Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 488 Is there anyone here?

Zhao Xu looked at Murong Fu with great interest, feeling that the man in front of him had a kind of heroic spirit that was completely different from the civil officials in the court, and he did not have the crudeness of a military man. He couldn't help but feel a great liking for Murong Fu.

Zhao Xu said, "Just now, I observed Murong Qing's martial arts skills from the pavilion, and they were quite impressive. However, judging from your appearance, you are dressed like a refined gentleman in a turbid world. I wonder where you learned your martial arts from?"

Murong Fu smiled and said, "My late great-uncle made some contributions during the reign of Emperor Taizu. My martial arts skills are inherited from my family. They are rather crude and unskilled, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive my lack of skill."

Zhao Xu pondered for a moment: "Murong? During the reign of Emperor Taizu? Could it be that your family is a descendant of Murong Yanzhao, the Prince of Henan?"

Murong Fu said, "Your Majesty is wise. Murong Yanzhao is indeed my great-uncle."

Zhao Xu said in surprise, "Indeed, no wonder. I wondered where you learned such excellent martial arts skills, it turns out it's from your family's tradition. Good, very good. In the past, your great-uncle assisted His Majesty the Great Ancestor in pacifying Jinghu and made unparalleled contributions. Now, as a descendant of the Murong clan, you have come before me. Indeed, you have been loyal and virtuous for generations. Could it be that it is the will of Heaven? I earnestly hope that you will take your great-uncle as your role model and assist me in achieving great things. Let us together write a beautiful story of ruler and minister!"

Murong Fu thought to himself: If I were to say that my Murong family has worked diligently for generations just to rebel, I wonder what you would think? Oh, by the way, speaking of which, Murong Longcheng once attempted to assassinate Zhao Kuangyin, although not many people know about it.

Furthermore, they have been loyal and virtuous for generations. In terms of lineage, the leaders of the Ming Cult throughout history have been more upright and righteous than my Murong family.

Of course, Murong Fu would never allow these inner complaints to be revealed and spoil the atmosphere. Instead, he crossed his hands, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty is terrified. Your Majesty's kindness is so profound that I dare not do my utmost to repay Your Majesty's great virtue."

It's all about mutual flattery and empty promises; it's all about blatant lies.

Emperor Shizong of Zhou certainly valued Zhao Kuangyin highly, right? He promoted Zhao Kuangyin from a low-ranking imperial guard officer to the top commander of the Song Dynasty's imperial guard in just a few years. So how did Zhao Kuangyin repay Emperor Shizong?
He's even worse than Yang Jian.

Zhao Xu asked, "I heard that the Murong family is the martial uncle of Doctor Xue? Is this true?"

Murong Fu laughed and said, "My good-for-nothing nephew's martial arts are mediocre. He hasn't even mastered one tenth of the sect's superior martial arts, but he does have some skill in medicine. It's just a pity that he's also a half-baked expert."

A complex look flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes: "Then, in Murong Qingjia's opinion, is there any hope for the Empress Dowager's condition to improve?"

After pondering for a moment, Murong Fu said, "A person's lifespan is determined by Heaven. The Empress Dowager is not actually that old, but she has been overthinking for many years and has fallen ill from overwork. Your Majesty is very filial. If you can cure the Empress Dowager's illness and prolong her life, I am more than 50% confident that you can succeed."

The complex emotions in Zhao Xu's eyes intensified.

Murong Fu glanced at Zhao Xu and sighed silently, thinking to himself: "The emperors of the Song Dynasty are indeed all incompetent, mediocre, mean-spirited and ungrateful, except for Zhao Da Ge."

Murong Fu then said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, although this is my first time meeting you, I have something to say that I would like to offer my opinion to you. I hope that Your Majesty will consider it carefully."

Zhao Xu gave Murong Fu a deep look, sighed, and said, "Minister Murong, just say what you want to say."

Murong Fu said, “Your Majesty, those who achieve great things throughout history not only possess extraordinary talent but also remarkable ambition. I know that Your Majesty has ascended the throne at a young age, and the past nine years have been fraught with difficulties. I can understand Your Majesty’s urgency to personally assume power and accomplish great things. However, firstly, the Empress Dowager has shown Your Majesty great care over the years, and even though there have been disagreements, Your Majesty, as her grandson, should prioritize filial piety. Secondly, Your Majesty’s foundation is still weak, and the Empress Dowager has suddenly fallen ill. If she were to pass away unexpectedly, I fear the court would be in turmoil, which would be detrimental to the nation. I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully.”

After Murong Fu finished speaking, he looked at Emperor Zhezong of Song quietly and did not say another word.

He simply wanted to see how much humanity this young emperor still retained. Although the imperial family is said to be ruthless, that is a result of weighing various factors and making choices.

You can be bad, but you can't be stupid. If you're both stupid and bad, then you're an unqualified emperor, which doesn't align with Murong Fu's own considerations at all.

Before Murong Fu arrived, he had already made up his mind that if this young emperor insisted on not being human, he would turn around and leave, ignoring this brat even if he was his brother-in-law.

Zhao Xu hesitated for a long time, his expression changing constantly, sometimes gritting his teeth, sometimes looking sad. After a long while, he finally sighed softly: "What Minister Murong said is very true. I beg you to do your best to save my grandmother."

Murong Fu breathed a long sigh of relief.

At least you're still a human being.

"Little boy, come in!"

Zhao Xu called out, and Tong Guan, who had been standing outside the door, hurriedly ran in.

Zhao Xu instructed, "Go to Yanfu Palace immediately and tell them that I have invited a renowned physician to come to Yanfu Palace to examine the Empress Dowager's condition."

Tong Guan quickly agreed, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead before leaving. He had heard every word Murong Fu said, and just hearing it made his heart feel like it was dancing on the edge of a knife. Murong Fu actually dared to speak so directly to the emperor.

Tong Guan suddenly felt that rashly acknowledging this elder brother was not a wise move.

Not long after, Tong Guan came to report that the Empress Dowager had invited Murong Fu to come over.

Zhao Xu said, "In that case, Minister Murong, you should go to Yanfu Palace with the young boy. I am busy with affairs, so I will not go this time."

Murong Fu thought to himself, "As expected, the young emperor still harbors resentment. This is not a good thing."

After all, he knew that the young emperor Zhao Xu wouldn't be able to remain emperor for many more years.

Murong Fu set off with Tong Guan. The Chu princess, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, "Wait a moment, I'll come along to visit my grandmother."

Murong Fu's eyelids twitched involuntarily; he had a feeling that this Chu princess didn't have any good intentions.

Sure enough, as soon as they stepped out, the Chu princess waved her hand, dismissing all her entourage, and then said to Tong Guan, "You, find somewhere cool and stay there. I'll take him with me."

Just as Tong Guan was about to say something was inappropriate, the Chu princess raised her eyebrows, startling Tong Guan into swallowing his next words. She quickly tucked her tail between her legs and fled, ignoring Murong Fu's attempts to signal her.

Murong Fu gritted his teeth and forced a smile: "What instructions does Your Highness have?"