144 Extra 2

◎Kick the dog when it's down (I)◎

Extra 2

Since he was a second-rank military governor and was in charge of the military affairs of the four towns, Fu Xiao could not stay in the capital for long. The emperor's intention was very clear, he wanted Fu Xiao to completely take over the military power of the Marquis of Anding.

Fu Xiao chose a day and went to the princess's mansion to bid farewell to Zhan Yue and his wife. Now, Zhan Yue was named Marquis Wuying and would soon have his own mansion. It just so happened that the houses of Marquis Pingyang and Marquis Anding were confiscated one after another, and several houses in good locations became vacant.

Emperor Zhanghe specially selected a large house just one street away from Jiashan's princess residence and gave it to Zhan Yue as his residence as Marquis Wuying. These days, Zhan Yue and Jiashan have been constantly discussing the new house.

It would be a disgrace to the emperor if the huge Wuying Marquis Mansion was left empty, but Zhan Yue and Jia Shan were unwilling to move there alone and live separately. So Zhan Yue thought that he could take Xuan Ge'er there to study during the day and go back to the Princess Mansion to sleep at night, or they could live in the Princess Mansion during the day and occasionally stay at the Wuying Marquis Mansion at night.

Anyway, no matter what, the couple can work separately during the day, but they must sleep together at night.

When Fu Xiao arrived, Jiashan was discussing with Luyi about which servants Zhan Yue should take to Wuying Marquis' Mansion and select a few capable managers from among them.

Seeing Fu Xiao, Jiashan smiled amiably and said, "My uncle, are you here to look for Yanqing? Yanqing is in the study teaching Xuan'er. I'll ask the servant to take my uncle over."

This was the first time he had seen Jiashan since Fu Xiao had returned from the expedition. He simply performed a half-salute as a minister and said, "When I was trapped in your mansion before, Princess Lao took care of me many times."

Jiashan quickly asked Dancui to go over and help him up, and said angrily: "What are you talking about, little uncle? You are too polite to my husband and me!"

"I'm afraid I'll have to live in the northwest in the future. I don't have many friends, and most of the Fu family's relatives have disappeared. If Princess has time, I hope she can come to my house often and keep me company." Fu Xiao's gentle tone still carried some respect and politeness.

Jiashan replied, "My aunt and I hit it off right away, and I will often go to accompany her. But my aunt, please don't be so distant with me, or I will tell Yanqing about your misdeeds later."

When Fu Xiao saw that she agreed, he smiled heartily.

In the study, Zhan Yue was teaching Xuan Ge'er to read "University" in detail. Hearing that Fu Xiao was coming to visit, Zhan Yue asked Xuan Ge'er to continue reviewing and he went to meet Fu Xiao.

When the uncle and nephew met, they didn't need to be polite. Fu Xiao went straight to the point and said, "I will be leaving for the northwest in a few days. Ting'er and your aunt are in Beijing. I hope Yanqing can take care of them."

Zhan Yue said: "Of course."

He then asked, "Will my uncle and aunt be home tomorrow?"

Fu Xiao nodded. He was on rest in Beijing and would only start working again when he arrived in the northwest, so he had been free these days.

Fu Xiao said: "We are free, what's the matter?"

"Well," Zhan Yue stood up straight, showing his upright and heroic spirit, "Then tomorrow, I will treat my uncle to a good show."

Seeing his smiling face, Fu Xiao couldn't help but ask him suspiciously: "What's the show?"

"The secret of heaven cannot be revealed," Zhan Yue remained calm and just smiled, "My uncle, just open the door tomorrow."

Since Zhan Yue said so, Fu Xiao asked people not to lock the door of the mansion early the next morning, and opened it early as if he was going to welcome someone.

Song felt strange and asked, "I didn't hear anyone coming to visit us today."

After Fu Xiao became the Marquis of Yongding, he invited countless guests to the banquet for three days. Some of them had complained about the Marquis of Yongding in the past, some were friends that Fu Xiao had made in the army over the years, some came to curry favor with him, and some who had once done something bad to the Marquis of Yongding's mansion also came to attend with a thick face.

Song and Fu Xiao were exhausted from dealing with these people every day, so they simply closed the door after the banquet, acted aloof, and specifically instructed the doorman not to accept visiting cards from unfamiliar people.

Fu Xiao said: "Yan Qing is coming."

"No wonder. What did Yanqing say to you when you went to the princess's mansion yesterday?" Song asked.

Fu Xiao said, "We talked a little about the past as uncle and nephew. I asked him to help me take care of you and Ting'er, and we didn't say anything else."

After saying that, Fu Xiao went over and hugged Song: "Madam, now, I just feel sorry for you."

"When I settle down in the northwest, Tingger will be old enough to support himself. I will ask His Majesty for a favor and take you with me. I just hope you don't mind the bad environment there."

