Chapter 14: The Son-In-Law Arrives

Madam Pu’s expression changed instantly.

“What did you say?”

The old woman repeated anxiously, “The son-in-law is here.

I found an excuse to stop him, and he is waiting at the gate right now.”

Hearing this, Pu Jinyu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Madam Pu’s sneering gaze shot toward her instantly; this little slut actually had some skill, and he was likely here for her.

“Take her out through the back door and go to the pharmacy.”

Since they were putting on a show, they had to go all the way.

“Yes.”

The personal senior maid immediately took Pu Jinyu away, while Madam Pu quickly tidied up everything and ordered someone to invite Yan Chiyun in.

***

At the entrance of the Pu family estate, a handsome man in black brocade robes stood tall and upright, quietly looking at the black lacquer and gold lettering of the Pu family plaque, with guards flanking him.

“Son-in-law, Madam invites you in.”

Yan Chiyun nodded slightly and walked inside.

Except for festivals and holidays, he rarely visited the Pu home.

While washing up this morning, he had paused upon remembering that Pu Wange had not returned overnight.

After thinking about it, he decided to simply come over for a visit to avoid being troubled by recurring thoughts; after all, Madam Pu was also ill, so as a son-in-law, it was proper for him to come and visit.

Yet upon entering the main hall, he did not see the figure he wished to see.

‘Why is she not here?’

Madam Pu noticed Yan Chiyun’s gaze obscurely scanning the room, and the coldness in her heart became more pronounced; he really was here looking for that little slut.

Though she thought this, Madam Pu smiled with incomparable kindness on her face, accepting Yan Chiyun’s bow of greeting and inviting him to sit and drink tea.

“Why has my son-in-law come over?

Is the Town Security Office not busy today?”

Yan Chiyun replied, “I heard you were ill, so your son-in-law came specifically to visit.”

The guards behind him presented the supplements.

Madam Pu’s complexion indeed looked somewhat pale, and even with the powder to cover it, some dark circles could be faintly seen.

“It is just an old ailment; it tends to flare up when the summer heat is heavy.

It is nothing serious.

There was no need to trouble you to make a special trip, and to bring such expensive ginseng is truly a waste of money…”

Madam Pu smiled and played social tai chi with him.

Yan Chiyun listened quietly, and after Madam Pu finished speaking, he asked if she needed an Imperial Physician to take a look, offering to submit a request to the palace.

Madam Pu said she had already seen a doctor yesterday.

“He prescribed a formula and said I would be fine after a few doses.

In fact, Wange just left with someone to pick up the medicine.

You arrived right after she left; did the two of you meet on the road?”

‘She really is not here; so she has gone to get medicine.’

‘But did the doctor not send the medicine after filling the prescription?

Why did she need to take someone to fetch it personally?’

Yan Chiyun felt something was not quite right; moreover, it was already past the time for breakfast.

If the doctor had taken her pulse yesterday, delivering the medicine today seemed far too late.

But Madam Pu added that Pu Wange was very worried about her illness and insisted on going personally to ask the doctor again, refusing to be persuaded otherwise.

Upon hearing this, Yan Chiyun could only suppress the faint strangeness lingering in his heart.

“I did not encounter the Pu family carriage on my way here.”

“So you did not see her?”

Yan Chiyun nodded.

“Mm.”

“It is fine, Wange will return in a moment.

If my son-in-law is not busy today, stay and have the noon meal at home?”

Madam Pu tried to keep him, saying she would send someone to invite Lord Pu back, and she would order good wine and dishes prepared for the family to dine together.

But Yan Chiyun stood up to take his leave.

“Seeing that Mother-in-law’s health is not in serious danger, I am relieved.

I still need to enter the palace to report to the Emperor today, so it is really inconvenient to stay long.

I will visit again next time.”

Madam Pu sighed.

“Since it involves official business, it would be improper for me to keep you.

Thank you for making this trip.”

Having said this, Madam Pu was about to stand up personally to see him out, but Yan Chiyun asked her to stay.

