Chapter 4: Formulating a Plan
Mother didn’t believe it.
It was as if Zuo Junjie could read her thoughts.
"Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, Fifth Madam will know once she sees this." He pulled out a child’s bellyband from his robe. "This is the token of affection my cousin gave me!"
Even though Mother had managed the household for years and dealt with countless unexpected incidents, her expression changed drastically in an instant. Looking at the bellyband—the slightly faded sapphire silk, the blooming purple magnolia with petals outlined in pink thread—it was all her daughter’s favorite colors, patterns, and the very needlework techniques she often used.
"You…" Mother could no longer maintain her composure. She stood up in panic.
Could her daughter really have done something so foolish…?
Mother hastily reached out to take it, wanting to examine it closely and verify its authenticity. But out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of smugness on Zuo Junjie’s face—so blatant, so infuriating, as if he were slapping her in public.
Humiliated and furious, Mother dared not lash out.
The world loved a scandal, especially one like this. Even baseless rumors could spread like wildfire, let alone with Zuo Junjie stirring the pot. If even a whisper of this got out, not only would the Fu family’s century-old reputation be ruined, but she and her daughter would be disgraced—at best, mocked for life, forced to live in shame; at worst, driven out of the Fu family with nowhere to go.
But to let Zuo Junjie manipulate them like this… would only embolden him and make the situation worse.
Mother withdrew her outstretched hand.
She had to put him in his place.
Otherwise, he’d think the Fifth House was easy prey.
Slowly, Mother sat back down. "If I were to interrogate every maid and servant every time a concubine claimed to have lost jewelry or silver, I might as well resign as the lady of the house." She dismissed him bluntly. "I happen to have something to discuss with your sister, so I won’t keep you any longer, Young Master Zuo!" Then she warned him, "Though Young Master Zuo is no longer the man he once was, I’ve never heard of a mere Provincial Graduate suing a Presented Scholar. If this goes to court, you’ll surely make a name for yourself—one that reaches the ears of officials in both the provincial and capital offices. Come to think of it, those officials are either our master’s former classmates or colleagues. Given his humble nature, if he learns he owes favors over such a matter, his wrath will be thunderous. I wonder if I should write to him in advance to explain, lest he blames me for failing to manage the household properly when the time comes."
A vein bulged on Zuo Junjie’s forehead as he stood up in fury.
She had mocked him, comparing him to a concubine… used his sister against him, and insinuated that Wu Laoye had connections with provincial and capital officials who could ruin his reputation…
His eyes gleamed with malice.
Mother’s heart pounded in fear, but she had no retreat. She could only raise her voice and call for the housekeeper. "Cousin is leaving. Escort him out!" Her voice trembled faintly.
The partition doors slid open immediately, and the maids waiting outside filed in with steady steps.
Zuo Junjie stared fixedly at Mother.
Who would have thought this usually meek and agreeable Fifth Madam had such resolve? He had underestimated her. It seemed he’d have to resort to stronger measures."Since Fifth Madame believes this matter should be reported to Wu Laoye, I'll wait for his response then," he said ominously. "When Ninth Miss marries into our Zuo family, Fifth Madame better not regret this!" With that, he tossed down the bellyband. "I have many more items personally embroidered by Ninth Miss—consider this a keepsake for Fifth Madame!" Then he strode away.
Many more...
Mother was thunderstruck by his words. Her earlier firmness before Zuo Junjie quickly melted into distress as she urgently instructed the entering Housekeeper: "Quickly, summon Ninth Miss and Bi Bo's family at once!"
Bi Bo's family was named Rushi, originally Mother's personal maid who later married Father's servant Bibo. She was Mother's most trusted confidante.
They arrived at Mother's quarters one after another.
"Close the door!" Mother sat stiffly on the Grand Tutor chair, her face stern as she coldly ordered the attendants. With a flick of her wrist, she threw a bundle toward them.
"See what you've done!" The object fluttered to the ground—a slightly worn sapphire-blue bellyband.
They exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes inevitably drawn to the bellyband, quickly realizing something was amiss.
"This... this isn't mine... How did it get here?" She was utterly shocked, a dreadful premonition rising in her heart. "What's happened?"
Bi Bo's family stared at Mother with suspicion.
Mother snorted coldly and recounted the incident.
She was both stunned and aggrieved, furious yet terrified: "Mother, I've never even spoken to that Zuo Junjie—how could there be any improper relations?" She knelt before Mother. "Though the Fu family may not be among the most prestigious, we're certainly no humble household. In all my years, have I ever been without attendants? Whatever I've done or not done, even if hidden from you, couldn't escape those around me. If you don't believe me, ask my wet nurse, ask Yi Tong, Yu Wei..." She even swore an oath, "If I've committed such shameless, disgraceful acts, may I be struck by lightning..." An innocent person, falsely accused by Zuo Junjie, now forced to defend herself before Mother and Bi Bo's family—the humiliation was unbearable.
Tears of sorrow streamed down her face.
"Stand up and speak properly," Mother glared at her. "I ask you—is this item yours?"
Fu Tingyun's words caught in her throat; she couldn't bring herself to say "yes."
