Chapter 267: The Return Journey
Why bring up this person out of the blue?
Yu Jingxiu's expression darkened slightly.
Fan Shi, who was holding the child, also looked nervously at her father-in-law.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew somber.
Madam Yu quickly smiled and said, "That's their family's business. We only need to worry about our own affairs." She then asked Yu Jingxiu about his plans for the coming days: "...How many days can you stay at home?"
Seizing the opportunity to change the subject, Yu Jingxiu immediately replied with a smile, "That depends on the arrangements of the Censorate. I might have to make another trip soon."
Just as he spoke, a maid entered and reported, "Young Master, there's a man outside who calls himself Master Hu. He claims to know you from Shandong and has come specifically to visit you."
All eyes turned to Yu Jingxiu, and Madam Yu added, "At this hour? Why would someone come to see you now?"
Yu Jingxiu also looked puzzled. After a moment of thought, he murmured, "Hu..." and then asked the maid, "Did he present a Name Card?"
The maid shook her head. "No," she replied. "The message from outside said Master Hu claimed you'd recognize him immediately without needing a Name Card."
The fact that someone could have the gatekeepers relay a message without presenting a Name Card suggested this person was no ordinary visitor.
After some consideration, Yu Jingxiu cupped his hands toward Grand Secretary Yu and said, "Father, I'll go see who it is." He then bowed to his mother before leaving the hall.
Madam Yu urged Fan Shi to return and rest.
Fan Shi smiled, holding Zhen Jie'er, and bid farewell to her grandparents.
Grand Secretary Yu merely nodded with a faint smile, while Madam Yu gently touched Zhen Jie'er's sparse, yellowish hair.
Fan Shi lowered her eyes.
Her father-in-law... didn't seem particularly fond of Zhen Jie'er...
Lost in thought, her footsteps slowed, and she overheard Madam Yu speaking to Grand Secretary Yu: "Why bring up Zhao Ling when our son has just returned home?"
"You're just helping him bury his head in the sand!" Grand Secretary Yu retorted irritably. "Zhao Ling is rising swiftly. Sooner or later, their paths will cross. If we don't study Zhao Ling carefully now, by the time he gains enough influence to overshadow De Pu, it'll be too late for De Pu to figure out who this Zhao Ling really is." He then instructed Madam Yu, "When he returns, send him to my study. I still have things to discuss with him."
Madam Yu gave a quiet acknowledgment.
Fan Shi's steps faltered.
How could Fu Shi's husband, Zhao Ling, be so formidable?
Or was her father-in-law simply being overly cautious?
A flicker of doubt crossed her mind.
Madam Yu's voice reached her ears again: "Is Fu Shi really as you described—mediating connections for court officials?" She still sounded skeptical.
"A woman who could extricate herself unscathed after how De Pu treated her is no simple figure," Grand Secretary Yu snorted coldly, his tone impatient. "When you have time, take De Pu's wife out more often. Staying cooped up at home all the time leaves her speech and actions without refinement, her demeanor utterly provincial..."
Fan Shi trembled with anger, unable to bear listening any longer. Stumbling out of the main courtyard, she could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face uncontrollably.Outside the room, Mo Zhuan, who was attending to her duties, had no idea what had transpired inside. Seeing Fan Shi's shocked expression, she quickly motioned for the maids surrounding Fan Shi to step back, handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face, and whispered urgently, "Madam, be careful—people might see!"
"Let them see!" Fan Shi had never suffered such humiliation before. It was the first time in her life someone had called her "petty." She had never dreamed anyone would view her that way, least of all her father-in-law. Tears welled up as she sobbed, "When he said those things, Housekeeper Shu was still in the room... Sooner or later, everyone in the household will know. I’ve already lost face—why should I care if others see?"
Her words were disjointed, and Mo Zhuan assumed Fan Shi had quarreled with Yu Jingxiu. She hurriedly tried to console her, "The master has just returned, and you’re already worried he’ll go to the concubines—though he doesn’t favor either of them, if he doesn’t stay in your room on his first night back, those gossipy people will surely start wagging their tongues..."
"It’s not about the master!" Fan Shi snatched the handkerchief from Mo Zhuan and stopped crying.
A sudden thought crossed her mind: What would Yu Jingxiu think if he knew Fu Shi had been helping those court officials make connections?
Would he think the Yu family lacked propriety? Or would he... regret it?
The idea sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly suppressed it.
Her husband must never find out!
Even if he remained unmoved, her father-in-law and mother-in-law’s stance was already clear. There was no guarantee they wouldn’t sway him...
Biting her lip, Fan Shi returned to her room.
When Yu Jingxiu came back, she eagerly asked him, "What did Father say to you?"
"Nothing much," Yu Jingxiu replied. "He just asked about Shandong. He was pleased to hear I’m on good terms with Lord Jiang." Then he called for Mo Zhuan, "Bring water for me to wash up."
