Xiao Chengyu brought the fragrant pill closer to his nose, and the refreshing pungent smell became more pronounced.
The scent from his nasal cavity fell into his throat, indeed, his throat felt more comfortable.
"Thank you." The color on Xiao Chengyu's face gradually faded away, returning to calmness.
Just as Xiao Chengyu was about to return the fragrant pill to Fu Shinian, Fu Shinian avoided him, "I have more at home, since this pill is useful to the Marquis, I will give it to the Marquis."
Xiao Chengyu nodded slightly, "Thank you."
Fu Shinian gave a salute, and then left with Fu Mingzhu.
When Xiao Chengyu entered the Blessings and Longevity Hall of the old lady, Nanny Wang had just finished telling the old lady the things that happened in the courtyard.
Seeing Xiao Chengyu come in and salute her, "Mother."
"Did you meet the young ladies of the Fu family outside?" the old lady asked.
"Yes." Xiao Chengyu did not conceal.
Fu Mingzhu was engaged to Xiao Fengxing, Xiao Chengyu recognized her.
Since the old lady mentioned the young lady of the Fu family, Xiao Chengyu guessed, "I suppose the one with the eldest young lady of the Fu family must be the second young lady of the Fu family."
"Is the fragrant pill she gave you truly effective?" the old lady could not help but lean in and ask him.
"The smell has a refreshing pungent taste, the originally dry, itchy, and painful throat feels much more comfortable." Xiao Chengyu said.
"Quickly, call the doctor to come and have a look." the old lady ordered.
Due to Xiao Chengyu's illness, the residence always kept a doctor, and there was also an imperial physician who came over frequently to feel his pulse.
The doctor came, and Nanny Wang showed the fragrant pill to the doctor, the doctor said: "There are good things inside, harmless to the Marquis, though it cannot cure the illness, it can make the Marquis feel more comfortable."
"What is that refreshing pungent smell?" the old lady asked again.
"This smell, it seems like a herb from the Western Regions called mint, can be used in medicine, can be used in food. Eating it can also eliminate mouth odors. But this thing is not commonly seen in the capital." the doctor said.
It was good, so the old lady was relieved.
*
Just as Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu entered the garden, Fu Shinian saw a familiar figure, "Sister, do you see if that is Lin Qingqing?"
Fu Mingzhu looked over and saw Lin Qingqing surrounded by several noble ladies, looking very popular.
"I never knew Lin Qingqing had a way to come, then why did she ask Sister to bring her?" Fu Shinian asked with a face full of confusion, "But, Sister, was Lin Qingqing originally this popular?"
"How could she be? Mr. Lin has a small position, in the capital, people often show off and flatter those of high status, Lin Qingqing is never valued among the circles of noble ladies." Mr. Fu although was of the fourth rank, but Fu Mingzhu was a concubine-born daughter at home, her maternal family was merchants, Fu Mingzhu knew, those people also looked down on her.
So she empathized with Lin Qingqing's situation, and released goodwill towards Lin Qingqing.
At this moment, Lin Qingqing looked over, but acted as if she did not see them, her gaze shifted, and she continued laughing and talking with other noble ladies.
Fu Mingzhu was surprised, hearing Fu Shinian whisper, "Is Sister Lin mad that you didn't bring her, so she's pretending not to see us?"
"Do you also think she saw us?" Fu Mingzhu asked.
"Of course." Fu Shinian nodded, saying with certainty, "I just met her eye to eye! I even smiled at her, but she didn't respond at all."
"What?" As soon as Fu Mingzhu heard Fu Shinian say she greeted, and Lin Qingqing actually ignored her, she immediately got angry, "I really misjudged her, truly rice-gratitude turns to meal-vengeance."
Fu Mingzhu herself was bullied, but never minded, but her family's Niannian was such a lovely and kind child, anything targeting Niannian was from bad people!
However, before Fu Mingzhu could say anything, several people around Lin Qingqing pulled her along and walked over.
Lin Qingqing looked troubled, shaking her head, softly saying, "Just let it go."
"How can we just let it go? It is she who went back on her word, broke her promise first!" Li Zhaohui's voice was not high nor low, just loud enough for Fu Mingzhu and Fu Shinian to hear.
Li Zhaohui and others pulled Lin Qingqing to Fu Mingzhu, Li Zhaohui took the lead and said, "Miss Fu, to think you are such a person who goes back on promises, betrays trust. Is this how the Fu family teaches you?"
Fu Mingzhu's expression suddenly grew cold, "Who do you think you are, to criticize my family?"
"Just a concubine-born girl, no wonder." Zheng Sulan ridiculed beside.
"Miss Fu, this matter, you need to apologize to Qingqing!" Li Zhaohui said loudly, "Clearly agreed to bring her along, Qingqing prepared everything. The result was yesterday you said you wouldn't bring her and you didn't, such unreliability and dishonesty are behaviors unfit for noble ladies!"
"Indeed, luckily Qingqing has a good relationship with Miss Xiao, Miss Xiao found out, and specially gave her an invitation, otherwise Qingqing would have prepared in vain." Zheng Sulan said.
"Even if Mr. Fu holds a slightly higher office, he can't bully people like this." Li Zhaohui criticized.
Fu Mingzhu frowned and looked at Lin Qingqing, displeased, "Didn't you say yesterday that it didn't matter?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter, I'm really fine with it." Lin Qingqing hurriedly waved her hand, "I don't blame Miss Fu."
"That's because you have a good nature." Zheng Sulan held Lin Qingqing's hand and said.
Li Zhaohui sneered, "You said so much, how could Qingqing not agree? But they are just relying on their family's power to bully Qingqing's gentle nature."
"Today you must apologize to Qingqing."
"Exactly, can't stand those who bully others with power, also looking down on people just because they have money."
"Just a concubine-born girl, Qingqing is after all a legitimate daughter, and you even dare to bully her!"
"Really don't understand how someone like this got engaged to Second Young Master Xiao."
Fu Mingzhu was shaking with anger, every sentence they uttered made her speechless, tears welled up in her eyes.
Just as Fu Mingzhu angrily looked at Lin Qingqing, wanting her to explain, beside her, Fu Shinian suddenly stepped forward, shielding her.
"Sisters, I don't agree with what you just said." Fu Shinian spoke softly, "The Fu family doesn't dare claim to be stronger than anyone. Father is merely a fourth rank official, not even prominent in the capital, can't be accused of bullying."
"My elder sister respects her legitimate mother at home, cares for siblings, is free and easygoing, never quarrels with others over trivial matters." Fu Shinian tilted his head questioning, "Miss Zheng, you bring up my elder sister as being concubine-born, are you saying my mother is harsh to concubine-born daughters, or my father neglects their education?"
"I... I didn't..." Zheng Sulan's face turned pale, "Don't pin such a big accusation on me!"
"Then our family can't bear the reputation of being harsh to concubine-born daughters." Fu Shinian said resolutely, "Only families without standards would be like this."
Fu Mingzhu behind Fu Shinian had tears in her eyes, grabbing Fu Shinian's arm, "Niannian..."
Fu Shinian turned back and smiled at Fu Mingzhu, then looked down in self-reproach, "It's all because I was too willful, since I've never been here before, I pleaded Sister to bring me. I didn't know Sister had promised to bring Sister Lin."
"If Miss Lin is to blame, she should blame me." Fu Shinian looked down, using his handkerchief to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye, "I didn't expect my willful act would bring my Sister so many criticisms and insults."
"We..." Li Zhaohui and others suddenly found themselves speechless.