The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0783 Come Clean (2)

Jiang Hongfu waited in the reception hall in the front courtyard for just under an hour, but nobody came. However, there was not the slightest hint of impatience on his face. None of his companions showed any sign of displeasure either.

A maid came forward to refill the teacups, then withdrew.

Before Jiang Hongfu could lift his teacup, another maid entered and addressed him, "Jiang Daren, Wangfei requests your presence." Whenever Yuxi discussed official business with others, she did so in the study.

Upon arriving at the study, Jiang Hongfu bowed to Yuxi.

Yuxi stood before the desk and placed a qilin-shaped paperweight🔗 on the sheet of xuan paper📹. She asked, "Why have you come to see me?" This could be considered asking a question to which she already knew the answer.

Jiang Hongfu replied, "Biaosao, I came to speak to you about Ye Guangqin." When speaking with an intelligent person like Han Shi, going around in circles might ultimately circle his own self in.

Yuxi responded, "After Wangye learned about this, he told me that you certainly knew nothing about Ye Guangqin's activities. Therefore, there is no need for you to explain yourself to me. Whatever you have to say, you may say it directly to Wangye." She had no interest in Jiang Hongfu's explanation. An explanation was merely a sign of a guilty conscience.

Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "No, I knew about Ye Guangqin." Seeing Yuxi raise her head and look at him, he continued, "Ye Guangqin is not my personal adviser. He was assigned to me by the Imperial Court." His actual adviser was surnamed Hao. He was also from Jiangnan and was the son of one of Jiang Hongfu's zufu's good friends. He was extremely reliable.

Yuxi's expression remained calm. "Who exactly is Ye Guangqin?" He was a hard bone, and even Huo Changqing's personal intervention was useless. Yuxi found this somewhat regrettable. Had they been able to pry this man's mouth open, they would certainly have obtained a great deal of useful information.

Jiang Hongfu shook his head before answering, "I only know that he is a spy for the Imperial Court. I do not know his precise identity." To avoid arousing suspicion, he had not even brought Mr Hao with him. Fortunately, Mr Gao had recently been there to help lighten his workload. Otherwise, he would have been worked to death. 

Yuxi asked, "Didn't you say that your wife and children had been sent back to Jiangnan? What leverage did the person behind the curtain obtain that made you sell your life to him?"

Hearing this, Jiang Hongfu felt deeply humiliated. "I have not sold my life to them. Although Ye Guangqin followed me to the northwest, he has nothing to do with me."

Yuxi gave a soft laugh. "Had you genuinely intended to side with us, you should have told us about this on your first day in the northwest. You shouldn't have waited until after Ye Guangqin was captured to come and tell us."

Jiang Hongfu smiled bitterly. "I had no choice. They seized my wife and children and used them to threaten me, so I was forced to compromise. However, I have never thought of harming Biaoge. Please believe me on that point."

A mocking smile appeared on Yuxi's face. "Go and tell that to Wangye!" Naturally, there were different degrees of closeness between relatives. Compared with one's wife and children, what importance could a biaoge whom one had not seen in more than ten years possibly hold? It was only because Yun Qing still cherished their former bond that Jiang Hongfu had been tolerated. Otherwise, Yuxi would never accept him. Now that Yan Wushuang was in power and Yun Qing had become wary of the court, there was no need to maintain the pretence of cooperation.

Even before coming, Jiang Hongfu had known that persuading Han Shi would not be easy. "What must I do to convince Wangfei?"

Yuxi replied calmly, "To make me believe you, you must produce something that gives me a reason to trust you, rather than merely offering a few empty words from a bare mouth and white teeth. Even someone surrendering his allegiance must present a pledge of loyalty!"

During Jiang Hongfu's previous visit to the Yun residence, Han Shi had appeared no different from the mistress of any other household: merely a virtuous and capable wife. The Han Shi he saw today was her true character. However, this was only natural. Otherwise, how could she possibly keep so many people under control?

Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "Ye Guangqin was sent by people from the Imperial Court. The reason he was captured this time was probably connected to the upheaval in the capital." Now that the Emperor was dead, Ye Guangqin, as a secret agent of the court, had become restless. That was also why he had been captured.

Yuxi asked, "What else?"

Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "Although they threatened me with my wife and children, I truly have not done anything for them. Furthermore, after coming to the northwest and witnessing the changes here, I also want to contribute my share of the effort." He said this with complete sincerity.

Yuxi asked, "Suppose that one day the person behind the scenes uses your wife and children to force you to assassinate Wangye. What would you do?"

Jiang Hongfu answered without hesitation, "Had it not been for Waizufu, Yu Shi would have killed me long ago. Regardless of what the person behind the scenes might use to pressure me, I would never harm Biaoge."

Yuxi remarked, "It's not that hard to convince me. Your father is now the Minister of Revenue, so it will be more convenient for you than for us to inquire about certain matters." Jiang Hongfu's expression stiffened momentarily, but he nevertheless nodded. "My father probably won't tell me much, but I'll do my best to do things that benefit the northwest."

Yuxi nodded. "I will believe you for the time being. However, should you ever dare to harm Wangye, or seize an opportunity to do anything detrimental to the northwest, I will not only ensure that you, your wife, and your children die without your bodies being intact, but also make the entire Jiang family accompany you in burial." This was both a warning and a threat.

Jiang Hongfu was intimidated by Yuxi's imposing presence. After a long moment, he smiled bitterly. "Rest assured. That day will never come." He did not doubt in the slightest that, should he dare to do such a thing, Han Shi would indeed eradicate the entire Jiang family.

