Mrs. Wu, upon receiving the news, was stunned. She repeatedly asked her maid: “Did you hear clearly? Are you sure there’s no mistake?”

“There’s no mistake,” the maid said with a dejected face. “The messenger spoke very clearly. The Yu family is preparing to go to Tanzhe Temple these days to fulfill their vow!”

“How did she suddenly become pregnant?” Mrs. Wu said with a bitter smile. “This child has no fortune—first she lost her mother, then wandered about with her destitute father. After finally growing up and finding a good family for her, as soon as she enters the door, the main wife becomes pregnant too… Alas…” Mrs. Wu sighed deeply, “I’m afraid this flattery has backfired, pleasing the mother-in-law but offending the daughter-in-law!”

“That’s not necessarily true,” the maid smiled, consoling Mrs. Wu. “She’s only just become pregnant, and whether it’s a boy or girl is still uncertain. Perhaps Concubine Wu has good luck and will give birth to a son?”

The implication was that if the Yu family’s young mistress gave birth to a daughter, Madam Yu would still favor Concubine Wu.

“That would be even worse,” Mrs. Wu frowned. “In wealthy households, they most dread the blurring of lines between legitimate and illegitimate children. If a concubine bears the first son because the main wife hasn’t produced one, it’s better if there’s a significant age gap between the illegitimate first son and the legitimate son—an illegitimate first son raised as legitimate for many years will not lack in knowledge or upbringing. When it’s time to divide the family property, remembering the father-son bond from before, he likely won’t be too harsh. Even the legitimate mother, thinking of her young son who might need this half-brother’s support someday, won’t tear apart relations immediately. By the time the legitimate son has grown up, the illegitimate first son will also be in his thirties and able to support a household. If the legitimate son treats him like a brother, they’ll continue as brothers; if not, they’ll close the door and live their own lives. It’s not as if he’ll lack food or clothing, is it?”

“But if the illegitimate first son is close in age to the legitimate son, how can the legitimate mother be at ease? If she’s cunning, she’ll raise him in her quarters and teach him wrong values; how could that turn out well? If she’s indifferent, only providing meals and clothing, how can his perspective and knowledge compare with the carefully raised legitimate son? He’ll appear increasingly crude. When it’s time to divide the family property, it’ll also be when the legitimate son is about to marry. Even fingers on the same hand are of different lengths. Tell me, will the father be more concerned about the legitimate son or the illegitimate son?”

“As the saying goes, a mother’s status depends on her son. The same applies to a concubine. If her child succeeds, naturally, no one in the family will dare to slight her. If her child can’t make something of himself, others will look at her with disdain.”

“If it comes to this, tell me, what good can come to Concubine Wu?”

“Unless the Yu family’s young mistress keeps having girls.”

The Wu family was a large clan, and the maid, having served Mrs. Wu, had seen much. But after Mrs. Wu’s explanation, she saw some matters more clearly.

She anxiously asked: “Then, then what should we do?”

Mrs. Wu sighed deeply again: “Go prepare gift boxes of eight types. I’ll go to Jiadao Street to congratulate Madam Yu and also to clarify our position to her.”

“Clarify?” the maid asked blankly. “Clarify what?”

“You have a pig’s brain!” Mrs. Wu said angrily. “Madam Yu wants a grandson, but she wants a legitimate grandson even more… If you can’t understand, don’t think about it. Hurry up and prepare the gift boxes completely, that’s what’s important.”

The maid withdrew, her face flushed.

Looking up, she saw a branch of pink apricot blossom from the neighboring back garden extending over the wall.

She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh my!” Her face turned deathly pale.

When Madam Yu met Mrs. Wu, she shook her head and reproached: “…Listen to what you’re saying. Initially, you were also worried about our Yu family’s declining offspring; otherwise, why would you be willing to give such a good niece to our family?” She continued, “But then again, Concubine Wu first lost her mother, then suffered much with her impoverished father. But since entering our family, not only did she immediately become pregnant, but my daughter-in-law, who had shown no signs for many years, also became pregnant. This truly fits the saying ‘brings prosperity to the family and children,’ showing that Concubine Wu was born to enter our family, born to be one of us!”

Mrs. Wu felt so reassured hearing this!

Originally, she had intended to curry favor with the Yu family. Unexpectedly, Concubine Wu and the Yu family’s young mistress had both become pregnant one after the other. Not only had she failed to gain Madam Yu’s favor, but she had also offended the Yu family’s young mistress. She didn’t know what to do. Who would have thought that not only did Madam Yu not blame her, but she also believed that Concubine Wu had a favorable horoscope that brought prosperity to the Yu family… It was like going from extreme cold to extreme heat; now that it was all over, how could she not be happy?

“You’re elevating her, Madam.” A smile uncontrollably emerged from Mrs. Wu’s eyes, but she couldn’t omit what she needed to say. “However, she is an honest, dutiful child who knows what she should and shouldn’t do. You needn’t worry, Madam!”

“I know,” Madam Yu smiled. “Otherwise, how could I have spotted her in the temple back then with just one look!”

The two women chatted amicably about domestic matters for quite some time. Mrs. Wu, seeing that she had said all that needed to be said, proposed to go and congratulate Fan.

Madam Yu accompanied Mrs. Wu to Fan’s courtyard.

Fan was lying down, nurturing her pregnancy. Upon hearing the news, she rose somewhat displeased.

