Chapter 199: Friction
Out of the corner of her eye, Fu Tingyun noticed the dawdling carriage driver parked in front of the Wu Family's gate. Then, observing the overly enthusiastic smile of Madam Wu's personal housekeeper before her, she thought of the heavy potted trees and felt a mischievous impulse rise within her. Madam Wu loved spouting pleasantries to everyone but vanished when real difficulties arose. Since this housekeeper had mastered her mistress's ways to perfection, Fu Tingyun saw no reason to stand on ceremony...
The thought flashed through her mind, but Fu Tingyun quickly composed herself and said solemnly, "I was just worrying about how to move these potted trees. Since you’re offering, please call a few sturdy maids to lend us a hand."
Not only Madam Wu’s housekeeper but everyone standing at the Wu Family’s gate was taken aback.
Anyone could tell that the offer to help was merely politeness—no one expected Fu Tingyun to take it seriously. But now that the words had been spoken, how could they retract them?
Madam Wu’s housekeeper had no choice but to force a smile and agree, "Of course." She then sharply ordered a young maid beside her, "Go and fetch some maids to help Madam Zhao move these trees!"
The young maid retreated in visible unease to summon help.
Fu Tingyun thanked the housekeeper, "I’ve just returned from Fengtai. Once I’ve changed, I’ll come back to thank Madam Wu properly."
"It’s just a small matter," the housekeeper replied, resigned to the situation and setting aside her resentment. She maintained a cheerful demeanor as she exchanged pleasantries with Fu Tingyun. "You’re too kind, Madam Zhao."
A middle-aged woman who had been standing quietly nearby listened to their exchange and cast another glance at Fu Tingyun.
Just then, the carriage driver who had yielded the way called out, "All set!"
Zheng San immediately expressed his gratitude and urged the hired carriage forward.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the scene.
The hired carriage driver cautiously tugged the reins, attempting several times to maneuver the carriage through. But each time, the rustling sound of the tree branches scraping against the Wu Family’s carriage made him retreat.
Growing impatient, Zheng San grabbed the hired driver and declared, "Let me do it!"
If you take over, any damage to the trees won’t be my responsibility!
The hired driver wiped sweat from his brow, relieved.
Yet even Zheng San hesitated halfway, not daring to proceed recklessly. He called out to the Wu Family’s carriage driver, "Brother, could you move aside a bit more?"
The driver, already reluctant, had heard Madam Wu’s housekeeper address Fu Tingyun merely as "Madam" and deduced she held no Imperial Mandate Title. Otherwise, even a seventh-rank "Ru Ren" would be respectfully called "Madam" among neighbors. This made him even more unwilling to comply. He curled his lip and retorted impatiently, "My carriage is already against the wall. Where else do you expect me to move?"
Fu Tingyun turned her gaze to the carriage.
There were still two or three feet between it and the wall.
Her displeasure grew.
Zheng San knew he was imposing, but with the carriage stuck midway and the front wheels wedged, backing out would be difficult. His smile carried both apology and ingratiation. "How about you take a break, brother? I’ll see if I can adjust the carriages to pass..."
The driver responded with a cold smirk, saying nothing.
Zheng San’s smile grew more awkward as he lowered his voice. "Please, brother, just lend a hand."The carriage driver glanced at the middle-aged woman in her forties. Seeing her frown slightly, his boldness grew even more. He looked askance at Zheng San with a condescending air and said, "What do you mean by this? I’ve been driving carriages for decades, and the people I’ve carried are all wealthy or noble—sophisticated and respectable folks. Every one of them has praised my driving with a thumbs-up..."
Fu Tingyun noticed the carriage driver’s glance at the middle-aged woman, who remained silent. She inwardly scoffed and instructed Zheng San, "Since the carriage can’t get through, carry the potted plants into the house one by one!"
The carriage driver’s eyebrows shot up, his expression turning fierce.
Mama Shu had already reached the entrance of the Wu Family’s residence and was about to leave. The carriage held over a dozen potted plants, all lush with foliage. Moving them one by one would take at least half an hour. If the plant-laden carriage hadn’t been stuck halfway, he could have driven out from the other end of the alley. But now, with the carriage wedged in the middle, he either had to make way for them or remain stuck there.
Making way would mean going back on his earlier claim that the carriage couldn’t move, which might seem like he was deliberately causing trouble. If Mama Shu weren’t present, it wouldn’t matter, but with her here... Madam Yu had once said that the capital was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with countless scions of noble families. If anyone caused trouble under the Yu Family’s name, not only would the family refuse to intervene in any resulting injuries or deaths, but all relatives working for the Yu Family would also be implicated and dismissed... If Mama Shu reported this to Madam Yu, it would be disastrous. But if he didn’t make way, would they really have to wait half an hour for the plants to be moved before leaving?
Forget it. Once Mama Shu and the others boarded their carriage, he’d just drive out from the other end of the alley.
Whether the plants lived or died—what did it matter to him?
It wasn’t his fault the carriage was stuck between the two.
Having made up his mind, he opened his mouth to call for Mama Shu when Madam Zhao’s cheerful voice rang in his ears: "Zheng San, tell those moving the plants to be careful. That poinsettia cost me a hundred taels of silver, and the Purple Magnolia isn’t cheap either—eighty taels per pot... Make sure not to damage them."
