Chapter 52 Letting Go (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Because he hadn't slept well the night before, Fu Mingzi, despite having many worries on his mind, still fell into a deep sleep at noon until Xiao Yunzi woke him up.
"Young Master." Xiao Yunzi lowered his head, looking even more respectful than before: "Would you like some food? Your Highness was worried because you ate so little for lunch, so he had some food left for you, just in time for you to wake up."
When Xiao Yunzi said this, his heart was trembling. When Eunuch Wei came to tell him about this before, he thought he was dreaming. When did Young Master Fu become more precious than the Fifth Prince?
Moreover, Eunuch Wei kept asking him, "Young Master, have you had any disagreements with His Highness? If anything is amiss, you must report it."
Xiao Yunzi subconsciously recalled the young master's previous question about the Fifth Prince and the Fourth Prince, but after thinking about it, he didn't dare to say anything and only gave a stammering reply.
Now, however, I feel even more awe and respect for this young master Fu.
Fu Mingzi didn't notice the change in Xiao Yunzi's attitude. All he could hear were the words Xiao Yunzi had just said: that the Fifth Prince was worried about him and had even left him some food.
Fu Mingzi sat blankly on the bed, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
"I understand." After what seemed like an eternity, he finally responded in a low voice.
Xiao Yunzi was a little confused. She looked up at Fu Mingzi, but saw that he had his eyes down and she couldn't see his expression.
Xiao Yunzi, trying to figure out what Fu Mingzi was thinking, whispered, "Young Master has just gotten up. Why don't I bring in that bowl of soup for you? It's been sitting on the stove all afternoon. It's fresh, fragrant, and soothing, without a trace of oiliness. It's perfect for you now."
Fu Mingzi paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."
Xiao Yunzi breathed a sigh of relief. After all, it was a gift from His Highness. If Young Master Fu really didn't use it, then they, as servants, would have a hard time explaining themselves.
Xiao Yunzi went out to fetch the soup, and Fu Mingzi got out of bed and slowly put on her clothes. For some reason, her mood became strangely calm.
If you've already decided not to ask, why be so awkward? Are you trying to prove something?
Fu Mingzi's eyes subtly revealed fluctuations of emotion.
Yunjia said she only dreamed that she went to the courtyard where Zhou Xiaoyan was imprisoned, but she didn't know what their final fate was.
However, Fu Mingzi knew that if that were the case, their fate would definitely not be good; either he or Zhou Xiaoyan would die.
For some reason, Fu Mingzi had a vague feeling that she would be the one to die in the end.
There was no particular reason, it was just a feeling, but it lingered in his heart.
So he couldn't help but wonder if Zhou Xiaoyan was being so nice to him now because he also knew their fate in his dream, which was why he was being so nice to him.
Once the thought arose, it could not be dispelled.
Zhou Xiaoyan's previous ability to foresee the future seems to have been well explained. A prince in the deep palace knows everything. He was unwilling to think about it before, but now he has to.
Fu Mingzi slowly fastened her belt, watched as Xiao Yunzi brought in a bowl of steaming soup, and let out a long sigh.
That's it. It's good to be a little oblivious in life. Thinking too much is just asking for trouble. He's upset, and so is Zhou Xiaoyan. Given the current situation, instead of dwelling on the past, it's better to cherish the warmth in front of us.
"Young master, the soup is here." Xiao Yunzi smiled so wide his eyes disappeared: "His Highness was afraid that you wouldn't have enough, so he also brought some snacks. Please have some first, there's no rush."
Fu Mingzi smiled slightly. She had forced such a cold and aloof person to this point of almost fawning. That was enough, Fu Mingzi told herself softly.
“In that case, I must thank Your Highness properly later.” Fu Mingzi smiled, the first genuine smile of the day.
Xiao Yunzi was stunned. With that smile, it seemed that all the gloom that had been surrounding Young Master Fu had disappeared, and he had become the carefree and cheerful Young Master Fu again.
Xiao Yunzi smiled subconsciously as well: "His Highness treats you so kindly, there's no need for you to thank me."
Fu Mingzi smiled slightly, but didn't say anything. Instead, she sat down at the table and started eating.
Xiao Yunzi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the awkwardness between the Fifth Prince and Young Master Fu should be over today. However, she didn't know why, after just one night's sleep, Young Master Fu's mood suddenly improved. Could it be that he didn't sleep well last night and was too grumpy when he woke up? Xiao Yunzi's thoughts began to wander.
**
After finishing her snack, Fu Mingzi went to the front hall. As soon as she entered, she saw Zhou Xiaoyan sitting in the main seat, but he didn't look as calm as usual. Instead, he seemed a little uneasy, and his mind wasn't on the book in his hand. His eyes kept glancing towards the door.
Upon seeing Fu Mingzi enter, he suddenly stood up and said, "You're here..." He seemed a little flustered, and his words came out rather awkwardly.
Fu Mingzi curled her lips into a smile. It seemed she had really gone too far before, scaring him like this.
"I must thank Your Highness for the snacks and soup," Fu Mingzi said with a smile, her previous aloofness gone.
Zhou Xiaoyan was taken aback, then subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief; he had become the same person he used to be.
"I'm glad you're using it well," Zhou Xiaoyan hurriedly replied, afraid that he would revert back to his old self.
Seeing his expression, Fu Mingzi couldn't help but laugh out loud: "With Your Highness's kindness, even poison would taste sweet to me."
Unexpectedly, after saying this, Zhou Xiaoyan's expression suddenly changed drastically, turning pale and almost unsteady.
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Zhou Xiaoyan said through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.
