Madam Wu smiled and nodded, tidied herself up, and headed to Madam Ji’s residence.
A female guest was already at Madam Ji’s place. She was a woman in her prime years with a face that could be equally charming whether smiling or pouting, extremely attractive.
“This is the wife of Official Li from neighboring Bensi Alley,” Madam Ji introduced the female guest to Madam Wu. “Her son came to study at the Imperial Academy, and she couldn’t bear to be apart from him, so she followed him here.”
Madam Wu hurriedly stepped forward with a smile to pay her respects.
Official Li had passed the imperial examination in the 32nd year of Xiping and was now around forty years old. How was it that Madam Li appeared so young and beautiful? Was it due to excellent self-care or perhaps because she was a second wife?
While pondering this in her mind, Madam Wu maintained a beaming smile as she conversed with Madam Li: “I heard Official Li will be transferred to serve as the Financial Commissioner of Huguang Province in spring? That’s where His Majesty spent his early years, which shows Official Li enjoys the Emperor’s favor. And Madam Li, you’re so young and beautiful, we’re truly envious!”
Madam Li was a socially adept person. Hearing this, she smiled and said, “It’s merely a lateral transfer, nothing to envy. Rather, it’s Official Wu who holds an office in the capital—leisurely and prestigious—exactly what my husband dreams of.” She then offered a few more flattering remarks before tactfully taking her leave.
Madam Ji accompanied Madam Li to the ornamental gate before returning.
Madam Wu then asked her, “How did Madam Li end up visiting you?”
In terms of their husbands’ official positions, Official Ji was a capital official while Official Li was posted outside the capital. Regarding regional connections, Official Ji was from the south, while Official Li was from the north. Moreover, they lived in adjacent alleys.
Madam Ji smiled and explained, “Madam Li heard that our second son studied with Senior Tutor Chen for a few years before passing the imperial examination. She wants to send her son there too and asked me to help put in a good word.” This was an ordinary small matter, and Madam Ji put it aside after mentioning it, then inquired about Madam Wu: “What about you? Didn’t you say your third daughter-in-law is about to give birth? How do you still have time to visit me?”
“There are still ten days or so!” Madam Wu smiled. “I’ve been feeling cooped up at home, so I made an excuse to come sit with you and chat. Once she gives birth, I’ll have even less free time.” Then she asked, “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
“You’re being too formal,” Madam Ji smiled. “I’m delighted to have you visit, how could it be a disturbance?” As she spoke, she peeled a plum and handed it to Madam Wu.
Madam Wu didn’t stand on ceremony. While eating the plum, she chatted with Madam Ji: “Now that your husband has been promoted to President of the Court of Judicature, does he have even more social obligations?”
Official Ji had previously been the Vice President of the Court of Judicature.
Madam Ji smiled and said, “Quite the opposite—he has much more leisure time than before. Previously, he had to revolve around others, following their lead in everything. Now others revolve around him; he can do as he pleases, naturally making him much less busy.”
Madam Wu thought for a moment and said, “What you say makes sense.” She then shifted the topic to Shen Rensi: “Have you heard? Left Censor Shen from the Ministry of Personnel has edged out Grand Secretary Yu’s eldest son…”
This was already a topic of discussion among all officials in the capital, so how could Madam Ji not know about it? However, considering Madam Wu’s relationship with the Yu family, she didn’t feel comfortable saying much. Yet from Madam Wu’s tone, there wasn’t a hint of resentment, which Madam Ji found strange.
“That Official Shen is inconsiderate,” Madam Ji remarked vaguely. “Young Master Yu is still young; he’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. There’s no need to rush.”
Madam Wu knew Madam Ji was being considerate of her feelings. She nodded with a smile and said, “That’s exactly what I told Madam Yu. However, Official Shen’s actions were indeed too hasty. He has some connection to the Yu family. If he had stepped back, the Yu family would naturally have appreciated his gesture. In the future, if he needed anything, Grand Secretary Yu would remember this favor and couldn’t stand idly by. Gaining Grand Secretary Yu’s assistance this way would be better than fighting and becoming a laughingstock!”
Madam Ji felt her anger rising as she listened.
This Madam Wu had opportunistic eyes, attaching herself to any prestigious family. More than once, she had dragged Madam Ji along to social events, letting others misunderstand that she and the Yu family were related by marriage.
Had she told so many lies that she began to believe them herself?
Even she, a genuine relative by marriage, didn’t know about Shen Rensi’s connection to the Yu family, so how did Madam Wu know?
From where had she heard fragments of information that she now spouted so confidently?
Thinking of this, Madam Ji gave a faint smile and said, “Official Shen has connections to the Yu family? How is it that I don’t know about this?”
Madam Wu had been waiting for this question. Upon hearing it, she smiled and said, “Perhaps you don’t know? Official Shen is the son-in-law of the Fu family from Huayin! Didn’t Young Master Yu once have an engagement with the Fu family’s ninth daughter? Even now, the Yu and Fu families still interact like relatives!”
Madam Ji was stunned.
Young Master Yu was the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of all mothers-in-law, and many families had shown interest in him at the time. His marriage arrangement with the Fu family was common knowledge among relatives.
“Official Shen is the Fu family’s son-in-law!” she murmured, her brows furrowing. “Then this matter is indeed somewhat excessive.”
