Chapter 103 Tense (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Although he had persuaded his second brother, Fu Mingzi was not an impatient person. Before revealing his plan, he first asked about the differences in the military camp compared to the past.
"I notice the military camp is more on high alert than usual. Has something happened?"
Fu Mingbai frowned, seemingly unaware of this before. However, since Fu Mingzi had asked, he thought about it carefully before replying thoughtfully: "A few days ago, the governor said that bandits were rampant in Jiangnan, and the emperor might send us to suppress them, so patrols and training have been intensified."
Fu Mingzi frowned slightly. In Zhou Xiaoyan's memory, there was indeed such a scene, but it was a stage set up to allow Zhou Xiaoheng to make meritorious contributions. Now that Zhou Xiaoheng has not come to reward the troops, it seems a bit deliberate to stage this scene again, which is not the way an emperor would do.
Could it be that the emperor also sensed something and therefore strengthened the defenses of the Yuntai Camp?
With this guess, Fu Mingzi's thoughts began to run wild, imagining what might happen in the future. But no matter how he thought about it, this matter was extremely dangerous for the Fu family. The Fu family might really become cannon fodder. He could only pray that the emperor had not noticed anything.
Fu Mingzi dismissed his wishful thinking and said in a deep voice, "Second brother, you should first find someone to sneak into the capital and go home to report our situation to Father and eldest brother, and see what their opinions are."
Fu Mingbo frowned. He was starting to have trouble understanding his younger brother. But if it was just this, he could manage: "That's fine, but how do you plan to do it?"
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "I'll write a letter first. As for the rest, we'll talk about it when I get news from my elder brother and father."
Seeing that he was unwilling to talk, Fu Mingbo did not ask any further questions. He had learned this from his older brother and father since he was a child, but he did not expect that he would use it on his younger brother.
Fu Mingzi quickly wrote a letter, but it didn't mention anything else, only the unusual activity in the military camp. As for why she didn't leave but stayed, Fu Mingzi didn't say a word.
Fu Mingbo took the letter and looked at Fu Mingzi with a hint of hesitation.
Fu Mingzi smiled and asked, "Second Brother, is there something you need?"
Fu Mingbo frowned slightly: "Aren't you going back to Beijing? I thought you would consider going back."
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi's eyes darkened, and after a long while, he smiled and said, "Now that you've come out, you should play a role. But it's not the right time yet. After all, Father's idea is only a possibility. We still need to observe and wait. Moreover, the matter on Yuntai also needs to be resolved."
Fu Mingbo pursed his lips, said nothing more, took the letter, and turned to leave.
**
Leaving aside Fu Mingzi's affairs in Yuntai, let's talk about the Fu family in the capital.
After Fu Mingzi left, that very evening, Fu Mingsong changed into inconspicuous clothes and quietly went to the Prince of Jin's residence under the escort of guards.
After knocking three times on the side door, it slowly opened as if by prior arrangement.
Zhou Xiaoyan's calm face appeared behind the door.
"Minister Fu," Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly.
During court today, Fu Mingsong suddenly sent him a note saying that he should come to the Prince of Jin's residence to see him that evening. Zhou Xiaoyan immediately felt something was wrong, since Fu Mingzi had just sent him a letter yesterday saying that he was leaving, and today Fu Mingsong came to see him.
With a nervous heart, Zhou Xiaoyan replied with a note, instructing him to knock three times on the west side door and that he would come to open it himself.
Now that Fu Mingsong has finally arrived, Zhou Xiaoyan's mood has calmed down.
"Let's go inside and talk, Your Highness." Fu Mingsong bowed respectfully.
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded and stepped aside to make way.
The two entered the Prince's mansion, and Zhou Xiaoyan led him directly to a room where few people passed by, and asked Wei Baocheng to guard the door.
Fu Mingsong also had the guards wait outside before following Zhou Xiaoyan inside.
"Minister Fu, this place is very secluded. Just say what you need to say." Zhou Xiaoyan said as soon as he entered the room.
