Chapter 272

Why bring him up all of a sudden?

Yu Jingxiu's expression shifted slightly.

Lady Fan, holding the child, also looked nervously at her father-in-law.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy.

Madam Yu quickly forced a smile and said, "That's their family's business. We only need to mind our own." With that, she turned to ask Yu Jingxiu about his plans for the coming days: "...How many days will you be able to stay at home?"

Grateful for the change of subject, Yu Jingxiu immediately smiled and replied, "That depends on the Censorate's arrangements. I may need to go out again in a few days."

Just as he was speaking, a maidservant entered to report, "Young Master, there's a man outside who calls himself Master Hu, claiming to have met you in Shandong. He's come specially to pay you a visit."

Everyone's gaze fell on Yu Jingxiu. Madam Yu in particular said, "At this hour? Who would still be coming to see you?"

Yu Jingxiu was equally puzzled, frowning as he murmured, "Surnamed Hu..." Then he asked the maidservant, "Did he present a name card?"

The maidservant shook her head. "No," she said. "The message from the gate is that Master Hu said you'd know who he was the moment you heard his name, so no name card was needed."

No name card, yet he could get the gatekeeper to relay his arrival—this man was clearly no ordinary person.

Yu Jingxiu thought for a moment, then clasped his hands to Grand Secretary Yu and said, "Father, I'll go see who it is." He then bowed to his mother before leaving the hall.

Madam Yu told Lady Fan to go back and rest.

Lady Fan smiled, holding Zhen-jie'er as she took her leave of her grandfather and grandmother.

Grand Secretary Yu merely nodded with a smile, while Madam Yu reached out and touched Zhen-jie'er's sparse, yellowed hair.

Lady Fan lowered her eyelids.

Her father-in-law... didn't seem to like Zhen-jie'er very much...

At this thought, her steps slowed slightly, and she caught the sound of Madam Yu and Grand Secretary Yu talking: "You're too much. Your son barely gets to come home, and you bring up Zhao Ling?"

"You just keep burying your head in the sand!" Grand Secretary Yu said, clearly displeased. "Zhao Ling is coming on with such force—sooner or later they're bound to cross paths. If Depu doesn't study Zhao Ling carefully now, by the time Zhao Ling gains power and stands on Depu's shoulders, Depu won't be able to investigate who Zhao Ling really is even if he wants to." Then he instructed Madam Yu, "When he comes back, have him come to my study. I have something to say to him."

Madam Yu murmured in acknowledgment.

Lady Fan's steps faltered.

Madam Fu's husband, Zhao Ling—how could he be so formidable?

Or was her father-in-law simply being overly cautious, guarding against trouble before it arose?

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Once again, Madam Yu's voice reached her ears: "Fu-shi, is it really as you said—that she's been acting as a go-between for the court ministers?" She still sounded unconvinced.

"With the way Depu treated her, she still managed to walk away unscathed—clearly she's no simple woman." Grand Secretary Yu gave a cold snort, his tone growing impatient. "When you have the time, you should go out and socialize with Depu's wife. Staying cooped up at home like this, you have no polish in your speech or conduct, and you carry yourself with the air of a petty household..."

Lady Fan trembled with rage. She could bear no more. Stumbling as she walked, she left the main courtyard, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Mozhuan, who had been waiting outside, had no idea what had happened inside. Startled at the sight, she waved the maidservants clustered around Lady Fan back a few steps, took out a handkerchief to wipe Lady Fan's face, and whispered urgently, "Young Madam, be careful—someone might see you!"

"Let them see!" She had never been so humiliated in her life. This was the first time anyone had called her "petty" or "small-minded." She had never dreamed anyone would view her that way—least of all her own father-in-law. Lady Fan sobbed quietly, "When he said those things, Mama Shu was still in the room... The household will know soon enough. I've lost face either way, so why should I care if anyone sees me?"

The words were disjointed and unclear. Thinking Lady Fan had quarreled with Yu Jingxiu, Mozhuan hurried to console her: "Young Master just returned—you're afraid he'll go to the concubines' quarters. Though the Young Master pays them no mind, if he doesn't stay in your room on his first night back, those who don't know any better will start gossiping again..."

"It's not about the Young Master!" Lady Fan snatched Mozhuan's handkerchief and stopped crying.

Suddenly, a thought surfaced in her mind: If Yu Jingxiu knew that Madam Fu had been acting as a go-between for the court ministers, what would he think?

Would he think the Yu family's daughter-in-law was improper? Or would he... regret it?

At that thought, she shuddered and quickly suppressed the idea.

She couldn't let her husband know!

Even if her husband remained unmoved, her father-in-law and mother-in-law's intentions were already clear—who could guarantee her husband wouldn't be swayed by them...

Biting her lip, Lady Fan returned to her room.

When Yu Jingxiu came back, she immediately asked him, "What did Father say to you?"

"Nothing much," Yu Jingxiu said. "He just asked about Shandong. When he learned that I'm on good terms with Lord Jiang, he seemed quite pleased." Then he called for Mozhuan. "Bring in some water—I want to wash up."

Mozhuan acknowledged and left.

But Yu Jingxiu sat there, somewhat dazed.

Lady Fan's nerves immediately tightened.

Something was wrong... Her husband's demeanor was off. They were a devoted couple—after such a long separation, they should have been affectionate and warm... Yet here he was with a troubled expression... Surely his father must have said something to him...

Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists as she smiled and sat down beside Yu Jingxiu, speaking softly, "Husband, what are you thinking about?"

