Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandchild Chapter 41: Lady Fourteen

While he was waiting, there was suddenly a knock at the door. Wei Fufeng invited the visitor in, and the door swung open to reveal a young lady dressed in pale yellow. She carried a food box in her right hand and walked gracefully to the table, where she set the box down, opened it, and arranged a meal—one large bowl of porridge and some pickled vegetables.

"Young Master Wei, my mother asked me to bring you your meal. Please eat," she said softly, her voice tinged with shyness as she glanced at Wei Fufeng.

Wei Fufeng looked at her with quiet surprise. She had delicate features and a lively bearing. In families of officials, daughters were usually kept from meeting men, but this young lady from the Li household had come to see him openly.

"Are you the Fourteenth Daughter?" Wei Fufeng asked with a smile.

The young lady nodded gently and replied in a soft voice, "My mother asked me to come."

Wei Fufeng nodded, understanding that the "mother" she spoke of was her own. He said kindly, "Thank you for bringing me my meal."

She seemed a little uneasy. "There's no need to thank me. I often bring meals."

He nodded, sensing her humble status. That was understandable; he was no different himself. He reached for a bowl and chopsticks, smiled, and said, "Sit down and chat with me."

She nodded and moved to sit on the other side of the table.

Wei Fufeng took a sip of porridge and asked, "Fourteenth Daughter, can you read?"

"I can read. My family is a scholarly one," she replied quietly.

"I've heard that Lord Li Xi has a collection of ten thousand volumes," Wei Fufeng remarked.

"Not that many—just over five thousand," she corrected earnestly.

Wei Fufeng smiled and nodded, took another sip of porridge, picked up some vegetables, and asked, "Fourteenth Daughter, what do you like? I’d like to give you something."

She paused for a moment, tilting her head in thought, then said softly, "I’ve heard Qujiang is beautiful. I’d like to see it."

Wei Fufeng was momentarily taken aback. He had asked what gift she would like, but she replied that she wished to see Qujiang—a refreshingly candid answer.

After a while, Wei Fufeng said gently, "I’ve been busy lately. In the future, I’ll take you to visit Qujiang."

"I was just saying. I’ve grown up having only visited Qinglong Temple in our ward. That’s why I long to see the world beyond." Her gentle smile revealed a kind of innocent longing.

Seeing her smile, Wei Fufeng found his mood lightened. He smiled and said, "There are many beautiful places outside, like the bamboo seas of southern Sichuan, the surging great rivers, and the sweet lychees."

"Sichuan? That’s far away. I’ve heard the journey is difficult. The former Lady Yang loved lychees, and they were sent to Chang’an by fast horses. Father says that was a wasteful act that harmed the state," she replied softly.

Wei Fufeng shook his head with a smile. "I wouldn’t say it harmed the state. It was a normal flow of goods, only the transportation cost was high."

She thought for a moment and nodded. "That makes sense. Other goods brought to Chang’an, if the shipping costs are low, then they’re sold cheaply."

Wei Fufeng nodded. "Rare things are precious. For example, if there’s a good harvest near Chang’an, there’s no need to bring in grain from afar. But grain brought from far away is bound to be expensive."

She nodded, then hesitated and said softly, "If the porridge isn’t enough, there’s no more."

"It’s enough, even if I’m not full. At the very least, I’ll always remember this was brought to me by you," Wei Fufeng said gently.

In silence, he finished his meal. As the Fourteenth Daughter was gathering the dishes to leave, he said kindly, "Fourteenth Daughter, don’t let Mingyu be bullied. Treat her well."

She nodded softly. "Don’t worry. I’ll treat her as my own sister."

...

Elsewhere, Wei Fufeng’s future father-in-law, Li Ji, went to see his own father in the study at the central residence.

Upon entering, he saw his second brother, Li Xian, already there. Li Xian held the rank of Dali Judicial Officer, an upper sixth-rank post.

After greeting his father and brother, Li Ji stated Wei Fufeng’s request.

Before Li Xi could reply, Li Xian spoke with displeasure, "A long-serving official with nothing to show for himself, and now he has the nerve to ask for this?"

"Second Brother, these are troubled times. Shangzhou has been seized by Han Jian. Lord Wei’s younger brother is merely seeking a way out, which is understandable," Li Ji retorted.

"Understandable? Are official posts so easy to come by?" Li Xian said irritably.

"Official posts in the capital are hard to obtain. Jinzhou has suffered both disaster and misfortune—a land of poverty. In fact, Jinzhou is now under Yang Fugong’s control. We ought to take this chance, while Yang Fugong’s hold is still weak, to assert the Ministry of Personnel’s authority," Li Ji explained.

"Don’t forget, the current chancellor is no longer Wei Zhaodu. If Father seeks a post for the Wei family, it may give others leverage against us, with minor gains leading to major losses," Li Xian said coldly.

"Second Brother, everyone in court knows Father and Lord Wei are close. Even without leverage, opponents will target Father anyway," Li Ji argued.

"Close? Court affairs are ever-changing. The best course now is caution. I hear Wei Zhaodu is in a bad position in Xichuan and may soon be demoted. Father should wait and see," Li Xian insisted.

"Second Brother, we should be building our local power. Helping the Wei family with an official post is just a gesture. Local long-term posts and deputy county officials are unremarkable, and if the Wei family makes achievements in Jinzhou, it can only help us," Li Ji argued.

Li Xian raised his brows and said coldly, "I understand your affection for your future son-in-law, but sending a mere youth to be a deputy magistrate is laughable."

