MYUFPC CHAPTER 38
Just like her prostitute mother
Jiashan had heard many tales of the Fu family’s former glory, but it was all second-hand information. Back then, Lianzhang, the Emperor were not yet Crown Prince, so how could Jiashan exist?
Now that Princess Ruyang was willing to share stories about the Fu family with her, Jiashan naturally felt a deep respect. After all, the glimpses of the Yongding Marquis’s mansion she had heard from others were enough to fill her with admiration.
Ruyang clenched her hands, her face turning slightly pale. “To be exact, I want to tell you about Fu Shiyu.”
Ruyang had married Fu Yi, the eldest son of the Fu family, so Fu Shiyu was her own younger sister-in-law. She remembered that Fu Shiyu and she had been quite close in the past.
Although Fu Shiyu was only a concubine of the Duke of Anguo, Jiashan still treated her as a proper mother-in-law. Jiashan said softly, “Zhan Daren bears a striking resemblance to her, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, he does,” Ruyang curved her lips slightly when she mentioned Zhan Yue. She said, “He looks exactly like Fu Shiyu. Thankfully, he resembles Fu Shiyu and not the Duke Anguo.”
Ruyang didn’t even mention the Duke of Anguo’s name, and Jiashan had a pretty good idea of her attitude towards him. In fact, Jiashan’s impression of the Duke of Anguo was not very good either.
In her previous life, she had married Zhan Shaoying, who was the Duke of Anguo’s grandson. The two of them had few opportunities to meet. In Jiashan’s memory, the Duke of An was a shrewd man, but he was not very magnanimous.
Jiashan asked thoughtfully, “Aunt doesn’t like the Duke of Anguo?”
“I don’t,” Ruyang replied without any hesitation. Her tone was distant and frank.
Ruyang took a sip of hot tea, and her brows gradually relaxed. Her gaze was far-reaching as she said, “The Marquis Yongding was a martial artist. He had three sons and one daughter, and he raised his daughter as if she were a son. Fu Shiyu back then was both beautiful and eye-catching, excelling in both literary and martial arts. Empress Fu was very fond of this niece and had repeatedly considered making her the Crown Princess.”
“But the Marquis Yongding was a man of his word. The marriage between Fu Shiyu and the Duke of Anguo had been arranged long ago. Because of this, he even had a conflict with the Empress.” Princess Ruyang’s smile was calm, but Jiashan could still hear the pity she felt for Fu Shiyu from her few words.
Fu Shiyu back then must have been truly enviable. Jiashan remained silent, her lips pursed as she listened.
Ruyang said, “Apart from Old Madam Wen, who was a sensible woman, the other people in the Duke Anguo’s mansion were not of high caliber. Later, when the Fu family fell into trouble, Old Duke Anguo, fearing that he would be implicated, quickly sent someone to cancel the engagement. When he was breaking off the engagement, he even used the excuse that Empress Fu intended to make Fu Shiyu the Crown Princess. He said that the Fu family looked down on them, so it would be better to part ways amicably.”
That old Duke Anguo must have been a weathercock too, not only that, but he was also very petty, just like his great-grandson.
Jiashan was silent for a moment, then she sarcastically curled her lips and asked, “So how did she end up becoming a concubine to the Duke of Anguo?”
Ruyang looked away, her brows lightly furrowed. She picked up her teacup and took a quiet sip. The tea leaves had a slightly bitter taste, just like the rest of her life.
"In the second year after the Duke of Anguo married the Jia shi, the old Duke of Anguo passed away," Ruyang's voice was slow, as if she was pulling Jiashan into that scene.
She said, “By then, the Fu family was no longer what it used to be. All sorts of lowlifes dared to bully them.”
“Fu Xiao, the youngest son of the Marquis Yongding, was only six years old that year, even younger than Yuan Kang now. He was the only remaining bloodline of the Fu family.” Speaking of this, even though Ruyang had been a vegetarian and Buddhist for many years, her eyes still welled up. The once illustrious Marquis Yongding's mansion, after being battered by the storms of life, ultimately relied on an orphaned girl and a young boy.
