Chapter 205

When Madam Wu received the news, she was stunned. She repeatedly asked her personal maid, "Did you hear clearly? Are you sure there's no mistake?"

"No mistake." The maid's face fell. "The messenger said it clearly—the Yu family has been preparing to go to Tanzhe Temple to fulfill their vow these past two days!"

"How could she have gotten pregnant so suddenly?" Madam Wu said with a bitter smile. "It's just that this child has no luck—first losing her mother, then drifting about with her destitute father. She finally grew up and we found her a good family, and the moment she entered their door, the legitimate wife became pregnant again... alas..." Madam Wu let out a long sigh. "I'm just afraid this flattery has landed on the wrong target—pleasing the mother-in-law but offending the daughter-in-law!"

"That's not necessarily so." The maid smiled to comfort Madam Wu. "She's only just become pregnant. Whether it's a boy or a girl isn't certain yet. Perhaps Concubine Wu will be lucky and give birth to a son?"

The implication was that if the Yu family's young mistress gave birth to a daughter, Madam Yu would still treat Concubine Wu with special regard.

"That would be even worse." Madam Wu knitted her brows. "In great households, nothing is more taboo than blurring the line between legitimate and illegitimate. Even if a concubine bears a son because the legitimate wife hasn't produced one, the age gap between that son and any legitimate eldest son should be considerable—if a concubine-born eldest son has been raised as a legitimate son for so many years, he won't be lacking in either knowledge or upbringing. When the family property is divided, the father, mindful of their past bond, will rarely be too harsh. Even the legitimate mother, knowing her own son is still young and might need this elder half-brother's help someday, won't tear things apart immediately. By the time the legitimate son grows up, the concubine-born eldest son will be at thirty, capable of managing the household. If the legitimate eldest son treats him as a brother, they'll interact as brothers; if not, he can close his doors and live his own life—would he ever lack for food or clothing?"

"But if the concubine-born eldest son is close in age to the legitimate eldest son, how could the legitimate mother rest easy? Those with designs would most likely raise the boy in their own quarters and teach him astray—how could that turn out well? Those without designs would merely provide two meals and a few sets of clothes. How could his horizons and knowledge compare to a legitimate eldest son raised with meticulous care? He would only seem all the more crude by comparison. And when the family property is divided, it would happen to coincide with the legitimate eldest son's marriage. All ten fingers are of different lengths—tell me, would the father think more of the legitimate eldest son or the concubine-born eldest son?"

"As the saying goes, a mother's status rises with her son. The same applies to concubines. If the child amounts to something, naturally no one in the household dares to slight her. But if the child can't be propped up, others will look at her with a measure of contempt."

"If it comes to that, tell me, what good could come to Concubine Wu?"

"Unless the Yu family's young mistress keeps giving birth to daughters."

The Wu family was a great clan, and the maid had served Madam Wu long enough to have seen much, but after Madam Wu's explanation, certain matters became much clearer to her.

She said urgently, "Then—then what should be done?"

Madam Wu let out another long sigh. "Prepare an eight-treasure gift box. I'll go to Jiadao Street to offer Madam Yu my congratulations—and also give Madam Yu a clear understanding."

"A clear understanding?" The maid looked bewildered. "What understanding?"

"Utterly thick-headed!" Madam Wu said in exasperation. "Madam Yu wants a grandson, but she wants a legitimate grandson even more... If you can't figure it out, then don't. Just hurry and get the gift box ready—that's what matters."

The maid withdrew, her face flushed.

Looking up, she saw a branch of pink apricot blossoms leaning obliquely over the wall from the neighboring back garden.

She couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!" and her face turned deathly pale.

When Madam Yu saw Madam Wu, however, she shook her head and said with feigned reproach, "...What are you saying? Back then, you were worried about the Yu family's lack of heirs—otherwise, how could you have borne to give us such a fine niece?" She continued, "But then again, thinking on it—Concubine Wu first lost her mother, then suffered much with her impoverished father. Yet since entering our household, not only did she herself become pregnant right away, but even my daughter-in-law, who hadn't had so much as a stir in years, is now with child. This is precisely what they mean by 'bringing prosperity to the family and children.' Clearly, Concubine Wu was born to enter our household—born to be one of our family!"

Madam Wu felt such relief in her heart!

Originally, she had done this to curry favor with the Yu family, but unexpectedly, both Concubine Wu and the Yu family's young mistress had become pregnant one after the other. She had thrown good money after bad—failing to win Madam Yu's favor while offending the young mistress. She had no idea what to do. Yet who would have thought that Madam Yu not only bore no grudge, but actually felt that Concubine Wu's birth chart was auspicious and brought prosperity to the Yu family... Like passing from ice to fire, it was finally over. How could she not be overjoyed?

"The mistress is elevating her," Madam Wu said, unable to stop the smile from welling up in her eyes, though the proper words could not be omitted. "But she is also an honest, well-behaved child who knows her place. She knows clearly what she should and shouldn't do—the mistress need not worry!"

"I know," Madam Yu said with a smile. "Otherwise, why would I have taken a liking to her at first sight in the temple back then?"

The two women chatted warmly about household matters for quite a while. When Madam Wu saw that everything that needed to be said had been said, she proposed going to offer congratulations to Lady Fan.

Madam Yu accompanied Madam Wu to Lady Fan's courtyard.

