Tingyu had gathered all her courage to follow him.

She picked up that butterfly hairpin and said softly: “Master, this servant has attended Madam since childhood and knows what kind of jewelry and headpieces Madam likes. Why don’t this servant tell the Master in detail?”

Xie Jingyu’s expression was cold and grim: “I don’t need to know these things.”

Since Yun Chu looked down on the things he gave, he just wouldn’t give them in the future. One instance of such embarrassment was enough.

“This servant doesn’t believe what the Master says.” Tingyu’s hand gently climbed onto Xie Jingyu’s shoulder. “Madam wholeheartedly schemes for the Xie family. No matter what, the Master couldn’t truly neglect Madam. But these five years, Madam’s heart has indeed grown cold. Why doesn’t the Master come sit in this servant’s courtyard for a while? This servant knows how to make Madam have a change of heart.”

Xie Jingyu’s lips pressed into a tight line.

He had to admit that Yun Chu was indeed wholehearted for the Xie family, even obtaining the Imperial Academy qualification that belonged to the Yun family for An’er.

Looking back at what he had done—he had actually sent Yun Chu to Marquis Xuanwu once again.

Marquis Xuanwu oppressed the Xie family so severely. When the Xie family rose to power one day, he would absolutely not let the Marquis Xuanwu residence off.

But right now, he was the one who had wronged Yun Chu.

He truly wanted Yun Chu to have a change of heart. If Yun Chu and he had deep marital affection, her heart would lean even more toward the Xie family.

Thinking this, Xie Jingyu turned his steps and followed Tingyu to that small courtyard.

Tingyu lived in a courtyard in a corner of the Xie residence. The courtyard front was planted full of bamboo, which looked rather uniquely interesting.

Xie Jingyu followed her inside. He sat on the daybed while Tingyu stood before him, lowering her head and saying: “From the time I became sensible, I’ve been serving at Madam’s side. When Madam was small, she liked jewelry and clothes in bright colors. Later she gradually came to prefer light-colored garments, and also liked simpler jewelry…”

When Yun Chu returned to the residence, the sky had already darkened. By now it was nearly the end of the hour of xu. The pitch-black night outside grew increasingly deep.

Tingyu’s voice became even softer: “It’s getting late. Why doesn’t the Master just rest here?”

Xie Jingyu had wanted to refuse, but raising his head to see Tingyu’s face, he vaguely realized that he hadn’t stayed overnight in the rear courtyard for a very long time.

In the past, he and Madam He had been mutually affectionate, but ever since Madam He entered the Xie family and became Nanny He, the initial flutter between them seemed to have disappeared. When Madam He became a concubine and he had a legitimate reason to spend nights at her place, he had never once set foot in Bihe Garden.

Tingyu’s body went soft and she fell into Xie Jingyu’s embrace…

After several bouts of passion, Tingyu lay against Xie Jingyu’s chest and said softly: “Master, this servant has something to say but doesn’t know if it’s appropriate.”

Xie Jingyu’s voice was very faint: “Just speak directly if you have something to say.”

Tingyu hesitated for a while before speaking: “Some days ago, Yun’er saw a three or four-year-old boy in Sheng Residence…”

She had also wanted to keep this secret for Madam, but why should the Master have to adopt a Yun family child? This was too unfair to the Xie family, and unfair to Yun’er as well.

The adoption matter would come out sooner or later anyway, so she might as well inform the Master in advance and let him prepare early.

“What did you say?” Xie Jingyu’s face showed an expression of disbelief as he sat up. “She wants to adopt a Yun family child into the Xie family?”

Since ancient times, adopted children were always chosen from within the husband’s clan. When had wives ever been able to raise children from their maternal families under their names?

If the Xie family truly adopted a Yun family child, then the Xie family would truly become the biggest laughingstock in all the capital.

Tingyu also sat up: “Master, these are words Madam personally told this servant. Madam instructed this servant not to tell anyone. Please, Master, observe the situation quietly first and don’t make a fuss.”

She was afraid the Master would go confront Madam, and then she would be caught between both sides.

Xie Jingyu reached out and pressed her shoulder: “You’re the person Madam trusts most. Naturally I won’t make you and her grow apart. I’ll arrange for someone to investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Tingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

The night passed quietly.

The weather grew hotter and hotter, and dawn also came earlier and earlier.

After Yun Chu finished washing up and was about to go out, she heard Tingfeng speaking outside.

“Climbing into bed is something you’ve become quite familiar with.” Tingfeng stood in the courtyard, looking at Tingyu who had come to pay respects, her eyes full of mockery. “It looks like our Concubine Yu will be adding another person to the Xie residence. Let me offer congratulations in advance.”

Concubine Tao touched her belly that was about to give birth and laughed mockingly: “Concubine Yu has excellent methods. With so many things happening in the Xie family, you could still invite the Master to your courtyard. Truly admirable.”

Tingyu lowered her head and said: “As a concubine, serving the Master is my duty.”

She had merely kept the Master for one night, but when she got up this morning, which maidservant or old woman along the way would dare give her attitude now?

This was the Xie family—ultimately it was still the Xie family who had the say. As long as she held onto the Master, her and Yun’er’s days in the Xie residence wouldn’t be too difficult.

At this moment, Yun Chu emerged, her expression bland: “What are you all standing around in the courtyard for? Come inside and sit.”

Everyone had arrived and sat down one by one on chairs in the side hall.

“In a few more days, it will be Madam’s birthday.” Yun Chu got to the point. “I’m asking for your opinions on how to celebrate Madam’s birthday.”

Because the old madam was still alive, no matter whose birthday it was in the Xie family, it was just the family members making merry among themselves. How specifically to make merry required careful discussion.

Several concubines each offered their own opinions.

Yun Chu smiled and said: “Ping, I’m entrusting Madam’s birthday matters to you. This time I’ll have Tingshuang assist you. What do you think?”

Xie Ping was overwhelmed with gratitude: “Thank you, Mother, for giving me this opportunity again. I will definitely not betray Mother’s trust.”

“Don’t feel too much pressure.” Yun Chu spoke warmly. “This time it’s just our own family gathering together. Even if there are mistakes, it doesn’t matter.”

Just as they were speaking, Xie Jingyu walked in from the doorway.

His expression was somewhat grim as he said coldly: “All of you, leave.”

The several concubines were somewhat surprised. The Master rarely showed such an expression, and even more impossibly would have such an expression toward Madam. What had happened?

Only Tingyu knew that the Master must have found evidence that Madam intended to adopt a Yun family clan child. He had come to question Madam.

She hoped Madam wouldn’t blame her. She was also doing this so Yun’er could have a place in the Xie residence… She was a mother. Whatever she did, the person she considered first was always her own child. This was something Madam probably would never understand…

The people in the room withdrew, and Tingshuang gently closed the door.

Yun Chu’s brows furrowed faintly: “What is my husband trying to do?”

“During this period, you’ve frequently returned to the Yun family. Are you hiding something from me?” Xie Jingyu asked coldly.

Yun Chu’s voice also turned icy: “My husband might as well speak plainly.”

“Are you planning to adopt a Yun family child to become our legitimate son?” Xie Jingyu got straight to the point. “I had someone inquire. The Yun family’s collateral branch has a three-year-old child who also went to the Yun family a few days ago. Is he the child you want to adopt?”

Yun Chu’s face showed an expression of disbelief: “Husband, have you gone mad? The Xie family has so many children—why would I adopt a Yun family child?”

The expression on her face didn’t look fake at all. Xie Jingyu was stunned. Could it be that he had investigated wrongly?