Chapter 027: I, the Concubine, Must Not Overstep My Authority

Fu Yun was at a loss for words. The manor was purchased recently by the old lady with six thousand taels of silver that Mrs. Fu had willingly provided. At the time, to avoid any entanglements, even the land deeds were kept by the old lady, and everyone in charge was arranged by her. Without her permission, no one had the right to mobilize the servants in the residence.

So, it could be said that this manor not only had nothing to do with Mrs. Fu but had little connection with the Fu Family itself, and indeed, there was no reason to approach Mrs. Fu!

But so what?

The other party is threatening to have Zheng An imprisoned unless a sum of money is paid to settle this.

There's no way the old lady will fork out the money, so is he expected to pay it?

Thinking this, Fu Yun confidently headed towards the main courtyard.

Fu Zhen blocked his path: "Father, what do you intend to do?"

Fu Yun shouted angrily: "Step aside!"

Fu Zhen sneered: "I'll let you pass on one condition: you must not involve my mother in this unjust situation!"

Fu Yun turned around and ordered the two guards: "Drag her away!"

Fu Zhen quickly grabbed the nearby door bolt and slammed it against the door frame: "Let's see who dares to touch me today! I'll beat them to death!"

The display frightened the guards!

As she spoke, Zhang Cheng and Yang Tong appeared beside her, standing at the threshold like two guardian deities, glaring angrily at the guards standing awkwardly on the steps!

"Master Uncle?!"

The two guards recognized them and instinctively stepped back two paces!

Fu Yun was bewildered by the scene, and after regaining his senses, angrily pointed at Fu Zhen: "Who are they?!"

Fu Zhen chuckled coldly: "Didn't you hear? They are their Master Uncles!"

Fu Yun was furious: "What are they doing here?!"

Fu Zhen laughed: "The Fu Mansion isn't some dragon's den or the Imperial Palace. I invited them over. Is that not allowed?"

Fu Yun's face turned an ashen shade!

"Sir!"

Just then, a house servant came running from outside: "The Shuntian Prefecture Governor is here, along with his entourage and Zheng An and Qi Quan among them!..."

Fu Yun was taken aback: "They've come in person?"

"Exactly, and they're already in the front courtyard! Sir, you'd better go and greet them!"

Fu Yun clenched his jaws tight, glaring back at Fu Zhen before stomping his foot and rushing to the front courtyard.

Fu Zhen stood on tiptoe to glance before following.

Behind, Zhang Cheng and Yang Tong detained the young guards and began a session of care and protection that a Master Uncle would show to his apprentices...

The Shuntian Prefecture Governor stood in his official robes under the shadow wall, a group of Government Officials behind him, with Zheng An and Qi Quan on the left, and Hu Yi and Hu Zhi, whom he'd met just yesterday at Taishan Hall, on the right. However, they now limped, showing no trace of martial prowess.

Fu Yun hurried to the Prefecture Chief and saluted: "I did not know that you were coming, my Lord—"

"Spare me the empty words! As an official of the court, you break laws knowingly, allowing your servants to oppress the common people. We're only here because the Prefecture Chief went out of his way to mediate. Now, give us an explanation! Otherwise, we will take this higher and higher until justice is served, even if it means punishment for us!"

They barely spoke before the two, clutching their knees in anguish, started shouting again.

Fu Yun's face twitched, and before he could even catch a breath, Zheng An and Qi Quan called out hurriedly: "Lord! Please save us, Lord!"

Fu Yun suddenly felt suffocated.

The Prefecture Chief, seeing this, pointed at them and asked: "Mr. Fu, I assume these two are indeed your servants?"

Fu Yun swallowed hard several times: "Yes. I do not know—"

"Mr. Fu, your two servants abused their power, not only causing trouble in someone else's territory but also injuring people. Now, the other party refuses to settle and insists on imprisoning them. Thinking you might not want this to become public knowledge, I brought them over. Mr. Fu, how do you wish to resolve this? Please give us an answer."

