Xiao Chengyu brought the incense pill closer to his nose, and the refreshing spicy aroma became more pronounced.
The scent went from his nasal cavity to his throat, and indeed, his throat felt a bit more comfortable.
"Thank you." The color gradually faded from Xiao Chengyu's face, and he regained his composure.
Just as Xiao Chengyu was about to return the incense pill to Fu Shinian, Fu Shinian dodged, "I still have some at home. Since this pill is useful to Marquis, I'll gift it to you."
Xiao Chengyu nodded slightly, "Thank you."
Fu Shinian made a gesture of respect and then left with Fu Mingzhu.
When Xiao Chengyu entered the Blessings and longevity Hall, Nanny Wang had just recounted the courtyard incident to the old lady.
Seeing Xiao Chengyu come in and greet her, "Mother."
"Did you meet the Fu family's girls outside?" the old lady asked.
"Yes." Xiao Chengyu did not conceal anything.
Since Fu Mingzhu was engaged to Xiao Fengxing, Xiao Chengyu knew her.
Since the old lady mentioned the Fu family's girls, Xiao Chengyu speculated, "The one accompanying Miss Fu must be the second daughter."
"Did the incense pill she gave you really work?" the old lady couldn't help but lean in and ask.
"It had a refreshing spicy aroma, and my initially dry, itchy, painful throat felt much better," Xiao Chengyu said.
"Quick, call the doctor over to take a look," instructed the old lady.
Due to Xiao Chengyu's illness, a doctor was always resident in the house, and the Imperial Physician regularly visited to check his pulse.
The doctor came over, and Nanny Wang showed the incense pill to him. The doctor said, "The contents are all beneficial ingredients and harmless to the Marquis. Though it cannot cure the illness, it can make the Marquis feel more comfortable."
"What is that refreshing spicy aroma?" the old lady asked again.
"This scent resembles a sort of mint from the Western Regions, known as peppermint. It can be used in medicine or cuisine, and consuming it can also eliminate bad breath. However, it's not commonly seen in the capital," the doctor explained.
The old lady was reassured that it was good.
*
Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu had just entered the garden when Fu Shinian spotted a familiar figure, "Sister, do you think that's Lin Qingqing?"
Fu Mingzhu looked over and saw Lin Qingqing surrounded by a group of noblewomen, appearing very popular.
"Did Lin Qingqing have her own means of coming? Why did she beg Sister to bring her?" Fu Shinian asked, puzzled, "But Sister, has Lin Qingqing always been this popular?"
"Certainly not. Mr. Lin holds a minor official position, and in the capital, people tend to flatter those in higher status positions. Lin Qingqing has never been favored among noblewomen circles." Although Mr. Fu was a fourth-rank official, Fu Mingzhu was a concubine-born daughter, and her mother's family was merchant class. Fu Mingzhu knew that these people also looked down on her.
Seeing Lin Qingqing's situation, she empathized and extended kindness to Lin Qingqing.
At this moment, Lin Qingqing glanced over but seemed not to have seen them, her gaze moving away as she chatted and laughed with the other noblewomen.
Fu Mingzhu was surprised to hear Fu Shinian quietly say, "Sister Lin is probably mad at you for not bringing her, and is pretending not to see us."
"You think she saw us?" Fu Mingzhu asked.
"Of course." Fu Shinian nodded confidently and said, "I just made eye contact with her! I even smiled at her, but she completely ignored it."
"What?" Upon hearing that Fu Shinian had greeted Lin Qingqing and received no response, Fu Mingzhu immediately felt anger rising, "I really misjudged her; truly, a 'rice-grain favor turns to dust when in conflict'."
Fu Mingzhu herself had been bullied before and never minded it much, but her beautiful and kind-hearted sister could not be targeted—that was not acceptable!
However, before Fu Mingzhu could say anything, several people surrounding Lin Qingqing pulled her along toward Fu Mingzhu.
Lin Qingqing looked troubled and shook her head, whispering, "Let's forget about it."
"Why should we forget about it? She's the one who broke her word first!" Li Zhaohui spoke in a tone just loud enough for Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian to hear.
Li Zhaohui and the group pulled Lin Qingqing over to Fu Mingzhu, and Li Zhaohui preemptively spoke, "Miss Fu, I didn't expect you to be such a deceitful person, breaking promises. Is this how the Fu family raised you?"
Fu Mingzhu's expression dropped instantly, "How dare you criticize my family?"
"Just a concubine-born daughter, no wonder it turned out this way," Zheng Sulan mocked from the side.
"Miss Fu, for this matter, you should apologize to Qingqing!" Li Zhaohui said loudly, "You clearly promised to bring her along, and Qingqing was prepared for everything. Then yesterday, you suddenly decided not to bring her, such deceit and breach of trust—is this behavior befitting of noblewomen?"
"Indeed, it's fortunate Qingqing has a good relationship with Miss Xiao. When Miss Xiao learned about it, she specially gave her an invitation; otherwise, Qingqing would have prepared for nothing," Zheng Sulan added.
"Even if Mr. Fu holds a higher official rank, there's no reason to bully others like this," Li Zhaohui accused.
Fu Mingzhu furrowed her brows at Lin Qingqing and said in dissatisfaction, "Didn't you say it was okay yesterday?"
"Yes, it's fine. I'm really fine." Lin Qingqing quickly waved her hand, "I don't blame Miss Fu at all."
"That's because you have a good nature," Zheng Sulan said while holding Lin Qingqing's hand.
Li Zhaohui sneered, "You say it like this, how could Qingqing not agree? It's just using your family's power to bully her soft nature."
"You must apologize to Qingqing for this today."
"Yes, I can't stand people who bully others with their status and money looking down on others."
"Just a concubine-born daughter, Qingqing at least is the legitimate daughter, and yet you have the nerve to bully her!"
"I don't understand how such a person got engaged to the second son of the Xiao family."
Fu Mingzhu was trembling with anger. Their words made her seem unreasonable despite having a clear stance, and she couldn't help but have teary eyes.
Just as Fu Mingzhu looked angrily at Lin Qingqing, wanting a clear explanation, Fu Shinian suddenly stepped forward, shielding Fu Mingzhu behind her.
"I must disagree with the sisters' remarks." Fu Shinian said softly, "Our Fu family won't claim to be superior to anyone. My father is merely a fourth-rank official, and in the capital, that's not even noteworthy—we can't bear the accusation of bullying with power."
"My eldest sister respects her legitimate mother at home, loves her siblings, is open-minded and cheerful, and never quibbles over trivial matters." Fu Shinian tilted her head and said, "Is Miss Zheng accusing my eldest sister for being a concubine-born daughter, implying my mother is harsh and that my father neglected their education?"
"I... I didn't..." Zheng Sulan's face turned pale, "Don't pin such a big accusation on me!"
"Our family can't bear the reputation of being harsh on concubine-born daughters," Fu Shinian replied with firm determination, "Only a family without decorum would behave like that."
Fu Mingzhu, standing behind Fu Shinian, had tears in her eyes and clung to Fu Shinian's arm, "Niannian..."
Fu Shinian turned back and smiled at Fu Mingzhu, then looked down in a self-blaming posture, "It was my stubbornness—I wanted to come because I had never been here before and pleaded with Sister to bring me. I didn't know Sister had already promised Sister Lin."
"If Miss Lin wants to blame someone, she should blame me." Fu Shinian bowed her head and used a handkerchief to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye, "I never thought my act of stubbornness would bring so much criticism and censure to my sister."
"We..." Li Zhaohui and the others suddenly found themselves speechless.