Ruyang paused involuntarily at this point, perhaps to regain her composure.
Her tone was filled with melancholy, “There were so many people who wanted to see the downfall of the Marquis of Yongding's mansion. It was at this time that the Duke of Anguo came to propose marriage, wanting to take Fu Shiyu as a concubine.”
Jiashan looked up, her cheeks were pale, and her innocent eyes were full of brilliance. She asked in a deep voice, “Did she just agree?”
“What else could she do?” Ruyang's face flushed, she sighed, “Those who were willing to marry Fu Shiyu as their main wife didn’t have the ability to protect the Fu family and Fu Xiao. And those who wanted to take Fu Shiyu as a concubine were mostly like the Duke of Anguo.”
“She told me that Old Madam Wen felt very guilty about breaking off the engagement. She said that if she married into the Duke of Anguo's family, with Old Madam Wen looking after her, she wouldn't have a too bad life.” Ruyang smiled gently, a very faint smile. “She also made a deal with the Duke Anguo, saying that if she gave birth to a firstborn son, he must be recorded as the legitimate son.”
Jiashan felt a little uncomfortable. No matter who heard that a pampered noblewoman had lowered herself for the sake of the world, they wouldn't feel good.
Ruyang said, “After she married into the Duke Anguo's mansion, I went to see her a few times. She seemed to have changed, but also seemed not to have changed at all.”
Those broken fragments of the past were finally condensed into a sentence by Ruyang: "But I could tell that she wasn't happy."
"She must not have been happy," Jiashan said.
No matter how much Old Madam Wen cared for her, she was still a concubine. With Fu Shiyu's personality, she probably couldn't bear such humiliation. But for the sake of the Fu family and Zhan Yue, she had to endure it.
Ruyang said slowly, "Yanqing was four when Fu Shiyu passed away."
Although Ruyang spoke calmly, Jiashan, having experienced the pain of losing her mother at a young age, understood the devastating impact such a loss could have on a child.
She still had her father's love, her younger brother to rely on, and her maternal aunt who often visited the palace to keep her company. But for little Zhan Yue, Fu Shiyu must have been his whole world at that time.
Ruyang's brow furrowed slightly. Her face was somewhat thin, and her gaze was soft yet seemed cold. She said, "I had already become a nun by then and didn't pay much attention to worldly affairs. I didn't receive news of Fu Shiyu's death until a month later. I don't know if it was a coincidence, or if she had been depressed for many years."
"Later, I went to the Duke of Anguo's mansion and saw Yanqing once," Ruyang said. "He asked me how he could gain the favor of the Emperor. I told him that with his family background and skills, the easiest path would be through the Jinwu Guards."
"That child never disappoints." Ruyang pursed her lips, and a faint smile finally appeared on her face, but her voice was still incredibly bitter. She said, "He's different from other noble sons. They have their families to protect them, their fathers to rely on, and even if they are unfavored legitimate sons, they still have the full support of their maternal families."
"Yanqing has nothing."
Ruyang looked up, her gaze turning towards the lonely night outside the window. Her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, but every word that seeped into Jiashan's ears was exceptionally clear.
Ruyang whispered, "Although Old Madam Wen treated him well, she was never his only grandmother after all. He has achieved what he has today almost entirely through his own efforts. For so many years, whenever I see him, I think of Fu Shiyu, and I still feel sad."
"He didn't have a mother to teach him. As for that father, whether he was alive or dead made no difference to him."
Ruyang slowly turned her gaze to Jiashan. Staring at Jiashan's bright and beautiful face illuminated by the candlelight, she said softly, "You are a princess, and there are probably many people in this world who are kind to you."
Ruyang paused and said softly, "Just do it for your aunt. After you get married, can you be a little kinder to him?"
Ruyang's tone was gentle, and her slightly downcast eyes held a sense of desolation. At that moment, Jiashan's mind suddenly filled with the image of Zhan Yue often being alone, and a surge of bitterness filled her heart.
