CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79: AFRAID YOU’LL BE NERVOUS

The water in the teapot had already gone cold, so Chunmian quickly placed the teapot on the charcoal to heat it up a bit before pouring Fu Shinian a cup.

"Miss, it’s warming up slowly, so it’s just warm now. Give it a try."

After drinking a cup of warm water, Fu Shinian finally felt a bit more comfortable, no longer feeling the chill throughout her body.

"Miss, would you like me to add more charcoal?" Chunyu asked.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "No need, you can go and rest."

Previously, Fu Shinian did not require them to keep watch at night.

However, Madam Fu thought that since Fu Shinian had just recovered from a major illness and was exhausted from a long journey, she might need something during the night.

Moreover, the reason Fu Shinian sneaked away this time was because no one was watching over her in the room.

So Madam Fu firmly decided not to care whether Fu Shinian was willing or not and had Chunmian and Chunyu keep watch in her room to prevent Fu Shinian from acting willfully again and running off without a word.

Chunmian and Chunyu were worried and kept looking back at Fu Shinian as they left.

After Fu Shinian lay down, she wrapped herself tightly in the quilt.

Wasn’t this dream a part of the original storyline?

It was about events after Xiao Chengyu’s death.

Unexpectedly, even after Xiao Chengyu’s death, the old lady’s life was at risk.

Which means that her previous plan—that even if she and Xiao Chengyu died, as long as the old lady remembered her efforts to save Xiao Chengyu, she would protect the Fu family—was destined to fail.

After Xiao Chengyu’s death, Aunt Liu didn’t spare the old lady either.

Moreover, there was a significant clue in the dream.

Xiao Chengyu did not die of illness!

He was poisoned to death by Xiao Fengxing.

In other words, even if she managed to get Xiao Chengyu healthier, Xiao Fengxing would still find a way to poison him.

Fu Shinian cursed in her heart, that scoundrel Xiao Fengxing really doesn’t let people have peace of mind.

The next day, because she was worried about being summoned to the palace by Emperor Jiawen, Fu Shinian got up early, not daring to linger in bed.

Indeed, not long after breakfast, she received the summons from Emperor Jiawen.

The Fu Mansion had already prepared the carriage, and as Fu Shinian was about to leave, she noticed that Xiao Chengyu’s carriage was also parked at the Fu Mansion’s gate.

"Marquis," Fu Shinian approached Xiao Chengyu’s carriage and saw him getting out.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu made Fu Shinian think of what happened in her dream.

Xiao Chengyu was poisoned to death by Xiao Fengxing.

Fu Shinian couldn’t help herself; she stared at Xiao Chengyu, thinking that such a good person, clearly healthy, wasn’t dying of illness but because of Xiao Fengxing’s poison, and her eyes turned red.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Xiao Chengyu frowned slightly, looking at Fu Shinian with concern.

Fu Shinian quickly shook her head, "Just too tired, I slept quite a lot yesterday and still haven’t fully recovered."

"Once you return from the palace today, you can have a good rest," Xiao Chengyu suggested, "there won’t be other matters for the time being."

Fu Shinian nodded, then asked, "Why is the Marquis here?"

"To escort you," Xiao Chengyu explained. "It’s your first time meeting the Emperor, and I worry you might feel nervous."

Fu Shinian sighed with relief, "I was actually worried we wouldn’t meet and I would have to see the Emperor alone."

"Will His Majesty summon us together?" Fu Shinian asked.

Xiao Chengyu replied, "He should. You can come along with me."

"All right." Fu Shinian nodded, feeling more at ease following Xiao Chengyu.

He then helped Fu Shinian into the carriage.

When Madam Fu received the news, Fu Shinian had already left in Xiao Chengyu’s carriage.

Madam Fu anxiously paced back and forth, "Just yesterday she said she had no interest in Xiao Chengyu, but today she got into his carriage. How could she say she isn’t interested?"

Aunt Cheng quickly comforted her, "Actually, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything."

"Chunmian also reported that the Marquis was worried Shinian would be nervous about facing the Emperor for the first time, which is why he came to pick her up," Aunt Cheng added. "Didn’t you also have trouble sleeping last night and got up early today? Originally, you weren’t at ease letting Shinian enter the palace alone without someone accompanying her."

"Now with Marquis Changping leading the way, looking after her in the palace, isn’t it more reassuring?" Aunt Cheng said.

"Then do you think Marquis Changping has any intentions toward Shinian?" Madam Fu worried again. "Perhaps Shinian hasn’t realized it yet and doesn’t like him, but Marquis Changping might have developed feelings for her."

"Well..." Aunt Cheng hesitated, "that’s hard to say. However, it’s also possible that Marquis Changping is grateful for Shinian’s life-saving grace."

"Honestly, if Shinian hadn’t gone to Ganning in time, and Marquis Changping had been trapped in Ganning, who knows what would have happened..."

Aunt Cheng continued, "Marquis Changping is now twenty-four and hasn’t shown any interest in marrying. Perhaps he’s concerned about his health and doesn’t want to burden others."

"Madam, even if Marquis Changping has feelings for her, he’d probably keep it hidden," Aunt Cheng said. "He’s reputed to be a righteous gentleman, and if he truly is as the rumors say, we can be at ease. Indeed, all his actions until now align with those rumors."

"Let’s hope so," Madam Fu sighed deeply, still unable to quell her worries.

"Madam, whatever the case, it’s best not to show your concerns," Aunt Cheng advised worriedly. "If word reached the ears of the Xiao Old Madam..."

"Though it’s human nature, Xiao Old Madam is still Marquis Changping’s mother. Who would want their son to be viewed negatively?"

"I understand," Madam Fu sighed, "I’ll be careful."

"At this point, we need to quickly find a match for Shinian."

Aunt Cheng nodded.

"By the way, what do you think of the young men we found for Mingzhu before?" Madam Fu asked again.

Aunt Cheng smiled, "They are all outstanding young men. Don’t be upset with me, but I’ve asked my brother to inquire about their character and family situation; they’re all quite good."

Madam Fu laughed, "Why would I be upset? We are confined to the inner quarters and can’t find out much on our own. Mr. Cheng has many connections and can find out more thoroughly."

"I tried to gather as much information as possible to select the suitors. Actually, I hoped Mr. Cheng could look into them more specifically," Madam Fu said, "In my view, Mingzhu is straightforward and pure, not suited for those with complicated inner estates. A simple and clean family would be ideal."

"I think so too," Aunt Cheng nodded, "Since they are all good, we could have a look at all, then make a choice from among them."

"However, just as we pick them, they also pick us, and things may not align perfectly," Aunt Cheng said self-deprecatingly.

"There’s no harm in looking around more," Madam Fu said, "If you think it’s good, I’ll make the arrangements."

"Thank you, Madam." Aunt Cheng didn’t say anything more in the way of pleasantries.

Madam Fu smiled and nodded, but her mind again drifted to worrying about Fu Shinian.