Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 262: Stirrings

When Madam Wu heard that Madam Yu had come to visit, she personally went to the inner gate to welcome her and graciously invited her to sit in the main hall.

After maids served tea and snacks, Madam Yu tactfully stated her purpose: "...After all, she is just a concubine. Our family and the Zhao family are merely acquaintances, so it would be improper for her to visit their home so casually. We had no choice but to confine Consort Wu to her quarters. If you happen to see her, Madam, please advise her as well."

Under normal circumstances, Madam Wu would have meekly agreed. But now that she knew of the feud between the two families—and still couldn’t fathom how Consort Wu had managed to speak with Fu Tingyun, nor what they had discussed—she couldn’t casually give her assent. She let out an exaggerated sigh and said with a smile, "Oh dear, this is all my fault! I was only thinking of convenience, since Consort Wu and Madam Zhao had met a few times before, so I asked her to pass along a message. I didn’t mean to cause any misunderstanding!"

Madam Yu was taken aback. "Consort Wu and Madam Zhao... see each other often?" A trace of bewilderment flickered in her eyes.

Madam Wu couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

Are you afraid people will find out about your family’s dirty secrets?

Though she thought this, not a hint of it showed on her face as she replied cheerfully, "Our families live next door to each other. How could we avoid running into each other when we’re constantly crossing paths?"

Madam Yu frowned slightly.

Recalling how Madam Yu had occasionally shown subtle disdain when she used to gossip about trivial matters, Madam Wu decided to deliberately provoke her. "Have you heard? Lord Zhao has won another battle in Guizhou. The Emperor even praised him in court today, calling him 'my prized steed.' I think Lord Zhao is due for another promotion!" She sighed theatrically. "Just think—he’s not even thirty yet and already a second-rank official. If he keeps rising at this rate, by the time he’s our age, he’ll surely be granted a noble title! Back when I was their age, I was still pinching pennies in my hometown, praying to the gods that my husband would pass the imperial exams so I could finally hold my head high in front of the neighbors... They truly are blessed!" As she spoke, she discreetly studied Madam Yu’s expression. Seeing a flicker of discomfort cross her face, Madam Wu felt a surge of satisfaction and pressed on with a smile, "Oh, by the way, I heard that your son has been appointed as a Censor in the Censorate. What’s wrong with the Office of Transmission? Censors have to investigate officials—it’s such a thankless job. Back in the day, my husband racked his brains just to get out of it." She then chided playfully, "Why didn’t you persuade Grand Secretary Yu to help your son transfer somewhere else? Even the Hanlin Academy would be better than the Censorate!"

Madam Yu was furious.

The Office of Transmission was a prestigious post close to the Emperor—countless people schemed desperately to get in. Yet Madam Wu’s words made it sound as though her son had been forced out and had no choice but to take the Censorate position.

This Madam Wu was both ignorant and fond of gossip... but in the capital, there were plenty of officials’ wives just like her. If she thought this way, others might too.

Rumors repeated often enough become truth.

If this spread, wouldn’t it ruin De Pu’s reputation?Madam Yu suppressed her displeasure and explained gently to Madam Wu, "Although the Office of Transmission is a good position, one must endure at least eight to ten years before gaining prominence. The censors in the Censorate may have a harder workload, but it's easier to achieve political merit there. Moreover, it offers more opportunities to broaden one's horizons, which would benefit De Pu in the long run."

"So that's how it is!" Madam Wu responded, though her expression was perfunctory. Clearly, she believed Madam Yu was merely making excuses for her son's decline in status, and she magnanimously chose not to expose it.

Madam Yu felt bitter but helpless.

Any further explanation might only make Madam Wu think she was trying to cover up the truth, which would backfire.

With this thought, the Wu Family's parlor suddenly felt stifling and oppressive, making it hard for her to breathe. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she stood up to take her leave.

Madam Wu politely urged her to stay a while longer before escorting her to the main gate.

Madam Wu's personal housekeeper then voiced her concern, "Madam, should we send someone to check on Consort Wu?"

"Once she entered their household, she became one of them," Madam Wu snorted coldly. "Even if she were beaten to death, it would be the Yu Family's responsibility for the death..."

The housekeeper was well aware that Madam Wu viewed Consort Wu as hopelessly incompetent and thus held her in contempt. However, times had changed, and she couldn't help but whisper a reminder, "I'm just worried Madam Zhao might think we're too heartless..."

Madam Wu's expression stiffened at this.

Ah!

How could she have forgotten that?

She quickly replied, "You're right. No need to send anyone else—you go yourself. Bring some tonics and gift boxes. Tell her to learn proper etiquette from the mistress, stay home to do needlework, and not wander around. The mistress confined her to teach her a lesson, but it's for her own good. She shouldn't hold any grudges and should serve the young master and mistress dutifully. If you can also find out what she and Madam Zhao discussed, that would be even better!"

The housekeeper acknowledged with a smile, took Madam Wu's token, withdrew some funds from the accounts to purchase medicinal ingredients, bought an eight-piece gift set, and headed to the Yu Family.

When Madam Yu heard that the Wu Family had sent someone to visit Consort Wu right after her departure, she flushed with anger. "What is she trying to do? Backing up Consort Wu? Since when do concubines have family support?"

Mama Shu hurried forward to pat Madam Yu's back soothingly, advising, "Don't be upset, Madam. Madam Wu isn't one to disregard propriety. She must have sent someone to reprimand Consort Wu after you complained about her!"

