#129: Rising Tides (2)

That night, both the third and fourth sons of the Qi family were weighed down by gloom. After dinner, Qi Ning went to Qi Le’s quarters to drink with him.

The two raised their cups in misery, each clearly tormented by their troubles. Upon closer inspection, their frustrations stemmed from matters involving women—and shockingly, both were tied to their second brother.

Compared to Qi Le, Qi Ning was far more troubled.

Though Qi Le had lost his academic prospects and matrimonial hopes, he had at least anticipated this outcome a few days prior, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Qi Ning, on the other hand, had been eagerly awaiting Wenwen’s response, believing that since his second brother had already given his tacit approval, there was an 80 or 90 percent chance of success. Who could have predicted such a dramatic turn of events? The implication casually dropped by their mother tonight struck him like a thunderbolt, shattering all his dreams and fueling his resentment toward his older brother.

His second brother… hadn’t he already agreed? Hadn’t he promised? Hadn’t he already decided to give Wenwen to him?

But he had gone back on his word—and taken Wenwen for himself!

Their second brother already had everything: their father’s favor, their mother’s affection, scholarly achievements, official positions, adoration from the masses, and countless noblewomen secretly pining for him—even Princess Xiaozhi, who was willing to sacrifice her dignity for him. Why did he insist on taking Wenwen too?

Did he truly love Wenwen? Or was it just to humiliate him? To prove that he was the best—better than everyone else?

How utterly detestable!

Qi Ning had endured years of frustration. His repeated failures in the imperial examinations had left him unable to hold his head high at home. Meanwhile, his younger brother, whom he had always looked down upon, had passed the provincial exam and entered the Spring Examination, further humiliating him. He had hoped to console himself by marrying the beautiful Wenwen, only to have his dream shattered once again. Now, all the pent-up grievances of recent years coalesced into hatred directed squarely at his second brother, transforming his shame and anger into something far darker.

This turn of events was entirely beyond Qi Ying’s expectations.

After committing himself emotionally to Shen Xiling, Qi Ying had intended to find a moment to explain things to Qi Ning. However, the Spring Examination had immediately followed, leaving him swamped with responsibilities. Afterward, he had retreated to the estate to recover from his injuries, and amidst all this, he hadn’t found the time to speak with Qi Ning. If he had managed to clarify things beforehand, though Qi Ning would still have felt hurt and humiliated, it would have been better than hearing the news indirectly from their mother.

Alas…

By now, both Qi Ning and Qi Le were thoroughly drunk. Emboldened by alcohol, Qi Ning’s fury reached its peak. Feeling deceived by his second brother, his rage knew no bounds. Drunkenly leaning on his fourth brother’s shoulder, his bloodshot eyes brimming with resentment and sarcasm, he muttered repeatedly, “Our second brother is truly remarkable, isn’t he? With just a casual word, he can decide our fates… Oh, how impressive, how impressive…”

He repeated these words obsessively, as if possessed, while Qi Le had collapsed face-first onto the table, seemingly unconscious.

________________________________________

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and the transition between spring and summer was at its most pleasant. The fourth prince’s residence was adorned with vibrant flowers.

Recently, Fourth Prince Xiao Ziteng had enjoyed some leisure time, and today, in good spirits, he personally tended to the flowers and plants in the garden. His considerate and understanding consort naturally accompanied him, and the couple chatted idly as they worked, creating a serene and relaxed atmosphere.

As Fu Rong gently trimmed excess leaves from the hydrangeas, she smiled and asked the fourth prince, “Oh? So according to Brother Qi Ying, we can start preparing for Xiaozhi’s wedding soon?”

The fourth prince, busy loosening the soil around his newly planted geraniums, didn’t look up, responding casually.

Fu Rong glanced at him, lowering her lashes, then asked after a moment’s thought, “Your Highness believes him?”

At this, Xiao Ziteng paused his work and straightened up, looking at Fu Rong with a faint smirk. “What do you mean, Rong’er?”

Fu Rong met his gaze, her expression soft despite the sharpness of her pruning shears. “Your Highness knows him better than I do. He is highly intelligent and has always treated Xiaozhi as a sister—do you really think someone like him would willingly give up power and status to become a prince consort?”

“I might have believed him before the Spring Examination results were announced,” Fu Rong continued, turning to trim another flower, her tone casual yet pointed. “Back then, I could believe he was doing it to demonstrate loyalty to Your Highness. But after the Spring Examination… it’s hard to trust him so easily anymore.”

Xiao Ziteng’s expression flickered, and after a brief pause, he asked, “Do you think the Qi family will betray us?”

“I wouldn’t dare say that,” Fu Rong replied with a smile. “I’m merely concerned for Your Highness.”

Xiao Ziteng chuckled. “Oh?”

Fu Rong turned back to face him. “Brother Qi Ying is a man of deep strategy, following his own principles. He doesn’t revere anyone as much as he trusts his own convictions. Such a person may be a capable minister, but not necessarily a loyal one—surely Your Highness understands this?”

Xiao Ziteng fell silent for a moment, then revealed a sly smile, gazing at Fu Rong. “I’ve always said you’re different—Rong’er, you’ve never disappointed me.”

Fu Rong smiled, giving a shallow curtsy to the fourth prince. “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness.”

