Yu Jingxiu could not hide his astonishment as he looked at Miss Fei with surprise.

Miss Fei lowered her head and smiled, her smile tinged with helpless bitterness: “Who doesn’t want to be liked? But one must have such good fortune!” She raised her head and smiled at Yu Jingxiu again, but this time her smile held none of the previous sadness; instead, it was filled with understanding gentleness. “Let’s not talk about this! Master has rarely come to visit me, and I don’t want to spoil your mood.” Then she smiled and said, “A few days ago, Precious Sister had a cough. I haven’t gone out these past few days and don’t know if her cough has improved. I remember my cousin at home was frail and would cough at the slightest breeze. Whenever this happened, my aunt would instruct me to stew pears with rock sugar and Fritillaria bulb for my cousin to drink. Perhaps we could try this for Precious Sister as well.”

Yu Jingxiu was uncomfortable with such domestic talk. He said: “Precious Sister is different from other children. These remedies would not affect her!”

“I was being too simplistic,” Miss Fei readily admitted her mistake.

A young maid came in to report: “Master, Concubine, it’s time for the evening meal…” As she spoke, her eyes darted toward Yu Jingxiu, as if asking whether he would stay for dinner.

After just a brief conversation, she was trying to get him to stay for a meal. If he stayed for dinner, would she also expect him to spend the night?

Yu Jingxiu frowned slightly.

Miss Fei had already smiled and said: “Master should hurry back! If it gets late, the First Young Madam will worry.”

This Miss Fei at least had some self-awareness.

Yu Jingxiu’s expression softened.

Miss Fei waved at the young maid and said: “You may withdraw first! I have a few more words to say to the master.”

The young maid didn’t dare linger and immediately curtsied and withdrew.

Yu Jingxiu’s expression grew alert: “What do you have to say?”

Miss Fei stepped forward and knelt before Yu Jingxiu, performing a proper and solemn curtsy, saying: “Master, there are two things I’ve been holding in my heart, hesitating whether to speak to you about them. Since you’ve come to visit today, I wonder if this might be heaven’s will?” As she spoke, her expression became serious, looking at Yu Jingxiu with dignity, a resolute and solemn air emanating from her. “I know I may be overstepping, but I cannot help myself and must speak!”

Yu Jingxiu widened his eyes in surprise.

Miss Fei continued: “Before I came, I often heard the First Madam speak of you, saying how gentle and courteous you are, how sincere. I thought then that you must be an easy person to get along with. But in these days since I’ve been here, I’ve rarely seen you smile happily. Most of the time, you seem somewhat cold. I wondered if you might have something weighing on your mind. So I began to pay attention to your affairs. As time went on, I became quite concerned…”

First praise, then criticism?

This Miss Fei was quite a character.

Yu Jingxiu raised his eyebrows. Though he didn’t speak, a hint of disdain flashed across his face.

But his curiosity was also piqued.

He wanted to know what Miss Fei would say next.

Miss Fei seemed immersed in her thoughts, completely unaware of Yu Jingxiu’s reaction. Her eyes and brows revealed a trace of worry as she said: “Master has no children yet. The old master and madam are both over fifty, and they can’t help but feel anxious. You respect the First Young Madam greatly and naturally hope for a legitimate son. The First Young Madam is gentle and virtuous, with eyes only for you. Since you have such intentions, the First Young Madam naturally wants to follow your wishes. This has inevitably created some discord with the madam. No matter how careful the First Young Madam is around the madam, the madam remains displeased…”

For a mere concubine to criticize such matters!

Yu Jingxiu could listen no more. With a loud slap on the kang table, he exclaimed: “How dare you!” His face darkened, exuding a murderous air.

Seeing this, Miss Fei immediately fell to her knees before Yu Jingxiu and said firmly: “I’ve spoken out of turn. If the master wishes to beat me, scold me, or drive me away, I have no complaints. I only ask that you let me finish.” Without waiting for Yu Jingxiu to speak, she continued, “As the saying goes, ‘When the family is harmonious, all affairs prosper.’ In others’ eyes, this is all the First Young Madam’s fault, but in my view, it is entirely the master’s fault!”

Like a thunderclap, Yu Jingxiu was left breathless by her words. When he recovered, his face flushed red with anger. Laughing in extreme anger, he pointed at Miss Fei: “Good, good, good! What fearmongering! Truly a seed of family discord. I’d like to hear how I am at fault.”

Seeing this, Miss Fei kowtowed deeply to Yu Jingxiu and said: “It is entirely my fault that I’ve displeased the master. But since I’ve entered the Yu family, I am one of its members, sharing in its glory and shame. For the sake of the Yu family, and my own sake, I must speak what I believe to be true, even if it is unpleasant to hear.” After saying this, she boldly asked Yu Jingxiu: “The madam wishes to enjoy her grandchildren and have descendants for the ancestral temple. Is this wrong?”

Yu Jingxiu looked at Miss Fei’s face, which appeared somewhat severe due to her resolute expression, and found himself calming down.

Why didn’t his mother like Madam Fan? If it was because she wasn’t his mother’s preferred choice for a daughter-in-law, then why, after Madam Fan had entered the family, done everything to please his mother, and even given birth to Precious Sister, did his mother still reject her at a fundamental level? He truly couldn’t understand.

