For this journey north, although enough travel time had been allocated before departure, to ensure they could arrive in time for the sixtieth birthday celebration of the old Madam Pei next month, the itinerary was arranged quite tightly. They departed from Quanzhou port, taking the coastal route past Fuzhou, and upon entering Jiangnan, they would switch to the inland canal, proceeding directly to the capital.
Several months earlier, Madam Song had sent two trusted matrons to the Zhen family in Quanzhou, who were now traveling with them.
Although the Song family was related to the Pei family by marriage, why would they send people to accompany the Zhen family’s daughter? This has its own story.
The Song family’s daughter had previously married the second son of the Pei family’s first branch, Pei Xiu Zhi. She had passed away from illness a few years ago, leaving behind a son whose childhood name was Quan’er. Madam Song had only this one legitimate daughter, and after her unfortunate passing, she was heartbroken and cherished Quan’er like her own life.
Fortunes change like flowing water. After the young Emperor died and Prince Shun An became Emperor, the Song family was highly favored by the Emperor for their support in his ascension. In these two years, their status had soared and their power was intimidating, forming a stark contrast to the decline of the Duke of Weiguo’s mansion.
The old Madam Pei of the Duke of Weiguo’s mansion had been living in seclusion these years and rarely managed family affairs. Her eldest son, the Duke of Weiguo, had passed away many years ago, and her second son held a nominal position. The Song family had inevitably become increasingly arrogant, growing negligent in observing proper etiquette. Madam Song often came to the Duke’s mansion to see Quan’er. Each time she arrived with great pomp, just short of ordering everyone around. Madam Xin was dissatisfied but since her son still relied on the support of his former in-laws, she could only swallow her pride and respond with a smile.
After her son lost his wife, Madam Xin had begun arranging for him to remarry. But the Pei family was no longer what it once was, and the new Emperor’s dislike for the Pei family was obvious to any discerning person. Which influential family in the capital would be willing to marry their daughter into such a household, especially as a second wife?
After much consideration, Madam Xin finally set her sights on the Zhen family.
Due to their relationship with Madam Meng of the second branch, the Zhen family had been in contact since the early years. Apart from their insufficient status, all other conditions seemed perfect. Her son was also satisfied with the Zhen family’s daughter. If he could marry her, although it wouldn’t greatly benefit his official career, the Zhen family’s wealth was exactly what the Duke’s mansion urgently needed. The Duke’s mansion was now just an empty shell; maintaining appearances while running at a deficit year after year. Moreover, it was better to marry down than up. Given their current situation, rather than bringing in a daughter-in-law who would expect them to cater to her, it was better to marry the Zhen family’s daughter. After all, no matter how bad the Pei family’s situation was, their status as a Duke’s mansion remained. And no matter how wealthy the Zhen family was, they still had to look up to them.
Madam Xin’s marriage plans naturally couldn’t be kept from the Song family. Although Madam Song was displeased about her former son-in-law remarrying, her influence, though great, couldn’t control this matter. After inquiring about the Zhen family and confirming that their daughter was unlikely to harm her grandson in the future, she tacitly agreed. Following someone’s advice, she proposed to adopt Jia Fu as her goddaughter to elevate her status, both as a means to win over the Zhen family and as a favor to the Pei family.
The Zhen family was naturally grateful that Madam Song decided to adopt Jia Fu as her goddaughter, which led to these two matrons traveling south. Both were confidantes of Madam Song, with one of them, Old Woman Ye, being Madam Song’s wet nurse. After arriving in Quanzhou two months ago, they had thrown their weight around, “teaching” Jia Fu the rules and lessons for women.
Madam Meng herself came from an official family; her father had once been a local official. How could she not understand these matters? In Madam Meng’s eyes, her daughter’s appearance and character were in no way inferior to those noble young ladies in the capital. She knew Madam Song was merely establishing her authority, making it clear that even after her daughter married into the family, she should not expect to overshadow the original wife. Though displeased, she dared not show it, treating the two matrons like bodhisattvas with daily feasts and accommodations.
For this journey north, besides carrying birthday gifts prepared for old Madam Pei, they had also prepared a generous gift for Madam Song: rhinoceros horn, elephant tusk, jade, pearls, along with silk and fragrances—all top-tier treasures. As for the two matrons, they were arranged in the best cabins once aboard and assigned maids to serve them, with no hint of neglect.
