Chapter 74 is first published on Jinjiang Literature City.
Duke Jingguo gave Fu Mingzhu a few more instructions before letting her leave. Fu Mingzi originally wanted to follow, but Duke Jingguo stopped him.
"Don't rush off yet, there are still some things I need to tell you today."
Fu Mingzi stopped and turned to look at the Duke of Jingguo.
The Duke of Jingguo looked somewhat embarrassed, coughed lightly, and then said, "The Yang family may be sending someone this afternoon. Their sixth daughter is not doing well, and your engagement will have to be formally called off."
Fu Mingzi was taken aback, thinking to herself that the Yang family was quite patient, only coming to annul the engagement now.
"Since nothing's been decided yet, there's no need to be so formal. Let's just pretend it never happened," Fu Mingzi waved her hand.
Duke Jingguo glared at him: "Look at the nonsense you're spouting. How can you pretend nothing happened? You two have matched your horoscopes and exchanged tokens. You have to take that back."
Fu Mingzi found it a bit troublesome and simply waved her hand, saying, "Then you handle it as you see fit; I won't get involved."
The Duke of Jingguo was furious, but he didn't stop him. After all, Fu Mingzi had suffered a loss in this matter, and he felt sorry for his youngest son.
Fu Mingzi strode out of the Duke of Jingguo's room, but as soon as she came out, she encountered an unexpected person.
Fifth Young Master Fu Zefan.
Fu Zefan is the only son of Fu Mingfeng, the third brother of Fu Mingzi, who was born out of wedlock. Fu Mingfeng is now serving as an official in another city with his wife, leaving only this son in the Fu family.
Fu Mingzi also had a fourth brother, Fu Mingtong, who was born out of wedlock. Unfortunately, Fu Mingtong died young, leaving behind only a posthumous daughter, Fu Rousi, who got married a few years ago.
Fu Zefan was born out of wedlock. Although he was the legitimate son, he was very low-key in the mansion and rarely interacted with others, only communicating with his brothers. In front of his elders, he always acted meekly and submissive. Therefore, Fu Mingzi didn't know much about this fifth nephew. Fu Mingzi was quite surprised to run into him at the door of the old man's study today.
"Fifth Uncle." Fu Zefan looked a little nervous.
Fu Mingzi remained calm and raised her eyes: "It's Ze Fan. Are you here to see your grandfather?"
Fu Zefan hummed in agreement, then glanced nervously into the courtyard.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "The old man is inside. You should go in quickly."
Fu Zefan smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then bowed again before walking into the courtyard.
Fu Mingzi frowned slightly as he watched Fu Zefan's figure. His third brother, Fu Mingfeng, had studied with his eldest brother before, but he was not as talented as his eldest brother. He barely passed the provincial examination and then failed the imperial examination three times in a row. Later, he became somewhat disheartened and was assigned to a post in another place by his grandfather.
Now, three or four years have passed since he last came back, and Fu Mingzi has almost forgotten about this older brother. She only remembers that he was also honest and kind, and didn't talk much. He was just like her son.
I wonder what Fu Zefan wanted to do with the old man today?
The thought flashed through Fu Mingzi's mind for only a moment before it vanished, and she turned and walked towards her own courtyard.
In the afternoon, Fu Mingzi heard a noise in the front yard, called Songyan in to ask, and learned that the Yang family had arrived.
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi went straight into the study, pretended to take out a book and read it, acting as if nothing had happened.
Only after hearing the old man smile as he saw the person out did he put down the book in his hand and look at the pine smoke at the door.
Song Yan was very perceptive. She immediately went outside to inquire, and returned a moment later, smiling as she said, "The old man saw the Yang family out."
Fu Mingzi nodded: "If you behave yourself these next few days, I'm afraid there will be some rumors going around."
Songyan didn't understand the deeper meaning behind Fu Mingzi's words, and just nodded blankly.
Fu Mingzi sighed. He was really unlucky. He wondered if his reputation for being a jinx to wives would spread this time. If the old man wanted to suppress it, all his efforts would be in vain.
However, Fu Mingzi was not overly worried. After all, he knew these prominent families in the capital very well. Some news could not be suppressed. Once the Yang family announced their death, everyone in the capital would probably know. Even if they didn't dare to mention it to the Fu family, there would still be plenty of gossip behind their backs.
Thinking of this, Fu Mingzi clapped his hands with the book, turned around and left the study.
"I'm going to check on the old man's study. Don't follow me," Fu Mingzi said, then stepped out of the courtyard gate.
As Fu Mingzi entered the old man's courtyard, she heard him talking to someone inside, and she paused in her steps.
"Who's outside?" The old man seemed to have heard the noise and asked loudly.
"It's me." Fu Mingzi said calmly, without any sign of panic.
The old man seemed to whisper a few words to someone before saying, "Come in."
Fu Mingzi then slowly entered the study. When she entered, the old man was standing in front of the desk, and Fu Zefan was standing in the corner with his head down.
"What's Zefan doing here?" Fu Mingzi asked, somewhat surprised.
