Chapter 190: Divergence (Bonus Update Seeking Pink Tickets)
While Fu Tingyun joyfully welcomed Zhao Ling's return, Yu Jingxiu was pacing restlessly in his study with a dark expression, hands clasped behind his back.
Dinner time had long passed, yet Yu Jingxiu showed no sign of leaving his study. Mo Zhuan peeked in several times at the doorway before quietly retreating to the inner chamber.
Fan Shi twisted her handkerchief anxiously, murmuring, "He was in such high spirits when he came home. Why did he return so gloomy after visiting Mother-in-law? What on earth did she say to him?" The thought stirred a flicker of resentment in her heart.
While others wished for harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law seemed fixated on scrutinizing her every move, turning trivial matters into storms that left no peace.
Her frown deepening, Fan Shi lowered her voice and instructed Mo Zhuan, "Go and find out what happened over there. I’ll persuade the young master to come out for dinner—it’s almost time to pay respects to Father and Mother-in-law. How can he go on an empty stomach?"
Since her last humiliating encounter with Housekeeper Shu, Mo Zhuan had grown wary of approaching her. The maids closest to Madam Yu were also shrewd and opportunistic, making them difficult to deal with. Mo Zhuan had spent considerable silver and effort just to befriend a couple of second- and third-tier maids.
With a solemn nod, she withdrew.
Fan Shi went to Yu Jingxiu.
Already irritated, Yu Jingxiu spoke brusquely, "Father might not even be home yet, and Mother—it’s just a few words. It won’t take more than half an hour. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Such harsh words were unheard of from him. Tears welled up instantly in Fan Shi’s eyes.
Seeing this, Yu Jingxiu softened. He took Fan Shi’s hand and led her to sit on the study’s daybed, speaking gently, "I’m just in a foul mood. Don’t take it to heart."
Fan Shi dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, sniffling, "I thought you were angry with me—I was so frightened!" Her delicate, trembling demeanor only deepened Yu Jingxiu’s guilt.
"Don’t be absurd," he reassured her. "Even if I were angry with anyone, it would never be you." After much coaxing, Fan Shi finally smiled again, and the two walked together to the dining hall, chatting and laughing.
Mo Zhuan’s figure flickered at the hall’s entrance. Without drawing attention, Fan Shi stood and cooed to Yu Jingxiu, "Let me brew you some tea as an apology. You must accept it."
Yu Jingxiu readily agreed.
Once in the adjacent tea room, Mo Zhuan spilled everything she had learned in a frantic rush.
Fan Shi’s face turned deathly pale. She seized Mo Zhuan’s wrist and demanded urgently, "Did my husband really agree to Mother-in-law’s request?"
Mo Zhuan nodded, her own expression uneasy. "It’s true. After the young master left, Mother-in-law summoned all her first- and second-tier maids, inspecting and questioning each one. From the looks of it, she’s selecting someone for the young master’s chambers!"
Fan Shi bit her lip hard.
Panicked, Mo Zhuan blurted, "Second Miss, what should we do?"—slipping into the old form of address.
Lost in a whirl of emotions, Fan Shi didn’t even notice.The incident happened so suddenly that she was momentarily at a loss. With Yu Jingxiu waiting in the hall to dine with her, she had no choice but to dismiss Mo Zhuan first. "Don't mention this to anyone yet," she said. "I'll try to sound out my husband tonight before we decide anything."
Mo Zhuan nodded repeatedly, brewing a cup of tea for the visibly shaken Fan Shi. Watching Fan Shi carry the teacup into the hall, she sat thoughtfully on the small stool in the tea room.
The second young miss had an elder sister above her. Their father adhered to the principle of treating them equally. Although the second miss married into a prestigious family, her dowry was identical to her sister's—some fertile land, shops, pewterware, porcelain, four maidservants, and two accompanying families. Such a dowry would be considered quite respectable in other households, but in the Yu Family, it was like a clay ox entering the sea—utterly insignificant. The accompanying families were far from sufficient, let alone capable of helping the second miss gather information, curry favor with the stewards, or manage the servants. Later, Madam Yu bestowed upon her four additional maidservants and four rough-handed matrons.
After all, they weren't her own people, so using them wasn't easy. But since the gifts couldn't be refused, they had to be kept in the household. The second miss not only treated them with courtesy but was also generous with money, even taking care of their families. After more than a year of effort, she finally won them over. Smiling faintly, Madam Yu took them to the capital but left all the servants who had attended to them in Nanjing, allowing the second miss to bring only her four accompanying maidservants.
Yet this arrangement had its advantages.
At least the residence in the capital was small, so the second miss didn’t need additional attendants. She and the young master could speak freely without fear of eavesdroppers, nor worry that their private moments would be witnessed and spread as gossip or reported to Madam Yu, displeasing her.
But if the young master’s bedroom servant were one of Madam Yu’s maids... it would be like planting eyes and ears in their chambers. The second miss’s every word and action would likely reach Madam Yu’s knowledge... and the second miss was growing increasingly dissatisfied with Madam Yu... If she didn’t even have a place to vent, how could she endure such a life?
The thought alone made Mo Zhuan anxious.
