Chapter 39: Brilliant Plan
Xu He still did not know this woman’s background, so he naturally remained somewhat guarded, only wanting to wait until the Du Family had handled things before saying more.
At this time, Du Yu had come back again, and Xu He had no idea what his exact intentions were.
He nodded and walked out, half-believing and half-doubting.
Upon reaching the front hall, sure enough, Du Yu, who was standing with his hands behind his back at the door, had shed his earlier anger, changed his expression, and was looking at him with a pleasant face.
“Bo Yun.” Du Yu called his courtesy name, “There is some misunderstanding regarding the Fu Family matter. Earlier, I left hastily because I did not know the ins and outs.
“I went back and asked my father, and he was also very surprised and extremely angry. It turns out this matter was all done privately by the Xu Family; he not only deceived you but also deceived us.”
Du Yu had never taken someone like Xu He seriously; there were plenty of talented scholars in the world, and not every one who became the Top Scholar ended up with glory.
Whether one could rise to prominence still depended on one’s background and whether someone was willing to provide support.
He had not expected Xu He to actually produce that petition!
He actually possessed such a thing!
Even though Du Yu could usually handle things independently, upon seeing that petition, he truly panicked and could no longer utter words of accusation.
But after leaving, he deeply regretted his impulsiveness. Whether this marriage would proceed or not was another matter; Xu He was someone who definitely needed to be tied down.
The person behind the scenes ordering the Du Family was clearly unwilling to let the Emperor personally cultivate talent, so even this one and only Top Scholar specified by him had to be pried away.
If he returned empty-handed, how would he account for it later?
After driving his horse around the street in two circles, he still ended up steeling himself and coming back.
The Xu Family ultimately had no background; even if this marriage was called off, Xu He would not dare to refuse to let the matter drop if he personally came to apologize.
Xu He had not expected that he was truly coming to find a way out.
In just the time it took to go out for a moment, he had managed to find Du Minghuan and clarify the origins—that was truly bizarre!
But this even more proved that the Fu Family’s conviction was a crisis entirely manufactured by them!
Xu He gritted his teeth inwardly but still had to save face: “The Marquis has always taken care of me, so I believe the Marquis would not go so far as to make things difficult. I also believe it must be a misunderstanding.
“However, I do not know where I offended Lord Xu? To go so far as to make things difficult for me and for the Fu Family.”
“My cousin is a stubborn man; he must have listened to some villain’s slander to do such a foolish thing.” Du Yu had a face full of amiability, “Rest assured, leave this matter to me. Within three days, I will surely give the Fu Family justice and give you all an explanation.
“But I only hope, for the sake of our past friendship between our two sides, that you do not hold it against us in your heart.”
Xu He steeled himself and lowered his head: “What does this matter have to do with the Marquis? The Heir Apparent speaks too seriously.”
……
After seeing off Du Yu, Xu He unclenched his tight fist, stood in place for a moment, then walked toward the side hall.
Today, from beginning to end, it could be said that this woman inside had helped her out of the predicament; by rights, he should properly thank her.
But they were neither relatives nor friends; there was no reason for her to do these things—was it truly just out of “not bearing to see it”?
Yue Tang’s cup of tea had long been emptied.
Xu He sat down across the tea table. “You are prescient, and I deeply admire you. I have already had someone prepare fifty taels of silver as my thanks to you.”
Helping him without reason definitely meant she had some aim.
Rather than letting her make a big demand first, it was better for him to take the initiative.
Fifty taels of silver was not a lot, but not a little either.
Yue Tang smiled. “You need not hurry to thank me first. Although your maternal grandfather and uncle will surely be freed, the Du Family’s attitude is already very clear—they do not want to give you up.
“I dare to guarantee that this marriage with the Duan Family will sooner or later be brought up again.
“Does the Top Scholar want to marry that Miss Duan, who comes from a Fifth-Rank Official’s household?”
Xu He’s expression paused: “Why would they still discuss the marriage?”
“What they want is you as a person; one of the best ways to tie you down is to become related by marriage.
“Since you have already forgiven the Du Family before, what would be impossible about bringing up this marriage again at that time?”
The calm on Xu He’s face gradually faded.
Indeed, Du Yu’s attitude just now was enough to show that the Du Family had designs on him.
And he had not dared to directly say earlier that the marriage was off, so naturally the Du Family would not give up their goal.
Yue Tang withdrew her gaze from his stunned face: “If you are reluctant to part with the Du Family’s power, then marrying Miss Duan is fine too.
“It’s just that if the person behind the Du Family reveals themselves in the future, the Emperor and the Mu Family definitely will not be too pleased.”
Xu He, who had been weighing his options, suddenly felt a chill upon hearing this.
The one using the Du Family for this conspiracy definitely would not be the Emperor; something that could be accomplished with a single imperial edict of marriage did not require the Emperor to go to such lengths.
And if he did not cut the knot quickly, the Du Family would almost certainly dig a pit for him again.
This time he had luckily climbed out; would he have such luck next time?
If he could not climb out, how would the Emperor treat him?
Even if it did not lead to his death, wanting to rise in this lifetime would be utterly impossible!
His hand on the armrest involuntarily clenched into a fist. He had thought that resolving the Fu Family matter would make him safe, but unexpectedly it left him in a dilemma.
The marriage definitely had to be called off, but Du Yu had just shown enough sincerity by saying he would resolve the Fu Family matter; if he still directly proposed breaking the engagement, it would turn a justified position into an unjust one?
The Du Family would certainly use that as grounds to turn the tables and manipulate him!
Yue Tang looked at him with his throat moving and said again: “If you are in a difficult position, I do have a clever plan. It can let you completely dispel the Du Family’s thoughts of matchmaking while also allowing you to save the Du Family’s face and propose breaking the engagement without damaging relations.”
“What clever plan?” Xu He turned his head.
“I know you have a original wife in the Luoyang Countryside, surnamed He.” Yue Tang smiled, “Suppose this rural wife of yours, whom no one in the Capital City has ever seen, shows up at the door, and with the marriage contract long ago set between the two families, accuses you of abandoning your wife for a new one—would the Du Family still cling on relentlessly?
“For the sake of the Du Family and Miss Duan’s reputation, would you not have to ‘reluctantly’ propose breaking the engagement?”
Xu He was stunned.
He had abandoned his wife for a new one, but Miss Duan was an unmarried maiden, and moreover, the Marquis of Guangling had personally acted as matchmaker; if this marriage could still proceed, the Du Family’s face would be unnecessary.
Moreover, it was a fact that he had a wife, and it was also the Du Family who had helped him sever ties with He Shi.
This absolutely could not be called lying! And if he used this as grounds to shut them down, upon hearing that He Shi had shown up, the Du Family would probably want to hide, let alone push forward?
If he then put forward the reason of preserving the Du Family and Miss Duan’s reputation, they could hardly label him as ungrateful.
Xu He’s expression instantly cleared.
But immediately after, he frowned: “How would you know about this?!”
