Chapter 97 Internal Strife (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Fu Mingzi was completely wide awake and asked urgently, "Where are they? How many people have come?"
Zhao Xing managed to control his emotions and said in a low voice, "There are at least sixty or seventy people here. They're about five miles away and will be here soon. I heard from my men that the leader seems to be an old man."
Fu Mingzi was truly shocked to hear this; Fu Mingsong had actually come.
"I'll go greet them myself!" Fu Mingzi ignored everyone else's reactions, hurriedly walked out of the woods, mounted his horse, and headed towards the official road.
The head of the guards and Uncle Fu hurriedly rode up to catch up, while Zhao Xing and the others remained guarding the city gate.
Fu Mingzi rode his horse for less than a quarter of an hour when he saw a group of people slowly walking towards him in the distance. Fu Mingzi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly quickened his pace to meet them.
As they got closer, Fu Mingzi finally saw clearly that the person walking in front was indeed Fu Mingsong.
"Big brother!" Fu Mingzi called out loudly.
The man had seen the person coming to greet him earlier, but he wasn't surprised at all. He simply nodded and said, "Mingzi."
Fu Mingzi was overjoyed. She stepped forward and put her arm around Fu Mingsong's shoulder across the horse: "Brother, why did you come? I thought you would send someone else."
Fu Mingsong was dressed in a dark blue casual suit, looking like an ordinary middle-aged man, lacking some of his former official air.
“My father knows about this matter; he asked me to handle it personally,” Fu Mingsong said calmly.
Fu Mingzi was taken aback; the Duke of Jingguo actually knew.
"Then, then Father..." Fu Mingzi hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but curse Fu Mingfeng in his heart for doing such a thing, only to have others clean up the mess in the end.
Fu Mingsong sighed, "Of course Father is very angry, but don't worry, he's been through a lot, this is nothing to him." Fu Mingsong comforted him.
Fu Mingzi felt a little more at ease.
However, Fu Mingsong's expression changed, and he said, "You're one to talk, but what about yourself? Since you knew things had changed, why didn't you go back to the capital sooner, instead of staying here?"
Fu Mingzi couldn't help but smile when he heard this: "Big brother, I originally wanted to go back to the capital, but on the way back, I happened to run into the people sent by second brother, so I stayed. I was afraid that the person would do something bad if he was cornered."
Fu Mingsong sighed after hearing this, and after a long while said, "Alright, let's go into the city first."
Fu Mingzi nodded, but couldn't help glancing at the men Fu Mingsong had brought. They were all tall and strong, with resolute faces, clearly elite soldiers.
"Could it be that Father sent all his guards over?" Fu Mingzi asked in surprise.
Fu Mingsong nodded: "With such a big incident, Father is also worried that we won't be able to handle the situation." After saying that, he waved his hand, and the group headed towards the city gate.
When they arrived at the location where Zhao Xing and the others were guarding, Fu Mingsong comforted them again before saying, "This matter has really troubled you all. However, things are not yet resolved, so you will need to wait here a little longer. I will personally see you off after we have dealt with matters in the city."
Zhao Xing was a perceptive man. Although he was now a deputy general, he was born into the Fu family and his honor and disgrace were tied to the Fu family. Therefore, he was even more eager to serve the Fu family.
"What are you saying, sir? This is what I should do. Don't worry, sir, I will guard the city gate well and not cause you any trouble."
Fu Mingsong smiled, which was quite rare for him, then cupped his hands in greeting before heading into the city.
Fu Mingsong only brought a dozen or so men with him this time; the rest were waiting outside the city in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
When the group arrived at the city gate, Fu Mingzi originally thought that he would have to say something, but to his surprise, the gatekeeper seemed to know something and let them pass directly.
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow, having some guesses in her mind, but she didn't say anything and followed Fu Mingsong into the city.
Once inside, Fu Mingsong seemed to have just noticed Uncle Fu standing beside Fu Mingzi, and suddenly said gently, "It's been many years since I've seen Uncle Fu. You look just as healthy as before."
