Zhao Ling resumed playing peekaboo with Youyou.

Fu Tingyun, however, hesitated for a moment.

Should they deal with Zuo Junjie in such a manner?

But then she thought of the deceased Zhe Liu and Jian Cao… and felt a surge of vengeful satisfaction. She asked, “What if we need Zuo Junjie to testify?”

“By the time Zuo Junjie needs to testify, the situation will have turned in our favor,” Zhao Ling said somewhat distractedly as he focused on playing with Youyou. “When that time comes, we’ll just say we found him already in this condition. Could the Yu family confront us over this? We might even turn the tables on the Yu family, claiming that Zuo Junjie was made this way by them, and it was fortunate that we rescued him in time, saving him from death…” As he spoke, he turned to Fu Tingyun with a smile. “What do you think?”

“Who has as many ideas as you?” Fu Tingyun smiled with pursed lips, then picked up Youyou’s clothes and turned to enter the warm chamber.

The next day, she quietly summoned Yu Wei and told her about the matter.

Yu Wei knelt with reddened eyes: “Thank you, Ninth Master and Madam. I can finally face Zhe Liu and Jian Cao with peace of mind.” This frightened Fu Tingyun greatly: “Don’t do anything foolish! One can guard against thieves day and night, but family thieves are difficult to prevent. With Mo Xiang’s matter, even my eldest aunt and my mother couldn’t find any flaws during their questioning, let alone you all. Right now, you’re the only capable person by my side—you can’t abandon me!”

These earnest words made Yu Wei smile through her tears: “I’m still planning to serve the young master and the young heir!”

Fu Tingyun blushed slightly and hastily changed the subject: “In two more months, I’ll complete my mourning period. What do you think of the family that Zheng Sanniang introduced to you last time? I think they’re quite good…”

“Madam,” Yu Wei smiled, “Didn’t you just say I’m the only capable person by your side? Can that person sell himself to the Zhao family with me?”

Fu Tingyun was speechless.

“Madam,” Yu Wei’s expression turned serious, “I just want to serve you well, serve the Ninth Master, serve the young miss, and in the future serve the young master and the young heir… I don’t want to go anywhere else!”

“But you’re so young…”

Yu Wei smiled, “Seventh Grandaunt from Dagui also stayed in the Fu family for thirty years. At least I grew up in the Fu family.”

Fu Tingyun’s expression darkened upon hearing this. She said softly, “I used to think it was an honor, but now it seems like a shackle… I only wish for your happiness.”

“If Madam wants me to be happy, then stop persuading me,” Yu Wei smiled. “I think things are quite good as they are.”

Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Yu Wei, Fu Tingyun had no choice but to give up, thinking that if Yu Wei ever changed her mind, she would treat her like a sister and arrange a grand wedding for her. With this thought, she felt at ease. Suddenly, she thought of her eldest sister-in-law who was keeping her widowhood in Huayin.

After a moment of silence, she instructed Yu Wei: “Go and grind some ink for me. I want to write a letter to my eldest sister-in-law.”

Yu Wei was startled.

“My eldest sister-in-law is a very shrewd and capable person. I don’t believe she wouldn’t know about Mo Xiang’s pregnancy. She must have considered the consequences of letting Zuo Junjie escape,” Fu Tingyun explained. “She did this simply to protect the only bloodline of the Zuo family.” At this point, she couldn’t help but snort coldly, “Doesn’t First Master Fu want my eldest sister-in-law to earn another chastity monument for the Yu family? I won’t let him have his way—once she knows about Zuo Junjie’s situation, let’s see how First Master Fu plans to handle it!”

Yu Wei was intrigued and pondered, “The Fu family must have confined the eldest young madam in Tingxiang Pavilion, so she knows nothing about outside matters… We can find a way to deliver the letter through Yi Tong. When the eldest young madam learns that Zuo Junjie is in danger, she will surely make a fuss…” As she considered this, her expression became increasingly animated. “She might even negotiate with the Fu family masters using her chastity for the Fu family as leverage. And since this matter is no longer for the Fu family to decide, the Fu masters won’t dare to agree and can only appease and deceive the eldest young madam… Given the eldest young madam’s temperament, once she becomes suspicious, she will certainly find ways to investigate. We can then have Yi Tong provide timely information…” She covered her mouth and laughed. “There will be quite a spectacle then!” After speaking, she gave Fu Tingyun a thumbs up. “Madam, your plan is excellent!” Then she turned and happily entered the eastern study to grind ink for Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun broke into a smile.

Come to think of it, it was Zhao Ling who had inspired her—Zuo Junjie wholeheartedly wanted to advance in his career and gain wealth, so he would make him a beggar; the Fu family wholeheartedly wanted to earn another chastity monument, so she would write a letter telling the eldest young madam about Zuo Junjie’s situation, letting her create trouble for the Fu family…

With this thought, she entered the study in high spirits.

……

At the Yu family residence, Madam Yu née Shu, half-reclining on a royal daybed in the cool pavilion, gazed at the colorful scenery outside the window, but her mood refused to brighten.

She asked her personal maid Shu Mama in a low voice: “Did you find out clearly?”

“Yes, I did,” Shu Mama glanced at the maids and servants standing about ten feet away from them, and lowered her voice even further. “The Fu family young lady asked just like that…” However, Shu Mama didn’t dare to say how the young master had answered.

The veins on the back of Madam Yu’s hand, which was holding a teacup, suddenly bulged.

