Fu Shu told Imperial Censor Wu that rumors were circulating that his eldest son was neglecting his own mother's serious illness and was going out to fawn over a woman. He said that gossip was a serious matter and his eldest son was unable to attend the appointment, and asked Imperial Censor Wu for his understanding.
Imperial Censor Wu really didn't want to miss this opportunity, so he had to take a roundabout approach and brought Minister Qin to visit Fu Ting.
If the son is ill, the husband does not need to personally serve his wife.
Unexpectedly, Minister Qin was also attending to the sick, but instead of Madam Fu, he was attending to his mother-in-law, Old Madam Cheng.
The mother and daughter were genuinely ill, and their illness happened quite coincidentally and at a very opportune time.
Cheng only had this one son by her side, and it was not easy to find him. No one could stop Fu Qiyuan from fulfilling his filial duty.
Old Mrs. Cheng had a daughter who had recently married, but unfortunately, the daughter fell ill, so only her son-in-law, Fu Ting, came to take care of her.
What a melodramatic plot!
After receiving the news, Jiang Shan discussed it with Jiao's mother for a while. The mother and daughter then brought a large amount of tonics and went to the Fu residence to visit the sick Cheng Shi.
Upon hearing that Jiao's mother and Jiang Shan had come to visit, Cheng hurriedly struggled to sit up in bed, her eyes filled with panic and confusion.
Fu Qiyuan helped her up and patiently advised, "Mother, how long are you going to keep running away? Are you afraid to see my mother, or do you simply not want to see her? She raised me to adulthood. Shouldn't you thank her, both publicly and privately? I don't care about the grudges between you, but as a mother, you can't ignore the kindness my mother has shown me!"
Cheng stammered, unable to speak. She had no strength to struggle and just looked towards the door in a panic, her eyes filled with rejection.
A gentle voice came from the doorway, "Yan'er, there's no need to make things difficult for your mother."
The maid lifted the curtain, and Jiao's mother entered, accompanied by Jiang Shan.
She wore a purple Shu brocade embroidered with peonies, her dyed black hair was as black as ink, and the gloom and listlessness from the hardships of life had long since faded from her fair face. She looked radiant and full of energy.
After being well cared for by the emperor for so many days, she finally transformed into a true noblewoman befitting her status.
In contrast, Madam Cheng's complexion was sallow and dull, her eyes were dark and lifeless, and her sickly appearance made her look very old, at least twenty years older than Madam Jiao!
Jiao's mother walked to the bedside, watching the changes in Cheng's expression with a leisurely air, and sighed softly, "Sister, it's been more than twenty years since we last met, how have you become like this!"
Cheng's lips trembled as she tried to say something, but she felt powerless to do so.
Fu Qiyuan helped her sit up, propped her back up, and slowly stepped aside to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Shan.
Looking at the loving couple and then at the radiant Jiao's mother, Cheng couldn't help but feel a surge of sorrow.
She coughed violently a few times, which actually made her feel more alert.
"Little sister, I really didn't expect this. After all this time, we've come full circle! No, things are different now. In the end, I still lost to you!"
Jiao's mother shook her head in disapproval, "Sister, you're wrong. I've never argued with you, so how can there be a winner or loser? You've schemed and plotted everything, but in the end, you've only lost to yourself."
With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Cheng said, her voice a mix of laughter and tears, "Yes, you've always been generous, getting whatever you want, unlike me, who always schemes! We're both from the Cheng family, and I'm the eldest daughter of the main branch, but wherever you are, no one can see me! If you weren't so indifferent yet so self-righteous, would I have been able to scheme against you?"
Jiao's mother said calmly, "I never expected that my mother and I's forbearance and magnanimity towards you would become the basis for your desperate scheming against us. What a ridiculous joke! Fine, since you are so stubborn, I will not argue with you anymore. If people do evil, Heaven will punish them!"
Madam Cheng's expression changed drastically. She forced a bitter smile and gritted her teeth, saying, "You've come to see me make a fool of myself? Let me tell you, Yuan'er is my son, and he can only be filial to me! Huai'er is my grandson, and he will return to the Fu family sooner or later!"
Madam Jiao glanced at Madam Cheng without any emotion and said, "You're overthinking it. Huai'er is Shan'er's biological son. As long as Shan'er is not a member of the Fu family, Huai'er can only be Shan'er's son. Who says his father must be Yan'er? An adopted son is still my adopted son, and a grandson is still my grandson. What does it have to do with you?"
Cheng felt a surge of blood rush to her head, her face flushed red, and she stammered, "Yuan'er, did you...did you hear that? They don't even care about you!"
Fu Qiyuan's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Mother, do you really intend to do this?"
Cheng was furious and said angrily, "She won't let me go! She wants to take revenge on me! I have nothing left but you, and even you are going to abandon your own mother?"
Fu Qiyuan shook his head and said with utmost seriousness, "There is no greater principle in the world than filial piety. You gave birth to me, and I cannot let you down. You must be tired, so please rest first. I will take Mother and Shan'er back and will be back soon."
Cheng turned her face away and stopped speaking.
Jiao's mother glanced at Cheng Shi, then took Jiang Shan's hand and left.
As they reached the door, Jiao's mother said, "Sister, don't forget, you not only caused my mother's death, but you also took Yan'er's life. He has this life now because of me! I will never forgive you and your mother in this lifetime! Justice will prevail, retribution will be swift, and I'm waiting!"
Cheng straightened her neck and forcefully suppressed the metallic taste in her throat.
She trembled all over and slowly curled up into a ball on the bed.
Fu Qiyuan saw the mother and daughter to the door and said with a bitter smile, "Mother, I'm sorry! She gave birth to me after all. Although I hate what she did to you, I also pity her and can't just ignore her."
Jiao's mother patted his hand and said softly, "I know you are a sensible person. The grudges of the previous generation have nothing to do with you. No matter what you do, I will not blame you."
Fu Qiyuan bowed deeply.
Jiang Shan sighed softly, "Fu Qiyuan, you should marry into the family! Set a date, and I'll come to welcome you into our home!"
Fu Qiyuan immediately lost his composure, and his sadness vanished with a "poof".
Jiao's mother reached out and tapped Jiang Shan's forehead, "You, how old are you, and you still have no manners!"
Jiang Shan helped Jiao's mother walk towards the carriage, muttering, "I'm serious! Anyway, it's just the three of us living together!"
"Stop talking! You're getting more and more unserious! Huai'er is just like you, her mind is full of strange and wonderful things, she wishes she could fly to the sky to play!"
Jiang Shan pursed his lips and remained silent.
Airplanes and trains aren't exactly far-fetched ideas. With Qingcheng Mountain's strength, maybe Jianghuai can realize that great and distant dream ahead of schedule?
Fu Qiyuan watched the mother and daughter board the carriage, a gentle smile appearing on his lips.
No matter what earth-shattering things we do, we must hold onto the happiness we have right now!
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