She gently pressed her forehead, as if trying to erase the dim and depressed emotions in her heart.
Ruyang continued to stare at her intently, and Jiashan, after wetting her slightly dry lips, nodded gently, "I promise my aunt."
"When he's feeling down, don't let him feel lonely." Jiashan smiled slightly and took the initiative to reach out and take Ruyang's hand.
Ruyang's hands were dry, and they felt slightly warmer from Jiashan's touch.
She smiled at Jiashan, her expression softened, and even the fine lines at the corners of her eyes seemed to become more loving and lively. She said, "Good child."
Jiashan smiled brightly.
The moonlight began to illuminate the earth, and the surrounding sky flickered between light and dark under the twinkling stars. The shadows of dusk had gradually faded away. Only the night wind rustling through the fallen leaves made a rustling sound.
It was as if those dark and gloomy past events were also fading away with the sound of the leaves being swept away by the wind.
Recently, Zhang shi had been busy with the marriage arrangements between the eldest daughter of Marquis Qi Le and Zhan Shaoying. Even though it was not as prestigious as marrying a princess, it was still the first major event in her son's life, and Zhang shi was practically on her feet.
After dinner one day, Old Madam Wen personally sent Sheng mama to invite her. Since the passing of Jia shi, Zhang shi had been in charge of the household affairs.
Although Old Madam Wen was capable, she was almost seventy years old. To be frank, she had one foot in the grave. For some of the not-so-glorious things that Zhang shi had done, as long as they were not too excessive, Old Madam Wen would turn a blind eye and let her be.
Old Madam Wen wanted to have some peace and quiet, and Zhang shi was happy to be carefree. However, since Sheng mama had come in person today, there must be something important.
Zhang shi didn't show much reaction on her face, but her heart was pounding. She said, "Allow me to change my clothes, and then I'll go with mama to see Old Madam."
Sheng mama agreed and waited respectfully outside the hall for Zhang shi. Only after Zhang shi had finished changing did the few of them begin to walk towards Old Madam Wen's courtyard.
Sheng mama was about the same age as Old Madam Wen and had been an old servant of the household for many years. She was always tight-lipped. It was impossible to get any information out of her.
Zhang shi understood this, so she felt even more uneasy. Even after entering the main hall and greeting Old Madam Wen, Zhang shi's face was still a little pale.
On the other hand, Old Madam Wen remained expressionless as she recited Buddhist scriptures. After reciting the scriptures, she slowly picked up a white cloth and wiped her hands. Seeing that Zhang shi was still silent, Old Madam Wen glanced at her and asked solemnly, "Have you been busy with Ying'er's affairs recently?"
Old Madam Wen's voice was as gentle and compassionate as usual. But Zhang shi could clearly discern a hint of authority in it.
Zhang shi said, "Yes. His Majesty has granted Ying'er's a marriage to the daughter of Marquis Qi Le. Although it is not as noble as a princess, it is still a royal match, and we cannot afford to lose face."
"Not as noble as a princess," Old Madam Wen chewed on these words and swallowed them slowly. She smiled wryly and said, "I heard that you originally planned to have the daughter of Marquis Qi Le marry into the family before the end of the year?"
So, Old Madam Wen knew!
Zhang shi let out a long sigh of relief and stammered, "Yes."
Old Madam Wen's brow furrowed, her gaze fixed on Zhang shi's face, heavy and unyielding. After a moment of silence, Old Madam Wen's eyes flashed, and she suddenly slapped the table hard.
"You're utterly foolish!" Old Madam Wen's tone suddenly turned harsh. Staring at Zhang shi, she said without missing a beat, "You want the Qi family girl to marry into the family before the princess. What kind of scheme is that? Do you think His Majesty is easy to deceive, or do you think our Duke of Anguo's mansion and the Qi family have the audacity to compare themselves to the royal family?"