"Oh!" Yu Jingxiu snapped back to attention. "Nothing!" He smiled at Lady Fan and asked, "Has Zhen-jie'er gone to bed?"

Lady Fan's hands clenched even tighter.

What could he not tell her?

The way he spoke—so casual, so dismissive—he was clearly brushing her off!

But recalling Mozhuan's words, she still forced a smile and answered, "She's already asleep," though inside she felt deeply wronged, and tears spilled from her eyes despite herself.

"Why are you crying?" Yu Jingxiu asked in a fluster. "What's the matter? Did Mother say something again? Don't cry!" He took out a handkerchief and wiped Lady Fan's face.

"I asked what your father said to you, but you wouldn't answer me..." Lady Fan took the handkerchief, sobbing. "You were only gone two or three months, yet you can't even be bothered to talk to me... I've been home alone with Zhen-jie'er... just waiting for you to return..."

Yu Jingxiu quickly embraced her. "I know, I know. He truly didn't say anything. Remember that corruption case I was investigating in Shandong? That man surnamed Hu came to see me about it. One of his cousins was implicated... Father only advised me that 'the law should not override human sentiment'—he told me not to be too rigid and offend everyone, that as long as the principal offender confessed, that would suffice... I was thinking the same thing. I was just pondering Father's words."

Was that really all?

A flicker of doubt passed through Lady Fan's mind.

Her husband was always so good at putting on a peaceful front before her...

"Goodness!" Yu Jingxiu laughed when he saw her expression. "Why are you so suspicious?"

It wasn't that she was suspicious—it was that her in-laws looked down on her. They were always comparing her to Madam Fu.

Lady Fan couldn't help asking, "Then... did Father mention anything about Zhao Ling?"

Yu Jingxiu was taken aback.

Since their marriage, this was the first time they had broached the subject of the past...

His face darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "You already know?"

Only then did Lady Fan realize she had misspoken.

She inwardly cursed herself—"How careless!"—while studying Yu Jingxiu's expression and murmuring, "I heard it from Father just now..."

Yu Jingxiu forced a strained smile.

Lady Fan tried to make amends. "He said you should be careful of Zhao Ling..."

"I know!" Yu Jingxiu said, somewhat embarrassed.

When it came down to it, all of this had been for Lady Fan's sake... Yet now, she didn't seem particularly grateful or moved...

Like someone expecting praise who suddenly discovers everyone already knew and didn't care, he felt deflated. He rose listlessly and called out loudly for Mozhuan. "How can fetching water take so long?"

Watching her husband avoid her, Lady Fan felt bewildered.

Did he know about Madam Fu's matter or not?

At that moment, Fu Tingjun sat by the lamplight, her head bowed, going over accounts with Yuwei.

"...If we sell all the silverware Ninth Master brought back, that's over ten thousand taels. Not only can we buy a small villa in Yuming Mountain, we'll have money left over for repairs." She muttered. "Tomorrow, invite Shopkeeper Ye San over. He's been doing very well in the capital these past two years and knows many people. Mention the villa purchase to him—he might have some connections... And Seventh Brother-in-law—he failed the imperial exam this year but doesn't seem to care, spending his days gallivanting about with no plans. Perhaps we should find something for him to do..."

As she spoke, someone knocked at the door.

Fu Tingjun didn't look up—with Yuwei there, someone would naturally attend to it.

A shadow moved, and Yuwei went to lift the curtain.

But there was no sound for a long while.

Fu Tingjun looked up in surprise.

In the dim lamplight, a tall man stood quietly beside Yuwei.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled, his eyes full of mischief.

"Ninth Master!" Fu Tingjun jumped up, startled and delighted, moving quickly to get off the kang.

But Zhao Ling strode forward, laughing as he lifted her up.

"Ninth Master, Ninth Master!" Fu Tingjun was as joyful as a little bird, giggling as she reached out to wrap her arms around his neck.

Zhao Ling took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace and pressed her down onto the kang.

"You—what are you doing?" Seeing the blazing heat in her husband's eyes, Fu Tingjun blushed, her body going soft immediately, yet she couldn't help asking the obvious question, then guiltily glanced toward the door.

Yuwei had slipped out of the inner chamber at some point, and had even thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

Everyone must know what they were doing by now...

Fu Tingjun's face burned hot.

A chill ran beneath her... Zhao Ling had lifted his robe... and standing right there at the edge of the kang, he entered her body...

She was so embarrassed she could only turn her face away.

Yet the full, swollen sensation inside her sent a tingling numbness through her entire body, softening her into a puddle... Her chest felt flustered and tight, and an involuntary moan escaped her lips... But then she remembered that with him returning at this hour, the household was likely stirred awake—someone might even be waiting just outside the door—so she quickly swallowed the sound back down... Only for that man to bite her ear and ask, "Did you miss me?"

Fu Tingjun dared not make a sound.

He thrust into her hard... and the moan she couldn't hold back spilled from her lips.

"Say it," Zhao Ling bit her ear, feigning ferocity. "Did you miss me?"

This man... if she didn't answer, she wouldn't escape this ordeal...

And besides, she truly did miss him!

Though it wasn't that kind of missing, Fu Tingjun still looked at Zhao Ling and softly murmured, "Yes."

In the lamplight, her eyes shimmered with a spring-water allure that was breathtakingly seductive.

Zhao Ling held her tightly, calling out "Nannan" with deep affection, yet his movements grew all the more wild.