Fu Mingsong didn't beat around the bush and directly recounted the old man's guess. After finishing, he said, "Your Highness, although this is just the old man's guess, I think it's quite possible. When I sent my third brother's family to the capital, I had an old woman search my third sister-in-law's luggage, but we found nothing. What's even more alarming is that one of my third sister-in-law's maids disappeared. As soon as this happened, I knew things were going to go wrong, so I discussed it with my father and sent my fifth brother out of the capital, hoping that if anything happened, we could save his life."
Zhou Xiaoyan never expected that there was such a hidden story behind this matter. When Fu Mingzi told him about it before, he did not consider this point at all. Perhaps he was also blinded by his memories of his previous life. He did not expect that this little thing, which was very small in his previous life, would involve so much behind it.
"Minister Fu has done a good job." Zhou Xiaoyan said, his mouth a little dry. This is good. Even if something happens, he can still live. He survived alone in the previous life, and it's time for him to live well in this life.
However, the thought of how he had lived a life worse than death in his previous life caused Zhou Xiaoyan a sharp pain in his heart. Would he end up like that?
No, I shouldn't doubt his feelings for me; he might be in more pain than I am.
Seeing Zhou Xiaoyan's grim expression, Fu Mingsong assumed he was troubled because he was considering the consequences of the matter, and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, we have no way out now. If we don't take the initiative in this matter, we will surely be defeated."
Zhou Xiaoyan put aside his complicated thoughts. Yes, he couldn't be so pessimistic now; he still had a chance.
“I know, but I think perhaps the adults have overlooked someone. We might be able to win this person over as our ally,” Zhou Xiaoyan said softly.
Fu Mingsong frowned, and after a moment he couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness is referring to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded: "Now that we've reached a critical moment, why don't we give those letters to His Highness the Crown Prince and let him ignite this fire?"
Fu Mingsong gritted his teeth, thought about Fu Mingfeng who was currently at the manor, and finally nodded. Since Fu Mingfeng did not treat the Fu family as his own, why should he protect him?
"Alright, since the water is already muddy, let's make it even muddier."
Fu Mingsong was also decisive. He immediately took out a stack of letters from his sleeve and handed them to Zhou Xiaoyan.
Zhou Xiaoyan was somewhat surprised: "Sir Fu, shouldn't you ask the old master's opinion?"
Fu Mingsong pursed his lips: "Why make things difficult for Father? Let me be the bad guy."
Zhou Xiaoyan remained silent, but finally accepted the letter: "I will personally deliver it to His Highness the Crown Prince, Minister Fu, please rest assured."
Fu Mingsong nodded: "After Your Highness gives the letter to His Highness the Crown Prince, you don't need to go to court. Just say that you have caught a cold and ask His Highness the Crown Prince to submit a memorial on your behalf. If something really happens, Your Highness can get away with it."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyan immediately looked at Fu Mingsong: "Minister Fu, have you noticed something?"
Fu Mingsong smiled and said, "I am just a scholar, how could I possibly know anything? But Your Highness should remember that if there is any commotion in the palace and Your Highness is willing to investigate, go to Yingwu Gate. Someone will be there to meet Your Highness."
“Okay.” Zhou Xiaoyan looked at Fu Mingsong with deep eyes.
As Zhou Xiaoyan saw Fu Mingsong off and watched his figure disappear into the night, Zhou Xiaoyan suddenly felt that the capital city would probably never be peaceful again.
Fu Mingsong quickly returned to the Fu family home. As soon as he arrived, the gatekeeper invited him to the old master's study. The old master sat alone at his desk, looking somewhat tired.
Upon seeing him enter, the old man raised his head, looked at him for a long time, and finally said, "Did you give the letter to the Prince of Jin?"
Fu Mingsong's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected that his father-in-law had already guessed it. He didn't lie and simply gave a faint "hmm".
Upon hearing the reply, the old man seemed to age ten years in an instant, looking utterly dejected.
After a long pause, he finally mustered his spirits: "You did well. I think the Fifth Prince will hand those letters over to the Crown Prince. That's good, it's a way out. As for the rest, you'd better prepare yourself."
Fu Mingsong nodded, then took a deep look at the old man before turning and leaving.
