Cheng Mansion.

Fu Ting, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, sat down beside Old Madam Cheng's bed.

Before Madam Cheng could speak, Fu Ting said to himself, "Mother-in-law, let me feed you the medicine myself. Those servants must be lazy, otherwise you wouldn't be so sick."

Madam Cheng pursed her lips and said in a hoarse voice, "Then I'll have to trouble you, my dear son-in-law!"

The mother-in-law and son-in-law were in the same room for the first time in such an intimate manner, but the atmosphere was very strange.

One was genuinely fed, and the other was genuinely drunk; there was no pretense whatsoever.

After feeding the medicine, Fu Ting put down the bowl, took the handkerchief handed to him by the maid, wiped his hands, and changed to a more comfortable sitting position.

Madam Cheng's lips twitched slightly, but she said nothing.

Fu Ting casually straightened his robes and said nonchalantly, "Mother-in-law, your daughter is quite ill. Yan'er probably won't be able to go to the Imperial Academy for a while. The students' studies can't be neglected. Do you think His Majesty will find someone to replace Yan'er?"

Madam Cheng's throat moved slightly, but her face remained kind as she said, "His Majesty values ​​filial piety. If he knew that Yuan'er was taking care of his seriously ill mother at home, he would surely not blame him. Once Lan'er recovers, Yuan'er will naturally be able to return to the Imperial Academy."

“My mother-in-law is right!” Fu Ting nodded in agreement.

"When I arrived this morning, I saw an imperial censor passing by the Cheng residence. I suppose my son-in-law's good reputation should have reached the Censorate by now!"

Madam Cheng forced a smile and said, "I'm much better now. You should go back quickly, lest you neglect important matters of state!"

Fu Ting waved his hand dismissively, "When you're taking care of someone in the sick, you should act like one. My mother-in-law is still seriously ill, and as her son-in-law, I can't let people say I'm being unfilial!"

Madam Cheng smiled slightly and said, "If that's the case, then my dear son-in-law will have to work hard these days! My eyelids are getting heavy, I'll take a nap first, you go and do your work!"

Fu Ting watched as Old Madam Cheng closed her eyes contentedly, and even as her breathing gradually became steady, he did not look away.

It has to be said, experience truly matters!

At her advanced age, she was willing to sacrifice herself just to let him, her nominal son-in-law, enter the mansion to serve him and spread a good reputation for benevolence and filial piety, so as to help the eldest branch of the Cheng family gain some recognition among the nobles in the capital. It was really too much for her!

Even though she knew he was disgusting, she could still ignore him. He had been pushed to this point, and this game couldn't be left unfinished!

I imagine his son is just as frustrated as he is, but I wonder what that kid is thinking.

Well, he couldn't set a good example for his son in his life, so he could only try his best to fulfill his son's little wish while he was still alive. He couldn't do it himself, so he had to make sure his son got what he wanted!

In the days that followed, the Fu family father and son took care of the sick during the day and handled official business at night, and they lost a lot of weight in half a month!

When Fu Shu was summoned by Jiang Shan for questioning again, he looked distressed and couldn't speak.

"What exactly is he trying to do? You really don't know? What kind of tricks are those two playing? You dare say you don't know?" Jiang Shan asked aggressively.

She was worried about Fu Qiyuan, but Jiang Huai was getting more and more anxious every day because he couldn't see his father. However, he was unwilling to visit his father at the Fu residence, which made Jiang Shan very angry!

Fu Qi bowed deeply, his face contorted with grief, and said, "Miss, the young master really didn't say anything. He just told me not to worry about him and the young master, that he knows what he's doing."

Jiang Shan said irritably, "What kind of sense do you have! Minister Qin is already impatiently coming to me, is he really not going to show up?"

Fu Shu lowered his eyes and said, "Young Master said that everything is up to Miss."

After saying that, Fu Shu took out an exquisitely crafted picture book from his pocket and presented it with both hands, "Young Master said that this is a model drawing for the young master, and the young master will definitely like it."

Jiang Shan took the booklet, casually flipped through it, and was stunned.

The pictures inside depict modern high-tech products such as airplanes, trains, and televisions!

She had only given a casual description at the time, but she didn't expect Fu Qiyuan to actually draw a rough sketch, which looked quite convincing!

Jiang Shan gently stroked the picture album, his brow slowly relaxing.

"Go back now, and tell him that Huai'er and I are waiting for him at home."

In the study of the Grand Tutor's mansion, Grand Tutor Cheng was also discussing the intentions of the father and son with Jiao's mother.

"Don't you know him? I would never believe you if you told me he's not petty!" Jiao's mother scolded as she ground the ink.

“But your aunt is his mother-in-law after all, and he can’t just ignore her.”

Jiao's mother rolled her eyes silently. "He might be up to no good! I heard someone complained to His Majesty about them, saying they're disrespectful to their elders? I bet Fu Ting will give them a taste of their own medicine!"

Grand Tutor Cheng glanced at his daughter and asked, seemingly casually, "You seem to know him quite well. Is he still trying to make a move on you?"

Jiao's mother threw down the inkstone in her hand, and said with a mix of laughter and tears, "Father, you are now the Grand Tutor, how can you say such things so casually? Don't overthink it, he won't become Shan'er and Sanlang's stepfather!"

Grand Tutor Cheng's eyes lit up. "Then who will become Shan'er and Sanlang's stepfather? I heard Shan'er mention it back in Huaigu Village..."

Madam Jiao rolled her eyes at Grand Tutor Cheng and said bluntly, "Don't worry, if that day ever comes, I won't hide it from you!"

Grand Tutor Cheng beamed from ear to ear, nodding repeatedly, "That's good, that's good! You're still young, and I was really worried that you'd be too stubborn and inflexible. Now I can rest assured, hehehe!"

Jiao's mother lowered her eyes and remained silent, but she felt extremely melancholy. That dull-witted man hadn't even written her a letter yet. She couldn't possibly expect a woman like her to take the initiative to write a letter to inquire about her well-being!

fool!

How stupid!

Almost all the officials knew that while the Fu family father and son had not attended court for many days and were attending to their mothers and mothers-in-law, the father and son had each submitted a memorial to the emperor, which, when put together, contained only two words.

I resign!

Your Majesty, I need to take care of my sick mother (mother-in-law) and I really don't have the energy to handle official duties. I'm sorry, I resign!

They even sent over their official robes and seals!

The crucial point is that neither father nor son knew that the other had resigned from his official post before the emperor, and that both of them were determined never to serve as officials again, with reasons for their resignations that were quite remarkable and even touching.

The emperor wasn't stupid; he had countless eyes and ears. It was possible that the father and son wanted to resign, but it was also possible that it wasn't true!

The real reason and justification are known only to Heaven and Earth, and since the father and son know it, they naturally cannot hide it from the emperor!

The news that the Fu family father and son had resigned from their official posts together shocked the entire court!

Even Grand Tutor Cheng was stunned!

He spun around on his feet and rushed to the palace.

In front of the emperor, he gave the Cheng mother and daughter, as well as the Fu father and son, a good scolding!

The emperor was furious!