Uncle Fu was taken aback, then immediately bowed to Fu Mingsong and said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. This is all thanks to the old man."
Uncle Fu had already sensed the danger, so he hadn't let his son follow him before, but he himself followed Fu Mingzi closely. He knew that if Third Master messed things up, now would be the best time for him to atone for his sins.
Fu Mingsong chuckled softly: "Uncle Fu is still the same as before, and his words are reassuring."
Uncle Fu breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this old man well; he was never one to fathom his thoughts, but he was a man of his word.
"To receive a compliment from you, sir, is enough to make this old man feel that his life has not been in vain," Uncle Fu said with a smile.
Throughout this process, Fu Mingzi remained on the sidelines, observing without getting involved. He knew very well that his elder brother was not one to take his anger out on others, and since he had brought Uncle Fu with him, it proved that Uncle Fu had nothing to do with the matter.
The group remained silent for the rest of the journey. Led by Uncle Fu, they soon arrived outside Fu Mingfeng's residence.
The Fu residence looked very deserted at this moment. The main gate was wide open, and there were almost no people in the courtyard, as if they had been waiting for them for a long time.
Fu Mingsong stood at the door for a long time with a sullen face, then finally dismounted and said in a deep voice, "Go in."
Upon hearing this, the others dismounted and followed Fu Mingsong into the Fu residence.
Upon entering, they found the house completely empty. Uncle Fu glanced around and felt a cold sweat trickle down his back, but he maintained a calm demeanor and led them toward Fu Mingfeng's study.
When they arrived at the study, the door was open, and Fu Mingzi could vaguely see that someone seemed to be sitting inside.
Fu Mingsong glanced at the people behind him: "You guys stay at the door, Lao Wu and I will go in."
The head guard frowned upon hearing this: "Sir, the old master has instructed that your safety..."
“How many people can be hidden in this house? Besides, with Mingzi here, there shouldn’t be any problems,” Fu Mingsong said firmly.
Seeing this, the leader dared not argue and could only bow his head and reply, "Yes."
After dealing with this, Fu Mingsong led Fu Mingzi into the study. Once inside, Fu Mingzi could see that Fu Mingfeng was sitting calmly in the main seat, while Fu Zefan looked terrified and sat to Fu Mingfeng's left.
"I didn't expect it to be my older brother who came. It seems the family values my affairs quite a bit." Fu Mingfeng's tone was calm with a hint of teasing, as if he were making a harmless joke, without the slightest bit of guilt.
Fu Mingsong stared at him intently, remaining silent for a long time before finally saying, "Look what you've done!"
Fu Mingfeng sneered: "What good or bad things are nothing but the winner takes all. Brother, you ruined my future, and Father doesn't care about me at all. He wants me to be a small county magistrate for the rest of my life. I might as well die. If my family doesn't care about me, then I have to earn my own living and make a living on my own. Brother, did I do something wrong?"
Fu Mingsong's gaze remained somber: "Wanting to fight for a future is certainly not wrong, but betraying your family and daring to extend your reach into the iron mine is a grave mistake. Moreover, you say I ruined your future, but it was you who first threw the ball into the basket. And I only prevented you from playing for the first few years, and you gained nothing when you played later. Isn't that your own problem?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingfeng's previously calm expression immediately changed. He suddenly stood up and said sternly, "You only stopped me for a few years? Back then, I was just a teenager. You threatened me in many ways and had people lead me to neglect my studies. Later, after I got married, you secretly sabotaged me by finding me a woman from a humble background but with a beautiful face, causing me to become addicted to her and completely cutting off my path to the imperial examinations. Do you still dare to deny it?"
Fu Mingsong was stunned that Fu Mingfeng would think that way, and Fu Zefan, who had been trying his best to pretend that he didn't exist, looked at Fu Mingfeng in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe that his father thought that way about his mother.
