Chapter 185

Zhao Ling started playing hide-and-seek with Youyou again.

But Fu Tingjun hesitated for a moment.

Did she really want to deal with Zuo Junjie this way?

Then she thought of the deceased Zheliu and Jiancao... and a sense of righteous vengeance welled up in her heart. She asked, "What if we need Zuo Junjie to testify?"

"When it's Zuo Junjie's turn to testify, it will certainly be when the situation is already greatly in our favor," Zhao Ling said distractedly while focusing on amusing Youyou. "By then we'll say that when we found Zuo Junjie, he was already in this state. Can the Yu family really confront us over this matter? Perhaps we can even turn the tables on the Yu family and claim that Zuo Junjie was reduced to this state by them, and that we rescued him just in time to save his life..." He turned around and smiled at Fu Tingjun. "What do you think?"

"Who else has as many schemes as you!" Fu Tingjun smiled with pursed lips, then picked up Youyou's clothes and turned to enter the warm chamber.

The next day, she quietly called Yuwei in and told her about this matter.

Yuwei's eyes reddened as she kowtowed to her: "Thank you, Ninth Master and Madam. Now I can finally go see Zheliu and Jiancao with peace of mind." This startled Fu Tingjun greatly: "Don't do anything foolish. You can guard against day and night, but it's hardest to guard against thieves in your own home. Even Eldest Aunt and my mother found no flaws when they personally interrogated Mo Xiang, let alone you all. You're the only capable person I have by my side now—you can't abandon me!"

These words made Yuwei laugh through her tears: "I'm still planning to serve the Young Master and the Young Lord!"

Fu Tingjun's face flushed slightly, and she hastily changed the subject with some hesitation: "In another two months, my mourning period will be over. What do you think of that family Zheng Sanniang mentioned to you last time? I think they seem quite good..."

"Madam," Yuwei said with a smile, "didn't you just say I'm the only capable person by your side? Can that person follow me in selling themselves into the Zhao family?"

Fu Tingjun was left speechless.

"Madam," Yuwei's expression gradually turned serious, "I just want to serve you well, serve Ninth Master, serve the Young Miss, and in the future serve the Young Master and the Young Lord... I don't want to go anywhere else!"

"But you're still so young..."

Yuwei smiled: "The Seventh Grandaunt who returned to her natal family also kept her chastity in the Fu family for thirty years. At least I grew up in the Fu family."

Fu Tingjun's expression darkened at these words, and she said softly, "In the past, I thought this was an honor, but now I see it as a shackle... I only wish for your happiness."

"If Madam wishes for my happiness, then don't persuade me anymore," Yuwei said with a smile. "I think things are just fine as they are now."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Yuwei, Fu Tingjun had no choice but to give up, thinking that if Yuwei ever changed her mind, she would treat her like a younger sister and marry her off in grand style. With this thought, she felt relieved. Then she suddenly remembered her eldest sister-in-law who was keeping her chastity in Huayin.

She was silent for a moment, then instructed Yuwei: "Go grind ink for me. I want to write a letter to my eldest sister-in-law."

Yuwei was taken aback.

"My eldest sister-in-law is an extremely shrewd and capable person. I refuse to believe she didn't know about Mo Xiang's pregnancy. Would she not have considered the consequences of letting Zuo Junjie go?" Fu Tingjun explained. "The reason she did this was simply to preserve the only bloodline of the Zuo family." She let out a cold snort. "First Master Fu is bent on having my eldest sister-in-law earn another chastity arch for the Yu family, isn't he? I won't let him have his way—once she learns about Zuo Junjie's situation, we'll see how First Master Fu plans to clean up this mess!"

Yuwei's heart stirred at these words, and she mused, "The Fu family must have placed the eldest young mistress under house arrest in Tingxiang Pavilion, which is why she knows nothing of the outside world... We can find a way to deliver the letter through Yitong. Once the eldest young mistress learns that Zuo Junjie is in danger, she'll certainly make a scene..." As she pondered, her expression gradually brightened. "She might even use her chastity for the Fu family as leverage to negotiate with the Fu family elders. But since this matter is no longer within the Fu family's control, the elders won't dare agree and can only coax and deceive the eldest young mistress... Given her temperament, once she becomes suspicious, she'll definitely find a way to investigate. We can have Yitong pass her information at the right moment..." She covered her mouth and laughed. "There's going to be quite a show then!" She gave Fu Tingjun a thumbs up. "Madam, this plan of yours is truly excellent!" Then she turned happily and went into the eastern study to grind ink for Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun broke into a smile.

Actually, this was Zhao Ling who had reminded her—since Zuo Junjie was bent on rising through the ranks and getting rich, he would make him a beggar; since the Fu family was bent on earning another chastity arch, she would write to tell the eldest young mistress about Zuo Junjie's situation, letting the eldest young mistress and the Fu family fight it out...

With this thought, she walked into the study in high spirits.

...

At the Yu residence, Madam Yu, nee Shu, reclined on a daybed in the pavilion, gazing at the riotous beauty of the flowers outside the window, yet her mood refused to lift.

She asked her companion, Mama Shu, in a low voice, "Did you find out for certain?"

"I did." Mama Shu glanced at the maids and matrons standing more than ten feet away, then lowered her voice further. "That was exactly how the young lady of the Fu family asked it..." But how the eldest young master had answered, Mama Shu dared not repeat.

The veins on the back of Madam Yu's hand, which held her teacup, suddenly stood out.

