"I have just instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs that the Empress Dowager's coffin will be kept for 100 days. You must hurry up and bring Prince An and his wife back to the capital within 100 days," Zhong Zhiheng said slowly. As he spoke, he walked towards him and stopped in front of Ma Zhiming. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Do it quietly. Don't let anyone know."
"Yes, I obey your command." Ma Zhiming bowed hurriedly, put away the secret letter, and then hurriedly took his leave.
Ma Zhiming's mind was very confused. On the one hand, Zhong Zhiheng's change in attitude towards Zhong Mingwei made him really confused. Since Zhong Mingwei was demoted to Ningguta, Zhong Zhiheng never mentioned Zhong Mingwei, as if he had long forgotten that he had such a son. However, in order to allow Zhong Mingwei to attend the empress dowager's funeral, he disregarded the ancestral system and ordered the empress dowager's body to be kept for 100 days. This was really puzzling. On the other hand, Zhong Mingwei was now a first-rank Prince An, so it was reasonable for him to return to the capital to attend the empress dowager's funeral. However, Zhong Zhiheng insisted on asking him to act in secret, which made him even more puzzled.
"You'an, I'm not in the capital these few months. You have to take good care of the Imperial Guards and don't be reckless when encountering things," Ma Zhiming repeatedly reminded Zhou You'an before leaving. "Also, keep a close eye on the movements of Prince Rong and Prince Hui. If there is anything important and you can't make up your mind, go and discuss it with General Meng."
"Yes, I will remember that," Zhou Youan sent Ma Zhiming to the back door and watched him get on the horse, unable to hide his reluctance on his face, "General Ma, have a safe journey."
"Let's go!" Ma Zhiming whipped his horsewhip violently and then disappeared into the dark night.
"General, what do you think the Emperor means? He didn't care about the life or death of the deposed crown prince. Now that the Queen Mother has passed away, he suddenly remembered the deposed crown prince and even asked Commander Ma to go and bring the deposed crown prince back in person. Could it be that the Emperor has changed his character and wants to help the deposed crown prince ascend to the throne?" Zhou Youan's personal bodyguard asked curiously.
"Don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask. Be careful, your mouth can cause trouble." Zhou Youan said in a deep voice.
"Yes, I obey your command." The guard bowed hurriedly.
…
February 26, 1934
Ningguta.
The prefectural government office.
Mrs. Fu, the wife of the Zhili Governor, and her son Fu Jiaheng arrived in Ningguta. This time, Mrs. Fu came to cancel her son's engagement.
By the way, Mrs. Fu was really worried about her disappointing son Fu Jiaheng. Not only had he been obsessed with material things since childhood, but he was also a radical person. Over the years, she and Lord Fu had been worrying about this son. They had beaten and scolded him, but it was all in vain. A while ago, Fu Jiaheng was going to Ningguta to find Fang Chengyin, and the old couple were overjoyed, thinking that their son had come back. Who knew that it was all false joy. The old couple were sad, but they felt that they could not delay any longer. Fang Chengyin was already 19 years old during the Chinese New Year, and it was not a good thing to delay the girl any longer. So this Chinese New Year, Mrs. Fu brought Fu Jiaheng to Ningguta in person. If Lord Fu had not been too busy to leave, he would have come with them.
Fang Zuotang also knew about Fu Jiaheng's situation early on. Although he didn't say anything on the surface, this marriage was destined to fail. So when Fang Chengyin was interested in Chen Qingxuan before, he didn't stop her. He wanted to go to Zhili recently to talk things out, but he didn't expect Mrs. Fu and Fu Jiaheng to come first.
At that moment, Mrs. Fu and Fang Zuotang were chatting in the main hall, while Fu Jiaheng took the opportunity to run to the backyard.
"Mr. Fu! Mr. Fu! The young lady is still dressing up!" Ah Tao saw Fu Jiaheng rushing in and hurriedly stopped him, "Mr. Fu, please wait in the outer hall..."
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