Chapter 303 Departure
When Madam Yu heard that Madam Wu had arrived with a man seeking an audience, a sense of foreboding crept over her. Her temples throbbed faintly, yet she had no choice but to receive them. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she instructed Housekeeper Shu to usher Madam Wu into the main hall of the residence.
Consort Wu’s brother-in-law waited by the ceremonial gate, while Madam Wu proceeded to the hall.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Wu came straight to the point: “...I know this matter may put you in an awkward position. But you must also consider Consort Wu’s plight. She is gentle and kind-hearted, yet the child she carried for eight months was lost just like that. If your esteemed son cherished her, it might be bearable, but he scarcely spares her a glance on ordinary days, and in fits of anger, he even threatens to sell her to brothels. As the saying goes, ‘A day of marriage brings a hundred days of grace.’ How much more so when she has served your son all these years? Such cruelty is truly heartless. How is she to live from now on? You, Madam, are known for your compassion and belief in accumulating virtue through good deeds. Why not release Consort Wu and let her return home? This would preserve the goodwill between our families, and in the future, Consort Wu would remember your kindness with gratitude.”
Madam Yu’s face flushed and paled in turns. She was well aware that Yu Jingxiu had wronged Consort Wu, but sending home a concubine who had once borne a child was unprecedented in the Yu Family. Two years ago, she would have refused without hesitation. But the Yu Family was no longer what it once was. Though her husband still held a nominal position in the Grand Secretariat, his influence in decision-making had waned considerably. In contrast, the Wu Family had remained steadfast, and with Wu Daren’s recent appointment as Vice Minister of Personnel, his eventual rise to the Grand Secretariat was not out of the question. In officialdom, it was said that one should never slight the young, for their fortunes might rise. If her son’s career had flourished, she might have stood firmer, but these past years had brought him anything but success. “Thirty years the east bank, forty years the west”—who could say when they might need the Wu Family’s favor?
With these thoughts flashing through her mind, Madam Yu found herself unable to voice a refusal.
Instead, she said, “Consort Wu entered this household under my approval. Over the years, she has been dutiful, gentle, and kind—qualities I’ve always admired. In truth, I feel a bond with her and am reluctant to see her leave.”
Her words carried a subtle reminder of past events, which Madam Wu took as a slight. Though displeased, Madam Wu kept her composure.
This matter, if escalated, could sever ties between their families. At the very least, it would expose Yu Jingxiu’s harsh treatment of his concubine—neither outcome desirable for the Yu Family. Madam Wu had come merely to announce her intentions, but she knew reclaiming Consort Wu would require several rounds of negotiation. Thus, her tone turned perfunctory as she replied with a smile, “Who could have foreseen such a turn of events? When I returned home, I even told my family that Consort Wu had finally found respite from her hardships...” She sighed deeply and shook her head in regret.
Madam Yu’s expression darkened.
Forcing a smile, she said, “It seems fate spares no one...” Her evasive tone earned Madam Wu’s silent contempt. After exchanging a few more hollow pleasantries for the length of half an incense stick’s burn, Madam Wu rose to take her leave.Consort Wu’s brother-in-law had already tipped a passing servant handsomely to relay the news of Madam Wu and his arrival to Consort Wu. Seeing Madam Wu emerge now, he immediately stepped forward and carefully accompanied her back to Shi Family Alley.
Madam Wu invited Consort Wu’s brother-in-law to stay for a meal, but he politely declined. “My wife will be accompanying my father-in-law to the capital in the next couple of days. I must set off for Tongzhou to meet them.” Then he consulted Madam Wu, “What do you think—should we go and express our gratitude to Madam Zhao?”
Without Madam Wu’s introduction, he would never have been able to meet Madam Zhao.
“Let’s wait until things are settled first,” Madam Wu replied. After exchanging some pleasantries about family matters, she had her personal housekeeper escort Consort Wu’s brother-in-law out.
Two days later, Consort Wu’s younger sister accompanied their father to pay respects to Official Wu and Madam Wu. They presented Official Wu with a Duan inkstone engraved with a motif symbolizing steady promotion, and gifted Madam Wu a pair of ruby earrings. The Wu family’s young masters and their wives also received various presents, totaling four to five hundred taels of silver.
Madam Wu was pleased with the deference shown by Consort Wu’s family and became even more invested in Consort Wu’s affairs.
Fu Tingyun soon received word of this.
She couldn’t help but chuckle, remarking to A Sen, “I didn’t expect Madam Wu to ultimately step in and handle this matter.”
A Sen scoffed, grinning. “That woman—she’s probably scheming something again!”
“Oh?” Fu Tingyun found his familiarity amusing. “You seem to know Madam Wu quite well!”
“Of course,” A Sen puffed out his chest. “I’ve met plenty of women like Madam Wu—two-faced, smooth-talking, saying one thing to your face and another behind your back…”
Fu Tingyun burst into laughter. “What has Madam Wu ever done to offend you?”
“Offend? Not exactly. I just don’t like her,” A Sen muttered, curling his lip.
Fu Tingyun laughed heartily, then glanced up to see Zhenzhu tiptoeing in empty-handed.
Her expression dimmed.
In previous years, Zhao Ling’s letters would have arrived long before this time. But for some reason, there had been no word from him this year. She had sent Zheng San to inquire at the postal station and the Five Armies Commandery several times, but they all claimed they hadn’t seen any letters from Zhao Ling.
Had something happened over there?
