Chapter 83 Stroke
After leaving the general's mansion, Fu Yunxiu had a dark expression on his face.
He felt a sense of disgust towards himself as he was now.
How could he have such thoughts about Miss Shen?
Where does his thinking place Aman, and where does it place all the Confucian classics he has read over the years?
That's absolutely damnable.
Mantou thought he was unhappy because things hadn't gone well, so she tried her best to comfort him along the way.
"Young master, don't worry, there will always be a way."
“What can we do?” Fu Yunxiu sneered. “This time, the other side is the Prime Minister’s residence.”
The Marquis's mansion is powerless and insignificant; how could it possibly contend with the powerful and influential Prime Minister's mansion? Fu Yunting was caught red-handed for committing the crime, and there is ample evidence and witness testimony. If the Left Prime Minister were to exert even a little influence, Fu Yunting's life would be in grave danger.
After a sleepless night, Fu Yunxiu got up early the next day, only to bump into the waiter who was about to knock on the door.
"Young Master Fu, someone has come to your home."
A familiar figure emerged from behind the waiter; it was a servant from Fu Changze's courtyard. "Young Master, something terrible has happened! The Madam is in trouble!"
According to the servant, Madam Fu has been ill ever since she hit her head against the pillar, and she looks listless and lacking in energy. Yesterday, when news of Fu Yunting's arrest reached the Marquis's residence, Madam Liu was still thinking about how to tell her without upsetting her, but little did she know that Madam Fu had already found out before them.
The worries of the past few days were compounded by this blow, and Madam Fu fainted and has not woken up since.
Although Madam Liu was in charge of household affairs, the current situation was indeed somewhat troublesome, so she specially sent a servant to inform Fu Yunxiu.
Although he and Madam Fu had developed a rift, one thing at a time, and Fu Yunxiu couldn't really just ignore her.
The incident happened so suddenly that he didn't have time to make any arrangements. He could only write a letter of divorce to Shen Yan, asking him to look after Fu Yunting. He would be back by the day after tomorrow at the latest.
In order to travel faster, Fu Yunxiu and his party rode horses. After a long and arduous journey, they finally returned to Yongzhou as the sun set.
In the east garden of the Marquis's residence, Madam Fu finally awoke. The family physician was taking her pulse, while Madam Liu and the maids waited nearby. Someone with sharp eyes spotted Fu Yunxiu first and exclaimed, "Young Master?"
Everyone turned around at the sound, and there was none other than Fu Yunxiu, who looked travel-worn, rushing into the courtyard.
Upon seeing Fu Yunxiu, Granny Zhang seemed to finally find her anchor, and she rushed forward, tears streaming down her face, crying, "Young Master, you're finally back! Your mother..."
Fu Yunxiu ignored her and instead looked at the physician who had just finished taking her pulse. "How is my mother... how is Madam?"
"Alas!" The physician sighed and shook his head. "The First Madam was depressed and suffered a major blow. She was then affected by an evil wind, which caused her to fall into a coma. Although she has woken up now, she will probably have to stay in bed to recuperate from now on."
After saying that, the physician sighed again and began packing his things.
Fu Yunxiu stepped through the crowd and looked at the woman lying on the bed. Having suffered a series of major blows, Madam Fu had long lost her former elegance and nobility, leaving only ashes and despair.
Now she lies in bed, her mouth and eyes crooked. She looks at Fu Yunxiu, and two lines of turbid tears overflow from the corners of her eyes and slide into the pillow.
Madam Fu knew that this was how her life would be.
Paralyzed and bedridden, unable to take care of himself.
She hated, she resented, she was unwilling to accept it, but what could she do? Her only wish now was to see Fu Yunting safe and sound.
"Yun...Yun Xiu...Xiu...Ting." She used all her strength but couldn't utter a complete sentence.
But Fu Yunxiu understood what she meant; she wanted him to save Fu Yunting.
Even in her current state, she still couldn't let go of her youngest son.