Madam Wu smiled and said, “I think Official Shen’s actions are understandable—it concerns his career, and he doesn’t have much interaction with the Yu family. Fighting for himself is not unreasonable. However, Official Fu has been unfair—he’s the elder, and Grand Secretary Yu has been very supportive of the Fu family over the years. The younger generation is far away at home, unaware of these matters, yet how could he let Official Shen act so recklessly? Not securing that position is a minor issue, but having it snatched by one’s people is like being slapped in the face in public… Fortunately, Grand Secretary Yu is magnanimous. If it were my husband, he would likely jump up and curse.”
This was the first time Madam Ji had heard about this matter. She couldn’t help but ask, “Does Madam Yu know about this?”
“I’m not sure if she knows,” Madam Wu displayed a somewhat helpless expression. “I don’t visit Madam Yu often, fearing she might think I’m stirring up trouble.” Then she raised her voice urgently, explaining, “Madam Ji, though I enjoy discussing household matters, I’m not someone who speaks without considering the context. I know what should and shouldn’t be said. It’s just that hearing all the discussions outside, and thinking about how the Yu family has suffered such injustice and still faces criticism, I truly feel sorry for them. And since I’m in your presence, I said a bit more than I should have.”
“Please don’t misunderstand, Madam Wu,” Madam Ji quickly smiled. “I was just curious.” Though she said this, she took the matter to heart. She was somewhat distracted during the rest of her conversation with Madam Wu. After Madam Wu left, she hurriedly went to the Yu residence.
Madam Yu was trembling with anger. When she heard that Madam Ji had arrived, she drank a few sips of cold tea to barely steady herself before going to the reception hall.
Seeing her poor complexion, Madam Ji hesitated to bring up what she had planned to say and instead asked about Miss Jin with a smile.
“She can eat porridge by herself now.” Madam Yu was still pleased when mentioning her only granddaughter. “The nannies are taking very good care of her, so she will surely get better and better.”
“That’s wonderful!” Madam Ji smiled, considering how to bring up what Madam Wu had said, when Mama Shu suddenly rushed in.
Her expression was somewhat grave, but she still managed a smile to greet Madam Ji before whispering a few words in Madam Yu’s ear.
Madam Yu’s face immediately turned ashen. She quietly gave Mama Shu some instructions. Although the exact words couldn’t be heard, Madam Ji could detect the suppressed anger in her tone.
What had happened to make Madam Yu so angry?
Madam Ji was puzzled as Mama Shu hurried away.
Madam Yu took a deep breath, her expression slightly softening as she gently asked Madam Ji, “What brings you here today? Is there something you need?” She was direct, completely lacking her usual tactfulness.
In that instant, Madam Ji understood.
Madam Yu had other matters to attend to and wanted to send her off quickly.
She hesitated briefly, but considering the importance of the matter, she still told Madam Yu everything Madam Wu had said.
Madam Ji thought that upon hearing this, Madam Yu would either be greatly surprised or explain that she already knew. Unexpectedly, Madam Yu merely responded with an “Oh” and casually remarked, “My husband already knows about this matter. Official Shen was unaware of the relationship between the two families.”
It seemed Madam Yu didn’t want to discuss this with her.
Or perhaps there was something strange about the whole situation?
As Madam Ji pondered this, she felt her rushed visit had been pointless. After exchanging a few more words with Madam Yu, she rose to take her leave.
“Please come and keep me company whenever you have time!” Madam Yu said perfunctorily as she escorted her to the door.
Madam Ji stopped and declined, “How can I let you see me out further? Please go back and rest! Having this mama accompany me is enough.”
Madam Yu didn’t insist. After a few polite exchanges, she instructed the mama to carefully escort Madam Ji to the ornamental gate, then returned to her room.
On the way, Madam Ji asked the mama who was escorting her, “Why does Madam Yu look unwell today?”
Although this mama served in Madam Yu’s chambers, she wasn’t an intimate confidante. Seeing that Madam Ji was a frequent visitor to the Yu family and had familial connections, and that Madam Yu treated her very warmly, the mama spoke without much reservation, saying softly, “The First Madam and Third Madam each sent a cousin to serve the eldest young master. Madam Yu settled them in the eldest young master’s quarters.” At this point, she glanced around, and seeing no one else nearby, continued, “Somehow, although the two cousins are beautiful, the eldest young master doesn’t like them at all. It’s even worse than when Concubine Wu entered the household, which has angered Madam Yu so much that she hasn’t had a good night’s sleep for days.”
Madam Ji was quite surprised.
Madam Yu was most afraid that the First Madam and Third Madam would spoil Yu Jingxiu and disrupt the household.
She quietly asked the mama, “Is it because of the First Young Mistress…”
“I don’t know,” the mama shook her head, answering honestly. “I heard the First Young Mistress hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. Everyone says she’s upset because of the two cousins…”
Madam Ji returned home with a furrowed brow.
That evening when Official Ji returned, she told him about this matter: “…Has Grand Secretary Yu fallen so low?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Official Ji smiled. “No matter what, he’s still a Grand Secretary. How can you say he has ‘fallen low’?”
Madam Ji said, “I’ve been thinking about it. The only reason Madam Yu would allow the First Madam and Third Madam to send people to serve her son is—one rises as another falls. Grand Secretary Yu has lost favor, and the First Madam and Third Madam are seizing the opportunity to interfere in the Yu family’s affairs!”