After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 219 Another Fang Family Member Arrives
Next, Lin Yunche brought up the matter of going to Kyoto. He had mentioned these things to Yang Cong before, but because it was inconvenient for the two to communicate, they had not discussed them together.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Yang Cong took out a route map he had drawn in advance from his pocket.

"Lord Lin, the second prince of the Northern Dynasty capital is currently searching the entire country for fine horses."

“Our caravan is a well-known horse trading company, so this is certainly an opportunity.”

"Let's go all the way from the heartland," Yang Cong said, pointing to the map and looking at Lin Yunche.

Lin Yunche had this intention all along. It is said that the most dangerous place is the safest place. The rulers of the Northern Dynasty probably never imagined that he would have the courage to venture deep into their territory.

"Okay! Let's take this route."

Yang Cong did not expect Lin Yunche to agree so readily.

"Lord Lin, your straightforwardness has left me with some things I didn't have time to say," Yang Cong said with a helpless smile.

Lin Yunche smiled and said, "No need to say anything, I understand."

Yang Cong nodded and proceeded to make the arrangements according to the route they had decided on.

"What a good horse! What a good horse!"

Pan Hu and Xu Long dismounted and praised him repeatedly.

Ma Yu's face was also flushed. He had just dismounted and was eager to join Pan Hu and the others in their discussion.

But Ma Yu only said two sentences before Cao Zhe followed.

As soon as Cao Zhe arrived, Pan Hu and Xu Long dispersed.

Ma Yu had a lot to say but nowhere to say it. "Brother Cao, what brings you here!"

"Do you scholars also like horses?"

Cao Zhe was furious. "If I don't come, are you planning to join Lin Yunche's group?"

"How can you face the Prince of Huai?"

Ma Yu's temper flared up instantly, "Who exactly is the one who has wronged the Prince!"

"Now you're telling me all this again, Brother Cao, are you really that kind of person?"

After Ma Yu finished speaking, she stormed off without waiting for Cao Zhe to say anything more.

Cao Zhe stood there, stunned. "Who am I? Who am I really?"

"These are all expedient measures, expedient measures."

Cao Zhe was practically ready to lay his heart bare for Ma Yu to see; in the Northern Dynasty, this brat was all he could rely on right now.

But now he has actually become disloyal.

Cao Zhe felt this wouldn't work; he probably needed to find an opportunity to contact the Prince of Huai.

Unlike Cao Zhe, who was in a state of utter distress, the Prince of Huai was enjoying fine wine in the palace.

Until a servant came over and whispered two words in the ear of the Prince of Huai.

The Prince of Huai suddenly burst into laughter.

"Is it really confirmed?"

"Did Lin Yunche really go to the Northern Dynasty?"

The servant hurriedly replied, "They've gone! They've really gone!"

"Are all our people ready?"

"Without Lin Yunche, Huaizhou City should now return to my embrace."

"Ready, just..."

The Prince of Huai raised his eyebrows, his imposing presence intimidating his servants, who dared not keep him in suspense any longer.

“But Cao Zhe and Ma Yu have both been taken away by Lin Yunche. I’m afraid they have already betrayed the Prince.” The servant of the Prince of Huai’s mansion immediately knelt down and said.

Betrayal was the most intolerable thing for the Prince of Huai.

Previously, one of the advisors left the Prince of Huai's residence and went directly to Prince Xuan.

The entire family of that advisor was killed by the Prince of Huai. From then on, none of the advisors who had joined the Prince of Huai dared to have any disloyal intentions.

But now, Cao Zhe and Ma Yu have both joined Lin Yunche's side.
As expected, the Prince of Huai's expression immediately turned very ugly.

But thinking of his own purpose, he suppressed his anger. It was possible that Cao Zhe would betray him, but Ma Yu would never do so.
The Prince of Huai beckoned with his finger, signaling his men to come over.

The servants thought that he must be rewarded for discovering such information.

On the surface, he remained obsequious, but inwardly he was quite excited, especially when he saw the Prince of Huai beckoning to him, which solidified his earlier thoughts.

The servant walked up to the Prince of Huai, who reached out and placed his hand on the servant's neck. With a gentle twist, the servant died.

Those serving him were used to it and immediately carried the body away.

"There are some things you shouldn't know, so you shouldn't know them."

"This is what happens to someone!"

The Prince of Huai gently wiped the hand that had just broken someone's neck with a hot towel, his smile dark and ruthless.

"Zhuang Qi!"

Mr. Zhuang had been waiting in the side hall, and when he heard the Prince of Huai calling him, he came immediately.

Zhuang Qi naturally saw the corpse that had just been carried out, and his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

"Your Highness, you wanted to see me!"

The Prince of Huai informed Zhuang Qi that Lin Yunche had gone to the Northern Dynasty.

"Send someone over now, find someone clever, and take Huaizhou City back into your hands."

Zhuang Qi naturally understood the importance of Huaizhou City to the Prince of Huai; their 200,000 troops were constantly in need of money.
We still need to make money in Huaizhou City.

"Yes! Your Highness, please wait for the good news."

Zhuang Qi then met with a wealthy businessman. "Do you know what to do?" Zhuang Qi asked the businessman with a smile.

