Chapter 86 Changes Jinjiang's First Publication
As soon as Fu Mingzi entered the old man's study, he saw the old man talking to a young man, who was none other than Fu Zefan.
"Fifth brother, come here quickly." The old man beckoned to him.
Fu Mingzi concealed the fleeting change in her expression and walked over with a grin.
"What can I do for you?" Fu Mingzi asked with a smile, her face seemingly free of any gloom.
"Have you forgotten?" The old man frowned, feeling a chill run down his spine at the sight of his smiling face.
"It's about what you promised Zefan last time," the old man added, afraid that Fu Mingzi had really forgotten.
Fu Mingzi also feigned a look of sudden realization: "Ah, so that's what it is. I almost forgot. I'm really sorry, Ze Fan." He smiled and said to Fu Ze Fan beside him.
Fu Zefan waved his hand awkwardly, "Fifth Uncle, you're too kind. You're always busy with important matters, and I feel ashamed to trouble you with such a small matter. I'd rather go by myself and not trouble you."
Fu Mingzi paused for a moment, then smiled slightly: "What are you saying, child? No matter how busy I am, I can't abandon my nephew. Ze Fan, wait a few days. Once I've finished what I'm doing, I'll take you to see your father."
The Duke of Jingguo chimed in, "Your fifth uncle is right. You're being too polite, child. We're all family. Your fifth uncle can certainly help with this. Don't refuse."
Fu Zefan smiled awkwardly, his tone somewhat forced: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Fifth Uncle."
Fu Mingzi smiled kindly: "No trouble at all."
Fu Zefan tried to go alone several times, but Fu Mingzi refused to let him have his way. He wanted to see what the father and son of the third branch of the family were up to.
After Fu Zefan left dejectedly, the Duke of Jingguo frowned and looked at Fu Mingzi: "Have you been very busy these past few days?"
Fu Zefan was easy to fool, but the Duke of Jingguo was not so easily fooled. Fu Mingzi said that he had been busy with important matters these past few days, which was the biggest lie in itself, because the Duke of Jingguo knew that he had been quite idle these past few days.
Fu Mingzi knew he couldn't hide it from the Duke of Jingguo, so he just smiled and said, "I forgot by accident. I can't say that I, as his uncle, don't care about my nephew's affairs. Besides, I do have some things to take care of these past few days before I can leave with peace of mind."
The Duke of Jingguo believed him, since his words seemed plausible: "That's good. You should pay more attention to them in the future. The third son's family only has one child. Now that the couple is gone, as an elder, you should show them more care and concern."
Fu Mingzi smiled and nodded.
After dealing with the old man and leaving the house, Fu Mingzi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Sometimes, he really didn't want to lie to the old man, but he had no choice but to do it.
After thinking it over, Fu Mingzi decided not to stay at home and got up to go to the Prince of Jin's residence.
When he arrived, Zhou Xiaoyan had just returned from the palace and was somewhat surprised to see him: "Isn't today your niece's wedding? Why aren't you at home?"
Fu Mingzi looked at Zhou Xiaoyan and gave a wry smile, then told Zhou Xiaoyan about her third brother's situation, picking and choosing what to say.
After hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyan remained silent for a long time. He did not know about this matter, but he did remember that in his previous life, around the time of the talent show, the Fu family caused some commotion. Before outsiders could investigate, the matter was quelled.
"So what do you decide to do?" Zhou Xiaoyan asked tentatively.
Fu Mingzi was silent for a moment: "It's too early to say what happened. Let's wait and see. We can talk about it after my brother finds out."
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded. In his previous life, he and Fu Mingzi were not this close, so he had no idea what had happened to the Fu family or how the matter was resolved. Now he could only leave it to fate. However, he thought that if things could be resolved in his previous life, they should not cause any problems in this life.
"But you should also be careful, especially with the servants in your household. There might be some collusion among them, so keep an eye on them." This was Zhou Xiaoyan's guess, because the reason the Fu family made a commotion in his previous life was because they suddenly sold off a group of servants, which led to gossip.
Fu Mingzi was taken aback; he hadn't thought of that, but he still nodded: "I know."
As the two were talking, Wei Baocheng walked in from outside with a serious expression.
Zhou Xiaoyan frowned slightly: "What happened?"
"Your Highness," Wei Baocheng said in a low voice, looking somewhat nervous, "This servant just received news that His Highness the Prince of Chu has fallen from his horse."
"What?" Zhou Xiaoyan stood up abruptly, looking at Wei Baocheng with a shocked expression.
"The Fourth Prince fell off his horse?" Although Fu Mingzi was also somewhat surprised, he already had a thought in his mind: "I hope nothing serious happened?" He tugged at Zhou Xiaoyan's sleeve, signaling him not to lose his composure.
Zhou Xiaoyan realized his lapse in composure, coughed lightly, and sat down.
"I heard he injured his leg, but I don't know about other parts," Wei Baocheng replied with a bitter face, seemingly oblivious to Zhou Xiaoyan's lapse in composure.
“I injured my leg…” Fu Mingzi repeated in a low voice, looking at Zhou Xiaoyan meaningfully.