He remained silent, wanting to hear what Miss Fei would say.

A barely perceptible smile flashed quickly in Miss Fei’s eyes.

“The First Young Madam regards the master as her heaven, obedient in all things. This isn’t wrong either, is it?”

Yu Jingxiu still did not speak.

Miss Fei’s tone softened: “There is a distinction between legitimate and concubine-born children. For a family to prosper, rules cannot be broken. Even I understand your concerns, let alone the madam and the First Young Madam. If that’s the case, why does the madam blame the First Young Madam?”

Yu Jingxiu listened attentively.

Miss Fei continued leisurely: “Ultimately, it’s because the master has used the wrong approach!”

In the space of a single cup of tea, this was the second time Miss Fei had criticized him!

Yu Jingxiu looked at Miss Fei with interest.

Miss Fei continued unhurriedly: “I don’t know about other matters and shouldn’t comment on them. But take the issue of you taking a concubine. When elders bestow gifts, one cannot refuse. Since the First Madam and Third Madam sent Miss Chen and me, logically, this is a matter of the inner chambers. The master shouldn’t interfere and should entrust it entirely to the First Young Madam…”

Yu Jingxiu wanted to speak but held back.

If he left it entirely to Madam Fan, with his mother being so strong-willed and wielding the authority of a mother-in-law, how could Madam Fan possibly refuse?

“If the master is unwilling, you could discuss it privately with the First Young Madam. Refusing the madam directly, even if it’s the master’s wish, would inevitably label the First Young Madam as unfilial and jealous. It would be better to accept us first,” at this point, Miss Fei’s face reddened, “Where the master chooses to sleep, surely the madam cannot control that? And even if the madam asks, the First Young Madam can simply say the master doesn’t favor us. Then take the opportunity to discuss with the madam about selecting a few young, pretty, and well-mannered maids for the master’s chambers. If the master takes a liking to any of them, she could be kept in the chamber. This way, the master needn’t formally take a concubine, yet the madam’s mind would be at ease. The madam would naturally feel that the First Young Madam is of one mind with her and would be willing to confide in her. Over time, the madam would understand what kind of person the First Young Madam truly is. Even when the First Young Madam occasionally disagrees with the madam, the madam would be understanding of her difficulties.”

“Instead of how things are now. The master rushes ahead of the First Young Madam in everything. The madam doesn’t know and assumes the First Young Madam has said something to the master, naturally becoming displeased and misunderstanding the First Young Madam. The First Young Madam is so pure-hearted that when the madam misunderstands her, she cannot speak a word of complaint to the master, causing her to suffer many grievances.” Having finished, Miss Fei added tactfully, “Master, in this matter, you’ve truly acted with good intentions!”

Miss Fei’s words gave Yu Jingxiu much to ponder.

It was indeed the case.

Sometimes, fearing that Madam Fan would be mistreated in the face of his mother’s firmness, he tried to help her out, not realizing that he was making matters worse. His mother instead believed that Madam Fan was complaining to him. The more he explained, the more his mother believed this. As time went on, he grew tired of explaining, and his mother became increasingly displeased with Madam Fan.

But if he didn’t shield her, Madam Fan was no match for his mother.

Miss Fei, as if reading his thoughts, said gently: “The madam wants what’s best for you, and so does the First Young Madam. At the core, they share the same concern. If that’s the case, there’s no reason they can’t see eye to eye. The master should try to let go and allow the First Young Madam to learn to get along with the madam.”

Could he let go?

Yu Jingxiu was very hesitant.

Miss Fei said: “If the master doesn’t believe me, why not have the First Young Madam suggest to the madam that you visit Concubine Wu? I think the madam would be very pleased to hear that. As for whether you go or not, as long as you’ve made up your mind, I believe the madam won’t blame you.” With that, she stood up, smiling and said gently: “Master, it’s getting late. The First Young Madam must be waiting for you for dinner. Though what I’ve said is one-sided, I am an observer from the sidelines. Perhaps the master could discuss this with the First Young Madam. Maybe my suggestion will be useful!”

Yu Jingxiu wanted to try.

For years, caught between his mother and Madam Fan, he felt bitter and had nowhere to turn. His attention couldn’t be fully devoted to his career.

He organized his thoughts and went back to discuss this with Madam Fan.

Madam Fan knew this was her husband’s attempt to help repair her relationship with her mother-in-law. She also knew her husband didn’t like Concubine Wu. Even if something happened with Concubine Wu, she had injured herself in a miscarriage and might not be able to conceive again. Though initially uncomfortable with the idea, she gradually came to terms with it. After whispering with Yu Jingxiu for a while, she took Precious Sister and went to see Mrs. Yu.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they sat down, Mrs. Yu brought up the matter of elevating Miss Fei to concubine status.

On previous occasions, Yu Jingxiu would have refused outright. This time, however, he gave Madam Fan a meaningful look.

Madam Fan also knew that her mother-in-law was determined. Having just discussed this with her husband, she smiled and agreed. She even asked Mozhuan to bring the almanac, lowering her posture to ask Mrs. Yu: “Which day do you think would be suitable?”