Chapter 22 Transition to V Notice
Fu Mingzi hasn't been doing well these past few days.
Because of Wen's message, both his father-in-law and his elder brother tested him many times, seemingly trying to see if he had really fallen for that Miss Yang.
What could Fu Mingzi do? He was desperate too, so he could only go along with the act and try to get away with it.
Fu Mingsong seemed to believe it, but the old man was cunning and shrewd, and still hadn't completely let his guard down. He threatened him almost every day, saying things like breaking his legs and dragging him to the wedding ceremony, or tying him up with ropes for the wedding, trying to make Fu Mingzi behave.
However, if Fu Mingzi could be intimidated by these methods, then he wouldn't be himself.
These past few days, he's been outwardly dealing with his family while secretly plotting a countermeasure. Only Zhou Xiaoyan knows a little about his thoughts; no one else has noticed.
Three days later, Fu Mingbai and others escorted the bandits to present them as prisoners. The emperor was overjoyed. Fu Mingbai was promoted one rank and became the commander of the cavalry battalion, while the original commander was demoted in name only and transferred back to the capital.
When Fu Mingzi heard the news, he laughed in a very frivolous way: "Although he has been promoted one rank, he is still Commander Fu (Deputy Commander) in the end. It seems like nothing has changed."
Zhou Xiaoyan looked at him helplessly: "Commander Fu is so serious, and Minister Fu is also a dignified person. You are their sibling, how can you be so unconventional?"
Fu Mingzi smiled and put her arm around his shoulder: "You and my dad seem to have a lot in common. He's always wondered about that too."
Now they've become somewhat closer, and Fu Mingzi even dares to address me as "you" and "me" now, and occasionally tries to get a little closer to take advantage of me.
Zhou Xiaoyan didn't care at all, he just shook his head with a sigh.
"Oh, right." Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to suddenly remember something: "Have you made all the preparations for Miss Yang's matter?"
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "She and her mother will go to Huguo Temple to offer incense in a few days. I will go to see her then. If she agrees, the matter will naturally be settled."
Zhou Xiaoyan breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, suppressing his worries.
"That's good then," he sighed.
Speaking of this, Fu Mingzi thought of something else: "Now that the imperial examinations are just around the corner, the selection of the chief examiners has been finalized, and the court seems to be at peace. I wonder how things are in the inner palace?"
Fu Mingzi always felt that the Empress's pregnancy would definitely not be peaceful, not only between the Empress and the Crown Prince, but also between the Empress and the Consort, with undercurrents surging in every single thing.
Even the seemingly peaceful previous dynasty may not have been as peaceful as it appears, since it is still unknown whose people the chief examiner selected is.
"Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant and has been exempted from the twice-monthly greetings. As for other matters, there seems to be no change," Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly.
Unlike Zhou Xiaoyan, Fu Mingzi remained calm upon hearing this, and instead scoffed, "Your Majesty is wary of certain people."
This is not unfounded speculation. The emperor dislikes the empress. Previously, the imperial concubines assisted in managing the six palaces, and the empress was sidelined. Now that the empress is pregnant, although the emperor seems to value the child in the empress's womb very much, he has not returned the power to control the harem to the empress. Instead, he uses the excuse of the empress's pregnancy to further restrict the empress's management.
In such a situation, not to mention a woman like the Empress, even a man of unparalleled wisdom would probably feel anxious.
"Her Majesty's heart is indeed in turmoil," Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly.
Having your own child naturally brings more worries, and with more worries, your mind naturally becomes chaotic.
Looking at Zhou Xiaoyan's profile, Fu Mingzi couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Your Highness, you look somewhat like my eldest nephew now."
Zhou Xiaoyan frowned and looked at Fu Mingzi.
As soon as Fu Mingzi finished speaking, she realized that she had made a mistake and overstepped her bounds.
However, seeing Zhou Xiaoyan's inexplicable expression, his heart softened again, and he couldn't help but continue, "My eldest nephew is just as dignified and aloof as you, but he is extremely kind-hearted. He is much better than me, who is black-hearted."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyan's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed. He was unaware that Fu Mingzi saw him as this person today.
