Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 233: Frank Words

Fu Tingyun turned around in surprise to see Consort Wu panting as she hurried after her.

"Madam Zhao," Consort Wu pleaded, her eyes reddened as she gazed at Fu Tingyun, "I—I just want to speak with you... just a few words!"

Fu Tingyun hesitated for a moment, recalling the sorrow in Consort Wu's voice when she had spoken of "my child being gone."

Fifth Sister inwardly cursed the situation.

Ninth Sister had always been tenderhearted since childhood, but there were times when such softness was ill-advised. Matters of private family scandal were difficult enough for relatives to intervene in, let alone affairs of the Yu Family.

A concubine's son had died... good riddance! It would be even better if the legitimate wife's son died too.

That Yu Jingxiu was cunning and malicious—may he be left without heirs to vent the people's fury!

She stepped forward and took Fu Tingyun's hand. "It's getting late. Let's hurry back to the side hall! Otherwise, Ninth Master will have to search for us once he finishes his game!" She didn't even glance at Consort Wu.

"Madam Zhao!" Consort Wu cried urgently, tears streaming down her face. "I know you're a kind person. I—I just have something to ask you. Please, I beg you..." As she spoke, her knees bent, about to kneel.

Yu Wei stamped her foot in frustration.

Seeing her mistress's wavering expression, she knew that if Consort Wu truly knelt, Fu Tingyun might find it impossible to refuse.

Quick as lightning, Yu Wei rushed forward in three swift steps, catching Consort Wu before her knees touched the ground. "Consort Wu, please don't do this! You're a concubine of the Yu Family—how could you perform such a grand gesture to our mistress?" She added pointedly, "Are you here alone to offer incense? Where are your maids and attendants? Should we help find them? It's freezing—if you catch a chill, it would be terrible!"

Consort Wu seemed oblivious to Yu Wei's implications, nodding gratefully instead. "With the New Year approaching, I sought Madam Yu's permission, and she arranged a carriage to bring me to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense for my child. The weather is too cold, so I let my maids and attendants rest in the side rooms." She glanced at Fu Tingyun. "I wanted to be alone... to speak a few words to that child..." Her pleading gaze grew even more desperate.

Fifth Sister inwardly cursed the ill omen.

Of all the days to choose...

"My sister is with child," she said bluntly, unaware that Consort Wu's child had been lost to miscarriage. "Since this is a ritual for the deceased, it's best to keep your distance!" With that, she tried to pull Fu Tingyun away.

Consort Wu's tears fell like rain.

Yes, a miscarried child was an ill-fated spirit—what if it disturbed Madam Zhao's unborn child?

She lowered her head. "Madam Zhao, I apologize... I didn't think it through... I truly didn't mean any harm..." Her face was filled with remorse.

Fu Tingyun sighed and gently held Fifth Sister back. "Let me speak with her for a moment."

"Ninth Sister," Fifth Sister frowned, "this is the Yu Family's affair—what does it have to do with us? That we haven't taken the chance to stir trouble against Yu Jingxiu is already returning good for evil. And now you want to meddle in their concubine's matters..." She grew agitated. "If you're not careful, I'll tell Third Sister!"

A warm feeling flowed through Fu Tingyun's heart."I know," she said softly. "I'll just speak with her in front of the main hall for a few words. Nothing will happen." After saying this, she tightly squeezed Fifth Sister's hand before letting go and addressing Consort Wu, "Come with me." Then she walked toward the camellia tree.

Consort Wu was momentarily stunned, forgetting to wipe the tears streaming down her face as she hurriedly followed.

Fu Tingyun stopped beneath the tree and, with a smile, gestured to her face. "Do you have a handkerchief? Wipe your tears. The weather is cold—water on your skin can easily cause frostbite."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu's barely restrained tears fell again. Forcing a smile, she murmured, "Yes," and quickly pulled out a handkerchief to dab her face.

Only then did Fu Tingyun continue, "Did you hear clearly what my Fifth Sister said earlier?"

Consort Wu hesitated for a long moment before nodding slightly and murmuring, "Is it because I'm just a concubine...?"

"Not at all," Fu Tingyun said bluntly. "By rights, even if you are a concubine, given that Madam Wu and I are neighbors, I should offer some consideration if you come to me with matters. But there are things you don't know—there is discord between me and the Yu Family..."

"Ah!" Before she could finish, Consort Wu gasped in shock. "How... how could that be?"

Her mouth hung open as she stared blankly at Fu Tingyun, motionless for a long while.

Fu Tingyun couldn't help but inwardly laugh at herself.

It was because she sensed Consort Wu's inexplicable goodwill toward her that she had decided to give her an explanation.

Yet even so, upon hearing about the discord with the Yu Family, Consort Wu wore an expression of disbelief.

Fifth Sister was right—what did the Yu Family's affairs have to do with her? No matter how pitiable Consort Wu was, she was still part of the Yu Family. Acting this way made her no different from the naive Dongguo who foolishly helped the wolf.

For a moment, Fu Tingyun felt disheartened.

"Your matter is truly not something I can involve myself in," she said, nodding at Consort Wu before turning to leave.

But her sleeve was caught by a pair of bony, bamboo-thin hands. "Madam Zhao, please wait!"

She had already said all there was to say. This Consort Wu was truly lacking in tact—and here she had thought to kindly offer her an explanation.

Suppressing her irritation, Fu Tingyun turned back.

"Madam Zhao," Consort Wu's pale face flushed with an unnatural rosy hue, her eyes shining with an unusual brightness. "Thank you... thank you for treating me this way."

Fu Tingyun was taken aback.

