Concubine Wu was startled.
She hadn’t said anything special, so why did Madam Wu’s expression become so grave?
While she was pondering this, Official Wu entered, lifting the curtain.
Madam Wu led everyone to bow to Official Wu.
Official Wu glanced at Concubine Wu, who looked somewhat nervous standing behind Madam Wu, and asked in a deep voice: “What has happened?”
Madam Wu’s maid immediately led all the servants out of the room and thoughtfully closed the lattice doors.
Madam Wu personally poured a cup of tea for Official Wu, then pointed to a brocade stool by the kang bed for Concubine Wu to sit on, before saying: “I just heard from Concubine Wu that during Precious Sister’s hundred-day ceremony at Grand Secretary Yu’s home, the Marquis of Xiping sent Precious Sister a pure gold treasure pendant…”
Before she could finish speaking, Official Wu’s face had already changed slightly.
The so-called “treasure” referred to ornaments inlaid with various precious gems, which were usually quite valuable. The Marquis of Xiping’s family had guarded Liangzhou for generations and was a hereditary noble family responsible for guarding the nine border areas. They had no connection whatsoever with the Yu family, yet they sent such an extravagant gift to the Yu family on the occasion of Precious Sister’s hundred-day ceremony. They wanted something from the Yu family, and it wasn’t just an ordinary matter.
“How did you know about this?” he asked Concubine Wu with a serious expression.
There were many people sending gifts that day, but the pure gold treasure pendant was particularly eye-catching. The first madam liked it very much. Several times when they went to pay respects to the first madam, she was admiring and playing with it. Because of this, Miss Chen had said behind her back that the first madam was shallow, which greatly displeased the first madam. That’s why when Madam Wu asked earlier, she had mentioned it.
She hadn’t expected that this would bring Official Wu over.
Judging from Official Wu’s reaction, this matter seemed quite serious.
She had studied with her father for a couple of years when she was young and understood the principle of “do not look at what is improper, do not speak of what is improper.” It was already inappropriate to discuss the Yu family behind their backs… If this caused trouble for the Yu family, wouldn’t it be her fault?
Moreover, this matter also involved…
Thinking this way, hesitation appeared in Concubine Wu’s expression.
Madam Wu glanced at Official Wu.
After all, she had entered the Yu household, and at critical moments, her heart was still with the Yu family.
She was slightly displeased.
Official Wu understood his wife’s meaning. After a moment’s thought, he deliberately darkened his face and said sternly: “You should know what’s important. How the Yu family treats you, you should be very clear about. If you didn’t have the Wu family behind you, how the Yu family would treat you, you should also be very clear about. Only when the Wu family prospers can you stand firm in the Yu family. You must know that Grand Secretary Yu is a capital official, and the Marquis of Xiping is a provincial official. A capital official colluding with a provincial official is grounds for execution of the entire family!” At this point, his tone softened, “Even so, as a mere concubine, if I step forward to plead for you, it won’t implicate you…”
Concubine Wu had never experienced such a situation before. She immediately became flustered and said helplessly, “It’s not collusion. The Yu family is not colluding with the Marquis of Xiping. The Marquis of Xiping is asking a favor from Grand Secretary Yu!”
Sometimes a soft approach works, but other times a hard blow is more effective!
Madam Wu looked at her husband admiringly and chimed in: “You still say it’s not collusion. Sending expensive gifts to ask Grand Secretary Yu for favors—if that’s not collusion, what is? Quickly tell your uncle what the Marquis of Xiping is asking for! Your uncle can then help you when the time comes!”
Concubine Wu pressed her lips together without speaking, her face as pale as paper.
Official Wu then said gently: “You’re a woman of the inner chambers. How could you know the dangers of the court? Sometimes what looks like a good thing hides evil intentions; sometimes what looks like a bad thing can be a good thing if precautions are taken in advance…”
Listening to this, Concubine Wu raised her head in surprise: “Taking precautions in advance… is a good thing…”
Seeing that Concubine Wu’s tone had softened, Madam Wu quickly said: “That’s right! How can we know the depths of court matters? Just tell us directly. Your surname is Wu, and everyone in the capital knows you’re from our family. Would we harm you?”