“You say you’re heartless, but I think you’re broad-minded and intelligent.” Zhou Xiaoyan stared at him intently: “Don’t say such self-deprecating things in the future.”
Fu Mingzi couldn't help but laugh when she saw Zhou Xiaoyan's serious expression.
His earnest demeanor is somewhat similar.
However, his eldest nephew was a cunning and cautious man, while Zhou Xiaoyan was a pitiful person struggling with the desire for fame and fortune.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I understand." Fu Mingzi cupped his hands in greeting, a faint smile on his face.
Zhou Xiaoyan felt a little embarrassed by his laughter and unconsciously turned his face away. A silence fell between them. After a long while, Zhou Xiaoyan finally said, "You mentioned your nephew. I wonder what he is doing now?"
This was just making conversation, but Fu Mingzi answered in a very serious manner.
“Ze Chen and his younger brothers are currently studying at Baima Academy outside the city, and he can only come back once a month. With the spring imperial examinations approaching, he should be back soon.”
Zhou Xiaoyan thought for a moment, and remembered that Fu Zechen, the eldest son of the Fu family, seemed to have passed this exam. He felt a little relieved and nodded: "That's good."
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "It's really unlucky. In the end, a PhD in Scripture became Ze Chen's mentor."
A mentor is a very important resource in officialdom. A doctor who is over forty years old and has a doctorate in lecturing on scriptures will have limited future achievements if he does not have great fortune.
"With the Duke's mansion here, these are just icing on the cake," Zhou Xiaoyan reassured him.
Fu Mingzi smiled and shook her head, but did not express her concerns.
Now that the Duke's mansion is in dire straits, its future depends on fate.
**
Because Commander Yang seemed to have suffered a minor injury, the martial arts class this afternoon was canceled. Fu Mingzi wasn't in a hurry to go home. After lunch, she accompanied Zhou Xiaoyan on a stroll around.
Since Fu Mingzi was an official outside the palace, the two of them could only stroll around Xiaoqing Pond, which was not far from the West Three Palaces. It was not as large as the Imperial Garden, but it was exquisite and elegant.
The two walked halfway around the pond before stopping at a small pavilion to rest.
"The outer palace also has such a place. The person who built the palace was quite thoughtful," Fu Mingzi commented while eating snacks.
Zhou Xiaoyan frowned, poured out the tea from the teacup in front of him, and poured him a new cup, placing it in front of him.
"This small pond wasn't originally there. During the previous dynasty, there was a heavy rain in the capital, and the Taiye Pond flooded, almost submerging the Imperial Garden. Later, the emperor of the previous dynasty ordered the construction of ditches to divert the water from the Taiye Pond to this place. However, he later felt that it looked out of place, so he had it repaired."
Listening to Zhou Xiaoyan's explanation, Fu Mingzi picked up his teacup. There were some tea leaves left in the previous cup, which Fu Mingzi himself didn't mind. He didn't expect Zhou Xiaoyan to notice and pour him a new cup.
Fu Mingzi didn't drink the tea, but glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan. Zhou Xiaoyan remained calm, drinking tea with his eyes down, but his slightly red ear tips betrayed him.
Fu Mingzi felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and a knowing smile appeared on her face. With a slight flick of her fingertips, she moved a plate of lily cakes in front of Zhou Xiaoyan.
"Your Highness, please try this. It's sweet but not cloying, refreshing and delicious, which suits Your Highness's demeanor perfectly."
These words were practically a flirtation. Wei Baocheng, standing to the side, was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out. He hadn't expected this man to be so bold. He wanted to say something, but dared not utter a word. He quickly lowered his head, preparing to receive the Fifth Prince's thunderous wrath.
But to Wei Baocheng's surprise, the person who was extremely sensitive to this matter and extremely upright did not get angry at all. Instead, he actually took a piece of lily cake and tasted it.
"Not bad," he commented calmly.
