I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 183 Sending Troops to Lin'an
From a distance, Fu Yu'e could hear the Duke of Ningguo stirring up trouble between his aunt and niece, which greatly displeased her.

"The old Duke's ability to instigate people is truly remarkable." Fu Yu'e sneered sarcastically, "What's wrong with me sharing the burdens of the court and relieving the Yongning Prince's Mansion from its difficulties?"

Seeing the family enter, Consort Zhang's face instantly turned cold: "Since Princess Jin Fu is so righteous, why doesn't she send her own daughter to marry into the royal family? Only then can she show her righteousness and selflessness."

Fu Yu'e choked on her words.

"Sister-in-law, are you blaming me?" she said, feeling very wronged. "Princess Jinghe is a hot potato if she stays in our Yuezhou. It would be better for everyone if she went to marry a foreign ruler. Why should you have a falling out with my younger sister over such an insignificant girl?"

Fu Mingchi narrowed his eyes, his face showing extreme displeasure: "In your opinion, Aunt, who in this world is not insignificant? When has my Yongning Prince's Mansion ever been so cowardly as to exchange its own princess for its future?"

Seeing that everyone in the room had darkened their faces, Zhao Yun hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "Sister-in-law Wang, Mingchi, with the Northern bandits pressing in, a marriage alliance is inevitable. Even if it weren't for Miss Ye, if it were Yingying, my wife and I would naturally have to reluctantly send her away."

"Uncle really overestimates your daughter. With her spoiled nature, is she really cut out for a political marriage?"

Fu Mingchi said unhappily, "Uncle is at least somewhat learned and has considerable insight into politics. Does he really think that the current court can maintain its precarious existence by relying on marriage alliances?"

These words struck a chord with the Duke of Ningguo: "Although our Great Ye Dynasty has retreated to Lin'an, after so many years of recuperation, we still have a large army and many generals. However, we have been enduring humiliation and seeking peace, and only caring about internal strife. If this continues, even if we send more gold, silver and beauties to the northern border, it will only encourage the wolfish ambitions of the northern bandits."

Thinking of his son-in-law who died in battle, the Duke of Ningguo sighed deeply, "If those spineless cowards in the court had even a fraction of Mu Zhan's iron will, how would the northern invaders dare to cross the border?"

Fu Mingchi had no intention of arguing with his aunt any further and said bluntly, "I think Aunt has become too used to being pampered in Yuezhou City and is unaware of the difficulties of the situation. She only thinks about the petty infighting in the inner quarters all day long. Since Aunt can't stay idle, why don't you go to Qizhou to guard the coastal defense? I would like to see if Aunt's marriage proposal can persuade the pirates not to enter the country."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yu'e panicked: "Mingchi, how can you be so heartless? I am your own aunt, how can you ask your aunt to go to Qizhou to guard the coastal defense?"

Zhao Yingying had witnessed the devastation in Qizhou firsthand, and she was so frightened that she began to wipe away her tears: "Cousin, Qizhou has been invaded by pirates many times. You almost lost your life in Qizhou back then. My mother is just a woman. If something were to happen to her, how could my uncle's spirit in heaven rest in peace?"

"What, Aunt, don't you want to share the burden of the court and help the Yongning Prince's Mansion out of trouble? Is your sense of righteousness limited to using other people's lives to seek your own wealth and glory?" Fu Mingchi sneered disdainfully, his eyes filled with endless contempt.

Fu Yu'e, filled with resentment, angrily rebuked, "I am the eldest princess personally appointed by the imperial court. Let's see who dares to disrespect me."

"Since you are the eldest princess personally appointed by the imperial court, then please take your family to Lin'an to enjoy a life of luxury immediately, and from now on have nothing to do with my Yongning Prince's Mansion."

After Fu Mingchi finished speaking, he decisively waved to Zhu Wencai, signaling him to see the family off.

"Mingchi, you...you are utterly rebellious!" Fu Yu'e's eyes turned completely red with anger, and she collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly, "You have offended everyone in the Gu family, and now you want to send your aunt to Lin'an? Do you want your aunt to die?"

“My aunt does have some self-awareness,” Fu Mingchi said, his face ashen. “Since she is unwilling to go to Lin’an, then set off for Qizhou immediately.”

