Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 242: Connections (Bonus Update Seeking Pink Tickets)

"Father, don't worry. I will perform my duties diligently and earn another Imperial Mandate Title for Mother," Yu Jingxiu assured his father.

Madam Yu already held a first-rank Imperial Mandate Title—could Yu Jingxiu possibly secure an even higher rank for her? Only those who rendered extraordinary service to the state could be ennobled. Military officers could achieve this through battlefield merits, but civil officials' contributions were harder to evaluate... Yu Jingxiu's words were merely meant to comfort his father.

As a father, he was already pleased that his son had such intentions. Especially since Grand Secretary Yu had just suffered a setback.

Grand Secretary Yu felt deeply gratified.

But as soon as his son left, his expression darkened.

To quietly push Qian Donglin into the position of Chief Grand Secretary—the Emperor was truly formidable!

Perhaps the world was about to witness an unprecedented ruler!

What should his next move be?

Qian Donglin had entered the bureaucracy two sessions after him. A native of Longyan, Fujian, he had once served as a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel but was demoted to a minor post in the Office of Transmission for years after offending Hong Du. It was only after the new Emperor ascended the throne that he was promoted to a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy and, shortly after, became the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy... Of course, they knew each other. When Qian Donglin was a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, they had even visited Yuming Mountain together. But later, as Grand Secretary Yu rose steadily through the ranks, Qian Donglin's career declined, and the distance between them grew naturally. Was it too late to mend relations now?

As for Chen Dan Ting, he had entered the bureaucracy two sessions after Qian Donglin. Originally from the capital, he had spent twelve years as a county magistrate before being promoted to a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue and later a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. It was only after the Emperor's ascension that he became the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy... Grand Secretary Yu was entirely unfamiliar with him.

Lost in thought, Grand Secretary Yu began pacing in his room.

Qian Donglin was somewhat stubborn—even as a supervising secretary, he had been difficult to deal with, let alone now.

What was Chen Dan Ting's temperament like? In the past, it would have been easy to inquire. But now that Chen Dan Ting held the prestigious position of Grand Secretary, he would never make any overt missteps, making it harder to discern his true disposition.

At this thought, Grand Secretary Yu rubbed his forehead and sank deeper into contemplation.

Meanwhile, Yu Jingxiu, who had left the study, did not immediately return to his own courtyard. Instead, he stood silently outside the study's lattice door, listening for a long time.

Hearing only the sound of his father pacing inside, Yu Jingxiu felt slightly relieved.

He had already learned the full details of the incident from his father's advisors.

The Emperor had summoned the Grand Secretaries to discuss state affairs. Grand Secretary Shen presented evidence of Mo Yingbo's corruption, and the Emperor, enraged, immediately ordered Grand Secretary Yu to lead the investigation with the Three Judicial Offices. Grand Secretary Shen then petitioned the Emperor, citing his failure in oversight as Chief Grand Secretary, and requested retirement. The Emperor spoke kindly to persuade him to stay, but Grand Secretary Shen insisted on resigning. Only then did the Emperor reluctantly agree. Following protocol, the Emperor asked, "Who should join the Grand Secretariat?" Grand Secretary Shen promptly recommended Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting.

These two men were entirely unqualified for the Grand Secretariat.

Grand Secretary Tian immediately objected, but Grand Secretary Shen argued, "We elders are growing frail. We should recommend younger, more capable men to join the Grand Secretariat and share the Emperor's burdens." Grand Secretaries Wang and Liu swiftly seconded the motion.

Among the six Grand Secretaries, Grand Secretary Mo had already been disqualified. Grand Secretary Yu had hoped that Grand Secretary Hu and others would speak up for him, giving him an opening to advocate for himself. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, he had abstained from the discussion. With only Grand Secretary Tian opposing, the motion passed smoothly, and the Office of Transmission immediately began drafting the imperial decree.The speed was unprecedented.

By the time his father thought to oppose it again, the situation was already beyond redemption.

Recalling this, Yu Jingxiu couldn't help but gnash his teeth in frustration.

That old fox Shen Shichong took the money but didn't deliver. Clearly afraid he wouldn't die well, he conspired with the Emperor—his task was to bring down Mo Yingbo and install Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting, the Emperor's favored candidates, into the Grand Secretariat. In return, the Emperor would spare his life...

As this thought flashed through his mind, his expression darkened further.

A gentleman's revenge is never too late.

Once he entered the Ministry of Personnel and worked steadily for ten years with a low profile, he'd make sure the Shen family would regret it!

Thinking of future prospects, he exhaled deeply, feeling somewhat relieved.

Barring any accidents, his father would likely retire from his current position. While he could benefit from his father's influence, he'd at most rise to the third rank. To climb higher, he'd need the favor of the Grand Secretaries and the Chief Grand Secretary. Chen Dan Ting was ten years younger than Qian Donglin. By the time Qian grew old, Chen would be in his prime. The Emperor's arrangement suggested he intended Chen to succeed Qian. Rather than currying favor with the much-sought-after Qian Donglin now, it would be wiser to establish connections with Chen Dan Ting early...

Should he discuss such an important matter with his father?

Yu Jingxiu hesitated, listening for any sound from the study before lifting the curtain slightly to peek inside.

Grand Secretary Yu was seated at his large desk, writing furiously.

Recently, his father had been maneuvering extensively for the Chief Grand Secretary position. Even if the Emperor hadn't heard anything, Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting surely had. And if they hadn't, once Qian assumed the Chief Grand Secretary role, someone would surely inform him to gain favor. Grand Secretaries Wang and Chen had already pledged allegiance to the Emperor. With his father isolated, if Qian also bore a grudge, he'd likely be sidelined within days.

