Chapter 6

“Do whatever you want! As long as you can kill him!” Jiang Mei turned her face away, not wanting to look at him.

With a crash, Fu Yu flipped the table over. “Who made the food today? Since it doesn’t suit the Miss’s appetite, drag them out and shoot them!”

The maids immediately dropped to their knees, not daring to breathe loudly!

The guards at the door received the order and prepared to head out.

Jiang Mei’s face instantly went pale. “Fu Yu, you are shameless!”

Fu Yu stared at her coldly.

“I’ll eat! I’ll eat! Let them go!” Jiang Mei immediately compromised.

“From now on, if the food doesn’t suit the Miss’s appetite, execute the cook immediately!”

After speaking, Fu Yu turned and left.

The conflict between the Fu Family Army and the An Family Army was deepening.

Sitting in his study on Qinglong Mountain, Fu Yu looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his gaze icy.

Zhan Yong and Jiang Yuanqi sat beside him. They were Fu Yu’s most trusted comrades-in-arms and strategists.

“The car accident that killed Governor Jiang back then truly wasn’t an accident. It was An Zhentian! This time, I will not only wipe out Yucheng but also capture Zhaishan! I will destroy An Zhentian! And give Jiang Mei an explanation!”

Fu Yu’s eyes were cold and dark, like an icy sculpture.

A secret passage opened, and a young man in a wheelchair emerged. It was Liu Hao.

Liu Hao nodded. “We must plan this carefully. There can’t be the slightest mistake. After all, those two are not to be trifled with.”

“How is the Young Madam? Has she eaten?” Liu Hao asked.

“She ate, forced by me. She said she doesn’t love me anymore,” Fu Yu said softly, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.

“She’s just too heartbroken. You should tell her the truth, and that I’m still alive.”

“It’s already incredibly fortunate that you and she survived. If your leg hadn’t gotten caught on that tree root back then, you would have lost your life long ago. She was covered in injuries and was saved by Gu Ming’s men. I don’t want there to be a single flaw in this plan; I don’t want anything to happen to any of you. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Fu Yu went to see Jiang Mei every day. Jiang Mei barely spoke and wouldn’t look at him. Fu Yu didn’t push her; he just came over every day and sat there watching her.

She often spent time with the maids, cutting a handful of reeds or plucking a few branches with red berries to arrange in a vase. Occasionally, she would chat with the maids about aimless, trivial things.

Sometimes when Fu Yu arrived at Jin Garden, Jiang Mei would be asleep. She lay there quietly, her brows slightly furrowed, looking like an infant. Fu Yu couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her tender face.

*When did you make your home in my heart, to the point where I can no longer live without you?* Fu Yu thought to himself.

He had always firmly believed that she would never leave him. When he first met her, she was still a little girl with two small braids. Back then, she constantly pestered him, coming up with all sorts of ways to please him, but his heart only belonged to Yuwei.

Later on, to stabilize the Fu family, deal with An Zhentian, and win over her father, Jiang Shan, he married her. But it was nothing more than a marriage of convenience. He had never held her in his heart. But when did she move into his heart?

Today the sun was shining brightly. Fu Yu was returning to Fancheng tomorrow, so he specifically went to Jin Garden to have breakfast with Jiang Mei.

The two remained silent. Jiang Mei ate quietly, her expression indifferent.

“I’m heading back to Fancheng tomorrow. I probably won’t be back for a few days, so I won’t be able to keep you company,” Fu Yu said as he placed food in her bowl.

Jiang Mei remained silent.

“The weather is nice today. If you have nothing to do, go for a walk outside. Just don’t leave the gates of Qinglong Mountain. Even if you want to leave, you have to nurse your body back to health first.”

Jiang Mei paused, then nodded. “Understood.”

Fu Yu felt a secret joy. *She finally spoke to me.*

Zhan Yong rushed in to report, “Boss, the prisoners have been brought back, and they’ve all been killed! An Zhentian’s men came for another sneak attack early this morning, but this time they didn’t get away. We captured twelve of them!”

