Fu Jiuque nodded, stood up, and walked out.
When he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped and turned back to ask, “Mother, if Shu Nansheng sets conditions—for example, demanding that I not marry Huiyi—what should I do?”
Lady Fu fell silent for a moment before replying, “Play it by ear. If you can muddle through, then muddle through. If it really comes down to it, agree to it first.”
“What?”
“Que’er,” Lady Fu interrupted him, “you must understand what matters most right now. As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.”
Fu Jiuque understood.
He said nothing more and, dragging his still somewhat painful leg, slowly walked back to his own courtyard.
Along the way, he encountered several servants, all of whom bowed their heads and hurriedly paid their respects, not daring to look at him for long.
Yet Fu Jiuque couldn’t shake the feeling that they were pointing and whispering behind his back, mocking him—a dignified young master who, after being beaten, still had to obediently go fetch someone.
How humiliating!
…
Xianguosi.
In the guest room, Jiang Yuwei sat by the bed, gently wiping the forehead of the unconscious “herself.”
For the past two days, she had hardly left this spot.
The monks at the temple said that the Hou Fu Madam’s pulse was gradually stabilizing, and perhaps she would wake soon.
But Jiang Yuwei knew well in her heart. The one waking would be her own body, yet the soul inside would be that of her daughter, Nansheng.
“Madam, please rest for a while,” Nanny Wu entered with a bowl of porridge, lowering her voice. “Fu Fu has sent people again, still with the same story, wanting to invite you back.”
Jiang Yuwei did not look up. “Let them wait.”
“This time, it’s Nanny Liu from Lady Fu’s side. She says Young Master Fu’s injuries haven’t healed yet and asks you to consider the marital bond and return first to discuss matters.”
Before Nanny Wu could finish, Jiang Yuwei waved her hand dismissively.
“Nanny, what about the matter I asked you to look into?”
Nanny Wu quickly set down the bowl and leaned closer. “It’s been clarified. For Fu Jiuque’s return to the capital this time, the Ministry of Personnel has proposed a position of the fifth rank, and the official documents will be issued in the next few days. Fu Fu has maintained a facade of prosperity over the years, but internally, it has long been hollowed out. Last year, they secretly pawned two ancestral jade pieces.”
A faint, cold smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Yuwei’s mouth.
“No wonder they’re in such a hurry to get Nansheng back. The Imperial Consort’s flower-viewing banquet is for show, but the Ministry of Personnel position is the real substance. Without the marital connection to Zhaopinghoufu, what is Fu Jiuque, really?”
“You are right, Madam,” Nanny Wu paused. “So, what should we do now?”
“Let them wait,” Jiang Yuwei said calmly. “Doesn’t Fu Jiuque care about face? I’ll make him come personally to invite me. Doesn’t Lady Fu care about dignity? I’ll make her lower herself to beg.”
Just as she spoke, a young maid knocked on the door outside. “Miss, Lady Fu and the Second Young Lady of the Fu family have come, saying they wish to see you.”
Jiang Yuwei and Nanny Wu exchanged a glance.
Nanny Wu was somewhat surprised. “They came in person?”
“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Jiang Yuwei stood up, straightening her clothes. “Ask them to wait in the side room next door. Tell them I am attending to my mother and will be there in a quarter of an hour.”
The young maid acknowledged and withdrew.
Nanny Wu looked concerned. “Madam, are you really going to see them?”
“See them? Of course I will,” Jiang Yuwei tidied her hair in front of the bronze mirror. In the reflection, the face belonging to her daughter now held a calm and steady gaze. “The stage is set; someone must perform.”
A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Yuwei stepped into the side room, where Lady Fu and Fu Jiuyun were already waiting, somewhat restless.
“Nansheng!” Lady Fu stood up as soon as she saw her, her eyes reddening as she stepped forward to take her hand.
Jiang Yuwei subtly avoided the gesture, offering a slight bow. "Mother, what brings you here? The temple is humble; I fear we may have neglected your comfort."
