Chapter 38

Under the bright candlelight, Fu Hui, as the host, accompanied Xiao Letian in drinking. Today, he was in a good mood, and for every cup Fu Hui filled, Xiao Letian would finish it in one gulp.

Fu Hui also drank a few cups, her cheeks turning bright red. It was unclear whether it was from excitement for her brother or the strength of the alcohol, or perhaps for some other reason.

Fu Hui was a bit distracted. She recalled the long journey of seeking a better position for her brother that had started before the New Year. Thinking about the difficult moments, tears almost welled up in her eyes. Her brother was suffering in Xiling, unable to realize his ambitions, and as his sister, how could she not be heartbroken?

After much consideration, she felt it was best to find her brother a new position. At his young age, what future could he have in the tomb guard army? However, when Fu Hui started to work on this, her former close friends and sisters began to dodge her, their expressions becoming increasingly strange. More and faster chapters are available.

Fu Hui knew that in the Qing Dynasty, to secure a good position, especially one with many benefits, one had to use money. For example, before the New Year, Fu Hui wanted to secure a position in the imperial kitchen procurement. Unexpectedly, the palace demanded 80,000 taels of silver, citing her royal connection.

Look at that, and this was still with the royal connection. Moreover, Fu Hui shouldn't complain about the price; this was the price set by Eunuch An, and no one could change it. Besides, outsiders would ask for 100,000 taels, and giving Fu Hui a 20% discount was already a huge favor.

Unfortunately, even if Fu Hui and her brother sold their house, they couldn't come up with the astronomical sum of 80,000 taels, so they had to give up. But were other positions any better? In the Qing Dynasty, the sale of official positions had become a business, with clear prices and no cheating, guaranteed after-sales service, and a suitable position for anyone with money. First-time updates

However, for Fu Qing, money was the biggest obstacle. A minor official position that cost several thousand taels was not suitable for Fu Qing, who held a hereditary title. It would be a laughingstock in the city. But a position that matched his status would cost at least 40,000 taels, which Fu Hui couldn't afford!

Not only was it a matter of money, but what hurt Fu Hui more was the loss of dignity. During her efforts to seek help, she was more than once hinted at by lecherous men to serve them in bed. Looking at those old princes and marquises, Fu Hui almost vomited from disgust. Although she was outgoing, she was not a woman who would degrade herself, and she would never sell herself.

The problem of finding a position for her brother troubled her for half a year. It wasn't until Fan Lian learned of their difficulties and sponsored 50,000 taels that things started to improve. First-time updates

Today, Prince Gong personally summoned her brother, and Xiao Letian confidently said there was good news. How could Fu Hui not be excited? After a few rounds of drinks and several courses, as the foreign clock approached nine, there was a commotion at the front door.

Fu Hui immediately stood up, took a few quick steps to the door, and at that moment, a flushed Fu Qing rushed in, his joy impossible to hide.

"Sister! Prince Gong has granted me a fourth-rank position in the Zongli Yamen, and I am to take office in three days to study the industrial special zone proposed by Brother Xiao. He also asked me to enter the palace tomorrow to meet the Emperor!" He then rushed to the wine table, not even using a cup, and took three large gulps from the wine jug. More and faster chapters are available.

Outside the hall, the servants were already crowded, all of them old family retainers, most of whom were born into the family. Upon hearing the good news, everyone was overjoyed, covering their faces and crying.

"The Zongli Yamen! A fourth-rank position, that means I will be close to the Prince. With the Prince's support, our family will finally prosper..."

"Great Compassionate Bodhisattva, we will go to the temple tomorrow to pray for the young master's success!"

By this time, Fu Hui was already drunk. She looked at her brother and then at the half-drunk Xiao Letian, as if suddenly understanding something. She composed herself, walked to Xiao Letian, and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Brother Xiao..."

"Ha ha, don't thank me. It just means there are smart people in the palace! But I must warn you, the Zongli Yamen is different from the Xiling guard. The waters are deep and unpredictable. Don't be too aggressive when you start. I'm afraid your idealism might get the better of you..."

"I will listen to you, I will listen to you!" Fu Qing filled his cup and toasted Xiao Letian. "Actually, the Prince made it clear. He wants me to help Brother Xiao with his plans. The idea of the industrial special zone was yours. Since you don't want to lead, I will help you realize your ambitions... Cheers..."

Xiao Letian drank the cup with a bitter smile, thinking to himself, "Foolish brother, do you really think this is a plum position? Once you take it, you'll see it's a stinky swamp. All the factions will show their ugliest sides to fight for power. Your ideals and ambitions will be worn down."

