That night, Jia Fu slept with Madam Meng. Held in her mother’s embrace, she curled up in her warm arms, just like returning to her childhood days.

The events of these past few days had taken unexpected turns, with darkness giving way to light. Just this morning, when that servant woman from the Pei family caught up to them and invited her mother back to resume marriage discussions, for a moment she thought everything had returned to the beginning. Her heart sank rapidly, but she never expected that in the next moment, her mother would speak up and reject Madam Xin’s friendly overture.

Jia Fu understood her mother well. Cultured and refined, gentle and virtuous, well-versed in women’s teachings, when her father was alive, he had been her mother’s whole world. After her father passed away, her mother was obedient and submissive before her strong-willed grandmother, never questioning or resisting in the slightest. And from Jia Fu’s earliest memories, she too had been raised with these same expectations from her mother.

She hugged her mother tightly: “Mother, you refused them today. If Grandmother blames you when we return, I’ll stand with you!”

“Silly child, what does this have to do with you? If your grandmother wants to blame someone, let her blame me. I’m not afraid. I’ve seen clearly that such a family, no matter how high their status, is not a good match for you. I wouldn’t be at ease letting you marry into that household.”

Jia Fu’s nose tingled with emotion as she pressed her face against her mother’s bosom, closing her eyes and murmuring: “Mother, you’re so good to me.”

Madam Meng smiled, stroking her daughter’s soft black hair spread across the pillow, seemingly catching a whiff of the milky scent she had emitted as a child in her arms.

“In my life, I have nothing else but the hope that you and your brother do well. As long as you both are fine, I am perfectly content.”

Her mother’s words, gentle yet not lacking in strength, accompanied Jia Fu throughout a night of peaceful sleep.

Since returning from Xishan Temple, this was her most restful night in a long time. When she finally woke the next day, the sun was already high, and her mother was no longer beside her. Tan Xiang said that the Madam had risen early to direct the servants in packing, preparing to depart for Quanzhou in the next few days.

After washing and dressing, Jia Fu went to help her mother.

This trip to the capital had originally been planned to last several months, to spend the New Year here. Therefore, they brought along all the necessary items and utensils. Just the trunks of clothing alone numbered more than ten. They had only finished arranging everything properly two days ago, and now everything had to be packed up again. Steward Zhang Da and Mama Liu led the servants, each handling indoor and outdoor matters respectively. They were all bustling about, and three days passed in the blink of an eye. There was no further movement from Madam Xin’s side.

In Madam Xin’s view, her taking the initiative to propose the marriage again had already been an enormous condescension. She never expected to be rejected by Madam Meng, and suffer such an embarrassment. She felt both shame and anger and had barely shown her face these days. Only Pei Xiuzhi had come once, seemingly still trying to salvage the situation.

Perhaps due to the recent mental and physical exhaustion, coupled with the busyness, Madam Meng caught a cold yesterday. When she heard that Pei Xiuzhi had come, she still personally received him, reiterating that her family’s status was too low to aspire to such a match. After an exchange of polite conversation, she courteously saw Pei Xiuzhi off.

Afterward, Mama Liu gossiped to Jia Fu, saying that when the Young Master Pei left, he looked utterly dejected, quite pitiful indeed. It was a shame; if not for the interference of his former mother-in-law from the Song family, he was not a bad match, being quite talented and handsome.

Jia Fu listened and smiled faintly.

Indeed, if not for her personal experience, how could she possibly believe that such a husband, who had seemed to love her so deeply, would twice give her away to other men?

Under the pressure of power and status, Pei Xiuzhi was nothing but a spineless man who would kneel at the slightest provocation.

After that visit, Pei Xiuzhi didn’t appear again. According to the Second Madam Meng from the Pei family who came to visit, his secret coming to the Zhen family was discovered by Madam Xin, who scolded him and forbade him from coming again.

