Chapter 190 Targeting
Fu Mingyi figured out a problem.
He has the blood of the Fu family flowing in his veins. He is a member of the Fu family.
He was just a tiny cog in the vast machine that was the Fu family.
However, he can be the most crucial component, instead of becoming a dispensable decoration because of his resistance and avoidance.
What he wants to do, he will only find himself isolated and unable to make any progress if he tries to do it all by himself.
But if he takes control of the Fu family, and uses the Fu family as a weapon to slay the demons of the Great Xiao... his chances of winning are much greater than if he were to act rashly.
His only sacrifice was his own compromise.
Why did they find themselves in danger during their trip to Feng County?
Because of Li Qinghe's betrayal?
Yes.
But the deeper reason lies elsewhere.
This was a warning from the Fu family to him.
What Mr. Wu said to Xiao Qing was actually directed at him.
Fu Mingyi closed his eyes wearily in the carriage, listening to the continuous and rhythmic sound of the wheels rolling over the road. Thinking about everything that had happened since he came to Nanhua, his desire to control the Fu family grew stronger and stronger.
As Fu Mingyi had predicted, Wang Xiang and others also gleaned new insights from the changes in the two men in the court.
Wang Xiang picked up his brush and wrote in his study. After finishing a piece of calligraphy, he smiled to himself.
Seeing that Wang Xiang was in a good mood, Mr. Sun couldn't help but feel a little curious.
"When the gentleman returned today, he looked gloomy, but now that he has finished writing a piece of calligraphy, he is in a much better mood."
Wang Xiang put down his pen, looked at the calligraphy on the table, then turned around the desk and sat down beside it.
"Mr. Sun thinks that among the families of Da Xiao... no, among the families of Nan Hua today, who deserves such a prestigious name?"
Mr. Sun smiled and said, "Nothing is worse than the Chu and Wang families."
Wang Xiang nodded with a smile, "The Chu family is an old noble family in the south. If you trace their roots back to the founding of the Great Xiao Dynasty, the Wang family only rose to prominence during the reign of the late emperor. Their foundation is not as good as that of the Chu family."
Mr. Sun smiled and said, “Why should you belittle yourself, sir? Although the Chu family has a deep foundation, its influence in the court gradually declined during the reign of the late emperor. The Chu family is large and powerful, but with so many descendants, they are constantly fighting amongst themselves. Those who stand out are eliminated, while the mediocre and conservative are incompetent. To this day, there are not many decent successors, so we can say that we have no one to carry on the family line.”
Seeing that Wang Xiang's expression softened, he continued, "The Wang family is different. With you here, sir, and all the Wang family's descendants being ambitious and hardworking, take the third young master for example. Although he is young, he has been exceptionally talented in literature since childhood, and he is also remarkably humble and upright, unlike ordinary spoiled brats. His future is promising."
When he spoke of Wang Xiang's three most beloved sons, his smile became even more genuine.
“This kid should be back soon. He kept saying he wanted to read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles, that he had to see all over the country. I couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so I let him go. Now the New Year is approaching, and after the New Year, the court will surely hold a special imperial examination. Although he is my son, he still needs to study hard, and I can’t give him any leeway.”
Despite saying this, he looked quite proud.
Mr. Sun laughed and said, "The Third Young Master doesn't need the adults to go easy on him."
Wang Xiang smiled, straightened his face again, and said, "His Majesty is thirteen years old this year."
Mr. Sun looked at his expression and seemed to understand something.
"His Majesty is astute, benevolent, and possesses profound convictions. If..."
Mr. Sun understood, "Is the master thinking about...?"
The two locked eyes.
"The dates are about right. However, His Majesty must hold a grand wedding before that can take place."
"This grand wedding requires the selection of a bride..."
“In Nanhua there are the Wang and Chu families, and outside of Nanhua there are the Fu and Li families. I don’t believe they don’t have this ambition.”
Wang Xiang paused for a moment, then said, "Especially the Fu family. The palace has lost a pearl, so they should send one over. Only by working together, both inside and outside the palace, can the Fu family continue to prosper."
"The Fu family happens to have a daughter of marriageable age."
“It’s not just the Fu family; almost every family has one. Only our Wang family… although she’s still unmarried, she’s much older than His Majesty.”
“What does it matter if she is older? His Majesty is young and needs guidance. Women are better at taking care of others when they are older.”
Mr. Sun leaned closer, "I shouldn't say this, but His Majesty is handsome, and he suffered hardships from a young age, losing his mother. Perhaps he might prefer older women..."
He leaned even closer, "The Emperor only has one head palace maid by his side, the two are about the same age, and neither of them has yet developed their intelligence..."
Wang Xiang's heart stirred. "His Majesty has a good temperament and is handsome, but my Yu'er is flamboyant. I'm afraid she won't be able to endure two years in the palace..."
Mr. Sun then smiled.
"Your Excellency has forgotten three years ago, when His Majesty first arrived at Nanhua Palace, the Second Miss..."
Wang Xiang thought back to the past and slowly smiled.
"Mr. Sun reminded me."
Xiao Qing sneezed loudly in the palace, unaware that he was being watched by many people.
She pondered what had happened in court yesterday, realizing that she had let something slip.
Zhao Ziyuan made a mistake, and Fu Mingyi volunteered to be punished as well. But she also made a mistake, so we can't just say nothing.
How should I express this?
She thought it over and over. Usually, when high-ranking officials made mistakes and were punished, it was either a reduction in their salary or the removal of their official titles. She realized that although she was nominally "rich enough to govern the entire realm," her pockets were actually empty. She admitted she was rather stingy and didn't want to be penalized…
By the way, how much is the emperor's annual salary again? She had never paid attention to it. Mingxiu and Ma Hong prepared all the food and supplies. If she asked them, wouldn't it seem particularly unprofessional?
She was lost in thought for a while when Ma Hong came to report that Prince Xiao Yan had arrived again.
Xiao Qing glanced outside. The weather wasn't too cold, and the sunlight was just right. He then said, "Since we have nothing to do today, let's set out some tea and snacks in the front garden. Prince Yan and I will go there."
Ma Hong agreed and went to do it.
Xiao Qing is someone who particularly enjoys sunbathing, so whenever she has free time, she likes to have Ma Hong and the others set up small tables, lounge chairs, tea, snacks, and books in the small garden so she can leisurely sunbathe and read.
Sometimes it doesn't matter if she falls asleep, because Ma Hong and Mingxiu are always by her side.
Xiao Qing decided to take Xiao Yan to experience the warmth of nature.
Soon, Ma Hong and the others were all ready.
Zhao Youchen had been by Xiao Qing's side for the past two days, and now he was also guarding the small garden.
After the court session ended that day, Zhao Youchen came to express his gratitude. Xiao Qing simply waved his hand and said, "Zhao Ziyuan has no selfish motives. Even if it weren't for the fact that he is your uncle, I would still have done my part."
Zhao Youchen was filled with enthusiasm, feeling that he had not chosen the wrong person or made the wrong decision.
Xiao Qing then thought of Zhao Ziyuan's evaluation of his nephew, Zhao Youchen.
Not flexible enough?
She actually felt it was just right, but Zhao Ziyuan was indeed incredibly bold and resourceful.
She pursed her lips, the thought flashed through her mind, and she didn't pursue it any further.
Xiao Yan, still holding the chubby baby, led Liu Yi toward the small garden. As they walked, he listened to Xiao Qing speak and noticed that his elder brother, who usually didn't like to talk to him, would sometimes stop walking quickly, as if waiting for him.
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