FID – Chapter 740

Chapter 740: Who Told You to Target the Liu Family?

Staring at Feng Qingbai with bloodshot eyes, Minister Zuo growled, “Do you think the court officials are fools? Do you think the people of the world are fools? You suddenly bring out these so-called pieces of evidence and claim that I’m guilty of treason! Feng Qingbai, who do you think will believe you?!”

Feng Qingbai shook his head and calmly replied, “I don’t need others to believe me. I just need them to doubt.”

There were many clever people around, and he didn’t need everyone to believe. But once the seed of doubt was planted, it would one day shake their trust.

Minister Zuo, who had lost the people’s trust, would no longer be the Left Prime Minister. And then he would no longer be a threat.

Minister Zuo’s facial muscles twitched, and he gritted his teeth with all his might. He failed to control himself and grabbed the iron bars, his eyes filled with murderous intent. 

“I have devoted myself to the welfare of Nanling, and have never wronged the country or the court! I have served two emperors, and my achievements are illustrious! Feng Qingbai, even if you want to deal with me, you should not completely destroy me and accuse me of treason, putting my entire manor to death! Once the birds are shot, the bow is hidden; once the dog has served its purpose, it is cooked. You will make the court officials lose faith!”

Feng Qingbai silently watched him for a moment before turning and walking away.

In the dark and damp corridor of the prison, a faint voice, as gentle as the breeze, seemed to echo, “Who told you to target the Liu family?”

Inside the cell, the figure gripping the iron bars stiffened. After a long pause, he let out a maniacal laugh.

He had lost. He had lost because he targeted the Liu family!

Otherwise, Feng Qingbai wouldn’t have directly cut off his support, placing him in a position of certain defeat in one fell swoop!

And once he was branded a traitor, his downfall was assured. The matter of whether Liu Zhixia was a traitor would no longer need investigation—it would be directly cleared!

What a clever Feng Qingbai!

Minister Zuo was accused of colluding with the enemy, harboring treasonous thoughts, and framing loyal officials. Though the higher-ups said they would investigate thoroughly, the crime had already been attached to him. Even if they investigated, it would just be to see if there was any chance to clear his name.

The Prime Minister manor instantly became the target of public scorn.

In the past, the people of the manor could walk anywhere with their heads held high, receiving countless compliments and admiration. But now, overnight, they had become like a drowning dog, everyone shouting for them to be struck down.

Especially Zuo Xuan.

After marrying into the Ding family, because of Minister Zuo’s influence, no matter how arrogant she was, the Ding family tried their best to endure it.

Now that he had fallen, who would continue to tolerate a cripple?

When she received the divorce letter, Zuo Xuan couldn’t believe it.

Her grandfather had fallen.

The Prime Minister’s Manor was gone.

In order to distance themselves from the traitor, the Ding family had divorced her.

She was a cripple, and a cripple who had lost her ability to bear children.

She had nowhere to go!

Her mind was filled with memories of the Ding family’s matriarch, pointing her finger at her with sharp and bitter insults, the indifferent face of the Ding family head, the cold, heartless eyes of her husband, and the mocking, disdainful laughter of the concubine.

In a daze, Zuo Xuan unknowingly found herself standing in front of the King’s Manor.

She stared at the low-key yet luxurious mansion, and the four large characters ‘King of Nanling’s Manor’ hanging on the plaque in front of the door, feeling a sense of confusion.

A carriage approached from the side, slowly coming to a stop. 

Zuo Xuan turned her head and saw the carriage curtain lift. The man who descended from the carriage was the most esteemed man in all of Nanling.

Handsome, graceful, and with an air of strength, every movement he made radiated elegance and nobility.

She had once yearned for him.

She was right in front of the carriage, but it was as if the man didn’t see her at all, brushing past her without a glance.

“Feng Qingbai, I will ask you one thing. When I had the miscarriage, causing me to lose my ability to bear children, was it you who did it?”

The man seemed to have not heard her.

“Does she know about the dark, ruthless side of you?”

The man had already stepped across the threshold of the King’s Manor and instructed the doorman, who had bowed to welcome him, “No outsiders are allowed to linger in front of the royal residence. Be more careful in the future.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

From beginning to end, he didn’t spare her a single glance or utter a word in response.

This was the greatest form of disdain he could show her.

After that day, no one saw Zuo Xuan again, no one knew where she went, and no one cared.

With the fall of Minister Zuo’s faction, the officials under his influence were all in fear, having to lay low for a long time before being absorbed by other powers.

His faction disappeared from the court.

That was a story for another time.

At this moment, inside the King’s Manor, the living room was filled with lively conversation and laughter.

For the first time, the family was all together. With the worst behind them, the elderly couple were both overjoyed, their faces glowing with happiness.

After the morning court, the palace immediately sent an imperial edict written by the Emperor himself to clear the names of Elder Yang and Liu Zhixia. 

The family members of Elder Yang, who were in exile, were also being recalled.

The imperial edict, clearing their names, was posted in front of the city gates, and by this time, the entire capital had already heard the news.

Liu Zhixia, holding his Xiao Maodou, sat beside Fu Yuzheng with the elders, listening to their loud conversations and laughter, a faint, content smile on his face.

Because of his troubles, his family had suffered, but thankfully, everything ended peacefully. Otherwise, even if his name were cleared, his life would never recover from the turmoil.

So, he was deeply grateful to Xue Qinglian or rather, Xue Honglian. If it weren’t for her timely rescue, his family would have been destroyed.

And then there was his little Xiao Maodou. His wife had told him that during that time, the child had lost quite a lot of weight, but thanks to Xue Honglian’s meticulous arrangements, the child was now healthy, plump, and full of energy.

At this moment, Xue Qinglian was surrounded by the elders of the Liu family and others like Liu Zhiqiu and Liu Muqiu, looking utterly helpless.

Liu Yusheng, who knew his situation well, felt no sympathy and propped his chin up, watching the drama unfold with amusement.

“Qinglian, when will your brother come out?” Grandma Liu asked curiously. Her eyes were fixed on Xue Qinglian, as if trying to find some hidden mechanism on him, hoping that pressing a button would make someone appear or change.

“Grandma Liu, that’s my younger brother. I’m the older one,” Xue Qinglian groaned in pain, having emphasized this countless times.

“Doesn’t seem like it. Your brother looks much more mature.”

“……”

“Hey, Xue Qinglian, hurry and bring your brother out! Let me spar with him for a bit, give me some pointers. His martial arts are way better than yours. How come you’re so far behind him?” Liu Zhiqiu circled around him, his eyes sparkling.

Xue Qinglian’s face twisted for a moment before he suddenly became expressionless. “Yes, I’m far behind.”

He then snapped, “Xue Honglian, get the hell down here!”

Bang! A punch, and the person fainted.

The Liu family: “…”

Then they watched as the fainted person suddenly opened his eyes, his whole demeanor changing to one of cold, restrained composure.

Liu Yusheng rubbed his forehead. “Heilian, do you always have to be so violent every time you show up?”

“No beating, not behaving,” came the reply, unwilling to let him out.

“You… you’re Honglian?” Grandma and Grandpa Liu both widened their eyes in surprise, scanning the man from head to toe before nodding. “I knew it, Honglian must be the older brother. He looks more mature and steady than Qinglian. Honglian, you are the older brother, right?”

“Yes.”

“Master Honglian, would you have time to spar with me sometime? Give me some pointers? You were able to fight to a standstill with Feng Qingbai, that’s just amazing!”

Liu Yusheng swore she saw a flash of smugness in Heilian’s eyes!