Chapter 260

Not far away, Hao Jianfeng, who appeared to be chatting and laughing with a group of friends, had actually been straining his ears to catch every sound since Fifth Master Fu had walked into the shop.

Before Fifth Master Fu had even finished speaking, Hao Jianfeng's eyes lit up.

Quanhui—clearly a woman's private name.

Anyone Fifth Master Fu addressed in such a manner had to be either a daughter or a niece.

It could even be Mrs. Zhao's childhood name.

At this thought, he felt a flicker of excitement.

So the rumors weren't false after all.

Fifth Master Fu might well be Mrs. Zhao's biological father!

He cast a glance toward where Fifth Master Fu and Shen Renshi were standing, and saw Mrs. Shen step forward with a smile to greet Fifth Master Fu with a bow, saying in a gentle voice, "Ninth Sister said she's returning home, so as not to put the elders of the Fu family in an awkward position. She's asked me to help arrange the sacrificial offerings and the elegiac couplets on her behalf!"

Fifth Master Fu was taken aback, then his brows shot up and anger flashed in his eyes. His lips twitched, then pressed tightly together. He drew a deep breath, and gradually his brow smoothed as he forced a stiff smile and said, "What kind of reasoning is that—refusing to return for one's own grandmother's funeral? As her elder sister, you ought to persuade her..."

By now it was past noon, and most of those who had taken their midday meal at Yangguan had already drifted away. Some guests, like Third Cousin and her party, were still bidding farewell to friends and relatives. Though not exactly noisy, there was a certain bustle in the air. Yet the moment Fifth Master Fu spoke, Third Cousin suddenly felt as though all conversation around her had vanished, leaving an eerie stillness set against the laughter and chatter in the distance.

Startled, she looked up and saw that Hao Jianfeng and the others, who had been talking moments before, were now paying distracted attention to them.

Third Cousin barely restrained herself from frowning.

Ninth Sister, mindful of the kindness of her upbringing, had never spoken a word of complaint against the Fu family no matter what grievances she had suffered—let alone done anything to harm or inconvenience them. But Fifth Uncle, on the other hand, showed not the slightest consideration for Ninth Sister. First he had refused to acknowledge her for fear of losing face, and now he disregarded her entirely for the sake of his official career. After all, Ninth Brother-in-law was a favored minister of the Son of Heaven, a second-rank military commander guarding one of the realm's frontiers. In everyone's eyes, Ninth Brother-in-law and Ninth Sister were people from the Former Residence of the Emperor, and their marriage had been decreed by the Grand Empress Dowager herself. If Fifth Uncle acted so recklessly and aroused suspicion, and someone dug up the old affairs, what good would that do Ninth Brother-in-law and Ninth Sister?

Ninth Sister considers your interests, but you don't consider hers in the slightest.

And he's her own biological father!

At this thought, Third Cousin felt her heart ache for Fu Tingjun, and a surge of inexplicable indignation rose in her chest.

"Fifth Uncle, what you've said is wrong!" she said, with some bluntness. "Ninth Sister would like to return, but if she did, in what capacity would she pay her respects to Grandmother? If the people of Huayin asked, how should Ninth Sister answer? Unless Fifth Uncle provides some resolution, Ninth Sister has no proper standing, and indeed it would be difficult for her to return." She touched her forehead as she spoke. "I've been worrying over this very matter myself—Ninth Sister has entrusted me with arranging the offerings and delivering the elegiac couplets, but in whose name should they be sent? And how should the couplets be signed?"

Hao Jianfeng's eyes brightened as he listened.

With Grand Secretary Shen forced into retirement, the one who had suffered the most misfortune was probably himself.

Even if he wanted to follow the example of those fourth- and fifth-rank capital officials who directly submitted their name cards and flocked around Qian Donglin or Chen Danting, he suspected that Qian and Chen, gauging the emperor's intentions, wouldn't dare accept them. But to simply concede defeat was equally unthinkable—he was only one step away from the Grand Secretariat!

He had to find a way to save himself, no matter what.

If Shen Renshi could gain access through Mrs. Zhao's connections, why couldn't he?

