Chapter 016: The Role of Women in the Inner Quarters

Mrs. Liu angrily returned to her room and, seeing the clear five-finger mark Fu Zhen left on Nanny Hu's face, smashed a jar in rage.

Later, when she heard that not only had Fu Zhen's incident of pinching Rou been brushed aside, but even the matter of her hitting her father Fu Yun was disregarded, and she safely exited the study with Mrs. Fu, she was so furious that she smashed several more jars in the room.

When Fu Yun came in and saw the ground covered in shattered porcelain, he, with his own pent-up grievances, said nothing and waved the maids away.

"Master!" Mrs. Liu, teary-eyed, clung to him, "Are you really planning to let Zhen go?"

"Enough! Let's not talk about this anymore." Fu Yun waved his hand and sat down, "Call Rou to me, I want to ask her about the matter on the mountain."

Mrs. Liu became agitated again: "What else is there to ask, unless you plan not to punish Zhen but Rou instead?"

But Fu Yun gave her a glance, prompting her to rise and leave.

Fu Rou arrived, her heart in her throat.

Fu Yun asked, "Today on the mountain, did you truly push Zhen off the cliff?"

Fu Rou glanced at Mrs. Liu and pressed her lips together, "Father, please judge wisely, how could I have such courage?"

"And if Zhen indeed went to the government to accuse you of murder?"

Fu Rou instantly panicked.

Mrs. Liu interjected to diffuse the situation: "Master..."

"Let her speak!"

Fu Yun sternly stopped her.

Fu Rou finally knelt down fearfully: "Father, please forgive me, it was just an accident, I just accidentally bumped into sister... it was by her own mistake that she fell... I didn't push her! I truly didn't push her!"

Fu Yun scrutinized her panicked face for a moment, gradually forming an understanding.

It seemed Fu Zhen wasn't lying, whether Fu Rou acted intentionally or not, the sudden change in attitude today started with her.

No matter how biased he usually was, he never expected that Fu Rou, who had just turned fourteen, dared to commit murder, and against her own sister!

If Fu Zhen were truly to report to the authorities, it would directly impact his career prospects, and to think a girl not even of marriage age could harbor such venom...

"Father, Father, even if Rou Er is somewhat at fault, it was all for your sake. Can't you forgive me?"

Fu Rou was pulling at his sleeve.

He lifted his tea: "Killing for my sake? I wouldn't dare accept that!"

"Father!"

Fu Rou realized that the truth had been uncovered, and she began to cry.

"Master..." At this point, Mrs. Liu dared not act wantonly, softening her voice: "Think of the Du family, and consider Zhen's frail health; do you really believe she can handle such a good marriage?

"Though Rou Er was wrong for not taking care of her sister, if Fu Family truly sends such a young lady to marry, the Du Family would surely blame us in the future!"

Fu Yun sipped his tea without speaking.

Seeing he didn't stop her, Mrs. Liu continued: "It's not that I curse her—since birth, Zhen was declared by a divine doctor not to live long. If Fu Family insists on marrying her off, the Du Family would find it difficult. After all, she holds the status of the firstborn daughter, but marrying her in would wrong their eldest son.

"Think about it, if she is married and soon couldn't bear the fortune, causing loss and widowhood to their household, how can they feel at ease?

"We intend this marriage to strengthen ties for you. If things turn out that way, it's generous enough if they don't hold you accountable; how could they possibly support you?

"I say so much not to seize this engagement, but truly to alleviate your burdens.

"Rou Er, despite her faults, at least she is healthy. She, as a Miss of Fu Family, fulfilling this marriage, has nothing but benefits.

"Yet with Zhen in the way, even with my intent to help you, I'm helpless! Thus, I feel... should anything happen to Zhen, it might actually be a blessing for you."

Mrs. Liu's voice grew fainter, but every word distinctly reached Fu Yun's ears.

He turned to look at her.

Mrs. Liu hastily raised her skirt to kneel: "I am utterly devoted to you, though true words sound harsh, I speak with sincere intentions, asking for your discernment!"

Fu Yun turned away.

After a long time, he put down his tea, stood up.

"You have seen today, that Zhen isn't as easy to handle as you thought. Behave yourself."

With those words, he walked out.

Mrs. Liu paused briefly, suddenly lifting herself, eyes shining as she watched his retreating back!

"Respectfully sending off the Master!"

Fu Yun didn't look back.

He didn't really want to pursue the matter of Fu Zhen falling off a cliff, since she hadn't died.

Ever since the Du family was tasked with their duties back in the capital, he had been pondering this marriage affair. What Mrs. Liu said made some sense; Fu Zhen's frail health was indeed unfitting for such good fortune in marriage. If she dies before marriage, they would completely lose the tie with the Du family, and if she dies post-marriage, the Du family might hold grudges against Fu Family.

The key thing is, after marriage, half of the Ning Family's assets would accompany Fu Zhen as her dowry. With so much wealth, how could she still care about his situation as a father? Although they shared blood, in recent years, Zhen and her mother have grown increasingly distant from him!

Thus, he felt this marriage falling on the sickly Zhen was truly wasteful.

Fu Rou, however, was different. Healthy and clever, as a concubine's daughter, she still had to rely on him.

If she could become the Du family's young madam, not only could she maintain the alliance long-term, but she, needing support from her family, could also bring him much advantage from the Du family, making it worthwhile.

However, considering such plans is one thing, executing them is not easy.

Given that Mrs. Liu and others are willing to scheme, let them try. Even if it fails, he wouldn't suffer—after all, he didn't authorize them to do anything.

Isn't that what women of the inner residence are for, to manage such tasks?

"Go and inquire with Dr. Xiao Hu, whether Mrs. Cheng really visited his clinic for consultation a few days ago?

"And immediately go to the best martial arts school in the city, see if any skilled disciple is willing to serve as a Protector? If so, bring them to me at once, cost is no object!"

Leaving the courtyard, he directed his attendant.

He was unwilling to believe a word Fu Zhen said, but regardless, he wanted to try on the Cheng family's side.

If they could truly connect with the General of the Country Mansion, what he could gain wasn't merely a promotion or two! It would also open more possibilities regarding the marriage alliance with the Du family.

As for Fu Zhen's arrogance, was she the only one who could use violence? Was he incapable of subduing her?

There are many in this world who surpass her in roughness!