Several days into the journey, as they reached Fujian, the waves grew slightly rough. Old Woman Ye, who was not accustomed to traveling by boat, had suffered on her way to Quanzhou and was now seasick again. Upon hearing this, Jia Fu personally went to visit her. Entering the cabin, she saw a medicinal plaster stuck on Old Woman Ye’s forehead. The matron lay there with pale lips and a vacant stare. Jia Fu immediately showed concern, sat close, took Old Woman Ye’s hand, and with tears in her eyes said, “It’s all because of me that you’re suffering so. I feel guilty, and would rather bear this suffering myself.”
Old Woman Ye had just vomited all the fish she had eaten, to the point of bringing up bile, and replied weakly, “It’s good that the Young Miss understands my difficulties. It’s truly for your good that I came to the south, enduring hardships I’ve never faced in my entire life.”
Jia Fu continued to blame herself, speaking many kind words. As she rose to leave, she said, “Please rest well, Nanny. I won’t disturb you any longer. Whatever you want to eat or drink, just instruct the maids; we have everything on the ship. I’m inexperienced and have seen little of the world. Once you’re feeling better, I hope you can teach me more principles.”
Old Woman Ye, seeing her humble attitude and deference, was satisfied and merely grunted in response.
Jia Fu didn’t mind, instructing her maid to take good care of the Nanny. As she finished and stood up, she accidentally dropped her pouch. The mouth of the pouch hadn’t been tied securely, and it opened, causing a yellow talisman to fall out.
Carrying a temple talisman for good luck was a common practice, but Jia Fu seemed somewhat flustered. Seeing the item fall out, she quickly bent down to pick it up, hastily turned away, stuffed it back into her pouch, and clutched it tightly in her hand. Only then did she turn around, casually apologizing before leaving the cabin.
Old Woman Ye had exceptionally sharp eyes. Although she was so seasick she could barely get up, she didn’t miss the yellow talisman that fell from Jia Fu’s pouch or her unusual behavior.
Her tireless journey south was not only to establish authority but also to carry out an important mission: to secretly observe the Zhen family’s daughter for Madam Song, to see if she harbored any hidden intentions. Previously, Jia Fu had always been docile, appearing to lack backbone, and with her family’s lower status as a weakness. Such a woman, even after marrying into the Pei family and becoming Quan’er’s stepmother, wouldn’t likely cause any trouble in the future. Old Woman Ye had already been reassured, but now suspicions arose. She stared at Jia Fu’s retreating as she left the cabin, then dismissed the Zhen family maid and called for her maid, Su Xin, to whisper a few words. Su Xin nodded and followed Jia Fu out.
Madam Meng also happened to be coming to visit Old Woman Ye and met Jia Fu in the passageway. Jia Fu said, “Nanny has just gone to sleep; Mother need not disturb her now.”
Knowing her daughter had just visited, Madam Meng nodded, “Very well, then I’ll come see her later.”
Jia Fu turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of Su Xin lurking behind them, pretending not to notice. She took her mother’s arm and led her to a ship’s window, where mother and daughter conversed by the window.
Madam Meng felt her daughter was acting somewhat unusual and smiled, “What is it? Do you have something to say?”
Jia Fu’s smile faded, and she slightly raised her voice, saying, “Mother, up ahead is Fuming Island, and we’ll reach it tomorrow. I’ve heard there’s a Guanyin Temple on the island, and I’d like to go worship there.”
The temple’s Guanyin was known for its compassion and reputation. Although it required half a day’s sea journey to reach, devout men and women visited the island daily to make wishes or fulfill vows. During annual temple fairs, countless women would travel together by sea to burn incense and worship at the Guanyin Hall, mostly seeking children. It was said to be extremely efficacious. Madam Meng had heard of it and was momentarily surprised by her daughter’s request, but then understood.
She was satisfied with her future son-in-law, Pei Xiu Zhi, but whenever she thought about her daughter entering a household with a stepson waiting, and having heard that the child was somewhat mischievous and Madam Song was formidable, she worried. In her heart, she hoped her daughter would quickly give birth to her son after marriage, which would help her establish her position. Since they were passing by and her daughter had made the request, how could she not agree? She said, “That’s fine. I’ll mention it, and tomorrow we’ll stop at Fuming Island. I’ll accompany you. However…”
She looked back over her shoulder, dismissed the following maids, and then said in a low voice, “It’s best not to let those Song family matrons know, to avoid any trouble.”
Jia Fu nodded, “I’ll follow Mother’s advice.”