The best candidate for the young master’s chamber should be chosen from the second miss’s dowry maidservants... but whoever bore a son would be kept only until the child was born, then sent away...
At this realization, she froze.
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Housekeeper Shu helped Madam Yu change into her sleeping underwear, whispering with a smile, "Are you really planning to choose one of the maidservants to serve the young master intimately?"
"Of course not," Madam Yu said as she got into bed. "My grandson—my eldest grandson—how could he be the son of a servant? He must be born to a girl from a respectable, well-mannered family. This is just to make De Pu’s wife sweat a little!" She muttered under her breath, "What a fool. I don’t know how she’s survived this long."
Housekeeper Shu knew better than to respond to that remark. Pretending not to hear, she cheerfully drew the bed curtains for Madam Yu...
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The sound of crackling firecrackers echoed through Shi Family Alley, continuing unabated for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Lord Li, who lived in the nearby Bensi Alley, had served as prefect of Huzhou for three years and as Left Councilor of Jiangzhe Province for one year before being promoted to Provincial Administration Commissioner. He had just returned to the capital to express his gratitude to the emperor. Hearing the incessant firecrackers, he asked his attendant, "Whose family is celebrating?"A servant immediately ran to inquire and returned panting to report, "It's the younger brother of Deputy Commander Zhao Huchen of Xuantong who passed the county-level examination."
Lord Li was momentarily at a loss upon hearing this, while his attendant laughed beside him, "Such fanfare just for passing the county exam? If he were to pass the academy exam, then the prefectural examination, become a Provincial Graduate, then a Presented Scholar, wouldn't they have to host endless banquets for everyone to feast?"
The servant awkwardly added, "I heard the Zhao family steward say exactly that."
For a moment, even the attendant was dumbfounded.
Lord Li chuckled dismissively and said, "Let's move! I still have friends to meet later!"
The group hurried toward the entrance of Bensi Alley.
A Sen watched the bright red firecrackers exploding in the air, his face flushing crimson. "Th-this isn't necessary. You can celebrate when I become a Tribute Student."
Yang Yucheng, who was hanging a fresh string of firecrackers on a bamboo pole, laughed, "That won't do! When you become a Tribute Student, we'll buy even bigger firecrackers!"
A Sen grimaced, "People will laugh themselves to death."
"We'll celebrate our way—why care about others?" Yang Yucheng grinned at A Sen, though his smile carried a teasing edge. "You'd better work hard—you must at least become a Tribute Student."
No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Ling lifted the curtain and stepped out, scolding, "Stop after this string—don't frighten Youyou or your sister-in-law with the baby in her belly!"
Yang Yucheng laughed in agreement, while A Sen scurried into the inner chamber.
"Sister-in-law, Brother Yucheng is making fun of me!" he complained to Fu Tingyun.
"But it's true our A Sen passed the county exam!" Fu Tingyun smiled. "And ranked seventh at that... We should celebrate when there's cause—no need for embarrassment."
A Sen thought it over and immediately regained his usual carefree demeanor, glancing at Fu Tingyun's belly. "Didn't scare you, did it?"
"I'm not some delicate flower," Fu Tingyun chuckled. "Have you and your classmates decided when to visit your teacher to express gratitude? I'll need to prepare."
"In the next couple of days," A Sen replied, sitting on a small stool nearby. "I've asked Yan Qing to find out what gifts others are bringing. I'll just follow the crowd."
Fu Tingyun nodded.
Zhao Ling entered with a smile. "Wang Furen has brought her two daughters to congratulate A Sen on passing the county exam."
Fu Tingyun rose from the kang.
Zhao Ling and A Sen immediately moved to support her on either side.
Fu Tingyun laughed it off. "I'm not made of paper!" Gently refusing their help, she nimbly stepped out of the inner chamber.
Zhao Ling and A Sen exchanged glances.
Zhao Ling asked A Sen, "Is your sister-in-law always like this at home?"
A Sen thought for a moment. "Not in the past few months, but recently she's been her usual self again."
Zhao Ling instructed A Sen, "Keep an eye out—help your sister-in-law with errands when needed."
"Mm!" A Sen agreed, then added gloomily, "Brother Yuanbao is still living here even after his betrothal, and Brother Yucheng visits sister-in-law every few days. Everyone thinks I'm too young and never asks me to help. Ninth Master, maybe you could talk to sister-in-law—tell her to just assign tasks to me directly..." As if realizing this lacked persuasiveness, he puffed out his chest. "After all, I've passed the county exam now—who knows, I might become a Scholar in a few years!"
Zhao Ling burst into hearty laughter.Then, with a serious expression, he said, "I haven't been home much these past few years. As the young man of the household, you shouldn't leave everything to your sister-in-law to handle. You should help out more with family matters."
"I understand," A Sen replied brightly. "Ninth Master, don't worry. I'll take good care of the nephews, study diligently with the tutor, and strive to pass the imperial examinations."
Zhao Ling nodded in satisfaction. As the two stepped out of the inner chamber, they saw Fu Tingyun and Wang Furen walking arm in arm toward the main hall, followed by the composed Eldest Miss Wang and the lively Second Miss Wang.
A Sen couldn't help but break into a wide smile.
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I'm still working hard to update twice today, so please bear with me—the next update will be a bit late...
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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