Chapter 299: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Mo Zhuan felt as though her heart were being sliced open upon hearing Fan Shi's words. Tears streaming down her face, she called out, "Madam," wanting to console her by saying, "The master is not that kind of man." Yet, recalling the news she had uncovered, she found herself unable to utter those words.
If she helped Madam maintain a facade of peace now, what would happen when Miss Min came charging in? If Madam remained completely unprepared, wouldn’t they just be sitting ducks, helpless against the onslaught?
With these thoughts in mind, Mo Zhuan couldn’t help but say, "Only Madam Yu can rightfully restrain the master in matters of the inner household. Madam, please stop crying. Let me help you freshen up, and then we’ll go see Madam Yu together. She has always been fond of you. Before, the issue of heirs stood between you, but these past two years, you’ve bought many maids to serve in your chambers. Didn’t Madam Yu praise you during the New Year for being much more sensible than before? This shows she’s pleased with the changes in you.
"That Miss Min was already making eyes at the master while still in mourning—what kind of proper upbringing could she have? Even if she bears a son, once she’s brought into the household, she’ll only corrupt the children. The Yu Family’s century-old reputation must not be tarnished by someone like her..."
Fan Shi understood Mo Zhuan’s meaning and pondered it carefully. She realized that this might be the only argument she could use to stop Miss Min from entering the household. Summoning her strength, she wiped away her tears, allowed Mo Zhuan to dress her up, and went to see Madam Yu.
By the time Mo Zhuan began inquiring about Needlemaker Alley, Madam Yu had already caught wind of it.
She had been waiting for Fan Shi to make her move!
When she heard Fan Shi wanted to see her, she nodded imperceptibly, thinking to herself that this daughter-in-law hadn’t completely lost her wits after all. She instructed a maid to bring Fan Shi in and greeted her warmly, asking if she had eaten, how Zhen Jie’er was doing, and how she had been passing her time these past few days.
Fan Shi answered each question in turn. Seeing Madam Yu’s gentle tone and kind demeanor, she gradually calmed down and steered the conversation toward Miss Min: "...I could hardly believe it when I heard! The master is a scholar who has read the classics and even earned the title of top scholar—how could he possibly entertain such thoughts? He must have been bewitched by someone. Mother, Miss Min is still in mourning. If this were discovered and spread, the master would surely face censure. Wouldn’t that damage his pristine reputation?"
Madam Yu frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "Indeed, De Pu has acted far too rashly in this matter!"
Fan Shi’s heart leapt with joy. She quickly added, "How could this be the master’s fault? It must be that Miss Min employed some underhanded method! A gentleman can be deceived by his own uprightness—the master is simply too principled."
Madam Yu nodded and leaned forward slightly. "What do you think should be done about this?" she asked, her tone laced with unmistakable expectation.
Fan Shi barely suppressed a smile.
Lowering her voice, she said, "Filial piety is the foundation of all virtues. The master was raised on the Classic of Filial Piety . In this matter, we must ask you, Mother, to intervene—surely the master wouldn’t defy his own mother?"
The warmth in Madam Yu’s eyes slowly faded.
She straightened up and said coolly, "What if he feigns compliance but secretly disobeys me? Didn’t you just say De Pu has been bewitched by Miss Min? I fear he might stubbornly insist on having his way." As she spoke, she cast a faint glance at Fan Shi.
Fan Shi’s heart skipped a beat.
There was something profoundly meaningful in that glance.
Back then, hadn’t Yu Jingxiu stubbornly insisted on marrying her...? And in the end, hadn’t he gotten his way and made her his wife?In an instant, she felt flustered and took a deep breath to suppress the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind. Forcing a smile, she said, "That won’t happen. The master respects you the most, Madam. If you disagree, he would never go against your wishes."
"Oh?" Madam Yu raised an eyebrow. "I’m saying if —what if he doesn’t listen to me? What then?"
What if he didn’t listen to Madam Yu? What could she do?
Make a scene with Yu Jingxiu?
He would only see her as a shrew—and a shrew was the last thing Yu Jingxiu could tolerate.
If she did that, not only would she fail to win back his affection, but even the current harmony between them might vanish entirely.
Endure it in silence?
Then she’d have to watch helplessly as that Min Shi entered the household?
Who in the family would still respect her after that?
Humiliate Min Shi?
No, no, no.
If she did that, not only would Yu Jingxiu despise her, but even Madam Yu might see her as ruthless and unworthy.
What should she do?
Torn by indecision, the urge to humiliate Min Shi grew stronger and stronger.
Fan Shi clenched her fists tightly, barely managing to suppress the thought.
This wouldn’t work, that wouldn’t work—what could she do?
Her expression turned blank with confusion.
Madam Yu, who had been observing Fan Shi closely, couldn’t hide her disappointment.
She closed her eyes for a long moment before reopening them—now cold and detached. Picking up her teacup, she said indifferently, "You may leave now. I’ll speak to De Pu myself."
Fan Shi’s face brightened with relief, and she bowed respectfully before withdrawing.
Mo Zhuan, who had been anxiously waiting outside, hurried forward and whispered urgently, "What did Madam say?"
"Madam agreed to speak to the master on my behalf," Fan Shi replied with a pleased smile.
But before her smile could fully form, a loud crash came from Madam Yu’s inner chamber.
Both women turned in shock toward the sound.
"Fool!" Madam Yu muttered impatiently under her breath. "Utterly selfish! No wonder she’s so timid and petty. Thank heavens she only bore a daughter—if she’d given birth to the eldest grandson, she might have ruined our Yu Family. She wants to stop Min Shi from entering the household, yet she still wants to play the virtuous wife in front of her husband—and now she’s trying to manipulate me into fighting her battles for her! What is she doing? Hiding in the shadows pretending ignorance? Or will she play the peacemaker in front of De Pu?"
"Please, lower your voice!" Housekeeper Shu swiftly gathered the shattered teacup pieces and whispered, "The young mistress hasn’t gone far yet!"
"What if she hears me?" Madam Yu’s voice didn’t soften—if anything, it grew louder. "She’s only bold at home. Without De Pu, who would even take her seriously?" She spat in disdain. "I’ll say it to her face—would she dare utter a word of protest in front of me? Useless! A disgrace…"
Housekeeper Shu didn’t dare approach further. Alone in the room and afraid to leave, she trembled in the corner, not daring to move.
Outside, Fan Shi heard every word clearly.
Shame and humiliation burned through her, her face alternating between red and white.Her mother-in-law scolding her like this in front of the serving women—how could she still have the face to stay in this household!
Fan Shi's tears fell like rain, yet she dared not make the slightest sound, afraid that Madam Yu in her fury might say even harsher words and make her feel even more humiliated.
"Madam!" Mo Zhuan tearfully supported Fan Shi.
"Let's go back to our room!" Fan Shi wiped her tears and, leaning on Mo Zhuan for support, walked back to her room with desolate steps.
Meanwhile, after venting her anger, Madam Yu gradually calmed down. She asked Housekeeper Shu, "What is Concubine Fei doing?"
This sudden and seemingly random question caught even the experienced Housekeeper Shu off guard. Hurriedly putting on a smile, she replied, "I'll go see what Concubine Fei is doing right away."
Madam Yu's expression softened slightly, and she gave a faint nod.
After drinking two cups of tea and eating a few pastries, Housekeeper Shu finally returned.
"Concubine Fei is with Madam," Housekeeper Shu said with lowered eyes, "keeping her company." She then revealed a peculiar expression.
Madam Yu couldn't help but let out an "Oh?"
Housekeeper Shu whispered, "She was comforting Madam, telling her not to worry—that someone like Miss Min would never be allowed into the household. She also said that even cats and dogs grow dear to one's heart over time, let alone a beauty like Miss Min who has fallen on hard times. The young master is merely pitying her right now. During her mourning period, he only visited her twice, and the rest of the time, he had her relay messages. He’s probably waiting for her mourning period to end. She advised Madam, saying, 'The young master hasn’t even brought this matter up to you yet. Why not turn a blind eye? As long as you don’t give your consent, that Min woman can never enter this household. Even if she bears a son, all the better—you only have Zhen Jie’er now. Take the child in and raise him, and he might even bring a younger brother for Zhen Jie’er. If someone like Min Shi, who has no rightful place, can remain composed, why should you, the proper wife brought into the Yu Family with great ceremony, be so anxious?'"
"Well!" Madam Yu straightened up, her expression shifting. "It seems I underestimated her."
Housekeeper Shu stood there smiling, not daring to interject.
Madam Yu then asked, "And what did Madam say?"
"Madam asked Fei Shi, 'What if the young master insists on bringing Min Shi into the household?'"
"And what did Fei Shi say?" Now that Madam Yu had calmed down, she had also been pondering this possibility, feeling that no matter what, there was no sure way to stop Yu Jingxiu. Thus, she was particularly interested in Fei Shi's response.
"Fei Shi said that given the young master’s character, he would never hide the fact that he already has a wife. Since that’s the case, Miss Min must admire him deeply to follow him without any status. Why, then, should the young master demean her by bringing her into this household, forcing her to bow her head daily before Madam and vie for favor with the concubines, turning a refined woman like an orchid into something as gaudy as a roadside rose? It would be better to keep her outside as a second wife. If they’re worried about the child’s status, Madam could pretend to be pregnant when Miss Min is, and once the child is born, quietly bring it in to be raised under Madam’s name. Registered in the family records, it would be a legitimate heir—far better than a mere illegitimate son by a hundred or a thousand times...""What a splendid 'Why must we demean Miss Min'!" Before Housekeeper Shu could finish speaking, Madam Yu was already clapping in admiration. "This Fei Shi truly has inherited some of her elder sister-in-law's essence." As she spoke, her expression turned regretful. "If only she weren't a concubine!" She added, "People say a child's intelligence comes from the mother..." Madam Yu sighed, seeming somewhat disheartened.
Housekeeper Shu naturally didn't dare to comment on this in Madam Yu's presence.
She asked for Madam Yu's instructions: "What about Concubine Fei then?"
"Let her be," Madam Yu said. "With her capabilities, even if we could stop her temporarily, we couldn't stop her forever."
Housekeeper Shu responded with a smiling "Yes," but thinking of Concubine Fei's two-faced nature, she couldn't help but show a trace of worry between her brows.
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Happy weekend, everyone!
PS: Seeking pink votes... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of chapter)
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