Though spring had officially begun, Beijing’s weather showed no sign of warmth. The north wind still howled, and heavy snow continued to fall. However, Fu Tingyun’s room felt as warm as spring, as the underfloor heating system had been burning continuously since the beginning of winter last year.

She wore only a bright red jacket embroidered with auspicious patterns, her cheeks flushed pink as she nestled on the large heated kang by the window, studying a book of go strategies.

On the windowsill sat a pot of bright red “Eighteen Scholars” camellia in full bloom, its fiery blossoms so heavy they bent the branches, radiating splendor and vibrancy.

Feeling thirsty, Fu Tingyun raised her head. Zhenzhu, who had been quietly sitting on a small stool by the kang separating thread, immediately stood up and asked, “Madam, what do you need?”

Who knows where Zhao Ling had heard it, but he believed that if pregnant women did needlework, their children would be born with needle marks on their ears.

Fu Tingyun was skeptical and specifically asked Yu Wei to consult her mother. When Madam Fu confirmed this belief, Fu Tingyun no longer dared to touch a needle. When Zhao Ling found out, he became even more nervous, eventually forbidding anyone from handling needles in Fu Tingyun’s presence.

Since Zhenzhu and Kouer served by her side, the task of sewing clothes for the unborn child fell entirely to the two women, Madam Tong and Madam Zhou, who had been purchased before the New Year. Nevertheless, Zhenzhu and Kouer were not idle, often helping with tasks such as separating threads and ironing.

“Pour me a cup of water,” Fu Tingyun said languidly. “Not tea, just warm water.”

Almost six months pregnant, she still felt listless and without energy, prompting Zhao Ling to teasingly call her the “Begonia Fairy”—lounging in bed all day.

Zhenzhu acknowledged and quickly returned with a cup of warm water.

As Fu Tingyun was drinking, Madam Tong entered carrying several small garments.

She was a woman in her early thirties with a dignified and elegant appearance.

According to Jin Yuanbao, who had helped them purchase these servants, Madam Tong had once been a daughter from a good family. Her parents died early, leaving her uncle in charge of the household. He married her to a man from a declining family who, instead of improving their situation, borrowed money for his escapades and was unable to repay. This husband had planned to sell Madam Tong to a brothel, but she refused to comply, attempting to drown herself. After being rescued, she requested to be sold into servitude, where Jin Yuanbao found her at a slave trader’s… The other woman, Madam Zhou, was a farmer’s wife who voluntarily allowed her husband to sell her when they needed money for their only son’s medical treatment.

Madam Zhou’s appearance was quite ordinary, but she exuded honesty and approached her work with particular diligence.

Fu Tingyun was satisfied with both women.

“These are the baby clothes made over the past few days,” Madam Tong said, placing the small garments on the kang table. “Please see if there’s anything that needs to be changed.”

Fu Tingyun picked up a garment… five inches wide at the shoulders, four inches long in the sleeves… She couldn’t help but exclaim, “This isn’t too small?”

“Not at all,” Madam Tong smiled. “Newborn babies are only about this big.”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun examined the clothes carefully.

They were tiny, like doll clothes, and seemed utterly adorable. She found herself reluctant to put them down.

“Why don’t these clothes have buttons?” she asked Madam Tong.

Madam Tong smiled and said, “We’ll sew on the buttons after the child is born, symbolizing completeness and fulfillment.”

There were too many such customs for Fu Tingyun to keep track of. Upon hearing this, she didn’t inquire further, but simply instructed Zhenzhu to put the items away.

Kouer called through the curtain, “Madam, Madam Wu has arrived!”

Last year, after politely declining Madam Ji’s invitation on the ninth day of the ninth month, Madam Wu had sent another invitation asking her to appreciate chrysanthemums at her home. By then, Fu Tingyun had already been diagnosed with pregnancy, giving her a legitimate reason to decline. When Madam Wu and Madam Ji learned of her pregnancy, they made a special visit to see her.

Fu Tingyun instructed Kouer to “quickly invite Madam Wu in” while getting off the kang to put on her shoes.

Madam Tong had already knelt nimbly to help her with her shoes.

After putting on her shoes, Fu Tingyun tidied her appearance, changed into a different outfit, and went to the hall.

Madam Wu, escorted by Zhenzhu, was just lifting the curtain to enter.

The two women came face to face.

“Oh my!” Madam Wu greeted Fu Tingyun before she could speak, “Look at your complexion, it’s even better than before.” She then took Fu Tingyun’s hand, looked her up and down, and displayed an expression suggesting she had something to say but was hesitant.

Fu Tingyun pretended not to notice and sat down with her according to their respective ranks. Zhenzhu served tea and withdrew. Fu Tingyun smiled and asked Madam Wu, “What have you been doing these days? I heard the Emperor changed the reign name to Jingde and held a grand ancestral worship ceremony. During the Lantern Festival, there were lantern displays not only on West Street, but also on East Street and Drum Tower Street. It’s a pity I couldn’t go out; otherwise, I would have gone to see the festivities.”

“I’ve been busy with trivial matters,” Madam Wu smiled. “Do you remember the last time when our carriages almost collided because I was going to meet Madam Yu? I’ve been accompanying Madam Yu these days.” As she spoke, her face showed an expression of shared glory. “Yu’s eldest son shoulders the responsibility of three wives, but after nearly two years of marriage, the young Madam Yu still shows no signs of pregnancy. Madam Yu is secretly anxious and has asked me and Madam Ji to accompany her to various Buddhist temples to pray for a son!”

When Madam Wu had previously mentioned Madam Yu sending her daughter-in-law to Beijing to reunite with her son, Fu Tingyun had already guessed something. Otherwise, how could Madam Fan, with a great-grandmother-in-law above her and a mother-in-law below, possibly accompany her husband to his post?