Hearing this, Concubine Wu was silent for a moment, then said softly: “I heard from the maids that the Marquis of Xiping has offended Official Zhao Ling and is having a difficult time now. He’s asking Grand Secretary Yu to step forward and mediate a reconciliation with Official Zhao.”
How did the Marquis of Xiping get involved in this?
The Wu couple looked at each other in surprise.
“This shouldn’t count as collusion, right?” Concubine Wu asked anxiously, seeing their reaction. “It’s just asking Grand Secretary Yu to mediate.”
“Then, did Grand Secretary Yu agree?” Madam Wu asked, with some caution in her tone. “And why did the Marquis of Xiping and Zhao Ling become enemies?”
Concubine Wu shook her head: “I don’t know. However, when the Marquis of Xiping’s people left Grand Secretary Yu’s study, their faces looked very displeased.”
It seemed they couldn’t get much more information.
Madam Wu pondered, looking at Official Wu.
Official Wu nodded slightly.
Madam Wu then smiled and said: “It seems we misunderstood Grand Secretary Yu. It’s nothing, it’s nothing. It’s getting late. Didn’t you say earlier that you wanted to leave soon? I’ll have the maids escort you. Don’t mention today’s matter to Mrs. Yu. Also, please thank her for me.” She murmured, “She even specially had you bring some small clothes for our fourth daughter.”
Concubine Wu, with matters on her mind as well, rose to take her leave from Madam Wu. One of Madam Wu’s maids accompanied her out through the hanging flower gate.
“Please go back first, madam!” Concubine Wu rewarded the maid with a dozen or so copper coins. “I can go out by myself—the carriage is waiting outside the door.”
The maid didn’t stand on ceremony, thanked her with a smile, and parted ways with Concubine Wu at the hanging flower gate.
Concubine Wu hurriedly instructed Lianxin: “You go ahead first, quickly go knock on Mrs. Zhao’s door. I want to see Mrs. Zhao.”
Her voice was urgent and hurried, giving Lianxin a big fright.
Concubine Wu urged harshly: “Hurry up and go!”
This was the first time Lianxin had seen Concubine Wu lose her temper. After a moment’s hesitation, she ran to the Zhao family’s door.
The “boom boom” knocking sound made Yuechuan frown deeply. He responded loudly with “Coming” and went to open the main door.
A girl of fifteen or sixteen rushed in: “Is Mrs. Zhao here? We’re from Grand Secretary Yu’s mansion and need to see Mrs. Zhao urgently.” After speaking, she called back “Concubine Wu.”
Then a young woman who appeared to be a matron walked in with quick steps.
“Is Mrs. Zhao here? I have urgent business with her,” the woman said with anxiety all over her face. “Please, young man, go quickly and announce me.” As she spoke, she grabbed a handful of copper coins and stuffed them into Yuechuan’s hand, while nervously looking back, as if some villain was chasing her.
Zheng San and the others were all alarmed and came out to see what was happening.
Seeing it was Concubine Wu, Zheng San Niang came forward to look her over and asked curiously: “What are you doing here?”
Concubine Wu also recognized Zheng San Niang and grabbed her hand like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline: “Madam, please help me get announced quickly. I have urgent business…”
Fu Tingyun was making shortbread in the kitchen with Yuan Xiao, Youyou, and Xihong when she heard the commotion and instructed Zhenzhu: “Go see what’s happening.”
Zhenzhu acknowledged and left, soon returning: “It’s the concubine from the Yu family, the one from the Wu family. She says she has urgent business to see you, and Zheng San Niang can’t stop her!”
Concubine Wu should have left home with the permission of either Mrs. Yu or Madam Fan, and she had Yu family servants attending her. Despite knowing the rift between the two families, she was risking punishment from Mrs. Yu or Madam Fan to see her, so she must truly have urgent business.
