TYSUF – Chapter 23 Don’t Hesitate When You Came (2)

“He’s been locked up?” she blurted out.

When Fu Tongshan heard the word “locked,” he snorted through his nose, as if disdaining to speak of Fu family matters.

But he ultimately treated Fu Tongwen differently. Though he couldn’t quite see through Shen Xi’s origins, he had heard the servants speak vividly about her—how she had been bought as a child and raised in an opium den, likely intended to become a concubine. In the end, something changed, and she was granted the title of young mistress and painstakingly sent abroad. That was all in the past.

He hadn’t expected that the past had not ended, and there was still a lingering fate.

To bring her all the way back from America—clearly, this girl was deeply embedded in his third brother’s heart.

He sighed deeply. “I have a house in Tianjin. You should go stay there for a while. Just wait and see.”

That was his only residence outside the main household—if it weren’t for Fu Tongwen, he wouldn’t offer it up.

“I didn’t come to Beijing to hide,” she said. “I came to see him.”

She would not go to Tianjin.

Fu Tongshan shook his head.

Shen Xi knew she was making things difficult for him, but she still pleaded in a soft voice, “If he weren’t gravely ill, I could wait. But you know as well as I do what kind of condition he’s in. If I go to Tianjin as you suggest, and by some misfortune… I miss the chance to see him one last time—what then?”

Fu Tongshan pressed one hand on his knee, the other resting on the table, silent.

He wanted to help his third brother too, but in this household, he had no real authority.

Yet all the kindness Fu Tongwen had shown him over the years was etched in his heart. Though he lacked the power to help, he had to at least try. After thinking for a long while, Second Master Fu finally said, “All I can do is take you back and try to persuade Father. Third Brother is ill—perhaps that will soften his heart and he’ll allow you to stay with him. But you must think this through. Going in now is no different than walking into a cage with him. Once you’re in, it’ll be harder than heaven to get out again.”

“Alright. I’ll go.” She didn’t hesitate.

Shen Xi’s decisiveness gave Fu Tongshan a bit more courage. He rose from his chair and walked to the mirror, combing his short hair back with both hands. From the reflection, he looked at her and said, “If you won’t change your mind, let’s leave now.”

As he lifted the curtain, Xiao Susan, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached and informed them that it had started snowing.

Fu Tongshan told them to go to the alley’s entrance and call the car in. Xiao Susan agreed, gave the instructions, and handed a hat to Fu Tongshan. He also quietly told the attendant to carry Shen Xi’s suitcase and see them out.

When she had come, it was pouring rain by the Yangtze. Now, in the capital, it was snowing.

From rain to snow, from the south to the north—it felt as if she had journeyed for months.

Shen Xi knew that the moment she stepped into the Fu residence, she would be the Fourth Young Mistress.

What she would face, what she would have to say—Second Master hadn’t told her on the way, perhaps because even the second son of the Fu family couldn’t predict what kind of situation would unfold once he brought her home.

He led her through the gates as the snow grew heavier. A few maids came out of the servants’ quarters, and he asked, “Is Father back?”

“He is, in the outer study,” one of them replied.

The maids noticed Shen Xi’s familiar face and, after a moment of reflection, seemed to recall who she was.

Even as mere servants, they couldn’t help but sneak a few more glances at her. Especially since the clothes she wore were brought back from New York—something they had never seen before, even stranger than what the sixth young miss, who studied abroad, wore. A black wool coat, long stockings, low-heeled leather shoes, and a wide-brimmed hat. She hadn’t permed her hair like foreign women, retaining a Chinese appearance.

“Whatever I say, just agree. Don’t argue, so my father won’t grow suspicious,” Fu Tongshan whispered.

Shen Xi nodded cautiously and followed him into the outer study.

Inside the hall, they were just in time to hear Master Fu laugh and compliment, “Father, your official robe doesn’t quite fit.”

The two men inside looked up at the sound of the door opening.

Shen Xi stood there, momentarily stunned, before recognizing Master Fu. And the elderly man trying on the ceremonial court robes must be Fu Tongwen’s father. When she first married into the family, Master Fu and his wife had left the capital under the pretense of returning to their hometown to recover from illness. As a result, she had only ever seen a few concubines and the younger generation of the Fu family. She had never met the elders, nor had she served tea or addressed anyone as father.