Mama Shu was so startled she instinctively stepped back, but the moment she lifted her foot, she remembered Madam Yu's severity and drew it back. Her body swayed slightly, but she managed not to lose her composure entirely.

Madam Yu, however, did not notice any of this. She demanded sharply, "Where is the master?"

Mama Shu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly replied, "The master went to the yamen and hasn't returned yet."

Madam Yu's tone softened slightly. "And the young master?"

"The young master left with the master this morning and hasn't returned either!" As Mama Shu answered, she heard Madam Yu demand again, her voice harsh, "And the young mistress?"

"The young mistress went back to her room after leaving yours," Mama Shu said quickly. "I'll have someone check at once..." Before she could finish, a string of silvery laughter rang out.

She couldn't help but follow the sound.

There was Lady Fan, accompanied by her personal dowry maid Mozhuan, walking smilingly through the flower beds toward them.

She wore a goose-yellow plain Hangzhou silk jacket, and the summer sunlight fell upon her, making her face glow softly—more radiant and carefree than the blossoms blooming all around her.

Mama Shu quickly fell silent and stole a glance at Madam Yu.

She saw Madam Yu's expression turn even colder.

Hastily, Mama Shu fixed her eyes on her nose, her nose on her heart, and retreated behind Madam Yu.

"Mother!" Lady Fan came forward with a smile to greet Madam Yu. "The scenery is so lovely, and I heard you were admiring the flowers here, so I thought I'd come and join you."

Madam Yu smiled and had Mama Shu bring a small stool for Lady Fan.

Mama Shu acknowledged with a smile, and the maids and matrons attending Madam Yu hurried forward to greet Lady Fan, some brewing tea, others fetching pastries and fruit—a flurry of activity.

Lady Fan nodded with a smile, acknowledging their courtesy.

Madam Yu simply raised her teacup and sipped her tea slowly.

Lady Fan leaned in to speak with her mother-in-law. "This year's pre-rain Longjing is quite good—clear in color, rich in aroma."

Madam Yu smiled faintly at this, set down her teacup with deliberate slowness, and said unhurriedly, "You're drinking Longjing; I'm drinking Tieguanyin."

Lady Fan's expression faltered.

Behind her, Mozhuan raised an eyebrow, anger flashing in her eyes, though it took a moment to subside.

For a moment, all was silent around them, as still as if no one were there.

"Tieguanyin is good," Lady Fan finally managed a smile, though it was somewhat strained. "As Mother grows older, Tieguanyin is gentler than Longjing."

"Yes," Madam Yu said without even lifting her eyelids, drawing a handkerchief from her sleeve to dab at the corners of her mouth. "When a person gets older, she can't bear much of anything anymore. Especially when she sees others enjoying their grandchildren—oh, how envious that makes her." She cast a cold glance at Lady Fan. "Don't you think so?"

Though her mother-in-law had never been pleased with her, she had never before humiliated her in front of the servants like this.

Lady Fan froze in place.

Madam Yu rose to her feet. "No matter how lovely the scenery, if the flowers bloom but bear no fruit, they'll wither once summer passes. There's nothing interesting in looking at them. Mama Shu, help me back to my room."

Lady Fan was overcome with shame—she could have died on the spot... yet she dared not show any displeasure. In fact, she had to be even more respectful than usual, for if the label of "great unfilialness" were pressed upon her and her father came to hear of it, he too would suffer for it... She rose obediently, her heart bleeding, and yet she forced a smile, stepping forward with warmth and affection to support Madam Yu. "Mother, let me help you back to your room."

"Oh!" Madam Yu raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to pick flowers to make your floral dew today?"

In the year since she had taken Elder Aunt Cui's medicine with no results, she had grown all too accustomed to such sneers and jibes.

She lowered her eyelids and said with a smile, "The lotus flowers Mother loves most haven't bloomed yet! When they do, it won't be too late for me to pick them."

"If there are no lotuses, there are hydrangeas!" Madam Yu said with a smile. "Depu's favorite flower is the hydrangea. You should show some concern for Depu as well."

"Yes." Lady Fan bit her lip and bowed her head in acknowledgment.

Madam Yu strode quickly out of the pavilion.

The maids and matrons attending Madam Yu streamed past them in a steady flow, and only when Madam Yu's figure had turned the corner of the building and disappeared from sight did Mozhuan step forward to her young mistress's side, choking back tears. "Isn't it just that you haven't had a child yet? Our own mistress was married five or six years before she gave birth to the eldest young lady. You're so good, young mistress—why does the lady always find fault with you!"

Lady Fan smiled bitterly.

At first, wasn't it precisely because Mother had difficulty bearing children and had only managed to give birth to the three of us siblings after great effort that Madam Yu opposed their marriage?

As the thought flashed through her mind, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh and said softly, "Let's go back."

Mozhuan nodded dejectedly and stepped forward to support Lady Fan.

Lady Fan seemed to recall something and urgently instructed Mozhuan, "The eldest young master was severely disciplined by his father just two days ago and is still in a foul mood. Whatever you do, don't tell him about this."

Mozhuan quickly replied, "I understand."

Meanwhile, Madam Yu said to Mama Shu, "I know this matter can't be rushed, but for some reason, the moment I see that radiant, smiling face of hers, I feel a pang of displeasure..."

There's hardly anything that would bring you satisfaction unless it's something you've personally approved.

Mama Shu muttered inwardly but dared not voice the thought aloud.