Why had they suddenly started talking about that person?

Yu Jingxiu’s expression changed slightly.

Madam Fan, holding the child, also looked nervously at her father-in-law.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew somber.

Madam Yu quickly smiled and said, “That’s their family business. We should only concern ourselves with our affairs.” She then asked about Yu Jingxiu’s recent plans: “…How many days can you stay at home?”

Grateful for the change of subject, Yu Jingxiu immediately smiled and said, “That depends on the Censorate’s arrangements. I might have to go out again in a few days.”

As they were speaking, a maidservant entered to report: “Young Master, there’s a Master Hu outside who says he knows you from Shandong and has come specifically to visit you.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on Yu Jingxiu, and Madam Yu exclaimed, “At this hour, who would be looking for you?”

Yu Jingxiu also wore a puzzled expression as he contemplated, “Surname Hu…” Then he asked the maidservant, “Did he leave a calling card?”

The maidservant shook her head: “No.” She added, “The message from outside said that Master Hu claimed one would know who he was just by hearing his name, so no calling card was necessary.”

For someone to enter without a calling card and have the gatekeepers relay his message suggested this person was not ordinary.

Yu Jingxiu thought for a moment, then cupped his hands to Grand Secretary Yu and said, “Father, I’ll go see.” After paying respects to his mother, he left the hall.

Madam Yu then told Madam Fan to return to her quarters and rest.

Madam Fan smiled, carrying little Miss Zhen as she bid farewell to her grandparents.

Grand Secretary Yu merely nodded with a smile, while Madam Yu stroked little Miss Zhen’s sparse, yellowish hair.

Madam Fan lowered her gaze.

Father-in-law… didn’t seem to like Miss Zhen very much…

Thinking of this, her steps unconsciously slowed, and she overheard Madam Yu speaking to Grand Secretary Yu: “You too—our son has finally returned for a visit, why bring up Zhao Ling?”

“Go ahead and help him hide from reality!” Grand Secretary Yu was quite displeased. “With Zhao Ling’s aggressive rise, they’ll inevitably clash one day. If we don’t carefully study Zhao Ling now, by the time he gains power and stands over Depuo’s shoulders, even if Depuo wishes to, he probably won’t be able to investigate who this Zhao Ling is.” Then he instructed Madam Yu, “Now that he’s back, tell him to come to my study. I have something to discuss with him.”

Madam Yu responded with an “Mm.”

Madam Fan’s steps faltered.

How could Madam Fu’s husband Zhao Ling be so formidable?

Or was her father-in-law being overly cautious and preparing for future problems?

She felt a hint of hesitation.

Madam Yu’s voice reached her ears again: “Madam Fu, is she, as you say, helping court officials establish connections?” She still seemed somewhat doubtful.

“The way Depuo treated her, yet she still managed to come out unscathed—she’s no ordinary woman.” Grand Secretary Yu gave a cold “hmph,” his tone revealing some impatience as he continued, “When you have time, go out with Depuo’s wife occasionally. Being constantly cooped up at home has left her without any sense of proper conduct, behaving in such a provincial manner…”

Madam Fan trembled with anger, unable to listen further. She stumbled out of the main courtyard with uneven steps, tears flowing uncontrollably.

Waiting outside, Mo Zhuan knew nothing of what had transpired inside. Seeing Madam Fan’s state, she was greatly alarmed. She motioned for the maidservants surrounding Madam Fan to step back, took out a handkerchief to wipe Madam Fan’s face, and hurriedly whispered, “Madam, be careful—someone might see!”

“Let them see!” Never had she suffered such humiliation. For the first time in her life, someone had called her “provincial,” something she’d never dreamed anyone would think of her, let alone her father-in-law. Madam Fan sobbed quietly, “When he said those things, Mother Shu was still in the room… The household staff will know sooner or later. I’ve already lost face, so what does it matter if anyone sees?”

These words were disjointed, and Mo Zhuan thought Madam Fan had quarreled with Yu Jingxiu. She quickly advised, “The young master has just returned, and you fear he might visit the concubines—though he doesn’t pay much attention to either concubine, if he doesn’t rest in your chamber on his first night back, those tactless people will surely gossip…”

“It has nothing to do with the young master!” Madam Fan grabbed Mo Zhuan’s handkerchief and stopped crying.

A thought suddenly occurred to her: If Yu Jingxiu knew that Madam Fu was helping those court officials establish connections, what would he think?

Would he think Madam Fu was immodest? Or would he… regret his actions?

At this thought, she couldn’t help but shudder, hurriedly suppressing the idea.

She couldn’t let her husband know!

Even if her husband remained unmoved, the intentions of her parents-in-law were already very clear. There was no guarantee her husband wouldn’t be influenced by them…

Madam Fan bit her lip as she returned to her room.

When Yu Jingxiu returned, she hastily asked him, “What did Father-in-law say to you?”

“Nothing much,” Yu Jingxiu replied. “He just asked about Shandong. He was pleased to learn of my good relationship with Lord Jiang.” Then he called for Mo Zhuan, “Bring water so I can wash up!”

Mo Zhuan responded and left.

Yu Jingxiu sat there, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

Madam Fan immediately tensed.

Something wasn’t right… her husband’s demeanor seemed off… They were a loving couple, separated for so long—they should be affectionate with each other… Why did her husband look so worried? Father-in-law must have said something to him…

Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists. She sat down beside Yu Jingxiu with a bright smile and said softly, “Husband, what are you thinking about?”

“Oh!” Yu Jingxiu snapped back to reality and said, “Nothing!” Then he smiled at Madam Fan and asked, “Has little Miss Zhen gone to bed?”

Madam Fan’s grip tightened further.

What was it he couldn’t tell her?

Judging by his tone, so casual and distant, he was just placating her!

But remembering Mo Zhuan’s words, she still smiled and replied, “She’s already asleep,” though inside she felt extremely aggrieved, with tears uncontrollably rolling down her cheeks.

“Why are you crying?” Yu Jingxiu asked anxiously. “What’s wrong? Did Mother say something again? Please don’t cry!” He wiped her face with a handkerchief.

“I asked what Father-in-law discussed with you, but you wouldn’t tell me…” Madam Fan took the handkerchief and sobbed, “Just two or three months apart, and you’re too lazy to even talk to me… I’ve been alone at home taking care of Miss Zhen… just waiting for your return…”

Yu Jingxiu quickly embraced her: “I understand, I understand. Truly, it was nothing. Remember the embezzlement case I investigated in Shandong? That man surnamed Hu came about that matter. His cousin is somehow involved… Father only reminded me that ‘law should not disregard human sentiment,’ telling me not to rigidly offend everyone as long as the main culprits confess their crimes… That’s what I think too. I was just contemplating Father’s words.”

Was that the case?

A trace of suspicion flashed through Madam Fan’s mind.

Her husband was accustomed to putting on a brave face for her…

“Ah!” Yu Jingxiu looked at her and smiled, “Why are you so paranoid?”

It wasn’t that she was paranoid—it was that her parents-in-law looked down on her, constantly comparing her to Madam Fu.

Madam Fan couldn’t help but ask, “Then, did Father-in-law mention anything about Zhao Ling?”

Yu Jingxiu was startled.

Since their marriage, this was the first time they had ever discussed topics from the past…

His face darkened somewhat as he asked soberly, “You already know?”

Only then did Madam Fan realize her slip of the tongue.

She inwardly cried “Oh no!” while observing Yu Jingxiu’s expression and softly said, “I just heard Father-in-law mention it…”

Hearing this, Yu Jingxiu forced a smile.

Madam Fan could only try to remedy the situation by adding, “He said to be careful of Zhao Ling…”

“I understand!” Yu Jingxiu seemed somewhat embarrassed.

After all, the whole affair had been for Madam Fan’s sake… yet now, she didn’t seem particularly grateful or moved…

Like someone expecting praise only to discover that everyone already knew and thought nothing of it, he suddenly felt deflated. He rose dispiritedly and called loudly for Mo Zhuan: “Why does it take so long to bring some water?”

Looking at her husband, who seemed to be avoiding her, Madam Fan felt bewildered.

Did he know about Madam Fu’s activities or not?

At this moment, Fu Tingyun was sitting under the lamplight, head bowed as she calculated accounts with Yu Wei.

“…After selling all the silverware that the Ninth Master brought back, we have over ten thousand taels of silver. Not only can we buy a small villa on Yuming Mountain, but we also have money for renovations.” She muttered, “Tomorrow, invite Manager Ye over. He’s been making quite a name for himself in the capital these past two years and knows many people. Mention buying a villa to him—perhaps he knows some connections… And then there’s Seventh Brother-in-law, who failed the imperial examinations today but doesn’t seem concerned. He spends his days galloping around Zhangtai—perhaps we should find him something to do…”

As they were speaking, someone knocked on the door.

Fu Tingyun didn’t look up—with Yu Wei present, someone would attend to it.

A shadow flickered as Yu Wei went to lift the curtain.

Yet after a while, there was no response.

Fu Tingyun looked up in surprise.

In the dim lamplight, a tall man stood silently beside Yu Wei.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled, his eyes full of mischief.

“Ninth Master!” Fu Tingyun jumped up, surprised and delighted, moving swiftly to get off the kang bed.

Zhao Ling stepped forward, laughing heartily as he lifted her.

“Ninth Master, Ninth Master!” Fu Tingyun chirped happily like a little bird, giggling as she opened her arms to embrace his neck.

Zhao Ling promptly gathered her into his arms and pressed her onto the kang.

“You, what are you doing?” Looking at the burning intensity in her husband’s eyes, Fu Tingyun blushed, her body immediately softening, yet she couldn’t help but ask pretentiously, while nervously glancing toward the door.

Yu Wei had already left the inner chamber at some point and had thoughtfully closed the door.

Everyone would surely know what they were doing…

Fu Tingyun’s face burned hot.

A coolness beneath her… Zhao Ling had lifted her robe… standing at the edge of the kang, he entered her body…

She was embarrassed and could only turn her face away.

The full, swollen sensation inside her body made her feel numb all over, melting into softness… Her chest felt both anxious and constricted, involuntarily letting out a moan… Immediately realizing he had returned at this hour, likely alarming everyone in the household, with people possibly waiting outside, she quickly swallowed her moans… Yet that man still bit her ear and asked, “Did you miss me?”

Fu Tingyun dared not make a sound.

He thrust into her fiercely… moans escaped uncontrollably from her lips.

“Say it,” Zhao Ling bit her ear, feigning fierceness, “Did you miss me?”

This man… if she didn’t respond, she probably wouldn’t escape this ordeal…

Besides, she truly did miss him!

Although “miss” had different meanings in this context, Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling and softly said, “Yes.”

In the lamplight, her eyes shimmered like spring water, bewitchingly alluring.

Zhao Ling held her tightly, calling her “darling” with deep affection, while his movements grew increasingly wild.