Chapter 124: Persuading Young Master Fang and Overcoming Familial Obstacles
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Chapter 124: Persuading Young Master Fang and Breaking Through His Family’s Opposition
In the letter, Young Master Fang had expressed his recognition and support for the reforms in earnest, while tactfully revealing the resistance within his family.
He said he would do everything in his power to persuade them, but admitted that the chances of success were slim.
Lin Shiya’s delicate brows drew together tightly, and the paper in her hands crumpled slightly beneath her grip.
The air around her seemed to have congealed, and the study was filled with a suffocating silence.
She could feel the burden upon her shoulders growing heavier. The road to reform was far more difficult than she had imagined.
Outside the window, the night wind howled and the shadows of the trees swayed, as though they too were worrying for her.
Lin Shiya decided to pay Young Master Fang a personal visit.
Early the next morning, she boarded a carriage and set off for the Fang residence.
Two stone lions stood imposingly before the Fang residence, while the vermilion gates remained tightly shut, exuding an atmosphere of stern authority.
The moment Lin Shiya stepped down from the carriage, she heard a flurry of hurried footsteps.
Several elders of the Fang family stormed out. At their head was Young Master Fang’s uncle, his face dark and his sharp eyes fixed coldly upon Lin Shiya.
“Lord Lin, the Fang family does not welcome you!” Uncle Fang said harshly, without the slightest courtesy.
“Do not think you can mislead my nephew into committing an act of filial impiety!”
The other elders chimed in one after another, accusing Lin Shiya of harboring ill intentions and trying to destroy the peace of the Fang family.
Their words were like sharp blades, stabbing toward Lin Shiya.
The servants nearby whispered among themselves, curiously watching the sudden confrontation.
The air reeked of gunpowder, and the atmosphere was taut as a drawn bow.
Lin Shiya remained calm. In the face of their accusations, she did not retreat in the slightest.
“Young Master Fang is a pillar of the nation. His choice concerns the country’s future. How can the private interests of a family be allowed to stand in the way?” Her voice was firm and resonant. “I have come today precisely to discuss matters of national importance with Young Master Fang…”
Uncle Fang let out a cold laugh and interrupted her. “Matters of national importance? What could a woman possibly understand about such things? You…”
“Uncle!”
A clear, resonant voice came from within the residence. Young Master Fang strode out and cupped his hands in greeting to everyone.
“Lord Lin is an official appointed by the court. How can you treat her with such insolence?”
He turned toward Lin Shiya, apology in his eyes. “Lord Lin, please…”
Lin Shiya looked fearlessly at Uncle Fang and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “And what if I am a woman? Women are every bit as capable as men! When a nation rises or falls, every common person bears responsibility. Does that mean women may stand apart from it all?”
She drew a deep breath and spoke in a clear, ringing voice.
“The national treasury is empty, the people are suffering, and reform is imperative! Only by implementing new policies, developing commerce, and encouraging agriculture can we make the nation prosperous, strengthen the people, and allow them to live and work in peace!”
Her voice was bright and resolute, echoing before the Fang residence like a thunderclap that shook everyone present.
Young Master Fang had previously regarded the reforms with some favor, but had never studied them in depth.
Now, hearing Lin Shiya’s impassioned speech, something stirred within him. It was as though a new door had slowly opened before his eyes.
He took an involuntary step forward, light flickering in his gaze.
Perhaps reform truly was, as Lord Lin had said, the nation’s only way forward.
Seeing that Young Master Fang appeared to be wavering, the elders of the Fang family immediately changed color.
Uncle Fang shouted angrily, “Utter nonsense! Reform will only shake the foundations of the nation and bring disaster upon the people!”
He pointed at Lin Shiya and thundered, “Do not think you can mislead my nephew! He will never be deceived by your honeyed words!”
The other elders joined in, their voices harsh and furious, like a flock of crows shrieking in the woods until one’s head spun.
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Young Master Fang felt suffocated beneath the pressure of his family.
He knew how stubborn and conservative they were, and he also understood how immense the resistance to reform would be.
Caught between his family and his ideals, he found himself in an impossible position. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Almost unconsciously, he took a step back.
Lin Shiya noticed every change in Young Master Fang’s expression.
She knew this was the crucial moment. If she could not strengthen his resolve, all her efforts would come to nothing.
She drew a deep breath and was about to speak when Uncle Fang once again shouted harshly, “Someone, escort our guest out!”
Two household servants answered the call and stepped forward, blocking Lin Shiya’s path.
Her eyes flashed like torches as she looked directly at Uncle Fang and said, each word deliberate and clear, “Lord Fang, do you understand that obstructing reform is obstructing the progress of the nation—and standing against the people of the realm?”
Uncle Fang gave a cold laugh. “The Fang family has served the nation loyally for generations. How dare a young girl like you spout such nonsense here? Someone, what are you waiting for? Throw her out!”
“Wait!”
Young Master Fang suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unmistakable authority.
Every eye turned toward him, waiting for the decision he would make next…
Lin Shiya gently pushed aside the servants standing before her and stared at Uncle Fang, her gaze as steadfast as stone.
