Chapter 758: Hope You All Live Well
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Jiang Zhouzi saw Fu Mingzheng’s face change so quickly it took him a moment to adapt, “It’s been a while since I saw Fourth Master Fu, I almost forgot your skill at changing expressions.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled brightly, like spring flowers blooming, “Really? Then do you remember now? My skills are not limited to changing faces.”
Jiang Zhouzi sighed, “I remember now. Rest assured, I’ve roamed the jianghu for years, seen all kinds of strange diseases, met all sorts of strange people with strange demands. Keeping secrets is the basic duty of a healer. I won’t speak carelessly.”
Fu Mingzheng stared at him, not letting him go. Jiang Zhouzi had no choice but to stomp his foot, “Even if not for your sake, I would consider the Wangfei. She and I share a life-and-death bond! Besides, do you think I want to be hunted by the Regent?”
Only then did Fu Mingzheng see him off to the gate, whispering as Jiang Zhouzi boarded the carriage, “The Regent’s killing isn’t frightening. I can make the killed wish they had never been born.”
Jiang Zhouzi shivered, angrily saying, “You’re so hateful, I don’t like you.”
“But I like you. Remember to come often to treat my father and mother. I’ll treat you well.” Fu Mingzheng patted Jiang Zhouzi’s cheek, smiling as he watched the carriage leave. Turning, he saw Li Shumei standing at the door, looking anxious. He smiled at her, “Worried I might stab him? Don’t worry, I have a sense of propriety.”
Li Shumei glared at him, “I’m here to tell you, your rogue parrot keeps cursing at Jiajia. Either deal with that feathered beast or I will.”
Fu Mingzheng scratched his head, muttering, “Can’t you stop being jealous of a parrot? It’s just a bird, and an annoying one at that. Throw it out, and it won’t last a day before someone kills it.” Just like him, only the Fu family tolerated him. Elsewhere, he’d be dead long ago.
Li Shumei stared at him silently.
Fu Mingzheng felt the pressure Jiang Zhouzi had just felt, scratching his head in frustration, “What do you want? To let it go? It’s ugly and foul-mouthed. I’ve tried to relocate it, but my sisters-in-law won’t have it. Should I take it to the Dali Temple?”
His eyes brightened with the idea, “Yes, that’s it, I’ll keep it at the Dali Temple!” He started to leave, but Li Shumei said coldly, “If you like it so much, keep it. Train it well. If I catch it swearing at Jiajia again, I’ll pluck its feathers and seal its beak.”
Fu Mingzheng thought he misheard or that she was joking, “What did you say?”
“If you didn’t hear, forget it.” Li Shumei rolled her eyes, turning to leave.
Fu Mingzheng grabbed her hand, whispering with a smile, “Tell me, how do you want me to please you?”
Li Shumei glared at him, and he responded with a bright-eyed smile, “Alright, I get it. Wait for me tonight.”
Li Shumei’s face turned slightly red, and she spat, “How improper, saying such things at the front door. Dinner is ready, quickly go and invite Father-in-law and Mingzhu to come and eat!”
Fu Mingzheng laughed heartily and walked inside with a spring in his step.
Since Yuwen Chu was not home and Mingzhu had been away for too long, she didn’t rush back after dinner. Instead, she stayed to chat with her family, coaxed Madam Cui to sleep, and ensured Fu Cong was in bed before heading back.
Fu Mingzheng wanted to escort her, but she refused, pointing to the new commander of the Regent’s mansion, Ye Xiu. “With Commander Ye and Dong Hui, that’s enough. We’ve traveled thousands of miles to get here; a small city like the capital is nothing. Fourth Brother, go back.”
“Rest assured, Fourth Master Fu, the Wangfei’s guards are all carefully selected and experienced. Nothing will go wrong.” Ye Xiu, dressed in his usual green attire, looked even more slender and tall. Behind him stood a group of strong, spirited guards from the mansion, each armed with short swords, long spears, and crossbows, their armor shining, their horses robust. They looked ready for battle, not just for guarding. Most importantly, these guards had accompanied Mingzhu on countless journeys and were very familiar with her and Millet, working harmoniously together and being utterly loyal and tested by time.
“In that case, I won’t escort you. Rest early when you get back.” Seeing this, Fu Mingzheng was very pleased. He had always worried that the muddle-headed Mingzhu would be tricked and taken advantage of. Now he could finally relax a bit. She finally had her own people.
“You rest early too, Fourth Brother.” Mingzhu waved at Fu Mingzheng, glancing at Ye Xiu and Dong Hui. Ye Xiu smiled slightly, looking casually at Dong Hui, who was frowning, tightening Millet’s swaddling clothes and signaling the nurse to get into the carriage quickly, ignoring everyone else.
Mingzhu didn’t mind. She waited until she returned to the mansion before asking Ye Xiu and Dong Hui to join her inside. “His Highness found burial plots for Jing Song and Su Momo. I plan to visit the day after tomorrow. Do you want to come?”
Her words were redundant since Dong Hui was her personal guard, and Ye Xiu was now responsible for her and her family’s safety. Naturally, wherever she went, they would follow. But Ye Xiu understood her meaning and seriously replied, “If it pleases the Wangfei, I happen to be free that day.”
Dong Hui, with reddened eyes, asked, “Did Commander Yang’s family agree to bury him here?”
The bodies of Jing Song and Su Momo had been exhumed and brought to the capital after Huan Wang’s death, waiting for their families. But Su Momo’s family couldn’t be found, and Jing Song’s family had only arrived recently.
Mingzhu said, “They wanted him to be buried in his hometown, but His Highness convinced them. He promised to build a grand tomb for Jing Song in the future. Given the current chaos, it’s better not to fuss over it now. For now, he’ll be buried here, and when things settle, we’ll move him once and for all.”
Dong Hui, who had heard Jing Song’s last words, rubbed her eyes and said, “Please forgive me, Wangfei, I need to leave.” Without waiting for a response, she quickly walked away to find a secluded spot to cry.
Ye Xiu smiled helplessly but didn’t follow her. Instead, he bowed to Mingzhu and said, “Thank you, Wangfei.”
Mingzhu replied, “No need to thank me. I can’t help with your personal matters. I just hope you all live well.”
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