Chapter 184: Fan Shi
Madam Yu turned and entered the inner chamber.
Housekeeper Shu quickly followed with light steps.
However, Madam Yu said, "All of you, leave. I wish to rest alone."
Housekeeper Shu and the other attendants bowed and replied, "Yes," before helping Madam Yu lie down and filing out of the inner chamber.
Madam Yu’s personal maidservant led a younger maid to stand guard at the door of the inner chamber, while Housekeeper Shu was served tea by a young, unadorned maid in the adjacent side room. A few other maids whispered idly under the flower trellis in the courtyard.
The tranquil main courtyard was as peaceful and harmonious as ever.
Yet Housekeeper Shu’s mind was in turmoil.
Ever since learning that Miss Fu was still alive, Madam Yu had been acting strangely. Later, when the eldest young master came to pay his respects, she had merely asked, "When did you find out that the Fu family’s daughter was still alive?" At the time, the young master had seemed uneasy and explained that he had accidentally encountered Miss Fu when she went to pay respects after Madam Fu’s passing. Madam Yu had nodded and asked no further questions. Yet afterward, she had sent someone to investigate Miss Fu, even going so far as to find out the exact date of Miss Fu’s daughter’s birth. She had even prepared congratulatory gifts and sent Yu Huaian to deliver them personally. Not only that, but upon hearing of Yu Huaian’s treatment at the Zhao family, she had praised him for handling the situation with grace and dignity...
Miss Fu was already married, and Fan Shi was now the Yu family’s eldest young mistress. Yet in Madam Yu’s heart, there was still a thorn.
Madam Yu had always been strong-willed, but the eldest young master had chosen to oppose her. How could she not be heartbroken?
At this thought, Housekeeper Shu felt her headache worsen and instructed the young maid beside her, "Brew me a cup of hot tea."
The maid rose to lift the curtain, only to find someone standing outside. The person laughed and said, "What a coincidence! I was just about to enter, and you were about to leave..."
The maid quickly greeted, "Sister Mo Zhuan."
Housekeeper Shu’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as she sat up.
Mo Zhuan, dressed in a willow-green sleeveless vest of Hangzhou silk, walked in with a smile.
"Young Mistress made some honeysuckle syrup a few days ago. Seeing how hot the weather is, she asked me to bring a few bottles for the sisters to cool off with." She curtsied to Housekeeper Shu. "But I didn’t see you earlier. Hearing that you were resting in the side room, I came specifically to pay my respects."
"Young Mistress is too thoughtful," Housekeeper Shu said, rising to invite Mo Zhuan to sit.
The young maid served tea and quietly withdrew.
Mo Zhuan then pulled a neatly folded square of paper from her sleeve. "Young Mistress heard that Brother Pengming has been suffering from night sweats. She specially found this remedy in an ancient book and asked me to deliver it. She said it’s very effective—perhaps you could try it for him."
Pengming was Housekeeper Shu’s young grandson.
Housekeeper Shu’s gaze fell on the prescription, and she inwardly cursed Mo Zhuan.
As Young Mistress’s personal attendant and most trusted confidante, instead of persuading her to take a concubine and bear heirs for the Yu family, she spent her days flitting about, calling this one "sister" and befriending that one. She had her priorities completely backward—no wonder Young Mistress still didn’t realize her own mistakes!
The thought flashed through her mind, and Housekeeper Shu couldn’t help but let a trace of mockery show in her expression. "If Young Mistress has such kindness and skill, wouldn’t it be better to find a prescription for bearing sons? Wouldn’t that be more useful?"
Mo Zhuan’s face instantly flushed crimson.Housekeeper Shu picked up the teacup, clearly signaling it was time for the guest to leave.
Mo Zhuan had no choice but to suppress her embarrassment and ask about Yu Huaian’s gift-giving: “...I wonder who could have such influence? It’s just a pity our young mistress hasn’t been with the Yu Family for long and isn’t familiar with all their old acquaintances. By rights, we should have sent a congratulatory gift as well.”
Considering that Madam Yu hadn’t intended to keep this matter a secret, Housekeeper Shu thought for a moment and then frankly told Mo Zhuan the truth.
Perhaps if the young mistress knew about this, she might feel pressured to help the young master take someone into his household.
Mo Zhuan’s face turned pale, then flushed with anger. After exchanging a few hasty words with Housekeeper Shu, she returned to Fan Shi.
Not daring to mention Housekeeper Shu’s disrespect, she only relayed the matter of Yu Huaian’s gift.
Fan Shi’s expression darkened upon hearing this: “Yu Huaian is the Yu Family’s chief steward in the capital. His actions represent the Yu household. Go and find out more—does the master know about this?”
Mo Zhuan stiffened and hurriedly agreed before heading to the outer courtyard.
Fan Shi’s heart was in turmoil.
Hadn’t Miss Fu passed away from illness? How could she suddenly reappear? Why were both her father-in-law and mother-in-law treating this Fu Shi with such favor—one inviting her family to admire flowers, the other sending gifts for her daughter...
Could it be that the Yu Family regretted marrying her into the household?
The thought flashed through her mind, and her heart twisted in pain.
Though her father had many disciples, none were as handsome, charming, and witty as Yu Jingxiu. Over time, she had grown to admire his knowledge and refinement even more. Sometimes she even wished he could stay with her family forever... So when she learned that Yu Jingxiu was already betrothed to a daughter of the Fu family in Huayin, she couldn’t help but hide in her room and cry for days—until Yu Jingxiu noticed her distress...
She still remembered that day under the elm tree, golden sunlight filtering through the leaves and dappling their robes. Yu Jingxiu’s gaze was fixed on her, brighter and more intense than the sunlight itself, as he declared loudly, “Don’t worry, I will marry you!”
