Unable to restrain himself, he went to find her.
Madam Pu’s expression immediately changed. “What did you say?”
The servant woman anxiously repeated, “The young master has arrived. I made an excuse to delay him, and he is waiting at the gate.”
Upon hearing this, Pu Jinyu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Madam Pu’s cold, mocking gaze instantly shot toward her. This little wretch truly had some tricks up her sleeve—he was likely here for her.
“Take her out through the back door and head to the medicine shop.” Since they were putting on a show, it had to be done thoroughly.
“Yes.” The old maidservant immediately led Pu Jinyu away. Madam Pu quickly tidied everything up and ordered someone to invite Yan Chiyun in.
At the entrance of the Pu Family estate, a handsome man in a dark black brocade robe stood tall and poised, quietly gazing at the black lacquered plaque with golden characters that read “Pu Family.” A guard stood by his side.
“Young Master, Madam invites you inside.”
Yan Chiyun gave a slight nod and walked in.
Aside from festivals and holidays, he rarely visited the Pu Family. This morning, as he thought of Pu Wange’s overnight absence, he paused while washing up.
After some consideration, he decided to make a trip here, lest he be troubled by the recurring thoughts. After all, Madam Pu was also ill, and as a son-in-law, it was only proper for him to pay a visit.
But upon entering the main hall, he did not see the figure he had hoped to find.
Why wasn’t she here?
Madam Pu noticed Yan Chiyun’s subtle, searching gaze and felt an even deeper chill in her heart. He had indeed come for that little wretch.
Though she thought this, Madam Pu wore an exceedingly amiable smile on her face. She accepted Yan Chiyun’s bow and invited him to sit and have tea. “What brings you here today, Young Master? Is the Zhenfusi not busy?”
Yan Chiyun replied, “I heard you were unwell, so I came specifically to pay my respects.” The guard behind him presented some tonics.
Madam Pu’s complexion did indeed appear somewhat pale. Even with cosmetics applied, faint dark circles could still be seen.
“It’s just an old ailment. The summer heat makes it flare up easily, but it’s nothing serious. There was no need to trouble yourself with a special trip, and bringing such a precious ginseng is truly extravagant…”
Madam Pu smiled, skillfully deflecting the conversation.
Yan Chiyun listened quietly. After Madam Pu finished speaking, he asked if she needed to see a royal physician. He could submit a request to the palace.
Madam Pu said she had already consulted a physician yesterday. “He prescribed a few doses of medicine, saying it would be fine after taking them. As it happens, Wange just left to fetch the medicine, and you arrived right after. Did the two of you happen to cross paths on the way?”
So she really wasn’t here—she had gone to fetch medicine.
But hadn’t the physician delivered the medicine? Why did she need to go personally to retrieve it?
Yan Chiyun found this odd. Moreover, it was already past breakfast time. If the physician had taken her pulse yesterday, the medicine delivery seemed unusually late today.
But Madam Pu added that Pu Wange was deeply concerned about her illness and insisted on personally asking the physician again, refusing to be dissuaded.
Hearing this, Yan Chiyun could only suppress the faint sense of unease lingering in his heart.
“I did not encounter the Pu Family carriage on my way here.”
“So you didn’t see her?”
Yan Chiyun nodded. “No.”
“That’s fine. Wange will be back soon. If you’re not busy today, Young Master, why not stay for lunch?” Madam Pu invited him, saying she would send someone to fetch Lord Pu back. She would have fine wine and dishes prepared for the family to dine together.
But Yan Chiyun rose to take his leave. “Now that I know my mother-in-law is in good health, I am at ease. Today I must still enter the palace to report to His Majesty on official matters, so I truly cannot stay long. I will visit again another time.”
Madam Pu sighed. “Since it is official business keeping you busy, I won’t insist on keeping you. Thank you for making this trip.”
As she finished speaking, Madam Pu made to rise and see him out herself, but Yan Chiyun urged her to remain seated.
