Earlier, Lin Qingqing only said that Fu Mingzhu had clearly promised to bring her, but then changed her mind at the last minute. They thought Fu Mingzhu was just playing tricks on them.
Now it seems that Fu Mingzhu had her difficulties too.
As the legitimate daughter of the family, Fu Shinian was deeply loved. Although it was said that Fu Mingzhu was doing well at home, living according to the standards of a legitimate daughter, who really knew what it was like inside?
Since Fu Shinian had spoken, as a concubine's daughter, Fu Mingzhu naturally couldn't refuse, or she wouldn't be able to live well in the mansion.
"Moreover, when I told Sister Lin about it yesterday, she even thanked me at the time," Fu Shinian said, raising her tear-filled eyes.
"Thank you?" Li Zhaohui was puzzled.
Being let down is frustrating enough; why would she thank you?
But looking at Fu Shinian's pitiful appearance, it seemed like there really was a hidden story.
"Sister Lin's family is not wealthy, and she doesn't have money to buy new clothes or new jewelry. At first, she was too embarrassed to decline my sister's invitation. Now, by not attending, she can save a significant amount of silver, greatly reducing the pressure on the Lin family."
"So she specifically thanked me for considering her family's situation and not making things difficult for her."
Fu Shinian looked incredulous. "I really don't understand; Sister Lin was so happy yesterday, why has she changed today?"
Lin Qingqing: "..."
Thank you and your entire family!
Everyone thought, is that really so?
Then why did Lin Qingqing come today?
"But Sister Lin, why are you here again today?" Fu Shinian asked the question everyone was wondering about.
Before Lin Qingqing could speak, Li Zhaohui explained, "It's because Miss Xiao specially gave Qingqing an invitation."
Look how familiar they have become.
Fu Shinian understood immediately; no wonder everyone suddenly became so enthusiastic about Lin Qingqing.
It turns out it's because of Xiao Yingyue, the daughter of the Marquis Changping's household.
"Qingqing is truly low-key; I've never heard her talk about being so close to Miss Xiao." Li Zhaohui had just finished speaking when Xiao Yingyue arrived.
"Miss Fu, Second Miss." Unexpectedly, Xiao Yingyue headed straight for Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian, not even acknowledging Lin Qingqing.
"Miss Xiao." Fu Shinian and Xiao Yingyue exchanged greetings.
"May I have a word with you two?" Xiao Yingyue asked warmly, holding Fu Shinian's hand.
So, the three of them moved aside a few steps, and Xiao Yingyue said, "Second Miss, the fragrant pill you just gave my brother is quite useful. I wonder..."
"I still have some at home, and I'll have someone send them over when I return." Fu Shinian immediately understood Xiao Yingyue's intention. "I just saw the Marquis coughing heavily, so I thought it might help. If it works, that's even better."
Actually, Xiao Yingyue had been sent by the Old Lady to inquire, but before she could say anything, Fu Shinian had already understood her intention. Xiao Yingyue was pleasantly surprised and a bit embarrassed. "This... then I'll shamelessly accept it. With my brother's illness, anything that can make him feel a bit better is welcome, so I won't be polite."
But Xiao Yingyue couldn't take things for free, so she warmly held Fu Shinian's hand and said, "I see you're fond of making incense, so you must have a good understanding of flowers and plants. I have a few pots of flowers, take a look and see if you like any."
As Xiao Yingyue spoke, she led Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu towards her courtyard.
As they passed by Lin Qingqing and her group, they overheard Li Zhaohui saying, "Why did Miss Xiao go directly to Miss Fu's second daughter as soon as she arrived? Qingqing, weren't you especially close to Miss Xiao?"
Lin Qingqing forced herself to say, "Miss Fu is engaged to the second son of the Xiao family, so naturally, Miss Xiao would greet her first."
Xiao Yingyue stopped and asked with a frown, "Who am I close to?"
Lin Qingqing smiled to cover her guilty conscience, trying to muddle through. "Miss Xiao..."
Fu Shinian then said, "Of course, it's Sister Lin. Sister Lin said that her invitation was given by Miss Xiao."
"Who?" Xiao Yingyue turned her head, not recognizing who Lin Qingqing was.
"Miss Xiao, it is I." Lin Qingqing forced herself to speak.
"So you are Lin Qingqing." Xiao Yingyue said confusedly, "It was my second brother who asked me to give you an invitation. He said your father was his mentor and asked a favor from him, so he couldn't refuse."
How did it turn out that she had a good relationship with Lin Qingqing?
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expression towards Lin Qingqing changed.
The people who were previously very warm with Lin Qingqing all stepped two paces back.
Li Zhaohui even released Lin Qingqing's hand directly, disdainfully saying, "So Mr. Lin personally begged the second son of the Xiao family."
If that's the case, why did she say yesterday that she didn't want to participate in the first place?
Lin Qingqing's face turned pale all of a sudden. "I... I didn't know..."
Lin Qingqing quickly distanced herself, almost crying, "Yesterday I was so happy to receive an invitation from Miss Xiao, and I didn't know it was my father... asked the second son..."
"If not, then not. Why are you crying?" Xiao Yingyue looked puzzled, not understanding how this was worth crying over.
Xiao Yingyue no longer cared about her and pulled Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian away.
Leaving behind Li Zhaohui and others who sneered, "It was Mr. Lin who begged for the invitation."
"We said she had a good relationship with Miss Xiao, and she didn't deny it, making fools of us."
"Boo hoo hoo!" Lin Qingqing was full of grievances, "I... I never said I had a good relationship with Miss Xiao, it was you who kept saying it!"
Lin Qingqing ran away covering her face in grievance.
[Ding! Lin Qingqing's luck score -1, the Fu family's luck score +1]
While walking with Xiao Yingyue, Fu Shinian suddenly received this message and wondered how Lin Qingqing would suffer this time!
Lin Qingqing, crying, went to Xiao Fengxing's study to express her grievances.
Xiao Fengxing, feeling sorry, held Lin Qingqing in his arms to comfort her, "It's all my fault. I thought if I directly gave you the invitation, it would give people something to talk about, so I borrowed Yingyue's hand. But I had to find a reasonable explanation, so I came up with such a reason, but I didn't expect..."
"And Yingyue, speaking so indiscreetly, saying it in front of so many people." Xiao Fengxing complained.
"Boo hoo, if only Fu Mingzhu had agreed to me at the start and didn't go back on her word, there wouldn't be so many issues..." Lin Qingqing cried, saying, "With Fu Mingzhu's vengeful nature, she'll definitely seize any chance to bully me later."
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her. She wouldn't dare to bully you." Xiao Fengxing said confidently, "Qingqing, I'm sorry for your grievance. Bear with it a little longer, soon, it'll be Fu Mingzhu who loses face."
"Hmm..." Lin Qingqing looked up, "Xiao Lang, as long as you don't let me down, I can endure anything for you."
Lin Qingqing cried with tears like falling pear blossoms, looking up with eyes full of just him, making Xiao Fengxing's heart stir as he slowly lowered his head.
Lin Qingqing's lips trembled slightly, her cheeks blushing, she slowly closed her eyes still wet with tears.
Just as Xiao Fengxing's lips were about to touch Lin Qingqing's, there was a sudden "poof" sound in the quiet study room.