Song was grateful that he always cared about her. Her eyes were red and she said angrily, "We have been married for so many years. Why are you still saying sorry? You are just making people laugh at you."

Fu Xiao smiled and gently held Song in his arms. The couple hugged each other tightly in silence.

There was warmth and love at the Yongding Marquis's Mansion, but there was chaos at the Anguo Duke's Mansion, which was just a few streets away.

Zhan Yue came from the princess's mansion early in the morning. He is now the Minister of War and the Grand Academician of Wenhua Palace, a dignified minister of the inner cabinet, and has the newly conferred title of Marquis Wuying, which makes him even more noble than the Duke of Anguo.

In the past, most of the servants in the mansion were afraid of the murderous aura that occasionally appeared in his silence, but now they are more flattering and respectful in their fear.

The servants in the Duke's Mansion are all knowledgeable and have long seen that the Duke's Mansion is no longer as glorious as before. They all want to start a new business and get in touch with the eldest princess. If they can be favored by the Fourth Master and taken to the Marquis Wuying Mansion, how glorious it would be, wouldn't it be better than staying in this Duke's Mansion that is about to fall!

Therefore, when Duke Anguo and Zhan Tai arrived, what they saw was a scene where Zhan Yue was treated like a star and was highly respected.

Duke Anguo's face was slightly cold, and he couldn't help showing some anger. Even Zhan Tai was angry and ashamed. He was angry that even the servants in his own house were flattering the superior and bullying the inferior. He was ashamed that the housekeeper in the inner house was his wife, Zhang. But look at what kind of house she is in charge of and what the servants have become!

Zhan Tai coughed violently, and the servants hurriedly stopped.

Zhan Tai sat down. Because he had been humiliated by Zhan Yue last time at the Princess's residence, he raised his eyes slightly and lost his former demeanor. He spoke with a sharp tone, "I heard that the Marquis had just taken up his post at the Ministry of War. He actually had time to go home today."

Zhan Yue smiled like a superior. He was always generous and humble to the losers, and never hesitated to give advice. He said, "The Duke and the Crown Prince are forgetful, so I have to come and remind them personally."

As he spoke, Zhan Yue took out a piece of paper from his arms, but without unfolding it, he placed it on the table elegantly and casually.

After catching a glimpse of his movements, Duke Anguo and Zhan Tai looked at each other, their eyebrows twitched and their faces changed drastically.

"Before I came here, I asked someone to calculate. Today is a good day to move the tomb," Zhan Yue said calmly, "My mother has been disturbing the ancestral tomb of the Duke of Anguo Mansion for so long. Today I want to take her back to recognize her ancestors."

"This..." Zhan Tai said, "Now?"

Zhan Yue looked at him: "Yes. What's wrong?"

"Relocating a tomb is a big deal, not to mention that you want to open up the ancestral tomb. Let us discuss it first." Zhan Tai said.

Zhan Yue's eyes were like full moons, shining brightly: "Didn't I give you enough time to discuss this? It has been more than a year since we made this promise. How come the prince hasn't discussed it with the Duke yet?"

"Is the prince bullying me because I have a good temper?"

"Or is it that the Duke is used to going back on his words? Are you planning to go back on your word again?" Zhan Yue half-narrowed his eyes, and shot a stern look at the Duke of Anguo like a hawk.

Duke Anguo paused, then said, "Since I promised it that day, I will not go back on my word."

"Then you two can discuss this here," Zhan Yue said, "don't waste my time."

He was coming with great force, and there was also the written evidence. Zhan Tai had no choice but to soften his attitude and went over to have a private conversation with Duke Anguo.

After about an incense stick of time, Zhan Tai sat back on the stool and said, "Since the Marquis wants to move the tomb today, then I will do as you wish. I will send someone to dig out Fu's coffin later, and then say hello to the Marquis of Yongding, and move it to the Fu family's ancestral tomb."

"Don't bother you two." Zhan Yue said, "I will send someone to carry my mother's coffin."

Zhan Tai looked at Duke An Guo carefully, and seeing that he had no objection, he agreed: "Okay, as you say."

Zhan Yue said, "Prince Lao, please call out the Crown Prince's wife first. I am free today and we can handle all the matters together. The three of you should come with me."

What he meant by "do it together" was naturally what they had agreed to do before, which was to kowtow three times in front of Fu Shiyu's grave.

Zhan Tai gritted his teeth and waved his hand to ask someone to call Zhang over.

So, the group set out from Anguogong in a grand procession. Riding a sturdy horse, Zhan Yue was in the front, followed by the carriages of Anguogong and Zhan Tai Zhang, and at the end was a clean coffin carried by several people.

Fu Xiao waited for a long time in front of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, but the good show was nowhere to be seen, and instead he waited for such a scene.

