Chapter 180: Apology
Master Fu the Elder grew increasingly convinced of his reasoning and couldn't help but glare fiercely at his younger brother once more.
Master Fu the Fifth appeared somewhat flustered.
Had he known it would come to this, he should have swallowed his pride and consulted Grand Secretary Yu from the start... A flicker of regret passed through his mind, but he quickly consoled himself. Even if the elders of the Yu Family were fond of Fu Tingyun, Yu Jingxiu’s dislike for her would render the marriage hollow. As Yu Jingxiu had said, if she were merely brought home as a decorative piece, with no children to carry on the family line, the Yu elders would eventually learn the truth. Could they really force a horse to drink water? In time, they would secretly blame Fu Tingyun for failing to win her husband’s affection and might even bestow concubines upon him. Once those concubines bore children, and Yu Jingxiu showed them favor, the elders couldn’t possibly monitor the affairs of his household day and night. Fu Tingyun’s life would only grow more miserable. Moreover, with his own history of cheating in the imperial exams, the Yu Family would likely look down on him in their hearts. The Fu Family couldn’t expect to gain any advantage—if they avoided creating outright hostility, it would already be a blessing. It was better to let things rest here. The Yu elders, remembering the former marital ties between the two families, and with Yu Jingxiu mediating, would naturally feel a sense of closeness toward the Fu Family. If the Fu Family ever needed assistance, the Yu Family’s intervention would be seen by outsiders as an act of honoring past affections, painting both families in a favorable light. This would steer clear of any accusations of forming cliques for personal gain, benefiting both families without any drawbacks...
With these thoughts, he straightened his back and feigned ignorance, lifting his teacup to take a few sips.
Seeing his younger brother stubbornly refusing to admit fault, Master Fu the Elder could only sigh inwardly, resolving to inform their mother of the matter in hopes that she might discipline this unruly brother.
At this point, their visit to the Yu Family had utterly failed to achieve its purpose.
Not only had their relationship with Fu Tingyun grown more strained, but they had also left no favorable impression on Grand Secretary Yu.
Master Fu the Elder felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. Suppressing his impatience, he sat to the side, distractedly sipping his tea.
When Fu Tingyun heard Grand Secretary Yu describe the gifts as mere trinkets, she no longer declined and thanked him with a smile. Grand Secretary Yu then turned the conversation to the art of tea.
Zhao Ling, being a tea enthusiast himself, noticed Grand Secretary Yu’s keen interest and Fu Tingyun’s ability to engage in the discussion. Recalling Yu Jingxiu’s humiliation of Fu Tingyun, he was determined to let her shine in front of the Yu Family, to show them her worth. He simply watched her with an encouraging smile.
Though Fu Tingyun didn’t know what Zhao Ling was plotting, since he wanted her to handle the socializing, she naturally wouldn’t show weakness before Grand Secretary Yu.
One was a seasoned official with vast experience, the other a naturally gifted and well-read woman. Their conversation was not only witty but also laced with humor. Even Master Fu the Elder, who had been sitting in silence, couldn’t help but prick up his ears. When the discussion turned to tea competitions of the previous dynasty, he interjected, “I once saw a treasured silver-gilded tea scoop at the home of my superior, Lord Chen. Its handle was shaped like a lotus seed, the scoop like a lotus flower—exquisitely ornate and exceedingly rare.”
Grand Secretary Yu smiled faintly and remarked mildly, “The value of tea lies in its simplicity and natural essence.” He then resumed his conversation with Fu Tingyun about tea stands: “...Iron Goddess of Mercy and oolong tea are best paired with rosewood, while bamboo is ideal for green tea.”
Fu Tingyun felt a slight stir in her heart.
Was Grand Secretary Yu uninterested in Master Fu the Elder’s topic? Or was he avoiding appearing too friendly with the two Masters of the Fu Family, given the tension between father and daughter, so as not to provoke her displeasure?Her mind raced, but she responded smoothly, "If it were made of mottled bamboo or purple bamboo, it would be even better..."