"How did your possession end up in Zuo Junjie's hands?" Mother pressed aggressively, her voice low with suppressed anger to avoid being overheard. "Instead of figuring out who's behind this, all you do is weep and wail. How will you manage the Yu household after marriage? How will you be its mistress? All these years of teaching you have been wasted."
"Mother!" She stared at Mother in shock, eyes reddened, face streaked with tears.
Mother's heart softened at the sight.
Her daughter was still young, inexperienced in such matters—it was natural for her to panic. Perhaps she'd been too harsh.
"If I can't trust the Fu family's discipline, can't I at least trust the daughter I raised myself?" Mother's tone gentled considerably. "I know you wouldn't do such things!"
She clung tightly to Mother.
At such moments, what could be more moving and comforting than a loved one's trust?
Yet why did the sorrow in her heart remain unrelieved...Bi Bo's family had been anxiously pacing around and only now dared to speak up: "What should we do? What should we do? The Yu Family is about to send someone to discuss the wedding date. If they find out about this, whether it's true or not, they'll surely have doubts in their minds. Even if they don't call off the engagement, the Ninth Young Miss might have a hard time after marrying into their family. What will happen to her then?"
"I called you here precisely for this matter," Mother said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her face, her expression deeply troubled. "This Zuo Junjie, though morally corrupt, is a clever man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have swallowed his pride and returned to the Fu Family back then. Since he dared to say such things to me, he must have already made thorough plans. Today, he stormed off in anger after my provocation, but who knows what tricks he might pull tomorrow? Only someone close to Tingyun would know her habits. Even if they didn’t do it themselves, they must be involved." Mother despised servants who schemed behind their masters' backs, her tone severe. "The most urgent task now is to find out who this disloyal, backstabbing traitor is and uncover what else might be missing from Tingyun’s room. Otherwise, we’re exposed while Zuo Junjie lurks in the shadows, making us vulnerable to his attacks."
"Fifth Madam, leave this matter to me!" Bi Bo's family declared with shared indignation. "Over the years, I’ve helped you manage affairs and know all the maids and servants in the Ninth Young Miss’s quarters inside out. It’ll be easier for me to investigate—"
"No, I’ll handle this personally!" Mother’s eyes flashed with cold determination as she instructed Bi Bo's family, "Go pack your things and have the outer courtyard prepare the carriage. We’ll go to the Azure Cloud Temple to offer incense tomorrow."
Going to offer incense at a time like this…
Bi Bo's family stared at Mother in astonishment.
Mother nodded. "Zuo Junjie is related by marriage to the Eldest Uncle, and it was the Eldest Uncle’s idea to let him stay here. With him causing such a ruckus, I have no choice but to ask the Eldest Uncle to intervene and rein him in." She looked worried. "But given how Zuo Junjie is behaving now, I’m not sure if the Eldest Uncle can control him. If he can, well and good. But if he can’t, things might escalate… It’s better for Tingyun to stay away for a while." She lowered her voice. "The maids Lü'e and Hanyan from my quarters are honest, dependable, and obedient—I trust them completely. Take them with you. We’ll say Tingyun fell ill from the journey and needs to rest at the temple. I’ll return with the others, while you, Lü'e, and Hanyan stay behind to care for her. Once this matter is resolved, I’ll send someone to bring you all back."
This was a good plan.
If Zuo Junjie really did cause trouble, at least the Ninth Young Miss wouldn’t have to endure it at home.
Bi Bo's family curtsied and replied, "Yes," before withdrawing.
She had been standing silently with her head bowed all this time.
There are no walls without cracks—sooner or later, this matter would spread.
Among so many sisters in the family, why had Zuo Junjie chosen her?
After Bi Bo's family left, she couldn’t help but ask Mother, "I’ve never offended him, and I’ve always been respectful to Eldest Sister-in-law. Why does he want to harm me?" Tears streamed down her face once more.
This was truly an unexpected calamity!
Mother’s eyes reddened as she comforted her daughter. "He’s just a mad dog, biting at random!"
She stared straight at Mother. "The Eldest Uncle has shown Zuo Junjie great kindness. He… he’ll surely listen to the Eldest Uncle, right?"If Zuo Junjie still cherished their past affection, how could he have done such a despicable thing!
Yet looking at her hopeful face, these words simply couldn't be spoken aloud. Mother forced a smile: "That's why I'm going to ask your uncle to give him a good beating—that'll teach him a lesson."
Would it really?
Then why did Mother's gaze keep shifting when looking at her?
"Mother, please write Father a letter!" She suddenly grabbed Mother's sleeve, pleading. "Father serves in the Hanlin Academy—even the Emperor listens to his lectures on the classics. He'll surely have a way... he must have a way..."
"Alright, I'll write your father!" Mother embraced her, tears soaking the fabric at her shoulder. "Stay quietly at Azure Cloud Temple, don't go anywhere. If anyone comes to say anything to you, pretend you know nothing. I'll come fetch you very soon!"
She nodded blankly, her heart aching dully.
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I haven't been entirely satisfied with recent chapters—rewriting and revising has made updates somewhat irregular. Please forgive me. I'll adjust as quickly as possible.
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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