Chapter 293: The Ruined Son
Madam Yu had no patience to listen to her, but Fei Shi continued without waiting for a response, "Eating at the same table, resting in the same room. I never imagined the young mistress would be completely unaware. But since things have come to this, we must look on the bright side. The young master is already past thirty, yet he has only Zhen Jie'er as his child. It's rare for him to take such a liking to Miss Min. If she could bear a son or daughter for the Yu Family, it would be a blessing for her and perhaps even for the young master and you, Madam—"
"Nonsense!" Before Fei Shi could finish, Madam Yu roared, cutting her off. "Miss Min is still in deep mourning—how is that a blessing for my son?"
Fei Shi trembled under the scolding and stammered, "Miss Min comes from an official's family. Surely she has read Admonitions for Women and Biographies of Virtuous Women . She should know what is proper and what is not..."
"Get out!" Madam Yu could no longer contain her fury and snapped.
Fei Shi scrambled out of Madam Yu's chamber in terror.
Madam Yu's chest heaved violently, her face deathly pale.
Housekeeper Shu's heart sank, and she hurried forward to console her. "Please don't be upset, Madam. You mustn't harm your health. When the young master returns, we can summon him and ask directly. He knows what's important—"
"Don't defend him." Madam Yu turned her anger on Housekeeper Shu. "I know my own son. He's like dog meat—never fit for a proper feast. Instead of focusing on his career, he wastes his days on frivolous affairs. I see it clearly now—even if he had topped the imperial exams, he'd still be useless. You serve by my side, yet instead of helping me discipline him, you cover up his misdeeds like those sycophants who fawn over the powerful and trample the weak..."
Housekeeper Shu knew she was suffering for Yu Jingxiu's mistakes, but under Madam Yu's wrath, she dared not argue. She quickly knelt before Madam Yu, kowtowing repeatedly. "Please calm your anger, Madam! This servant is entirely at fault!"
Seeing the reddened mark on Housekeeper Shu's forehead, Madam Yu's fury subsided slightly.
Her tone was icy as she said, "Get up. I know exactly what kind of people this household is filled with."
Housekeeper Shu murmured an assent and cautiously rose to her feet.
Madam Yu then ordered, "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to Needlemaker Alley."
"Madam, you mustn't!" Despite knowing Madam Yu was still furious, Housekeeper Shu's loyalty compelled her to protest. "If you intervene personally, there'll be no room for negotiation. What then?"
"If I don't go, who will?" Madam Yu glared coldly at Housekeeper Shu. "Tell me—who else should handle this?"
The words "the young mistress" froze on Housekeeper Shu's tongue.
If the young mistress had any sense, she would have noticed Yu Jingxiu's misconduct long ago. Things wouldn't have escalated to the point where her mother-in-law had to confront her.
Housekeeper Shu could only lower her head in silence."Can't you find a suitable person either?" Madam Yu let out a cold snort, her face twisting into a bitter smile. "One wrong move leads to another," she murmured to herself. "I should have hardened my heart back then and refused this marriage no matter what... Now it's too late for regrets!"
Housekeeper Shu stood by helplessly.
A young maid tremblingly announced from behind the curtain, "Madam, the young master has returned!"
Madam Yu's gaze sharpened as she said sternly, "Let him in."
The maid respectfully acknowledged and lifted the curtain, ushering Yu Jingxiu into the inner chamber.
Yu Jingxiu entered with a radiant smile, looking exceptionally spirited.
"Mother." He greeted Madam Yu cheerfully with a bow. Noticing her stern expression, he sat beside her with a laugh and draped an arm over her shoulders. "What's troubling you? Did Father upset you? Don't worry, you still have me!" He patted his chest jokingly. "Your son is the top scholar of the imperial examinations after all!"
The reprimand on Madam Yu's lips died unspoken.
How long had it been since her son had been this lighthearted? How long since he'd joked with her like this? How long since he'd looked so vibrant?
Her heart softened, and her voice became unexpectedly gentle. "Do you think your father is like you, always upsetting me? Just take care of your own affairs and spare me some worry—that would be blessing enough!"
Yu Jingxiu's expression turned somewhat sheepish. He looked at his mother as if wanting to speak but hesitating, much like when he was a child who'd done wrong—seeking his mother's protection yet fearing her scolding.
Madam Yu's eyes grew moist.
What did the child know? Reaching this point was ultimately the responsibility of the adults—if they had firmly opposed his marriage to Fan Shi back then, would he have really forced it?
Fei Shi's words suddenly surfaced in Madam Yu's mind.
"What's done is done—we can only look for the silver lining now..."
She couldn't help but sigh deeply, gently stroking her son's head as she used to when he was little.
Yu Jingxiu, feeling guilty, grew uneasy and forced a smile. "Mother, what's wrong?"
This only made Madam Yu's heart ache more.
If her son had married a good wife, he would naturally discuss such matters with her—why would he be so apprehensive over his mother's words?
"It's nothing, nothing." Madam Yu gazed at him with tender affection. "I'm just worried about you. Having served as a censor, you must be careful of those who might hold grudges and seek to exploit your weaknesses. Both officially and personally, you should stay vigilant. A small leak will sink a great ship. You're well-read, so I won't lecture you—just be mindful in all matters."
"Mother, I'm thirty years old now," Yu Jingxiu replied with a laugh, though his eyes wandered. "I understand these things well."
