Chapter 100: A Heart of Pure Ice Cherishing Time (Part One)

The matriarch finally acknowledged her! Chu Xiu’s tears flowed uncontrollably like rain, yet the word “mother” remained lodged in her throat, unable to escape. After waiting for so long, longing for so long, the true head of the Yun family had finally accepted her as her daughter-in-law.

“Foolish child, why are you crying?” The matriarch’s gaze was gentle, tinged with a hint of regret. “Now that I think about it, if I had not been so stubborn back then, preventing you and Ci’er from being together, perhaps the ending would have been very different…”

Chu Xiu shook her head, sobbing so much that she was speechless.

Seeing this, the matriarch sighed again. “Don’t cry. I just remembered something important I need to tell you.”

Hearing this, Chu Xiu quickly wiped her tears and moved forward to listen respectfully.

The matriarch lowered her head, seeming to ponder, then looked up and said, “Earlier, you mentioned wanting to end all the business dealings in Beixi and divide the family assets right away, but the third brother opposed you. You know, he has been managing some of the businesses, so naturally, he is reluctant to give up that money.”

“Businessmen should be cautious. I still don’t fully understand the Yun family’s true holdings. If I did, perhaps I too would be reluctant,” Chu Xiu said tactfully, defending Yun Xian.

The matriarch smiled faintly. “The third brother knows somewhat about the Yun family’s assets, but not with certainty.” She paused briefly before continuing, “If all the businesses in Beixi were to cease, they would actually account for only about ten to twenty percent of the Yun family’s wealth.”

“Only ten to twenty percent?” Chu Xiu couldn’t help but whisper in astonishment. She had thought the Beixi businesses made up at least thirty, maybe even forty percent of the Yun estate.

The matriarch’s face was serious, not joking. “In the past, we had many dealings with the Beixi Canal Guild. The silver earned years ago was transported back via waterways. But starting two years ago, the guild’s power grew, and forces from the northern and southern royal clans began to secretly control it. I feared losses along the route, so I ceased contact.”

She straightened her back, proud of her foresight. “That means what remains in Beixi are only the earnings from the past three years, not much. This matter was handled discreetly; besides me and Yun Zhong, only Ci’er knew.”

“Heavens!” Chu Xiu found it hard to believe. To secretly transport such large sums of silver without anyone noticing… how much effort and concealment must that have required! Truly foresight! And it greatly minimized the harm political unrest in Beixi could have brought the Yun family.

Yet if only ten to twenty percent of the money was left in Beixi, how could the clan members be satisfied? How could they remain obedient?

As if reading her thoughts, the matriarch smiled knowingly. “Rest assured, even that ten to twenty percent is enough to make hundreds of Beixi clan members envious. Moreover, over the years, many have been lining their own pockets; we have turned a blind eye, thinking it would satisfy their appetites. I hold all the leverage. Anyone who dares to complain about their share being too small will be the first to be dealt with according to clan rules.”

With both kindness and authority, the matriarch left Chu Xiu with nothing to say but admiration.

Just then, the matriarch suddenly narrowed her eyes and pointed at the floor tiles. “The Yun family’s centuries-old foundation, aside from today’s business income and the money house, rests securely in two places.”

She lowered her voice, beckoning Chu Xiu closer, and whispered, “One is beneath the garden of Rongjin Hall, and the other is… within the lotus pond of Jing Garden.”

Such a vast garden as Rongjin Hall had an underground cellar? Storing countless silver and jewels? No wonder the matriarch never left the garden’s side…

And the Jing Garden lotus pond—wasn’t that a desolate place? Xia Yanran had drowned there, and Chu Xiu herself had once played the zither in Jing Garden. It now seemed there was more to it than met the eye… Perhaps beneath the thick mud of that pond lay a hidden mechanism guarding a treasure!

No wonder the entire Marquis of Lixin’s estate was heavily guarded, yet Jing Garden remained deserted. It seemed the matriarch deliberately let the garden fall into neglect to avoid drawing attention.

Chu Xiu was unsure how to feel after hearing all this. Joyful that the matriarch truly accepted her, willing even to reveal secrets vital to the Yun family’s lifeblood; amazed that the Yun family’s supposed “wealth rivaling a nation” was no exaggeration. She had previously studied the accounts with Yun Ci and managed the household finances, believing she roughly understood the Yun family’s fortune, yet now realized she had severely underestimated it.

“Do you know why, for centuries, both Beixi and Nanxi have fiercely sought to win us over?” the matriarch asked softly.

Chu Xiu nodded, half understanding.

“The Yun family’s reputation and ties to the three families are important, but it is our wealth that both nations covet,” the matriarch said, suddenly radiating pride and imposing authority. “To say we are as wealthy as a nation is no exaggeration; maintaining a military unit is easy for us. Years ago, with just a flick of the Marquis of Lixin’s finger, the entire nation’s economic lifeline could be severed…”

“Unfortunately…” the matriarch sighed. “The clan members are no longer as obedient as before. Too many pay lip service but disobey orders. The two nations cannot touch the Marquis of Lixin’s estate, but they have courted many powerful branch families.”

