Chapter 199

The daughter's fearless gaze and unceremonious tone left Fifth Master Fu stunned, his eyes wide as he stared at Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun sneered contemptuously: "Has Lord Fu finished speaking? If so, this humble woman would like to say a few words."

Before Fu Tingjun had come out, Fifth Master Fu had already cursed at Yanqing, Zheng San, and Jin Yuanbao in turn. Though his words were like a well-crafted essay, each phrase distinct from the last, he had already said everything he needed to say—anything more would just be repetition. But seeing Fu Tingjun's disdainful expression, the nameless fire in Fifth Master Fu's chest burned even hotter. He stamped about furiously: "I haven't finished speaking..."

Hearing this, Fu Tingjun instructed Zheng San: "Go fetch me a stool, and brew a pot of tea while you're at it."

Zheng San answered with a loud "Yes," and in no time had brought a brocade stool and placed it behind Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun sat down, and Zheng San's tea was already at hand.

She raised the teacup, blew at the floating leaves, and took several delicate sips.

"You..." Fifth Master Fu pointed at Fu Tingjun, his arm trembling—the one being scolded hadn't taken him seriously at all, watching him like a jumping clown putting on a show with complete indifference. What meaning did his torrent of abuse have then?

Fu Tingjun watched him, then handed the teacup in her hand to Yuwei, who was attending nearby, smoothed her sleeves, and asked again calmly: "Has Lord Fu finished speaking? If so, this humble woman would like to say a few words!"

Fifth Master Fu was so furious his whole body shook, unable to utter a single word.

Fu Tingjun rose to her feet and said softly: "From what Lord Fu said just now, it seems you're accusing me of being selfish and cold-hearted, of not repaying the kindness of my upbringing... But there's one thing I don't understand." As she spoke, her gaze suddenly turned sharp as an arrow, her brow fierce and commanding. "Who are you to me? What gives you the right to come to my doorstep and hurl abuse at me?"

Jin Yuanbao and the others changed color abruptly.

Though no one had ever openly acknowledged it, they all knew that Fifth Master Fu was Fu Tingjun's biological father.

If word got out that a biological father had come to his daughter's doorstep to curse at her, and the daughter had stood at the gate trading barbs with him... people in the capital would likely be talking about it for the next ten years.

Even if it wasn't Fu Tingjun's fault, it would become her fault.

Fifth Master Fu jumped up: "I am your—"

The words "father" were right on the tip of his tongue, but he shuddered and forcibly swallowed them back.

Grand Secretary Yu's voice, disappointed yet still carrying a hint of gentleness, echoed in Fifth Master Fu's ears: "...You've worked diligently in the Ministry of Personnel for so many years—even without merit, you have your toil. But though the Six Ministries are fine, if you wish to advance further, it's difficult without experience governing a locality. As it happens, the Vice Commissioner of the Henan Surveillance Commission must observe mourning leave, leaving a vacancy. The Henan Surveillance Commissioner is already past seventy and will retire in a few years, so I recommended Lord Fu to Grand Secretary Shen."

"Who would have thought that when the memorial reached His Majesty, he happened to ask about Lord Fu's children. The official on duty by His Majesty's side at the time was Lord Chen Zhongming of the Messenger Office. He was a colleague of my son's and on good personal terms with him, but unfamiliar with Lord Fu, so he answered 'I don't know.' His Majesty set down his brush without speaking, and Lord Chen hurried to inquire at the Ministry of Personnel."

"His Majesty, upon hearing that Lord Fu's youngest daughter had died young and he had only one son, said 'Not suitable' and struck Lord Fu's name from the list."

"Lord Chen knew that Lord Fu had been recommended by me, so he hurried to inform my son..."

"Lord Fu, I've been thinking—this matter was likely brought before His Majesty by your son-in-law and daughter themselves. I can do nothing more!" Grand Secretary Yu sighed with regret. "We'll have to wait a few years until His Majesty forgets the matter, and then make new plans." He added, "The one who tied the knot must untie it. I think you should pay a visit to Shi Family Lane and persuade your daughter! Enmity is better resolved than kept—opportunities like this don't come often."

From the fifth rank to the fourth—countless people spent their entire lives unable to cross that threshold. Not only had he had a chance to cross that enviable hurdle, he might even have risen to the third rank, becoming a regional governor, earning the Fu family an honorific archway, carving his name on the wall of the Fu ancestral hall's central chamber for posterity... Such an opportunity had not only been ruined by Fu Tingjun, but because of her, he had earned His Majesty's words "Not suitable"... Grand Secretary Yu spoke pleasantly enough, saying they'd find a way to recommend him again once His Majesty forgot—but His Majesty was only thirty-three years old!

Twenty-eight years younger than Grand Secretary Yu, twenty-five years younger than himself.

Even if His Majesty forgot, the imperial diary would still record it.

Even if he could outlast the current emperor's reign, the successor would be His Majesty's son—the Crown Prince. Would a son overturn his own father's words over the appointment of a mere fifth-rank official?

His life was finished.

Fifth Master Fu felt as if he had fallen into an ice cavern. His eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away. It was only after Grand Secretary Yu's page boy splashed cold water on his face and pinched his philtrum that he finally came around.

The moment he left the Yu residence, he went straight to Shi Family Hutong.

But who would have thought that the Zhao family's gatekeeper would block him at the entrance, refusing to let him in no matter what, saying, "The mistress has instructed that anyone from the Fu family is not to be received." He could no longer hold back his curses...

