PMM - 28

It was on the third day that Yi Huan coincidentally found out that Fu Chengyu had already left for Yuanhuai. At that time, Yi Qiancheng had gathered his subordinates at the mansion to discuss the matter of attacking Fengmu.

Yi Huan had been thinking for several days and decided that she needed to have a proper conversation with Fu Chengyu. Many things were clear in her heart, but she had to keep them to herself. Fu Chengyu both hated and respected her father, which was a very contradictory emotion. Mr. Fu Yi was the hero of Shaji City, but he had been the deserter in her mother’s life. Fu Chengyu did not like Yi Qiancheng, and her brother was the city lord of this generation. Mr. Fu Yi had spent most of his life in Shaji, caring more for her brother than for him.

He had never been loved properly. When he was young, his mother had been waiting for Fu Yi to come home and had neglected him. The only time Fu Yi showed him care was when he was grooming him to help his brother fight for the world.

The resentment had built up for many years without a way to release it. He must have lived a difficult life. Yi Huan thought back to the proud and embarrassed Fu Chengyu she had met earlier, and couldn’t help but smile, though a faint bitterness lingered in her heart.

She was sixteen this year, an age when other girls blossomed like flowers, but for her, it was as if she were approaching the end of her life. These sixteen years felt like stolen time, and everyone thought she had survived the most difficult part of her childhood and would only get better from here. But her heart, which had been growing more painful at midnight, told her that her body was about to decay.

Fu Chengyu liked her, Yi Huan always knew that. But his life had a long road ahead, and the one who would walk it with him could never be her.

She couldn’t let him experience the pain of losing someone he loved again.

Yi Huan decided to tell Fu Chengyu that their past was now over, and she would no longer hold onto the matter of him undressing her. She also hoped he would no longer hold a grudge over her slap. After her brother finished fighting his battle, she would travel across the world. She had already thought up a reason — she had grown up on Qi Huang Mountain and had never seen the world’s mountains and rivers, so she wanted to go see it all by herself.

But Yi Huan didn’t expect that the person she sought wouldn’t come to the mansion. She stood there, dazed, watching as her brother’s subordinates bowed and left one by one, yet Fu Chengyu’s figure never appeared.

Suddenly, she thought that if he were here, he would lazily open an umbrella and hold it over her head with a teasing smile, saying, “Oh, you’re willing to go outside now?”

“Huān’er?”

“Brother, where is Fu Chengyu?”

“He left for Yuanhuai three days ago. What do you need him for?” Yi Qiancheng furrowed his brow when he saw how thin Yi Huan looked, and ordered a servant to bring her a cloak.

Yi Huan lowered her head, unable to see his expression. “It’s nothing. I’ll leave now.”

Fu Chengyu had left without a word. Yi Huan felt a sharp pain in her heart and took a deep breath to calm the lingering sadness within her.

She told herself that this was fine, this was for the best.

Yi Qiancheng watched Yi Huan leave in a hurry, his heart filled with concern, but he didn’t ask any more questions. Then, he suddenly thought that he could ask Lian Sheng to check on Yi Huan and see what had happened. Since they were both young women of a similar age, they should get along well.

And... well, no matter how one put it, Lian Sheng was still Huān’er’s sister-in-law, so it was appropriate for her to care for her.

Mr. Fu Yi sent a letter back yesterday, stating that he had already contacted many merchants from Fengmu. During this period of internal strife, the merchants had been the ones most affected. However, as history shows, civilians do not oppress officials. Even though they were filled with resentment, they could only bear it silently. Now, Fu Yi could easily win them over with one condition — to open trade routes between Shaji, Yingdong, and Fengmu, reduce taxes, and grant them the greatest freedom.

Aside from the city lord’s influence, Fengmu was largely controlled by merchants. With their help, the resistance to attacking Fengmu would be much smaller. Fu Chengyu had spent a year planting spies in Fengmu, learning about the internal forces and the merchant situation. Now, this work was finally bearing fruit.

Currently, the old city lord of Fengmu was seriously ill, and his two sons were fighting to the death for the position of city lord. Both of them were making trouble for each other in the trade routes, and the merchants were suffering the most. The old city lord had been sharp throughout his life, but now, his life’s work was about to be destroyed by these two fools.

Mr. Fu Yi had already contacted those who were willing to help Yingdong, and Fu Chengyu was in Yuanhuai to contain the restless forces of Xiang Han.

Everything was ready, and it was time for Yi Qiancheng to set off. Once the preparations for the campaign were completed in the next couple of days, he would lead his army to Fengmu. Yi Qiancheng rubbed his temple, feeling the fatigue settle in his brow. He had been busy these past few days. Fortunately, all the battle plans were already arranged, and now the only thing bothering him about Shaji was that woman without a heart and Huān’er.

As he was thinking about this, someone knocked on the door of his study, and a soft, delicate voice called, “Husband, may I come in?”

Yi Qiancheng was taken aback, feeling a surge of pleasant surprise. Since she first married into Shaji, Lian Sheng hadn’t come to the study again. Now... she was coming in on her own accord? Yi Qiancheng smiled slightly, sat up straight, and picked up a memorial from the table, saying, “Come in.”

