Fu Shi was helped onto the bed by Qingyun, coughing three or four times with each step: "It smells so good here, Huo Meiren. It makes one feel comfortable."
Huo Qinghe felt sorry for her just looking at her like that. She sat down opposite her and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It's just the fragrance of ordinary flowers. It smells nice when Your Highness first comes in, but I think Your Highness will get used to it after a while."
Huo Qinghe did not respond to Consort Fu's initial praise.
As soon as the two sat down, Green Cloud brought in pear soup and pastries.
Huo Qinghe explained, "After I fell into the water, the maids prepared pear soup. I don't know if it suited Your Highness's taste."
Fu noticed the politeness and distance in Huo Qinghe's words. She smiled, without any sharpness, and said, "Sister Huo, you've gone to so much trouble. I'm really fortunate to have you here today. My maids are so stupid; they have no idea how to prepare pear soup."
Qingyun, who was serving nearby, could only look helplessly at her wife's tone, having long been accustomed to it.
That's the kind of straightforward, uninhibited speech that makes her a proper wife; if she were to speak and act with impeccable manners, she wouldn't be like that at all.
Upon hearing this, Huo Qinghe could only manage a dry laugh: "Judging from Madam Fu's complexion, she really should take good care of herself."
Fu called her "Sister Huo" affectionately, but Huo Qinghe couldn't bring herself to call her "Sister Fu," so she politely called her "Madam Fu."
Something was definitely amiss. Given Fu Guiren's past behavior, her current politeness only made Huo Qinghe more wary and vigilant.
Furthermore, Fu Shi openly brought gifts of gratitude today, and Huo Qinghe saved Fu Shi on the Dragon Boat Festival. It's hard to guarantee that there won't be gossip in the palace about the two of them being on good terms.
Leaving aside the fact that Consort Fu is being harassed by Consort Chi, the more important issue is Consort Yi, Huo Yiyun, who is behind Huo Qinghe.
Huo Qinghe is no longer likely to easily make friends with others.
Fu Wenzhu could easily understand what was going on, but she didn't care or get angry. She sighed softly, "The imperial physician also said that I should continue to recuperate. But what difference does it make whether I recuperate in Chengqian Palace or not? I might as well come out and relax. Thinking of Sister Huo's life-saving grace, I came here to thank you."
Huo Qinghe blinked, pretending not to hear Fu's complaints about Chengqian Palace: "Madam Fu is too kind. I would have helped anyone that day, no matter who it was. As I said before, it was just a small favor, nothing to mention. You have sent so many things, I feel unworthy of such kindness. You should take these things back to nourish yourself."
Fu Wenzhu shook her head and smiled: "What would it look like if I took back the things I've already given away? Are you trying to make me owe you a favor forever, sister? They're just small gifts, Sister Huo, please accept them. Otherwise, my lazy girls won't be able to get any work done."
This means that the maids, who had to make the rounds back and forth, were naturally the most exhausted.
Seeing this, Huo Qinghe refused to press the matter further. She smiled helplessly and stood up again: "Since that's the case, I will respectfully comply. However, Consort Fu must not mention the matter of expressing gratitude again in the future."
In other words, she accepted the gift and received the favor from the Fu family, and there was no further relationship between them.
Fu understood and couldn't help but glance at Huo Qinghe a few more times.
She was still the same Huo who spoke so shrewdly; how come she never noticed before?
Talking to someone like that is really exhausting.
Fu pursed her lips and gave a vague reply.
"Having said so much, Consort Fu, please have a bowl of pear soup to soothe your throat." Huo Qinghe chose to skip the topic of gratitude.
Fu Wenzhu did as instructed, bowed her head and drank the pear soup. After drinking the pear soup, she was naturally unable to speak for a while.
Huo Qinghe also lowered her head and silently drank the pear soup, calculating in her mind when she could send Madam Fu away.
The longer Fu stayed with her, the less good news it would be if those with ulterior motives found out.
Huo Qinghe was not a person with overflowing compassion; she always had to protect herself before she could think about others.
Having drunk quite a bit of pear soup earlier, Huo Qinghe was actually feeling a bit satiated by it, so she just kept her head down and sipped it slowly.
When Fu raised her head, Huo Qinghe kept her head down; when Fu lowered her head, Huo Qinghe also lowered her head.
Even after the pear soup in Fu's bowl was completely gone, Huo Qinghe didn't raise her head even once. Fu Wenzhu was worried that Huo Qinghe would twist her neck if she kept her head down.
Fu Wenzhu wasn't blind; she could clearly see Xiao Huo's attitude towards her today. If she continued to stay here now, she would be the one lacking tact.
After finishing her bowl of pear soup, Fu Wenzhu stood up and said, "Sister Huo, you've just recovered from a serious illness and need to rest. I won't stay any longer. I'll remember your kindness, but I have no way to repay you. If you ever need anything in the future, just come to me. I'll do my best to help. Alright, I'll take my leave now. No need to see me off."
Despite what Fu said, Huo Qinghe still stood up and saw Fu off all the way.
Huo Qinghe was surprised that Fu would take his leave, but she was still wary and suspicious of Fu's frequent mentions of gratitude.
Huo Qinghe personally escorted Madam Fu to the entrance of Yanliang Pavilion, and after they exchanged nods and waited for Madam Fu to walk away, she finally turned away and looked away.
Green locust and green clouds were following behind her.
Green Cloud was still the talkative one: "This servant was worried that Consort Fu's visit today was ill-intentioned. But Consort Fu was so polite, and for some reason, this servant was also a little scared."
Huo Qinghe felt bloated from the pear soup, and she slowly walked back as if to aid digestion: "It's better than her slapping me right away. But her trying to curry favor today doesn't seem like a good thing."
Huo Qinghe laughed after saying the first half of her sentence.
Green Locust and Green Cloud were amused by Huo Qinghe's tone. Green Cloud continued, "If Consort Fu really wants to take action, Green Locust and I will be the first to rush to the front and won't let anyone bully you."
This girl is also the quickest to show her loyalty.
Huo Qinghe turned around and smiled at her: "You're always so glib. Why don't you go and register all the things that Consort Fu sent with Luyi? Keep the tonics and the like separate, and have the imperial physician take a look when you have time."
Upon hearing this, Green Cloud stopped smiling and hurried away.
Fu Shi did not stay long, and Huo Qinghe went back to her room to continue reading.
...
After leaving Yanxi Palace, Lady Fu did not return directly to Chengqian Palace, but instead went to Empress Xue's Kunning Palace.
However, by the time she arrived at Kunning Palace, her face was already nearly deathly pale.
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