CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: THE FU FAMILY IS ABOUT TO STRIKE IT RICH

"On the street, I encountered an old man with a child begging," Fu Mingzhu said, "I initially intended to give them some Silver Tael, but Shinian said that the old man and the child, being defenseless, might not be able to keep it and it would be snatched away, so I only gave some copper coins. Shinian mentioned that at least the child has a grandfather to look after him. Unlike the children in the orphanage, who are all orphans without any family, their future is uncertain."

"My maternal family’s business provides me with some Silver Coin, and they have numerous shops with many acquaintances in business. As long as the children learn a skill, we can always find them a job that can support them in the future."

"Even if my maternal family’s businesses aren’t suitable, friends’ businesses should have suitable positions. Even if there are none, they can still find suitable work elsewhere with the skills they learned," Fu Mingzhu said. "I think it’s better to teach a person to fish than to give them fish directly. I immediately arranged for Shinian to visit the orphanage and make plans."

"On the day of the hunt, we also saw people surrounding the carriage to beg. But remembering Shinian’s reminder that giving them Silver Tael might lead to it being taken away and possibly even suffering some physical harm, we held back for the time being," Fu Shinian explained, "Instead of giving charity, it’s better to fundamentally ensure that everyone has the skills to support themselves."

The Empress listened, unconsciously lost in thought.

Even young Fu Shinian understood this principle: having a treasure invites trouble.

Lin Qingqing, who is a few years older than Fu Shinian, surely understands this too?

It seems she had been too complacent in the palace for too long, for the past decade, no one caused her any mischief, lowering her guard, allowing Lin Qingqing to deceive her.

[Ding! Lin Qingqing’s luck value -2, the Fu family’s luck value +2]

Fu Shinian lowered her head to conceal her surprise.

What was happening?

Why did Lin Qingqing’s luck value decrease again?

Fu Shinian tried to recall the original plot of the book.

In the original book, Lin Qingqing attracted the Empress’s attention by giving alms to beggars on the way to the hunt.

She also suggested the Empress designate an annual day to visit the three charitable halls.

This proposal was the beginning of her favor and importance to the Empress.

The Empress considered Lin Qingqing to be an exceedingly rare kind-hearted soul.

Having witnessed the brutality of palace struggles in her earlier years, now that the harem was entirely under her control and no one dared to cause trouble, the Empress preferred simple and kind girls.

Being childless, Lin Qingqing, favored by the Empress, gained her support and recorded Second Prince under her name, making him the legitimate heir.

In the competition between the First Prince and the Second Prince, standing as the legitimate heir gave the Second Prince a significant advantage.

It also made the Second Prince rely more heavily on Master Xiao.

Now, with Lin Qingqing’s luck value suddenly decreasing, it meant she failed in this scenario.

Could it be that the Empress’s attitude towards Lin Qingqing had changed?

Fu Shinian, with some daring, glanced secretly at the Empress’s expression.

She happened to see the Empress looking lovingly at her and her sister.

Fu Shinian was startled: "!!!"

Oh no, she got caught sneaking a look at the Empress!

Fu Shinian froze, blinking with embarrassment, her face turning red.

Seeing Fu Shinian’s expression, the Empress smiled more warmly and said, "What a curious little girl you are."

The Empress turned to Nanny Chu and said, "Did you see that? The expression on Miss Fu was lively indeed."

Fu Shinian: "..."

Not only was she caught peeking at the Empress, but she was also praised for it!

The others thought that the Empress had only praised Fu Shinian and not Fu Mingzhu.

Fu Mingzhu probably wouldn’t feel happy about that.

Anyone would feel unhappy about such things.

Everyone looked toward Fu Mingzhu but saw her with a proud expression.

Her sister was so endearing that even the Empress couldn’t escape Fu Shinian’s charm.

Everyone: "..."

The Empress too saw Fu Mingzhu’s reaction and couldn’t help but laugh, "I wonder how Mr. Fu and Madam Fu raised these two amusing sisters from the Fu family. The younger is lively, and the elder is broad-minded."

Having only praised Fu Shinian earlier, the Empress also felt it was inappropriate.

Yet, as the Empress, she didn’t have to care about others’ opinions.

But seeing Fu Mingzhu’s lack of displeasure was already surprising.

The Empress asked Fu Mingzhu, "This Empress only praised the second young lady. Are you not upset?"

"Not upset at all," Fu Mingzhu replied without thinking, "My sister is so kind and lovable that I’d be surprised if anyone didn’t like her."

"You’re also a good child," the Empress complimented.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Fu Mingzhu thanked her, her face clearly showing, "I have always been this good."

This response amused the Empress even more.

This pair of sisters from the Fu family are truly interesting.

With them around, it’s certainly not boring.

All these ladies here are smart people; who doesn’t have some unruly concubine needing some management at home?

From the Empress’s behavior, it’s clear that Lin Qingqing might have fallen out of favor.

They had long been bothered by Lin Qingqing and Mrs. Lin’s previously smug demeanor.

Being favored is one thing, but you shouldn’t monopolize all opportunities for yourself.

Lin Qingqing’s arrogant manner seemed to demand everyone kneel before her if she gained power.

Quite inexperienced.

Look at Mr. Fu’s two daughters, they have no intention of crowding beside the Empress even after being praised.

They surely grew up well-exposed to the world, having the demeanor of true noblewomen.

Mrs. Chen from Minister Chen’s family seized the opportunity to ask the director, "You’ve mentioned the two Fu girls visiting often. Children’s rapport with them clearly shows that. But do you know this Miss Lin?"

Lin Qingqing stiffened, and the director, following Mrs. Chen’s pointing, couldn’t recall her initially.

After a while, the director finally said, "I remember now; this young lady did visit once and sent some cloth."

"So, she only came once," said Mrs. Chen, suddenly enlightened. It was made to sound like frequent visits.

From the director and children’s rather unimpressionable attitude towards Lin Qingqing, one can tell.

Lin Qingqing mumbled to defend herself, "Strict family upbringing doesn’t allow frequent outings, so I couldn’t come often."

Why were Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian able to visit frequently?

Because of lenient upbringing!

The Fu family lacks proper discipline!

[Ding! Lin Qingqing’s luck value -5, the Fu family’s luck value +5]

"Alright, alright, we’re here for the children today," said the Empress.

Yet, nobody paid further attention to Lin Qingqing.

"Let’s distribute what we brought to the children."

In order to leave a good impression on the Empress, everyone played with the children for a while.

After leaving the orphanage, the Empress called Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian.

She took off a bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Fu Mingzhu, and another jade bead string to Fu Shinian, "You two should come to the palace more often to keep This Empress company."

After that, the Empress praised Madam Fu, "You’ve raised your children very well."

Everyone thought that the Fu family might really be in for good fortune.

In contrast, the Empress never mentioned Lin Qingqing again.

Returned to the city, the Empress went back to the palace, while the other ladies took their daughters home.

Lin Qingqing cried all the way in the carriage.

When passing Marquis Changping’s mansion, Lin Qingqing suddenly shouted, "Stop!"