Chapter 6

Inside the inn.

Chu Liang repeated Shen Gongao's original words and then said, "Third Young Master, this is a very difficult situation. Lord Hou is waiting for my reply. If you cannot provide a perfect explanation, you will not be allowed to leave Zhenhai City and must never return."

Wu Que took out an envelope and handed it to Chu Liang, saying, "Give this letter to him. If he hasn't completely lost his mind, he should understand."

Half an hour later.

Shen Gongao was drenched in sweat, as if he had just returned from hell.

Just now, his condition had flared up again. He was alone in the room, collapsed on the ground, convulsing, and completely losing his dignity.

But now, he only looked a bit pale, and his overall demeanor was still commanding.

"This is the letter from Young Master Wu Que." Chu Liang handed it over.

Shen Gongao took the letter and noticed it was sealed with wax. He inwardly sneered, thinking Wu Que was putting on airs.

He opened the letter, pulled out the paper inside, and his face immediately changed dramatically.

He read it again, then grabbed the paper, crumpled it up, and tore it into pieces.

The letter read: "Shen Gongao, you have an incurable disease. Since you are unkind, I cannot be unjust and have returned to treat you. In this world, only I can cure your illness!"

The letter addressed him by name without even calling him father, and it started with the news of an incurable disease, no wonder Shen Gongao was furious.

After crumpling the paper, Shen Gongao stood up abruptly and said angrily, "Go tell that rebellious son that I am fine and don't need his curses. He can leave, leave Zhenyuan City, and I never want to see him again."

Chu Liang was speechless, not knowing what the young master had written that could make Lord Hou so furious.

...

The next morning, a warrior appeared before Wu Que.

"Young Master Wu Que, my master wants to see you."

Wu Que's mind began to recall various faces, finally settling on one.

He nodded and said, "Please lead the way."

Following the warrior, he arrived at a delicate estate with a fish pond.

A refined middle-aged man was fishing in a pavilion.

"Would you like to join me, young nephew?" the middle-aged man asked.

Wu Que stepped forward, picked up a fishing rod, and joined him.

"Do you still remember me, young nephew?" the middle-aged man asked.

Wu Que replied, "I remember, Lord Fu."

The middle-aged man before him was Fu Jian, the governor of Tianshui Province.

This man should also be on Wu Que's list of enemies. Although the details were not yet clear, the fall of the Ying family was partly due to this Fu Jian.

More tragically, the Fu family had once been a vassal of the Ying family, and this Fu Jian had received great favors from the Ying family.

Fu Jian said, "Your relationship with your father is strained, and I bear some responsibility. I failed to discipline Caiwei, which led to the intense trauma you suffered eight years ago, causing you to run away from home."

Fu Caiwei.

The pride of the academy, the most dazzling star in the south, the dream lover of many.

She was a genius in both literature and martial arts.

Shen Wuque had once been deeply infatuated with her, to the point of obsession. His decision to study history and astronomy was all because of this woman.

This woman once sighed in the library, looking at countless books, "The vast history of ten thousand years is like a boundless sea. It is so captivating that one might want to give up everything and immerse oneself in it. I only regret not having enough time to uncover the fascinating truths within."

This woman once lay on the grass with Shen Wuque, looking at the stars and sighing, "Looking at the vast sky, we feel so insignificant. I believe the ultimate goal of humanity is the vast universe, the most noble ideal."

While she sighed, she focused on two areas of study: martial arts and esoteric texts.

Only Shen Wuque foolishly went to study history and astronomy.

After many years of study, he had delved quite deeply, but when he looked up, he found that Fu Caiwei had already left him far behind.

After being humiliated by his father, Shen Wuque went on a mad revenge against his family, fleeing from his wedding and leaving home without a clear goal.

Fu Caiwei came to him, sharing deep conversations and giving the lost Shen Wuque a life goal: to find an ancient treasure for the academy, earn merit, and enter the academy council to realize his life's value.

For this goal, Shen Wuque wandered for eight years and almost found the ancient treasure.

Shen Wuque's feelings for Fu Caiwei were truly deep.

But now, looking down on this memory, he found it laughable.

Fu Caiwei!