Watching the tall, handsome figure of the man leave the main hall, his footsteps fading into the distance, the smile instantly vanished from Madam Pu’s face.
Such a humble, courteous, and highly accomplished young man—who should have been the ideal son-in-law for her own Wange—was now occupied by that lowly woman’s daughter. What was worse, this man had clearly taken a liking to that wench’s daughter. It truly made her grind her teeth in hatred.
But she did not show her anger, for Yan Chiyun’s visit had not only brought tonics but also delivered Siyan, the personal maid he had assigned to Pu Jinyu.
This was a person from the Yan Family. With her present, everyone in the Pu Family would have to put on a show of properly serving Pu Jinyu, treating her as the legitimate eldest young miss.
Most importantly, the injuries on Pu Jinyu’s face and her knees, which had knelt all night, must absolutely not reveal any flaw.
Madam Pu signaled with her eyes for another elderly maidservant to go out and relay the message, ensuring this matter was handled thoroughly.
On his way back, Yan Chiyun paid attention to the carriages he passed, but none belonged to the Pu Family. She probably hadn’t returned yet.
He was already delayed today and could not afford further tardiness. Leaving Chunxi Lane, Yan Chiyun focused his mind and quickened his horse’s pace.
Meanwhile, Pu Jinyu had already arrived at the pharmacy. She wore a cloak with its hood up and a face covering, revealing only a pair of clear, beautiful eyes.
The elderly maidservant waited outside while Pu Jinyu sat inside on a round-backed chair, watching the pharmacy apprentice prepare the medicine. Before long, another person from the Pu Family arrived and spoke with that maidservant. The distance was somewhat far, and Pu Jinyu, being farther away, could not hear clearly, but she could guess what was being said.
Seizing this opportunity, she stood up, took out a silver ingot, and placed it on the pharmacy counter. In a low voice, she told the apprentice, “Help me get a bottle of contraceptive pills.”
The payment was generous. The apprentice glanced at her twice but said nothing, accepted the silver, and went to fetch the medicine for Pu Jinyu.
The elderly maidservant by Madam Pu’s side was very vigilant. Although she was speaking, she occasionally glanced over. The pharmacy counter held many medicine packets and a small scale for weighing herbs. The silver Pu Jinyu handed over was concealed, so the maidservant did not see it, merely assuming she was fiddling with the herbs.
Nevertheless, that maidservant feared Pu Jinyu might try something. As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately came inside.
Before she approached, Pu Jinyu had already received the contraceptive pills from the apprentice. Naturally, the elderly maidservant noticed no flaw.
On the way, the matters had already been arranged. It was to be said that Pu Jinyu had accidentally missed a step while going out, fallen to the ground, not only bruising both knees but also swelling her cheek and cutting the corner of her mouth.
Although the slap marks on her face had mostly faded, they were still somewhat noticeable—after all, only half a day had passed, and mainly because no medicine had been applied the previous night. So, inside the carriage, Madam Pu’s personal elderly maidservant took out cosmetics to apply makeup and cover Pu Jinyu’s face.
It was not concealed as thoroughly as usual, but at least it wouldn’t give the game away. Putting down the cosmetics box, the maidservant warned, “Once we reach the residence, Third Miss should know what to say and what not to say.”
Pu Jinyu felt gloomy and scornful inside, but on the surface, she obediently nodded and said she understood.
“If you don’t behave and let the Yan Family see any flaws, your concubine’s days in the Pu Family will not be easy.”
For all these years—no, not just these years, but also her previous life—Concubine Ruan had lived comfortably by sucking her lifeblood. That was enough.
Pu Jinyu did not respond to this remark. The old nurse, dissatisfied, was about to continue, but they had already arrived at the Pu Family’s gate. The carriage stopped, making it inappropriate to issue further warnings.
Madam Pu performed her role exceptionally well, even embracing Pu Jinyu with tears in her eyes. She gently touched her cheeks and asked if it hurt, then scolded the old nurse below for failing to serve her properly, causing her to fall and injure herself like this. She ordered that all involved be punished with docked wages and caning.