“You keep saying that the Fang family has served the nation loyally for generations. But have you ever considered what true loyalty means? Is it blindly clinging to old customs and refusing to move forward? Or is it serving the nation and its people, and having the courage to change?”
She paused, then continued in a powerful voice.
“I was born into an ordinary farming family and witnessed the suffering of the common people with my own eyes. Every step along the path of the examinations was difficult. I disguised myself as a man, not for fame or wealth, but for the people of the realm!”
She spoke at length, recounting how she had overcome one obstacle after another to take the examinations, how she had risked her life to investigate a family injustice and expose the crimes of corrupt officials, as well as her unwavering faith in reform and her determination to fight for it.
Her voice was sometimes low and solemn, sometimes high and impassioned. Every word was filled with genuine emotion, like a succession of thunderclaps striking the hearts of everyone present.
Young Master Fang listened in silence.
He seemed to see Lin Shiya studying bitterly by the light of a cold window, writing with sweeping confidence in the examination hall, debating a crowd of scholars at court, and pressing forward through wind and rain…
Her figure was so resilient, her spirit so noble, her ideals so lofty.
Something deep within him was touched. A rush of warmth surged through his chest, setting his blood ablaze.
He looked toward Lin Shiya.
Their eyes met. Her gaze was gentle yet resolute, as though it contained boundless strength.
Young Master Fang’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily. A warm current spread from the depths of his heart, bringing him comfort—and confusion.
He had never imagined that a woman could be so powerful, so radiant, and so captivating.
The elders of the Fang family were cowed by Lin Shiya’s presence, and for a moment, none of them dared speak again.
They looked at Young Master Fang. They knew that his resolve had already begun to waver.
Lin Shiya’s voice rang out once more, clear and firm.
“Young Master Fang, when a nation rises or falls, every common person bears responsibility. The road to reform requires both you and me to strive together. Are you willing to join me in creating a new future for the people of this realm?”
Young Master Fang drew a deep breath and looked at Lin Shiya with unwavering resolve…
The air around them seemed to freeze. Everyone’s eyes were fixed upon Young Master Fang, waiting for him to make his final decision.
Uncle Fang’s lips trembled faintly. He seemed to sense what was coming, and his expression grew even darker.
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“I…” Young Master Fang had just begun to speak when Uncle Fang cut him off with a furious roar.
“Wretched ingrate! You dare!”
His voice boomed like a great bell, shaking the leaves on the surrounding trees.
He slammed his hand onto the stone table beside him. The heavy table split with a crack.
“Have you forgotten the teachings of your ancestors? Reform? It will only shake the foundations of the nation and bring disaster upon the people! If you persist in this folly, you will be an unworthy son of the Fang family!”
Everyone was intimidated by the force of Uncle Fang’s rage, and the air filled with unbearable tension.
Young Master Fang’s face went pale. His lips trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He instinctively glanced at Lin Shiya. Her gaze remained firm and encouraging, like a warm current flowing into his heart.
He drew a deep breath, straightened his back, and let an unprecedented light of determination shine from his eyes.
“Uncle, I know you want what is best for the Fang family, but I have ambitions of my own as well! Everything Lord Lin has said is entirely reasonable. Reform is imperative! I am willing to serve the nation and its people, and contribute whatever little strength I possess!”
“You…” Uncle Fang trembled with rage, pointing at Young Master Fang with a shaking finger.
“Fine! Fine! Fine! You truly mean to anger me to death! You…”
Clutching his chest, he began to cough violently. His face flushed red, and he looked as though he might faint at any moment.
Seeing this, the other elders hurried forward to support him. While trying to comfort Uncle Fang, they glared angrily at Young Master Fang.
Young Master Fang walked resolutely to Lin Shiya and bowed deeply.
“Lord Lin, I have offended you greatly in the past. I hope you will forgive me. From this day forward, I am willing to follow you. For the great cause of reform, I would gladly give my life and hold nothing back!”
Lin Shiya nodded with satisfaction and reached out to help him up.
“Young Master Fang understands the greater good. That is truly a blessing for the nation and a fortune for its people!”
Silence descended before the Fang residence. The only sound was the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.
The elders of the Fang family wore faces of iron, complex emotions flickering in their eyes.
They knew that Young Master Fang had made his choice, and there was nothing they could do to stop him.
Lin Shiya gave the members of the Fang family one long look before turning away.
Young Master Fang followed close behind, his steps firm and utterly without hesitation.
The carriage slowly departed from the Fang residence. Lin Shiya gazed at the estate as it receded into the distance, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.
She knew that winning Young Master Fang over was only the first step. The road ahead was still long, filled with challenges and danger.
She thought of Strategist Yuan’s cold smile, and unease stirred faintly within her heart.
“Lord Lin, where are we going now?” Young Master Fang asked softly.
Lin Shiya withdrew her gaze and looked at him.
“Back to my residence. Prepare the ink and paper.”
She paused, her voice lowering.
“There are some matters that should finally begin…”