He had already lost the emperor's favor, and he was currently in the eye of the storm. If word got out that his daughter, who had supposedly died young years ago, was still alive in this world... if an investigation were launched, his cheating on the imperial examinations would surely not remain hidden.

At this thought, his face turned ashen, and his gaze at Fu Tingjun was filled with dark malice.

Fu Tingjun, however, smiled calmly and said, "Lord Fu, this is not the first time you have come to my home to cause a scene. My husband lost both his parents at a young age. If he has achieved what he has today, it is entirely because he treats others with sincerity, is open and aboveboard, and possesses the noble character of a gentleman. Whether it be friends who know him or superiors and colleagues who associate with him, all are willing to help and promote him. You insist time and again that my husband ruined your prospects—may I ask what evidence you have?"

Yu Guodong was a Grand Secretary; recommending worthy talents to the emperor was his duty. If this matter were to be made public, Grand Secretary Yu would not only be accused of forming factions but would also bear responsibility for abusing his power for personal gain. How could Fifth Master Fu possibly say such a thing?

Moreover, the matter had already fallen through. Speaking of it now would only invite ridicule.

He stammered, "You know very well what you've done. And you still have the audacity to demand evidence from me..."

If her father had even a shred of responsibility, he would never have thought of using his daughter's life to protect his own power and position... Fu Tingjun had calculated that he would never dare to acknowledge their father-daughter relationship.

The facts merely proved once again that she was right.

"What Lord Fu says is quite unreasonable." Fu Tingjun coldly interrupted Fifth Master Fu's words. "Without any evidence, relying only on conjecture, you have concluded that my husband is responsible. By your logic, if a cow goes missing from our estate, and the neighboring estate belongs to Lord Liu, then surely it must be Lord Liu's steward who secretly took our cow? What kind of reasoning is that?"

A few ill-timed laughs suddenly rang out in the alley, then stopped just as abruptly.

Fifth Master Fu's face swelled to a purple-red.

Fu Tingjun continued, "Lord Fu serves as a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, while my husband is a military officer in the field. Our paths should never cross. Yet you have come to our door, which means you must have heard some rumor. Capital officials are forbidden from forming private ties with frontier officers. Lord Fu is in the capital with friends and connections all over the realm, so you likely have nothing to fear. But my husband commands troops in the field—his standing at court depends entirely on the emperor's favor, and he would not dare touch anything of that sort. I ask that you reveal the person who harbors such malicious intent, so as not to ruin my husband's reputation!"

Her words were righteous and stern, her face filled with solemn resolve.

Fifth Master Fu was taken aback, but inwardly he thought, This is bad.

He hadn't expected this wretched girl to be so sharp—in just a few words, she had found an opening to put him in danger.

Fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and a flicker of regret passed through his heart.

If he had known this would happen, he should have thought things through at home before coming, rather than rushing over so recklessly...

But that regret was quickly replaced by anger.

Not only had she destroyed his future, but now she was hanging the heavy charge of "capital official forming private ties with frontier officers" over his head. She wanted him dead!

Thinking of how he would have nothing left, Fifth Master Fu cast aside all restraint and lunged forward to strike Fu Tingjun. "I'll teach you to spout nonsense! I'll teach you to spout nonsense!"

Jin Yuanbao and Zheng San grabbed him from either side, their eyes all turning toward Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun snorted coldly and ordered A Sen, "Go to the Shuntian Prefecture office at once and file a report."

A Sen hesitated slightly. Jin Yuanbao and Zheng San's eyes went wide, and even Fifth Master Fu forgot to struggle.

For a moment, silence fell before the main gate.

Fu Tingjun urged A Sen, "Why aren't you going? Are we to let him continue making a scene here?"

Seeing Fu Tingjun's stern expression, A Sen immediately acknowledged with a "yes" and trotted out through the gate.

Only then did Fifth Master Fu believe that Fu Tingjun was not playing games with him.

The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture was somewhat acquainted with him—surely he wouldn't dare touch him?

But the resolute look on Fu Tingjun's face frightened him.

"Fu Tingjun!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with agitation. "Aren't you afraid I'll spill everything?"

"Spill it, then!" Fu Tingjun said, somewhat wearily. "That would be perfect—I could go back to Huayin to visit Grandmother, and I could burn a stick of incense for my eldest sister-in-law," she murmured. "I would no longer have to keep silent for your sake, nor worry that my actions might harm my other sisters... Go ahead and tell the people at Shuntian Prefecture. I walk an upright path and sit in an upright seat—I have nothing to fear!"

Fifth Master Fu was struck dumb.

His lips parted as if to speak, then stopped.

If he truly spoke out, he would be the eternal sinner of the Fu family.

The century-old reputation of the Fu family would be ruined in his hands.

His face was pale, and his head hung limply.

"Lord Fu, I have long told you that aside from sharing the surname 'Fu,' you and I have no connection whatsoever," Fu Tingjun said. "If I have matters, I will not come to you, and if you have matters, there is no need for you to come to me. Though the deeds you have done are cold and heartless, I have already repaid your kindness of raising me with my own life. From this point on, we owe each other nothing. I ask that you never again come to my home to disturb my family. If I see you, I will act as if I do not know you. I will neither offer help in your time of need nor kick you when you are down. Rest assured!" With that, she raised her head and cast a glance at him before turning and stepping through the hanging-flower gate.

...

At that moment, Grand Secretary Yu sat cross-legged on the meditation chair in his study, his face as somber as water.

"Have you confirmed the details?" he asked his son, who stood before him with hands lowered, his voice low and grave. "Did His Majesty truly say that?"