Chapter 90 Joy
Fu Yu's campaign to quell the rebellion went more smoothly than expected.
Xuanzhou was not too far from Yongning. The military governor, Cao Jianzhong, had risen to power through the influence of his ancestors and had limited personal abilities. Compared to the powerful cavalry of the Fu family and Wei Jian, who were close to the border and frequently engaged in battles, Cao Jianzhong had a large number of soldiers, but they were not very capable. Due to serious embezzlement of military pay and lack of training, their combat strength was extremely weak.
Having already suffered losses from the earlier outbreak of war, Cao Jianzhong was powerless to cope with the new trouble.
Emperor Xiping lay on his sickbed, clinging to life, recalling the Fu family's previous contributions. He tried issuing another decree, requesting the Fu family to quell the nearby rebellion. Fu Deming agreed, but also instructed someone to submit a memorial impeaching Cao Jianzhong for incompetence, corruption, bribery, and embezzlement of military funds, recommending a more capable replacement. In the past, the court had no power to control the regional military governors; even mountains of impeachments against military officers were beyond their control. Now, with the Fu family's powerful army pressing towards Xuanzhou, this memorial was merely using the court's name as leverage; after weighing the options, the court granted the request.
The recommended man was originally a veteran under Yongning, who had been transferred to Cao Jianzhong's command several years ago. However, Cao Jianzhong had his own confidants and he was not given important responsibilities. Although he was not successful, he had managed to establish a foothold with his forthright personality. Now, with Fu Yu's iron cavalry and swords backing him up, he successfully took over the position of military governor after eliminating several troublemakers.
In addition, Fu Yu's maternal uncles were all in power and running businesses in this area, so the matter was considered settled.
Fu Yu stayed for over a month, originally planning to return to Qizhou once the situation in Xuanzhou stabilized. However, before he could even set off, Du He received a message from his subordinates saying that You Tong had left Qizhou alone and risked returning to the capital.
Fu Yu was secretly alarmed upon hearing this.
In this world, truly peaceful times are few and far between. She returns to the capital alone, and even with the guards and spies he's planted, there's no guarantee she won't run into trouble. How will she deal with that? Anxious, she quickly dealt with the remaining matters, ordering her deputy to lead troops back to Qizhou, while she, along with Du He and her personal guards, rushed over without stopping. En route, she received a secret letter from Xu Chaozong requesting assistance, and ordered Du He to secretly send more men to the capital to reinforce them.
Traveling day and night, braving the cold and headwinds, they finally caught up with You Tong and his group that evening.
...
The moment Fu Yu stepped into the inn and saw You Tong's figure, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settled back into his stomach, and he gritted his teeth in secret.
—She could have easily returned to the capital with his help, so why did she have to be so anxious?
If I send him a message and ask him to send someone to escort you, will I lose something?
After the waiter jogged over and opened the door, Fu Yu didn't say anything more. He put his arm around You Tong and went inside, then closed the door behind him. The room was quite dark, with a slight pungent smell from the charcoal. His heavy cloak caught the evening chill. He gripped You Tong's shoulders and said in a deep voice, "What were you doing running out here all by yourself?"
"Going back to the capital?" You Tong shrank back.
"Just those few people?"
"Master Liu is very skilled; he's been walking this path for over a decade." You Tong could tell he was angry, so she shrank back a little.
Fu Yu, annoyed, noticed her face flushed from the warmth. He removed her large felt hat, revealing her long, dark hair styled in a bun on top of her head. Her eyes sparkled, bright and lively. Perhaps sensing his anger, her eyes curved slightly, revealing her nose and chin, and she smiled sweetly, "General, what brings you here?"
"Just passing by," Fu Yu said.
"Oh," You Tong mumbled, her eyelashes drooping slightly, but the smile in her eyes deepened.
Fu Yu's worries turned into frustration. He wanted to spank her bottom as a punishment, but he didn't have the nerve. He could only grit his teeth and say, "If you want to return to the capital, just send me a message. With so many soldiers in the Fu family, can't you spare a few to escort you? No matter how skilled the bodyguards are, how can they protect you safely on this thousand-mile journey?"
