Madam Yu turned and entered the inner chamber.

Shu Mama hurriedly followed with light steps.

But Madam Yu said: “All of you, go away! I want to rest alone.”

Shu Mama and the other servants quickly bowed and acknowledged with a “yes,” helped Madam Yu lie down, and filed out of the inner chamber.

Madam Yu’s senior maid led a junior maid to stand guard at the door of the inner chamber. Shu Mama, attended by a young maid with her hair not yet put up, drank tea in the side room, while several maids chatted quietly under the flower trellis in the courtyard.

The main courtyard was peaceful as usual, with tranquility and a touch of harmony.

But Shu Mama’s mind was in turmoil.

Ever since learning that Miss Fu was still alive, Madam Yu had been acting strangely. Later, when the eldest young master came to pay his respects, he only asked, “When did you find out that the Fu family’s daughter was still alive?” At that time, the eldest young master was somewhat uncomfortable, saying he had accidentally encountered Miss Fu when she was paying respects at Madam Fu’s funeral. Madam Yu had merely nodded without asking anything more. Afterward, however, she sent people to inquire about Miss Fu, even finding out exactly when Miss Fu’s daughter was born, and even prepared gifts, sending Yu Kuai’an personally to deliver them. Not only that, after learning how Yu Kuai’an was received at the Zhao household, she praised the other party for handling the matter properly, neither servile nor overbearing…

Miss Fu was already married, and Madam Fan was already the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu family, but in Madam’s heart, there was still a thorn!

Madam had been strong-willed all her life, but the eldest young master deliberately opposed her—how could she not be heartbroken!

Thinking of this, she felt her head ache even more and instructed the young maid serving her: “Brew me a cup of hot tea.”

The young maid rose and lifted the curtain, only to find someone standing just outside. Seeing the maid, the person smiled and said: “What a coincidence, I was just about to come in, and little sister was about to go out…”

The young maid quickly called out, “Sister Mozhuan.”

Hearing this, Shu Mama’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as she sat up.

Mozhuan, wearing a willow-green Hangzhou silk padded jacket, walked in with a smile.

“The young mistress made some honeysuckle syrup a few days ago. Seeing that the weather is hot, she asked me to bring a few bottles for the sisters to help cool down. she knelt slightly to pay respects to Shu Mama. “I didn’t see Mama. Hearing that Mama was resting in the side room, I came specifically to pay my respects.”

“The eldest young mistress is so thoughtful,” Shu Mama said, rising to invite Mozhuan to sit.

The young maid served tea and then quietly withdrew.

Mozhuan took out a small square folded paper from her sleeve: “Young mistress heard that brother Pengming has been sweating at night, so she specifically found this prescription from an ancient book for me to bring over. She says it’s extremely effective; Mama might want to try it for brother Pengming.”

Pengming was Shu Mama’s young grandson.

Shu Mama’s gaze fell on the prescription, and she couldn’t help but silently curse Mozhuan.

She was the eldest young mistress’s attendant, the eldest young mistress’s most trusted person, yet instead of helping persuade the eldest young mistress to take in a concubine and find ways to continue the Yu family line, she was busy scurrying about every day, calling one person “sister” and befriending another, putting the cart before the horse. No wonder the eldest young mistress still didn’t think she had done anything wrong!

With these thoughts flashing through her mind, Shu Mama’s expression became somewhat mocking: “If the young mistress has such a heart and such abilities, why not find a prescription for having sons? Wouldn’t that be better?”

Mozhuan’s face immediately turned bright red.

Shu Mama picked up her teacup as if ready to see her guest out.

Mozhuan had to swallow her embarrassment and asked about Yu Kuai’an’s gift-giving: “…I wonder who it was that had such a face? It’s a pity that our young mistress hasn’t been with the Yu family for long and isn’t familiar with the Yu family’s old acquaintances. By rights, she should also send a congratulatory gift.”

Thinking that Madam Yu hadn’t intended to conceal this matter, Shu Mama considered for a moment and frankly told Mozhuan the whole story.

Perhaps if the eldest young mistress learned of this matter and became anxious, she would help the eldest young master take in someone in the house.

Mozhuan’s face alternated between pale and flushed. She briefly exchanged a few more words with Shu Mama before returning to Madam Fan.

She dared not mention Shu Mama’s disrespect and only relayed the matter of Yu Kuai’an delivering gifts.

Upon hearing this, Madam Fan’s face turned very ugly: “Yu Kuai’an is the head steward of the Yu family in the capital, and his actions represent the Yu mansion. Go inquire further whether the master knows about this matter.”

Mozhuan’s expression tightened, and she hurriedly acknowledged and went to the outer courtyard.

Madam Fan’s mind was in chaos.

Wasn’t Miss Fu supposed to have died from illness? How did she suddenly appear? Why did both her father-in-law and mother-in-law regard this Fu woman differently—one inviting her home to view flowers, the other sending gifts for her daughter…

Could it be that the Yu family regretted marrying her?

The thought flashed through her mind, and her heart felt as if it had been cut by a knife.

Her father had many disciples, but none were as young, handsome, and witty as Yu Jingxiu. Moreover, as time passed, she grew to admire Yu Jingxiu’s scholarship and cultivation more and more, and sometimes even thought how wonderful it would be if Yu Jingxiu could live in her home forever… So when she heard that Yu Jingxiu had already been engaged to a daughter of the Fu family from Huayin, she couldn’t help but secretly cry in her room for several days, until Yu Jingxiu noticed her unusual behavior…

She still remembered that day when they stood under an elm tree, golden sunlight filtering through the branches and falling in patches on their clothes. Yu Jingxiu’s gaze was fixed on her, his eyes even more burning and bright than the sunlight, as he declared loudly: “Rest assured, I will marry you!”

