Chapter 92 Planning (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
The next morning, as soon as Fu Mingzi got dressed, a servant came to bring her hot water for washing up.
"Fifth Master, your servant has brought you hot water." The one who answered was a short boy, who looked to be only thirteen or fourteen years old.
"Come in," Fu Mingzi said, fastening her belt.
The boy came in carrying a basin of hot water, with a white towel draped over his arm.
"Please wash your face first, Fifth Master. This servant will go and get you some salt right away." The young man didn't dare to raise his head and only replied with his head down.
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow and glanced at the young man: "Are you the only one responsible for helping me get up and wash?"
The boy was startled, thinking that Fu Mingzi was dissatisfied, and hurriedly knelt down: "There were many things to do in the manor this morning, and I was the only one who had free time. That's why Grandpa Fu asked me to come and serve Fifth Master. If I have done anything wrong, please forgive me, Fifth Master."
Fu Mingzi was taken aback by his attitude, then found it somewhat amusing: "Get up, I didn't mean to blame you." Fu Mingzi said helplessly, "I just wanted to ask, is Third Brother's family always this frugal?"
The young man breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively looked up at Fu Mingzi. Seeing that he was not angry, he hurriedly got up and replied softly, "The outside is naturally not comparable to the Duke's mansion, but Third Master is very kind to us servants. Our monthly allowance is the same as that of the Duke's mansion, so there are fewer servants in the mansion."
Fu Mingzi's eyebrows twitched. Fu Mingfeng himself was frugal, yet he was generous to his servants. He probably didn't really want to win people's hearts. After all, he held the indentures of these servants in his hands, so he didn't need to resort to such petty tricks.
If he was not trying to win people's hearts, then he had only one purpose in doing so: to openly reduce his manpower. As for the reason for reducing manpower, that remains to be investigated.
After washing up, Fu Mingzi went straight to the front hall for breakfast. When he arrived, Fu Mingfeng and his son were already there, sitting and talking. When they saw Fu Mingzi come in, they smiled and got up to greet him: "Fifth brother, you're up early."
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Not as diligent as Third Brother."
The two exchanged a few polite words and then had breakfast in a friendly manner. The breakfast dishes were not too meager; although they couldn't compare to what they would eat at home, they were quite good for a meal outside.
Fu Mingzi felt that Fu Mingfeng truly understood the ways of human nature and knew what it meant for things to turn into their opposites and for joy to turn into sorrow. Therefore, he did not play the victim, but instead acted very carefully on the surface, which made people think that he was putting on a brave face, which only confirmed that he had no money.
Fu Mingzi sneered inwardly, but remained calm on the surface. After finishing his breakfast, he suggested, "Since we're here, we should go and pay our respects to Third Sister-in-law."
Fu Mingfeng nodded in agreement: "Your third sister-in-law was also thinking about you. She sent someone over this morning to ask about your arrival, but I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I didn't send anyone over to bother you. Your third sister-in-law should have finished her meal by now, so let's go and see her."
Fu Mingfeng's words were extremely appropriate and intimate. He seems to have always been this kind of person, always very considerate in his dealings with others.
Fu Mingzi smiled without saying a word and followed Fu Mingfeng to the backyard.
When they arrived, Fu Mingfeng's wife, Madam Wei, had indeed finished her meal and was sitting in the inner room talking with her maid. Upon hearing that Fu Mingzi had arrived, she personally came out to greet him.
"Fifth Brother is here. I went to bed early last night and didn't even know. Third Master didn't even have someone call me." Madam Wei gave Fu Mingfeng a reproachful look.
Fu Mingfeng chuckled, but quickly apologized.
Fu Mingzi stood to the side watching the scene, finding it quite amusing.
Third Sister-in-law Wei is very beautiful. Even now that she is older, her beauty is still undiminished. However, her family background is somewhat weak. But Fu Mingzi does not dare to underestimate her. When Wei was in the Duke's mansion, she was able to get along with everyone, which shows how shrewd and resourceful she is.
"Third sister-in-law, please don't blame third brother." Fu Mingzi, seeing others performing, didn't dare to fall behind and quickly filled in for his good younger brother: "It was my fault for telling third brother not to say it. Coming over in the middle of the night was already very impolite. If you let third sister-in-law rest, then it would be my fault."
Hearing this, Madam Wei chuckled softly: "Fifth Brother is much more talkative than when he was at home. He has really grown up."
Fu Mingzi's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Wei Shi without making a sound. In just a few words, Wei Shi noticed that she was different.
However, Fu Mingzi was not intimidated and still smiled: "That's right, now that I'm serving by the Fifth Prince's side, I'm naturally better off than before." His tone was casual and carefree, just like when he spoke to his family.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wei smiled and said, "That's true. Look at Ze Fan. He's not much younger than Fifth Brother, but now he seems to be far less adept at handling people than Fifth Brother."
Fu Mingzi glanced at Fu Zefan standing behind her. He had his head down, and her expression was not clear. She was so quiet that she didn't seem like a teenager.
“I do like Ze Fan’s quiet nature,” Fu Mingzi said meaningfully.
Wei Shi naturally couldn't understand the meaning behind his words, and still had a smile on her face, taking it as Fu Mingzi praising Fu Zefan.