Xiao Ziteng stepped closer, brushing dirt from his hands, then pulled her into a half-embrace. “I share your doubts, but the northern campaign is a matter of national importance—I couldn’t stop him even if I wanted to. Besides, unless something catastrophic happens, there’s no way to rein in Jingchen.”

Fu Rong fell silent, her mind racing with thoughts.

She knew full well that Qi Ying was impossible to control. He was too meticulous, too alert, too perceptive, and too decisive—a man like that couldn’t be defeated directly.

But who said defeating someone required targeting them directly?

Behind him stood an entire family, with countless brothers, nephews, and cousins. What if something happened to them? Could Qi Ying escape the consequences of familial guilt?

Noble families might seem like towering trees rooted in solid stone, but because they stood so high, sometimes removing just one block could cause the entire structure to collapse—hadn’t the Shen family met the same fate?

Fortune and misfortune always cycled, and the Qi family had remained arrogant for far too long. It was time for them to fall from grace and make way for others.

The Fu family harbored a subtle animosity toward the Qi family. Though both families ranked among the three great clans, the Qi family consistently outshone everyone else, while the Fu family had seen its influence wane over the years. Even though the matriarch of the Qi family—who originally hailed from the Fu family—had supported her natal clan, there was always an implicit condescension, as if the Fu family were inherently inferior and needed the Qi family’s patronage to thrive.

For Fu Rong personally, she felt resentment. Years ago, Qi Ying had rejected her marriage proposal and orchestrated a public humiliation when Princess Xiaozhi slapped her across the face. That slap had landed not just on her cheek but on her pride, making her acutely aware of the Qi family’s arrogance—as if noblewomen like herself were disposable, subject to their whims.

Why should it be so?

And after all these years, the Qi family hadn’t shown any restraint—on the contrary, they had grown increasingly brazen.

Qi Ying, for the sake of Fang Yun, had openly clashed with the Fu family. He even instructed Lu Zheng of the Court of Judicial Review to execute Yang Dong, showing no regard for offending Minister Fu Hong. At the time, the Fu family had temporarily restrained themselves due to the impending Spring Examination, but Qi Ying’s actions had been ruthless—he had disqualified countless members of the Fu family, allowing only two to barely scrape into the third tier.

This was outright disdain for the Fu family!

But it didn’t matter. A dam collapses from an ant’s hole; air escapes through the tip of a needle. With patience, they would eventually uncover the Qi family’s vulnerabilities.

And no one was better suited to this task than Fu Rong.

She stood by Fourth Prince Xiao Ziteng’s side, and he was arguably the most likely future ruler of Liang. Though noble families currently dominated Jiangzuo’s political landscape, the imperial family was still the ultimate authority, and ministers were ultimately their pawns. With the Han family as his maternal relatives and the Fu family as allies through marriage, Xiao Ziteng had become the most plausible contender to topple the Qi family.

Moreover, Fu Rong knew that Xiao Ziteng harbored mixed feelings toward Qi Ying.

So what if they had grown up together? So what if they had studied side by side? Human nature dictated jealousy, and despite Qi Ying’s attempts to stay humble, he still excelled in every way. How could Xiao Ziteng not feel resentment toward a subordinate who surpassed him in everything?

It wasn’t that Xiao Ziteng was malicious—it was simply human nature.

For now, Xiao Ziteng lacked two things: a legitimate claim to the throne and a blade sharp enough to strike down Qi Ying.

And Fu Rong’s mission was to find that blade and place it firmly in the fourth prince’s hands.

Lowering her eyelids, Fu Rong remained silent for a long time. When she finally looked up, she wore a charming smile. “The timing simply hasn’t come yet, but Your Highness will surely achieve your desires someday.”

Xiao Ziteng gazed at Fu Rong—not as a husband looks at his wife, but as a sovereign regards a trusted minister. His peach-shaped eyes gleamed with calculation.

Xiao Ziteng had his own thoughts.

Of course, as Fu Rong suspected, he harbored both wariness and envy toward Qi Ying. He genuinely wished to bring down the Qi family, reducing this so-called premier clan of Jiangzuo to nothing overnight, just as the Shen family had once fallen. But this didn’t mean he trusted or respected the Fu family.

The Fu family was greedier and more despicable than the Qi family. Xiao Ziteng didn’t like them—in fact, he despised them. For now, however, he needed loyal lackeys, so he maintained a facade of cooperation.

This family was too “clever.” Unlike the Qi family, which retained a certain naivety—like Qi Ying’s foolish decision during the Spring Examination—they pursued only immediate gains. Despite knowing he would incur universal wrath and face condemnation, Qi Ying had acted out of compassion and responsibility.

Foolish, yes—but also… admirable.

The Fu family lacked such integrity. They were merely his hounds, willing to do anything for scraps of bait—like Fu Rong, who would pledge eternal loyalty to him for the fleeting prosperity of her clan.

Xiao Ziteng’s smile deepened, and with a carefree tone, he said, “Well said.” Then he released Fu Rong and returned to tending to his flowers.

Fu Rong smiled and turned back to trimming her hydrangeas. Whether intentionally or not, her shears slipped, cutting off an entire hydrangea bloom.

And in the end, all fallen flowers turn to mud.