Zhou Shu…
Zhou Shuyu patted her hand and said with a cold laugh, "From what you’ve said, your mother-in-law seems like a muddle-headed person. But your father-in-law has risen to the position of Shidu Xueshi in the Hanlin Yuan—how could he be without his own calculations?
If he truly had foresight, he wouldn’t have entrusted all household affairs to such a muddle-headed person. I suspect the things your mother-in-law has done were actually instigated by your father-in-law behind the scenes. It’s just that she isn’t sharp enough and handled them too clumsily."
An Ruofei hadn’t considered this before, largely because her own mother and two aunts in her maiden family were capable and well-mannered individuals. Her father, An Jieshan, trusted her mother completely to manage household affairs, which had somewhat blinded her. For a while, she had assumed all families operated this way.
Now, hearing Zhou Shuyu’s words, she gradually began to understand, her expression turning grim.
After a long pause, she seemed to have formed an idea. Lifting her head with a smile, she said, "Mother, don’t worry. A muddle-headed person has her own weaknesses that can be managed. As long as our family’s father remains in good standing, my father-in-law won’t interfere with how I handle matters in the inner quarters."
At this point, she couldn’t help but sneer mockingly, "Now, I’m not afraid of having a muddle-headed mother-in-law—I’m more afraid of her being too shrewd."
Zhou Shuyu said, "Next month is the Mid-Autumn Festival. When we send gifts back to your family, I’ll have Liu Er’s wife personally deliver them and inquire about your prospects for having children."
Liu Er’s wife was Zhou Shuyu’s personal attendant, the most trusted among her confidantes. Sending her alone would itself convey the An family’s stance. Moreover, taking advantage of Lady Hu’s guilt over the Su family’s affairs, they could pretend to apologize while actually laying blame regarding the matter of heirs. This would likely keep Mrs. Hu in check for some time.
An Ruofei nestled into Zhou Shuyu’s embrace, comfortably acting coy, "I knew Mother would care for me." No matter how much the Su family troubles me, I won’t be afraid in my heart."
"Good child." Zhou Shuyu gently stroked her back and sighed, "You were our family’s first child. At that time, both Eldest Sister Wu and I were first-time mothers. All the fluster and inexperience of this lifetime were poured into you—who else would we cherish if not you?"
After chatting for a while longer, Zhou Shuyu excused herself on account of fatigue and had An Ruofei accompany her to Aunt Wu’s quarters.
An Ruosu was just hesitating whether to follow along when she suddenly noticed her mother signaling to her with her eyes. She steadied her steps and joined the others in watching Aunt Wu and her two daughters depart.
Although Zhou Shuyu also cherished An Ruofei dearly, there was still a layer of separation compared to her own birth mother. Once the mother and her two daughters reached Aunt Wu’s room, they would undoubtedly have private matters to discuss. At such a time, it wouldn’t be appropriate for An Ruosu to tag along.
Seeing them leave, Concubine Zhu also smiled and said, "Madam, I still have an unfinished piece of embroidery to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. I’ll return to serve you during lunch."
Zhou Shuyu replied, "There’s no need for anyone to come today. Each of you may have your meals in your own rooms—it’ll be more comfortable for everyone."
Hearing this, Concubine Zhu understood immediately. She knew the mistress was being soft-hearted, intending to let Aunt Wu and her two daughters enjoy a peaceful lunch together.
"Very well," she nodded. "I’ll go check on the kitchen. Since our family moved to the capital, this is the first time the young master is visiting. We shouldn’t give anyone reason to criticize our hospitality." With that, she curtseyed and withdrew.
An Ruosu ran to Zhou Shuyu’s side, tugged at her sleeve, and looked up with a smile, "Mother, let your daughter keep you company."
Zhou Shuyu raised an eyebrow and said, "What's come over our third young lady? Finally remembering to be a considerate little padded jacket?"
An Ruosu swayed her sleeve coquettishly, "Mother, what are you saying? Hasn't your daughter always been your considerate little padded jacket?"
Zhou Shuyu pinched her nose teasingly, "A padded jacket indeed, though occasionally drafty." This remark made all the maids and elderly servants laugh.
An Ruosu showed not a hint of embarrassment, smiling as she nestled into her mother's embrace, looking just like a boneless cat.
When it came time for lunch, Aunt Wu and her two daughters ate in their own quarters, Concubine Zhu also dined in her room, while An Jieshan and his two sons hosted a banquet at Mingyue Guan to entertain their distinguished guest, Su Ci.
Zhou Shuyu and An Ruosu, this mother-daughter pair, rarely had the chance to be alone together, and their midday meal was particularly pleasant.
After noon, once An Ruofei and her husband had been seen off, An Ruotai and An Ruoran, the two brothers, came smiling to the main courtyard. They came first to pay respects to their mother, and second to report the events of the banquet to Zhou Shuyu, so that the entire rear courtyard could rest assured.
An Ruoran said with animated expressions, "Madam, you didn't see it, but at the banquet, Father used both soft and hard tactics to thoroughly subdue my eldest brother-in-law. Once they return to the Su family, I guarantee he won't dare cause trouble for eldest sister again."
Zhou Shuyu first praised with a couple of "well dones," then worriedly asked, "After all, your eldest sister will have to live in the Su family for a long time to come. Did Father not make him lose face?"