Pu Jinyu felt Madam Pu’s fingers near her face, not out of concern but to inspect for any flaws that might have been revealed.
She played along, saying it wasn’t the old nurse’s fault—she had been careless while walking. “Mother, you were ill, and I was so worried that I lost focus, twisted my foot, and fell.”
“You silly child! I shouldn’t have told you about this yesterday,” Madam Pu said, holding her.
Siyan watched as mother and daughter spoke and shed tears. Though it should have been a touching scene, it felt oddly like watching a play, especially with the young mistress—she was smiling, but her eyes held a hint of emptiness.
But these were matters for her superiors. Even if it felt strange, she dared not comment.
Since Pu Jinyu was injured and the matter had to be kept quiet, she stayed at the Pu Family for a few more days under the pretext of caring for Madam Pu.
Originally, she had intended to send Siyan back as Madam Pu wished, but Siyan said Yan Chiyun had instructed her to stay as her personal maid, always by her side to serve.
When Pu Jinyu heard this, she slowed her tea-sipping motion. She looked at Siyan and softly asked with a faint smile, “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Siyan replied, unsure of the meaning behind that faint smile.
Before coming to serve the young mistress, the attendant by the master’s side had explained the rules, specifically mentioning some of the young mistress’s preferences, especially noting that she “loved beauty.”
During these two days at the Pu Family, Siyan indeed noticed Pu Jinyu’s particular fondness for beauty.
Because her face was injured, she insisted on wearing makeup at all times. She even refused Siyan’s assistance during bathing, fearing someone might see the injury beneath the cosmetics. At night, she even slept with her makeup on, despite knowing it hindered recovery. Since she wouldn’t accept help, Siyan said nothing.
With the use of good medicine, Pu Jinyu’s injury healed quickly over the next few days, and Madam Pu’s illness also recovered.
On the day of her return, Madam Pu held her hand, repeatedly urging her to be careful and avoid any injuries. Pu Jinyu agreed to everything, appearing deeply reluctant to part with Madam Pu.
But once inside the carriage, with the curtain drawn to conceal everything, Pu Jinyu’s expression gradually turned cold.
After the Yan Family carriage had driven far away, the maternal smile on Madam Pu’s face vanished instantly.
“Madam, why did you change your mind at the last moment and not send her to Third Miss’s side? Aren’t you afraid she might try something?” the old nurse asked, puzzled.
She added that Pu Jinyu might seem obedient, but she was inherently rebellious. After more than three years, her stubbornness remained unbroken. If not for holding Concubine Ruan as leverage, she likely wouldn’t have complied so meekly.
How could Madam Pu not see this? She replied, “That little wretch’s stubbornness is innate. How could it ever be smoothed away?”
Although she suspected Jing Chun regarding the matter of Nanny Wu and Jing Chun, Pu Jinyu’s suspicion was the greatest, because with Jing Chun and Nanny Wu gone, she was the one who stood to gain the most.
“Just leave a gap, and see what tricks this little wretch is up to.”
Not letting her go didn’t mean she would let her off easy. If she didn’t obey, Concubine Ruan would have a hard time these days.
If she couldn’t punish Pu Jinyu, could she not deal with Concubine Ruan? Let’s see if she would dare to disobey when it came to her own birth mother.
No matter how much Pu Jinyu struggled, she could never escape her grasp. Did she think that by bewitching Yan Chiyun and winning his affection, she could clear her name and rise to the position of mistress as Pu Jinyu?
As an Outer Chamber Daughter, Yan Chiyun would not want her. Perhaps upon learning her true identity, he would directly drive her out.
Maybe it was just a momentary infatuation with the little wretch’s beauty and youth, just like Lord Pu with Concubine Ruan. If he truly loved her, after all these years, why hasn’t he given her a proper title? That’s just how men are.
Madam Pu instructed the old nanny not to give Concubine Ruan fresh food and not to allow the servants to help her.
