Chapter 5: Pear Soup

At her words, Jing Chun was genuinely startled and hurriedly turned around.

 

She was already thinking about how Yan Chiyun might have suddenly returned, and how she could possibly cover up what was about to happen next.

Pu Jinyu had no makeup on, and it was broad daylight—if they made eye contact, the flaw would surely be exposed.

 

Yet when Jing Chun turned around, there was no one behind her at all.

It was clearly Pu Jinyu doing it on purpose.

 

Jing Chun had not expected her to deceive her like this.

“Miss, you—”

Before she could finish speaking, the young lady who had just tricked her burrowed back under the quilt again, covering her head and continuing to sleep.

She even let down the bed curtains, directly shutting Jing Chun outside and giving her a cold shoulder.

 

Pu Jinyu had been sulking for far too long now.

And she was becoming more and more reckless, refusing again and again to hide it.

 

Even though Jing Chun did not want to do this, for the sake of the bigger picture, she had no choice but to go find Matron Wu and report the matter.

 

After hearing it, Matron Wu put her hands on her hips in anger.

“Why didn’t you report this earlier?”

 

Jing Chun said she had not expected Pu Jinyu to be so willful this time.

 

Matron Wu sneered.

“I told you long ago not to get too close to that little slut.

Yet you even made iced soups for her, coaxing her until she started pushing her luck.

Do you really think I didn’t know about this?”

 

No wonder she kept clinging to my lord last night and refused to rest.

So she was actually throwing a tantrum now, was she?

 

Jing Chun was scolded until she did not dare talk back, only weakly protesting that she had acted according to Madam Pu’s instructions.

 

Moreover, she had done it to draw closer to Pu Jinyu, to sound out her true thoughts and placate her.

 

Who would have thought that this time she would lose her temper so badly—almost as if she could no longer keep up the act and did not want to play along anymore.

 

At the end of the day, did Matron Wu really bear no responsibility at all?

Perhaps it was precisely because Matron Wu had berated Pu Jinyu so harshly that day, saying such ugly things, that she had provoked Pu Jinyu’s rebellious streak.

 

Of course, Matron Wu had served the Pu household for many years and held seniority.

Even though Jing Chun was a first-rank maid, she did not dare contradict her.

 

She only muttered a few complaints inwardly, then quickly agreed, saying it was all her fault.

She should have kept a closer eye on Pu Jinyu, and she would never dare give her special treats again.

In any case, Pu Jinyu had already said yesterday that there was no need to make that iced snow-yuanzi dessert again.

 

“Good that you know.”

Matron Wu gave a cold laugh.

“Madam is right—this cheap woman’s cheap brat can’t be indulged.

After enjoying the good life of a great household for three years, now that she’s said a few words, she dares to put on airs like a master.

She doesn’t even look at what kind of thing she herself is.”

 

Matron Wu kept cursing nonstop.

Jing Chun stood to the side, listening and repeatedly agreeing.

 

But soon, when her gaze lifted unintentionally, it froze in the distance.

Meeting the young lady’s eyes, she went pale and could not say another word, hurriedly lowering her head and tugging at Matron Wu’s sleeve, urging her to stop talking.

 

Matron Wu followed her line of sight and saw the blue-robed young lady standing not far away.

 

By the red pillar, Pu Jinyu had arrived at some unknown point.

She stood there quietly without saying a word, watching the two of them.

Her gaze was deep and幽幽, unsettling to look at for no clear reason.

 

Not only Jing Chun—when Matron Wu suddenly met that look, even she was startled.

 

But she quickly recovered.

 

What was there to fear from a cheap slut’s whelp?

Could she really stir up any waves?

No matter how much she struggled, she could never escape the Pu family’s Five-Finger Mountain pressing her down.

 

Like a debt collector, Matron Wu strode forward aggressively.

Seeing no one from the Yan household around, she told Jing Chun to keep watch and then began scolding Pu Jinyu.

 

What she said today was far uglier than that day.

The moment she opened her mouth, she asked whether Pu Jinyu had grown tired of living, or whether she had lived in comfort for too long and forgotten what her status was.

 

She even jabbed a finger at Pu Jinyu’s forehead.

“Do you really think that just because you put on the eldest young miss’s clothes, bear her name, and enjoy everything that belongs to her, you’ve truly become the Pu family’s noble, legitimate daughter?”

 

She berated Pu Jinyu for being nothing more than the child of a cheap woman, a little wild dog abandoned in the countryside.

“You can live a life of luxury now, with high beds and soft pillows, gold houses and silver-served maids, only because you have some use value.

You should be endlessly grateful to the Pu family!”

 

Pu Jinyu said nothing.

Instead, a faint smile curved at the corner of her lips as she looked at the furious Matron Wu, who was spewing filth.

