Chapter 300: Anger
Madam Yu smiled faintly, dismissing the concern with a wave. "There's no need to worry. I know exactly what Fei Shi is scheming."
Mama Shu gave an awkward chuckle and couldn't help muttering under her breath, "Then why do you let Concubine Fei have her way? If the young mistress actually takes her advice and lets her handle everything, won’t the young mistress end up being sidelined?"
"Even if she weren’t sidelined, could she come up with any proper ideas?" A trace of disdain flashed in Madam Yu’s eyes as she spoke coldly. "Fei Shi is clever. If anything were to happen to Fan Shi, De Pu is still in his prime—he’d surely remarry quickly. What would the temperament of the new mistress be like? Would she be as easily fooled as Fan Shi? Fei Shi must have turned this over in her mind repeatedly—better to stabilize the current situation than risk a new mistress coming in. With Fan Shi’s simple mind, Fei Shi would always have a place at the table. If not for this calculation, why would she swallow her pride and go out of her way to advise Fan Shi?" Madam Yu paused briefly before continuing, "You’ve been with me for so many years—if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve at least seen pigs run. You must have some idea of what Fan Shi is like by now. Hoping for her to manage the household affairs is out of the question." Her tone grew despondent. "But after all, I’m the mother-in-law. My son is already in his thirties, and his wife has been married into the family for over a decade. If I keep clinging to the household affairs and meddling in my daughter-in-law’s quarters, what will people say about me? Fei Shi just wants to secure her place in this household. If she wants to stir things up, let her. Who knows? We might even gain something unexpected from it. I’ve come to accept that one can’t have everything go their way. I don’t care who gives birth to my eldest grandson—as long as I’m still able, I’ll take the child into my care and ensure he’s raised properly. In a few years, when the grandson is grown, I’ll find him a good wife. By then, I’ll be old and frail, and it’ll be time to hand over the household to the new mistress… Let them fuss all they want!"
This was the only solution left.
Mama Shu thought of how Madam Yu, a woman of such strength all her life, had been defeated by this daughter-in-law, and her heart ached. She nodded repeatedly. "You’ve thought it through thoroughly, Madam!"
But Madam Yu sighed and waved her hand, signaling that she was tired and that Mama Shu should leave.
Mama Shu curtsied and quietly withdrew from the inner chamber.
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Fan Shi lay quietly on the bed, turning Fei Shi’s words over in her mind. The more she thought about it, the more sense they made. Yet when she recalled the things Fei Shi had done behind her back, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Fei Shi wasn’t as docile and obedient as she appeared—what if this was a trap?
She called Mo Zhuan in. "What do you think Fei Shi meant by telling me this? What if the young master insists on taking Min Shi as a concubine? What should I do?"
Mo Zhuan couldn’t fathom Fei Shi’s motives either. After some hesitation, she suggested, "Perhaps, young mistress, you could pretend to know nothing and wait to see how things unfold? Isn’t there a saying—‘stay unchanged to cope with all changes’?"
Fan Shi pondered for a long while before nodding reluctantly. "It seems this is the only way." Then she asked about Yu Jingxiu. "Has the young master returned yet?""Not... not yet!" The master still didn't know that the family had learned about the Needlemaker Alley affair. At this moment, nine times out of ten, he was probably at Min Shi's place? Mo Zhuan thought to herself, her answer becoming somewhat hesitant.
Fan Shi had the same thought as Mo Zhuan, and her expression darkened upon hearing this.
Mo Zhuan then suggested to Fan Shi: "Madam, why don't we summon Fei Shi and ask her? The master told no one else but entrusted her to deliver things to Needlemaker Alley, which shows he trusts her completely. She must know where the master is."
Fan Shi nodded in agreement: "Very well, go and bring her here. I'll question her!"
Mo Zhuan left cheerfully and soon returned with Fei Shi in tow.
When Fan Shi explained her purpose, Fei Shi was slightly taken aback. Noticing Mo Zhuan's somewhat gloating expression, she couldn't help but regret inwardly.
How did she end up serving such a mistress!
Not even half as good as Min Shi.
Though Min Shi knew how to win the master's favor, she also understood priorities. Every time the master visited, she would advise him against going to Needlemaker Alley, warning him to be careful of being seen and impeached by censors, which would ruin his reputation. She would also sorrowfully tug at his sleeve, saying she had burdened him and wanted to return home, but the thought of never seeing him again was too painful, making it impossible for her to leave...
Thinking of this, Fei Shi began to doubt whether helping Fan Shi was the right choice.
Someone as perceptive as Min Shi would surely understand the implications if she were to drop a hint...
What if she helped Min Shi marry into the household...
No sooner had this thought crossed her mind than Fei Shi involuntarily shook her head.
Min Shi was too shrewd. Fei Shi knew her true nature—how she had humbled herself and been excessively polite when Fei Shi delivered the master's gifts. If Min Shi became the principal wife, recalling past incidents, she would likely make Fei Shi her first target.
Fei Shi shuddered at the thought, her expression turning stern.
Just then, Mo Zhuan's slightly mocking voice reached her ears: "Fei Shi, what's with the head-shaking and stern face? The madam is merely asking you a few questions, not sending you out to find the master. Are you really that reluctant? If the madam had orders for you, would you bolt for the door?"
