"A bracelet?"
Feng Jin's tone rose slightly. The bracelet was indeed intriguing.
"Yes, young madam, it's a bracelet. This servant saw that the bracelet is quite valuable. Perhaps it was a gift from Master Lu?"
Chu Qing finally voiced her speculation. She felt increasingly certain that the bracelet must have been from Lu Shi.
If it were from someone else, Sister Cai Qing wouldn't be so secretive. She would have told her who it was from long ago. Moreover, she had personally seen Sister Cai Qing smiling foolishly while looking at the bracelet.
After Chu Qing's words, Feng Jin vaguely understood. It seemed these two were planning to elope and marry.
"It looks like something good is about to happen for them soon."
Feng Jin's lips curved into a faint smile. After so much hesitation, the two of them were finally making progress. It was good that Lu Shi had performed well this time and taken the initiative.
After a moment of silence, Feng Jin suddenly remembered something and said abruptly, "They wouldn't have come to me to force me to agree to their marriage, would they?"
Chu Qing was also slightly taken aback. It did seem like that might be the case. "Young madam, I do… I do think they've been together for a while, and it's indeed time for them to be together. Isn't there a saying that prolonged delay breeds trouble? The longer it drags on, the worse it will be."
"What are you saying? Do you think Lu Shi will fall for someone else?"
"No… no, this servant didn't mean that. Young madam, please don't tease me."
Realizing her words were being misinterpreted, Chu Qing was frightened and quickly explained herself. She had never meant what the young madam implied. Her words were purely well-intentioned and not meant in any other way.
"Alright, I know what you mean. I was just trying to tease you. I didn't expect you to be so easily scared. This is my fault."
It was just a momentary whim to tease Chu Qing, but she hadn't expected her to be so easily startled.
"They've been standing outside for quite some time. Chu Qing, go and call them in."
Considering the time that had passed, she couldn't let them stand outside forever. It wouldn't look good if others saw them. So, she magnanimously decided to let them in.
"Yes, young madam. This servant will go and call Master Lu and Sister Cai Qing in now."
After receiving permission, Chu Qing hurried out the door, eager to call them inside.
"Sister Cai Qing, Master Lu, the young madam wants you to come in."
Cai Qing's lips were already turning pale from the cold, and her legs were almost stiff. Finally, with Chu Qing's support, she entered the room.
"Young madam, Master Lu and Sister Cai Qing are here."
After Chu Qing announced their arrival, the two stepped forward in order and bowed slightly to Feng Jin.
"Both of you, get up."
Feng Jin put down her teacup, her gaze falling on the two of them. She spoke calmly, "What is the matter that brought you two here? Speak."
Cai Qing glanced at Lu Shi beside her. She didn't know why Lu Shi was there either.
All eyes were on Lu Shi at that moment. After a pause, Lu Shi hesitated for a moment before directly kneeling before Feng Jin. This action bewildered everyone.
"What are you doing!"
Feng Jin was also a bit stunned. What was he playing at? He suddenly knelt down, confusing her. What trick was this?
"Young madam, this subordinate has a request. If you do not agree, this subordinate will remain kneeling and will not rise."
Lu Shi's attitude was extremely firm. No matter what, he had to achieve his goal today.
Feng Jin was overwhelmed by him. She finally pressed her temples in exasperation. "Just say what you have to say. Don't beat around the bush."
When did Lu Shi become so hesitant? As a grown man, couldn't he just say what he had to say directly? Why did he have to create such a scene?
With things having reached this point, he had no room to maneuver. He decided to go all out. With no more reservations, Lu Shi's tone naturally became firmer. "Young madam, I wish to marry Cai Qing. Please agree to our marriage!"
This statement was like a timed bomb, exploding among the three of them.
The most surprised and shocked was Cai Qing. She stared blankly at Lu Shi, utterly taken aback by his actions today.
How could he have said such a thing so directly? Wasn't this putting her… putting her in the spotlight? How would she face the young madam in the future?
"Don't talk nonsense. Hurry and leave."
Cai Qing hurriedly tugged at Lu Shi's sleeve, trying to pull up the person kneeling on the ground and lead him out. However, despite all her strength, she couldn't move Lu Shi even an inch.
"Young madam, my mind is made up. I will never marry anyone else but Cai Qing in this lifetime. Please grant us permission for our marriage."
Lu Shi continued, his tone full of unwavering determination, as if he would not give up until his goal was achieved.
"Is that all?"
Feng Jin asked calmly, not showing any shock. She could say that this was all within her expectations.
After all, as an open-minded modern person, public proposals like this were commonplace, and there was nothing shocking or strange about it.
She just didn't expect Lu Shi to be so receptive this time, knowing to do such things. He was truly teachable, with significant progress.
"That's all…" Lu Shi replied somewhat dazedly. Saying these few words was already his greatest effort. He didn't have the courage to say anything more.
"Young madam, please don't take him seriously. He… he's got a screw loose. He's just talking nonsense."
Cai Qing was so scared that she quickly denied it. This Lu Shi was truly something. How could he say such embarrassing words in front of the young madam? If this got out in the manor, how would she ever show her face again?
"Young madam, what I said is true. Young madam, Cai Qing is no longer young. Please, for the sake of Cai Qing's diligent service to you, consent to her marriage!"
Lu Shi always felt that Cai Qing's delay in marrying him was because the young madam had not given her permission, and she harbored concerns, which was why she had been acting this way.
Feng Jin watched them argue and pull at each other like a spectator. Finally, she was so annoyed that her head was about to explode. "Alright, stop arguing, both of you. Be quiet."