"You're scaring Niannian!" Fu Mingzhu couldn't help but become more agitated. "Have you always treated her like this before?"
"When did I ever have a chance to interact with her?" Xiao Fengxing felt incredibly wronged.
Fu Shinian couldn't let him continue explaining and sobbed while saying to Fu Mingzhu, "Sister, I want to go back to the mansion."
"Alright." Fu Mingzhu immediately instructed the driver, "Head back to the mansion."
With that said, she let down the curtain and ignored Xiao Fengxing.
However, inside the carriage, Fu Mingzhu felt a bit down.
Fu Shinian knew that although Fu Mingzhu had just acted coldly towards Xiao Fengxing because of her, she still liked Xiao Fengxing deep down.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Fu Mansion, and Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu got off. As soon as they entered, they saw servants carrying large boxes towards the inner courtyard, making the place lively.
"Why is it suddenly so lively?" Fu Shinian quickly pulled Fu Mingzhu towards the inner courtyard.
There, they saw Aunt Cheng and Madam Fu happily picking out glass cups in the main hall.
"Mother, Aunt!" Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu paid their respects upon entering, with Fu Shinian curiously asking, "Why are there so many things and such excitement?"
Aunt Cheng, glowing with joy, responded, "Fortune has turned our way, truly turned our way!"
"It's Manager Li, who has been working with the Cheng Family for years without fail. We trust him very much. Who knew he suddenly lost contact recently, and we thought he had run off with the goods and money. We were about to lose a huge sum. But today, he returned! He said he encountered a sandstorm in the desert and the goods got buried. He worked hard to recover them. Not only did he come back, but he also brought many goods. Your uncle just delivered my share of the profit, bringing along many rare items, and even a Ferghana horse!"
Aunt Cheng clasped her hands together and prayed to the sky, "Truly, thank the heavens, thank the heavens!"
"This is wonderful news! Congratulations, Aunt!" Fu Shinian said while thinking that it must be the increase in the Fu family's fortune.
Upon hearing about the Ferghana horse, Fu Mingzhu's eyes lit up. Her first thought was the horse would suit Xiao Fengxing perfectly and should be given to him.
This way, Xiao Fengxing might like her even more.
When Fu Shinian saw Fu Mingzhu's expression, she had a bad feeling. In the original story, there was no incident of the goods being lost and found, but there was the matter of Cheng Yuanshan giving a Ferghana horse to the Fu family.
Although it was said to be given to the Fu family, since it was from Fu Mingzhu's uncle, it was naturally implied to be for Fu Mingzhu.
And naturally, Fu Mingzhu had the right to dispose of it.
Fu Mingzhu sent the Ferghana horse to Xiao Fengxing, who then presented it to the Second Prince, making his first impression on him and beginning to earn his favor.
This must not benefit Xiao Fengxing, and he must not gain the Second Prince's favor!
Fu Shinian immediately grabbed Fu Mingzhu and said, "Sister, I've never seen a Ferghana horse before! Let's go take a look!"
Fu Mingzhu was also thinking about it and went with Fu Shinian to the stables.
Before they got close, they could see, from a distance, a magnificent chestnut horse standing out among two other horses in the stable.
"So this is a Ferghana horse!" Fu Shinian approached, carefully touching the mane on the horse's neck. "I've heard these horses can run a thousand miles a day, sweating blood. I wonder if it's true."
No sooner had she spoken than a servant came to report, "The Second Young Master from Marquis Changping's mansion has arrived."
"Really?" Fu Mingzhu thought he would still be angry after their earlier unpleasant parting. "I'll go see him now!"
"The Second Young Master is already on his way here," said the servant.
"Oh, that's great, let Erlang see this treasured horse!" Fu Mingzhu was no longer interested in the horse and stretched her neck, standing on tiptoe to look into the distance.
Finally, she saw Xiao Fengxing walking over from afar.
"Erlang!" Fu Mingzhu let go of Fu Shinian's hand and ran towards Xiao Fengxing, with Fu Shinian unable to hold her back.
"Erlang, why are you here?" Fu Mingzhu stood in front of Xiao Fengxing, with a blush of hope and caution, and asked.
Xiao Fengxing looked down and smiled slightly at her, "I had a bad attitude outside the Marquis's mansion, making you feel wronged."
After his unpleasant departure with Fu Mingzhu, Xiao Fengxing returned home with anger, which was noticed by his aunt.
Elderly Aunt Liu naturally asked him what had happened, so Xiao Fengxing explained.
Liu old-aunt hurried him to come and make amends.
The marriage wasn't secured yet, and things could change.
Even if to turn hostile, at least wait until after gaining Fu Mingzhu's dowry and the Cheng family's wealth. For now, he had to placate Fu Mingzhu.
Xiao Fengxing had to suppress his dissatisfaction with Fu Mingzhu and returned to the Fu Mansion.
"I was also thinking that if you took care of Lin Qingqing more, you'd gain a reputation for being gentle and kind," Xiao Fengxing softly said.
"But my sister is already very gentle and kind!"
Xiao Fengxing was taken aback, seeing Fu Shinian approach with a puzzled look, "Not only did my sister take care of Lin Qingqing as the Second Young Master entrusted, she even remained silent when falsely accused by Lin Qingqing for the sake of her reputation. I've never met anyone kinder than my sister."
With a malicious glare, Fu Shinian looked up and down at Xiao Fengxing and asked, "Could it be that the Second Young Master has always thought my sister lacks gentleness and kindness, and is someone who bullies the innocent?"
Fu Mingzhu suddenly realized, "Yeah, why do I need a reputation for gentleness and kindness? My reputation isn't bad already."
"That's not what I meant." Xiao Fengxing looked displeased at Fu Shinian, wondering why she kept interfering!
Fu Shinian immediately hid behind Fu Mingzhu, "Sister, I'm so scared."
"Erlang, why do you always frighten Niannian!" Fu Mingzhu protected Fu Shinian, demanding dissatisfied answers.
"I didn't..." Xiao Fengxing took a deep breath, feeling that he couldn't let Fu Shinian continue causing trouble and said, "Mingzhu, could we talk alone? I haven't had a chance to talk to you alone today."
He didn't know what was going on today, but as long as Fu Shinian was around, his plans kept failing, and she constantly trapped him!
It was never like this before either!
[Ding! Xiao Fengxing's fortune -1, Fu family's fortune +1]
Fu Shinian was invigorated by this notification, though her face fell, and she released Fu Mingzhu's hand, twisting her clothes with both hands, saying softly, "Sister, go and chat with the Second Young Master. Niannian will be okay."
"Although Niannian really wants to see the Ferghana horse with Sister, to feed it together, and see Sister's heroic figure riding it, it's okay." Fu Shinian lifted her face, her eyes glistening like a puppy, looking at Fu Mingzhu, "Compared to Niannian's wishes, talking to the Second Young Master and taking care of Lin Qingqing is more important."
Fu Mingzhu's heart melted completely, quickly pulling Fu Shinian into her arms, "It's more important to see the horse with Niannian, as we agreed earlier. I'd never leave you."
"By the way, Erlang." Fu Mingzhu perked up, mentioning the Ferghana horse, "Look at this horse, it's the Ferghana horse my uncle sent."
Xiao Fengxing was feeling quite frustrated, wondering how Fu Shinian could cause so much nuisance!
But when he heard the words 'Ferghana horse', his eyes lit up.
Seeing his reaction, Fu Mingzhu smiled brightly, "If Erlang likes it, I will gift this horse to..."