Chapter 259: Laying It Bare
Yu Jingxiu was practicing calligraphy in his study when he heard his mother had arrived. He hurried out to greet her.
With a smile, Madam Yu allowed her son to escort her into the study. Standing before the large desk, she examined his calligraphy for a while before remarking, "You’ve truly improved quite a bit!"
She praised him warmly.
Yu Jingxiu gently guided his mother to sit on the large kang by the window, then took the tea Cheng Xin had prepared and personally handed it to Madam Yu before saying with a smile, "There are many skilled calligraphers in the Office of Transmission. If I don’t work hard, I’ll only embarrass myself."
"Your father would be pleased to hear you say that," Madam Yu replied. After exchanging a few pleasantries with her son, Fan Shi, who had been informed of her arrival, came in carrying Zhen Jie'er to pay her respects.
Gazing at the kitten-like Zhen Jie'er, Madam Yu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly before getting to the point of her visit. "Since Cousin Chen is unwilling, I won’t force her. But since Cousin Fei has stayed, I think we should pick an auspicious day and make her a concubine."
Her tone was not one of discussion but of command, which unsettled Fan Shi.
Yu Jingxiu frowned as well, but before he could even say "Mother," Madam Yu had already turned to Mo Zhuan, who was standing nearby. "I hear you’re quite skilled at making almond paste. I’d like to try some today." Her dismissive tone was unmistakable.
Not daring to linger, Mo Zhuan acknowledged the request with a smile and withdrew, taking the other servants with her.
Madam Yu looked directly at her son and daughter-in-law and stated bluntly, "Our family hasn’t divided the estate with your uncle and third uncle. Household affairs are still managed by your uncle and aunt. I sent Cousin Chen back because she was being presumptuous, even daring to speak out of turn in front of me. If your third aunt knew the reason I sent her away, she wouldn’t tolerate such insolence either. Still, it has embarrassed your third aunt, and she’s bound to feel resentful. She and your aunt have stayed in the old family home in Nanjing for decades. Though they’re sisters-in-law, they’re closer than real sisters. So, we must give Cousin Fei a proper arrangement. That way, if your third aunt wants to say anything to your aunt, she’ll at least think twice." She then turned to Fan Shi. "De Pu was supposed to shoulder the responsibilities of all three branches, but in truth, it’s because your father-in-law, your uncle, and your third uncle are so close that they didn’t want the family fortune to fall into outsiders’ hands. Otherwise, why would there be such an arrangement? Let me tell you, there are countless collateral relatives in the Yu Family who’d love to have their sons adopted into your uncle’s or third uncle’s line!"
Fan Shi’s heart clenched.
Her mother-in-law was warning her that if she didn’t appease the elder madam and the third madam, the family would fall apart—and she, the wife who couldn’t persuade her husband to continue the family line, would be blamed for its collapse.
Her smile couldn’t help but turn bitter as her gaze shifted toward Yu De Pu.
Meanwhile, Madam Yu was telling Yu Jingxiu about something she’d just heard from Grand Secretary Yu: "Back then, Zhao Ling was just a Centurion. Now that he’s been promoted to Regional Commander, he’s likely grown even bolder. You must be careful when you go out. Avoid unfamiliar people if you can. If that Zhao Ling were to lose his temper, who knows what he might do? You’re fine porcelain—he’s just a clay pot. There’s no need for us to stoop to his level!"Yu Jingxiu was stunned, taking a long moment to regain his composure. After his mother finished speaking, he couldn’t help but find it both laughable and exasperating. "Mother, you’re overthinking this! This is the imperial capital—no matter how bold Zhao Ling is, he wouldn’t dare openly harm an imperial official. You can rest easy."
Madam Yu, however, gave a cold smile and glanced at Fan Shi. "If not for the seeds sown back then, how could we reap such fruit today? In any case, I’ve already spoken with your father—we’re not going to the Censorate. The Office of Transmission has produced grand secretaries before—why must you endure the hardships of being an itinerant censor?"
"Mother!" Yu Jingxiu grew irritated. "How could you make such a major decision without consulting me first? The Office of Transmission is just drafting memorials and delivering edicts—there are plenty of people there with more seniority than me. Even if I endure long enough to advance, I’d still need to gain experience in other ministries. Why should I waste time building seniority there? Outside, I can accomplish real work and make a name for myself. Once I return to the Six Ministries, promotions will come much easier..."
"Enough," Madam Yu cut him off. "My mind is made up—how can you establish a career without first settling your household? How can you govern the realm without first ordering your family? Once you’ve properly arranged matters at home, then we can discuss the rest." With that, she stood and called for "Mama Shu," then, without so much as a glance at Fan Shi, took Mama Shu’s arm and left the hall.
Yu Jingxiu slammed his fist onto the black-lacquered square table.
The thud echoed through the spacious hall.
Fan Shi jumped in fright and hurried over to check his hand. "Are you hurt?"
Yu Jingxiu shook his head gloomily.
Fan Shi’s expression dimmed. She bit her lip, opening her mouth several times as if to speak, but each time swallowed her words.
Yu Jingxiu stood with a dark expression. "I’m going to the study!"
Fan Shi quickly acknowledged and saw him out. Turning back, she summoned Mo Zhuan and relayed Madam Yu’s words before hesitantly asking, "What should we do now?"
