The daughter’s fearless gaze and unapologetic tone stunned Fifth Master Fu. He stared at Fu Tingyun with wide eyes.
Fu Tingyun sneered contemptuously: “Has Official Fu finished speaking? If so, this humble one would like to say a few words.”
Before Fu Tingyun had emerged, Fifth Master Fu had already berated Yan Qing, Zheng San, and Jin Yuanbao in succession. Though he crafted his words like an essay, never repeating the same phrases, he had expressed all his intended meanings—and in the end, they were just those few complaints. But seeing Fu Tingyun’s disdainful manner, the nameless fire in Fifth Master Fu’s heart burned even more fiercely. He jumped with rage and said, “I haven’t finished yet…”
Upon hearing this, Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San: “Bring me a stool, and brew some tea while you’re at it.”
Zheng San loudly responded, “Right away,” and in the blink of an eye, brought an embroidered stool and placed it behind Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun sat down, and Zheng San’s tea was already at hand.
She lifted the teacup, blew on the floating tea leaves, and took several small sips.
“You…” Fifth Master Fu pointed at Fu Tingyun, his arm trembling—the person being scolded paid him no mind whatsoever, treating him like a clown while watching the spectacle with detachment. What meaning did his tirade have now?
Fu Tingyun looked up and handed her teacup to Yu Wei, who was attending her at the side. She straightened her sleeves and calmly asked once more: “Has Official Fu finished speaking? If so, this humble one would like to say a few words!”
Fifth Master Fu was so angry that his entire body trembled, unable to utter a single word.
Fu Tingyun then stood up and said softly: “From what Official Fu was saying earlier, it seems you’re accusing me of being selfish and cold-hearted, of not repaying the kindness of those who raised me… But there’s one thing I don’t understand.” As she spoke, her gaze suddenly became sharp as arrows, her expression fierce. “Who are you to me? By what right do you come to my doorstep and shout insults at me?”
Jin Yuanbao and the others changed color abruptly.
Although no one had openly acknowledged it, they all knew that Fifth Master Fu was Fu Tingyun’s biological father.
If word got out that a biological father had come to his daughter’s home to make a scene, and the daughter had stood at the main gate confronting him… people in the capital would likely gossip about it for the next decade.
Even if it wasn’t Fu Tingyun’s fault, it would still be considered her fault.
Fifth Master Fu jumped up: “I am your…”
The words “father” were on the tip of his tongue, but he suddenly shuddered and forcibly held them back.
The voice of Grand Secretary Yu, though disappointed yet still somewhat gentle, echoed in Fifth Master Fu’s ears: “…You have served diligently in the Ministry of Personnel for so many years, if not with great merit at least with hard work. But although the Six Ministries are good positions, if you wish to advance further, it is difficult without experience in local governance. As it happens, the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Henan needs to observe mourning, creating a vacancy. The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Henan is already over seventy and will retire in a few years. I recommended you to Grand Secretary Shen.”
“However, when it reached the Emperor, he somehow inquired about your children. At that time, Chen Zhongming from the Court of State Ceremonial was attending the Emperor. He is a colleague and good friend of my son, but not being familiar with you, he simply answered ‘I don’t know.’ The Emperor held his brush in silence, and Chen hurriedly went to the Ministry of Personnel to inquire.”
“When the Emperor heard that your youngest daughter died early and you only have one son, he said ‘not suitable’ and crossed out your name.”
“Chen knew that I had recommended you, so he quickly informed my son…”
“Small Fu, I’ve been thinking, this matter may have been caused by your son-in-law and daughter filing a complaint to the Emperor. I am powerless now!” Grand Secretary Yu sighed with regret on his face. “We can only wait a few years until the Emperor forgets this matter before making plans again.” He continued, “The one who tied the bell must untie it. I suggest you visit the Shi Family Hutong and persuade your daughter! It’s better to resolve grudges than to maintain them. Such opportunities are rare.”
The promotion from fifth rank to fourth rank was a threshold that many couldn’t cross in their entire lifetime. Not only did he have a chance to cross this enviable threshold, but he might even rise to the third rank, becoming a high provincial official, earning an honorary arch for the Fu family, and having his name carved on the wall of the main hall of the Fu family ancestral temple, passing it down to future generations… This opportunity had not only been destroyed by Fu Tingyun, but because of her, the Emperor had deemed him “not suitable”… Grand Secretary Yu had been kind, saying they would find a way to recommend him again once the Emperor forgot, but the Emperor was only thirty-three this year!
Twenty-eight years younger than Grand Secretary Yu, twenty-five years younger than himself.
Even if the Emperor forgot, the imperial daily records would still contain the notation.
Even if he could wait until the current Emperor passed away, the successor would be the Emperor’s son—the Crown Prince. Would a son, for the sake of a minor fifth-rank official like him, contradict his own father’s words?
His career was essentially over.
Fifth Master Fu felt as if he had fallen into an ice hole. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted. It was only after Grand Secretary Yu’s servant splashed cold water on him and pinched his philtrum that he regained consciousness.
After leaving the Yu residence, he had come directly to the Shi Family Hutong.
To his surprise, he was stopped at the gate by Zhao’s doorman, who refused to let him in, no matter what, saying, “The madam instructed that any Fu family member who comes is not to be received.” He could no longer contain his anger and began to curse…
Having already lost the Emperor’s favor and being at a critical juncture, if rumors spread that his supposedly deceased young daughter was still alive… If investigated further, his examination cheating from years ago would likely be exposed.