“Many Buddhist temples in Beijing are known to be efficacious,” she politely responded to Madam Wu. “I’m sure the young Madam Yu will have news soon.”

“That’s exactly how I’ve been comforting Madam Yu,” Madam Wu said. She then picked up her teacup, took a sip, and let out a somewhat exaggerated exclamation, “This must be Iron Goddess of Mercy tea from last autumn’s market. The flavor is truly rich and mellow.”

The tea had been brought by Madam Wang. Along with it came two handkerchiefs embroidered by the two young ladies of the Wang family, a gift of fifty taels of silver, and a reply letter.

“Madam has a good palate,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “It was sent by a senior relative from Fujian.”

“You have relatives in Fujian?” Madam Wu expressed surprise, then suddenly lowered her voice and said, “I’ve heard that Lord Zhao has extensive connections and that during his years in Shaanxi, he accumulated quite a bit of property. I wonder if this is true?”

Seeing her secretive manner, and considering that she didn’t want anyone to know about Zhao Ling’s past involvement in salt smuggling, Fu Tingyun felt somewhat displeased.

She didn’t hide her emotions, and her expression cooled as she said, “I only married into the family in August. This is the first I’ve heard of what you’re saying.”

Madam Wu naturally sensed Fu Tingyun’s change in demeanor. A flash of embarrassment crossed her eyes, and she hurriedly said, “Please don’t misunderstand, Madam Zhao. I have no ulterior motive in saying this. It’s because I need Lord Zhao’s help with something, which is why I asked.”

Finally getting to the point.

Fu Tingyun calmly took a sip of tea and said, “Although both are third-rank officials, your husband is the Vice Minister of Rites, while my husband is merely a guard captain. I’m not sure if he can be of any help.”

Her intention to decline was already quite obvious.

A flicker of disappointment flashed in Madam Wu’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and smiled, “What does it matter that my husband is the Vice Minister of Rites? To be honest, this matter can only be handled by your Lord Zhao.”

Fu Tingyun was very doubtful.

Madam Wu continued, “Madam Zhao, I have a relative who has been in the silk and tea business. He’s heard that those doing business beyond the passes have been making a fortune these past few years, and he’s become interested. However, the journey is long, and the route from Yongjing to Jiayuguan is under the jurisdiction of the Xingdusi. We don’t know anyone there, so we wanted to ask Lord Zhao for some guidance.” She added, “Madam Zhao could also join me, and earn a little money for rouge and powder each time.”

To openly offer a bribe!

Fu Tingyun looked down on this Madam Wu even more.

“I recall that Madam Wu is from Jiangnan. Since this is your relative, I presume they are also from Jiangnan? To the east of Jiangnan is Ningbo Maritime Customs, and to the west is Guangdong Maritime Customs. Rather than forming a merchant caravan to travel beyond the passes with such hardship, why not engage in maritime trade? The profits would be the same.”

Surprised by Fu Tingyun’s knowledge, Madam Wu’s expression slightly stiffened as she said, “The Ningbo and Guangdong Maritime Customs are already the Emperor’s private purse, with eunuchs in charge. It’s completely impossible to get involved. We’ve also considered privately organizing ships to go to sea, but we can’t establish connections with those patrol inspectors…”

She was determined to have Zhao Ling help make introductions.

If not for Madam Wu’s earlier mention of “rouge and powder money,” Fu Tingyun might have passed on the message to Zhao Ling. But now, she was unwilling to have anything to do with Madam Wu.

“Madam, why seek help from a temple priest when you could pray directly to the Buddha?” Fu Tingyun smiled with pursed lips. “Since you know Madam Yu, why not ask Grand Secretary Yu to speak to the Duke of Fuguo on your behalf? That would be more effective than ten or a hundred words from us.”

Although civil and military paths were separate, Grand Secretary Yu and the Duke of Fuguo were both important ministers of the state, making it easier for them to establish connections compared to ordinary people.

Madam Wu revealed a peculiar expression and said softly, “Madam Zhao may not be aware, but I’ve heard that the Marquis of Yingchuan is about to be transferred back to the Five-Army Command… Even if we asked Grand Secretary Yu to intervene, the Duke of Fuguo’s household might not be willing to help!”

So he’s coming back after all!

Fu Tingyun felt momentarily disoriented.

Afterward, she parried all of Madam Wu’s advances, refusing to agree to relay any message to Zhao Ling no matter what Madam Wu said.

Frustrated and embarrassed, Madam Wu suppressed her displeasure, exchanged a few more polite words, and then took her leave.

Yu Wei worriedly asked Fu Tingyun, “What if she causes trouble for the Ninth Master…”

Before she could finish, a refreshed and spirited voice laughed, “Who are you afraid will cause me trouble?”

The curtain lifted, and Zhao Ling entered, heading straight for Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun’s eyes immediately brightened as she asked, “Why are you home so early today?” As she was about to get off the kang to put on her shoes, Zhao Ling pressed her down with one hand: “Things have been sorted out these days, so there’s much less to do.” As he spoke, he crouched in front of Fu Tingyun as usual, gently stroking her belly while speaking softly to the child inside: “Have you been good today? Have you been bothering your mother? Father came home early today, and your mother is very happy…”

This was something Zhao Ling did every day when he returned home.

Fu Tingyun said somewhat jealously, “You know how to dress up a seventeen or eighteen-year-old, but not a newborn—the child can’t understand what you’re saying.”

“What does it matter whether he understands or not?” Zhao Ling kissed her belly once, “as long as I know.” His joy was evident in his words.

Fu Tingyun was speechless for a while.