Chapter 262

Concubine Wu was taken aback.

She hadn't said anything out of the way, so why did Madam Wu's expression look so grave?

As she was mulling this over, Lord Wu lifted the curtain and entered.

Madam Wu led the assembled women forward to pay their respects to Lord Wu.

Lord Wu glanced at Concubine Wu, who was following behind Madam Wu with a somewhat nervous look on her face, and said in a low voice, "What's happened?"

Madam Wu's personal attendant immediately led the servants in the room out, thoughtfully closing the partition doors behind them.

Madam Wu herself poured a cup of tea for Lord Wu, then gestured for Concubine Wu to sit on the embroidered stool by the kang before saying, "Just now I heard Concubine Wu mention that at the hundred-day celebration for Grand Secretary Yu's daughter Zhen-jie'er, the Marquis of Xiping's household sent her a gold filigree ornament inlaid with a hundred precious gems..."

Before she could finish, Lord Wu's expression had already shifted slightly.

The so-called "hundred treasures" referred to ornaments set with various precious stones, which were typically quite valuable. The Marquis of Xiping, whose family had guarded Liangzhou for generations as a meritorious military house defending the Nine Border Garrisons, had no connection whatsoever to the Yu family. Yet he had sent such an extravagant gift to the Yus on the occasion of Zhen-jie'er's hundred-day celebration—he must have been seeking a favor from the Yus, and not an ordinary one at that.

"How did you come to know of this?" He looked at Concubine Wu with a stern expression.

Many people had sent gifts that day, but that gold filigree ornament with the hundred precious gems had been particularly eye-catching. The eldest young mistress had been very fond of it—several times when they went to pay their respects to her, she had been admiring and playing with it. Because of this, Miss Chen had remarked behind her back that the eldest young mistress was shallow, which had caused the eldest young mistress considerable displeasure. So when Madam Wu had asked just now, she had mentioned it.

She hadn't expected it to bring Lord Wu here.

Judging by Lord Wu's demeanor, this matter seemed quite serious.

When she was young, she had studied for two years with her father, and she understood the principle of "do not look at what is improper, do not speak of what is improper." Speaking of the Yu family behind their backs like this was already improper... If she were to bring trouble upon the Yu family because of this, wouldn't it be her fault?

Moreover, this matter also involved...

With this thought, a hint of hesitation appeared on Concubine Wu's face.

Madam Wu glanced at Lord Wu.

After all, having married into the Yu household, at a critical moment her heart still leaned toward the Yus.

She felt somewhat displeased.

But Lord Wu understood his wife's meaning. After a moment's consideration, he deliberately darkened his face and said sternly, "You must understand what matters most. You know very well how the Yus have treated you. And you should also know very well how the Yus would treat you if you didn't have the Wu family behind you. Only when the Wu family prospers can you stand firm and walk tall in the Yu household. You must understand—Grand Secretary Yu is a court official in the capital, while the Marquis of Xiping is a regional military commander. For a court official to collude with a regional commander is a crime punishable by the execution of one's entire family!" At this point, his tone softened, and he said, "Even so, as a concubine, as long as I step forward to plead on your behalf, it won't implicate you..."

Concubine Wu had never witnessed such a scene before. She was immediately flustered and at a loss, saying, "It's not collusion—the Yus haven't colluded with the Marquis of Xiping. It's the Marquis of Xiping who has a matter he wishes to ask Grand Secretary Yu to help with!"

Sometimes one needed to be gentle, but sometimes a sharp blow was what worked best!

Madam Wu looked at her husband with admiration and chimed in from the side, "You say it's not collusion. Sending expensive gifts to ask Grand Secretary Yu to handle a matter—if that's not collusion, what is? Why don't you quickly tell us what the Marquis of Xiping is seeking? That way your uncle can speak up for you when the time comes!"

Concubine Wu pressed her lips together and said nothing, but her face was as pale as paper.

Lord Wu then said in a gentle voice, "You are a woman of the inner quarters—how could you know the dangers of the court? Sometimes a thing looks like a blessing, but in truth it conceals treachery; sometimes a thing looks like a curse, but if you guard against it in advance, it can turn out to be a blessing..."

