Chapter 249

"We must inform Teacher Yao," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "But it wouldn't be appropriate for just anyone to go. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to Tanzhe Temple myself."

Third Cousin-in-law said apologetically, "That's the only way—if anyone else goes, Teacher Yao might not see them."

"Let's see it through to the end!" Fu Tingjun smiled and said, "What about Seventh Brother-in-law's side? Should we send someone to inform him as well?"

"I've already sent a servant over," Third Cousin-in-law said with some emotion. "These past days, I've relied on him to run around for me. Without him, I wouldn't have known much of the news. He's really worked hard."

Third Cousin pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Then you should thank him properly!"

"Indeed, indeed." Third Cousin-in-law nodded.

Third Cousin then discussed with Fu Tingjun the matter of visiting Teacher Yao: "Last time you said there was no rush, and I opened the chest once, but you didn't take anything. We can't have you spending your own money while helping us. This time, you absolutely cannot go to Tanzhe Temple without us. If you're not satisfied with anything I have, just tell me directly. We're sisters, not strangers. Teacher Yao has helped us so much—no reward would be too great."

Third Cousin-in-law also looked at Fu Tingjun, as if waiting for her to speak before immediately sending someone to handle it.

Fu Tingjun knew they were all straightforward people, so she didn't stand on ceremony. She thought for a moment and said, "Try to get a good set of Go pieces! Preferably antique ones from the previous dynasty. Teacher Yao is very fond of Go. If not, a rare edition of a book from the previous dynasty would also do."

"Good!" Third Cousin-in-law nodded repeatedly and said, "I won't stay for lunch then. Time waits for no one—let me take care of this first."

Neither of the sisters tried to keep Third Cousin-in-law. Fu Tingjun instructed Zheng Sanniang to prepare some steamed buns and stuffed buns for Third Cousin-in-law, and had Zheng San drive the carriage to accompany him on his errand.

Third Cousin-in-law didn't decline, and the two hurried out the door.

He had barely left when Seventh Brother-in-law arrived right on his heels.

Hearing that Third Cousin-in-law had gone to prepare a gift of thanks for Teacher Yao, he stamped his foot and said, "I should have drunk one less cup."

Only then did the sisters notice a faint smell of alcohol on him.

Third Cousin said, "It's only just past noon. Who was Seventh Brother-in-law drinking with? Have you had lunch? Should I have a maid prepare some hangover soup?"

Seventh Brother-in-law looked a bit embarrassed and laughed, saying, "Haven't I been frequenting the Ministry of Personnel these days to gather news? I didn't know Third Brother-in-law had already gone to the ministry. I went again early this morning, and only then did the clerk who usually passes me information tell me that Third Brother-in-law had obtained the position of Left Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. I had planned to wait at the ministry gate for Third Brother-in-law to ask him what was going on, but that clerk insisted on dragging me off to drink, saying things like 'Now that you've gotten in with the Grand Secretary, you've turned your back on old friends.' I found it suspicious, but since he'd helped me a lot, I felt I had to give him that face, so I went with him to the restaurant we usually frequent..."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback and said, "Seventh Brother-in-law, you said the clerk mentioned you'd 'gotten in with the Grand Secretary'—could it be that Qian Donglin personally put in a word for Third Brother-in-law?"

"Exactly." Seventh Brother-in-law laughed. "From what the clerk said, after Grand Secretary Qian came out of the Qianqing Palace to express his gratitude, accompanied by Grand Secretary Shen, he first went to the Grand Secretariat, then came to the Ministry of Personnel in the afternoon. After meeting with the Vice Ministers and Directors, he asked to see the roster of officials. The Director of the Bureau of Appointments didn't dare be negligent and immediately fetched the roster. Grand Secretary Qian went straight to the Six Ministries section, pointed at the vacancy for Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, and asked why it was empty. With Grand Secretary Shen having retired, those Vice Ministers and Directors were already feeling uneasy. Hearing Grand Secretary Qian's tone, they knew he wanted to place someone, so they didn't bother with the recommendation process—they picked up a brush and asked Grand Secretary Qian who he thought suitable. Grand Secretary Qian directly wrote Third Brother-in-law's name and place of origin... That very evening, the matter was settled. When Third Brother-in-law went to fill out the registration at the Bureau of Appointments in the morning, the official notice had already been posted... It happened so fast that people could hardly believe it!"

Given Teacher Yao's status, he certainly wouldn't appear personally, but the newly appointed Grand Secretary Qian Donglin had stepped forward for Third Brother-in-law on his very first day in office... Fu Tingjun still felt a bit of a cold sweat.

"That clerk is a veteran of the Ministry of Personnel—he said that in over twenty years at the ministry, this was the first time he'd seen a Grand Secretary personally intervene over a mere 7th-rank position. He asked me whose connections I'd used, and told me not to play dumb with him—even if Third Brother-in-law were the Grand Secretary's prized disciple, the Grand Secretary would have to avoid suspicion and couldn't just roll up his sleeves and charge in like that, looking like he wouldn't stop until he got his way..."

Third Cousin's heart immediately leaped to her throat: "So did you tell him?"

Seventh Brother-in-law let out a snort of laughter: "I'd have to be a fool to say something like that!"

Third Cousin flushed bright red and murmured, "Don't mind me, Seventh Brother-in-law! I'm just so worried that I've lost my head."

Seventh Brother-in-law naturally wouldn't hold such a thing against Third Cousin.

He and Tu Shu sighed with boundless emotion, remarking, "Teacher Yao is truly formidable," then perked up and asked Fu Tingjun, "Ninth Sister, what does Teacher Yao look like?" His face was full of longing, like a child begging sweets from an elder, which made both Fu Tingjun and Third Cousin unable to suppress their laughter.

