Chapter 67 Persuading Jinjiang (First Published)

The family finished their meal in a harmonious atmosphere. Mu Zhenyun did become a little closer to Fu Zechen, which was understandable, as Fu Zechen was known for being easygoing and generous in their generation. Even though he had many hidden thoughts, no one could point out his faults.

Seeing this, Fu Mingzi couldn't help but say to Fu Mingsong, "Brother, Ze Chen is amazing. He even managed to charm this child so much."

Fu Mingsong glanced at him, his expression unchanged: "Yun-ge'er is an honest boy."

Fu Mingzi smiled, understanding the unspoken meaning in Fu Mingsong's words.

In short, Mu Zhenyun is easy to fool.

Fu Mingzi said no more and turned to go back to her own courtyard, but before she could leave, Fu Mingzhu called out to her: "Mingzi, come here, I have something to ask you."

Fu Mingzi was taken aback, stopped in her tracks, and looked at Fu Mingzhu.

Fu Mingzhu had changed into casual clothes and looked much gentler than before, no longer as sharp-tongued.

"Okay." Although Fu Mingzi didn't know what Fu Mingzhu wanted to ask her, she still agreed.

Fu Mingzhu smiled, a hint of weariness flashing in her eyes.

Fu Mingzhu and Fu Mingzi returned to the main house together. When they entered, Madam Wen had already returned and was talking to Mu Xuexi. Mu Xuexi looked well-behaved, sitting quietly to one side, occasionally responding. Fu Yunjia was also there, sitting quietly next to Mu Xuexi, her eyes lowered, looking very serene.

Fu Mingzi's gaze lingered on Fu Yunjia for a moment before turning to Fu Mingzhu: "What questions does eldest sister have for me?"

Fu Mingzhu glanced at Wen Shi and Mu Xuexi, seemingly wanting to say something but then hesitated, and said in a low voice, "Let's talk inside."

Fu Mingzi nodded and followed him into the inner room.

"Big sister, just tell me directly. I'll definitely help you if I can," Fu Mingzi said decisively.

Fu Mingzhu sighed and said in a low voice, "I can't say this to Xi-jie's face, so I can only ask you to keep your voice down."

Fu Mingzi smiled and nodded: "Does eldest sister want to ask me about the talent show?"

Fu Mingzhu nodded; she could guess that Fu Mingzi would definitely be able to guess as well.

“Xi’er is only fifteen years old now. If it were according to the old rules, she would definitely have left the marriage certificate and gotten married on her own. But I have been listening to the rumors in the capital along the way, and I always feel uneasy. This emperor seems to be acting strangely and his behavior is not reasonable. I am afraid that if something happens, Xi’er will be separated from me.” Fu Mingzhu said this with her eyes reddening.

Fu Mingzi roughly understood what Fu Mingzhu meant. Although it was a matter of separation of flesh and blood, what Fu Mingzhu was most worried about was that the emperor would use Mu Xuexi to threaten the Duke of Qian's mansion.

Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Eldest sister, you don't need to worry about that. On the one hand, the matter of the Duke of Qian's mansion has long been planned. Even if the emperor is so domineering, he can't easily disrupt it. On the other hand, I'm afraid the emperor can't be kept in the dark about my good brother-in-law's affairs. Even if the emperor wants to find someone to control, he won't choose Xi'er."

Fu Mingzhu frowned at first, but as she listened, she understood what it meant.

The emperor is very likely aware that the Duke of Qian is dissatisfied with them, so he is very likely to choose Mu Xueqing!

This news isn't exactly good news, nor is it bad news; it's just generally unsettling.

Fu Mingzhu's expression became complicated: "If that's the case, then this matter..."

Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Big sister, I'll give you a sneak peek today. In His Majesty's eyes, the one he values ​​most is not the Crown Prince, nor the Fifth Prince, but the Fourth Prince..."

Fu Mingzhu looked at Fu Mingzi in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief.

The reason she sought information from Fu Mingzi was because Fu Mingzi was the Fifth Prince's study companion, and the Fifth Prince was favored by the Emperor. She thought she could learn some inside information, but she didn't expect that Fu Mingzi would tell her such unexpected news.

"Really?" Fu Mingzhu was a little confused for a moment, twisting her handkerchief in her hands, seemingly lost in thought.

“Absolutely certain.” Fu Mingzi said with certainty, “I haven’t had a chance to tell my father and brother about this yet, but I will go and tell them in a while. In order to cover up his favorite, the emperor keeps pushing other princes to compete with the crown prince. If nothing unexpected happens, the emperor will probably betroth your concubine’s daughter to the fourth prince in this selection.”

Fu Mingzhu pursed her lips, her expression serious: "Then what do you suggest we do?" She stared intently at Fu Mingzi: "I don't want to give you a straight answer. Your brother-in-law is unreliable. His illegitimate son just turned one month old, and he dared to lay a hand on Yun'er. I can't rely on him at all. Now that the emperor wants to win him over, he certainly won't support my son and me. So, what do you suggest I do?"

Fu Mingzhu was no ignorant woman. When she heard Fu Mingzi tell her the news that he had not yet told his father and brothers, she knew that her younger brother was probably planning something. Given her current difficult situation, it would be a blessing if she could find a way out through him.

