The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1208 - 1186: Setting the Trap Together (Additional update for the reward from ’Watching the Clouds with a Smile’ reader)_2

Chapter 1208: Chapter 1186: Setting the Trap Together (Additional update for the reward from ’Watching the Clouds with a Smile’ reader)_2

As it stands, Luojiang County is the place where he has served the longest term; it can very well be considered his second hometown, and for his children, it’s practically their hometown.

Thus, Fu Wenhua also sneaked out to listen in secret.

Manbao might have been away from home for a long time, but she always managed to receive letters from her family, so she had quite an animated conversation with County Magistrate Fu.

It wasn’t until dusk approached that Bai Shan, having waited for her return for a long time, came to fetch her with Daji in tow. Only then did she politely decline the Fu Family’s invitation to stay for dinner and went home with Bai Shan.

The house steward, Xu, sent her out and upon returning couldn’t help but sigh.

County Magistrate Fu, still sitting in the courtyard and not yet back in his study, lifted his head upon hearing the sigh and asked, "Why sigh such a sigh all of a sudden?"

"Nothing much, just feeling that it’s quite a pity for Miss Man. Oh right, my lord, as requested, I have inquired about the officials from the Ministry of Personnel. I’ve also submitted your report this morning," Xu the steward switched to serious matters, "I’ve asked around, and not many are coming to the capital to report these days, so it should be your turn in two or three days."

County Magistrate Fu nodded in satisfaction, contented with his efficiency, yet he was still puzzled, "Why do you say that it’s a pity for the young madam of the Zhou Family?"

Xu the steward then remembered how busy he had been these days. He had to buy things to settle down the lord and lady, inquire about the Yue Family’s situation, find someone to beat up the young master’s prospect suitor, and also gather information about the Ministry of Personnel and the officials currently posted elsewhere. He had been so busy that his feet barely touched the ground, and he hadn’t got the chance to report this matter to County Magistrate Fu.

So with a sigh, he said, "My lord may not be aware, but it turns out Miss Man is not the biological child of her parents; she was actually born to her uncle, and her biological parents were killed by the Prince of Yizhou twelve years ago for being implicated in his rebellion. Now she has come to the capital to seek revenge and is in a fierce fight with the Prince of Yizhou."

County Magistrate Fu’s mouth fell open in shock; he clutched his chest and was speechless for a long time.

Seeing this, Xu the steward hesitated before asking, "My lord, what’s the matter with you?"

County Magistrate Fu, with trembling fingers, pointed at him, "What... what did you say?"

Thinking he understood the reason for his response, Xu quickly reiterated, "Don’t worry, my lord, it’s not as dreadful as it seems. Look at her, she has offended both the Prince of Yizhou and the Empress Dowager, yet she still moves freely in the capital city. I’ve made inquiries, and they have many dealings with powerful aristocratic families, so clearly they have substantial backing and it won’t involve our family."

County Magistrate Fu was so heartbroken he found it hard to speak. There was no implication before, but now, it was well and truly involved, wasn’t it?

He asked, "Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?"

Xu the steward felt a bit guilty as he replied, "With so many matters at hand recently, it simply slipped my mind."

County Magistrate Fu, who thought he and his daughter were dealing with important matters, had not even let a third person in on Yue Wei’s visit to remonstrate by colliding with the pillar, not even his own wife, so of course Xu the steward didn’t know.

After a while, County Magistrate Fu found it hard to speak. He stood up, leaning on the table, and turned to find Fu Wenyun.

As soon as Fu Wenyun saw her father’s face, she understood. She directly spoke, "Father, the grand court session is over, and Manbao went to visit father-in-law Yue today; he is not in serious trouble."

County Magistrate Fu then showed a complex expression and let out a sigh of relief, but looking at her he was at a loss for words. After hesitating for a while, he spoke helplessly, "You... you... Do you think this can be kept from your father-in-law?"

Fu Wenyun replied, "Father, not hiding this would be better than trying to keep it a secret. In the future, he will certainly not dare to underestimate you, and our Fu Family will be able to assist each other mutually. Also, your daughter will have a much better life in the Yue Family, wouldn’t she?"

County Magistrate Fu thought about it and it made sense; then he felt even more heartache. Why couldn’t this one be a son?

He sighed, "Back then, I went against your mother’s wishes and let you study with your brother. I still don’t know if it was the right decision or wrong."

"It was the right decision," Fu Wenyun whispered softly, "since we are here in this world for only a while, I don’t wish to live a life in a muddle."

"But to live life is to cherish being muddleheaded; that way one would suffer less."

Fu Wenyun shook her head, "Everyone has their own way of living. But I feel that understanding life is more important, even if it’s tough, one can still find joy amidst the hardship. Otherwise, coming to this world confused, and leaving in a daze seems too wasteful of this life’s chance."

County Magistrate Fu had no words to say.

He looked at his second daughter, then thought of the just-departed Zhou Man.

Neither one less capable than his daughter, if he understood Xu the steward correctly, could it be that at such a young age she had already managed to lodge a complaint in the palace?

Alright then, each and every one of them is braver than the last.

County Magistrate Fu shook his head, let it be, and walked away with his hands behind his back.

However, after he left the courtyard, he started to feel a headache. Should he visit his in-law who collided with the pillar tomorrow?

Wasn’t it him who had trapped his in-law this time?

County Magistrate Fu felt a slight twinge of guilt, but upon returning to his house, when he saw his wife complaining to Nanny Fu about the Yue family mother’s callous ungratefulness, his conscience eased.

His daughter was right; this was also to ensure her future days in the Yue family would be better. There was no need for him to feel guilty at all.

His daughter had nearly lost her life.

Thus, County Magistrate Fu’s fighting spirit returned. The next day, he picked out some tonics and, bringing his son along, went to visit the in-laws.

After a night’s rest, although Yue Wei still had a headache, the nausea had much subsided, and he was able to prop himself on the pillow for extended periods to contemplate.

Upon hearing that County Magistrate Fu was coming to visit, Yue Wei summoned a perfect smile. The two in-laws exchanged pleasantries in the room for a while, then Yue Wei brought up Bai Shan and Zhou Man.

Fu Wenyun’s trap was laid, and even if County Magistrate Fu knew it was a pitfall, he had to jump headlong into it, even going so far as to personally shovel the dirt in to bury himself.

Hence, County Magistrate Fu did not deny it but instead began to recount his ties with Bai Shanzhou and Zhou Man. Of course, he made it clear they were not deeply connected, having only met a few times due to being from the same county and his praise for the two children being intelligent was all there was to it.

County Magistrate Fu was speaking the truth, but Yue Wei did not believe it at all. However, he made it look like he believed it wholeheartedly. The atmosphere between the two in-laws was exceptionally harmonious.

Outside the room, however, the atmosphere between the two sons was not so harmonious. Yue Lan was beaten by Fu Wenhua twice, so it was impossible for him to not hold any resentment. Hence, he stood far away, not speaking to Fu Wenhua.

Fu Wenhua wasn’t interested in speaking to him either, so he turned his head to look at the sky, not even sparing him a glance.