"It’s him."
Fu Zhen smiled: "Tomorrow you should agree to go. When soone invites you sincerely, it’s not good to always refuse. Besides, boys need so social connections. Even though General Lan is a bit stern, their family has good values. Associating with the Lan family’s young man does no harm."
In the capital city, there’s no military general whom Fu Zhen hasn’t noted over the years.
As for the Pei family at the end of the alley, they currently can’t reach out to them, but the Lan family cos from humble beginnings, so their threshold isn’t that high. The Lan family’s young man attends the sa private school as Fu Jia, and since they get along well, it’s fine to interact.
Moreover, the Lan family’s youngest used to be one of her attendants.
However, speaking of it, General Lan was once the most dismissive of scholars, calling them pedantic and useless to the country, yet now he sent his grandson to study formally, which is quite fresh.
The siblings chatted here for a while about the Lan family, and then Ziyan ca over.
Originally both happy and expectant, Ziyan saw Fu Zhen washing her hair late at night, and was so anxious that she couldn’t speak, imdiately ordered soone to heat the stove, close the windows and doors, and called in Bixi and others to scold them.
Fu Zhen quickly consoled her, and Ziyan, with a serious face, said a few words to her: "Miss, you defend them, but do you rember how bitter the dicine was every ti you had a cold? How many bowls of dicine have you taken over these years? How many tis have you cried because of this? How many tis have you resisted? Do you rember?"
Fu Zhen dared not speak any further.
Ziyan made her bed, carefully heated the quilt, scolded Bixi a few more tis, and then hurried Fu Jia away. What she hadn’t managed to say had to wait for another day.
In private, Bixi said: "Miss, don’t bla her. She may nag, but she’s a worrier. Every year when I accompany her to make vows before the Goddess, I hear her wish that you’ll never have to drink dicine again in this lifeti, so if you catch even a slight cold, she can’t bear it."
Ziyan is an orphan, her parents were old servants of the Ning Family, and passed away before Mr. Ning passed away.
She treats Fu Zhen as her own sister, caring for her ticulously.
Fu Zhen felt very guilty, hastily dried her hair, took the health tonic Mrs. Fu prescribed, and went to bed.
Even though as the young lady of the Liang Family she knows a lot about health maintenance, she can’t withstand the inherent weakness of her body. If her actions caused these loyal people around her to be troubled endlessly, it would be her fault.
Thinking of her frail body, she couldn’t help but rember the military doctor who saved her when she was on the brink of death and nursed her back to robust health.
Six years have passed, and she wonders how he is now. If he’s still in the capital city, she could look for him soday and have him prescribe a few dicinal formulas...
Damn it!
The favor she did for the military doctor ended up benefiting that beast nad Xu!
...
The lights in the Fu family’s back courtyard only went out near dawn that night.
Fu Jun ca out of Rongfu Hall late at night, seemingly still angry, and headed straight to the main courtyard to find Mrs. Fu. Luckily, Fu Zhen had anticipated it and sent Zhang Cheng and Yang Tong to guard the courtyard gate. Fu Jun didn’t even get through the door. Even hiring two guards with ten silver coins each was useless; they dared not lay a hand on Zhang and Yang.
Infuriated, Fu Jun turned to Yixin Hall to vent his frustration on Fu Zhen, but unfortunately, he couldn’t enter there either. Bixi, with the maidservants and old won, guarded the courtyard like an iron barrel, using the excuse that the eldest young lady’s health was vital and refusing entry no matter what.
Of course, all of this was reported by Bixi and Ru Yi in the morning. The maidservants recounted it vividly, and ntioned that ever since Mrs. Fu gained the right to manage the household yesterday, people now looked at them with newfound respect. After so many years in the Fu Family, they finally felt proud!
Fu Zhen, seeing their joy, simply smiled and ate breakfast without interrupting.
Afterward, she summoned Zhang Cheng and Yang Tong and gave each a heavy purse.
The two exchanged glances, hesitating to accept.
Fu Zhen said: "Take it. The Old Sect Leader said, you two haven’t married yet, so there’s plenty of need for silver in the future. You must have seen clearly the situation in the Fu Family from yesterday’s events. To be honest, I will have more need of you in the future. Today is just a small reward; I promise not to shortchange you later."
Zhang and Yang both ca from ordinary families, and being pupils of soone as loyal and courageous as Li Yi, they naturally have a bit of chivalry.
Having accompanied Fu Zhen to the mansion for a short ti, they have marveled countless tis at the situation.
Firstly, at how rotten the inside of the outwardly splendid Fu Family was.
Secondly, at how the seemingly weak Miss Fu operated with such grandeur and decisiveness.
In their line of work, nothing is more feared than misjudging their master; from what they witnessed yesterday, this young lady not only has courage and strategy but also deeply cares for her subordinates. Crucially, all her actions are well-founded, so there’s no fear of disgracing the sect. Thus, how could they not be convinced?
The two glanced at each other, and Yang Tong readily accepted the purse, saying: "Miss sees value in us, and I won’t refuse. From now on, we will fulfill our duties diligently, loyally guarding our mistress, and protecting your safety! Whatever the task, we dare not disobey Miss’s instructions, even at the risk of our lives!"
Fu Zhen gave a few more instructions, then, taking the gift prepared by Bixi, got in the carriage and headed to Taishan Hall.
Arranging guards for Mrs. Fu and Fu Jia should be done promptly. Only when those two are safe can Fu Zhen freely deal with the scoundrels.
Upon reaching the martial arts school, she found it locked, with no one inside today.
Zhang Cheng said: "Master went out a few days ago and has been frequently frowning and lost in thought since returning. I don’t know what trouble he encountered. I asked Senior Brother before, but he doesn’t know either."
Fu Zhen sent them to knock on the door, but there was indeed no one there.
"What should we do?" Bixi asked.
Fu Zhen was also montarily at a loss. After looking around the street, she said: "Since we’re out, we might as well take a walk."
"Where should we go then?"
"Let’s go to Anqing Street; it’s lively there."
Anqing Street is the widest street in the capital city aside from the main road. It’s located in the central south part of the city, where many governnt offices are stationed, making it a gathering place for the powerful and wealthy. The street is lined with taverns, shops, opera houses, chess clubs, and various other establishnts, providing everything one could need.
Where there are many people, there is naturally much information.
Fu Zhen walked around twice, finally selecting a tea house and choosing a table in the middle front of the main hall to sit.
Then she called over a waiter, ordered so expensive snacks, and a pot of the best Longjing tea the house had. She directed the waiter to invite the old storyteller sitting in the corner waiting for his turn to co over as well.
Fu Zhen poured tea for the old man and took out two silver coins, placing them on the table: "My family manages strictly, so I rarely go out. Previously, I heard about so famous people in the capital city and am very interested. So, I invite you over for a cup of tea to help clarify my doubts, just to relieve my boredom. May I know if you’d be willing?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)