Ji Yunsu removed her weimao and set it aside, then calmly repeated the words she had casually spoken to Zhao Momo during the day.
“Elder Sister, how can you be so sure that the Grand Tutor has encountered trouble and needs us to go to the capital to resolve it?”
Ji Wenbo’s clear, bright eyes shone with admiration for his elder sister as he asked excitedly.
Liu Rumei had slowly sat up by now, leaning against the headboard, her gaze toward her daughter also filled with puzzlement.
Meeting her mother’s eyes, Ji Yunsu smiled gently and said, “I guessed.”
“Elder Sister, how did you guess? Why can’t I figure anything out?” Ji Wenbo immediately chimed in.
“That’s right, Su’er. We’ve always lived in the countryside. How do you know the Grand Tutor Manor is facing difficulties that require our mother and children to step in to settle?”
Liu Rumei looked at her daughter’s confident, assured demeanor—as if everything was under control—her gentle eyes, though weary and bloodshot, held both relief and worry as she couldn’t help but ask.
“Mother, as the old saying goes, ‘One doesn’t visit the temple without a reason.’ For over a decade, they’ve ignored us as if we were dead.”
“Now, suddenly, they’ve ‘risen from the dead,’ insisting on bringing the three of us back to the Grand Tutor Manor, and it’s even being handled personally by that so-called mistress of the household, Qin Shi. There must be something fishy going on.”
“I merely tested Zhao Momo with a casual remark during the day, but I didn’t expect her reaction to be so surprising.”
Hearing this, Liu Rumei nodded in agreement, though she couldn’t help sighing with concern.
“This journey to the capital is unpredictable. If my children, with no power or influence, encounter difficulties, what are we to do?”
“Mother, don’t worry or blame yourself. Just focus on recuperating. We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it. Your daughter will handle whatever comes our way. Even if the Grand Tutor Manor is a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, I’ll stir it up!”
As Ji Yunsu spoke, a resolute expression unconsciously surfaced on her face, which was still slightly swollen. Her pleasant, melodious voice, like a babbling brook flowing through a mountain stream, brought a sense of tranquility and ease to those who heard it.
Seeing her daughter’s confident and self-assured demeanor, Liu Rumei’s tension and worries eased unconsciously.
She gazed steadily at her daughter, as if having taken a reassurance. With her daughter by her side, she feared nothing, even if the sky were to fall.
“Elder Sister, whatever you plan to do, I’ll stand by you!”
At this, Ji Wenbo, stirred by his elder sister’s words, trembled with excitement. The young boy’s thin shoulders shook slightly, his face flushed red as he declared fervently.
After he spoke, Ji Yunsu exchanged glances with her mother and younger brother.
The eyes of the mother and children met unexpectedly in the air, converging as they looked at one another and smiled.
Though no one spoke, Ji Yunsu felt an unspoken sense of unity—a bond of sharing both joys and hardships as a family.
After all, a family should stand together. As long as they were united, no difficulty could defeat them!
…
Meanwhile, in the Grand Tutor Manor in the capital, inside the study.
On the desk lay a painting of a family of three enjoying a harmonious and joyful moment in the courtyard.
The current Grand Tutor, Ji Xueli, wore his hair tied up with a jade crown and was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe. Though nearly forty and middle-aged, he appeared much younger than the average man of his age.
His stern yet composed face bore some wrinkles, but they were hardly noticeable unless one looked closely.
Only the meticulously combed hair, interspersed with faint strands of white, betrayed his aging.
As the youngest Grand Tutor in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, Ji Xueli’s journey had been one of overcoming obstacles and advancing step by step with caution.
Hailing from a humble background, Ji Xueli had risen from a minor position in the Hanlin Academy to the high rank of Grand Tutor. His many years in court were entirely due to his scheming and careful management.
Now, Ji Xueli was facing the greatest crisis of his sixteen-year official career. A single misstep could lead to total defeat, rendering years of planning futile.