The wealthy merchant bowed and said with a smile, "Don't worry, sir! Our family has been doing business in Jiangnan for three generations. No one knows better than us how to do it."

Zhuang Qi was naturally relieved; the Fang family had been merchants for generations, and such a small matter would be no problem for them.

So he let Fang Xu leave without worry.

"The Fang family, the Fang family," Zhuang Qi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It was precisely because of the Fang family's arrival that Huaizhou City, which had only recently returned to peace, was thrown into turmoil once again.

First, there's the brokerage firm, whose owner is currently being forced by Fang Xu to sell his shop.

"Shopkeeper, you see, all these shops of yours were originally going to be sold anyway."

"Instead of selling to other companies one by one, you might as well sell to me all at once."

The brokerage manager naturally couldn't directly refute the customers who came to the brokerage.

“Mr. Fang, since we are buying a shop, we should naturally buy it according to the market price.”

“The price you offered is too low. Not only can our brokerage firm not make the decision, but the owners of these shops may not be able to accept the price you offered.”

Fang Xu picked up his teacup and sneered, a laugh that sent chills down the spine of the broker.

He seemed to have felt this way before. When was it?

The broker racked his brains and suddenly remembered that when the Fang family first came to Huaizhou City, they started by buying up shops at low prices in the same shameless and domineering way.

How come a man surnamed Fang arrived so soon after the Fang family left?

The broker was furious, but dared not show it.

Fang Xu had finally managed to get on the good side of Prince Huai. Although he had to make money for Prince Huai, he also had to get some benefits in return.

Just like the Fang family back then, the Fang family ended up like that because they were too foolish and offended too many people they shouldn't have.

The Fang family wouldn't do that.

"If you think the price is too low, we can discuss it further."

"However," Fang Xu showed the token given to him by the Prince of Huai, "I hope the manager can convey my sincerity to all the owners."

What could the brokerage manager say?
The most powerful person they could find in this northern region was the Prince of Huai.

"Of course! Of course!" The broker had no choice but to agree reluctantly.

Before leaving, Fang Xu gave the broker a final quote. Fortunately, although these prices were lower than the market price, they weren't outright robbery.

But with the purchase of ten shops at once, not only is he extravagant, but he also has the Prince of Huai as his backer. Is Huaizhou City about to undergo another upheaval?
Fang Xu acted quickly, buying ten shops from each of the various brokerage firms.

In Huaizhou City, if someone suddenly bought thirty shops, that would be big news.

All the business people were watching this Fang family closely. They didn't know what business he was in, but everyone knew that no matter what business he was in, the original shop owners in that business were going to suffer.

That day, after lunch, Bai Wanqing went out to visit Furong at the Du family's house.

Furong is quite far along in her pregnancy and hardly ever goes out anymore. The thing that makes her happiest is when her older sister comes to visit her every few days.

It just so happens that Du Huan also returned from the academy today.

Du Huan usually couldn't take leave from his academy, but because Fu Rong was pregnant, the academy made an exception and allowed Du Huan to come out and see his wife.

The two of them were standing at the door, eagerly waiting for Bai Wanqing to arrive.

"Big sister!" As soon as Furong saw Bai Wanqing's carriage, she excitedly tried to go forward, but Du Huan pulled her back for fear that she would get hurt.

Bai Wanqing was also very happy to see Furong. "Don't worry, I'll be right down."

So, Bai Wanqing jumped off the carriage and walked towards Furong with a smile.

She glanced at Furong's belly and nodded, saying, "The baby is growing well, not too big. It should be easy to give birth in a few days."

Furong was very happy that her older sister said that, "Big sister said it's good!"

Du Huan looked at Furong with eyes full of doting affection, "It's good that she's born well! It's good that she's born well!"

They entered Du Furong's courtyard. Because Furong was pregnant, the people serving her in the courtyard were very careful.

Bai Wanqing has been coming frequently these days, and they have all gotten to know this eldest daughter of the Bai family.

"Big sister, look!" Furong took out a small piece of clothing from the cabinet.

"This is something I made especially for the baby," Furong said with a smile, rubbing her belly.

"The stitches are fine and the flower pattern is lifelike. Hibiscus, she must have felt your feelings," Bai Wanqing said.

Furong nodded happily, but then for some reason, she was filled with worry.

"Big sister, there's something I've always wanted to ask you, but I've never dared to."

Furong looked down at the finished little clothes and said with fear in her eyes.

Bai Wanqing took Furong's hand and whispered, "Furong, the baby is alright."

Furong suddenly looked up, "Are you alright?"

“Coco, I heard people in other courtyards say that I’m stupid, and maybe my child will be stupid too.”

Furong touched her belly and looked at Bai Wanqing longingly, "Big sister, do you think she might end up like me!"

"No!" Bai Wanqing said firmly.

"No! No!" Furong repeated Bai Wanqing's words, her face once again beaming with a happy smile.

Du Huan smiled with relief, "I told you long ago that it wouldn't happen, but you didn't believe me."

"It seems you still trust your eldest sister the most."

Furong smiled sweetly, "Big sister, I believe you, I believe you the most!"

(End of this chapter)