Consort Wu continued, "That lady was right. You had no obligation to concern yourself with my affairs, yet you spoke to me frankly... Though I may be slow-witted, I recognize your kindness." As she spoke, she smiled, her melancholic expression brightening like flowers under sunlight. "Madam Zhao, you are a good person. If there is discord between you and the Yu Family, it must surely be the Yu Family who is at fault. Good people are rewarded—you will surely enjoy blessings, prosperity, and the health of your family." She curtsied deeply. "Ignorance is no crime—please forgive my earlier rudeness. It's getting late, and I should return. My maids are waiting for me in the side chamber." Without waiting for Fu Tingyun's response, she curtsied again and hurried toward the moon gate to the east.

Who would have thought Consort Wu would conclude that the Yu Family must be at fault simply because she believed Fu Tingyun was a good person!She had no real connection with her, so why would she be convinced that she was a good person?

Watching Consort Wu's retreating figure, Fu Tingyun hesitated to speak.

Even if she called out to her and asked for a reason, what good would it do?

Could she possibly intervene in her affairs because of that?

With a sigh, Fu Tingyun returned to Fifth Sister's side.

"What did you say to that concubine?" Although Fu Tingyun hadn't spoken too loudly or softly, Fifth Sister and the others were too far away to hear clearly, even when straining their ears. Fifth Sister was worried she might have made some promise to Consort Wu.

"Nothing much," Fu Tingyun replied. "I just told her frankly that I have issues with the Yu Family and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to listen to her."

Fifth Sister relaxed slightly but still admonished, "Why say so much to her? Stay as far away from such matters as possible in the future. Those who know you might say you're kind-hearted, but those who don’t might think you're trying to stir up trouble in the Yu Family. Don’t end up getting yourself involved. Understand?"

"Understood, understood," Fu Tingyun quickly assured with a smile. "It won’t happen again. I won’t speak much with their family members anymore."

"You’d better remember what you said." Fifth Sister repeatedly reminded her as they returned to the side hall at the back.

Soon, Fifth Brother-in-law returned.

He asked, "Has Brother-in-law Zhao returned yet?"

"Not yet," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile.

Fifth Brother-in-law couldn’t help but regret, "Had I known, I would’ve lingered longer!"

Fifth Sister glared at him. "Brother-in-law Zhao entrusted you with looking after Tingyun, and she, worried you’d be bored, arranged for the Little Monk to show you around the Zen Monastery. And here you are, complaining. Had I known, I’d have made you stay here and listen to our idle chatter."

Fifth Brother-in-law didn’t argue, just smiled sheepishly.

Fu Tingyun felt Fifth Sister was being too hard on him and quickly interjected, "Fifth Brother-in-law, where did you visit today? Was it interesting?"

"The Tanzhe Temple truly lives up to its reputation as a royal monastery!" Fifth Brother-in-law had countless impressions to share after his tour, and Fu Tingyun’s question hit the right note. His face lit up with excitement. "The pagodas in the upper and lower courtyards stand like a forest, with the earliest dating back to the Jin Dynasty. One of the steles is particularly majestic, embodying the essence of Liu Zhenqing’s style. I made a rubbing of it..." He called loudly for his attendant to bring in the rubbing he’d made to show Fu Tingyun. "...I plan to research it when I return to identify the calligrapher!"

Fifth Sister, who shared her husband’s passion and was skilled in calligraphy herself, joined Fu Tingyun in examining the rubbing.

The side hall soon buzzed with lively discussion.

Had Yu Wei not been keeping an eye out, they might not have noticed when Zhao Ling returned.

On the way back, Zhao Ling remarked with a smile, "Fifth Brother-in-law and Fifth Sister are truly kindred spirits."

Fu Tingyun smiled faintly and told Zhao Ling about the encounter with Consort Wu.

Zhao Ling echoed Fifth Sister’s sentiments: "They should be thanking their lucky stars we’re not causing them trouble, yet they dare to provoke you..."Fu Tingyun noticed a flash of coldness in his eyes and knew he was angered. She quickly said, "What does a mere concubine know? Besides, you're about to leave for Guizhou soon. It's better to focus your thoughts on the military affairs there. Don't bother with these messy matters. Didn't you say you trust me? I'll handle it properly." She then added, "What did Mr. Zhao talk to you about today? Did you ask for his views on the situation in Guizhou?"

"Mr. Zhao and I just played chess—we didn't discuss anything else," Zhao Ling replied with a smile, pulling Fu Tingyun into his arms. "Sometimes, saying too much isn't good."

"You're always so mysterious," Fu Tingyun murmured, nestling comfortably in his embrace.

Zhao Ling chuckled. "After the New Year, Wu Xin, Official Wu from Shaanxi, might send a steward to visit our home. If he brings any gifts, just accept them."

"What scheme are you up to now?" Fu Tingyun asked. "Why would Official Wu send us gifts?"

"It's nothing much," Zhao Ling said lightly. "I helped him with a small favor. Being too rigid only keeps people at a distance. Just do as I say. At most, we can return the courtesy if he ever needs anything."

External matters were Zhao Ling's domain, and his reasoning made sense.

Fu Tingyun nodded and began chatting with him about Mr. Zhao's chess skills instead.

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Dear sisters and brothers, with the double pink votes, I really wanted to update more to ask for your support. But with the holidays approaching, there's so much to do, and I couldn't stick to my writing schedule. I'll have to update later tonight, though it might be quite late—perhaps you'd prefer to read it tomorrow morning.

O(∩_∩)O~

Please vote pink for me…

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(End of Chapter)