Fu Yunxiu didn't know how to face her now. He had originally thought that seeing Madam Fu like this would make him feel happy, but he didn't.
Am I sad? Not really.
He felt as if he were looking at a stranger, his heart calm and undisturbed.
The mother and son looked at each other across the distance, but neither could utter a single word.
Seeing this, Madam Liu thought Fu Yunxiu was sad, so she came over to comfort him, "What the doctor said may not be entirely correct. Your mother is very lucky. Isn't there Doctor Cheng? He will definitely have a solution."
Fu Yunxiu looked at her, shook his head to indicate that he was fine, and was about to speak when Xiao Ding from the gatehouse suddenly rushed in, "Madam, the Second Master has brought the clan elders, saying they have come to visit the First Madam."
"Didn't I say I wouldn't be receiving guests for the next two days?" Madam Liu said.
"This servant has already spoken, but the Second Master won't listen and insists on barging in." As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Ang's deep voice came from the doorway, "I heard that my sister-in-law is ill, so I came here to visit her."
The group rushed in, including Fu Ang and the three clan elders, along with seven or eight servants, forming a dense, dark mass that stood in the courtyard.
"Second Uncle doesn't look like he's here to visit someone in the hospital; he looks more like he's here to ransack the house." Fu Yunxiu stood under the eaves, a group of women following behind her, blocking the door tightly, clearly not wanting anyone to come in.
"Oh, Yunxiu is back." Fu Ang was slightly surprised to see Fu Yunxiu, but it didn't matter. No matter who was present today, he couldn't disrupt his plans.
Fu Ang took two steps forward. "I heard that my sister-in-law is ill, so I came to visit her. Where is the doctor from the Liu family? How is the eldest madam's health?"
Upon hearing the Second Master point to him, Physician Liu subconsciously took a step forward, but silently retreated after meeting Fu Yunxiu's gaze.
"No need for you to worry, Uncle. My mother is just feeling unwell and needs to rest in bed. It's all thanks to you and the elders in the clan who pressured her at the ancestral hall; otherwise, she would probably have recovered long ago."
Uncle Fu was embarrassed for a moment, but fortunately several elders defended him, saying, "Yun Xiu, what are you saying?"
“That’s right. We were holding a meeting in the ancestral hall according to clan rules, but your mother insisted on barging in and causing trouble, which is why she hurt herself.”
"Is that so?" Fu Yunxiu sneered. "Then I wonder what you are discussing, Third Uncle? As the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, is my mother qualified to represent the mansion in this matter?"
"This..." Since they were in the wrong, they could only shut up in frustration.
Uncle Fu, somewhat unconvinced, chimed in, "Yunxiu, there's no need for you to be so sarcastic. Our discussion was conducted with the clan head's permission and according to clan rules. Your mother is just a woman; even if she wasn't invited, what could she do? If you ask me, the reason the Marquis's mansion is so unsettled is because the position of patriarch is vacant. It would be better to appoint one sooner rather than later, so that there's someone to lead and fewer troubles."
"The backbone, is Second Uncle talking about himself?" Fu Yunxiu laughed so hard his eyes disappeared as if he had heard a funny joke. "Then may I ask, Second Uncle, do you have a solution for Yun Ting's matter?"
Uncle Fu snorted coldly, "Fu Yunting killed the Prime Minister's son, and according to the law, he should be executed. Even if I had extraordinary abilities, I couldn't save him."
"How did Second Uncle know that Yun Ting was the killer? Could it be that Second Uncle is also involved in this matter?" Fu Yunxiu probed.
Fu Yunting's misfortune was clearly a trap set by someone. But Fu Yunting was, to put it bluntly, a scholar with no physical strength, and he was always kind to others. Fu Yunxiu couldn't understand who hated him so much and wanted to kill him.
After much thought, only Fu Ang could have this motive.
If anything happens to Fu Yunting, both the Marquis's mansion and he himself will be thrown into chaos.
Fu Yunxiu looked at him, his eyes revealing a deep curiosity.