Madam wasn’t one to show off, especially since the poinsettia had only cost five taels and the two Purple Magnolias a mere three taels... But when Zheng San caught the carriage driver’s stunned expression from the corner of his eye, he immediately understood.
Feigning unease, he replied with a slightly ingratiating smile, "Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll personally oversee the move. Not a single leaf or twig will be harmed."
Fu Tingyun nodded.
Mama Shu was perceptive. At first, she had hesitated over whether to greet Fu Tingyun. Later, seeing Fu Tingyun use the plants as leverage, she realized the other party was angry. Recalling Madam Yu’s hope to soften Fu Tingyun’s stance and resolve the feud between their families, she knew that if this matter wasn’t clarified, it might escalate into a full-blown conflict.She couldn't help but smile bitterly, quickly stepping forward to Fu Tingyun and curtsying respectfully, addressing her as "Madam Zhao." She introduced herself, "This servant is Housekeeper to Madam Yu. Earlier, I saw you speaking and didn't want to interrupt..." She curtsied again and scolded the coachman, "Hurry down and help move the flowering trees!"
Her tone carried not only an explanation but also a hint of placating and fawning.
Not only the Yu Family's coachman but even Madam Wu's personal housekeeper widened their eyes in surprise.
Fu Tingyun found Mama Shu somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where they had met before. It wasn't until Mama Shu stepped forward to greet her that she remembered.
Her impression of the Yu Family was already poor, and after witnessing the coachman's behavior, her disdain for them grew even stronger. However, if the Yu Family was willing to offer free labor, she wouldn't refuse.
Fu Tingyun nodded faintly at Mama Shu and instructed Zheng San, "Keep an eye on things." Then, turning to Madam Wu's personal housekeeper, she said, "The journey must have been tiring. I'll visit Madam Wu later to express my thanks." With that, she carried her child and turned to go home.
Madam Wu's housekeeper was left speechless for a moment before finally saying, "Mama Shu, you... you know Madam Zhao too?"
"Yes," Mama Shu replied. Having served Madam Yu all these years, she had enjoyed considerable prestige and had never been treated with such coldness before. She felt a knot of frustration in her chest but couldn't show it, answering Madam Wu's housekeeper absentmindedly.
Zheng San had long been annoyed by the Yu Family coachman's arrogant attitude. Now that he had a legitimate reason to order him around, he didn't hold back.
At one point, he said, "The Wu Family's housekeepers are women, after all. These flowering trees are too heavy—if they fall, it'll be troublesome. Please put some effort into it, brother," making the coachman carry a potted tree inside. Then he remarked, "This spot gets too much afternoon sun. These trees will be transplanted in a few days, and if they get scorched, I won't be able to explain it to my mistress. Please move this pot to the east side." Later, he added, "This is too close to the walkway. What if a servant accidentally kicks the pot? Please lend a hand and move it against the wall." Back and forth, he worked the coachman like a dog, who inwardly cursed in frustration.
Why couldn't he just say what he meant instead of making him run around like this?
Finally, the Yu Family coachman threw up his hands.
"I quit!"
He turned and strode toward the gate.
Having already given him a small lesson, Zheng San felt it was enough. He smirked and called after him, "Hey, if you leave the trees in the middle of the path and someone knocks them over, who's going to pay for it?"
The coachman stiffened with anger but bit back a retort, storming out of the Zhao residence to complain to Mama Shu.
Mama Shu was also displeased but, after a moment's thought, simply said, "Forget it. They've finished moving the trees. Let's go back." She didn't utter a single word of blame.
The coachman was stunned.
Mama Shu had already taken her maid's hand and climbed into the carriage.
One of the newly hired maids, timid and hesitant, brightened at the sight but quickly lowered her head, waiting silently for everyone to board before cautiously climbing in to sit at the back.
Upon returning to the Yu Family, Mama Shu reported the incident to Madam Yu.Madam Yu said indifferently, "He's just a coachman. What does it matter if he endures some grievances on behalf of his master?" Then she added with relief, "In this household, you're the one who truly understands me."
Housekeeper Shu felt aggrieved on Madam Yu's behalf, thinking that since Fu Shi was ungrateful, they might as well just exchange nods when they met to maintain basic courtesy. There was really no need to humble oneself to such an extent. But hearing Madam Yu's words, she found herself unable to voice these thoughts.
Madam Yu naturally understood Housekeeper Shu's feelings and spoke candidly, "Killing a person is as easy as beheading them. If someday De Pu's affairs are impeached, everything I'm doing now will serve as evidence of our sincere efforts to compensate Fu Shi. It might even help overturn the case."
"Madam!" Housekeeper Shu exclaimed, both surprised and delighted, looking at Madam Yu with admiration.
Madam Yu smiled faintly and said, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I remember there's a century-old wild ginseng in my treasury. Have the steward send word to Nanjing to have it delivered here. If anything happens during Consort Wu's delivery, it can be used to sustain her energy."
Housekeeper Shu hesitated, "But that was reserved for your own use..."
Madam Yu waved her hand, cutting her off, "Without a grandson, living a hundred years would just be vexing. With a grandson, I can face our ancestors in peace knowing there's someone to mourn me." Not wanting to dwell too much on matters of life and death, she asked, "How has Fan Shi been treating Consort Wu these days?"
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O(∩_∩)O~
There's a gathering tomorrow, so only one update today...
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(End of Chapter)
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