The address "Mother" was uttered with cool detachment. Lady Fu's hand froze mid-air, her smile nearly faltering.
Fu Jiuyun quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Sister-in-law, Mother came specifically to bring you home. These past two days without you, the house has felt empty, and even meals have lost their flavor."
Jiang Yuwei sat down opposite them, picking up the teacup but not drinking. "Thank you for your concern, Mother and Sister. However, my own mother is still unwell, and I truly cannot set my mind at ease."
"Your mother's health is certainly important, but you must also take care of yourself," Lady Fu said, sitting back down and pulling out a handkerchief to dab at the corner of her eye. "That day, Que'er was foolish and spoke out of turn. I have already reprimanded him. He now knows he was wrong, and despite his injuries not yet fully healed, he wanted to come fetch you back."
"Oh," Jiang Yuwei replied flatly.
Her daughter-in-law's attitude left Lady Fu even more uncertain. She had thought that mentioning her son's injuries would stir some sympathy in Shu Nansheng, but the other woman didn't even bother to ask for details.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Fu Jiuyun couldn't help but speak up. "Sister-in-law, actually, there's another matter. Imperial Consort has sent an invitation for us to attend a flower viewing in the palace the day after tomorrow. The invitation specifically includes your name. If you don't go, neither Mother nor I will be allowed through the palace gates."
Only then did Jiang Yuwei set down her teacup, sighing softly. "So that's what this is about."
"It's not just that!" Lady Fu hurriedly added. "Nansheng, you are a daughter-in-law of the Fu family. You cannot stay at your maternal home forever. It wouldn't sound good if word got out. Que'er knows he was wrong and will treat you well from now on. Since your marriage, you still haven't had a child. Once you return, I will hire the best physicians to help you recuperate. Have a son soon, and your position in the household will be secure."
Listening to these words, Jiang Yuwei inwardly sneered.
When had the Fu family ever cared about Nansheng's health all these years? Now that they needed her, they even dared to bring up having children.
She lowered her gaze, remaining silent for a long while before speaking. "I understand what you mean, Mother. However…"
"However what?" Lady Fu asked anxiously.
"However, during these two days back at Hou Fu, I took stock of my dowry list," Jiang Yuwei said, lifting her eyes to look calmly at Lady Fu. "When I married into the Fu family, my dowry consisted of one hundred and twenty-eight trunks, thirty thousand taels in silver, six shops, and two estates. Over the past three years, all household expenses, large and small, have been drawn from my dowry, amounting to at least fifty thousand taels. Since I am to return, shouldn't these accounts also be settled?"
Lady Fu's face instantly paled.
"Fifty… fifty thousand taels?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Nansheng, what do you mean by this? That money was voluntarily contributed by you to support the household. We are all family—how could you keep accounts?"
"Voluntarily?" Jiang Yuwei gave a light laugh. "You are right, Mother. We are family, which is why I never mentioned it before. But now that I am to return, it is better to clarify some matters. I cannot return to the Fu family with empty trunks, letting people mock Zhaopinghoufu for marrying off a daughter who couldn't even protect her own dowry."
Fu Jiuyun was also stunned.
Although she knew her sister-in-law's dowry was substantial, she had never imagined the sum was so large, nor had she expected her sister-in-law to directly demand repayment.
"Sister-in-law, this is too much," Fu Jiuyun stammered. "Elder brother's reward hasn't been issued yet, and even when it is, it'll only be a few thousand taels. We still need to bribe the officials in the Ministry of Personnel, so there won't be much left."
"Yes, Nansheng," Lady Fu forced a smile. "When Que'er returns to the capital this time, he will receive rewards. But that money is already allocated. Huiyi has been with Que'er for so long, she must be given a proper status. The betrothal gifts cannot be too shabby."
"Betrothal gifts for Miss Yao?" Jiang Yuwei's expression changed. "Using my dowry to prepare betrothal gifts for a Waishi? Mother, if word of this spreads, how will the Fu family save face?"