Mingzhu wiped away her tears. “Does Second Sister-in-law know?”
Fu Mingzheng replied, “Father doesn’t believe in hiding it from her, so even the children know.”
In other words, the whole family was aware of this matter. Mingzhu lowered her eyes and softly said, “The Regent…”
Fu Mingzheng squeezed her hand. “You can’t blame him for this. He has done his best. If you must blame someone, blame the person in the palace. Don’t hold a grudge against him. Do you know what she said when she summoned me just now? She said that no matter how good Ji Country is, it’s not as good as home. She has decided to send someone to bring Second Brother back from the road to Ji Country.”
Mingzhu was stunned and then laughed bitterly. “Am I foolish? Every move of mine is seen and anticipated, yet I’m completely unaware and self-assured.”
Fu Mingzheng gently said, “How can you undervalue yourself like that? Even though you’re not skilled in strategy, you have me. The fact that you thought of me at the critical moment and let me execute the most crucial steps proves you’re not foolish. As long as I intervene, no matter how cunning or ruthless that old witch is, she won’t get her way.”
Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “Is this how you act as an elder brother? Is this how you comfort someone?”
Fu Mingzheng said, “Alright, don’t be sad. Though Second Brother is unfortunate, getting this chance isn’t bad. At least he won’t die in disgrace. I believe His Highness will give him a suitable opportunity to fulfill his wishes. Today, you can let your thoughts run wild, but tomorrow, pull yourself together and do what needs to be done. His Highness tasked you with preparing the dowry for Princess Kangning before he left. Find out if she has any other unfulfilled wishes and try to meet them.”
Mingzhu snorted coldly. “Just because he tells me to do something, I have to do it? I don’t have time.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled. “Say that to me again after you’ve had some sleep.”
Angry, Mingzhu turned and walked away. Li Shumei couldn’t help but reproach Fu Mingzheng. “I really don’t understand you two siblings. You can’t bear to be apart, but when you see each other, you have to fight. You can’t feel comfortable without fighting. She’s already feeling bad, so why provoke her and make her angry?”
Fu Mingzheng pulled Li Shumei to sit beside him. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen me. Did you miss me? You must have, so why do you scold me when you see me?” He continued, “I’m doing it for her own good. Sometimes her mind isn’t clear, and she needs someone to wake her up. Otherwise, with things as they are, if she can’t come to terms with it, she’ll just make herself miserable.”
Li Shumei pretended to pinch him. “I think it’s you whose mind isn’t clear and needs a wake-up call.”
Fu Mingzheng, distracted, said, “You don’t know her like I do. Just wait and see. In less than three days, she’ll be back to her old lively self.”
At Guanhai Residence, Fu Cong was telling stories to the children. Millet, though too young to fully understand, stayed quiet and played with the hem of Fu Cong’s clothes. Little Stone and Zhuangzhuang listened intently, while Jiajia curiously examined everything around her, determined to turn her grandfather’s room upside down.
The wet nurse was afraid and wanted to stop, but Fu Cong didn’t allow her to disturb Jiajia. He gestured for her to step back. “It’s just some lifeless things. If they get damaged, so be it. The child’s happiness is most important.”
Jiajia stopped crying and instead went back to nestle beside Fu Cong, playing with a piece of cloth with Millet. They each grabbed a corner of the cloth and played, occasionally smiling at Fu Cong. Fu Cong affectionately patted the heads of the two girls and continued telling stories to the two little boys.
In the twilight, Fu Cong looked peaceful. His expression changed with the plot of the story, showing love and kindness. There was no hint of the torment he suffered from illness, or the impending loss of his beloved son.
Mingzhu didn’t dare to disturb Fu Cong. She sat outside quietly, watching the lake outside Guanhai Residence. She thought about many things, even pondering what she would do if it were Yuwen Chu. The answer was in her heart, either accepting it or not.
Fu Cong noticed Mingzhu and calmly finished his story at the same leisurely pace. After bidding farewell to the children, he let Mingzhu enter. “Is it getting dark?” he asked.
Mingzhu nodded. “Yes.”
“The sky will get darker, because after it’s dark, it will be dawn.” Fu Cong gestured for An Rushan to bring a letter to him, then signaled for Mingzhu to open and read it.
It was an urgent letter from Shen Ruilin, stating that a mysterious cavalry had suddenly appeared. They were elusive, with the fastest horses and the finest weapons. Instead of confronting the main forces of the Xiongnu and Zhongshan Wang, they targeted their generals and strategists for assassination. They had appeared twice, first killing the Xiongnu general who issued the order to slaughter a city and the ringleader, and then killing Zhongshan Wang’s adopted son, Huang Jun – a man of military talent comparable to Zhongshan Wang’s third son. This caused panic among the rebel army, but they couldn’t find their whereabouts.
Mingzhu silently put the letter back into its envelope. Knowing Shen Ruilin, she believed this letter was specially written to comfort Fu Cong and her. It had only been about twenty days since her second brother had left with Du Heng. How could he have done so much? If it were true, Yuwen Chu would have shown it to her long ago, as he knew well how to please her.
Fu Cong could tell what she was thinking from her expression and smiled. “It’s impossible for your second brother alone, but with Du Heng by his side, and Du Heng’s elite scouts, you manage His Highness’s private accounts. You should know how much money is spent on them each year. Also, those excellent weapons from Ban Jian wouldn’t be lacking. And long ago, His Highness established a horse farm in the North, with many fine horses worth a fortune. You should have heard about all this.”
What Fu Mingzhao couldn’t do didn’t mean Yuwen Chu couldn’t either. Fu Mingzhao came to lead this team, not only to protect Du Heng’s identity but also to free himself to plan for a bigger event – the upcoming comprehensive counterattack.
“After dinner, you should go back. If I’m not mistaken, someone with a similar letter is waiting for you at the palace.” Fu Cong affectionately patted Mingzhu’s head and said softly, “My little girl, your tender-heartedness and stubbornness really make me worry.”
Mingzhu laid on his knees and whispered, “I want you to worry, so you won’t be able to bear to part with us.”
Fu Cong chuckled softly. “Silly girl.” Yuwen Chu was about to set out, and he had to keep an eye on things for Yuwen Chu until he returned safely before he could rest assured.
Mingzhu still didn’t have the courage to see Lady Su, but Wen Wen came to her on her own. “Grandfather showed me Uncle Shen’s letter. I’m proud of Father and grateful to Uncle for giving Father this opportunity. Not everyone gets a second chance.”
