Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 75

Chapter 75 - Concubine Ting Yu's Betrayal

Ting Yu had mustered all her courage to follow him.

Picking up the butterfly hairpin, she said softly, "Master, this concubine has served Madam since childhood and knows what kind of jewelry and hair adornments she favors. Would you like this concubine to give you a detailed breakdown, Master?"

Xie Jingyu's expression remained cold and gloomy.

"I have no need to know such things."

Since Yunchu disdained the gift he offered, he simply wouldn't give her anything from now on. Suffering such humiliation once was quite enough.

"This concubine doesn't believe those words, Master." Ting Yu's hands gently climbed up onto Xie Jingyu's shoulders. "Madam wholeheartedly plots and plans for the Xie family; no matter what, Master could never truly give Madam the cold shoulder. Yet these past five years, Madam's heart has indeed grown cold. Why doesn't Master come sit in this concubine's courtyard for a while? This concubine knows how to make Madam have a change of heart and return to you."

Xie Jingyu's lip line tightened.

He had to admit that Yunchu truly was devoted to the Xie family, even securing the Imperial Academy quota belonging to the Yun family for An'er.

In contrast, what had he done? He had actually pushed Yunchu toward the Marquis of Xuanwu once more.

The Marquis of Xuanwu had so egregiously oppressed the Xie family that once the Xie family rose to power one day, he would never let the Marquis of Xuanwu's household off.

Yet right now, he was the one who had wronged Yunchu.

He genuinely wished to win back Yunchu's heart; only if Yunchu shared a deep bond of affection with him as husband and wife would her heart lean even more toward the Xie family.

Pondering this, Xie Jingyu pivoted his steps and followed Ting Yu to that small courtyard.

Ting Yu lived in a secluded courtyard at the corner of the Xie residence. The front of the courtyard was planted thick with bamboo, possessing an unconventional charm.

Xie Jingyu followed her inside and seated himself on the couch. Standing before him with lowered head, Ting Yu began, "Ever since I knew enough to understand things, I've served at Madam's side. When Madam was young, she liked brightly colored jewelry and garments; later on, she gradually grew to favor light-colored dresses, and preferred simpler jewelry..."

When Yunchu returned to the residence, the sky had already grown dark; it was now nearly the hour of late Xu (around 9:00 PM), and the pitch-black night outside was deepening further.

Ting Yu's voice grew even softer and more melting: "The hour is no longer early, Master; why not rest right here tonight?"

Xie Jingyu had originally intended to refuse, but upon looking up and seeing Ting Yu's face, he dazedly realized that it had been a very long time indeed since he had stayed overnight in the inner courtyards.

In the past, he and Madam He had been deeply in love with mutual affection, but ever since Madam He entered the Xie family and became Mother He, that initial heartbeat-fluttering passion between them seemed to have vanished. By the time Madam He became a concubine, despite having a legitimate reason to spend the night at Jade Lotus Garden, he had never set foot there even once.

With a soft yielding of her body, Ting Yu collapsed into Xie Jingyu's embrace...

After several rounds of intimacy, Ting Yu lay against Xie Jingyu's chest and spoke softly, "Master, there is something I am unsure whether I ought to mention."

Xie Jingyu's voice was very calm. "If there is something to say, speak your mind directly."

Hesitating for a moment, Ting Yu finally opened her mouth: "A few days ago... Yun'er saw a three- or four-year-old boy inside Sheng Residence..."

She too had wished to keep this secret for Madam, but why should Master end up adopting a child from the Yun family? This was simply too unfair to the Xie family, and unfair to Yun'er as well.

Since the adoption matter would blow open sooner or later, she might as well inform Master in advance so he could prepare accordingly.

"What did you say?" Disbelief flooded Xie Jingyu's face as he bolted upright from the bed. "She is going to adopt a child from the Yun family into the Xie family?"

Since ancient times, adopting children always meant selecting them from within the husband's paternal clan; when had a wife ever been allowed to raise her maiden family's child under her own lineage?

If the Xie family truly adopted a child from the Yun family, then his Xie family would genuinely become the biggest laughingstock in the entire capital.

