Fu Tingyun quietly instructed Yu Wei: “Go to Sixi Alley and see what you can find out.”
Yu Wei understood and left.
Zheng San’s wife brought two older women to meet Fu Tingyun: “They were recommended by the steward of Minister Wu’s household across the street. They work for the Li family in Bensi Alley. The Li family was originally a wealthy household from Shanxi Province. In the thirty-second year of Xiping, Master Li passed the imperial examination, was selected as a Hanlin Academy scholar, and last spring was appointed as the Prefect of Huzhou. Now there are only seven or eight servants left here to look after the residence—just cleaning the house, watering the plants, and such. They have plenty of free time. When they heard our household was looking for two women to help with rough work, they asked the Wu household’s steward to introduce them.”
As they listened, the two women showed slightly nervous but fawning smiles to Fu Tingyun.
It was clear that these two were the honest sort.
But Fu Tingyun felt conflicted inside.
Zheng San’s wife was from a respectable family, raised in the countryside, and knew nothing about managing servants. This hadn’t mattered in smaller towns, but now in the capital, the drawbacks were becoming apparent. If it had been Yu Wei, she would have first investigated these women’s backgrounds thoroughly, then questioned them further, and if she found them suitable, would have reported to her. Only with her approval would she have brought them to meet her. Bringing them directly to her put Fu Tingyun in an awkward position—as newcomers unfamiliar with their neighbors, it was best not to offend anyone unnecessarily, making it difficult for her to refuse.
“Then I’ll trouble you two,” she said politely, “Zheng San’s wife will instruct you on what needs to be done.”
This was as good as accepting them.
The two women were visibly pleased and repeatedly expressed their thanks.
Fu Tingyun served tea.
Having served in wealthy households, the two women immediately stood up to take their leave.
Fu Tingyun considered whether to teach Zheng San’s wife some proper protocols, but vaguely felt that Zheng San’s wife was fine as she was—why change her into someone else?
For a moment, she hesitated.
Yu Wei returned.
Seeing her grave expression, Fu Tingyun’s heart sank. She took Yu Wei to the eastern inner chamber of the main building to talk.
“I couldn’t see the mistress, but I saw Dong.” Yu Wei said softly, “Dong said that Master Fu lost his temper and forbade the mistress from getting involved in the young lady’s affairs. So the mistress couldn’t even find an opportunity to send us a message. But she specifically instructed Dong to tell us, if we came asking for news, to be patient and wait until Master Fu’s anger subsided. I also asked about Madam’s illness. Dong said it was a heartache, but with Xiu Zhu looking after and accompanying her, it wasn’t serious, and told the young lady not to worry. I couldn’t find out anything else.”
With such a commotion that day, had her mother heard it or not? If she had heard, since it was heartache and not something that left her bedridden, why didn’t she come out to see her? If she hadn’t heard, with the residence being so small and her not being seriously ill, how could she not have heard?
Fu Tingyun couldn’t make sense of it all and felt uneasy, sensing that her sister-in-law’s words were more about placating her.
“Then we’ll wait a few more days,” she said thoughtfully, “If there’s still no news from Sixi Alley after a few days, I’ll go there again.”
Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents, and Teacher.
Yu Wei wanted to persuade Fu Tingyun, but seeing her determined expression, and thinking about how Zuo Junjie was still at large, she swallowed her words of comfort.
Fu Tingyun instructed her: “Tomorrow, two women will come to help Zheng San’s wife with the rough work. Watch them carefully. If they’re suitable, keep them on. If not, find an excuse after some time to dismiss them properly.” Then she explained the background of the two women.
Yu Wei acknowledged the instructions. Just then, Zheng San’s wife entered: “Miss, there’s a woman who wants to see you. She says she’s from your hometown and, knowing you’ve come to the capital, has come specially to visit.”
From her hometown?
Fu Tingyun exchanged a glance with Yu Wei: “Please show her in!”
Zheng San’s wife smiled and went to invite the visitor.
Fu Tingyun and Yu Wei were on high alert, one sitting up straight, the other holding her breath.
Soon, footsteps approached from outside.
Zheng San’s wife lifted the curtain with a smile: “This way, sister, please come in!”
The visitor thanked her politely.
That familiar voice made Fu Tingyun exclaim “Ah!” and stand up. Before she could even see the visitor’s face, she cried out: “Madam Xiu Zhu!”
“Young Miss!” The woman wearing a lilac-colored Hangzhou silk jacket called out, tears already streaming down her face.
She bent her knees to curtsy to Fu Tingyun but was quickly caught by Fu Tingyun: “Get up, get up. How did you come here? Is my mother well? I went to Sixi Alley a few days ago, but Father wouldn’t let me see Mother. Does Mother know?”
One question after another, without pause.
Madam Xiu Zhu, seeing she couldn’t complete her curtsy and knowing Fu Tingyun was anxious, didn’t insist. She hurriedly said: “Madam was in the room at that time, but had taken medicine and was drowsy. I couldn’t leave her side. After the young lady left, Madam woke up. I told her everything I heard from inside the room. She then summoned the young mistress to ask about the whole story. She was both happy and worried—happy that the young lady had safely found her way back, worried that the young lady was now at odds with the master. If the master hardens his heart and accuses the young lady of being unfilial, the young lady would have no retreat. She specifically instructed me to find a way to reach the young lady and tell her that she will handle Master Fu, and that you shouldn’t act rashly. Between father and daughter, resentment doesn’t last overnight.” At this point, her tone softened considerably. “Young Miss, I watched you grow up and know you’ve never suffered such humiliation before. But think carefully—what daughter speaks to her father like that? It’s only because you know, deep down, that both the master and madam care deeply for you…”
Fu Tingyun remained silent.