Fu Mingzi finally smiled: "Eldest sister, don't rush. This matter needs to be handled step by step. Right now, the Fifth Prince and I are also walking on the edge of a knife. If the Emperor wants to hide the Fourth Prince, then let him hide him for life. The Fifth Prince is a smart man and someone worth following. As long as he is on the throne, all of this will not be difficult. In short, I will not make things difficult for you, eldest sister."

Fu Mingzhu's expression relaxed at this moment. She understood Fu Mingzi's unspoken meaning, which was that he wanted her and her son to support the Fifth Prince's ascension to the throne. Once the Fifth Prince was on the throne, everything would be fine with the Fourth Prince.

Thinking of this, Fu Mingzhu couldn't help but feel shocked. How old was her younger brother? How dare he think about such things!

“I understand what you mean.” Fu Mingzhu spoke carefully, “But I want to ask you, what should we do if your brother-in-law submits a petition in advance to make that child the heir?”

Speaking of this, Fu Mingzi became even more fearless: "Big sister, what's the big deal? My brother-in-law is still a bit too eager for quick success. The child is so young, whether he can even raise him is another matter. You should stay at home and settle down. There's always a way. Besides, the country has its laws and the family has its rules. The legitimate son is still alive, so how can an illegitimate son inherit the title? Even the emperor, for the sake of his reputation, wouldn't agree to it."

Fu Mingzhu frowned, thought about it carefully and repeatedly, and finally nodded: "Okay, I agree, but you also have to understand that I can't help you much right now. I only have two chieftains who are my confidants. The rest are all opportunists. If you want to do something big, I can't help you."

Fu Mingzi laughed: "What are you thinking, big sister?" He poured a cup of tea and handed it to Fu Mingzhu: "I won't let you do anything dangerous. It's just cheering. Besides, Yun'an is so far away, I'm afraid there won't be many places where it can be used."

This was indeed Fu Mingzi's honest opinion. He couldn't very well betray his own elder sister, but if he could get the Duke of Qian's mansion onto Zhou Xiaoyan's side, it would be a great help.

Fu Mingzhu nodded. She had thought of this before she dared to agree. Otherwise, the Duke of Qian's family was of a transcendent status, and it didn't matter to them who the emperor was. Why would they need to join forces with the Fifth Prince?

After finishing these important matters, Fu Mingzhu brought up something else: "That Qing'er is not easy to deal with. I'm afraid that if she enters the Fourth Prince's residence, she might cause trouble."

Fu Mingzi chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself that this illegitimate daughter of yours had caused more than just trouble; she had turned the world upside down. He thought about what Fu Yunjia had said to him before, and he became even more wary of Mu Xueqing.

"Don't worry, I won't let her get her wish so easily." Fu Mingzi's gaze was meaningful.

Fu Mingzhu was still a little worried, but she nodded nonetheless: "Okay, I trust you to do things."

Fu Mingzi smiled indifferently, and then walked out of the house with Fu Mingzhu.

When they came out, Madam Wen was still talking to Mu Xuexi. When she saw them come out, she waved and said, "Come and see, Sister Xi is really skillful. The magpies embroidered on this handkerchief are just like the real ones."

Fu Mingzi glanced at it, but wasn't very interested, and just nodded.

Fu Mingzhu smiled and pursed her lips: "That's all I'm good at. I'm glad you like it, sister-in-law."

Madam Wen didn't reply, but glared at her: "How can you talk about children like that? At such a young age, you're not as skillful as Xi-jie."

Fu Mingzhu smiled a little shyly: "My sister-in-law always teases me."

Ms. Wen smiled broadly: "When I entered the family, you were still a child, and now you're a mother. Time flies."

“Who says otherwise?” Fu Mingzhu sighed.

As they were talking, Mu Xuexi took out another fan cover and walked up to Fu Mingzi: "Fifth Uncle, this is a fan cover I made for you."

Fu Mingzi paused for a moment, glanced at the fan cover, which was embroidered with bamboo patterns and had an elegant appearance. He nodded and said, "It is indeed well made. You are very skillful." Then he accepted it.

After accepting it, he reached into his sleeve, pulled out a jade pendant, and handed it over, saying, "This jade pendant is quite nice; you can take it and give it as a gift."

Mu Xuexi glanced at Fu Mingzhu, who smiled and said, "I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. Since your uncle has given it to you, you should take it."

Only then did Mu Xuexi dare to put away the jade pendant and softly say thank you.

Fu Mingzi waved her hand, then looked at Madam Wen: "Sister-in-law, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

"Hurry up and go, hurry up and go. You're always making a fuss." Madam Wen waved her hand impatiently.

Fu Mingzi smiled indifferently, then left with his hands in his pockets.

After Fu Mingzi left, Fu Yunjia finally dared to raise her head. Ever since she told Fu Mingzi the truth last time, she had been a little afraid to face this fifth great-uncle. Today, listening to him and her eldest aunt talking in the house, she was also trembling with fear. Now that he was gone, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Fu Mingzhu then saw Fu Yunjia and came over with a smile, taking her hand: "This must be the eldest daughter in Ze Chen's room. She's really pretty."

When Wen heard people praising Fu Yunjia, she smiled and said, "She's just a little pretty, but she's not as delicate as Xi'er."