Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 189: Losing Composure

Madam Yu's mood suddenly plummeted. She ordered Mama Shu in a low voice, "We're returning home."

Mama Shu was startled. "But we're already at the entrance of Jiangxiang Garden..." She looked up and saw Madam Yu's face as dark as the sky before a storm, so she quickly swallowed the rest of her words and called out loudly to the coachman, "Return home!"

The coachman obeyed, and the carriage left Jiangxiang Garden.

Madam Yu leaned back against the large bolster pillow with her eyes closed, lost in thought.

Mama Shu dared not speak. When the carriage stopped, she helped Madam Yu alight.

As soon as Madam Yu looked up, she saw her daughter-in-law, Fan Shi, waiting by the moon gate.

Fan Shi stepped forward with a smile and took her mother-in-law's arm. "Didn't you say you were going to visit Madam Ji? Why are you back so soon?"

Madam Yu couldn't help but glance at Fan Shi's abdomen, and suddenly, she lost all interest in responding.

She returned to her inner chamber in silence.

Along the way, Fan Shi cast several glances at Mama Shu, but Mama Shu kept her eyes downcast, pretending not to notice.

Fan Shi grew increasingly anxious inside and attended to her mother-in-law with even greater caution.

Madam Yu, however, said nothing and dismissed her to rest.

Mama Shu, though, understood everything clearly.

Madam Yu had endured the roles of granddaughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, and now mother-in-law, all while having the elder madam above her. The angrier she was, the quieter she became, fearing that careless words might bring trouble.

She quickly brewed a cup of Iron Goddess of Mercy, Madam Yu's favorite tea, then took up a small mallet to massage her legs.

After letting Mama Shu attend to her for a while, Madam Yu said, "Fetch the letter Aunt wrote to me the other day."

Mama Shu set down the mallet and went to the study annex to retrieve the letter.

Without even glancing at it, Madam Yu placed it on the kang table and added, "Tell the gatekeeper that if the young master returns, he is to come see me."

Mama Shu acknowledged the order and withdrew.

By late afternoon, Yu Jingxiu returned.

He sat beside his mother with a smile and affectionately called out, "Mother, what instructions do you have for me?"

Ever since his mother had spoken those words last time, he had gently reminded his wife, who had since been humble and deferential in front of her mother-in-law. Over the past several months, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had become harmonious, if not intimate, and his own mood had improved greatly as a result.

Madam Yu smiled. "Can't I just want to talk to you?"

Yu Jingxiu massaged her shoulders as he teased, "Lately, you've either been visiting Madam Ji or hosting tea parties with Madam Wu and others. How could I dare intrude?"

His playful tone made Madam Yu laugh again.

After chatting for a while, Madam Yu picked up the letter on the kang table and handed it to Yu Jingxiu. "Read this. It's from Aunt and your third aunt."

Yu Jingxiu opened the letter in confusion. After a quick glance, his expression changed.

"Mother, you didn't agree to this, did you?" He grabbed her hand anxiously. "This is utterly absurd.""What your Aunt and Third Aunt said isn't without reason," Madam Yu smiled. "You're shouldering the responsibilities of three branches of the family. Even if you had sons now, it would be reasonable for them to select their nieces from their maternal families to serve you, with any children born belonging to their respective branches. Moreover, they've chosen close relatives... After much deliberation, I truly couldn't decide how to respond. After delaying this matter for so long, any further delay might lead them to think who knows what. That's why I called you here to discuss how we should handle this."

Her "discussion" had always meant she'd already made up her mind, merely pressuring him to agree.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to forcing the Fu family to break off the engagement...

The thought flashed through his mind, reminding him of Zuo Junjie, who still hadn't sent any news.

A trace of resentment welled up in his heart.

But he dared not oppose his mother.

Not only did she hold the authority of an elder—disobeying her would be unfilial—but considering how the family business had barely survived under his Aunt and Third Aunt's management over the years, only to flourish under his mother's care, earning his father's unwavering trust in her judgment, he had no grounds to oppose her. Especially since her current stance was entirely "reasonable."

Taking a deep breath, Yu Jingxiu straightened and said solemnly, "Mother, after all these years of marriage, I've yet to expand the Yu Family's lineage. It's only natural that Aunt and Third Aunt are anxious and wish to select virtuous women to serve me. But we can't agree to this now!"

No matter how it was phrased, the core remained the same.

Ultimately, he still wanted to give Fan Shi another chance.

Madam Yu sneered inwardly but maintained a gentle expression. "Explain your reasoning," she said softly.

Yu Jingxiu smiled. "Think about it—I've never taken a concubine all these years. If we agree immediately after Aunt and Third Aunt bring it up, others might assume our household affairs can be interfered with as long as they wish. Those women they intend to send are already their maternal relatives. Once they enter our household, wouldn't they grow arrogant? If they refuse to obey Fan Shi's authority, could we really send them back? It would only bring chaos to our family." His gaze grew even more earnest as he looked at his mother. "I suggest we politely decline this time. As for my household, I'll discuss it with Fan Shi. She has a few gentle and loyal maids among her dowry attendants—we can elevate one of them instead."

Madam Yu listened and chuckled, nodding slowly. "There's some sense in what you say. However, it would be best to wait until she bears a son before elevating anyone."

Yu Jingxiu was overjoyed but restrained himself from showing it.