"I was afraid of disturbing important military matters." You Tong saw a teacup on the table, quickly rinsed it clean, and poured it for him.
The hasty reunion, from initial shock to bewilderment as she was dragged up the stairs, and then to seeing through his hidden anger once inside, she could guess the reason. If she were in his shoes, she would also be angry if the person she cared about risked his safety.
Fu Yu's claim of passing by is most likely a stubborn lie; there's absolutely no need to detour from Xuanzhou to the capital.
This man must have used his position to plant spies around her, otherwise how could it be such a coincidence? Judging from his stubble and the shadows under his eyes, he clearly hasn't had a good rest these past few days.
You Tong returned to Beijing this time with a heavy heart, feeling anxious and fearful along the way. She was already happy after meeting Fu Yu by chance, and thinking about this moment made her feel a warm current flow through her heart.
Actions speak louder than words; a thousand vows of eternal love cannot compare to the deeds he quietly performs.
This man has her in his heart, and it's not just talk.
You Tong's heart felt as if it had been soaked in honey.
Seeing that Fu Yu refused to take it, she simply held it to his lips and fed it to him, explaining with a smile, "I know this road is not safe. Those two bodyguards were carefully selected, and they even made two escort trips in the autumn, so they know the situation well. I also asked Lan Yin to do his best to escort them. I was also on high alert and careful at all times on the way."
After he finished drinking the water, she leaned over and gently hugged him. "I've thought it all through, don't worry. And—"
She tilted her head back, a hint of mockery mixed with grievance in her expression, "You were so fierce the moment we met, trying to put on airs with me?"
With sweet words and a charming smile, she stared at him with wide, bright eyes, her expression both coquettish and delightful.
Fu Yu's pent-up anger was completely washed away. He glared at her resentfully for a moment, then lowered his head and gently bit her lip.
You Tong didn't dodge, but looked at him with pitiful eyes.
This is what she calls being coquettish. In the year since their marriage, she has been coquettish only a handful of times, yet she always leaves him helpless.
Fu Yu was amused and exasperated by her words, but also felt helpless. He pulled her into his arms. "I'm angry that you're so distant. You won't even mention such an important matter to me, and you don't seem to care about your life or safety. Once things are peaceful at home, I'll marry you. I'm sincere, and you can't fool me." His voice was deep and tinged with displeasure. He nuzzled You Tong's head and said in a deliberately fierce tone, "From now on, you're coming with me, and you're not allowed to be willful anymore."
“That won’t do.” You Tong raised her head. “I can’t give myself away.”
"How so?"
You Tong frowned. "I originally wanted to use one tiger to devour another, but if that tiger knows that I am still under my husband's protection, I'm afraid it will have doubts and refuse to help."
That's interesting. Fu Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.
You Tong then roughly explained the plan, saying, "The enemy of my enemy is arguably my ally. The emperor is in imminent danger, and I've heard that the Prince of Ying has the upper hand in the capital. For him, the most troublesome thing after ascending the throne is the group of civil officials under Grand Tutor Xu. I'll make things easier for him as soon as possible. It'll be a thorn in his side, and he won't have to put in much effort. I'm sure he'll be happy to do so. Grand Tutor Xu allowed his family to commit murder back then, and it's time for him to pay for that debt."
After saying that, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and a hint of mockery appeared in his eyes.
Xu Chaozong was initially ambitious, believing that by winning over Grand Tutor Xu, he could achieve his goals. He even went against his conscience, allowing the Xu family to relentlessly trample on the original owner of the body in order to curry favor with Grand Tutor Xu. Who would have thought that after all this fuss, he would still be outmaneuvered by the Prince of Ying, who had been imprisoned for months for plotting to assassinate his brothers. Clearly, Grand Tutor Xu was nothing special after all.
Fu Yu naturally remembered the uproar that had swept the city back then.
You Tong wants to go back and settle accounts; he needs to back him up.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Xu Chaozong has a favor to ask of me, and I can force him to make a choice."
"Why bother? Grand Tutor Xu is, after all, his right-hand man. Let the two tigers fight each other and hurt their claws. General, just be a good person." After You Tong finished speaking, seeing that Fu Yu did not object anymore, she knew that he agreed with the matter, and felt more at ease.
