In the end, Old Madam Fang finally became disheartened, and it was then that the siblings Fang Yaru and Fang Yacun came to prominence in the Fang family. After all, the Fang family needed an heir to support the household; otherwise, Old Madam Fang would have no way to explain to the Fang clan members.
Over these years, Fang Yacun had indeed performed excellently outside, and both he and his wife Liu Shi were extremely respectful before Old Madam Fang, taking care of Old Madam Fang’s pair of children, Fang Yaxun and Fang Yahui, to the best of their ability. Old Madam Fang had grown older, and her heart wasn’t as hard as it had been in her youth. Seeing that the Fang Yacun couple were honest people, she carefully cultivated Fang Yacun, gradually feeling at ease to hand the Fang family over to him.
Fang Yacun also thought that the Fang family eventually falling into his hands was a sure thing. Even though Old Madam Fang wasn’t dead yet, most of the Fang family affairs were already being handled by him.
But he never expected such a sudden turn of events.
Fang Yacun was very clear that the Fang family was the foundation for his standing in official circles and also the prerequisite for guaranteeing his sister’s position in the Ren family. Therefore, resolving the Fang family’s domestic affairs first was the urgent priority, so naturally, his trip to Yanbei had to be postponed.
These past few days, Madam Fang Liu Shi was also anxious and agitated, with quite a few red bumps appearing at her temples that couldn’t be covered even with several thick layers of powder. Originally, when Fang Yacun wanted to personally go to Yanbei to look for Concubine Fang, Liu Shi had been somewhat opposed, because Fang Yacun had lost quite a few personnel under Concubine Fang’s handling, and his superiors were already quite critical of Fang Yacun.
Moreover, she had been to Yanbei and visited the Ren family, knowing that it was quite unlikely that the Ren family had done anything to Concubine Fang. Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren would not easily offend the Fang family. She feared that Concubine Fang’s disappearance wasn’t targeting Concubine Fang herself or the Ren family, but rather their Fang family.
She had shared her concerns with Fang Yacun, but he still insisted on going, even wanting to take over the cleanup work on the Yanbei side, since those lost personnel could very likely lead to numerous problems.
No matter what Fang Yacun said, Liu Shi believed he was going to Yanbei to take risks for his sister’s sake, so she harbored some resentment toward Concubine Fang in her heart.
Liu Shi had always looked down on Concubine Fang somewhat, but Fang Yacun always mentioned before her how difficult things were for Concubine Fang, repeatedly instructing her to be as considerate as possible toward his sister and to help wherever she could.
Because of her plain appearance, Liu Shi’s temperament appeared quite gentle, and after marriage, she had always obeyed her husband’s commands. She thought that her husband’s current success indeed owed much to Concubine Fang’s contributions, so regardless of what she thought privately, she took extra care of Concubine Fang and her daughter. Both Concubine Fang and Fang Yacun were very satisfied with this.
But when Concubine Fang had requested to take over the court personnel that Fang Yacun was managing in Yanbei last time, Liu Shi had disagreed. Despite Concubine Fang’s elaborate arguments, Liu Shi didn’t believe that she, an inner-court woman, could control so many people. Moreover, this involved matters of great importance, and she feared they would end up being implicated by Concubine Fang. As it turned out, her fears were justified – Concubine Fang’s personnel had indeed caused major trouble.
Liu Shi was bent over her desk writing a letter when Fang Yacun walked in from outside with a face as dark as water.
Liu Shi quickly put down her brush and went to greet him.
“Master has returned? Xing’er, go fetch water to serve Master for washing his face and changing clothes.”
Fang Yacun was around thirty years old, with a tall and well-proportioned build. His features were five or six parts similar to Concubine Fang’s, and because of his feminine features on a male face, he appeared even more refined and handsome. Standing before him, the plain-faced Liu Shi looked even more dull and colorless by comparison.
Fang Yacun waved his hand: “No need to fuss, I must go out again shortly.”
Liu Shi waved for the maids to withdraw and personally brought warm tea for Fang Yacun. Observing his expression, she asked carefully: “What has happened to Master?”
Fang Yacun took the warm tea, drank a sip, and said coldly: “What else could it be! The steward said Old Madam has already taken in Ninth Brother’s child, and he’ll enter the residence this afternoon!”
Liu Shi was shocked upon hearing this: “How could it be so fast? Old Madam didn’t even have anyone inform me, so I could arrange a courtyard.”
Fang Yacun snorted coldly: “Arrange what? You don’t need to arrange anything. That child will live in Old Madam’s courtyard from now on, eating and sleeping with her.”
“What about Ninth Brother and Ninth Sister-in-law?”
Hearing this, Fang Yacun’s expression grew even worse: “Ninth Brother’s health is failing. I had a physician examine him, and he said he won’t last more than a few months. After Ninth Brother passes away, Ninth Sister-in-law will go live in a nunnery. That child will be personally raised by Old Madam.”
Liu Shi was startled: “How could this be?”
All these arrangements had been made secretly by Old Madam, hiding them from them. Even she, the managing mistress of the household, only learned of it after the fact.