Shu Mama was so frightened that she couldn’t help but step back. But just as she lifted her foot, remembering Madam Yu’s severity, she withdrew it and only swayed slightly, managing not to appear too flustered.

Madam Yu, however, hadn’t noticed these details. She asked sharply: “Where is the master?”

Shu Mama breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied: “The master went to the office and hasn’t returned yet.”

Madam Yu’s tone softened slightly: “Where is the young master?”

“The young master left with the master this morning and hasn’t returned either!” Shu Mama answered, then heard Madam Yu ask sharply again: “Where is the young madam?”

“The young madam returned to her room after leaving your quarters,” Shu Mama said hastily. “I’ll send someone to check…” Before she finished speaking, they heard several silvery laughs.

She couldn’t help but look in that direction.

She saw Fan shi, accompanied by her dowry maid Mo Zhuan, walking through the flower garden toward them with a smiling face.

She wore a plain goose-yellow Hangzhou silk jacket. The summer sunlight fell on her, making her face glow slightly, more vibrant and bright than the flowers blooming around her.

Shu Mama quickly fell silent, her eyes darting toward Madam Yu.

She saw that Madam Yu’s expression had grown even colder.

She quickly lowered her gaze and retreated behind Madam Yu.

“Mother!” Fan shi smiled as she came forward to pay her respects to Madam Yu. “Seeing the beautiful scenery and hearing that you were here appreciating the flowers, I came to join the gathering.”

Madam Yu smiled slightly and told Shu Mama to bring a brocade stool for Fan shi.

Shu Mama smiled in acknowledgment. The maids and servants around Madam Yu quickly came forward to greet Fan shi, some went to brew tea, others brought snacks and fruits—quite a bustling scene.

Fan shi nodded with a smile, as if in thanks.

Madam Yu simply held her teacup and sipped slowly.

Fan shi moved closer to chat with her mother-in-law: “This year’s pre-rain Dragon Well tea is excellent, with a clear, refreshing color and a rich aroma.”

Hearing this, Madam Yu smiled slightly, deliberately placing her teacup down and saying slowly: “You’re drinking Dragon Well, but I’m drinking Tieguanyin.”

Fan shi’s expression froze.

Behind her, Mo Zhuan’s eyebrow twitched, her eyes flashing with anger, which took quite some time to subside.

For a moment, the surroundings were completely silent, as if no one was there.

“Tieguanyin is good,” Fan shi finally said with a smile after a while. “Mother is getting older, and Tieguanyin is milder, better than Dragon Well.” Her smile seemed somewhat forced.

“Yes!” Madam Yu didn’t even lift her eyelids as she listened. She took a handkerchief from her sleeve, dabbed at the corner of her mouth, and said languidly, “As one gets older, one can’t bear much anymore. Especially when seeing others enjoying their grandchildren, the heart, well, is indescribably envious.” As she spoke, she cast a cold glance at Fan shi. “Isn’t that the way it is?”

In the past, although her mother-in-law had been displeased with her, she had never humiliated her in front of the servants like this.

Fan Shi froze completely.

Madam Yu then stood up: “No matter how beautiful the scenery, flowers that only bloom but bear no fruit will wither after summer. There’s no point in looking at them. Shu Mama, help me back to my room!”

Fan Shi was overwhelmed with shame, feeling as if she wanted to die… yet she dared not show dissatisfaction. She had to be even more respectful than usual; otherwise, if labeled “greatly unfilial” and if her father found out, he would likely be angered as well… She stood up obediently, her heart bleeding, yet had to maintain a smiling face and affectionately go forward to help Madam Yu. “Mother, let me help you back to your room!”

“Oh!” Madam Yu raised her eyebrows slightly. “Don’t you need to pick fresh flowers today to make some floral essence?”

A year ago, after she had taken Cui Dagu’s medicine with no results, Fan Shi had heard such sarcasm all too often.

She lowered her eyelids and smiled: “Mother’s favorite lotus flowers haven’t bloomed yet! When the lotus flowers bloom, I can still pick them then.”

“If there are no lotus flowers, there are hydrangeas!” Madam Yu smiled. “De Pu likes hydrangeas the most. You should also show some concern for De Pu.”

“Yes!” Fan Shi bit her lip and lowered her head in acquiescence.

Madam Yu then walked quickly out of the pavilion.

The maids and servants attending Madam Yu streamed past them. Only after Madam Yu’s figure disappeared around the corner of the building did Mo Zhuan step forward to her mistress’s side and say chokingly: “Is it just because there are no children? Our lady also took five or six years after marriage before giving birth to the eldest young lady. Young madam is so good, why does the madam always look at you with displeasure?”

Fan Shi smiled bitterly.

Wasn’t it because Madam Yu had opposed their marriage initially, precisely because her mother had struggled with childbearing, barely managing to give birth to their three siblings?

As this thought flashed through her mind, she couldn’t help but heave a long sigh and said softly: “Let’s go back!”

Mo Zhuan nodded dejectedly and came forward to support Fan Shi.

Fan Shi, as if suddenly remembering something, urgently instructed Mo Zhuan: “The young master was severely reprimanded by the master just two days ago and is still upset. You must not tell the young master about this matter.”

Mo Zhuan quickly said, “I understand.”

Meanwhile, Madam Yu was saying to Shu Mama: “I know this matter can’t be rushed, but somehow, whenever I see her bright smiling face, I just feel uncomfortable…”

Unless it’s something you’ve approved of, what could ever make you feel comfortable?

Shu Mama grumbled inwardly but didn’t dare to speak out.