At this, the matriarch looked meaningfully at Chu Xiu. “Though you are talented, these waters run deep. Current politics, business dealings, accounts, relationships—every detail is significant. You can imagine how I have endured these past ten years, how Ci’er has managed as heir, and how he toils after inheriting the title.”

Though her tone was calm, Chu Xiu sensed an unspoken loneliness and hardship. An orphaned woman guarding the vast Yun estate, beset by external threats and internal worries—how she persevered was unimaginable.

No wonder after Yun Ci inherited the title, he spent his days in the Quiet Mind Study—he was truly burdened.

“Rest assured, from now on, I will stay by your side.” Chu Xiu could only offer these words from her heart.

The matriarch smiled with relief and nodded. “You may leave now. Remember to rest and not overwork yourself. Some harmless gossip should be ignored. If you fuss over every little thing, you’ll drive yourself mad.”

“I understand.” Chu Xiu acknowledged humbly, then inquired after the matriarch’s health before withdrawing gracefully.

*****

Three days later, an order swiftly spread from the Marquis of Lixin’s estate to all parts of Beixi, causing an uproar. The Yun clan members looked upon this suddenly appearing widow with disdain, contempt, and even scorn.

In their eyes, Chu Xiu was merely a low-born servant who had climbed to the position of stepmother through the posthumous son. How could they accept her orders? And yet, the mandate was a “red-sealed order,” the highest, most important, and most unchallengeable command of the Yun family. Any defiance allowed branch families to execute first and report later.

Overnight, the name “Madam Chu Xiu” became known far and wide. Some cursed her, some praised her, some watched cautiously, some remained uncertain. But one thing was clear—another iron-willed matriarch was rising in the Yun family.

Though the matriarch said nothing openly, her actions—entrusting Chu Xiu with household finances and authorizing the red-sealed order—made it clear: Chu Xiu was being groomed as the Yun family’s next head matron.

The rumor spread quickly: Madam Chu Xiu would emulate her mother-in-law, Lady Xie, ruling the Yun family like a hen leading her brood.

Among Beixi Yun clan members, opinions were divided. Yet the Minzhou branch, led by Yun Tan, was the first to obey the red-sealed order. Within two months, all businesses under their jurisdiction ceased and the family assets were properly divided. Who took over the money house, who took the rice shop, who took the Yun brocade estate, who took the land—some took cash, some goods, some deeds—everything was clearly settled with little dispute.

Seeing Minzhou’s example, other branches realized that ending business and dividing assets would grant them considerable wealth, so they began to follow suit, even exchanging letters with Yun Tan, seeking advice on the division process.

Time passed swiftly amid the disputes over Chu Xiu. Throughout, the matriarch watched silently behind the scenes, neither questioning nor supporting, as if vanished, avoiding visitors.

Nearly four months had passed, and the year’s end approached. Seventy percent of the Yun family’s business in Beixi had ended or was winding down, with about thirty percent awaiting the new year. It was said that a few bloodied conflicts had occurred over the divisions, with some branch members killed, but no major bloodshed.

Still, despite this, Chu Xiu found it hard to shake off the blame and curses.

*****

“Cheng’er, your archery is now even more accurate than mine!” Shen Yu and Yun Cheng returned from the Yun estate’s rear garden archery range, both clad in sturdy clothes and drenched in sweat, yet looking spirited and lively without a trace of fatigue.

In the Zhi Yan Pavilion, all the teas had gone cold. Qian Yun moved in and out with several young maids serving, then sent someone to report to Chu Xiu.

“Uncle’s archery is precise; I’ve only learned the basics, so I dare not show off,” Yun Cheng said modestly, wiping sweat from his brow and sipping cold tea.

Shen Yu smiled at Yun Cheng with an indescribable sentiment. Fate truly exists—otherwise, how could Yun Cheng resemble Yun Ci so closely, despite their distant bloodline? Shen Yu seemed to see the young Yun Ci again, though clearly the nine-year-old Yun Cheng was healthier and sturdier.

It was a compensation for Yun Ci’s frailty! For this reason, Shen Yu devoted himself to teaching Yun Cheng, eager to pass on all his martial skills to his heir, who was not only Yun Ci’s successor but also Han Chu’s support and hope.

When Chu Xiu entered, she saw the two laughing and chatting, unconcerned by their soaked clothes. Yun Cheng humbly asked Shen Yu about some moves, and Shen Yu patiently explained, completely unlike his usual careless or deeply sentimental demeanor. He truly looked like a proper elder.

For a moment, Chu Xiu felt dazed, reluctant to disturb this uncle-and-nephew scene. She thought she was witnessing a tender father-son moment.

Wait—father and son! The very thought startled her!