Watching the figure of the handsome and spirited man exit the main hall, his footsteps fading away, the smile on Madam Pu’s face vanished instantly.

Such a modest, polite, and high-ranking fine son; he should have been the excellent husband belonging to her Wange.

Yet now he was occupied by that slut’s daughter, and this man was even clearly caring toward that slut’s daughter; it truly made her grind her teeth in hatred.

However, she did not show her anger, because Yan Chiyun had not only brought supplements on this trip but had also brought Si Yan, the personal maid he had assigned to Pu Jinyu.

This was someone from the Yan family; with her here, everyone in the Pu family had to pretend and serve Pu Jinyu well, treating her as a proper eldest young mistress.

The important thing was the injury on Pu Jinyu’s face, as well as her knees from kneeling all night; absolutely no flaws could be revealed.

Madam Pu signaled with her eyes for another senior maid to go out and pass a message to handle this matter thoroughly.

***

On the way back, Yan Chiyun paid attention to the carriages he encountered, but none were from the Pu family.

‘She must not have returned yet.’

He had already delayed the time today and could not delay further.

Leaving Chunxi Lane, Yan Chiyun focused his mind and stopped thinking about it, speeding up his horse.

***

On the other side, Pu Jinyu had already arrived at the pharmacy.

She wore a cloak with a hood that covered her face, revealing only a pair of clear, beautiful eyes.

The senior maid waited outside, while she sat on an armchair inside watching the pharmacist’s apprentice fill the prescription.

Before long, someone else from the Pu family arrived and spoke to that senior maid; the distance was somewhat far, so Pu Jinyu could not hear clearly, but she could guess what was being said.

Seizing this gap, she stood up, took out an ingot of silver, placed it on the counter, and whispered to the apprentice, “Get me a bottle of contraceptive pills.”

Since the money given was substantial, the apprentice looked at her twice but said nothing.

He accepted the silver and went to find the medicine for Pu Jinyu.

The senior maid by Madam Pu’s side was very vigilant; although she was talking, she cast a glance over now and then.

There were many medicine packets and a small steelyard for weighing herbs on the counter.

The silver she handed over was concealed, so the senior maid did not see it and only thought she was fiddling with the herbs.

Despite this, that senior maid was afraid Pu Jinyu might pull some trick, so she came in immediately after finishing her conversation.

Before she arrived, Pu Jinyu had already received the contraceptive pills from the apprentice, so the senior maid naturally did not spot any flaws.

***

The details had already been arranged on the road; they would say that Pu Jinyu accidentally stepped on air and fell while going out.

Not only were her knees bruised from the fall, but her cheek was also swollen and the corner of her mouth cut.

Although the finger marks on her face had largely faded, they were still somewhat obvious since only half a day had passed, and mainly because no medicine had been applied the previous night.

Therefore, inside the carriage, Madam Pu’s personal senior maid took out powder to apply makeup to Pu Jinyu’s face.

It was not covered as heavily as usual, but at least it would not give the game away.

The senior maid put down the powder box and warned, “When we arrive at the manor, the Third Miss had better know what should be said and what should not.”

Pu Jinyu sneered gloomily in her heart, but on the surface, she nodded obediently, saying she understood.

“If you are not obedient and let the Yan family see any flaws, your Concubine Mother’s days in the Pu family will not be easy.”

Her Concubine Mother had sucked her blood and flesh to live a good life for so many years—no, not just these years, but also in her past life; that was enough.

Pu Jinyu did not respond to this sentence.

The senior maid was dissatisfied and wanted to say more, but they had already arrived at the Pu family gate and the carriage had stopped, so it was not appropriate to warn her further.

***

Madam Pu acted very well, even hugging Pu Jinyu and wiping away tears, carefully touching her cheek and asking if it hurt.

She scolded the subordinate senior maid for not serving her well, causing her to fall like this, and ordered that they all be punished by docking their monthly wages and beating them with boards.

