ROHYX Chapter 634 : Conflict (3)

Heir worries sour Uncle Huo; Yuxi empowers Tu Shi; Chen Shi’s son and Fu Qingluo’s fates uncertain; Uncle Huo meets Yuxi face to face.

Everyone around Huo Changqing could see that he was in a bad mood. Xu Daniu wondered, puzzledly, "What's wrong with the Old Master? He's been frowning for no reason these past few days."

Xu Wu shook his head. "I don't know either." In truth, he knew exactly why Huo Changqing had been upset lately, but he just couldn't understand it.

Xu Daniu suggested, "Big brother, you should go and ask him! It's not good for the Old Master to keep acting like this. People who don't know might think something bad has happened."

Xu Wu countered, "What could possibly be wrong? Don't let your imagination run wild. You'd be better off using this time to learn a few characters!" Xu Daniu was illiterate. Back when Yuxi taught them to read and write, he only learned how to write his own name. But that was it—he never wanted to study again afterwards.

Xu Daniu felt as though someone had grabbed him by the throat; he couldn't utter a word.

Although Xu Wu did not soften his words or demeanour¹ when facing Xu Daniu, he was actually very anxious inside. That evening, he summoned up his courage to talk to Huo Changqing about it: "Yifu², do you have other plans for Zaozao?" Having served Huo Changqing's side for years, Xu Wu was sure there was a deeper reason for his actions and that he was not just making things difficult for Madam.

Huo Changqing replied, "This is none of your concern."

Xu Wu felt like crying³ and said, "Yifu², many people in the household have noticed your mood lately. If you have something on your mind, you should talk to Madam directly. If this continues, it won't just be bad for the two of you but for the entire Yun household, too. Yifu², this is a special time—we can't afford even the slightest mistake." He was afraid that, if things continued as they were, Yuxi would fall out⁴ with Huo Changqing. They were both extremely important to the General. If they fell out with each other, the one who would suffer most in the end would surely be the General.

Huo Changqing refused Xu Wu's request, saying, "I know what I'm doing."

Although Yuxi was in the inner courtyard, she was also well aware of Huo Changqing's state. Unable to make sense of it, she consulted Mama Qu, "Everything was fine before. I don't know why Uncle Huo's attitude has changed so much lately." Though Xu Wu said it was because Huo Changqing felt lonely in his old age and wanted Zaozao to keep him company, Yuxi didn't believe it. That wouldn't be a convincing reason if he had only started feeling lonely because Yun Qing had left. The problem wasn't physical or psychological—Yuxi really couldn't figure out what the issue was.

Mama Qu thought more deeply. "Madam, do you think the Old Master is giving you a hard time on purpose because he knows you won't be able to have children for the next five years?"

Yuxi quickly understood and asked, "You mean Uncle Huo wants Yun Qing to take a concubine and have children?" Then she shook her head. "No, Huo Changqing wouldn't do something like that." Although Huo Changqing had been acting strangely lately, she still didn't want to think badly of him.

Mama Qu said, "Madam, though Huo Changqing treated you well before, that was because you could help the General. Now that your body is injured and you won't be able to conceive for the next five years, the General will be thirty by then. For the sake of the Yun family bloodline, it wouldn't be surprising if Huo Changqing started to think this way." Ensuring the continuation of the family line was of the utmost importance to every family.

When Yuxi remained silent, Mama Qu added, "Madam, people's hearts can change so easily—it's not just the Old Master." Mama Qu spoke very subtly. The Old Master changing his face wasn't a big deal; what she feared most was Yun Qing doing the same. That was why she wanted Yuxi to be more cautious and not naively believe everything Yun Qing said. Otherwise, the one who would suffer a loss in the end would still be Madam.

Yuxi wasn't foolish—how could she not hear the meaning behind those words? "Mama Qu, I don't believe Uncle Huo is that kind of person." Though her words could cut nails and slice iron⁵, in truth, Yuxi wasn't so sure. The timing of Huo Changqing's change in attitude was just too much of a coincidence.

Mama Qu felt she couldn't let Yuxi continue like this—otherwise, Yuxi would definitely suffer a serious loss. "Madam, when there's no conflict of interest, it's all 'you're good, I'm good, everyone's good'. But the moment interests clash, their true colours show in a heartbeat. Madam..."

Yuxi interrupted Mama Qu by saying, "There's no need to discuss this further." She couldn't afford to have a conflict with Huo Changqing at a time like this. Otherwise, it would be all too easy for others to exploit the situation.

Mama Qu became dispirited.

