Playing Tricks

Hearing these words, Fu Yunlang grew even more depressed. He poured himself a cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp. Seeing this, Zhang Siyi's eyes darted around. He leaned closer to Fu Yunlang and said, "Didn't you gain the favor of the Fifth Master and go to Jiangnan with him? Why don't you ask him to speak to the Imperial Concubine? If you can get the Imperial Concubine to say a word for you, this marriage will surely be arranged."

Fu Yunlang was immediately moved and looked up at Xiao Lingyan.

Although the Fifth Prince didn't speak to him much during his trip to Jiangnan, he took good care of him, having his subordinates arrange everything perfectly for him and even personally guiding him in the ways of doing business. If he were to ask the Fifth Prince for help, surely the Fifth Prince wouldn't ignore him?

Because of the curfew, the banquet didn't last long, and everyone dispersed after a short while.

The two princes, being of higher status, naturally went first.

As Fu Yunlang followed behind Fu Yunkai to see the two into the car, he deliberately hung his head, revealing a gloomy and miserable expression.

Sure enough, the Fifth Prince Xiao Lingyan asked upon seeing him, "What's wrong with Yunlang? He was fine when he first returned to the capital, why does he look so worried now?"

Fu Yunkai glanced at his younger brother, his brows furrowing. He was about to stop Fu Yunlang from speaking when Fu Yunlang said, "I just returned to the capital and heard about the Wei Family's affair. Wei Qiu deserved his punishment, but my marriage has encountered setbacks."

"How did your marriage become connected to the Wei Family?" Xiao Lingyan asked, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, the girl you're arranging your marriage to is from the Marquis of Huanping's Residence. Could it be that her maternal grandfather was Wei Qiu, and her mother was a member of the Lady Wei was executed?"

"Exactly," Fu Yunlang said dejectedly. "As you probably already know, Miss Zhao was actually the one who was switched at birth; she's not Lady Wei's biological daughter. She's a very kind person, completely different from her adoptive mother. How can you dismiss her because of that?"

He bowed deeply to Xiao Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan: "Please forgive me, Yunlang. I dare not delay your rest with personal matters. Please get in the carriage and return to the palace."

He wasn't stupid. He knew that if he made the request directly, he would definitely Gao Xing the two princes.

How many people in this world need the favors of the two princes? He doesn't have that kind of nerve. Even if he helped him out of respect for his father and brother, the two princes would still harbor resentment. In the future, they would definitely distance themselves from the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence.

Moreover, he only asked for help because his mother disagreed with his marriage to Zhao Ruyu, hoping they would use their power to suppress her. This behavior is unfilial. The two princes and Noble Consort Cen would definitely be disgusted and would not help him even if they begged.

So all he needs to do is show a hint of sadness and melancholy. If the Fifth Prince is truly interested, he will surely mention it to Noble Consort Cen.

Xiao Lingyan bid farewell to Xiao Lingpu and boarded the carriage.

Fu Yunkai was a military general, and Fu Yunlang had also practiced martial arts since childhood. The two brothers always traveled on horseback. But tonight, after drinking, a carriage was prepared at home.

The two brothers watched the two princes leave before boarding their own carriage.

Zhang Siyi mingled in the crowd as he escorted the two princes. Now, seeing the Fu Family brothers board the carriage together, he revealed a cold glint in his eyes and also boarded his own carriage.

Once seated in the carriage, Fu Yunkai glared at his younger brother and said, "Tell me, what are you planning?"

Fu Yunlang, who had been holding back his frustration all night, couldn't help but burst into tears, a mixture of genuine and feigned sobs, as he faced his brother. "Brother, please help me. The Wei Family has suffered such a tragedy, Lady Wei was even beheaded. Mother will definitely not approve of my marriage. Brother, please help me."

Although Fu Yunkai doesn't spend much time with his younger brother, he is aware of his brother's marriage to Zhao Ruyu Fu Yunkai.

"Shut up," he hissed. "What kind of talk is this, crying over a woman? In this vast capital, with countless young ladies, can't you find someone better than Miss Zhao? Your mother disagrees, and she has her reasons. Since ancient times, marriage has been 'arranged by parents and matchmakers.' Your mother raised you with great difficulty, and you disregard her wishes for a woman. How dare you cry and even bring this to the two princes?"

"Brother, you don't understand at all."

Fu Yunlang was spoiled by his parents and protected by his older brother, so he has the right to be willful.

Upon hearing his brother's words, he cried even harder, "No matter how good others are, I only love her. I will only love her in this life. If I can't marry her, I'd rather not marry at all, otherwise I'll be unhappy and I'll be letting others down."

Fu Yunkai frowned but remained silent.

Fu Yunkai is seventeen years old this year and has been engaged since he was fifteen. However, his fiancée is very disciplined, while he himself has been with his father on the frontier. The two have only met twice in total, and they barely exchanged a few words when they met. Fu Yunkai doesn't even remember what she looks like.

He returned from the frontier in late spring to prepare for his wedding, but unexpectedly, his fiancée suddenly fell ill and died before the wedding.

To show respect for the woman, Fu Yunkai planned to observe a year of mourning for his wife before discussing marriage the following year.

Therefore, he simply couldn't understand what his younger brother was saying.

"Brother, please help me persuade Mother, okay? Brother, I'm begging you," Fu Yunlang pleaded.

Fu Yunkai remained silent, observing Fu Yunlang for a moment before asking, "You didn't even hide your emotions in front of the two princes just now. Do you think they're good to us and won't be angry about this? Besides, do you also hope they can help you?"

Fu Yunlang's crying stopped abruptly.

He didn't dare look at Fu Yunkai, muttering, "No. I couldn't control myself because I was heartbroken. How could the two princes help me with something like this? They couldn't help anyway."

Seeing his reaction, Fu Yunkai scoffed and said nothing more.

His younger brother has always had this problem: when he lies, his eyes dart around, and he's so guilty he avoids eye contact. He's playing this trick on the two princes, gauging their ignorance.

"Both princes are exceptional individuals, incredibly intelligent. You think they don't know you're trying to outsmart them? They're only letting it slide because of me," he said. "If you do this again, I'll send you to the army. You won't be allowed to return to marry until you're eighteen."

"Brother!" Fu Yunlang cried out in alarm. Seeing his brother's stern face, he lowered his head and pretended to be obedient. "I understand."

Fu Yunkai looked at him for a while before speaking again, "What did you gain from your trip to Jiangnan with the Fifth Prince this time?"

This time, there were some problems with the grain tax in Jiangnan. On the strong recommendation of Grand Tutor Cen, the Emperor gave this task to the Fifth Prince Xiao Lingyan. Today, Xiao Lingyan returned to report to the Emperor. He heard that he received a lot of praise from the Emperor and was even granted a house.

Fu Yunlang and Xiao Lingyan were about the same age. The Fifth Prince could go to Jiangnan on official business alone and do it so well, while his younger brother was crying over a girl. Fu Yunkai wanted to know if Fu Yunlang had made any progress after his trip.