A cold glint flashed in Fu Yu’s eyes, his face turning frosty. “Bury the murdered soldiers with honors and compensate their families well. An Zhentian is provoking us again and again; he is well-prepared and has found backing! Since a battle is inevitable, let’s show them some color! Let’s go!” Fu Yu put down his bowl and chopsticks and left in a hurry.

Jiang Mei quickly finished her breakfast. She looked out the window. It was late autumn on Qinglong Mountain. The distance was painted in patches of golden yellow and vibrant red. Bright red fruits hung heavy on the branches, yet no one went to pick them.

Jiang Mei took Lixia and Fudong outside. It was her first time stepping out the doors of Jin Garden.

“Miss, should we go check out that small grove over there?”

“It’s too far.” Fudong didn’t want to go.

“There are mushrooms and black vegetables over there right now. Since we’re already out, why not go take a look?” Lixia tilted her head and asked Jiang Mei.

“Alright, let’s take a walk.” Jiang Mei thought it didn’t look too far and also wanted to go see.

Fu Yu had just given the order to take the twelve prisoners from the An Family Army to the small grove to be disposed of.

Fu Yu stood on the platform in the center, with Zhan Yong and Jiang Yuanqi flanking him.

Remembering how his captured soldiers had been turned into ‘sky lanterns’ by An Zhentian, and how Jiang Shan had been killed by a car, Fu Yu couldn’t suppress his surging fury.

“Bring them in!” Fu Yu ordered.

“I, Fu Yu, have never mistreated prisoners of war. But my brothers were captured by the An Family Army, and they died incredibly tragic deaths! You two stay behind. Later, take their corpses back to Zhaishan and tell An Zhentian that if he lays a hand on my men again, I, Fu Yu, will massacre the city! Tell him to accumulate some karma! Execute them.”

Zhan Yong passed down the order.

Several cavalrymen rode over. They plunged bayonets squarely into the prisoners’ abdomens, pulled their intestines out, and tied them to the horses’ tails. The cavalrymen whipped their horses into a gallop, dragging the prisoners’ innards out. Blood spilled across the ground. In an instant, agonizing screams pierced the sky; some prisoners simply died from the excruciating pain.

Just as Jiang Mei and the two maids stepped into the small grove, she abruptly stopped. Fu Yu was standing right in front of them.

She could see his profile; his face bore that familiar cruelty and coldness!

Jiang Mei turned to leave, but with a sharp shout, several horses began to gallop, instantly followed by horrific, bloodcurdling screams!

Jiang Mei froze and involuntarily looked over.

The stench of blood saturated the air. Under the bright, sunny sky, the most brutal slaughter was taking place.

Sensing Zhan Yong’s unusual gaze, Fu Yu snapped his head around and saw Jiang Mei standing there, dumbfounded.

“Damn it!” he cursed under his breath. He quickly strode over to Jiang Mei, pulled her into his arms, and covered her eyes. “Why did you come here?”

Jiang Mei looked at Fu Yu with eyes full of sheer terror, as if she were looking at a ghost. In a flash, she remembered so much—the giant, man-eating wolfhound in the basement of Zijun Villa, the tragic death of Nanny Zhou, and Liang Yu, whose limbs had been severed by Fu Yu, bleeding to death…

“Listen to me. They are prisoners from the An Family Army. My men were captured by them and made into ‘sky lanterns.’ I am merely giving them a taste of their own medicine!”

Seeing the ground littered with intestines and blood, Jiang Mei couldn’t help but retch.

Fu Yu picked her up. No matter how she struggled, he pressed her head firmly against his chest, refusing to let her look up.

Jiang Mei trembled all over, her hands freezing cold.