"If you want Ying'er's wife to be superior to the princess, then she has to be worthy!" Old Madam Wen's voice was hoarse, clearly enraged. She turned her head and coughed slightly, covering her mouth.
After a short while, her reprimand continued to pour out of Old Madam Wen's lips. She stared at Zhang shi and said, "It's a good thing that Marquis Qi Le was wise and didn't agree to your request. Do you think Ying'er doesn't deserve anyone better than the daughter of Marquis Qi Le? I'll tell you, with a mother-in-law like you, the Qi family's daughter is actually a good match!"
"You dare to belittle the royal family's dignity. In your heart, you must think that the title of Duke of Anguo is extremely secure, right?" Zhang shi was the niece of Jia shi, and Old Madam Wen had always disliked her petty ways. Now that she was angry, her tone became even colder. "Once the princess enters the mansion, don't put on that airs of being the eldest sister-in-law. Don't ruin the centuries-old legacy of our Zhan family because of your petty jealousy."
"If anything goes wrong, not only will your husband be unable to inherit the title, but the Duke of Anguo's mansion will cease to exist!" Old Madam Wen stared at Zhang shi, her voice low. She said word by word, "Control your own hands and never let them reach too far."
After receiving such a humiliating scolding from Old Madam Wen, Zhang shi had lost both face and dignity. She clenched her fists, and a large piece of nail polish had been chipped off her thumb.
Zhang shi nodded respectfully, her smile forced and unnatural. "Yes."
Old Madam Wen swept her gaze over Zhang shi. She said sternly, "The princess will have her own princess manor and will not compete with you for the household affairs. Keep that in mind."
Zhang shi's face was stiff with a smile, and she could only numbly say "yes" again.
Seeing Zhang shi's appearance, Old Madam Wen didn't know how much she had actually taken in, so she could only suppress her anger and repeatedly warned her.
Zhang shi verbally agreed to everything, nodding each time and saying "yes."
Having said what she needed to say, Old Madam Wen and Zhang shi looked at each other with mutual dislike. She glanced at Sheng mama and gestured for Zhang shi to leave.
Zhang shi bowed slightly and retreated.
Once she was completely out of Old Madam Wen’s courtyard, Zhang shi could no longer contain herself. She walked a few steps forward, her eyes blazing with anger, and viciously plucked a few fully bloomed chrysanthemums.
She tried her best to suppress her overwhelming anger and slowly crushed the chrysanthemum petals into pieces.
Zhang shi hated, "That old woman is so partial. She has feelings for the one she raised since childhood. Does she have no feelings for our Ying'er? He is her great-grandson too!"
Yingchun was a well-behaved maid and dared not casually discuss her mistress, especially Old Madam Wen. Although Old Madam Wen seemed to be indifferent to the world for these years, she was actually very clear-headed.
Having managed the Duke of Anguo's mansion for nearly forty years, she had a deep-rooted influence. Most of the servants in the noble families were willing to listen to her. Zhang shi's methods of winning people over were not very effective, and even though she held the real power, it would be easy for Old Madam Wen to sideline her if she wanted to.
Zhang shi bit her lower lip and sneered, "No matter how good a worm is, it can't turn into a dragon. Some people, just like her prostitute mother, like to steal other people's things."
"The princess who was originally promised to Ying'er, how did she become his?" A cold smile appeared at the corner of Zhang shi's lips. "He must have used some dirty tricks."
Zhang shi was talking to herself, but at that moment, Yingchun vigorously tugged at Zhang shi's sleeve few times.
Zhang shi was immersed in venting her anger by cursing Zhan Yue, and was suddenly interrupted by Yingchun, which made her feel a bit resentful. But when she turned around, she saw the protagonist of her words, who had somehow approached her from behind.
Zhan Yue was wearing a dark green fur coat that day, and his appearance was stunningly handsome under the moonlight. His eyes were bright, and his gaze was as dark as the previous night.
Zhan Yue opened his lips, his thin lips revealing a hint of sharp coldness. He stared intently at Zhang shi, his voice low and slow, "Who are you talking about?"