Madam Xiu Zhu sighed in relief.
Yu Wei quickly poured tea: “Aunt Xiu Zhu, please sit down and have some tea?” She also timely changed the subject: “How did you find us?”
With her mother’s message, Fu Tingyun’s heart settled.
Thinking it through, to find Zuo Junjie and seek justice from the elder sister-in-law, she would indeed need her father’s intervention.
With Yu Wei taking the initiative, Fu Tingyun followed her lead and invited Madam Xiu Zhu to sit in the armchair nearby.
Madam Xiu Zhu didn’t dare to take the seat. Yu Wei brought a small stool and placed it by the door. Only then did Madam Xiu Zhu sit down and accept the tea Yu Wei handed her.
“The master was so angered by the young lady that he instructed the gatekeeper not to let any of us leave. I thought, if the young lady didn’t receive any news from Sixi Alley, she would surely come searching again. So I told them that Madam had been feeling unwell these past few days and asked me to keep her company and cheer her up, waiting for someone from the young lady to come asking for news. Then I made an excuse that I had forgotten to pay for the oil for the eternal lamp at the temple and followed Yu Wei here.” As she spoke, she unobtrusively surveyed the room’s furnishings. “I didn’t expect Yu Wei to walk so quickly. By the time I reached Chongwen Gate Street, I had lost her. I had to search alley by alley. Fortunately, I overheard two women talking about going to work for the Zhao family, who had recently moved from Shaanxi to Shijia Alley. I decided to take a chance and come looking, and surprisingly, it turned out to be true…” As she spoke, she took a sip of tea as if thirsty, but the corner of her eye was constantly watching Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun was surprised.
What an unexpected coincidence!
She was about to make a light-hearted remark when she noticed Madam Xiu Zhu’s inquiring gaze.
Madam Xiu Zhu was now acting as her mother’s eyes and ears. While Fu Tingyun could ignore others, she couldn’t avoid giving Madam Xiu Zhu an explanation.
She felt extremely awkward, and a blush spread across her face.
“Mother entrusted Master Zhao to rescue me from Biyun Temple,” Fu Tingyun said, lowering her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s. “I… we…” But the words of their private agreement simply wouldn’t come out.
Seeing her shy, maiden-like demeanor, Madam Xiu Zhu immediately understood. She quickly asked: “Who is this, Master Zhao? What does he do? Has he taken a wife or concubines? Are there elders in his family who can make decisions?” Her tone was entirely that of someone inquiring about a potential match.
Fu Tingyun’s entire body grew hot, but she couldn’t avoid answering. She stammered: “His name is Zhao Ling, originally from Songjiang. He was orphaned at a young age and fled to Shaanxi with relatives, making a living through small trades. Later, he fled to Huayin and happened to meet me when he took shelter at Biyun Temple. I thought he was a good person, so I asked him to deliver a message to my mother…” At this point, remembering what had happened to her uncle’s family, her eyes reddened. “Later, when my uncle’s family met with disaster, I had nowhere to go. He had no choice but to take me to Xi’an Prefecture to seek relatives. Through introductions from relatives, he went to serve under Marquis Yingchuan Meng, the Chief Commander of Xi’an Garrison Command. He was exceptionally capable and highly valued by Marquis Yingchuan. Last summer, when the Mongols invaded the Garrison Command, he saved the life of his superior, Commander Lu of Zhuanglang Guard. In less than a year, he was promoted from Ensign to Centurion, and Marquis Yingchuan even appointed him to act as the Commander of Nianbo Battalion.”
She was eager to present Zhao Ling’s good qualities to her mother, hoping that her mother would speak up for them to her father. As for Zhao Ling’s involvement in salt smuggling, she didn’t mention it at all.
“He hasn’t taken a wife or concubines, and there are no elders in his family who can make decisions. He had originally planned to come to the capital with me this spring to meet my father and mother.” Her face burned. “But then the messenger he sent to deliver a letter to my mother said that my mother was ill. I was extremely worried and determined to return. He had official duties and couldn’t leave, so he had his distant uncle-in-law, Master Lü, personally escort me back to the capital. He also had Master Lü help purchase this residence, saying that in the future, when he comes to the capital, we would have a place to stay…”
Madam Xiu Zhu listened with half-belief, half doubt, and pressed aggressively: “Is this Master Zhao truly unmarried with no concubines? Have you inquired thoroughly?”
Fu Tingyun’s face flushed with embarrassment. She complained: “If you don’t believe me, go ask Master Lü!”
To her surprise, Madam Xiu Zhu stood up and pointed at Yu Wei: “Take me to see Master Lü!”
Yu Wei was embarrassed, knowing that Madam Xiu Zhu was surely acting on behalf of the madam to inquire. She dared not refuse and led her to find Master Lü.
Fu Tingyun felt both ashamed and awkward. She called after Madam Xiu Zhu: “How will I face people if you do this?”
“Better than not being able to face people in the future!” Madam Xiu Zhu said earnestly. “If you’re living well, wouldn’t it be easier for Madam to speak up for you to the master?”
Fu Tingyun was moved and allowed Yu Wei to take Madam Xiu Zhu to meet Master Lü.
Master Lü was a shrewd man. Though inwardly astonished, he answered flawlessly, which finally put Madam Xiu Zhu’s mind at ease.
“Then I’ll go back now!” She looked at Fu Tingyun with three parts sentiment, three parts melancholy, and three parts sorrow. “This is your fate.”
But she was far from joyful.
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
She felt that meeting Zhao Ling in her moment of life and death was Heaven’s favor. Why, in Madam Xiu Zhu’s eyes, was there still regret?