Chapter 16: Climbing Connections

After leaving the Xiao family, Madam Fang dismissed everyone once she arrived home. She voiced a question that had been troubling her for days:
“Master, why did we leave? The children haven’t even met yet!”

“Do you think they’d actually meet?”

“I don’t believe they can avoid us forever.”

“They don’t need to avoid us forever. As the male party, all they need to do is delay for three to five years, and we’ll be forced to yield.”

“That makes it even more reason for us not to move out. We should have forced the Xiao family to clarify their stance—what exactly do they want?”

“What they want is clear: to renege on the arrangement. But whether they succeed depends on whether I’m willing to let them. Hmph.”

“We’re commoners, and they’re officials. I’m afraid…” Madam Fang felt disheartened. It’s an age-old truth: civilians cannot win against officials. She had thought the Xiao family, considering their brother-in-law relationship and the existing betrothal agreement, wouldn’t dare to break ties. Now it seemed they were indeed fearless.

“In the capital, there are plenty of people more powerful than the Xiao family. That’s why I wanted to move.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand fully. Just know that I’m working to establish connections with influential figures. If I succeed, the Xiao family will no longer dare to treat us with such an attitude.”

The capital would become a place where Fang Yufu could also stand tall. Back in Xuzhou, the Fang and Qin families had dominated and acted as they pleased. But here, he realized the vast gap between his family and true aristocratic households.

One particular family was the pinnacle of legend in Tianyu—a truly top-tier existence.

“I only hope Qinghe and Qinglian can marry into the Xiao family. The rest are matters for the men to handle. I can’t do much about them.”

“You’re suggesting both Qinghe and Qinglian marry into the Xiao family? Impossible. They would never agree.”

“Why not? There was no stipulation that only one grandson and granddaughter could wed. Why can’t both marry in?”

“You’d better not even think about it. Wait… perhaps we should consider marrying one of their granddaughters into our family.”

Before the granddaughters even entered the Xiao family, they were already being dismissed. How could they be relied upon in the future? However, if they brought a Xiao granddaughter into their family, it would be different. The Xiao family seemed to dote on their little girl, making it more likely to leverage that connection. Furthermore, the lineage might become more refined—handsome sons and beautiful daughters. Hmm, this plan seemed feasible.

“Who wants to marry their granddaughter? Absolutely not.” Madam Fang objected, thinking of the challenges of accommodating such a person in their household. They couldn’t treat her too harshly, but they couldn’t treat her too indulgently either. The family might end up tiptoeing around her.

“Since when did you have the final say in this household?” Fang Yufu retorted sternly.

“I meant no disrespect. I just don’t want to see our granddaughters wronged. It’s not easy to find another family like theirs. Our grandson shouldn’t marry a Xiao granddaughter and end up in a submissive position. Doesn’t that bother you?”

As soon as she spoke, Madam Fang regretted it. Her husband had always been unwavering in his decisions. Why had she opposed him? She blamed the Xiao family—if they had simply agreed to the marriage, everyone could have been happy. Why create all these complications and cause her husband so much frustration?

“Let’s leave that decision for later,” Fang Yufu said.

He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from his wife. Now wasn’t the best time to discuss marriage arrangements anyway. It was better to proceed cautiously. Waiting a bit longer wouldn’t hurt—it might even yield unexpected benefits.

“I’ve hired a governess for our granddaughters. She’ll arrive in two days to teach them the etiquette of the capital. This will be very useful for their future. You should listen in as well, to avoid causing any embarrassment when you’re out.”

Before coming to the capital, he hadn’t realized that everyone around him was so unsophisticated. They all thought they were doing well, but he had never expected them to bring glory to the family—he only hoped they wouldn’t hold him back.

“Yes, I’ll follow your instructions.”

“I’ll be very busy in the coming days and won’t have time to look after the household. Think carefully about everything and don’t act recklessly. Handle small matters yourself. For bigger issues, have our son find me. He knows where I’ll be.”

