Chapter 82 Lively and Lonely
Another period of time passed.

After Zhu Chengwu, the center of the vortex, had "disappeared" for more than ten days and his injuries had mostly healed, the Duke of Yan, who had accepted the appointment of the court, finally arrived in Xuzhou City.

However, after Duke Yan arrived in Xuzhou City, he did not go to the government office to meet Zhao Yuguang and Zhu Zhiying first, but chose to come to the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Because there are other people to deal with Lord Zhao in the government office!

Because the Duke of Yan felt that Zhu Chengwu, Marquis of Fu'an, was the starting point and center of all these things.

"My Lord, I am so sorry!
The Marquis was seriously injured and has been recuperating since the wedding. We cannot disturb him!"

At the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion, Zhao Xinghan received the Duke of Yan on behalf of Marquis of Fu'an Zhu Chengwu.

Although Zhao Xinghan was also injured.

But the external injuries he suffered were not serious, more of the damage to his foundation was caused by performing the forbidden technique "Demon Disintegration Technique".

This kind of fundamental damage is difficult to recover, but it has almost no effect on Zhao Xinghan's movements and combat effectiveness.

Thanks to the powerful recovery ability brought by Zhao Xinghan's first-class realm, coupled with the medical assistance provided by Fu'an Marquis Mansion at all costs, Zhao Xinghan was actually almost fully recovered two or three days ago, except for the basic damage that was almost impossible to recover.

After Zhao Xinghan recovered, Zhu Chengwu let him take over all the affairs of the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Chunhua, Qiuyue and Cui Shuyun all officially stepped down from their leadership positions.

He just assisted Zhao Xinghan in handling matters related to the Marquis' Mansion from time to time.

The reason why Zhao Xinghan took over the affairs of Fu'an Marquis Mansion so quickly after he recovered from his injury was not to give Zhao Xinghan more time to rest.

Firstly, Zhao Xinghan is a member of the Zhao clan. During this special period, Zhu Chengwu felt that it would be better for him to be in charge of the Fu'an Marquis Mansion and communicate better with Zhao Yuguang and the Zhao clan members.

Secondly, Zhao Xinghan has always been the "face" of Fu'an Marquis Mansion and has been in charge of many affairs of Fu'an Marquis Mansion. He has a more comprehensive and thorough understanding of Fu'an Marquis Mansion and can better coordinate the forces of all aspects of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Also, after what happened before, Zhu Chengwu has already understood Zhao Xinghan's determination and position.

No matter where Zhao Xinghan came from, no matter how much struggle Zhao Xinghan went through in his heart when he made this decision, he now stands on the side of Zhu Chengwu!

Worthy of Zhu Chengwu's trust!
"Is Brother Wu injured so seriously?

It has come to the point where I have to go into seclusion to recuperate!
But fortunately, our prince is here now!
Wu Ge'er's luck has turned around!
When my husband was young, he was often injured and eventually became a doctor!
Now he can be considered a master in medicine!

Why not let our Duke give Wu Ge'er some proper treatment?

Maybe this duke is more skilled in treating Wu Ge'er's injury!"

However, the Duke of Yan ignored Zhao Xinghan's apology and obstruction.

He walked straight to the yard where Zhu Chengwu was recuperating from his injuries.

Relying on the power of the Grandmaster, Duke Yan had already felt the auras of several first-rate masters in the Marquis Fu'an Mansion when he entered it, and one of the auras was far beyond the ordinary first-rate.

Considering the continuous reports of Fu'an Marquis Zhu Chengwu's battle records in recent years, Duke Yan knew who the owner of that aura that far exceeded ordinary first-class was.

"Duke, the Marquis's injuries have been examined by Doctor Fan from the Marquis's Mansion!

Doctor Fan came from the Imperial Medical Bureau and has outstanding medical attainments!

He also said that the Marquis needs to rest!
The Marquis is currently recuperating from his injuries, so I won’t bother the Duke anymore!
Besides, it is forbidden to disturb someone who is recuperating in seclusion. Please take a rest for a while, and we will report to you later!"

