Chapter 34 Conspiracy (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
At this moment, Fu Mingzi's face had turned completely cold: "If he really dares to do something like deposing someone, even if we are thousands of miles apart, I will never forgive him."
Fu Mingsong sneered: "What's the use of you trying to be tough with me? The Mu family has been deeply rooted in Yun'an for decades. The chieftains in Yun'an only know about the Duke of Qian's mansion and not the imperial court. What ability can you, a mere fifth son of the Duke of Jing's mansion, possibly have? I'm afraid that when you go there, you'll just be delivering vegetables to the Duke of Qian."
Fu Mingzi gritted her teeth. Although she was very dissatisfied, she knew that Fu Mingsong was telling the truth.
After a long silence, he finally said, "Do you think the chieftains of Yun'an would be willing to let the Duke of Qian act so recklessly? Deposing the eldest son and establishing the youngest is not a good strategy."
Speaking of this, Fu Mingsong noticed that his expression had finally improved: "At least he hasn't completely lost his mind."
“Of course, some of those chieftains are unwilling.” Fu Mingsong got down to business, and his expression became much calmer: “However, those people are also very cunning. If Yun’er does not show special talent and methods, it is impossible for him to really serve.”
Upon hearing that there was a chance, Fu Mingzi hurriedly asked, "Then how many people are dissatisfied with the Duke of Qian's ideas now?"
“According to your eldest sister, it’s about 20% to 30%,” Fu Mingsong said casually. “The rest of the people also have their own agendas. Some of them are even thinking about supporting the young master to become the uncrowned king of Yun’an. Only about 30% are loyal to the Duke of Qian. And there are still some who are in an ambiguous position, hedging their bets.”
Fu Mingzi frowned upon hearing this. She hadn't expected the situation in Yun'an to be so complicated. It was fortunate that her eldest sister had made a decisive move; otherwise, if they had gotten caught up in Yun'an's internal strife, their chances of winning would have been slim.
"What does 'elder sister' mean?" Fu Mingzi asked tentatively.
Fu Mingzi had heard the Duke of Jingguo praise this elder sister many times since she was a child, saying that she had the style of her father and that her intelligence and methods were both excellent. If she were not a woman, she would probably have been able to establish a great career. Now that this powerful elder sister was able to leave the murky waters of Yun'an and return to the capital, she must have already made a plan in mind.
“Mingzhu naturally has her own plans.” Fu Mingsong seemed completely unconcerned. “However, it’s best not to elaborate on these plans in a letter. We’ll find out when she arrives.”
Fu Mingzi frowned. He didn't understand Fu Mingzhu as well as Fu Mingsong, and therefore he didn't have Fu Mingsong's relaxed attitude. In his opinion, the situation in Yun'an was already extremely dire. If they really wanted to fight against the Duke of Qian, they would probably have to bleed a lot of blood.
However, after thinking about it, Fu Mingzi still didn't express her concerns, and only said, "If you leave at this time, aren't you afraid that the Duke of Qian will depose and install a new ruler on his own?"
Fu Mingsong laughed upon hearing this: "The most important thing now is to protect Yun'er. As for the title, that child is not even a year old yet. Even if we were to depose him, it would probably have to wait until he grows up. We can afford to waste that time. Besides, Mingzhu has also left a backup plan in Yun'an, which is enough to hold back the Duke of Qian. More importantly, the daughter born to the Duke of Qian's favorite concubine who is with Mingzhu this time is also there. The Duke of Qian will have to be careful not to harm her."
Fu Mingzi was taken aback. It turned out that the Qing'er, whose identity was not quite right, mentioned by her sister-in-law, was actually the daughter of the Duke of Qian's favorite concubine.
It seems that this elder sister has really thought things through, and her decision was not made on a whim. The triple protection is enough to make the Duke of Qian feel constrained.
"It seems that my eldest sister must have gone through a lot of bloodshed to be able to leave Yun'an at this time." Fu Mingzi looked at Fu Mingsong with a meaningful expression.
Fu Mingsong nodded: "Of course. Your eldest sister has been in Yun'an for so many years, and she didn't stay there for nothing. She always has some trustworthy guards around her. Under the pretense of going out of the city to offer incense, she took advantage of the Duke of Qian's inspection of the border and escaped from the Duke of Qian's mansion with Yun'er. She experienced a lot along the way before she left Yun'an and finally sent a message to the mansion."
"So, does that mean eldest sister will arrive in the capital in a month?" Fu Mingzi smiled, now somewhat calmer, and had a better understanding of her eldest sister's methods: "Why did you lie to us and say two months later, eldest brother?"
Fu Mingsong smiled and said, "This is not a lie. I already said it would be one or two months. Whether it's one month or two months, it's still one or two months, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi laughed along. They were indeed from the same Fu family lineage; only family members could come up with such wordplay.
Thinking of these words, Fu Mingzi stood up: "Big brother, whatever big sister wants to do, just give the order if she needs me. However, if it's about dealing with that old scoundrel, Duke of Qian, I must take action myself!" As he said the last sentence, a ruthless glint flashed in Fu Mingzi's eyes.
Fu Mingsong seemed to have anticipated this, and nodded slightly with a calm expression: "Don't worry, even if you don't want to, you'll probably have to go."
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow: "You already have a plan?"
Fu Mingsong smiled faintly: "Don't worry about that, I'll explain it to you when the time comes."
"What about my second brother?" Fu Mingzi suddenly remembered his honest and kind second brother.
“My second brother is still a bit too straightforward. We’ll see when the time comes.” Even Fu Mingsong, a man as composed as he was, couldn’t help but rub his forehead when Fu Mingbo was mentioned.
