Chapter 95: The Art of Words Awakens the Mind

As soon as the matriarch entered, she fiercely scolded Chu Xiu without any discrimination, laying into her with accusations both baseless and justified, good and bad, black and white—all painted as faults. She paid no heed to reason, leaving Chu Xiu unable to retort, silently enduring the barrage.

At last, the matriarch seemed to notice Shen Yu for the first time and glanced at him: “Oh, the young marquis is here too.”

Shen Yu opened his mouth, unsure whether to feel pity for Chu Xiu or something else. With a somewhat wry smile, he cupped his hands and bowed: “Zi Feng greets the matriarch.”

The matriarch curled the corner of her mouth and, catching her breath, asked, “You’ve started calling yourself ‘Zi Feng’ before me now?”

Shen Yu was puzzled but nodded in cooperation: “You are Wan Zhi’s mother, and I treat you no differently than my own.”

The matriarch suddenly burst out laughing: “Treat me like a mother? Is it really because of Ci’er?”

Shen Yu was immediately embarrassed, unsure how to respond. The matriarch then turned back to Chu Xiu, who still kept her gaze lowered, expressionless but forlorn. Her face hardened: “Who are you putting on that perpetual mourning act for? The play’s over, and you still can’t let go? Or are you crying over the second wife? Is this how the Lady of Lixin Marquis should behave?”

After several rounds of reproach, Chu Xiu could no longer hide her guilt. She raised her eyes to the matriarch and admitted her fault: “Chu Xiu knows her mistake; please do not blame me.”

The matriarch, well versed in the art of alternating severity with kindness to keep people in line, softened her voice a little and said, “In front of outsiders, I will still uphold your dignity as Lady of Lixin Marquis. But since the young marquis is no outsider, I shall speak plainly.”

“Chu Xiu understands,” she nodded.

The matriarch hummed in acknowledgment: “Didn’t Ci’er teach you how to handle accounts and manage the household business?”

Chu Xiu was somewhat confused: “She did teach me, but only the basics…”

“Teaching is enough,” the matriarch nodded firmly. “A master can only lead you to the door; the practice depends on the individual. If you know the basics, shouldn’t you delve deeper yourself? And if not, there’s this old woman to help keep an eye on things.”

Chu Xiu was more puzzled: “You mean…”

The matriarch’s expression remained unchanged: “Between mid to late March each year, managers from various trades come to report their accounts. This year, because of Ci’er’s passing, the household is in chaos. I’ve ordered them to come again mid-year. Now that great revenge has been achieved and the major affairs settled, you must quickly learn to take over the mundane duties! Take charge of the household management. This old woman handles both outside and inside matters and must also devote attention to guiding the heir; I fear it will shorten my life!”

Was this to have Han Chu preside over the Yun household’s internal affairs? Before Chu Xiu could react, Shen Yu was first startled, then overjoyed, and then anxious. The joy stemmed from the matriarch’s implicit recognition of Han Chu, for presiding over the household management was the symbol of the family’s mistress. That the matriarch was willing to relinquish this meant she acknowledged Han Chu’s status.

But if Han Chu truly became entrenched in the household’s daily affairs for several years, could Shen Yu still easily take her away? Or would the matriarch ever allow her to leave?

The more Shen Yu pondered, the more troubled he became, showing no attempt to hide it before the matriarch and Chu Xiu. Chu Xiu was still somewhat dazed, surprised for a long moment before realizing this was the matriarch’s veiled endorsement. Her eyes stung, and she bowed deeply: “Thank you for your trust.”

The matriarch hummed: “Judging by how you handled the second wife’s matter, you’re not a weak woman, but you are a bit soft-hearted. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: since you spared the lives of those in the second household, you must be wary of their potential resurgence or being dragged down with them.”

At this, the matriarch cast a meaningful glance at Shen Yu and said: “Hua Wuying and Yun Qi suffered a great blow; I don’t expect them to stir up more trouble. Zhuo Yan is insignificant and not to be feared. You should pay more attention to Xiang Rong’s movements.”

Yun Xiang Rong? Such a righteous and gentle woman? Chu Xiu was surprised, but the matriarch’s decades of discernment surely would not be wrong, and she nodded solemnly to remember.

Looking at Shen Yu, his face was even more awkward than before, a mix of embarrassment and worry—what exactly he was thinking, no one knew.

Seeing both lost in thought, the matriarch cleared her throat to interrupt and said to Chu Xiu, “You miscarried after a false pregnancy just ten days ago. You still need to ‘nourish your body’ for a while. Why not take advantage of the quiet to learn more about the household management? Once your confinement ends, you should come to me every morning and evening for an hour each to study.”

Chu Xiu quickly agreed.

The matriarch said no more and stood: “I’m leaving. Think carefully about what I said earlier. Miss a word, and you’ll suffer for it later.” She then looked at Shen Yu: “I’m a bit tired today. Young marquis, if you have no matters, please give me a hand.”

The implication was that Shen Yu should accompany her out.

Shen Yu wanted to speak with Chu Xiu alone, but seeing the matriarch clearly had something to say, he politely agreed and helped the elderly woman out.

