Fu Xiaoguan felt that it was time for him to practice the Nine Yang Heart Sutra.
Why can't we persevere?
Even if I were a little more diligent, I wouldn't lose to Nangong Piaoxue!
Losing to Susu, Xu Xinyan, and Zhang Peier was understandable, as they were martial arts masters after all, but losing to Nangong Piaoxue... that was a bit unreasonable.
Fu Xiaoguan returned to the Yangxin Palace, but he didn't know that Nangong Piaoxue was giggling.
Yan Xiaolou and Dong Shulan were in a side hall of the Yangxin Palace, warming themselves by the stove, but their faces looked somewhat solemn.
"What's wrong?"
Fu Xiaoguan walked in, his steps somewhat unsteady.
In the past, the quick-witted Dong Shulan would have definitely noticed something strange about Fu Xiaoguan, but today she obviously didn't notice.
The water on the stove boiled, Yan Xiaolou picked up a handful of tea leaves and threw them in, and Dong Shulan said:
"A letter from my father."
"Oh, what did you say?"
"Yu Wendao asked him to resign."
Dong Shulan was very angry when he said this. His father had been the Minister of Revenue in the Yu Dynasty for more than ten years. He could be said to have devoted all his energy and efforts to the Yu Dynasty.
But what in the end?
But ended up in this situation!
He was only in his forties, at the peak of his career, yet Yu Wendao was so heartless!
Upon hearing this, Fu Xiaoguan grinned and said, "Didn't you think he'd resigned before?"
"That's different. He voluntarily resigned because he didn't want to follow Yu Wendao anymore. But, but it was Yu Wendao who suggested my father resign!"
"Is my father-in-law still in Jinling? Why not write a letter and ask him to bring my mother-in-law to Guanyun City? It's been a long time since I had my mother-in-law's braised lion's head."
Dong Shulan glared at Fu Xiaoguan, "It's not like I haven't done it for you before! By the way, father didn't stay in Jinling, but went to the West Mountain Villa and settled down there."
Fu Xiaoguan was startled. Dong Shulan took out the letter from her bosom and handed it to Fu Xiaoguan. "Take a look at it yourself. You don't know what your father thinks."
Fu Xiaoguan took the letter and unfolded it.
"...In this matter, it's not Yu Wendao's fault. The suspicion between the emperor and his subjects is growing, and the rift is widening.
He may have many policies he needs to push forward, but he's hampered by opposition from veteran officials like me. So, it's better to be frank and transparent like this, so we can part ways amicably.
I have thought about it for a long time, but still can't make up my mind to go to Guanyun City. It is hard to leave my hometown, especially at my age.
Yu Wendao would not do anything to his father, as that would make him appear incompetent, so you and I don't have to worry.
Your mother and I brought the maids and servants from the mansion to the West Mountain Villa. This was our first time here and I liked it very much, but your mother had some opinions - she thought it was built by Xu Yunqing back then, and she always wondered if I had some ideas about it.
At this age, I, as a father, don't have any thoughts. I just want the quiet here and the land of yours that has not been taken back by Yu Wendao. In the days to come, I will farm, relax, and chat with Old Qin, just as I wrote in "Praise of the Humble House".
No music to disturb the ears, no paperwork to bother the ears, it is wonderful.
That's all, everything is fine, don't worry, and give my regards to the official."
This father-in-law is quite open-minded.
Handing the letter to Dong Shulan, Fu Xiaoguan said, "It's actually quite good to have my father-in-law and mother-in-law help us look after the West Mountain Villa. Coincidentally, Old Qin is also there, so we can talk and play chess with each other."
Dong Shulan took a deep breath and curled her lips, "He was actually trying to protect my eldest brother and the Dong family's relatives."
This is a practical matter. The eldest brother-in-law Dong Xiujing was the magistrate of Qingzhou in Henan Province during the Yu Dynasty. The second brother-in-law Dong Xiude was in the Wu Dynasty, but was kicked by Dong Shulan to Siyang County to manage a glass workshop and a canning workshop.
There were other people in the Dong family serving as officials in the Yu Dynasty, such as the second uncle Dong Xiangfang who was the prefect of Wofeng Road. However, Ning Yuchun had left Wofeng Road, and the second uncle who was promoted by himself would probably not have an easy life under the hands of the new prefect.
Fu Xiaoguan didn't think about these things because they were almost over.
Yan Xiaolou remained as quiet as a lady. She poured a cup of tea for Fu Xiaoguan and said, "My uncle and father have also resigned from their official positions."
Fu Xiaoguan was stunned again. He had not received any information about this matter from the ant colony.
If Dong Kangping's resignation was not a big deal, then Yan Shidao, the prime minister, and Yan Haochu, the minister of war, also resigned at the same time - this guy, three senior officials of the Yu Dynasty left, this should be considered a big deal, right?
He narrowed his eyes slightly, Zhou Tongtong...
"I guess they won't come to Wu Dynasty either."
"Yeah," Yan Xiaolou nodded. "They're with Grandpa. They said my cousins Yan Xiwen and Yan Linqiu will be back for the New Year this year. They also said..."
Yan Xiaolou also handed the letter in his sleeve pocket to Fu Xiaoguan, "Take a look. I think there are some obscure meanings in it that I can't understand."
Fu Xiaoguan unfolded it and took a look:
"...Time has passed, people have left, and tea has become indifferent. Since your former residence was replaced with the plaque of the Holy Duke's Mansion, Grandpa would occasionally go to take a look.
The plaque has faded a bit, so I guess it's not made of real gold.
The servants you left behind have all left. I wonder if you forgot to pay them their monthly wages. The garden is covered in withered weeds. I'm too old to till them now. After much thought, I've decided to leave them alone. I wonder what will grow next spring.
The weather in the Yu Dynasty this year is very abnormal. It's already December, and there hasn't been a single snowfall. Next year... I'm afraid it will be a year of famine and disaster..."
Fu Xiaoguan smiled calmly, "Don't overthink it. Even if this famine is severe, it won't reach the Yan Mansion. At worst, we can just send them to the West Mountain Villa and hire some people to cultivate the fields. That way, they won't be short of food."
After a pause, Fu Xiaoguan said suspiciously, "This Yu Wendao question is also strange. Why didn't he confiscate the farmland in Xishan?"
"Perhaps, he still remembers the friendship we had in the past. After all, that was your former fiefdom. Besides... he is your brother-in-law after all."
Fu Xiaoguan narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment, "Yes, I am his brother-in-law. It's been a long time since I last drank with him. I miss him."
"You guys sit down, I'm going to change my clothes."
Fu Xiaoguan left the side hall and took Jia Nanxing back to the main hall.
"Eunuch Jia, ask Cui Yueming to come see me."
"good!"
After Eunuch Jia left, Fu Xiaoguan stood in the main hall and watched the falling snowflakes for a long time.
Cui Yueming was an undercover agent sent to Jinling by Fatty more than ten years ago. The old man's loyalty was verified during his time in the Chi Lechuan Autonomous Region.
With this thought, he walked into the heavy snow. Liu Jin hurriedly held up an umbrella for him, but he refused. "I'm just taking a walk. Go and tell the imperial kitchen to prepare a few more dishes and invite all the ladies to come here for a gathering."
He went to Susu's palace and met his third senior sister Su Rou.
"I would like to invite Fifth Senior Brother Su Diandian to come to the palace."
Su Rou put down the embroidery needle, her eyes narrowed into a slit, "Okay!"
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