Madam Yu's expression eased slightly, and she instructed Mama Shu, "Go and see for yourself! If they're truly there to scold Consort Wu, then let it be. But if they say anything else..." Though she left the rest unsaid, Mama Shu understood perfectly and nodded knowingly before heading to Yu Jingxiu's courtyard.

The door to Consort Wu's chamber was slightly ajar, and voices could be heard inside. In contrast, the door to Consort Fei's room was tightly shut, and the backyard was eerily silent without a soul in sight.

Mama Shu frowned.

This was no reprimand—it was clearly a show of support for Consort Wu!

And the mistress—why hadn't she sent a respectable housekeeper to attend to the guests? Not only would it fulfill hospitality, but it would also prevent the Wu Family's people from speaking out of turn.

With this thought, Mama Shu's frown deepened.She hurried over in quick strides.

The door to Consort Wu's side chamber creaked open, and Madam Wu's personal housekeeper stepped out. As she walked, she turned back to smile at Consort Wu, who was seeing her off, and said, "The wind outside is strong, Consort. Be careful not to catch a chill. Please go back inside! This servant is not visiting for the first time—how could I dare let you see me off? I’ll just pay my respects to the mistress and then return. If anything comes up, simply send Lianxin to inform Madam Wu so she can rest easy." Her tone was exceedingly polite and courteous.

Listen to what she was saying!

Wasn’t this clearly coming to back Consort Wu up?

Who would have thought Madam Wu would send her personal housekeeper!

Wasn’t this making too big a deal of it?

Housekeeper Shu’s expression darkened slightly.

Consort Wu, as always gentle and polite, replied softly, "Then I won’t see you off—I’m still under confinement!" She then called for Lianxin, "Escort the housekeeper for me."

As they spoke, both looked up and noticed Housekeeper Shu.

Madam Wu’s personal housekeeper quickly stepped forward with a smile to greet Housekeeper Shu, while Consort Wu, not daring to step out of her room, leaned against the doorframe and called out, "Housekeeper Shu."

Housekeeper Shu promptly returned the greeting with a smile and nodded toward Consort Wu, saying, "Leaving so soon? Won’t you stay a little longer?" Then she glanced at Consort Wu, "Why not ask the housekeeper to stay a while longer?"

Before Consort Wu could respond, Madam Wu’s housekeeper smiled and said, "Our Madam is worried about Consort Wu and is waiting for me to report back. I mustn’t delay." She insisted on leaving.

When Housekeeper Shu heard her say "Our Madam is worried about Consort Wu," her heart turned cold. Hearing the housekeeper was leaving, she accompanied her to Fan Shi’s quarters and then saw her off through the moon gate on Fan Shi’s behalf.

Meanwhile, after seeing off Housekeeper Shu and Madam Wu’s housekeeper, Mo Zhuan couldn’t help but remark to Fan Shi, "What exactly is Madam Wu up to? It’s just a concubine under confinement, yet she sends her esteemed housekeeper to visit… One after another, none of them know how to keep things simple!" She was clearly indignant on Fan Shi’s behalf.

Fan Shi, however, gave a cold smile and said, "These are all people she brought in—let her deal with the headache. What does it have to do with us?"

Mo Zhuan naturally knew who Fan Shi was referring to as "she" and felt uneasy. "But in the end, it’s still a matter of your household…"

"My household?" Fan Shi’s gaze turned icy. "Since when have I had the final say in my own household?"

Mo Zhuan fell silent.

Outside, a young maid’s voice called out, "The master has returned!"

Fan Shi glanced at Mo Zhuan, then put on a bright smile and went to greet him.

Yu Jingxiu smiled and asked Fan Shi, "How is Zhen Jie’er today?"

"Zhen Jie’er has been doing well these days," Fan Shi replied as she helped him change his clothes.

Yu Jingxiu hesitated for a moment before saying solemnly, "I’ll be leaving for Shandong in a couple of days and likely won’t return until the New Year…"

Fan Shi was taken aback. "So soon? You’re going to Shandong already?"

"I didn’t expect it either!" Yu Jingxiu took a towel handed by a maid and wiped his face. "I thought I’d be leaving after the New Year." He then reassured her, "This censor’s term is only a year. Next year, I’ll be staying in the capital."

But once he left the Censorate, would he be able to secure a better position?Fan Shi muttered to herself, but considering the twists and turns of this assignment and Yu Jingxiu's imminent departure, she temporarily suppressed the thought and helped him pack his trunks.

Grand Secretary Yu, meanwhile, summoned his son for some final words of advice.

At this time, Fei Shi arrived with a few garments to pay her respects to Fan Shi: "...I made these for the young master in my spare time. Hearing he's leaving the capital and seeing how the weather grows colder, I thought they might come in handy." She added, "I didn’t know earlier that the young master would be traveling, so I focused on finishing his winter clothes first. I’ll have yours and Zhen Jie'er’s ready in a couple of days."

Fan Shi glanced at Fei Shi’s plain face, which bore an expression of cautious ingratiation, and gave a faint nod, instructing Mo Zhuan to take the clothes.

Fei Shi let out a long sigh of relief. "I was afraid the young mistress might find my needlework poor. I didn’t expect you to be so gracious."

It was nothing more than an attempt to curry favor.

Fan Shi couldn’t be bothered to engage further and dismissed Fei Shi with a wave of her hand.

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Fortunately, everything went smoothly. The computer was fixed, and the update came earlier than expected... O(∩_∩)O~

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(End of Chapter)