CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: SCHEMING

"Madam, since it is known to be Lin Qingqing," Nanny Yu said, "should we deal with her directly?"

"No need," replied Madam Fu calmly. "If it were before, and Mingzhu liked him, for Mingzhu’s sake, naturally we would have to handle the matter properly, not allowing Lin Qingqing to ruin her marriage."

"But now that the engagement is to be broken, the affair between Lin Qingqing and Xiao Fengxing should not only not be obstructed, but must be seen through. This way, Mingzhu can break off the engagement without losing face or affecting her future prospects." Although this made breaking off the engagement easier, Madam Fu couldn’t help but feel anger rise at the thought of Xiao Fengxing favoring Lin Qingqing and treating Fu Mingzhu like grass.

"Come, accompany me to Aunt Cheng’s." Madam Fu called Nanny Yu to go to Aunt Cheng’s place to discuss these matters with her.

Usually, it was Aunt Cheng who would come to chat with Madam Fu to relieve her boredom.

But if Madam Fu suddenly had something on her mind, she would go to Aunt Cheng herself, rather than sending someone to summon her.

When Madam Fu entered Aunt Cheng’s room, Aunt Cheng was drawing patterns with her maid, Hua Yu.

"What are you doing?" Madam Fu noticed the table was covered with various pieces of cloth, neither large nor of the popular styles or quality in the capital.

"The other day, our family trader returned, bringing back fabric from the Western Regions. Though not valuable, the patterns are rare and different from ours here, so my sister-in-law sent some over. But I find these patterns a bit too flamboyant, not quite suitable for clothing. So, I was thinking of making some sachets or bags for Shinian and Mingzhu."

Aunt Cheng pulled Madam Fu over, "Do you see any styles you like? We could make one together, for leisure."

"That would be nice," Madam Fu seriously chose a piece, "This one, I’ll make a sachet and a perfume pouch. As I’ve aged, unlike kids in their flowery years, carrying brightly patterned bags doesn’t suit me. I prefer something more subdued."

"Then I’ll also make a sachet and a perfume pouch," Aunt Cheng said with a smile, pulling Madam Fu to sit down. "Madam, what brings you to me today?"

Madam Fu spoke slowly, "Didn’t we discuss earlier about breaking off Mingzhu and Xiao Fengxing’s engagement?"

Though the decision was made earlier, it still needed to be discussed with Aunt Cheng.

Aunt Cheng had no objections at the time.

Compared to the safety of the entire family, Fu Mingzhu’s marriage seemed less significant.

"This time, I’ve discovered more," Madam Fu explained the affair between Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing. "Previously, we might have hesitated. If Mingzhu truly liked him, the family could gamble once."

"But now, it’s clear that Xiao Fengxing does not genuinely care for Mingzhu," Madam Fu said. "Even if he takes a concubine, he must first marry a wife. How can he be betrothed, without his fiancée entering the household, and already cavort with another young lady?"

"I even suspect his intention to marry Mingzhu is not sincere, with some undisclosed scheme," Madam Fu said in a grave tone.

Aunt Cheng was silent for a moment, then spoke, "But to find out what he’s plotting will undoubtedly require a lot of time. If, when we finally discover it, we then decide to break the engagement, it might be too late."

"Madam, given that Mingzhu has decided to break off the engagement, and we now have such a handle, we might as well use it to break the engagement while it’s hot," Aunt Cheng suggested. "But why he was so determined to marry Mingzhu in the first place has become a thorn in my heart. Until it’s clarified, I won’t feel at ease."

"In truth, when he first proposed, I found it odd, though he is a concubine’s son, while Mingzhu is a concubine’s daughter, they are indeed a suitable match. But he is ultimately known to be the next..." Aunt Cheng lowered her voice, "Marquis Changping. Even if he proposes later, he could easily marry the legitimate daughter of a noble family. Why Mingzhu?"

"Only his sincerity, and Mingzhu’s profound liking, left me with some doubts but no more words," Aunt Cheng said, pleading with Madam Fu, "Madam, even if the engagement is broken, could we still investigate what Xiao Fengxing is plotting against Mingzhu?"

Madam Fu patted Aunt Cheng’s hand, saying, "I have the same intention. Investigating could be beneficial to us. If it poses no threat, all is well, but if there is indeed some scheme against our family, we can prepare in advance."

Madam Fu sighed, "Truth be told, I initially thought, if Mingzhu liked him, I’d be the villain, scheming against Lin Qingqing, to keep her from coming between Mingzhu and Xiao Fengxing. But now that Mingzhu has also decided to break off, Lin Qingqing and Xiao Fengxing’s affair can work to our advantage."

"Yet I still can’t swallow this anger. Where is our Mingzhu lacking, to be so mistreated by those two scoundrels!"

Aunt Cheng squinted, saying, "I heard that old Aunt Liu has some businesses out there. I’ll speak with my brother, let the Cheng Family keep an eye on Aunt Liu’s businesses."

Madam Fu nodded, "I’ll think of something, think of something more, even while ending the engagement, we can’t just swallow this anger."

*

Xiao Yingyue’s and Xiao Chengyu’s birthdays are close.

Just a few days after Xiao Chengyu’s birthday comes Xiao Yingyue’s.

Though Xiao Yingyue’s birthday celebration wasn’t a grand event, it was lively, and many noble ladies from the capital were invited.

To Fu Shinian’s surprise, Lin Qingqing was among those invited.

Fu Shinian and Xiao Yingyue now shared such a good relationship that they spoke without reservations.

Fu Shinian directly asked Xiao Yingyue, "Why did you invite Lin Qingqing today?"

Xiao Yingyue didn’t fully understand either and truthfully said, "It was Mother’s idea. She said Lin Qingqing, no matter what, has caught the Emperor and Empress’s eyes, and has gained some reputation in the capital. Since there’s no lack of seating at the birthday banquet, inviting her just to avoid criticism."

Fu Shinian nodded slowly, still not quite understanding Madam Xiao’s intentions.

But Madam Xiao was wise and had her reasons.

Fu Shinian, unable to fathom it, chose not to dwell on it.

As the host, Xiao Yingyue couldn’t stay with Fu Shinian the entire time and had to attend to other guests.

After she left, Fu Shinian sat with Fu Mingzhu, sipping tea and eating fruit, while Madam Fu and the older ladies were with Madam Xiao.

A maid came over to refill Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu’s tea.

Fu Shinian found the maid somewhat unfamiliar, glanced at her a few more times, but didn’t pay much attention.

There were many servants in the marquis’s residence. Although she visited often, the servants she encountered were typically those close to the old lady or Xiao Yingyue.

It was normal for her not to have seen this young maid before.

Just as Fu Mingzhu reached for a piece of pastry, she accidentally bumped into the maid’s hand withdrawing the teapot.

The teapot was knocked over, spilling tea onto the table and flowing onto Fu Mingzhu’s clothes.