TSWPF -Chapter 220 Testing the Waters

Li Qingling turned her head to look at Yu Yu. “Sister, we’ve arrived.” Her expression didn’t change into flattery just because Yu Yu belonged to the Hou family. She was the same as always—consistent, unchanged.

Yu Yu looked at Li Qingling and felt a newfound respect. Truly the person she had chosen—her composure was not shallow.

Xiao Hua got out of the carriage and gently helped Yu Yu down. Yu Yu turned and saw Li Qingling peeking at her, her face softening into a warm smile. She reminded Li Qingling not to be distant, and that she should come visit whenever she had free time.

Li Qingling nodded, waved to Yu Yu, and only then did the carriage driver drive off.

After Li Qingling and her companions left, Yu Yu, supported by Xiao Hua and holding the little one, slowly approached the main gate of the Hou residence.

At this moment, her demeanor had changed completely—no longer gentle, her delicate face lifted, her entire aura commanding attention.

“Xiao Hua, knock on the door.”

Xiao Hua nodded, released her hand from Yu Yu’s, and walked quickly to the gate, pounding it firmly.

The side door next to the main gate opened, and the guard muttered, “Who are you? What’s the matter?”

Xiao Hua clenched her fists, turned to face him, and frowned. “Are you blind? You didn’t even notice the madam has returned. Why are you just standing there?!” She was holding back her anger, otherwise she would have scolded him thoroughly.

The guard turned, finally noticing the madam holding a child. Startled, he stammered… the madam really gave birth?

Before he could react, Yu Yu’s gaze met his, sending a chill through him. He forced a smile. “My fault, my fault. I didn’t see the madam. I’ll open the gate immediately.”

He remembered hearing that the madam wasn’t due yet. So why was she returning with a child? Such news was truly shocking!

Yu Yu’s face remained calm as she waited for the gate to open, then slowly stepped in, cradling the little one.

Word of her return spread quickly throughout the Hou residence.

The residence became lively in an instant. Before Yu Yu even reached the screen wall, the Second Madam hurried over with her maids. Seeing the child in Yu Yu’s arms, her heart skipped a beat. “Sister-in-law, you’ve given birth? A boy or a girl?” She had left with a big belly and returned holding a baby—this was truly…

Yu Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile, but before she could speak, Aunt Xiao, the senior maid by the Old Madam’s side, approached swiftly. She bowed to Yu Yu and said, “Madam, the Old Madam is looking for you.” Her eyes lingered on the little one with concern.

The madam wasn’t due yet—how…?

Yu Yu nodded gently to Aunt Xiao and followed her slowly.

The Second Madam, eager for gossip, naturally followed closely, trying to coax information from Yu Yu.

Yu Yu glanced at her subtly. In the Hou residence, her sisters-in-law were all sharp-minded; a single slip could land her in their trap.

“The questions you’re asking, Second Sister-in-law, Mother would also like to know. Once we reach her, I’ll explain everything at once—no need for me to repeat myself,” Yu Yu said calmly.

She didn’t yet know if the Second Madam had orchestrated this or had been manipulated.

Once she identified the true culprit, she would show no mercy.

If it weren’t for Li Qingling and her family, she might not even be alive now. She had no choice but to confront the truth.

She couldn’t let up—she had to warn those plotting against her, for the sake of her children’s safety.

Even if not for herself, for the children, she would not let this slide lightly.

“Indeed…” Second Madam forced a smile, echoing Yu Yu’s words, though she gripped her handkerchief tightly, secretly wishing she could scratch Yu Yu’s face to ruin her composure.

Second Madam was sharp and calculating; seeing Yu Yu like this made her uneasy.

“You’re still in confinement, Madam. Walk slowly; don’t tire yourself,” Aunt Xiao advised, noting Yu Yu’s pale look.

Yu Yu liked Aunt Xiao. She smiled faintly and assured her, she knew her limits.

