“What a coincidence? I kissed her too.” Prince Zhou walked out of the palace and assessed Sheng Chumu and Yan Zifang. He did not expect to have two love rivals.
Sheng Chumu was in utter disbelief. “Who are you?” Yan Zifang did not recognise Prince Zhou.
“I have no reason to lie. She even personally helped me make a set of clothes. It is the set that I am wearing now. This is your handiwork right, Rou’er?”
“Rou’er, you not only helped Yan Zifang make a cloak, you also made clothes for Prince Zhou? No! That is not the main point. The main point is...they really kissed you before?”
“He is Prince Zhou? The Emperor’s son?”
“I…” Three pairs, six eyes were all looking at her. Fu Rou had no words to say.
“Say something! Don’t hesitate, just tell him directly. You don’t want Sheng Chumu, I want him!” A fifth person had appeared!
Sheng Chumu turned back as he cursed in his heart. “Ma Hainiu, how did you chase me all the way here? I have important things to do, don’t come and create trouble.”
“This is not creating trouble, this is called handing over.” Ma Hainiu grinned as she ran over and assessed Fu Rou. “So you are the one that Sheng Chumu always calls his wife? If you are someone’s wife, how can you keep hanging out with other guys? That’s messed up. On behalf of Sheng Chumu, let me teach you a lesson.”
“Rou’er, I have nothing to do with her.” Sheng Chumu was only worried about Fu Rou’s reaction.
“You don’t have to feel guilty for kissing other men, I have also kissed Sheng Chumu before.” Ma Hainiu was extremely frank. “The lake that he said he wants to bring you to is where we went a few days ago to row a boat. He kissed me on the grass and even pulled open my shirt.”
Prince Zhou was delighted. “Shanzhai [1]. Do not look at what is contrary to propriety and do not listen to what is contrary to propriety.”
Yan Zifang took charge of distributing. “Ma Hainiu, Rou’er is mine and Sheng Chumu is yours.”
“Rou’er, I am innocent. This female pirate literally forced herself on me. I clearly did not…” Sheng Chumu turned, only to notice that Rou’er had walked far away. “Rou’er! Rou’er!”
Sheng Chumu was about to chase after her when Yan Zifang grabbed ahold of him.
“I haven’t settled the score with you! How dare you ask my Rou’er to make you a cloak? You even dare to kiss my Rou’er? I’m going to punch you, you ungrateful bastard!” Sheng Chumu punched Yan Zifang in the face.
Yan Zifang did not hesitate to throw him a punch in return.
Prince Zhou watched on happily as he fanned himself. Who knew that as Sheng Chumu and Yan Zifang beat each other up, they did not forget about him and each threw him a punch at the same time. Prince Zhou could not look weak as he joined the fight. It turned into a messy fight between three men.
Meanwhile, Fu Rou returned home alone and ate a reunion meal with her family. She talked about interesting things in the palace and was enjoying herself. After the meal, Fu Yin dragged Fu Rou into the house to chat.
Fu Rou smiled, “What do you have to say that you cannot say in front of everyone and have to hide in here to tell me?”
Fu Yin took out the two bracelets her mother left for her as dowry. “Second Sister, help me put them on.”
Fu Rou helped her put on the bracelets. “Third Madam left these for you when you get married! Has Du Ning asked for marriage?”
Fu Yin flushed. As soon as the list was released, Du Ning came to tell her that he had already informed his parents and very soon a matchmaker would come to visit her. He told her to be prepared to become his wife.
Fu Rou was happy. “That is great. What did he say?”
Fu Yin was embarrassed. “He passed the examination and was chosen by the Emperor to the Imperial Hanlin Academy. Although it is not a high-ranking position, it is similar to what Mother wished before. I can marry an official. Du Ning said that he was going to bring this up to his parents before calling for a matchmaker to meet Father.”
Fu Rou suddenly thought of Third Madam and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Fu Yin also started to cry.
Fu Rou wiped her tears along with Fu Yin’s. “Okay, it is a happy event, let’s not cry. I will help you make the most beautiful wedding dress on earth.”
“Second Sister, how could your dress not be nicer than mine when you get married to Brother Chumu?” Fu Yin joked.
“Who said that I was going to marry him?” Fu Rou scrunched up her nose. “He is always creating trouble, even today.”
“What trouble?” Fu Yin was curious.
“Let’s not care about him, let him settle it himself.” Fu Rou recalled the mess that happened in front of the palace today and wanted to laugh. “Come, let me help you comb your hair. This is the most popular hairstyle in the palace right now.”
Fu Yin found it weird. “There is no need. It is already so late.”
Fu Rou acted mysterious. “Later on, Chumu will be bringing a guest.”
Sheng Chumu had mentioned that Fu Tao had followed Lu Yunji to Chang’an and was staying at a camp outside the city. Today, Fu Tao was lucky to also have half a day of leave and will enter the city when it gets dark to stay the night. Fu Rou couldn't wait to see him again.
* * *
1. What monks say before they usually respond with something philosophical
Chapter 31.1: Truth
Fu Rou did not expect the Emperor to find out about the fight between Sheng Chumu, Yan Zifang and Prince Zhou. They were reprimanded harshly. Thankfully, Ma Hainiu was present and the Emperor assumed that she was the start of the fight and did not investigate the matter further. However, as a result of this, Fu Rou had already returned to the palace by the time Sheng Chumu brought Fu Tao to meet the Fu family.
The Fu family was pleasantly surprised yet feel a slight sorrow when Fu Tao returned safely. After all, Third Madam was no longer around and their family could never be reunited again. They were lucky that they did not lose anyone else. Fu Tao’s biggest regret was not being able to send his mother off on her last journey. He could only cry in front of her memorial tablet as he kowtowed and offered incense. When the dead is in their final place, those that live on could only continue on their days.
After doing everything he had to do, Fu Tao was about to leave. Fu Yin chased after him, stopping him in the garden.
“Third Brother, why do you have to leave? Can’t you stay? I… I may…” She was going to be married soon.
“I can’t stay because I have something very important to do. Also, do not tell anyone that I came back to see you all.” He could not let his identity be known.
Fu Yin found it weird. “Why?”
“I am currently working in Lu Yunji’s army and took on the name Xi Tao. If the Lu father and son knows my true identity, it will not be good for me.”
“Lu Yunji?” Fu Yin was shocked. “Isn’t that Brother Chumu’s enemy? Why are you working for Brother Chumu’s enemy?”
Grief and indignance appeared on Fu Tao’s face. “The Lu family is not only Sheng Chumu’s enemy. They are also our enemy.”
“I don’t understand.” Fu Yin shook her head. “Third Brother, what are you saying?”
Fu Tao became serious. “Younger Sister, listen to me. The Lu family was the one that started the fire that killed our mother.”
Fu Yin’s eyes widened. “What! Do you mean that the Lu family were the ones that plotted for the huge fire to happen? But, why?”
“I don’t know. That is why I am investigating. If it is true, I want the Lu family to pay with their lives.” He will do whatever it takes.
Fu Yin bit her lips tightly before saying, “I also want to seek revenge for Mother.”
Fu Tao patted Fu Yin’s head. “Younger Sister, leave the revenge to me. You should be filial to Father, First and Second Madam. We can reunite after I have taken revenge.”