Chapter 177

The contemptuous and disdainful faces had already made Fifth Master Fu feel that he had suffered a great humiliation. Now that Fu Tingjun had bluntly told him to leave, Fifth Master Fu was so angry that his whole body trembled. He growled in a low voice, "Truly, long hair and short sight!" Don't think that just because Zhao Ling is a favored minister of the emperor, you can do whatever you please. You must know that our dynasty has always governed through civil affairs over military might. Those who rise through favoritism are at best mere jesters! How can they compare to the Yu family, which has produced generations of officials, controlled the Imperial Academy for decades, and whose students fill the world, with a reputation that resounds across the nine provinces? You should carefully weigh which is more important. Otherwise, if you offend the Yu family, you'll find yourself in trouble with no way out, and regret it beyond measure..."

Fu Tingjun's willow-leaf brows shot up in anger as she indignantly cut off Fifth Master Fu's words: "No matter how good the Yu family is, that Young Master Yu only conducts himself with petty, villainous behavior. No matter how lowly Zhao Ling's status may be, he conducts himself with integrity and honor. Comparing the two, who is higher and who is lower—I'm afraid someone like Lord Fu, whose eyes have been blinded by wealth and glory, may not be able to see it clearly. Fortunately, Lord Fu thinks we don't know what's important, while we see Lord Fu as someone who doesn't know what's good for him—we're perfectly matched in mutual disgust. Since that's the case, I won't keep Lord Fu here to suffer any longer." With that, she loudly instructed Zheng San, "Lord Fu is returning to his residence—why aren't you seeing him off?"

Zheng San and the others had only been holding back out of deference to Fu Tingjun, not daring to use full force to stop Fifth Master Fu. Now that they saw the father and daughter at daggers drawn, what scruples did they have left! Zheng San responded loudly, called for Yanqing, and the two of them, one on each side, dragged and hauled Fifth Master Fu out of the room.

"Fu Tingjun, you have some nerve..." Fifth Master Fu was both ashamed and embarrassed, so angry he didn't even know what to say.

Fu Tingjun couldn't be bothered with him. She signaled Jin Yuanbao to go out and check: "Although the old master cares about face, I'm still afraid he might make a scene outside the door without regard for consequences and ruin Ninth Master's reputation!"

Jin Yuanbao understood and quickly followed after him.

Fu Tingjun also pricked up her ears to listen.

She only heard a few muttered complaints.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Her father, after all, still valued his reputation above all.

Jin Yuanbao returned.

"Sister-in-law," he said in a low voice, "Lord Fu was still shouting loudly while in the courtyard, but the moment he stepped out the main gate, he immediately fell silent and pushed Yanqing away. Yanqing, being perceptive, immediately released Lord Fu and helped him into the carriage... From the looks of it, Lord Fu doesn't want anyone to know about this either. Sister-in-law need not worry."

Fu Tingjun nodded with a wistful expression and said to Jin Yuanbao, "You still have the letter I wrote to my eldest uncle, don't you? Return it to me! I want to write him a new letter."

Somewhat puzzled, Jin Yuanbao took the letter from his sleeve and handed it to Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun took the letter and went to the hall in the south wing.

A Sen hurriedly ground ink for her.

Fu Tingjun then quietly explained to Jin Yuanbao, who had followed her in: "Lord Fu came as Yu Jingxiu's envoy to plead his case. Not to mention that Lord Fu has no intention of negotiating with us in good faith at all—even if he did, he would likely side with Yu Jingxiu. The account of what happened back then would probably be quite biased. Rather than that, it's better to think of another approach!"

Jin Yuanbao was originally a man of strategy, and upon hearing this, he immediately understood. He mused, "Sister-in-law intends to sow discord?"

Fu Tingjun nodded slightly.

