Chapter 364: The Conflict Between Yan Fuzhen and Yu Mingche
Chapter 364: Chapter 364: The Conflict Between Yan Fuzhen and Yu Mingche
"Family Head, General Ying has collected two chests of Thunder Spirit Stones and had them sent over for your inspection," Yan Fuzhen reported as he came in.
Ning Xuan was leaning against Yu Mingche, playing with his hair. Yan Fuzhen’s sudden voice startled the already distracted Ning Xuan, and with a sudden pull, she almost tore out the strand of Yu Mingche’s hair twisted around her fingers.
"Sorry, did that hurt?" Ning Xuan looked at Yu Mingche apologetically, stroking his face. Her gaze traveled down from his face to his neck, where a vivid red love bite rested on his fair, slender skin. Her eyes continued downward. Ning Xuan knew there were even more marks beneath his collar.
"It doesn’t hurt, Family Head. Housekeeper Yan is outside," Yu Mingche said, awkwardly pulling his collar up.
Ning Xuan knew Yu Mingche was easily embarrassed. She straightened her clothes, returned to her own seat, and sat up properly.
"Bring them in," Yu Mingche called out.
Yan Fuzhen led in four Attendants carrying two large, jewel-encrusted chests. They opened the lids, revealing shimmering Thunder Spirit Stones that radiated waves of Thunder Energy.
Ning Xuan stood up and approached the chests, examining the Spirit Stones inside with great interest. Although these Spirit Stones were exceptionally rare, they weren’t of much help for the predicament she currently faced in her Cultivation. However, once she broke through her current bottleneck, these Spirit Stones would become useful.
"Housekeeper Yan, prepare a thank-you gift for the soldiers who worked hard to transport the Spirit Stones." After her inspection, Ning Xuan was about to store the two chests of Thunder Spirit Stones into her Space Button.
"Yes, Family Head," Yan Fuzhen replied.
"Wait, Family Head. The chests are quite deep; we don’t know if there might be other items inside. For your safety, we should inspect them more thoroughly," Yu Mingche interjected.
"President Yu, these two chests of Thunder Spirit Stones were personally sealed by General Ying, and the people who transported them are his trusted confidants. There’s no need to inspect them again, is there?" Yan Fuzhen said, his expression serious.
"It doesn’t matter who sent it; everything must be inspected. Feng Linran, check them." With a wave of Yu Mingche’s hand, Feng Linran stepped forward from behind a curtain. Someone behind him brought over two new wooden chests.
"Family Head, General Ying is completely devoted to you. Don’t you trust him?" Yan Fuzhen asked Ning Xuan, looking hurt.
Before Yu Mingche moved into the Qingluan Mountain villa, Yan Fuzhen had deliberately avoided any contact with Ying Yaoshi. He didn’t want Ning Xuan to misunderstand and think he was still loyal to his former master or not devoted enough to her.
But now, with Yu Mingche’s arrival—and especially during the six months Ning Xuan was missing—the points of conflict between Yu Mingche and Yan Fuzhen were becoming more and more frequent.
"Housekeeper Yan, this has nothing to do with trust. Since I’ve authorized Ming Che to handle the family’s affairs, it’s only natural that I listen to him on matters like this. He’s just following procedures, not targeting anyone. Aren’t you overreacting a little?" Ning Xuan questioned, frowning.
"You weren’t like this before. Are you failing to recognize your place now, or have you grown arrogant from your past achievements and become unwilling to follow orders?" Ning Xuan asked, scrutinizing the pale-faced Yan Fuzhen.
Hearing Ning Xuan’s words, Yan Fuzhen immediately dropped to one knee. "Family Head, I was only afraid you were favoring a newcomer and would hurt General Ying’s earnest devotion. In my haste, I spoke improperly. I am willing to accept punishment."
Ning Xuan ignored him. At Yu Mingche’s instruction, Feng Linran was already inspecting the Spirit Stones one by one and moving them into the new chests.
Feng Linran worked quickly, finishing his inspection of the two chests of Spirit Stones in about ten minutes. "Family Head, the Thunder Spirit Stones have been inspected. There are no issues. These two chests also have no problems. Please accept them."
Ning Xuan stored away the two inspected chests of Thunder Spirit Stones. "Housekeeper Yan, you have helped me a great deal while at my side, and I remember all your contributions. In the two years you’ve been with me, I believe I have not treated you unfairly. For the sake of our once-harmonious relationship, if you have other ideas, you can tell me. We can part on good terms and avoid any resentment," Ning Xuan said.
Yan Fuzhen’s bowed head snapped up, his face a mask of disbelief. Deep within his eyes was a profound panic. ’The Qingluan Mountain villa is Ning Xuan’s primary residence. The Marshal doesn’t have time to always be by her side; I can’t leave this place.’
"I swear to follow the Family Head until death and will never leave. Please, Family Head, see my sincerity. I am completely loyal to you and have no ulterior motives!" Yan Fuzhen pledged, placing his fisted right hand over his heart to show his loyalty to Ning Xuan.
"I hope so. Housekeeper Yan, go back and reflect on your actions. Yu Mingche is my Contractor. You may supervise his actions, but you cannot openly challenge his authority. If you transgress again in the future, you will be dealt with according to the household rules." With that, Ning Xuan left her seat, and Yu Mingche departed with her.
Feng Linran watched Yan Fuzhen rise with a heavy expression. He shot him a provocative glance, walked up to him, and said in a low voice, "Yan Fuzhen, even the master behind you can’t win against our Governor, yet you still dare to jump out and make trouble. Be careful you don’t get kicked out by the Family Head one day. You won’t be able to explain that to your master when you go back."
Yan Fuzhen gave Feng Linran a cold look and a disdainful smirk. "Your master is favored, but what does that have to do with you? You’ve been hovering around the Family Head for so long," Yan Fuzhen leaned in slightly, his hushed voice laced with biting sarcasm, "but has the Family Head ever given you a proper look?"
Seeing Feng Linran’s furious expression, his fists clenched tightly, Yan Fuzhen leisurely smoothed his cuffs, the disdain in his eyes deepening. "The Family Head can’t even be bothered to look at you. You have no real duties in this villa, which is why Yu Mingche’s work is constrained by me. And you have the nerve to stand here and mock me? How ridiculous."
Rage churned in Feng Linran’s eyes, but he suddenly broke into a cold smile. "Yan Fuzhen, all you can do is run your mouth. When the Governor tells you to do something, do you dare disobey? You were just trying to test Miss Ning’s attitude, weren’t you? Did you get what you wanted?"
A chill flashed in Yan Fuzhen’s eyes. Before he could speak, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. The two men instantly composed their expressions and took half a step back from each other, as if the tense, sword-drawn atmosphere from moments before had never existed.
"Housekeeper Yan, someone is here to visit the Family Head. This is their calling card," an Attendant said, hurrying over and handing a card with gold floral embossing to Yan Fuzhen.
Yan Fuzhen opened the card, and his expression changed. He immediately contacted Ning Xuan through the smart home system. "What is it?"
Ning Xuan asked lazily.
"Family Head," Yan Fuzhen reported, "Young Master Yun’s mother, Zhu Hongying, and his father, Yun Tianming, along with Young Master Lin’s mother, Lin Yuzhi, have come to call on you. They just submitted their card and wish to visit this afternoon."
"They came together?" Ning Xuan asked.
"Yes. They only sent one card," Yan Fuzhen replied.
"Looks like something’s up," Ning Xuan murmured to herself.