"Exactly," Grand Secretary Yu laughed. "It seems Madam Zhao is also a tea enthusiast. Coincidentally, I have a tea stand made of purple bamboo—why not gift it to Madam Zhao?"
"A noble person does not take what others cherish," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "Grand Secretary Yu must not place me in an unrighteous position."
Grand Secretary Yu laughed heartily and praised her in front of Zhao Ling: "Madam Zhao is truly a woman of character."
"Indeed," Zhao Ling replied without a trace of modesty, smiling. "That's why she makes so many friends wherever she goes."
Grand Secretary Yu was momentarily taken aback by Zhao Ling's bluntness, then chuckled, "Lord Zhao and his wife share a deep bond!"
Zhao Ling simply smiled without a word, his gaze shifting to Fu Tingyun, filled with undisguised tenderness and affection, which left Grand Secretary Yu stunned once more.
Fu Tingyun, however, grew slightly embarrassed under Zhao Ling's gaze. Unable to say anything in front of Grand Secretary Yu, she coughed lightly, her cheeks flushing as she lowered her head to sip her tea.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Grand Secretary Yu's eyes before he burst into hearty laughter, sighing with satisfaction. "It's fortunate Madam Zhao married Lord Zhao and found a happy ending. Otherwise, my unworthy son's sins would have been even graver!" Without waiting for a response, he leaned forward slightly and addressed Zhao Ling solemnly. "In the end, this matter was entirely my son's fault. After learning of it, I punished him severely. He has since realized his wrongdoing and has long wished to apologize to you both—only he was unsure of your stance. Thus, he has been waiting in the study... I hope Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao can find it in your hearts to grant him a chance to reform. Having learned this lesson, he will naturally think twice before acting in the future." With that, he stood and clasped his hands toward Zhao Ling in a respectful bow.
Given his status and position, such humility was already a great show of respect toward Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun.
Master Fu and Master Fu the Fifth exchanged glances.
Yet Zhao Ling remained unmoved, sitting as if Grand Secretary Yu's gesture still lacked sufficient sincerity.
"Grand Secretary Yu," Zhao Ling said, his gaze cold and piercing as he met the older man's eyes. "Not all things can be given a second chance..."
"I know, I know," Grand Secretary Yu hurriedly replied. "That's why I say this is my son's good fortune..." Then, as if to preempt Zhao Ling's refusal, he called out loudly, "Huai'an! Go fetch the young master!"
A figure stirred beyond the curtain.
Grand Secretary Yu wore an expression of deep remorse. "I beg Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao to forgive my unworthy son!"
No sooner had he spoken than the curtain was flung aside with a clatter, and Yu Jingxiu—tall and elegant—entered with his head bowed.
From a distance, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply toward Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun. "Lord Zhao, Madam Zhao... I beg you to forgive... this unworthy man..." Before he could finish, his face had turned crimson.
Yu Jingxiu had been known for his brilliance since childhood. Born into a prestigious family, he had achieved the dream of all scholars by passing the imperial examinations as the top candidate before even turning twenty. It was easy to imagine how proud and arrogant he had been.
Framing Fu Tingyun had been wrong, but given the Yu Family's power and influence, was it truly necessary to go to such lengths...?
In his heart, he found the whole affair beneath him.
Yet, under his father's stern authority, he had no choice but to submit.Despite this, the first apology of his life stumbled out haltingly, as if the words were stuck in his throat.
Zhao Ling saw it all clearly.
If he had known he was wrong, why send someone to abduct Zuo Junjie?