Afterwards, the two continued their journey separately, but You Tong no longer needed to worry.
...
When they arrived in the capital, it was getting dark.
Compared to You Tong's return to the capital at the beginning of the year, the checks at the city gates were much stricter. After being escorted into the city by bodyguards, You Tong went straight to the Wei family mansion. Fu Yu, on the other hand, secretly entered the capital at Xu Chaozong's request, without revealing any trace of his presence.
The gate of the Wei family mansion remains unchanged from the past.
You Tong got off the carriage and looked around. He asked the steward to arrange accommodation for the bodyguards. Before he even entered the house, Wei Sidao, who had just finished his shift, was hurrying over in the cold wind at the end of the alley.
Seeing his daughter suddenly appear, he was clearly stunned and surprised. After bringing her inside, before he could even feel happy, he called You Tong to his study and gave her a good scolding. The divorce had been initiated by You Tong without her consent, and by the time Wei Sidao found out, it was too late to reverse the situation. He feared that the Fu family would hold a grudge, that You Tong would be unable to establish herself in Qizhou, and that her long journey back to the capital would be fraught with difficulties. He was both furious and worried, feeling that his daughter's actions were too willful and that she hadn't improved despite the trials.
Later, You Tong wrote several letters to comfort him, and Fu Deqing personally wrote a letter to reassure him, which finally put his mind at ease.
He then wrote a very sincere letter, saying that the Fu family had protected the people with their blood and sweat for generations, that the government was honest and upright, and that they loved the people like their own children. Even without the relationship between his children and his wife, he would not change his original intention and asked Fu Deqing to take care of his ignorant daughter.
Fu Deqing readily agreed, and after exchanging messages, they were both relieved.
But this still failed to quell Wei Sidao's dissatisfaction. Fearing that she would continue to act recklessly, he lectured her in the study, analyzing the pros and cons.
Madam Wei arrived and rescued You Tong. The mother and daughter then stayed behind closed doors to check on her well-being.
You Tong spent the night at the Wei family's residence. The next day, she and Wei Sidao reviewed the evidence used by the Xu family to slander and spread rumors. The Xu family must have expended considerable effort to create such a spectacle. At the time, the Wei family was powerless to retaliate, allowing the rumors to spread throughout the city. After marrying You Tong off to Qizhou, they swallowed their anger and didn't pursue the matter further. The Xu family, having lowered their guard, though they kept quiet, didn't completely eliminate the threat.
After all, it involved too many people, and the Xu family ultimately didn't have the guts.
This, however, made things easier for Wei Sidao.
When the investigation was underway at the height of the controversy, some people were on high alert. However, two years later, various interesting stories and rumors circulated in the capital. The Xu family kept a close eye on the succession struggle. Wei Sidao patiently sent his trusted confidants to investigate slowly and eventually uncovered many clues, and all the witnesses were present.
Having made up her mind, You Tong took a carriage the next morning and went alone to the Prince of Ying's Mansion.
He sent his visiting card inside, but as expected, he was turned away at the door. In his early years, You Tong had a close relationship with Xu Chaozong and rarely visited the Prince of Ying's residence. Later, Fu Yu helped Xu Chaozong resolve the crisis and openly brought his wife to become a guest of honor at the Prince of Rui's residence. After the Prince of Ying's failure, he was severely punished by Emperor Xiping and naturally felt resentful. He had no further dealings with the Wei family.
The Wei family isn't an unapproachable powerful family, so being turned away isn't surprising.
You Tong was not discouraged. He handed the prepared letter to the gatekeeper and asked him to forward it to His Highness the Prince of Ying.
After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the side gate of the Prince of Ying's mansion was opened, and the gatekeeper invited her inside.
You Tong wasn't dressed in full regalia today, but she had still put thought into her attire—a brocade dress, sashes, and jade pendants, all in dignified colors. Her long black hair was styled into a bun, adorned with a precious floral hairpin, and there were no other decorations. From head to toe, her cloak, dress, beaded shoes, and hair ornaments were all valuable items, no less luxurious than those in the mansions of dukes and marquises, yet simple, dignified, composed, and serene.
