Chapter 296

Fu Tingjun flatly refused Concubine Wu's request: "What is improper should not be spoken, and what is improper should not be seen. This kind of matter is not convenient for me to intervene in. Please go back and convey this to Concubine Wu."

"Ah!" Lianxin was quite taken aback. She opened her mouth wide, several times seeming about to speak but stopping herself. Finally, she lowered her head, looking deeply disappointed as she retreated with Zhenzhu.

Yuwei sneered: "This Concubine Wu has brought shame to our doorstep!"

Fu Tingjun, however, felt a stir in her heart at these words.

Concubine Wu was not the type to not know her place. How could she have sent her personal maid to speak of such matters to her...

She thought of the inexplicable goodwill Concubine Wu had shown her, and couldn't help but fall into deep contemplation.

Seeing this, Yuwei dared not disturb her and quietly poured her a cup of tea.

Fu Tingjun then instructed her in a low voice: "Find a way to make inquiries and see whether the Wu family knows anything about Needleworker's Alley."

Yuwei was quite surprised but answered solemnly, "Yes."

Fu Tingjun dismissed those attending her and sat alone in the room drinking a cup of tea. Only then did she go to the children's quarters to check how their rooms had been arranged.

People were coming and going throughout the rooms—some making beds, some organizing trunks—all in perfect order without the slightest confusion.

Fu Tingjun nodded slightly and spent the entire afternoon with the children.

That evening, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually, she rose and wrote a letter to Zhao Ling.

Besides telling Zhao Ling in detail everything that had happened at home these past days, she also told him about Concubine Wu suddenly sending someone to ask for her help: "...I don't know what Concubine Wu's intentions are, so I could only send Yuwei to find a way to investigate whether the Wu family knows about this matter." Setting down her brush, she couldn't resist dipping it in ink again to add a few more lines to the letter: "If what Concubine Wu said is true, then wouldn't Yu Jingxiu's past actions be nothing but a joke? Thinking back now, I'm glad I broke off the engagement with the Yu family."

Having vented her feelings this way, Fu Tingjun's mood improved considerably, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

By the end of the eighth month, Anxin suddenly returned to the capital.

Fu Tingjun was greatly startled and urgently asked him: "What has happened? Why have you returned?"

Anxin smiled and said: "Ninth Master said that there are matters at home and instructed me to return and await your orders." As he spoke, he pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it to Zhenzhu, who was attending Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun took the letter from Zhenzhu's hands and asked him in confusion: "Matters at home? What matters at home? And he sent you all the way back to the capital?" As she spoke, she suddenly thought of the matter concerning Concubine Wu.

Although Madam Wu treated her warmly, she maintained a relationship with Madam Wu that was neither too close nor too distant. She usually felt this was fine, but when she sent Yuwei to investigate the Wu family, this drawback became apparent—they had spent over half a month's effort without being able to determine whether the Wu family knew about Needleworker's Alley.

Could it be about Concubine Wu's matter?

The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

She hadn't been able to learn anything even in the capital; Zhao Ling, far away in Guizhou, could hardly know such details.

With this in mind, she smiled and asked Anxin about his journey: "...Was it smooth?"

Anxin bowed respectfully and replied: "Thank you for your concern, madam. The journey went well."

Fu Tingjun smiled and nodded. Seeing him travel-worn and weary, she smiled and said: "Go rest for now! Whatever matters there are, we can discuss them tomorrow."

Anxin respectfully acknowledged and withdrew to rest.

Fu Tingjun opened Zhao Ling's letter.

As usual, Zhao Ling first asked about the children in his letter, then apologetically mentioned her pregnancy: "...I'm afraid I won't be by your side when you give birth either. You must take good care of yourself. If anything comes up, you can ask Third Cousin for help." Regarding the matter of Needleworker's Alley, however, his tone was beyond Fu Tingjun's expectations: "...This kind of matter may already be known to everyone, or it may be known only to the Yu family's closest confidants. If it were the former, rumors should have reached me by now. Since I haven't heard anything, it's clear this matter is still being kept under wraps, and Yuwei most likely won't be able to learn much. That's why I sent Anxin back—whatever matters you have, you can directly entrust them to him. But I find it suspicious that Concubine Wu said these things to you. As for that Miss Min's affair, you might want to make careful inquiries—you should gain something from it. As for Concubine Wu, since she has shown us goodwill, if she has any difficulties and raises them with you, and you find them hard to handle, you might discuss them with Shopkeeper Ye San, or write to tell me, and I'll find a way!"

Fu Tingjun's heart began to pound.

Zhao Ling had thought of the same thing she had.

Concubine Wu was merely a concubine; even if it were a matter of jealousy and rivalry, it was not her place to step forward. Even setting that aside, if she had recklessly tipped over the vinegar jar, she ought to have gone to discuss it with Madam Wu, who was directly connected to her interests. Why would she come asking someone like me, who has a rift with the Yu family?

Clearly, what Concubine Wu called sending a maid to beg for my help was less a plea and more a roundabout way of informing me of this matter.

Though keeping a mistress outside the household would damage Yu Jingxiu's reputation, it was hardly an unforgivable crime. Even if word got out, people would only say Lady Fan was jealous, not that Yu Jingxiu had lost his virtue.

What could truly sting Yu Jingxiu? After much thought, the only possibility was that Miss Min's identity was problematic.

