The Yu Residence.
Yu Weiwei sat before the dressing table, studying her reflection in the bronze mirror for a moment. She dabbed vibrant red lip rouge onto her lips, then pressed them together to remove the excess. The blend of a maiden's sweetness and a matron's charm made her appear strikingly beautiful.
Smiling at herself, Yu Weiwei rose and headed out. "Where is the young master?"
"He should be in the study at this hour," replied her personal maid, Xiao Tao, as she draped a cloak over her mistress. "Do you need something, miss? I can relay a message right away."
"No need. Summon the steward."
The wind howled fiercely as Yu Weiwei stood beneath the corridor eaves, allowing the cold air to sharpen her clarity.
Wu Zhen, the steward who had served the Yu family his entire life, felt his eyes grow warm at the sight of his mistress in such spirits. His young lady had finally regained her vigor.
"Uncle Wu, what is the current state of the household?"
Wu Zhen was taken aback. "Miss, you mean..."
Yu Weiwei fixed him with a steady gaze and said gravely, "All orders relayed through Qi Qiu in recent days are void. Do you understand, Uncle Wu?"
Even if he hadn't grasped it before, Wu Zhen now understood completely. He summarized the household's recent affairs, selecting what he knew his mistress would want to hear: "A few days ago, the young master brought six people into the residence, claiming he purchased them as retainers to prepare for his future imperial examinations in the capital. He also entered the master's study under the pretext of searching for books."
Glancing at his mistress, Wu Zhen added, "The master and mistress long ago relinquished control of household matters. You've been ill and rarely seen, leaving the young master as the only visible authority. The servants naturally follow his commands. If this continues... it would be wise for you to take a greater interest in family affairs."
"I have been negligent, Uncle Wu. Have trusted personnel monitor all newcomers—every single one—under a plausible pretext."
"Yes, miss."
"Also, assign a few people to accompany me." Yu Weiwei lightly brushed her sleeves. "We shall teach our live-in son-in-law some manners."
Wu Zhen initially felt this approach was improper, but upon reflection, decided it was fitting. The young master had recently been overstepping his bounds as if he owned the place. Had the mistress tacitly allowed it, they would have had to accept it, but now she clearly had no intention of letting him trample over her. His duty was simply to support his mistress.
In the study, Qi Qiu was examining a topographic map when the door swung open. He looked up irritably, but upon recognizing the visitor, hurried forward to greet her. "Why are you out of bed? Didn't the physician say exposure to wind could cause a relapse?"
"I've been stifled indoors day after day. I needed a walk." Yu Weiwei swept past him into the room. The study had been furnished later, but lacked nothing essential.
Qi Qiu smiled gently. "It's already late February. Once you've fully recovered, it will be perfect for spring outings. If you don't rest properly now, you might miss the season."
"Just minor ailments. Nothing serious." Yu Weiwei looked up at him. "The steward mentioned new additions to the household?"
"Yes, and please don't laugh, Weiwei. When I become a disciple of Old Mr. Pan, I'll need servants to maintain appearances. Using the Yu family's staff might invite ridicule, so I bought some unfamiliar faces. If questioned, I'll have a reasonable explanation."With sound reasoning and having first placed himself in a humble position, if Yu Weiwei hadn’t known the inside story, she might have pitied him for belittling himself so much. But now, all she wanted to ask was, “Where are their deeds of sale? The deeds for all the household servants are currently in my hands. Bring me the ones for these people as well.”
Qi Qiu froze for a moment, then quickly replied, “I’ll go look for them later.”
“Why would you need to search for deeds of people you just bought? Just tell me where they are, and I’ll have a servant fetch them.”
Qi Qiu, observing Yu Weiwei’s elaborate attire, sensed something amiss. After a quick mental calculation, he frowned. “What do you mean by this? If you’re unhappy about me buying servants, just say so directly. I know I’m a low-status live-in son-in-law. If you don’t permit it, I wouldn’t dare disobey.”
Yu Weiwei looked astonished. “What do you mean, husband? Shouldn’t deeds of sale be kept by the lady of the house? Or is it different because I took in a husband?”
Caught off guard, Qi Qiu was momentarily speechless. During their marriage, Yu Weiwei had been so easy to manipulate that he was momentarily taken aback.
Before he could recover, Yu Weiwei pressed further, “Is there some hidden story here? Then I must see those deeds. Will you give them to me or not?”
“…I’m reading right now. I’ll look for them and give them to you later.”
Yu Weiwei stood up and approached, clearly seeing what was spread out on the desk—a topographic map of Jin Yang City.
Qi Qiu casually closed it, carefully folded it a few times, and set it aside. In an instant, he regained his soft, gentle tone. “I know you’re bored staying indoors, but we must listen to the doctor. Your health is what matters most, isn’t it?”
“Don’t change the subject. Give me the deeds.”
“Weiwei, I promise I’ll find them for you later, alright? How could such a trivial matter be more important than my studies? Trust me, my talents have been praised by my teachers. One day, I’ll surely pass the imperial exams and go to the capital. Then you’ll be an official’s wife.”
“Husband, you might not know me well.” Yu Weiwei gave a faint smile, yet it was dazzlingly radiant. “When I set my mind on something, I won’t let go until I get results. So, until you give me the deeds, I won’t discuss anything else with you.”
“Weiwei…”
It was an intimate address. On their wedding night, the first time she heard him call her that, Yu Weiwei’s heart had fluttered. But the sweetness she felt then only magnified her pain now.
This was her man, her husband—and he wanted her dead!
Closing her eyes briefly, Yu Weiwei called out coldly, “Attendants.”
Wu Zhen entered with several guards. “Miss.”
“Escort the young master back to his room.” Yu Weiwei strode out first. “Once he’s in his room, I’m sure he’ll remember where the deeds are. If he still can’t recall, help him remember.”
“Yes.” Wu Zhen waved a hand, and the guards spread out. “Young master, if you please.”
Qi Qiu knew things were taking a bad turn. Where could he possibly find the deeds? He had been careless, assuming Yu Weiwei had given him her heart and would be easy to control from then on. He never expected her to suddenly change, as if she were a different person. Indeed, her current demeanor reminded him of the rumors about the ill-tempered eldest daughter of the Yu family.
Wu Zhen bowed again. “Young master, if you please.”Qi Qiu shot him a glance, then walked out from behind the desk. As he moved toward the door, he racked his brain for a solution—unless Zeng Xianglin appeared right then to vouch for him, there was no way to smooth things over.
At the bedroom door, Qi Qiu gazed tenderly at Yu Weiwei. "Weiwei, if you don’t trust me, can’t you at least trust your eldest cousin? If I were truly a man of flawed character, would he have agreed to let you marry me? Go ask him if you don’t believe me."
"I certainly will ask him. Now, if you please."
Of course, there was no deed of indenture. Qi Qiu simply gave up searching and sat down with an air of righteous indignation, as if deeply wronged. Yu Weiwei sneered and signaled to Wu Zhen.
Wu Zhen and his men thoroughly searched Qi Qiu’s belongings but found no deed of indenture—nor anything else of value, much like the man himself, who seemed to possess nothing worthwhile.
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