Fu Angsheng seemed afraid of being associated with this matter. Before Fu Yunxiu could finish speaking, he hurriedly retorted, "Nonsense! I think you're delirious, making baseless accusations."
That's the Prime Minister's son; he must be insane to plot against him and frame Fu Yunting.
This behavior puzzled Fu Yunxiu. Could it be that this matter had nothing to do with him? Then who wanted to harm Fu Yunting?
But now is not the time to delve into this matter. Fu Yunxiu chuckled, "If it's not true, then it's not true. Why is Second Uncle so agitated? If others see you like this, wouldn't they think that our Marquis's Mansion is doomed, that we're actually preparing to push such an impatient person to succeed as the head of the family? Don't you think so?"
"You..." These words were full of sarcasm. Fu Ang's eyes turned red with anger, but he did not argue with him. Instead, he sneered, "Nephew, you have such eloquence. Why don't you go and defend Yun Ting? What kind of skill is it to put me down here?"
He looked into the room. Despite all the criticisms he had leveled against Fu Yunting, his protective sister-in-law hadn't come out to confront him. It seemed the rumors were true; she had been infected by an evil spirit and was now bedridden.
In that case, it was as if Heaven was helping him.
Having figured all this out, he no longer cared about Fu Yunxiu's words. They were just like grasshoppers after autumn, their days numbered; what difference did a few sarcastic remarks make?
Fu Ang's gaze slowly shifted to Fu Changze and his mother, who were waiting at the door, before returning to Fu Yunting. He smiled gently and said, "Since it's inconvenient for my sister-in-law, we won't bother you any longer. We also hope that you can rescue Yunting soon, so that the family can be reunited."
Fu Yunxiu curled his lips and said, "This matter is none of your concern, Second Uncle. After all, Second Uncle himself is already old and his house is on fire."
Fu Yunxiu's words left everyone completely baffled, but Fu Ang understood perfectly.
He knew he was referring to the Chen family.
These days, she strictly forbids Chen from going out, and even sent people to keep an eye on Chen's neighborhood, fearing that Fu Yunxiu might cause some trouble again.
But according to reports from the guards in the past few days, it seems that Madam Chen is hiding something from him. She always locks herself in her room, furtively writing and drawing with a pen, and no one knows what she is doing.
Fu Yunxiu's provocation inevitably brought the two of them together again. But he also felt that the Chen family would not betray him.
Fearing that Fu Yunxiu would see through the wavering in his eyes, Fu Ang stubbornly said, "I don't know what you're talking about," and then led the group out of the East Garden.
On the way, Third Uncle hurried over to his side and asked Fu Yunxiu what he meant by the house being on fire.
Fu Ang dismissed Fu Yunxiu's nonsense, but his anger only grew. Before he could calm down after returning home, a letter arrived from the guards watching over Chen, saying that Chen had secretly gone out today and stayed in a clothing store for a long time. When she came out, she had two bolts of fabric in her hands, which seemed to be men's styles.
The guard simply recounted what he had seen, but Fu Ang found the letter ambiguous and raised many doubts in his mind.
Fu Yunxiu had just returned from the capital when Chen secretly went out. Was it really such a coincidence?
Moreover, it's one thing for Chen to browse clothing stores and pick out clothes for herself, but she specifically chose to buy fabric, and in men's styles at that, which is clearly inappropriate.
No, he had to go to the Chen family's place in person to find out what was going on.
That night, a cool breeze blew and the moonlight was dim.
Fu Yunxiu knocked on the door of Wutong Garden just before curfew.
Aman, who was about to go to sleep after finishing her flower dew treatment, heard a familiar voice outside the door and thought she had misheard because she was so longing for someone. But when she opened the door, she saw a familiar figure standing in the moonlight.
"Young Master?" The curfew gong sounded outside. Before Aman could even feel happy, she pulled him inside. Only after closing the door did she realize that Fu Yunxiu had come alone.
"Huh? Where's the steamed bun?" Not seeing the steamed bun, Aman thought she had locked the person out. Just as she was about to open the door to check, Du Yunxiu hugged her tightly first.
