Chapter 014: Where is the Reason for the Original Wife to Pay for the Concubine's Expenses?

Fu Jun's eyes flashed with anger: "A rebellious and unfilial daughter like you, I should hand you over to the authorities for punishment! Fortunately, someone witnessed your rebellious act today. Let the government punish you according to the law, so as to silence those rumors and prevent what you said from tarnishing the Fu Family's reputation, saying that the Fu Family's discipline is lax!"

"That would be excellent!" Fu Zhen replied, "Why don't we go to the authorities now, and you can file your complaint! I will then, in front of the Shuntian Prefecture governor, recount how Father originally schemed to marry into the Ning Family for their wealth, how he bullied Mother once Grandfather passed away with no support, how he brazenly brought in his mistress and illegitimate children during Grandfather's funeral to oppress Mother in mourning, and how over the years you've used my brother to coerce Mother while also favoring the concubine over her. I'll lay all of this out, one by one, before the governor.

"I will ask the governor to judge if my kick was justified or not. If he still wants to flog me, Father, you should know with my frail and sickly body, I am not made for longevity, right? Then I wouldn't hesitate to risk my life to write a petition to the Imperial Censorate! The censors, with their sharp teeth, surely wouldn't show mercy to a mere Assistant Minister like you. Shall I prepare a sedan chair for you, Father?"

Previously he never brought this up, so Fu Zhen guarded against his hidden schemes.

But she was never afraid of him using the words 'principles' against her. Perhaps it was because he had wielded his might for too long and committed too many misdeeds. The past mistress and Mother endured him for so long that he forgot about his own transgressions! From any one of these things she mentioned, it'd be enough for a man with no foundation like him to have a tough time explaining to both the Shuntian Prefecture and the Censors!

Does he even dare suggest suing her?

Does he think she knows nothing about how the government offices operate?

While she was dealing with officials and their bureaucracy, he, with the surname Fu, might as well have been hiding in some crevice seeking favors!

If he gains an advantage at the office today, she'd write her name backward!

In the main hall, there was no response; Fu Jun was left glaring at her, hardly able to breathe!

The charge of unfilial conduct was his greatest reliance and his confident leverage to threaten them, yet no sooner had he exerted his power, than this unfilial daughter's authority proved even mightier! …

This is not Fu Zhen, this is not that Fu Zhen!

He stared wide-eyed at the girl before him, his breath turning chaotic within his chest, blocking his throat!

He knew she was threatening him, but her upright stance, her unyielding aura—all made him genuinely believe she would follow through with her words!

The current emperor rigorously regulates private conduct among officials, and the Empress is famously virtuous. If she were to mindlessly speak before the governor about these household matters, even without evidence, the governor would surely investigate. Whether or not anything is uncovered, both they and he would suffer consequences, and it wouldn't end well for him!

At that point, Fu Zhen wouldn't even need to go to the Imperial Censorate; the governor would send this matter there himself!

She had indeed suppressed him.

But, how did she, born sickly and hardly having left the house, become aware of these intricacies?

How did she know how to counter him like this?

And where did she get this confidence and audacity, ready to overturn the skies to achieve her peace if need be?!

"Do you want the sedan chair prepared or not? Father, say something."

Fu Zhen leisurely added, "The hour is late. If you intend to go, you should hurry, or the offices might close."

Fu Jun took successive deep breaths, wishing nothing more than to beat her to death, yet was left with no choice but to lower his flags due to the constant frustration at every turn.

"This is the good daughter you've raised!" he snarled at Mrs. Fu.

Mrs. Fu pressed her lips tight, yet raised her chest slightly in retort. "A child's upbringing is the father's responsibility. If the daughter has faults, you, as her father, bear the greater responsibility!"

"You!"

Fu Jun choked with rage, unable to react further.

Fu Zhen whimsically curled her lips, then restrained her expression.

Back when Fu Jun managed to deceive Mr. Ning to marry Mrs. Fu, and all these years of secretly maintaining a mistress and having illegitimate children without the wife's knowledge, he must have planned meticulously, leaving no obvious weaknesses.

No one can prove how he deceived Mr. Ning, and Mr. Ning is no longer alive.

How did he favor the concubine over his wife? Mrs. Fu still holds the household's purse and is the house mistress. Behind closed doors, the outside world sees none of her suffering or disadvantage. Outside, she dresses decently, and even when accompanied by Fu Jun, he wouldn't foolishly have Mrs. Liu escort, so outsiders see no wrong.

As for keeping a mistress, this alone isn't enough to completely handle Fu Jun—no law outright bans concubines, at most some reprimands, but it can't cut deeply.

