Ling Muzhu's gaze shifted to Chu Qing, who was holding a quilt. As their eyes met, an awkward atmosphere filled the air, and both of them tacitly turned their heads away.
Feng Jin keenly detected the peculiar tension between them and stepped forward to interrupt, "Chu Qing, why don't you put the things in the inner room first?"
"Yes, Young Madam."
After Chu Qing went inside, Feng Jin patted Ling Muzhu's shoulder and whispered, "Chu Qing is young. Don't you have any wicked ideas. I will never let Chu Qing be a concubine, so stop overthinking. Just pretend yesterday never happened."
Ling Muzhu, having never encountered such a situation before, naturally felt a human instinct of curiosity and innocence towards Chu Qing. These matters were understandable to her.
However, she was also absolutely unwilling to let Chu Qing become a concubine in a wealthy family. She planned to wait until Chu Qing was older and then find her a good marriage, where she could be the primary wife.
"Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. Chu Qing is a good girl, and I've never thought of making her my concubine."
Ling Muzhu quickly denied, his gaze falling towards the inner room, his eyes cast down. He did indeed have different feelings for Chu Qing, but it was absolutely not to make her his concubine...
"Young Madam, your servant has finished arranging everything."
Seeing Chu Qing emerge, Ling Muzhu hurriedly withdrew his gaze and turned to look out the window.
"You continue your studies. I will finish preparing the items for the imperial examinations and then have someone send them to you."
"Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Ling Muzhu watched Chu Qing's retreating back, his mind filled with the events of the previous night. Only after her figure had long disappeared did he finally shift his gaze.
...
"Young Madam... Young Madam..."
As Feng Jin had just sat down to rest, Chu Qing's boisterous voice was heard from outside.
Why had this little girl learned from Cai Qing, acting so recklessly? Did spending time with someone really become contagious?
"What's wrong? What's with this rush?"
Feng Jin continued to sort through the medicinal herbs in her hand, asking in a calm tone.
"Young Madam, Sister Cai Qing and Master Lu have returned. They've just arrived at the Ling Manor and are heading this way."
Chu Qing, running too quickly, had sweat beading on her forehead as she panted out the report.
"If they've returned, they've returned. Look at how anxious you are, with sweat on your forehead and your rouge already smudged. Go wash your face first."
Chu Qing was now a completely different person from when she first arrived. Her temperament had gradually become much more cheerful, unlike before when she was hesitant in her actions and rarely smiled throughout the day.
"Yes, Young Madam." Chu Qing reached up and touched her forehead, finding it wet. It seemed she had run too fast and hadn't noticed.
Feng Jin sat in the courtyard for a short while and then faintly heard hurried footsteps. Not long after, Cai Qing and Lu Shi appeared at the courtyard gate, one after the other.
"You're back?"
"Your servant greets Young Madam!"
"Your subordinate greets Young Madam!"
They spoke in unison, kneeling respectfully before Feng Jin to pay their respects.
"Both of you, rise. You must be tired from the journey. Don't keep kneeling, get up quickly."
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Cai Qing, slightly flustered, stood up hastily. In her haste, she snagged her hem and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Lu Shi beside her quickly reached out and caught her.
"Be careful."
"I'm alright..." Cai Qing, still shaken, instinctively clutched Lu Shi's wrist tightly. Realizing herself, she quickly let go as if to avoid danger.
"You're still so flustered after being out for so long."
Feng Jin naturally saw the small actions between them, a smile playing on her lips. "Cai Qing, go back to your room and change your clothes first. You're covered in dust from your journey, and your hem is full of dirt."
Cai Qing looked down at her hem, indeed covered in dirt. "Your servant will go change now."
After they left, Feng Jin turned her attention to Lu Shi, scrutinizing him. "How is your injury recovering?"
"Thank you for your concern, Young Madam. My injuries have recovered."
Feng Jin nodded lightly. "You've been with Cai Qing on this journey. Has anything improper happened?"
Lu Shi was startled and immediately knelt on the ground, his face full of panic. "Young Madam, please be clear. It is true that I have feelings for Cai Qing, but I would never do anything that violates propriety. I would never allow Cai Qing to be caught in gossip."
"I believe in your character, but you must also know the saying that gossip is fearsome. Even if you two have not done anything improper, how will it appear in the eyes of others? You can explain this to one, ten, or a hundred people, but can you explain it to thousands, tens of thousands, or a hundred thousand people? People's mouths are hard to satisfy, and gossip is fearsome. Lu Shi, can you guarantee that Cai Qing will not be harmed by gossip?"
"When Cai Qing asked me to go and take care of you, I was unwilling at first. But Cai Qing insisted, and I could not stop her. You must know that a woman's reputation is the most important thing. She was willing to risk her reputation to take care of you. Do you understand her feelings for you?"
After hearing Feng Jin's words, Lu Shi was greatly shaken, standing there stunned and forgetting even to think.
"Young Madam... Your subordinate requests that Young Madam permit the marriage to Chu Qing. I will treat Chu Qing well for the rest of my life. Please, Young Madam, grant our wish."
"This matter also depends on whether Chu Qing is willing to marry you. If you want a girl to marry you, you must pursue her yourself. You need to show sincerity."
"Pursue... How do I pursue her..."
Lu Shi scratched the back of his head, asking dazedly, unsure of what to do next.
"You are truly... truly..." Feng Jin couldn't help but admire Lu Shi's emotional intelligence. Relying on him, he probably wouldn't get married even if he lived to be a hundred.
"I will help you figure this out. I will temporarily spread the news that you and Cai Qing are engaged. That way, no one will gossip anymore."
"I will follow Young Madam's arrangements."
Feng Jin glanced at Lu Shi. She didn't have much hope for him and decided she would have to find a way to resolve it herself.
"You haven't reported back to Ling Mohan since you returned. You should go see him first."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Lu Shi reached the doorway but then turned back, standing there hesitantly, not speaking for a long time.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't stammer."
"Young Madam, on the way back, your subordinate bought a hairpin. I intended to give it to Cai Qing, but I was worried she wouldn't accept it, so I haven't given it to her. I trouble Young Madam to help deliver this hairpin to Cai Qing."
Lu Shi took out a jade-green hairpin shaped like a lotus from his怀中 and handed it to Feng Jin.