Chapter 16
"Tell me truthfully what happened at Changshou Hall."
Siyu followed Fang Yu out of Xiaotong Courtyard. Her heart was unsettled; she had just reported to the master this morning that the young master was doing well in the Fang family, and by afternoon, he was clamoring for a divorce. The ups and downs of this day were truly unbearable.
Seeing that Fang Yu had managed to comfort the young master and was now asking about the earlier events, she quickly and honestly recounted the entire incident.
After listening, Fang Yu's brow furrowed tightly. Before he could even set off for Changshou Hall to make a scene, someone from there arrived in a frantic hurry to summon him.
"Go back and stay with your young master for now," he instructed. "I will visit him later in the evening."
"Yes."
Siyu watched as Fang Yu strode away with his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor suggesting he was determined to seek justice for her young master. Clasping her own hands together, she felt an unexpected sense of relief, feeling somewhat like a lowly servant who had just turned things around, and quickly ran back to Xiaotong Courtyard.
"The Master has arrived!"
"He's here?!" Over at Changshou Hall, Madam Chen, who was still fuming, heard the report from Qian pozi and immediately stood up from the warm chair with Yin Rao'er. "That little vixen! Just watch today as I have my son divorce him. A mere merchant dares to throw his weight around in my face!"
"Rao'er, cry, cry more pitifully. Make your cousin feel sorry for you. Once you're in charge of this household in the future…"
Upon hearing this, Yin Rao'er almost laughed out loud but didn't forget to dab at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Yes, Auntie."
When the door opened with a creak, the room was immediately filled with sounds of weeping and lamentation. Madam Chen hurried toward Fang Yu and cried out, "My son!... This household is rebelling against us!"
"That merchant ger actually fiercely demanded a letter of divorce himself, saying our family is coveting the Qiao family's assets, that he wants to leave our Fang family and take all his dowry with him. What a disaster! How did we end up marrying such a ger…"
"Auntie, please don't be sad. Someone like him isn't worth it. Cousin will naturally uphold justice for you." Yin Rao'er hurriedly went to support Madam Chen, who was crying so hard she couldn't straighten her back. "If you cry yourself sick, wouldn't that be exactly what that vile person wants?"
Fang Yu stood at the door with his hands behind his back, watching their performance without saying a word.
"My son?"
Seeing Fang Yu remain silent, neither asking what had happened nor offering comfort, Madam Chen suddenly felt unsure.
Fang Yu smiled slightly: "What is Mother doing? Didn't you say Cousin was visiting? Crying and carrying on like this in front of a guest is hardly proper manners?"
"This cousin…" Fang Yu seemed to have a sudden realization. "So it's because Cousin and Mother haven't seen each other for a long time, and you're both shedding tears. You are truly as close as family."
Yin Rao'er glanced at Fang Yu, worried he had misunderstood the situation. In her eagerness to explain, she momentarily forgot her feigned tears. "Cousin," she began anxiously, "Sister-in-law, he..."
"Him? Didn't you already meet him this afternoon? You still want to see him? But his health isn't good. I told him to rest in his room first."
Fang Yu plopped down into a chair and leisurely began drinking tea.
Madam Chen and Yin Rao'er exchanged glances. Fang Yu's relaxed and gentle appearance was strangely unsettling. Their crying and fussing act seemed like punching cotton. They had no choice but to sheepishly sit down as well.
"Cousin, I heard you came to the city today to buy winter cotton for clothes. Did you manage to buy the fabric and cotton? The mornings in the village are truly cold with frost in winter. Buying some thick cotton will help you get through the winter."
Seeing that Fang Yu still cared about her, Yin Rao'er finally smiled: "I originally intended to go look, but I missed seeing Auntie and Cousin so much, so I came here first."
Fang Yu nodded: "It's fine. I've already told Xuezhu to go buy the fabric."
Yin Rao'er was delighted inwardly; this saved her a large expense. But she said: "How can I let Cousin spend money?"
"How can it be considered spending money? The Fang family has moved to the city. I've always had your family looking after those ten mu of good farmland I own in the village. Thinking it over, I've been troubling your family. This bit of fabric can be considered a small token of thanks." Fang Yu said, appearing very understanding. "Uncle and Aunt are getting older. Having them manage the Fang family's land is truly a sin for a junior. After the New Year, I will take care of those few mu of land myself."
Fang Yu said unhurriedly: "When Xuezhu returns later, Cousin, please take the fabric back and inform Uncle and Aunt for me. Originally, I should have visited in person to express my thanks, but my studies have kept me exceptionally busy lately, leaving me with no spare time. Would you be so kind as to relay my gratitude to them for now? I will return to the village myself at a later date to reclaim the farmland."
Yin Rao'er was alarmed by his words. He was taking back the land and asking her to leave on the same day? She was completely confused. This was not the man who had once fulfilled her every request and asked so warmly after her comfort. She was so flustered that she did not even know where to begin her argument.
Though panicked, she knew she had to stay to have a chance to refute. She glanced at Madam Chen and said: "Cousin, it's quite late now… Auntie kindly asked me to stay and trouble you for a day."
Fang Yu looked at the sky outside the courtyard: "Rainy days indeed get dark early. But if Cousin doesn't return, won't Uncle and Aunt worry?"
Hearing words identical to Qiao Hezhi's, Yin Rao'er secretly fumed: "I've already explained to my parents. They definitely won't worry."
"Oh? So did Mother ask you to stay, or did Cousin anticipate this before leaving home and tell Uncle and Aunt you would be staying overnight in the city?"
Yin Rao'er's face flushed crimson with embarrassment from his pointed question. Madam Chen, who had been listening nearby, had finally heard enough. She too was perplexed by Fang Yu's unusually harsh tone toward Yin Rao'er.
"Have your books addled your wits?" she scolded. "How can you speak to a young lady in such a manner? I haven't seen Rao'er in so long—I specifically invited her to stay for a simple meal and keep me company."
"In that case, Mother must take responsibility for hosting and arranging things for Cousin. The Master left a lot of homework today. I won't disturb Mother and Cousin during dinner tonight, so Mother and Cousin can have more private talk." Fang Yu said: "If Cousin is staying overnight, then she can stay in the side room of Changshou Hall. It's more spacious and closer to Mother."
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