Chapter 838: What Filling Is in the Bun?

Fan Tong was wrong.

Neglecting him was not the housekeeper’s intention; it was under the instruction of the Chief Historian Deng.

Having been in the presence of Prince Ning for so long, Chief Historian Deng naturally wouldn’t be easily swayed by minor favors.

As a confidant of Prince Ning, he’s surrounded by countless people each day.

Even if Fan Tong saved his life, he would ponder whether there was a deliberate scheme to approach him.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that he woke up to find his savior beside him?

If it was an act by Prince Ning’s political enemies to ensnare him in order to bait Prince Ning, wouldn’t he be doomed?

On that day, the reason he brought Fan Tong home and spoke of aiding his advancement was merely to probe Fan Tong’s background.

In the past two days, Chief Historian Deng had thoroughly investigated Fan Tong’s background, discovering him to be nothing more than a destitute scholar relying on relatives.

This scholar had no background or connections in Ning City.

The only association he had was Taohua, as they were from the neighboring villages, but investigation revealed Taohua didn’t even know him.

He knew the person Fan Tong came to Shengjing to rely on; it was Taohua’s civilian grandmother.

Taohua’s civilian grandmother was merely a merchant, and after thorough investigation, Chief Historian found no connection between Taohua and the incident; she wasn’t even aware that Fan Tong had saved someone.

After this investigation, Chief Historian Deng no longer suspected Fan Tong of saving him on that snowy night.

To avoid making enemies for Prince Ning, Chief Historian Deng intended to formally visit Tong Huaqiong to express gratitude for Fan Tong’s life-saving assistance, but Fan Tong proactively sought him out.

Through further inquiries, Chief Historian Deng learned Tong Huaqiong didn’t think highly of Fan Tong at all and had driven him out.

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t foolish; she quickly learned that Chief Historian Deng was inquiring about Fan Tong, and she spread the word that Fan Tong abandoned his first wife under the pretense of climbing the ranks with Prince Ning.

Tong Huaqiong was uncertain about Chief Historian Deng’s nature, but she knew he was a wife-obsessed man controlled by his spouse and detested men who abandoned their wives when successful.

For instance, Su Chengmin’s father, Su Shihang, belonged to Prince Ning’s faction, but Chief Historian Deng never treated Su Shihang kindly, disapproving of his Chen Shimei-like behavior.

As for how Tong Huaqiong knew about Chief Historian Deng’s family affairs, it wasn’t acquired from Tong Dajiao’s past life experiences.

The information came from hearing it from a servant in Chief Historian Deng’s household.

Taohua Dessert was extremely popular in Shengjing, especially favored by the wealthy nobility for its celebratory cakes; Deng Mansion was no exception.

Over time, the servant who bought cakes from Taohua Dessert became familiar with Manager He.

Before the New Year, Chief Historian Deng’s wife had a poor appetite and desired plum blossom cakes from her hometown, claiming none sold in Shengjing matched her taste.

Chief Historian Deng was worried beyond measure.

Chief Historian Deng sent the servant to Taohua Dessert for plum blossom cakes; the servant feared the cakes wouldn’t satisfy the wife, so he described the ingredients and flavors used in her hometown’s plum blossom cakes, prompting He Chao to bake them according to the servant’s description.

When the servant presented the plum blossom cakes to Mrs. Deng, she choked up, saying it tasted just like the plum blossom cakes she had with her mother in her youth, even the pattern on top was similar.

Through this, Tong Huaqiong learned that Chief Historian Deng deeply cherished his wife.

Indeed, Fan Tong’s abandonment of his first wife was a direct hit on Chief Historian Deng’s sensitive nerve.

Chief Historian Deng came to hastily conclude Fan Tong’s character was poor based on his heartless actions towards his first wife, even becoming increasingly suspicious his act of saving was premeditated.

“Ask him why he left the person he relied on,” Chief Historian instructed the housekeeper.

…

The housekeeper brought two bottles of wine and arranged a table of dishes to invite Fan Tong for a meal.

Fan Tong thought the housekeeper finally understood he was the lifesaver of Chief Historian Deng and came to curry favor with him.

“I intended not to talk about it; it’s truly embarrassing.”

They were in high spirits drinking, and the housekeeper and Fan Tong began sharing earnest talk.

Fan Tong quickly took the bait, proactively discussing his unfortunate expulsion by Tong Huaqiong’s entire family, naturally twisting the facts as usual.

Fan Tong said, “I came to Shengjing to seek out my wife’s elder sister, but their family looked down on me as a poor scholar, only willing to keep me until the fifteenth of January, saying I was useless at earning silver, encouraging my wife to divorce me.”

“On the fifteenth of January, I accompanied my wife to enjoy lanterns; coincidentally, the Fifth Prince caused chaos… Alas, we got separated in the escape, and I saved the Chief Historian while searching for my wife. The next day, when I returned, my wife was furious, and her elder sister and nephew reprimanded me, driving me out into the snow.”

Fan Tong pointed to his face and arm, still swollen.

“That’s from them beating me that day. I previously claimed it was a fall because I didn’t want to lose face, and was too embarrassed to say so.”

The humiliation of that night, he vowed to one day exact revenge on the Gu Family.

He had already decided on how to retaliate.

The spring examinations were soon to begin; he would use Prince Ning to destroy Gu Jingzhe.

After all, Gu Jingzhe was the hope of the Gu Family changing its fortunes, hence he would cut off Gu Jingzhe’s future.

The housekeeper asked, “Where is your wife? Why didn’t she come out with you?”

Fan Tong sighed and said, “Don’t mention it; she was pressured by her family to divorce me.”

The housekeeper remained indifferent, continuing to ask, “Is your wife so easily influenced?”

Fan Tong smiled bitterly and said, “From marriage to separation, it was all forced by her family. My wife’s family is wealthy and somewhat influential locally. I saved my wife, and she insisted on marrying me. Last year, after failing the provincial exam, she turned against me, saying I was useless and worthless. It was her idea to come to Shengjing seeking her elder sister, but for some reason, since late last year upon arriving in Shengjing, my wife began to grow cold towards me day by day.”

“Perhaps seeing Shengjing’s prosperity and witnessing the noble carriages, she increasingly felt resentment towards my inability to earn money or become an official. Her elder sister took advantage of having some money, constantly urging her to divorce me, promising immediately to find her someone better post-divorce.”

“After separating during the lantern festival, when I returned, my wife was resolute in divorcing me.”

The housekeeper listened to Fan Tong’s account.

Internally, he sneered; had he not been sent by Chief Historian Deng to investigate, he might have indeed been fooled by this countryside destitute scholar.

After extracting information from Fan Tong, the housekeeper went to see Chief Historian Deng.

Chief Historian Deng pondered for a moment, then asked, “Did he mention whether the buns were stuffed with pickled cabbage or radish?”

The housekeeper said, “He said they were radish stuffed.”

Chief Historian Deng’s face darkened.

He once again confirmed Fan Tong was lying.

The two buns from that night were neither stuffed with pickled cabbage nor radish; they were tofu stuffed.

If it was as Fan Tong claimed that he provided the buns, how could he not know the stuffing of the buns he bought?

Even if he casually picked them, he would have truthfully said he wasn’t sure.

How could he settle on a choice between two?

“His so-called elder sister is the owner of Taohua Dessert and Jufu Supermarket; have someone go to Taohua Dessert to inquire further details about Fan Tong’s divorce.”