Before going out, Madam Fu repeatedly instructed Fu Changqin, "You must focus on studying with Mr. Changshan, and don't be playful anymore."
Fu Changqin pitifully said, "Mother, Mr. Changshan only has me as a student, even if I want to have fun, there's no way to do so."
How annoying, there's simply no opportunity!
Madam Fu thought about it and agreed, then added, "By no means should you anger the Marquis, harming the Marquis's health is something our family cannot afford."
Fu Changqin's face turned even gloomier, and he looked at Fu Shinian with grievance, "Niannian, why are you so heartless to me?"
Fu Shinian smiled sweetly and said, "Brother, you are the brightest. Without saying you need to exert much effort, just a bit of focus on your studies, and you'll be praised by the teacher. If you can get guidance from a famous teacher, wouldn't that set you far above the others?"
"Really?" Fu Changqin hadn't expected that his sister thought so highly of him. In the past, his parents always complained that he didn't live up to expectations. He thought Fu Shinian felt the same way.
Now, being praised by Fu Shinian, Fu Changqin straightened his back a little more.
"Of course, with my brother's brilliance, there's no need for day and night toil. Just study attentively during study time, complete your homework, and then you can play to your heart's content, and that's more than enough to outpace those classmates." Fu Shinian looked at Fu Changqin with admiration, "My brother is just that amazing."
"That's true." Filled with confidence from Fu Shinian's praise, Fu Changqin handed the gift for the teacher to his servant and then supported Fu Shinian, "Come, let brother help you onto the carriage!"
He seemed full of energy all of a sudden.
Madam Fu: "..."
This made her even more worried, what should she do?
At the Marquis's manor, Fu Shinian first took Fu Changqin to pay respects to the elder Madam Xiao, and then went to find Xiao Chengyu.
Xiao Chengyu was on leave today and was at home.
Fu Shinian handed Fu Changqin over to Mr. Changshan, then said to Xiao Chengyu, "My lord, there is something I would like to discuss with you in private."
Seeing Fu Shinian's serious expression, Xiao Chengyu nodded, "Come with me to the study."
In the study, only Jing Lai was there; Shaoyao was nowhere to be seen, but Xiao Chengyu didn't mind.
Only then did Fu Shinian mention the matter of having the Cheng Family mobilize resources from nearby warehouses for the military.
"My lord, is this method feasible?" Fu Shinian asked frankly, "I admit, if this succeeds, the Cheng Family will naturally benefit. But since it's my idea, it's only natural to not let outsiders take the advantage."
"Furthermore, if the Cheng Family successfully takes on this matter, it is of great importance. Even the slightest mistake will implicate the Fu family." Fu Shinian added, "The Fu family is not taking undeserved profits for nothing."
Xiao Chengyu was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly, "It is indeed feasible. Since you have come to me about this, it seems the Fu family and the Cheng Family have already considered and are willing to assume the risk."
"Yes." Fu Shinian nodded, "Since we are willing to take the lead, there's no such thing as an easy deal."
Xiao Chengyu did not question why Mr. Fu had not presented such an obvious matter.
Since Fu Shinian could come up with this idea, she is clearly not foolish.
The way Fu Shinian handled everything at the Marquis's manor, with the elder Madam Xiao and Madam Liu, showed she was clever.
The young lady had some small cleverness, but Xiao Chengyu did not mind.
But now he realized this young lady was not just about small cleverness.
"In that case, I will write a memorial and petition His Majesty." Xiao Chengyu said, "Prepare the ink."
"Alright." Fu Shinian quickly took the inkstone and began to grind it obediently.
Xiao Chengyu was momentarily surprised, "I wasn't asking you to grind the ink."
How could a noble young lady like Fu Shinian be made to do such tasks?
Unexpectedly, the previously clever young lady was so earnest at this moment.
When he spoke, she really started grinding the ink.
"Where is Shaoyao?" Xiao Chengyu asked Jing Lai.
"Just now, the elder lady called her away." Jing Lai quickly replied.
Xiao Chengyu disliked having too many people around, and besides the cleaning servants, only Jing Lai and Shaoyao were in his close quarters.
Originally, he didn't even want any maids.
To avoid any maids developing inappropriate thoughts.
