Madam Yu was reluctant to listen to her, but Concubine Fei continued without waiting for Madam Yu’s acknowledgment: “They eat at the same table and rest in the same room. I never expected the Young Madam to be so oblivious. But since things have come to this point, we can only look on the bright side. The Young Master is already past thirty, yet has only Pearl as his child. It’s rare that the Young Master has taken Miss Min to heart. If Miss Min could bear a child or two for the Yu family, it would not only be Miss Min’s good fortune but also the Young Master’s blessing, and Madam’s…”

“Nonsense!” Before Concubine Fei could finish, Madam Zhou shouted, cutting her off. “Miss Min is still in mourning. Is this also the Young Master’s blessing?”

Concubine Fei trembled at the shout and stammered: “Miss Min comes from an official family and must have read the ‘Women’s Precepts’ and ‘Biographies of Exemplary Women.’ She should know which matters are appropriate to help with and which are not…”

“Get out!” Madam Yu could no longer contain herself and berated her harshly.

Concubine Fei scrambled away from Madam Yu’s inner chamber in fear.

Madam Yu’s chest heaved, her face frighteningly pale.

Matron Shu felt her heart sink and hurried forward to comfort Madam Yu: “Don’t be upset, be careful not to harm your health. When the Young Master returns, we’ll summon him and ask. The Young Master is not someone who doesn’t know what’s important…”

“Don’t make excuses for him,” Madam Yu directed her temper at Matron Shu. “I know my son—he’s like dog meat, unfit for a formal table. He doesn’t focus on his official career but busies himself with these personal affairs every day. Now I finally understand: even though he topped the imperial examination, he’s still useless. You serve by my side, yet instead of helping me discipline him, such an oversight has occurred, and you’re like those sycophants, helping him put up a façade…”

Matron Shu knew she was suffering the consequences of Yu Jingxiu’s actions, but under Madam Yu’s fury, she dared not offer a single word in her defense. She quickly knelt before Madam Yu, continuously kowtowing: “Please calm down, Madam. It’s all this servant’s fault!”

Seeing Matron Shu’s forehead turn red, Madam Yu’s anger subsided somewhat.

She spoke coldly: “You may rise. I am well aware of what kind of people are in this household!”

Matron Shu murmured “Yes” and stood up cautiously.

Madam Yu then instructed Matron Shu: “Have them prepare the carriage. I’m going to Needle Craftsman Alley.”

“Madam, you mustn’t.” Even knowing Madam Yu was angry, Matron Shu, who was deeply loyal to her, blurted out these words of caution. “If you appear in person and the situation can’t be resolved, what then?”

“If I don’t step forward, who will?” Madam Yu coldly looked at Matron Shu. “Give me a suggestion—who should go instead?”

The words “Young Madam” froze on the tip of her tongue.

If she had been more aware, she should have noticed Yu Jingxiu’s impropriety long ago. How could it have reached the point where the mother-in-law had to tell her?

Matron Shu could only lower her head.

“You can’t think of a suitable person either, can you?” Madam Yu snorted, a bitter smile appearing on her face. “One mistake leads to another.” She muttered to herself, “I should have been firm back then and refused this marriage no matter what… It’s too late for regrets now!”

Matron Shu was at a loss.

A young maid tremblingly reported from behind the curtain: “Madam, the Young Master has returned!”

Madam Yu’s gaze focused, and she said firmly: “Have him come in.”

The young maid respectfully complied, lifted the curtain, and showed Yu Jingxiu into the inner chamber.

Yu Jingxiu entered with a smile in his eyes, looking vibrant.

“Mother,” he smiled and bowed to Madam Yu. Seeing her stern face, he sat down beside her with a smile, put his arm around her shoulders, and said, “What’s the matter? Did Father upset you? Don’t worry, you still have me!” As he spoke, he patted his chest jokingly. “Your son is the top imperial scholar!”

The words of rebuke that had reached Madam Yu’s lips were swallowed back.

How long had it been since her son had been this light-hearted? How long since he had joked with her like this? How long since he had looked so radiant?

Madam Yu’s heart softened, and her voice suddenly became gentler than even she had expected: “Do you think your father is like you? Always giving me grief! Just mind your affairs, and I’ll thank Buddha if you spare me some worry!”

Yu Jingxiu’s expression immediately became somewhat sheepish. He looked at Madam Yu, wanting to speak but hesitating, just like when he was a child who had done something wrong and wanted his mother’s protection while fearing her punishment.

Madam Yu’s eyes moistened slightly.

What did children understand? Looking at where things stood today, ultimately, the adults bore responsibility too—if they had firmly refused to let him marry Madam Fan, would he have forced the marriage?

Concubine Fei’s words suddenly came to Madam Yu’s mind.

“Since things have come to this point, we can only look on the bright side…”

She couldn’t help but sigh deeply and gently stroked her son’s head, just as she had when he was little.

Yu Jingxiu, feeling guilty, was startled and smiled awkwardly: “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Madam Yu felt even more sorrowful.

If her son had married a proper wife, he would naturally discuss such matters with his wife. How would he be so anxious over one word from her?

“Nothing, nothing,” Madam Yu looked at Yu Jingxiu with loving eyes and said gently. “I’m just worried about you. You’ve been a censor before; be careful, someone might harbor a grudge and look for faults. Both publicly and privately, you should be more cautious. A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole. You’re an educated man; I won’t say more. You must have your judgment in everything.”

“Mother, don’t worry,” Yu Jingxiu smiled, though his gaze was somewhat evasive. “I know what I’m doing.”

“That’s good,” Madam Yu didn’t expose him and smiled. “It’s getting late. Go and rest now! You have duties at the ministry tomorrow!”

Having completed his one-year term, Yu Jingxiu had been reassigned as a censor of Jiangxi province.

Yu Jingxiu smiled, chatted casually with his mother for a few moments, then rose to take his leave.

After escorting Yu Jingxiu back, Matron Shu looked at Madam Yu questioningly.

Madam Yu thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: “Go and summon Concubine Fei.”

Matron Shu was horrified.

Madam Yu laughed: “What are you afraid of? I understand clearly now!”

Matron Shu’s expression still showed some hesitation.

Madam Yu spoke directly: “Although Miss Min comes from an official family, the fact that she maintains such close contact with Depu during her mourning period shows she’s not a proper person. I fear she might be calculating while Depu is not. If she ends up pregnant or something, that would be troublesome. We need to send someone to admonish her.”

“As you said, if I appear in person, representing the Yu family and as Depu’s elder, that would have a different meaning. If the conversation goes well, that’s fine, but if it doesn’t, those without shame might make us lose face.”

“I understand Concubine Fei’s calculations all too well,” Madam Yu continued, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes. “No matter how inadequate Depu is, he has read the classics and knows the distinction between wife and concubine. No matter how poor Madam Fan is, she is the wife he chose himself, and he will always regard her more highly. Only when there’s a rift between Madam Fan and Depu do these concubines have a chance… That’s why she subtly disparages Madam Fan, that’s why she covers for Depu… First drive a wedge between Madam Fan and Depu.”

Matron Shu suddenly understood.

“Madam is so insightful,” she looked at Madam Yu with admiration. “Sending her is most appropriate.”

Madam Yu smiled slightly: “I’ve given her an opportunity. Whether she can grasp it depends on her fortune.”

“Madam is kind-hearted,” Matron Shu quickly smiled and said. “Concubine Fei is a clever person and will surely appreciate your good intentions.” Then she added, “I’ll go summon Concubine Fei right away.”

Madam Yu nodded.

Matron Shu went to fetch Concubine Fei.

Madam Yu sat quietly alone on the large kang bed by the window. As if having removed a mask, the composure and ease were gone from her eyes and brow, replaced by anxiety.

Would bypassing Madam Fan and disrupting the proper order between wife and concubine make things spiral out of control?

But if they continued to grind along with Madam Fan, Depu was getting older each year. What if he truly never had a son?

The thought passed, and a look of determination flashed across Madam Yu’s face.

Didn’t this household still have her and her husband?

No matter how formidable Concubine Fei was, she was just a concubine.

Once a concubine, always a concubine.

Could she possibly overturn heaven?

With these thoughts, Madam Yu’s heart settled somewhat. She let out a gentle sigh and picked up her teacup.

Meanwhile, in Shi Family Alley, which stood opposite Jiadao Street, there was an atmosphere of joy.

Yang Yucheng’s wife, Madam Zhang, looked at the infant gripping her finger tightly and turned back happily: “Sister-in-law, look at Hanzi’s strength! Even a one-year-old child couldn’t match it!”

The third son, Zhao Han, was born on the ninth day of the first lunar month. The day after tomorrow would mark his one-hundredth day, and relatives and friends had come to see him.

Fu Tingyun smiled and nodded: “The birth was smooth, and he was born robust.”

Jin Yuanbao’s wife, Madam Shi, who was also examining the child nearby, smiled and said: “I think young Master Han’s features resemble Lord Zhao’s more.”

Madam Shi’s cousin, Madam Chen née Shi, who sat beside Fu Tingyun, smiled as she craned her neck to look at young Master Han, then turned back to look at Fu Tingyun and said: “I also think he resembles Lord Zhao more.”

Just then, Youyou, under the watchful eye of Nanny Tong, brought in brown sugar water and politely addressed them as “Madam” and “Mistress,” inviting them to drink.

“Good girl, Youyou!” Madam Mo, sitting at the end of the kang and closest to Youyou, immediately stood up to take the sugar water. She smiled and praised Youyou: “It’s been only two or three months since I last saw you, and our Youyou has become even more sensible than before.”

“Thank you for your praise, Madam Mo,” Youyou thanked Madam Mo happily, appearing very gracious.

Nanny Tong looked somewhat nervous and hurriedly explained: “The Young Miss said that with a new brother, she wants to help the Madam take care of him and also help the Madam attend to guests.”

Everyone praised Youyou for being sensible.

Fu Tingyun also found it touching and looked at her daughter with adoration.

Madam Qin then said: “Youyou is eight years old now, isn’t she?”

Fu Tingyun smiled and nodded, saying: “She was born in the year of Ji-Hai.”

Madam Mo’s eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled: “In a couple of years, it will be time to discuss her marriage.”

This topic had been raised by Madam Qin, and it was somewhat improper for Madam Mo to mention these matters in front of Youyou. She lightly coughed and smiled: “The Commander-in-Chief of Yunnan and Guizhou is evaluated every three years. Lord Zhao should return to the capital to report next year, right? Won’t he miss seeing young Master Han?”

“All our families are like this,” Fu Tingyun smiled as she exchanged pleasantries with her.

Madam Mo’s expression showed a slight embarrassment.

The Third Sister, however, tensed visibly.