No doubt his father was already strategizing a response!

If he could secure Chen Dan Ting's support, his father could form an alliance with him. Having served in the Grand Secretariat for years, his father had his methods. Like Qian Donglin, Chen was one of the Emperor's trusted confidants—Qian would have to show some restraint. With his father's capabilities, once he regained his footing, while he might not become Chief Grand Secretary, securing a powerful position in the Grand Secretariat wouldn't be difficult. As long as his father remained secure, his own promotions would come much faster...

Perhaps he shouldn't disturb his father after all.

If they pursued their respective paths simultaneously, the combined effect might be better.

Having made up his mind, Yu Jingxiu returned to his own courtyard.

Fan Shi was holding their daughter in the breezeway, enjoying the cool air.

Seeing the child's sallow hair, Yu Jingxiu frowned. "The wind here is too strong. Take her back inside. If it's really hot, have the maids fan you with feather fans."

Fan Shi smiled in agreement and followed him inside with their daughter, explaining, "The weather's been so hot—the ice in our cellar has run out. That's why I brought Zhen Jie'er to the breezeway."

Yu Jingxiu nodded, stroking his daughter's sparse hair with concern. "What did Imperial Physician Chen say?"

The child had been frequently ill, running a slight fever again recently. They'd summoned Imperial Physician Chen, the Imperial Hospital's foremost pediatric specialist, who diagnosed a chill and prescribed five doses of medicine. Today was the follow-up visit.

"Another five doses prescribed," Fan Shi said. "He says she's mostly recovered now."The two entered the inner chamber, where maids bustled about—some searching for feather fans, others carrying fruit, moving cool bamboo mats, or preparing the daybed—each busily occupied.

Fan Shi remarked, "With this erratic weather, Zhen Jie'er caught a chill. Do you think you could arrange to get some ice?"

To have ice in summer, one had to reserve it by the start of winter. Only the wealthy or noble could afford such a luxury. Otherwise, come summer, even with money, it would be impossible to obtain.

Yu Jingxiu frowned involuntarily.

In previous years, he could have managed to secure some. But now, with his father failing to become Chief Grand Secretary, it at least indicated the Emperor's dissatisfaction. Qian Donglin had been elevated to Chief Grand Secretary by the Emperor's own hand—there was no doubt he would act according to the Emperor's will. No one could predict the Emperor's next move, and at such a critical juncture, it was better to avoid unnecessary complications. Besides, their family had already reserved a considerable amount of ice this year. If someone with ill intentions took notice and used it as grounds to accuse his father of "extravagance and debauchery," the Emperor's impression of his father would surely worsen.

"Let's discuss this later," he evaded. "If it gets unbearably hot, we can always hire a couple more maids to help."

Fan Shi felt disappointed but dared not show it.

For Zhen Jie'er's sake, even her mother-in-law had allocated ice from her own ration. If she remained unsatisfied, not only her husband but even her mother-in-law would likely be displeased.

This thought made Fan Shi realize her mother-in-law had been treating her rather well lately.

As the elders said, having a child changed everything.

If she could bear a son, she would have nothing to worry about for the rest of her life.

Fan Shi dismissed the maids and personally wrung out a towel for Yu Jingxiu.

Since their daughter's birth, it had been a long time since she had attended to him with such tenderness.

A faint smile appeared on Yu Jingxiu's face.

A young maid entered and announced, "Duan Yan is here."

Yu Jingxiu said, "Have him wait in the study."

The maid acknowledged and left.

Yu Jingxiu noticeably quickened his washing routine.

Fan Shi couldn't help but ask curiously, "What do you need Duan Yan for?"

"Nothing important," he replied vaguely, then seemed to remember something and consulted her, "Do you recall the mountain property Mother gave us as part of her dowry when we married?"

"I do." Why bring this up now? Fan Shi looked puzzled.

Yu Jingxiu said, "That mountain borders another family's ancestral graves. They've long wanted to buy it at a high price. I was thinking—since the land isn't worth much and no one else would offer such a sum—we might as well sell it."

At their wedding, these assets had been listed as part of their private property, entrusted to Fan Shi's care.

But it was her mother-in-law's dowry!

Fan Shi was shocked. "What's happened?" Her hands clutched Yu Jingxiu's sleeve tightly.

His wife would find out sooner or later...

After a moment's hesitation, Yu Jingxiu led Fan Shi to the adjoining side chamber and revealed the family's recent troubles.

Fan Shi's face turned deathly pale.

Tears fell as she fretted, "What shall we do? What shall we do?""Don't worry, don't worry," Yu Jingxiu comforted her. "Official careers are like this—thirty years on one side of the river, forty years on the other. Once this period passes, things will calm down." He smiled and added, "Don't you trust my abilities?"

"Of course I trust you, my husband," Fan Shi quickly assured him. "It's just that this came so suddenly—it startled me." As she spoke, she hastily wiped her tears with a handkerchief and forced a bright smile. "But this was part of Mother-in-law's dowry. Even though she gave it to us, it would be best to inform her, lest she think we’re squandering her dowry recklessly."

She suggested this cautiously.

Yu Jingxiu, however, shook his head. "Mother has plenty of dowry items—she won’t notice." Seeing his wife’s surprised expression, he hesitated before lowering his voice. "Lately, Father has been busy making arrangements up and down, and both my uncles have contributed substantial sums. Mother even sold a prime piece of farmland she owned in Jiaxing... If she found out, she’d surely offer us money to help... Better to keep quiet!"

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Too exhausted—didn’t even hear the alarm... The update is a bit late... My apologies!

O(∩_∩)O~

PS: Pink tickets, please...

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(End of Chapter)