Chapter 271 - 267: The Unhinged Couple 31

Chapter 271: Chapter 267: The Unhinged Couple 31

Wu Chufeng didn’t care what Wu Wanqing was thinking.

In his eyes, she was nothing more than an ant. Why waste too much emotion on an ant?

Having reached his current position, he had long understood that power was the most important thing.

Everyone in the family would try to curry favor with his father.

And Wang Cuihua, who managed the household, could decide whether he ate his fill or went hungry.

The Emperor, with his supreme authority, could erase a lifetime of Wu Daniu’s struggles with a single sentence.

Therefore, someone like Wu Wanqing—a widow who was merely a daughter and mother relying solely on Wu Daniu’s favoritism—was completely useless.

Just an ant.

The fate of an ant was decided by a single word from a man of power like him.

In the current Wu Family, he was the one in power.

So what if his father, Wu Daniu, had relinquished this position to him?

He had calculated this outcome from the very day he brought Ji Xiaosong through the Wu Family’s gates.

Given Wu Daniu’s personality and way of doing things, this outcome was inevitable.

That night, Wu Chufeng sent men to take Wu Wanqing back home.

Not only that, but he also had a guard from the Vice Minister Mansion posted to watch her.

The Vice Minister Mansion had a small courtyard, but many guards and servants, so sending one out didn’t affect anything.

Xiao Mumu’s funeral was a bit shabby.

Wu Wanqing was so afraid of displeasing Wu Chufeng that she didn’t even dare to invite Wu Daniu.

But Wu Daniu found out about it eventually. After all, someone drowning in a cesspool was bound to become a piece of gossip.

His greatest fear had come to pass.

Wu Daniu went to Wu Chufeng’s study. Staring at the shelves packed with books, he felt a bit dazed.

"Chu Feng, do you think I made a mistake back then?"

Wu Chufeng raised an eyebrow slightly. Looking at his rather world-weary father, an imperceptible ripple stirred in his heart.

He stopped sorting the scrolls in his hands and slowly walked over to Wu Daniu, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face.

"Father, what are you talking about? You’ve lived an upright life and acted with a clear conscience. What could you possibly have done wrong?"

His tone seemed gentle, but it held a hint of detachment.

Wu Daniu let out a long sigh and slowly sat down in a chair in the study. His gaze fell to the floor as he seemed to sink deep into memory.

"In my life, I believed I’d accomplished something. I had hoped the family would prosper under my protection, but now... Mumu, that child, is gone just like that, and in such a disgraceful way. I keep wondering if I was too indulgent with her, if that’s what set her on this path of no return. Or perhaps I made a mistake in the family’s affairs that led to this situation."

At this, he looked up, his eyes filled with exhaustion and confusion, and stared directly at Wu Chufeng.

The corners of Wu Chufeng’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint, mocking smile.

"Father, that’s an interesting way to put it. Can you really explain away Xiao Mumu’s outrageous behavior at my and Xiaosong’s wedding as the result of indulgence? She had no respect for anything and acted recklessly. What happened to her can only be described as her own doing. As for the family, isn’t it thriving more than ever under my management? Look at my position in the imperial court—it’s far more stable than yours ever was."

Wu Daniu frowned, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face. "Chu Feng, how can you say that? Mumu was your niece, after all. Do you feel no familial affection for her at all?"

Wu Chufeng sneered. "Familial affection? In this world, power is the only reliable thing. Without power, what’s the use of affection? If my sister can accept reality and stop causing trouble, I naturally won’t treat her poorly. But if she remains obstinate, then she can’t blame me for being ruthless. Besides, I wasn’t the one who killed Xiao Mumu, and I don’t want to explain this again."

Hearing Wu Chufeng’s cold words, Wu Daniu felt a sharp pang in his heart.

He lowered his head again, his hands unconsciously tightening on the armrests of the chair, his knuckles turning white from the force.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly, his voice full of exhaustion and helplessness. "Chu Feng, I admit that in this day and age, power is indeed crucial. Perhaps you’re right, and Mumu brought her fate upon herself. But our Wu Family cannot endure any more turmoil now."

Wu Daniu looked up, his eyes filled with sincerity as he stared at Wu Chufeng:

"Your younger brothers are still young; they don’t understand the complexity and cruelty of this world. I’ve already lost my influence and can no longer protect them. I know you’ve now established a firm foothold in the court and have enough power. I beg you, for the sake of them being your own brothers, to look after them in the future."

Wu Chufeng narrowed his eyes slightly. "Father, whether these brothers of mine have a future or not depends on them. I can provide them with opportunities, but if they lack ambition and act recklessly, I won’t blindly protect them."

Wu Daniu nodded slightly. He knew Wu Chufeng’s personality well, so getting such a response was already the best possible outcome.

"Chu Feng, I understand. You have your own considerations. I just hope you’ll remember your blood ties and lend them a hand when they’re in trouble."

As he spoke, Wu Daniu slowly stood up, his figure appearing even more stooped.

He walked toward the study door, each step heavy.

At the doorway, he paused again and looked back, giving Wu Chufeng a long, deep look.

Then, with a long sigh, he slowly disappeared into the darkness outside the study.

Wu Chufeng stood at the study window, watching his father depart. He stood there for a long while, only turning to return to his room after the silhouette had completely vanished into the darkness.

Upon entering the bedroom, he found the air filled with the faint scent of incense. Ji Xiaosong, having already bathed, was sitting on the edge of the bed, engrossed in an ancient book.

She wore a simple, light-colored inner robe, her waterfall of black hair cascading casually over her shoulders. The flickering candlelight played across her gentle face, adding a touch of allure.

Wu Chufeng’s gaze was instantly drawn to her, and the exhaustion and gloom in his heart seemed to dissipate somewhat in that moment.

He quietly approached, sat down beside Ji Xiaosong, and reached out to gently brush a lock of hair from her ear.

Sensing his approach, Ji Xiaosong looked up to meet his gaze, her eyes full of concern. "Did your talk with Father go well today? You looked rather somber when you returned."

Wu Chufeng sighed softly and briefly told Ji Xiaosong about his conversation with Wu Daniu.

Ji Xiaosong listened quietly. When he finished, she gently squeezed his hand and comforted him, "The affairs of this world are inherently complex. The rise and fall of a family, its honor and disgrace, can hardly be controlled by one person’s efforts. You’ve already done very well. Don’t worry too much."

Wu Chufeng had indeed done very well. To become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War just after his coming-of-age ceremony was not a position an ordinary person could hold securely.

"Song Song, talking with Father today made me feel more than ever that you are the only person in this world I truly cherish. Our life since we married has been busy, but fulfilling. It’s just... there’s something that’s been on my mind, and I want to share it with you."