Worst-case scenario, even if they manage to divorce over this, taking all the money and leaving, Fu Jun being a man, would he let the duck slip away at the last moment after losing everything? Moreover, Mrs. Fu would be left with no support, a single woman with young children—would it not invite trouble?

Ultimately, it's like killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own.

Besides, deciding on a divorce hadn't been discussed with Mrs. Fu; how could Fu Zhen act rashly?

No matter how you look at it, it's not the right time to completely sever ties. Fu Zhen knew this clearly.

But for Fu Jun to now think he could use filial piety to force them into submission—how could she let him have his way?

She had to let him clearly see that the present Fu Zhen wasn't to be easily trifled with!

To control him, he would need to risk everything coming down with him.

She stood there coldly, unyielding, every strand of hair radiating defiance. Fu Jun bit his lip, ultimately admitting defeat.

He looked at Fu Zhen: "I have words with your mother. You leave!"

Mrs. Fu answered, "Zhen Er is our eldest daughter. What words do you have that she cannot hear?"

For the first time, Fu Jun, in all these years, was thusly rebutted by his wife without retort, helplessly requiring her help, and so had to swallow his indignation. He said, "Lately, many talents have emerged through the imperial examinations, and most are young and promising. In the court, positions have become scarce.

"The open position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Revenue is hard-won and the only hope available recently. Once I move up, it brings glory upon you. Your father initially favored me, an honorable examinee, hoping you would become an Imperial Decree wife. Therefore, this matter is not just mine, but also yours."

His cheek is thick indeed!

If Mr. Ning were aware from beyond, he'd probably smite him with a bolt of lightning! In Great Zhou, at the time in dire need of talent to restore the nation, yet here's someone who can't rise in career without his father-in-law's bribery, audaciously claiming to be an "honorable examinee!"

Fu Zhen watched him lie shamelessly, feeling embarrassed for him.

Noticing Mrs. Fu looking at her intentionally or unintentionally, she then said, "Father hasn't mentioned how to deal with me yet."

Fu Jun snapped in anger: "How do you want me to say it?"

"Naturally, issue a statement explaining that the reason I struck you today was in a moment of agitation, resulting in an accidental blow, not warranting punishment. After today, no one should use this as a pretext to stir up trouble. Oh, by the way, since someone purportedly saw me act earlier, the news must have spread. Father should send a few people outside to circulate this explanation, so outsiders, not knowing the truth, don't look down on our Fu Family. Only thus would it mean Father agreed not to trouble me!"

Fu Jun was too weary to argue with her, gesturing for steward Liu Song outside the door. Liu Song bowed and set off to carry out the task.

Fu Zhen didn't return to her chair until she heard Liu Song's voice reprimanding the servants in the courtyard.

"Now are you satisfied?" Fu Jun coldly eyed the mother and daughter.

Fu Zhen smiled, "Though not entirely satisfied, it does show Father's sincerity. Since Mother can assist Father and is willing to lend a hand, I believe we should naturally help. After all, we're a family. How can we not wish for Father's career to prosper? But since it serves the greater good of all, shouldn't the money for the ginseng come from the public Fu Family funds, don't you think, Father?"

"Nonsense! Is there a need to be so clear within a family?" Fu Jun was nearly fuming from all seven orifices.

"One can't say that. After all, the salary you earn isn't entirely spent on Mother and us siblings. Once Father achieves great success, won't Aunt Liu and others have their share? Then how can one let Mother spend her dowry to support your mistress!"

Fu Jun abruptly stood, pacing with heavy breaths, finally pointing at Mrs. Fu. But it's a pity Fu Zhen stood in front of Mrs. Fu, rendering him unable to intimidate her!

"From family funds, let it be from family funds! From now on, you can forget about getting much from it!"

Fu Jun yelled in fury.

Fu Zhen was indifferent. Hadn't he been speaking as if without her intervention, the Fu Family could indeed spare some money for them!

Mrs. Fu took a deep breath and stood: "You don't need to make threats. As long as your words hold, bring three hundred taels of silver to me before breakfast tomorrow. I will arrange for it, at the earliest, within three days, at the latest within ten days, on your behalf!"

Fu Jun glared at them for a long time, finally slamming the table, turning his back, and showing them the back of his head.

Mrs. Fu, too, ignored him, taking Fu Zhen with her as they left the study room.

As Fu Zhen followed her mother, a sound of something heavy falling and the shattering of porcelain echoed from behind.

She glanced back, only to see the incompetent man, previously so domineering as to hit his wife on the mountain, now raging like a lion, standing over a spread of shattered porcelain—

Really wasted that piece of fine white jade porcelain.

At least worth dozens of taels of silver!