CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: TOO DELIBERATE

"What does it matter to you?" Fu Mingzhu rolled her eyes in irritation, not bothering to be polite. "Do you now manage other people’s pockets?"

"I don’t manage them." Xu Xiuyu was furious, not expecting Fu Mingzhu to be so unreasonable in her speech, "I just can’t stand your usual extravagance and waste, only caring for yourself, never considering others at all."

"You’re truly malicious!" Xu Xiuyu spat through clenched teeth.

"Ha! I’m not like some people, who can’t wait to shout to the world after giving out a little something, fearing that others might not know." Fu Mingzhu sneered.

"I’m just doing my bit, without the intention to let everyone know." Qingqing said aggrievedly, "How could Miss Fu think so maliciously of me?"

"She’s malicious herself, so she assumes everyone is just as malicious as she is." Xu Xiuyu said, hooking Lin Qingqing’s arm.

"She pretends to be kind, but on the hunting road, she deliberately gives silver scraps to beggars just to draw attention, without caring at all about the beggars’ life or death." Fu Mingzhu expressed disdain, "Such a kind heart, it’s yours, I dare not take it."

This was what Fu Shinian later told her.

After thinking for some time, Fu Shinian believed Lin Qingqing wasn’t foolish; she must have known that giving silver to beggars would cause chaos.

Fu Shinian later felt that Lin Qingqing must have done it deliberately.

Only through this could she catch the Empress’s attention.

As for the beggars’ lives, Lin Qingqing couldn’t care less.

After hearing Fu Shinian’s words, Fu Mingzhu realized Lin Qingqing was truly malicious.

Now Xu Xiuyu’s accusations should rightfully be directed at Lin Qingqing.

"Miss Fu." Lin Qingqing said with tearful eyes, "I only meant well but inadvertently did bad. I admit to this, but as for being called malicious, I absolutely do not acknowledge it."

Fu Mingzhu snorted coldly, "Since you don’t acknowledge it, then I won’t either."

"How does Xu Xiuyu know if I have supported the charitable hall? On what grounds does she call me malicious?" Fu Mingzhu said coldly, "Xu Xiuyu, why don’t you go ask whether others have supported it? Those who haven’t, are they all malicious? You’ve not supported it either, I think you’re quite malicious."

Everyone’s expressions turned unpleasant upon hearing this.

Indeed, Xu Xiuyu’s words insulted many people.

Usually, they wouldn’t pay much attention to the charitable hall; when encountering beggars on the street, giving some copper coins was already considered good.

But in Xu Xiuyu’s mouth, they all turned into malicious people?

Xu Xiuyu’s face turned white, and Fu Shinian mildly said: "Miss Xu hasn’t done it properly herself, so she shouldn’t stand on moral high ground to criticize others. Moreover, today we came to do good deeds. Each household brought practical items, no one came empty-handed, all came with a goodwill. Miss Xu’s words seem to imply that we all came empty-handed and only Miss Lin is a person of goodwill."

"I... I didn’t say that!" Xu Xiuyu regretted immediately upon seeing the unfavorable attention focused on her. She should have been more cautious with her words earlier.

"Miss Xu, better speak softer." Fu Shinian advised, "Don’t let our discord reach the Empress’s ears."

"The Empress’s purpose today is to encourage the world to do more good deeds. Supporting charitable halls is a good deed, free clinics are a good deed, lending a helping hand is also a good deed. There are many ways to do good, not limited to just one."

"Even if we’ve overlooked it before, if we only gave money and food to beggars we encounter along the road, that’s also doing good. Just didn’t think about supporting the charitable hall. Big or small, good deeds are all deeds of kindness. How can you just label us as bad in one sentence?"

"Indeed!"

"Second Miss Fu is absolutely right!"

"I have often given alms on the street, why is that not okay?"

"My family has provided porridge during disasters too."

"The Empress’s trip today opened our eyes beyond everyday kindness, to the charitable hall, to the world at large." Fu Shinian said, "That’s why everyone brought many items today. Even if no good was done before, doing good today shows the Empress’s exemplary role is effective."

"Yes, indeed!"

"Does doing good differentiate between high or low, noble or common?" Fu Shinian said slowly.

"I... I didn’t mean that! Don’t twist my words!" Xu Xiuyu was enraged, "I won’t talk to you anymore!"

But, how could the Empress be oblivious to the conversations behind her?

Nanny Chu, close by the Empress’s side, whispered a few words in her ear.

The Empress nodded, "The Fu family’s Second Miss is good."

As for Lin Qingqing...

The Empress paused slightly, Fu Mingzhu’s words did remind her.

Was Lin Qingqing truly clueless?

The Empress had seen much in the harem; while people are kind, they’re not foolish, she softly asked Nanny Chu, "Do you think this Lin Qingqing is truly like this?"

Nanny Chu bowed her head, "This servant dares not speak rashly, but the Empress’s kindness needs caution, lest it is exploited."

Those in high positions hate being fooled and used.

The Empress is no different.

The Empress’s expression turned slightly cold, "Indeed, best not to be too close."

Recalling Lin Qingqing’s behavior along the way, the Empress suddenly felt a slight distaste.

Initially out of fondness, Lin Qingqing’s words and actions seemed deliberate, yet understandable given the Empress’s presence, where maintaining authenticity was challenging.

But now, it feels overly contrived.

The low conversation between the Empress and Nanny Chu was overheard by a few women slightly nearer with sharper ears.

Unavoidably, their gaze fell on Mrs. Lin, who was being congratulated in the rear.

They sneered.

Enjoy it for now.

But you won’t be pleased for long.

Being overshadowed by Lin Qingqing, a young girl, none of them were in good spirits.

[Ding! Lin Qingqing’s luck points -1, the Fu family’s luck points +1]

Behind, Fu Shinian’s brows twitched.

How did the luck points change?

How does she not know anything?

And so, everyone proceeded on this path to the Orphanage.

The adults and children at the Orphanage had been waiting at the door early.

Upon the Empress’s arrival, the crowd hurriedly knelt and hailed, "Long live the Empress."

"Stand up quickly." The Empress said kindly, "I come unheralded, not to cause trouble, only to see how things are here."

"Just as usual, nothing changes today because of me, don’t become reserved because I’m here." The Empress said softly, "Otherwise, it defeats my purpose here."

Nanny Chu beside the Empress smiled and held a child’s hand, "Come on, let’s go play inside."

With Nanny Chu leading, the palace maids brought by the Empress went forward one after another, bringing the children inside the courtyard.

At this moment, suddenly a little girl called out joyfully, "Sister Fu!"

The little girl dashed forward with excitement, and the guards hurriedly stepped forward trying to block her.

"Don’t stop her." The Empress said, "I just mentioned letting the kids be at ease. Why stop her? Your actions prevent them from truly feeling free. Besides, with so many people here, no harm can come to me."

The guards had no choice but to retreat.

But the little girl was frightened, timidly dared not move closer, with her eyes glistening with tears.