Chapter 280 Mediating a Quarrel
Yu Jingxiu and Fan Shi were in the inner chamber. When Fei Shi entered the hall, she could still hear Fan Shi’s sobbing:
"...You say I’ve wronged you, but anyone who hears this would ‘wrong’ you the same way... Renting a house to settle her, pulling strings everywhere to help her, hiring servants to wait on her—spending two thousand taels of silver in total! She’s no five- or six-year-old girl, yet she dared to travel all the way from Shandong to the capital with nothing but a clueless wet nurse and a little maid. And you claim she’s naive? Go out and say that to others—see if anyone believes you! I think she’s playing dumb, treating you like a fool to exploit! And you—you’ve fallen right into her trap without even realizing it, pampering and cherishing her like some treasure..." Her tone was dripping with jealousy.
Fei Shi’s heart skipped a beat.
Who would’ve thought a blind cat would stumble upon a dead rat—she’d actually guessed right!
From the inner chamber came Yu Jingxiu’s furious roar: "Are you done yet? What fool? What pampering? How many times do I have to explain this to you?"
Fei Shi’s mind raced.
Should she go in or not?
If she went in, a single misstep could not only provoke Fan Shi’s resentment but also offend the prideful Yu Jingxiu, leaving her with no footing in the Yu Family. But if she didn’t, once Mo Zhuan snapped out of her shock and came after her, making a scene, she’d still be despised by both Fan Shi and Yu Jingxiu for eavesdropping—and might even bear the brunt of Yu Jingxiu’s wrath...
She took a deep breath.
Since the arrow was already nocked, there was no turning back. She might as well do what needed to be done. Even if she failed, at least she wouldn’t regret it later.
In the blink of an eye, Fei Shi lifted the curtain and barged in.
"Madam, what’s the matter?" she said with a kind expression as she stepped inside. "Whatever you have to say, you can discuss it properly with the master. It’s the middle of the night—even with the rain, the slightest noise carries far. I could hear everything from the back room. If this disturbs the master and mistress, wouldn’t it just worry them all over again?" With that, she smiled at Mo Zhuan, who had hurried in after her, and said, "Miss, could you fetch some water for the madam? I’ll help her freshen up." As she spoke, she approached Fan Shi, took a handkerchief from her sleeve, and bent down to hand it to her, speaking softly, "Madam, wipe your face." Then she straightened and turned to Yu Jingxiu. "And you, Master—Madam has been helping the mistress manage the household affairs every day, swamped with work, yet she still worries endlessly about you in Shandong—whether you’re eating well, dressed warmly enough, or being properly cared for. And how do you repay her? Instead of spending time with her after returning to the capital, you’re out every day. Madam can’t even find you when she wants to share a few private words..." Her tone carried both reproach and indignation.
Yu Jingxiu and Fan Shi were both stunned.
As for Mo Zhuan, after the initial shock of Fei Shi’s intrusion, her surprise had given way to boundless fury.
Fei Shi was nothing but an unfavored concubine—how dare she push her aside and barge into the madam’s inner chamber like this?
Did she even know her place? When the madam and the master were quarreling, what right did she have to speak?So when Fei Shi instructed her, she raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but retort sarcastically, "Aunt Fei, I'm the personal maid of the mistress. It seems it's not your place to order me around?" But before her words even finished, she caught Yu Jingxiu's icy glare, which sent a chill down her spine and forced her to swallow the rest of her words.
Yu Jingxiu's gaze grew even colder toward her.
She had stood silently by during Fan Shi's outburst, but now that someone was trying to mediate, she suddenly found her voice. Regardless, Fei Shi was still his concubine—how could a mere maid dare to reprimand her? If she dared to act this way in front of him, who knew how insolent she must be when he wasn't around.
Feeling Yu Jingxiu's anger, Mo Zhuan shuddered. Recalling Fan Shi's disdain for Fei Shi, she sneered inwardly, deciding to settle scores with Fei Shi later. She curtsied and withdrew to instruct the maids to fetch water.
After Mo Zhuan left, Yu Jingxiu turned his gaze to Fan Shi.
Fan Shi snatched the handkerchief from Fei Shi, crumpled it fiercely, and threw it to the ground.
Fei Shi's face showed a hint of awkwardness.
She slowly bent down, picked up the discarded handkerchief, and silently turned to pour tea for both Yu Jingxiu and Fan Shi. Yu Jingxiu's cup was handed to him respectfully yet wordlessly, while Fan Shi's was placed gently on the kang table. Holding the red-lacquered crabapple flower tea tray, Fei Shi softly coaxed Fan Shi, "Madam, have a cup of hot tea. It will make you feel better."
After crying and arguing with Yu Jingxiu for so long, Fan Shi's eyes were sore, her nose stuffy, and she felt miserable. Though she disliked Fei Shi, she wouldn't take it out on her own well-being.
She didn't refuse and took a sip from the teacup.
Not being scolded… Fei Shi relaxed slightly, lowering her head as she gently advised Fan Shi, "You know the master's temperament better than anyone. There isn't a single matter concerning you that he doesn't take to heart. No matter how serious the issue, given how much he respects you, please don't lose your temper."
Fan Shi's expression darkened.
Was this supposed to be mediation?
It made it sound like she was throwing a tantrum for no reason.
What did Fei Shi know? How dare she spout such nonsense.
