"Madam, please invite the master inside quickly. It's very cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill."
"Ah... yes, yes," her eyes, looking at Zhu Jin, held a hint of delight. Ever since she learned of the master's feelings, she had been thinking of ways to ease the coldness between husband and wife.
However, for many years, neither of them would yield, and she wasn't the proactive type, so things had been delayed.
She hadn't expected him to visit today. How could Madam Wen not be happy, she was even a little stunned.
It was Feng Jinxu who took in all her bewildered expressions. Perhaps memories resurfaced, and he showed a rare smile.
"Why are you standing there like a fool? Haven't you just recovered from your illness? Hurry back inside and rest."
"Master..."
When Feng Jinxu looked at Madam Wen, his eyes also held a bit more concern.
Madam Wen's eyes, like a young deer's, suddenly turned red. Feng Jinxu sighed. All the past grievances now dissolved into her tears. How could they continue this cold war?
He stepped forward and took her hand in his palm.
His fingertips were a little cold from touching the snow, but he didn't mind. He breathed some warm air onto them.
"You're already a mother, and you don't take good care of yourself. Do you want your son to learn from you?"
Madam Wen remained silent, her eyes moist with tears. After a moment, she smiled faintly, with a hint of shyness, and said,
"Master, have you eaten dinner? Would you like to... would you like to stay?"
Feng Jinxu was a little taken aback. How many days had it been since Madam Wen had first asked him to stay?
Even though he had just had tea and snacks and was still full, he inexplicably said, "Okay."
The scene of the couple entering the room together brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.
The master and madam had finally seen the sun after the rain.
Zhu Jin busied herself with calling the maids, some to serve tea, others to prepare dishes. The courtyard, which had been so desolate for a long time, finally became warm and lively.
Even the newly arrived He Huan felt happy and was about to help when she was stopped by a guard. He pulled her to a corner and asked fiercely,
"Are you crazy? Why did you lower yourself to become a servant? Don't you know that once you sell your deed of servitude, it will be much more troublesome to get rid of it?"
He Huan looked at her brother's anxious face and felt a pang of guilt.
"Brother, I'm sorry, but I really don't want to get married. The marriage that Second Mother arranged was only because she coveted the betrothal gifts. I secretly inquired, and he's proficient in drinking, gambling, and whoring. If I have to marry someone like that for the rest of my life, I'd rather be a servant, live alone until I'm old, and never agree!"
"How can that be? Second Mother said his family is well-off and the household is not complicated. Once you marry, you will be the mistress of the house. Many people can't even wish for that."
"Pah! You believe what she says? It's enough to fool our deceased father, why are you still confused like Father?"
"You!"
Looking at his sister's stubborn expression, Fu Yi was helpless.
It was also his fault that he was usually too busy. He thought that Second Mother's arranged marriage for his sister was for her own good, but he didn't expect there to be such a malicious person!
His eyes suddenly became fierce. Hmph!
When he had free time, he would definitely go and ask Second Mother why she would treat his sister so poorly.
He sighed. There was nothing he could do now. However, the Grand Madam was a gentle person, so working under her wouldn't be scary. But if she went to the Third Miss, it would probably be much more troublesome.
"Stay here then. You behave yourself, and be careful of the concubines in this courtyard, they are not to be trifled with. Also, if the Third Miss asks you to go to her, find a way to refuse."
"Why?" He Huan looked at her brother in confusion. That Third Miss seemed like a kind person.
Fu Yi tapped her on the head, looking heartbroken. "Are you stupid? The Third Miss will come of age next year. If you follow her, and she takes you to her husband's home, with your looks, what if you are taken as a concubine? Will you have a good life in the future?"
He Huan's eyes widened. How could she have forgotten this?
Then she nodded frantically. She didn't want to come out of one wolf's den only to fall into another.
Besides, she had no interest in being a concubine. She would rather stay peacefully in the Grand Madam's courtyard.
After all, the master never paid her any attention, so she was much safer than others.
While the Grand Madam's courtyard was filled with laughter and joy, Madam Lin Lang in the neighboring courtyard was so angry she could have died.
After fiercely smashing a set of teacups, she looked in the direction of the Grand Madam's courtyard, her eyes filled with jealousy.
"Wen Shi, you stay in your courtyard looking sickly, but you still have to try to seduce the master, not only occupying the position of the main wife, but now you even want to win people over. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
"Madam, please speak softly. If anyone overhears you, it will be troublesome."
The maid Qiu Yue reminded her from the side, but she was slapped to the ground.
Looking at her horrified face, she couldn't help but step back a few paces in fear.
"What are you afraid of? Isn't it just because you have a good background? Hmph, when my family comes to Dongdu City, she will have a hard time."
Her eyes were full of calculation, and even the smile on her lips seemed poisoned.
"I heard that a beautiful young maid has arrived in the Grand Madam's courtyard. Go and find out her background. Is it possible that Wen Shi deliberately found her to steal my favor?"
Qiu Yue covered her face, not daring to make a sound, and nodded frantically, fearing that if she said anything wrong, she would be beaten again.
Looking at the broken porcelain shards all over the ground, Madam Lin Lang returned to her delicate appearance, closed her eyes, and lay on the chaise lounge, ordering,
"Clean it up, don't let anyone see any flaws."
"Yes."
For the next few days, Feng Jin Yao stayed in her courtyard, looking at the account books.
The household accounts from before had been sent by Mama Bai, and now the accounts from the farms and shops were also sent over. The mountains of account books left her no time to think about other things.
Looking at the detailed records in the account books, without any errors, Feng Jin Yao admired her mother even more.
It was evident that this was the result of her mother's years of managing the household. No wonder her father always praised her for managing the household well.
She was indeed capable.
"The shops' profits are good this year. Make arrangements to give the shopkeepers an additional share of the profits as a reward."
Xiu Qiu, who was grinding ink nearby, was secretly happy to hear this news, her eyebrows full of joy. Seeing this, Yun Xu couldn't help but tease her,
"You still have two years before your deed of servitude is released, why are you so happy now? Is it because Shopkeeper Wang received his share, and your betrothal gifts in the future will be more substantial?"
"You..." Xiu Qiu blushed deeply from the teasing and pointed at Yun Xu, unable to speak.