CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: SHE HEARD THE MALICE IN LIN QINGQING’S WORDS

Unexpectedly, at the entrance to the mountain trail, she encountered the elderly Madam Xiao.

Madam Fu stepped forward to greet her.

But to her surprise, the elderly lady, with tears in her eyes, grasped Madam Fu’s hand, "I’ve heard everything."

"Shinian..." The elderly Madam Xiao choked up, "Thanks to Shinian this time, if it weren’t for her... The shortage of medicine in the city would have had unimaginable consequences."

She thought about how Ganning City lacked medicine, and should Xiao Chengyu become infected, it would be a heavy blow to his health, surely leading to his demise.

Now that Fu Shinian had brought medicine into the city, even if Xiao Chengyu were to be infected, there would at least be medicine for treatment.

"Our family owes Shinian," the elderly Madam Xiao said, holding Madam Fu’s hand, "I will remember this kindness and surely repay it."

Madam Fu’s eyes also turned red; Xiao Chengyu was saved, but her family’s Shinian would be implicated needlessly.

However, she couldn’t say this to the elderly Madam Xiao.

Madam Fu asked, "Madam, why are you..."

"This old body of mine can do nothing in the capital, unable to help," the elderly Madam Xiao said, "So I thought of climbing the mountain today, bowing at every step, praying for the gods’ mercy, to protect Chengyu and Shinian with health and safety."

"Madam, you..." Madam Fu said, "You are old, I’m afraid you can’t bear it. I am also here to pray for their blessings; let me do it."

The elderly Madam Xiao shook her head, "It’s different, personally praying always carries more sincerity. Together, perhaps it will be better."

Madam Fu thought for a moment and then stopped persuading.

So she joined the elderly lady in climbing the mountain to pray, bowing at each step.

Fortunately, this time they were well-prepared and had brought many people with them.

If tired, they could rest, eat a little, and drink to replenish themselves.

But even so, the two found it hard to continue.

The elderly Madam Xiao couldn’t help but think of how Fu Shinian had previously climbed the mountain to pray for Xiao Chengyu’s safety, how did such a sincere young girl keep going?

Such a earnest young girl, first praying for Xiao Chengyu’s safety, and now directly entering Ganning City with medicine.

How could they mother and son ever repay her?

Xiao Chengyu truly can’t do enough for Fu Shinian.

The elderly Madam Xiao thought, before she hadn’t seen Xiao Chengyu being particularly good to Fu Shinian, always rather indifferent.

Once they return safely, she must make Xiao Chengyu treat Fu Shinian properly, even going to the lengths of being a beast of burden!

The Emperor and Empress were also worried about the Ganning epidemic issue.

Emperor Jiawen was encouraging his ministers to brainstorm.

The Empress had also summoned the ladies into the palace.

These wives of court ministers had some business operations in their hands.

The Empress hinted for them to contribute some Silver Coin, purchasing medicine from various places and sending it nearby to Ganning.

The matter of Fu Shinian already bringing a batch of medicine into Ganning was known only by Emperor Jiawen and a few others at the time.

Once the Empress spoke, naturally the ladies were all eager to show their support.

Lin Qingqing lowered her eyes, thinking of the Empress’ recently colder attitude toward her, then said, "Your Majesty, although my mother and I do not have businesses or fields, we still wish to contribute to the epidemic in Ganning."

"Before leaving today, I brought along all my jewelry, although not much, it should be enough to buy some medicine." Lin Qingqing took out the jewelry box and handed it to a palace maid.

The maid carried the jewelry box to the Empress, opened it, and inside were a few plain and simple pieces.

Inwardly, everyone disdainfully thought the Lin family was truly impoverished.

But the Empress smiled kindly, "You have a good heart. It’s well-known that Mr. Lin is upright, you managing to bring out these is not easy, truly commendable."

"Regardless of the amount, as long as there is intention, I thank you on behalf of the people." The Empress said.

Upon hearing this, naturally everyone felt compelled to contribute both funds and efforts, not to be outdone by Lin Qingqing.

Madam Li said, "Lady, my old home is in Ping City, and thus I have several businesses there, I will immediately send a letter for the employees there to collect medicine and food and send them to Ganning."

Madam Zhao said, "Lady, my maiden home is in Wuwei, Wuwei is close to Ganning. I will have my family in Wuwei buy medical supplies."

Everyone expressed they could offer help.

Seeing the timing was right, Lin Qingqing sighed and said, "I heard the Cheng Family sent supplies to the Northwest army, passing through Ganning during the epidemic. If only the Cheng Family had sent medicine to Ganning, it could have relieved the urgent need. Unfortunately..."

Everyone turned to look.

What does Lin Qingqing mean?

Implying the Cheng Family turned a blind eye?

Yu Jingyun calmly said, "Miss Lin, are you implying the Cheng Family turned a blind eye? But the Cheng Family was transporting supplies to the military; there is no way they could foresight an epidemic in Ganning, so how could they have sent medicine?"

Lin Qingqing hastily waved her hand, "I didn’t mean that, I was just thinking, the Cheng Family runs a big business across Great Xi. It’s said towns around Ganning have Cheng Family shops. With Cheng Yuanshan leading as well, if he had sent word to nearby towns, those shops could react immediately and send medicine to Ganning, wouldn’t it be quicker? It wouldn’t leave His Majesty and the Empress anxious. Even if medicine is sent now, it’s distant rescue for urgent need."

Yu Jingyun pursed her lips, initially trying to speak for the Fu and Cheng families but now unable to refute Lin Qingqing’s statement.

She heard the malice in Lin Qingqing’s words and wanted to defend the Fu and Cheng families.

Fu Mingzhu frowned and glared coldly at Lin Qingqing.

Madam Fu sneered but didn’t rush to speak.

Lin Qingqing hurriedly throws mud at the Cheng Family, but it’s unlikely to be successful.

The Empress, hearing Lin Qingqing’s words, had her slightly revised impression dulled, and her smile faded immediately.

She said flatly, "This matter His Majesty and I hadn’t deliberately mentioned; we were waiting for the Second Miss Fu to return to the capital and then award her. But since someone mentioned it now, I will address it."

"Second Miss Fu set off with the Cheng Family’s transport convoy, purchasing some medicine along the way originally intended for the army. Encountering the Ganning epidemic, she prevented the army’s supplies from being delayed by letting the convoy continue, while she carried purchased medicine alone into Ganning City. Due to Second Miss Fu’s charitable act, it bought us more time to address Ganning’s epidemic and allowed transport of medicinal supplies from various places to Ganning."

Lin Qingqing couldn’t believe it, looking towards where Madam Fu and Fu Mingzhu were.

Fu Shinian actually carried medicine personally into Ganning!

Why must Fu Shinian disrupt her plans each time!

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

In Xiao Chengyu’s residence far in Ganning, Fu Shinian shockingly stopped her actions.

What had Lin Qingqing done again to reduce her fortune value?