Chapter 90 Arrives at Jinjiang Literature City (First Release)
Although there were guards outside, once they were all in the same carriage, Fu Mingzi didn't behave himself and kept touching and groping people along the way.
However, Zhou Xiaoyan genuinely wanted to discuss things with him, which made it difficult for Zhou Xiaoyan to speak clearly. Finally, when he finally gave in to his wishes and was held in his lap, Fu Mingzi became obedient.
Zhou Xiaoyan was both angry and ashamed, his face turning bright red, but he had no choice but to finish explaining his previous idea.
After he finished speaking haltingly, Fu Mingzi fell into deep thought.
“Your Highness’s method is indeed feasible.” Fu Mingzi finally said after a long while, “According to Your Highness’s idea, the Crown Prince should make his move soon. At that time, I’m afraid the Crown Prince’s methods will not be able to outmaneuver the Emperor. We should also find a way out for ourselves, otherwise it would be a waste to become cannon fodder between the two of them.”
Zhou Xiaoyan suggested that during their trip to Yuntai, they could use some of the information he knew from his previous life to infiltrate the Yuntai camp, which would provide an extra layer of protection. Of course, this infiltration would be facilitated by Fu Mingbai.
Zhou Xiaoyan's gaze was deep: "Although the emperor asked me to reward the troops this time, I'm afraid he's already annoyed by this change and probably resents the crown prince. I might also be implicated. So, if I don't do something this time, it would be a waste."
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. I just didn't expect Your Highness to have such quick wit."
In Fu Mingzi's eyes, Zhou Xiaoyan was a fairly upright person, but he rarely used such an unconventional method as today.
“However, I have heard that Commander Fu is a strict person, I wonder…” Zhou Xiaoyan hesitated.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Although my second brother is old-fashioned, the family had already set the tone, and he has already agreed. Since he has agreed, there is no reason for him to give up halfway. He will make it happen no matter how difficult it is."
After speaking, he paused for a moment, then said, "However, this matter is rather complicated, so let me write a letter to my second brother to give him some instructions."
Zhou Xiaoyan smiled slightly, knowing that he was worried about Fu Mingbai's abilities, but he didn't say anything more. He simply took out paper and pen from a hidden compartment in the carriage.
They walked towards Yuntai Camp and Qinghe in a lingering, affectionate manner, and only parted ways when they were close to Yuntai Camp. Zhou Xiaoyan wanted to give them the carriage that had been assigned to the uncle and nephew, but Fu Mingzi refused. It would be more convenient for two grown men to ride horses, and who knows how long it would take to get there by carriage.
Although he was leaving, Fu Mingzi was still somewhat reluctant to part, but he couldn't show it in front of Fu Zefan. He only whispered, "Take care, Your Highness." His tone was low and restrained, quite different from his usual self.
Zhou Xiaoyan's heart stirred slightly. He looked up at Fu Mingzi, whose bright eyes now gleamed with a dark light, staring intently at him.
Zhou Xiaoyan clenched his fist and after a long while, he gave a low "hmm".
The ambiguous atmosphere between the two was fleeting. Before Wei Baocheng and Fu Zefan, who were standing nearby, could even feel it, Fu Mingzi had already turned around and mounted her horse.
Fu Zefan hurriedly mounted his horse and then rode away with Fu Mingzi.
Zhou Xiaoyan stood there, watching him walk away.
After a long while, when the figure had disappeared from sight, Zhou Xiaoyan was still standing there. Wei Baocheng moved his legs and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, it's getting late, we should be on our way."
Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to snap out of his daze, paused for a moment, and then nodded: "Let's go then."
Wei Baocheng breathed a sigh of relief, then helped Zhou Xiaoyan into the carriage, and they headed towards the Yuntai Camp.
**
Fu Mingzi, on the other hand, only slowed down a little after riding his horse for quite a distance.
The reason he left so quickly was because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself and would hug Zhou Xiaoyan.
Now that we're far apart, those feelings have gradually faded.
Fu Zefan caught up, panting, "Fifth, Fifth Uncle, you were riding way too fast..." Fu Zefan said between breaths.
Fu Mingzi's face regained its previous frivolous smile: "Young people are still not up to par. This is nothing. When I was a child, your second uncle took me on a night march of hundreds of miles. When we arrived, I could still run around the city twice. You are so young, and you can't even keep up with such a short distance. This won't do."
Fu Zefan wiped his sweat and chuckled, "How can your nephew compare to your fifth uncle? Even your grandfather praised your riding skills back then."
Fu Mingzi curled her lips, thinking to herself that Fu Zefan was quite good at praising people. If she were not on guard, she would really have a good impression of him.
"Alright, stop flattering me. We still have a long way to go, so let's hurry up and make the most of this time, or we'll have to sleep in the wilderness if we miss the inn." Fu Mingzi stopped talking and spurred his horse forward.
Fu Zefan hurriedly followed, but couldn't help but complain inwardly. His fifth uncle usually ate, drank, and had fun at home, but how come he became a different person as soon as he came out?
However, Fu Zefan didn't think much of it. As a member of the Fu family, he knew that Fu Mingzi's reputation as a playboy was true, but he was also really good at riding. He had also experienced the Fu family's training when he was a child, but he couldn't last a month. The fact that Fu Mingzi could get the old man's praise showed how good his riding skills were.
The two of them made it in time and stayed overnight at the post station. The next night, they entered Qinghe County before the city gates were closed.
