Chapter 71 Shocking Change (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Fu Mingzi made a fuss and left, showing no concern for how conflicted the Duke of Jingguo was. In fact, he had long since decided that the Duke of Jingguo had to make a choice, whether he liked it or not. A family like the Duke of Jingguo simply couldn't remain aloof.
Previously, the Duke of Jingguo had been trying to win over the Yang family to expand his power and secure his position. However, now that he has seen through the Emperor's schemes and the Fourth Prince has inevitably stood against them, all of this has become meaningless. Their only way out is the Fifth Prince.
Fu Mingzi saw this clearly, but it's unknown whether the Duke of Jingguo could see it as well.
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Dinner was served in the Wen family courtyard. The whole family was there, with men and women sitting at separate tables separated by a screen.
By this time, Mu Zhenyun had become familiar with Fu Zechen, and the two spoke intimately to each other. Fu Zechen treated him like a child, and Mu Zhenyun, who had been neglected by his father since childhood, was experiencing the care of a male relative for the first time.
Fu Mingzi glanced at Mu Zhenyun, whose eyes were sparkling as he whispered to Fu Zechen, and couldn't help but say, "Speaking of which, it was my second brother and I who brought Yun-ge'er back back then. How come Yun-ge'er is so close to Zechen now?"
When Fu Mingbo heard his name mentioned, he glanced at Fu Mingzi but didn't say anything.
Fu Mingsong smiled and said, "With your personality, you're always looking for trouble and never care about Yun-ge'er. Now you've learned to say sarcastic things."
Fu Mingzi touched her nose awkwardly and then continued eating. Mu Zhenyun did not hear their conversation and continued to whisper to Fu Zechen. Fu Zechen, however, gave Fu Mingzi a half-smile.
Fu Mingzi cursed under his breath that the kid was getting sharper and sharper, but he didn't bother to humiliate himself by sticking up to him. He lowered his head and continued eating.
After the meal, the servants brought up tea, and then Wen's voice came from inside: "Qing'er from Mingzhu's family is fully recovered now. Why don't you go out and meet your elders and brothers?" Her words were polite but distant.
"Yes," a soft, weak voice replied immediately.
Fu Mingzi tightened his grip on the teacup. Was Mu Xueqing alright?
While she was pondering, Mu Xueqing herself came out from the inner room, accompanied by Fu Mingzhu and Mu Xuexi.
Fu Mingzhu's expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. She simply said in a deep voice, "Quickly pay your respects to your maternal grandfather and uncles."
Mu Xueqing has a delicate face and doesn't resemble the Mu siblings at all. Fu Mingzi guessed that she probably resembled his birth mother. This also shows that the Duke of Qian actually liked this kind of frail and delicate woman.
Mu Xueqing accepted the order and gracefully stepped forward, bowing to Fu Mingzi and the others: "Xueqing greets her maternal grandfather and uncles."
The Duke of Jingguo, with a stern face, raised his hand and said, "Rise, there's no need for such formalities."
Mu Xueqing slowly stood up, but kept her eyes down and didn't look around. She seemed to be very well-behaved.
"If you're weak, rest more and don't overexert yourself." Duke Jingguo said a few words, then nodded to his attendant, who immediately brought over a plate with a purse on it: "I didn't have time to give it to you earlier, but now that you're better, please keep it. All the younger members of our family have one."
Mu Xueqing bowed again before gesturing to the maid beside her to accept the gift.
After exchanging greetings and presenting the gifts, Mu Xueqing withdrew. Fu Mingzhu remained unmoved throughout, but when she was finally about to leave, she glanced at Fu Mingzi and said, "Fifth brother, stay a while. I have something to tell you."
"I understand, eldest sister." Fu Mingzi didn't notice Fu Mingzhu calling her; she was startled at first, but then immediately responded.
Fu Mingzhu left with her two children, but silence fell over the table in front of her.
Mu Zhenyun lowered his eyes slightly, and his face, which had been smiling, now looked somewhat indifferent.
Fu Zechen patted him on the back to comfort him.
Mu Zhenyun looked up at Fu Zechen, his eyes reddening.
It's hard for anyone to accept that their own father would try to kill them for the sake of an illegitimate son.
"Cousin, do you think I'm particularly unlikable?" Mu Zhenyun asked pitifully.
Fu Zechen's usually sharp mind softened at the question, and he said gently, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's your father who has no taste. Yun-ge is so smart and studious, anyone would like you."
Mu Zhenyun lowered his head like a puppy and leaned closer to Fu Zechen: "Cousin, you're good at coaxing me."
Fu Zechen couldn't help but laugh when he saw him like this: "I'm not just flattering you. If you don't believe me, ask your uncle. He's been praising you non-stop these past few days, as if he's treating you like his son."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zhenyun hurriedly looked at Fu Mingsong. Fu Mingsong was caught off guard and had been tricked by his own son. His face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly recovered and nodded slightly: "Brother Yun is quick-witted and eager to learn. He is indeed a good child."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zhenyun immediately became happy and grinned foolishly at Fu Mingsong: "Uncle, you are the first elder besides my mother to praise me."
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingsong felt a pang of pity. What kind of life had this child been living in the past?
For a moment, the men of the Fu family looked at each other in bewilderment, and at the same time, their hatred for the Duke of Qian grew even stronger.
After the meal was finally finished, all the other men left one by one, but Fu Mingzi stayed behind as usual. The Duke of Jingguo glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "If anything happens this time, you must not hide it from me."
After the fright that afternoon, Duke Jingguo had some idea of where Fu Mingzi got the information. It was either the Fifth Prince or Fu Mingzhu. Now that Fu Mingzhu had asked him to talk, Duke Jingguo was very sensitive and realized that Fu Mingzhu probably also knew about Qing'er's future.