From her years of experience observing people, men are often much more petty than women.
Why is it said that "a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she looks, the more satisfied she becomes"? Is it genuine satisfaction, or is it showing satisfaction so that the other remembers her kindness and treats her daughter better in the future? That is something only the person involved truly knows—like drinking water, only they know if it's warm or cold.
An Ruotai said, "Madam, rest assured. Father was merely guiding him in the ways of officialdom, offering some pointers along the way to make him understand just how much domestic discord can affect one's career."
An Ruoran chuckled, "To let Madam know, over the past six months, Madam Su has been quite improper in handling various social interactions. With Su Hanlin's evaluation period approaching at the end of this year, I'm afraid he won't pass this hurdle easily."
Zhou Shuyu thought of the grievances her eldest daughter had confided and sneered, "You reap what you sow. Even if it's a bitter fruit, you have to swallow it with a smile."
An Ruoran said, "I think Su Hanlin's mind isn't quite clear either…"
"Second brother!" An Ruotai scolded sternly, "No matter what, Su Hanlin is our elder. Show some respect!"
An Ruoran lowered his head and pouted, yielding and apologizing, "Alright, alright. Elder brother, I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken recklessly. Elder brother taught me, and I won't dare do it again."
In reality, he was grumbling inwardly: Elder brother, do you know that saying "no matter what" has already revealed that you don't think much of him either?
How could An Ruotai not know?
At least in the matters of "self-cultivation and family harmony," he held Su Hanlin in rather low regard.
But the other was a Liangbang Jinshi, having risen from a Bianxiu in the Hanlin Yuan to a Shidu Xueshi, becoming a close minister who lectured to the emperor—he must have had his exceptional qualities.
He feared that An Ruoran, being young and accustomed to making sarcastic remarks, wouldn't know how to restrain himself in front of the person in question, offending others without even realizing it.
Seeing the tension between her two brothers, An Ruosu let out a light laugh, tilting her head to look over and teasing, "Eldest Brother, you're only a few months older than Second Brother—why do you act like an old father?"
An Ruotai flushed, his already stern face growing even more rigid as he said seriously, "As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. Even being older by a single day counts."
An Ruoran, meanwhile, winked playfully at his younger sister, feigning solemnity as he added, "Eldest Brother is right. Older by a day is older, older by an hour is older, older by a quarter-hour is still older."
The more earnest his tone, the more comical his expression became. Not only did An Ruosu end up laughing so hard she buried herself in her mother's arms, but even Zhou Shuyu couldn't hold back, chuckling as she said, "It's good that you understand brotherly affection and respect."
Though An Ruotai stood beside him and couldn't see his face directly, he could guess what he was up to from their mother and younger sister's reactions, feeling both amused and exasperated.
Not long after, Aunt Wu arrived with An Ruoyu, followed shortly by Concubine Zhu. The two brothers stayed a while longer to chat before taking their leave.
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With the court affairs settled, the An family now turned to their own private matters.
The long-established businesses in the capital were always the best informed. In the previous days, not a single one had come knocking, but once things had stabilized, they began visiting one after another.
An Ruosu and An Ruoyu's tutor had already been hired. On ordinary days when there were no major family events, they would each stay in their own studies—one learning etiquette and literature with the tutor, the other studying painting.
It happened to be the rest day set by Mr. Li, so An Ruosu went to keep her mother company. As soon as she entered the main courtyard, Chunliu pulled her aside, saying, "Dear young lady, come with me to the side room first. The mistress is meeting someone."
"Who is it, so mysterious?" An Ruosu asked curiously. "Am I not allowed to see them?"
Chunliu replied, "They're not from our household, but outsiders. They don't understand proper etiquette and might offend you, so it's better not to meet them."
Hearing this, An Ruosu understood. As she followed Chunliu to the side room, she asked, "Is it from a jewelry shop this time, or a silk merchant?"
"This time, it's the manager of a tea shop," Chunliu didn't hide it from her.
"Another tea shop?" An Ruosu said. "If I remember correctly, didn't one come just three days ago?"
Chunliu explained, "The Manager Zhao who came three days ago specializes in premium teas. This Manager Xu is from a different shop."
An Ruosu nodded in understanding.
—The previous order was for fine teas, meant for gifting or entertaining distinguished guests. This time, the quality was lower, generally for family consumption or serving visitors sent by other households.
All the renowned shops in the capital selling essentials—such as embroidery houses, silver shops, and tea merchants—would, according to the season, take turns delivering goods to the homes of influential officials and nobles.
These households didn't need to pay immediately; they only gave tips to the deliverymen and settled the accounts at the end of the year.
If a household suddenly declined a delivery for a particular season, the shop would stop sending goods in the next season.
At the same time, this news would quickly spread throughout the capital's merchant circles, and everyone would know that the family was likely in serious decline. Creditors would then line up to demand payment.
Why did some families, even when their coffers were empty, insist on maintaining appearances, even at the expense of the women's dowries?
Because if they couldn't even maintain appearances, they would only be pressured by these debt collectors into ruin even faster.
Which shop that managed to establish itself in the capital didn't have backing behind it? These declining families dared not provoke them further, so when they came knocking, they could only obediently pay up to settle the accounts.
When the An family was promoted and transferred to the capital, they inevitably had to deal with these people as well.
Author's note: