Just as Yun Chu had expected.

The next day she heard that Lord Yu had bitterly scolded Xie Jingyu at the palace gates and transferred all the official documents that Xie Jingyu had been responsible for to Lord Yuan.

Although Xie Jingyu had the Yun family as backing, he hadn’t smoothly advanced to upper fifth rank. Plus, the Xie family had recently made frequent blunders and offended Marquis Xuanwu. Many people at court were waiting to see an even bigger joke. But Xie Jingyu was also a person of resilient character. Even when mocked by others, he still went to court early and had never taken a single day off.

The Xie Jingyu in public showed no abnormalities. Only the young servant in his study knew how many teacups he had smashed.

“Father, this might be a good thing.” Xie Shi’an picked up the fragments on the floor, his tone calm. “These past five years, the Xie family has been too prominent. The top scholar rode through the streets on horseback, then immediately married a first-rank general’s legitimate daughter. In just five years, promoted two ranks—those who advance in office so quickly in this dynasty can be counted on one hand. How many people are jealous of Father? Now that Father has been relieved of his official duties, it can be considered giving those people what they wished for. Father can properly rest for a period of time.”

Xie Jingyu’s expression was dark. “Marquis Xuanwu has no intention of letting the Xie family off.”

“There’s another reason—the Yun family hasn’t taken a stance.” Xie Shi’an continued. “As long as someone from the Yun family is willing to stand with Father, Marquis Xuanwu, wary of consequences, naturally won’t dare incite court officials to isolate Father.”

Xie Jingyu drained the tea on the table in one gulp.

He had already had Yun Chu go personally to Marquis Xuanwu’s residence. Should he have Yun Chu go beg Lady Yun to go to Marquis Xuanwu’s residence to mediate?

“Having the Yun family come forward is unnecessary.” Xie Shi’an spoke. “Father, I still say the same thing—misfortune is where fortune depends. Since things have already reached this point, go with the flow, restrain your edge, lie low and prepare, waiting for the next opportunity.”

Xie Jingyu knew this was currently the only path he could take.

Leaving the study, Xie Shi’an sighed.

When all was said and done, it was still because the marital affection between Father and Mother was too thin. Otherwise, Mother would definitely take the initiative to resolve Father’s current predicament.

He had just reached his own courtyard gate when He Shi emerged from the side, her face full of worry. “Brother An, your brother hasn’t sent any news back since going to the estate. Can you beg your father to allow me to go to the estate to care for him for a few days?”

“Concubine Mother, if you want to go, you can go anytime, but you must remember—if you go, you might never be able to return to the Xie residence.” Xie Shi’an said coldly. “What I mean is, leaving would be good for all of us. Concubine Mother, why not find an excuse to stay at the estate permanently?”

He Shi instinctively objected. “You and Sister Ping are still at the Xie family. How could I possibly leave? If I left, what if something happened to you and Sister Ping like it did to Brother Wei…”

“If you’re unwilling to leave the Xie family, then properly fulfill your role as concubine.” Xie Shi’an said somewhat wearily. “Father’s official career has been obstructed. Don’t go vexing Father’s heart anymore.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and entered his own room.

He Shi bit her lower lip.

After becoming a concubine, she didn’t even have the freedom to leave the residence. Madam truly had such schemes.

Fortunately, there was a young nun at the temple willing to do things for her. Otherwise, she’d have no way to sell those embroidered screens and handkerchiefs she made.

Yun Chu sat on the daybed. Tingshuang stood beside her reporting. “These past few days, Marquis Xuanwu hasn’t attended court and there’s been no activity.”

She had seen with her own eyes—the Marquis received a slap from Madam, and that face immediately swelled. Anyone else would probably not let this matter rest.

The Marquis suppressing the Xie family wasn’t a concern. She just worried that Madam would be found trouble with.

Yun Chu drank her tea.

She worked hard to recall her previous life. Right up until her death, she’d had no interaction with Marquis Xuanwu.

Who would have thought Marquis Xuanwu actually harbored such dark thoughts about her? No wonder at the Old Madam’s birthday banquet last time he had told her to divorce.

A person who harbored filthy thoughts about her—naturally she should keep her distance.

Ruining her own reputation was a small matter. Implicating the Yun family’s good name was a big matter…

“Madam, the maids, matrons, and young servants from Second Young Master’s courtyard have all come.” Tingxue entered to report.

Yun Chu nodded and had them brought into the garden.

When Xie Shiwei went to the estate, he only took one personal young servant to care for him. The rest were all left behind—two maids, two matrons, one young servant. Five people stood below the steps with lowered heads.

Now that Yun Chu managed affairs, she no longer used her own dowry to subsidize the Xie family. The money on the Xie family’s books all came from income from her father-in-law’s estates.

She had no intention of saving silver for the Xie family.

She spoke. “The Old Madam is advanced in years. She fell ill once and now needs people to care for her. You two matrons go to the Old Madam’s courtyard. Third Young Master is growing older. You two go serve in Third Young Master’s courtyard.”

Finally, only Jiu’er remained standing in the courtyard.

Yun Chu looked at her. “You stay and work for me.”

Jiu’er nodded. “Yes, Madam.”

She knew things she shouldn’t know. She had known long ago that Madam wouldn’t let her go serve in other courtyards.

“I have an estate in the suburbs of the capital with many matters to entrust to you.” Yun Chu spoke. “I asked a physician—there are still three silver needles in your body. You need to soak in hot springs year-round to possibly expel them. That estate happens to have hot springs. Properly nourish yourself. Once your body is well, I’ll still be counting on you to handle important matters.”

Jiu’er’s eyes widened in shock.

When the physician mentioned hot springs to her, she didn’t dare even think about it. This was a bathing pool only wealthy and noble people could use. How could a lowly base maid like her have such fortune?

She had thought—if there were needles in her body, so be it. Whenever she died would be her fate.

But unexpectedly, Madam was actually sending her to an estate with hot springs, having her soak in hot springs to nourish her body. Wasn’t Madam afraid that after saving her life, she would tell the Xie family people that Second Young Master’s matter had Madam’s hand in it?

Why did Madam trust her so much?

Not allowing her to think further, Tingshuang led her away.

Yun Chu lowered her head looking at the tea foam.

Sooner or later she would need to promote several maids, because very soon she would marry off Tingshuang and Tingxue. She always needed people around to handle matters.

Although Jiu’er was young, after experiencing this incident, she had gained some scheming and depth. Slowly cultivated, in the future she would count as a capable assistant.

As for trust—it didn’t exist.

Even children she had raised with her own hands could betray her one by one. How could she completely trust a maid she wasn’t too familiar with?

It was just that Jiu’er was currently the best choice.

During this period, Xie Jingyu returned home after court. To avoid encountering him, Yun Chu basically didn’t leave Sheng Residence.

Until mid-May when the ice shop opened, only then did she have someone prepare a horse and go to the streets to see the excitement.

She ordered a pot of tea at the teahouse across from the ice shop and sat in a position by the window looking toward the shop front.

Because it was getting hotter and hotter, quite a few people came to the ice shop.

“I don’t know why, but all the ice-selling shops from previous years have no ice blocks. I heard that in March and April they were all bought up by a southern merchant.”

“March and April were so cold—who knew that entering May it would get this hot? My master also didn’t buy ice in advance because of this. Now he’s urgently arranged for me to buy more back.”

“The entire capital actually has only this one ice shop. Simply absurd.”

“…”

Yun Chu also found it absurd.

Could it be that in March and April, all the ice in the entire capital and nearby cities had been bought up by Chen Defu?

If truly only her family sold ice, trouble would likely arise.

Yun Chu spoke, giving Tingshuang a few instructions. Tingshuang’s eyes gradually brightened.

At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded behind her. “Lady Xie.”

Yun Chu turned her head to see a man wearing black brocade robes standing one table’s distance away. It was Prince Pingxi, Chu Yi.