Mrs. Wu, seeing her discontented expression, knew her pregnancy wasn’t going well and didn’t dare stay long. In a few words, she diplomatically repeated the sentiments she had expressed to Madam Yu, then prepared to take her leave.

Fan, seeing that Mrs. Wu was still respectful, had someone call Concubine Wu: “After all, she’s a family elder. Since she’s here, how could we not see her?”

Mrs. Wu thought it wasn’t a bad idea to meet. She thanked Fan with a smile. When Concubine Wu came to pay her respects, in front of Madam Yu and Fan, Mrs. Wu instructed her to “serve the Young Mistress well” and other such advice before finally taking her leave.

Fan rose to see Madam Yu and Mrs. Wu off.

Both Madam Yu and Mrs. Wu, fearing she would tire herself, repeatedly urged her to rest well, insisting she not accompany them.

Fan apologized, then returned to her room, supported by her maid.

“Seeing that the Young Mistress still has good spirits, I’m reassured,” Mrs. Wu bade farewell to Madam Yu.

Madam Yu, unable to detain her despite repeated attempts, personally saw Mrs. Wu off at the gate.

She had just sat down when Yu Jingxiu arrived.

Madam Yu glanced at the water clock, surprised: “Why have you returned so early?”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said: “There wasn’t much to do at the office. I spoke with Chen Zhongming and came back.”

Madam Yu’s eyes turned cold, her smile gradually faded, and she said in a deep voice: “Did you not ask for leave from your superior?”

Yu Jingxiu was taken aback and quickly smiled: “The superior wasn’t there. It was only half an hour before the office closed. By the time I found him, it would likely have been past closing time…”

Madam Yu lightly responded with an “mm,” her expression slightly softening.

Yu Jingxiu sat beside his mother with a smile, and softly asked: “What did Mrs. Wu come for?”

“Nothing in particular!” Madam Yu said, “As soon as Concubine Wu entered our door, your wife became pregnant. It shows her horoscope is exactly right to bring you prosperity. I specifically had Bundle Mama go to the Wu residence, firstly to inform the Wu family, and secondly to thank Mrs. Wu. When Mrs. Wu heard this, she came to congratulate you.”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said: “They’re not even proper relatives, yet she visits too frequently.”

Madam Yu’s hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly.

Yu Jingxiu had already changed the subject with a smile: “Mother, now there are two pregnant women in my courtyard. The people in the yard are running around busily, and Fan’s pregnancy isn’t going well. I’m concerned the servants might neglect Concubine Wu. I was thinking of moving Concubine Wu to the side room in the back courtyard, and adding two old women to take care of her. What do you think?”

“Good!” Madam Yu agreed without hesitation, which surprised Yu Jingxiu, who had prepared many arguments to persuade his mother.

Madam Yu smiled: “Although I long for a grandson, I long even more for a legitimate eldest grandson.”

“Mother!” Yu Jingxiu was both surprised and delighted.

Madam Yu smiled and patted her son’s hand, saying softly: “Go attend to your business. Your mother hasn’t become muddled yet.”

“Yes!” Yu Jingxiu responded loudly, standing up with some excitement. Beaming with joy, he said to Madam Yu, “Mother, you rest first. I’ll come to accompany you for dinner later.”

“No need,” Madam Yu smiled. “Your wife is pregnant. Just keep her good company. As for me, you can come anytime.”

Yu Jingxiu coaxed his mother: “She has plenty of people attending to her, but I haven’t accompanied you for dinner in some time… Wait for me, I’ll be back soon.” Without waiting for Madam Yu to respond, he turned and left the inner room with a smile.

Madam Yu watched the still-swinging colorful door curtain, her smile gradually fading.

Bundle Mama, somewhat concerned, called out “Madam,” partly reconciling and partly guiding: “After all, he’s about to become a father. The Young Master is even more filial and considerate of you than before!”

Hearing this, Madam Yu let out a cold “hmph” and said: “How is this being considerate and filial to me? He’s being considerate and filial to his wife, treating me like a fool!”

“Madam!” Bundle Mama felt alarmed, and her smile also became somewhat forced. “You’re wronging the Young Master…”

“You don’t need to speak well of him. I’m not dead yet! Even if I were, I would arrange your affairs well, and wouldn’t let you suffer from their mistreatment.” Madam Yu waved her hand, indicating that Bundle Mama should stop speaking, interrupting her. “Listen to what he said, ‘I think.’ Since when has he had a say in the inner courtyard affairs? He’s just resentful of me for deciding to elevate Wu as a concubine, ruining his reputation for being faithful and righteous. Now that Fan is pregnant, he’s straightened his back and wants to stand up for her. He doesn’t consider that Fan didn’t get pregnant earlier or later, but precisely after Concubine Wu entered the door. In this world, everything, every drink and peck, is predetermined by heaven. He doesn’t know how to cherish his fortune; instead, he treats it as an ill-fated bond.” Madam Yu trembled with anger. “Ungrateful beast, I want to see how he plays the filial son at Fan’s bedside…”

Hearing this… Bundle Mama was shocked and quickly knelt: “Madam, please calm your anger, please calm your anger…”

But Madam Yu’s rage surged even more violently in her chest.

She said harshly: “Go, find the young servant who accompanied the Young Master to the office today. I want to see why he suddenly couldn’t sit still in the office!”