Li Wei lay prostrate on the floor, his body thin and hunched, his heart pounding. He had served Yuwen Wuji for so many years, and of course he understood how deep his suspicions ran.
From the moment Xie Liwei called out to him and he walked over, it seemed he had no way out.
"Step back." Yuwen Wuji covered his eyes with his hand, looking extremely tired. "Let Li Decai come in and serve you."
Li Decai was one of Li Wei's disciples, and he had served the emperor quite well over the years.
After Li Decai entered, Li Wei withdrew. He was not on duty today, so he left the palace and went to a house outside the palace.
His purse, soaked with sweat, was taken out of his sleeve. He emptied its contents and then cut it open with scissors.
The purse was made of two different colors of silk, with the lining fabric being a bit rougher. After removing the fabric, he discovered that the lining was actually made of double-layered cloth, with words embroidered on the side sewn to the outer silk.
After he finished reading it, he took a deep breath and threw the cloth into the fire pit where water was boiling.
At the ancestral home of the Cui family in Qinghe, the head of the Cui family asked Fu Changyi, "Have you offended anyone? Otherwise, why would the Peng family be targeting you? Have you tried to make peace with the Peng family?"
Fu Changyi gave a bitter smile. He had done his best for the Cui family, but when something happened, the clan chief didn't ask about his recent experiences and instead blamed him for his mistakes.
Moreover, he had never offended the Peng family!
“Clan leader, the Peng family and I have never interfered with each other. I don’t know why they suddenly started this trouble. Perhaps they have their eyes on the shop I own.”
Chief Cui frowned. He understood the principle that "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime," but the Fu family was very low-key, so how did they become the target of the Peng family?
"How about this, I'll act as a representative of the Cui family and arrange a meeting with the head of the Peng family for you. If there are any conflicts, we can resolve them privately."
Fu Changyi was very unhappy to hear this, but he still agreed.
"Changyi hasn't seen his children for a long time. I wonder how they are doing lately."
"You can go over there in a couple of days when the academy is on holiday, and you can have a reunion dinner together. Are you going south this time?"
"Yes."
"This trip will probably take several months. I'll talk to the academy and ask them to give them a few more days off so they can spend more time with you at home."
After receiving the message, Fu Changyi took his leave.
My heart is filled with increasing bitterness.
As a descendant of the Cui family, not only was I not given the surname Cui, but I was also subjected to such manipulation.
From a young age, he was taught that his ancestral home was the Cui family, and that he had concealed his identity for the sake of the Cui family's grand enterprise. However, after growing up, he risked his life traveling all over the country, and all the money he earned went to the Cui family. Even his wife and children were in the hands of the Cui family; he had to be mindful of the Cui family's attitude if he wanted to see his wives.
Peng Si is right. Now that we're all surnamed Fu, why should we care about the fate of the Cui family?
What does their grand cause have to do with me? I've been brainwashed and worked for them for so many years; I've already repaid that debt of gratitude long ago!
The Fu family raised him; their kindness in raising him is greater than their kindness in giving him life. He should consider the Fu family's interests more!
Back home, Fu Changyi looked at the huge mansion, filled with countless servants, yet its emptiness made him uneasy. His wives all lived in the Cui family school, and he himself spent nearly ten months of the year traveling outside, leaving the house feeling utterly lifeless.
"Master, the fourth young master is in our shop," the steward reported.
"I'm coming right now!" Fu Changyi immediately ordered his horse to be prepared and headed to the shop.
The fourth young master mentioned by the steward is Peng Xueying, the fourth young master of the Peng family, whom Xie Liwei keeps calling out "Peng Si Peng Si" all day long. He's the carefree fourth young master of the Peng family who's been impotent lately.
This job originally belonged to his second brother, but because of his impotence, he was very unhappy and caused trouble all over the capital, so his father sent him here.
His acquaintance with Fu Changyi was purely coincidental. Although the Peng family was putting pressure on the Fu family's shops and businesses, the two people in charge did not know each other. It was only because they were listening to music in the opera troupe that day and felt the same way about the music that they guessed the same thing.
Peng Si was someone who liked to spend money on making friends, so he treated everyone to a meal and drank with Fu Changyi, pouring out their grievances.
Two people who were only a few years apart in age got together and quickly became good friends.
Later, when they learned each other's identities, they didn't get angry or upset. Instead, they tried to persuade each other, and eventually Fu Changyi was convinced by Peng Si.
As soon as he entered the shop, Fu Changyi couldn't wait to go upstairs to the second floor. Peng Si, dressed in a red robe, sat on the couch, waving his folding fan with an air of arrogance and unrestrainedness.
He was handsome, and the red clothes made his skin look even whiter than jade.
When Fu Changyi first saw him, he couldn't help but marvel at how extraordinary it was that a man who looked like Peng Si was truly a freak of nature.
"Brother Fu, please have a seat!"
Even though it was someone else's territory, Peng Si acted as if he were the master.
After Fu Changyi sat down and dismissed the servants, he spoke, "I've thought it through. I'm willing to give up everything in Qinghe and leave with my wife and daughters! I just hope my fourth brother can help me!"
The Cui family's influence in Qinghe was deeply entrenched; even local officials had to defer to them. If he were to take his wives to the city gate, he feared that upon opening it, he would not be greeted by a vast world, but rather by the terrifying expressions of the Cui family members.
The Cui family cannot tolerate traitors. It would be one thing if he were alone, but he still has children!
"Brother Fu, are you sure?"
Fu Changyi nodded firmly, reflecting on the first half of his life, which had been entirely controlled by the Cui family. He longed to live freely with his children.
"Where does Brother Fu plan to go after he leaves?"
Fu Changyi looked at him, seemingly pondering the credibility of Peng Si.
“I happen to have a shipment that needs to be taken out of the city. My sister-in-law, nephews and nieces can use this route to leave the city. I’m just worried that if Brother Fu and I go in the wrong direction, it might delay you and your sisters-in-law.”
After thinking for a moment, Fu Changyi said, "I want to go south."
Although the Prince of Yan is stationed in the southern border, there are still occasional minor disputes. However, if he can find a new identity for himself and his wives, it will be a viable way out.
Peng Si's eyes darted around, and he said, "I have a plan, come closer and whisper it in my ear!"
Two days later, the Cui clan chief invited the Peng family's head to handle matters in the name of the Cui clan.
Peng Er, Peng Yuji, was afraid that his younger brother would ruin things, so he made a special trip. At this table, not only were Clan Chief Cui and several clan elders present, but also the local county magistrate Hua Liufang and the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Peng Si initially thought the party would be boring, but after seeing Hua Liufang, he perked up completely.
This guy, why does he look so familiar?
Isn't this the bookworm I used to bully at the academy when I was a kid?
When did he grow up to be so handsome?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com