"That's good." Choosing not to press further, Madam Yu smiled. "It's getting late—you should rest soon. You have official duties tomorrow!"
His one-year term completed, Yu Jingxiu had been reassigned as a censor of Jiangxi Circuit.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yu Jingxiu took his leave.
When Housekeeper Shu returned from seeing him off, she looked questioningly at Madam Yu.
After a moment's thought, Madam Yu suddenly smiled. "Go summon Fei Shi."
Housekeeper Shu was startled.Madam Yu chuckled, "What are you afraid of? I know exactly what I'm doing!"
Housekeeper Shu still hesitated slightly.
Madam Yu said bluntly, "Though Miss Min comes from an official family, the fact that she could associate so closely with De Pu during her mourning period shows she lacks propriety. I fear the scheming may catch the unwary. If something like a child were to come of it, that would be troublesome. We must send someone to warn her.
"As you said, if I were to intervene personally, representing the Yu Family and De Pu's elders, the implications would be different. If the talk goes well, all's good. But if it doesn't, those with face fear those without shame, and we'd only lose dignity.
"I see right through Fei Shi's schemes." A cold glint flashed in Madam Yu's eyes. "No matter how lacking De Pu is, he's read the classics and understands the distinction between wife and concubine. However flawed Fan Shi may be, she's the wife he chose himself—he'll always regard her more highly. Only when discord arises between Fan Shi and De Pu will concubines like her have an opportunity... That's why she's been undermining Fan Shi openly and covertly, why she's helped De Pu cover his tracks... First, she must drive a wedge between Fan Shi and De Pu."
Housekeeper Shu suddenly understood.
"How wise you are, Madam," she said, admiration shining in her eyes. "Sending her is indeed most fitting."
Madam Yu smiled faintly. "I've given her the chance. Whether she seizes it depends on her fortune."
"Your kindness knows no bounds, Madam," Housekeeper Shu quickly replied. "Concubine Fei is clever—she'll surely appreciate your thoughtful intentions." Then she added, "I'll summon Concubine Fei at once."
Madam Yu nodded.
Housekeeper Shu went to Concubine Fei's quarters.
Left alone, Madam Yu sat quietly by the window on the heated brick bed. As if she'd removed a mask, the composure and ease from earlier vanished from her brows and eyes, replaced by unease.
Would sidelining Fan Shi and blurring the lines between wife and concubine spiral out of control?
But if things continued this way with Fan Shi, and De Pu grew older year by year, what if he truly never had a son?
The thought crossed her mind, and a resolute glint flickered across Madam Yu's face.
Were she and the master not still here in this household?
No matter how formidable Fei Shi may be, she's just a concubine.
Once a concubine, always a concubine.
Could she possibly turn the world upside down?
With these thoughts, Madam Yu's heart settled slightly. She exhaled softly and picked up her teacup.
Meanwhile, in Shi Family Alley, directly opposite Alley Street, joyous celebrations were underway.
Zhang Shi, wife of Yang Yucheng, gazed delightedly at the infant gripping her finger tightly and turned to say, "Sister-in-law, look! Han Ge'er's grip is stronger than even a one-year-old's!"
Her third son, Zhao Han, had been born on the ninth day of the first lunar month. The day after tomorrow would mark his hundredth day, and relatives and friends had all come to see him.
Fu Tingyun smiled warmly. "The birth went smoothly, and he was robust from the start."
Shi Shi, wife of Jin Yuanbao, also examined the child and remarked with a laugh, "I think Han Ge'er's features resemble Lord Zhao's more."
Chen Shi, Shi Shi's cousin, sat beside Fu Tingyun. She leaned forward to study Han Ge'er, then glanced back at Fu Tingyun and said cheerfully, "I agree—he takes more after Lord Zhao."
Just then, Youyou entered under Housekeeper Tong's watchful eye, carefully carrying a tray of brown sugar water. Sweetly addressing the ladies as "Madam" and "Mrs.," she offered them the sweet drink."Youyou is so well-behaved!" Madam Mo, sitting closest to Youyou at the edge of the kang, immediately stood up to take the sweetened water, praising the child with a smile. "Though it's only been two or three months since we last met, our Youyou has become even more sensible than before."
"Thank you for your kind words, Madam Mo," Youyou replied cheerfully, displaying remarkable poise.
Housekeeper Tong looked slightly nervous and quickly explained, "The young miss said that with the new addition of a baby brother, she wants to help her mother take care of him and also assist in entertaining guests."
Everyone praised Youyou for her thoughtfulness.
Fu Tingyun also found it endearing and gazed at her daughter with affectionate amusement.
Qin Feiyu then remarked, "Youyou must be eight years old this year, isn't she?"
Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile. "She was born in the year of Jihai."
Madam Mo's eyes flickered slightly as she said with a smile, "In a couple of years, it'll be time to arrange a marriage for her."
Since it was Madam Qin who had brought up the topic, Madam Mo's mention of such matters in front of Youyou was somewhat impolite. She gave a light cough and changed the subject with a smile, "The regional commanders of Yunnan and Guizhou are evaluated every three years. Lord Zhao probably won't return to the capital for his official report until next year, right? That means he'll miss Han Ge'er's first birthday celebration."
"In families like ours, such things are common," Fu Tingyun replied amiably, engaging in polite conversation.
Madam Mo looked slightly embarrassed.
Third Sister, however, tensed up noticeably.
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(End of Chapter)
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