Fu Mingzi smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I will not hide it from you in the future."
Duke Jingguo didn't know whether what he said was true or false, so he just shook his head helplessly and left.
After everyone left, Fu Mingzhu came out, looking worried. She walked to Fu Mingzi's side and said, "I feel like Mu Xueqing knows something."
"What do you mean?" Fu Mingzi frowned.
“I feel that she must know that she has a bright future.” Fu Mingzhu bit her lower lip and said, “I know Mu Xueqing. She has always been a person who climbs the social ladder and belittles the weak. Her temperament is also petty, which was raised by her mother. If she came to a family like the Fu family, she would definitely cause some trouble, instead of staying peacefully in the inner quarters like she is now.”
Fu Mingzi finally understood Fu Mingzhu's meaning. If Mu Xueqing was vain, then the lavish display of wealth and beauty in the Fu family would surely dazzle her. She must also know that the selection of daughters from the Duke of Qian's mansion was just a formality and she would definitely not be chosen. If she wanted to live a good life, she would definitely do something underhanded in the Fu family.
You should know that there are several men in the Fu family who are around the same age as her.
But Mu Xueqing remained completely still, acting like a true lady from a noble family, never leaving her home and never buying anything. She didn't even raise her head when she came to pay her respects.
In that case, perhaps she already knew she had a bright future, and perhaps the Duke of Qian had already given her some instructions!
Fu Mingzi couldn't help but feel angry when he thought of this. This Duke of Qian had actually been in cahoots with the emperor for a long time, and had even made up his mind to offer his illegitimate daughter to him. He thought it was just a one-sided gesture of goodwill from the emperor.
By doing this, the Duke of Qian was essentially gambling with the accumulated wealth of the Mu family over generations, all for the sake of having a son born out of wedlock inherit the title.
“If that’s the case, then it’s troublesome.” Fu Mingzi frowned and said, “The Emperor has long been in cahoots with the Duke of Qian, so this matter can’t be stopped so easily. The Duke of Qian is probably determined to put his illegitimate son on the throne, otherwise he wouldn’t be so obsequious to the Emperor. In that case, we can’t rely on the Emperor at all. The only way now is to stall, to stall until…”
Fu Mingzi didn't say anything more, but he believed that Fu Mingzhu would understand what he meant.
Fu Mingzhu nodded: "I know this is the only way, but I'm afraid Mu Yuanshu will do something desperate. I know him. He's not a far-sighted person. He always does things according to his own preferences and never cares about others."
Fu Mingzi frowned deeply: "I will discuss this matter with the Fifth Prince. Eldest sister, please rest assured and don't get angry. There will always be a way. There are still half a month before the selection, so don't worry. There will always be a solution."
Fu Mingzhu had no choice but to trust Fu Mingzi now, so she could only nod helplessly: "Okay, I believe you."
Fu Mingzi didn't linger any longer and hurriedly turned and left the inner courtyard.
This time, however, he dared not hide anything and hurriedly ran to the study of the Duke of Jingguo.
When he arrived, the Duke of Jingguo was still changing his clothes. When he saw him come in, he looked surprised and said, "You really came."
His previous words were simply a reminder to Fu Mingzi not to act recklessly, but he didn't expect Fu Mingzi to actually listen to him.
"Father, this is not the time to talk about this. Something terrible has happened!" Fu Mingzi said angrily.
Duke Jingguo's expression changed. He knew that Fu Mingzi was not one to speak without reason.
"I'll have someone fetch your eldest and second brothers." Duke Jingguo waved his hand, and a servant hurriedly went to deliver the message.
Fu Mingzi took the tea that was served and drank it down in one gulp before she could catch her breath.
After waiting for a while, Fu Mingsong and Fu Mingbai arrived. Fu Mingzi recounted the emperor's thoughts and the news she had heard from Fu Mingzhu that day. After she finished speaking, not only Fu Mingbai but also Fu Mingsong were dumbfounded.
"What is Your Majesty trying to do?"
Fu Mingbai was even more furious: "His Majesty would do such a thing for the Fourth Prince, this is simply unbelievable..."
Although the two were angry for different reasons, it was quite strange that they both felt anger towards the emperor.
At this moment, the Duke of Jingguo was the calmest among those present. He waved his hand gently and said, "Stop talking. What's the use of saying these things now? The emperor is determined to put the fourth prince on the throne. Naturally, he has to deal with us first before he can feel at ease. The Fu family controls the Imperial Guards, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The emperor is wary of us, which is why he is trying to win over the Duke of Qianguo. If the Fu family wants to survive in this struggle for the throne, they only have two choices: go with the flow or start anew."
After saying this, he turned his sharp gaze to his three eldest sons: "What do you decide to do?"
"Of course we cannot let His Majesty succeed!" Unexpectedly, Fu Mingbo was the first to stand up and express his opinion: "No matter how loyal and brave the Fu family is, we cannot abandon our little sister because of His Majesty's selfishness."
The Duke of Jingguo's expression softened, and he looked at Fu Mingsong and Fu Mingzi: "Where are you two?"
Fu Mingsong glanced at Fu Mingzi, seemingly sensing something, but still slowly nodded: "I agree with my second brother's opinion."
Fu Mingzi smiled at Fu Mingsong: "Of course I'll listen to my second brother."
Duke Jingguo's face darkened. He knew that this had finally pleased Fu Mingzi.
"Alright, that's settled then." Duke Jingguo looked somewhat tired for a moment: "You all need to think carefully about what to do with the Fu family tonight, and come to my study first thing tomorrow morning."
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Author's Note: I've been updating very late these past few days, but I usually update before midnight. Just letting you all know~
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