Seeing the determination in his nephew's eyes, Zhao Yun knew that being demoted from the palace was inevitable.

The lady was confused, but he was as clear-headed as a mirror. Trying to please Empress Dowager Gu would only lead to being used. Empress Dowager Gu's conferment of the title of Princess on the lady was nothing more than an attempt to sow discord among the family. Although the nephew harbored resentment, blood is thicker than water, and no matter how ruthless he was, he would not take the lives of the entire family.

"Please calm your anger, Your Highness and the Dowager Consort."

Zhao Yun knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject is willing to lead his wife and daughters to Qizhou to guard the coastal defense for the court."

Only then did Fu Mingchi's anger subside: "Then please take up your post immediately, Uncle. If the coastal defense is lost, I will not let it go lightly."

"Yes."

Zhao Yun responded and quickly helped Fu Yu'e out of the courtyard.

Zhao Yingying looked back at Fu Mingchi ten times as she took a step, reluctant to leave, but Zhao Yun forcibly dragged her out of the palace.

"Father, we've gone to Qizhou. When will we see my cousin again?" Zhao Yingying said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Fu Yu'e was also full of resentment: "That damned Mingchi, if my brother were still alive, would he have stood by and watched his son treat his own aunt so cruelly?"

“Madam, please say less,” Zhao Yun said, raising an eyebrow. “In the past, you and Yingying were arrogant and domineering in the Prince’s mansion. His Highness and the Dowager Consort turned a blind eye because of their blood ties. But now that the life and death of the Prince’s mansion is at stake, does Madam really think that the court bestowing the title of Princess upon you is a good thing? She just wants to vent all of His Highness’s resentment on you.”

"How could I not know the Empress Dowager's sinister intentions?" Fu Yu'e said with a sneer. "I just can't stand that little bitch from the Ye family being superior to my daughter. What right does she have?"

“That girl may not be as noble as Yingying, but she always thinks of the Prince’s Mansion. No wonder the Princess’s wife thinks highly of her,” Zhao Yun earnestly advised. “Madam, look at Yingying again. She only knows how to be willful and reckless all day long. If you really care about Yingying, you should discipline this girl properly. Otherwise, she may never be able to catch Mingchi’s eye again in this lifetime.”

Fu Yu'e pouted in annoyance: "Zhao Yun, are you even a man? How can you talk to your own daughter like that?"

Zhao Yingying was already heartbroken after being cruelly sent to Qizhou by her cousin, and hearing her father's words now made her even more upset.

“Mother, Yingying and Cousin are childhood sweethearts. Yingying just wants to marry Cousin. What did Yingying do wrong?” Zhao Yingying choked back tears as she said, “Father is so heartless now. How can Yingying live in the future?”

"Alright, what's the use of just crying?"

Fu Yu'e was also somewhat dissatisfied with her daughter's temperament: "I don't believe that our daughter is any worse than that wretched girl. Isn't everyone praising that girl for being sensible? We should go to Qizhou and make some good achievements. Then we won't be afraid that Mingchi will refuse to accept Yingying."

Hearing his wife's insightful words, Zhao Yun finally felt relieved and quickly led the mother and daughter back to their residence. After seeing off the plague from the Prince's mansion, Fu Mingchi was still a little worried and instructed Yu Bai, "Take more guards to Qizhou and keep a close eye on my aunt. If her family makes any unusual moves, there's no need to show any mercy."

After all, she was her deceased husband's only younger sister, and Consort Zhang did not want her sister-in-law to harbor too much resentment. She sighed softly, "Your aunt's recent confusion is nothing more than because of Yingying's marriage. It's better to marry Yingying off as soon as possible. Once a girl is married, her heart will be at peace."

Suddenly, a person came to Fu Mingchi's mind.

Although he now believed that Wan'er's heart belonged to him, he still felt unhappy when he thought about the situation in Huizhou City.

Since she had promised Wan'er not to kill that bookworm, she couldn't let him continue to harass her.

"Mother, don't worry about this. Your son will go to Lin'an this time and find her a husband."

After saying that, Fu Mingchi led Yan Jin out to gather troops.