“This is… Fourth Sister-in-law?” Master Fu recognized her and turned to the elder Fu with a smile. “The girl I mentioned before—the one Third Brother raised since she was young.”

Another disgraceful affair.

Old Master Fu frowned and waved his hand, motioning for the servant to take the official robes away. Then he sat down.

The maid beside him held a small tea tray, waiting silently.

“You go, too,” Old Master Fu said.

The maid curtsied and withdrew.

For a moment, only Old Master Fu, his two sons, and Shen Xi remained in the room.

“Tongshan, you explain,” Old Master Fu didn’t question Shen Xi, instead turning to Fu Tongshan.

Back when Fu Tongwen had done this ridiculous thing, he hadn’t sought his father’s permission. Later, he had hastily sent the girl abroad. When Old Master Fu returned to the capital and heard about it, he gave a few stern remarks but didn’t pursue the matter further.

Firstly, the third son had always been reckless. Secondly, the girl had already been sent away, cutting off all further entanglements. So the matter was left to rest.

Fu Tongshan added some dramatic flair as he recounted the whole story to Old Master Fu.

Given the background of Shen Xi being raised in the Huayan Courtyard, there was no need to exaggerate—her identity was ambiguous enough. “Third Brother was foolish and inconsiderate toward Father. Being locked away for a few years should serve as a lesson,” Fu Tongshan said dutifully. “But he’s been all alone in that courtyard, and it’s quite pitiful.”

Master Fu just drank his tea quietly on the side, not getting involved.

Second Master Fu added, “Third Brother has always had a troubled mind. I heard that after being confined for several months, he’s become unwell—so sick he can hardly get out of bed. Sending someone in to keep him company might help ease his heart.”

Shen Xi stood with her head lowered, obedient and quiet, letting them scrutinize her.

As expected… Second Master had a plan—intentionally affirming the old rumors. His temporary solution was to frame her as a comfort, a remedy to cheer up the patient. Right now, it sounded like a father and sons having a calm discussion, no tension in their words, no sparks flying—more like they were arranging a concubine for Fu Tongwen.

And yet, in the silence, Shen Xi could sense that Old Master Fu did not actually like the Second Son.

From the moment she entered, he had been observing her. This outfit she wore was rare in the capital—more like what the wife of a foreign diplomat would wear. At first, he assumed it was one of the Second Son’s romantic entanglements. Who would’ve guessed it involved Fu Tongwen again.

“What do you think?” Old Master Fu asked, turning to Master Fu.

“Third Brother’s always been one to flirt and stir up trouble. Now that he’s confined and can’t visit brothels or keep courtesans, having a woman around might not be a bad idea while he’s calming down.” Master Fu set his teacup down and walked over to Shen Xi.

The moment Shen Xi met his gaze, her heart inexplicably sank.

Among the brothers, Master Fu had the most rugged features, yet his eyes gave off a chilling sharpness. Beneath his thick brows, his eyes stared straight at her. “There are many women in the world,” he said quietly, “but this one doesn’t quite fit.” Then he asked in a low voice, “Miss, let me ask you this: you’ve studied abroad, your horizons should be broad. Why come to the Fu family? You must know—Tongwen could never marry you. He might not care about being mocked, but our family does.”

Second Master chuckled. “Big Brother, you’ve got three maids in your room already—still can’t see through the affairs of men and women? The girl came back with me. That shows her mind’s made up. She’s never even asked for status.”

Master Fu shot him a glance. “Tongwen is reckless, and you, Old Two, are foolish to follow along? You think she’s like a maid? If word gets out that Fourth Young Madam entered Third Brother’s courtyard, tell me—what respectable young lady would still be willing to marry into our family?” He turned to Shen Xi, speaking more softly. “Once he marries a proper wife, even if you want to stay, you won’t be able to. Since you’ve studied abroad, you could forge your own path. Why waste several years like this?”

Shen Xi’s hand, clutching the wide-brimmed hat, tightened.