“Understood, Master.”

From that day on, Fang Yufu’s movements became unpredictable. Madam Fang busied herself with accompanying their granddaughters in learning rules and etiquette, leaving other matters alone.

Having been married for decades, Madam Fang knew her husband’s character all too well. When it came to family interests and prospects, he was ruthless and indifferent. Emotions held no value in his eyes. For wealth and status, he would stop at nothing.

Fang Yufu was currently sitting in the most luxurious establishment in the capital, Wangxian Residence, pouring tea and serving wine to a high-ranking figure he had painstakingly connected with. His demeanor was attentive and thorough.

“Manager Huang, please, please. I’m deeply grateful for your guidance. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

“Hmm, it’s good that you understand. My influence is secondary—the key is to remember Steward Han’s favor. If you succeed in this matter, you might even climb higher.” Manager Huang gestured upward with his hand, his expression arrogant. His unremarkable face wore an air of superiority, and his luxurious attire couldn’t conceal his protruding belly. The distinctive auspicious cloud pattern on his belt was well-known in the capital as the emblem of the Han family, which boasted two dukes.

“Yes, yes, I’ll always remember your words.”

During their conversation, Manager Huang casually brought up, “I heard you’re related to Xiao Hu by marriage.”

“Xiao Hu…” Fang Yufu hesitated, unable to immediately recall the name.

“General Xiao, the one stationed in the northern frontier.” Manager Huang’s eyes showed a flicker of disdain at Fang’s confusion. If this wasn’t a wealthy man and his master didn’t want to use him to strengthen ties with the Xiao family, he wouldn’t have bothered.

“Oh, you mean that Xiao family.”

“How’s your relationship with them?”

“It’s… fine, I suppose.”

“Make it better.”

“Understood, I’ll do as you say.”

The two parted ways, with Fang Yufu sending Manager Huang off to the street corner, slipping a heavy purse of banknotes into his hand. Manager Huang’s face immediately lit up with a beaming smile.

Afterward, a figure stepped out of the shadows near the corner where they had been standing. Watching Fang Yufu leave, he murmured, “So this is Fang Yufu…”

The man was Xiao Yi.

He had come to this area with friends to watch a play at the nearby theater. During their chat, someone mentioned a new dessert at a pastry shop ahead, one infused with the fragrance of flowers. Curious, he came to buy some for his family.

As he left the shop, he overheard snippets of conversation mentioning “Fang” and “Yufu.” Due to recent sensitivities about the Fang family, he paused to listen. What he heard left him suspicious. Could this Fang Yufu be the same man who had stayed at their home not long ago?

If he was now entangled with the Han family, what were his intentions? Xiao Yi decided this needed to be reported to his father.

After instructing a shop worker to inform his friends about his departure, Xiao Yi mounted his horse and hurried home.

Upon arriving at the mansion, he asked the gatekeeper, “Is my father back yet?”

“The master returned just a moment ago and is in the study.”

Xiao Yi handed the desserts to the gatekeeper. “Distribute these to everyone in the various courtyards. Let them enjoy a taste of something new.”

He then strode purposefully toward the study.

Inside, father and son sat on opposite sides of the desk. Xiao Yi relayed everything he had overheard and seen.

“Describe this Fang person,” his father, Xiao Jingkang, instructed.

“Average height, ordinary appearance, sallow complexion, and… a noticeable mole on his chin. He seems to be around fifty.”

“It must be him.”

Xiao Jingkang frowned. “To have made connections with the Han family so soon after arriving in the capital… impressive, but reckless.”

In the Xiao family, it was an iron rule to keep a safe distance from the Han family. Xiao Jingkang had personally issued a strict order that any association with the Hans would be met with severe consequences.

Now, without warning, they were being dragged into something dangerous. Xiao Jingkang’s expression darkened.

“Fang Yufu,” he muttered under his breath. “If you’re so desperate for status and wealth, that’s your choice—but you won’t drag my family into your schemes.”