Chapter 255

Madam Wu's face had turned somewhat pale at this moment.

She asked Lord Wu haltingly, "Is this true?" Her face was full of doubt.

Lord Wu looked quite troubled: "I asked Hao Jianfeng about it. Didn't he serve as a Provincial Administration Vice Commissioner in Shaanxi back in the day? I originally just wanted him to make some discreet inquiries about this Shen Renshi, but who would have thought—when Hao Jianfeng saw how formidable Shen Renshi was, having actually kicked Yu Jingxiu to the ground, he too was investigating his background. So one question led straight to the answer—it turns out Shen Renshi is the son-in-law of the Fu family of Huayin." Afraid his wife wouldn't know who they were, he explained, "The one who serves as a Director in the Ministry of Personnel." He added, "According to Hao Jianfeng, he had nearly formed a marriage alliance with the Fu family back then, so he knows a fair bit about their affairs."

"At the time, the Fu family's Ninth Miss was betrothed to Yu Jingxiu, the son of Grand Secretary Yu—that was one of the reasons he wanted to marry into the Fu family. Later, for reasons unknown, the Fu family's Ninth Miss passed away from illness, and the engagement fell through." At this point, Lord Wu paused, then said in a low voice to his wife, "Mrs. Zhao is also surnamed Fu. Tell me—could Mrs. Zhao be that young lady of the Fu family?"

Madam Wu was startled: "No, that can't be, right?" Even as she said this, she inexplicably felt in her heart that it might just be possible. Otherwise, how else could two families—one in the north and one in the south—have developed such a deep grudge against each other?

She immediately grew somewhat agitated: "I think you'd better stop chasing shadows here. Why not take the time to ask Hao Jianfeng again... They're all in the Ministry of Personnel now, under Hao Jianfeng's authority. If Hao Jianfeng steps forward to ask on our behalf, the two of them can hardly refuse to answer."

Lord Wu was rather displeased to hear his wife accuse him of "chasing shadows." His face darkened as he said, "What do you mean, chasing shadows? I have solid grounds for saying this. Think about it—the Fu family has always maintained an impeccable reputation, and their daughters have all been chaste and virtuous. Even if the Fu family's Ninth Miss died of illness, she was still a betrothed woman. By all rights, the Fu family should have had the Yu family receive the Ninth Miss's memorial tablet and bring it into their home, so that she might have a place to receive incense offerings. At the very least, even if the Fu family was wary of Grand Secretary Yu, they should have made a scene with the Yu family—their daughter gave up the position of principal wife, so the Yu family ought to have offered some compensation. But look at the situation now: of the two Fu family members in official service, one is merely a fifth-rank Director and the other merely a fourth-rank Prefect. That's letting the Yu family off far too easily..." He stroked his sparse beard as he mused, "...Could it be that the Fu family is in the wrong and can't speak with any authority?"

If a family's daughter is in the wrong, what else could it be besides a lapse in chastity?

Madam Wu immediately grew excited: "If Mrs. Zhao really is the Fu family's Ninth Miss, then tell me—what do you suppose happened back then?"

"How would I know?" Lord Wu could tell at once what Madam Wu was thinking, and he shot her a fierce glare. "Don't you dare do anything rash. Zhao Ling is no pushover. Cross him, and he'll destroy your family and end your bloodline. Just look at how he dealt with those people of the Zhao clan... Don't bring disaster upon this household!"

Madam Wu shuddered at his words and quickly said, "I know, I know. I'm only telling you this. I wouldn't dare breathe a word to anyone else." But she still couldn't let it go, and muttered under her breath, "If Mrs. Zhao really is the Fu family's Ninth Miss, then does Lord Zhao actually know about Mrs. Zhao's background?"

When Lord Wu saw that she was still fixated on this blasted matter, he slammed his palm down hard on the kang table. "If you dare treat my words as wind passing by your ears, I'll send you back to your natal family!"

What was this, now?

She had only muttered a few words, and he was threatening to send her back to her natal family!

They had been husband and wife for over thirty years!

At this thought, Madam Wu couldn't help but shed tears: "My lord's heart is too cruel! I've followed you for all these years—when have I ever caused you difficulty? Think back—had I not sold my dowry farmland back then, could you have gone to the capital for the imperial examinations? Later, when you were posted to the provinces, had I not swallowed my pride and borrowed money from my natal family, could you have afforded your official robes, your sedan chair, and your private secretary... Now, just because I said one extra sentence, you want to send me back to my natal family. Have I had it easy all these years..."

Lord Wu, having had his old secrets exposed by his wife, flushed red with anger—but unfortunately, every word his wife spoke was the plain truth, without a drop of exaggeration. Even if he wanted to refute her, he had no grounds to do so.

Just as he was about to storm off, a young maid announced from behind the door curtain: "My lord, my lady, Lord Hao has arrived!"

Both husband and wife were taken aback.

Lord Wu lowered his voice and snapped at Madam Wu: "Go wash your face quickly. What kind of appearance is this?" Then he instructed the maid, "Show Lord Hao to the study."

The maid acknowledged and left.

Madam Wu pulled out her handkerchief and hastily wiped her face, then hurriedly called for her personal attendant to come in and help her.

Lord Wu took the opportunity to leave the inner chamber.

Madam Wu thought to herself—today was neither a festival, nor a holiday, nor an official rest day—so why had Hao Jianfeng come?

Could it be that he had come about the Fu family matter?

The very thought of such a possibility made Madam Wu unable to sit still.

That Zhao Ling treated his wife like a precious treasure. When he returned, he went nowhere else but took that Madam Fu around to sightsee. Once, when they came back from outside, she had seen with her own eyes Zhao Ling carrying Madam Fu down from the carriage... If Madam Fu's conduct were questionable, who knew whether Zhao Ling would still hold her in his mouth for fear she might melt, or in his palm for fear she might fall.