She couldn’t recall how she had responded.
Only that her face had burned, and when she ran back to her embroidery room, she hadn’t even noticed when the newly made embroidered skirt had been torn by thorns near the flower beds...
But who could have imagined that the Fu family’s daughter would suddenly die of illness? Not long after, the Yu Family came to propose marriage.
It was all so coincidental!
She didn’t dare dwell on it.
Kneeling on the prayer mat in the family shrine, she asked the Bodhisattva, “Could this be fate?”
The Bodhisattva smiled serenely, her tranquil face like silent encouragement.
Ignoring her father’s objections about “unequal matches,” she pleaded with her mother to persuade him, and eventually, the marriage was agreed upon.
After the wedding, they were harmonious and deeply in love—no husband could be better than De Pu... So she took her mother-in-law’s displeasure and her childless state as trials sent by heaven out of jealousy...
At the start of the year, she began devoutly worshipping the Buddha, fasting on Chuyi and the fifteenth of each month.
Fan Shi firmly believed that since the matchmaker had tied their red threads together, happiness should follow after enduring hardships.
But lately, her father-in-law’s suppressed anger, her mother-in-law’s sudden humiliations, and her husband’s increasingly restless demeanor filled her with an inexplicable dread...
Lost in these thoughts, Fan Shi unconsciously touched the pomegranate-shaped mutton-fat jade pendant hanging at her chest.That was a gift from her mother before her wedding.
It was meant to wish her many children and blessings, to help the Yu Family flourish.
Why had there been no signs of pregnancy yet?
Would she really have to let De Pu take a concubine?
The thought flashed through her mind, and she bit her lip tightly.
If a concubine’s son were born before her own… would there even be a place for her in this household anymore?
No, no…
She shook her head and quickly pushed the thought aside.
She was just like her mother—fertility was a bit difficult for her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t bear children at all…
Fan Shi tried to reassure herself when Mo Zhuan hurried in.
She whispered something into Fan Shi’s ear.
Fan Shi’s expression darkened. "You mean to say, not only Father-in-law, but even my husband knew about this?"
Mo Zhuan nodded with a somber expression.
Fan Shi collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
Seeing this, Mo Zhuan couldn’t help but comfort her. "But General Manager Yu also said that the master originally didn’t approve. The madam said that Miss Fu now has a home she can’t return to and is in a pitiable situation. Given her connection to the Yu Family, and even if she were a stranger, anyone with the means would naturally lend a helping hand. That’s why the master didn’t object."
Fan Shi felt as if a knife had been plunged into her.
She couldn’t help but retort sharply, "Miss Fu is in a pitiable situation? Who in this world hasn’t faced hardships? If Mother-in-law has the heart to pity others, why doesn’t she spare some sympathy for her own son and daughter-in-law? Her words are so cutting and harsh—even the best mood would sour in her presence…" Before she could finish, she realized she had spoken too rashly and quickly fell silent.
Mo Zhuan’s heart ached at the sight.
Her eyes grew slightly damp as she hesitated and said, "Young Madam, perhaps… you should just comply with the madam’s wishes and arrange for someone to serve the young master in his chambers…"
"No," Fan Shi interrupted without hesitation. "My husband and I have a five-year agreement. If I fail to conceive within five years, then I’ll arrange for a maid to bear his child—keep the child, send the mother away…"
Mo Zhuan, recalling Yu Jingxiu’s kindness toward Fan Shi, let out a sigh of relief and said cheerfully, "That’s good, that’s good…"
※※※※※
Unlike the gloomy atmosphere in the Yu Family on Alley Street, the Zhao residence in Shi Family Alley was filled with joy.
On the twenty-third day of the fourth month, leaving the disheartened Yan Qing to watch the house, Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, A Sen, and a large group set out from Shi Family Alley at the crack of dawn. By the time they reached Tanzhe Temple, the sun had just risen.
After paying respects to the Bodhisattva, fulfilling their vows, and drawing divination slips, they enjoyed a vegetarian meal at the temple. Zhao Ling, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and A Sen spent the rest of the day exploring the temple grounds, while Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Yu Wei, and the others visited a smaller hall, listening to the monk in charge recount tales of karma and retribution until dusk, when they all returned to Shi Family Alley together.
Yan Qing, sweating profusely, rushed out to greet them. "The stewards from the Longping Marquis’s residence and the Wuding Marquis’s residence both sent congratulatory gifts for the young miss. Since none of you were home, I served them tea in the south hall and treated them with the second young master’s pastries…" Unsure if he had handled things properly, he fidgeted nervously. "There were also many others I didn’t recognize, but I carefully collected all the gift lists—not a single one was missed."
"Well done, well done," Fu Tingyun quickly praised with a smile. "After spending time with A Sen, I don’t know about anything else, but your manners and conduct have certainly improved."Yan Qing grinned from ear to ear upon hearing this.
A Sen also felt honored, his joy evident between his brows as he eagerly stepped forward to help Zheng San with the horse's reins.
Yang Yucheng couldn't resist teasing him: "Even in royal robes, you don't look like a prince—what kind of young master helps with holding horses?"
A Sen's face fell at the remark, which only made everyone burst into laughter.
The next day was even livelier.
Most of those who had sent congratulatory gifts came, except for those like the Longping Marquis who were out of the capital or the Marquis Yingchuan who held too high a position to attend. Zhao Ling entertained guests in the outer courtyard, while Fu Tingyun held Youyou and socialized with the ladies in the inner courtyard. Zheng Sanniang and Zhou Shi busied themselves in the kitchen, boiling pot after pot of longevity noodles. The spacious courtyard was packed with people.
※
It's better to go to work—at least I can write...(>_
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