Chapter 4
Chapter 4
After Fu Qingxiu fainted, she naturally moved into Yu Manor.
Yu Huaiqian said the Fu Family lived too far away, and it would be inconvenient for the imperial physician to travel back and forth.
I asked, “Is the imperial physician staying at the Fu Family’s residence?”
He frowned.
“Jiang Tang.”
I set down the teacup in my hand.
“She can stay.”
Yu Huaiqian’s expression eased a little.
Then I said, “In the guest courtyard.”
“Not in Tingxue Pavilion beside your study.”
His face stiffened.
“Tingxue Pavilion is quiet.”
“So is the guest courtyard.”
Fu Qingxiu was sitting off to the side.
Her face was pale, her voice very soft.
“Sister-in-law, anywhere is fine with me.”
“If I’m making things difficult for you, I’ll go back.”
I looked at her.
“You don’t have to keep saying you’ll go back.”
“If you truly want to, the carriage is at the gate.”
Her eyes reddened at once.
Yu Huaiqian’s tone grew heavier.
“Ah Tang.”
I looked up at him.
“What?”
He seemed to restrain himself.
“She’s ill.”
I said, “I know.”
“That’s why I didn’t make her leave.”
“I’m only telling her not to stay beside your study.”
Fu Qingxiu lowered her head and began coughing.
Yu Huaiqian immediately handed her tea.
I watched his movement.
The tea was mine.
I had just set it down, and he picked it up and gave it to her.
Fu Qingxiu took it, her fingers brushing his.
As if she had been scalded, she quickly drew her hand back.
“I’m sorry.”
Yu Huaiqian said quietly, “Careful.”
All at once, the room felt stifling.
“She cannot stay in Tingxue Pavilion.”
“That is my bottom line.”
Yu Huaiqian looked at me.
“You never used to be like this.”
I asked, “Like what?”
He said nothing.
Fu Qingxiu said gently, “Huaiqian, don’t argue with Sister-in-law over me.”
“I’ll stay in the guest courtyard.”
She lifted her eyes to me.
“Please don’t worry, Sister-in-law.”
“I know my place.”
Her voice was very light.
It sounded humble.
But there was a smile in her eyes.
She knew Yu Huaiqian would feel sorry for her.
Sure enough, Yu Huaiqian’s face darkened further.
“She’ll stay in Tingxue Pavilion.”
I looked at him.
The room went still.
After he said it, he seemed to regret it too.
But the words had already been spoken.
I nodded.
“Fine.”
Yu Huaiqian froze.
I said, “Make the arrangements.”
His brow twitched.
“Ah Tang…”
I rose and walked outside.
He came to pull me back.
I avoided him.
“I’m going to the rice shop.”
“It’s almost dark.”
“The rice shop has lamps.”
His expression turned ugly.
“Must you make a scene with me?”
I turned back to look at him.
“Yu Huaiqian.”
“I’ll say this one more time.”
“I am not making a scene.”
“I’m simply watching to see how much further you can give in.”
He looked at me, and at last, a trace of panic appeared in his eyes.
Behind him, Fu Qingxiu coughed softly.
He turned back on instinct.
That trace of panic vanished.
I turned and left.
When I returned to the manor that night, the lamps were already lit in Tingxue Pavilion.
The study was lit as well.
The two places were very close together.
I stood beneath the corridor and saw Fu Qingxiu standing at the study door with an outer robe draped over her shoulders.
Yu Huaiqian handed her a scroll.
Her smile was faint and gentle.
Just like it had been that day at the Qushui Banquet.
I did not go forward.
I returned to the main room and told Chunwu to bring out the chest.
Chunwu jumped in fright.
“Madam?”
I said, “Pack up the deed to the rice shop.”
“And my dowry list.”