 

Jing Chun listened in terror as Matron Wu scolded—no, humiliated—Pu Jinyu.

 

She naturally noticed the smile on Pu Jinyu’s face as well, and for some reason felt deeply uneasy.

 

Being scolded yet laughing instead—what did that mean?

 

Whatever it meant, every word Matron Wu spoke implicated the information Jing Chun had leaked.

Pu Jinyu must already know that she had secretly informed on her.

 

In order to placate Pu Jinyu later, Jing Chun hurried forward.

“Matron, please stop speaking.

Once the Yan household finishes tidying the rooms, they’ll come out.

Walls have ears—if someone hears or sees this, it won’t be good.”

 

Jing Chun stood behind Pu Jinyu, shooting Matron Wu pleading looks, begging her not to speak further.

A few words of warning should be enough.

 

Matron Wu gave Jing Chun some face.

In the end, she threatened Pu Jinyu, saying that if she dared disobey discipline again and ruin Madam Pu’s plans, causing the two families to fall out, she would never let her off easily.

 

“Third Miss is young, and a wild child raised in the countryside.

Her bones may be hard, tough enough to withstand beating—but I don’t know whether your concubine mother can endure the pain of having her skin flayed and tendons pulled.”

 

Pu Jinyu lowered her eyes, concealing the fleeting trace of cold mockery within them, and obediently replied that she understood.

 

“Good that you understand.”

Matron Wu warned her not to itch for trouble again.

 

At that moment, a little maid serving the Yan household came over carrying a bowl of soup.

“Young Madam, the pear soup you instructed to be made is ready.”

 

Pu Jinyu personally poured out a bowl and held it out with both hands to Matron Wu.

“You’ve worked hard early this morning, watching over the servants below and handling so many matters before coming to speak for me.

This soup is just a token of my gratitude.

Matron, you’ve truly labored.”

 

Matron Wu was Pu Jinyu’s dowry attendant and held a decent position in the Yan household.

So Pu Jinyu rewarding her with soup early in the morning did not strike the Yan servants as strange.

 

Matron Wu knew that Pu Jinyu was bowing her head and softening, offering soup as an apology.

 

In front of the Pu household’s servants, she put on a humble, uneasy act as she accepted and drank the soup.

But inwardly, she was still arrogantly pleased with herself.

 

Pu Jinyu watched unblinkingly as Matron Wu finished the pear soup cleanly, then showed her a smile.

 

Jing Chun, however, remained inexplicably on edge.

Not until the mistress and servant returned to the inner room, and Pu Jinyu poured her a bowl as well and told her to drink it, did Jing Chun truly panic and refuse to accept it.

 

She said she was only a servant and did not dare partake of such soup.

 

Pu Jinyu smiled and said,

“Are you worried I put something in the soup?”

 

Jing Chun awkwardly replied,

“Miss, you’re joking.”

 

In truth, Jing Chun really did suspect it.

After all, Pu Jinyu had seemed very off these past two days.

 

Pu Jinyu did not respond.

She took a fresh bowl and, right in front of Jing Chun, ladled out soup and drank a mouthful herself.

 

After drinking, she looked at Jing Chun, silently asking whether she was reassured now.

 

Jing Chun truly was reassured.

Seeing that Pu Jinyu did not move, as if she would not let it go unless she drank, Jing Chun could only lift the bowl and finish the soup in one go.

 

The soup tasted fine—clear, sweet, and pleasant.

 

Seeing her look as though she were facing a great enemy, Pu Jinyu could not help but laugh.

“Why are you suddenly afraid of me?”

 

Jing Chun wiped the corner of her mouth and said she was not.

 

Pu Jinyu asked if that was so.

“Looking at how timid you are, it’s like you’ve done something that wronged me.”

 

Jing Chun was horrified.

“Miss, w-what are you saying?”

“How could this servant ever do something that wronged you?”

 

Pu Jinyu personally gathered the used bowls and placed them onto the tray.

Seeing this, Jing Chun hurried forward to take over the task.

 

Pu Jinyu looked at her profile.

“I was just joking.

All these years, you’ve treated me like an elder sister—diligent and loyal.

I’ve always remembered your kindness to me.

I truly don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

 

Jing Chun felt like a thief with a guilty conscience.

Hearing the words loyal and devoted, her heart was in complete turmoil.

 

Yet she did not dare speak rashly again.

She cautiously observed Pu Jinyu’s expression, which seemed just like yesterday’s—back to normal again.

 

The sweetness of the pear soup lingered in her mouth.

As Jing Chun savored the taste and recalled Matron Wu’s earlier scolding, she considered placating Pu Jinyu.

 

But before she could speak, a little maid came from the front hall to say that Madam Yan was summoning Pu Jinyu to discuss something.

