Lu Shi, worried about any oversights, still asked a few more questions before leaving, and also prepared everything that needed to be prepared.
"You go and get these things ready first, and then talk about other matters."
Feng Jin pressed her temples helplessly, truly annoyed by them, not giving her even a moment of peace all day.
Lu Shi was about to say something else, but upon receiving Chu Qing's gaze, he very wisely left. He was also worried that if he continued, he might upset the young madam, and since the most important matters had already been settled, he was not in a hurry for the remaining minor issues.
"Young madam, this subordinate will take his leave first."
After cupping his hands in a salute, Lu Shi left very discreetly.
Once everyone had left, the air instantly became quiet, and Feng Jin breathed a sigh of relief. She sat lazily in the chair, picked up her teacup, and took a quiet sip. The quiet feeling was truly wonderful.
"Young madam, Lord Lu is truly in such a hurry. He must have gone to prepare things by now."
Chu Qing found it quite amusing watching Lu Shi's overjoyed and hurried departure just now.
"He... he's finally married a wife, so naturally, he's happy beyond measure."
Recalling Lu Shi's rather undignified appearance earlier, she couldn't help but chuckle.
It was not easy for these two to finally achieve some results after dragging things out for so long. If Lu Shi had been more sensible, they probably would have been together long ago, and it wouldn't have been so troublesome, going around in such a big circle. However, having such an outcome in the end was also good. She had also completed a task that had been on her mind, so she no longer had to constantly remember Cai Qing's matter.
After a pause, Feng Jin shifted her gaze to Chu Qing, who was standing beside her. She appraised her from top to bottom and then slowly opened her mouth to speak, "Chu Qing, how old are you this year?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Qing was first stunned and then felt a bad premonition descend upon her heart. She also felt that the smile on the young madam's lips was somehow... how terrifying. Almost subconsciously, she said, "Young madam, this servant... this servant is still young and doesn't want to get married yet."
How could this little girl be so clever? She had only asked her age tentatively, and Chu Qing had already guessed her thoughts so quickly. She was much more difficult to deal with than Cai Qing.
She coughed lightly, concealing her embarrassment, "Look how scared you are, your face has turned pale. I was merely asking you a question, I didn't mean anything else. Why are you jumping to such conclusions..."
"Besides, it's also very normal for a man to marry and a woman to get married when they come of age. You're not young anymore, and you should also start thinking about these matters. Since you've followed me, I can't let you be all alone and miserable."
"Young madam, following you is the happiest thing for this servant in her life. This servant never feels wronged." Compared to the life she had before, being able to follow the young madam was already a tremendous blessing. She couldn't ask for more, so how could she feel wronged?
Feng Jin slowly stood up and helped Chu Qing, who was kneeling on the ground, up. "I wasn't blaming you. Don't kneel down so easily. The ground is cold, and if your knees get damaged again, what will you do in the future?"
"Alright, everything will be as you wish. You can go down and rest for a while. I don't need you to attend to me."
"Yes, young madam, this servant will take her leave."
Chu Qing curtsied and then walked out. As she reached the door, she happened to run into Ling Muzhu, who was hurrying over. With matters weighing on her mind, Chu Qing momentarily forgot to salute Ling Muzhu. Realizing he was already in front of her, she quickly saluted, "Second Young Master."
Ling Muzhu glanced at Chu Qing. Why did she look so flustered today? His gaze dimmed slightly. He waved his hand, allowing Chu Qing to rise.
"Why are your eyes a little red? What happened?"
"No... no..." Chu Qing denied repeatedly. After a pause, she quickly explained, "My eyes were just irritated by the sand."
Chu Qing explained nervously and then quickly added, "If Second Young Master has nothing else, this servant will take her leave now."
As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for Ling Muzhu to say anything else, Chu Qing hurried away.
Ling Muzhu was momentarily stunned before continuing to walk forward.
"Why are you here?"
Feng Jin was very surprised by Ling Muzhu's appearance at this moment. Why did he have the leisure to come to her instead of preparing for his departure?
"I'll be leaving in two days, so I came to see my sister-in-law and my two nephews. I've prepared a small gift for them."
Saying this, Ling Muzhu took out a very exquisite cricket cage from his chest and placed it in front of Feng Jin. "The two of them saw this cricket cage a couple of days ago and were very happy, so I went to find these two cricket cages for them."
"Why didn't you give it to them yourself?"
"I went earlier, but I didn't see them, so I'll have to trouble my sister-in-law to pass it on."
"Alright, I'll give it to them for you."
Ling Muzhu paused for a moment, then remembered encountering Chu Qing earlier. After some hesitation, he still asked, "Sister-in-law, I saw Chu Qing with red eyes and looking a bit off earlier. Did something happen?"
"She... she's a young girl. I just casually asked her how old she was, and this little girl thought I was going to marry her off. She got anxious and scared and cried directly."
She didn't expect Chu Qing to actually be scared into crying. This little thing usually looked quite bold, but how could she be scared to tears by just a couple of sentences? This turned out to be her fault.
Ling Muzhu's expression changed instantly upon hearing about marriage. He felt a strange discomfort in his heart, but it was fleeting, and he didn't pay much attention to it.
"However, as she gets older year by year, it is indeed time to find a good family to marry her off..." He had always thought Chu Qing was young before and hadn't paid much attention. Now, thinking about it, time really flew by, and Chu Qing had grown up even more.
"Actually, I don't think Chu Qing is that old. There's no need to be in such a hurry. It wouldn't be impossible to marry her off a couple of years later."
"No, you don't understand these things..." Feng Jin's gaze fell on Ling Muzhu, and a thought suddenly occurred to her, "Muzhu, I see you..."
Ling Muzhu instantly became nervous and quickly stood up to decline, "Sister-in-law, I have no intention of getting married and starting a family right now. I just want to focus on serving the people..."