Lian Rong stepped forward lightly: "Master, did that Fu Yun tell the truth?"
After a mont of silence, Xu Yin let out a low chuckle, but said nothing.
Lian Rong also remained silent.
After a while, Xu Yin said: "This man’s talent is ordinary. If I rember correctly, he secured the position of supervisor thanks to his forr Imperial rchant father-in-law.
"Didn’t you say that he once used so cinnabar stone to secure connections? If he had the cunning to present the book today, why would he be stuck in the position of supervisor for ten years?"
Lian Rong suddenly realized: "In other words, he wouldn’t have suddenly co up with such an idea. Changing his mind in just half a day, it seems soone advised him." He stepped forward: "Should I send soone to investigate?"
Inside the room, there was another mont of silence before Xu Yin said: "No need, let him go. We must give the people below so leeway."
He gestured, indicating for Lian Rong to arrange his hair, then closed his eyes and leaned back on the chair: "Is the wine for the Prince prepared?"
"It’s ready. I personally checked it; it’s indeed last winter’s special brew from Heavenly Spring Vineyard, sure to suit the Prince’s taste. This morning, I heard Nanny Wei ntion the Commandery Princess missed the mint pastries and roasted goose from West Wind Tower, which the Master accompanied her to last winter. So, I’ve also brought so back. I sent a portion to the Princess as well, explaining that it was specially ordered by the Master for her to try."
With his eyes closed, Xu Yin responded with a hum: "Since the matter with the Fu Family is resolved, we should also wrap up affairs at Baihe Temple from the other day. By the way," he opened his eyes, "is Liang Zhi returning to the capital soon?"
"The deploynt of the northwest generals is complete, and Young General Liang’s grain escort mission is finished. He should return to the capital next month."
Xu Yin stared silently at the ceiling for a mont and said: "Get two more jars of Heavenly Spring Vineyard’s special brew."
"Understood."
...
As Fu Yun left ho, Fu Zhen also happened to co out.
At this mont, she sat by the Tongzi River, directly across the tea stall near Great Zhou Gate.
Inside the Great Zhou Gate is where the six governnt office departnts are located. As Fu Yun erged from the Ministry of Rites, full of excitent, he imdiately caught her sight.
– There was no need to say it; with his current deanor, the matter was surely resolved.
She never expected Xu Yin to leverage the Baihe Temple incident to manipulate Fu Yun, so despite her reluctance, she had to respond after all.
Otherwise, relying on Fu Yun alone, the end result would surely beco increasingly unmanageable.
The matter at the back of Baihe Temple cannot continue to escalate. Let this matter end here; it benefits the Fu Family, herself, and Mrs. Fu with no harm.
Xu Yin never hid his ambitions, hence his diligence in studying.
Which soldier doesn’t want to beco a General, and which scholar doesn’t want their na to be listed in gold, thus climbing to a high and powerful position?
So everyone thought he was ambitious and unwilling to be left behind, but never did they expect his heart was rely consud by a desire for power.
Therefore, his preferences and handling were still traceable, and Fu Zhen knew Fu Yun wouldn’t fail, but after six years, many things changed, so without verifying personally, she felt uneasy.
"You go ahead, have Aunt Liu go to the kitchen..."
Fu Zhen sipped a mouthful of tea just as Fu Yun approached while instructing his servant.
Fu Yun didn’t notice Fu Zhen; after leaving Xu Yin’s gate, he felt unburdened, almost floating.
Seeing the day was late, he sent the servant ahead to have Mrs. Liu prepare so good dishes for the evening drink.
However, just after giving these instructions, he noticed out of the corner of his eye a few people walking towards him from the street, seemingly just exiting a nearby teahouse gathering.
After recognizing their faces, Fu Yun imdiately dismounted.
These were several middle-aged officials, all clad in official uniforms of the fourth or fifth rank. Having worked in the six departnts for years, Fu Yun had naturally seen them before. One of them appeared unfamiliar; he was of dium build, had a short beard, rosy complexion, and an amiable look. Fu Yun’s eyes lit up, and he seized the opportunity to step forward warmly greeting, "Mr. Du——"
Du Su halted, politely returning the greeting after scrutinizing Fu Yun for a mont: "May I ask your na?..."
This left Fu Yun a bit embarrassed.
However, Fu Zhen recognized almost all of these n; they were mainly Du Su of the Du Family from the National Guardian General’s Mansion and other officials with similar family backgrounds.
The only sibling of the National Guardian General Du Xun died early, leaving behind two cousins from different uncles; the younger cousin was Du Su, the only son of the Du Family’s third house.
When the General Mansion was built, the Du Family moved to the capital. Du Su served as a minor official for a few years before being given an external post. So she rembered him from childhood, even recalling how Madam Du Three used to endearingly call her "Miss Taiping" and loved to push her two sons to play with her.
But the Du Family was not the main branch of the General Mansion, and Madam Du Three always acted overly eager in front of the main offspring of the General’s Mansion, which made Liang Ning uncomfortable. Also, the two sons of the Du Three family didn’t practice martial arts, only studied, so Liang Ning didn’t get along well with them, and thus, they only maintained a lukewarm relationship.
In her lifeti, Liang Ning recalled Du Su was quite skinny, not expecting him to have gained weight now. His deanor had also improved; in the past, he would have been the one running up to greet others!
Fu Zhen was initially planning to leave but withdrew her stance.
Mainly because Fu Yun and Du Su had no connection whatsoever. Even if he wanted to associate with the National Guardian General’s Mansion, he wouldn’t focus on a collateral branch of the Du Family!
She glanced around her surroundings.
This was a necessary path to the Imperial Palace and the six governnt offices, so the street was filled with officials in court dress. In the past, when she passed through here, she always received a lot of complints. Now, of course, people didn’t recognize her, but Fu Yun wasn’t at the point of greeting every official he saw!
Indeed caught in an awkward spot by Du Su’s question, Fu Yun struggled to find his footing.
Fortuitously, at that mont, a nearby official suddenly pointed to the other end of the street: "The Great General is coming!"
Everyone flocked over while walking and greeting: "——Great General! Long ti no see; how have you been lately?..."
Du Su glanced from afar and hurriedly yet politely excused himself to Fu Yun before heading towards the street corner.
Fu Zhen stood on her tiptoes for a better view——
The sight almost caused her to spit out her tea!
To think they were bowing to soone’s unworthy feet, only to find it was her beloved nephew Liang Chen!
Under the sunlight, Liang Chen indeed appeared more robust, embodying so of the heroic and commanding presence of his father Liang Qin. Yet, he looked even more handso than his father, such that even with a family now, passersby still couldn’t help but look!
Beside Liang Chen walked a peer of similar age; compared to Liang Chen’s overt authority, he appeared more composed. It was another familiar face, Cheng Chili’s elder brother Cheng Chiren!
Known for his kindness and wisdom, Cheng Chiren could easily see through the tis Liang Ning took the bla for Cheng Chili during childhood, reprimanding Cheng Chili in private, so Liang Ning willingly accepted the bla.
The two weren’t sure from where they ca, walking down the road, their horses led by guards behind them.
Cheng Chiren had his brows knitted, looking worried. Liang Chen didn’t seem entirely at ease either. Although they conversed as they walked, faced with the approaching officials, Liang Chen still calmly stopped to greet them with a smile. Cheng Chiren, however, seed sowhat reluctant.
What could be troubling them?
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