Back at Jin Garden, seeing Jiang Mei’s pale face, Fu Yu reached out to gently stroke her cheek. Jiang Mei violently pulled away and curled up on the bed. “Go away! Don’t touch me! Fu Yu, you truly are a devil!”

Jiang Mei shrieked loudly. His hand hung in the air before slowly dropping.

Looking at the sheer terror on Jiang Mei’s face, he felt as if his heart was going to break.

“Jiang Mei, I am the Garrison Commander of Fancheng. I have to protect my people! There are many things you don’t know… Just get some rest.”

Fu Yu never came to Jin Garden again. He returned to Zijun Villa in Fancheng.

Chen Yuwei’s belly was getting bigger, yet she frequently furrowed her brows. The time Fu Yu spent at home was becoming less and less.

“Are you able to stay longer this time you’re back?” Chen Yuwei asked him tenderly.

“Yes, I’ll be staying for a longer period this time. I haven’t kept you company in a long while.”

“Are you finished with the matters at Qinglong Mountain?”

“No, it’s just that starting tomorrow, a very important meeting will be held here, and there are specific military deployments to discuss. Our alliance partners will also attend. I didn’t want them going to Qinglong Mountain; outsiders can’t be allowed in there casually. It’s safer to have it here.”

“Oh, is the meeting very important?”

“Of course. We’re discussing plans to deal with the An Family Army and Yucheng. You should pick two attentive maids to serve tea and water.”

“Alright. You still want to deal with Yucheng?” Chen Yuwei asked.

“I heard Yucheng just got a new Garrison Commander, a ruthless character. That old fox Tian Weiguo actually had his nest wiped out! While he’s just establishing his rule, this is an opportunity. Instead of being schemed against by him later, it’s better to annihilate him first!”

Chen Yuwei couldn’t help but shudder.

Fu Yu gently draped a shawl over her shoulders.

“It’s getting cold. You go back first. I’m going to the council hall to arrange things for tomorrow. Don’t wait up for me!”

Chen Yuwei’s heart had been tied in knots. She hadn’t had any news from Wu Xiang for many days. She knew he had seized power and the most dangerous period had passed, yet he hadn’t sent anyone to contact her. She was deeply uneasy.

The Fu Family Villa was now heavily guarded, and Chen Yuwei was a key target of protection. Every time she went out, she was followed by a large detail of guards. Fu Yu had given strict orders: they must not leave the Young Madam’s side for even a single step.

The new maids Fu Yu had assigned also followed her closely. Chen Yuwei felt that rather than protecting her, it was more accurate to say they were monitoring her. Fortunately, there were still Xiang’er and Xiao Hong. After Jiang Mei was gone, Chen Yuwei had kept Xiao Hong by her side.

Chen Yuwei waited for Fu Yu until midnight, but he didn’t return. The next time she saw him, it was already morning.

Fu Yu joined her for breakfast. “I’ll be quite busy these next few days. You don’t need to wait for me at night.” He gently spread jam on her bread.

“Ah Yu, it’s been a bit stifling these past few days. I’d like to go out for a walk.”

“Alright, after the meetings are over, I’ll go with you. The political situation is unstable right now, and many people are watching me. It’s inconvenient for you to move around, and I wouldn’t feel safe letting you go out alone.”

Fu Yu had stopped letting Chen Yuwei go out half a month ago.

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Fu Yu reached out and held her hand. “Yuwei, this period is crucial for me. An Zhentian has been constantly provoking me, and eventually, there has to be a resolution between us. I can’t stay passive forever.”

“I understand,” Chen Yuwei said softly.

Chen Yuwei assigned Xiao Hong and a maid provided by Fu Yu to serve in the council hall.

During the meeting, Fu Yu and his allies discussed detailed plans and deployments to counter the An Family Army.

Three days later, the meetings concluded, and Fu Yu planned to take Chen Yuwei out to relax.

When Fu Yu entered the room, Chen Yuwei was sitting blankly at the vanity. Seeing him come in, she quickly stood up.