Upon arriving at the destination, Fu Zefan was so excited that he could hardly breathe, but Fu Mingzi was more worried. Looking at the already darkening sky, he said in a deep voice, "The yamen should be closed by now. If we go there, we might alert people. Do you know where your father lives?"
Fu Zefan was taken aback, then hurriedly pulled out a letter from his pocket and glanced at the address on the envelope: "It says that I live in the southwest of the city, in Ling Lane."
“West of the city…” Fu Mingzi glanced around. “We entered the city from the north gate, so we should go this way. As for that alley, we’ll ask when we get there.” Fu Mingzi pointed in the direction.
Fu Zefan was still a child, and in this situation, he could only listen to Fu Mingzi, so he dared not object.
The two rode their horses westward towards the city. The small county town was square and not hard to find. After walking all the way to the main road on the east side, Fu Mingzi dismounted and asked someone for directions.
However, all the shops in the city were closed at this time, and after knocking for a long time, they finally got an inn door open.
Fu Mingzi spent a long time greeting the waiter before finally getting directions. The two wandered around the alley for a while before finally finding a house that looked like the one described in the letter.
"There's a ginkgo tree outside the door, and the house faces south; that should be the family's," Fu Zefan said, recalling the past.
Fu Mingzi raised her chin: "Go knock on the door."
Fu Zefan seemed a little apprehensive about returning home. He hesitated for a moment before slowly walking to the door of the house.
He tugged at the door knocker three times, the crisp sound sounding rather desolate on the deserted street.
Fu Zefan looked somewhat anxious and knocked three more times. This time, there was finally a response from inside the door. An old voice mumbled as it walked over and asked in a deep voice, "Who is it?"
Fu Zefan seemed somewhat excited and called out loudly, "Uncle Fu, it's me, Zefan!"
"Fifth Young Master?!" The voice of Uncle Fu inside sounded doubtful. After a commotion, the door finally opened, revealing a somewhat aged face.
"It really is Fifth Young Master." Uncle Fu's face lit up with surprise. "Why are you back so late?"
Fu Zefan was also excited, but he didn't forget to step aside to make way for Fu Mingzi behind him: "I missed my father, so my fifth uncle came with me."
"Fifth Master has arrived too." Uncle Fu was startled again and hurriedly bowed to pay his respects.
Fu Mingzi stopped the old man, saying, "Uncle Fu has watched me grow up, so there's no need for such formalities. Coming so late might disturb Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, and Uncle Fu's rest."
Uncle Fu was not originally Fu Mingfeng's personal bodyguard, but the old man's bodyguard. Later, he got old and went home to retire. However, Uncle Fu's son later became Fu Mingfeng's attendant. When Fu Mingfeng came to Qinghe County to take up his post, Uncle Fu's son naturally had to come as well, so Uncle Fu came along. However, Fu Mingzi did not expect that Uncle Fu would come to guard the gate for Fu Mingfeng.
Could it be that Fu Mingfeng's financial situation has deteriorated so much that even an elderly man like Uncle Fu can't enjoy a peaceful retirement? Fu Mingzi pondered to himself.
Uncle Fu hadn't expected Fu Mingzi to think so far ahead. He had already greeted Fu Mingzi and Fu Zefan with a happy expression as they went inside.
As they walked, she explained, "Third Master hasn't rested yet; he's in his study handling official business. Third Madam should rest, though."
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Then we've come at the perfect time." As he spoke, he subtly surveyed the house.
In fact, he had already noticed while he was outside that the house was somewhat old. Although it was kept extremely clean, it couldn't hide the fact that it was an old house and its condition didn't look very good.
Once inside, the flaws became even more apparent. The walls had been freshly painted, and the roof seemed to have been replaced. Everything seemed to be trying to maintain a respectable appearance, but living in such a house was by no means a respectable thing.
Not to mention that the house was too small, probably even two courtyards would be too cramped. They had only walked a few steps when they arrived in front of Fu Mingfeng's study.
Fu Mingfeng's study was more meticulously organized than the other places outside, and there was also a blue and white porcelain fish tank in the courtyard.
Fu Mingzi glanced at Fu Zefan, who seemed to have sensed something as well, a hint of embarrassment flickering in his excited eyes.
"I'll go and report back to Third Master right away." Uncle Fu, completely oblivious, went inside with a smile.
Fu Mingzi smiled and followed, saying, "We're all family, there's no need for so much formality."
Fu Zefan naturally followed suit.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Uncle Fu couldn't help but announce, "Third Master, Fifth Master and Fifth Young Master have arrived."
The study was silent for a moment, then a man who looked three parts like Fu Mingzi hurriedly came out of the room. He was about middle-aged, with a kind face, wearing a casual outfit with worn-out cuffs and a trace of ink on his fingers.
"Fifth Brother, Zefan, you actually came!" Fu Mingfeng's voice was a little hoarse, as if he had caught a cold, but his surprise was still evident.
Fu Mingzi stared intently at his older brother, looking at his utterly astonished face, and sneered inwardly. He had put on quite a show. If he hadn't already noticed, he probably would have been fooled by this man and thought that Fu Zefan had really just had a sudden whim.
"Third Brother, it's been so many years, you're still the same as always." The thought was fleeting, and the next moment Fu Mingzi greeted him with a smile, putting his arm around Fu Mingfeng's shoulder as usual, looking like good buddies.
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