Zhao Yuguang's internal energy surged, and he dodged and blocked the way of Duke Yan again.

"General Zhao, you repeatedly stopped our Duke from diagnosing Wu Ge'er. What is your intention?

Could it be that Brother Wu is really acting as some people in Beijing say? "

Duke Yan looked at Zhao Xinghan, who was blocking his way, with an unsuspecting expression and asked questions.

"My Lord, the Marquis is injured, and everyone in Xuzhou knows about it, how could this be an act?
It is true that the Duke is in seclusion to heal his wounds and cannot be disturbed. Please take a rest, Duke. After we report to you, the Duke will come to see you!"

Zhao Xinghan stood firmly in front of Duke Yan, his expression extremely ugly.

Duke Zhao said that there were rumors in the capital that Zhu Chengwu was acting, and Zhao Xinghan believed it.

After all, it’s a political struggle!

It's natural to throw dirty water on each other!

But if it was said that Duke Yan couldn't wait any longer because of this reason, Zhao Xinghan didn't believe it at all.

It has been so long since the incident happened, and the marks left on Zhu Chengwu's wounds have long disappeared with the passage of time!

Even the external wounds might have scabbed over.

What else can we find out by examining the Marquis’s wound now?
Who are you trying to fool by treating the Marquis's injuries?
The Marquis has been reluctant to come out, and the people in the Marquis' Mansion have long speculated that the Marquis must have gained some insights after experiencing life and death!
Plus the rare treasures from the Cui family...

Everyone in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion believes that once the Marquis comes out of seclusion, his strength will be greatly improved!
At this critical moment, how could Zhao Xinghan tolerate others to interrupt Zhu Chengwu's retreat.

Even if this person is the Duke of Yan, who was appointed by the court to investigate the assassination of the Marquis!

That doesn’t work either!

Moreover, the Duke of Yan suddenly came to the Marquis Fu'an Mansion. Perhaps he heard that the Marquis had some insights after his experience of life and death, and came specifically to interrupt the Marquis's process of enlightenment.

Otherwise, what if it was really just to investigate the assassination of the Marquis?
Why didn't you go to the Xuzhou government office to interrogate Zhu Zhiying, or to track down Huang Jun, but instead came to Fu'an Marquis' Mansion?

In the fight for the throne, Duke Yan had always been neutral.

This time, the king and the court appointed Duke Yan to investigate the assassination of Marquis Fu'an, but Duke Yan came to Marquis Fu'an's mansion first, and his attitude was so strong and unreasonable...

Does this mean that Duke Yan’s position has changed?
Or has the situation in the court changed?
Zhao Xinghan looked at the Duke of Yan in front of him, thinking constantly in his mind.

"General Zhao, are you sure you want to stop this duke?"

An extremely powerful aura suddenly rose from the Duke of Yan.

That is the aura of a master.

As one of the only two grandmasters among the Zhu clan, Duke Yan had even forgotten how long it had been since anyone dared to stop him head-on.

Duke Yan admired Zhao Xinghan's bravery, but he would not forgive his rudeness.

The reason why Duke Yan's attitude suddenly changed and he suddenly stood up for the Crown Prince was actually because before coming to Xuzhou Prefecture, King Ming had a long talk with Duke Yan.

It was from that conversation that Duke Yan completely understood King Ming's attitude.

The throne belongs to the prince!
If Marquis Fu'an obeys the arrangement, King Ming will reserve a position as the master of the Zhu family for him.

If you don't follow the arrangement, then...

If it is said that in the past Duke Yan only vaguely felt King Ming's bias, and thus was neutral on the surface but secretly biased towards the prince.

Now, the Duke of Yan has completely sided with the Crown Prince!
The wise king has shown great favor to the Duke of Yan.

Duke Yan must support King Ming’s decision!

However, Duke Yan felt that King Ming was indecisive and should restore order.