“Ah Yu, I’m suddenly feeling a bit lazy today. How about we don’t go out?” she asked with a smile.

“It’s up to you, as long as you don’t feel cooped up. But I happen to have some free time right now.”

Chen Yuwei frowned, still hesitating. In truth, she was making a decision.

“It’s up to you. I just think you haven’t been out shopping in a long time, and you should go out to get some fresh air. Don’t they say pregnant women who move around more have an easier time giving birth?” Fu Yu gently smoothed her hair.

“Alright, then I’ll go out.” As if suddenly making up her mind, her expression shifted, and she immediately prepared her outing clothes.

This time, she only brought Xiao Hong.

Fu Yu took her to the famous Wangjiangyue Restaurant for roast duck. After they sat down, she acted as if she had suddenly remembered something and said to Xiao Hong, “Xiao Hong, go to the rouge shop on the back street and buy a box of the rouge I use. This is the old box, make sure it’s this exact type.” Chen Yuwei pulled a rouge tin from her bag and handed it to Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong took the box and left immediately.

A trace of coldness flashed in Fu Yu’s eyes, but it vanished instantly. He meticulously peeled the skin off the roast duck for her, cut the meat into small pieces, and placed them on her plate.

After returning from the outing, Chen Yuwei lay in bed, barely speaking.

Fu Yu came over to see her. “What’s wrong? Unhappy again?”

“Fu Yu, has your love for me truly never changed?” Chen Yuwei rested her head on his shoulder and asked softly.

“Silly, why would you ask that? Not marrying you two years ago was a measure of expediency. There was no other choice back then. After all, so many people relied on the Fu family for their livelihood, I couldn’t let them down. But I said back then that I would definitely marry you. Now that we’re together, I haven’t let you down. What are you still worried about?”

Chen Yuwei’s gaze grew distant.

“Alright, don’t overthink it. You will always be the person I love most. Focus on resting and nurturing the baby.”

Fu Yu stayed at the villa for another three days before leaving. During these days, he accompanied Chen Yuwei on scenic tours, coaxing her to be happy.

That night, a fire suddenly broke out in the South Courtyard of the Fu Family Villa. The blaze was fierce, drawing everyone to fight the fire. Meanwhile, a thief sneaked into the North Courtyard.

The defenses of the North Courtyard hadn’t weakened despite the fire in the South Courtyard, so the thief didn’t succeed and managed to escape. Rumor had it, it was a masked thief!

Hearing the news, Fu Yu rushed to Xing Courtyard to check on Chen Yuwei.

Chen Yuwei’s face was pale, looking visibly frightened. She stared blankly ahead. The room was deathly quiet; even the rustling of the beaded curtain didn’t rouse her from her deep thoughts.

“It’s alright, Yuwei. Don’t worry, no one will hurt you.” Fu Yu held her in his arms, comforting her softly.

“How about you come with me to Qinglong Mountain?” he suggested slowly, patting her back.

Chen Yuwei paused, thought for a moment, and shook her head. “Once you enter Qinglong Mountain, it’s hard to come out. It’s inconvenient. I’d better stay here. It’s closer to the hospital, making routine checkups easier.” Chen Yuwei knew who the masked man was; she was the one who had set the fire in the South Courtyard.

She just hadn’t expected that despite such a massive fire in the South Courtyard, the guards on duty in the backyard wouldn’t fall into disarray at all.

She looked up at Fu Yu—his handsome, sharp face, his eyes as deep as the stars in the night sky.

She suddenly felt a surge of panic and began coughing violently for no apparent reason.

Fu Yu gently patted her back, his touch tender.

She and Wu Xiang hadn’t managed to meet. Fortunately, by going out today, she had already had Xiao Hong deliver the item.

Fu Yu rearranged the villa’s security again, increasing the number of night patrols.

It would be impossible for Wu Xiang to enter the villa again. Chen Yuwei felt a sense of despair.