Blossom

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Jining flushed crimson and retorted with a bluster that belied his guilt, "Judging by your demeanor, Mr. Chen, you must also be a scholar. How can you take hearsay as fact? Back then, the children were all still young, and our family had only Yu-geer as the sole heir. Whether it was a trip to Zhen Ding or even just to the Western Hills, his mother wouldn’t have felt at ease, which is why we seldom visited. There’s no truth to the things you’ve mentioned!"

Yet he carefully avoided any mention of the marriage arrangement between the Wei and Dou families.

If Chen Qushui had arrived with any lingering hopes for the Wei family, they now sank like a stone into the sea without so much as a ripple. His gaze turned icy and sharp as an arrow without any pretense. "Your Lordship’s words don’t seem sincere, do they? I’ve heard that if the He family helps your son-in-law secure the title of heir, you would hand over the betrothal token from the Dou family to them—our Fifth Master, after all, is the Vice Minister of Personnel!"

Grand Academicians of the Grand Secretariat held only the fifth rank, while the six ministers of the Six Ministries were of the second rank. To elevate the status of these Grand Academicians, they were often concurrently appointed as ministers of the Six Ministries. However, since these Grand Academicians couldn’t attend daily duties in the ministries, the Left Vice Ministers of each ministry effectively managed affairs.

The conferment of noble titles fell under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Honors and Records in the Ministry of Personnel.

At these words, the Marquis of Jining’s heart trembled, and inwardly, he cursed Cai Bi to the depths of hell.

Hadn’t he been assured that outsiders would never find out? How had this accountant from the Dou family come to know? And if even the Dou family’s accountant knew, Zhang Jiming and Zhang Xuming would undoubtedly be aware as well. Those two had only pretended to be fraternal in front of their father, Zhang Pei. Now that Zhang Yuanming had broken the family’s unspoken rule by seeking external help to secure the heirship, it would only give Zhang Jiming and Zhang Xuming an excuse to openly challenge him for the position—leaving even Zhang Pei with nothing to say.

Zhang Jiming was married to the niece of the Marquis Changxing, and Zhang Xuming to the granddaughter of the Ningde Princess. How could a minor household like the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion compare?

If this news spread, the loss of face for the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion would be the least of their worries. What if they ended up losing both sides of the bargain?

He had no choice but to steel himself and flatly deny it. "There’s absolutely no such thing! If you don’t believe me, Mr. Chen, we can confront the He family directly!"

A noble marquis, actually proposing to confront a mere accountant like a servant...

The thought that Dou Zhao had once been betrothed to such a family filled Chen Qushui with indignation on her behalf.

With great effort, he suppressed his anger and forced a look of sudden relief, sighing, "I also thought it couldn’t be true. But people spoke of it so vividly—even detailing whom the He family sent to negotiate and what tea was served—that I couldn’t help but believe it!"The Marquis of Jining barely resisted the urge to pull out a handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his brow. Meanwhile, Chen Qushui smoothly shifted the conversation, his tone sincere yet tinged with apology: "However, I must admit this matter was indeed ill-considered on my part. No matter how close the eldest son of the Duke of Jing's household is to you, he remains a son-in-law—another family's son. How could he possibly worship the ancestors of the Wei Family? Naturally, you must prioritize the Young Lord's interests. Only when the Young Lord thrives can the Marquis of Jining's Mansion prosper, and only then can your paternal aunt leverage her natal family's influence to help her husband secure the title of heir. A father-in-law assisting his son-in-law is perfectly justified and honorable, no matter where you go. Even if the two Zhang brothers harbor grievances, they have no one to blame but themselves—after all, their wives' families lack the necessary influence! Don't you agree, Marquis?"

Indeed! If the He Family wished to help Zhang Yuanming claim the heirship, bypassing the Dou family was impossible. Given the circumstances, why not forge an alliance with the Dou family? Under the current situation, this would not only earn him a reputation for integrity and steadfastness but also allow him to openly intervene in the Zhang family's affairs. Killing two birds with one stone—far less risky than dealing with the He Family.

He couldn't help but nod. "You speak wisely, sir."

"It's not so much that I speak wisely, but rather that you, Marquis, are too deeply involved to see clearly. We bystanders have a clearer view." Chen Qushui, now adopting a humble tone in contrast to his earlier sharpness, continued, "Have you ever considered why the Duke of Jing, a shrewd and capable man, has yet to appoint an heir if your son-in-law is truly so unfit?"

He recalled some of Dou Zhao's remarks about Zhang Yuanming and deftly incorporated them into his argument.

The Marquis of Jining was struck by a sudden realization.

"If this old man guesses correctly, the Duke of Jing likely still favors your son-in-law as his heir," Chen Qushui analyzed methodically for the Marquis. "He's merely constrained by his wife and other sons, unable to find the right opportunity. Otherwise, why would he delay for so long? If your son-in-law remains patient and takes no action, the situation might still turn in his favor. But if he resorts to external forces to forcibly meddle in the Duke of Jing's affairs, the Duke would never tolerate it. The clan members would also protest, and some might even follow suit, resorting to unscrupulous means to advance their own agendas. By then, the Duke of Jing's household would descend into utter chaos..."

The Marquis could no longer remain seated. He leapt to his feet. "Exactly, exactly! The Duke of Jing often told me that our son-in-law is filial and pure-hearted—qualities that alone make him worthy of the heirship... It's just that Madam Yuan constantly quarrels with the Duke, leaving him no escape... If the Duke shared Madam Yuan's sentiments, the heir would have been appointed long ago. There'd be no need to wait until now... If our son-in-law remains passive, all may yet be well. But if he dares to scheme for the heirship behind the scenes, given the Duke's temperament, he would never tolerate it..."

