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Fu Ze’an was moved by his second uncle’s words and considered them carefully before returning to his study.
The words Ah Ying had spoken at the foot of the Lou Xuan Mountain that day were deafening and made him realize his mistakes.
Recently, he had indeed neglected Ah Ying while focusing on taking care of Ah Xue’s feelings.
Knowing one’s faults and correcting them is important.
He decided to correct his course and once again consider Ah Ying’s needs as her elder brother, even if it was not too late.
Currently, Ah Ying was unwilling to see the Fu family.
If someone could help ease the stalemate, it would be beneficial.
Even if she could not be persuaded to return to the palace, at least she should not be in such conflict with the palace and the family.
As a young woman who had always been protected, she could hardly endure the gossip from the outside world.
She should not have to suffer so much.
To help Ah Ying, Fu Ze’an summoned a boy servant, spread paper under the lamp, and wrote a letter to his fiancée, Miss Wang San.
…..
The next morning, Zan Ying received an invitation from Miss Wang.
When Mrs. Ren handed over the note, she added, “Miss Wang is the one engaged to the Fu family. I heard that yesterday a servant saw someone sneaking into the back gate of the Wang residence, looking like Fu Ze’an’s servant. Manager Du asked him if he saw correctly, and the servant, who had worked at Rui Garden and had seen Fu family members, thought it was accurate. And now, just one night later…”
Having just returned from Consort Xi’s main courtyard to the eastern chamber, Zan Ying, dressed in a jade-green silk robe with a curved hem, her slim waist bound and hair loosely arranged, looked at the delicate writing on the gold-sprinkled note and furrowed her brow.
“Do not see her. Please send Miss Wang away.”
Chun Jin, seeing the frown on her face, said, “In the past, when you were in the palace, you could still have a few conversations with Miss Wang San. However, since Miss Wang is related to Mr. Fu Zean, her coming now is likely to act as a mediator. If you do not wish to add to your troubles, it is better not to see her.”
Zan Ying shook her head, “It’s not for me, it’s for her.”
She truly did not understand what Fu Ze’an was thinking.
Although Miss Wang San was engaged to him two years ago, she had lost her father and was now living with her mother at her uncle’s house, relying on her uncle and aunt for support.
Miss Wang’s family did not support the Crown Prince.
At this time, the last thing Miss Wang wanted was for her to reconcile with the Eastern Palace.
As Fu Ze’an was a companion to the Crown Prince, sending a letter to Miss Wang San put her in a difficult position.
Moreover, he couldn’t even wait one day and had to send it at night, seemingly more concerned with his family’s reputation than Miss Wang’s.
Ah Ying suspected that this was likely another scheme instigated by that old woman Fu, who had previously sent daughter-in-law Sun to the temporary palace.
When that didn’t work, she had now targeted the unmarried daughter-in-law in Wuyi Lane.
It was like an evil tiger controlling a puppet, with those sitting in high towers thinking they could manipulate everyone beneath them with a mere flick of their fingers, treating them as mere tools.
Zan Ying closed her eyes.
Why should this be?
She remembered that in her previous life, Miss Wang San had also been unable to marry into the Fu family after her mourning period.
It was vaguely heard that the old Lady Fu of the Fu family said that Wang Sanny, approaching twenty, was not worthy to be the primary wife of the Fu family.
At that time, Fu Zanying was struggling in the Luozhi Hall and could not find out the specific reasons or have a chance to ask Wang Sanny directly.
Later, when Li Jinghuan ascended the throne and the Fu family became prominent in the new regime, they probably looked down even more on the orphaned Wang Sanny.
In any case, until her death, there was no news of Fu Ze’an’s marriage.
At that time, where was Fu Ze’an and what was he contemplating?
The new saying that Sister Ren taught her went something like this: “Use people for their strengths and disregard them for their weaknesses.”
Even common folks might feel embarrassed by such fickleness, but Fu Ze’an, being a well-read gentleman from a prestigious family, should have had the ability to debate and reason out historical references.
Why, when it came to his own matters, did he lose his discernment with just a few words from his elders?
Or perhaps, for his own benefit, he could shed that layer of reserved dignity and reveal his true, hypocritical nature.
Zan Ying had always thought such a person was upright and proper, someone to learn from.
She touched the delicate, graceful calligraphy of the flower on the invitation and thought, “Let me play the villain for now. Whether Wang Sanny comes for the Wang family or the Fu family, if she cannot see me, she will offend both sides, and things might be a bit easier. Once this matter is resolved, I will return to pay my respects and offer my apologies.”
She hoped that one day she could live as herself, and Wang Sannv as herself, and when they met again, it would be a pleasant encounter.
Zan Ying looked at the departing figure of Chun Jin who was sent to deliver a message and thought about how Chun Jin’s parents and brothers were all gone.
Although she was left with a solitary and bitter fate, she had no vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Her feelings for the Fu family were gone, and no matter how they stirred up trouble, she would remain unscathed. As for her uncle, she need not worry.
The remaining concerns were with Manager Du and Sister Ren.
