"Didn't you say you didn't want to go before? Why do you want to go now?" Fu Mingzhu asked with a smile.
"I just had a nightmare, dreamt that Sister got harmed by Xiao Fengxing, I'm scared, want to follow Sister," Fu Shinian said while almost bursting into tears.
"Such childish talk." Xiao Fengxing would never harm her, but seeing Fu Shinian so scared, he said, "Alright, alright, I'll take you with me tomorrow."
The Lin family.
Mrs. Lin handed a sachet to Qingqing, filled with a few pieces of silver, "Don't lose your momentum when you go, buy what you like."
Lin Qingqing became angry at the thought, "That Fu Mingzhu is rich and loves to show off. Before I even pull out my money, she rushes to buy for me, it's so humiliating every time."
Mrs. Lin lovingly held Lin Qingqing's hand, "You've been wronged."
"Mother, at tomorrow's flower banquet, I will meet Xiao Fengxing." Lin Qingqing confidently said, "Madam Fu snatched your man back then, I want her daughters to taste the same bitterness!"
Although Fu Mingzhu isn't Madam Fu's daughter, if Xiao Fengxing calls off the engagement, it will still disgrace the Fu family, and even Fu Shinian's betrothal will be affected.
"Even if not for the Fu family, Xiao Fengxing is the best match." Mrs. Lin joyfully said, "Are you sure Xiao Fengxing will really call off the engagement?"
"Of course."
Fu Mingzhu took Fu Shinian into a jewelry shop and said, "We'll go to the flower banquet tomorrow, we need to get dressed nicely. Choose whatever you like, and Sister will buy it for you."
Aunt Cheng's family are wealthy merchants in Great Xi. Aunt Cheng was favored by her family and brought a lot of dowry and land when she married. Fu Mingzhu's uncle conducts business and shares profits with Aunt Cheng.
So Aunt Cheng and Fu Mingzhu are the wealthiest people in the Fu family, buying much for family members.
"I have plenty of jewelry, picking some to wear tomorrow will be fine," Fu Shinian said. Her jewelry was not only gifted by Madam Fu but also by Aunt Cheng and Fu Mingzhu, who frequently showered her with many gifts, "There are many I haven't even worn yet."
"How can that be the same? Even if you haven't worn them, if they sit in your box for too long, they're old already, not the trendy look now." Fu Mingzhu pulled Fu Shinian to the counter, "Choose quickly."
"Sister Fu."
Turning around, Fu Shinian saw Lin Qingqing coming in with a maid. When she saw her, Lin Qingqing was surprised, "Second Young Lady is here too."
"Qingqing, you came at the right time," Fu Mingzhu said, "I have to take Niannian to the flower banquet tomorrow, so I can't take you."
The anger on Lin Qingqing's face flashed for a moment.
What does that mean?
Is Fu Mingzhu teasing her?
Holding onto Fu Mingzhu's arm, Fu Shinian slightly tilted her head apologetically towards Lin Qingqing and said, "Sister Lin often goes to such events with Sister, but I seldom do, that's why I'm pleading with Sister to take me this time. I've always heard Sister say that Sister Lin is broad-minded, surely Sister Lin wouldn't be upset, right?"
Lin Qingqing's smile twisted a bit before she forced herself to say, "Not at all."
Having agreed with Lin Qingqing and then backing out, Fu Mingzhu also felt sorry, so she said, "Qingqing, choose what you like. I..."
"Sister, this is beautiful." Fu Shinian immediately interrupted Fu Mingzhu, picking up a jade hairpin and said.
Fu Mingzhu was always generous with friends, never stingy; whatever they liked, she would happily purchase it for them.
Especially since Lin Qingqing's father was just an officer at the Imperial College with a low salary, the Lin family wasn't wealthy.
Fu Mingzhu often gifted things to Lin Qingqing.
Yet this generosity and sincerity by Fu Mingzhu turned into foolishness in front of Lin Qingqing, who saw her as a brainless fool who only throws money around.
Since that's the case, she naturally couldn't let Lin Qingqing enjoy Fu Mingzhu's benefits while looking down on her.
