously probed, "Just say whether you’re willing."

"Though I’m still young," Fu Shinian said, "if mother sees fit, feel free to arrange, I have no objections."

"Truly no objections?" Madam Fu was surprised and excited yet uncertain.

"Truly," Fu Shinian affirmed, "Mother, I truly have no intention towards Marquis Changping."

Only then did Madam Fu breathe a sigh of relief, "That’s good."

Marquis Changping was excellent; if he were healthy, the Marquis’s manor gates would be constantly visited by matchmakers.

However, unfortunately, Marquis Changping’s health was poor.

Call her selfish if you will, she admired Marquis Changping too but couldn’t let Fu Shinian marry only to be widowed young.