CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 81: DON’T LOOK

"It happens that I’ve prepared some as well, you can take them back together." The Empress reluctantly touched Fu Shinian’s soft, tender face, "Originally, I thought you sisters could come to the palace more often to chat with me, but who would’ve thought you’d go to Ganning in just a few days."

"While you were in Ganning, your sister, worried about you, went to Law Temple daily. I heard about it, so I didn’t summon her to the palace." The Empress said, "Go back and have a good rest. Once you’ve rested well, come with your sister to talk with me. Also, tell me about your experiences in Ganning."

"I can tell you right now, Lady." Fu Shinian said.

The Empress shook her head, "You’ve been weary for days. You just returned to the capital yesterday and surely haven’t rested well. You came into the palace today; how could you not be tired?"

"Were you nervous seeing His Majesty just now?" The Empress gently asked.

"At first, I was nervous. I was so anxious last night that I couldn’t sleep," Fu Shinian said, "But just now, after seeing His Majesty and hearing him speak, I wasn’t as nervous. Both His Majesty and you, Lady, are generous people."

The Empress affectionately patted Fu Shinian’s hair, and then heard a report from the palace maid that Xiao Chengyu was waiting outside the hall.

The Empress then said, "Marquis Changping must be here to take you. I won’t keep you longer; go home early to rest."

Fu Shinian rose and said to the Empress, "In a few days, I’ll come with my sister to visit you, Lady. Please don’t find us bothersome."

"How could I?" The Empress visibly cheered up.

Fu Shinian left Ciyuan Hall and saw Xiao Chengyu standing at the foot of the stairs.

"Why did you come out so quickly, Marquis?" Fu Shinian asked.

Xiao Chengyu slightly raised his eyebrows, "Are you saying I came too fast?"

"No, it’s just I thought you had many things to discuss with His Majesty." Fu Shinian explained.

"Everything important has been said in the letters. His Majesty just wanted to inquire about my health." Xiao Chengyu noticed the palace maids from the Empress’s hall had brought out many things, all rewards from the Empress.

It seems the young lady is truly favored by the Empress.

The palace attendants carrying the rewards escorted them out of the palace, unexpectedly encountering a woman dressed in luxurious palace attire.

Fu Shinian observed her face was unfamiliar.

"I greet Your Highness," Xiao Chengyu bowed.

Fu Shinian followed suit, kneeling down.

"Father long permitted Marquis to enter the palace without kneeling; you shouldn’t bow before me." Princess Fuhui hurried forward, intending to personally help Xiao Chengyu rise.

Xiao Chengyu deftly dodged Princess Fuhui’s hand, standing up first.

Fu Shinian, however, did not have the privilege to enter the palace without kneeling and remained kneeling on the ground.

"I dare not be presumptuous," Xiao Chengyu coolly said.

"I heard Marquis caught the plague. I was worried; now it seems you’ve recovered." Princess Fuhui asked eagerly, "Is there anywhere you’re still unwell, Marquis?"

From start to finish, Princess Fuhui seemed not to notice Fu Shinian at all.

"Your Highness, Miss Fu is still kneeling," Xiao Chengyu reminded.

Princess Fuhui’s smile faded, her gaze finally landing on Fu Shinian, "Are you the second daughter of Fu?"

"I am," Fu Shinian answered obediently.

"I’ve heard you performed meritoriously; it’s difficult to see it from your gentle demeanor. Still, you managed to go to Ganning." Princess Fuhui’s expression cooled, "Don’t presume on your merits to act arrogantly."

Fu Shinian felt bewildered. She didn’t even know this Princess Fuhui, and she was kneeling properly now, so when had she been arrogant?

"Your Highness, choose your words carefully!" Xiao Chengyu said sternly.

He didn’t understand what’s wrong with Princess Fuhui’s mind, suddenly causing trouble for Fu Shinian.

Not waiting for Princess Fuhui to speak again, Xiao Chengyu directly helped Fu Shinian up.

A princess of average standing in the palace and the Emperor Jiawen’s favorite noble.

Xiao Chengyu still didn’t think much of Princess Fuhui.

He just didn’t like being caught and exploited.

Emperor Jiawen was always benevolent, treating princes and princesses equally.

He gives what is due but doesn’t particularly favor anyone.

Therefore, Princess Fuhui really didn’t have anything special in the palace.

"As far as I know, Princess has never met the second daughter of Fu, has no understanding of her, so whence comes the accusation of arrogance?" Xiao Chengyu asked sternly.

"I... I was merely reminding her," Princess Fuhui tried to justify, "I’ve seen plenty of people too proud once they gain some power, so I just wanted to remind her not to be overbearing."

"Then wait until Miss Fu becomes arrogant, Your Highness can remind her then," Xiao Chengyu replied firmly.

"Why are you protecting her like this?" Princess Fuhui fumed, "You even waited outside Mother Empress’s hall, you..."

"Your Highness!" Nanny Chu from the Empress’s side approached, calling out respectfully yet blankly.

"Nanny," Princess Fuhui’s face changed, clearly she’s quite apprehensive of Nanny Chu.

"Lady hears Your Highness is keeping the Marquis and Miss Fu, so she sent me to inquire if there’s anything you wanted to instruct?" Nanny Chu inquired.

"No detainment, merely bumping into each other by chance," Princess Fuhui explained nervously.

"If that’s the case, Lady said any words can be spoken later. Miss Fu has been weary for days and even Lady didn’t have the heart to keep her longer, letting her go to rest first," Nanny Chu replied with a smile that did not reach her eyes, "Lady cares about Miss Fu."

Princess Fuhui was taken aback.

She had heard that Fu Shinian left Ciyuan Hall shortly after entering and guessed Fu Shinian wasn’t truly favored.

She went to Ciyuan Hall hastily, and the Empress might not really wish to see her.

But because Fu Shinian had merits, the Empress rewarded some things, just for appearances.

Who knew this time Nanny Chu would come directly to protect her.

Was it really that the Empress cherished Fu Shinian, wanting her to rest more so not keeping her too long?

Princess Fuhui’s expression changed repeatedly, her eyes settling on Fu Shinian’s face, filled with doubt.

Fu Shinian quietly pondered, was it that Princess Fuhui disliked her attitude; perhaps she fancied Xiao Chengyu?

Considering her a rival in love?

"Oh dear, Miss Fu!" Fu Shinian hadn’t reacted yet when Nanny Chu suddenly rushed to support Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian: "..."

She was fine.

"I saw Miss couldn’t stand steady," Nanny Chu commented.

Fu Shinian quickly held her forehead, directly falling into Nanny Chu’s soft embrace, "Thank you, Nanny."

Nanny Chu: "..."

Almost couldn’t hold back a laugh.

This Miss Fu really acted quite convincingly.

"Your Highness, I will first escort Miss Fu outside the palace," Nanny Chu said, and disregarded Princess Fuhui, directly aiding Fu Shinian to leave.

As the Empress’s close maid, Nanny Chu indeed didn’t fear Princess Fuhui.

Princess Fuhui had no choice but to step aside, still explaining, "Nanny, I really just happened to pass by."

"I understand," Nanny Chu chuckled.

Supporting Fu Shinian further along, Fu Shinian quietly asked, "Is the Princess still watching?"

Xiao Chengyu was about to turn his head to look but was stopped by Fu Shinian yanking his sleeve, "Don’t look."