Wei Baocheng almost fell over when he heard this.
Fu Mingzi didn't know Zhou Xiaoyan's previous temperament, but he was happy to hear this: "If that's good, then eat more." His tone was extremely gentle: "I see you only eat so little every day. You are at the age where you are growing. How can that be enough?"
Zhou Xiaoyan pursed his lips, and the tips of his ears, which were already slightly red, became even darker.
"I understand," he said softly.
Fu Mingzi felt her heart was burning hot.
The atmosphere inside the pavilion became extremely ambiguous. Wei Baocheng, standing to the side, felt uneasy, as if he had discovered something extraordinary.
Just then, the sound of a woman's laughter suddenly came from not far away. Fu Mingzi subconsciously looked over and saw a girl dressed in a pale yellow palace dress, surrounded by a group of maids and servants, slowly walking towards them.
“This is…” Fu Mingzi was a little confused.
"Wei Baocheng!" Zhou Xiaoyan stood up and stepped forward to block Fu Mingzi.
"Yes, this servant will go and take a look right away." Wei Baocheng knew Zhou Xiaoyan very well, and he understood what Zhou Xiaoyan meant as soon as he heard his tone.
Zhou Xiaoyan frowned and nodded, his expression somewhat unpleasant.
Seeing his current appearance, Fu Mingzi could understand. Although she hadn't seen the girl's face clearly, her behavior suggested she was a palace lady, either a princess or a county princess. Regardless of her status, it was indeed inappropriate for her to be so ostentatious in the front hall.
Fu Mingzi watched Wei Baocheng walk over, bowed respectfully, and was then called over by the girl. She asked him a few questions. The girl was quite bold and even glanced in their direction a few times, but ultimately did nothing surprising. She nodded, turned around, and left.
After the girl left, Wei Baocheng returned, his face still covered in cold sweat, and his expression cautious.
"Your Highness, it's the eldest princess. She said she came to help Her Majesty the Empress pick magnolias by the Xiaoqing Pond. Her Majesty the Empress loves magnolias the most."
The eldest princess was the emperor's eldest daughter, but she was only a few years older than Zhou Xiaoyan, currently only sixteen or seventeen years old. Her background was also ordinary, but she was fortunate that her birth mother died early, and she was adopted by the empress. Her food, clothing and daily necessities were no different from those of the legitimate princess. She was very much loved by the empress, and the emperor also valued his daughter very much. Therefore, the eldest princess had a high status in the harem and was very arrogant. No one dared to offend her.
However, the fact that the eldest princess came here today to pick flowers for the empress, showing such filial piety, surprised Fu Mingzi.
A note from the author:
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I Inherited a Planet [Transmigration Novel]
When Wen Xia woke up, she found herself turned into cannon fodder in an interstellar novel who wouldn't survive more than two chapters.
Because he was so useless, the Duke was very dissatisfied with him and assigned him to a remote planet, ordering him to get out immediately.
Everyone was waiting to see him cry and make a fool of himself, but Wen Xia was so happy that she left without stopping.
As soon as he left the Imperial Star, a cat covered in blood came to try and cause trouble.
It looks fierce, like someone owes it hundreds of millions.
Wen Xia softened her heart and let him successfully stage an accident. He looked pathetic, so she decided to treat him like a mascot.
But to her surprise, the mascot was indeed very auspicious. The day after she received it, Wen Xia opened the interstellar trading panel.
Water sources, tree species, minerals, and interstellar coordinates were all obtained, and the warm and humid planet became the most prosperous planet in the entire Gamma Galaxy.
Just as Wen Xia was working hard to build up the desolate planet and felt that he was about to reach the pinnacle of his life, news came that his duke father was going to arrange a marriage for him.
My fierce little cat has gone missing.
The following day, the Crown Prince of the Interstellar Alliance slowly stepped off the spaceship: "I'll give you two choices: come with me, or be taken away by me."
Wenxia: Is there a difference?
#Later he discovered that this prince was actually a fierce-looking furry little dumpling#
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