April was the best weather in the capital.

After a rainfall, the sky was crystal clear. Spring flowers bloomed in succession, with lush vegetation everywhere and a riot of colors.

However, Yu Huai’an’s mood was as gloomy as a wall corner after rain.

Yu Jingxiu had moved out two months ago and had just sent his servant Chengxin with a pile of bills for him to pay.

If he paid them, he would be merely a money manager without the matching token of the master or mistress. Once this money was disbursed, it wouldn’t balance out when accounts were settled—who would be responsible?

If he didn’t pay, the Yu family would eventually belong to Yu Jingxiu sooner or later. Unlike Madam Shu, who as a woman could live well even with just two acres of land, he was a man, and a man could not go a day without power. Without the title of Yu Mansion’s steward, who would take him seriously?

He sat there for a long time, unable to make a decision.

Yu Huai’an’s servant was also caught in a dilemma.

The steward hadn’t spoken about what to do, so he could only wait there. Meanwhile, Chengxin was complaining that his master was waiting for him to bring newly baked pea pastries from the Jinlan Zhai tea shop.

After much consideration, the servant thought that the steward Yu, after all, was in a position of authority with many responsibilities. At worst, displeasing him would result in a scolding or a reassignment to a less desirable post. But offending Chengxin would mean constant trouble, as he would find any excuse to make life difficult.

He closed his eyes and urged Yu Huai’an: “Chief Steward, you need to decide on this matter. In the future, this kind of situation might occur every few days…”

The servant’s words reminded Yu Huai’an.

Indeed.

As long as Yu Jingxiu didn’t move back, he would come asking for money every day. He might block it this time, but not the next… After a while, the situation would become unclear.

He stood up abruptly and said, “Keep Chengxin waiting. I’ll go see the Madam.”

Finally having an answer, the servant was relieved and ran to the flower hall.

After hearing Yu Huai’an’s purpose, Madam Yu glanced at him coldly: “Since when did you become Yu Jingxiu’s manager?”

Sweat beaded on Yu Huai’an’s forehead as he quickly bowed and said, “This humble one knows what to do now.”

Madam Yu gave a light “hmm” and picked up her tea.

Yu Huai’an returned to the accounting room, drenched in sweat, and sent his servant to deliver a message to Chengxin: “The Yu family accounting room has always recognized tokens, not people. Tell him to bring the matching token to report expenses.”

The servant, knowing that Yu Huai’an had just returned from seeing Madam Yu, fearlessly went to deliver the message.

When Chengxin heard this, he was furious: “Isn’t the young master busy? Otherwise, why would he send me back to report expenses?”

The servant wasn’t intimidated and smiled: “Brother Chengxin, that’s an interesting statement. How would we know whether you want to report expenses or the young master wants to? Brother Chengxin is an old hand in the mansion; please bring the token to speak.”

Chengxin was so choked with anger that he couldn’t speak for a long time. When he saw Yu Jingxiu, he naturally exaggerated the situation.

Yu Jingxiu was so angry that his face turned purple.

Min Shi, however, consoled him from the side: “It’s all my fault, causing the young master to suffer such anger. It’s just some tonics. As I said before, food supplements are better than medicinal ones. In the future, we’ll just pay more attention to a daily diet.” After speaking, she took Yu Jingxiu’s hand with a smile and placed it on her still-flat abdomen. “I feel like he’s grown a little bigger!”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and embraced Min Shi, momentarily forgetting his anger toward Yu Huai’an.

Taking advantage of Yu Jingxiu’s afternoon rest, Min Shi called the wet nurse in, opened a box, and took out a gold hairpin, asking the wet nurse to pawn it. She also instructed: “I’m afraid people might see, which is why I called you into the room. You must not breathe a word of this to the young master. If asked, just say that there were some savings from before.”

Yu Jingxiu was dozing off drowsily but was immediately awakened when someone entered. He heard Min Shi’s words crystal clear.

His heart immediately ached.

If only he could establish his household.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he thought of the Marquis of Xiping…

…

Meanwhile, Concubine Fei was speaking softly to Madam Yu: “…As you instructed, I tactfully told Min Shi—as long as she gives birth to a son, for the sake of the grandson’s status, Madam would take her back.” At this point, her tone paused slightly.

Madam Yu looked somewhat impatient and said, “Does she have something to say about it?”

“Not really,” Concubine Fei quickly smiled. “But I think Min Shi is a clever person. When I said this, although she just listened quietly, it didn’t seem like she took it to heart.” As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Madam Yu and stammered, “But her wet nurse, when seeing me out, was hinting at something. She said that even though their family has fallen on hard times, they once lived in luxury and are familiar with the schemes of grand households. For every Zhang Liang’s plan, there’s a ladder over the wall. It all depends on whose methods are more sophisticated.”

Madam Yu flew into a rage, but before she could speak, Madam Shu came in to report: “The first young mistress has arrived!”

Concubine Fei quickly lowered her eyes and retreated to the side.

When Madam Fan entered, she immediately spotted her. Her already pale face became even paler.

She respectfully bowed to Madam Yu and said softly: “These past few days, young lady Zhen’s health has been poor again. The imperial physician said it’s due to climate change. I thought of our hometown in Nanjing. The spring and autumn seasons are longer, while winter and summer are shorter. If young lady Zhen were in Nanjing, illnesses caused by climate would likely be fewer…” Her eyes reddened as she spoke. “Mother, I want to take young lady Zhen back to Nanjing for some time. When she’s older and stronger, we’ll return to the capital to be at your side.”