Madam Meng of the Pei family had indeed been diligent in her visits these days. Not only did she bring various tidbits of news to the recuperating Madam Meng, but she also eagerly helped with arrangements, pointing out which local specialties in the capital were worth buying as gifts to take home. She was also warm and affectionate toward Jia Fu, showing no signs of any past grievances.

Madam Meng had always been kind to others. Although her heart had grown cold due to recent events, she was, after all, dealing with her sister. Since Madam Meng of the Pei family had taken the initiative to change her attitude, naturally Madam Meng wouldn’t keep her at a distance. The sisterly relationship appeared to have returned to its former harmony.

Tomorrow, the Zhen family would leave the capital. In the evening, the Second Madam came again in her carriage, smiling. This time she came on the orders of the Old Madam, bringing gifts for Jia Fu. She said that although Jia Fu had come to the capital to pay respects for her birthday, she had suffered needless alarm. Now that she was leaving, these gifts were to calm her spirit and wish her a smooth journey home.

Madam Meng was genuinely grateful to the Old Madam. Today she finally felt that things had been resolved satisfactorily and thought that she should personally bring her two children to kowtow and bid farewell to the elderly lady. However, because of the recent incident, simply going over might be awkward. She had been pondering whether to send a card first to test the waters, but unexpectedly, the Old Madam had sent her sister first. Feeling both grateful and ashamed, she said: “When you return, Sister, please ask if I may bring my children to kowtow to the Old Madam.”

The Second Madam smiled and said: “The Old Madam anticipated this and specifically told me to inform you that she appreciates the thought but that you need not make a special trip to kowtow. You’re leaving tomorrow, and surely have many things to attend to tonight. It’s better to rest early and conserve your energy. Besides, the Old Madam has her matters to attend to.”

Madam Meng asked what matters, and the Second Madam replied: “Tomorrow is the death anniversary of Empress Duanhui Yuan. Every year on this day, the Old Madam holds a Buddhist ceremony for her at Ci’en Temple. A few days ago, didn’t she personally visit there? That was to instruct the monks to make thorough preparations, ensuring nothing would be lacking. The eldest son from the main branch who recently returned, who has been in the Southwest for years, was originally planning to leave a few days ago but is now staying to complete the ceremony for his aunt before departing…”

She leaned close to Madam Meng’s ear and lowered her voice: “If we’re talking about the Old Madam showing favoritism, she favors that deceased elder sister the most. Year after year, without fail. Well, it makes sense – a daughter from the family who became Empress. If only her fate hadn’t been so thin that she couldn’t sustain her fortune if she had lived long enough to give birth to a prince, who knows who would be in charge now!”

Her tone was full of regret and disappointment.

The Second Madam implied that if the Empress had given birth to a prince, given her position as Empress and Emperor Tianxi’s love for her, her son would certainly have been named Crown Prince. The Crown Prince would have inherited the throne smoothly, and there would never have been the matter of the Young Emperor or Prince Shun’an becoming Emperor. The Pei family would not have declined to their current state.

Since this touched on court matters, Madam Meng responded vaguely. The Second Madam also dropped the subject and spoke of other things before rising to take her leave, saying that if she had time tomorrow morning, she would bring her son to see them off. Madam Meng firmly declined and then called her children to accompany her in seeing off the Second Madam, instructing her to convey her thanks to the Old Madam.

The night passed without further conversation. The next day, leaving two trusted old servants to watch over the house, the rest of the Zhen family busily prepared to leave the capital. Although they had risen early, and many items had been moved the previous day, by the time all personal belongings were loaded onto the boat, it was already late. With just a quarter of an hour left before the hour of Si, they were ready to depart when they discovered that Zhen Yaoting was not on the boat. His servant was there, however, and when questioned by Madam Meng, he said: “The young master left early this morning and instructed me to tell you, Madam, that if he hasn’t returned by the time of departure, you should wait for him. As for where the young master went, he didn’t tell me.”