In the afternoon, Er Nainai⁶ Zhao came over. Yuxi was puzzled as to why she hadn't sent word ahead, but her confusion disappeared once she saw her.

When Er Nainai⁶ Zhao saw Yuxi, tears streamed down her face. After crying her fill, she took the towel from Gancao and wiped her face, saying, "This is just too much bullying."

Yuxi asked, "Is your Dasao⁷ bullying you again?" Though Tu Shi had a good temperament, she just couldn't get along with Ping Shi. Their relationship as sisters-in-law was extremely strained.

Er Nainai⁶ Zhao nodded. "Before, she would always give me dirty looks, but I tolerated it because she's the eldest daughter-in-law! I didn't expect that today because of something to do with Hua Shi, she actually pointed at my nose and called me a hen that cannot lay eggs⁸! What did she mean by that? Are Ziyao and Jingyao supposed to have sprung out of cracks in the rocks⁹?"

Yuxi recalled what Mama Qu had said, and her heart sank. Now, she was truly experiencing the pressure of not having a son. "You just let her insult you like that? Didn't you fight back?"

Tu Shi replied, "If I keep putting up with this, Ziyao and Jingyao will both end up being trampled by her into ruin¹⁰." It was one thing for her to endure some mistreatment herself, but she wouldn't allow Ping Shi to trample all over her daughters.

Yuxi hummed in agreement as she said, "From now on, you have to be just like you were today — don't let her bully you at all. Otherwise, she'll only get even more out of hand."

Upon hearing these words, Er Nainai⁶ Zhao suddenly became dejected. "Well, she's the eldest daughter-in-law and has two sons—what can I do?" It wasn't that Er Nainai⁶ Zhao didn't want to argue with her Dasao⁷; she simply lacked the confidence to do so.

Yuxi had long known the problem lay with Er Nainai⁶ Zhao, but she usually preferred to stay out of domestic disputes. Today, however, was different—Ping Shi's words had touched her reverse scale¹¹. "If you ask me, it's because you're too weak. You don't owe her anything, so why let her treat you like that?" If Madam Zhao resented Tu Shi for not giving her a grandson, well, there were plenty of mothers-in-law who tormented their daughters-in-law over such things. And, since tradition was on their side, it was difficult for others to intervene. But Ping Shi was just the eldest sister-in-law—what the hell did Tu Shi's inability to bear a son have to do with her?

Seeing the conflicted look on Tu Shi's face, Yuxi knew that reasoning with her wouldn't work, so it was time to administer a strong dose of medicine¹². "Ping Shi called you a hen that can't lay eggs⁸. Clearly, in her eyes, Ziyao and Jingyao are worth nothing. No matter which household you're in, the servants always choose the plate based on the dish¹³. If Ping Shi doesn't respect the three of you, naturally, the servants won't either. If a mother can't protect her children, isn't that a disgrace to motherhood?" These words carried a hint of provocation.

A mother becomes strong for her children—this time, Ping Shi had touched Tu Shi's reverse scale¹¹, provoking her to fight back. Tu Shi said, "You're right. For the sake of Ziyao and Jingyao, I can't let her bully me like this anymore." If she couldn't even protect her daughters, what kind of mother would she be? Having thought it through, Er Nainai⁶ Zhao felt much better.

Yuxi changed the subject by asking, "You visited Chen Shi two days ago—how is she?" What Mama Qu had said had shaken Yuxi. Huo Changqing held a special place in Yun Qing's life, and if he really intended to arrange a concubine for Yun Qing, it would be difficult for her to resolve.

At the mention of this, Er Nainai⁶ Zhao shook her head. "It's been five days since the baby was born, but Chen Shi's face is still as pale as paper. She runs out of breath after just a few words. She really gave it her all to deliver that son." Seeing Chen Shi like that had left her deeply shaken. She was truly glad she had heeded Yuxi's advice and not tried to conceive again so soon.

Yuxi asked, "How's the child?"

Er Nainai⁶ Zhao said she hadn't seen the child herself. "I didn't see him, but heard he was not eating and had a fever yesterday." Then, in a lowered voice, she added, "I think the child might be too weak to survive. If he doesn't make it, do you think Chen Shi will…" She didn't say the words, 'may not make it either', but she trusted that Yuxi would understand.

Yuxi couldn't really say for sure that would happen.

Speaking of the Fu family, one naturally couldn't leave out Fu Qingluo. Er Nainai⁶ Zhao said, "I heard Fu Qingluo and her bandit husband were both killed by Imperial Soldiers."

