Madam Yu noticed her son’s unusual behavior—he hadn’t interrupted while she and Madam Fan were speaking. Thinking her words had finally touched Yu Jingxiu, and that despite spoiling his wife beyond measure, he wasn’t confused when it came to important matters, she felt greatly comforted. Her expression softened considerably. “This is your household affair, you can make your own decisions! However, you can’t keep delaying like this. We’re about to send Mid-Autumn Festival gifts soon, and it would be the perfect opportunity to tell your eldest aunt about this matter so she can share in our happiness!”

Her implication was clear—this matter needed to be settled before the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts were sent.

Beijing typically sent festival gifts to Nanjing on the first day of the eighth month.

It was now the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month.

Listening to this, Madam Fan couldn’t help but bite her lip, but remembering Yu Jingxiu’s earlier instructions, she smiled and responded with an agreeable “Yes.” She casually flipped through the almanac and set the date for Yu Jingxiu to take his concubine on the twenty-eighth day of the seventh month.

Madam Yu nodded slightly, her expression warmer than before. She even took little Miss Zhen in her arms and playfully cooed at her for a moment.

Yu Jingxiu couldn’t help but sigh in relief, but then a strange feeling arose in his heart.

What Concubine Fei had predicted was true—as long as he didn’t interfere in these matters, his mother would be much kinder to Madam Fan.

Returning to his courtyard, he couldn’t help but glance at the back chamber where Concubine Fei resided—the main room completely blocked the view of the back chamber, so he couldn’t see anything. Yet for some reason, an image floated into his mind: Concubine Fei sitting in the dim lamplight, working on her needlework.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Yu Jingxiu was startled.

What was wrong with him?

How could he be thinking of such things?

He shook his head, as if to cast away the image that had just appeared in his mind, and quickly entered the main room.

When the twenty-eighth day arrived, the Yu family set up only two tables in the outer courtyard, inviting several of Yu Jingxiu’s familiar colleagues and fellow examination graduates to celebrate. Meanwhile, Concubine Fei, led by Madam Fan’s wet nurse, respectfully kowtowed to Madam Fan and offered tea to her mistress.

Madam Fan, looking at Concubine Fei’s ordinary appearance and respectful attitude, was quite satisfied. She rewarded her with a set of silver hairpins and ornaments, saying things like “serve the master well and help the Yu family prosper with children,” then dismissed Concubine Fei back to her room without requiring her to establish precedence with Concubine Wu, who stood to the side.

The maid serving Concubine Fei was called Cai Rong. She had previously been a young maid in the outer courtyard, and because she was diligent and clever, when the inner courtyard was selecting maids, she went through Yu Huai’an’s channels and was arranged to serve at Concubine Fei’s side.

She smiled as she offered a cup of tea to Concubine Fei, saying in a low voice, “Mistress, since you’re a relative of the First Madam, and the First Madam didn’t ask you to pay respects to Concubine Wu, shouldn’t you rank ahead of Concubine Wu?”

Concubine Fei, still smiling, suddenly frowned and said, “I entered the household after Concubine Wu, so naturally I rank behind her. Is that even a question?” She continued, “I don’t know how your mother taught you before. But now that you’re in my quarters, you must follow my rules—don’t say things you shouldn’t say, don’t ask about matters that aren’t your concern. Do you understand clearly?”

Cai Rong was greatly startled.

She hadn’t expected the usually kind Concubine Fei to suddenly change her demeanor.

She quickly knelt: “This servant will never dare again…” Her voice trembled, revealing her fear.

Concubine Fei looked at her with a slight smile and leaned forward to take Cai Rong’s hand.

“I’m not scolding you,” she said earnestly in a soft voice. “It’s just that our position is humble and cannot tolerate even the slightest carelessness or impertinence. Since we’re together now, it’s also fate. I only hope you can consider me your closest person, so that whatever happens, we can discuss and remind each other. Even if we face enormous difficulties, we can overcome them together. Don’t you agree?”