She wouldn’t play with her own health. Perhaps Li Qingling’s words at her birth had sunk into her mind deeply. The thought of losing her place, someone else taking her husband, mistreating her children, spending her money—anger surged. She vowed she would not fall, would not let another woman take her place.

Even the smallest hint of threat had to be crushed immediately.

Upon entering the Old Madam’s Xinmu Hall, Yu Yu knelt suddenly, eyes red. “Seeing Mother makes me realize, I’ve truly returned, back to the Hou residence.”

Since marrying into the Hou family, the Old Madam had always treated her kindly, never arbitrarily harassing her.

“Good child, get up, don’t kneel on the cold floor,” the Old Madam said, her eyes fixed on the little one in Yu Yu’s arms.

The baby, now awake, didn’t cry, eyes wide and curious.

Yu Yu thanked her, then stood carefully, holding the child.

“You’re still in confinement; sit down quickly!” the Old Madam urged warmly. “Let me see the baby.” Seeing the soft little one, her heart melted further. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“It’s a boy.”

Hearing that, the Old Madam’s face lit up with a huge smile. The eldest son finally had an heir.

“Good, good, bring him here for me to see. I haven’t seen my grandson yet.”

Yu Yu carefully handed the child to the Old Madam. Seeing the familiar face, her expression deepened. “Ah Mei, come see—he looks exactly like the eldest son. Handsome child.”

Indeed, the baby inherited the best traits of his parents. Imagine his future glory.

Aunt Xiao stepped closer, examined the child, and nodded, “Truly a father-son resemblance.”

The Old Madam hugged her grandson tightly, unwilling to let go.

Second Madam rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “Sister-in-law, how did your due date come so early? Nearly half a month early. How is Yu Yu so fortunate, returning safely?”

Yu Yu gave a faint, teasing smile and replied calmly, “On the way back, the carriage overturned, which is why we returned late.”

She kept her gaze on Second Madam, noticing the fleeting panic in her eyes. She smirked, quietly mocking her.

She wasn’t sure if the Second Madam had orchestrated this or was being used.

“What? The carriage overturned? How could that happen? Luckily you’re safe, or we’d be heartbroken,” Second Madam said, masking her unease.

Seeing this, Yu Yu suppressed a cold snort, retracting her gaze. “Yes. I too wonder how the carriage overturned for no reason. Even worse, the driver stole our money and ran off.”

The thought made Yu Yu furious.

Had it not been for her good fortune and Li Qingling’s timely help, her enemies would have succeeded.

“What? How could such a thing happen? Preposterous! They don’t even respect me,” the Old Madam scolded, casting a sharp glance at Second Madam, whose face stiffened. Then the Old Madam looked away.

Just because she was old didn’t mean she didn’t notice the subtle moves of her daughters-in-law.

If not for valuing family harmony, she wouldn’t have turned a blind eye.

Clearly, this time she couldn’t let it slide.

Otherwise, her little grandson would be in danger.

“Xiao Yu, don’t worry so much during your confinement. I’ll handle this matter. If I find who tried to harm my grandson, I won’t let them off,” the Old Madam said, her tone softening.

As soon as she finished, the door curtain lifted, and the Third and Fourth Madams entered together.

“Who’s made Mother so angry?” The Third Madam, pretty and cheerful, glanced around, then stepped forward to bow.

The Fourth Madam followed suit.

Once seated, the Old Madam asked, “Why are you both here together today? Usually not so complete.”

The Third Madam smiled sweetly, “We heard Sister-in-law returned with a baby, so we came to see what’s happening. Ah, Sister-in-law, weren’t you not due yet? How come…” She mainly wanted to know if Yu Yu had a boy or a girl.

Of course, she wouldn’t say it so clumsily aloud.

But Yu Yu could read her intentions easily.

Yu Yu smiled faintly at the Third Madam. “The little one couldn’t wait to see the world. As his mother, I had no choice.”

Despite their innocent appearances, these three sisters-in-law were cunning, and among them, the Third Madam was the most scheming.