TGCFNM -Chapter 466 Yes, Long Time No See

Wan Sanjin had only just arrived at the bank when he received a letter from the residence. As he was opening it, he saw Wan Xing returning from outside.

“What’s this?” Wan Xing peeked over and couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “…It’s the master’s letter.”

Wan Sanjin hummed in acknowledgment, then recited the contents of the letter before burning it.

Wan Xing looked at him with mild amusement. “Your letters with the master… anyone who reads them would need a month to study them properly.”

Wan Sanjin ignored Wan Xing’s teasing. After a brief pause, he said seriously, “Big brother, I think what the master did was fine.”

Wan Xing sighed lightly and patted Wan Sanjin on the shoulder. “Actually, the root of all this started because of that position. If he could handle it properly, it wouldn’t be a problem… it’s just that Master Fu… Master Fu can’t…”

Wan Sanjin looked at him, puzzled. “Big brother, then why did Father send me to study under Master Fu back then?”

Wan Xing spoke slowly, revealing the reason: “So that the Wan family could secure a foothold in the capital. We borrowed Master Fu’s influence to do it.”

Wan Sanjin listened quietly.

Wan Xing continued, “Don’t judge the Wan family by how things are now. Back then, it was extremely difficult for us to establish ourselves in the capital, especially since even the smallest signs of authority hid complex, tangled connections.”

“That’s why we thought of having you enroll in Master Fu’s academy—to gain some status. That’s also why Father spent a fortune building the academy for Master Fu, without expecting you to necessarily achieve great fame there.”

Wan Sanjin furrowed his brows. “But Master Fu had already stepped down from the position of Grand Tutor back then.”

“But how many officials in the court had studied under him, do you know?” Wan Xing smiled faintly, a trace of coldness on his face. “Compared to him, even Grand Tutor Sun doesn’t count for much.”

Wan Sanjin looked at Wan Xing, waiting for him to continue.

Wan Xing spoke softly, “As the tutor of the former crown prince, even Master Fu’s students back then wouldn’t dare openly assist him. But we, the Wan family, are merchants. Because we wanted our child to enroll, we built the academy. That way, others couldn’t say anything against us.”

Wan Sanjin understood, but he was still curious about one thing. “But big brother, Father and you really didn’t interfere much with my studies.”

Wan Xing smiled helplessly. “You never liked studying as a child. You’d fall asleep while reading. Father and I thought, as long as you have enough money to live smoothly, that’s enough.”

Wan Sanjin gave an awkward smile. “That’s true.”

“At the time, we planned to eventually have you return to Tiandu City, away from Master Fu. But we never expected you to accidentally end up in Sishui County, even becoming a magistrate’s secretary. I saw you enjoying yourself and making friends, so we let it be,” Wan Xing said, then added:

“So you can do whatever you want. The Wan family will back you up.”

Wan Sanjin looked at Wan Xing intently, wanting an answer. “Big brother, what I really want to ask is… why did the Wan family want to get involved?”

“I always knew the reason you and the master could act so recklessly and still have big brother allow and help you… is because the Wan family wanted to actively participate. But isn’t our family just in business?”

Wan Xing nodded gently, acknowledging it, but didn’t speak the answer aloud.

Seeing that he couldn’t get an answer, Wan Sanjin gathered a few more men from the Wan family and then turned to leave.

After Wan Sanjin left, Wan Xing stared at the ashes of the burned letter in the brazier, frowning slightly.

Uncle Hong came out from the inner room and moved the brazier aside. “Young master, don’t worry. The master and the young sir are very clever.”

“Mm. Send over a few skilled men. Let Han Jin, Han Yin, Wang Wei, Wang Yan—those who are handy—go as well,” Wan Xing said, then slowly rose and headed to the inner room.

With a rumble, a secret passage appeared, and Wan Xing descended into the world below.

Fu Residence.

Fu Qingyu stood in his study, looking at everything familiar before his eyes, a trace of mockery surfacing in his gaze.

What “nostalgia for the days studying at the Fu Residence”?

What “wanting to come back to take a look”?

It was nothing but a pretext to emphasize his own importance!

Truly, utterly laughable!

Qingtong knocked on the door cautiously. After receiving permission, he pushed it open and stepped inside. “Young Master.”

“Hm? What is it?” Fu Qingyu asked calmly.

“Master Shi has something to discuss with you and insisted that you come immediately,” Qingtong said, lowering his head deeply, a hint of nervousness in his demeanor.

Unexpectedly, Fu Qingyu’s expression relaxed into something almost cheerful. “Really? Then I should go have a look. Prepare my bed; I’ll rest here tonight.” With that, he left the room, leaving Qingtong a little surprised, quietly watching his departing figure…

Late at night, at the bamboo grove near the academy.

The bamboo grove that Wan Sanjin had accidentally stumbled into back then now had a path laid through it, allowing a slow walk along the narrow bamboo-lined trail all the way to the edge of the Cold Pool.

Under the moonlight, mist hovered over the pool, giving the scene a poetic, almost ethereal feeling.

Fu Qingyu stood quietly, observing it, until he sensed someone approaching from behind. Only then did he turn, as if just realizing it, and looked back.

Chu Yue, dressed in women’s clothing, stood there gracefully, composed. Her dress was a lake-blue color, the only color in that entire scene.

She was so beautiful, her gaze at Fu Qingyu calm but tinged with a hint of shyness.

Fu Qingyu lifted the corner of his mouth. “Long time no see.”

Chu Yue lowered her eyes, smiling softly. “Yes… long time no see.”

“I’ll be going back tomorrow. It’s not convenient for me outside the palace,” Fu Qingyu said softly, turning to look at the Cold Pool before them.

Chu Yue lifted the hem of her dress and stepped a few paces forward to stand beside him, then turned to look at him. “How’s the case progressing? Can I help you?”

“Yes. The evidence has already been found. The Emperor is furious and demands a thorough investigation. It’s just that the officials to judge the case haven’t been appointed yet,” Fu Qingyu said, frowning slightly. “Master Chu was probably intimidated by Prince Rui the other day.”

Chu Yue frowned a little, but soon relaxed. “I never expected her to uncover everything anyway. It’s just to make things more convenient for us.”

Fu Qingyu nodded faintly.

“Is Sanjin very close to her now?” Chu Yue teased. “Has he almost forgotten about you, his friend?”

“He hasn’t. But officially, he’s Master Chu’s adviser, so he can’t be too far away. And the Wan family…” Fu Qingyu didn’t continue.

Chu Yue sighed lightly. “I told you, the Wan family has no ambition. They only want to hand over half their property in exchange for peace, staying out of conflicts. Now that they’re actively participating, it’s just to hedge their bets… With Sanjin involved, the Wan family will definitely side with you.”

Fu Qingyu lowered his gaze and smiled quietly, saying nothing.

“I came today to do a few transactions,” Chu Yue said lightly, smiling, her gaze confident and open on Fu Qingyu. “Master Wuwei is my lifelong friend; he can help you, and in return, I need you to do me a favor.”

Fu Qingyu lifted his eyes to look at her and immediately agreed. “Alright.”