Preserve the glorious reputation of King Ming!
Block all possibilities that may go against the final decision of the Ming King!
Duke Yan didn't know what King Ming was thinking.

She actually thought that if Marquis Fu'an did not have any intention of disobeying her when passing the throne to the crown prince, she would help him become a master as soon as possible, so that he could use his master's strength to restrain the crown prince and preserve Marquis Fu'an's own safety and Queen Zhao's future status as the queen mother.

What kind of brain could come up with such a "best of both worlds" strategy?
Was this really the idea of ​​his wise and decisive uncle, King Ming?
Is this really the best of both worlds, rather than a fight to the death?

When Duke Yan first heard King Ming's plans for Marquis Fu'an's future during their conversation, his head was buzzing for a moment!
I felt like the Ming Wang in front of me had become a different person!

He is no longer the wise and decisive uncle of the Ming royal family!

But in the end, Duke Yan was sure that the wise king in front of him was still the same wise king, and he had not changed!

Ming Wang is just old and soft-hearted!
The thirty years of love between King Ming and Queen Zhao made King Ming lose his usual rationality and decisiveness!
After figuring everything out, Duke Yan did not question King Ming's arrangements in front of King Ming!
Duke Yan felt that there was no need to destroy the last "beautiful dream" of an old man who had devoted his life to the Ming Dynasty!

The Duke of Yan thought that he just needed to quietly help his uncle King Ming fill the loophole!

"Duke Yan is very powerful, Xing Han should not and does not have the ability to stop him, but it is our duty, Duke Yan, please forgive us!
Please also, Duke Yan, don’t forget that the old patriarch of the Zhao family is also in Xuzhou City right now!”

Under the pressure of Duke Yan's breath, Zhao Xinghan even began to have difficulty breathing!
But Zhao Xinghan still showed no sign of retreating.

Even though he had just recovered from an injury!

Even though he knew that if he faced Yan Guozheng face to face, he might be seriously injured again or even die.

On the contrary, Zhao Xinghan also warned Duke Yan that his and Marquis Fu'an's biggest backer, Zhao Yuguang, was in Xuzhou City!
You may come to Fu'an Marquis Mansion at any time!

"Old man Zhao, is that what you rely on to stand in front of our prince?

Yes, Old Man Zhao has always been the support of you Zhao family members!

But today, Old Man Zhao can no longer protect you!"

However, Duke Yan didn't care about Zhao Xinghan's warnings and threats at all.

Indeed, Zhao Yugang is also a master.

Moreover, Zhao Yuguang achieved the mastership much earlier than Duke Yan, and his achievements were much more outstanding!
But today, Zhao Yuguang was destined to be unable to interfere in the affairs of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Duke Yan’s words stunned Zhao Xinghan.

Just when Zhao Xinghan was thinking about what Duke Yan meant.

A voice that echoed throughout the city suddenly sounded.

“Hahahaha~~
"Old man Zhao, I heard that you went to Xuzhou City to bully others! You are really going backwards as you grow older!"

Such a large-scale sound transmission over thousands of miles...

Grandmaster, another grandmaster!
"Young man from the Chang family, why did you come to Xuzhou instead of staying in the northwest? Aren't you afraid that those Yuan barbarians will take advantage of your absence and completely slaughter the Chang family's roots in the northwest?"

Just when Zhao Xinghan was wondering who this suddenly appeared master was, the voice of Zhao Yuguang suddenly came from the Xuzhou government office.

Everything is clear!
The master who suddenly appeared was none other than Chang Qingshan, the current head of the Northwest Chang family and the Marquis of the Northwest, who was known as the Iron-Blooded Marshal.

"Old man Zhao!
My Chang family has guarded the northwest gate for the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years. I can't just sit there and do nothing while the members of my family and my daughter-in-law are bullied by outsiders!

That’s not the style of my Chang family!”

Hearing this familiar voice, Princess Changning and her husband, who had not yet left Xuzhou City, showed visibly joy on their faces.

"Father is here!"

