The Courtyard of Prince Fu ( Part 1 )

Mu Lingfeng knew that the Green Dragon Society and Zhu Yousong had always been at odds. Although Zhu Yousong and Long Qingyun pretended to be at peace with each other, they were actually both harboring ulterior motives, just like Mu Lingfeng and Dong Li a moment ago.

In fact, Mu Lingfeng did not understand the intricate relationship between Zhu Yousong and the Green Dragon Society. Logically speaking, one was an official and the other a thief, so they should be at odds with each other. However, many people in the Prince Fu's Mansion were not supported by the Prince's household expenses, but were instead supported by the Green Dragon Society. But the relationship between the Green Dragon Society and the Prince Fu's Mansion was not so close, and they barely had any interaction. Yet these two powers had existed in Jinling City for several years without any communication with each other. Mu Lingfeng had just arrived in Jinling, so he naturally did not understand the relationship between them. In fact, Mu Lingfeng had no interest in understanding it. For outsiders, the behind-the-scenes struggle between the Green Dragon Society and the Prince Fu's Mansion was irrelevant, and even if one wanted to get involved, no one in Jinling City had the ability to do so. One was the core of the powerful and influential forces in Jinling City, while the other was the leader of the martial world. Offending either of them would have unimaginable consequences.

But what puzzled Mu Lingfeng the most was the existence of a third force in Jinling City, the Feng Family Commercial Bank owned by Feng Renao. From what Mu Lingfeng knew, the Feng Family seemed to have an old grudge with the Long Family, but Feng Renao did not seem to have a good relationship with Zhu Yousong either. On the surface, Zhu Yousong looked like a carefree and good-natured young man who tried to please everyone, but from the conversations Mu Lingfeng had overheard at the luncheon and with Dong Li, he had a faint feeling that Zhu Yousong was not as simple as he appeared.

At the moment, Mu Lingfeng's relationship with Zhu Yousong seemed good on the surface, and his relationship with the Green Dragon Society was also very delicate. On the surface, he was the sworn brother of the second-in-command of the Green Dragon Society, Long Qingyun, but Long Qingfeng, the elder brother of Long Qingyun, treated him with neither hot nor cold indifference, and he had no idea what he was thinking. As for the Feng Family, Mu Lingfeng was only sworn brothers with one of their guards, and although Feng Renao seemed respectful towards him, he did not seem to take him seriously at all. Feng Renao did not even fear Zhu Yousong, a member of the Zhu family and a prince residing in Jinling, let alone Mu Lingfeng, who was a prince far away in Yunnan.

If Zhu Yousong was arrogant and domineering and did not take anyone seriously, it could be somewhat understandable, after all, he was a member of the famous Zhu family of the Ming dynasty. But what about Feng Renao and Long Qingfeng? By what means did they become a prominent figure in the Jinling City business scene and the martial arts world respectively? What was their backing?

Mu Lingfeng did not want to think about it because he simply could not figure it out. At this moment, he only needed to understand the current situation and the relationship between the three of them. Moreover, Mu Lingfeng was basically maneuvering between the three of them, and their conflicts should be an opportunity for him.

At this moment, Mu Lingfeng seemed to have noticed the subtle changes in Dong Li's expression when he saw Long Qingyun. He was first surprised, then puzzled, and gradually became indignant. However, when he saw Zhu Yousong holding Long Qingyun's hand, he immediately fell silent. As for Long Qingyun, when she saw Dong Li, her behavior was also unusual, as if there was something unknown between the two of them.

Zhu Yousong was seen leading Long Qingyun to stop in front of Mu Lingfeng and Dong Li, and he smiled and pointed at Dong Li, saying to Long Qingyun, "Dong Li, he is an old friend of our second master Long. I believe you two are not strangers, right?"

Dong Li suddenly laughed out loud and said, "Of course, of course. How could Dong Mou not know our second master Long? After all, we grew up together. Isn't that right, Second Master Long?"

Long Qingyun coughed lightly and said, "Brother Dong is still so humorous. Surviving a great disaster must bring good fortune afterwards. I guess Brother Dong has been doing well these years!"

Zhu Yousong said, "Brother Dong is now a Qianhu official and serves in the Jin Yiwei!"

Long Qingyun's heart skipped a beat and she said, "So Brother Dong is a Qianhu official. I'm sorry for my disrespect."

Zhu Yousong smiled and said, "We are all old friends, no need to be so polite. By the way, Second Master Long, let me introduce you to this person..." as he pointed towards Mu Lingfeng.

Long Qingyun laughed heartily and said, "No need to introduce this one. Mu Gongzi is Long Er's newly sworn brother this afternoon. Long Er had originally planned to hold a banquet at the Yipin Tower to inform all of Jinling, but he was delayed due to some family matters."

Zhuyousong exclaimed, "Oh, I see. So the two of you have already become sworn brothers? Congratulations!" He then turned to Mu Linfeng and said, "Earlier, I heard Mu Gongzi mention that there was some trouble at home, but I don't know what it is. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. Xiao Wang will not refuse!"

Mu Linfeng had intended to decline, but then he heard Long Qingyun say, "Oh, my second brother's wife was abducted today and her whereabouts are still unknown..."

Zhuyousong angrily exclaimed, "In broad daylight, someone dared to abduct a civilian woman? How audacious!" He then said to Mu Linfeng, "Rest assured, Mu Gongzi. Xiao Wang will definitely dispatch more people to investigate thoroughly!"

Long Qingyun said, "No need for that, as Long Er's people have already found the whereabouts of his sister-in-law!"

Mu Linfeng was overjoyed and said, "Is what Second Brother said true?"

Zhuyousong also asked, "Is that so? Then shouldn't Long Er have already rescued her?"

Long Qingyun replied, "No, the area is heavily guarded and it's difficult to approach for now."

Mu Linfeng and Zhuyousong were both surprised and asked at the same time, "Where is it?"

Long Qingyun said, "It's the Western Suburb Villa of the Fu Wang Mansion!"

Mu Linfeng and Zhuyousong were both shocked and said, "What?"

Long Qingyun said, "This matter is absolutely true. If it weren't for the fact that it's a separate courtyard of the Fu Wang Mansion, Long Er's people would have already rushed in to rescue the person. However, Long Er thought that this matter had nothing to do with Young Master Wang, but he couldn't act rashly either. After all, the guards here are all officials and people from the Fu Wang Mansion. So he had to continue monitoring the situation and came to consult with Young Master Wang."

Mu Linfeng thought to himself, "Could it really be that this little bastard Zhu Yousong did it? This turtle grandson is notorious for being lecherous, so it's not surprising if he did it." Mu Linfeng turned to look at Zhu Yousong, but saw Zhu Yousong looking surprised and saying, "This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me, but since Long Er has said so, it must be the work of someone from my Fu Wang Mansion. I will definitely investigate and clarify the matter. Moreover, the Jin Yi Wei of the capital is here..."

Mu Linfeng quickly said, "Young Master, there is no need for you to defend yourself. I don't doubt you. But since the matter was done by someone from the Fu Wang Mansion, it is better to avoid any association with it. I humbly ask for your command to have the leader and Long Er's people work together to bring the person back. I believe you won't refuse, Young Master, will you?"

Zhu Yousong's face changed and he said, "But this is a separate courtyard where my father resides. Long Er, is there a mistake in your information? Or maybe your people made a mistake?"

Long Qingyun sneered and said, "Long Er is willing to guarantee it with his head!"