“Please invite Concubine Wu to the hall in the south wing,” Fu Tingyun instructed Zhenzhu as she went to wash her hands.
Zhenzhu quickly relayed the message. Zheng San Niang escorted Concubine Wu to the hall in the south wing, served tea and refreshments.
Fu Tingyun changed her clothes and came over.
Concubine Wu immediately stood up: “Mrs. Zhao, I cannot stay long. I just came from the Wu house. The Marquis of Xiping sent a pure gold treasure pendant as a gift for Precious Sister’s hundred-day ceremony, and when Madam Wu asked, I mentioned it inadvertently… The Marquis of Xiping’s family wants to ask Grand Secretary Yu to mediate and reconcile with Master Zhao… Official Wu also found out. Official Wu said that Grand Secretary Yu is colluding with provincial officials and could be sentenced to have his family executed… I don’t know if this is useful to you, but I came to tell you.”
Her words were jumbled, but Fu Tingyun understood what she was trying to convey.
“Thank you, Concubine Wu,” she said sincerely. “I appreciate you coming all this way to tell me.” As she spoke, her brow furrowed with gravity, “This is the first I’ve heard about the Marquis of Xiping wanting to reconcile with my husband. For the details, I’ll have to ask him.”
Hearing this, Concubine Wu let out a long sigh of relief, and her face broke into a joyful smile: “Then I’ll be going—the Yu family carriage is still waiting for me outside.” As she spoke, she stood up.
Fu Tingyun didn’t dare detain her and could only say: “If you have anything in the future, just send your maid to let me know. Don’t come running over like this.” Her tone carried a hint of concern.
Hearing this, Concubine Wu smiled, the corners of her mouth turning up.
That smile was like the fine spring light of May, brilliant and bright, making her entire person radiant.
Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised.
Concubine Wu had already curtsied slightly to her and quickly left the hall.
The Yu family carriage driver was already impatient about serving someone of Concubine Wu’s status, and was even more displeased when she suddenly left him to go to the neighboring Zhao house. Therefore, as soon as Concubine Wu got into the carriage, without waiting for instructions, he whipped the horses and the carriage rumbled out of Shi Family Alley, causing Concubine Wu and Lianxin to be tossed about inside.
By the time Madam Wu heard the news and rushed out, the Yu family carriage had long disappeared without a trace.
Madam Wu couldn’t help but stamp her foot in frustration, asking puzzledly: “Since when could she speak with Mrs. Zhao?”
Official Wu, however, was only concerned about the matter of the Marquis of Xiping. Absent-mindedly, he instructed, “Why don’t you go find out?” Then he went to the study and told Hao Jianfeng about what had transpired.
Hao Jianfeng was astonished upon hearing this.
Official Wu then said: “This matter will probably trouble you to help investigate… Liangzhou is under the jurisdiction of the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission.”
Hao Jianfeng nodded repeatedly, said “I understand,” and could no longer sit still. He rose to take his leave.
Returning home, he immediately called his steward and asked him to help gather information about the Marquis of Xiping.
The steward bowed in acknowledgment, then smiled and reported: “Official Cen has arrived. Would you like to see him or not?”
Hao Jianfeng’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Official Cen was previously the magistrate of Huayin. After Hao Jianfeng was promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel, Official Cen became very respectful toward him. Not only were his festival gifts generous, but he also remembered the birthdays of Hao Jianfeng’s parents, his birthday, and even the birthdays of his wife and concubines. As they interacted more, they naturally became close, and Hao Jianfeng helped plan Official Cen’s career, leading to his steady promotion. Just a few days ago, he had been appointed as the Prefect of Runing.
He figured Official Cen should be coming to the Ministry of Personnel in the capital to report these days.
It seemed that Official Cen had come in person to thank him.
“Quickly invite him to the study to talk,” Hao Jianfeng instructed the steward loudly.