Lian Sheng pushed open the door and saw him seriously reading a memorial, without even glancing at her.

Lian Sheng looked at the soup she was holding, feeling a little helpless. It was something Old Madame Liu insisted she bring. She said, “The general has been working so hard these past few days. Young Miss wants to send some tonic soup to him.”

This soup had been simmering since early morning, and she couldn’t bear to refuse Old Madame Liu and Lu’er’s kindness. She also remembered how busy Yi Qiancheng had been lately, often returning late, so she decided to bring it over.

Seeing how focused Yi Qiancheng was, Lian Sheng wondered if she had come at the wrong time and disturbed him.

She furrowed her brows slightly, hesitating to speak. After a long pause, Yi Qiancheng put down the memorial and asked, “What’s the matter? Why are you standing there like a fool?”

“Husband, Nanny Liu asked me to bring this to help you replenish your strength.” Lian Sheng gestured toward the soup she was holding.

Easily choked by her sincerity, Yi Cheng thought to himself: What do you mean by saying that Nanny Liu asked her to send it to him to improve his health? If Nanny Liu hadn’t asked, would she have cared at all?

Yi Cheng felt somewhat uncomfortable, thinking back to when Lian Sheng, who had just married, had been obedient and made him pastries. But after he said they tasted bad... Lian Sheng never sent him anything again! Not even once! Did she not know the meaning of persistence?

Fine, he decided not to nitpick this time. If he showed his displeasure, knowing her personality, she might not even send him anything at all in the future.

“Bring it here.”

Lian Sheng placed the tray on the desk. She opened the intricately carved wooden box, revealing a delicate porcelain teapot and bowl inside. She poured a small bowl and handed it to Yi Cheng, saying, “Husband, be careful, it’s hot.”

Yi Cheng took a spoonful to taste but nearly spat it out! What kind of disgusting thing was this? It was both bitter and astringent, with a weird aftertaste.

Yet Lian Sheng looked at him expectantly, “How is it? Does it taste alright?”

Yi Cheng gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the spoon. “It’s... good.” He remembered the consequence of complaining about the pastries last time, so he resolutely refrained from saying it tasted bad.

Lian Sheng thought to herself that Lu’er Girl’s cooking was definitely better than her own. She pushed the teapot closer to Yi Cheng, “Husband, take your time, Lu’er Girl simmered it for a long time.”

Yi Cheng: “... Damn.”

After reading the letter from the Lord of Lian City, Liang Zhen cursed under his breath, “Useless.” He couldn’t even handle this minor task. Fang Mu, a mere minor general from Yingdong, although Yingdong was technically under Yi Cheng’s control, the Lian family had ruled the area for so long. Yet this person lacked even the courage to handle such a small matter and was asking for help from him!

Liang Zhen knocked on the table, and the young eunuch hurried in. “Your Majesty, what is your command?”

“Have General Yu come to the palace.”

After receiving the order, General Yu De Yue immediately entered the palace to meet the Emperor. Liang Zhen asked, “General Yu is an old official, do you know the general Fang Mu from Shaji?”

Yu De Yue cupped his hands and saluted. “I’ve heard of him. He’s a fierce general under Yi Cheng of Shaji and is loyal to him.”

“Then how confident are you in dealing with him?”

Yu De Yue looked up in surprise. “Your Majesty means...”

“Kill him, and eliminate all the soldiers of Shaji left in Yingdong.” A trace of coldness flashed in Liang Zhen’s eyes.

“Your Majesty, you have just ascended to the throne. Your foundation is not stable yet, it’s not wise to send troops against Fang Mu. If Yi Cheng finds out that something has happened to Fang Mu, he will certainly be furious. Yi Cheng has a strong army, and if he mobilizes them to march towards the Imperial City, then...”

“Enough!” Liang Zhen’s voice interrupted, “I’m the emperor, how can I be afraid of a mere subject? Besides, if something happens to Fang Mu, the first person Yi Cheng will want to strike is not me.” Liang Zhen tossed the letter from Lian City to Yu De Yue.

Yu De Yue picked it up, and Liang Zhen continued, “If Yi Cheng sees this letter, do you think he will hate me or Lord Lian? Hahaha.”

Suppressing his shock, Yu De Yue saluted and said, “Your Majesty is right. This is indeed a brilliant plan. Although Fang Mu is fierce, he’s too straightforward. Your Majesty, give me ten thousand troops. With Lord Lian’s help, we will succeed.”

Liang Zhen smiled faintly. “Good, I’ll give you the troops.”

Thinking about the beauty palace that was about to be built, Liang Zhen said, “In addition to that, I have two more tasks for you. After you kill Fang Mu, escort Lord Lian’s daughter, Lian Sheng, to the Imperial City. Make sure nothing goes wrong!”

“As for the second task,” his eyes turned cold, “If Yi Cheng finds out that Fang Mu is dead, immediately send him this letter. He’ll know exactly what to do.”