Ling Muzhu's gaze shifted and landed on Chu Qing holding the cushion. The moment their eyes met, an awkward atmosphere filled the air, and they both turned their heads away in tacit understanding.
Feng Jin, keenly sensing the strange tension between them, 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 on the shoulder and whispered a warning, "Chu Qing is young. Don't you have any wicked thoughts. I will never allow Chu Qing to be a concubine, so stop overthinking. Just pretend yesterday's events never happened."
Ling Muzhu, after all, was experiencing this for the first time, and it was natural for him to have a primal curiosity and innocence towards Chu Qing. He could understand these things.
However, he absolutely would not allow Chu Qing to become a concubine in a wealthy household. He planned to find a good marriage for Chu Qing when she was older, so she could marry and become a principal wife.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, please don't talk nonsense. Chu Qing is a good girl, and I've never thought of making her my concubine."
Ling Muzhu quickly denied it, his gaze lowering as he looked towards the inner room. He did indeed have unusual thoughts about Chu Qing, but it was definitely not about making her his concubine...
"Young Madam, this servant has made all the arrangements."
Seeing Chu Qing emerge, Ling Muzhu quickly averted his gaze and turned to look out the window.
"You continue with your studies. I will sort out the items for the imperial examination and send them to you."
"Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law."
Ling Muzhu watched Chu Qing's departing figure, his mind filled with the events of the previous night. He only retracted his gaze long after her silhouette had disappeared.
...
"Young Madam... Young Madam..."
Feng Jin had just sat down for a moment when Chu Qing's boisterous voice was heard from outside.
This little girl had learned from Cai Qing, acting so rashly. Could it be that people's behavior was contagious if they spent enough time together?
"What is it, rushing around like that?"
Feng Jin continued to fiddle with the medicinal herbs in her hand, asking in a light tone.
"Young Madam, Sister Cai Qing and Lord Lu have returned. They've just arrived at Ling Mansion and are on their way here."
Chu Qing ran too fast, sweat beading on her forehead. She panted as she reported.
"If they're back, they're back. Look at how flustered you are, even with sweat on your forehead. Your rouge has smudged a bit. Go wash your face first."
Chu Qing was now a different person compared to when she first arrived. Her personality had 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. She must have run too fast and hadn't noticed.
Feng Jin sat in the courtyard for a while before faintly hearing hurried footsteps. In no time, Cai Qing and Lu Shi appeared at the courtyard gate, one after the other.
"You're back?"
"This servant greets Young Madam!"
"This subordinate greets Young Madam!"
They spoke in unison, kneeling respectfully before Feng Jin to pay their respects.
"Get up, both of you. You must be tired from traveling for days. Don't keep kneeling, get up quickly."
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Cai Qing, looking slightly flustered, stood up in a hurry. In her haste, she caught her hem and nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Lu Shi, standing beside her, reacted quickly and caught her.
"Be careful."
"I'm fine..." Cai Qing was still startled and instinctively held tightly onto Lu Shi's wrist. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly let go as if to distance herself.
"You've been out for so long and you're still so flustered."
Feng Jin, of course, saw all the small actions between them. A smile played on her lips. "Cai Qing, go back to your room and change your clothes first. You're covered in dust from your journey."
Cai Qing looked down at her hem and saw that it was indeed covered in dirt. "This servant will go and change now."
After they left, Feng Jin turned her attention to Lu Shi and examined him. "How is your injury recovering?"
"Thank you for your concern, Young Madam. This subordinate's injuries have already healed."
Feng Jin nodded slightly. "You were with Cai Qing on this journey. Did anything improper happen?"
Lu Shi was startled and immediately knelt on the ground, his face full of panic. "Young Madam, please be discerning. While this subordinate does have feelings for Cai Qing, I would never do anything that violates propriety, nor would I ever expose Cai Qing to gossip."
"I trust your character, but you must also understand the saying 'words can be terrifying.' Even if you two have done nothing wrong, how will others perceive it? You can explain it to one, ten, or a hundred people, but can you explain it to thousands, tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands? Public opinion is hard to appease, and words can be terrifying. Lu Shi, can you guarantee that Cai Qing will not be harmed by gossip?"
"When Cai Qing requested to go and attend to you, I was unwilling at first. But she insisted, and I couldn't stop her. You must know that a woman's reputation is paramount. She was willing to risk her reputation to take care of you. Do you understand the depth of her feelings for you?"
Lu Shi was deeply shaken by Feng Jin's words and stood there stunned, forgetting even to think for a moment.
"Young Madam... This subordinate implores Young Madam to grant permission for me to marry Chu Qing. This subordinate will treat Chu Qing well for the rest of his life. Please grant this wish."
"This matter also depends on whether Chu Qing is willing to marry you. If you want a girl to marry you, you have to pursue her yourself. You need to show sincerity."
"Pursue... How does one pursue..."
Lu Shi rubbed the back of his head, asking blankly, unsure of what to do next.
"You really are... truly..." Feng Jin couldn't help but admire Lu Shi's emotional intelligence. If she relied on him, he might never get married in his lifetime.
"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."
"Everything is as Young Madam arranges."
Feng Jin glanced at Lu Shi. She couldn't really count on him and decided to solve the problem herself.
"You haven't reported back to Ling Mo Han since your return. You should go see him first."
"This subordinate obeys!"
Lu Shi walked to the doorway, then turned back, standing there hesitantly, unable to speak for a long time.
"If you have something to say, say it. Don't stutter."
"Young Madam, on the way back, this subordinate bought a hairpin. I originally intended to give it to Cai Qing, but I was afraid she wouldn't accept it, so I never gave it to her. Could I trouble Young Madam to help deliver this hairpin to Cai Qing?"
Lu Shi took out a jade-green hairpin shaped like a lotus flower from his怀 and handed it to Feng Jin.