"My father-in-law is here!"

Now that Marquis Xibei has arrived, Princess Changning and her husband are even more confident!
Over the past ten days or so, because of Zhao Yuguang's presence, although they seemed tough when they spoke in defense of the Crown Prince and Zuo Zongren, they still lacked confidence in their hearts.

Now, all that is gone.

Over the years, as Zhao Yuguang gradually grew older, the Zhao family had no young masters.

Under the leadership of the young and vigorous contemporary Northwest Marquis, the Northwest Chang family is showing a trend of catching up.

Xibei Hou and Zhao Yuguang are both masters. Although Zhao Yuguang achieved the mastership earlier and has deeper foundation, Xibei Hou is not powerless to resist.

With the appearance of Northwest Marquis Chang Qingshan, the entire Xuzhou City was immediately plunged into two colors.

Just like Princess Changning and her husband, who were clearly happy.

There are also people like Zhu Chengcheng, the descendant of Yan Hou, who feel like they have lost their parents and are worried about being retaliated against!
"Now, General Zhao, do you still want to stop this Duke?"

In the mansion of Marquis Fu'an, Duke Yan looked at Zhao Xinghan and asked.

Duke Yan wanted to see whether the Zhao family members in front of him could still be as tough as before without Zhao Yuguang, their biggest backer.

"Duke Yan, please take a rest! I will inform you first..."

Zhao Xinghan clenched his teeth and didn't move at all.

"Hmm~~"

Duke Yan snorted in dissatisfaction.

"Shuyun meets uncle!"

At this moment, a clear voice sounded behind Zhao Xinghan.

"Are you Wu Ge'er's new bride?!"

Duke Yan looked at the figure that came out in gorgeous attire.

In recent days, in order to serve as the face of the Fu'an Marquis Mansion and receive representatives from all parties, Cui Shuyun has been dressed up almost all day long.

After all, no one knew when someone would come with a visiting card and ask to see Cui Shuyun, the new wife of the Marquis of Fu'an.

Zhu Chengwu is now in seclusion to recuperate. In the eyes of outsiders, Cui Shujun is the person with the highest status in Fu'an Marquis Mansion!

Moreover, Xuzhou City is about to be in turmoil, and many forces close to the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion want to meet with the Fu'an Marquis and his wife to stabilize the emotions and morale of the army. At this time, Cui Shujun can't even close the door and refuse visitors.

Sometimes, Cui Shuyun also wondered whether Marquis Fu'an married a wife because he could not bear the disturbance of worldly affairs and wanted to find someone to ward off disaster for him.

Of course, this was just Cui Shuyun's complaint in her heart when she was annoyed.

Cui Shuyun knew in her heart that if many people were allowed to choose, they would probably prefer to enjoy this unbearable situation!
"Uncle has a keen eye!"

Cui Shuyun bowed to Duke Yan.

“No need to get close!

There's no point trying to get close to them!

I must see Wu Ge'er today!

Find out why he was injured!
Or to find out whether he is really injured?"

The Duke of Yan seemed to have stopped Cui Shuyun's attempts to curry favor.

But Duke Yan's attitude involuntarily softened a little.

At least he is willing to communicate and doesn't seem to be ready to start a fight!
This is the lubrication role that women play when men are confronting each other.

"The Marquis was seriously injured and is now recuperating in seclusion! He cannot be disturbed!

Please wait for a moment, uncle. After the Marquis comes out of seclusion, Shuyun will let him come to see my brother as soon as possible."

Cui Shuyun bowed again and pleaded with Duke Yan.

"It seems that you are determined to stop our prince today?
Then let's see if you have the ability to do it!"

Although the person in front of him was the new wife of Marquis Fu'an and the daughter-in-law of King Ming, Duke Yan finally decided not to argue with them anymore.

It would be bad if, because of arguing with them, Marquis Fu'an used this little bit of free time to successfully complete his comprehension!

Although this possibility is extremely small!

　Added update for the fourth milestone (1/2)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)