Ruyue and Ruhua, noticing the Princess Consort’s gaze, quickly stepped forward to join in restraining the boy.
They had both been present when Jiang Wanwen fainted. Moreover, due to that collision, the Princess Consort had remained unconscious for a full day and night, and even now, a large bump remained on her forehead!
In their hearts, Ruhua and Ruyue also held little affection for this Little Master. How could he lay hands on his own birth mother? He was simply despicable.
With so many people holding him down, Fu Xuanchen was soon crying out for his father and eldest brother between sobs.
Jiang Wanwen waited until Fu Xuanchen had wailed a while longer before stepping forward to pull Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanzhao away.
By now, Fu Xuanchen’s face was bruised in several places, his clothes were torn in multiple spots, and he lay on the ground moaning, unable to get up.
Fu Xuanming wasn’t in much better shape. Ignoring his own pain, he managed to kick his younger brother’s leg.
He nearly collapsed himself and had to lean on his sister to stay upright.
Remembering the fear he and his sister had felt during their mother’s recent coma, Fu Xuanming wished he could kick that scoundrel Fu Xuanchen again:
“Fu Xuanchen, you bastard! Mother has always been so good to you—how could you trip her?”
Fu Xuanzhao’s eyes were also red as she glared hatefully at her third brother. “Fu Xuanchen, you’re no longer my third brother! My real third brother would never be so heartless!”
Lying on the ground in pain, Fu Xuanchen felt utterly wronged by his second brother and younger sister’s attitude. He opened his mouth and began wailing, “Father! Why didn’t you take me with you when you left? Father!”
“It was your father who spoiled you into this lawless brat! Since you miss him so much, your mother will naturally grant your wish.”
After delivering this harsh threat, Jiang Wanwen drew the sword from her second son’s side.
When Prince Pingwu Fu Qingyun was still alive, his favorites had been the strong eldest son Fu Xuanrui and the third son Fu Xuanchen.
Otherwise, Fu Xuanchen would never have developed such an unruly temperament.
Prince Pingwu: I want to climb out of my grave and shout ‘Injustice!’ The heir apparent is martial, the second son is scholarly—if the youngest wasn’t a little hellion, would the Emperor be able to sleep at night?
Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanzhao simultaneously swallowed hard. ‘Would Mother really kill that brat Fu Xuanchen?’
Fu Xuanchen, still on the ground, clearly saw Jiang Wanwen’s movement. Forgetting his pain, he scrambled to his feet.
He then stared warily at Jiang Wanwen holding the sword, muttering incessantly, “Eldest brother! Eldest brother, why aren’t you back yet? If you don’t return soon, you’ll never see your favorite brother again!”
Listening to her third son’s pleas, Jiang Wanwen sneered inwardly. Her eldest son was currently busy staging a rebellion! How would he have time to care about them—these abandoned pieces left behind in Shengyang?
Fu Xuanchen remained vigilant and continued crying for his eldest brother for a long while, but seeing that his mother, second brother, and younger sister showed no intention of paying him any mind,
He could only fix his resentful gaze on his second brother Fu Xuanming. It wasn’t that he had no grievances against his mother and sister—mainly because he currently couldn’t defeat either of them.
One always bullies the weakest: Fu Xuanchen could only overpower his second brother.
Jiang Wanwen noticed her youngest son’s gaze directed at her second son and issued a warning: “If you dare retaliate against your second brother, don’t blame me for being merciless. A mother killing her own son would only earn her the reputation of being cruel.”
Fu Xuanchen, seeing his mother not only shielding his second brother but also threatening to kill him, felt his grievances accumulating.
Instantly, Fu Xuanchen’s eyes reddened, and he looked at Jiang Wanwen as if she were a heartless betrayer. “You’re not my mother. You’re not.”
Jiang Wanwen thought to herself, ‘You’ve actually guessed right, kid,’ while maintaining an expression of utter indifference. “Who would dote on an unfilial son? This Wangfei isn’t foolish.”
Fu Xuanchen had initially felt somewhat guilty, but after his mother’s relentless retort, that guilt vanished entirely.
Stiffening his neck in defiance, Fu Xuanchen argued, “I didn’t know it would be so serious at the time. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”
Hearing this, Jiang Wanwen could only console herself internally: ‘I’m not the original owner, he’s not my biological son, don’t get angry, don’t get angry!’
Ultimately, Jiang Wanwen failed to convince herself. She grabbed Fu Xuanming’s sword and used its flat side to give Fu Xuanchen another beating until she felt the anger in her heart subside.
At this moment, Jiang Wanwen reflected that her two children from her previous life were quite filial—at least compared to this rascal Fu Xuanchen.
After all, no matter how troublesome her previous children were, they never dared lay hands on her or her husband.
The beating only ended when Fu Xuanchen completely collapsed—not because Jiang Wanwen had killed him, but because he had fainted from shock and fury.
Watching Ruhua supporting the unconscious Fu Xuanchen, Jiang Wanwen thought, ‘This unfilial son got off easy.’
Meanwhile, Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanzhao, who had been observing, breathed sighs of relief when their third brother finally passed out. Though they were also angry with him, they hadn’t reached the point of wanting him dead.
Both siblings had worried their mother might actually kill the troublemaker in a fit of rage.
Despite her lingering regret, Jiang Wanwen instructed Ruhua: “Take the Third Young Master away. He is forbidden from leaving his courtyard recently—let him recuperate under house confinement.”
After giving the order, Jiang Wanwen recalled Fu Xuanchen’s strength, realizing few could stop him if he insisted on breaking out.
‘I’m too busy lately to deal with this brat,’ she thought. ‘Better keep him quietly confined in the residence.’
She added, “Have the residence physicians prescribe him more weakening or sedative medications.”
Ruhua acknowledged earnestly before supporting Fu Xuanchen out.
Once the eyesore was gone, Jiang Wanwen instructed her two dutiful children: “Recently we must observe mourning for your father. Neither of you should go out either. In a few days, I’ll take you three siblings to the Zhuangzi for a short stay.”
“I’ve been fatigued lately, so you two must keep closer watch over Xu Er. Don’t let anyone exploit any loopholes. He is, after all, your eldest brother’s only son currently.”
Jiang Wanwen gave these orders primarily because the original owner had disliked her eldest daughter-in-law and consequently neglected the child, showing little concern.
She couldn’t suddenly appear overly caring—it had to be a gradual process.
Second, she needed to quickly plan the family’s escape. Otherwise, once news of her eldest son’s rebellion reached Shengyang, they would face dire consequences.
Although Fu Xuanming lacked martial prowess, he was a man of foresight. Had his father not suppressed him and forced him to conceal his abilities while alive, his reputation might not have been inferior to that of his elder brother, Fu Xuanrui.
Hearing his mother’s instructions, Fu Xuanming felt that with his father gone and his elder brother absent, he was now the family’s pillar. He immediately took on the responsibility:
“Mother, please rest assured and focus on recuperating. I will take care of Xu Er and guarantee to return a lively and healthy son to my elder brother and sister-in-law.”
Touched by her son’s thoughtfulness, Jiang Wanwen expressed her concern, “I trust your capabilities, but you must also take care of your health. When you return to your courtyard, have the physician examine you thoroughly.”
Hearing his mother’s care, Fu Xuanming’s face instantly lit up with a radiant smile.
He felt as if all his pain had vanished, and he even had the energy to give Fu Xuanchen another beating.