“Very well!” Madam Yu said with a half-smile. “If you feel that Nanjing’s climate still isn’t suitable for young lady Zhen’s recovery, why not take her back to the Fan family? You were in good health when you were with the Fan family, but after marrying into our family, your health has deteriorated. The Fan family’s feng shui is nurturing. A daughter takes after her mother; perhaps young lady Zhen also takes after you. Once at the Fan family, all her ailments might disappear.”

“Mother!” Madam Fan looked at Madam Yu, her face showing undisguised surprise and shock.

Madam Yu didn’t even bother to pick up her tea and directly instructed Madam Shu: “Escort the young mistress back! If the young mistress wants to return to Nanjing, most of the people in our household have followed me to the capital, and there’s no one to take care of the old mansion. So, directly send the young mistress and young lady Zhen to stay at the Fan family for some time! When Depu has time, he can go to fetch her.”

Madam Shu was also angry that Madam Fan didn’t know her place.

At this moment, when Madam Yu was shielding the young master from the front, not only was she not aligned with Madam Yu, but she also wanted to return to Nanjing, distancing herself!

Therefore, she also lost her former respect for Madam Fan and forcefully pulled her arm: “Young mistress, let me escort you back!”

Madam Fan hadn’t expected Madam Shu to treat her like this and momentarily couldn’t react. She became somewhat dazed, and her movements were inevitably slow.

A young maid rushed in with a panicked expression: “Madam, Madam, please come quickly! The master suddenly fainted in his study. Steward Yu asked me to inform you that he has already sent someone to fetch the doctor.”

“What!” Madam Yu was startled and alarmed. No longer concerned about Madam Fan, she got off the kang, slipped on her shoes, and ran toward Elder Yu’s study.

Madam Shu, without a second thought, released Madam Fan and followed.

Concubine Fei glanced at Madam Fan and quickly followed Madam Shu out.

The maids and old women, needless to say, all rushed towards Elder Yu’s study.

In the spacious room, only Madam Fan remained in an instant.

Mobian walked in, her expression showing some hesitation: “First, young mistress, should we go and see?”

Madam Fan thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go see.” If she attended to her father-in-law alongside her mother-in-law, it would be difficult for her mother-in-law to bring up sending her back to the Fan family again.

Mobian nodded and supported Madam Fan as they went to Elder Yu’s study.

Because they knew female family members like Madam Yu would come, some of Elder Yu’s guests and advisors had already withdrawn. Only young boys or maids, no more than three feet tall, were left around the study to serve.

By the time Madam Fan arrived, the imperial physician had already arrived and was speaking with Madam Yu: “…Don’t move Elder Yu. This is a case of anger attacking the heart. I’ll administer a few acupuncture needles. As his heart gradually calms down, he will regain consciousness.”

Madam Yu repeatedly expressed her gratitude and retreated with the other women to the adjoining room. Along the way, she grabbed Steward Yu and asked him what had happened.

Yu Huai’an’s gaze flickered, and his tone was ambiguous: “Mr. Hu came to see the master, saying that the young master had gotten into some kind of legal trouble. Upon hearing this, the master fainted. I was so frightened that I immediately went to fetch a doctor and didn’t have time to ask Mr. Hu what the matter was.”

Mr. Hu was Elder Yu’s advisor.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu’s heart pounded wildly, and her face instantly turned pale. She hurriedly said, “Quick, invite Mr. Hu over!”

Yu Huai’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to invite Mr. Hu over.

Before Mr. Hu could steady himself, Madam Yu urgently asked, “What happened to Depu?”

Mr. Hu looked at Madam Yu with some hesitation.

Madam Yu grew anxious and said, “Now that the master is unconscious, and you all are keeping things from me, if anything happens to Depu, how am I supposed to live?” Her eyes reddened, and tears welled up.

Only then did Mr. Hu carefully say, “Someone surnamed Guo, who was once a county assistant magistrate, has accused the young master of ‘killing a husband to take his wife’…”

“Killing a husband to take his wife?” Madam Yu was dumbfounded. “How is this possible? If Depu were lustful, he would have had numerous wives and concubines long ago, and I would have had many grandchildren. Could there be a mistake? Or did Depu offend someone, and they deliberately smeared him…” Madam Yu’s spirits lifted as she said loudly, “That must be it. Depu has been a censor for several years and has handled several major cases. Offending people is unavoidable. It must be them seeking revenge…”

Mr. Hu’s gaze towards Madam Yu flashed with a hint of pity.

Concubine Fei saw it clearly, and her head buzzed, taking a long time to recover. By the time she came to her senses, chaos had erupted around her.

Madam Shu, Yu Huai’an, and others were calling “Madam” as they circled the unconscious Madam Yu. Mobian and others surrounded the collapsed Madam Fan, calling “Young Mistress.” Some quick-witted maids were eagerly saying, “I’ll go fetch the imperial physician.”

Her gaze bypassed all this chaotic scene and fell directly on Mr. Hu, who was standing there shaking his head with a look of helplessness.

Concubine Fei pondered briefly, then quietly approached Mr. Hu’s side.

“Mr. Hu,” she respectfully bowed to him, “I am the young master’s concubine, Fei. Is there still room for maneuver in the young master’s situation?”