"Ever since I was confined at Biyun Nunnery, I was heartbroken and filled with indignation and rage. In the dead of night, when I thought back on everything that had happened, I did find it suspicious, but deep down I still couldn't believe my father would harm me, and I always placed the blame on my eldest uncle. Now that I think carefully, I realize I was wrong." She said softly, "Regardless, I am still a daughter of the Fifth Branch. Even if my eldest uncle is the head of the household, not to mention that Zuo Junjie's lies are not to be believed—even if I and Zuo Junjie were truly found to have had improper relations, my parents are both alive. He couldn't possibly have disposed of me without going through my father first..." She paused, then continued, "This shows that my father gave his consent to this matter."

Jin Yuanbao saw the tears in her eyes as she forced a smile, and his heart ached for her. He called out "Sister-in-law" and tried to console her: "This is something no one could have foreseen. Fortunately, it's not too late for sister-in-law to see things clearly now..."

Hearing this, Fu Tingjun smiled at Jin Yuanbao: "For this, I must thank Ninth Master! If he hadn't seen through it early on, held me back openly and covertly, and comforted my mother in every way, I'm afraid I would have long been trapped in the 'filial piety' and unable to extricate myself, at their mercy. How could I have figured things out so quickly? How could I have argued with Lord Fu with such confidence?"

Her smile was no longer forced, but came from the heart—sweet as honey, spilling over from the corners of her eyes and brows, making her face radiant.

Every time sister-in-law mentions Ninth Master, she looks like this...

Jin Yuanbao smiled somewhat sheepishly.

The affection between husband and wife was truly wonderful!

A Sen, however, directly turned to ask Fu Tingjun, "Sister-in-law, are you thinking about Ninth Master?"

Fu Tingjun's face flushed, and her first instinct was to deny it. But looking at A Sen's bright, expectant eyes, she suddenly felt she was being overly coy.

They were husband and wife—if she missed him, she missed him. Why couldn't she say so?

"Yes," she said, pressing her lips together. "I hope Ninth Master can come back soon!"

A Sen chuckled, as if proud that he had guessed correctly.

Jin Yuanbao then said, "The fighting ended in the second month. Counting the days, Ninth Master should be back by mid-fifth month!"

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. "If only he could make it back in time for Youyou's first birthday."

"That's hard to say," Jin Yuanbao said with a smile. "I've asked some of my colleagues to keep an eye out. The moment there's any news, I'll send someone to let you know, sister-in-law."

Fu Tingjun nodded, and A Sen said, "Sister-in-law, the ink is ready."

She moved to the desk, rewrote the letter, and handed it to Jin Yuanbao, then repeatedly urged him: "Make sure to keep a close watch on Zuo Junjie. He's my trump card."

"Rest assured, sister-in-law," Jin Yuanbao assured her again. "I understand the stakes involved."

Fu Tingjun felt somewhat steadier, but still said, "I recall that my eldest uncle once had an opportunity to form a marriage alliance with Hao Jianfeng of the Ministry of Personnel, but because he valued his reputation, he ultimately declined politely. A man like him values his reputation above all else, to the point of disregarding gains and losses. Yet first there was Zuo Junjie's false accusation in his household, then the eldest cousin's wife secretly releasing a prisoner, and now he has to rely on the Yu family for reinstatement and act according to their whims. Given my uncle's temperament, he must be full of pent-up grievance and complaint by now. This is our opportunity. It's fleeting—once we seize it, we can't place all our hopes on Zuo Junjie alone. Zuo Junjie is not only cold-hearted but also weak-willed. If we truly come into direct conflict with the Yu family, it's anyone's guess which way he'll choose!"

"I understand," Jin Yuanbao nodded repeatedly. "I'll have someone deliver the letter to Jinhua right away!"

Fu Tingjun gave a few more instructions before letting Jin Yuanbao go.

That afternoon, Jin Yuanbao returned and said the letter had been sent: "By six-hundred-li express relay, it should reach Jinhua in four or five days at most."

"I hope it arrives in time," Fu Tingjun said. Just then, Zheng San walked in with a strange expression on his face. "Madam, Lord Fu has come again!"

