Chapter 107

When it came to Wang Fufeng, everyone had complicated feelings.

Initially, they speculated that the eldest and second branches of the Wang family were fighting, and the legitimate son of the third branch was deliberately feigning illness, waiting for the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

But Zheng Ruqian personally confirmed that Wang Fufeng was indeed seriously ill, as weak as a willow in the wind.

The third branch would not fight for the family property for a sickly child.

The previous speculation was overturned. Wang Fufeng's position became unclear, as if a thin fog shrouded his entire being, making him inscrutable.

That was fine. As long as he was from the Wang family, as long as he wanted to stir up trouble, Xu Mo was willing to cooperate with him.

But now, Wang Fufeng was gone.

Not only was the entire Wang family tight-lipped about him, but the third branch also showed no anxiety. Third Master Wang even held a banquet at his estate to celebrate with friends, drinking himself into a drunken stupor.

Those who knew rejoiced because the Sun family was in turmoil, those who didn't would have thought he was celebrating his eldest son's disappearance!

Xu Mo sent people to scout around the Wang residence several times. They could chat about anything, but the moment Wang Fufeng was mentioned, the Wang servants would shut their mouths, refusing to speak of him.

Left with no choice, Second Master Zheng had to be dispatched. He wandered until he found Wang Mingyu.

The legitimate son of the second branch still acted like he owned the place. He was always right in any matter, and those who dared argue fairness with him would at least get humiliated, if not beaten.

When Zheng Ruqian found him, Wang Mingyu was yelling with a finger pointed at another young master's nose.

"If I want this, what's wrong with that? First come first served only applies when money is equal. I'm paying more so the seller is willing to sell to me. What are you yelling about? If you can afford it, pay up!" Wang Mingyu glared with bulging eyes.

Scoundrels would always be scoundrels, having nothing to do with righteousness no matter how much they pretended.

Zheng Ruqian lightly coughed twice behind him.

Before Wang Mingyu even turned around, his yelling had switched targets. "Who's coughing behind me? I'll rip out your throat if you don't need it. I'll even pay for a doctor to treat you..."

When he realized it was Zheng Ruqian, his eyes lit up. He quickly swallowed the rest of his foul words and grinned. "Brother Zheng, what a surprise!"

Zheng Ruqian's principle for dealing with scoundrels was to humor them and occasionally voice small opinions, distinguishing himself slightly from an ingratiator. Facing the current situation, Zheng Ruqian said, "Fighting over the same item again? It does suit you, but we're young masters of the Wang family. We're not lacking in belongings, why fight with commoners? Let's go over there, who knows if there's something better?"

Wang Mingyu's chest swelled at those words.

Right, right, he was a Wang young master. How could he fight with commoners? Brother Zheng was reasonable.

Wang Mingyu haughtily waved a hand. "Brother Zheng makes sense. Let's go take a look over there. Leave this rotten item to you."

He swayed away like an angry rooster.

Zheng Ruqian followed, suppressing laughter. As they passed the young master in plain clothes, he made sure to nod apologetically.

The young master could only stare in silence.

Wang Mingyu enjoyed shopping at the market with Zheng Ruqian, not only because of his honeyed words and sensible advice, but also his haggling skills that saved Wang Mingyu from getting swindled many times.

An item the seller asked ten silvers for only cost one silver after passing through Zheng Ruqian's mouth.

Wang Mingyu was extremely moved, tears streaming down his face as he thought of all the money he had lost in the past.

"It's nothing. You've done a good deed too," Zheng Ruqian shook his head. "Think of all the destitute vendors you've saved."

Three sales used to barely fill their stomachs, but one sale to you fed them for half a year.

"Really?" Wang Mingyu stared blankly.

By the time they had bought several jade pendants, over a dozen paperweights, over a dozen reams of stationery, both servants carrying their purchases could barely keep their arms from dragging on the ground. Zheng Ruqian finally invited Wang Mingyu for tea at a teahouse.

