The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 994 - 226: The Death of Lady Yu_2

Chapter 994: Chapter 226: The Death of Lady Yu_2

Zhao Xiaochen had gone on a northern campaign with Mo Heng this time.

Last time, Mo Heng arranged for Zhao Xiaochen to stay behind while he himself infiltrated Wa Ci to scout the enemy, which resulted in him being surrounded and in trouble. Later, he sought refuge with An Liefeng, leaving Zhao Xiaochen on the border, unable to earn significant military honors alongside Mo Heng and Pei Qin.

Madam Zhao regretted more than once that her son would be at risk on the battlefield, but this time she didn’t worry, and had Zhao Xiaochen follow Mo Heng early in the morning. Now a general, Mo Heng had powerful artillery and grenades to protect him, which wouldn’t jeopardize his life. Only by accompanying him could her son earn respectable military honors and also be bestowed the title of general to honor the family!

Fang Li was most discontented. He had insisted that Mo Heng ensure Dalang’s position was reinstated before leaving, yet he had departed without addressing it, resulting in his eldest son not only losing his position but also being investigated by the Ministry of Justice.

Old Scholar Fang and Grandma Fang were terrified when the Ministry of Justice came for Fang Liuming, fearing Fang Li’s actions had implicated Fang Liuming. They immediately came to Pei Qin to discuss countermeasures.

Pei Qin didn’t have the audacity to believe that the Ministry of Justice would heed her, "Mo Heng is leading troops outside now; the Imperial Court wouldn’t use this time to strike down his brother-in-law."

Grandma Fang was still uneasy, "Qinqin! The Ministry of Justice is said to be managed by the Shen family’s Elder Shen. If he finds out, he will release Dalang, won’t he?"

Pei Qin slightly frowned, "It should be just a routine investigation, I will have someone inquire about it."

Grandma Fang nodded and sighed, "Dalang is entirely ruined by that worthless father and that wretched Yang Yulan!"

Pei Qin neither agreed nor disagreed; what Fang Li did was not simply lackluster, but deserving of obliteration!

The entire Imperial Court was anxiously awaiting news of victory from the border; the efforts to streamline the bureaucracy were somewhat perfunctory. The Ministry of Justice had more cases, and investigating Fang Liuming was merely routine, so they sent him back.

After recovering from his injuries, Fang Li heard that many officials had fallen from grace and saw it as an opportunity. So many Capital Officials had been demoted, leaving numerous positions available. He wanted Dalang to fill one of them, so he could stay in Capital Jingcheng as an official!

He asked Pei Qian to go to Pei Qin and bribe with more Silver Coin.

Pei Qian had not listened to him before, and now pregnant, was even less inclined to comply, walking around the house with authority, "Who do you think you are? You be an official when you want, do whatever you please!? Try and handle it yourself if you think you’re so capable!"

"You wretched woman! Dalang is your husband, he shines, you shine! If he fails, the office is gone, you still think you’re an officer’s wife!?" Fang Li cursed furiously.

Lady Yu saw him cursing at Pei Qian and was fuming with anger, "Fang Li! You, as a father-in-law, pointing and cursing at your daughter-in-law, do you have no shame!?"

"Why can’t I curse her? This wretched woman deserves cursing, and you, even more deserve to be beaten! Don’t think I’m afraid to divorce you, only because it would create a scandal and affect Dalang’s career!" Fang Li pointed at her nose and cursed.

Lady Yu gritted her teeth in anger, inwardly wishing he would die soon.

Lady Ruan came over to mediate and brought Lady Yu and Pei Qian back to their rooms, "Since there are so many vacancies, and Dalang indeed has achievements, I trust that it won’t be long before a new official position is arranged for Dalang."

Lady Yu thought so as well, but Fang Li did not; he was adamant about securing a Capital Official position for Fang Liuming immediately. He, being a prestigious father in Capital Jingcheng without even a residence to his name, what does that look like!?

After Pei Yuan found out, she advised Pei Qian, suggesting that Old Scholar Fang and Fang Li return to their native home in Yuanyang County, "Everything is there at home; it’s our own place, and comfortable to reside in. Far from here, even if you have ideas, you can’t cause a disaster anymore."

When Pei Qian mentioned it, Fang Liuming agreed, but Fang Li was firmly opposed, "I won’t go back! If anyone goes back, let it be Lady Yu and you; I am Dalang’s father, without me by his side, our Fang family would have been devoured and left with nothing long ago!"

Fang Fu had to participate in this year’s imperial examinations in autumn and next spring’s; he was not planning to go back, neither did Lady Ruan.

"Be devoured by others? Without others, you as a father prancing about will not just cause Dalang to lose his post; eventually, you’ll get Dalang killed!" Lady Yu mocked Fang Li to his face.

Yang Yulan secretly sneered, "That Zhao Xiaochen, following Mo Heng to fight the Rong Clan, will come back covered in military honors, possibly appointed as a general in command of a thousand households, and then the First Son will have nothing."

That was why Fang Li felt even more aggrieved and was eager to seize the opportunity during this vacancy to secure a Capital Official position for Fang Liuming.

"Mo Heng is someone you can address so casually!? You mere concubine!" Lady Yu immediately scolded her.

Yang Yulan tensed her face in humiliation, unable to retort for a moment; she was indeed only a concubine. With Lady Yu around, she could not assume the role of the First Madam of the Fang family!