“I haven’t concealed your situation from the Regent, but he has yet to give any further instructions. Since he remains silent, I take it as tacit approval.” Fu Mingzheng made the decision for Fu Mingzhao. “Where are your things? I’ll help you pack.”
Fu Mingzhao looked at him with determination, saying calmly, “No need. I’m not going. Surviving the day the city fell doesn’t mean I want to live.”
“What will you do then? Go back to the capital and wait to die? Let the Regent order your execution at the vegetable market, let Wenwen and her siblings mourn for you in public, cursing the Regent for his cruelty? Let Mingzhu hate the Regent to the bone whenever she thinks of you? Let our parents suffer to death from grief?” Fu Mingzheng was somewhat angry. He knew the stubbornness of the Fu family, and he didn’t want Fu Mingzhao to passively walk towards death with his eyes wide open.
Fu Mingzhao replied, “Of course not. I’m not afraid to die, but I don’t want to die in vain. I’m waiting for someone, waiting for an opportunity.”
Fu Mingzheng was so anxious that he wished he could give his brother a few slaps. “It’s already so late, and you’re still beating around the bush with me? Can’t you just make it clear?”
Fu Mingzhao calmly said, “My surname is Fu. I have a good father who shoulders the blame but still works tirelessly for the people and the country, a kind and loving mother, elder and younger brothers with promising futures, a sister with blessings and a noble status, and a loyal and virtuous wife, as well as obedient and intelligent children. How can I, a member of the Fu family, die in disgrace at the market square, covered in rotten vegetables, eggshells, and saliva? How can the legitimate grandson of His Highness Qi Wang have such a father-in-law? I’m not afraid of death, but I fear bringing shame upon my parents, relatives, and children. That’s why I won’t go back. I’ll die here, on the battlefield. You go back and tell them that you’ve never seen me.”
Fu Mingzheng’s heart was heavily struck. Tears filled his eyes, and he couldn’t speak because he knew he couldn’t change Fu Mingzhao’s mind. He shared the same surname, and the sense of family honor and protecting the family from shame was the first thing he learned from his father. Fu Mingzhao was the same. Over the years, this belief had become ingrained in their bones and blood, unchangeable.
Fu Mingzhao gently patted his shoulder. “I’m leaving Wenwen and the others to you. If those kids don’t behave, you can give them a good beating.”
Shen Ruilin entered with a food box and a jug of wine. Without asking anything else, he sat down and arranged the food and cups, breaking the seal on the wine bottle. “Rare for us to gather together. Tonight, we won’t go back until we’re drunk.”
This was probably their last meal together. All three of them knew it. Fu Mingzheng wore a grim expression throughout, Shen Ruilin looked troubled, while Fu Mingzhao remained calm and composed, but since the other two didn’t cooperate, they ended up drinking in silence.
After finishing a jar of wine, Shen Ruilin wanted to order more, but Fu Mingzhao stopped him. “Little Shen, you’re a military leader. You shouldn’t drink too much.”
Shen Ruilin took the hint and reluctantly asked the pressing question, “So, what’s the plan?”
Fu Mingzhao replied, “When I leave with fourth brother, you’ll just act like you’ve never seen me again.” This should also be Mingzhu’s intention. Little Shen was such a good person; he shouldn’t be involved in this matter.
Fu Mingzheng nodded. “We’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” Wherever his second brother went, he would follow. Even if he had to wash away the shame with blood, he would be a part of it.
Shen Ruilin was speechless for a moment, sitting with them for half the night. They talked about childhood memories, laughing and banging the table when they were happy and cursing loudly when they were angry.
As the third watch sounded, Fu Mingzhao glanced at the silvery moonlight outside the window and yawned. “It’s late. We have to hit the road early tomorrow. Let’s rest.”
Shen Ruilin took his leave. “I’ll see you off tomorrow morning.”
Fu Mingzheng said, “I’ll sleep with my second brother tonight.”
Fu Mingzhao smiled. “As long as you don’t mind the narrow bed and the heat, I have no objections.” Then he signaled for the mute servant to help him, and the two brothers fell asleep side by side.
“Second Brother.” Fu Mingzheng couldn’t sleep due to his troubled thoughts and called out to Fu Mingzhao a few times. But Fu Mingzhao didn’t answer, only responding with a faint snore.
After tossing and turning for a while, Fu Mingzheng fell into a deep, heavy sleep. Even when the mute servant opened the door, he didn’t stir. Fu Mingzhao, dressed neatly, glanced at him one last time and silently left with the servant carrying him on his back, without looking back.
A tall figure stood under the tree, bathed in the dappled moonlight, making his features indistinct. He nodded at Fu Mingzhao. “You’ve come.”
Fu Mingzhao said, “Thank you for taking the time to come and see me amidst your busy schedule.”
The man smiled. “General Fu is a man of integrity, and even if I’m busy, I had to make this trip.” He recalled the dazzling and resolute woman and couldn’t help but ask Fu Mingzhao again, “Have you made up your mind? If you regret it, you can still turn back. Although Ji Kingdom is far away, I can assist you with all my might. Princess Changhua is kind-hearted and has a good relationship with the Regent Wangfei. As long as she’s there, you’ll have no worries about food and clothing, and you can live peacefully.”
Fu Mingzhao smiled faintly. “The Fus are not cowards who fear death.”
The man showed some admiration and said, “In that case, let’s go.”
Several figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding him, Fu Mingzhao, and the mute servant, skillfully avoiding the patrolling soldiers. When they reached the city gate, they showed their waist plates to the guards. “Regent’s secret envoy.”
The guards immediately opened the gate.
Fu Mingzhao looked back one last time at the sleeping Ganzhou, then silently mounted the horse prepared for him by the man. The saddle and stirrups were specially designed for him and suited him well. For a moment, he almost felt like he was back in the past, invincible on the battlefield. But he knew it was just an illusion. He had become a useless person and a criminal. But the glory of the family and the responsibilities of being a son, a father, and a brother still weighed heavily on him. He had to wash away this shame with his own blood.
A general should die on the battlefield, not under palace conspiracies.
He asked the man walking ahead, treading on the night dew, “Do you have any latest information about the rebel forces in Zhongshan?”
The man smiled. “I’m Du Heng. You can call me Little Du, General.”
Fu Mingzhao had intended to ask Du Heng about Yuwen Chu’s specific stance on this matter, but he realized that since the other party had already found him and was taking him away, it was enough to indicate Yuwen Chu’s attitude. There was no need to ask again.
The sunlight fell on Fu Mingzheng’s face as he sat up. “Second Brother…”
The room was empty.
Shen Ruilin walked in, saying with mixed feelings, “Second Brother has already left. You should return to the capital.” He received the news late at night, that the Regent’s secret envoy had taken someone away right under his nose. Before this, he had thought Yuwen Chu was unaware, but now it seemed he couldn’t be deceived. Instead of leaving quietly, they chose to reveal their identity, and there was only one explanation—warning.