What should she say? What would satisfy this man?

She was already standing before his father. If she were rejected now, it would mean every road was cut off. The opportunity was fleeting—no time for hesitation. “I had a child…” Her heart pounded. “With him. I want to stay by his side.”

She didn’t know what consequences those words would bring.

Since Second Master was already using her relationship with Fu Tongwen as a justification, she would follow through. A girl who had borne his child and followed him so resolutely—surely, no one would continue to doubt her.

The room fell into silence.

“Where is the child?” Old Master Fu finally spoke to her for the first time.

Shen Xi’s heart eased. She had said the right thing.

“…Gone,” her voice grew smaller, “in… New York.”

Master Fu chuckled softly. Which young master didn’t have a few romantic escapades? Even the one standing silently behind Shen Xi—Second Master Fu, known to be the most upright in the family—had once gotten involved in such affairs. Let alone Fu Tongwen, who had always been fond of women?

Had a child? So what?

But since their father had already spoken, he couldn’t say more and could only watch coldly from the side.

It felt like a blazing sun was beating down on Shen Xi’s forehead. Sweat began to bead on her skin.

After all, Master Fu was still Fu Tongwen’s biological father, and his thoughts were different from the eldest son’s.

He had always cherished his sons, but the one he could never control, the one most prone to stirring up trouble, was Fu Tongwen. Though a tiger does not eat its cubs, when that cub grows into a predator that endangers the rest, it must be guarded against.

Between one son and the two hundred members of the Fu household, the choice was obvious—sacrifice the former.

But in the past half month, hearing about the worsening situation in that courtyard had stirred some compassion in the old man’s heart. He began to recall all the good qualities Fu Tongwen once had. Now, hearing Shen Xi’s words, he felt a pang of regret for the child he would never meet.

Her words had tugged on the sliver of paternal feeling he still had for his third son.

Fu Tongwen was weak, reckless, hated restrictions, and had yet to leave behind an heir. For this girl to have once carried his child—that meant something. If there had been one, there might be another. It offered hope. No matter what, he was still his own flesh and blood; he couldn’t just let him rot away in that cage… If a woman could go and bring him some peace, so be it.

“Send her over,” Master Fu decided.

Shen Xi felt as though she had been pardoned. Her fingers, still clenching the brim of her hat, ached with strain. She had been too absorbed, waiting for that one sentence, that her joints had turned pale without her even realizing it.

Seeing that his father had agreed, the eldest son didn’t object any further. Just one girl—what trouble could she cause?

“Come with me,” he said to Shen Xi.

Second Master Fu stayed behind in the study to accompany their father. The eldest son walked out with his hands behind his back, called over their father’s trusted servant, and gave instructions to escort Shen Xi to Third Master’s residence. In front of the servants, he even mentioned that no woman had ever lived in that courtyard, so they should prepare some things for her.

Fu Tongwen was being guarded by their father’s men, and even the eldest son couldn’t intervene.

A servant took her suitcase, and Shen Xi bowed slightly to take her leave under Master Fu’s watchful eye.

“Who knows, I might end up calling you ‘sister-in-law’ someday,” he said with a low chuckle. “Heavy snow—walk carefully.”

Shen Xi nodded again. “Thank you, Master.”

She followed the servant carrying her suitcase, and she could feel Master Fu still watching her from behind. The snow had come down quickly; in just that short moment, it had already laid a thin blanket over the ground. When she stepped on it, the snow scattered, revealing yellow earth beneath.

They passed the main courtyard and walked alongside the servants’ quarters, down an unfamiliar narrow path.

The courtyard where Shen Xi had once stayed was very small, next to the back garden. She had never been to Fu Tongwen’s residence. The maids had only told her that it was diagonally opposite hers, quite far away. “Probably to avoid suspicion, that’s why they arranged for you to live over here,” the maid had guessed.

Now, she saw seven or eight attendants carrying guns, guarding a moon gate.

This must be the place… Her heart rose to her throat, unable to go up or down, as she stopped with the person who had escorted her. She listened to them speaking in low tones—likely saying that the master had sent a girl over, one who belonged to Third Master.

