Madam Qin gave him a sidelong glance: “You know too much. Always gossiping instead of studying.”
“The whole capital is talking about it. Do I need to deliberately inquire?” the boy scoffed. “Isn’t it just that he broke his leg in the border region and can’t stay there, so he’s coming back to recuperate?”
Madam Qin pursed her lips but did not scold him. Instead, she ordered the servants: “Everyone leave. I want to talk to Yan’er alone.”
The people withdrew from the room.
“The eldest young master is a young hero, but at home, he became someone who couldn’t even be mentioned. Unfortunately, our young master has no heart, staying far from his elder brother, only listening to those scoundrels’ instigation…”
Another maidservant lightly slapped her hand and said, “What do you know? They are not born from the same mother, so how can they be ‘elder brothers’? Strictly speaking, only the second young lady, now the Qi Wang’s wife, can call him big brother.”
The original wife of the former Ying Guo Gong Fu Ting Zhong passed away early, leaving behind a son and a daughter. The eldest son was Fu Shen, and the second daughter was Fu Ling. When Fu Ling was seventeen, she married the third prince Qi Wang as his principal wife. The second wife, Lady Qin, had two daughters and one son. The fourth son Fu Ya and the fifth daughter Fu Xi were still young and were raised at home by their mother.
When Lady Qin entered the family, Fu Shen was already mature and was not close to her. After Fu Ya was born, they became even more estranged. Because Fu Shen, the eldest son, was ahead, the future title would not fall to Fu Ya. Due to their status, the conflict between Lady Qin and Fu Shen was inevitable.
However, before Lady Qin could take any actions, Fu Ting Zhong was assassinated in the North Frontier. At that time, Emperor Yuan Tai, in order to win over meritorious officials, was particularly generous to military generals and decided not to reduce the rank, directly allowing Fu Ting Xin to inherit the Ying Guo Gong title. Later, when Fu Ting Xin passed away and the border war was tight, Fu Shen went directly to the battlefield before completing his mourning period. The Guo Gong title remained vacant, and after discussion, the Ministry of Rites simply allowed the third master Fu Ting Yi to inherit the title. When Fu Shen returned with military achievements, Emperor Yuan Tai separately conferred him the title of Jing Ning Hou.
Taking this opportunity, Lady Qin proposed that Fu Shen should establish a separate residence, citing “two titles in one family” and “a big tree attracts wind.”
Fu Shen recognized her intentions, as they revolved around coveting the title and wanting to push him out. Lady Qin was short-sighted, but the newly appointed Ying Guo Gong Fu Ting Yi thought further. The true foundation of the Fu family was not the Guo Gong title, but the North Yan cavalry. The Fu family had been closely related to the North Yan military for three generations. If this continued, the North Yan military would eventually be renamed the Fu family military – how would the world think, and how would the one on the dragon throne think?
So, it was better to retreat to advance. In the future, Fu Shen would take over the North Yan military, but the Ying Guo Gong Fu, or the Fu family, could no longer be tied to the North Yan military.
After weighing the pros and cons, the current situation emerged: the North Yan military commander and Jing Ning Hou Fu Shen established a separate residence, almost not associating with the Guo Gong Fu; the Fu family’s third master Fu Ting Yi inherited the Guo Gong title, becoming a leisurely noble, and Lady Qin lived in the Guo Gong Fu with her children, waiting for Fu Ya to come of age to request his title as heir.
Both mother and son had no good feelings towards Fu Shen. Lady Qin was uneasy and couldn’t bear his excellence, afraid he would bite back; Fu Ya probably felt that Fu Shen should have knelt and presented the heir’s position to him.
In the main room, Lady Qin sternly reprimanded, “Your mouth, you can talk like this at home, but outside, you must absolutely not spread rumors.”
“Mother—” Fu Ya threw a fruit into his mouth, dragging out his voice in dissatisfaction, “He has already separated from the Fu family.”
“You don’t understand. These words should not be spoken carelessly,” Lady Qin lightly slapped his leg, “His parents’ memorial tablets are still here. Just because he has a separate residence doesn’t mean he’s not part of the Fu family. He is still your elder brother.”
Young and already in a high position, though his temperament has somewhat softened in recent years, he was once a ruthless tyrant. Be careful and don’t offend him.”
Fu Ya snorted dismissively.
Lady Qin continued, “In a few years, the family will request a title for you. Your third uncle favors Fu Shen and wishes for you to make a mistake. At this time, you absolutely must not make any errors. Do you understand?”
She lowered her voice, “My son, just endure for now. Eventually, this Guo Gong title and family business will all be yours. No one can compete with you, not even Fu Shen… he can only stand aside and watch.”
Lady Qin’s voice was almost a whisper. Fu Ya’s heart stirred, and he raised his head, “Mother…”
“Mother has a way,” Lady Qin gripped his hand firmly, “Rest assured.”
In the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince’s wife, Lady Qin, removed her pearl-adorned headdress in front of the bronze mirror. The maidservant attending to her hair bowed and whispered, “My lady, today the Ying Guo Gong Fu’s Lady Qin sent someone to pay respects to Fu Concubine, and they sat and talked for quite a while in the hall.”
The Crown Prince’s wife thought for a moment and understood, smiling, “Let her be. I heard that Jing Ning Hou has returned to the capital, and Lady Qin must be feeling uneasy. She’s rushing to curry favor with our palace.”
“He may be disabled, but he hasn’t fallen,” Lady Qin said. “Jing Ning Hou has extremely high prestige among the people and in the court, and he still holds military power in the North Frontier. Even if he returns, the North Yan military is full of his old direct subordinates. To speak disrespectfully, even our palace master must give him some leeway.”
Lady Qin’s father was the Jing Chu Provincial Governor Qin Hong Fang. Growing up under his guidance, she was as knowledgeable as a man. If Fu Shen hadn’t gone to the North Frontier, Qin Hong Fang might have considered him as a potential son-in-law.
Setting aside his temperament, Jing Ning Hou was upright, young, heroic, and had brilliant military achievements, making countless unmarried young ladies admire him.
Lady Qin said, “I remember Fu Concubine has a brother who will be requesting the Ying Guo Gong heir title in a few years?”
“Yes.”
“Originally, our palace master had his eye on Jing Ning Hou’s direct sister, who is now the Qi Wang’s wife. He privately inquired about the Fu family’s thoughts. At that time, the Ying Guo Gong Fu was still managed by the second master. He asked Jing Ning Hou about it. Jing Ning Hou, who was about the same age as Fu Concubine’s brother, heard that his sister was unwilling and immediately refused.”
The Fu family are all stubborn – they would rather offend the palace master to choose a satisfactory marriage for his sister.
She brushed her temples, and suddenly a faint, inexplicable sourness welled up in her heart.