Shen Renshi had family ties; he had mutual interests!

Where there's a will, there's a way.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he already had a plan.

Hao Jianfeng turned with a smile, stepped forward to Third Brother-in-law's side, and gave his shoulder an affectionate pat. "I didn't realize you and Lord Fu were relatives!" he said, then clasped his hands toward Lord Fu in greeting. "Is Lord Fu leaving the capital today? Why didn't you say a word? We could have seen you off!"

Third Brother-in-law inwardly cursed at the misfortune.

With Grand Secretary Shen fallen from power, Hao Jianfeng was like a rootless duckweed, desperately seeking connections. He had broached the subject several times, and Third Brother-in-law, fearing it would cause trouble for Fu Tingjun, had always deftly deflected the matter—but Hao Jianfeng's intentions were plain as day.

It had been Hao Jianfeng himself who volunteered to have the Five City Patrol escort Third Cousin back to Huayin, and his attitude had been so sincere that Third Brother-in-law couldn't refuse.

But Third Brother-in-law understood Fifth Master Fu's intentions all too well.

In previous years, his official career had been smooth sailing thanks to Grand Secretary Yu, but a single word from the emperor had cut it short. Not to mention that Grand Secretary Yu was now too preoccupied with his own troubles to help—even if he became Chief Grand Secretary, he would not dare to promote him for the time being. Even so, as long as he made no mistakes, he could at least remain in his current position. Now that he had returned to his hometown in mourning, hoping to be reinstated after three years was simply impossible. Fifth Master Fu might not have been unaware of this, but to give up so easily—he surely could not accept it. Otherwise, he would not have swallowed his pride and come to find Ninth Sister!

Now that Ninth Sister was not taking the bait, Hao Jianfeng, the Vice Minister acting as the head of the Ministry of Personnel in charge of all official appointments, evaluations, and promotions across the realm, had come to him instead. No matter how suspicious this was, to Fifth Master Fu, who was like a drowning man being swallowed by the water, this was a life-saving wooden boat. He would grasp it and never let go.

Ninth Sister was likely in for trouble!

Third Cousin's husband hurriedly said, "We have already troubled Lord Hao greatly for escorting my wife; how could we presume to disturb him further?" As he spoke, he shot a meaningful glance at Third Cousin.

Third Cousin understood and smiled as she gave Hao Jianfeng a bow, saying, "We left in such haste that Mrs. Zhao was worried about my safety on the road. Only when she learned that Lord Hao had arranged for guards to escort me back did she feel at ease, sending only her senior maid to see me off. I must say, I have not yet properly thanked Lord Hao. But time is pressing—if we delay any longer, we will not reach the post station before nightfall. I shall have to call on you to express my gratitude after I return from Huayin." Then she said to Fifth Master Fu, "Fifth Uncle, since we have met, why don't we travel together?"

She could only hint to Hao Jianfeng: we have already accepted your kindness, and Fu Tingjun is aware of it. When she returns with news of the mourning, she will duly repay your favor.

Hao Jianfeng's spirits lifted at her words, and he laughed, saying, "It was merely a small effort. Lord Shen and his wife are too courteous..."

Fifth Master Fu, however, was burning with anxiety as he listened.

Having spent four or five years in the Ministry of Personnel, he knew well how things worked there, and he knew Hao Jianfeng's capabilities. Although Fu Tingjun had connections, certain matters that could not be brought into the light could only be handled by senior officials like Hao Jianfeng who knew the ropes. There were countless officials across the realm—how could the emperor possibly remember every one of them? If he waited a few years for the emperor's attention to fade, and if Hao Jianfeng was willing to speak up for him, he could easily have him appointed as a county magistrate or prefect somewhere. It might not sound as prestigious as a Director in the Ministry of Personnel, but it was a true parent-official to the people, far better than taking orders from others in the ministry.

Though he did not know why Hao Jianfeng had suddenly changed his attitude toward him, such an opportunity was fleeting—how could he let it slip away!

"The post station is only about forty li from here," Fifth Master Fu interjected. "There's no need to rush." With that, he bowed to Hao Jianfeng and said respectfully, "What brings Lord Hao to Shilipu? Have you had your midday meal? Perhaps I could play host. I must insist that Lord Hao do me the honor!" He smiled and bowed again, his sincerity evident.

Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated.

Since he had decided to seek Mrs. Zhao's help, it was crucial to understand the relationship between Mrs. Zhao and Lord Fu and Shen Renshi. He could not afford to seek help from the wrong person and waste precious time—he was eager to speak with Qian Donglin and Chen Danting.

"I happened to be seeing off a friend, and like Lord Fu, I had just stepped into the main hall of Yangguan Inn," Hao Jianfeng said with a genial smile. "Lord Fu must not have eaten yet either? Why not join us?" He then introduced the several people beside him to Lord Fu, and with a smile, pointed to Lord Jiang: "He is our guest of honor today!"

Fifth Master Fu could not have asked for more, and he quickly smiled and said, "Then I shall not stand on ceremony." He insisted again on being the host.

Not a single person present was anything less than shrewd, and most had guessed something of Hao Jianfeng's change in attitude.

Who would want to undermine Hao Jianfeng's plans?

Everyone laughed good-naturedly and invited Fifth Master Fu to join them for the midday meal.

What mattered was forging a connection with Hao Jianfeng—whether he could return to Huayin with Third Cousin had long been cast to the back of Fifth Master Fu's mind.

Smiling, he followed the group into the private room on the second floor.

Third Cousin stamped her foot in frustration, while Third Cousin's husband gave a wry smile and pulled the somewhat bewildered Seventh Cousin's husband along as they followed Hao Jianfeng and the others into the private room.

After several rounds of wine, Hao Jianfeng was reeking of alcohol, and Fifth Master Fu had matched him cup for cup with tea, making frequent trips to the latrine. Both men wanted to speak privately, but with Third Cousin's husband and Seventh Cousin's husband toasting them left and right, they never managed to get a word in with each other.

Hao Jianfeng saw that this was getting nowhere, and when Fifth Master Fu went to the latrine again, he seized the opportunity to claim he'd had too much to drink. He asked the waiter to bring a basin of water to wash his face, then slipped out of the private room while the others were toasting the Third Brother-in-law and Seventh Brother-in-law—and ran straight into Fifth Master Fu.

Fifth Master Fu felt this was a godsent opportunity and hurried forward with a smile. "How is it that you've come out, Lord Hao?"

"I've had a bit too much to drink and came out for some air." Hao Jianfeng said as he made his way downstairs.

Fifth Master Fu immediately followed.

Hao Jianfeng then laughed and said, "Lord Fu could be said to have found light at the end of the tunnel. With a daughter like Mrs. Zhao, if you rest at home for a while and then return to office, I'm afraid you'll look down on our Ministry of Personnel!"

So that was it!

Fifth Master Fu muttered to himself.

So this was why Hao Jianfeng had suddenly become so cordial with him. It was because Grand Secretary Shen had returned to his hometown, leaving Hao Jianfeng without a patron. Having heard from Shen Renshi that Fu Tingjun was his daughter, he wanted to seek favor through Fu Tingjun's connections, just as Shen Renshi had done!

But he knew his own situation all too well.

He was the one who wanted to seek favor through Hao Jianfeng's connections!

At this thought, he couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment.

If it weren't for the Yu family, would his relationship with Fu Tingjun be as irreconcilable as it was now?

But Fifth Master Fu couldn't afford to dwell on complaints.

Since Hao Jianfeng had put it that way, if he didn't give Hao Jianfeng an explanation, Hao Jianfeng would assume he could rely on Fu Tingjun to be reinstated and naturally wouldn't help him. Then he'd end up with nothing on either side—drawing water with a bamboo basket only to come up empty.

With this in mind, he let out a long, helpless sigh and said with a face full of chagrin, "You have no idea. Because of the Yu family, my daughter is now full of grievances, and she even blames me, her own father! It would be a blessing if she didn't resent me—how could she possibly help me?"

And just like that, he had gotten what he wanted.

Hao Jianfeng could hardly conceal his astonishment, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

"Oh?" He feigned surprise. "Is that so?"