Chapter 31: The Eldest Son-in-Law Returns to Beijing

After learning about the Lin family’s situation, the second household gathered again in the central courtyard, forcefully rousing the swollen-eyed Old Madam Meng to discuss a new strategy.

Old Madam Meng’s face was severely swollen, the pain keeping her from resting day or night. Her mind was muddled, and she had long since lost her spirit.

Every time she opened her mouth, the movement tugged at the swelling on her cheek, causing intense pain, so she dared not speak lightly.

Fang Kun sat on a chair by the bed and spoke in a low voice, “This matter is quite suspicious.”

The people involved in the recent incidents were exactly those they had planned to frame Fang Xunli.

It seemed too coincidental.

Just enough to ruin their scheme.

Zhou Huajin paced anxiously nearby. “It must be Fang Yuean. Don’t you think that child is really strange?”

She stopped and turned back. “Ever since she arrived, our second household hasn’t had a single smooth day.”

A few days ago, when Fang Xunli once again topped the examination rankings, Zhou Huajin was so frustrated she couldn’t eat the entire day.

Now that their framing plan had failed, she was genuinely worried that Qin Xuan would rise to prominence.

Fang Kun rubbed his fingers thoughtfully, recalling, “It does seem that way.” He shifted his gaze to Old Madam Meng. “Mother’s illness also started after she arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Meng opened her one good eye, braced herself against the bed, and struggled to sit up.

Zhou Huajin immediately fetched paper and brush.

Old Madam Meng’s wrist was weak, and each stroke of her writing was shaky. She managed to scribble a few words: Yuhua Mountain, Daoist Master Lingxu.

Zhou Huajin sighed at once. “Mother, you might not know, but last night’s thunderstorm killed two Daoists from Yuhua Mountain—one of them was Daoist Master Lingxu.”

Early this morning, many people had been discussing this event.

She had overheard a few bits by chance, and it was said that this Daoist was quite remarkable.

Apparently, he had been delivering a sermon to a group of Daoists at the time.

Strangely enough, despite the large gathering, only he and another Daoist with the surname Li were struck black by lightning and died on the spot.

Having exhausted her strength, Old Madam Meng lay back down weakly and soon fell asleep.

Seeing this, Fang Kun sighed and turned to Zhou Huajin. “Mother’s health has been poor lately. I’m afraid she won’t be able to plan for us anymore. From now on, we’ll have to rely on ourselves.”

After all, this was a critical moment, and he was no longer as sharp-tongued and harsh as before.

Zhou Huajin looked up at Fang Kun, realizing that the only time they resembled a normal, harmonious couple was when they were united against the eldest household.

This realization felt like grabbing onto a life-saving straw.

So, only if the Qin family suffered would her own life improve.

“What do you plan to do?” Zhou Huajin’s tone softened slightly.

Fang Kun rose to his feet, pacing to the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m going to pull some strings and get Jiang Shicheng transferred back to the capital.”

Zhou Huajin lowered her gaze in thought, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Fang Zhiyi’s husband? What can he do?”

Fang Kun turned around. “Don’t forget, Madam, their whole family is a troublesome bunch. If Fang Zhiyi is humiliated, Fang Xunli might seek justice for her. If he accidentally kills Jiang Shicheng—or gets killed himself—that’s entirely possible.”

“That’s the opportunity we can exploit.”

He gave a sinister smile, his eyes dark and cold.

Zhou Huajin’s eyes lit up. “That’s an excellent plan.”

Back then, when they orchestrated the scheme to ruin Fang Zhiyi’s reputation, it took them a long time to choose the right person for the job.

After the incident, Fang Zhiyi would likely have two choices: death or marrying that man.

Naturally, they would find ways to push her towards marriage.

Choosing a wretched family for her would ensure she’d never recover for the rest of her life—that was the best outcome.

The poetry gathering had been held right after the spring exam results were announced.

Those attending the gathering included not only the noble sons and daughters of the capital but also some newly appointed scholars.

They had investigated several scholars’ backgrounds and found that Jiang Shicheng was not only poor and burdened with many sisters, but his mother was also notoriously difficult. Moreover, he was the most hypocritical of them all.

Given this opportunity, he would undoubtedly try every means to latch onto the eldest household, indirectly causing them trouble.

While Madam Qin was cautious and would likely investigate him, their second household could easily manipulate things so she wouldn’t discover his true nature.

That proud red plum blossom standing against the snow—they had plucked it and trampled it into the mud.

Zhou Huajin’s lips curled slightly in satisfaction, but after a moment of thought, she voiced a concern. “But won’t doing this leave traces? What if Madam Qin realizes we were the ones who arranged for her son-in-law to be transferred back to the capital?”