Just a top-notch绿茶 (green tea) girl.

Or rather, a female sea king! Even worse than a prostitute.

"Caiwei has already married," Fu Jian said, then watched Wu Que's reaction.

"I know," Wu Que immediately understood the underlying meaning. Fu Jian thought his return was entirely because of Fu Caiwei's marriage, and he was happy to let him think that.

Fu Jian asked, "Young nephew, have you gained anything from your eight years of travel?"

Wu Que immediately understood, this was a covert probe to see if he had found the ancient treasure the academy wanted.

He said expressionlessly, "Nothing, just this handsome face."

Fu Jian's face twitched; chatting with a brain-dead youth was exhausting. But Wu Que had no choice; no one would believe the truth.

Fu Jian asked, "Young nephew, what are your plans for this return?"

Wu Que replied, "I have plans, but it's not convenient to say."

Fu Jian was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "This Wu Que is already twenty-six, yet still so naive."

Fu Jian said kindly, "Your relationship with your father is tense. Would you like me to mediate and arrange a dinner to ease the tension?"

Wu Que replied, "No need."

Fu Jian hesitated, wanting Wu Que to ask, but Wu Que deliberately did not.

Suddenly, Wu Que said, "Lord Fu, your fish has bitten the hook. Aren't you going to reel it in?"

Fu Jian replied, "All things have a spirit. Fishing is a refined activity, not for the fish."

Wu Que said, "Truly worthy of a father and daughter, both like to raise fish but not eat them."

Fu Jian turned his head and laughed, "Young nephew, you have a hidden meaning in your words."

Wu Que's lips curled, indicating a smile but said nothing.

Fu Jian said, "By the way, young nephew, did you hear any rumors on your return?"

Wu Que replied, "No."

Fu Jian said, "There are rumors outside that your father has fainted and convulsed several times on the battlefield. As an old friend, I am very worried, but you know your father's pride. As his son, I want you to persuade him to seek medical help. I have brought three famous doctors who can treat him at any time."

At this moment, Fu Jian's eyes were full of concern.

But for some reason, this gaze reminded Wu Que of a crocodile's tears.

...

Shen Gongao had another episode.

It had been less than a day since the last one.

His wife, Mu Hongyu, tightly embraced her husband.

In her mind, her husband Shen Gongao was always tall, proud, and incredibly strong, a pillar of the sky, and could not lose his dignity.

She absolutely would not allow her husband to convulse on the ground.

After about ten minutes, the episode finally ended.

Shen Gongao was drenched in cold sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of water.

"Big Sister, I'm fine."

Mu Hongyu still held her husband's head in her arms, her eyes filled with tears but not falling.

Mu Hongyu was four years older than Shen Gongao. She had been beautiful in her youth, but now she had lost her charm.

"Husband, let's see a doctor, let's see a doctor," Mu Hongyu said.

Shen Gongao replied, "We can't see a doctor. At this critical moment, we can't let anyone know I am seriously ill. Haven't you noticed? These wolves are lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce. If I show any weakness, they will attack."

"Emperor has enfeoffed me as a marquis, but what about the fief? According to precedent, a quarter of the land conquered in the south should belong to the Shen family. This time, I destroyed several thousand troops of the Daliguo, and our private army suffered heavy losses. According to precedent, the new fief should have been enfeoffed, but it hasn't been."

Mu Hongyu said, "They say they are still measuring the land."

Shen Gongao replied, "It has been measured long ago; it's just an excuse. Fu Jian is the governor of Tianshui Province. He should have left after the triumphal ceremony, but he hasn't. Why didn't the emperor send his son to the triumphal ceremony? All these signs indicate that if my illness is confirmed, the 3,000 square kilometers of fief will be lost, and even our current estate will be in danger."

Mu Hongyu said, "Your condition is getting worse. If not treated, it might really..."

Shen Gongao replied, "Fortunately, each episode, though intense, does not leave lasting damage. We must endure this period and wait for the imperial decree to enfeoff the new fief."

After speaking, Shen Gongao tried to stand up.

But...

His face changed, as his right leg seemed to be paralyzed, collapsing.

...

Note: Second update. Do you still have monthly votes and recommendations?