The seemingly gentle and modest Grand Scholar Yu now finally revealed his fangs.

Fu Tingyun sneered.

Zhao Ling was even more direct: “Grand Scholar Yu speaks truly. In this peaceful era, in the capital region, people are openly robbing houses—the Prefect of Shuntian must take responsibility. Especially since His Majesty has just determined to rectify official conduct, I believe the Prefect will quickly solve the case and give the victimized citizens an explanation.” Then he cupped his hands toward Grand Scholar Yu. “Grand Scholar Yu is so concerned about the common people’s suffering, you must have many matters to attend to. We won’t disturb you further and will take our leave now.” With that, he led Fu Tingyun away with long strides.

Watching the departing couple, Grand Scholar Yu’s face was as cold as water.

Zhao Ling, who had already reached the center of the courtyard, suddenly turned back and smiled: “Oh, by the way, I heard that Ye Bi, who currently heads the Censorate as the Left Censor-in-Chief, had been Deputy Left Censor-in-Chief for ten years. If not for Grand Scholar Yu’s sudden appointment to the Censorate back then, he would have become Left Censor-in-Chief much earlier. I wonder if that’s true?” After speaking, he smiled and turned to leave the courtyard.

“What are we going to do?” Fifth Master Fu anxiously asked Grand Scholar Yu.

He knew about this matter.

Back then, Ye Bi had been confident he would be promoted to Left Censor-in-Chief to lead the Censorate. He had even written a poem expressing his ambitions after drinking. But Grand Scholar Yu had somehow secured the backing of another Grand Scholar, and when the imperial edict came down, the new Left Censor-in-Chief was Grand Scholar Yu. Ye Bi felt both ashamed and humiliated. He took three months of sick leave and frantically pulled strings, trying to secure an external posting.

He wanted to leave, so let him leave—but Grand Scholar Yu, to show his magnanimity and care for subordinates, personally visited him several times to check on his illness, keeping Ye Bi at the Censorate. Just when Ye Bi thought Grand Scholar Yu needed someone like him who was familiar with the Censorate, Grand Scholar Yu marginalized him…

From then on, the grudge between Ye Bi and Grand Scholar Yu was established.

Not only did Ye Bi not leave, but he also gathered a group of people to oppose Grand Scholar Yu at every turn.

Although the consequences of opposing him were usually disastrous—not only failing to harm Grand Scholar Yu but actually enhancing his reputation, eventually leading to his entry into the Cabinet—Ye Bi’s “feelings” toward Grand Scholar Yu were predictable…

Moreover, this Ye Bi had been personally promoted by the Emperor, and with the Emperor now rectifying official conduct, Ye Bi was eager to show his loyalty by catching and punishing wrongdoers to establish his merit…

Grand Scholar Yu remained silent.

If it were still the past… not just a minor figure like Zhao Ling, even Ye Bi couldn’t do anything to him.

His hands, clasped behind his back, tightened into fists.

Yu Jingxiu, who was familiar with and had always aspired to be like his father, consciously and unconsciously imitating Grand Scholar Yu’s every move, saw this. He stepped forward and sneered softly: “Master Fu need not worry. That Ye Bi is nothing but a defeated dog, already beaten by my father until he has no strength to fight back. How would he dare to be arrogant before my father? You can rest assured.”

These few decisive and resounding words caused Grand Scholar Yu to glance at his son.

With such courage now, where had he been earlier?

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly and said to the two Fu masters: “Since this matter arose between our two families, how could I stand by and do nothing?” Then he laughed cheerfully. “The palace recently bestowed upon me a pot of Er Qiao peonies, which are now in bloom. If the two gentlemen are interested, why not admire them together? This would fulfill our pretext of flower appreciation!”

Er Qiao, also known as Luoyang Brocade, was a famous variety of peony.

Fifth Master Fu was visibly relieved upon hearing this. He bowed to Grand Scholar Yu with a smile: “In that case, we’ll be imposing on you!” His demeanor was elegant and his manners refined, pleasant to the eyes.

Grand Scholar Yu couldn’t help but think of Fu Tingyun… She resembled this Master Fu somewhat in appearance, but where did that intelligence and wisdom come from? Perhaps from the late Madam Fu?

His wife’s judgment had always been discerning.

Thinking of this, he was reminded of his daughter-in-law, Fan Shi.

Initially, his wife had opposed the marriage with the Fan family, reasoning that Fan Shi, though cultivated and with a scholarly temperament, would make a good wife but not a good family matriarch. Moreover, she was physically frail and did not have the appearance of one who would bear sons.

His wife’s prediction had proven correct once again.

His son had been married for three years with no children, yet stubbornly refused to take a concubine…

A man should not typically interfere in inner chamber affairs, but it seemed time to talk with his son.

Grand Scholar Yu cupped his hands toward the two Fu masters, temporarily putting aside these miscellaneous thoughts, and smilingly led them to the adjacent small garden.

First, Master Fu’s smile was somewhat forced.

Some things were already yesterday’s flowers, no longer applicable…

……

Inside the carriage, Fu Tingyun embraced Zhao Ling and kissed him several times: “You’re so clever, to have inquired about Grand Scholar Yu’s affairs beforehand!”

Zhao Ling sat there carelessly, allowing Fu Tingyun to kiss him as she pleased, and said proudly: “When you know it’s a trap feast, how can you attend without hiding a few knives on your person?” Then he grinned, “You did well too. You investigated Yu Jingxiu’s affairs.” As he spoke, as if remembering something, he straightened up and said seriously, “Do you have any evidence or clues about what you mentioned? If we can seize upon this point and also hold onto the matter of the Yu family instructing the Shuntian Prefecture to kill and silence people, forget about him being a Grand Scholar who only reached his position with Grand Scholar Shen’s help—even if he were to become the Chief Grand Secretary with the Emperor’s backing, we could still bring him down.” As he spoke, a trace of grimness appeared between his brows. For some reason, Fu Tingyun was reminded of Zhao Ling’s fierceness when they first met… Back then, she had only felt fear, but now she felt secure…

She couldn’t help but nestle in Zhao Ling’s arms, pressing her ear against his chest.

“I’m not as capable as you…” Fu Tingyun murmured. “I just felt that Yu Jingxiu’s words were inconsistent, so I tested him, not knowing I had accidentally hit a vital point…”

Women together always like to compare.

Being rejected because of another woman was probably more hurtful than knowing about Fifth Master Fu’s examination fraud!

Zhao Ling thought self-assuredly, holding Fu Tingyun tightly and kissing the top of her head, declaring resolutely: “I will make that Yu Jingxiu regret it!”

Fu Tingyun found his words somehow awkward.

“Regret what?” She pushed Zhao Ling away and sat up. “Just don’t you regret!” She said coquettishly, “Having married such a fierce wife who dares to pound the table when you were speaking with Grand Scholar Yu…”

“Where’s the fierceness?” Zhao Ling cradled her face, looking her over. “I don’t see it.” He continued, “Yu Guoliang pointed his finger in our faces, should we just wipe it off and endure? We will establish our ancestral shrine in the future—this won’t do!” He pulled her back into his embrace. “Ah Yun, don’t always follow what’s written in those books. The way you are now is perfect!” Then a mischievous thought arose, and he whispered, “Of course, if you were to follow what’s written in those books at the bottom of the trunk, I would be more than delighted.”

As he spoke, he began to talk nonsense again.

How did she not know he had such a personality when they first met?

Fu Tingyun blushed and glared at him, only to be met with his hearty laughter.

……

After leaving the Yu residence, First Master Fu got into his carriage. Seeing Fifth Master Fu’s somewhat complacent demeanor, his face darkened.

Fifth Master Fu was startled and asked: “What’s wrong?”

First Master Fu stretched his legs in the cramped carriage and said in a low voice: “How do you plan to handle this matter?”

Fifth Master Fu was puzzled by the question and replied: “Don’t we have Grand Scholar Yu?”

First Master Fu barely managed to hold back from cursing “you fool” aloud: “Didn’t you hear what Grand Scholar Yu said? Since this matter arose between our two families, he won’t stand idly by… The implication is that while they have done wrong, we have also acted inappropriately!”

Fifth Master Fu’s face changed dramatically.

First Master Fu was already muttering: “There are many precious peonies, why did the Emperor specifically bestow Er Qiao on Grand Scholar Yu… Er Qiao, as the name suggests, can bloom two flowers on the same branch… one purple-red, one pink-white… Could it be referring to the purple official robe and the white commoner’s clothes…”

……

In Grand Scholar Yu’s study, silence reigned.

Yu Jingxiu secretly glanced at his father and, seeing his ashen face, quickly lowered his gaze.

Grand Scholar Yu was so angry that his chest hurt. He said sternly, “A true man takes responsibility for his actions. At this point, are you still hesitating and timid?”

“Father!” Yu Jingxiu looked at his father in surprise.

Grand Scholar Yu, seeing his son’s still somewhat bewildered face, couldn’t help but heave a long sigh.

Only then did Yu Jingxiu dare to believe, involuntarily revealing a delighted expression: “Father, rest assured, I know what to do…” As he spoke, he unconsciously straightened his posture, revealing a confident demeanor.

What he had always feared, what he had worried about, was nothing more than disappointing his father.

Now, with his father’s understanding, what more was there to hesitate about?

Suddenly, he felt a soaring spirit, as free as a bird in the sky or a fish in the vast sea.

……

After dinner, watching Zhao Ling playing wildly with their daughter, Fu Tingyun had a headache: “The two from the Shuntian Prefecture are easy to deal with, but Zuo Junjie and the others are likely determined. What should we do now?”

“What’s difficult about it?” Zhao Ling, following their daughter’s wishes, held a doll in front of his face, sometimes popping out from the left with a “meow,” from the right with another “meow,” making Youyou laugh heartily. He spoke somewhat distractedly, “We just need to make sure the Yu family can’t find them!”

“You make it sound so easy,” Fu Tingyun said, picking up the toys her daughter had scattered on the kang. “Is ‘making sure the Yu family can’t find them’ such an easy matter?”

Zhao Ling put down the doll and smiled: “I’ve already thought about it on the way back. The safest place is the most dangerous place. Didn’t Zuo Junjie disguise himself as a beggar to avoid attention? When the time comes, we’ll break his legs, break his arms, cut out his tongue, find a beggar chief to keep watch over him—even his parents wouldn’t recognize him, so how would the Yu family? Even if the Yu family found out, it would be like finding a needle in the sea; where would they start looking? As long as Zuo Junjie remains in our hands for a day, the Yu family will not have a day of peace.”

As he spoke, his face took on a certain coldness, frightening Youyou, who burst into tears with a “waa.”

Zhao Ling hurriedly held his daughter, smiling broadly as he comforted her: “Youyou, be good, don’t cry, don’t cry. Daddy will play peekaboo with you.”

Youyou’s tears turned to laughter.