Thinking of this, his face turned ashen, and his gaze toward Fu Tingyun was filled with hostility.
Fu Tingyun, however, smiled calmly and said: “Official Fu, this is not the first time you’ve come to my home to cause trouble. My husband lost both parents at a young age. His success today is entirely due to his sincerity toward others, his openness, and his noble character, like clear skies after rain. Whether friends who know him or superiors and colleagues who work with him, all are willing to help and support him. You repeatedly claim that my husband ruined your prospects, but what evidence do you have?”
Yu Guozheng was a Grand Secretary; recommending capable officials to the Emperor was his responsibility. If this matter were made public, even if Grand Secretary Yu wasn’t accused of forming factions, he would be charged with abusing his power for personal gain. How could Fifth Master Fu speak of it?
Moreover, since the matter had already fallen through, speaking of it would only invite ridicule.
He stammered: “You know perfectly well what you’ve done, yet you dare to demand evidence from me…”
If her father had any sense of responsibility, he would never have thought of using his daughter’s life to protect his power and position… Fu Tingyun was certain he wouldn’t dare acknowledge their father-daughter relationship.
The facts merely proved once again that she was right.
“Official Fu, that statement is incorrect,” Fu Tingyun interrupted with a cold smile. “Without proof or evidence, based solely on conjecture, you’ve concluded it was my husband’s doing. By your logic, if a cow goes missing from our farm, and Mr. Liu’s farm is next door, then Mr. Liu’s farm manager must have quietly taken our cow? Where is the reason for that?”
Several ill-timed laughs suddenly rang out from the hutong, then abruptly stopped.
Fifth Master Fu’s face turned purple-red.
Fu Tingyun continued: “Official Fu is a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, while my husband is a military commander away from the capital. Their waters don’t mix, yet Official Fu comes to our door, surely because you’ve heard some rumors. Court officials are forbidden from associating with external military officers. Official Fu is in the capital with connections everywhere, so you likely have no fear, but my husband commands troops abroad, relying entirely on the Emperor’s support. He wouldn’t dare touch such matters. I ask Official Fu to reveal those with malicious intentions, to prevent damage to my husband’s reputation!”
She spoke righteously, her face solemn.
Fifth Master Fu was stunned, inwardly cursing his misfortune.
He never expected this wretched girl to be so formidable, finding a loophole in just a few words to place him in danger.
Fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and a trace of regret flashed across his mind.
Had he known this would happen, he should have planned his approach at home instead of rushing over impulsively…
But this regret was quickly replaced by anger.
Not only had she ruined his career, but now she was accusing him of the serious charge of “court officials associating with external military officers”—she wanted him dead!
Realizing he had nothing left to lose, Fifth Master Fu abandoned all restraint and stepped forward to strike Fu Tingyun: “I’ll teach you to talk nonsense, I’ll teach you…”
Jin Yuanbao and Zheng San held him back from both sides, looking toward Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun snorted coldly and ordered A-Sen: “Quickly, go report this to the Shunzhi Prefecture.”
A-Sen hesitated somewhat. Jin Yuanbao and Zheng San widened their eyes, and even Fifth Master Fu forgot to struggle.
For a moment, silence fell at the front gate.
Fu Tingyun scolded A-Sen: “Go quickly! Do you want to let him continue this disturbance?”
Seeing Fu Tingyun’s stern face, A-Sen immediately responded and ran out the gate.
Only then did Fifth Master Fu believe that Fu Tingyun wasn’t bluffing.
He had some connections with the Prefect of Shunzhi, so surely they wouldn’t dare to move against him?
But Fu Tingyun’s resolute manner frightened him.
“Fu Tingyun!” he shouted, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll reveal everything…”
“Go ahead, reveal it!” Fu Tingyun said with some weariness. “That would be perfect. I can return to Huayin to see Grandmother, and I can offer incense for my eldest sister-in-law.” She murmured, “I won’t have to keep silent for your sake anymore, nor worry that my actions might harm my other sisters… Go tell the officials of the Shunzhi Prefecture. I have nothing to fear, for I have done nothing wrong!”
Fifth Master Fu was struck speechless.
He wanted to speak but stopped himself.
If he truly revealed everything, he would become the eternal sinner of the Fu family.
The century-old reputation of the Fu family would be destroyed by his hands.
His face turned pale, and his head drooped lifelessly.
“Official Fu, I told you long ago that apart from sharing the surname ‘Fu,’ we have no relationship whatsoever,” Fu Tingyun said. “If I have any issues, I won’t seek you out, and if you have any problems, there’s no need to come to me. Although what you did was cold-hearted and heartless, I have repaid your kindness of raising me with my life. From now on, we owe each other nothing. Please never come to my home to harass my family again. If I see you, I will pretend not to know you. I will neither help you in times of need nor kick you when you’re down. Rest assured!” After saying this, she lifted her head, glanced at him, then turned and went through the hanging flower gate.
……
At this moment, Grand Secretary Yu sat cross-legged on the meditation chair in his study, his face as dark as water.
“Have you inquired clearly?” he asked his son, who stood before him with hands at his sides. His voice was deep and grave. “Did the Emperor say that?”