How she had responded, she no longer remembered.

She only recalled her face burning hot, and when she ran back to the embroidery room, she didn’t even know when her newly made embroidered skirt had been torn by flower thorns near the garden…

But who would have thought that the Fu family’s daughter would suddenly fall ill and die… Soon after, the Yu family came to propose marriage.

How coincidental it all was!

She dared not think too much about it.

Kneeling on the prayer mat in the Buddha hall, she asked the Buddha: “Could this be heaven’s will?”

The Buddha smiled faintly, the serene face like a silent encouragement.

Disregarding her father’s objection that they were “unequally matched,” she begged her mother to persuade her father, and finally agreed to the marriage.

After marriage, they were in perfect harmony, with shared interests; there was no better husband than Depu… So she regarded her mother-in-law’s displeasure and the emptiness of not having children as merely heaven’s jealousy testing her…

Earlier this year, she began to worship Buddha, eating vegetarian meals on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month.

Madam Fan always believed that since the Old Man Under the Moon had tied their red threads together, after enduring hardships, happiness should follow.

But in recent days, her father-in-law’s suppressed anger, her mother-in-law’s sudden humiliation, and her husband’s occasional impatience all gave her an inexplicable fear…

Thinking of these things, Madam Fan couldn’t help but touch the pomegranate-shaped white jade pendant hanging on her chest.

It was given to her by her mother before she got married.

Hoping she would have many children and bring prosperity to the Yu family.

Why had there still been no sign of pregnancy?

Should she take a concubine for Depu?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she bit her lip tightly.

If a son born to a concubine came before a son born to the main wife… would she still have a position in this household?

No, that wouldn’t do…

She shook her head, quickly putting the thought aside.

She was just like her mother, having some difficulty with childbearing, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t bear children…

Madam Fan was encouraging herself inwardly when Mozhuan hurriedly entered.

She whispered something in Madam Fan’s ear.

Madam Fan’s expression changed dramatically: “You mean, not only my father-in-law but also my husband knows about this matter?”

Mozhuan nodded glumly.

Madam Fan collapsed on the edge of the bed.

Seeing this, Mozhuan couldn’t help but comfort her: “But Manager Yu also said that the master was originally against it. Madam said that Miss Fu now has nowhere to return to and her circumstances are quite pitiful. Not to mention the connection she has with the Yu family, even others who saw her situation would feel compelled to help if they had the means. Only then did the master not object.”

Madam Fan felt as if a knife had been plunged into her body.

She couldn’t help but say sharply: “Fu’s circumstances are very pitiful? Who has ever had smooth sailing without encountering some bumps? If mother-in-law has the energy to sympathize with others, why doesn’t she show some concern for her son and daughter-in-law? Her words are so sharp and bitter that even the best mood turns gloomy upon seeing her…” Before she could finish, she realized she had misspoken and quickly fell silent.

Mozhuan looked at her and felt heartbroken.

Her eyes slightly moist, she hesitated and said: “Eldest young mistress, why don’t you just comply with Madam’s wishes and take in someone for the eldest young master…”

“No,” Madam Fan interrupted Mozhuan without thinking, “My husband and I have a five-year agreement. If I have no issue within five years, I will take in a concubine for him, let her bear a child and then leave…”

Mozhuan, thinking of Yu Jingxiu’s affection for Madam Fan, couldn’t help but feel relieved and said happily: “That’s good, that’s good…”

…

Unlike the depressed atmosphere at the Yu family on Jiadao Street, the Zhao family in Shijia Hutong was joyful.

On April 23rd, leaving the dejected-looking Yan Qing to watch the house, Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, A Sen, and a large group of people left Shijia Hutong just as dawn was breaking. By the time they reached Tanzhe Temple, the sun had just risen.

After worshipping the Buddha, fulfilling vows, drawing divination sticks, and eating vegetarian meals at Tanzhe Temple, Zhao Ling, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, A Sen, and others toured the temple for half a day. Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Yu Wei, and others went to a small hall where they listened to the temple’s guest-receiving monk tell stories about cause and effect for half a day. It wasn’t until dusk that they all returned to Shijia Hutong together.

Yan Qing, sweating profusely, came out to greet them: “Stewards from both the Marquis of Longping’s mansion and the Marquis of Wuding’s mansion came with gifts for the young miss. Since you weren’t home, I invited them to the hall in the south wing, served them tea, and found the second young master’s pastries to entertain them…” He was unsure if he had handled it appropriately and felt somewhat anxious. “There were many other people I didn’t recognize, but I carefully collected all the gift lists, not missing a single one.”

“Well done, well done,” Fu Tingyun quickly smiled and praised him. “Following A Sen these days, if nothing else, you’ve improved in dealing with people.”

Hearing this, Yan Qing grinned.

A Sen also heard this and felt proud, with joy evident in his expression as he eagerly stepped forward to help Zheng San hold the horse’s reins.

Yang Yucheng couldn’t help but tease him: “Wearing dragon robes doesn’t make you the crown prince—what young master helps lead horses?”

A Sen’s face fell upon hearing this, which made everyone burst into laughter.

The next day was even more lively.

Most of those who had sent gifts came, except for those not in the capital, like the Marquis of Longping, or those of high rank and power, like the Marquis of Yingchuan. Zhao Ling received guests in the outer courtyard, Fu Tingyun held Youyou while entertaining the ladies in the inner courtyard, and Zheng San’s wife and Madam Zhou in the kitchen were continuously making bowls of longevity noodles. The spacious courtyard was filled with people.