Pu Jinyu felt Madam Pu’s fingers approach and rub her face; it was not out of distress, but to inspect and see if any flaws were revealed.

She played along with the performance, saying it was not the senior maid’s fault and that she had been careless while walking.

“Mother, you are ill, and Daughter was worried in her heart, which is why I was distracted and twisted my foot, causing the fall.”

“You child!

I should not have told you about this matter yesterday.”

Madam Pu hugged her.

Si Yan watched from the side as the mother and daughter spoke and wiped away tears.

It was clearly a touching scene, yet she felt it was strange, like watching a play.

Especially the Young Madam; there was a smile on her face, but her eyes were somewhat hollow.

But this was a matter for the masters; even if she felt it was strange, she dared not comment.

Because Pu Jinyu was injured and the matter could not be made public, she recuperated at the Pu home for a few days under the pretext of taking care of Madam Pu.

Originally, she had followed Madam Pu’s intention to send Si Yan back, but Si Yan said Yan Chiyun had instructed that she was her personal maid and had to follow and serve her at all times.

When Pu Jinyu heard this sentence, her movement of sipping tea slowed.

She looked at Si Yan, smiled faintly, and asked softly, “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Si Yan did not know the meaning of the faint smile on her lips.

Before coming to serve the Young Madam, the attendant by the Family Head’s side had instructed her on the rules and specifically pointed out some of the Young Madam’s preferences, especially stating that the Young Madam “loved beauty.”

During these two days at the Pu home, Si Yan had indeed felt that Pu Jinyu especially loved beauty.

Because she had injured her face, she wore makeup at all times and did not even let Si Yan serve her closely during baths, fearing someone would see the injured area once the powder was removed.

She even slept with makeup on at night.

Although this was detrimental to recovery, she would not allow help, and Si Yan said nothing.

The medicine used was quite good; after nursing for a few days, Pu Jinyu’s injuries had mostly recovered, and Madam Pu’s illness had also healed.

***

On the day she went back, Madam Pu held her hand and exhorted her a thousand times to be careful not to get hurt or bumped again.

She agreed to everything, acting very reluctant to part with Madam Pu.

But as soon as she boarded the carriage and lowered the curtain to cover everything, Pu Jinyu’s expression gradually became cold.

After the Yan family carriage drove away, the motherly smile on Madam Pu’s face also vanished instantly.

“Madam, why did you change your mind at the last minute and not send someone to stay by the Third Miss’s side?

Are you not afraid she will pull some trick?”

The senior maid was puzzled.

She added that while Pu Jinyu looked honest, she actually had a rebellious nature; after more than three years, her bones still hadn’t been ground smooth.

If they didn’t hold Concubine Ruan in their hands, she probably wouldn’t accept instruction obediently.

How could Madam Pu not see this?

She said, “The little slut’s cheap bones are innate; how can they be ground smooth?”

Regarding the matter of Matron Wu and Jing Chun, although she suspected Jing Chun, Pu Jinyu was the one with the greatest suspicion because she was the one who benefited most from Jing Chun and Matron Wu leaving.

“I just want to leave an opening to see exactly what tricks this little slut is up to.”

Not placing someone there did not mean making her life easy.

Since she was disobedient, Concubine Ruan would have to suffer these coming days.

She could not punish Pu Jinyu, but could she not touch Concubine Ruan?

She wanted to see if she could bear to part with her own mother and if she still dared to disobey.

No matter how Pu Jinyu struggled, she could never escape the palm of her hand.

Did she think that by bewitching Yan Chiyun and winning his affection, she could legitimize herself and rise to the heavens to become the mistress as Pu Jinyu?

She was an illegitimate daughter; Yan Chiyun would not want her.

Perhaps if he learned her true identity, he would directly drive her out of the house.

Perhaps he was just momentarily coveting this little slut’s beauty and tenderness.

Just like Lord Pu with Concubine Ruan; if he truly loved her, after so many years, would he not have given her a title?

That was men for you.