He sneered coldly, about to demand an answer, when Fu Tingyun, seated beside him, suddenly gave a light cough. She set down her teacup and spoke solemnly, "Young Master Yu, the first time we met, I told you that I had been disowned by the Fu family and that we were no longer connected. However, you owed me an explanation for breaking off the engagement, and I had every right to demand it. At the time, you also said that without a valid reason, the Fu family would never agree to annul the betrothal. Now, with elders from both the Fu and Yu families present, I repeat my question: Why did you break off the engagement?"
"Back then, I was too young, obsessed with achieving fame in the imperial examinations," Yu Jingxiu replied, relieved to no longer have to utter those humiliating words. He spoke hastily, "When I suddenly heard about Xiao Fu Daren's involvement in exam fraud, I simply couldn't accept it..." He glanced at Master Fu the Fifth, his expression tinged with disdain. "That's why I..."
The faces of the two Masters of the Fu family flushed crimson in an instant.
Fu Tingyun, however, burst into laughter.
Everyone in the hall stared at her in astonishment.
Noticing their reactions, she smiled brightly and declared, "Young Master Yu, Grand Secretary Yu has shown such sincerity that even someone like me, who came here filled with resentment, was moved. You are his son, yet even now, seeing how much he has sacrificed for you, you remain unmoved and continue to spout lies. How can that not be laughable?" Her expression hardened, her gaze icy as she stared at Yu Jingxiu. "And how can it not chill one to the bone?"
Yu Jingxiu froze.
Grand Secretary Yu remained composed, unshaken like a mountain.
Zhao Ling watched, a shiver running down his spine.
A flash of coldness passed through Fu Tingyun's eyes, but her tone was playful as she teased, "What? Is Young Master Yu too embarrassed to speak?"
Yu Jingxiu looked uneasy, his eyes darting toward Grand Secretary Yu.
Grand Secretary Yu chuckled. "The follies of youth are often hard to confess."
Master Fu the Elder wiped his sweat and added, "It's all in the past, all in the past..."
"Oh?" Fu Tingyun arched an eyebrow. "I've heard that Young Master Yu's father-in-law, Master Fan, is a man of principle. He took great care in selecting a match for his eldest daughter, not settling on one until she was eighteen. Yet when it came to his second daughter, he seemed remarkably unrestrained—agreeing to the Yu family's proposal less than a year after news of my 'death' spread. It seems Master Fan had long held you in high regard..."
Yu Jingxiu's face darkened with fury. "Madam Zhao, what are you implying?" he snapped.
Fu Tingyun slammed the table and stood. "I was about to ask you the same thing, Young Master Yu!" she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she glared at him. "You claim you couldn't tolerate exam fraud, yet you became Liu Shutong's disciple and freely accessed his notoriously unorthodox early essays. You say you acted in a moment of anger, yet you meticulously sought out Zuo Junjie and bribed him with the promise of passing the imperial exams to frame me." She cast a frigid glance at Master Fu the Fifth and added icily, "Did you think everyone else was a fool, acting without thought, blindly following whatever you said?" Turning to Grand Secretary Yu, she said sternly, "Is this what you call an apology? Is this how you admit your mistakes? I cannot accept it!"Staring at the teacup that had rolled to his feet, Master Fu the Fifth was utterly shaken. He gaped at Fu Tingyun as if seeing her for the first time.
Master Fu turned his face away.
Grand Secretary Yu looked somewhat embarrassed.
For a moment, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Zhao Ling slowly rose to his feet. "Let's go back. It seems we came to the wrong place."
Fu Tingyun nodded and followed Zhao Ling out.
"Lord Zhao, please wait," Grand Secretary Yu hastily interjected. "Let's talk this through properly. Losing your temper won't solve anything." He added, "While youthful passion is commendable, recklessness can lead to trouble. In this peaceful era, right in the capital's jurisdiction, there are actually people openly committing robbery. The Prefect of Shuntian has been too lenient—it's time to make an example of someone. What do you think, Lord Zhao?"
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Returning to Xiantao on Monday, rushing to clean the house these past few days... running late again today... wry smile ...
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(End of Chapter)
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