Cai Rong nodded repeatedly.

Concubine Fei smiled and instructed her: “Ask the older servants to bring water in for washing up!”

Cai Rong was taken aback.

Today was the day Concubine Fei was elevated to concubine status. Would the master not come to spend the night?

The words came to her lips, but remembering what Concubine Fei had just said, she swallowed them back, respectfully acknowledged the order, and went to call the older women to bring in water. She assisted Concubine Fei with washing up, helped her change into a casual scarlet-red padded jacket, and then went to prepare the bed.

An older woman reported joyfully from behind the curtain: “The master is here!”

Concubine Fei, sitting at the dressing table applying fragrant cream, smiled slightly and rose to welcome him.

The curtain was lifted, and Yu Jingxiu, somewhat tipsy, walked in.

Concubine Fei quickly moved to support Yu Jingxiu, instructing Cai Rong in a loud voice to prepare a hangover remedy.

Yu Jingxiu waved his hand, pushing Concubine Fei away, and said in a deep voice: “No need… just give me a cup of strong tea.”

“How can that be enough!” Concubine Fei paid no mind to his rejection and stepped forward again to support his arm. “Night drinking is harmful to the body.” She added, “Or shall I have Cai Rong report to the First Madam?”

“No need!” Yu Jingxiu took a deep breath, becoming somewhat more sober, and said, “Little Miss Zhen has just gone to sleep, don’t wake her up.”

Hearing this, Concubine Fei said: “Then let this concubine help you wash your face?” Without waiting for Yu Jingxiu to respond, she went straight to fetch water.

Yu Jingxiu also felt somewhat uncomfortable and didn’t refuse. He washed his face.

Cai Rong brought in the hangover remedy.

Concubine Fei helped Yu Jingxiu drink it, then smiled and said, “The master should rest early!” As she spoke, she moved the ram’s horn palace lantern from the kang table to the brocade stool by the bed, then turned to place two books on the stool, saying, “If the master is bored, please read some books! I will share the night with Cai Rong, so as not to disturb the master’s reading.” Speaking thus, she went around the screen and, with rustling sounds, climbed onto the couch where Cai Rong was supposed to keep night watch.

Yu Jingxiu was quite surprised.

But he was happy to sleep in peace.

As for reading, he was dizzy and bleary-eyed—how could he possibly read?

Yu Jingxiu blew out the lamp, pulled the blanket, and lay down on his side.

When Concubine Fei saw the room darken, she finally opened her eyes and stared blankly in the pitch-black room.

Before coming to Beijing, the First Madam had told her that Madam Yu disliked people interfering in her household affairs. Therefore, although she had helped her prepare trunks and boxes, she hadn’t arranged personal maids or older female servants. In the First Madam’s words: “Rather than making the Second Madam suspicious, it’s better to be open and let her see.” But she had also instructed her: “After you go there, even if I want to help, I won’t be able to do much. Everything will depend on you.”

Thinking of this, she turned over.

In the darkness, her eyes grew increasingly bright.

…

Next door, Lian Xin also tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Concubine Wu, awakened by her, yawned and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Lian Xin, hearing her indifferent tone, felt anxious. She simply sat up and said, “Mistress, how can you still sleep? Do you know? The master went to Concubine Fei’s room! And today, on Concubine Fei’s first day entering the household, the First Madam didn’t have her pay respects to you…”

“Alright, alright.” Concubine Wu yawned again as she listened. “If I’m not worried, why are you?”

“Mistress…” Lian Xin angrily hit the blanket.

Seeing that she was truly upset, Concubine Wu advised her: “Even if I were ranked first, what difference would it make? In the end, it depends on who holds more weight in the master’s heart! We’ve finally managed to step out of trouble, let’s not step back into it.” Having said this, she waved her hand, indicating that Lian Xin should stop talking and go to sleep.

Lian Xin had no choice but to lie down again.

Concubine Wu, determined to do a good deed thoroughly, went to congratulate Concubine Fei early the next morning, just after seeing Yu Jingxiu leave her chambers.

Concubine Fei returned the greeting with a smile, and they went together to pay respects to the First Madam.

When Madam Yu heard about this, she nodded slightly and privately told Mama Shu: “It seems some things must indeed be stated clearly!”

Mama Shu smilingly agreed: “Madam’s methods are truly effective.”

As they were speaking, Grand Secretary Yu returned.

Madam Yu and Mama Shu came forward to greet Grand Secretary Yu.

Grand Secretary Yu handed his official hat to Madam Yu and said: “On the second day of the eighth month, have De Pu report to the Ministry of Personnel—he’ll be an imperial censor inspecting Shandong.”

Hearing this, Madam Yu couldn’t help but sigh softly.

She understood that there were no thieves who could steal forever, nor defenders who could guard forever. They couldn’t keep their son hiding at home just because they feared Zhao Ling’s retaliation.

The matter of her son going to the Censorate had been decided several days ago—he was supposed to go to Hebei. Both the Jizou General’s Office and the Xuanfu General’s Office were in Hebei. Now that her son was suddenly being sent to Shandong, it was clear that although her husband thought her words were somewhat paranoid, he still had some lingering concerns.

Didn’t this indirectly prove that Zhao Ling was indeed not someone to be trifled with?

Madam Yu pondered and said: “Do you think we should find some skilled family servants for De Pu?”

Grand Secretary Yu thought for a moment and said: “Yes, let’s do that!”

Madam Yu felt relieved.

Yu Jingxiu felt his father was making too much of the matter, but thinking that if he angered his father, a single word could send him back to the Court of State Ceremonial, he didn’t refuse the family’s arrangements.

Seeing this, Madam Fan began to feel anxious.

She spoke quietly with Mo Zhuan: “Is this Zhao Ling so formidable? For the sake of a woman, would he disregard his career? Help me inquire about this Zhao Ling—what kind of person is he?”

Mo Zhuan agreed but showed a hesitant expression.

Madam Fan asked: “What’s wrong?”

Mo Zhuan thought for a moment, then said somewhat haltingly: “A few days ago, I heard the servants saying that when Concubine Wu returned to the Wu residence, she seemed to have visited Madam Zhao…”

Madam Fan was startled, then became furious. She asked: “Does my mother-in-law know about this?”

“It seems she doesn’t,” Mo Zhuan replied. “It was the coachman who took Concubine Wu back to her family estate who mentioned it casually while complaining.”

Madam Fan’s face darkened. She said: “Find a way to leak this information to my mother-in-law.”

Mo Zhuan nodded.

A few days later, Madam Yu summoned Concubine Wu for a talk.

“Are you very familiar with Madam Zhao?”

So the matter had indeed been exposed!

Concubine Wu knew her movements couldn’t possibly be concealed from the Yu family and had been waiting for someone to confront her.

She had gone to the Zhao residence on her initiative; it had nothing to do with Madam Zhao. If there was to be punishment or scolding, let it be directed at her.

She felt she had nothing to fear anymore—at worst, it would mean death!

After all, her life held little meaning anyway.

Thinking of this, she simply said: “I know Madam Zhao, but Madam Zhao doesn’t know me.”

Madam Yu was astonished.

Concubine Wu continued straightforwardly: “I thought Madam Zhao seemed like a good person, so while returning to the Wu family, I went to see her. However, Madam Zhao said she has a rift with the Yu family and told me not to visit her again in the future.” As she spoke, she opened her eyes wide and asked Madam Yu, “Madam, how did our family come to have a rift with Madam Zhao? I thought Madam Zhao didn’t seem like the type to be unreasonable?”

This left Madam Yu speechless with anger. She ordered Madam Fan to confine Concubine Wu to her quarters, and the next day she went to see Madam Wu.