The lock was unfastened. One of the attendants even politely asked if she needed help bringing in her luggage.

Shen Xi shook her head and took the suitcase herself, walking up the three stone steps.

She stepped through the snow and, as she approached the hallway, heard the sound of the lock falling back into place behind her.

So this is how he’s lived these past months? Locked in, constantly guarded?

A maid sat behind the folding screen in the entryway, fanning a small fire and brewing medicine. Normally, medicine wouldn’t be boiled in this area, but since this was a place of soft confinement, and Third Master wasn’t one to fuss about rules, they had just made do like this.

The maid had never seen Shen Xi before and assumed she was someone sent by the master to deliver supplements.

“Just set it there.” The maid looked up, then froze in surprise.

“I’ll take it up. You keep an eye on the medicine,” the young man called out as he ran outside, only to freeze in place when he saw her. “Shen…” His mouth opened but no words came out for a moment. Then, shocked, he rushed over. “Miss Shen—how did you get in here?”

“Where is Third Master?” Shen Xi set down her suitcase, anxious. “Where is he?”

“Inside,” the boy’s eyes suddenly turned red. “He hasn’t come out in days.”

Shen Xi brushed past him.

“Miss Shen,” the boy called after her again, “we’re trapped here—”

“I know, I know…” Her eyes weren’t blind, nor were her ears deaf. She had clearly seen and heard everything in the study and outside the gate.

Leaving the boy and the maid behind, Shen Xi didn’t stop. Her steps quickened as she passed through the side hall, each one faster than the last, until she reached the main room. She stopped at the door. It was slightly ajar. Her hand rested on it, but she found she had no strength to push it open.

She could vaguely hear someone speaking inside, but the words were unclear.

Slowly, she pushed open the door. The main room was dim. Snow was falling outside, the sky grey and hazy, no light filtering through. With no lamps lit inside, and all the heavy rosewood furniture dark in color, the room looked even gloomier.

Directly in front of her was an empty luohan bed, and a small, delicate display stand held a single yellow wintersweet.

A voice came from behind the curtain on the left: “What time is it?”

Those few words exploded in her ears. Shen Xi’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears. She raised the back of her hand to cover her mouth and slowly lifted the curtain.

Tan Qingxiang had been about to leave the room when Fu Tongwen called out to him. Before he could respond, he saw Shen Xi. He was startled at first, but then relief washed over his face. He gave Shen Xi a meaningful look, silently telling her to stay in the room, and lifted the curtain to leave. Whatever questions he had, he left them behind.

Shen Xi’s shoes were dusted with snow, each step leaving behind wet footprints.

All the hardships of her journey, everything she had faced just moments ago—they vanished.

All she could see now was the person lying on the bed.

Fu Tongwen was in sleepwear, resting his head on his arm, eyes closed, as if time had lost all meaning to him.

Having shared the same bed with him for so long, Shen Xi could tell right away—he was unwell. When he wasn’t feeling well, he liked to rest his head on his arm like that. That hand was even habitually clenched into a fist—a posture of repressed pain and endurance.

She wanted to go over, to hold his wrist, to check his pulse.

But her body was frozen in place. She couldn’t move a single step.

Her eyes were clouded with tears, and she didn’t dare blink—for fear that if she did, he would vanish.

She felt like she was back in that cramped train car packed with hundreds of people, unable to move an inch.

Fu Tongwen seemed to be struggling to breathe, as though he had sensed something. His face shifted slightly from his arm. With effort, he pushed himself upright. As he turned his body, the brocade quilt fell away—and he saw her.

The sky was dark. Snow fell beyond the window. In the dim light, the girl stood silently, framed by swirling snow…

Their eyes met. Everything was still. Not a single sound.

He lowered his head and smiled.

Then, gathering his strength, he took a slow breath and said, softly, with a wry smile, “If you keep crying like that, your Third Brother’s heart won’t be able to take it.”

He was teasing her—because he couldn’t bear to see the tears on her face.

_{What kind of family is this? What kind of time it was? It’s always hard to find something like freedom, whichever country is it or whatever kind of freedom is it.}