Mo Zhuan thought for a moment. "Let’s see what the young master decides—after all, if the sky falls, the tall will hold it up."
Fan Shi sighed and nodded helplessly before reclining against the large bolster pillow on the kang. "I thought that since my husband is the top scholar, things would be easy. Who knew it would still be so difficult, even with Father-in-law’s support... No wonder my father resigned and returned home... It’s truly exhausting... I heard Grand Secretary Chen just turned forty this year. How did he rise so quickly?"
Mo Zhuan could only console her. "Grand Secretary Chen spent many years as a county magistrate before his ascent! The young master just hasn’t had his opportunity yet. Once his time comes, he’ll surely soar to great heights. Please set your mind at ease, madam—our young master is the top scholar, after all!"
Fan Shi knew discussing this with a maid was pointless, but there was no one else she could speak to.She waved her hand dismissively with a self-deprecating smile, sending Mo Zhuan away, then lay back alone on the large bolster pillow. Yet her mind echoed with the hushed whispers she'd accidentally overheard from several matrons during the Wu family's fourth young lady's full month ceremony: "Not even thirty yet, already promoted to second-rank Regional Commander. What heights will he reach in a few more years? He might well become another Marquis Yingchuan! That Madam Zhao is certainly fortunate—if Lord Zhao achieves another victory in Guizhou, she should receive an honorary title..."
Fan Shi recalled the envious yet slightly jealous expressions on those women's faces as they gossiped... while she could only trail behind Madam Yu, being introduced as "Madam Yu's daughter-in-law." The matrons would then smile with condescending reserve, nodding absently in her direction, while she had to approach them with a bright smile, curtsying respectfully to offer greetings. Even so, some would still whisper upon seeing her, "This is Madam Yu's daughter-in-law—what was her surname again?"
The thought made her chest tighten with frustration. Seizing the nearby bolster pillow, she hurled it at the Grand Tutor chair not far away...
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In his study, Yu Jingxiu vented his anger by furiously writing five to six hundred characters in wild cursive script before finally feeling somewhat calmer.
He began carefully considering his mother's words.
Zhao Ling wouldn't dare go that far—just needed closer monitoring. As for Fan Shi's inability to bear a son, he would discuss taking a concubine with her when the time came. Not like now, where regardless of his consent, preferences, or feelings, decisions were forced upon him with women thrust before his eyes.
Yet stubbornly opposing his mother wasn't feasible either—it would only alienate Aunt and Third Aunt Chen.
These realizations left him with a splitting headache.
After pacing his study aimlessly, he found himself inexplicably drawn to Fei Shi's quarters.
Fei Shi sat by the window on the heated kang doing needlework when Yu Jingxiu entered. She immediately set aside her sewing to greet him with a curtsy, then personally brewed and presented him tea.
Yu Jingxiu studied Fei Shi closely.
Of average height with merely delicate features, her fair complexion, gentle demeanor, and composed bearing lent her an air of dignified grace, reminiscent of aristocratic refinement.
He was surprised.
Truthfully, harboring resentment, he'd barely glanced at either Fei Shi or Chen Shi before.
Meeting his gaze without shyness, Fei Shi smiled softly at him.
Yu Jingxiu grew slightly uncomfortable.
Clearing his throat lightly, he sipped his tea while glancing at the sewing basket on the kang, noticing a section of lilac satin embroidered with gold motifs.
"You're doing needlework," he remarked pointlessly.
Fei Shi promptly unfolded her project before him. "To pass the time, I'm making an unlined robe for Madam. I wonder if she'll like it? Since you're here, perhaps you could advise me—point out anything I might have overlooked."
Yu Jingxiu was taken aback again.
Yet Fei Shi's natural poise inexplicably eased his tension. Glancing at the unfinished garment, he nodded. "It looks adequate.""If the master says it's good, then it must be so." Fei Shi seemed quite pleased upon hearing this, her smile unusually radiant.
Yu Jingxiu suddenly found the whole exchange rather dull.
Chen Shi had the backbone to go before his mother and request to return to Nanjing, but this Fei Shi was far more cunning. No matter how he treated her, she could endure it all.
At this thought, he felt like leaving.
Unexpectedly, Fei Shi across from him smiled and said, "Before I came to the capital, Aunt repeatedly reminded me to serve the master well. She even mentioned how much you loved First-Rank Duck as a child and specifically had the kitchen matron teach me how to prepare it. It’s just a pity that since arriving in the capital, you’ve always been so busy, and I haven’t had the chance to properly serve you a meal."
Since she had brought up Aunt, Yu Jingxiu had no choice but to sit back down.
Fei Shi then turned with a smile and brought over a plate of pastries, asking softly, "Master, did you come here for something?"
Yu Jingxiu was taken aback.
Fei Shi’s expression turned serious as she continued, "I know that Aunt and Third Aunt sending me and Sister Chen here like this has made you uncomfortable. That’s why Sister Chen wants to leave. But I’m different from her. If Sister Chen returns, her parents will decide her fate. But I lost my parents long ago and have been relying on my uncle. If I’m sent back, it would shame him, and he might even drown me in the pond himself. So I have no choice but to shamelessly stay."
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Apologies for the late update—I had to make a trip to Xiantao... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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