Madam Meng escorted her daughter back to her cabin and then went to inform the ship’s manager about stopping at Fuming Island the next day. Su Xin, who had been hiding nearby, had heard the entire conversation between mother and daughter. She quietly returned and reported to Old Woman Ye. After brief contemplation, Old Woman Ye guessed the purpose and sneered, “What a calculating girl! She shows nothing in front of me, yet turns around and plans to have a son! It’s truly shameless—she hasn’t even entered the family yet and is already planning this! Since she’s urged her mother to visit the island, they certainly won’t inform us tomorrow. Let’s wait and see.”
The next day, the Zhen family’s ship did indeed stop at Fuming Island, supposedly to replenish provisions and water. Old Woman Ye instructed a clever servant boy to secretly follow the Zhen mother and daughter to observe their movements and report back every word and action. The boy accepted the mission and stealthily followed Madam Meng’s group as they disembarked.
Madam Meng was genuinely devout. She took her daughter to the Great Hall of Guanyin, made sincere wishes, donated a substantial sum for incense offerings, and in return received a blessed talisman, which she solemnly placed in her daughter’s pouch, instructing her to carry it at all times. Only then did they leave the hall and return to the ship to continue their journey.
The servant boy also returned to the ship and reported everything he had seen to Old Woman Ye: “I saw them enter the Guanyin Hall, seek a fertility talisman, and then return.”
Old Woman Ye now understood everything clearly. She rewarded the servant boy with a few copper coins, sent him away, and said to the other matron traveling with her, “Look, the Zhen family’s fox tail has finally shown itself. Fortunately, I had the foresight; otherwise, I would have almost been deceived by this girl!”
The other matron flattered her profusely. Old Woman Ye was pleased with herself, no longer feeling seasick, and was particularly energetic. She said, “We must quickly inform Madam. This Zhen girl appears loyal and kind but is a vixen full of schemes. How could young Master Quan fare well in her hands?”
The next day, Madam Meng brought Jia Fu to visit Old Woman Ye again. On the surface, Old Woman Ye showed no change, but secretly she paid even more attention to the Zhen family’s daughter. The more she observed, the more she saw calculation in Jia Fu’s every word and action. Yet she didn’t reveal her thoughts, instead becoming more cordial than before, extremely polite, while inwardly hoping they could reach the capital as soon as possible.
Madam Meng was completely in the dark, unaware of the underlying dynamics. Seeing Old Woman Ye’s improved attitude toward her daughter, she thought the matron had been moved by her daughter’s attentive care during her illness and felt quite reassured.
Jia Fu maintained her composure, only becoming increasingly sweet-tongued toward Old Woman Ye. In this way, they continued the journey peacefully. On this day, they finally arrived safely, and tomorrow they would disembark.
That night, Madam Meng brought her daughter to specially visit Old Woman Ye. After dismissing the servants, they exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Madam Meng presented a pouch, smiling, “We’ve troubled you these days, Mama. This small token of appreciation, though inadequate, I hope you’ll accept. The larger note inside is for you to keep, and the smaller ones, please distribute to the servants. Everyone has worked hard.”
Jia Fu followed behind her mother, blushing, head lowered, shyly saying, “When we reach the capital, I hope Nanny will put in a good word for me with my godmother.”
Old Woman Ye accepted the pouch, feeling it and knowing it contained bank notes. She readily agreed, warmly sending off the Zhen mother and daughter. After closing the door, she opened the pouch, took out the two notes, and saw one for twenty taels and another for ten taels. Greatly disappointed, she sneered, “I thought they would be more generous. Do they think twenty taels can buy my silence? I’m surprised they have the nerve to offer so little. Small households indeed have limited vision.”
Madam Meng could never have imagined that the two bank notes she had prepared in the pouch had been secretly exchanged by her daughter. She thought the matron had received her five hundred taels and believed that even if Old Woman Ye didn’t speak well of them to Madam Song, at least she wouldn’t speak ill. She escorted Jia Fu back to her cabin and left reassured.
The next day, the Zhen family’s ship gradually approached the shore.
In the deep autumn of the third year of Yong Xi, the Zhen family arrived at the capital.
It was also Jia Fu’s return to the capital after three years.
The dock was bustling with carriages and horses. Not only had the Zhen family’s manager, who had been sent ahead to manage affairs in the capital, come with servants to receive the mistress and the young master and miss, but people from the Duke of Weiguo’s mansion had also arrived.
When Madam Meng learned that Pei Xiu Zhi had personally come to the dock early in the morning to welcome them, she was delighted. Taking her daughter’s hand, she prepared to disembark but felt her daughter’s palm was slightly cold. She squeezed her small hand and whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything. All will go smoothly, and you can look forward to a peaceful marriage.”