Each Had Their Own Plans
After Zhao Ruxi was reborn, she was like a completely different person, with extraordinary abilities. She did indeed change many things, such as the removal of Princess Pingyang from her post.
However, Zhao Ruyu felt that no matter how capable Zhao Ruxi was, she couldn't possibly change the situation on the border or save 100,000 border soldiers. Therefore, she didn't need to panic over this.
Furthermore, even if she abandons the Fu Family and seeks another path, she still needs to rely on the Beauty Pill. Otherwise, why would anyone be interested in her?
She could clearly distinguish between what was important and what was not.
The system sensed the determination in her words, snorted coldly, and remained silent.
Rejecting the system's suggestion, Zhao Ruyu immediately sent her usual servant to the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence to deliver a message to Fu Yunlang, requesting a meeting.
With Fu Yunlang around, she could find out about the border situation without spending a single point.
Fu Yunlang was nearly driven mad with worry ever since he learned that the border had sent someone to ask for help.
Although he sometimes complained about his father and brother, he never thought of them dying.
After discussing it with Xiao Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan, he began to contact ministers who were close to the Fu Family, hoping to get them to speak on behalf of the Fu Family in court.
The imperial court will naturally send people to deliver grain to the border; there is no doubt about that.
However, all the border supplies had been burned, and even nearby cities were not spared; the soldiers who came to ask for help were intercepted halfway. All these signs indicated that it was definitely not as simple as an invasion by an enemy country. It would not have been possible to do this without collusion from within and without. Therefore, stopping these people and safely delivering the supplies to the Fu Family Army were things that he and the Second and Fifth Prince needed to do.
Furthermore, with such a major incident and danger at the border, wouldn't someone take this opportunity to try and pin a serious charge on his father and brother? After all, so much grain was burned, and Fu Dayong and Fu Yunkai bear a great deal of responsibility. A mere failure to supervise is enough to get them dismissed; if they are accused of dereliction of duty, they could even lose their heads.
If the situation at the border isn't serious, that's fine; but if it is, his father and brothers will also have to shoulder the responsibility.
In other words, his father and elder brother would either die by the enemy's sword or be dealt with by the imperial court, and the Fu Family would be executed.
How could he not be anxious?
Even if his father and brothers hadn't been convicted, Fu Yunlang didn't believe that their deaths would allow him to take their place and become the most powerful person in the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence.
The Fifth Prince had analyzed things for him a while ago. If he lost his father and brothers, he wouldn't be able to lead troops into battle, nor could he hold a civil service position. The Marquis of Pingnan's Residence was a newly rich family with very shallow roots and few members. Even with the help of the Second and Fifth Prince, it would quickly decline.
Because of his father and brothers, he was respected wherever he went; without them, he was nothing.
So he's been so anxious these past few days that his lips are covered in blisters.
But then Zhao Ruyu started causing him trouble, repeatedly demanding to see him. He had someone explain to Zhao Ruyu, but she still insisted on seeing him.
"Tell her I'm busy right now," he said impatiently to the servant who came to deliver the message. "With such a big thing happening at home, how could I possibly be in the mood to see her?"
Zhao Ruyu was furious when she heard what the servant had reported.
In his past life Fu Yunlang always revolved around her.
Back then, in the same situation, Fu Dayong and Fu Yunkai got into trouble at the border. When Fu Yunlang heard about it, he came to find her immediately and told her about his worries and fears.
She was eager to see him, partly to inquire about news from the border, but also because she wanted to comfort him.
But they didn't appreciate it at all.
Thinking that Fu Yunlang's feelings for her in this life were far less than in her previous life, and that he spent all his time following the Fifth Prince around doing business, and that he wasn't in a hurry to get married, and that he didn't have the same fighting spirit he had in her previous life when he argued with the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan, she became even more determined in her choice.
She went to the music room and began to play the piano, her fingers tinkling and clattering.
She was determined to earn the full 20,000 points by the time news arrived from the border.
As night slowly fell and the palace gates were about to close, Xiao Ge finally ended his discussion with his ministers, sat wearily on the dragon throne, rubbed his temples, and closed his eyes.
These past few days, preparing provisions and deciding on the personnel to escort them has kept him so busy that he only gets two or three hours of sleep a day. His physical health isn't so bad, but he's mentally exhausted.
Fortunately, Fu Dayong was quick-witted. He wrote two letters requesting help. He had one of the soldiers who was in charge carry it with him, while the other letter, which he wanted to actually deliver to the emperor, was hidden in a very secluded place by an inconspicuous trusted soldier.
Because the public letter drew attention, the real plea for help was able to be safely delivered to the capital and presented to the emperor.
In the letter, Fu Dayong recounted everything that had happened at the border and pointed out several suspicious points. He also listed the names of soldiers he suspected of selling information to the enemy and those who deliberately opposed him in the army, resulting in the destruction of supplies.
The four names terrified Xiao Ge.
Aside from Fu Yunkai, there were only five main generals at the border, including Fu Dayong. However, according to Fu Dayong's letter, the other four seemed to have their own selfish motives and plans, and they were all sabotaging Fu Dayong to varying degrees, which is why the situation at the border had become so bad.
Although Xiao Ge didn't entirely believe Fu Dayong's words, the outcome showed that there must have been a problem among the border generals. Otherwise, all the grain supplies wouldn't have been burned by the enemy, and even the grain reserves in nearby cities wouldn't have been destroyed. This was something that foreign enemies could never have done.
In the past two days, he also had people investigate the backgrounds of those four generals.
Anything done leaves a trace.
Although these relationships are well hidden, they can still be discovered with careful investigation.
Then he discovered that one of the main generals was connected to the Crown Prince, and two others were connected to the Third Prince and Fourth Prince. The last one had risen through the ranks through military merit, came from a humble background, and seemed to have no connection with anyone, but rather appeared to be in cahoots with Fu Dayong. This was because Fu Dayong had personally promoted him.
But Fu Dayong's list included him, and Fu Dayong wrote down his suspicious behavior and certain suspicions in the letter.
Although no connection to this person had been found, Xiao Ge knew this person was definitely problematic. Such people have few ties and are the easiest to bribe. Because he had personally promoted him, Fu Dayong had always treated him as a confidant. His chances of doing bad things were far greater than the other three.
As for the Second Prince Xiao Lingpu and the Fifth Prince Xiao Lingyan, Xiao Ge had no doubts.
The Fu Family father and son are aligned with Xiao Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan. Xiao Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan will only protect them and will not interfere with their affairs.
Only the other princes had the motive. It makes perfect sense that they would take this opportunity to kill Fu Dayong and Fu Yunkai, and sever the arms of Fu Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan, thus depriving them of their support in the struggle for the throne.