Chapter 178: Alley Street
Seeing Fu Tingyun's despondent expression, Zhao Ling naturally understood why.
How could he bear to go to Xuantong either?
"Don't worry," Zhao Ling said, pulling her closer by the shoulder. "After dinner, I plan to visit Commander Chen Yunsheng of the Golden Crow Guard's forward division. He's served in the imperial army for over twenty years and has the best connections. Most of the imperial army consists of scions from noble and meritorious families. If I let slip that Mo Yi is about to become the general at Xuantong and still lacks a deputy general, countless people will scramble for the position..."
A stratagem to relieve a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers!
This guy...
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but laugh, though unease lingered. "Xuantong is one of the nine major General Military Headquarters. Being appointed deputy general there would be a tremendous boost for your career..."
"I'm only twenty-five this year, and His Majesty is just in his thirties," Zhao Ling reassured her with a smile. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future." He added, "The position I hold today is only due to His Majesty's gratitude for past ties. To stand firm and go far, I need more experience. Being sent out too early—standing out too soon—might invite trouble. It may not be a good thing."
Only then did Fu Tingyun nod in agreement.
Zhao Ling then said, "Tomorrow might be a 'Hongmen Banquet.' You should stay home with Youyou. I’ll go alone."
"No, I’ll go with you," Fu Tingyun objected. "Since they invited me, not showing up might make them think I’m afraid. They’ll likely keep pestering us. It’s better to seize this chance and lay everything out clearly."
Zhao Ling found her reasoning sound and didn’t argue further.
The couple spent a long while sharing intimate words. After dinner, Zhao Ling played with Youyou for a bit before heading to Chen Yunsheng’s residence.
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun instructed Yu Wei to prepare congratulatory gifts for Marquis Yingchuan, busied herself writing a letter to Wang Furen, coaxed Youyou to sleep, and prepared presents for the two young ladies of the Wang family. It wasn’t until midnight, when Zhao Ling returned, that they finally retired together.
Early the next morning, the two set off for Alley Street.
Alley Street was a narrow lane connecting Chang'an Avenue to Chaoyang Avenue. Though called a "lane," it was still about two zhang wide. Since both Chang'an Avenue and Chaoyang Avenue were among the capital’s nine main thoroughfares, Alley Street also held considerable prestige. Lining its sides were the most prosperous silver shops and antique stores in the capital. The Yu Family’s residence was located in a quiet alley adjacent to Alley Street.
They were greeted by Yu Huaian, the chief steward of the Yu Family in the capital.
A generational servant of the Yu Family, Yu Huaian had attended to Grand Secretary Yu since childhood. As Grand Secretary Yu rose higher in rank and more people sought his favor, Yu Huaian’s status within the Yu Family and the capital grew accordingly. Even distinguished stewards of the Yu Family deferred to him, and mid-ranking officials of the fourth or fifth rank would warmly clasp their hands and address him as "esteemed brother."
When Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun alight from the carriage and strode ahead without hesitation, Yu Huaian couldn’t help but shoot him a surprised glance.
Zhao Ling responded with a cold glare.
Remembering the two Lord Fus who had arrived early and were now ingratiating themselves with his master, Yu Huaian stiffened and quickly lowered his head, respectfully leading Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun to the small reception hall near Grand Secretary Yu’s outer study, where distinguished guests were typically received.
It was April, and several hydrangea bushes planted in front of the hall were in full bloom, their blossoms lush and vibrant like clusters of colorful balls.
From a distance, Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling could already hear a familiar, hearty laugh.After such an incident, they could still come to the Yu Family as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing...
Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed for them and couldn't help turning to Zhao Ling with a smile, saying, "These hydrangeas are blooming beautifully, all clustered together, so lively."
Zhao Ling gave a slight nod, remaining expressionless.
Yu Huaian, hearing this, was about to respond with a polite remark like "These were planted by our young master when he was a child," but then remembered the dispute between the two families and quickly swallowed his words. He hurried up the steps and stood respectfully before the bamboo curtain, announcing, "Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao have arrived."
There was a brief silence inside.
Then came a calm and gentle voice: "Please invite them in at once."
Yu Huaian lifted the curtain.
Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun entered one after the other.
The small parlor had half-closed lattice windows, polished stone floors, and red-lacquered carved furniture. A blue-and-white porcelain vase held peonies as large as bowls, exuding an air of opulence.
Yet Fu Tingyun's gaze fell on the unfamiliar fifty-something man in the parlor.
He wore a slightly worn lilac-colored silk robe with floral patterns, appearing lean and vigorous with a gentle demeanor. Seeing them enter, he chuckled and turned to Master Fu, who was seated below him, saying, "Truly outstanding—a perfect match with Madam Zhao, like a pair of golden boys and jade maidens. Truly enviable!"
His eyes were warm with amusement, his tone full of praise, like a benevolent elder.
Fu Tingyun narrowed her eyes slightly.
Master Fu leaned forward with a smile and said, "Indeed." Then he called out loudly to Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun, "Come quickly and pay your respects to Grand Secretary Yu."
Fu Tingyun deeply disliked this attitude of suddenly stepping in to play the elder when convenient. But seeing Zhao Ling bow respectfully to Grand Secretary Yu, she still curtsied.
Grand Secretary Yu gestured to the seat below Master Fu the Fifth and said kindly, "Please, sit and talk."
However, Zhao Ling took a seat opposite Master Fu the Fifth and exchanged polite pleasantries with Grand Secretary Yu: "Upon entering, we saw a flourishing patch of hydrangeas. It seems Grand Secretary Yu is also a lover of flowers. The purple magnolias must be thriving splendidly as well."