The thought flashed through her mind, stirring a faint unease.
Just as she was about to ponder it further, Mo Zhuan returned with water.
Fei Shi hurried to assist, fetching the hand mirror, handkerchief, and other small items, then helped Fan Shi tuck the handkerchief into her collar and removed her bracelets to wash her face.
Distracted, Fan Shi set aside her lingering doubts for the moment.
After washing up, Fei Shi helped Fan Shi redo her makeup.
Yu Jingxiu watched, then stood to leave.
With a sharp smack , Fan Shi slammed the hand mirror onto the rosewood dressing table. "Where are you going? It's so late—don't tell me you're heading to Needlemaker Alley to see that Miss Min again? Don't forget, the curfew is in effect. If you go out, you'll need Father's name card. If you're not ashamed, I am!" Her eyes immediately reddened as she spoke.
Yu Jingxiu burned with humiliation and anger—humiliated that Fan Shi would say such things in front of Fei Shi, and furious that she still didn't trust him.
His expression darkened, and he turned to leave.But then they heard Fei Shi say softly, "Madam, I really don't like hearing you say such things."
Since when did Fei Shi's likes or dislikes matter in this household?
Give her an inch, and she thinks she's someone important!
Yu Jingxiu, Fan Shi, and Mo Zhuan all fell silent.
Yet Fei Shi seemed oblivious to the awkward atmosphere and continued gently, "Although I don't know why the master went to Needlemaker Alley to see that Miss Min, he was raised studying the classics of sages. He conducts himself with humility and integrity. Even if he might be occasionally remiss in minor matters of etiquette, he would never act in a manner unbecoming of a gentleman..."
Yu Jingxiu's eyes brightened upon hearing this.
But Fan Shi flew into a rage.
What right do you have to meddle in matters between me and De Pu?
She opened her mouth to rebuke Fei Shi, but unexpectedly, Fei Shi knelt beside her knees, looking up at her with sincere eyes. "I don't know what misunderstanding lies between you and the master, and perhaps my words are one-sided. You're angry right now, so it's easy to be biased. Let's not dwell on today's events. I'll go make you a bowl of Almond Cream. After drinking it, have a good sleep. When you wake up tomorrow morning with a calmer mind, you can talk things over properly with the master." Then she asked, "How does that sound?"
Who would want to stay angry with their husband?
Fan Shi couldn't help but be swayed.
Yet she remained worried about Yu Jingxiu going to Needlemaker Alley, showing a hint of hesitation as she quickly glanced at him.
Understanding her concern, Fei Shi stood up with a smile and called out softly, "Master," saying, "Don't go out today. Stay home and have a good talk with Madam. Any misunderstandings can be cleared up with proper conversation."
However, Yu Jingxiu's brow furrowed with hesitation.
Seeing this, Fan Shi's anger flared up again.
In front of Fei Shi and Mo Zhuan, she had already lowered her pride, yet he wouldn't even give her face. How was she supposed to maintain her dignity before these servants now?
Mo Zhuan's words flashed through her mind: "...Miss Min only has a wet nurse and a maid by her side. The master visits that Miss Min every day after leaving the yamen. Once, he even brought along Official Chen Zhongming..."
Jealousy bubbled up like a spring.
Unable to hold back any longer, she choked out, "I knew it—this household can't keep you anymore. If you want to go, I won't stop you. Even if I keep your body here, I can't keep your heart." She then ordered Mo Zhuan, "Go tell the stables to prepare the carriage. The master is going out..."
Mo Zhuan, of course, knew Fan Shi was speaking in anger and remained silent.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Since Fei Shi already knew, Yu Jingxiu no longer bothered hiding his intentions. His brows knitted tightly, his expression clearly annoyed. "Miss Min's father was wrongly imprisoned. I've finally managed to secure connections at the Ministry of Justice. Tonight, I need to help her polish an appeal she'll submit tomorrow... I'm going to the study to draft the document."
For a case to reach the Ministry of Justice, this Miss Min must be of notable background.
Yet it was puzzling why she only had a wet nurse and a single maid by her side.Fei Shi pondered silently in her heart, but her expression remained unchanged as she continued to persuade Fan Shi: "Madam, the young master is now a censor, an imperial censor who inspects on behalf of Heaven! His duty is to rectify wrongful cases. If you suspect the young master has any ulterior motives regarding Miss Min..." She smiled, "Where couldn't the young master get two thousand taels of silver? Why would he need to go through official channels with you, Madam? By doing this, the young master clearly had no intention of hiding it from you."
Fan Shi couldn't help but lower her head in thought. Remembering the jade artifacts Yu Jingxiu often toyed with, the antique brush washer displayed on his desk, and how both the elder and third madams doted on him, she bit her lip and said, "But two thousand taels..."
"Madam probably hasn't stayed in Nanjing for long, has she?" Fei Shi smiled. "When the young master was in Nanjing, he once spent five thousand taels to buy a bronze tripod. After playing with it for a few days, it was stored away in the family warehouse in Nanjing. Two thousand taels is mere pocket money for the young master to buy trifles. I doubt he even takes such an amount seriously." As she spoke, she smiled meaningfully at Yu Jingxiu and said, "Isn't that right, young master?"
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⊙﹏⊙b sweat... Rushed as I might, I'm still an hour late.
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(End of chapter)
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