In broad daylight, carrying coffins around the city was not only too ostentatious but also unlucky, especially since the Yongding Marquis' Mansion had just been cleared of dust.

Fu Xiao couldn't help but frown, and went up to pull Zhan Yue off the horse, and asked in a low voice: "Yan Qing, what are you trying to say?"

Zhan Yue had the coffin carried to the front and placed in front of the main gate of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion in an orderly manner.

The fragmented sunlight cast a clean halo on the coffin that had just been unearthed.

Zhan Yue was tall and handsome, with dark hair on his temples and a calm expression, but there seemed to be a gleam in his eyes. He asked in a clear voice, "Mother, have you seen the brand new Yongding Marquis's Mansion?"

Fu Xiao was shocked, and his expression became inexplicable. He tugged at Zhan Yue's sleeve and asked in a trembling voice, "Is this the coffin of my third sister?"

Zhan Yue said, “Hmm.”

His face, shining in the sunlight, was as white and sharp as a sword's edge.

Fu Xiao's eyes were burning - Fu Shiyu's heroic and gentle smile seemed to be reflected in his hastily completed childhood in desolation.

Fu Xiao's eyes were bloodshot as he stumbled towards the coffin. At this moment, he was no longer the invincible General Fu who dared to go deep into the Turkic royal court. He was just a child who grew up under the protection of his sister.

"Third sister..." Fu Xiao said, "Did you see it?"

"I know you've seen it. Our Yongding Marquis' Mansion has returned. Come, I'll take you inside to see if there's anything different from before."

As he spoke, Fu Xiao waved his hand and had the coffin carried into the gate of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion in full view of everyone.

Zhan Yue did not go in, but just stood in front of the mansion gate with his back turned, with a complicated look in his eyes.

The Duke of Anguo, who was sitting in the carriage and never showed up, also had a complicated look in his eyes.

After Fu Xiao carried Fu Shiyu's coffin in, Duke Anguo gently lifted a corner of the curtain. He stared at the newly built gate of the Yongding Marquis's mansion and the two majestic lions in front of the gate for a long time without moving.

Zhang continued to complain: "How can you bully us like this? Not only did they kowtow to us, they also paraded around the capital city and made a scene so that everyone would know about it!"

"What the hell is this?" Zhang clutched her handkerchief tightly, feeling angry and resentful.

Zhan Tai was also in a bad mood, but seeing that his father was in a thoughtful state, he turned and scolded Zhang: "How dare you complain? If it weren't for Ying'er causing those troubles, why would Dad have to be so humble with us!"

"Shut up." Zhan Tai shouted coldly.

Thinking of Zhan Shaoying, Zhang sighed, bent her back and stopped talking.

It took a cup of tea time for Fu Shiyu's coffin to be carried out from Yongding Marquis' Mansion.

Zhan Yue got back on his horse and said to Fu Xiao, "My mother has divorced Duke Anguo. I want to move my mother to the Fu family's ancestral tomb and bury her with my grandfather and my uncle."

"Please lead the way, uncle."

"Divorce?" Fu Xiao was confused by Zhan Yue's words. Before he could sort out his thoughts, he responded subconsciously, "Wait for me to call someone to come with a horse!"

So, on the way to the Fu family cemetery, Zhan Yue told Fu Xiao in brief what had happened in the Anguo Mansion.

"Good!" Fu Xiao clapped his hands and shouted, "These three conditions are good!"

"Third sister has been strong all her life, and it's because of me that she has to be a slave." Fu Xiao recalled the arrogant look on the Duke of Anguo's face when he came to marry Fu Shiyu, and gritted his teeth and said, "He has been abused by this old bitch for so many years, and he only kowtowed three times in front of Third sister. He is really lucky!"

"The Crown Prince's wife is even more arrogant. You grew up in the Duke's Mansion. If it weren't for the protection of Old Lady Wen, you would have suffered a lot in the mansion. Even when we wanted to go there to pay homage to our third sister, they refused..."

Thinking of the difficult years, Fu Xiao's eyes turned red. He patted Zhan Yue's shoulder and said in a hoarse voice: "Fortunately, it's all over."

"Yeah." Zhan Yueyun said calmly, "It's in the past."

"But, are you just going to let Zhan Shaoying go like this?" Fu Xiao tightened the reins and asked unhappily.

Zhan Yue smiled, his smile was mysterious: "Of course not."

"I have other leverage over him," Zhan Yue turned around and glanced at the noble and magnificent carriage of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, revealing a bit of satisfaction. He whispered, "Let's see how the Duke will react when he sees the true face of his eldest grandson."

【Author’s words】

In the next few days, I will fix some of the plot problems in the previous article, and update the next episode of this extra tomorrow.