Now that they had finished discussing private matters, it was time to discuss official business. The dam in Tongzhou had already been completed, and several irrigation canals were also nearing completion.

Jiang Hongfu informed Yuxi, "Many parts of Tongzhou are situated at high elevations. The canals we constructed cannot irrigate the higher-lying fields. Wangfei, I have an idea that could solve this problem, if it succeeds."

Yuxi immediately became interested. "Tell me your idea." Her objection was directed at the person rather than the matter itself. If Jiang Hongfu could genuinely offer a good proposal, she would certainly adopt it.

Jiang Hongfu explained his idea. It was actually quite simple: he wanted to develop a device capable of pumping water from a lower elevation to a higher one.

Yuxi did not ask Jiang Hongfu how he had conceived the idea. Instead, she asked, "How confident are you?" If such a device could be created, it would certainly benefit the people enormously. However, merely hearing the proposal was enough to tell her that it would not be easy.

Jiang Hongfu nodded. "Sixty per cent." He had deliberately raised the matter with Yuxi because he hoped she would allocate him some money. Without money, every idea would be a waste of effort.

Yuxi would never reject a good project that benefited the people. "Write out a detailed proposal and bring it to me." As long as it was practical rather than a heavenly horse galloping through the empty sky or wild and disorderly thinking, she would support it.

Jiang Hongfu was somewhat surprised by Yuxi's readiness to agree. However, upon further reflection, if Han Shi lacked such decisiveness, she would be unable to control her subordinates.

After returning to the rear courtyard, Yuxi changed her clothes and had her hair rearranged.

Momo Quan looked at Yuxi in her new clothes and praised her with a smile, "You look much prettier when you dress this way!" Usually, when she was at the residence, Yuxi dressed either too formally or too casually.

Yuxi was wearing a blue summer jacket over a moon white fitted bodice, together with a bright red skirt covered in scattered golden floral patterns. The combination of colours was exceptionally eye-catching. Yuxi was only twenty-one that year, in the prime of her youth and beauty. Dressed in this manner, she looked even more captivating.

Yuxi smiled. "I normally need to discuss official matters with my subordinates, so dressing this way would not be entirely appropriate." In the front courtyard, Yuxi wore clothing that gave her an imposing air. In the rear courtyard, she wore comfortable clothes intended for the home. She seldom wore garments in such vivid colours.

Just as Yuxi was preparing to leave, Yun Qing returned. Looking at her clothes, he asked with a smile, "Are you preparing to visit my mother-in-law?" Since Yuxi was taking the children out so late, she was naturally going to the Han residence.

Yuxi nodded. "Mom misses Zaozao and Liu-er, so I'm taking them there for dinner." In an ordinary family, a married daughter would not usually return to her parents' home every month. However, Yuxi had no senior elders above her to control her. She managed her own household and made her own decisions, so her actions were not restricted.

Yun Qing took Zaozao from Hongdou's arms and said, "Let's all go together!" Ever since Qiu Shi had arrived in Haocheng, their entire family had visited the Han residence for a meal at least once a month. Yun Qing had already become accustomed to it.

Seeing this, Yuxi said, "Your Biaodi has come to the residence. It concerns Ye Guangqin." Whether Yun Qing went to the Han residence or stayed with Jiang Hongfu was his decision.

Yun Qing's expression stiffened. After a while, he replied, "I will see him after we return from dinner." His mother-in-law was his elder, while Jiang Hongfu was his junior. Jiang Hongfu's matter naturally had to be given lower priority.

Yuxi murmured in acknowledgement. "Herui, it is better to clarify some matters face-to-face. Leaving a knot in your heart without discussing it will only damage your relationship further."

Yun Qing did not wish to discuss the subject. "I will handle this matter properly." Jiang Hongfu was the only relative he had left. He truly did not want matters to reach the point where they turned their faces against one another and became enemies.

Seeing his reaction, Yuxi said nothing further.

The moment Zaozao entered the room and saw Qiu Shi, she called out, "Greetings, Grandma!" Zaozao would turn three in two days. From then on, she would be placed under Huo Changqing's instruction. Therefore, during these two days, Yuxi had not restrained her and had allowed her to play freely.

Qiu Shi, with a smile covering her entire face, gathered Zaozao into her arms. "Zaozao is growing so well. She looks different with every passing day." Perhaps because she was getting on in years, Qiu Shi had become increasingly fond of children. Recently, she had repeatedly spoken of bringing Lil Boy Hua and the other children to the northwest, leaving Han Jianming's head swollen to the size of two.

Zaozao declared loudly, "Grandma is growing well, too!"

As soon as Zaozao said this, everyone burst out laughing. Qiu Shi laughed especially hard. Stroking Zaozao's head, she said, "Your grandma is already so old that it no longer matters whether she grows well or not."

Ye Shi entered from outside and announced, "Mom, all the food is ready. We may begin eating." After recuperating for more than half a year, Ye Shi's health had almost returned to normal.

There were fewer formal rules in the northwest than in the capital. The whole family sat together at the dining table rather than separating the men and women into different groups.

Yun Qing was once again the first person to finish eating. A habit developed over more than twenty years could not simply be changed at will. When Qiu Shi and the others first arrived in the northwest and everyone ate together, Yun Qing's eating speed left Qiu Shi and Ye Shi staring, mouths agape. By now, however, they had become accustomed to it.

After dinner, Yuxi wanted to remain behind and chat with Qiu Shi for a while. She said to Yun Qing, "Take Zaozao home with you."

So, Yun Qing took Zaozao home.