Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 75: Concubine Yu's Revelation

Ting Yu had mustered all her courage to follow him.

She picked up the butterfly hairpin and said softly, "My lord, having served the mistress since childhood, I know what kind of jewelry and headpieces she prefers. Would you like me to explain in detail?"

Xie Jingyu's expression remained cold and stern. "I don't need to know these things."

Since Yun Chu looked down upon his gifts, he simply wouldn't give any more. Such humiliation once was enough.

"I don't believe you, my lord." Ting Yu's hand gently rested on Xie Jingyu's shoulder. "The mistress has devoted herself wholeheartedly to planning for the Xie family. No matter what, you wouldn't truly neglect her. But over these five years, her heart has indeed grown cold. Why don't you come to my courtyard for a while? I know how to make the mistress change her mind."

Xie Jingyu pressed his lips tightly together.

He had to admit that Yun Chu truly had the Xie family's best interests at heart—she had even secured a position at the Imperial Academy, which belonged to the Yun family, for An Ge'er.

Reflecting on his own actions, he had once again delivered Yun Chu to Marquis Xuanwu.

Marquis Xuanwu had been oppressing the Xie family relentlessly. Once the Xie family rose to power, he would never let the Marquis's household off easily.

But for now, he was the one who had wronged Yun Chu.

He genuinely wanted to win her back. If Yun Chu and he could rebuild their marital bond, her heart would lean even more toward the Xie family.

With this in mind, Xie Jingyu turned and followed Ting Yu to her small courtyard.

Ting Yu lived in a courtyard at the corner of the Xie residence, with bamboo planted all around the front, giving it a uniquely charming atmosphere.

Xie Jingyu followed her inside and sat on the couch. Ting Yu stood before him, her head lowered, and said, "Since I was old enough to understand, I've been serving the mistress. When she was young, she liked brightly colored jewelry and clothing, but over time, she began to prefer lighter-colored garments and simpler accessories..."

By the time Yun Chu returned to the residence, the sky had already darkened. It was now almost the end of the Xu hour, and the night outside grew increasingly profound.

Ting Yu's voice softened further. "It's getting late, my lord. Why don't you rest here tonight?"

Xie Jingyu initially intended to refuse, but when he looked up and saw Ting Yu's face, he vaguely realized that it had been a long time since he had stayed overnight in the rear courtyard.

He and He Shi had once been deeply in love, but after she entered the Xie household as Nurse He, the passion between them seemed to fade. Even after He Shi became a concubine, though he had a legitimate reason to spend nights in her quarters, he had never once set foot in the Lotus Garden.

Ting Yu's body went limp, and she collapsed into Xie Jingyu's embrace...

After several rounds of intimacy, Ting Yu lay against Xie Jingyu's chest and whispered, "My lord, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Xie Jingyu's voice was indifferent. "Speak plainly."

After hesitating for a moment, Ting Yu finally said, "A few days ago, Yun Ge'er saw a three or four-year-old boy in the Sheng Residence..."

She had wanted to keep the mistress's secret, but why should the lord adopt a child from the Yun family? It was utterly unfair to the Xie family and to Yun Ge'er.

Since the adoption matter would inevitably come to light sooner or later, it was better for her to inform the lord in advance so he could prepare.

"What did you say?" Xie Jingyu's face showed disbelief as he sat up abruptly. "She wants to adopt a child from the Yun family into the Xie family?"

Since ancient times, adopted children have always been chosen from the husband's clan. When has it ever been acceptable for a wife to raise a child from her maternal family under her name?If the Xie family were to truly adopt a child from the Yun family, then the Xie family would become the biggest laughingstock of the entire capital.

Ting Yu stood up as well: "My lord, these were the words Madam personally told me. She instructed me not to tell anyone and urged you to observe quietly for now and not make a fuss."

She was afraid that if the lord went to confront Madam, she would end up offending both sides.

Xie Jingyu placed a hand on her shoulder: "You are Madam's most trusted person. Naturally, I won't let you fall out with her. I will arrange for someone to investigate this matter thoroughly."

Ting Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

The night passed quietly.

The weather grew increasingly hot, and dawn arrived earlier each day.

After Yun Chu finished washing up and was about to go out, she heard Ting Feng speaking outside.

"You've truly mastered the art of climbing into bed," Ting Feng stood in the courtyard, looking at Ting Yu who had come to pay her respects, her eyes full of mockery. "It seems our Concubine Yu is about to add another member to the Xie household. Congratulations in advance."

Concubine Tao stroked her nearly full-term belly and sneered: "Concubine Yu, you have quite the skill. With so much happening in the Xie family, you still managed to invite the lord to your courtyard. Truly admirable."

Ting Yu lowered her head: "As a concubine, it is my duty to serve the lord."

She had merely kept the lord for one night, but from the moment she rose in the morning, not a single maid or matron dared to show her a disrespectful face along the way.

This was the Xie household, and in the end, the Xie family had the final say. As long as she held onto the lord, her and Yun Ge'er's lives in the Xie residence would not be too difficult.

Just then, Yun Chu stepped out and said calmly, "Why are you all standing in the courtyard? Come in and sit."

Once everyone had gathered, they took their seats in the side hall.

"Old Madam's birthday is in a few days," Yun Chu got straight to the point. "I've called you here to ask for ideas on how to celebrate it."

Since Old Madam was still alive, birthdays in the Xie family were always celebrated only among family members. The specifics of how to make it lively required careful discussion.

The concubines each offered their suggestions.

Yun Chu smiled and said, "Ping Jie'er, I'll entrust Old Madam's birthday celebration to you. This time, I'll have Ting Shuang assist you. What do you think?"

Xie Ping was moved to tears: "Thank you, Mother, for giving me this opportunity again. I will not betray your trust."

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Yun Chu said gently. "This is just a gathering of our own family. Even if something goes wrong, it's not a big deal."

As they were speaking, Xie Jingyu walked in through the door.

His expression was dark as he said coldly, "All of you, leave."

The concubines were surprised. The lord rarely showed such an expression, and it was even rarer for him to direct such a look at Madam. What had happened?

Only Ting Yu knew—the lord must have found evidence of Madam's intention to adopt a child from the Yun clan. He was here to confront her.

She hoped Madam would not blame her. She had done it for Yun Ge'er to secure a place in the Xie household... She was a mother, and in everything she did, her first consideration was always her child. This was something Madam would probably never understand...

The people in the room withdrew, and Ting Shuang gently closed the door behind them.

Yun Chu frowned slightly: "Husband, what is the meaning of this?"

"Lately, you've been frequently returning to the Yun family. Is there something you're hiding from me?" Xie Jingyu asked coldly.Yun Chu's voice turned icy as well: "Husband, you might as well speak plainly."

"Are you planning to adopt a child from the Yun family as our legitimate heir?" Xie Jingyu cut straight to the point. "I had someone investigate. There's a three-year-old child from a collateral branch of the Yun family who visited the Yun residence a few days ago. Is he the child you intend to adopt?"

An expression of disbelief spread across Yun Chu's face: "Husband, have you gone mad? With so many children in the Xie family, why would I adopt one from the Yun family?"

Her expression showed no trace of pretense. Xie Jingyu was taken aback—could his investigation have been mistaken?