Since Fu Qing had to enter the palace the next day, they couldn't drink too much, so Xiao Letian left early. Despite Fu Hui's repeated attempts to keep him, he only said, "Tomorrow is the City God Temple Fair. I already made plans to go with Hu Niu. I can't miss it. Goodbye..."

Hearing this, Fu Hui couldn't persuade him to stay and could only send more people to protect him. Unexpectedly, under the protection of Wang Huaiyuan, Sima Yun, and Fu Qing's personal guards, a black-clad figure slowly approached them.

In the dark night, the small sedan chair swayed forward, and Xiao Letian was almost asleep. Outside the chair, six men were on high alert. However, on the roof to their left, a man in night clothes was quietly following them, his eyes as bright as stars.

Strangely, this man was not only focused on Xiao Letian but also had his peripheral vision locked on a figure on the opposite roof. He was very familiar with that figure. "Eagle? A rare martial arts genius from Southern Shaolin in fifty years. How did he end up in Beijing? Didn't he join the Taiping rebels? He hasn't been seen in the martial arts world for over a decade..."

The black-clad figure knew that he and Eagle had the same target: Xiao Letian in the alley. However, the man was clearly more skilled, as Eagle hadn't detected his presence.

Just as Xiao Letian's sedan chair turned a corner and the lanterns at Fan's residence came into view, the black-clad figure on the roof suddenly felt a chill. A killing intent came from behind. When he dodged the fatal blow like a cat, he found Eagle had appeared behind him.

"Ah? Japanese ninjutsu, Eagle, you've learned the Shadow Clone Technique. No wonder you could sneak up on me."

"Who are you? Why are you following me?" Eagle stared at the black-clad figure, but the figure only smirked. "Defeat me, and you'll know the answer..." He then pounced on Eagle like a light, dark cloud. First-time updates

In the dark night, a few clouds obscured the moon, and the dark roofs of Beijing seemed to have gained two silent cats. Their punches and kicks were filled with deadly intent but made no sound.

The black shadows entangled and drifted through Beijing, from rooftops to gardens, over high walls, and down long streets, only causing a few cats and dogs to bark. No one else was disturbed.

Iron-like eagle claws crushed bricks like tofu, and the black-clad figure's iron fists shattered tree trunks, sending wood chips flying. The impact of their strikes sent dust and debris flying like shockwaves.

In the end, Eagle and the black-clad figure flew through the air over Beijing, from the southern city to the northern city, and then disappeared.

This was a battle between two unknown masters. In comparison, the skills of Xiao He Xin, Wang Huaiyuan, and Sima Yun were like those of amateurs, as they never even noticed the two masters' presence.

The next morning, Xiao Letian was woken by Hu Niu. It was the day of the Beijing City God Temple Fair. The little girl had been to the fair before, but going with her lover was a completely different experience.

Under the protection of Xiao He Xin, Wang Huaiyuan, and Sima Yun, the young couple soon arrived at the bustling City God Temple Street. Xiao Letian was thoroughly impressed by the ancient fair. It was more like a carnival than a temple fair.

The street was lined with vendors selling all kinds of goods, from oil, salt, and vinegar to pots and pans. There were acrobats, lion dancers, and performers playing the konghou, as well as unique late Qing Dynasty attractions. The street was a sea of joy.

Adults shouted, children laughed, and the sounds of haggling filled the air, mixed with the aroma of various snacks: large bowls of tea, shredded meat noodles, thin-skinned dumplings, and donkey rolls. The variety of delicious snacks made Xiao Letian's mouth water.

Hu Niu was as excited as a three-year-old, pulling out coins from her purse like a stream, and even taking some of the foreign money from Xiao Letian.

"Dumplings! Thin-skinned dumplings, I love them..." Hu Niu ran ahead. "Boss, two bowls of dumplings..." Xiao Letian smiled and shook his head, turning to see Xiao He Xin and the others following closely behind.

"You three, have a bowl too. I'm treating you today..." Just as Xiao Letian turned to head to the dumpling stand, he was suddenly startled. Where did Hu Niu go?

Xiao Letian looked around, thinking the little girl had gone to buy something else, but he couldn't find her anywhere.

"You three, come here! Where's Hu Niu? How could she disappear in a moment?" Xiao He Xin and the others were also stunned, rushing over and looking around but finding no one.

"Boss, where's the girl who asked for dumplings?" Xiao Letian grabbed the vendor's sleeve and asked sternly.

"Sir, what girl? I heard a girl order two bowls of dumplings, but no one came over. I thought I must have heard wrong..."

Oh no, this is serious. Hu Niu is missing.