Fei Shi was so angry she couldn't speak for a moment.
This Mo Zhuan, relying on her status as the madam's attendant to throw her weight around! Fei Shi hadn't even settled the score with her for that chest-bumping incident, and now she was belittling her. The Horse King hasn't shown his might yet, and you don't know how many eyes he has. Just wait until I've pacified Fan Shi—I'll deal with you then!
Fei Shi silently vowed revenge but kept her composure, smiling as she replied: "Miss Mo Zhuan, you wrong me. I was just thinking that with the Yuanxiao Festival approaching, and the master usually away from the capital, he would likely take this opportunity to visit his superiors and socialize with colleagues. Even if he planned to go to Needlemaker Alley, he'd probably wait until after the festival. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked me to deliver things to Min Shi."
"Really?" Fan Shi sounded skeptical.
"If you don't believe me, madam, you could have Miss Mo Zhuan ask the coachman," Fei Shi suggested with a smile. "He would surely know all the places the master has visited..."Before her words could fade, the little maid stationed at the door by Mo Zhuan suddenly rushed in, flustered: "Madam, Miss Mo Zhuan, the master—the master has returned!" she exclaimed with evident fear.
Fan Shi exchanged a glance with Mo Zhuan before turning to Fei Shi. "What happened today—you mustn’t breathe a word of it to anyone," she warned.
Fei Shi barely suppressed a scornful look.
Anyone else might spill the secret, but not her.
If she dared to speak, Yu Jingxiu would surely make her pay!
Wouldn’t all her efforts over the years be wasted then?
Honestly, I should be the one telling you to keep quiet about today’s events!
As these thoughts raced through her mind, the door curtain was flung open with a loud bang, and Yu Jingxiu stormed in, his face dark with fury.
Everyone in the room had something to hide, and their hearts sank at the sight. Mo Zhuan lowered her head and retreated to a corner, as if hoping to escape his notice. Fan Shi, pale and stammering, managed to ask, "Master, what—what’s the matter?" Only Fei Shi remained composed, stepping forward to greet him with a curtsy.
Yu Jingxiu was surprised to see Fei Shi in Fan Shi’s inner chamber. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Fei Shi steadied herself and forced a smile. "Madam had some questions for me. I had just arrived when you entered." The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them.
Fan Shi was slow-witted. By shifting the blame onto her, Fei Shi knew Fan Shi would likely fumble in response. Worse, Fan Shi might even think she was shirking responsibility… Just as their relationship had begun to thaw, this could undo all progress.
Anxiety gnawed at Fei Shi.
But Yu Jingxiu paid no attention. Instead, he glared at Fan Shi and growled, "Where is Wu?"
The room froze in shock—yet at the same time, everyone exhaled in relief.
"Why are you looking for Consort Wu, Master?" Fan Shi asked hurriedly before turning to Mo Zhuan. "Go fetch Consort Wu at once!"
"Yes!" Mo Zhuan replied and rushed out.
Fei Shi shot Fan Shi a meaningful glance before stepping forward with a smile. "Master, have you just returned from the yamen? The weather is quite cold—allow me to help you change your robes."
Fan Shi caught on and loudly ordered a maid to fetch hot water.
Yu Jingxiu’s expression softened slightly as Fei Shi assisted him in changing.
Soon, Mo Zhuan returned with Consort Wu in tow.
Yu Jingxiu sneered at her. "Impressive! You’ve grown bold, conspiring with outsiders to humiliate me!"
Consort Wu’s heart lurched.
Had her secret message to Madam Zhao been discovered?
Panic flashed across her face, but her limbs felt weak, and no words of defense came to mind.
She thought of how she had lived off the Yu Family’s generosity yet betrayed Yu Jingxiu’s misconduct to Madam Zhao, who held a grudge against the Yus. She was in the wrong—if he wanted to beat or berate her, so be it. What right did she have to justify herself?
With this realization, her demeanor wilted further, and she averted her eyes.
A shadow of malice flickered across Yu Jingxiu’s face.
He turned to Fan Shi. "Summon a slave trader. Sell Wu to a brothel.""Eldest Young Master!" Fan Shi, Fei Shi, and Consort Wu were all as if struck by lightning. Fan Shi urgently said, "Consort Wu is a relative of Official Wu. Mother personally approved bringing her into the household. How...how can you just sell her off like this...and to such a place..."
Wouldn't that utterly disgrace the Wu Family?
The Wu Family would never let the Yu Family off easily for this.
Fei Shi never imagined Yu Jingxiu could be so ruthless.
A hundred years of karma brings two people to share a boat; a thousand years of karma brings them to share a pillow. Even if he disliked Consort Wu, she had still shared his bed, and was after all a relative of his father's colleague. Yet he showed not the slightest mercy, determined to destroy her... No wonder Sister Chen chose to leave, even if it meant facing Third Madam's punishment...
She gazed at Yu Jingxiu's handsome face, and the longer she looked, the more she felt she no longer recognized this man.
Consort Wu collapsed to the ground.
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End of the month, seeking pink votes...
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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