Lady Fan was lying down to rest her pregnancy and rose with some displeasure upon hearing the news.

Seeing her listless expression, Madam Wu knew she was having a difficult pregnancy and dared not linger. She briefly and tactfully repeated the sentiments she had expressed to Madam Yu, then prepared to take her leave.

Seeing that Madam Wu was respectful enough, Lady Fan had someone summon Concubine Wu. "She is, after all, an elder of the family. Since she has come, there's no reason not to see her."

Madam Wu saw no harm in meeting her and smilingly expressed her thanks. When Concubine Wu came to pay her respects, Madam Wu, in the presence of Madam Yu and Lady Fan, once again admonished her to "serve the young mistress well" and such, before finally taking her leave.

Lady Fan rose to see off Madam Yu and Madam Wu.

Both Madam Yu and Madam Wu, fearing she might overexert herself, urged her repeatedly to rest well and insisted she not see them off.

Lady Fan begged their pardon and, supported by her personal nurse, returned to her room.

"Seeing that the young mistress is in good spirits, I can rest assured," Madam Wu said as she took her leave of Madam Yu.

Madam Yu tried repeatedly to persuade her to stay but failed, and personally escorted Madam Wu to the hanging flower gate.

No sooner had she sat down than Yu Jingxiu arrived.

Madam Yu glanced at the water clock and asked in surprise, "Why are you back so early?"

Yu Jingxiu smiled. "There was nothing pressing at the yamen. I told Chen Zhongming and came home."

Madam Yu's gaze turned cold, and her smile gradually faded. She said in a low voice, "Did you not request leave from your superior?"

Yu Jingxiu was taken aback, then quickly smiled. "My superior wasn't in. It was only half an hour before the end of office hours—by the time I found him, the time would have already passed..."

Madam Yu gave a soft "mm" and her expression eased slightly.

Yu Jingxiu then sat down beside his mother with a smile and asked softly, "What did Madam Wu come for?"

"Nothing much!" Madam Yu said. "Concubine Wu entered our household and your wife became pregnant right away—clearly her birth chart brings you good fortune. I deliberately sent Mama Shu to the Wu residence, first to inform the Wu family of the news, and second to express thanks to Madam Wu. Upon hearing this, Madam Wu came to congratulate you."

Yu Jingxiu smiled. "She's not even a proper relative. She comes rather frequently."

Madam Yu's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

Yu Jingxiu had already smilingly moved past the topic: "Mother, now that there are two pregnant women in my courtyard, the servants are running around in circles. And since Fan's pregnancy is difficult, I'm afraid the servants might neglect Concubine Wu. I'd like to move Concubine Wu to the side rooms in the rear courtyard and add two maidservants to attend to her. What do you think?"

"Fine!" Madam Yu agreed without a moment's hesitation, which surprised Yu Jingxiu, who had prepared many arguments and reasons to convince his mother beforehand.

Madam Yu smiled. "Though I long for a grandson, I long even more for a legitimate eldest grandson."

"Mother!" Yu Jingxiu was both surprised and delighted.

Madam Yu smiled and patted her son's hand, saying gently, "Go attend to your business. Your mother hasn't lost her wits yet."

"Yes!" Yu Jingxiu answered loudly, rising with a hint of joy, and said beaming to his mother, "Mother, rest for now. I'll come back shortly to have dinner with you."

"No need," Madam Yu said with a smile. "Your wife is with child—you should keep her company. As for me, you can come whenever you like."

Yu Jingxiu coaxed his mother: "She has plenty of people to attend to her, but I haven't had dinner with you in quite some days... Wait for me—I'll be right back." With that, not waiting for Madam Yu to respond, he smiled and turned to leave the inner chamber.

Madam Yu gazed at the swaying multicolored tassel door curtain, her smile gradually fading.

Mama Shu, somewhat worried, called out "Madam," and half-consoled, half-admonished, said, "After all, he's about to become a father. The young master is even more filial and considerate toward you than before!"

Madam Yu gave a cold "hmph" and said, "This isn't him being considerate and filial toward me—this is him being considerate and filial toward his wife, treating me like a fool!"

"Madam!" Mama Shu felt a chill in her heart, and her smile became somewhat strained. "This—you're doing the young master an injustice..."

"There's no need for you to speak well of him on his behalf—I'm not dead yet! Even if I were, I would arrange your affairs properly and would never let them bully you." Madam Yu waved her hand to silence Mama Shu, cutting off her words. "Just listen to what he said—'I think.' Since when did matters of the inner quarters become his to think about? He's simply resentful that I made the decision to raise Wu as a concubine for him, spoiling his reputation for being devoted and righteous. Now that Lady Fan is pregnant, he feels his back is straight, and he wants to stand up for her. He doesn't stop to think—why did Lady Fan become pregnant precisely when she did, right after Concubine Wu entered the household? Everything in this world is fated by heaven, every bite and every sip predetermined. Instead of cherishing his blessings, he treats it as some ill-fated entanglement." Madam Yu trembled with rage. "An ungrateful beast! I'd like to see how he plays the filial son at Lady Fan's bedside..."

The words she spoke... Mama Shu was greatly alarmed and hastily knelt down: "Calm your anger, Madam, calm your anger..."

But the fury in Madam Yu's chest only surged more violently.

She said fiercely, "Go! Bring me the servant boy who accompanied the young master to the yamen today. I want to see how it is that he can't even sit still at his post!"