Chapter 255: Leaked
Not far away, Hao Jianfeng, who appeared to be laughing and chatting with a group of friends, had actually been straining his ears to listen ever since Master Fu the Fifth entered the shop.
Before Master Fu the Fifth had even finished speaking, Hao Jianfeng's eyes lit up.
Quan Hui—clearly a woman's given name.
For Master Fu the Fifth to address someone like this, she must either be his daughter or niece.
Or perhaps even Madam Zhao's childhood name.
At this thought, he felt a slight thrill of excitement.
So the rumors were true after all.
Master Fu the Fifth might very well be Madam Zhao's biological father!
He cast a glance toward where Master Fu the Fifth and Shen Rensi were standing and saw Madam Shen step forward with a smile, curtsying respectfully before saying gently, "Ninth Sister says she won’t be returning, to avoid causing difficulties for the Fu family elders. She has asked me to help arrange the funeral offerings and elegiac couplets on her behalf."
Master Fu the Fifth was stunned. His brows shot up, anger flashing in his eyes. His lips parted slightly, then pressed tightly together. He took a deep breath, and the tension in his brow gradually eased as he forced a stiff smile. "How can she not return for her own grandmother’s funeral? That makes no sense at all. As her elder sister, you should persuade her—"
It was already past noon. Most of those who had dined at Yangguan had already left, while others, like Third Sister and her companions, were bidding farewell to friends and relatives. Though the scene wasn’t exactly noisy, it was still somewhat lively. Yet the moment Master Fu the Fifth spoke, Third Sister suddenly felt as if all conversation around her had abruptly ceased. Against the backdrop of distant laughter and chatter, an eerie silence settled over their immediate surroundings.
Startled, she looked up and noticed that Hao Jianfeng and the others, who had been engrossed in conversation earlier, were now watching them with distracted interest.
Third Sister barely managed to suppress a frown.
Ninth Sister, out of gratitude for her upbringing, had never once complained about the Fu family, no matter how unfairly she had been treated. She had certainly never done anything to harm or trouble them. Yet Fifth Uncle showed no regard for her at all—first refusing to acknowledge her for fear of losing face, and now, for the sake of his career, acting without the slightest hesitation. After all, Ninth Sister’s husband was a favored minister of the emperor, a second-rank military commander guarding a crucial region. In the eyes of others, he and Ninth Sister were people from the emperor’s former household, their marriage arranged by the Empress Dowager herself. If Fifth Uncle continued to act so recklessly, wouldn’t it invite suspicion? What good would it do for Ninth Sister and her husband if the past were dredged up again?
Ninth Sister cared for all of you, yet none of you care for her.
And you—you’re her own father!
At this thought, Third Sister’s heart ached for Fu Tingyun, and a surge of inexplicable anger rose in her chest.
"Fifth Uncle, you’re mistaken!" she retorted bluntly. "Ninth Sister would like to return, but if she does, under what identity should she pay respects to Grandmother? If the people of Huayin ask, how should she answer? Unless you provide a solution, Ninth Sister truly has no proper standing to return." She pressed a hand to her forehead. "I’ve been troubled by this very issue—Ninth Sister entrusted me with arranging the funeral offerings and elegiac couplets, but in whose name should they be sent? How should the couplets be signed?"
Hao Jianfeng’s eyes gleamed with interest.
With Grand Secretary Shen forced into retirement, he might just be the one to suffer the most.Even if he wanted to directly submit his name card and hover around Qian Donglin or Chen Dan Ting like those fourth or fifth-rank capital officials, it was likely that Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting, gauging the Emperor's intentions, wouldn't dare to accept him. Yet, to simply admit defeat was unbearable—he was only one step away from the Grand Secretariat!
No matter what, he had to find a way to save himself.
If Shen Rensi could take Madam Zhao's route, why couldn't he?
Shen Rensi had familial ties, but he had interests at stake!
Where there's a will, there's a way.
The thought flashed through his mind, and he already had a plan.
Hao Jianfeng turned around with a smile, stepping forward to approach Third Older Cousin's Husband. He patted his shoulder affectionately and said, "I didn’t realize you were related to Lord Fu?" Then, he cupped his hands toward Lord Fu and added, "Is Lord Fu leaving the capital today? Why didn’t you say anything? We could have seen you off!"
Third Older Cousin's Husband inwardly cursed his misfortune.
With Grand Secretary Shen's downfall, Hao Jianfeng was now like a rootless duckweed, desperately seeking connections. He had hinted at it several times in front of him, but fearing he might cause trouble for Fu Tingyun, Third Older Cousin's Husband had always skillfully deflected the matter. Yet Hao Jianfeng's intentions were unmistakable.
This time, it was Hao Jianfeng who had proactively suggested arranging for the Five Cities Patrol Brigade to escort Third Sister back to Huayin, and his sincerity had made it impossible to refuse.
But Third Older Cousin's Husband understood Master Fu the Fifth's mindset all too well.
In previous years, relying on Grand Secretary Yu, he had enjoyed smooth sailing. But a single word from the Emperor had cut short his official career. Even if Grand Secretary Yu were now the Chief Grand Secretary, he wouldn’t dare to promote him at this moment, let alone now when Grand Secretary Yu was barely keeping his own head above water. Still, as long as he didn’t make any mistakes, he could at least retain his position until retirement. But now that he was returning home to observe mourning, any hope of reinstatement three years later was practically nonexistent. Master Fu the Fifth might understand this, but giving up was not an option for him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shamelessly sought out his ninth younger sister!
Now that his ninth younger sister wasn’t responding, Hao Jianfeng—the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who oversaw the selection, appointment, and evaluation of officials—was making overtures. No matter how suspicious the situation seemed, for Master Fu the Fifth, who was currently drowning, this was a lifeline he would cling to at all costs.