Zan Ying said to Sister Ren, “Sister Ren, you and Uncle Du should bring more people when you go out these days and stay vigilant.”
Upon hearing this soft and delicate voice, Sister Ren almost wanted to embrace the young lady in her arms and kiss her, smiling as she said, “I’ve already advised this several times. Don’t worry; I understand your concerns. You should know that the so-called Tang family treasury is not just a fixed silver vault in a market. It encompasses the East and West Markets, porcelain kilns, mines, shipyards, and ranches, with connections all around. Merchants from north to south recognize our Tang family’s mark even with their eyes closed.”
She raised a finger and pointed upward, lowering her voice, “Even if they want to seize or raid, they cannot seize everything. If they try to frame the Tang family with false accusations, each branch under Tang’s name has its own independent accounts. Cutting off one branch is just a part of the whole. We are not afraid, but if rumors spread that the imperial family is competing with merchants for profits, think about it: there are many wealthy merchants in the Southern Dynasty. They might sympathize with each other and hesitate, and at that time, who would dare to do big business under the emperor’s feet?”
In the end, the white jade key crafted when Madam Tang made the agreement with Empress Wei was not meant to open a specific treasury but was a symbol.
Later, when Lady Yu took over the role of Empress and wanted to take care of the young lady, the Tang family had made it clear to the royal family that the young lady must be kept safe and reach fifteen years of age and undergo her coming-of-age ceremony before they would transfer financial authority to her.
The real key was the young lady herself.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Ying let out a breath and turned to look at the clear blue sky outside the hall.
Her delicate brows were furrowed, and her eyes, as if reaching the heavens, reflected a beam of light, “Yes, they should be the ones with the headache.”
“There are only two days left.”
Let’s see what other tricks they have.
When Old Lady Fu heard that Wang San could not see Zan Ying, she was enraged and realized that these younger generations were useless.
She would have to take matters into her own hands and use her final trump card.
The problem was that this rebellious girl had refused to meet her twice already.
If she could not see her, how could she use the threat of stripping her and her father of their family status to coerce her into obedience?
Old Lady Fu pondered with a stern expression for half a day and finally came up with a plan.
So, at noon the next day, when the officials in Wuyi Lane had finished their work and the households were having lunch, a green-draped carriage slowly rolled over the Zhuque Bridge and entered Wuyi Lane.
When the carriage door opened, only Old Lady Fu and two maids descended.
Old Lady Fu, dressed in a plain long gown with a white willow cane, appeared more fragile and lonely.
She looked up at the high gate, tilted the corner of her withered mouth, and pounded her cane heavily on the bluestone bricks before wailing loudly.
“Ying’er, my Ying’er, you’ve moved out to live on your own because you were angry with your grandmother and your brother. Your grandmother has complied with your wishes, but why must you utter such hurtful words about severing ties with the Fu family? You lost your parents when you were young and are all alone now. How can your grandmother not be heartbroken?”
Her loud wail immediately attracted attention, and the gatekeepers of several residences in the long alley peeked out in astonishment.
The maid next to Old Lady Fu took over and began crying out, “Young lady, the old lady has been worrying about you for these days, unable to eat or sleep. Last night she dreamt of you and cried after waking up, worried about your suffering alone outside. The old lady is old and cannot withstand such sorrow. Remember how devoted your third master was when he was alive? Even if you are not in favor of your late father, you should still be filial and come back with us. Why make a fool of yourself for others to see?”
“San-lang!” Old Lady Fu, as if struck by a painful blow, clutched her chest and sobbed loudly, “My poor San-lang, how lamentable it is that you did not live long enough to teach your daughter. Now, she is even willing to sever ties with the family and ask to be removed from the genealogy, refusing to acknowledge the Fu family. Ying’er, is this how you intend to tear out your grandmother’s heart?”
The noisy commotion quickly reached the inner residence.
Chun Jin hurried into the eastern chamber to inform the young lady, “What is wrong with Old Lady Fu today? She and her two maids are outside, making a scene and insulting you. She doesn’t consider the neighbors living nearby at all. This is unacceptable.”
Zan Ying, sitting at her desk with a book annotated by her father, which had turned yellow with age and was moved from Rui Garden, heard the commotion outside.
Her dark eyes concealed her concern as she gently placed the book on the desk.
She smoothed the book cover with her fingers.
“Sister, don’t be anxious.” Her voice was as soft and sweet as usual, “Please bring me a cup of tea.”
“Ah,” seeing the young lady’s unreadable expression, Chun Jin was momentarily confused and stumbled slightly.
As she went to fetch the tea pot, she anxiously said, “Hurry up and find someone to make that old woman stop. The young lady’s reputation is important.”
Before she finished speaking, a piercing scream came from outside the gate, “Do you really want your grandmother to kneel and beg you? Fine, your grandmother will kneel for you now!”
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CyyEmpire[Translator]
Hello Readers, I'm CyyEmpire translator of various Chinese Novel, I'm Thankful and Grateful for all the support i've receive from you guys.. Thank You!