Chapter 132: The Deceased Grandson Xie Chen'an
Cao Dejiang laughed when he talked about Fu Laiqing: "This kid used to be so arrogant. He looked down on all the ladies in the capital. Peilan's hair turned white with worry over his marriage, but this kid didn't care at all. Now he has come to his senses."
The old servant heard this and said, "But the Yiyang County Lady has just broken off her engagement with the Lu family. Will the Fu family be happy about this?"
"What's there to dislike? How many girls in this capital city have earned their titles on their own, and how many have earned such a good reputation? Besides, if Peilan didn't like her, how could he have spoken up for her again and again and even begged me to help her?"
Cao Dejiang knew his sister very well. Madam Fu had always been a cold and stern person since she was in the cabinet. She didn't have many friends when she was young and her standards were very high. If the old man of the Fu family had not been so outstanding, she would not have left behind the young men in the capital with better family backgrounds and chosen the Fu family, which had not yet made a name for itself at that time.
She was always right in judging people. Her brother-in-law had risen rapidly in the imperial court. If he had not died suddenly of illness, the Fu family might have made even greater progress.
But even so, the tablet of the old man of the Fu family was moved into the Taimiao by order of the late emperor himself. The Fu family has been able to prosper for three generations just by relying on this point. Even if there are no outstanding people among the descendants of the Fu family, Old Madam Fu does not have to care about anyone's face. She will not say a word to those who do not meet her eyes.
But the young lady from the Song family was different. Ever since she had a quarrel with the Song Mansion, Madam Fu had spoken up for her several times in private. She also broke her usual habit and took the initiative to speak "bad words" about the Song Mansion and the Lu family to him.
This kind of "meddling" could not be anything else but love?
Cao Dejiang was certain that if Fu Laiqing took a fancy to Song Tangning, his sister would be very happy. As for the rest of the Fu family...
"As long as Peilan likes Song Tangning, it won't be difficult for her to join the Fu family. The rest of the Fu family doesn't need to care."
The people in the Fu family are not very capable, and Fu Laiqing's parents all rely on the protection left by his brother-in-law. The couple are arrogant and get into trouble from time to time. They are extremely concerned about their reputation.
They also had their eyes on a higher glory and wanted Fu Laiqing to marry a princess or a noble lady so that he could make further progress in the court.
However, Cao Dejiang felt that if Fu Laiqing wanted to make a name for himself in the court, he'd better not try to get close to his relatives. Although Song Tangning had broken off the engagement, she had a reputation for being virtuous and was intelligent and polite. It would be a good match for Fu Laiqing if he could marry her.
The couple from the Fu family would probably resist, but my sister could still control them. If Madam Fu passed away in the future and Fu Laiqing was able to manage things on his own, then naturally they wouldn't be able to have the final say in the Fu family.
The moment Cao Dejiang noticed Fu Laiqing's thoughts, countless things went through his mind. When he came to his senses after thinking about them all, he suddenly realized that the boy hadn't even touched the corner of Fu Laiqing's clothes.
He put those thoughts aside and sneered: "But right now, I think that boy is just wishful thinking. Miss Song may not look down on that brat..."
The old servant of the Cao family smiled and said, "I think the young master is very good."
"You're just trying to sell melons like Wang Po, thinking everyone is sweet." Cao Dejiang said with a smile, loosened the curtain and said, "Alright, let him go. You have to fight for the marriage you like yourself. It's not easy to get over Xiao Yan."
The old slave asked, "Should we tell the lady about this?"
"Don't talk about it for now."
Old Madam Fu was so anxious for Fu Laiqing to get married that her hair was almost turning white. If she knew that Fu Laiqing had this idea on his own initiative, she would probably be unable to sit still. However, Song Tangning had just broken off the engagement with the Lu family. It would inevitably arouse suspicion if she arranged another marriage at this time. She should not mention it to Old Madam Fu for the time being, lest she do something bad with good intentions.
Cao Dejiang said with a smile: "When that guy is really capable of taking him down, it won't be too late to talk about it. Otherwise, if he is looked down upon by others, he will be embarrassed."
The old servant of the Cao family laughed when he heard this: "You don't even want to wish the young master well. Be careful that the young master won't give you wine if he finds out."
"He dares!"
Cao Dejiang raised his eyebrows and snorted softly, "Then I will reward him to copy the book three thousand times. He is not allowed to stop until his hands break."
The old slave outside immediately laughed.
"Okay, let's go back." Cao Dejiang said with a smile as he sat back in the carriage.
The old slave waved his whip and the carriage started moving immediately. He avoided pedestrians on the road while pulling the reins to control the speed of the horse. His skillful driving made the carriage move very steadily on the bluestone ground. After bypassing the main street and returning to the gate of Cao's house, he helped Cao Dejiang out of the carriage.
The old slave suddenly said, "Lord Cao, I want to leave the city in a few days."
Cao Dejiang was stunned for a moment before he suddenly remembered that it was already April, and that it would soon be the anniversary of Crown Prince Li's death. The smile on his face faded a little: "How long will it take this time?"
The man whispered, "One month. This old slave wants to keep vigil for the master."
Cao Dejiang pursed his lips and said, "Go ahead and light a stick of incense for me. However, the incident at the Duke of Song's Mansion has brought up an old case, and many people are watching the past. You should be careful not to get caught."
The old slave-like figure raised his head, revealing a slightly burned face. "This old slave will not cause any trouble for Lord Cao."
He paused.
"I've heard that the Empress Dowager seems to be feeling unwell recently, and it's difficult to enter the palace. If possible, could Lord Cao help me ask the Imperial Physician to see how the Empress Dowager is doing?"
Cao Dejiang thought of what happened back then and agreed without hesitation: "I will find a chance to ask for you, but I may not be able to find out the truth about the affairs in the palace."
"I know, I won't force it."
What happened back then should not be mentioned. It was already difficult for the Cao family to take the risk of taking him in, so he naturally would not force Cao Dejiang to take the risk.
"It's getting dark. Please return home first. I'll go put the carriage away."
The man saluted Cao Dejiang and then led his horse towards the side door, while Cao Dejiang stared at the man's back in a daze.
Thinking of the fire in the palace that year, thinking of the Empress Dowager who had not appeared in public for a long time, thinking of everything about the past that was gradually being forgotten, he couldn't help but sigh.
Twelve years have passed, and now everything has changed.
I heard that the Empress Dowager's hysteria was getting worse, and she was always talking about the eldest grandson of the emperor, Xie Chen'an. It was a pity that the eldest grandson of the emperor had passed away long ago. Such a brilliant young man died in the palace with his father before he grew up, and his body was never found.
If he were still alive, he would have reached adulthood by now, older than the Fourth Prince and the others...
"Lord?"
When the Cao family's attendants saw Cao Dejiang standing in front of the door, they couldn't help but step forward and asked, "What happened?"
"No."
After Cao Dejiang came back to his senses, he shook off the thoughts in his head and turned to walk towards the mansion, saying, "Uncle Xu will be returning home to visit his relatives in a few days. Please have someone prepare some food and clothes for him, and also send him a carriage."
After a pause, he continued:
"Let Zhu Lin take the others with him. If nothing happens, just follow him secretly. If something goes wrong, remember to keep him safe."
The man lowered his head: "Yes."
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