Exchange Fate! She Saved the whole family and the Short-Lived Marquis!-Chapter 147: My Lord, What a Coincidence—Are You Here to Offer Incense Too?
Seeing that Xiao Chengyu wasn’t speaking again, Xiao Yingyue waited for a while before asking, "But I did find out when they will be heading up the mountain."
Xiao Chengyu waited for some time but did not see Xiao Yingyue continue speaking.
He glanced at Xiao Yingyue, just in time to see her leisurely smiling.
This directly hit his psyche.
Xiao Chengyu sighed and asked, "When will they be heading up the mountain?"
"Why is elder brother so concerned?" Xiao Yingyue asked with a smile, "Could it be that you plan to chase them up there the day after tomorrow?"
"Yingyue." Xiao Chengyu’s voice wasn’t stern, but carried a hint of helplessness.
Xiao Yingyue, unwilling to tease further, said, "The day after tomorrow at the hour of Si, they will arrive at Law Temple. Madam Fu wants to pray for Mr. Fu, hoping he will pass the exams. After praying, they will have a vegetarian meal at the temple."
Xiao Chengyu: "...You’ve really got all the details."
"I’m doing this for you, after all," Xiao Yingyue immediately said, "I heard that Shinian is going with Madam Fu to the Law Temple, so I paid attention and asked some more questions."
Xiao Yingyue was surprised to find that Xiao Chengyu did not deny it.
She couldn’t wait to share this discovery secretly with the old lady.
This was a good sign.
So, on the day Madam Fu and Elder Yong’an’s Lady went to Law Temple, seeing that it was roughly time, Xiao Chengyu put down his pen and said to Jing Lai, "Prepare the carriage, let’s go to the Law Temple."
Jing Lai: "..."
Since when did the Lord say he was going to the Law Temple today?
"Is the Lord feeling unwell?" Jing Lai thought Xiao Chengyu was going to see Master Purin.
"No, just to offer incense," Xiao Chengyu replied.
Jing Lai: "...Since when did the Lord believe in this?"
Despite having a good relationship with Master Purin, Xiao Chengyu rarely offered incense at the temple.
Xiao Chengyu: "..."
"Since when did you have so much to say?" Xiao Chengyu raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I’ll have someone prepare immediately!" Jing Lai hurriedly left.
Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu accompanied Madam Fu to the Law Temple, and after offering incense, Elder Yong’an’s Lady said to Yu Baihan, "Take the younger ones to the back mountain to play. Madam Fu and I will not join the bustle."
"Yes."
Madam Fu also instructed Fu Changqin, "Take care of your sisters."
Yu Baihan then took Fu Changqin and the others, including Fu Shinian, to the back mountain.
"Last time we visited, the peach blossoms on the back mountain hadn’t bloomed yet. I wonder if they have now," Yu Jingyun remarked.
Mentioning the last visit brought back memories of catching Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing together.
However, no one cared about that incident anymore. Fu Mingzhu said, "Considering the time, they should be in bloom. The forsythias should be blooming nicely too." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
"If they are, that would be wonderful," Yu Jingyun said, "We could have some refreshments prepared, and enjoy tea and flowers beneath the trees. Wouldn’t that be delightful?"
Indeed, Yu Jingyun’s suggestion was a good one. With the weather turning warm, it wasn’t too cold or too hot.
The thought alone made Fu Shinian feel extremely relaxed.
When they reached the back mountain, they indeed found the peach blossoms and forsythias blooming in profusion. The pinks, pale pinks, and whites intermingled, creating a lively and beautiful scene.
Yu Baihan quickly instructed a servant to bring tables and chairs, and arranged for someone to set up a stove to boil water for tea.
The Law Temple also offered vegetarian pastries, which tasted quite good and were available for sale.
Fu Mingzhu also sent someone to buy some.
"We really got lucky today," Yu Jingyun said, looking up at the blooming flowers in admiration.
Yu Baihan’s gaze fell on Fu Shinian as he said, "I heard from Jingyun that Miss Fu is skilled at making incense. She’s never met anyone whose incense is better than yours."
Fu Shinian waved her hand, "It’s just for fun."
"Who says that?" Fu Mingzhu wouldn’t allow Fu Shinian to downplay herself, "Our shop’s business is thriving. It’s not like I have a natural talent for business. I’ve never formally studied it, just learned a bit from uncle. The real reason is your incense is good, something that can’t be bought elsewhere, so lots of customers come specifically to our shop."
"I heard from the shopkeeper that other shops have started to imitate your incense," Fu Mingzhu said, "Especially the ones that sell well at our shop, which are often out of stock. Some customers, eager to buy, try other shops, but the quality isn’t as good, so they come back to wait for ours."
Fu Mingzhu wore a proud expression, "I won’t let you say it’s just for fun."
Fu Shinian’s mouth opened slightly, filled with emotion at Fu Mingzhu’s words—both surprised and delighted. "With elder sister saying so, I surely won’t deny it again. If sister says I make them well, then they must be well-made."
Just as Fu Shinian finished speaking, Fu Changqin’s face appeared before her, "Shinian, I think the same."
"I find my concentration much better in my studies, all thanks to your Concentration Incense," Fu Changqin said, "No other incense works as well."
Embarrassed, Fu Shinian looked down and twisted her fingers, "Once brother excels, you’ll be busier, with lots of social engagements. I’ll research more kinds of incense for you."
"That sounds wonderful."
Yu Baihan looked at Fu Shinian with laughter in his eyes, growing softer by the moment.
"Brother Changqin."
Fu Shinian blinked, wondering if she had misheard.
How come she heard Xiao Chengyu’s voice?
She hadn’t been thinking about Xiao Chengyu these past days, so it wasn’t likely to be an illusion caused by wishful thinking.
But immediately, Xiao Chengyu appeared before everyone.
"Lord." Everyone greeted him in unison.
"Lord, what a coincidence, are you here to offer incense too?" Fu Changqin said excitedly.
Xiao Chengyu paused and nodded, "Brother Changqin has been studying at the Marquis mansion, a student of Mr. Changshan, and thus we share the same lineage."
"So I came today to pray for brother Changqin, hoping he will excel in the examinations this time," Xiao Chengyu said.
Fu Changqin hadn’t expected Xiao Chengyu to be so kind to him.
"Lord!" Fu Changqin said emotionally, "You’ve always encouraged my studies for my own good. Now I see, the Lord is indeed warm-hearted beneath a cool exterior!"
Fu Changqin cupped his hands at Xiao Chengyu, "The Lord holds me in such high regard, I hope not to betray the Lord’s expectations!"
Xiao Chengyu: "..."
He didn’t actually hold him in such high regard.
Xiao Chengyu cleared his throat.
As he approached, he heard Yu Baihan mentioning Fu Shinian’s incense making.
Yu Baihan was clearly trying to start a conversation with Fu Shinian on her most proficient topic, to draw closer to her.
He could clearly see how gentle Yu Baihan’s eyes were when looking at Fu Shinian earlier.
Fu Changqin asked, "Lord, is there anything else?"
Fu Changqin felt deeply touched by Xiao Chengyu’s regard for him.
"Nothing in particular, just thought I’d relax since I’m here," Xiao Chengyu said, "Even without listening to Buddhist teachings, just hearing the temple bells and smelling the incense can bring peace of mind."