But tasks like hairstyling couldn't be done by Jing Lai.
Shaoyao could serve closely because she was already engaged to her cousin and would be married by next spring.
"Miss, let me." Jing Lai hurried forward, took the ink from Fu Shinian, and began grinding for Xiao Chengyu.
Fu Shinian stepped aside, and from outside the study came Xiao Yingyue's voice, "Niannian!"
Fu Shinian quickly exited the study, only to be grabbed by the hand and complained by Xiao Yingyue, "Why didn't you come to find me when you arrived?"
"My brother came to study for the first time, and I was worried he'd be nervous, so I came along to check." Fu Shinian explained, "How could I not come to find you? I've missed you!"
"Really?"
Xiao Chengyu paused as he held the brush.
Didn't she just leave last night?
Could she miss him so much in just one night?
He didn't know why, but from the young lady's words, he seemed to hear a hint of a playful gentleman sweet-talking a lady.
Afterwards, there was no more sound.
Because Fu Shinian was taken away by Xiao Yingyue to play.
As the silence fell, with the absence of Fu Shinian's voice, he suddenly felt a bit unaccustomed—what was happening?
When Fu Shinian arrived at the Marquis's manor, the elder lady naturally wouldn't let Fu Shinian leave so early and insisted on having her stay for a meal.
The elder lady was just about to send someone to call Xiao Chengyu when Housekeeper Jiang said, "The Lord was summoned to the palace by His Majesty."
Fu Shinian thought to herself, it must be regarding the Cheng family's involvement in military provisions.
His Majesty indeed valued it highly.
Xiao Chengyu had just submitted the memorial in the morning, and now he was summoned to the palace.
The elder lady worried about Xiao Chengyu's health, murmuring, "Even on his day off, he can't rest."
In the afternoon, the kitchen sent some snacks over.
The elder lady, concerned about Xiao Chengyu, asked, "Has the Lord returned?"
"The Lord has just entered the manor and is heading to the study. He said he'd come to greet you in a while." Housekeeper Jiang replied.
"Tell him there's no need to hurry." The elder lady smiled at Fu Shinian.
Fu Shinian, upon hearing this, wanted to know His Majesty's decision and whether the task could be given to the Cheng family, so she said, "Elder lady, my brother should have finished his studies by now. I'll go check on him."
"Alright, and take some snacks for your brother to taste." The elder lady instructed, "They have ingredients that are good for the body, and they are beneficial for his studies. You too, take some to the Lord and make sure he eats."
"Usually, when I send a maid to deliver them, he always puts the snacks aside and forgets to eat them. The maids don't dare to say much, but if you insist, he won't refuse." The elder lady said with a chuckle.
Hearing they were good for health, Fu Shinian quickly agreed, "I will make sure the Lord eats them."
After all, she needed to find ways to prolong Xiao Chengyu's life.
Xiao Chengyu, truthfully, had been neglecting his health despite not being in the best shape.
However, Fu Shinian observed that Xiao Chengyu's current state seemed far from someone with only two years to live.
Fu Shinian carried the snacks to Xiao Chengyu's study again, and unexpectedly, Fu Changqin was there too.
Inside Xiao Chengyu's study, there was an additional desk, which wasn't there in the morning.
At this moment, Fu Changqin was seated at the desk, pen in hand, writing intently.
He would write for a moment, then glance at Xiao Chengyu; upon meeting Xiao Chengyu's gaze, Fu Changqin would hurriedly lower his head and continue writing, not daring to slack off at all.
Fu Shinian couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle, who would've thought Fu Changqin was so afraid of Xiao Chengyu.
"Niannian!" Fu Changqin exclaimed happily upon seeing Fu Shinian and was about to get up.
Xiao Chengyu, however, merely shot him a cold glance, and Fu Changqin sighed and resumed writing.
"My lord, I've brought you some snacks." Fu Shinian placed the food box on the table, noting Fu Changqin's hopeful look.
Fu Shinian then said, "I've also brought some for my brother; he can eat once he finishes writing."
Fu Changqin wiped away a tear of hardship and continued to write, head down.
Xiao Chengyu remarked, "Coincidentally, I was about to send someone to fetch you."