Chapter 356 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (13)

Chapter 356: The Stiff Wife in Republican-Era China (13)

I should've realized it sooner—this Mrs. Fang, in the end, spoils her son rotten.

Last time in the room, Mrs. Fang played peacemaker and dragged Fang Weimin out, all to prevent Fang Zhuo from being beaten.

Now, even though Fang Zhuo has clearly stated that his heart belongs to another, Mrs. Fang still wants to keep me in line...

"Fang Zhuo and Qu Wanran—isn't that gossip-worthy?" Tang Qing spoke bluntly, her eyes calmly fixed on Mrs. Fang. "Ma, do you know what Fang Zhuo and Miss Qu were doing today?"

"Zhuo'er told me—seeking destiny at Lingmiao Temple." Mrs. Fang hadn't given a single thought to Tang Qing’s situation and said matter-of-factly, "Zhuo'er is just acting foolish."

"Don't take it to heart."

"Earlier, I told you—once you have a child, Zhuo'er will naturally step up as a father."

Since when does that make sense?

Failing as a husband but naturally gifted as a father?

"Even if, worst-case scenario, Zhuo'er really intends to marry Qu Wanran, it's just a phase." This Mrs. Fang, always so shrewd in public, had long planned for the future. "At most, we'll let that Qu Wanran become part of the household!"

"She'd just be a concubine—it doesn't mean anything."

"Tang Qing, what's important now is a child." Mrs. Fang spoke with the tone of someone who's been through it all. "With a child, you'll have a place in the Fang family."

"I only want what's best for you."

As Mrs. Fang spoke, her words were earnest, her demeanor sincere.

In her eyes, Fang Zhuo’s invitation to Qu Wanran was nothing more than young foolishness. Even though Fang Zhuo had openly spoken of divorcing his wife, openly declared he didn't love Tang Qing...

You still have to endure it.

You still have to be understanding.

The fact that the eldest young master of the Fang family, at thirty years old, could so comfortably rebel like this was largely thanks to Mrs. Fang.

"Wow! This is infuriating!"

"Is that old woman out of her mind?"

After taking leave of Mrs. Fang, the system completely blew up!

She's just one of those overprotective types—no matter how far Fang Zhuo goes, he's still Mrs. Fang's golden boy!

"Divorce! Divorce! Get a divorce now!"

What a maddening situation—just listening to this is enough to give you a coronary!

"Value theory."

Tang Qing, unlike the system, didn't share its fury and spoke calmly, "In Fang Zhuo's eyes, I'm a wife without value."

"In Mrs. Fang's eyes, I am just a baby-making tool."

"Because I have no value, I can only be in such a situation."

Calmly analyzing, Tang Qing remained composed. "Once they discover my value..."

"Their attitude will naturally change."

She understood all the reasoning, but still!

She just wanted to skip ahead!

……

The moment to prove Tang Qing's value came quickly.

The Fang family recently planned to set up a factory in Southeast Asia. Materials and labor had already been transported there, ready to start operations at any time.

Everything was in place, and it seemed the Fang family's first overseas branch factory was about to be completed. Unexpectedly, however...

The procedures to open the factory were held up by Duke Gelong of the British Concession.

Fang Weimin revised the factory plans six times according to British regulations! Yet it still failed to pass!

This Duke Gelong was clearly deliberately giving the Fang family trouble!

"Dad, this Duke Gelong is simply discriminating against us Chinese!" Fang Zhuo exclaimed.

Hearing that the proposal had been rejected once again, Fang Zhuo was so anxious at home that he stomped his feet and shouted, "I've done some digging—every Chinese application for setting up a factory, Duke Gelong opposes!"

"If that's not discrimination, I don't know what is!"

Fang Weimin’s expression was equally grim. After multiple failed negotiations, the older man was so stressed that he'd developed stress blisters on his lips.

Setting up a factory in Southeast Asia was a crucial development plan for the Fang family over the next few years.

With the domestic situation unstable, it was necessary to be better safe than sorry and move some operations overseas.

They had thought Southeast Asia would be a good choice, but they never expected to hit a snag right at the finish line...

"Zhuo Er, you've lived overseas. Tell me, what makes these Brits tick?"

Money had been offered, gifts had been given, and even beautiful women were offered...

Without exception, all of them were returned.

Having dealt with people for so many years, Fang Weimin had never encountered such a tough customer!

Father and son were both frowning deeply when Yan Ningcheng showed up at their door.

"Ning Cheng... What brings you here?" Fang Zhuo was somewhat astonished, especially when he saw Yan Ningcheng produce an invitation—even more surprising!

It was actually an invitation to Duke Gelong’s banquet!

How did Yan Ningcheng get something like this?

Wasn't that old British fossil supposed to hate Chinese people the most!

"I've had a brief encounter with the duke," Yan Ningcheng said. Facing the astonished gazes of the Fang father and son, he cleared his throat uncomfortably before speaking. "The duke, he..."

"He hates relying on personal connections the most."

"Especially favor-trading in official matters."

Hearing this, Fang Weimin suddenly realized... they had been kissing up to the wrong person.

No wonder everything got returned!

"Then how did you get this?"

Fang Zhuo even checked closely the invitation—the signature was indeed the Duke's personal seal.

"Duke Gelong actually... is really into Chinese culture."

"How is that possible!" Fang Zhuo was the first to object; that Brit was obviously prejudiced!

Yan Ningcheng continued to explain, "He is very fond of traditional Chinese culture and has talked shop about traditional Chinese architecture with me many times."

"As for... your factory plans not being approved..."

Pausing for a moment, Yan Ningcheng figured out the reason, "It should be that the proposal itself wasn't up to standard, and later... you sent gifts too many times..."

Although Duke Gelong likes traditional Chinese culture, in business dealings, it is often the Chinese who try to work angles.

As a result, many Chinese merchants have had their applications get stalled.

Fang Weimin finally got it, "So that's it."

That's where the problem was!

His eyes wandered for a moment before settling on Yan Ningcheng. Fang Weimin said with meaning, "Ning Cheng, from what you say, you and Duke Gelong are pretty tight?"

"We know each other." Yan Ningcheng continued, "This invitation was specifically sent by the Duke for me to deliver to your Fang family."

That came out of nowhere!

Fang Weimin almost thought he had misheard!

Wasn't this still barking up the wrong tree? What did Duke Gelong mean by this?

"The Duke isn't angry with us?"

They sent gifts six times and were rejected six times! Is Duke Gelong really that big about it?

Or is his relationship with Yan Ningcheng really that tight?

Perhaps reading Fang Weimin's look, Yan Ningcheng said, "It's not for me."

"It's for Tang Qing."

What's she got to do with this again!

What does Tang Qing know!

She's just a clueless woman!

How would she even know the Duke?

Yan Ningcheng explained, "It's because of that artwork, 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River.' Duke Gelong saw this work and he really took a liking to it."

That does ring a bell.

On the opening day, Yan Ningcheng did receive such a piece of work...

After carefully recalling, it finally clicked for Fang Zhuo, and he thoroughly widened his eyes: "*Tang Qing* wrote *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*?"

That clichéd piece—the only impression it left at the time was Old Master Yan’s high praise; he kept praising it as a master’s work.

But...

How could Tang Qing be that master?