Her heart itched with restless desire.

She merely wished to know whether Mrs. Zhao had any connection to the Fu family. If there was a connection, she certainly would not speak of it. If there was none, this would be the perfect opportunity to clear Mrs. Zhao's name. Perhaps it might even earn Mrs. Zhao's gratitude, allowing her to become a close confidante and friend!

Had they not said that the reason Elder Master Yu failed to secure the position of Left Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel was because Mrs. Zhao had interfered... And back then, the Emperor even had the Grand Empress Dowager bestow a marriage upon her! With such great influence—her husband had been sitting in the position of Vice Minister of Rites for six or seven years now, and the Emperor had in one stroke replaced both Grand Secretary Shen and Grand Secretary Mo—perhaps by hitching herself to Mrs. Zhao's high branch, she could get her husband moved to a new post as well?

Madam Wu found reasons for herself and secretly instructed her trusted old nurse: "Go to your master's study, and find a way to listen to what your master and Lord Hao are discussing."

The trusted nurse understood and slipped away quietly.

Before long, the nurse returned: "The door is tightly shut, and all the servants inside have been sent out to the courtyard. Your husband's personal attendant is guarding the door. There was simply no way to get close!"

Hearing this, Madam Wu felt that she was nine-tenths certain she had guessed correctly.

She paced restlessly in the room, waiting for Lord Wu to return.

Lord Wu did not come back until the second watch had already sounded.

Madam Wu rushed forward impatiently and saw her husband's face ashen and haggard.

Her heart pounded wildly, and she hurriedly asked, "What happened? What did Hao Jianfeng say?"

Lord Wu shooed away the maids and serving women in the room, personally went to close the door, and pulled Madam Wu into the side chamber adjoining the inner room before speaking in a low voice: "Mrs. Zhao is indeed the Ninth Miss of the Fu family!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wu's heart seemed to skip several beats, and for a long while she could not catch her breath.

Lord Wu was entirely absorbed in his own thoughts and did not notice anything amiss with Madam Wu.

He paced in circles, wringing his hands and stamping his feet, muttering to himself: "Hao Jianfeng was also investigating Shen Renshi's background, and that's how he uncovered the trail leading to Mrs. Zhao... Shen Renshi was quite candid and did not deny his connection to Madam Fu. He only said that at the time, bandits were plaguing Huayin, and Madam Fu had gotten lost. For the sake of her reputation, the Yu family had claimed she died of illness. If that is so, then since the daughter had returned safely from her ordeal, the Yu family should have been overjoyed. Even if they could not openly acknowledge her for the sake of honor, privately keeping in touch or adopting her as a nominal daughter would have been the same. How is it that the Zhao and Fu families have absolutely no contact at all? This makes no sense!"

But Madam Wu's spirits lifted at this, and she said, "Now I remember! When Lord Zhao first moved here, it seemed someone came to visit the Zhao residence—a carriage with dark green curtains stopped at the front door. I didn't pay attention at the time, but now that I think of it, could it have been Lord Fu coming to see Mrs. Zhao?"

"No," Lord Wu shook his head. "Hao Jianfeng said that back then, the Henan Provincial Surveillance Commissioner was already over seventy, decrepit and frail, and no one knew when he might die of illness or retire. Just then, the position of Vice Commissioner of the Henan Provincial Surveillance Commission fell vacant, and many in the court had their eyes on that post, thinking that if anything should happen to the Henan Surveillance Commission, they could step right in. Grand Secretary Yu had also recommended Lord Fu. Since Mrs. Zhao had the power to override Grand Secretary Yu and place her own cousin-in-law into the position of Left Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, how could she stand by idly when it came to her own father's promotion and advancement? Clearly, their relationship is very strained."

"Moreover, when Hao Jianfeng asked about Lord Fu, Shen Renshi said twice, 'Lord Fu is my wife's uncle. He has been in the capital for many years. My wife came to the Shen family at fifteen, and Hancheng is remote—I only met Lord Fu a few times after I came to the capital.' He seemed eager to distance himself..."

"Then what exactly is going on?" Madam Wu grew more confused the more she heard. "A daughter daring to disregard her father—if it were anyone else, they would probably have slapped her long ago, yet Lord Fu swallows his anger and endures..."

"Then he must have done something to wrong his daughter," Lord Wu said with great certainty. "And I suspect it was not merely wronging his daughter, but also a loss of moral integrity. Otherwise, Lord Fu would not be so guilt-ridden." He thought of the rift between the Zhao and Yu families. "Perhaps this matter was even instigated by the Yu family..." Speaking of the gossip of a Grand Secretary's household, even he could not help but grow curious, and he instructed his wife, "Are you not on good terms with Madam Ji? Find a way to pry into the affairs of the Yu family. Who knows—we might just reap unexpected rewards!"

Madam Wu was taken aback. "Didn't you say that someone like Zhao Ling is not someone we can afford to offend, and told me not to meddle in their family's affairs?"

"Why can't you use your head!" Lord Wu fumed at her denseness. "If the Zhao family is in the wrong in this matter, then of course we should keep our mouths shut; but if the right is on the Zhao family's side, then we must by all means speak up for them... Do you understand or not? Hao Jianfeng feels the same way!"

Madam Wu suddenly saw the light, but then worried, "What if Grand Secretary Yu finds out..."

Lord Wu shot her a contemptuous glance. "Are we going to go banging gongs and drums in the streets about it?"

That was true!

Their goal was to curry favor with Zhao Ling, not to plead his case before the emperor on his behalf. All they needed to do was say a few fair words in front of Zhao Ling. Even if Grand Secretary Yu did find out, they were only stating facts—could he sue them for defamation?