His deeply calculating eyes fixed unwaveringly on the painting on the desk. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low voice to his trusted steward, Zhou Rui, who stood beside him.
“Where are Liu Shi and her two children now?”
“Master, the arrangements to bring Liu Shi and her two children back have been handled by the Madam. Wang Momo, the stewardess serving the Madam, has been waiting outside for some time.” Zhou Rui bowed slightly, reporting in a measured tone.
At this, a faint glimmer flashed in Ji Xueli’s profound eyes. With a wave of his hand, he ordered Zhou Rui to summon Wang Momo for a report.
Soon, Wang Momo entered the study with her head bowed, paying respectful homage to Ji Xueli before speaking in a formal manner.
“Reporting to the Master, Zhang Momo and Zhao Momo have been dispatched by the Madam to Lin Yang County to retrieve Liu Shi and her two children.”
“Within three days, Liu Shi and her two children will surely arrive at the residence.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Xueli’s gaze returned to the painting of the beautiful woman, Liu Rumei, and her two children. His expression remained solemn as he spoke gravely.
“Go back and inform the Madam that once Liu Shi enters the household, she must treat her and her two children well. All their daily necessities and expenses are to be provided according to the standard of Shuanghong Courtyard.”
In Wang Momo’s deferential, downcast eyes, a sudden flicker of shock appeared. Shuanghong Courtyard was the Madam’s residence, and the Master was actually allowing a concubine to enjoy the treatment of a principal wife.
Her heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, Wang Momo showed no sign of disturbance. She respectfully acknowledged with a “Yes” and withdrew from the study with a bow.
“Master, is it appropriate to have the Madam arrange such high-level treatment for Concubine Liu?”
“After all, the Madam manages the household and is the mistress of the inner court. She might feel uncomfortable about this.”
Seeing that Wang Momo had left, Zhou Rui’s aged eyes showed a hint of deliberation as he cautiously spoke.
Hearing this, Ji Xueli’s authoritative face, marked by deep cunning, took on a stern expression. He replied coldly and unhurriedly.
“The censors’ memorials impeaching me will soon be presented to the Emperor. Before that, I must make thorough preparations. I trust the Madam will understand my actions.”
Seeing that the Master had made up his mind, Zhou Rui lowered his gaze and dared not say more.
With the Master’s official career now facing obstacles, matters of rank and status among the women in the inner household were naturally of little concern to him.
For Liu Shi and her two children to enter the household with such wealth and privilege—who could tell whether it would bring fortune or misfortune?
At the same time, in Shuanghong Courtyard, Qin Shi’s residence.
Laughter and cheerful conversation occasionally drifted from the main room.
As Wang Momo reached the doorway and heard her Madam and Concubine Su chatting and laughing merrily, her aged face could not help but show a trace of contemplation.
But soon, Wang Momo lowered her gaze and hurried inside.
When Qin Shi saw Wang Momo return, the well-maintained grace on her face and the spring-like warmth of her smile involuntarily faded.
In its place emerged the authority of a household matriarch: “Wang Momo, has the master given any instructions regarding the living arrangements for Liu Yiniang and her two children after they enter the residence?”
“Reporting to Madam,” Wang Momo replied, “the master’s intention is for Madam to properly settle Liu Yiniang and her two children according to the provisions of Shuanghong Courtyard.”
As soon as Wang Momo spoke these words, the flattering smile instantly froze on the gaudily made-up face of Concubine Su, who had been sitting nearby currying favor with Qin Shi.
Almost simultaneously, a flash of jealousy rose in Concubine Su’s eyes. With a sarcastic tone, she snorted coldly before Qin Shi could respond.
“That Liu Rumei is nothing but an ignorant village woman who can’t even recognize a basketful of characters! Even though she bore the master a son and a daughter, they’re merely illegitimate offspring. How is she worthy of receiving the same provisions as Madam?”
“If you ask me, the master is elevating that country bumpkin far too highly. Madam need not go to such lengths.”