"It’s not about age, but about attitude toward the Wei family. These are nominal posts, and if Father can do it but refuses, it will sour relations with the Wei family," Li Ji replied.

"I already said, Wei Zhaodu's setback in Xichuan will certainly lead to his demotion. If Father sides too closely with the Wei family, it will hurt his own career. Moreover, Yang Fugong’s power is at its peak. Sending the Wei family to Jinzhou is openly challenging the Chief Minister. Have you considered the consequences?" Li Xian rebuked.

Li Ji shook his head. "Second Brother, you only see Yang Fugong’s might, not His Majesty’s growing dislike of him. His Majesty consults with his ministers on everything. Yang Fugong will fall sooner or later."

Li Xian retorted angrily, "That’s in the future. For now, we must avoid trouble. Do you want Father to be dismissed?"

Li Ji fell silent and turned to look at Li Xi.

Li Xi frowned in thought, his features dignified and refined, his beard flowing to his chest. He looked about forty, though streaks of gray marked his temples.

After a pause, Li Xian spoke again. "Father, there’s no need to make things difficult. Since the Wei family has asked, we can let Wei Xuan, who has served as registrar, be the deputy magistrate. As for Wei Fufeng, we can reconsider in a few years."

Li Xi nodded. Li Ji, unwilling, said, "If only one post is granted, better the long-term one."

"The deputy magistrate is suitable enough. If Father arranges it, there will be no trouble," Li Xian retorted.

Li Ji looked at his father. Li Xi replied calmly, "Let’s take it one step at a time. If the deputy magistrate post in Jinzhou is handled well, I can recommend a promotion to long-term magistrate in the future."

Li Ji nodded helplessly and left respectfully.

...

The next morning, again it was the Fourteenth Daughter who brought Wei Fufeng his meal and relayed news about the official post.

She whispered, "Mother said it was Second Uncle who obstructed matters, repeatedly opposing Father’s request. In the end, Grandfather only agreed to the deputy magistrate post."

Wei Fufeng nodded calmly. He understood her mother’s concern for her daughter and her wish to avoid resentment after marriage, hence she risked telling him about Second Uncle’s opposition.

He had overestimated what he could achieve on this trip, thinking that with Wei Zhaodu’s standing, his father would at least gain the post of Jinzhou’s long-term magistrate.

After all, his father had previously served as a registrar before becoming a regional magistrate—nothing unusual in troubled times.

Still, the deputy magistrate post would suffice to pursue their strategy for seizing Jinzhou, though more obstacles now lay ahead.

...

After breakfast, Fourteenth Daughter and Mingyu came to see Wei Fufeng, and together they left the Li residence to stroll outside.

Wei Fufeng intended to purchase a residence in Chang’an.

They toured Xinchang Ward, inquiring about property and shop prices.

He took a liking to a rice shop and a store selling scholars’ supplies, and sought Mingyu’s opinion.

Mingyu did not support buying property in Xinchang Ward, as she did not want to reside in the same ward as the Li family.

Wei Fufeng’s original intention was to repay his future father-in-law by ensuring his family would have enough to eat—at the very least, to provide proper nourishment for Fourteenth Daughter as she grew.

Mingyu’s view was reasonable: it would not do to be entangled with the Li family.

He set aside the idea for now, but instructed Mingyu to visit the neighborhoods around Qujiang Pond when she had time, to select a residence and shop for purchase.

Wei Fufeng’s earliest wish was to become a wealthy landowner. If his great endeavor failed, he would at least be free from want.

Another, more subtle, reason for acquiring property was responsibility—he wished to leave his family an inheritance.

Few soldiers return from war, he knew; the path to power is a struggle of life and death, and at any moment he might fall to a hidden arrow or an enemy’s blade.

He told Mingyu that after he left, she was to command a detachment of soldiers he would assign her. He would also send her gold and silver for the property purchases, but she must not reveal his secrets.

In the afternoon, upon returning to the west wing of the Li residence, he waited in the side room for half an hour before a maid summoned him.

With hope in his heart, he went to meet his future father-in-law, for there was always a chance for change.

He entered the hall and greeted Li Ji respectfully. Li Ji handed him a pouch of official documents.

Wei Fufeng stepped forward to receive them and thanked him again. "Thank you, Uncle, for making this possible."

"Your own position will have to wait," Li Ji said calmly.

"Yes. My father being appointed deputy magistrate of Jinzhou is enough for me," Wei Fufeng replied.

"These documents are in two sets. One you must send ahead in the name of the Ministry of Personnel, to be delivered by messenger to the prefect of Jinzhou. Only then can your father take up his post. You must not carry both sets to Jinzhou yourself, or you’ll be suspected of impersonating an official," Li Ji instructed.

Wei Fufeng was left speechless. Official documents that ought to be sent by the Ministry of Personnel were to be delivered by the appointee himself.

Li Ji added, "To tell you the truth, few people in the Ministry even know about your father’s appointment as deputy magistrate of Xicheng County."

Wei Fufeng understood. "I see."

Li Ji said gently, "Don’t be too optimistic. Taking up the post in Jinzhou may not go smoothly; it could even cost your father his life. Local officials collude and close ranks to exclude outsiders."

"I will act with caution. If we can establish ourselves, I will be sure to inform you, Uncle," Wei Fufeng said.

"Oh? From your words, it seems your ambitions are not small," Li Ji remarked with a touch of meaning.

Wei Fufeng was slightly startled but replied, "I am merely following Grandfather’s instructions."