Resuming his task of massaging his mother's shoulders, he continued offering suggestions: "Mother, why don't you use this reasoning to reply to Aunt and Third Aunt? Tell them my household already has candidates, and you've long declared that whoever bears a son will be elevated as a concubine. Bringing in two concubines now might disrupt household harmony. And if we don't elevate them, it would seem disrespectful to Aunt and Third Aunt's carefully chosen candidates...""You've thought of everything," Madam Yu said with a smile, slowly picking up the teacup from the kang table. "But have you considered what people might say if there's still no news from your chambers by next year?"

Yu Jingxiu's expression froze.

That would imply the problem might lie with him...

Beads of sweat instantly formed on his forehead.

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Fu Tingyun was unaware she had already crossed paths with Madam Yu. For three consecutive days, she had been sending A Sen to the examination hall early each morning. When he emerged, she never asked how he performed, only saying, "What's done is done. Don't dwell on it—just focus on preparing for the next exam."

A Sen, naturally carefree by disposition and reassured by Fu Tingyun's words that "if you don't do well this year, there's always next year," actually seemed more relaxed after each exam than before. He immediately asked about Jin Yuanbao's matchmaking: "Did he find anyone he liked?"

Fu Tingyun believed exam results depended on long-term preparation and was happy to keep things lighthearted. She laughed, "The young lady from the Shi family is said to know how to make over forty different types of pickles. Your Brother Yuanbao agreed as soon as he heard that."

A Sen immediately retorted, "Then the Shi family's daughter must be quite plain-looking."

"Nonsense," Fu Tingyun scolded him with a chuckle.

"I'm not talking nonsense!" A Sen protested indignantly. "If the Shi family's daughter were pretty, Brother Yuanbao wouldn't have agreed just because she has inner qualities."

"You little rascal!" Fu Tingyun shook her head, amused.

A Sen lifted his chin, grinning triumphantly.

Later, he asked Jin Yuanbao, "Will you take a pretty concubine later on?"

Jin Yuanbao pinched his ear. "Worry about your own preliminary exams first!" Then he added in a low voice, "In families like ours, any extra money should be spent on the children... Do you think keeping a concubine doesn't cost money?" This sent A Sen into fits of laughter, and he ran off to tell Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun also laughed until she could barely catch her breath.

Only Youyou, playing with her dolls nearby, was left puzzled. Standing on the kang, she tugged at A Sen's sleeve. "Second Uncle, Second Uncle, tell me too!"

A Sen scooped Youyou up and perched her on his shoulders. "Youyou, let's ignore Uncle Yuanbao. Let's play 'Swallow Flying'!" With that, he ran outside with Youyou atop his shoulders.

The courtyard was filled with peals of silvery laughter.

Fu Tingyun shook her head and stood up, supporting her waist as she personally supervised Zhenzhu, May, and Kou'er in cleaning the house—Zhao Ling had written yesterday saying he would return by the end of February.

Yu Wei hurried over to support her. "The weather is nice today. Why don't you go sunbathe in the courtyard? If you stand here like this, we'll be too afraid of bumping into you to work properly."

Fu Tingyun laughed heartily and took Yu Wei's hand. "Shall we go to the tailor's to have some new clothes made?" She looked down at herself. "See, my clothes are all too tight now."

Yu Wei covered her mouth, giggling. "Why don't I accompany you now? The sooner we take your measurements, the sooner they can start cutting and sewing. There are only about ten days left until the end of February—I think you'll need at least four or five new outfits, won't you?"

"Alright," Fu Tingyun agreed. She asked A Sen to mind the house and went with Yu Wei to West Street.

Besides ordering new clothes, they needed to buy seasonal flowers to decorate the house, stock up on various types of incense, and add to Zhao Ling's summer wardrobe. Though some had already been made, there were new fashionable patterns this spring that warranted a few more pieces...As it turned out, Zhao Ling returned five days early, and Fu Tingyun's new clothes were still at the tailor's shop.

She let out an "Oh no," dropping her handkerchief in an attempt to cover her prominently rounded belly.

But Zhao Ling took a swift step forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a kiss on her stomach. "I've been dreaming of you, Youyou, and the baby in your belly every night!" he said.

All her worries dissipated like morning dew under sunlight.

Fu Tingyun gazed at her travel-worn husband, unshaven and looking as though he hadn't slept for days, and suddenly felt her eyes well up with tears.

Youyou, who had been brought over by Tong Shi upon hearing the news, cried out in delighted surprise, "Daddy!" and threw herself into Zhao Ling's arms.

Zhao Ling laughed heartily as he tossed Youyou into the air. "My little girl, do you still recognize your daddy?"

Fu Tingyun shrieked in alarm.

Youyou was also screaming—but hers was a scream of pure joy.

When she landed back in Zhao Ling's arms, Youyou nodded vigorously, her dark eyes sparkling. "Daddy, again!" she cried.

Fu Tingyun grabbed Zhao Ling's arm. "Don't throw the child—it's too dangerous!"

Zhao Ling winked at Youyou. "Mommy says no." Then, in a stage whisper loud enough for everyone to hear, he added, "We'll play again when Mommy's not around."

Youyou mimicked her father's tone, whispering conspiratorially, "Okay, we'll play when Mommy's asleep."

The room erupted in laughter.

Fu Tingyun couldn't help but laugh too.

Yet within her laughter were joy, tears, and a lingering sensation called happiness.

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O(∩_∩)O~

Pink votes, sisters, brothers...

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(End of Chapter)