Yuxi held a different opinion, though. "There are lots of forests and hills in Nancheng—maybe Fu Qingluo and her husband escaped and are hiding there." Yang Duoming was such a clever man that he was unlikely to die easily. Perhaps she would even see him soon.

Er Nainai⁶ Zhao added, "If General Fu hadn't forced that marriage back then, she wouldn't have ended up as a bandit's wife." Fate really played such cruel tricks!

Yuxi smiled and said, "No one can really predict how things will turn out." Fu Qingluo had become the wife of a bandit, while Yuxi herself was now the wife of a rebel and traitor.

Er Nainai⁶ Zhao also realised she had misspoken—Yun Qing had rebelled, and her own husband was now an accomplice. "Yuxi, I've been out for a while. I should get going."

Yuxi didn't try to stop her and got up to see her off. At the courtyard gate, she saw Huo Changqing. She smiled and said, "Uncle Huo, Zaozao is playing in the side room." Thankfully, customs were more relaxed in the northwest. If they had been in the capital, not even male elders would have been allowed to enter the women's quarters so casually.

Er Nainai⁶ Zhao didn't give this scene much thought.

At the second gate, Yuxi reminded her, "Tu Jiejie¹⁴, remember this saying: 'A kind person gets bullied, a tame horse gets ridden¹⁵'."

Tu Shi wasn't a weak person. She hadn't stood up to Ping Shi all these years because of her lack of confidence and fear of Madam Zhao's rebuke. However, as Ping Shi had become increasingly overbearing, Tu Shi was no longer willing to tolerate it. "Don't worry, I won't give in to her again." If she did, Ping Shi would ride on her head and act like an overlord¹⁶. It was fine if she was the only one who suffered, but she couldn't let her daughters face the same thing.

As soon as Yuxi entered her courtyard, she saw Huo Changqing standing there. Judging by his appearance, she knew he wasn't there to see Zaozao, so Yuxi asked directly, "Uncle Huo, is something the matter?"

Huo Changqing nodded. "I want to have a word with you."

Yuxi nodded and led Huo Changqing into the study. There was no more secure place than the study when discussing serious matters.

Footnotes Full List

1. 不假辞色 (bù jiǎ cí sè) – an idiom meaning to remain strict or unyielding in attitude.
2. 义父(yìfù) adoptive father
3. 想哭了 (xiǎng kū le) – an emotional metaphor for frustration.
4. 闹翻 (nàofān) – an idiom meaning 'have a serious disagreement'.
5. 斩钉截铁 (zhǎndīngjiétiě) – an idiom meaning 'resolute and decisive'.
6. 二 èr = two, 奶奶 nǎinai = (respectful) mistress of the house
7. 大嫂 dàsǎo: eldest brother's wife; sister-in-law
8. "不会下蛋的母鸡" (bù huì xià dàn de mǔ jī) is a harsh, derogatory metaphor used to insult someone (traditionally a woman) as useless or unproductive.
9. "石头缝里蹦出来的 (shítou fèng lǐ bèng chūlái de)" literally translates to 'sprang out of cracks in the rocks'. This figurative expression describes someone whose origins are unknown, mysterious, or seemingly without any background or support. It implies that they appeared suddenly and unexpectedly, as if from nowhere.
10. 糟践起来 (zāojian qǐlái) is used when someone is starting to seriously mistreat others or desecrate something of value.
11. This phrase 触到逆鳞 (chù dào nìlín), comes from a Chinese legend in which dragons have one scale (逆鳞) that grows backwards — touching it provokes their fury. The figurative meaning is to touch someone's most sensitive spot, to provoke their intense anger, or to offend them deeply. It refers to something that is absolutely forbidden or will trigger a violent reaction.
12. 下重药 (xià zhòng yào) – "Administer strong medicine" – a metaphor for using harsh but necessary measures.
13. The Chinese idiom "看菜下碟" (kàn cài xià dié) describes discriminatory behaviour where someone treats people differently based on their status/wealth.
14. 姐姐 jiějie = literally means elder sister, but in this context, it is a term of respect for an older or senior female.
15. The proverb 人善被人欺马善被人骑 (rén shàn bèi rén qī, mǎ shàn bèi rén qí) warns that excessive kindness or meekness invites exploitation.
16. The idiom 骑到头上作威作福 (qí dào tóu shàng zuò wēi zuò fú) means to take undue advantage of someone's weakness or tolerance, to lord it over someone in an overbearing and presumptuous way. It implies a severe abuse of power and a complete lack of respect for the other person.

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