Chapter 13: A Deliberate Setup?

The sunlight slanted low in the sky, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere over the small hall in the Fang family’s central Residence.

The Marquis of the Fang family, who never involved himself in household affairs, had enjoyed some drinks with friends earlier and was already asleep in his chambers.

In the main seat sat the elderly Madam Meng.

Her face was swollen and glistening, her eyes barely able to open as she rested her head in her hand, listening wearily to Fang Xuze’s endless excuses.

“Grandmother, I didn’t know those women. They’re all cunning and manipulative. I was tricked by them,” Fang Xuze pleaded, kneeling on the floor and wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

“If you hadn’t gone to such places or gotten involved with them, how could they have schemed against you?!” Fang Kun growled angrily.

“Scoundrel! Sixteen years old and already with two concubines, yet still running around flirting with other women!”

Fang Kun suddenly stood up, took a few quick steps forward, and delivered a powerful kick to Fang Xuze’s chest.

The force of the blow sent Fang Xuze sliding backward, crashing into a wooden chair behind him, which scraped noisily against the floor.

Zhou Huajin, watching her son in visible pain, could no longer hold back her anger. She rose furiously to her feet.

“Do you even know who orchestrated this? How can you be so biased, placing all the blame on Ze’er?!” she shouted.

“If it weren’t for that wretched Wei woman concealing what happened with Xinghua, how would things have come to this? She deliberately set out to harm my Ze’er!”

Fang Kun’s face darkened. “So, you mean to say that this brat’s indulgence in brothels, getting two women pregnant, is also Wei’s doing? And not simply because he inherited my father-in-law’s penchant for debauchery?”

Zhou Huajin’s fury surged, overwhelming her reason. She raised her hand to slap Fang Kun’s face.

But Fang Kun, a man trained in martial arts, was quick and caught her wrist mid-air, forcefully flinging her aside.

Fang Zhenzhen hurried forward to catch her mother, preventing her from falling to the ground.

Zhou Huajin pulled away from her daughter and stepped forward again, shouting at Fang Kun, “How can you still protect that wretched woman at a time like this?!”

Fang Kun roared back, “Every other word from your mouth is ‘wretch’! Look at yourself—what noble image do you think you present?!”

Zhou Huajin’s chest heaved with anger, and her eyes glistened with tears.

The elderly Madam Meng had already opened her eyes. She banged her fist on the table several times.

Zhou Huajin trembled all over and bit the inside of her lip hard enough to draw blood before she managed to suppress some of her anger. Turning, she threw herself into her daughter’s arms and began to sob bitterly.

Madam Meng spoke with difficulty, her voice raspy. “Kun’er, that maid is pregnant, yet Wei deliberately hid it. She cannot go unpunished. Were you aware of this?”

Fang Kun had calmed down, bowing his head slightly. “Yes, Mother, I’m aware.”

Madam Meng turned to Zhou Huajin. “Jin’er, if you want Zhenzhen to successfully marry into the royal family, don’t stir up trouble with those three women.”

Zhou Huajin looked up, her tear-streaked face full of resentment. “But if they’re not dealt with, how can we secure Ze’er’s marriage?”

Madam Meng interrupted her, raising her voice. “The whole town is waiting to see our downfall! Can’t you see that? Obsessing over this petty matter, nitpicking endlessly!”

Zhou Huajin clenched her teeth, gripping the embroidered handkerchief in her hand tightly.

Madam Meng softened her tone slightly. “Letting those two women into the house wasn’t our choice. Everyone knows it was unavoidable. Unlike families who bring in women from the brothel willingly, the Fang family can salvage its reputation by treating them kindly. It shows we take responsibility for the younger generation’s mistakes. This can help mitigate today’s scandal somewhat.”

“And to achieve this, we must ensure no incidents like ‘two deaths in one body’ happen in our household. Do you understand?”

Zhou Huajin lowered her head, remaining silent.

Seeing this, Madam Meng, already irritable due to her illness, felt a renewed wave of anger. She asked sternly, “Your silence—does it mean you have a better solution?”

Fang Zhenzhen nudged her mother gently and whispered, “Mother…”

Zhou Huajin swallowed her rage and replied quietly, “I understand.”