Ninth Younger Sister was likely in for trouble!
Third Older Cousin's Husband hurriedly said, "We’ve already troubled Minister Hao enough with the matter of escorting my wife. How could we impose further?" As he spoke, he shot Third Sister a meaningful glance.
Third Sister caught on and smiled, curtsying to Hao Jianfeng. "Since we’re leaving in haste, Madam Zhao was worried about my safety on the road. When she learned that Minister Hao had arranged an escort, she was finally at ease and only sent her senior maid to see me off. Truthfully, I haven’t properly thanked Minister Hao yet. It’s getting late—if we delay further, we won’t reach the post station by nightfall. I’ll have to visit and express my gratitude properly upon returning from Huayin." Then, she turned to Master Fu the Fifth and said, "Fifth Uncle, since we’ve met, let’s leave together!"
She could only hint to Hao Jianfeng: We’ve acknowledged your favor, and Fu Tingyun is aware of it. Once she returns from mourning, she’ll settle this debt of gratitude.
Hao Jianfeng perked up at this and replied with a smile, "It was nothing, just a small effort. You and Lord Shen are too kind..."
Master Fu the Fifth, however, grew increasingly frantic.Having served in the Ministry of Personnel for four or five years, he was well acquainted with its affairs and knew Hao Jianfeng's capabilities. Although Fu Tingyun had connections, certain unsavory matters could only be handled by high-ranking officials like Hao Jianfeng. With countless officials across the realm, how could the Emperor possibly remember each one? After waiting a few years, once the Emperor's attention waned, Hao Jianfeng could help secure him a post as a county magistrate or prefect—less prestigious than a Ministry of Personnel position, but a genuine local authority, far better than taking orders in the ministry.
Though unsure why Hao Jianfeng had suddenly changed his attitude, such opportunities were fleeting, and he couldn't afford to let it slip.
"The courier station is only about forty li from here," Master Fu the Fifth interjected. "There's no rush." He bowed respectfully to Hao Jianfeng and said, "Lord Hao, what brings you to Ten Mile Inn? Have you had lunch yet? Allow me to host you. Please do me the honor!" His repeated bows conveyed sincere enthusiasm.
To succeed, one must know both oneself and the enemy.
Since he'd decided to seek Madam Zhao's help, understanding her connections with Lord Fu and Shen Rensi was crucial. He couldn't afford to waste time approaching the wrong person—not when he urgently needed to speak with Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting.
"I happened to be seeing off a friend and, like Lord Fu, just arrived at Yangguan," Hao Jianfeng replied amiably. "You must not have eaten either, Lord Fu? Why not join us?" He introduced the others present and gestured to Lord Jiang. "He's today's guest of honor!"
Master Fu the Fifth eagerly accepted. "Then I won't decline your kindness," he said, still insisting on hosting.
Everyone present was shrewd enough to guess Hao Jianfeng's motives.
Who would dare undermine him?
With cheerful smiles, they all invited Master Fu the Fifth to dine with them.
Forging ties with Hao Jianfeng was the priority—returning to Huayin with Third Sister was long forgotten.
He followed the group upstairs to the private room.
Third Sister stamped her foot in frustration, while Third Older Cousin's Husband gave a wry smile and pulled along a bewildered Seventh Sister's Husband into the room.
After several rounds of drinks, Hao Jianfeng was thoroughly intoxicated, and Master Fu the Fifth, having downed endless cups of tea, made frequent trips to the restroom. Both wanted a private word, but Third and Seventh Sisters' Husbands kept toasting, leaving no opening.
Seeing this wasn't working, Hao Jianfeng excused himself when Master Fu the Fifth stepped out again, claiming he needed water to sober up. Slipping out during the toasts, he ran into Master Fu the Fifth in the hallway.
Seizing the chance, Master Fu the Fifth approached with a smile. "Lord Hao, what brings you out here?"
"Had too much to drink—needed some air," Hao Jianfeng said, heading downstairs.
Master Fu the Fifth followed.
Hao Jianfeng chuckled. "Lord Fu, your fortunes have turned. With a daughter like Madam Zhao, why not rest at home? After the mourning period, you might find our Ministry of Personnel beneath you!"
So that was it!Master Fu the Fifth muttered to himself.
No wonder Hao Jianfeng had suddenly become so amiable toward him. It turned out that with Grand Secretary Shen returning to his hometown, not only had Hao Jianfeng lost his patron, but he was also labeled as part of Shen’s faction. He must have heard from Shen Rensi that Fu Tingyun was his daughter and wanted to follow Shen Rensi’s example by seeking Zhao Ling’s favor!
But he knew his own situation all too well.
He himself was hoping to rely on Hao Jianfeng’s connections!
At this thought, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment.
If not for the Yu Family, would his relationship with Fu Tingyun be as irreconcilable as fire and water?
Yet Master Fu the Fifth had no time to dwell on complaints.
Since Hao Jianfeng had spoken to this extent, if he didn’t give Hao Jianfeng an explanation, Hao Jianfeng would assume he could rely on Fu Tingyun for reinstatement and naturally wouldn’t help him. In that case, he’d be left with nothing, grasping at shadows.
With this in mind, he let out a long, helpless sigh and said with visible frustration, “You don’t understand—because of the Yu Family, my daughter is now filled with grievances and even blames me, her own father! If she doesn’t resent me, that’s already good enough. How could she possibly help me?”
To think he had gotten exactly what he wanted.
Hao Jianfeng couldn’t hide his surprise, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
“Oh?” he exclaimed in astonishment. “There’s such a thing?”
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O(∩_∩)O~… It seems even fools have their uses!
Master Fu the Fifth wasn’t entirely without value…
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(End of Chapter)
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