"It is beautiful." Fu Mingzhu directly inserted the hairpin into Fu Shinian's hair, "Buy it!"
Lin Qingqing quickly picked up a pair of jade earrings, "Shopkeeper, how much is this?"
"This is 100 taels of silver."
Lin Qingqing, gripping her sachet tightly, blushed and put the earrings down, "This... I don't have enough money. I'd better look at something else."
She said this while also looking towards Fu Mingzhu.
Usually, Fu Mingzhu would have offered to buy it for her by now.
Especially since Fu Mingzhu broke her promise, she should somehow compensate, right?
"Oh! This is beautiful!" Fu Shinian had already placed it on Fu Mingzhu's ear, "Sister, this looks like a set with the hairpin I'm wearing. Tomorrow, I'll wear the hairpin, and you wear the earrings. Everyone will be envious of our close bond."
"Yes, yes, yes." Fu Mingzhu waved generously, "Shopkeeper, buy this too."
The shopkeeper's eyes crease in laughter, quickly bringing out the abacus to calculate the bill.
Lin Qingqing couldn't help it, her face twisted.
Fu Shinian tilted her head, smiling broadly at Lin Qingqing, "Sister Lin must be very happy, right?"
Lin Qingqing almost lost it, squeezing out through her teeth, "Why would I be happy?"
"Although you can't attend the flower banquet, you can save a huge wardrobe expense for the family!" Fu Shinian said before Lin Qingqing could react, "Mr. Lin is only a sixth-rank officer now, with a limited salary."
Lin Qingqing hid her clenched fists in her sleeves.
To hell with you, Fu Shinian!
Mocking her family's poverty and her father's low position!
Lin Qingqing's maid dared not breathe, as this Second Young Lady of the Fu family kept hitting exactly where it hurt for Lin Qingqing.
Fu Shinian clung to Fu Mingzhu's arm and said, "Sister, the Lin family is a scholarly family, and scholars have always valued their dignity. If we give Sister Lin these pieces of jewelry and clothes, to scholars it would be like charity. How could they accept it? This would be like slapping a scholar in the face?"
"But if Sister Lin wants to attend an event like the flower banquet with you, she would definitely need to prepare a suitable outfit, which is a big burden for the Lin family." Fu Shinian sighed heavily, "However, since you've asked, Sister Lin certainly wouldn't refuse."
"So Sister, how about not inviting Sister Lin for such invitations in the future?"
Fu Mingzhu realized and nodded in agreement, "Niannian has a point; I was inconsiderate before and caused so much trouble for Qingqing."
Lin Qingqing: "..."
To hell with it, what's logical about this!
"Qingqing, I won't call you for such things in the future." Fu Mingzhu said apologetically, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
What could Lin Qingqing do?
She could only try to maintain a smile, but in reality, her teeth were about to grit into pieces.
And she had to watch Fu Mingzhu praise Fu Shinian for being considerate, "Niannian really thought this through. My Niannian is so kind-hearted."
"It's nothing," Fu Shinian said bashfully, lowering her head with a blush, "Sister Lin doesn't need to thank me."
Lin Qingqing: "!!!"
Thank you very much!
Yet Fu Shinian lifted her head, eagerly looking at Lin Qingqing.
Just being polite, you truly don't say thank you?
As a scholarly family, how could you lack such basic courtesy?
Lin Qingqing was both furious and had to thank Fu Shinian, "Thank you for being so considerate, Second Young Lady."
Thus, Lin Qingqing could only watch Fu Mingzhu buying for Fu Shinian without getting anything herself.
Seeing too much hurt her eyes, Lin Qingqing finally said, "I've been out for quite a while, I should head back."
"Yes, you should go," Fu Mingzhu didn't even turn her head, simply waving goodbye.
Lin Qingqing twisted her handkerchief forcefully and left with her maid.
Fu Shinian was with Fu Mingzhu, admiring their matching set in the mirror, when suddenly a 'ding' sounded in her mind.
[Lin Qingqing's luck value -1, Fu family's luck value +1]