Madam Yu’s mood suddenly plummeted. She instructed Shu Mama in a deep voice, “Let’s return to the mansion!”

Shu Mama was stunned and exclaimed in surprise, “But we’ve already arrived at Jiang Xiang Yuan…” Looking up, she saw Madam Yu’s face was as gloomy as the sky before a downpour. She quickly swallowed her unfinished words and called out loudly to the coachman, “Return to the mansion!”

The coachman obeyed, driving the carriage away from Jiang Xiang Yuan.

Madam Yu closed her eyes and leaned against the large cushion, lost in thought.

Shu Mama didn’t dare make a sound. When the carriage stopped, she helped Madam Yu alight.

Madam Yu looked up to see her daughter-in-law, Lady Fan, waiting at the decorated gate.

She came forward with a smile to support her mother-in-law: “Weren’t you going to visit Madam Ji? Why have you returned so soon?”

Madam Yu couldn’t help glancing at her belly, and suddenly lost all interest in replying.

She returned to her inner chamber in silence.

On the way, Lady Fan glanced at Shu Mama several times, but Shu Mama kept her eyelids lowered, pretending not to notice.

Lady Fan was secretly anxious and became even more cautious in attending to her mother-in-law.

Madam Yu didn’t say anything, however, and sent her away to rest.

Shu Mama understood clearly what was happening.

Madam Yu had risen from the position of granddaughter-in-law and daughter-in-law to become the family matriarch, though she still had the Old Madam above her. The more angry she became, the less she spoke, fearing that trouble would come from her mouth.

She hurried to brew a cup of Madam Yu’s favorite Tieguanyin tea, then took a massager to massage her legs.

After allowing Shu Mama to attend to her for a while, Madam Yu said, “Go fetch the letter that the First Madam wrote to me a few days ago.”

Shu Mama acknowledged the request, put down the massager, and went to the side room serving as a study to find the letter.

Madam Yu didn’t even look at it, placing it on the kang table, and then said, “Tell the doorman that if the eldest young master returns, have him come to see me.”

Shu Mama acknowledged and withdrew.

By the afternoon hour of You (5-7 PM), Yu Jingxiu returned.

He sat down beside Madam Yu with a smile, affectionately called her “Mother,” and asked, “What instructions do you have for me?”

Since his mother had spoken those words last time, he had gently reminded his wife, who had humbled herself before his mother. For the past six months or more, although the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn’t be called intimate, it was at least harmonious and friendly, which had greatly improved his mood as well.

Madam Yu smiled and said, “Can’t I just find you for a chat without having anything specific in mind?”

Hearing this, Yu Jingxiu massaged his mother’s shoulders while smiling, “I see that these days you’re either visiting Madam Ji or hosting tea parties with Madam Wu and others at home. How would I dare to intrude?”

His teasing tone made Madam Yu laugh again.

After mother and son chatted for a while, Madam Yu picked up the letter on the kang table and handed it to Yu Jingxiu: “You should read this too. It’s from your eldest aunt and your third aunt.”

Yu Jingxiu opened the letter in confusion, and his expression changed slightly after a glance.

“Mother, you haven’t agreed to this, have you?” He anxiously held Madam Yu’s hand. “This is too absurd.”

“Your eldest aunt and third aunt do have a point,” Madam Yu smiled. “You’re shouldering the responsibility for three branches of the family. Even if you had sons now, if they each chose a niece from their maternal family to serve you, and the children born were assigned to their respective branches, that would make sense. Moreover, they’ve chosen close relatives… I’ve been thinking about this back and forth, not knowing how to respond. I’ve delayed for so many days, and if I delay further, who knows what your eldest aunt and third aunt might think. That’s why I called you to discuss how to handle this matter.”

His mother’s “discussion” had always been a foregone conclusion, merely forcing him to agree.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to find ways to force the Fu family to break off the engagement…

As this thought flashed through his mind, he remembered Zuo Junjie, from whom there was still no news.

He couldn’t help feeling somewhat resentful.

But he didn’t dare to confront his mother.

Not only did his mother hold the position of an elder, making it unfilial for him to disobey, but considering that the family business had barely been maintained in the hands of his eldest aunt and third aunt, yet had flourished under his mother’s management, his father had complete faith in his mother’s abilities and would agree to any of her ideas. Just the fact that his mother’s current actions were “reasonable” made it impossible for him to oppose.

Thinking of this, Yu Jingxiu took a deep breath and said seriously, “Mother, I’ve been married for so many years without producing offspring for the Yu family. The eldest aunt and the third aunt are anxious and want to select virtuous and gentle women to serve me, which is understandable. But we cannot agree to this now!”

The essence remained unchanged.

Ultimately, he still wanted to give Fan a chance.

Madam Yu inwardly sneered, but her face was as gentle as a spring breeze as she said calmly, “Tell me, what’s your reasoning?”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said, “Think about it. I haven’t taken a concubine for so many years, and as soon as my eldest aunt and third aunt suggest it, we immediately agree. In others’ eyes, it would seem that as long as my eldest aunt and third aunt are willing, they can interfere in our household affairs. These two women they’re preparing to are from their maiden families. If they enter our household, wouldn’t they become arrogant? If they don’t submit to Fan’s management, could we send them back? Our household would be in chaos.” As he spoke, his gaze toward his mother became increasingly sincere. “In my opinion, we should politely decline this time. As for the women in my household, I will speak with Fan. She has several kind-natured maids who came with her dowry; we can elevate one of them.”

Madam Yu listened and smiled, nodding slowly: “You make a valid point. However, it’s best to wait until she has given birth to a son before elevating anyone.”

