Dinner was served at Wei Rui Xuan.
Hu Rui carefully asked Yu Mu’an about the day’s return visit, completely ignoring Yu Lin.
“I specifically made up for the return visit gifts because I didn’t want you to feel wronged.”
Yu Mu’an replied obediently, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. An’er hasn’t felt wronged at all. My family understands that my husband is busy with official duties and doesn’t mind.”
Yu Lin didn’t dare act rashly; she only rolled her eyes subtly, unable to suppress the gloating in her gaze.
Hu Rui showed a look of satisfaction. “That’s good. Your stepmother suits my temperament. When she has time, she should visit more often someone to talk to will be nice.”
Yu Mu’an obediently replied, “Yes, Mother.”
These two troublemakers together would probably stir up unrest for everyone around them.
“After dinner, you should return early. It’s cold, the roads are slippery, and it will be harder to walk after it gets darker. Yan’er has already dined outside with the General and should return straight to the courtyard.”
Yu Mu’an stood and bowed politely. “Your daughter-in-law takes her leave.”
Seeing her leave, Yu Lin quickly rose. “Mother, your daughter-in-law is also full.”
Hu Rui’s cold eyes met hers. “If you’re full, then go.”
Yu Lin choked, instinctively looking to Xie Jinghong beside her.
Hu Rui said, “Why are you looking at him? Your meal is done, but my son hasn’t finished eating yet.”
Xie Jinghong wiped his mouth. “Mother, I am full.”
Hu Rui immediately checked him with a loving gaze. “I noticed you took a few extra bites of the chicken wings just now. If you like this braised chicken wing dish, I’ll have the kitchen make more tomorrow.”
Xie Jinghong smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”
The mother and son spoke for a while longer before taking their leave.
Yu Lin was left standing awkwardly to the side, ignored entirely.
Her clenched fists were digging into her palms so hard that her nails drew blood.
She could not remain passive any longer. Her first priority was to regain Brother Hong’s favor.
With her husband not standing by her side, her future would only become more difficult.
Suppressing her temper, she feigned obedience, waiting patiently until the two finished their conversation before giving a respectful bow and leaving.
Not long after the young couple stepped outside, Xie Jinghong headed for the study.
Yu Lin timidly grabbed his sleeve, asking shyly, “Husband, can you sleep with Lin’er tonight?”
The evening sun bathed her in warm yellow light, casting a small solar glow around her.
Xie Jinghong saw her blushing, eyes shy, and his gaze deepened.
“I must attend to official duties first. Wait in the courtyard tonight.”
Yu Lin’s face lit up, cheeks burning, biting her lip as she promised, “Lin’er will wait obediently for Husband to return!”
Xie Jinghong patted her head in satisfaction and went to the study.
Yu Lin watched his back disappear before rushing to her own courtyard. “Nanny Liu! Hurry! Let’s prepare!”
Nanny Liu, cheerful, chased after her. “Ah, Miss! Slow down, the path is slippery!”
Qingchen Garden.
Xie Jinghong had not returned yet.
Yu Mu’an looked at the stack of papers in her hands.
The pages were yellowed, thin, and brittle, but the writing was still legible.
She had only flipped through a few pages before pausing.
Her eyes burned, tears welling to the point of blurring her vision.
The handwriting was delicate and neat, though she did not recognize it.
Reading carefully, she realized the letters were addressed to her father, Marquis Yu Qingnian of Longnan.
The signature was a single character: “Yi.”
Apparently, the two had quarreled over some matter, and the letter’s author was apologizing to Yu Qingnian, coaxing him not to be angry, and suggesting they meet in the garden that night to enjoy the moon.
It was her mother.
Yu Mu’an read the letters carefully; every line exuded a woman’s gentle, virtuous nature.
Both letters were attempts to coax Yu Qingnian. When he didn’t show for the garden rendezvous, she wrote again to meet him at Beishan to enjoy the flowers but he still didn’t come.
Of course he wouldn’t!
The letters had ended up in the hands of the stepmother!
Yu Mu’an’s anger flared. Across more than ten years, she could feel her mother’s grievances through the thin paper.
It turned out that the stepmother had been plotting to estrange her parents’ affections from early on, aiming to insert herself and claim the position of Marchioness.
Anxin cautiously asked, “Miss… are you alright?”
Yu Mu’an raised her hand, brushing away the wet streaks at her eyes, and continued to examine the last sheet.
It was a receipt.
A fifteen-year-old receipt, signed boldly by Xing Ninghui.
“1,000 taels…” Yu Mu’an’s eyes went cold. “For a thousand taels, a doctor sworn to save lives could betray his conscience and switch a pregnant woman’s medicine.”
Anxin clenched her fists. “Now we have concrete evidence!”
She shook her head.
“This only proves that fifteen years ago, Doctor Xing of the Ninghui Hall accepted the stepmother’s 1,000 taels. Why he accepted the money well, they can still lie and twist it.”
Anxin frowned. “Then we need to find another chance to go to Madam’s courtyard.”
“That will be difficult…”
Yu Mu’an shook her head.
“Ju Hong searched the stepmother’s courtyard and retrieved these items. Once she notices, the household’s guards will surely be increased.”
Ju Hong stood quietly, confident. “I searched every room in Madam’s quarters no storage shed or kitchen left unchecked. Only in Madam’s main bedroom did I find a hidden compartment in the headboard, containing these papers.
I only took the letters. As long as Madam doesn’t open the box, she won’t notice anything is missing for the time being.”
Yu Mu’an lowered her eyes, contemplating for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“Ju Hong, do you have an older brother?”
Ju Hong looked surprised. “Miss, how did you know?”
Yu Mu’an only smiled.
Ju Hong explained, “My brother sent me a letter last night. He had some conflicts with local gangs in the north and wanted to go south to lay low…”
“No need to go south. Have him come to the capital.”
Yu Mu’an smiled lightly.
“Tonight, go once more to the Marquis’s residence. Check on my stepmother’s main room and bring back some gold and jewelry.”
Anxin’s eyes lit up. “I understand! Miss, you want Madam to notice that something is missing, and then the household will strengthen its guards!”
Ju Hong, clever, immediately understood. “Then the household guards will be recruited, and my brother can enter the Marquis’s residence openly.”
Yu Mu’an nodded.
“I’m already married; it’s inconvenient for me to frequently visit the Marquis’s residence. You’re skilled in combat, but you’re still my subordinate. Too many eyes may be watching. We need someone trustworthy inside the Marquis’s household. I have many more things to investigate.”
Ju Hong accepted the arrangement. Under the cover of night, she quietly left.
Anxin peered outside, muttering, “Master hasn’t returned… all the maids and older women in the courtyard are slacking off. They aren’t doing any work at all…”
Yu Mu’an stood.
“They’re just spies sent by the stepmother. Isn’t it better if they don’t loiter in front of me? Xie Jingyan hasn’t returned either that’s even better. Quickly help me wash up; tonight, I’m going to bed before him!”