It was also a good chance to kindly allow the servants to take everything home.

The servants were grateful to the point of tears while Wang Mingyu lamented, "Brother Zheng is so kind-hearted."

Zheng Ruqian bared his teeth in a silly grin as he poured Wang Mingyu a cup of blended tea. Inwardly, he was delighted to finally get the man away.

After Wang Mingyu downed the tea in one go, he slowly asked, "Brother Wang, do you know of Wang Fufeng?"

A veil of steam immediately rose from the tea table.

Wang Mingyu had just swallowed a mouthful of tea to his throat when it came spurting right back out. "Why are you asking about him?"

"Oh, I just found the name rather feminine so I got curious," Zheng Ruqian said casually. "It's fine if you don't know, no need to answer." Uh oh, the young master's temper flared.

How could he not know? He was a Wang young master!

"Let me tell you, don't spread this around." Wang Mingyu lowered his voice mysteriously. "This Wang Fufeng is my cousin."

Zheng Ruqian's expression remained neutral. He already knew that. Wang Mingyu went on. "But my cousin is a sickly child. The whole family knows he won't live long. That's why no one really cares for him. Even my Third Uncle favors me more, hoping I'll support him in his old age."

That was the key to his unbridled, reckless behavior.

Zheng Ruqian nodded, finally showing a reaction.

Wang Mingyu thought he had shocked him and continued revealing information. "But recently, not only does Third Uncle not care for him, he went as far as locking him up, saying he would teach him a good lesson. Poor cousin, so weak, who knows if he'll survive a few days locked up."

Zheng Ruqian froze, his expression growing somber as his heart sank.

"Don't you think my Third Uncle went too far? Cousin might not have long to live but he's still his son. How could he be so heartless?" Wang Mingyu grimaced. "What kind of father-son relationship is this? Thankfully he's not my dad."

There were indeed no such father-son pairs in the world, but the more abnormal the relationship, the deeper the schemes.

Zheng Ruqian suppressed his worry and casually asked again, "Who knows where poor Wang Fufeng is locked up. How pitiful."

Wang Mingyu sighed along. "It is pitiful. Third Uncle's residence is mostly in the south outskirts. He's probably locked up there."

The south outskirts?

Zheng Ruqian relaxed slightly, his mind calming. He pointed at the freshly fried hawthorn cakes outside the window to divert Wang Mingyu's attention.

"I want to eat them!" Wang Mingyu clamored.

Zheng Ruqian voluntarily bought two bags. One as thanks to Wang Mingyu, the other he happily slipped into his sleeve for his siblings.

After lingering for a bit longer, when the servants returned, Zheng Ruqian bid farewell, citing family matters at home.

Wang Mingyu was quite reluctant to part. He kept waving. "Brother Zheng, come find me to play again. I like playing with you."

Most people flattered him, but Zheng Ruqian was like a fresh stream.

Unfortunately, he had appeared too late. The stone was hard to turn to gold.

After leaving Wang Mingyu, Zheng Ruqian returned to Hairpin Courtyard and took out the hawthorn cakes with a sigh. "Wang Fufeng is most likely beaten and locked up by Third Master Wang, probably somewhere nearby the south outskirts."

Xu Mo's brows knitted together. "The south outskirts? That's too big. Don't you have a more exact location?"

Zheng Ruqian heavily shook his head.

Jiang Sheng had been dividing the cakes but now stopped, frowning. "Brother Fufeng is already so frail. After a beating and being locked in the remote countryside...I'm afraid..."

He's unlikely to make it.

Xu Mo shot to his feet. Though he had never truly met Wang Fufeng, from his handwriting, Xu Mo could sense the surging, unresigned spirit within the sickly young master.

"I owe him for the Sun family matter. I must find him." Xu Mo's voice rumbled.

Wang Fufeng had overthrown Sun Yu and avenged Qiao Yuhai's family. He was a good man, with lofty ideals and a kind heart. He didn't deserve this treatment and he shouldn't die unknown in the outskirts.