Fu Mingzi was taken aback, and an idea suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Don't say those things again." Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to realize his loss of composure, closed his eyes to hide the emotions in them, and said in a deep voice.
Fu Mingzi looked at his clenched fists, his fair and slender hands so tightly that the veins were bulging.
Fu Mingzi's eyes were deep and heavy. Now he could be sure that it was indeed him who died in his previous life, and that he was poisoned to death.
“Hahahaha…” Fu Mingzi suddenly let out a deep laugh, which stunned Zhou Xiaoyan, who stared at him intently.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Fu Mingzi looked up and smiled at Zhou Xiaoyan. "I was just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously, Your Highness?" He still looked frivolous, as if he really was just joking.
Zhou Xiaoyan pursed his lips tightly, his dark eyes appearing even more profound against his pale face.
"You're not allowed to say it even as a joke." Zhou Xiaoyan's voice trembled slightly. "How can you say something like that carelessly?"
Fu Mingzi hurriedly put on a surrendering look: "Your Highness is right, this humble subject will not dare to talk nonsense again, please calm down." He shamelessly smiled and came closer to beg for forgiveness.
Zhou Xiaoyan couldn't possibly be angry with him. Seeing him like this, his heart immediately softened, and his tone became much gentler: "Then you mustn't say those things again." Although it was an order, he spoke it with a reproachful tone.
Fu Mingzi's heart fluttered, and he subconsciously wanted to raise his hand to touch his cheek, but he managed to restrain himself. He lightly twirled his fingers and said in a daze, "Your Highness, I know my crime. Please don't be angry."
Her tone was almost like a coquettish flirtation, which made Zhou Xiaoyan's ear tips turn half red.
"Since you're up, let's go quickly." Zhou Xiaoyan turned his head away awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject.
Seeing Zhou Xiaoyan's embarrassed and annoyed expression, Fu Mingzi smiled meaningfully: "Alright, let's go then." She couldn't push him too far, Fu Mingzi thought calmly. These things had to be taken slowly to truly appreciate their nuances.
The two men exited the front hall one after the other. As soon as Wei Baocheng saw them come out, he quickly glanced at their expressions.
However, upon closer inspection, they were stunned. Young Master Fu had reverted to his previous demeanor, even displaying a hint of smugness in his eyes, while the Fifth Prince looked embarrassed and annoyed. It was somewhat similar, somewhat similar...
Wei Baocheng felt a sudden jolt in his heart and quickly dismissed the disrespectful thought from his mind.
"Your Highness, we won't be having martial arts lessons at the training ground today. Commander Yang sent word that we'll be going to the horse farm to practice the princes' horsemanship." Wei Baocheng had many thoughts on his mind, but his face remained serious.
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded somewhat casually, not really caring about it.
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow slightly. This Commander Yang was truly a remarkable person. He flattered the Fifth Prince in a subtle way. Everyone knew that the Fifth Prince had accompanied the Emperor on the spring hunt, so his horsemanship must have improved. Now that he was practicing horsemanship, wasn't this creating a perfect opportunity to praise the Fifth Prince?
Fu Mingzi curled her lips. No wonder he could become the Grand Commander; he really does have some ability.
This time, the two talked more when they went to the horse farm. Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to realize that he had been too passive before, and this time he actually started to take the initiative to talk to Fu Mingzi.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Crown Prince will bring up the matter of me leaving the palace at the court meeting today, and Father will most likely agree. I'm afraid that after this selection of consorts, my fourth brother and I will leave the palace to establish our own residences."
Fu Mingzi pursed his lips, realizing that the Fourth Prince had gotten a good deal. Since the Fifth Prince was leaving the palace, the Fourth Prince naturally wouldn't leave behind. However, this wasn't a big deal. In the end, it would depend on which department they were assigned to in the court. If it was the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of War, they would definitely be given important positions. But if it was the Ministry of Rites or other leisurely departments, they would be far less likely to be promoted.
"Where does Your Highness think His Majesty will assign you to serve?" Fu Mingzi asked.
Normally, he wouldn't ask this question, because it would be a pointless question. Zhou Xiaoyan, an unappreciated prince, would never know the emperor's thoughts. But now it's different. If Zhou Xiaoyan knew the future like Fu Yunjia, he would probably have already made plans.
“If there are no surprises, it should be the Ministry of Revenue.” Zhou Xiaoyan pursed his lips, then added, “This is also the Crown Prince’s guess; it’s hard to say.”
He used the Crown Prince as a shield again, but Fu Mingzi is not so easily fooled now. Even the Crown Prince probably wouldn't dare to make such a guess. Zhou Xiaoyan is becoming more and more unscrupulous in front of him.
Fu Mingzi glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan with a half-smile, but Zhou Xiaoyan avoided Fu Mingzi's gaze with a guilty look. He knew that there was a loophole in his words, but since it was Fu Mingzi who spoke, he naturally did not have so many concerns. Moreover, since Fu Mingzi had asked, would he hide it from him?
“That’s excellent.” Fu Mingzi smiled meaningfully. “I just wonder if the Fourth Prince will be as highly regarded by His Majesty as His Highness.”
Upon hearing the word "four," Zhou Xiaoyan's face immediately darkened, and his tone became sarcastic: "Father has always been good at recognizing and utilizing talent. Fourth Brother is quite learned, and I guess he will continue his studies once he enters the court."
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow and said nothing more. It seemed that Zhou Xiaoyan harbored deep resentment towards the Fourth Prince and had probably suffered a lot of torment.
Fu Mingzi's eyes turned cold; with that in mind, he no longer needed to be lenient with the Fourth Prince.
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