The old man sighed: "He came to me and said he wanted to go to Qinghe County."
Qinghe County is where Fu Zefan's father, Fu Mingfeng, took office.
Fu Mingzi was somewhat surprised: "What do you mean by that? Is there something wrong?"
Although Qinghe County is not too far from the capital, it is not close either. A round trip would take three to five days. It would indeed be inappropriate for Fu Zefan, a child who has just come of age, to go there at this time.
"It's nothing, it's just that I haven't seen my father and mother for a long time and I wanted to visit them." Fu Zefan's tone was light, sounding somewhat unsure of himself.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "I'm sure your third brother is very pleased with your filial piety. However, things are not stable in the capital right now, so it would be inappropriate to go there at this time. It would be better to wait until April when the weather is warmer, and then I will go with you."
Fu Zefan looked at Fu Mingzi with some surprise, seemingly not expecting him to say that, and hurriedly said, "How can I trouble Fifth Uncle, I..."
"Alright." The old man waved his hand. "Your fifth uncle is right. It's the time for the talent show now, and there are many people coming and going in the capital. After the talent show, I'll have your fifth uncle accompany you. That way, I'll feel at ease."
Fu Zefan blushed and after a long while, he stammered, "Then, I'll have to trouble you, Fifth Uncle."
Fu Mingzi smiled, but the Duke of Jingguo frowned slightly in displeasure. However, he didn't say anything in the end, and just waved his hand: "If you have nothing else to do, you can go back first."
Fu Zefan nodded in agreement, then slowly turned and left.
Watching Fu Zefan leave, Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow: "Why did Zefan suddenly decide to go see Third Brother?"
"Who knows?" Duke Jingguo sat down with a frown, still somewhat dissatisfied, and couldn't help but say, "This child is being spoiled too much by Mingfeng. He looks so timid, not at all like a man from our Fu family."
Fu Mingzi couldn't help but laugh: "Master, what are you saying? Does our Fu family not have any introverted people? I think Ze Fan is very good. He is much less troublesome than Ze Chen and the others. Moreover, he is very filial and studies hard. Third Brother will probably enjoy a good life in the future."
When the topic of reading came up, the Duke of Jingguo's expression softened. After all, among his grandsons, apart from the sons of Fu Mingsong's branch of the family, this grandson was the only one who could concentrate on his studies, and he was much better than his father.
"At least there's something to it." Duke Jingguo couldn't help but smile. "Even if I become a minor official in the future, at least I'll have a livelihood."
Fu Mingzi could hear the undisguised pride in his tone and said with a smile, "You certainly have a big mouth. Being an official has become your livelihood. I wonder how many people dream of becoming officials."
Duke Jing glared at Fu Mingzi and said, "How dare you talk to me like that? If you had put in even a fraction of what Ze Fan has done, I wouldn't have to worry about you like this."
Upon realizing that the fire had spread to him, Fu Mingzi hurriedly raised his hands in surrender: "Alright, alright, I know I was wrong, please forgive me."
Duke Jingguo snorted but ultimately did not pursue the matter further.
"Oh, right." Duke Jingguo suddenly came to his senses: "What is the reason you came to see me this time?"
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "What else could it be? Of course, I wanted to ask you if anything went wrong with the Yang family's visit this time?"
Duke Jingguo frowned: "The engagement is completely called off, but that girl from the Yang family is probably useless now, and her days are numbered."
Fu Mingzi pursed her lips, her feelings a mix of emotions.
“But…” Duke Jingguo’s tone changed, and Fu Mingzi hurriedly looked over.
"Strangely enough, the Yang family actually brought up the matter of their youngest daughter with me this time, without much hesitation," the Duke of Jingguo stroked his beard, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
The Duke of Jingguo was puzzled, but Fu Mingzi knew perfectly well. The Yang family, of course, would not hide it, since the real Miss Yang had long since died. They had only delayed for so many days to prevent other gossip from spreading.
"Did they say when they would meet?" Fu Mingzi asked calmly.
"It's not that fast." Duke Jing glanced at Fu Mingzi and saw how calm he was. He couldn't help but feel a little complicated. He didn't know if Fu Mingzi was really indifferent or if there was some other reason.
Duke Jingguo was thinking too far ahead for a moment, and it was Fu Mingzi who brought him back to his senses.
"Ahem." Duke Jingguo concealed his thoughts of trouble and said in a low voice, "You don't need to worry about this. Just do what you need to do. Your elder brother and I know what we're doing."
Fu Mingzi couldn't help but mutter to himself, but he didn't ask any more questions. After all, it was his nephew's business, and he had no right to interfere.
Fu Mingzi turned and left the Duke of Jingguo's courtyard, but in his heart he was thinking that this time he had completely severed ties with the Yang family. He wondered what kind of life Miss Yang would lead in the future.
Thinking of this, Fu Mingzi couldn't help but smile. No matter what kind of life it is, it will always be better than the present. As long as she was certain of that, that was enough.
Without thinking too much, Fu Mingzi turned and walked towards her own courtyard, her steps appearing much lighter.
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