Ting Yu rose alongside him. "Master, these were the exact words Madam spoke to me personally. Madam cautioned this concubine not to tell anyone, but I implore Master to first wait and observe the changes quietly without making a commotion."

She was afraid Master would rush to confront Madam, which would leave her caught in the middle and blamed by both sides.

Xie Jingyu reached out and pressed his hand upon her shoulder. "You are the person Madam trusts most; naturally, I will not let you and her become alienated. I will arrange for someone to investigate this matter properly."

Ting Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

The night passed silently and uneventfully.

The weather grew increasingly hotter, and dawn arrived earlier with each passing day.

Just as Yunchu finished washing up and was about to step outside, she heard Ting Feng talking outside.

"You've certainly mastered the craft of climbing into beds by now," Ting Feng stood in the courtyard, looking at Ting Yu who had come to pay her morning respects, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery. "It looks like our Concubine Yu is going to add another member to the Xie household once more. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance."

Concurrently rubbing her heavily pregnant belly, Tao Concubine let out a derisive laugh. "Concubine Yu has truly impressive methods. With so many things happening in the Xie family, she is still able to invite Master to her own courtyard. Truly admirable."

With lowered eyes, Ting Yu replied, "As a concubine, it is my fundamental duty to serve Master."

She had merely kept Master for a single night; upon waking this morning, not a single maid or matron along the entire walkway dared put on a cold face toward her anymore.

This was the Xie family, and in the end, the Xie family's affairs were decided by Master. As long as she kept a firm hold on Master, her and Yun'er's days in the Xie residence would not be too difficult.

At this moment, Yunchu walked out, her expression serene and indifferent. "What are all of you lingering about in the courtyard for? Come inside and be seated."

Once everyone had arrived, they took their respective seats on the chairs in the side parlor.

"In a few days, it will be Madam's birthday," Yunchu transitioned smoothly to the main topic. "I've called you all here to gather your ideas. How shall we celebrate Madam's birthday?"

Because the Old Lady was still alive, regardless of whose birthday it was within the Xie family, it was celebrated only as an intimate family gathering. As for the specific details of how to make it lively, it required careful deliberation.

The various concubines each offered their own suggestions.

With a smile, Yunchu said, "Ping'er, the matter of Madam's birthday will be handed over to you to manage. This time, I will have Tingshuan assist you. How do you feel about this?"

Xie Ping was overcome with gratitude, tears almost welling up. "Thank you, Mother, for giving me this chance once more. I will certainly not fail Mother's trust."

"Do not put too much psychological burden on yourself," Yunchu said in a warm tone. "This time it's simply a gathering of our immediate family; it won't matter even if a small mistake occurs."

Even as they were speaking, Xie Jingyu was seen striding in through the doorway.

His expression was somewhat heavy as he commanded coldly, "All of you, withdraw."

The concubines looked slightly startled. Master rarely wore such an expression, and even less so toward the mistress—what on earth could have happened?

Only Ting Yu knew that Master must have discovered evidence of Madam's intention to adopt a child from the Yun family clan, and was coming here to interrogate Madam.

She hoped Madam wouldn't blame her; she did it so Yun'er could secure a proper footing in the Xie residence... She was a mother, and whatever she did, the very first person she always considered would forever be her own child. That was something Madam would likely never understand...

The people in the room filed out, and Tingshuan gently pulled the door shut behind them.

Yunchu's brows knitted faintly. "What is Husband trying to do?"

"For this entire period, you've been frequently returning to the Yun family. Is there something you've been keeping from me?" Xie Jingyu demanded in a cold voice.

Yunchu's voice turned icy as well. "Husband might as well speak plainly if you have something to say."

"Are you planning to adopt a child from the Yun family to become our legitimate heir?" Xie Jingyu asked straight to the point. "I had people make inquiries; there is a three-year-old child among a collateral branch of the Yun family who was also taken to the Yun family a few days ago. Is he the child you intend to adopt?"

Utter disbelief surfaced on Yunchu's face. "Husband, have you lost your mind? With so many children in the Xie family, why on earth would I want to adopt a child from the Yun family?"

Her expression didn't look faked in the slightest. Xie Jingyu froze—could it be that his investigation had been mistaken?