Just after passing through Ruyi Gate, intermittent sobbing and complaints could be heard from deep within the courtyard on the east side: "...There's no place for us mother and children in this house anymore! Look at her neck, it was strangled by her own older sister, sir! If you can't tolerate us any longer and think we're an eyesore, why don't you just say so! I will definitely take the children away and not add to your troubles!"
Mrs. Fu abruptly stopped in her tracks.
Fu Zhen said, "Mother, you need not worry; please tell me, why did we go to the temple with Father this morning?"
Mrs. Fu replied with a deep breath: "I brought you to the temple to ask Master Cheng Kong for a divination. As for your father, he went to the temple to seek an audience with an esteemed person.
"He's been in the position of Director of Rites for ten years now. Previously, when the border was unsettled, the civil and military officials rarely left their residences, but didn't we win the battle last winter? Now that the border is settled, the court has relaxed too, and today the temple opened a grand prayer ceremony, with many dignitaries gathered. He heard that Assistant Minister Tu from the Ministry of Personnel was also there, so he wanted to see him.
"However, when it comes down to it, wasn't he just using my money to pave the way?"
Mrs. Fu spoke these words as her nails dug into her palm.
Fu Zhen understood. She then asked, "Did he manage to meet him today?" Chapters first released on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Mrs. Fu pondered: "Most likely not. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the time to bother us. Not only did he not meet him, but he probably got a cold shoulder instead!"
"Why have you just got home? Sir has been waiting for you and the young lady for a long time in the study!"
As they said this, a sharp-eyed woman rushed to Mrs. Fu, her hurried manner more like someone urging around a subordinate than meeting the mistress.
Fu Zhen stood still: "Which room are you from?"
In the past, Fu Zhen mostly stayed in the main courtyard and her own courtyard. Mrs. Fu, being cautious, didn't allow her to interact with other servants in the household, so now she felt the woman looked familiar but couldn't remember exactly who she was.
The woman eyed her with a mocking smile: "I am from Aunt Liu's room in charge, the young mistress has forgotten things due to her noble status and doesn't even recognize me."
A cold glint flashed in Fu Zhen's eyes.
She looked back at Mrs. Fu: "Since Father is in a hurry, Mother, you should go first. I will slowly make my way."
Mrs. Fu took a deep breath, looked at her, then stepped through the door and left.
Fu Zhen looked at the woman: "What is your name?"
The woman straightened her chest, her height slightly taller than the underdeveloped Fu Zhen, so she looked down at her: "They all call me Nanny Hu, young mistress, do you truly not recognize me?"
"Now I recognize you." Fu Zhen nodded, then said, "You claimed to refer to yourself in front of your masters. Isn't that against the rules for a servant? You neither addressed the lady nor bowed when you saw us. Doesn't Aunt Liu discipline you?"
The woman paused, then sneered: "The young mistress surely jests. I've heard from the old folks that children prone to illness need to be brought up without much care. Aunt Liu doesn't specifically restrict me; it's all for your good since you're frail. Showing you too much respect might even hinder your fortune—"
With a "slap," before the woman could finish her sentence, she received a solid slap to the face!
Fu Zhen dusted her hands, lifted the corner of her lips, and said, "Now open your dog eyes wide and tell me again if my health is good or bad!"
The woman's face turned red with anger, and as she gritted her teeth to argue, Fu Zhen's hand came swiftly again with another slap!
Stunned, she stood there, forgetting even how to breathe!
Fu Zhen straightened her posture, looked down at her disdainfully, and said slowly, "I don't understand what your folks say, but in our Fu Family, if a servant bullies the master, they are lightly reprimanded or seriously sold. If you're dissatisfied, feel free to try again. Perhaps my health isn't great, but I have strength enough to handle someone like you!"
After being slapped twice, despite her grievances, the woman could only lower her head.
Fu Zhen stepped down from the stairs and stopped beside her: "Think carefully about how you should speak to me and my mother in the future. If Aunt Liu hasn't taught you the rules, I don't mind teaching you one instance after another!
Fu Zhen scolded her, then looked around at the distant servants who watched, before frowning and stepping into the covered walkway.
What the hell is this?
Even a servant dares to strut in front of Mrs. Fu, the legitimate wife. If it weren't for Fu Yun's two-faced and heartless attitude supporting and indulging her, she would twist her own head off here!
The Fu Family originally resided at their ancestral home in Jiangling. They were a big family, and Fu Yun's cousin Fu Ziyu's branch was the legitimate one and the most accomplished. Later, when Emperor Zhou overthrew the former dynasty, the Fu Family in Jiangling also experienced upheavals. To put it simply, the branch that Fu Yun belonged to was mediocre from the start, and with no backbone left in the family, they depended on a few rice shops to get by.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Fu's natal family were imperial merchants, but sadly her father had few offspring. After the eldest son died young, she was the only daughter left.
The Fu Family had some business partnerships with the Ning Family, and in his youth, Fu Yun would frequent the Ning house. Initially, Mr. Ning didn't think highly of Fu Yun. With so many suitors eyeing the Ning Family's assets, especially with such a beautiful and talented daughter, why would they worry about finding a good match?
However, fate was unpredictable. That year, due to war, Mr. Ning was wounded and unable to walk. The imperial merchants had to step back from business, and while many suitors had previously showered them with attention, only Fu Yun remained busy around them. Mr. Ning sighed with emotion at Fu Yun's loyalty and consented to the marriage.
After recovering from his illness, Mr. Ning lived through the change of dynasties for another decade due to his immense wealth, which would all go to his daughter. He used his resources to promote Fu Yun, whose results in the imperial examination weren't outstanding, and who had no foundation at the court, to become an imperial official. He even went to great lengths to have Fu Yun inherit Fu Ziyu's long-abandoned but grand mansion in the capital city.
Before Mr. Ning passed away, Fu Yun was already a Director at the Ministry of Rites.
Ultimately, only time is the real test!
Without his father-in-law's support, ten years later, he's still stagnant as the Director of Rites!
Turns out without his father-in-law's wealth, Fu Yun is nothing!
With a cold face, Fu Zhen reached the study where Fu Yun was, and as soon as the two maids at the door saw her, they quickly approached: "Young lady, perhaps you should return to your room; sir is in a terrible rage, and you may find it hard to withstand his anger!"
Fu Zhen recognized these were the maids who worked in the study; they all had family members serving Mrs. Fu, making them among the few in the Fu household who could still stand by Mrs. Fu and her children.
"...And you dare to turn the blame on us? I saw with my own eyes her strangling Rou. You claim that was an accident?"
Fu Zhen hadn't even spoken when Fu Yun's roar emerged from inside, accompanied by the faint weeping and voices of women, unmistakably Liu's and Fu Rou's.
Fu Zhen stepped inside.