Meanwhile, not far from Shi Family Hutong at Penglai Pavilion, Yu Jingxiu was drinking with his colleague from the Office of Ceremonial Affairs, Chen Zhongming.

"Brother Chen," Yu Jingxiu said with sincere earnestness, "the capital is neither too big nor too small. You and Grand Secretary Chen are both natives of the capital, both scholars, and share the same surname—surely you must have some connection."

But Chen Zhongming was silently complaining to himself.

Regardless of age or seniority, I surpass you. Yet just because you're the son of a Grand Secretary, when the position of Vice Director of the Office of Ceremonial Affairs opened up, you ruthlessly squeezed me out, and who knows when such an opportunity will come again... Now that Grand Secretary Yu has fallen from power, you come to me...

But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—Grand Secretary Yu still holds his post, so he dared not offend Yu Jingxiu.

His demeanor remained as familiar as before, tinged with a hint of respect, as he said with veiled meaning, "Though we're both from the capital, our families are beyond the fifth degree of mourning kinship. Moreover, Grand Secretary Chen is my senior in both generation and examination rank. I know him, but he may not know me." With that, he chuckled several times.

Yu Jingxiu was overjoyed at these words, but maintained a warm expression on the surface, smiling as he said, "A close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Whether one knows someone or not depends on regular interaction." He then adopted an air of complete sincerity and said, "Brother Chen has been in the Office of Ceremonial Affairs for some time now—don't you wish to move elsewhere? Now that you have Grand Secretary Chen as a great tree to lean on, why be so rigid? Recommending the worthy doesn't avoid kin or foe, and besides, Brother Chen's character and abilities are evident to all. If Brother Chen finds it awkward to speak up, I could have my father make the recommendation—what do you think, Brother Chen?"

"Then I thank you, Brother Yu." Despite his dissatisfaction with Yu Jingxiu, if he could obtain a recommendation from Grand Secretary Yu, he might indeed secure a good position. Chen Zhongming was overjoyed and raised his cup toward Yu Jingxiu. "I toast you, Brother Yu."

Yu Jingxiu drank heartily and said, "However, we'll still need Grand Secretary Chen to help pave the way..."

"Of course, of course." Chen Zhongming was also a man of officialdom and naturally knew how such matters should be handled.

But who should he approach to speak with Chen Danting?

He pondered this and drank another cup.

Seeing that the time was right, Yu Jingxiu smiled and sighed, "I truly envy Grand Secretary Chen and Grand Secretary Qian! Without a sound, how did they suddenly gain the emperor's favor..." He wanted to probe into the backgrounds of Qian Donglin and Chen Danting.

But before he could finish his sentence, the door to the private room burst open with a bang, and Moyan walked in with a panicked expression.

Yu Jingxiu frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "What's happened? Why all the fluster?" His gaze was sharp, clearly signaling that he should save his words for later.

Moyan had no choice but to withdraw and wait outside the private room until the banquet ended, then stepped forward and said, "Young Master, it's bad news. Chengxin just came to say that a man named Shen Renshi has secured the position of Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel..."

"What?" Yu Jingxiu felt as if struck by lightning, his face turning pale, and his voice involuntarily rose. "When did this happen? Where did the news come from?"

"The announcement has already been posted." Yu Jingxiu's reaction frightened Moyan, and he secretly regretted coming to deliver this news—the young master would have found out eventually anyway. "The mistress, the mistress also knows, and has sent someone to ask the master."

Grand Secretary Yu had not yet returned from his office.

His father had lost the position of Chief Grand Secretary, and now the position of Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, which he had thought was all but secured, was also lost...

Yu Jingxiu felt momentarily dizzy.

Ignoring that Chen Zhongming had not yet walked far, he strode quickly out of the restaurant: "Hurry and prepare the carriage—I need to go to Bingma Si Hutong to find Father."

Moyan dared not hesitate for even a moment and ran out of the restaurant.

As soon as Yu Jingxiu jumped onto the carriage, it sped off toward Bingma Hutong.

At the entrance of Bingma Hutong, he encountered a servant who was on his way to report back to Madam Yu.

Yu Jingxiu's face was ashen as he asked the servant, "What did the master say?"

The servant hastily replied, "The master only just learned of it. He's sent people to investigate who this Shen Renshi is..."

Seeing that his father had no information to offer, Yu Jingxiu's expression grew even worse. He beckoned to the servant: "Come back to the residence with me."

The servant quickly acknowledged and jumped onto the carriage shaft, following Yu Jingxiu back to Jiadao Street, then went with him to see Madam Yu.

"It never rains but it pours!" Madam Yu said after receiving the servant's report, looking at her agitated son and muttering, "I wonder where this Shen Renshi has sprung from?"

Yu Jingxiu stood up upon hearing this: "I'll go make inquiries."

"Come back!" Madam Yu called him back. "This matter is too suspicious. Wait until your father returns before we decide what to do."

Yu Jingxiu raised an eyebrow, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes. He was about to say something when Madam Yu interjected, "Is it you who knows more people, or your father?" Then, thinking of how smoothly her son's life had gone so far and fearing he might not be able to withstand this blow, she stepped forward, took his hand, and said gently, "I feel quite unsettled. Stay here and keep me company for a while."

Yu Jingxiu hesitated for a long moment. Seeing that Madam Yu's grip on his hand was growing tighter, he could only nod in agreement.

Madam Yu let out a sigh of relief, ordered a maid to cut some watermelon, and led Yu Jingxiu to sit on the arhat couch.

Grand Secretary Yu returned.

Madam Yu and Yu Jingxiu hurriedly went to greet him.