Zhou Xiaoyan immediately understood that this was probably not an accident. His previous surprise was only because this matter did not match his memory. But now that he thought about it, it was obvious who did it when Zhou Xiaoheng suddenly injured his leg on the eve of the army reward.
"You may leave now," Zhou Xiaoyan waved to Wei Baocheng.
Seeing that Zhou Xiaoyan's expression was strange, Wei Baocheng obediently withdrew.
After Wei Baocheng left, Zhou Xiaoyan lowered his voice and said, "The matter of rewarding the troops is in the next few days, but the fourth prince suddenly injured his leg. Is it because the crown prince..." Zhou Xiaoyan hesitated.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "I suppose so."
“But isn’t he afraid that Father will postpone it? If he waits until the fourth prince’s leg injury heals, and then everything goes back to normal, wouldn’t that be a loss?” Zhou Xiaoyan frowned.
Fu Mingzi shook his head: "No matter how reckless the emperor is, he wouldn't dare to do this. Although he has been secretly preparing to reward the troops, I guess the cabinet ministers already know about it. The Yuntai camp has been practicing its formations for several days. If it is suddenly put on hold at this time, I'm afraid anyone who isn't stupid can see the emperor's intentions. The Fourth Prince's plan to secretly accumulate strength may have fallen through. You know, the matter of the two concubines was already enough to make many people take notice."
Zhou Xiaoyan's brows remained furrowed, showing no sign of relaxation.
Upon seeing this, Fu Mingzi chuckled softly: "Besides, matters of state are not so easily changed. I suppose the Crown Prince has already prepared a countermeasure for doing this."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyan's expression softened slightly. It wasn't that he trusted the Crown Prince that much, but rather that he was deeply impressed by the Emperor's favoritism towards the Fourth Prince. Relying on the Emperor to distinguish between what was important and what was not was less effective than relying on the Crown Prince to devise a different strategy.
"I wonder how the Crown Prince will handle this. Will he have someone recommend him to go there himself?" Zhou Xiaoyan couldn't help but ask.
Fu Mingzi shook her head: "The Crown Prince is a smart man. He knows that he is currently the one the Emperor is most wary of. If he recommends himself, it would be tantamount to openly admitting that he schemed against the Fourth Prince and saw through the Emperor's plans. In that case, he would likely incur the Emperor's wrath, and he would definitely find someone else to take his place. As for Your Highness..."
Fu Mingzi looked at Zhou Xiaoyan with a determined expression: "He might be one of the candidates."
Zhou Xiaoyan was stunned. He had never expected this to happen to him, but he never expected Fu Mingzi to say such a thing.
“You…I…” Zhou Xiaoyan was momentarily speechless.
Fu Mingzi suddenly smiled: "Your Highness, don't be in a hurry." He gently comforted him: "It will take a few days to get things done. In the next few days, Your Highness should think about this matter carefully and decide what to do when it really comes to this."
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded with a complicated expression: "I understand."
The two chatted about other things for a while, then Fu Mingzi got up to leave. Zhou Xiaoyan saw him to the door, and as Fu Mingzi turned to leave, Zhou Xiaoyan suddenly called out to him, "If it were me, would you come with me?"
Fu Mingzi was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Of course, I will go with Your Highness. No matter what happens in the future, I will face it together with Your Highness."
"Remember what you said." Zhou Xiaoyan pursed his lips and stared intently at Fu Mingzi.
Fu Mingzi's heart stirred at his gaze, and she leaned closer, pressing her body against his, and whispered in his ear, "I'm also waiting for the day when Your Highness can let go of your inner turmoil and be completely honest with me."
Zhou Xiaoyan froze, momentarily at a loss for words. Ever since returning from Huguo Temple that day, the two of them had avoided this topic, and he thought the matter was over. However, he did not expect that Fu Mingzi would still remember it.
“You…” He looked at Fu Mingzi, stammering and unable to speak.
Fu Mingzi had already stood back, looking at Zhou Xiaoyan with a half-smile: "Your Highness, I can understand that you may have some difficulties, but some things are useless to run away from, and we will eventually have to face them."
Zhou Xiaoyan lowered his head, and after a long while, he finally said weakly, "I understand, I will consider it carefully."
Fu Mingzi subtly curled his lips. After returning home that day, he had also considered why Zhou Xiaoyan was so cautious towards him. After much thought, he finally realized that perhaps Zhou Xiaoyan had hurt him in the dream world, which was why he had always been so careful.
Having figured this out, Fu Mingzi was happy but also worried. This matter could not be ignored no matter what, otherwise their relationship would definitely be in big trouble. That's why he used such a pressing attitude today to force Zhou Xiaoyan to face this matter.
He would wait for Zhou Xiaoyan to bring it up with him, because only then would the rift between them disappear completely.
"Your Highness, I take my leave." Fu Mingzi bowed slightly and turned to leave.
As Zhou Xiaoyan watched him walk out of his sight step by step, he felt as if he were being pulled by countless hands, feeling extremely helpless and conflicted.
He was so honest with me, yet I kept things from him, using the guise of doing what's best for him to make him suspicious. Is that really a good thing?
Zhou Xiaoyan was somewhat unwilling to accept his uncertainty. He understood that he had to make a decision before seeing Fu Mingzi again, otherwise there might really be a big problem between them.
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