Fang Yacun looked at Liu Shi and frowned: “She still refused to see you today?”
Liu Shi nodded with a worried expression: “When I went to pay my respects today, Mother sent someone out to tell me she wasn’t feeling well. When I requested a physician for the residence, she had him sent away, too. Master, Old Madam’s change has been too sudden. Could someone be secretly sowing discord?”
From her youth, Old Madam Fang’s reputation hadn’t been good, and before Liu Shi married into the family, she had worried about being made difficult by Old Madam Fang. But over these years, although Old Madam Fang wasn’t particularly close to her, she had never deliberately made things difficult for her. She gave her the proper respect due, and when Liu Shi presented her with filial gifts, Old Madam would accept them with a smile and sometimes even give return gifts when in good spirits.
She had thought that those old rumors were just hearsay and that Old Madam Fang wasn’t that difficult to get along with. Having passed more than ten years smoothly, just when she thought she was about to achieve success, Old Madam suddenly started causing trouble.
Fang Yacun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered: “Old Madam’s attitude toward us began to change after Elder Sister’s last visit home.”
Liu Shi thought about it, and indeed this was true, but she still couldn’t understand: “We’ve always maintained contact with Elder Sister over the years. During festivals, I never failed to send gifts to the Qin family, and when the Qin family held various celebrations, our contribution gifts were always the most generous, all to give Elder Sister face in her husband’s family. Several times when I encountered Elder Sister outside, her attitude toward me was also very warm. I really can’t understand why she would sow discord between us and Old Madam. Could it be that by stepping on us and replacing us with a baby as the household head, she would gain more benefits?”
Fang Yacun also couldn’t understand this point, but he said: “I heard that over these years, Elder Sister has been secretly helping those concubine-born siblings without Old Madam’s knowledge, and Ninth Brother was able to marry thanks to her covert assistance.”
Liu Shi also sighed: “I’ve heard about this. I heard that before Elder Sister married, she was already soft-hearted and good-natured. When the siblings made mistakes before Old Madam, they all asked Elder Sister to intercede for them. I’ve had contact with her several times and didn’t feel she was someone who would be two-faced. Could there be some misunderstanding in this?”
Misunderstanding? Was it just a misunderstanding?
Liu Shi’s words made Fang Yacun fall silent, and unease began to grow in his heart.
At this moment, someone outside reported that someone had come to request that Master go to the government office.
Fang Yacun had to stand up: “I’m going out. Go to Old Madam’s place once more, saying you want to ask about arranging wet nurses for the child, and see if she’s willing to see you. Also, make a trip to Elder Sister’s house to see if you can find out anything. As for the clan’s adoption matter… write a letter to your brother and have him contact some people to help us when the time comes.”
Liu Shi quickly stood up and agreed, while seeing Fang Yacun out, saying: “I was already writing to my family earlier, Master can rest assured. You’ve been the household head for so many years – how easy could it be for others to find a baby to replace you? Even if Old Madam insists on having her way, those family friends who have business dealings with our Fang family will stand up and speak a fair word for you.”
Hearing this, Fang Yacun stopped, turned around, and gently squeezed Liu Shi’s palm, saying warmly: “You’ve worked hard. Over these years, having you behind me helping with management has saved me much worry.”
Liu Shi quietly glanced at the maid standing outside, blushed, and said softly: “Husband speaks too formally. This is naturally my duty.”
Fang Yacun smiled at Liu Shi and turned to leave.
After seeing Fang Yacun off, Liu Shi returned to finish and seal the letter she hadn’t completed, having someone deliver it to her natal family. Then she changed into clothes for going out and went to Old Madam Fang’s courtyard again.
But just as she reached the courtyard gate, she was stopped by a servant woman from Old Madam Fang’s courtyard.
“Madam, our Old Madam is still ill and says she doesn’t want to see visitors.”
Liu Shi usually treated the people in Old Madam Fang’s courtyard with a pleasant demeanor, but this time she put on a stern face and assumed the authority of the managing mistress: “What visitors? Am I a visitor?”
The servant woman was startled and quickly smiled apologetically: “Of course you’re not a visitor, but Old Madam has indeed instructed that she won’t see anyone. Madam, please don’t make things difficult for us servants.”
Liu Shi frowned. She had wanted to go to Old Madam Fang to probe her intentions so she could plan, but if Old Madam Fang wouldn’t even see her, how could she ingratiate herself?
Liu Shi had to soften her voice: “Please ask for me again. I heard that the Ninth Brother’s child will enter the residence this afternoon. I want to ask Old Madam for instructions on how to arrange the wet nurses and attendants. If there aren’t enough people, I need to send someone to find more in advance.”
The servant woman immediately said, “Oh, if you’re asking about this, I did hear Old Madam mention it. Old Madam said that when Young Master comes, he’ll live with her in the main room, and she’s already selected the wet nurses, nannies, and maids long ago.”
Liu Shi was shocked upon hearing this. Old Madam had already selected all these people? But why hadn’t she heard any news about it? Could it be that she had been guarded against from early on?