Madam Pu instructed the senior maid not to give Concubine Ruan fresh food and not to allow the servants to aid her.

The senior maid nodded in agreement, saying she would go arrange it immediately.

***

When Pu Jinyu returned, Yan Chiyun was not there; only Madam Yan was in the hall speaking with Yan Minghsu.

According to Madam Yan, a new case had emerged in the capital recently, and he had not returned home for several days.

The Yan family did not know she was injured; they only asked if Madam Pu’s health was good.

Pu Jinyu went through the motions, responding to Madam Yan and thanking her for her concern.

Afterwards, Madam Yan told her that she had already selected a noble daughter for Yan Huaixiao, the granddaughter of the Hanlin Academy Chancellor.

Just like in her previous life, Pu Jinyu was not surprised.

Madam Yan added that Yan Huaixiao refused to meet her no matter what.

He had likewise not returned home for several days, worrying her greatly, so she asked Pu Jinyu to help think of a solution.

Pu Jinyu did not know whether to laugh or cry.

“Mother-in-law, if even you have no solution, what can this daughter-in-law do?

Why not let Little Sister go and persuade him?”

The two had always shared a close relationship; when Yan Minghsu caused trouble in the past, she dared not find Yan Chiyun, so she always had Yan Huaixiao cover for her.

Yan Minghsu pouted.

“Sister-in-law, you don’t know.

Third Brother hasn’t seen me at all these days.

As soon as I run into him, he runs away—faster than a rabbit.

He doesn’t even respond when I call him.”

Hearing this, Pu Jinyu smiled again.

Before she could reply, an old woman announced that Master Cheng had been invited.

She saw Yan Minghsu instantly tense up, her eyes immediately darting outside, but then she shyly withdrew her gaze slightly.

Her entire posture and expression were filled with shy restraint.

Madam Yan likewise observed her reaction and instructed the old woman,

“Please invite Master Cheng in.”

Just now, when Madam Yan sent someone to invite him, Cheng Wenque was reviewing his books in the guest courtyard pavilion.

He had not wanted to come, but upon hearing the servants say the Young Madam had returned home, he thought for a moment and came.

He entered the hall, his gaze quietly falling upon the young woman dressed in lotus-green skirts and robes.

She also glanced over at him lightly, a faint smile hovering at the corners of her mouth.

Cheng Wenque met her gaze, but in front of the Yan family, he quickly lowered his eyes, clasping his hands in a formal guest greeting.

“Master Cheng, please sit.”

Madam Yan looked at his humble yet dignified, gentle appearance and was quite satisfied.

Then, without much small talk, she directly stated the purpose of inviting him here: she wanted him to find Yan Huaixiao and bring him back.

Cheng Wenque knew it was for Yan Huaixiao’s marriage.

He did not decline, saying he would do his best, but he could not guarantee whether Yan Huaixiao would listen to him.

“It matters not; the fact that Master Cheng is willing to help is already very good.”

With the matter successfully entrusted, Madam Yan asked about his studies and if there were any shortages in his daily necessities at the residence or if the servants had been negligent.

Cheng Wenque used this opportunity to glance at the young woman opposite him and said respectfully, “Previously, the Young Madam prepared everything thoroughly; there is nothing lacking.”

“Wange has always been appropriate in her handling of matters; she saves me a lot of worry.”

Madam Yan praised her in front of Cheng Wenque.

“Mother-in-law, you praise me too highly.”

Pu Jinyu’s gaze swept past Yan Minghsu, who was so nervous beside her that she dared not speak, and looked toward the man opposite.

“Now that I have returned from visiting my relatives, if Master Cheng has any issues or lacks any items while residing in the manor, please just come to me.”

Cheng Wenque met those watery eyes containing a smile, and his heart tightened inexplicably.

“…Yes.”

***

Into the night, Yan Chiyun returned home late.

His long legs stepped into the inner courtyard.

Seeing Si Yan coming out from inside, he subconsciously swept his gaze toward the quiet inner chamber.

‘She is back?’