She’d heard that Guizhou had been buried under snow for over ten days straight, with many freezing to death. How was he faring there?
Lost in thought, she rested her chin in her hand, thinking of Zhao Ling.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Yu Family on Alley Street, the sharp sound of a slap rang out."You unfilial son! How old are you, yet still acting like a child!" Madam Yu glared furiously at her son. "What do you mean by 'if our family doesn't let go, the Wu Family can't do anything'... Are you trying to sever ties with the Wu Family completely? If it weren't for you wronging Consort Wu, would I be suffering such humiliation now?" She continued, "If that child had been born safely, they'd be five years old this year... Would I be enduring Madam Wu's pointed insults like this?" Seeing Yu Jingxiu still standing there with downcast eyes, completely unmoved even after she'd spoken so plainly, Madam Yu felt a sharp pain in her chest. Unable to contain herself, she added, "Back then, I told you to marry Fu Tingyun, but you wouldn't listen. Now she's become a blessing to her husband and family—already a second-rank Imperial Mandate Title holder, with three sons and a daughter. Later, I urged you to take Consort Wu as concubine, but you refused. Not only did we lose what would have been a healthy grandson, but you wouldn't even look at Consort Wu, which led to her wanting to return home. And now Wu Daren has been transferred to become Vice Minister of Personnel..."
Fan Shi, who had come with Yu Jingxiu to pay respects to Madam Yu, turned deathly pale in an instant.
For her mother-in-law to speak like this meant she was blaming her, the daughter-in-law, for not only failing to help her husband advance but actually holding him back!
Such a grave accusation was more than she could bear.
Seeing Yu Jingxiu remain silent, Fan Shi had no choice but to defend herself: "Mother, the loss of Consort Wu's child truly wasn't my doing... I merely passed by her..."
Before she could finish, Madam Yu wearily waved her hand, signaling her to stop. "The truth of the matter isn't important. What matters is how others will speak of it and what they'll think when this incident is mentioned?"
In the end, she still didn't believe her.
Fan Shi urgently called out "Mother," wanting to say more, but Madam Yu had already picked up her teacup. "You may both leave now. I'm tired and wish to rest."
Fan Shi had no choice but to drop the subject. She and Yu Jingxiu, whose face was dark with anger, bowed and withdrew.
After they left, Madam Yu went to Grand Secretary Yu's study.
Grand Secretary Yu was practicing calligraphy when his wife entered with a heavy expression. His face turned slightly ashen, and he stood frozen with his brush for a long moment before finally saying, "You want to let Consort Wu go?"
On this matter, Grand Secretary Yu disagreed.
If they let Consort Wu leave during the family's prosperous times, people would only praise their compassion. But now, it would be seen as a sign of weakness.
"There's no point in dragging this out any longer," Madam Yu said dejectedly. "A forced melon is never sweet."
Grand Secretary Yu remained silent for a long while before giving an almost imperceptible nod.
Consort Wu took nothing with her. Empty-handed, she walked out of the Yu Family with only Lianxin by her side.
Outside the gate, her father, younger sister, and brother-in-law waited for her in a carriage.
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By the time Fu Tingyun heard of this matter, the former Consort Wu's family had already set a date for their return to their hometown.
Yu Wei was happy for her and asked Fu Tingyun, "Should we send a Courtesy Gift?"
Fu Tingyun smiled. "After all, we were once acquainted. You may go on my behalf to see her off." Then she suddenly exclaimed softly, covering her mouth with a laugh, "We can't call her Consort Wu anymore—it's Miss Wu now!"
Yu Wei also laughed, her eyes curving into a gentle, delicate beauty.
Feeling a slight pang in her heart, Fu Tingyun asked her, "Look, even Miss Wu has broken free from her cage. What plans do you have?"Yu Wei pretended not to understand and smiled, "How can the Yu Family compare to our household? How can Miss Wu compare to me? In the Zhao family, I'm second only to one, above everyone else. I don't want to go anywhere else; I'll stay right here."
Fu Tingyun sighed inwardly.
Kou'er walked in cheerfully, "Madam, Consort Wu has come to bid you farewell. Will you see her?"
"Speak of the devil," Fu Tingyun chuckled, "Please show her to the hall."
Kou'er led in Consort Wu, now addressed as Miss Wu.
She wore a brand-new light green Hangzhou silk sleeveless vest, her smile as respectful and docile as ever.
Before Fu Tingyun could speak, she suddenly stepped forward and knelt to kowtow.
Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly pulled her up, "What are you doing?"
"I want to thank you, Madam!" Miss Wu's eyes reddened as she insisted on kneeling, "Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"I didn't do much," Fu Tingyun said, guiding her into the Grand Tutor chair, "Your family worked hard for this."
Miss Wu nodded, "I can repay their kindness someday. But your kindness... I'll never have the chance..."
Embarrassed, Fu Tingyun didn't argue and gently advised, "Think of the past as a dream and forget it. Start anew when you return."
"Start anew?" This simple reassurance made Miss Wu's expression change. She clutched Fu Tingyun's hand desperately, "Do you... do you really think I can start over?" Her eyes were full of hope and anxiety.
Fu Tingyun understood her fears.
But if she gave up on herself, she'd never begin again.
Fu Tingyun nodded firmly, encouraging her with a smile, "As long as you don't give up, you can start anew!"
Tears welled in Miss Wu's eyes and fell in large drops, "You... you're so kind... You don't know what I've done... How could I deserve to start over..." Sobbing, she collapsed at Fu Tingyun's feet.
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O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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