But if even Concubine Wu had sensed something amiss about Miss Min's identity, then even if Yu Jingxiu himself were so besotted as to let down his guard, surely Grand Secretary Yu, who had weathered countless storms, would have seen through it as well?

She was deeply skeptical.

Only then did she feel that this whole affair was riddled with oddities, and she found herself uncertain how to proceed.

Fu Tingjun pondered for a long while, then called Anxin in.

She asked Anxin, "Ninth Master only instructed you to follow my orders—did he give any other instructions?"

Anxin stood with hands lowered in deference: "Ninth Master said that if the matter proved difficult, he asked me to seek help from Lord Yang Tong."

Not Qin Feiyu, not Lin Chi, not Tao Mu—but Yang Tong, the one who, like him, came from the jianghu. Could it be that Zhao Ling felt this matter was better handled through the forces of the martial world than through official channels?

Fu Tingjun had a faint inkling of understanding, and she had Anxin help investigate the matter of Needle Alley.

Anxin's expression remained unchanged as he acknowledged and departed.

A few days later, he reported back to Fu Tingjun: "Regarding Needle Alley—not only does the Wu family know nothing of it, even the neighbors have never heard of a man named Yu Jingxiu."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback, and hesitated: "Could it be that this is merely a rumor that grew in the telling?"

Anxin shook his head, stepped forward two paces, and lowered his voice: "Though we did not see Yu Jingxiu go to Needle Alley, we did find several men's robes and undergarments in Miss Min's room."

Fu Tingjun raised an eyebrow involuntarily.

Anxin then suggested, "Would you like to meet with Concubine Wu?"

"No need." Fu Tingjun gently shook her head.

Concubine Wu had no standing in the Yu household, like duckweed adrift on the water. If the Yu family discovered she had dealings with me, who knows how they would punish her! Though I did not kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren died because of me. If anything happened to Concubine Wu, I would surely be both grieved and regretful.

She said to Anxin, "Don't concern yourself with Concubine Wu. Finding a way to investigate Miss Min's background is the better course."

Anxin bowed his head in acknowledgment and withdrew.

Fu Tingjun sat in silence for a long while, then called Yuwei in and spoke to her in confidence: "...I never imagined they would end up like this!"

Yuwei, however, was beaming with delight: "This is retribution! Who told her to marry Yu Jingxiu against her conscience back then?" She added, "She thought she'd picked a sweet date, but it turned out to be a crooked tree. She deserves it!"

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but laugh: "You seem even happier than I am?"

"Of course." Yuwei smiled. "You're always worrying about this and that, afraid of 'losing propriety.' I come from humble origins and don't know such things—I only hear that 'good deeds are rewarded with good, and evil with evil,' and that makes me happy."

Fu Tingjun was stunned.

Searching her own heart, she had to admit that seeing the discord between Yu Jingxiu and his wife, she did feel a faint gloating pleasure. It was just that, having already decided to wash her hands of the Yu family's affairs, she felt she should keep her word and truly let it go.

Seeing Fu Tingjun lost in thought, Yuwei felt somewhat uneasy. She softly called out "Madam" and said in a low voice, "Let me go brew you a cup of tea."

"Isn't there still half a cup here?" Fu Tingjun snapped back to herself, composed her expression, and said seriously, "You're right—in truth, I am quite pleased as well." As she spoke, she winked at Yuwei. "Let's hope that Young Master Yu brings his mistress's child home—that would be truly interesting." The moment the words left her mouth, she gave a slight start.

Could it be that Zhao Ling was thinking the same thing?

Unable to contain the stirring in her heart, she grabbed Yuwei's hand and asked, "Tell me—if Yu Jingxiu were to take Miss Min as a concubine, what do you think would happen?"

Yuwei's eyes lit up, and she grinned: "That would be a slap right in Lady Fan's face!"

Fu Tingjun's heart jolted, and her smile gradually faded: "Tell me—if Yu Jingxiu insisted on taking Miss Min as a concubine, would Lady Fan agree?"

Yuwei was taken aback.

Fu Tingjun said in a grave tone, "I think there's more to this matter than meets the eye!"

"You suspect Miss Min wouldn't be willing to enter the Yu household as a concubine?" Yuwei said hesitantly. "But who would rather be a kept mistress than a concubine?"

"Exactly!" Fu Tingjun murmured. "Who knows what game Yu Jingxiu is playing this time?"

Yuwei's spirits lifted at this, and she said excitedly, "Madam, do you think Miss Min could have been deceived by Yu Jingxiu? If that's the case, why don't we find a way to expose him... see if he still dares to harm people after that!" By the end of her speech, she was already gnashing her teeth.

"As for what really happened, I'm afraid we'll have to let Anxin make some proper inquiries," Fu Tingjun said, then suddenly recalling the words in Zhao Ling's letter, she murmured, "No wonder he had Anxin come back... he must have anticipated this long ago... How is this man so clever? He only heard a hint of it..." Her tone was half reproachful, half indulgent, but mostly filled with delight.

Yuwei covered her mouth and laughed.

Fu Tingjun shot her a glare and called Anxin over. "Can you place someone by Miss Min's side? I want to know what kind of person this Miss Min is."

Anxin smiled and said, "Madam, rest assured. A few days ago, Miss Min was looking to hire a coarse-work maid for the kitchen. I happened to know such a person, so through Miss Min's neighbor, I recommended her to Miss Min. Miss Min tried her out for a few days, found her very satisfactory, and has already kept her on."

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but widen her eyes and said, "Was that your idea, or was it Ninth Master's instruction?"