Chapter 202 Fu Laiqing felt that Governor Xiao wanted to skin him alive
When Fu Laiqing left, he could clearly feel that although those people still looked disdainful when they mentioned Song Jinxiu, their expressions had obviously softened. Even Lord He and others, who had been provoked by him to dislike him before, never mentioned the incident of Song Jinxiu "disrespecting and reprimanding".
Fu Laiqing felt as if he had shot himself in the foot. When he met Cao Dejiang at his next job, he was extremely depressed.
Cao Dejiang didn't like seeing him look like an eggplant hit by frost: "What's wrong?"
Fu Laiqing whispered what happened during the day to Cao Dejiang, and after he finished speaking, he was labeled "stupid".
Seeing Fu Laiqing glaring with a look of dissatisfaction, Cao Dejiang said angrily: "Are you not stupid? Song Jinxiu betrayed his old friend, sold out the Lu family, and sacrificed his biological father to be reinstated. Everyone in the court knows this, so why do you need to bring it up?"
"Those who can stay and work with Song Jinxiu are all shrewd people. They will naturally be wary of him and isolate him. They will never easily become close friends with him, and will even exclude him from official duties. Even if Song Jinxiu wants to explain himself to others, no one will be willing to listen. Instead, they will think he is even more hypocritical."
"But you, on the other hand, went out of your way to set up a platform for him, giving him the opportunity to defend himself."
Fu Laiqing was dissatisfied: "What if he defended himself? Who would believe him..."
"What do you know!"
Cao Dejiang slapped Fu Laiqing on the head, beating his stiff neck back. "He doesn't need anyone to trust him. There's no way to deny what he did, but being forced and doing something voluntarily are two completely different things. He was implicated in the Song family incident, and Lu Zhinian was the one who betrayed the Lu family first."
"He used his own situation to gain sympathy. He was cruel to the Lu family, but he defended Xie Yin, who used to be friends with him. Even if only a small number of those people were touched by him and felt that he was not truly heartless, or even began to think about what they would do if they were in Song Jinxiu's situation, then they would not be far from accepting Song Jinxiu."
Cao Dejiang looked at Fu Laiqing whose expression changed:
"Your Excellency's Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have never been on good terms. Normally, you wouldn't be able to go there for ten days or half a month. How come you suddenly went there today and happened to hear what Song Jinxiu said? Think about it with your pig brain."
Fu Laiqing was stunned. He had heard that Song Jinxiu had entered the palace and had also heard that he had an argument with someone, so he ran over to watch the fun.
Thinking of what happened before, Fu Laiqing suddenly cursed: "That bastard, he plotted against me?!"
Cao Dejiang glanced at him and said, "Song Jinxiu has been through a period of imprisonment and is no longer the same person he used to be. Moreover, he was able to escape from such a situation, which shows how capable he is."
"I know you've been at odds with him since childhood, and you're particularly obsessed with his affairs. Add to that the Yiyang County Princess's side, and you'll be even more inclined to target Song Jinxiu. But you must know that you can't let your emotions get in the way of matters at court. If you continue to be so clueless, you'll be taken advantage of sooner or later."
Fu Laiqing opened his mouth wide: "Uncle, you...how did you know..."
"Your little tricks couldn't even be hidden from your grandmother, so who else can you hide them from?" Cao Dejiang looked at him. "You want to please the girl, why don't you do something else? You have to do something to kick her when she's down. Do you think that if you step on Song Jinxiu a few times, the girl will look up to you?"
"Let me tell you, the Princess of Yiyang County isn't such a narrow-minded little girl. If you really try to show your affection to her by stepping on Song Jinxiu, she'll probably just think you're a mean-spirited person who's taking advantage of his power. Don't you think about it? What kind of good man would go to such great lengths to step on a down-and-out person and try to kill him?"
"Or would you prefer a vindictive, ruthless person who takes advantage of others' misfortunes?"
Fu Laiqing's face turned pale after hearing what Cao Dejiang said.
He did have this idea in mind. Song Jinxiu had done something wrong to Song Tangning. He thought that Song Tangning must hate him. If he could teach Song Jinxiu a lesson, he would surely be able to win Song Tangning's favor. However, Cao Dejiang's words were like a thunderclap that suddenly woke him up.
Seeing him with his head down and looking dejected, Cao Dejiang reached out and grabbed him: "Alright, let's go."
Fu Laiqing was stunned for a moment, then asked in a muffled voice, "Where are you going?"
"Cumulus Alley, naturally."
Fu Laiqing looked up in surprise.
Cao Dejiang said unhappily, "I've already made an appointment with the Princess of Yiyang County. I'm going to her mansion to discuss matters with her in the next few days. You should come with me."
Fu Laiqing was immediately delighted and rushed forward to embrace Cao Dejiang: "Thank you, Uncle. You are the best."
"Get lost!"
Cao Dejiang spat and cursed.
…
Fu Laiqing hadn't seen Song Tangning for several days. All the things he had asked Madam Fu to send were taken back. Song Tangning was a girl, and he had nothing to do with her. It was inappropriate to visit her rashly. Now he could go with Cao Dejiang to see the person he liked with a legitimate reason. Fu Laiqing was so happy that he wanted to dance with joy.
When he arrived at Jiyun Lane, he tidied his hair, straightened his clothes, and nervously followed Cao Dejiang into the gate of Tang Mansion.
When he walked through the front corridor and saw Song Tangning, and saw Xiao Yan sitting next to her, wearing a dark green robe and looking at him, Fu Laiqing's face turned pale.
"Lord Cao, Master Fu." Tang Ning stood up and welcomed the two of them in. "Why are you here at this hour?"
"Didn't you ask me earlier about the position of vice-president of the academy? I just happen to know a suitable person. He will be coming to the capital in a few days. I came to tell you. Besides, such a big incident happened last night. I heard that you also went to Prince Cheng's mansion. This kid is worried about you and insisted on asking me to come here."
Cao Dejiang didn't hide his intentions from Fu Laiqing, but pointed them out directly. After he finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Why is Governor Xiao here too?"
Xiao Yan raised his eyes coldly: "Is it strange that the governor is here?"
Cao Dejiang laughed and said, "That's not the case. It's just that the incident with Prince Cheng just happened, and many people have been arrested in the court. I thought that Governor Xiao was busy."
"Prince Cheng's case is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, and those imprisoned have their own places to go. If I have to take care of everything, what use are they?"
Xiao Yan raised his thin lips slightly, speaking coldly: "This governor has been busy all day and night, and finally got a chance to rest for a while, but I didn't expect Cao Gong to come." And he brought an annoying bastard with him!
Cao Dejiang: “…”
Why did he feel that this was a bit sarcastic?
Cao Dejiang couldn't help but look up at Xiao Yan and saw that he looked normal, still as cold and indifferent as before. Moreover, they had "cooperated" before and there had never been any grudges between them.
Why would Xiao Yan be so mean to him for no reason?
Cao Dejiang thought he was mistaken and said with a smile, "Blame me! If I had known that Governor Xiao was resting at the County Lady's place, I would have come back at another time."
"Then I will ask someone to escort you two out?"
Cao Dejiang: “???”
Tang Ning: “???”
Xiao Yan glanced at Fu Laiqing expressionlessly, lowering his eyes to hide the murderous intent in them. Meeting his little girl's eyes full of shock and astonishment, he curled his lips and said, "Just kidding."
Fu Laiqing: "..."
Seeing that Cao Dejiang and Song Tangning had relaxed, he straightened his back and didn't think it was a joke at all. He always felt that Xiao Yan's look wanted to tear him apart.
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