Madam Fu, accompanied by Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu, first paid a visit to the Old Madam.
"It's just a minor injury, no need for you to worry," the Old Madam said.
"It's in my mansion that the second young master got injured, truly it's my mansion's failure to protect him well," Madam Fu replied, "I am indeed uneasy at heart."
The Old Madam waved her hand, "He is a grown man; knowing full well that horse was wild, yet still approached. It was his own lacking ability. You couldn't have anticipated such a thing happening."
Fu Shinian nodded affirmatively on the side.
Exactly, it was Xiao Fengxing's own incompetence.
Look at her sister, who tamed Divine Wind in just a few moves.
Seeing Fu Shinian's reaction, the Old Madam couldn't help but laugh, "Nanny Wang told me that the second girl was even willing to directly give the incense and pill recipes, truly I'm very grateful."
"One shouldn't be so presumptuous, but if it can be of use to the Marquis, it's worth it," the Old Madam slowly said.
"They're just a couple of recipes, not worth much," Fu Shinian said, waving her hand, and then took out the pill recipe, "I only wrote the pill recipe at home, may I borrow some paper and ink to write down the incense recipe here?"
The Old Madam, of course, had no objection, promptly ordered someone to bring over pen, ink, and paper, and had someone grind the ink for Fu Shinian to write out the recipe.
"I see the elder girl is quite worried about the second young master," the Old Madam smiled, "Ying Chun, take Madam Fu and the elder girl to the second young master's courtyard."
Fu Mingzhu sighed in relief; if the Old Madam hadn't spoken up, she really wouldn't have felt comfortable bringing it up.
Madam Fu took Fu Mingzhu with Ying Chun to Xiao Fengxing's courtyard, while Fu Shinian stayed with the Old Madam to write the incense recipe.
In Xiao Fengxing's bedroom, Lin Qingqing looked at the resting man on the bed with concern, "Xiao Lang, how are you feeling?"
"It's alright," Xiao Fengxing said with a somber face, "It's just a pity I couldn't get the Ferghana horse this time; otherwise, I could have presented it to the second Prince and taken the opportunity to ask him to elevate your father's position."
Lin Qingqing couldn't hide the disappointment in her eyes but consoled Xiao Fengxing with a smile, "It's okay, we'll find another chance in the future. I believe in Xiao Lang's abilities."
Inspired by her words, Xiao Fengxing said, "I've secured an invitation for Mr. Lin for next month's hunting. Then you and Mr. Lin can find a way to make an impression in front of the second Prince or even His Majesty."
Lin Qingqing was pleasantly surprised; she hadn't expected Xiao Fengxing to get them an invitation.
Otherwise, with Mr. Lin's current status, they wouldn't be able to attend.
"Thank you, Xiao Lang."
Xiao Fengxing smiled faintly, "I remember your riding skills are excellent, and you've also practiced archery diligently. You'll surely stand out then."
Lin Qingqing nodded emphatically.
For some reason, Xiao Fengxing's mind suddenly conjured the image of Fu Mingzhu taming Divine Wind yesterday.
He quickly shook his head.
How could he think of Fu Mingzhu? Lin Qingqing's riding skills are among the best in the capital, how could Fu Mingzhu be her match?
Besides, Lin Qingqing had learned the six arts from Mr. Lin since childhood; even among the men in the capital, few could rival her.
With Lin Qingqing's abilities, she would surely shine in the hunt.
At that moment, Aunt Liu rushed in, saying urgently, "Qingqing, come with me quickly. Madam Fu and Fu Mingzhu are on their way over now; you mustn't let them see you."
Lin Qingqing bit her lip, her eyes turning red with grievance.
After all, she wasn't Xiao Fengxing's official fiancée, so whatever she did had to be in secret.
Even visiting Xiao Fengxing required avoiding Fu Mingzhu.
Xiao Fengxing held Lin Qingqing's hand empathetically, "Qingqing, I'm sorry for your trouble."
"Qingqing, bear with it a little longer," Aunt Liu also persuaded, "Fengxing has never liked that Fu Mingzhu. When things are achieved, all the grievances you suffer now will surely be repaid to Fu Mingzhu tenfold."
Xiao Fengxing held Lin Qingqing's hand and said, word by word, "Qingqing, I promise."
"I understand," Lin Qingqing looked at Xiao Fengxing with reluctance, "Take care of your injuries. I'll head back first."
Lin Qingqing stood up, readjusted her hood to cover her face, and left quickly with Aunt Liu, head bowed.
Not long after Lin Qingqing left, Madam Fu arrived with Fu Mingzhu.
Back with the Old Madam, Fu Shinian had finished writing the incense recipe.
Just as Xiao Yingyue, having heard Fu Shinian had come, went over to take a look.
The Old Madam looked at Fu Shinian with a loving face, received the recipe she just wrote, and said, "You must be tired writing these. Why not go for a stroll in the garden with Ying Yue?"
"I'll have people prepare these things, let them try making them first, and once they're finished, trouble the second girl to take a look," the Old Madam smiled.
"I wouldn't dare say it's a trouble," Fu Shinian rose and replied.
Xiao Yingyue, already restless, pulled Fu Shinian along, saying, "Come, come, come, I'll take you to climb trees in the garden."
Fu Shinian: "???"
Wait, climb what?
The Old Madam, exasperated, called out loudly from behind, "You mischievous little monkey, don't take Shinian climbing up high!"
As Xiao Yingyue pulled Fu Shinian away and out of sight, the Old Madam said to Nanny Wang, "What do you think of the second girl from the Fu family?"
"She's well-mannered, and from my shallow observation, also of a pure heart," Nanny Wang replied, "I've been by your side for decades and have seen quite a few people. Although the second girl gives incense and recipes, looking at her clean gaze, it wasn't done out of a desire to attach herself to the Marquis's household."
The Old Madam nodded slowly, saying, "Do you know why she gave the recipe directly?"
Nanny Wang was surprised, "Isn't it because the second girl is pure-hearted?"
"That's true, but it's also to reassure us," the Old Madam said slowly, "She knows this incense and these pills are for the Marquis. Knowing the Marquis's status is important, and even more so in my heart; coupled with the Marquis's illness, any item for him must be critically vetted, and we can't easily accept anything from outside. She feared we'd find it hard to refuse, so she gave the recipe directly, making it easy for us to let the doctor see if the ingredients in the recipe are suitable for the Marquis, and convenient to adjust or add anything else necessary."
"Indeed!" Nanny Wang recalled, "No wonder the other day at the Fu Mansion, when the second girl gave me the recipe, she also said it could be shown to the doctor to see what needs adjustment in the recipe."
"This second girl, though young, possesses a sharp mind," the Old Madam smiled, "Yesterday, in the courtyard, she stood up for her elder sister and her family's reputation with words so convincing, leaving others speechless."
"Such a young girl, she will surely hold her ground as the mistress of a household in the future."
Nanny Wang, being by the Old Madam's side for decades, instantly guessed the Old Madam's intentions, and her voice lowered in surprise, "Old Madam, you mean..."
At this moment, another maid close to the Old Madam, Lu Luo, approached quietly, "Old Madam."
She stepped forward and whispered, "Just now, Lin Qingqing was brought out of the Qinglan Residence by Aunt Liu."
Qinglan Residence being where Xiao Fengxing resides.
"Did anyone see her?" the Old Madam asked again.
"Just now in the garden; she happened to be seen by the girl and the second girl from the Fu family," Lu Luo said softly.