Sheng Chumu was confused. “Elder Sister, what medicine did you give her?”
Consort Han snorted, “Are you regretting? She clearly said that she no longer wants you!”
Sheng Chumu glared. “I am only suspicious because she changed so quickly.” He waved and took his leave. “Elder Sister, I am leaving. I still have something important to do for my future happiness.”
Consort Han mumbled to herself, “I hope everything will go smoothly this time. If he can marry Fu Rou, I will feel less guilty.”
The sound of bird’s chirping floated in, causing Fu Yin to feel even more frustrated.
Although her second sister managed to survive the issue with the Peacock Screen, she heard that there were four men asking to marry Fu Rou. Amongst them, Grand Prince Liang and Prince Zhou both had strong backings. She knew that Fu Rou had her heart set on Brother Chumu; she would not want either Grand Prince Liang or Prince Zhou.
All of a sudden, someone hugged her from behind. Lu Qi’s high-spirited voice floated into her ears.
“Yin’er, do you hear the magpies calling?"
Fu Yin turned around and gently pushed him away. “So they are magpies, I was not paying attention to them.”
Lu Qi tapped her head. “Little fool. I mentioned magpies, you should naturally ask what happy event will be happening.”
“Oh?” Fu Yin was obedient. “What happy event?”
Lu Qi was proud. “It is highly classified, I cannot tell you. You just need to understand that it is a blessing in disguise.”
This morning, he had followed his father to court. They got an important task from the Empress. The Empress wanted to seek out Master Yuan. However, her usual bodyguard, General Fan, was not feeling well. Hence, she requested Lu Qi to substitute for him. If he did this well, he would gain the appreciation of Her Majesty and his future would be bright.
Lu Qi embraced Fu Yin once more. “Come, kiss me. Let’s celebrate.”
Fu Yin blushed and pushed him away. “Don’t fool around.”
Lu Qi smiled. “Until now, you are still so shy. However, I like to see you blush.”
Lu Yingying walked into the study room. As she saw them, she immediately covered her eyes. “Aiya, the two of you in broad daylight…”
Lu Qi released Fu Yin. “Who asked you to come in? Didn’t I tell you to inform before you enter? Do you have something for me?”
Lu Yingying wrinkled her nose. “Who is looking for you? I am looking for Yin’er.” She gestured to Yin’er. “Yin’er, come to my room. Help me to make a braided pendant.”
Lu Qi did not agree. “Don’t you have your own servant? You are always looking for my Yin’er.”
“Eh, since when did she become your Yin’er? I got goosebumps from hearing that.” Lu Yingying stuck out her tongue playfully. “Yin’er is the most skillful. I only want her. Come Yin’er, I will give you something nice to eat.”
As Lu Qi saw his sister drag Fu Yin away, he wanted to stop her but decided that he had more important things to do. When the Empress goes on a trip, the guards following her have a heavy responsibility. If anything goes wrong, someone could lose their life.
Fu Yin nimbly made the braided pendant. Her ten fingers were organised as they combed and braided. It was as if each of her fingers had a mind of their own.
“Your handiwork is so good.” Lu Yingying was amazed.
“Speaking of good, my sister is…” Fu Yin froze, she had slipped up.
“I thought you had no more family members.” Lu Yingying did not think much into it.
“She is my distant cousin. After my family was ruined, we no longer kept in contact.” Fu Yin whispered.
“Don’t brood on things in the past. It is your fate to enter our Duke Chen Residence.” Lu Yingying was caring. “Moreover, I quite admire you.”
“What is there to admire?” Fu Yin was confused.
“I am envious that you can be with the one you like everyday.” Seeing how intimate and sweet she was with her elder brother, Lu Yingying felt slightly jealous.
Fu Yin froze. “The one I like…”
“If I could happily be with the person I like, I am willing to do anything even if it is just for a month, a day or even just an hour.” Lu Yingying continued.
Fu Yin laughed bitterly, “You are so pretty and gentle, you will definitely be able to happily be with the one you love forever.”
Lu Yingying was absent-minded. “Forever? He is not even happy to see me. Let’s not talk about me. Let me tell you, my elder brother really cares for you. In the past, when I ordered his servant, he did not care at all. Now, I just ask you to help me make a braided pendant and he glares at me. Heartless. Now that he has someone he likes, he no longer cares about me, his sister.”
“Not only have you snatched my girl, you are also talking bad about me.” Lu Qi walked in. “I lent you Yin’er for half a day, yet you don’t even remember my kindness.”
Lu Yingying rebuked, “Elder Brother, you should not eavesdrop, it is bad.”
Fu Yin added, “The braided pendant is done.”
“If you are done, come with me, I waited so long for you. There is no one to pour tea for me.” Lu Qi pulled Fu Yin out.
Meanwhile, Lu Qi did not know that his plans, the time, route and duty roster, had all been noted down by Lu Hanxing and given to Hong Yide.
Previously, after Lu Hanxing suffered a beating from Lu Qi, he went out to drown his sorrows. Unfortunately, he was abducted by Hong Yide. The both of them had sinister motives and realised that they both wanted to get back at Lu Yunji and Lu Qi. Hence, they had hit off and decided to collude.
Chapter 43.1: Wish
In Ganlou Palace, the Emperor was still in contemplation.
Everyone always praised the Empress for being virtuous. The Emperor also respected her greatly. However, when it came to Prince Zhou, she was always harsh. He knew that she was trying her best to solidify the Crown Prince’s position. Unfortunately, this time it made him unhappy.
It was simply to help Prince Zhou get the girl he admired to accompany him. After all, he owed Concubine Yan and her son too much over the years. Moreover, Concubine Yan personally asked him for it. He really could not understand why the Empress was trying to block them.
“Your Majesty.” Chief Cao entered to report, “Her Majesty has set out for Cangshan Mountain. Everything has been prepared, do you have any other instructions?”
The Emperor remained silent.
Chief Cao continued, “This morning, Grand Prince Liang accompanied the Grand Emperor to visit Her Majesty. I am not sure what they spoke about but the Grand Emperor praised Her Majesty for being virtuous when he came out. He also mentioned that Zhiyun’s death anniversary was nearing and he wanted to head to Cangshan Mountain as well.”
The Emperor raised his brows. “Zhiyun’s death anniversary is coming soon? I have forgotten about it.”
Chief Cao replied, “Her Majesty has remembered it on your behalf.”
The Emperor could not fathom. “She has always known to please her elders. Even when I get scolded as if there is nothing good about me, she is the best daughter-in-law. She actually knows how to use Zhiyun’s death anniversary as an excuse. I have no choice but to accept it.”