"I'll give this hairpin to Cai Qing when she arrives. You can go back now."
"Thank you, Young Madam."
With the matter weighing on his mind settled, Lu Shi left with a silly grin.
About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea after Lu Shi had left, Cai Qing walked over. She scanned the courtyard but couldn't see Lu Shi anywhere.
"Young Madam, did Lu Shi leave?"
Feng Jin nodded, "He just left."
Cai Qing's face immediately drooped. What kind of person was he, leaving without a word? It made all her recent efforts to care for him seem wasted.
"Lu Shi asked me to give you this hairpin. He said he was too embarrassed to give it to you himself."
Feng Jin passed the hairpin, still warm from Lu Shi's hand, to Cai Qing. It was quite a hassle to pass things back and forth like this.
Cai Qing looked at the hairpin in her hand and suddenly remembered that it was the very one she had fancied in the shop the other day but hadn't bought because it was too expensive.
She hadn't expected Lu Shi to buy it for her. Why hadn't he given it to her directly, but instead used the Young Madam to pass it along?
However, considering Lu Shi's clumsy nature, he probably wouldn't have been able to hand it over comfortably.
"You seem to like this hairpin a lot. It seems Lu Shi understands your preferences quite well."
"Not really... I just happened to like this hairpin and didn't buy it. He secretly went back and bought it."
Cai Qing held the hairpin, her tone full of a maiden's shy affection.
"Tell me, how have you and Lu Shi been getting along these past few days? Has anything else happened?"
Feng Jin leaned closer to Cai Qing, asking with a gossipy air.
"No... no, nothing happened. We're just like usual. I helped Lu Shi finish his medicine, and then I went straight back to my room."
As if worried Feng Jin might misunderstand, Cai Qing immediately denied it, even raising her voice. Her subtle movements betrayed her current nervousness.
"What are you so nervous about? I was just asking casually. If nothing happened, then nothing happened. I believe you."
Not daring to press further, Feng Jin relented. Pushing too hard might have the opposite effect.
Feng Jin had no other topics to discuss with Cai Qing, so she continued to fiddle with the medicinal herbs in her hands.
After about half an hour of silence, Chu Qing entered with a food box and placed it on the table.
"This food box is so exquisite. Where did you get it?"
Cai Qing picked up the food box and examined it. Then she opened it, revealing that even the pastries inside were delicately made and visually appealing.
"I ran into Master Lu at the entrance just now. He asked me to bring this in for you."
After hearing Chu Qing's words, Cai Qing's hand, which was holding a pastry, paused. She felt both their gazes fixed on her, unsure whether to put down the pastry or keep holding it.
"Lu Shi is truly thoughtful. Look how exquisite these pastries are. I wonder how they taste. Chu Qing, have a taste."
"Thank you, Young Madam..." Chu Qing accepted the pastry and took a bite, finding her mouth filled with sweetness. "Sister Cai Qing, this one is delicious too. You try this one."
Cai Qing took a bite of the pastry, but it seemed to have lost all its flavor.
Feng Jin chuckled as she watched Cai Qing's expression. After sitting for a while, she got up and left.
...
"Young Madam, should we pack this set of stationery for Second Young Master as well?"
"Young Madam, should we include this piece of clothing?"
Feng Jin was reviewing the items before her. These should be enough.
"Let's pack a set of stationery. Prepare two thicker pieces of clothing, and pack more of those freshly made biscuits. Portion out the milk that was boiled yesterday and pack it all in..."
Feng Jin gave instructions one by one, afraid of missing anything. She checked everything thoroughly before closing the chest. This should be enough.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, this is too much. We don't need so much; it's only for three days."
Ling Muzhu looked at the overflowing boxes before him. It would be difficult even to carry them.
"What do you know? Three days might not seem long, but you'll need quite a lot of things. Once the examination hall gates are closed, if you lack something, it can't be delivered, and you'll be anxious. It's better to prepare more than to run short later."
Feng Jin added some more items with unease before finally being satisfied. "I'll have the servants send these in later. Tomorrow morning, you'll travel light. In the afternoon, don't study. I heard that the Sanqing Temple outside the city is very efficacious. We'll go and pray for your success."
"Eldest Sister-in-law, when did you start believing in these things? If I lack true talent, even praying to all the gods and Buddhas in the world will be futile. I still won't be able to succeed."
Ling Muzhu had always been skeptical of such matters. The imperial examinations were a test of real ability; what good could these things do?
"It's just for good luck. Better safe than sorry. You'll come with me this afternoon. If you don't go, I'll deal with you!"
"I understand, Eldest Sister-in-law."
Unable to refuse Feng Jin, Ling Muzhu had no choice but to agree.
After lunch, Feng Jin called Ling Wan and Ling Muzhu to go to Sanqing Temple together. They were accompanied by the black-armored guards who remained at the estate.
This was the first time Feng Jin had gone out with such a grand entourage. It was also because Ling Muzhu's imperial examinations were imminent, and everything had to be done with utmost caution to avoid any mishaps at this crucial time.
"Sanqing Temple is also very accurate for seeking marriage. You should go and pray for a good match for yourself later, to find a suitable husband."
"Eldest Sister-in-law, marriage is a matter of destiny. Why trouble the gods and Buddhas with such things? Let's first pray for Muzhu to succeed in his imperial examinations and achieve first place."
Ling Wan shifted the topic to Ling Muzhu. As a young lady, she felt embarrassed to actively seek marriage, fearing it would make her a laughingstock.
Ling Muzhu nodded reluctantly. He was indeed dragged along. In his opinion, he could have made better use of this time studying.
"Look at the two of you, with such unwilling expressions. You really look like I'm forcing you!"
There wasn't a hint of a smile on their faces, making it seem as if they were being forced at the point of a knife.
"Young Madam, we have arrived at Sanqing Temple."
It was Chu Qing's arrival that interrupted their conversation. Ling Muzhu seized the opportunity and hurriedly said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, we've arrived. Let's go in and take a look first."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Muzhu leaped off the carriage. Seeing this, Ling Wan also quickly followed.
Feng Jin naturally saw through their little tricks and didn't bother to expose them, stepping down from the carriage with them.