Hearing this, Concubine Wu looked up in surprise: "Guard against it in advance... it can turn out to be a blessing..."

Seeing that Concubine Wu's tone was beginning to soften, Madam Wu quickly said, "Exactly! How would we know the depths of matters at court? Just tell us plainly what happened. Your surname is Wu—everyone in the capital knows you are one of our family. Would we ever harm you?"

At this, Concubine Wu was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I heard from the maidservants that the Marquis of Xiping has offended Lord Zhao, Zhao Ling, and his days have become quite difficult. He is asking Grand Secretary Yu to step in and help him make peace with Lord Zhao."

How had the Marquis of Xiping gotten dragged into this?

Lord Wu and Madam Wu looked at each other in bewilderment.

"This shouldn't count as collusion, should it?" Concubine Wu asked urgently. "He's merely asking Grand Secretary Yu to help mediate."

"Well, did Grand Secretary Yu agree?" Madam Wu asked, her tone somewhat cautious. "And how did the Marquis of Xiping come to have a grievance with Zhao Ling in the first place?"

Concubine Wu shook her head. "I don't know. But when the Marquis of Xiping's people came out of Grand Secretary Yu's study, their faces were very grim."

There was probably nothing more to be gotten out of her.

Madam Wu pondered this and glanced at Lord Wu.

Lord Wu nodded slightly.

Madam Wu smiled and said, "So we misunderstood Grand Secretary Yu. It's nothing, it's nothing. It's getting late—didn't you say earlier that you needed to return soon? Shall I have the matrons escort you? Don't mention today's matter to Madam Yu. And please convey my thanks to her as well." She murmured, "She even went out of her way to have you bring those little clothes for Fourth Girl."

Concubine Wu had matters on her mind as well. She rose and took her leave of Madam Wu, accompanied by one of Madam Wu's matrons through the hanging flower gate.

"Matron, please go back now!" Concubine Wu pressed a dozen or so copper coins into the matron's hand. "I can see myself out—the carriage is waiting just outside the gate."

The matron didn't stand on ceremony. She smiled, thanked her, and parted ways with Concubine Wu at the hanging flower gate.

Concubine Wu hastily instructed Lianxin, "Go on ahead—hurry to Mrs. Zhao's door and knock. I need to see Mrs. Zhao."

Her voice was urgent and breathless, startling Lianxin greatly.

Concubine Wu urged her sharply, "Why haven't you gone yet!"

It was the first time Lianxin had seen Concubine Wu lose her temper. She was stunned for a moment, then turned and ran to the Zhao family's door.

The pounding on the door made Yuechuan furrow his brow. He called out "Coming!" and opened the gate.

A young girl of fifteen or sixteen burst in: "Is Mrs. Zhao in? We're from Grand Secretary Yu's household—we have urgent business with Mrs. Zhao!" Then she called back over her shoulder, "Concubine Wu!"

A young woman dressed as a matron hurried in after her.

"Is Mrs. Zhao in? I have urgent business with her." The woman's face was full of anxiety. "Please, young man, go quickly and announce me." As she spoke, she shoved a handful of copper coins into Yuechuan's hand while glancing nervously behind her, as if some villain were chasing her.

Zheng San and the others were all roused by the commotion and came out to see what was happening.

Recognizing Concubine Wu, Zheng Sanniang stepped forward to look her over, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

Concubine Wu recognized Zheng Sanniang too, and seized her hand like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline: "Matron, please hurry and announce me—I have urgent business..."

Fu Tingjun was in the kitchen with Yuanxiao, Youyou, and Xige'er making shortbread. Hearing the commotion, she instructed Zhenzhu, "Go see what's happening?"

Zhenzhu acknowledged and went, returning quickly: "It's the concubine from the Yu household—the one from the Wu family. She says she has urgent business with you. Zheng Sanniang couldn't stop her!"

Concubine Wu must have left the household with Madam Yu's or Lady Fan's permission, and she had Yu household servants attending her. If she was willing to risk Madam Yu's or Lady Fan's displeasure to come see her despite knowing the rift between their families, she likely truly had something urgent.

