CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: TRIPPING UP XIAO FENGXING FACE-TO-FACE

The carriage stopped at the palace gate, where an attendant was already waiting.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian get off the carriage, he hurriedly approached, "Marquis, Miss Fu, His Majesty has specifically ordered this servant to come receive you both."

"Thank you, sir." Xiao Chengyu replied politely.

"Marquis is polite." The attendant quickly moved to the side, "Marquis, Miss, please follow this servant."

As the attendant led the way, he thought to himself that if Marquis Changping could live a long life, the prospects would indeed be limitless.

He has earned the emperor’s trust and just accomplished a great feat.

Yet, he remains courteous to the likes of them who serve him, such a person is regrettably in poor health, and the attendants sympathize with him.

Fu Shinian followed Xiao Chengyu to the entrance of Emperor Jiawen’s study.

The attendant went in to report, and before long, came out to announce.

The two entered the study, and Fu Shinian strictly adhered to etiquette, not daring to raise her head at all.

Fortunately, she practiced at home, after all, Mr. Fu goes to court every day and taught Fu Shinian the rules for seeing the emperor.

Emperor Jiawen was very kind to Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian and praised Fu Shinian, "The young lady is courageous and resourceful, truly a rarity."

Emperor Jiawen summoned Fu Shinian to the palace mainly to praise her and make everyone in the capital aware of his high regard for Fu Shinian.

Thus, he commended her with so many words that Fu Shinian began to doubt if the emperor was really praising her.

"This time it’s indeed all thanks to Miss Fu," Xiao Chengyu immediately added, "Aside from delivering the medicine into the city, due to the prescription my younger brother sent, the effectiveness is yet unknown, and one ingredient did not have the specified dosage."

"If the dosage is not precise, it not only fails to save lives but could endanger lives." Xiao Chengyu stated, "Miss Fu bravely tested the medicine, enabling the Imperial Physician to finalize the prescription, adjusting the dosage of that ingredient based on individual circumstances, saving the citizens of the entire city, and saving me."

Emperor Jia Cheng nodded slowly, "I read the letter you sent, so you’re saying Xiao Fengxing’s prescription was indeed very risky. A slight mistake could have endangered the lives of an entire city."

"Exactly," Xiao Chengyu said, "My younger brother might have meant well, but the prescription was ultimately incomplete. Even good intentions could lead to disaster. Fortunately, Miss Fu risked her life to save the citizens, resolving this epidemic correctly."

Emperor Jiawen initially hesitated because the prescription required Fu Shinian to risk her life to test.

Then he felt that Xiao Fengxing’s prescription was improper and was not worthy of credit.

But ultimately, this prescription saved the citizens of an entire city.

Yet now, after Xiao Chengyu’s words, Emperor Jiawen made up his mind completely.

"I’m indeed in a difficult position; the prescription was useful, but without it, the Imperial Physician wouldn’t have had a chance to experiment. However, the Ganning epidemic was severe, and even a slight error could have cost the lives of an entire city." Emperor Jiawen said, "This alone is enough to erase the credit for his prescription."

"Indeed," Xiao Chengyu nodded, "Xiao Fengxing’s prescription could easily lead to disaster. Once a real mistake happens, it may be too late to save. Therefore, I believe it truly doesn’t count as credit. Your Majesty need not be troubled by this matter."

In Fu Shinian’s mind, a little person had already opened his mouth wide.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu’s adept manner, it seems he’s often spoken poorly of Xiao Fengxing in front of the emperor.

No wonder Xiao Fengxing hasn’t surfaced yet; apparently, Xiao Chengyu was blocking him in front.

He’s blocking wonderfully!

If Emperor Jiawen weren’t present, Fu Shinian would have applauded Xiao Chengyu right away.

"Indeed," Emperor Jiawen nodded, "Let it be announced that Xiao Fengxing’s prescription, though useful, was very dangerous and almost caused a disaster. If not for Miss Fu risking her life to test the medicine, the lives of Ganning’s citizens would not be secure. Xiao Fengxing’s merits and faults offset."

[Ding! Xiao Fengxing’s luck value -20, the Fu family’s luck value +10, Xiao Chengyu’s luck value +10]

"As for Miss Fu," Emperor Jiawen smiled slightly, "The second miss saved the lives of an entire city’s citizens, her merit is significant. She is specially rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and conferred the title of Jiamin Princess. The Fu family has educated their daughters well, bestowed the plaque ’A Family of Benevolence and Kindness.’

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward." Fu Shinian quickly knelt and said.

Emperor Jiawen smiled warmly, "The Empress is also very fond of you. When you were in Ganning, she often worried about your safety. Since you’ve entered the palace, go to Ciyuan Hall to visit the Empress."

"Yes."

"Go ahead, and by the time you leave the palace, the decree should have reached." Emperor Jiawen said.

Fu Shinian knew that Emperor Jiawen was sending her away to speak with Xiao Chengyu privately.

"I take my leave."

After Fu Shinian left, Emperor Jiawen said to Xiao Chengyu with a mix of amusement and vexation, "You’ve been pulling strings against Xiao Fengxing, why don’t you even try to conceal it? I can tell that the young lady could see it too."

Xiao Chengyu chuckled, "She knows it already, and moreover she dislikes Xiao Fengxing."

"Oh? Is it because of the matter of her sister’s broken engagement?" Emperor Jiawen also gossiped a bit.

"It bears some relation," Xiao Chengyu said, "She disdains Xiao Fengxing for enjoying the contributions Mingzhu made while constantly disliking her, and getting involved with other women. She probably thinks Xiao Fengxing is not a suitable match and is worried her sister would suffer if married to him. The Fu family also feels this way, hence they withdrew the engagement."

"Nowadays, hardly any family prioritizes their children’s happiness over power," Emperor Jiawen sighed, "It indeed seems that the Fu family is commendable."

Previously, when Mingzhu was engaged, everyone said she was fortunate, destined to become Marchioness of Changping.

Even Emperor Jiawen, inside the palace, was aware of this.

"To raise a thoughtful and kind-hearted daughter like Miss Fu, I also believe the Fu family is commendable." Xiao Chengyu said, "Even the elder girl, despite being a concubine’s daughter, is treated equally to Miss Fu within the family. Madam Fu treats them the same.

"Madam Fu is also a kind-hearted and magnanimous person." Emperor Jiawen nodded and said.

If Fu Shinian were still here, she would notice that Emperor Jiawen was very accustomed to Xiao Chengyu repeatedly inconveniencing Xiao Fengxing, and silently went along.

Emperor Jiawen looked Xiao Chengyu up and down again, "I see your health appears better than when you left the capital."

"Your Majesty thinks so too?" Xiao Chengyu said again, smiling with some surprise, "It seems it’s not just my imagination. Ever since the epidemic cured, I’ve felt better than before. I thought it was because I was too weak during the illness, and just recovering now made me feel more comfortable. But all the way back, my condition has indeed been improving, it’s quite strange."

"Call the Imperial Physician!" Emperor Jiawen quickly ordered, "Have the Imperial Physician check you."

Fu Shinian went to Ciyuan Hall to see the Empress, who took her hand and scrutinized her, "You’ve lost weight."

Fu Shinian touched her own face and smiled, "My mother and aunt say the same, but they’ve prepared a lot of food to properly nourish me."