From behind the study came the sound of a woman's muffled sobs.

Chen Qushui pretended not to hear.

The Marquis of Jining, however, bowed deeply to Chen Qushui with a ceremonial salute. "Thank you for enlightening me, sir. Such a great kindness cannot be repaid with mere words."

"You honor me too much, Marquis." Chen Qushui returned the bow with lowered head, though the corners of his lips curled upward.

※※※※※Located in the heart of the Capital's Nanxun Ward, adjacent to the Six Ministries, the Imperial Academy, and the Office of the Household of the Heir Apparent, the Ji residence appeared quite ordinary from the outside—whitewashed walls, gray tiles, and a pair of black-lacquered wide doors. Yet upon entering, one would discover a grand three-section, five-courtyard mansion occupying a third of Yuhe Alley.

Seated in the magnolia-scented study at the southeast corner of the Ji residence, Ji Yong looked at the note in his hand, his lips curling into a delighted arc.

Exchanging the heirship of the Jing Dukedom for Dou Zhao's betrothal token.

Not bad.

At least Dou Zhao is worth a ducal heirship.

He instructed his personal page, Zi Shang: "Take my name card. We're going to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion."

Zi Shang rarely saw Ji Yong so pleased and ventured boldly, "What business do we have at the Marquis of Jining's? We're not acquainted with those noble families..."

Ji Yong's expression instantly darkened as he shot him a cold glance.

Trembling with fear, Zi Shang dared not say another word. He hastily called maids to help Ji Yong change clothes, fetched a name card from the study, arranged for a carriage, and accompanied Ji Yong out.

On the way, they encountered several young scholars.

Upon seeing Ji Yong, they immediately made way for him from a distance.

Without even lifting his eyelids, Ji Yong strode past them as if they were invisible.

Zi Shang recognized the leader as Master Min from the Twelfth Elder's household; the others were unfamiliar, likely classmates from the Imperial Academy. He smiled at Master Min in greeting when someone from the group grumbled discontentedly, "So this is your famously precocious provincial champion? Quite arrogant, isn't he? Though our learning may not match his now, who's to say we won't be named on the Golden List someday..."

Zi Shang heard Master Min laughingly explain, "Brother Jieyuan, you misunderstand. My cousin isn't arrogant—he simply 'devotes his heart solely to sages' books, turning deaf ears to worldly affairs' and knows nothing of social niceties. Whether meeting you for the first time or having known you for years, he might forget your face after some time apart. This has caused him no end of embarrassment, but our family is used to it. Spend more time with him and you'll see—he's never been good at recognizing people since childhood..."

Fortunately, they'd met Master Min. Had it been Master Yu instead, far from defending the young master, he'd likely be egging others on to cause trouble.

Zi Shang hurried after Ji Yong through the main gate. Just as he considered praising Master Min to Ji Yong, a black-lacquered carriage with blue curtains pulled up before them.

Alighting was Ji Yong's father, Ji Qi.

A handsome man in his forties, he wore the crimson official robe of a fourth-rank official adorned with cloud-and-wild-goose insignia, his gentle demeanor exuding refinement.

With a smile, Ji Qi asked his son, "Jianming, where are you off to?"

Without blinking, Ji Yong replied, "Going to Jade Treasure Pavilion to see if they have any decent inkstones."

"Have you enough money?"

Ignoring the question, Ji Yong boarded the carriage directly.

Zi Shang hastily answered for him, "Plenty, plenty!"

Unoffended, Ji Qi nodded and reminded them to "be careful."

Nodding repeatedly, Zi Shang gave a hurried bow before climbing into the carriage.

Ji Qi watched their carriage depart Daidiao Alley before entering the residence himself.

※※※※※The Marquis of Jining's Mansion was located in Yuming Lane in the western part of the city, where the mansions of the Marquis of Yan'an, Marquis Changxing, and Duke Xing were also situated. Many of the founding heroes of the dynasty had established their residences there, so Yuming Lane was jokingly referred to by the Capital's residents as "Wealth and Nobility Lane."

Ji Yong encountered Chen Qushui, who had just emerged from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, at its entrance.

He was surprised.

Chen Qushui was even more astonished and stepped forward to greet Ji Yong with a bow.

Ji Yong, however, asked, "What are you doing here? Where is Fourth Miss?"

Chen Qushui smiled and replied, "Fourth Miss is in Zhen Ding. She sent me to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion to handle some matters."

Ji Yong frowned deeply and pulled Chen Qushui aside to speak privately. "What business did Fourth Miss send you to handle?"

Chen Qushui smiled without answering.

In Ji Yong's mind, Dou Zhao's calm and almost wise expression surfaced, and he felt an uneasy premonition.

He snorted coldly and said, "Don't think I can't find out. Telling me now would just save me some trouble."

Chen Qushui politely smiled and replied, "A man should be faithful to the trust placed in him. I beg Young Master Ji not to make things difficult for me."

Ji Yong clicked his tongue and sneered, "Who would have thought that Zhang Kai, the Governor of Fujian, was a coward, while his adviser turns out to be a man of loyalty and courage."

Zhang Kai, the Governor of Fujian, had abandoned the city and fled when the Japanese pirates attacked Fuzhou. He was executed by the sword of Jiang Meisun, Duke Ding and the Provincial Military Commander of Fujian, and his head was hung on the city walls of Fuzhou for public display for three days—a fact well-known throughout the court and the public.

Chen Qushui's expression darkened instantly, his demeanor turning frosty. "Then I can only trouble Recommended Man Ji to find out for himself." With that, he flicked his sleeves and boarded a nearby carriage, which rattled away.