"Aman," Fu Yunxiu sighed contentedly.
The person in his arms was light and petite, yet seemed to possess inexhaustible strength. Just being near her made Fu Yunxiu feel incredibly at ease.
He couldn't help but tighten his embrace, holding the person even closer.
Aman sensed his helplessness and exhaustion, but didn't rush to ask questions. Instead, she gently patted his back to comfort him. Only when she felt her arms were slightly numb due to poor blood circulation did she finally reach out and pat him.
Fu Yunxiu let go of her, and Aman led him into the house.
Although Fu Yunxiu hadn't been back for half a month, Aman cleaned the house every other day, so it was very clean.
After lighting the lamp with a tinderbox, Aman turned around and was embraced tightly by Fu Yunxiu again.
Only then did Aman notice the faint smell of alcohol emanating from Fu Yunxiu.
"Have you been drinking?" Aman asked.
"Mm." Fu Yunxiu nodded.
When Uncle Fu returned home in the evening, Madam Liu told him in detail about everything that had happened at the Marquis's residence in the past few days.
This includes the fact that Mrs. Fu suffered a stroke.
Since Madam Fu's outburst at the ancestral hall, her health has been poor. When news came from Fu Yunting's trusted confidants that Fu Yunting had been imprisoned for murder, Madam Liu's initial thought was to keep it from Madam Fu.
After all, even if she knew, it would only cause her more trouble and would not do her any good. In fact, it would only worsen her condition.
However, someone bribed a servant in the mansion to deliver a message, which caused Madam Fu to suffer a stroke due to her anxiety.
She also found the servant who delivered the message. The servant only said that someone had given him money to spread the news that Fu Yunting had been arrested for murder. As for who the person was or what they looked like, the servant had no idea.
As a result, the matter became increasingly confusing, making it difficult to see the truth.
Feeling depressed, Fu Yunxiu drank a couple of cups of wine, but little did he expect that the wine would turn into words of longing. He was very eager to see Aman, so he rushed over before curfew.
"Aman, my mother... Madam Fu has had a stroke. The doctor said she probably won't be able to get out of bed or speak anymore."
“I know,” Aman said.
“Fu Yunting has gotten into trouble in the capital. The Left Prime Minister’s son has died, and he is accused of murder. There are witnesses and physical evidence to prove it.”
“I know too,” Aman said. That day on the street, Madam Liu came to her stall to buy floral water and mentioned these things to him.
She said she knew I was worried about Fu Yunxiu, so I came here specifically to put my mind at ease.
As Fu Yunxiu smelled the sweet fragrance emanating from Aman, for some reason, he suddenly recalled the thought that had flashed through his mind that day, and subconsciously asked, "Aman, if I ever do something wrong, will you forgive me?"
In the past, Aman would have definitely asked Fu Yunxiu what he meant by "doing something wrong." But right now, Fu Yunxiu clearly needed comfort more.
So Aman went along with him and said, "Of course, no matter what you do, young master, I will stay by your side."
Upon hearing this, Fu Yunxiu hugged Aman even tighter, his strong arms gripping her like two large pincers, as if afraid someone would take her away.
Fu Yunxiu was deeply aroused, and his kisses, both urgent and fierce, landed on Aman's face and lips, gradually moving downwards, warm and trembling, yet Aman was powerless to resist. Her seductive eyes made Fu Yunxiu completely lose control, "Aman, give it to me, okay?"
His Ah Man is so good; he can only feel at ease once he has her completely.
Aman didn't speak, her eyes, like autumn water, shimmered, her lips were pink and shiny from his kiss, and her soft body trembled gently against him, like a delicate flower blooming in spring, tempting one to pick it.
"Aman." Fu Yunxiu couldn't wait for Aman's reply. He bent down, picked Aman up horizontally, and carried her into the inner room.
The brocade quilt ripples like red waves, a room filled with the passion of spring lovers, like mandarin ducks in love; the clouds disperse and the rain ceases, the sky brightens.
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