Chapter 307: Filing a Complaint
April brought the finest weather to the capital.
After a rain shower, the sky was a clear, washed blue, and spring flowers bloomed in succession, filling every corner with lush greenery and vibrant blossoms.
Yet Yu Huaian's mood was as gloomy as a shadowed corner beneath dense foliage.
Yu Jingxiu had moved out two months prior, and now he had sent his servant Cheng Xin with a pile of bills for Yu Huaian to settle.
If he paid them, he was merely the keeper of the accounts—without the token of approval from the master or Madam Yu, how would he balance the books later? Who would take responsibility for the discrepancy?
If he refused, the Yu Family would eventually belong to Yu Jingxiu sooner or later. Unlike Mama Shu, who, as a woman, could live comfortably off a couple of acres of land in the future, he was a man—a man could not afford to lose power for even a day. Without the title of General Manager Yu, who would respect him?
He sat there, unable to decide for a long while.
Yu Huaian's personal servant was also caught in a dilemma.
On one hand, if the steward didn’t give instructions, he could only wait here. On the other, Cheng Xin was loudly insisting that the young master was waiting for him to bring freshly baked pea cakes from Jinlan Zhai.
After some thought, the servant concluded that General Manager Yu, being the steward, had many responsibilities. At worst, displeasing him might earn a scolding or a transfer to a less desirable post. But offending Cheng Xin? He would hold a grudge, finding ways to make life miserable whenever he pleased—an endless torment.
Closing his eyes, the servant urged Yu Huaian, "Steward, you must make a decision. This kind of situation will likely keep happening every now and then..."
The servant’s words struck a chord with Yu Huaian.
Indeed.
As long as Yu Jingxiu remained away, he would keep coming to him for money. Stopping him this time wouldn’t prevent the next. Over time, things would only get messier.
He stood up abruptly. "Keep Cheng Xin occupied. I’ll go see Madam."
Finally, with clear instructions, the servant felt relieved and hurried off to the reception hall.
When Madam Yu heard Yu Huaian’s purpose, she gave him a cold glance. "Since when did you become Yu Jingxiu’s steward?"
Sweat beaded on Yu Huaian’s forehead as he bowed hastily. "This lowly one understands what must be done."
Madam Yu gave a faint hum and picked up her teacup.
Drenched in sweat, Yu Huaian returned to the accounts office and sent the servant to relay a message to Cheng Xin: "The Yu Family’s accounts office has always operated on token approval, not personal requests. Bring the token if you want reimbursement."
Knowing Yu Huaian had just returned from seeing Madam Yu, the servant delivered the message without fear.
Cheng Xin flew into a rage. "The young master is busy! Otherwise, why would he send me to settle the accounts?"
Unfazed, the servant smiled. "Brother Cheng Xin, that’s an odd thing to say. How are we to know if it’s you or the young master settling the accounts? You’re a senior in the household—bring the token if you have business!"
Cheng Xin was left speechless. When he reported back to Yu Jingxiu, naturally, he embellished the story.
Yu Jingxiu’s face darkened with fury.
Min Shi, however, soothed him. "It’s all my fault for causing you such distress. They’re just tonics—I’ve said before, nourishing food is better than medicine. We’ll just pay more attention to daily meals from now on." With that, she took Yu Jingxiu’s hand and placed it on her still-flat belly, smiling. "I think he’s grown a little bigger!"Yu Jingxiu smiled and pulled Min Shi into his arms, momentarily forgetting his anger towards Yu Huaian.
Taking advantage of Yu Jingxiu's midday nap, Min Shi quietly summoned the wet nurse into the room. She opened a small box, took out a gold hairpin, and handed it to the wet nurse to pawn, whispering, "I called you here privately to avoid being seen. You mustn't let the young master catch wind of this! If he asks, just say it's from some savings I had before."
Yu Jingxiu, who had been dozing lightly, woke immediately when someone entered. He heard Min Shi's words clearly.
His heart ached with bitterness.
If only he could establish his own household independently...
The thought flashed through his mind, and he thought of the Xiping Marquis...
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Meanwhile, Fei Shi was reporting softly to Madam Yu: "...As per your instructions, I hinted tactfully to Min Shi—if she bears a son, out of consideration for the child's status, you would bring her back into the household regardless of past grievances." Here, she paused slightly.
Madam Yu looked impatient. "Does she have any objections?"
"Not exactly," Fei Shi replied quickly. "It's just that Min Shi seems clever. Though she listened quietly when I spoke, she didn't seem to take it to heart." She glanced furtively at Madam Yu and added hesitantly, "But her wet nurse had quite a few pointed remarks when seeing me out. She said though their family has fallen on hard times, they've known wealth and luxury before and aren't unfamiliar with the intrigues of noble houses. 'You have your strategies, and we have ours,' she said. 'It all depends on who plays their hand better.'"
Madam Yu was furious, but before she could speak, Housekeeper Shu entered and announced, "The young mistress is here!"
Fei Shi hastily retreated to the side, keeping her head bowed.
Fan Shi entered, and despite her efforts, her gaze immediately fell on Fei Shi. Her already pale face grew even paler.
She bowed respectfully to Madam Yu and said softly, "Zhen Jie'er has been unwell again these past few days. The imperial physician says it's due to the changing weather. It made me think of our hometown, Nanjing. The winters there are milder than in the capital. If Zhen Jie'er were in Nanjing, she might suffer less from weather-related ailments..." Her eyes reddened as she spoke. "Mother, I'd like to take Zhen Jie'er back to Nanjing for a while. When she's older and stronger, we can return to the capital to serve you."