"Show Concubine Wu to the south hall for a talk." Fu Tingjun instructed Zhenzhu, then went to wash her hands.

Zhenzhu quickly passed along the message, and Zheng Sanniang invited Concubine Wu to sit in the south hall, serving tea and refreshments.

Fu Tingjun changed her clothes and came over.

Concubine Wu immediately stood up: "Mrs. Zhao, I can't stay long. I've just come from the Wu household. The Marquis of Xiping, on the occasion of Zhen-jie'er's hundred-day celebration, sent a gold filigree tassel ornament as a gift for the child. When Madam Wu asked about it, I mentioned it without thinking... The Marquis of Xiping's family wants to ask Grand Secretary Yu to act as mediator, to make peace with Lord Zhao... Lord Wu has found out as well. Lord Wu also said that Grand Secretary Yu is colluding with outside officials, and that his household will be raided... I don't know if this is of any use to you, but I came to tell you."

The words came out jumbled and incoherent, but Fu Tingjun understood what she meant.

"Thank you, Concubine Wu," she said sincerely. "I'm grateful you went to the trouble of coming all this way to tell me." A note of gravity crept into her expression. "This is the first I've heard of the Marquis of Xiping seeking reconciliation with my husband. As for the details, I'll need to ask him."

Hearing this, Concubine Wu let out a long sigh of relief, and a joyful smile spread across her face. "Then I'll be going—the Yu family's carriage is still waiting outside the gate." She rose as she spoke.

Fu Tingjun didn't dare detain her, and could only say, "If anything comes up in the future, just send a maid to pass word to me. Don't come running over like this." There was a hint of concern in her tone.

Hearing this, Concubine Wu curved her lips into a smile.

That smile was like the beautiful spring light of May—radiant and bright, making her whole person glow.

Fu Tingjun was somewhat taken aback.

Concubine Wu bent her knees in a slight bow, then quickly left the hall.

The Yu family's carriage driver was already impatient with serving someone of Concubine Wu's station, and was even more displeased when she suddenly abandoned him to go next door to the Zhao residence. So the moment Concubine Wu boarded the carriage, before she could even give instructions, he cracked his whip and sent the carriage rattling out of Shi's Lane, tossing Concubine Wu and Lianxin about inside.

By the time Madam Wu heard the news and hurried out, the Yu family's carriage had long since vanished without a trace.

Madam Wu stamped her foot in frustration, puzzled. "Since when did she have the ear of Mrs. Zhao?"

Lord Wu, however, had only the Marquis of Xiping on his mind. He distractedly said, "Why don't you just go and find out?" before heading to the study, where he recounted the matter to Hao Jianfeng.

Hao Jianfeng was taken aback by what he heard.

Lord Wu then said, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to help look into this... Liangzhou falls under the jurisdiction of the Shaanxi Military Commission."

Hao Jianfeng nodded repeatedly, said "I understand," and, unable to sit still any longer, rose to take his leave.

Upon returning home, he immediately summoned his steward and instructed him to make inquiries about the Marquis of Xiping.

The steward clasped his hands in acknowledgment, then reported with a smile, "Lord Cen has arrived. Will you see him or not?"

Hao Jianfeng's eyes lit up at the news.

Lord Cen had originally been the magistrate of Huayin. After Hao Jianfeng was promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel, Lord Cen had treated him with great deference, sending generous gifts not only for festivals and New Year but also remembering the birthdays of Hao Jianfeng's parents, his own birthday, and even those of his wife and concubines. Over time, the two naturally grew close, and Hao Jianfeng had helped Lord Cen with strategic advice, facilitating his steady rise in rank—just two days ago, he had been transferred to the post of Prefect of Runing.

Hao Jianfeng calculated that Lord Cen should be arriving in the capital around this time to report to the Ministry of Personnel.

It seemed Lord Cen had come in person to express his gratitude.

"Show him to the study for a talk," Hao Jianfeng instructed the steward in a loud voice.