Hearing this, Yu Jingxiu was overjoyed, though he tried hard not to show it.

He continued to massage his mother’s shoulders while offering more advice: “Mother, I think you should respond to eldest aunt and third aunt with this reason—say that there are already women in my household, and you’ve already declared that whoever bears a son will be elevated to concubine status. If we suddenly bring in two concubines now, it might disturb the household harmony. If we don’t elevate them to concubine status, it would be disrespectful to the women that eldest aunt and third aunt have specially selected for me, failing to honor their intentions…”

“You seem to have everything figured out,” Madam Yu smiled, slowly picking up the teacup from the kang table. “Have you considered what people might say if there’s still no movement in your household by next year?”

Yu Jingxiu’s expression froze.

Then it might be his problem…

Fine beads of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.

…

Fu Tingyun was unaware that she had crossed paths with Madam Yu. For three consecutive days, she sent Asen to the examination site early. When Asen came out, she didn’t ask how he had performed, only saying, “What’s done is done. Don’t dwell on it; just focus on how to approach the next examination.”

Asen was naturally somewhat carefree, and with Fu Tingyun’s assurance that “if you don’t do well this year, you can try again next year,” his spirits were much better than before after leaving the examination site. He asked directly about Jin Yuanbao’s matchmaking: “Has he found someone suitable?”

Fu Tingyun believed that exam preparation was a daily practice and was glad to see him relaxed. She smiled and said, “That Miss Shi from the Shi family, it’s said she can make over forty different kinds of pickles. As soon as your Uncle Yuanbao heard this, he immediately agreed.”

Asen promptly said, “Then Miss Shi’s appearance must be very ordinary.”

“Nonsense,” Fu Tingyun laughed as she scolded him.

“I’m not talking nonsense!” Asen retorted indignantly. “If Miss Shi were beautiful, Uncle Yuanbao wouldn’t have agreed just upon hearing about her domestic skills.”

“You clever little devil!” Fu Tingyun laughed, shaking her head.

Asen raised his face, smiling proudly.

After returning home, he asked Jin Yuanbao, “Will you take a beautiful concubine in the future?”

Jin Yuanbao twisted his ear: “Worry about your children’s examination first!” Then he added in a low voice, “For families like ours, any extra money should be spent on children… Do you think keeping a concubine doesn’t cost money?” This made Asen laugh heartily as he ran to tell Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help laughing as well.

Only Youyou, playing with her doll nearby, didn’t understand what was happening. She stood on the kang and pulled at Asen’s clothes: “Second Uncle, Second Uncle, tell me too.”

Asen picked up Youyou and placed her on his shoulders: “Youyou, let’s ignore Uncle Yuanbao and play ‘Flying Swallow.'” With that, he ran out with Youyou on his shoulders.

A string of silver bell-like laughter filled the courtyard.

Fu Tingyun shook her head, supporting her waist as she stood up to personally supervise Pearl, Wu Yue, Kou’er, and others in cleaning the house. Zhao Ling had written yesterday saying he would return by the end of February.

Seeing this, Yu Wei hurried forward to support her: “The weather is nice today. You should go to the courtyard and enjoy the sunshine. With you standing here, we’re afraid of bumping into you and end up being overly cautious.”

Fu Tingyun laughed heartily at this and took Yu Wei’s arm: “Let’s go to the ready-made clothing shop to make some clothes.” She looked down at herself and added, “Look, my clothes have become too small.”

Yu Wei covered her mouth and smiled: “Why don’t I accompany you now? If we take measurements early, we can start cutting and sewing sooner—there are only about ten days left until the end of February. I think you’ll need at least four or five sets of clothes, right?”

“That works,” Fu Tingyun told Asen to watch the house and went to West Street with Yu Wei.

Besides making clothes, she also needed to buy seasonal flowers to decorate the house, stock up on various incense for the rooms, and add a few more summer clothes for Zhao Ling. Although she had made some, there were new fashionable styles this spring that she wanted to add…

As a result, when Zhao Ling returned five days early, Fu Tingyun’s clothes were still at the clothing shop and hadn’t been brought back.

She exclaimed, “Oh my!” and lowered the handkerchief in her hand, trying to hide her prominently protruding belly.

Zhao Ling, however, stepped forward swiftly and embraced her waist, bending down to kiss her belly: “I’ve been dreaming of you, Youyou, and the child in your belly!”

Many of her worries disappeared like morning dew in the sunshine.

Fu Tingyun looked at her husband before her, travel-worn, unshaven, looking as if he hadn’t slept for days, and suddenly her eyes moistened.

Youyou, who had been brought over by Tong Shi upon hearing the news, cried out “Father!” in both surprise and joy, throwing herself into Zhao Ling’s arms.

Zhao Ling laughed heartily and tossed Youyou into the air: “My daughter, do you still recognize your father?”

Fu Tingyun screamed in fright.

Youyou was screaming too, but her screams were full of joy.

When she fell back into Zhao Ling’s arms, Youyou nodded repeatedly, calling “Father,” her dark eyes shining brightly: “Father, again!”

Fu Tingyun grabbed Zhao Ling’s arm: “Don’t throw the child; it’s too dangerous.”

Zhao Ling winked at Youyou: “Your mother won’t allow it.” Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he whispered, “We’ll play when your mother isn’t around.”

Youyou imitated her father’s voice and whispered, “Okay, we’ll play when mother is asleep.”

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help laughing too.

But in her laughter there was joy, there were tears, and there was the taste of happiness lingering in her heart.