 

Jing Chun naturally swallowed her words back.

 

When Pu Jinyu arrived, Madam Yan was flipping through a booklet in front of her.

Hearing the greeting, she turned to look at Pu Jinyu.

 

The Pu family young lady before her wore a rippling, light-blue robe.

Every movement was dignified and proper—even as she moved, the hairpin holding up her coiffure barely swayed.

Her makeup was exquisite, the very image of a refined lady of a great household.

 

If one had to pick a fault—she had been married for three years, yet there was still no news from her belly.

 

Originally, Madam Yan had intended to select a second wife for Yan Chiyun.

But the old matron beside her said that perhaps it was not yet the time.

 

The Yan household’s main branch had many members.

These past two years, the Pu family young lady had managed the inner household, keeping everything in perfect order.

The wives of the various branches could not find fault with her at all, showing that she had truly put her heart into it.

 

Because of this, Madam Yan had just been cold toward Yan Chiyun, causing the couple to spend little time together.

It would be better to give the Pu family young lady more time.

If by next year there was still no movement in her belly, then they could consider taking a second wife.

 

That way, if word spread, it would benefit the Yan family’s reputation.

 

Strictly speaking, the Pu family’s main line had declined due to the lack of male heirs, and the Yan family had no need to fear them.

But after all, the two families had years of friendship, so some consideration was still due.

 

Yesterday, Yan Chiyun had returned home, and the two had consummated the marriage as usual.

It was said that the duration had been longer than before.

Presumably, both of them were anxious for a child—especially this Pu woman.

 

After all, she had been married for three years without children.

In the past, when sisters-in-law gathered together, holding children and leading grandchildren, this matter was inevitably brought up.

 

Since Pu Wange was well aware of this herself, Madam Yan naturally would not say much more.

 

“Wange, come here.”

She called Pu Jinyu closer.

 

“Look at the girls in this booklet and see which one stands out—who might be suitable as a woman for Xiao-ge’er’s chambers?”

 

Yan Mingshu was already married off.

Madam Yan’s remaining children, Yan Huaixiao and Yan Mingxi, had yet to settle their marriages.

 

It was indeed time to start looking.

After all, even after selecting someone, there would still be many steps to go through—the betrothal gifts and formal procedures would take considerable time.

 

“In your daughter-in-law’s view, they’re all quite good.”

Pu Jinyu followed Madam Yan’s flipping and glanced through, offering a gentle response.

 

“You child, how can you think exactly the same as I do?”

Madam Yan sighed.

 

Pu Jinyu followed up,

“Why not let my brother-in-law take a look himself?”

 

“Don’t even mention it.”

Madam Yan waved her hand.

“That child is utterly worrying.

If only he were as obedient as Yun-ge’er.

Not only does he refuse to choose anyone, he won’t even look, saying there’s no rush.

He’s already past the age of twenty—how can there be no rush?”

 

Madam Yan said that until Yan Huaixiao’s and Yan Mingxi’s marriages were settled, she would never be at ease.

 

Pu Jinyu only smiled.

She moved closer to Madam Yan, accepted the tea poured by the old matron, and personally handed it to her.

 

Madam Yan took it but did not drink.

She handed the booklet to Pu Jinyu instead, still asking her to help look.

 

As she lifted the teacup, she added,

“Once Xiao-ge’er’s wife enters the household, you’ll be sisters-in-law and will have to get along.

More importantly, from then on, you’ll have someone to help you with household matters, and you won’t be so tired.

Seeing you toiling day in and day out always pains me, as your mother-in-law.”

 

Having lived two lifetimes, not to mention being constantly instructed by Madam Pu, and having navigated great households for so many years, how could Pu Jinyu fail to hear the subtext in Madam Yan’s words?

 

On the surface, it was concern for her exhaustion in managing the household.

In truth, Madam Yan still regarded her as an outsider—worried that she might monopolize the Yan household’s inner court and develop improper ambitions, doing things that broke the rules to skim benefits, especially given the Yan family’s abundant wealth.

 

Using the pretext of letting her choose a proper wife for Yan Huaixiao was a way to probe her intentions.

 

Pu Jinyu curled a cold, mocking smile in her heart.

Outwardly, she remained composed, slowly flipping through the booklet of noble ladies and replying,

“Your daughter-in-law thanks you for your consideration.

Hearing you say this makes me look forward all the more to my brother-in-law’s wife entering the household.”

 

Madam Yan smiled at her face and still told her to choose.

 

Any noble lady who could make it into Madam Yan’s booklet had impeccable family background and character.

Before marrying over, under the Pu family’s “instruction,” Pu Jinyu had already memorized the noble ladies of the capital and was familiar with most of them.

