When Madam Wu heard that Madam Yu was visiting, she went to the front gate to welcome her, smilingly inviting Madam Yu to sit in the main hall.
Maids brought tea and snacks while Madam Yu tactfully explained her purpose: “…As a concubine, our family and the Zhao family are merely nodding acquaintances. Going to someone else’s home like this is somewhat discourteous. I had no choice but to confine Concubine Wu to her quarters. Madam, when you see Concubine Wu in the future, please help persuade her as well.”
Under normal circumstances, Madam Wu would naturally have agreed obediently, but now she was aware of the grudge between the two families. Moreover, until today, she couldn’t understand how Concubine Wu had come to speak with Fu Tingyun, and she couldn’t find out what Concubine Wu and Fu Tingyun had discussed. So her response couldn’t be given carelessly. She exclaimed, “Oh my! It’s all my fault! I was only thinking of convenience. Since Concubine Wu and Madam Zhao have met several times, I asked her to help relay a message. I’ve caused Madam to misunderstand!”
Madam Yu was astonished: “Concubine Wu and Madam Zhao… meet often?” As she spoke, her eyes revealed a trace of confusion.
Madam Wu secretly curled her lip in disdain.
You’re just afraid people will find out about your family’s dirty affairs, aren’t you?
Though thinking this, she showed nothing on her face and smiled: “Our two families are neighbors. We see each other frequently, so how could we not meet?”
Madam Yu couldn’t help but frown.
Recalling the occasional hints of indifference that had flashed across Madam Yu’s brow when she used to share household gossip with her, Madam Wu deliberately wanted to irritate Madam Yu. She said: “Have you heard? Lord Zhao has won another battle in Guizhou. The Emperor even said during the morning court session, ‘Tiger Minister is my thousand-mile steed.’ I think Lord Zhao is going to be promoted again!” As she spoke, she put on a show of sighing and continued, “Just think, he’s not yet thirty, and he’s already an official of the second rank. If he continues to rise like this, by the time he reaches our age, won’t he be enfeoffed as a duke or marquis? When I was his age, I was still in my hometown, counting every penny, praying that my husband would pass the imperial examination so that I could hold my head high among the villagers… They truly are blessed!” As she spoke, she secretly observed Madam Yu’s expression. Seeing a trace of discomfort cross Madam Yu’s face, she immediately felt a sense of satisfaction and cheerfully added, “By the way, I heard that your son has been appointed as an imperial censor in the Censorate. Why? Wasn’t the Court of State Ceremonial good enough? Being a censor means scrutinizing all officials—it’s a job that makes enemies. Back in the day, my husband had to rack his brains to escape from that position.” Then she said reproachfully, “Why didn’t you persuade Grand Secretary Yu to find a different position for your son? I think the Hanlin Academy is better than the Censorate!”
Madam Yu was furious.
What kind of place was the Court of State Ceremonial? It was close to the Emperor, and countless people were desperate to get in. From Madam Wu’s tone, it seemed she was suggesting that her son couldn’t maintain his position in the Court of State Ceremonial and was forced to accept a post in the Censorate.
This Madam Wu had neither knowledge nor discretion, always gossiping… but in Beijing, there were many official wives like her. If she thought this way, others probably thought the same.
When three people make the same claim, it becomes a tiger.
If such rumors spread, wouldn’t they damage De Pu’s reputation?
Madam Yu suppressed her displeasure and gently explained to Madam Wu: “Though the Court of State Ceremonial is good, without toiling there for ten years, it’s difficult to advance. While the position of imperial censor in the Censorate is arduous, it’s easier to establish political achievements and provides opportunities to gain more worldly experience, which will benefit De Pu in the future.”
“I see!” Madam Wu responded, but her expression was perfunctory, clearly believing that Madam Yu was making excuses for her son’s fall from favor, while she was magnanimous enough not to expose this.
Madam Yu was bitter with anger but could do nothing about it.
Further explanation would only make Madam Wu think she was trying to cover up the truth, which would be even worse.
Thinking this, she found the hall of the Wu residence cramped and stifling, making it difficult for her to breathe and quite uncomfortable. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she rose to take her leave.
Madam Wu politely urged her to stay a little longer, then escorted Madam Yu to the main gate.
Madam Wu’s maid worriedly asked: “Madam, regarding Concubine Wu, do you think we should send someone to check on her?”
“Once she entered their household, she became their person,” Madam Wu coldly snorted and said, “Even if they beat her to death, it would be the Yu family who committed the homicide…”
The maid knew all too well that Madam Wu thought Concubine Wu was beyond redemption and therefore disliked her. However, times had changed, and she couldn’t help but quietly remind her: “I’m just afraid Madam Zhao might think we’re being too heartless…”
Hearing this, Madam Wu’s expression tensed.
Yes indeed!
How could she have forgotten about that?
She hurriedly said, “You have a point. No need for anyone else. You go! Take some tonics and gift boxes. Tell her to learn the rules properly from the First Madam, and when she has free time, to focus on needlework at home rather than running around. Madam Yu’s confinement her is out of care, so she shouldn’t harbor resentment, but should serve the master and the First Madam properly. If you can find out what she and Madam Zhao discussed, that would be even better!”
The personal maid smiled and acknowledged the order with a “Yes.” She took Madam Wu’s token, went to the accounting room to withdraw some medicines and silver, bought eight types of gift boxes, and headed to the Yu residence.
When Madam Yu heard that, as soon as she left, the Wu family had immediately sent someone to see Concubine Wu, her face turned red with anger: “What does she think she’s doing? Supporting Concubine Wu? I didn’t know concubines also had family backing!”
Mama Shu quickly came forward to pat Madam Yu’s back, helping her calm down, and advised: “Don’t be upset, Madam. Madam Wu is not someone who doesn’t understand protocol. It’s likely that since you went to report Concubine Wu’s misconduct, Madam Wu has sent someone to reprimand her!”
Madam Yu’s expression slightly eased. She instructed Mama Shu: “Go and see! If she’s truly reprimanding Concubine Wu, then it’s fine, but if she’s saying something else…” Although Madam Yu didn’t finish her sentence, Mama Shu understood perfectly. She nodded with a smile and went to Yu Jingxiu’s courtyard.
Concubine Wu’s chamber door was half-closed, with voices coming from inside, while Concubine Fei’s chamber door next to it was tightly shut. The back courtyard was eerily quiet without a soul in sight.
Mama Shu couldn’t help but frown.
This was hardly a reprimand; it was meant to show support for Concubine Wu.
And the First Madam—why hadn’t she sent a respectable matron to attend to this matter? First to fulfill the duty of a host, and second to prevent the Wu family’s people from saying inappropriate things.
Thinking of this, Mama Shu’s brow furrowed even more.
She quickly walked over, taking two steps at a time.
Just then, the door to Concubine Wu’s chamber creaked open, and Madam Wu’s maid walked out. As she walked, she turned back to Concubine Wu, who was following behind to see her off, and smiled: “The wind is strong outside; Mistress, be careful not to catch a cold. Please go back inside! This servant isn’t visiting for the first time, how could I let Mistress see me off! I’ll pay my respects to the First Madam and then leave. If you need anything, just send Lian Xin back to report to Madam, so Madam can be at ease.” She was polite.
To think that Madam Wu had sent her maid!
Mama Shu’s face darkened slightly.
Concubine Wu maintained her usual gentle and polite demeanor, saying softly: “Then I won’t see Mama off—I’m still confined after all!” Then she called Lian Xin: “See Mama off for me.”
As they spoke, they both noticed Mama Shu.
Madam Wu’s maid quickly came forward with a smile to pay her respects to Mama Shu. Concubine Wu, not daring to leave her room, held onto the doorframe and called out, “Mama Shu.”
Mama Shu hurriedly returned the greeting to Madam Wu’s maid with a smile, then nodded toward Concubine Wu and said: “Why are you leaving so soon? Why not stay a while longer?” Then, looking at Concubine Wu, she added, “Why aren’t you asking Mama to stay longer?”
Before Concubine Wu could speak, Madam Wu’s maid smiled and said: “Our Madam is worried about Concubine Wu and is waiting for me to report back! I shouldn’t delay.” She insisted on leaving.
When Mama Shu heard her say “our Madam is worried about Concubine Wu,” her heart went cold. Hearing that she wanted to leave, Mama Shu accompanied her to Madam Fan’s quarters, then saw her out of the entrance gate on behalf of Madam Fan.
After Mo Zhuan had escorted Mama Shu and Madam Wu’s maid out, she couldn’t help complaining to Madam Fan: “What is Madam Wu trying to do? It’s just a concubine being confined to her quarters, yet she sends a respectable matron to visit… These people, none of them know their place!” She was indignant on Madam Fan’s behalf.
Madam Fan gave a cold smile and said: “These are all people she brought in, let her worry about them. What does it have to do with us?”
Mo Zhuan naturally knew who “she” in Madam Fan’s words referred to, but she felt vaguely uneasy and said: “But after all, it concerns your household…”
“My household affairs,” Madam Fan’s gaze turned cold, “when did I ever get to make decisions about them?”
Mo Zhuan fell silent.
From outside came a young maid’s voice: “The master has returned!”
Madam Fan glanced at Mo Zhuan, then went to greet Yu Jingxiu with a face full of smiles.
Yu Jingxiu smiled and asked Madam Fan: “How is little Miss Zhen today?”
“Little Miss Zhen has been well these days.” Madam Fan helped Yu Jingxiu change his clothes.
After listening, Yu Jingxiu hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice: “I’ll be going to Shandong in a few days, and probably won’t return until after the New Year…”
Madam Fan was startled: “You’re going to Shandong so soon?”
“I didn’t expect it either!” Yu Jingxiu took the handkerchief passed by the young maid and wiped his face, saying, “I thought I would go after the New Year.” He then comforted Madam Fan, “The imperial censor’s term is only one year; I’ll be back in Beijing next year.”
But upon returning to Beijing, would he be able to secure a better position?
Madam Fan pondered this silently. Considering the twists and turns of this appointment and Yu Jingxiu’s imminent departure, she temporarily set this thought aside and helped him pack his trunks.
Grand Secretary Yu called his son over to give him some instructions.
Meanwhile, Concubine Fei brought several pieces of clothing to visit Madam Fan: “…I had some free time and made these for the master. Hearing that the master is leaving Beijing, and seeing that the weather is getting colder, I thought these might be useful, so I brought them.” She added, “I didn’t know earlier that the master would be leaving Beijing. I was only hurrying to make winter clothes for him, so those for the First Madam and little Miss Zhen will have to wait a couple of days.”
Madam Fan looked at Concubine Fei’s ordinary face, which showed eagerness to please mixed with caution, and nodded slightly, asking Mo Zhuan to take the clothes.
Concubine Fei heaved a long sigh of relief and said: “I was afraid the First Madam would find my needlework lacking. I didn’t expect the First Madam to be so kind and generous to others.”
She’s just trying to curry favor.
Madam Fan couldn’t be bothered to say much more to Concubine Fei, waving her hand to dismiss her.