Mo Zhuan hurried off to comply.
But Yu Jingxiu sat there, momentarily lost in thought.
Fan Shi’s heart tightened.
Something was wrong... Her husband’s demeanor was off... They were a loving couple, reunited after so long—they should be affectionate. Why did he look so troubled? Father must have said something to him...
Her hands clenched into fists involuntarily. Forcing a smile, she sat beside Yu Jingxiu and asked softly, "Husband, what’s on your mind?"
"Hmm?" Yu Jingxiu snapped out of his daze. "Nothing!" He smiled at her. "Has Zhen Jie'er gone to bed?"
Fan Shi’s grip tightened further.
Why wouldn’t he tell her?
His tone was so indifferent—clearly brushing her off!
But remembering Mo Zhuan’s words, she still managed to reply with a smile, "She’s already asleep." Yet her heart ached with grievance, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" Yu Jingxiu asked anxiously. "What’s wrong? Did Mother say something again? Don’t cry!" He took a handkerchief and wiped her face.
"I asked what Father said to you, but you wouldn’t answer me..." Fan Shi took the handkerchief, her voice choked with sobs. "You’ve only been gone two or three months, and already you can’t be bothered to talk to me... I’ve been here alone, raising Zhen Jie'er... waiting for your return..."Yu Jingxiu quickly embraced her. "I know, I know. We really didn't discuss anything serious. I was just handling that embezzlement case in Shandong, remember? That fellow surnamed Hu came to see me about it—some cousin of his got implicated... Father merely advised me that 'the law should not override human compassion,' telling me not to rigidly offend everyone. As long as the main culprit confesses, that's enough... I was thinking the same way. I've been pondering Father's words."
Was it really like that?
A sliver of suspicion flickered in Fan Shi's heart.
Her husband had a habit of sugarcoating things in front of her...
"Ah!" Yu Jingxiu laughed when he noticed her expression. "Why are you so suspicious?"
It wasn't that she was being overly suspicious—it was clearly her in-laws looking down on her, always comparing her to that Fu Shi.
Unable to hold back, Fan Shi asked, "Then... did Father mention anything about Zhao Ling?"
Yu Jingxiu froze.
Since their marriage, this was the first time they had broached the topic of the past...
His expression darkened, his voice low and tense. "You already know?"
Only then did Fan Shi realize her slip.
She inwardly cursed herself, watching Yu Jingxiu's reaction as she murmured, "I... overheard Father mention it just now..."
Yu Jingxiu listened, forcing a strained smile.
Fan Shi hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "He said you should be careful of Zhao Ling..."
"I know!" Yu Jingxiu replied awkwardly.
Truthfully, this whole matter had been for Fan Shi's sake... Yet now, she didn't seem particularly grateful or moved...
Like someone expecting praise only to find everyone already knew and didn't care, he suddenly felt deflated. With a sullen expression, he stood up and called loudly for Mo Zhuan, "Why is fetching water taking so long?"
Watching her husband avoid her, Fan Shi felt lost.
Did he know about Fu Shi or not?
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun sat under the lamplight, head bowed as she went over accounts with Yu Wei.
"...If we sell all the silverware Ninth Master brought back, we can get over ten thousand taels. That's enough not only to buy a small villa in Yuming Mountain but also to cover the renovation costs," she calculated. "Tomorrow, invite Shopkeeper Ye San over. He's been thriving in the capital these past two years and knows many people. If we mention buying a villa to him, he might have some leads... And Seventh Sister's Husband—he didn't make the exam rankings this year but doesn't seem to care, gallivanting around every day without a plan. We might as well give him something to do—have him inquire about suitable villas for sale in Yuming Mountain..."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Fu Tingyun didn't look up—with Yu Wei here, someone would handle it.
A shadow moved as Yu Wei went to lift the door curtain.
But then, there was silence.
Surprised, Fu Tingyun raised her head.
In the dim lamplight, a tall man stood quietly beside Yu Wei.
He arched his brows in amusement, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"Ninth Master!" Fu Tingyun sprang up, startled and delighted, scrambling to climb down from the kang.
But Zhao Ling strode forward, laughing as he lifted her into the air.
"Ninth Master, Ninth Master!" Fu Tingyun chirped like a little bird, giggling as she spread her arms to wrap them around his neck.
Zhao Ling took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace, pressing her down onto the kang.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Staring into her husband's smoldering gaze, Fu Tingyun flushed, her body going limp. Still, she couldn't help asking the obvious, then guiltily glanced toward the door.Yu Wei had left the inner room at some point, even thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Everyone must know what they were doing...
Fu Tingyun's face burned with embarrassment, her cheeks flaming red.
In the lamplight, her eyes shimmered with a captivating, spring-like tenderness.
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Apologies for the late update—I rewrote this several times to make the plot tighter... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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