"Fine!" Madam Yu replied with a mocking smile. "If you think Nanjing's climate still isn't suitable for Zhen Jie'er's health, why not take her back to the Fan family? You were perfectly healthy when you lived with them, but your health has declined since marrying into our family. Clearly, the Fan family's feng shui suits you better. Like mother, like daughter—perhaps Zhen Jie'er will also recover from all her ailments once she's with them."
"Mother!" Fan Shi stared at Madam Yu, unable to hide her shock and disbelief.
Madam Yu didn't even bother to pick up her tea. She turned to Housekeeper Shu and ordered, "Escort the young mistress back. If she wishes to return to Nanjing, most of our household has moved to the capital, and there's no one left to tend to the old residence. Take her and Zhen Jie'er directly to the Fan family. De Pu can fetch them whenever he finds the time."
Housekeeper Shu, too, was exasperated by Fan Shi's lack of tact.At this moment, Madam Yu was blocking the eldest master in front, yet not only was she not united with Madam Yu, but she also wanted to return to Nanjing, trying to clear herself of any involvement!
Thus, she no longer showed the usual respect to Fan Shi, forcibly grabbing her arm: "Young Mistress, let me escort you back!"
Fan Shi hadn’t expected Mama Shu to dare treat her like this and was momentarily stunned, her reactions sluggish.
A young maid rushed in, looking flustered: "Madam, Madam, please come quickly! The master suddenly fainted in his study. General Manager Yu sent me to inform you—he’s already dispatched someone to fetch the physician."
"What!" Madam Yu was shocked and horrified, immediately forgetting about Fan Shi. She scrambled off the kang, slipped on her shoes, and ran toward Grand Secretary Yu’s study.
Without a second thought, Mama Shu abandoned Fan Shi and followed.
Fei Shi glanced at Fan Shi before quickly trailing after Mama Shu.
As for the maids and serving women, needless to say, they all surged toward Grand Secretary Yu’s study in a flurry.
In an instant, the vast room was left with only Fan Shi.
Mo Zhuan entered, her expression hesitant: "Madam, should we go and see?"
After a moment’s thought, Fan Shi replied, "We should go and see!" By then, she could attend to her father-in-law alongside her mother-in-law, making it harder for Madam Yu to bring up sending her back to the Fan family.
Mo Zhuan nodded and helped Fan Shi to Grand Secretary Yu’s study.
Knowing that Madam Yu and the other womenfolk would arrive, Grand Secretary Yu’s retainers and advisors had already withdrawn, leaving only young pages or maids within a three-foot radius of the study to attend.
By the time Fan Shi arrived, the imperial physician was already there, speaking to Madam Yu: "...Do not move Grand Secretary Yu. This is a case of rage overwhelming the heart. I will apply a few needles, and once his qi gradually calms, he will awaken."
Madam Yu expressed endless gratitude and, along with the other women, retreated to the adjacent antechamber, taking the opportunity to drag Yu Huaian over to question him about what had happened.
Yu Huaian’s gaze flickered as he spoke evasively: "Master Hu came to see the master, saying the eldest master was involved in some legal trouble. Upon hearing this, the master collapsed. I was so frightened I nearly lost my wits and rushed to fetch the physician—I didn’t even have time to ask Master Hu for details."
Master Hu was one of Grand Secretary Yu’s advisors.
Hearing this, Madam Yu’s heart pounded violently, her face turning deathly pale in an instant. She hurriedly said, "Quickly summon Master Hu here!"
Yu Huaian secretly sighed in relief and went to fetch Master Hu.
Before Master Hu could even steady himself, Madam Yu urgently asked, "What has happened to De Pu?"
Master Hu glanced at Madam Yu, hesitating.
Growing frantic, Madam Yu said, "With the master unconscious and you all keeping things from me, if anything happens to De Pu—how am I supposed to go on living!" Her eyes reddened, brimming with tears.
Only then did Master Hu cautiously reply: "A man named Guo, formerly a county deputy, has accused the eldest master of 'killing a husband to seize his wife'...""Killing a husband to take his wife?" Madam Yu was dumbfounded. "How... how could this be? If De Pu were a lustful man, he would have had a house full of wives and concubines long ago, and I would already be surrounded by grandchildren. Could there be some mistake? Or perhaps De Pu offended someone, and they're deliberately smearing his name..." As she spoke, Madam Yu's spirits lifted, and she declared loudly, "That must be it! De Pu has served as a censor these past few years and handled several major cases. It's unavoidable that he would make enemies. This must be their revenge..."
A flicker of pity passed through Mr. Hu's eyes as he looked at Madam Yu.
Fei Shi saw this clearly. Her mind buzzed, and it took her a long moment to regain her composure. By the time she did, chaos had erupted around her.
Housekeeper Shu and Yu Huaian were gathered around the unconscious Madam Yu, calling out "Madam!" while Mo Zhuan and others surrounded the collapsed Fan Shi, crying "Young Madam!" Quick-witted maids were already offering, "I'll go fetch the imperial physician!"
Her gaze swept past this disorderly scene and landed on Mr. Hu, who stood there shaking his head with a helpless expression.
After a brief moment of thought, Fei Shi quietly approached Mr. Hu.
"Mr. Hu," she said respectfully, curtsying. "I am Fei Shi, the concubine of the elder master. Is there any room for maneuver regarding the elder master's situation?"
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⊙﹏⊙b sweat!
I didn't make myself clear yesterday, leading to misunderstandings.
"Basically ending" means there are only one or two chapters left. The final chapter will include an "Afterword," similar to an extra chapter, and then the entire work will officially conclude. It's not ending at Chapter 311 "Tranquil Times"... My apologies to everyone... I'll learn from this and avoid such ambiguous statements in the future...
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(End of Chapter)
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