"Well, that's about it. It's not a big deal," Madam Wei said modestly.
Fu Mingzi immediately found it extremely interesting; the entire third branch of the family was truly full of talented individuals.
After exchanging pleasantries, Fu Mingzi, being a man, felt it inappropriate to stay in the backyard, so he left as well.
Once outside the gate, Fu Mingfeng couldn't help but say, "Why don't we have Zefan show you around Qinghe County today? Although this small county town isn't as bustling as the capital, it has its own unique charm. You've come all this way, so you should take a look."
Fu Mingzi pretended not to realize that this was a way of getting rid of her, and nodded with a smile: "Alright."
Fu Mingfeng held off Fu Zefan for a while before letting the two of them leave.
For the next two days, Fu Mingzi, accompanied by Fu Zefan and guided by Uncle Fu, wandered around Qinghe County.
Although Fu Mingfeng made it sound nice, Qinghe County was actually just a small county town, and there wasn't much to see after wandering around. Fu Mingzi eventually got a little annoyed, but in order to lull Fu Mingfeng and his son into a false sense of security, he pretended to be quite well-behaved, listening to music and drinking tea every day, living a leisurely life.
On the third day, Fu Zefan had promised to take him to the newly opened horse farm to try out the horses. However, Fu Mingzi had already changed his clothes and left when someone from Fu Zefan's side came to report that Fu Zefan had caught a cold that morning and might not be able to go. But not wanting to spoil Fu Mingzi's mood, he told Fu Mingzi and Uncle Fu to go first and not wait for him.
Fu Mingzi looked worried, but she knew in her heart that something was about to happen today.
He asked a few questions in a seemingly caring manner. The servant who was sent to speak was also a good talker. Every word he said was meant to reassure Fu Mingzi, but he didn't say anything definitive. In the end, under the servant's 'persuasion,' Fu Mingzi agreed to the arrangement.
As Fu Mingzi stepped out of the door, he saw Uncle Fu waiting outside with his horses. He must have received the news long ago, so he only brought two horses and showed no surprise that Fu Zefan hadn't come.
"Fifth Master, shall we go to the horse farm now?" Uncle Fu asked.
Fu Mingzi frowned and glanced outside: "I'm not in the mood right now. Let's go to the teahouse first. We'll decide whether to go to the horse farm later."
Uncle Fu was quite understanding of Fu Mingzi. After all, Fu Zefan was ill, and Fu Mingzi, as his uncle, couldn't be overjoyed.
“That’s good. I happen to know a newly opened teahouse. Their dim sum is especially delicious,” Uncle Fu said with a smile.
These past few days, Fu Mingzi has been taken to those grand and elegant places frequented by high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Uncle Fu noticed Fu Mingzi's impatience, but with Fu Zefan around, he didn't dare to offer any advice. Now that Fu Zefan is gone, Uncle Fu feels less burdened, since he understands Fu Mingzi's personality quite well.
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi roughly understood what Uncle Fu meant and nodded with a smile: "Alright, let's go and have a seat."
As soon as the two stepped out of the Fu family's gate, a thin servant boy darted out from the side and followed them silently.
Meanwhile, at Fu Mingfeng's residence, the letter arrived at Fu Mingfeng's study the instant Fu Mingzi left.
When the messenger entered the room, he saw Fu Mingfeng and Fu Zefan sitting in the hall. Fu Zefan's face was rosy, and he did not look sick at all.
The servant replied with his head bowed, "Third Master, Fifth Master and Steward Fu have already left."
"Understood." Fu Mingfeng's smiling face, which had been constantly on his mind, was now chillingly cold. He nodded slightly and said, "Go wait outside. If there is any news, remember to report it immediately."
The servant nodded in agreement and then withdrew.
After watching the servant leave, Fu Zefan finally spoke: "Father, it is my incompetence that I was unable to get rid of Fifth Uncle and caused you worry."
Fu Mingfeng sneered: "You can't be blamed for that. At your age, even if your fifth brother didn't come along, I'm afraid Father and eldest brother would still be worried and would definitely send someone to accompany you."
Fu Zefan looked somewhat anxious: "Father, will our affair be discovered?"
Fu Mingfeng turned to look at Fu Zefan: "It's too late for you to say this now."
Fu Zefan's heart skipped a beat. He stared at Fu Mingfeng with his mouth half open, somewhat incredulous.
"Don't worry." Fu Mingfeng felt a little annoyed looking at his son's silly appearance, but he still reassured him, "Ever since I found out it was the two of you coming, I've had someone keep an eye on the gates of Qinghe County. There shouldn't be anyone else following you."
Fu Zefan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."
Fu Mingfeng sneered, "But there's no need to count on that. If we're really discovered, I'm afraid my skills won't be enough to fool my elder brother and father."
Fu Zefan's heart tightened again, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Fu Mingfeng closed his eyes: "I'm not saying this to scare you, but you have to understand that once a person makes a decision, there is no turning back. We can only go down this path now, there is no other way to turn back."
After a long pause, Fu Zefan nodded with difficulty: "Father, I will listen to you."
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingfeng's cold expression softened slightly. He curled his lips into a slight smile and patted Fu Zefan's shoulder: "That's my good son."
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