She came alone, without a single maidservant, and followed the steward inside at a leisurely pace.
In a side room next to the library in the distance, the King of England held the letter in his hand, looked out the window, and scrutinized it with a probing gaze.
When You Tong approached, he closed the window, sat down at his desk, and listened to the steward's report before saying, "Come in."
You Tong entered as instructed and immediately spotted the Prince of Ying, seated behind his desk. A member of the royal family and a descendant of the imperial family, he may not possess the handsome appearance and refined demeanor of Xu Chaozong, but having held a high position since childhood, his noble bearing was no less impressive. However, his expression was indifferent, and he didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he had no interest in the matter.
But if he really had no interest, why would he have allowed her to come in?
You Tong knew what was going on, and respectfully bowed in greeting.
Chapter 91 Counterattack
The King of England and Xu Chaozong were not much different in age, and he was somewhat familiar with the woman kneeling before him.
He originally held the Wei family in contempt.
In the King of England's view, the fact that Emperor Wenchang had shown favor to the Wei family's granddaughter, personally naming her and treating her as a royal granddaughter-in-law, frequently bringing her into the palace, was a blessing that no other family could hope for. Anyone else would have seized the opportunity to seek high office and wealth. But Wei Sidao was not quick-witted, focusing solely on neglecting old books and neglecting his daughter's upbringing. He raised Wei Youtong to be innocent and naive, lacking any of the shrewdness or calculating nature expected of a royal daughter-in-law.
On that day, when the city was in an uproar and all sorts of rumors were rampant, he even watched some jokes.
If it weren't for her stroke of luck in catching Fu Yu's eye, let alone any respectable family in the capital, even an ordinary scholar might not have dared to touch that troublesome woman. According to recent news, although Wei Youtong is beautiful, she couldn't keep her husband's heart and has divorced and left the mansion.
The Wei family had two promising opportunities but failed to seize them; they have no future prospects.
Therefore, when the King of England heard that the daughter of the Wei family was requesting an audience, he refused without hesitation.
He only became slightly interested when the steward presented the letter and saw that it said he could help him get rid of Grand Tutor Xu, a thorn in his side.
Grand Tutor Xu was Emperor Xiping's mentor and also Xu Chaozong's father-in-law. Although he was highly learned, he was also a self-serving and fame-seeking man, always maintaining an air of aloofness and benevolence. He had an excellent reputation and many disciples. Prince Ying had previously seized evidence against the Xu family on several occasions and ordered impeachments and investigations, but Emperor Xiping had always dealt with them leniently and had not brought them to justice.
If one were to dare to attempt an assassination, it would not be as immediately effective as assassinating Xu Chaozong. Not to mention that Emperor Xiping would be furious and severely punish him after finding out, even if Grand Tutor Xu were to die, his reputation would still be there, and those supporters around him would still be at Xu Chaozong's beck and call. If one were to be careless, one would end up getting into trouble for nothing and ruining one's future.
The King of England had been arguing for the succession for two years, and the only people he hated most were Xu Chaozong and Grand Tutor Xu.
At this moment, looking at You Tong kneeling calmly, he leaned back in his chair and said, "You said in your letter that you could get rid of Grand Tutor Xu?"
"Yes, not only can we get rid of him, but we can also ruin his reputation and destroy his good name."
She mentioned this in her letter. The King of England had seen many eloquent but useless literary advisors. Upon hearing this, he curled his lip and said, "Just with your mouth?"
"I have brought evidence for Your Highness to examine," You Tong said, presenting a brocade pouch with both hands.
Three or four steps away stood the King of England's trusted attendants. Seeing their master give them a look, they took the item and presented it to him.
The King of England opened the package and saw that it contained information about the incident from two years ago. He glanced at it briefly, then impatiently tossed it aside and said coldly, "Are you crazy? Trying to make fun of me? You dare to bring up such trivial matters to cause trouble in front of me?"
You Tong remained unmoved and said slowly, "The rumors that were rampant that day were all the work of Grand Tutor Xu's family, and the evidence is conclusive."