The words of the Prefecture Chief were seemingly polite but each carried a sharp edge.

Fu Yun's blood surged uncontrollably, taking several deep breaths to calm down, before bowing and inviting: "Why don't we discuss this inside over some tea—"

He quickly instructed someone to prepare tea in the flower hall!

The Prefecture Chief frowned slightly but did not object, waving his hand as he led his entourage into the mansion.

The host and guests quickly settled in the flower hall, with Zheng An, Qi Quan, and the Hu brothers brought to the lower seats.

Fu Zhen followed outside the flower hall, listening to the voices from within.

Fu Yun spoke humbly: "The servants were ignorant and indeed deserve punishment. However, could there be some misunderstanding? These two servants have always followed the rules without inappropriate behavior. I pray my Lord sees clearly."

The Prefecture Chief scoffed: "Mr. Fu, do you think we at Shuntian Prefecture are tolerant and lazy? Would we come here without investigation? Don't blame me for not warning you, but yesterday's rumors about your family's actions at Baihe Temple are widely known. With your conduct, the conduct of the Fu Family's servants is truly nothing commendable to us!

"Moreover, these two have caused trouble in the south suburbs, and it's not just one or two people who can testify. You claim it's a misunderstanding. Are you implying we at Shuntian Prefecture can't investigate matters clearly?!"

Fu Yun was chastised to the point of feeling hot and bothered. Glancing at Zheng An and the others below, he clenched his fists tightly!

But no matter how much he wished to reprimand them now, he couldn't truly allow them to be imprisoned because they knew too much about the Fu Family's affairs. If he let them go unchecked, they would certainly cause untold trouble for him!

He took a deep breath and signaled to the house servant next to him: "Go fetch Mrs. Fu!"

The dispute reached home, and this has become a household matter!

Ning Shi, as the housekeeper, would have no choice but to handle it!

If she refused to come, she wouldn't deserve control over the main kitchen's affairs!

Outside, Fu Zhen had already sent Bi Xi to the main courtyard.

Fu Yun accompanied with a few words, and indeed, the house servant brought Mrs. Fu over.

Fu Yun hurriedly exchanged glances with Mrs. Fu: "Zheng An and the rest caused trouble outside. The other side refuses to settle, and the Prefecture Chief even had to make a trip over. What do you suggest we do?"

Mrs. Fu sat down gracefully: "This matter should be reported to Mother first. —Someone! Please invite the old lady from Rongfu Hall."

Fu Yun quickly glared: "Why would you disturb Mother? We can handle this matter ourselves!"

Mrs. Fu looked at him more gently: "Very well, then Master should handle it. I wouldn't dare have any opinion."

With his back to the Prefecture Chief, Fu Yun anxiously gritted his teeth at her: "Zheng An injured someone; how to deal with him we'll discuss later. For now, you should first provide some money to compensate the other party and send them away!"

Mrs. Fu nodded: "Yes."

She then turned her head: "Jin Zhu, please consult the old lady on how much compensation would be appropriate. After that, take the keys and withdraw the silver from the public account to pay them. Quickly!"

Hearing this, Fu Yun felt his frustration choked in his throat and uncontrollably pulled her aside, hissing through clenched teeth: "I told you not to disturb Mother. Why send someone? It's merely a matter of a few hundred taels. Can't you manage it?"

Mrs. Fu pulled back the corners of her mouth: "Master is confused! Why wouldn't I manage? Whether ten times, even a hundred times the amount, I could manage. But what does this have to do with the matter?

"All the servants' deeds of sale and registry are handled by Mother. She long declared that she came from a family of scholars with rules, unlike me, a merchant's daughter, who knows no rules and cannot educate servants properly. With her present, all servants must be managed by her.

"So if this matter is not reported to her for decision, wouldn't I be overstepping? Wouldn't it be unfilial?

"I might endure it. But Master, you are a filial son. How could you commit acts contrary to filial piety and break the rules of our scholarly Fu Family? How could you instigate me to do likewise?"