The matriarch had one foot out the door but seemed to remember something and turned back toward Chu Xiu: “I’ve ordered the branches to send a few capable children at the beginning of July. You should prepare to select with me. After all, you will be his mother.”

So soon, they were to choose a child to adopt for Yun Ci? Chu Xiu finally gathered herself and responded, “Rest assured, I will take over household management as soon as possible.”

The matriarch nodded: “Don’t let your son think his mother is incompetent!”

Hearing this, Chu Xiu finally understood the matriarch’s intention. She was a secondary wife, born a servant, only legitimized after the public announcement of Yun Ci’s posthumous son.

If branches truly sent children to the Yun household, surely only the best would be chosen, and such a child might not accept someone of her humble birth. By entrusting her with household management now, the matriarch not only acknowledged her status but also gave her real power. Whoever became heir would have to respectfully call her “mother” and dare not look down on her again.

Indeed, without the blood bond of birth, only the grace of upbringing, if their relationship relied solely on the nominal mother-son title, the child might never truly grow close. But with the power to manage the household, she need not fear a child failing to seek her favor.

What seemed like a casual addendum from the matriarch was in fact the most crucial statement. Chu Xiu was struck as if awakened by a thunderclap, bowing repeatedly: “Your thoughtful schemes for me—I will not fail your expectations.”

This time, the matriarch did not even bother to respond. Instead, she grabbed the stunned Shen Yu: “Let’s go. My legs are about to give out.”

Shen Yu returned to his senses and supported the shrewd old woman, both stepping out side by side.

As they headed toward Rongjin Hall, several maids followed from a distance. The matriarch scolded Shen Yu: “If I hadn’t just arrived and heard your advice to Chu Xiu, you might not even know how she died in a few days!”

Shen Yu was shocked and asked, “Do you mean…”

“Still haven’t figured it out? Chu Xiu only responds to toughness, not softness. If you don’t harshly reprimand her and only coax gently, it will backfire!”

Shen Yu suddenly understood: “No wonder you spared no mercy scolding her and yet told her to take over the household and raise the heir. You’re forcing her to find a way out for herself!”

The matriarch gave him a sidelong glance: “You’re too slow to catch on!”

Shen Yu lowered his head in embarrassment, not daring to argue.

The matriarch sneered coldly again: “Don’t keep thinking about her all the time. She has no mind to leave with you now. If you can wait, then wait. If not, then leave quickly. Hanging around in front of people only damages her reputation!”

Shen Yu responded solemnly: “I can wait.”

The matriarch hummed: “If you can wait, then while she manages the household, don’t disturb her.”

“Matriarch…” Shen Yu frowned, unwilling and reluctant.

“Whenever she sees you now, she only thinks of Ci’er and feels guilty toward you. Don’t you think she’s sad enough?” The matriarch sighed. “She is now a Yun family daughter-in-law, a great leap forward. Even if she remarried later, it wouldn’t be to just anyone. You may excel at indulgence and entertainment and have feelings for her, but whether you’re truly suited for her, you must judge for yourself.”

These words irritated Shen Yu: “You always look down on me.”

“I don’t look down on you. But I really don’t see anything about you worth admiring besides your medical skills!” The matriarch was blunt. “Or do you just want to brag about your playboy exploits? How many women have you been with?”

“Matriarch!” Shen Yu felt a surge of suppressed frustration, unable to reply—a truly miserable feeling.

“From tomorrow, I will take charge of this household again. With Old Marquis and Ci’er’s great revenge avenged, I can’t watch the Yun family decline.” The matriarch summoned all her strength and said, “I’m not forbidding you to see her. After you move out, the next time you come, you must first pay respects to me at Rongjin Hall! When I find you acceptable, I’ll arrange a meeting between you two. Otherwise, forget it!”

“Matriarch!” Shen Yu heard the meaning in her words and was both surprised and delighted: “So you still agree to let me take her away? I thought…”

“What did you think? That I wanted to trap her in the Yun household?” The matriarch stopped and looked up at him. “From the start, I never changed my mind. If I don’t give her responsibility, she’d just seek death. I’ve never stopped you two, it depends if you have the ability to make her agree! Also, don’t ruin the Yun family’s reputation!”

“Thank you, Matriarch! I understand!” Shen Yu was sincerely convinced. This elderly lady, though shrewd and ruthless to outsiders, was not so bad to “her own.” With a few words, she reignited Chu Xiu’s fighting spirit and awakened himself.

“Look at you, with no composure of a noble scion. Not even as steady as the third son, let alone Ci’er!” The matriarch spat. “A man’s ability is one thing, but temperament matters too. Go back and cultivate yourself! Otherwise, she’ll never think well of you!”

Shen Yu dared not utter another word and nodded repeatedly to show he accepted the lesson.

At this point, the matriarch lost interest in troubling him further and smiled: “Go tidy your garden. Before moving out, Chu Xiu and I will host a banquet for you.” She thought a moment and added, “I won’t see the esteemed doctor off, but you and Chu Xiu can bid farewell!”

The matriarch’s words marked a turning point, setting the course for the household’s future and the fates of all involved.