He knew that although he looked old, he was more insightful than anyone else. That's why he hadn't accepted those letters and had asked him to keep them. That's why he had suggested that he meet Zhou Xiaoyan. He knew how things would develop, and he had even pushed things forward. But after all, he was a father, and he didn't dare to do it himself, nor was he afraid of facing such an outcome.
But there was no other way; we couldn't just use the lives of our entire family to pay for it.
That night, not only the Fu family and the Prince of Jin's residence, but also Zhou Xiaoheng's Prince of Chu's residence were not quiet.
Grandpa Xia arrived early, and the two were sitting facing each other with serious expressions.
"Are you sure those letters fell into the hands of the Fu family?" the Fourth Prince asked again, unwilling to give up.
"It's confirmed. That girl is the one our family sent over back then. One reason was to facilitate surveillance, and the other was to pass on messages at times like this. She sneaked back, and although she walked a little slower than others, the message is true." The old man of the Xia family spoke calmly, as if it were just a trivial matter.
Zhou Xiaoheng's expression twisted for a moment: "Then what do we do now? Did you mention me in your letter? Did you mention where the things were sent?"
The old master of the Xia family sighed: "His Highness was mentioned, but it wasn't specified where the goods were transported to."
Zhou Xiaoheng slammed his fist on the table in anger: "How could you be so foolish!"
The old master of the Xia family was not afraid and remained calm: "That Fu Mingfeng is not a fool. He is also afraid that we will betray him after we have served our purpose. Mentioning His Highness in his heart is his request. Otherwise, he would not help us take risks."
Zhou Xiaoheng felt uncomfortable being blocked, so he couldn't help but get up and pace around the room.
"Then what do you suggest we do now? If the Fu family hands this over to Father Emperor, I'm finished!" Zhou Xiaoheng's face twisted as he said this.
Without even lifting his eyelids, Old Master Xia said in a deep voice, "Your Highness should know what to do."
Zhou Xiaoheng frowned: "But they're not ready yet; there are only a little over a thousand people there right now."
Old Master Xia merely sneered: "Your Highness still has room to maneuver. If you really wait until you're in dire straits, I'm afraid you won't be able to use those people anymore. And Your Highness probably doesn't know this, but the Fu family sent Fu Mingzi and Fu Mingzhu out of the capital early this morning. I think they're going to fight to the death."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaoheng's expression shifted uncertainly. After a long while, he finally made up his mind and nodded: "Alright, then I'll trouble Lord Xia to make the contact."
After saying that, he hesitated for a moment: "But even if the capital is under control, Zhou Mingguang of the Yuntai Camp is not easy to deal with. He won't..."
Old Master Xia sneered, "Why is Your Highness afraid of this? Zhou Mingguang is nothing but a treacherous villain who abandons morality for personal gain. Once Your Highness takes control of the Taiji Palace, I'm afraid he won't dare to utter a single word. Besides, didn't Zhou Mingguang try to curry favor with Your Highness before? I think he's also trying to place his bets on Your Highness. I think Your Highness might as well write him a letter to comfort him, and then have him stabilize the Yuntai Camp and keep an eye on Fu Mingbai. Once things are settled, I'm afraid he'll kill Fu Mingbai himself to eliminate any future troubles for Your Highness."
Zhou Xiaoheng nodded after listening: "Okay, I'll write the letter now."
As Old Master Xia watched Zhou Xiaoheng walk to his desk and begin writing a letter, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. This man was stubborn and arrogant, but weak inside, and was hardly a hero. However, the Xia family did not need a hero to be the emperor of Great Wei. What they wanted was just an easy-to-manipulate puppet.
After watching Zhou Xiaoheng finish writing the letter and then call someone in to instruct that the letter be sent to the Yuntai Camp as soon as possible, Old Master Xia finally felt a sense of relief.
What he didn't tell Zhou Xiaoheng was that the letter didn't actually mention Zhou Xiaoheng's name explicitly; it only vaguely referred to him. It would have been easy to refute this, but he couldn't tell Zhou Xiaoheng the truth because he was almost certain that if he did, Zhou Xiaoheng would abandon the Xia family and save himself.
Grandpa Xia would never allow such a thing to happen.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