Fang Kun waved dismissively. “It doesn’t matter if she knows. Now that our elder brother’s life is uncertain, isn’t it only natural for me, as his younger brother, to look after his family? That foolish woman might even be grateful to us.”

“Once the Jiang family moves in, any conflicts that arise will have nothing to do with us.”

“This plan is brilliant.” A genuine smile finally appeared on Zhou Huajin’s face.

Seeing her gentle and smiling like this, Fang Kun felt a rare softness in his heart.

If she were like this every day, perhaps they wouldn’t always be arguing, showing each other their ugliest sides.

“As for Fang Yuean, you need to keep a close eye on her. If she really is a bad omen, we can’t let her stay,” Fang Kun instructed.

Zhou Huajin, pleased by her husband’s rare kind demeanor, responded with a hint of flattery. “Don’t worry, Second Master. If she really affects our fortunes, I’ll spread rumors that she’s a demon. We won’t even need to lift a finger—the public will burn her at the stake.”

Fang Kun nodded. “Madam, as for the women in Xuze Courtyard, I’ll need you to keep an eye on them. If those two courtesans give birth and the children resemble Xuze, we’ll elevate them to concubines. If not, wait a few years and quietly take care of it.”

Zhou Huajin nodded, but her mind was already scheming.

Recently, those two courtesans had been going out of their way to curry favor with her.

She knew they were seeking protection within the household, hoping to avoid being taken under Madam Wei’s wing, and she had accepted their gestures.

In the future, they might become useful tools for dealing with Madam Wei.

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After the two of them left, as night fell, Fang Yuean sneaked into the central courtyard.

She had heard from Bihe that in a few days, their family would be attending Old Madam Chen’s birthday banquet.

Huai Ze had told her that, in the original course of events, the Chen family never invited them over, nor was Old Madam Chen’s birthday celebrated on a grand scale.

She figured that something she’d done—or perhaps the subtle influence she’d exerted during their previous encounters—had aroused the Chen family’s suspicions. They might have even uncovered something.

On the day of the birthday banquet, there would likely be quite a show to watch.

For such an important event, her step-grandmother naturally had to attend.

Which meant she couldn’t afford to stay sick.

Fang Yuean had now reached Old Madam Meng’s bedside.

Rolling up her sleeves, she forcefully slapped the swollen face of Old Madam Meng several times, calling urgently, “Grandmother, Grandmother, wake up!”

The first slap alone sent a jolt of pain through Old Madam Meng, making her open her one good eye. But before she could react, she received several more slaps, struggling to dodge only after enduring the pain.

The agony was so intense it brought tears to her eyes.

She had only just managed to fall asleep for a little while.

Hearing the commotion, Nanny Zhang, who had gone to fetch medicine, rushed into the room. She grabbed Fang Yuean and barked, “What are you doing?”

She wasn’t sure which child this was, but she showed no courtesy.

Fang Yuean cheerfully replied, “I saved Grandmother! She wasn’t breathing just now.”

Nanny Zhang gritted her teeth.

Is this child an idiot?

She turned back to check on Old Madam Meng, who was clutching at her swollen face but didn’t dare to press down, confirming that this wretched child had indeed aggravated her injuries.

She sternly ordered, “Go back immediately! Don’t come here unless you’re called. You’re disturbing the Old Madam’s rest!”

Fang Yuean pouted in dissatisfaction. “But Miaoyi’s been here more than once—why can she visit, and I can’t?”

Nanny Zhang was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing that Fang Yuean had no intention of leaving, she stepped forward and dragged her out, calling in some maids to tend to Old Madam Meng.

Once outside, Fang Yuean yanked her hand free. “You’re all sweaty—disgusting.”

She wiped her palm forcefully on Nanny Zhang’s clothes.

Nanny Zhang’s face twisted with rage, her words biting. “You little brat, I’m warning you—behave yourself and don’t stir up trouble. Get back inside!”

Fang Yuean put a finger to her lips and whispered, “Shh, Nanny, do you hear that? A baby crying?”

“It sounds like it’s over there!” She pointed toward the bushes in the shadows.

Nanny Zhang instinctively glanced over.

She hadn’t heard any crying, but the thought of the child she had once thrown into the river sent a chill through her heart.

“Nonsense! There’s no crying. Get back inside and don’t come here again! Next time you cause trouble, I’ll tan your hide!” She stormed off with a snort after her harsh warning.

Fang Yuean was left standing there alone.

She whispered softly, “I said you can hear it, so you can hear it.”

Nanny Zhang didn’t know if it was the child’s meddling, but ever since the child left, she really could hear a baby crying in her ears.

After the old madam fell asleep again, she asked several maids, but all of them said they couldn’t hear anything.

Puzzled, she thought maybe she was just too tired, so she went back to rest early.