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Fu Mingsong frowned and said, "Your marriage was arranged by your aunt herself, who went to the old man to ask for it. Back then, there were several young ladies, but your aunt took a liking to Wei Shi. It was only because Wei Shi and your aunt were related by some illicit means that everyone in the mansion knew about it. And what does it have to do with me that you indulged in playing and neglected your studies? It's just that you lacked willpower."
Fu Mingfeng's face flushed red as he gritted his teeth: "Don't even think about denying it! My aunt told me long ago that he chose the lowly Wei family because he was afraid you would continue to target me. Fu Mingsong, you ruined my life, so shouldn't I destroy the entire Fu family to repay you?"
Fu Mingsong frowned. He knew that Fu Mingfeng was stuck in a rut and that no matter how he explained, it would be useless. So he simply stopped talking about it and turned around to say, "You don't need to argue anymore. Your father has already made a decision about today's matter. Write a letter of resignation. Your father went to the palace last night and told His Majesty that you have contracted a sudden illness and can no longer hold any official position. After you finish writing it, come back to the capital with me."
Fu Mingfeng knew that nothing he said would make a difference, so he slumped back into his chair, head bowed, and asked, "What will become of me? Has Father made a decision yet?"
Fu Mingsong didn't turn around, but pursed his lips and said, "From now on, you can live a good life on the estate in the suburbs. Don't even think about returning to the Fu family in this lifetime."
"Ha! Ha!" Fu Mingfeng sneered a few times, but there was a hint of bleakness in his laughter.
He raised his finger and pointed to the table: "The resignation letter is already written, take it." He had actually expected this and was prepared for it.
Fu Mingsong glanced at Fu Mingzi, who nodded, walked to the desk, and picked up the resignation letter.
Fu Mingfeng also got up at this moment and walked outside.
“Be careful when you search. Those vases and porcelain pieces are some of the best things I brought from home.” He said in a calm tone, “Mrs. Wei is in the backyard. She’s just a woman, so please give her some respect.”
Fu Mingzi frowned as he watched Fu Mingfeng's retreating figure, feeling that he was being far too cooperative. Moreover, he guessed that even if they turned the study upside down, they probably wouldn't find any clues. With Fu Mingfeng's shrewdness, he would have destroyed it long ago.
Thinking of this, Fu Mingzi suddenly had an idea and called out loudly, "Third Brother, wait a minute!"
Fu Mingfeng suddenly stopped, his back stiffening.
Fu Mingzi chuckled softly: "With Third Brother's shrewdness, I'm afraid we won't find anything. But thinking about it carefully, Third Brother probably won't give up so easily. The Xia family has a huge weakness in Third Brother's hands, so how could he give it up? Therefore, we still need to search Third Brother and Ze Fan."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Fu Mingsong, whose gaze was deep and who remained silent.
Fu Mingfeng sneered and turned around to look coldly at Fu Mingzi: "Fifth brother is meticulous. He is indeed worthy of being trained by eldest brother."
Fu Mingzi ignored his provocative words and simply gestured to the guards with his chin, instructing them to search Fu Mingfeng and his son's clothing.
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Author's Note: I've written a summary of the main plot; those who are interested can pre-order it.
Senior brother is not a white lotus.
Cheng Shiqing is the most perfect senior brother in everyone's eyes.
Gentle and refined, upright and kind
Throughout the entire Tantai Mountain area, everyone praises him.
Unfortunately, these people don't know that the perfect senior brother in their hearts is actually a truly ruthless and cunning person who seamlessly switches between hypocrisy and villainy. He kills without blinking an eye, schemes without mercy, and will stop at nothing to become an immortal.
In the end, he finally stood at the very top of the cultivation world, but he only had one junior brother, who followed him in a daze.
The junior brother pleaded pitifully, "Senior brother, slow down! I can't keep up with you!"
The eldest brother looked fierce: Even if you catch up with me, I won't give you any cough syrup.
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