Fu Mingzi chuckled softly, and the gloomy mood in her heart dissipated a little: "Then I won't bother you any longer, brother. Farewell." After saying that, she turned and left.
As Fu Mingzi left, the relaxed expression on Fu Mingsong's face gradually disappeared.
After Fu Mingzi's figure had completely disappeared, a voice suddenly came from behind the screen in the study: "This can be considered as stabilizing him for the time being."
Fu Mingsong's expression hardened, and he hurriedly stood up: "Father."
Duke Jingguo, Fu Changqing, slowly walked out from behind the screen.
"These are truly troubled times." The Duke of Jingguo's face was gloomy. "Even the Duke of Qianguo's side has made such a big mistake. You went to Yun'an in person. How could that woman still be able to give birth to a child?"
A hint of self-reproach flashed across Fu Mingsong's face, and his tone was heavy: "It's my fault. I heard that the Duke of Qian has been recruiting famous doctors from all over the country in recent years. Perhaps someone really has the ability to cure that woman."
Duke Jingguo sneered, "If I had known this would happen, I should have given that drug to Mu Tingfeng back then. To have a bastard before the marriage, how can he be a man who can control his own waist!"
Fu Mingsong broke out in a cold sweat at his grandfather's words, but still whispered, "If it really is given to Mu Tingfeng, I'm afraid Xi'er and Yun'er will be gone too."
The old man was speechless, his face slightly red. After stammering for a while, he finally said, "Fine, let them have the child. But that medicine was a potent one that I obtained from the palace. It's not so easy to counteract. The fact that they've produced this child means either there's something wrong with its origins or it's congenitally deficient. That's not enough to prove anything. What's important now is Mu Tingfeng's attitude. Judging from his appearance, he really hates our Duke Jing's mansion to the core, and he doesn't even care about blood ties."
Fu Mingsong's face turned cold: "They were the ones who begged to go, but in the end they caused such a mess. It's already a great favor that you let the child stay, sister. What face does he have to hate us?"
Duke Jingguo chuckled and said, "I taught you this lesson long ago: a man's greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Mu Tingfeng is not a magnanimous person, nor does he have a long-term vision. For a woman, he gave up the Mu family's decades-old foundation. Such a person should relinquish his position as Duke."
Although the Duke of Jingguo's tone was relaxed, it contained a sharp edge. Fu Mingsong raised his head and looked at the old man.
"What does Father mean?" The tone was very cautious.
"I didn't mean anything by it." Duke Jingguo chuckled at this point. "Let's talk about it when Mingzhu and Yun'er arrive. Blood ties aren't something that can be severed so easily."
These words seemed incongruous, but Fu Mingsong understood their meaning. He showed no surprise, only nodding slightly: "Son understands."
**
Fu Mingzi was unaware of the conversation that took place in the study after he left. He went straight back to his courtyard, but in his heart he was thinking about how to deal with the muddle-headed Duke of Qian. He had heard stories of favoring concubines over wives, but he had never associated them with his own female relatives.
In his view, what family in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion would be so bold as to mistreat their daughters? Now, after hearing about his sister's situation, he realized that this had already happened, but he was unaware of it.
The thought filled Fu Mingzi with rage, and he wished he could rush to Yun'an and give that Duke of Qian a good beating.
But this is just a thought; how to proceed will have to wait until my sister arrives in the capital.
Fu Mingzi had a vivid dream all night, in which he chased after the vaguely defined Duke of Qian, so he was rather listless when he woke up the next morning.
Songyan, unaware of the situation, assumed her master was in a bad mood and tried to amuse him. Fu Mingzi waved his hand impatiently, and Songyan stopped, her heart pounding. She asked cautiously, "Fifth Master, what's wrong?"
Fu Mingzi frowned, somewhat reluctant to answer, but then suddenly remembered something else and asked instead, "I'm asking you, do you know anything about Ze Chen's daughter, the girl who's always by my sister-in-law's side?"
Song Yan was a little confused, not expecting Fu Mingzi to ask this. However, he was always a gossip and there was nothing he didn't know about the Duke's mansion, so even though he was puzzled, he hurriedly said, "You mean the eldest young lady? The eldest young lady is gentle and kind to us servants. She gives us many rewards, and many people want to serve in her room. However, the eldest young lady has high standards, so the courtyard is quiet and not much news gets out."
Song Yan's words were simply spoken from the perspective of a servant, but Fu Mingzi gleaned some deeper meaning from them.
If I remember correctly, that grandniece is only eight or nine years old now. At that age, her family must have started teaching her manners, but her skills in managing the inner quarters must be quite immature. Yet, she manages to keep her room so well-managed. She truly seems extraordinary.
Fu Mingzi frowned. It seemed that he would have to ask this grandniece in person sometime in the future; he always felt uneasy about it.
While lost in thought, Fu Mingzi rode in the carriage toward the palace, but just as she arrived at the palace gate, she ran into another companion, Xia Zezhen, who was serving the Sixth Prince.
Fu Mingzi was most impatient with dealing with such sarcastic people, but she had no choice but to bite the bullet and greet them.
"Young Master Xia, what a coincidence." Fu Mingzi cupped his hands in a perfunctory manner.
Xia Zezhen got out of the car with a smile, looking very calm: "Young Master Fu, what a coincidence."
Fu Mingzi smiled on the surface, but he was a little impatient in his heart and just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. However, Xia Zezhen seemed to see through his thoughts and immediately said, "Young Master Fu, do you know that last night, His Majesty suddenly summoned Lord Lu from the Ministry of Revenue to the palace? I heard that he was reprimanded quite a bit. Lord Lu did not go back all night. I don't know what happened."
Xia Zezhen's words were meaningful, but Fu Mingzi couldn't help but frown.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