The old nanny nodded in agreement, saying she would arrange it immediately.
When Pu Jinyu returned, Yan Chiyun was not there. Only Madam Yan was in the hall speaking with Yan Mingxi. According to Madam Yan, there had been a new case in Jingcheng recently, and he hadn’t returned home for several days.
The Yan Family didn’t know she was injured and only asked how Madam Pu’s health was. Pu Jinyu went through the motions, thanking Madam Yan for her concern.
Then Madam Yan mentioned that she had already chosen a noble young lady from a prominent family for Yan Huaixiao—the granddaughter of the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy. Just like in her previous life, Pu Jinyu was not surprised.
Madam Yan added that Yan Huaixiao stubbornly refused to meet her and hadn’t returned home for several days either, worrying her greatly. She asked Pu Jinyu to help think of a solution.
Pu Jinyu found it both amusing and exasperating. “Mother-in-law, if even you can’t do anything, what can I do? Why not let Mingxi persuade him?” The two had always been close. Whenever Yan Mingxi got into trouble in the past and didn’t dare to go to Yan Chiyun, she always asked Yan Huaixiao to cover for her.
Yan Mingxi pouted, “Sister-in-law, you don’t know. Third Brother hasn’t been willing to see me these days. Whenever I run into him, he runs away faster than a rabbit and doesn’t even respond when I call him.”
Hearing this, Pu Jinyu smiled again but hadn’t yet replied when a servant announced that Young Master Cheng had been invited.
She saw Yan Mingxi instantly tense up, her eyes darting outside, but then shyly withdrawing slightly. Her entire demeanor and posture were filled with bashful restraint.
Madam Yan also noticed her reaction and instructed the servant, “Invite Young Master Cheng in.”
Earlier, Madam Yan had sent someone to invite him. Cheng Wenque had been studying in the pavilion of the guest courtyard and initially didn’t want to come. But when the servant mentioned that the young mistress had returned home, he thought for a moment and decided to come.
As he entered the hall, his gaze subtly fell upon the young lady dressed in lotus-colored robes. She also glanced lightly in his direction, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Cheng Wenque caught her gaze, but in front of the Yan Family, he quickly lowered his eyes and bowed in greeting.
“Young Master Cheng, please take a seat.”
Madam Yan observed his composed and gentle demeanor, finding it satisfactory. Without further ado, she directly stated the reason for inviting him—she wanted him to bring Yan Huaixiao back.
Cheng Wenque understood it was regarding Yan Huaixiao’s marriage. He did not refuse, saying he would do his best, but could not guarantee whether Yan Huaixiao would listen to him.
“No matter, it is already very good that you are willing to help, Young Master Cheng.”
With the matter smoothly entrusted, Madam Yan then inquired about his studies, whether there had been any shortages in daily necessities in the residence recently, or if any servants had been neglectful.
Taking this opportunity, Cheng Wenque glanced at the young lady opposite him and replied humbly, “The young madam had prepared everything thoroughly beforehand, and there has been nothing amiss.”
“Wange has always handled things meticulously, saving me much worry.” Madam Yan praised her in front of Cheng Wenque.
“You flatter me too much, Mother-in-law.”
Pu Jinyu’s gaze swept past Yan Mingxi, who was too nervous to speak beside her, and landed on the man opposite.
“Now that I have returned from visiting my family, if you are staying in the residence, Young Master Cheng, and encounter any issues or shortages, please do not hesitate to come to me.”
Meeting the smiling, watery eyes of the young lady, Cheng Wenque felt an inexplicable tightness in his heart. “…Yes.”
Late at night, Yan Chiyun returned home belatedly.
His long strides carried him into the inner courtyard, where he saw Siyan coming out from inside. Instinctively, his gaze swept toward the quiet Inner Chamber.
Had she returned?
[Author’s Note]
Here we are [rainbow emoji] Randomly dropping Luck-piecing red envelopes in this chapter.