Madam Meng didn’t want to stay a moment longer, and she was eager to return to Quanzhou before the end of the year. That’s why she insisted on leaving today, despite not having fully recovered. Now, with her son missing, she had no choice but to delay. She sent people to search nearby areas, but after looking everywhere he might be, there was still no sign of him. Her initial irritation gradually turned to anxiety. Knowing that the siblings had always been close, she asked Jia Fu if she knew where her brother might have gone so early.

Jia Fu had been pondering this very question. Finally, she remembered something.

Two days ago, her brother had sought her out, furtively pulling her to a secluded corner. After much hemming and hawing, he finally revealed that he wanted her to somehow call Yu Zhu, who served the Old Madam, outside. He said that since they were about to leave, he had something he wanted to tell her.

Jia Fu realized that her brother had developed feelings for Yu Zhu. But this brother of hers, though already eighteen, was still quite immature. He often hung around with a group of young gentlemen in Quanzhou, familiar with the lifestyle of “leaning against oblique bridges on horseback while red sleeves beckon from all the buildings” – he had seen it all and found nothing strange. As for his studies, it was hopeless. He also showed little interest in business. In truth, his sole desire was to join the fleet and set sail. As the Zhen family’s only son, how could his grandmother and mother let him board a ship? They had previously arranged a marriage for him, hoping to settle him down through family life. The wedding was supposed to take place early this year, but unfortunately, the bride passed away prematurely, delaying the marriage. He remained carefree and unconcerned, continuing to wander about daily, either riding through the streets or secretly heading to the docks. This newfound interest in Yu Zhu was likely just a passing fancy that would cool in a few days. Jia Fu, no matter how muddled she might be, wouldn’t help her brother in such matters. She immediately refused and admonished him. She remembered how he had walked away sullenly. She also recalled that yesterday when her aunt visited, she mentioned that the Old Madam would be going to Ci’en Temple again today.

Could it be that her brother had secretly gone to Ci’en Temple this morning to find Yu Zhu?

The more Jia Fu thought about it, the more likely it seemed, so she shared her suspicion. Madam Meng was startled and angrily said: “What does he think he’s doing? Is he trying to anger me to death? No, I must go there!” She rose to leave but suddenly felt dizzy and had to close her eyes for a moment.

Jia Fu quickly helped her sit back down and said: “Mother, don’t worry yet. It’s just my guess, I might be wrong. You’re not fully recovered; stay here and wait. Perhaps brother will return on his own from wherever he is. Let me go there instead. I know the way; Uncle Zhang can take me. If my brother went there, I’ll bring him back. If he has offended Yu Zhu, I’ll apologize to her on his behalf.”

Madam Meng composed herself and said: “I’ll also have Mama Liu accompany you. Go quickly and return quickly. Be careful on the road.”

Jia Fu agreed. She asked Zhang Da to prepare a carriage and, accompanied by Mama Liu and Tan Xiang, set off for Ci’en Temple. Upon arriving, she learned that the ceremony was taking place in the Grand Dharma Hall. She hurried there but was stopped outside, being told that they were conducting a ceremony for the late Empress Duanhui Yuan, with eunuchs from the palace in attendance, and no outsiders were allowed to enter.

Jia Fu had a feeling that her brother Zhen Yaoting was here; she just didn’t know where exactly. Worried that he might cause trouble again, she anxiously looked around. Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure walking in her direction. Her heart skipped a beat. After a moment’s hesitation, she quickly approached and stopped in front of him, curtseying: “Elder Cousin, I’m looking for Miss Yu Zhu on an urgent matter. If it’s not convenient for me to enter, could you trouble Miss Yu Zhu to come out?”

Pei You’an halted his steps, glanced at her, and said: “Follow me.”

Jia Fu quietly thanked him, though she wasn’t sure if he heard. A faint breeze from his robes swept past her face as he walked by.

Jia Fu quickly turned and followed him inside, with Tan Xiang by her side.