He and Zhao Ling had met a few times at court and in the palace. Though their paths as civil and military officials had never crossed, as a favored minister with the Merit from Supporting the Emperor, Zhao Ling had long become a figure of interest to many, including Grand Secretary Yu.
Seeing Zhao Ling draw such a clear line, Grand Secretary Yu was somewhat surprised.
After the great victory in Guizhou, Zhao Ling had demonstrated exceptional coordination skills. Though Fu Tingyun had suffered grievances, she had ultimately survived. Moreover, Grand Secretary Yu had, albeit unknowingly, helped the Fu Family in many ways. Given his current status and his initiative to extend an olive branch, someone of Zhao Ling's character should have understood what this meant. Why had he suddenly become so unyielding?
He thought of the conduct of the two Masters of the Fu Family...
Could the problem lie with them?
But there was no time for further contemplation now.Grand Secretary Yu glanced at Fu Tingyun with a hint of guilt, his expression turning serious as he spoke candidly, "Lord Zhao, the talk of admiring flowers was merely a pretext. The reason I invited both Lord Fu and you and your wife to my home today is actually concerning my unfilial son..." He sighed with resignation, "It's my fault for being too occupied with official duties and failing to discipline him properly, allowing him to develop such an arrogant and presumptuous nature, which led him to act so recklessly... Truly, the blame lies with me."
Before Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun could respond, Master Fu interjected, "How can this be your fault? You've been away serving in office for years, and Yu Jingxiu was under the guidance of his tutors—inevitably, there might have been some oversights..." As he spoke, he recalled that Yu Jingxiu's tutor was none other than his own father-in-law, and his expression grew awkward.
Master Fu the Fifth, who had remained silent until now, quickly chimed in, "Yu Jingxiu is still young and bound to be impulsive at times. With a few more years of experience, he will naturally mature. Everyone goes through such phases."
Seeing the two Fu gentlemen so tactful, Grand Secretary Yu inwardly nodded in approval before turning his gaze to Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling was well aware of Fu Tingyun's wishes. However, he had remained silent for several reasons: first, the two Fu gentlemen were elders, and any argument would reflect poorly on Fu Tingyun's filial piety in others' eyes; second, he had long seen through their true natures—Master Fu, though uneasy, still sought to protect himself, while Master Fu the Fifth remained unrepentant, still blaming Fu Tingyun outright. He saw no point in wasting words with them; third, he wanted to hear what Grand Secretary Yu had to say to better formulate a response.
Noticing Grand Secretary Yu's silent inquiry, Zhao Ling gave a faint smile and was about to speak when he felt Fu Tingyun tug at his sleeve.
Fu Tingyun trusted Zhao Ling's ability to handle the matter as she wished. Yet, as the person directly involved, she was determined to demand an explanation from the Yu Family. Grand Secretary Yu, as a father, could not remain impartial. Under such circumstances, no matter how reasonable Zhao Ling's words or actions might be, Grand Secretary Yu would likely perceive them as Zhao Ling's own doing. Rather than letting Zhao Ling shoulder the blame, she decided to step forward herself—even if it meant being accused of "overstepping," it was better than tarnishing Zhao Ling's reputation.
She rose gracefully and said softly, "There is one matter I do not understand and would like to seek Grand Secretary Yu's guidance."
Grand Secretary Yu was taken aback and glanced at Zhao Ling.
Though Zhao Ling did not know what Fu Tingyun intended, he would unconditionally support whatever she chose to do.
"Please enlighten us, Grand Secretary Yu!" he promptly voiced his support for his wife.
Grand Secretary Yu could not conceal his surprise but quickly regained his composed demeanor. "Please speak, Madam Zhao."
"If you had invited us to admire flowers, I would have nothing to say. But as you just mentioned, this concerns Yu Jingxiu's instigation of Zuo Junjie to falsely accuse me. May I ask why you invited the two Fu gentlemen here?" Fu Tingyun's tone carried a hint of sternness. "The Fu Family has long disowned me. I now have no ties to these two gentlemen, and certain matters should not involve outsiders, should they?"
Grand Secretary Yu was stunned.
Master Fu's face flushed crimson.Master Fu the Fifth flew into a rage, leaping to his feet with a furious glare as he bellowed, "You vile creature! Are you daring to commit unfilial impiety?"
Fu Tingyun didn't even glance at him, instead meeting Grand Secretary Yu's gaze as she replied, "According to the legal codes, only those who assault or plot to murder grandparents or parents are guilty of unfilial impiety. Since I no longer have parents, how could this charge apply? I must ask Lord Fu not to casually pin this Ten Abominations accusation on me—I couldn't possibly bear such a label."
This was knowledge from legal texts that even most men wouldn't be familiar with, yet here was this inner chamber woman quoting classics and speaking with such composure... No wonder his wife had always praised this daughter of the Huayin Fu family so highly.
He couldn't help but study Fu Tingyun more carefully.
Tall and gracefully proportioned, with glowing complexion, clear voice, and particularly striking were her bright, spirited eyes that radiated vitality.
Truly the picture of robust health.
Grand Secretary Yu thought of his own daughter-in-law... Yesterday's account books brought by Huai'an had included an expenditure for bird's nest purchased for her... His brows unconsciously furrowed... Fan Shi had always been delicate, but never known to be sickly before. Yet within two or three years of marriage, she was constantly consuming either ginseng or bird's nest, or having someone prepare nourishing pills for her. Even so, she still required physicians' visits every few days...
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After much hesitation about whether this might be too melodramatic, but ultimately deciding it flowed better this way, I wrote it...
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(End of Chapter)
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