Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Plans

Mr. Fu wore a stern expression, clearly incensed, as it was hard to say Xiao Fengxing and his people weren’t doing this on purpose to bring bad luck today.

“Thank goodness the engagement was called off,” Mr. Fu said. “If Mingzhu really married a scoundrel like Xiao Fengxing, who knows how much scheming and torment she would have endured.”

“I need to hurry back to the banquet,” Mr. Fu said. “Otherwise, with both of us absent, it might raise suspicion.”

“I absolutely cannot get away from here, so I’ll rely on you at the front,” Madam Fu said.

“Nonsense, your help is needed here too,” Mr. Fu replied.

After Mr. Fu left, some time later, Zhao Chang came back with Chang Tai in tow.

The returning Chang Tai had no visible injuries, yet he couldn’t even walk and was being dragged along the ground by Zhao Chang.

Chang Tai’s eyes had lost their luster, and his face looked ashen.

Madam Fu thought to herself that Zhao Chang must have used some special method to inflict hidden injuries on Chang Tai, ones that couldn’t be seen from the outside.

Such injuries were no less severe than those that leave one covered in blood, perhaps even more serious.

Zhao Chang let go, dropping Chang Tai to the ground.

Fu Shinian looked at the state Chang Tai was in, appearing as if he didn’t even have the strength to speak.

Madam Fu did not ask Fu Shinian to leave.

After all, Zhao Chang wasn’t torturing Chang Tai in front of Fu Shinian, so it was alright as long as no bloody scenes were witnessed.

Given the current situation, it was beneficial for Fu Shinian to be involved.

After all, when Fu Shinian marries into the Marquis Changping’s household, conflicts with Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing are inevitable.

It would be better for Fu Shinian to be exposed to these matters in advance.

“Madam,” Zhao Chang said, “Chang Tai claims that all he did was under Lin Qingqing’s instigation.”

Fu Shinian sneered, “Chang Tai truly is loyal. Even at this moment, he doesn’t forget to shield Xiao Fengxing.”

Fu Shinian walked up to Chang Tai and crouched down to say to him: “When you all act, there’s always a backup plan. Even if Xiao Fengxing’s freedom is restricted, he has left himself an escape route.”

“But why didn’t he leave one for you?” Fu Shinian said. “You’ve followed him since childhood, been loyal, and done many dirty deeds for him. Yet in the end, he doesn’t have the slightest intention of protecting you.”

“Even so, you still want to protect him?” Fu Shinian asked. “You are someone close to Xiao Fengxing, how could you be so easily swayed by Lin Qingqing?”

“Considering Xiao Fengxing’s temperament, how could he just let his own people heed Lin Qingqing’s orders, wife or not?” Fu Shinian said.

Zhao Chang nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.

Chang Tai, however, was quite stubborn.

After enduring severe interrogation, in the end, he was only willing to mention Lin Qingqing, refusing to utter a word about Xiao Fengxing.

“It indeed was the Madam’s instigation,” Chang Tai admitted with difficulty. “I’ve said everything I know. Even if you, young lady, wish to frame someone, I cannot recklessly accuse the Second Young Master of what he hasn’t done.”

Fu Shinian stood up, saying: “It seems that Xiao Fengxing has prepared you beforehand. If you got caught, you were to push Lin Qingqing out as the scapegoat.”

“Although Lin Qingqing isn’t innocent, to be pushed out by Xiao Fengxing in this matter, she’s unlucky to have such a husband as him.” Who knows if Lin Qingqing will regret it when she realizes.

Fu Shinian wasn’t surprised at all.

Despite all his declarations of love for Lin Qingqing, at this crucial moment, didn’t Xiao Fengxing still push her out to take the fall for him?

Just like in the dream, for his own selfish gain, he sent Fu Mingzhu to the brothel.

Originally, he didn’t have to go this far; he only needed to divorce Fu Mingzhu, with no need to be so ruthless.

Yet he insisted on ruining Fu Mingzhu.

Fu Shinian sneered, already eager to see Lin Qingqing’s reaction.

Fu Shinian instructed Jing Lai: “Report Chang Tai’s confession to the Marquis and keep a close watch on Lin Qingqing, don’t let her escape.”

“Understood,” Jing Lai responded. “The Marquis has already ordered the mansion to be tightly guarded, allowing no exits or entries. Especially the Qinglan Residence of the Second Young Master and Second Madam, heavily guarded.”

“That’s good.”

Madam Fu, seeing the demeanor of Marchioness developing in Fu Shinian, nodded with satisfaction.

“Go and invite the master over from the front,” Madam Fu instructed.

In no time, Mr. Fu hurried back, glancing at Chang Tai as he passed by before seating himself beside Madam Fu. “How did it go? Any results?”

“He’s Chang Tai, who’s with Xiao Fengxing. Vice General Zhao interrogated him earlier, and it seems he and Xiao Fengxing had prearranged that if caught, all blame would go to Lin Qingqing.”

Madam Fu stood up, heading to the inner room with Mr. Fu, where she spoke in a low voice: “He’s clinging to the story that Lin Qingqing is behind it, completely clearing Xiao Fengxing. I called you over to discuss the next steps.”

“Should we intensify the interrogation to squeeze out any link to Xiao Fengxing, or… directly target Lin Qingqing?”

“Wait a moment,” Mr. Fu said and went outside to check on Chang Tai.

Seeing him inspect Chang Tai’s injuries, Zhao Chang explained, “They’re hidden injuries.”

Mr. Fu nodded, understanding.

These hidden injuries were undetectable from the outside, minimizing suspicions of coerced confession under duress.

Mr. Fu touched several places on Chang Tai, and each time caused him unbearable pain, his whole body convulsing.

Mr. Fu, having served at the Ministry of Justice, was well aware of these methods, then returned to the inner room.

“I examined Chang Tai’s injuries. Even at this stage, he remains steadfast in silence about Xiao Fengxing. Any further harm might lead to his death before he can testify,” Mr. Fu stated. “At least this time, even if we can’t completely bring Lin Qingqing down, we can confine her within the Marquis’ residence, preventing further trouble-making.”

“Her reputation is already tarnished, making it difficult for her to move around the capital, providing the Matriarch with a reason to keep her confined,” Mr. Fu said. “When Shinian marries into the Marquis’ household, there will inevitably be encounters with her.”

“If we can take this opportunity to confine Lin Qingqing within her courtyard in the Marquis’ residence, making it hard for her to come out, Shinian will find it easier,” Mr. Fu remarked. “Though we can’t prevent her from plotting by heart, it’s far better than allowing her free movement.”

“You’re right.”

The matter was handled without alerting the guests attending the feast.

Once the banquet ended, Mr. and Madam Fu promptly tidied up and headed to the Shuntian Prefecture, pounding on the drum of complaint.

Lord Tao of Shuntian Prefecture had just returned from dining at the Fu family, prepared to sober up and rest, when he heard the drumming outside.

Upon hearing the drum, Lord Tao bolted upright from his bed. “Who’s beating the drum outside? It’s the middle of the night; why not rest?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep