When Madam Yu heard that Madam Wu had brought a man to request an audience, she sensed trouble brewing and felt a dull throbbing at her temples. Unable to refuse the visit, she could only press her forehead and ask Matron Shu to receive Madam Wu in the main hall.

Concubine Wu’s brother-in-law waited at the entrance gate while Madam Wu proceeded to the hall.

After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Wu directly stated her purpose: “…I understand this puts you in a difficult position. But please consider Concubine Wu’s situation—she has a gentle and kind nature. She carried a son for eight months, only to lose him suddenly. If your son had shown her compassion, that would be one thing, but he barely glances at her, and when angered, he threatens to sell her to a brothel. As the saying goes, ‘A day as husband and wife creates a hundred days of affection.’ She has served your son for so many years, and such treatment seems far too heartless. How do you expect her to live the rest of her days? Madam, you are known for your compassion and belief in accruing virtue through good deeds. Why not release Concubine Wu to return home? This would preserve the goodwill between our families, and Concubine Wu would forever be grateful for your kindness.”

Madam Yu’s face alternated between red and pale. She knew Yu Jingxiu had wronged Concubine Wu, but allowing a concubine who had borne a child to return to her family was unprecedented in the Yu household. Two years ago, she would have refused without hesitation, but times had changed for the Yu family. Although her husband was still in the Grand Secretariat, he was increasingly excluded from many decisions. The Wu family, by contrast, was steadily rising, with Lord Wu recently appointed as Vice Minister of Personnel—a position that could eventually lead to the Grand Secretariat or Chancellor. In officialdom, it was said that one should not offend the rising younger generation. If her son’s career had been flourishing, she would have felt more confident, but in recent years, he could hardly be described as successful, let alone prosperous. Fortunes could reverse—who could say they would never need to seek favor from the Wu family…

With these thoughts flashing through her mind, Madam Yu could not bring herself to refuse.

She could only say, “I arranged for Concubine Wu to enter our family. During these years in the Yu household, she has been obedient, gentle, and kind—qualities I have always appreciated. We share a special connection, and I truly am reluctant to see her leave!”

Her words carried a hint of reminding Madam Wu of past events.

Madam Wu felt Madam Yu was exposing her shortcomings and felt displeased, though she couldn’t show it outwardly.

Broadly speaking, this matter could either sever the relationship between the two families or, on a smaller scale, reveal Yu Jingxiu’s harsh treatment of others—neither outcome is desirable for the Yu family. Her visit was merely a courtesy to inform them of the intention to take Concubine Wu away, but she knew such matters couldn’t be settled in just a few exchanges. Thus, her tone was somewhat perfunctory as she smiled and said, “This was unexpected by everyone. After returning home, I told my family that Concubine Wu’s suffering has finally come to an end…” She sighed deeply and shook her head regretfully.

Madam Yu’s expression darkened.

She forced a smile and said, “It seems that nothing in this world is truly within our control…” Her tone carried a sense of evasion that Madam Wu found contemptible. After half an incense stick’s time of bland conversation, Madam Wu rose to take her leave.

Concubine Wu’s brother-in-law had already heavily rewarded a passing servant woman to relay the news of Madam Wu’s visit to Concubine Wu. Now, seeing Madam Wu emerge, he immediately went forward to carefully accompany her back to the Shi Family Hutong.

Madam Wu invited Concubine Wu’s brother-in-law to stay for a meal, but he politely declined: “My wife will be accompanying my father-in-law to the capital in the next few days. I must depart now to meet them in Tongzhou.” He then asked Madam Wu, “Should we express our gratitude to Madam Zhao?”

Without Madam Wu’s introduction, he would never have been able to meet Madam Zhao.

“Let’s wait until everything is finalized!” Madam Wu inquired about various family matters, then had her attendant escort Concubine Wu’s brother-in-law out.

Two days later, Concubine Wu’s sister accompanied their father to pay respects to Lord Wu and Madam Wu, presenting Lord Wu with an “advancing step by step” inkstone and Madam Wu with a pair of ruby earrings. The young masters and mistresses of the Wu family also received gifts, totaling four or five hundred taels of silver.

Madam Wu was pleased with the respectful behavior of Concubine Wu’s family and became even more invested in Concubine Wu’s matter.

Fu Tingyun quickly received the news.

She smiled wryly and said to Ah-Sen, “I didn’t expect Madam Wu would eventually intervene in this matter.”

Ah-Sen was unsurprised and laughed, “That woman is probably scheming something again!”

“Oh?” Fu Tingyun noted his familiarity with the subject and smiled, “You seem to know Madam Wu quite well!”

“Of course,” Ah-Sen puffed out his chest and said, “I’ve seen many women like Madam Wu. Two-faced, extremely calculating, saying whatever suits her audience…”

Fu Tingyun laughed at his words and asked, “What has Madam Wu done to offend you?”

“I wouldn’t say she’s offended me, just that I don’t think much of her,” Ah-Sen said with a grimace.

Fu Tingyun laughed heartily, then noticed Pearl entering quietly with empty hands.

Her expression dimmed slightly.

In previous years, Zhao Ling’s family letter would have arrived by now, but this year, for some reason, there was still no news. She had sent Zheng San to inquire at the postal station and the Five Guards Commander’s office several times, but they reported no sign of Zhao Ling’s letter.

Could something have happened there?

She had heard that Guizhou had experienced over ten consecutive days of snow this year, resulting in many people freezing to death. How was he faring there?

She rested her chin in her hand, thinking of Zhao Ling.

Meanwhile, at the Yu family residence on Jiadao Street, the sound of a sharp slap rang out in the main chamber.

“You ungrateful son! How old are you to still behave like a child?” Madam Yu glared at her son, furious beyond measure. “What do you mean ‘If our family doesn’t release her, the Wu family can’t do anything about it’… Do you want to completely sever ties with the Wu family? If you hadn’t wronged Concubine Wu, would I be facing such humiliation now?” She continued, “If that child had been born safely, he would be five years old by now… Would I have to endure Madam Wu’s mockery pointed at my nose?” Seeing that Yu Jingxiu remained standing with lowered eyes, completely unmoved despite her words, Madam Yu felt a painful tightness in her chest. She couldn’t help but say, “Back then, I wanted you to marry Fu Tingyun, but you wouldn’t listen. Now she brings prosperity to both her husband and children, has become a Second Rank Lady by imperial decree, and has borne three sons and a daughter. Later, I arranged for you to take Concubine Wu, but you were unwilling. Not only did we lose a grandson, but you never even looked at Concubine Wu, resulting in her wanting to return home. Now Lord Wu has been appointed Vice Minister of Personnel…”

Madam Fan, who had come with Yu Jingxiu to pay respects to Madam Yu, turned paper-white in an instant.

The way her mother-in-law spoke implied that she, as a wife, had not only failed to help her husband advance but had hindered him!

Such a grave accusation was more than she could bear.

Seeing Yu Jingxiu remain silent, Madam Fan felt compelled to defend herself: “Mother-in-law, I truly did not cause Concubine Wu to lose her child… I merely passed by her…”

Before she could finish, she saw Madam Yu wave her hand wearily, signaling her to stop: “The truth of what happened doesn’t matter. What matters is what others say and think when they bring up this incident.”

In the end, she still didn’t believe her.

Madam Fan urgently called out “Mother-in-law” and tried to continue, but Madam Yu had already picked up her tea: “You may both leave now! I’m tired and need to rest.”

Madam Fan had no choice but to drop the subject and withdraw with the gloomy-faced Yu Jingxiu after paying their respects.

After they left, Madam Yu went to Grand Scholar Yu’s study.

Grand Scholar Yu was writing when his wife entered with a solemn expression. His face turned slightly blue as he held his brush, stunned for a long while before finally asking, “You want to let Concubine Wu go?”

On this matter, Grand Scholar Yu disagreed.

If they had released Concubine Wu during the family’s prosperous times, others would have praised their compassion. Now, it would only appear as a sign of weakness.

“There’s no point in dragging this out any longer,” Madam Yu said dejectedly. “A forced melon is never sweet.”

Grand Scholar Yu remained silent for a long time before giving an almost imperceptible nod.

Concubine Wu asked for nothing and left the Yu family empty-handed, accompanied only by Lian Xin.

Outside the gate, her father, sister, and brother-in-law waited for her in a carriage.

…

By the time Fu Tingyun learned of this, Concubine Wu’s family had already set a date for their journey home.

Yu Wei was happy for her and asked Fu Tingyun, “Do you think we should send them some parting gifts?”

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “We are acquaintances after all. Go on my behalf to see Concubine Wu off.” Then she exclaimed with a smile, covering her mouth, “Oh my! We can’t call her Concubine Wu anymore—she’s now Miss Wu!”

Yu Wei also smiled, her eyes curving into crescents with a delicate beauty.

Fu Tingyun felt a twinge of sorrow and asked her, “Look, Miss Wu has escaped her cage. What are your plans?”

Yu Wei pretended not to understand and laughed, “How can the Yu family compare to our family? How can Miss Wu compare to me? I’m second only to one person here and above everyone else. I don’t want to go anywhere—I’ll just stay right here.”

Fu Tingyun sighed inwardly.

Cui’er entered with a smile: “Madam, Concubine Wu has come to bid you farewell. Would you like to see her?”

“Speak of the devil,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “Please invite her to the hall.”

Cui’er led in the former Concubine Wu, now Miss Wu.

She wore a brand-new light green Hangzhou silk padded jacket, her smile still as respectful and gentle as before.

Before Fu Tingyun could speak, she suddenly stepped forward and attempted to kneel to kowtow to Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly pulled her up: “What are you doing?”

“I want to thank you, Madam!” Miss Wu’s eyes reddened as she spoke, insisting on kneeling regardless of propriety. “Without you, I wouldn’t have today.”

“I hardly did anything to help you,” Fu Tingyun said, holding her arm and guiding her to the armchair. “It was your family who made the greatest effort.”

Miss Wu nodded and said, “I’ll have the opportunity to repay their kindness. But I’ll never have the chance to repay your kindness…”

Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed and didn’t argue with her, instead gently advising, “Forget about the past as if it were just a dream. Start anew when you return home.”

“Start anew?” This simple phrase of comfort caused Miss Wu’s expression to change. She gripped Fu Tingyun’s hand tightly, as if seeking help, and asked, “Do you think I… I can start anew?” Her gaze was full of hope and anxiety.

Fu Tingyun understood her concerns.

But if she gave up on herself, she would never be able to start anew.

Fu Tingyun nodded firmly and smiled encouragingly, “As long as you don’t give up on yourself, you can start anew!”

Miss Wu’s eyes welled with tears that fell in large drops: “You… you are a good person… You don’t even know what I’ve done… How could I possibly deserve to start anew…” As she spoke, she collapsed in tears at Fu Tingyun’s feet.