There was no question of Qiu Huaixin being short of money; even if he were to receive only thirty percent of the family's assets after the division, he would not have accepted Madam Wu's personal property.
He had expected Madam Wu to resort to hysterics to defend Wu shi, and Qiu Huaixin had already prepared his refusal. However, Madam Wu did not plead for Wu shi in the slightest, instead acting with such magnanimity and grace that it made Qiu Huaixin feel a pang of guilt.
Qiu Huaixin picked up the brocade box from the table and personally returned it to Madam Wu. "You are too kind, Madam. Brother Chen is my nephew, and I believe he will understand when he grows up. Please take these things back, and hand them over to Brother Chen yourself in the future."
After much persuasion, Madam Wu had to let Baolian take the box back. Her wrinkled hands gripped Qiu Huaixin's wrist, and Madam Wu pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Even if Zi Xian has made a thousand mistakes, she is still my daughter. Huaixin, I only beg to see this unfilial daughter in prison."
Seeing the sorrow suppressed in Madam Wu's eyes, Qiu Huaixin could not refuse and agreed to let Madam Wu visit Wu shi in prison.
Zhan Feiyu, who had witnessed the entire scene from beginning to end, once again admired Madam Wu's methods. Truly, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. This act of weakness had completely overwhelmed Qiu Huaixin.
"Wu shi will likely not survive tonight," Zhan Feiyu murmured, holding her hand warmer. The Wu family would surely not withstand the Qiu family's retaliation. The best way to resolve this crisis would be for Wu shi to bear all the blame alone.
...
With sharp eyes, Qian Momo saw Qiu Huaixin approaching through the opened gate and quickly said, "Madam, Third Young Master is here."
Upon hearing this, Baolian also hurried to help Madam Wu alight from the carriage. Madam Wu had not uttered a single word of complaint throughout the bumpy journey, and Baolian, as a servant, dared not voice her own hardship.
After the news of Wu shi's arrest reached the Wu family, not only the masters were anxious and worried, but the servants were also in a state of panic. If the Qiu family retaliated, their Wu family would also be in danger.
Qiu Huaixin had met Madam Wu several times before and had visited the Wu family. He had also paraded through the streets with the younger generation of the Wu family. At that time, Madam Wu had a kind face and treated the younger generation with exceptional generosity.
But now, standing at the entrance of the separate courtyard, Qiu Huaixin looked at Madam Wu alighting from the carriage. She was the same person, but her aged appearance made Qiu Huaixin almost disbelieve his eyes. It was as if she had aged more than ten years overnight, transforming from a vibrant old lady into a withered woman with one foot in the grave.
"Huaixin, it is my fault for not teaching my daughter properly," Madam Wu said in a hoarse voice, shaking off Qian Momo's supporting hand and staggering forward a few steps.
"Madam, be careful of your footing!" Qiu Huaixin rushed forward and stopped Madam Wu, who was about to kneel before him.
Her lips trembled slightly, and Madam Wu's wrinkled hand grasped Qiu Huaixin's. The apology died in her throat, and only her tear-filled eyes looked at Qiu Huaixin with guilt and self-reproach.
Zhan Feiyu stood in the corner, holding her hand warmer, and observed the helpless and uneasy Qiu Huaixin, whispering to He Nuan, "The older the ginger, the spicier it is."
"Third Young Master has little experience," He Nuan calmly agreed. Third Young Master was the youngest son of Lord Qiu, and all his peers followed his lead. The elders were all kind and benevolent, and he had never encountered the wickedness of human nature.
It was understandable that Third Young Master could not handle Madam Wu's display of weakness. If Lord Qiu or Madam Qiu were present today, Madam Wu's act of feigned weakness would have been completely ineffective.
The wind was biting in early winter, and Qiu Huaixin could not bear to stand in the wind, let alone Madam Wu.
A quarter of an hour later, the charcoal stove in the main hall of the separate courtyard was lit, and hot tea was served.
Zhan Feiyu shamelessly sat aside with her hand warmer, ignoring Qiu Huaixin's pleading gaze.
Perhaps it was the warmth of the room that finally restored some of Madam Wu's spirit. As for Zhan Feiyu, the "bystander," Madam Wu could only pretend not to see her. Today, she was there to see Qiu Huaixin, who was seated in the main seat.
"Zi Xian is my youngest daughter. I, her mother, did not discipline her well, which led Zi Xian to commit such a grave mistake. Now, for a white-haired person to send off a black-haired one is what I deserve," Madam Wu said, her voice regaining its normal tone, though her face remained pale. Her posture was upright, and her expression and voice had returned to normal, unlike her frail state at the entrance.
Madam Wu looked at Qiu Huaixin, and her old face, beneath its silver hair, once again showed self-blame and guilt. "Whatever fate awaits Zi Xian is what she deserves. Huaixin, I have come here presumptuously today for Brother Chen."
Baolian placed the wooden box she had been holding in her arms on the table next to Qiu Huaixin, then retreated to stand behind Madam Wu.
"Huaixin, you don't need to rush to refuse," Madam Wu said first, her voice catching with emotion, likely thinking of Wu shi. However, this vulnerability lasted only for a moment.
Madam Wu explained, "The land deeds, property deeds, and bank notes in this wooden box are my personal property. Before coming, I had already divided these assets into two. If Brother Chen does not hold a grudge in the future, please pass this half of the assets to him on my behalf; it will be my compensation to him as his maternal grandmother. If, in the future, Huaixin resents you for Zi Xian's actions, or even takes action, these assets will be my compensation to you on behalf of that unfilial daughter."