Watching his grandson leave, the Duke of Ningguo stroked his beard, utterly bewildered: "Tying up a husband?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhang and Mu Qingqing exchanged glances and both covered their mouths with a smile.

"Father, please don't concern yourself with this matter. Your grandson will never make a mistake. It's you who are so old, yet you have to travel all the way to the northern border. I feel really bad about it," said Consort Zhang with a sense of shame.

"Why be so formal among family?" Duke Ningguo said with a smile. "I've heard Qingqing mention my granddaughter-in-law for a long time. Your mother and I have wanted to meet that girl for a long time. This time, we must bring her back to Yuezhou safely no matter what."

Mu Qingqing knew how important her grandfather's trip to Jiayuguan was. If her grandfather could not take away Xie Zhan's military power, her cousin's trip to Lin'an would truly be a one-way trip.

"Grandpa, although you are still vigorous despite your age, this journey is indeed quite dangerous. Let me introduce you to someone."

Mu Qingqing said softly, "Young Master Tao, the head manager of Sister Wan's family, has always been quick-witted and steady in his actions. Let him stay by your side as a strategist. With one of you being a scholar and the other a warrior, Qingqing can feel more at ease when we arrive at Jiayu Pass."

"Young Master Tao?"

It was rare to see his granddaughter praise other men besides her cousin, so the Duke of Ningguo became very interested.

These days, Consort Zhang has witnessed Tao Anran's talent and learning. He is indeed a rare talent. She nodded with pleasure and said, "Although he comes from a poor family, as Qingqing said, he has some skills. Father, please keep him by your side."

“Alright, then so be it,” Duke Ningguo replied with a smile.

After the father and daughter finished their conversation, they saw Zhu Wencai still standing blankly at the door. Consort Zhang was taken aback and asked, "General Zhu, what is the matter? Why haven't you gone to the military camp with your prince?"

Zhu Wencai awkwardly scratched the back of his head, finding it difficult to speak.

Mu Qingqing immediately guessed what was going on and secretly smiled: "General Zhu, are you perhaps worried about Sister Yin?"

"This is the last one," Zhu Wencai stammered, his face instantly turning bright red.

Seeing this burly man act like a shy young lady for the first time, Consort Zhang couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

Lately, I've heard people say that Zhu Wencai has been taking care of that mother and daughter; the intentions of this rough man are self-evident.

Consort Zhang said jokingly, "General Zhu, have you taken a fancy to that girl from the Chu family? Your ancestors have served the Yongning Prince's Mansion for generations. Your father's biggest worry before he passed away was your marriage. If you like that girl, I will make the decision for you."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhu Wencai hurriedly shook his head: "This humble general only pities the plight of Miss Yin and her mother, and has absolutely no intention of offending them. Please do not take it too seriously, Your Highness."

Having said that, he quickly took out something wrapped in kraft paper from his bosom and solemnly handed it to Consort Zhang.

"These are all the family he has accumulated over the years. I am a military officer and know how dangerous the battlefield is. If I am not able to return this time, I ask the Dowager to give them to Miss Yin so that she and her daughter can have someone to rely on in Yuezhou."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Consort Zhang said angrily, "You escorted His Highness to Lin'an and you should return unharmed. How can you say such ominous things before you've even completed your mission?"

Having fought on the battlefield for many years, the Duke of Ningguo understood the mind of military generals best. Every expedition was a farewell, so leaving a will was perfectly reasonable.

“This scoundrel is thin-skinned, so you can keep him safe for now,” the Duke of Ningguo said with a gentle smile to Consort Zhang, then patted Zhu Wencai on the shoulder: “You don’t need to worry about these things, just go into battle and fight with peace of mind.”

"This subordinate obeys the order," Zhu Wencai solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Now that the matter that had been on his mind the most had been resolved, he stepped out of the courtyard with a look of relief on his face.

Looking at the heavy package in her hands, Consort Zhang shook her head with a wry smile: "Why does our Yongning Prince's Mansion only produce honest men who do things quietly?"

"There's nothing wrong with being honest," said the Duke of Ningguo. "Such a person is worthy of trust."

Consort Zhang nodded thoughtfully, but the thought of her daughter-in-law trapped in Lin'an still made her uneasy.

"Girl, you must hold on," she murmured quietly.