Madam Meng fixed her gaze on Zhou Huajin. “Our plans must be delayed for now. Keep a close eye on that disgraceful boy and ensure he doesn’t go out flaunting himself. Let this matter fade from people’s minds quickly. We cannot afford every move of the Fang family to be scrutinized and jeopardize our greater ambitions.”

There was an undertone in her words suggesting a deeper meaning.

“Of those three women, raise Xinghua to the status of a concubine for now. As for the two from the brothel, we’ll deal with them after they’ve given birth.”

After giving a few more instructions, Madam Meng dismissed Zhou Huajin and her two children, leaving Fang Kun alone for further discussion.

Madam Meng sipped her tea, looking more fatigued. Her voice softened, tinged with exhaustion. “Kun’er, if Xuze continues like this, even if we secure the title in the future, he’ll squander it all. You must guide him properly. If he proves hopeless, focus on training your brother, Haochen. We’ve fought so hard for this; we can’t let it go to waste.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Fang Kun didn’t respond.

Madam Meng raised her gaze. “I know your thoughts. But Wei’s origins are too low. You may favor her children, but that’s all. Jin’er is the one who can truly help us achieve our goals. Don’t let her grow cold toward you and ruin our plans.”

Fang Kun seated himself at a lower position from Madam Meng and replied, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

After a pause, he asked, “Mother, the way those two women showed up today is truly suspicious. Do you think someone planned this deliberately?”

Madam Meng set down her teacup and dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief. “It’s hard to say. Now that Zhenzhen is poised to become a royal concubine, jealousy toward our family is inevitable. But if those two acted on their own to create a scene in public, preventing us from resolving it quickly with a simple abortion, that’s also plausible.”

“In the future, be more cautious. If something similar happens again, it will surely mean someone is targeting our family.”

They exchanged a few more words before Fang Kun prepared to leave. Looking at the injuries on Madam Meng’s face, he asked, “Mother, should I call another physician to examine your injuries?”

Madam Meng waved him off wearily. “I’ve seen four already and tried many remedies, but none have worked.”

Fang Kun seemed to ponder this. “Our branch of the family has been facing misfortunes lately. I’ll visit a temple in a few days to offer incense and pray for your well-being.”

Madam Meng looked pleased and nodded, feeling comforted.

This son of hers had grown increasingly filial over the years, deeply endearing himself to her by never defying her wishes.

She knew Fang Kun didn’t favor Zhou Huajin, yet for the family’s ambitions, he had heeded her will and married the woman.

Wei’s presence in his life was, in her view, a small compensation for his sacrifices.

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At Yunxiang Residence

After the banquet, there was still much to wrap up. Qin Xuan led the household servants, busily attending to the aftermath.

Fang Xunli was lounging under the pomegranate tree with his two younger sisters.

Sitting directly in front of a low table, he used a carving knife to shape a wooden horse.

Fang Yuean was stacking small scraps of wood into various shapes on one side, while Er’er sat opposite her, staring off into space.

Fang Xunli wore a gentle smile as his hands kept moving. “When you’re older, I’ll gift each of you a real horse and teach you how to ride. How does that sound?”

He picked up a brush and swept away the wood shavings from the carving.

Er’er nodded in her innocent confusion.

Fang Yuean, on the other hand, became excited. She leaned closer, as though worried her brother wouldn’t hear her. “Big Brother, I want a white one.”

“Later, when you have time, can you also make a kite, bamboo wind chimes, and a lantern for me and my little sister? Oh, and I want to practice swordsmanship with you too!”

Fang Xunli agreed to everything with a smile that deepened across his face. “One day, I’ll make you a wooden sword.”

Fang Yuean beamed and threw her arms around his neck. “You’re the best big brother in the world.”

Fang Xunli laughed heartily.

Huai Ze, watching the scene, couldn’t help but mock, “You said the same thing to your mother last night.”

Fang Yuean shot him a glare and sat back down. “Mind your own business. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Good thing Big Brother can’t hear this.”

She toppled the three-tiered stack of wooden blocks she had built, then glanced at the gold bracelet on her wrist, suddenly recalling an important matter. “Next, let’s deal with the person who has been eyeing Sister Xu.”

Fang Xunli slowed his movements, handling the carving with deliberate care as he listened intently.

After a long pause, Huai Ze replied, “I suggest dealing with someone else first—Song Guangyan.”

“Why him?” Fang Yuean asked, fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist.