Qi Mingzhu was eager to see Lu Chen, wanting to ask him about his feelings for her.
Unconsciously, she found herself walking towards the outer courtyard where Lu Chen resided.
She paused at the courtyard gate, unsure how to begin. Would Lu Chen be angered by her presence? What if her mother's words were true, and how would she handle that? They were already betrothed, and she was deeply in love with Lu Chen. She had never imagined he wouldn't like her; she had always believed they were a perfect match.
"Young Lady, why are you standing outside?" a young servant from Lu Chen's courtyard noticed Qi Mingzhu and stepped forward to ask. "Our young master is reading in his room."
Qi Mingzhu collected her thoughts and smiled brightly. "I was just passing by. Since Young Master Lu is reading, I won't go in and disturb him. Please serve him well. The weather is cold lately; ensure there's enough charcoal in his room and ask the kitchen to stew some nourishing soups for him. Also, urge him to exercise. Without good health, it's difficult to endure the imperial examinations."
"Young Lady, you truly care for our young master. Please rest assured, I have noted everything you've instructed and will follow through," the servant said gratefully.
"Hurry and attend to your young master. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." With that, she turned and walked away.
After walking a short distance, Fusu asked, confused, "Miss, you've arrived. Why didn't you go see Young Master Lu?"
Fusu had not been in the room when Madam Qin said those things and was unaware of the situation.
Qi Mingzhu, in a bad mood, did not respond kindly to Fusu. "Didn't you hear Young Master Lu's servant? He's studying. The spring examinations are imminent, and time is precious. How could I be so thoughtless as to disturb him? If I delay his studies and it affects his performance in the examinations, who will be held responsible? The Lu family places great importance on him. Any failure would be a loss for him, the Lu family, and the Marquis's estate."
Fusu apologized fearfully. As a mere maid, how could she have thought of all this? Moreover, her young lady had excitedly visited Young Master Lu just two days ago, and now she was concerned about his studies? What did that imply about before?
Meanwhile, Lu Chen's servant relayed the news of Qi Mingzhu's visit and her decision not to enter. The servant knew that the eldest daughter of the Qi family would eventually become his young master's wife and, coupled with Qi Mingzhu's evident affection for Lu Chen, had a good impression of her. Thus, he praised her wholeheartedly.
Lu Chen's expression remained calm, unruffled. After the servant finished speaking, he said, "There's no need to tell me about such matters in the future."
The servant was taken aback. Why did his young master seem displeased? Did he dislike the eldest daughter of the Qi family? That couldn't be right. If he disliked her, why had he patiently accompanied her during her previous visits? Besides, they were on the verge of a marriage alliance; if he disliked her, it shouldn't be at this time!
The servant wanted to say more, but Lu Chen waved him away, dismissing him.
Lu Chen closed his book and fell into thought. Recently, he had heard much about the second daughter of the Qi family, all of it praise. That clever and lively girl, he knew she was never foolish. He had eagerly anticipated his arrival in the capital and his stay at the Marquis's estate. However, upon arriving, his originally favored marriage prospect was gone. What saddened him even more was that Zhenzhen didn't remember him at all.
Clearly, she had been most willing to play with him back then. Clearly, he had given her something he made himself before leaving and they had promised to meet again.
Clearly, he had heard that the betrothal was between him and Qi Zhenzhen. After several years, how had it changed to Qi Mingzhu?