Fu Tingjun was surprised. After a moment's thought, she said, "Tell Lord Fu exactly what I said this morning." She also instructed Zheng San, "I don't wish to see that man again—and I mean it."

Zheng San's face flushed slightly. He bowed and left.

Noisy voices drifted in from outside.

Fu Tingjun rose and returned to the main hall.

Though it was still cold in the capital in the third month, the wind no longer carried a chill against one's face. Mrs. Tong and the wet nurse were in the main courtyard enjoying the sun with Youyou. Seeing her mother enter, Youyou immediately stretched out her arms and babbled excitedly.

Fu Tingjun hurried over with a smile, took her daughter, and kissed her rosy little cheeks, then asked the wet nurse, "Has Youyou been fussy?"

"No, not at all!" The wet nurse adored the well-behaved Youyou and beamed at the mention of her. "The young miss has been having a wonderful time—earlier, Miss Yuwei was embroidering, and she imitated Miss Yuwei by separating the threads, tangling them all into a mess. Zhenzhu and Miss Yuwei are still sorting them out!"

"You little rascal!" Fu Tingjun gently pinched her daughter's nose with affectionate indulgence.

Youyou giggled.

That innocent laughter echoed through the main courtyard, lifting Fu Tingjun's spirits along with it.

Over the following days, the Zhang family formally sent a deputy commissioner and a granary deputy commissioner from Zhangjiawan Patrol Office to propose marriage, while Yang Yucheng invited a vice prefect and a centurion from Daxing Guard to serve as matchmakers. Yang Yucheng purchased a small one-courtyard house in Daxing as their new home. The Zhang family prepared not only thirty-six loads of dowry but also four hundred mu of prime farmland in Zhangjiawan, two shops in Daxing, two maidservants, and one accompanying household. After consulting Fu Tingjun, they settled on the tenth day of the tenth month as the wedding date.

Among Yang Yucheng's colleagues, some teased him enviously, demanding he treat them to a celebration, while others made sour remarks out of jealousy.

Afraid he might lose face and put on airs before the Zhang family, Fu Tingjun specifically called Yang Yucheng over to admonish him: "...When you agreed to this marriage, you already knew the Zhang family was wealthier than yours. That's not Miss Zhang's fault. You must not show a sour face to Miss Zhang or to your father-in-law and mother-in-law because of it."

Yang Yucheng smiled sheepishly, his face reddening. "Don't worry. I'll learn from Ninth Master."

"What does this have to do with Ninth Master?" Fu Tingjun scolded playfully.

Yang Yucheng laughed. "Ninth Master said that you chose him because of how well he treated you, so whether it's eating chaff and wild vegetables or wearing silk and satin, you'd always follow him. I'll treat Miss Zhang well too, so she'll willingly follow me back to Huxian."

Fu Tingjun shot him a glare.

Yang Yucheng paid it no mind and simply kept smiling to himself.

Jin Yuanbao and A Sen walked in, both beaming.

Jin Yuanbao was fine, but A Sen's grin stretched from ear to ear.

He greeted Yang Yucheng hastily, then blinked and asked Fu Tingjun, "Sister-in-law, can you guess what happened?"

Fu Tingjun's eyes lit up at his words. "Is Ninth Master coming back?"

A Sen scratched his head, smiling sheepishly, and said weakly, "No. It's something else."

Fu Tingjun gave an "Oh" and thought for a moment, then said, "Did your teacher say you're eligible to take the county examination next year?"

In February of this year, six students from Bowen Private School took the county examination, and all of them passed. Because of that, A Sen had been talking about it for days at home.

"No!" A Sen's face grew even darker.

"Stop beating around the bush," Jin Yuanbao said, glancing at the grinning A Sen, then, still smiling, said to Fu Tingjun, "Last night, someone snuck into Zuo Junjie's cellar. We caught two of them and handed them over to the Shuntian Prefecture under the charge of theft."