 

She carefully selected a few women especially skilled in household management and needlework and told Madam Yan about them.

 

Listening to the names she chose—which largely overlapped with her own thoughts—Madam Yan nodded in satisfaction, then asked her to focus on picking one in particular.

 

Madam Yan pressed step by step, but Pu Jinyu refused to take the bait.

 

She smiled playfully, half-laughing and half-helpless.

“Mother-in-law, please spare your daughter-in-law.

The final choice should still be left to my brother-in-law.

After all, this is the person he’ll spend his life with.

Though I’m his sister-in-law, how could I interfere to that extent?”

 

Madam Yan laughed as well.

“Fine, fine, I won’t trouble you.

We’ll stop here today.

Let Xiao-ge’er and your father-in-law deliberate over the rest.”

 

“Yes.”

Pu Jinyu smiled and nodded.

 

Beneath that smile, however, there was only indifference—without letting Madam Yan see any crack.

 

***

 

That night, Yan Chiyun did not return home.

 

Thinking of how she had sold out Pu Jinyu during the day and caused her to be humiliated by Matron Wu, Jing Chun worried that Pu Jinyu harbored resentment.

 

So she tried to make peace with her.

Before Pu Jinyu went to sleep, she deliberately did not apply powder or makeup for her.

Seeing her sleep in such an unseemly posture, she even held back from commenting.

 

She only told her to be careful, saying she would keep watch outside through the night in case Yan Chiyun suddenly returned.

 

Pu Jinyu smiled meaningfully.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you.

You must watch carefully.”

 

Ever since that day, Jing Chun had felt that every sentence Pu Jinyu spoke sounded strange.

Yet she could not put her finger on what was strange about it.

 

She could only suppress the doubts in her heart, lower the bed curtains, and withdraw.

 

***

 

The next day, before dawn, Jing Chun rushed in and shook Pu Jinyu, saying something terrible had happened.

 

Pu Jinyu already had an idea.

Still half-asleep, she asked what was wrong.

 

“Matron Wu—Matron Wu doesn’t know why, but she suddenly developed a high fever last night, and her whole body broke out in terrifying rashes.

They itch terribly.

When this servant went to see her today, she’d scratched her face raw.

Not only that—she’s even ruined her throat from the fever!”

 

Fear was plain on Jing Chun’s face.

As she spoke, she kept staring at Pu Jinyu’s expression, trying to see if there was any reaction.

 

But Pu Jinyu also looked shocked.

After hearing it, she hurriedly asked whether a physician had been summoned.

 

“Yes.”

 

Jing Chun added that the illness had come on fiercely.

With the Yan household having just held a joyous event the day before, and the second miss’s return banquet coming the day after tomorrow, Matron Wu dared not make it public for fear of causing trouble and affecting Pu Jinyu.

 

Pu Jinyu told her not to panic, then said,

“Hurry and send someone to inform my legitimate mother, and ask her what should be done.”

 

“All right.

This servant will go at once.”

With her orders, Jing Chun immediately left.

 

Once she ran out, the anxious look on Pu Jinyu’s face vanished completely, replaced by calm composure.

 

Madam Pu received the news and quickly sent people over, directly taking Matron Wu away without alerting the Yan household.

Even the Yan servants who knew were paid off.

 

They only said that Matron Wu had sprained her foot and felt unwell, so she was taken back for treatment, without revealing the true situation.

 

Because Matron Wu’s illness was so strange, Madam Pu questioned Jing Chun.

Learning that Pu Jinyu had rewarded Matron Wu with soup as an apology, Madam Pu narrowed her eyes.

 

Jing Chun added that both she and Pu Jinyu had drunk the soup, and neither of them had any problems.

 

Madam Pu gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.

She only instructed Jing Chun to keep an eye on Pu Jinyu these days, reporting any abnormalities immediately and hiding nothing.

 

When Jing Chun reported Matron Wu’s situation back to Pu Jinyu, she naturally did not mention Madam Pu’s instructions.

 

Pu Jinyu listened and nodded, neither warm nor cold.

 

Watching her profile, Jing Chun felt inexplicably uneasy.

Could Matron Wu’s sudden illness really have nothing to do with Third Miss?

Why did she feel that it could not be unrelated?

 

But it was only a suspicion.

In the end, Jing Chun said nothing.

 

***

 

In the blink of an eye, it was Yan Mingshu’s return day.

 

During this period, Yan Chiyun was busy with official duties and did not return after that one night.

 

Today, however, he returned early.

 

Pu Jinyu had just risen, washed, and seated herself before the dressing table, letting Jing Chun apply makeup and powder for her, when she heard a little maid outside announce greetings.

 

Yan Chiyun responded with a low sound and walked into the inner room.

 

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