“…Your mother-in-law initially thought the worst that would happen was the annulment of your marriage with the Yu family. She never imagined the Fu family would treat you this way. After the news of your ‘death’ spread, she blamed herself endlessly, became consumed with worry, and her health gradually deteriorated,” Zhao Ling said, holding Fu Tingyun as they sat side by side on the kang bed, wiping tears from her face as she sobbed against his shoulder. “Added to that was the hardship of traveling to the capital, and then your uncle’s entire family…” He sighed softly. “Your mother-in-law also insisted on staying in the dark, damp south wing room, and her health completely collapsed. Seeing you return safely, married, and becoming a mother brought her great joy—it was just her final rally before passing. Now that her worries are settled, she has departed with no lingering attachments!”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun burst into tears again: “Had I known, I should have insisted that my father find better accommodations for mother…”

“You’re speaking like a child again!” Zhao Ling pretended to be displeased. “If your mother-in-law truly wanted to change her living quarters, would she have needed you to intervene?”

This was merely Madam Fu’s way of punishing herself.

But he dared not say such words to Fu Tingyun, fearing it would only increase her guilt.

Fu Tingyun’s crying gradually subsided as she buried her face in Zhao Ling’s shoulder.

“That’s better!” Zhao Ling said softly, holding her like a child and gently patting her back. “Your mother-in-law knows your stubborn temperament. She specifically sent Xiu Zhu’s wife to inform you, worried that you might disregard your postpartum confinement and rush impulsively to the mourning hall. If you were to clash with your father, as the younger generation, even if you were right, you would be considered wrong. Your mother-in-law was also thinking of your reputation. You should appreciate her thoughtfulness.”

Fu Tingyun remained silent.

According to custom, the postpartum period was considered unclean, and before the full month was completed, one could not visit others’ homes. As a married daughter, even though it was her mother who had passed away, she still could not go to the Fu family home to pay respects.

If she insisted on going, she would certainly have conflicts with the Fu family.

Zhao Ling knew she still couldn’t overcome this hurdle, so he continued: “The weather is too hot to transport the coffin south at this time. Most likely, after the seventh day of mourning, they will temporarily place it in a Buddhist temple. At that time, we can set up an altar where your mother’s coffin passes by and pay our respects first. After your confinement period ends, we can take Youyou to offer incense to your mother…”

Fu Tingyun’s spirits lifted upon hearing this. She sat up and called loudly for Xiu Zhu’s wife.

Xiu Zhu’s wife entered, lifting the curtain at the sound of her voice.

“Do you know which temple they will place Mother’s coffin in?” Fu Tingyun asked urgently.

Xiu Zhu’s wife wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and said: “They’ve just set up the mourning hall, so there hasn’t been time to discuss these matters yet!”

“Then hurry back and let me know as soon as you have news.”

Xiu Zhu’s wife was startled by this and glanced at Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling’s expression remained normal as he said to Fu Tingyun: “Xiu Zhu’s wife rushed here so urgently, she probably hasn’t even had breakfast. Even if you want her to help, you should let her eat first!” He then instructed Zhenzhu, “Accompany Xiu Zhu’s wife downstairs to rest a while.” Then he said to Xiu Zhu’s wife, “Eat something first and regain your strength. There will be more instructions later.”

Hearing this, Xiu Zhu’s wife’s expression visibly relaxed. She softly responded “Yes,” and withdrew with Zhenzhu.

Fu Tingyun immediately asked: “What’s happening?” Her face filled with confusion.

“Haven’t you realized yet?” Zhao Ling said. “Your mother-in-law is entrusting Xiu Zhu’s wife to you!”

Fu Tingyun was surprised.

But then she understood.

Xiu Zhu’s wife was her mother’s companion and had served her for years, naturally remaining loyal to her. Because of Fu Tingyun’s situation, her mother and father had developed a rift. If her elder brother had sided with her mother, things might have been different, but her brother felt her father was justified. Now that her mother had passed away, if Xiu Zhu’s wife remained in the Fu household, her life would likely become difficult.

She called for Kou’er: “Go, invite Xiu Zhu’s wife here.”

Zhao Ling stopped her: “I can see that Xiu Zhu’s wife’s eyes are bloodshot. She probably hasn’t rested properly since your mother-in-law’s passing. There’s no rush. Let her rest a while, and you can discuss matters this afternoon.”

Fu Tingyun nodded.

“You should rest well at home and be obedient. Rest properly and don’t cry so much. Keep your heart open—there’s nothing that can’t be resolved,” Zhao Ling reminded her repeatedly. “I’ll go to Sixi Hutong to offer some incense to your mother-in-law.”

“Then go quickly!” Fu Tingyun urged Zhao Ling. After he left, she still couldn’t help crying twice more. Those around her could only continue to console her. Once, she even startled Youyou awake. Perhaps because of the mother-daughter bond, Youyou cried incessantly, which finally made Fu Tingyun control her emotions.

By the afternoon, she called Xiu Zhu’s wife in to ask about the details of her mother’s passing. Learning that her mother had entrusted both Xiu Zhu and her husband to her care, Fu Tingyun’s face showed shame: “I’ve been so foolish!”

Xiu Zhu’s wife’s sorrowful face revealed a hint of a smile: “Young Mistress has married well, with your husband helping with everything, so naturally you wouldn’t pay attention to such small matters.”

It made her sound as if she never managed anything.

Fu Tingyun grumbled inwardly.

Seeing Fu Tingyun’s disapproving expression, Xiu Zhu’s wife thought for a moment and added: “You may not know, but ever since you married the Young Master, he would visit Madam every month to talk about you.” As she spoke, her eyes moistened again. “By then, Madam’s health was already failing, and she barely acknowledged even when the Young Master came to pay respects. But whenever your husband visited, Madam’s spirits would improve. Recently, she would calculate daily when your husband would visit next…”

Fu Tingyun was astonished.

…

Zhao Ling returned from Sixi Hutong in the afternoon: “The Master still has some colleagues and old friends in the capital, so the funeral arrangements are quite proper. I’ve already spoken with the Young Mistress to let Xiu Zhu’s wife stay with us for a while. When they decide on which temple to place the coffin, she’ll send someone to inform you.”

Normally, Fu Tingyun might have simply acknowledged this, but after what Xiu Zhu’s wife had told her, she began to pay more attention to Zhao Ling’s every word and action.

She called An Xin to ask: “What did you all eat for lunch?”

“We just bought a couple of baked flatbreads near Chunshu Hutong…”

Fu Tingyun nearly burst into tears again and said to Xiu Zhu’s wife: “What is the Master trying to do? Didn’t he keep saying I have no relationship with the Fu family anymore? Now when Zhao Ling goes to pay respects to my mother, he doesn’t even provide a meal…”

“Young Mistress, please don’t be upset,” Xiu Zhu’s wife could only try to console her. “Madam didn’t want you involved with Sixi Hutong’s affairs when she was alive, so isn’t this better?”

Fu Tingyun let out a long sigh.

Xiu Zhu’s wife seemed hesitant to speak.

“You served my mother, and you helped prepare her body after she passed,” Fu Tingyun said. “You also watched me grow up. What could you possibly not say to me?”

Despite this encouragement, Xiu Zhu’s wife still spoke haltingly: “I want… I want to return to the Fu house to keep vigil for Madam. After Madam’s coffin heads south, I’ll come back…”

“This should be my responsibility,” Fu Tingyun said, choking up. “Your words put me to shame.”

“Madam, please don’t say that,” Xiu Zhu’s wife replied. “Madam thought of you constantly. As long as you’re doing well, Madam can rest in peace.” She quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Fu Tingyun’s eyes. The two women chatted at length about past and future matters before Fu Tingyun sent Zheng San to escort Xiu Zhu’s wife back to Sixi Hutong.

That evening, Fu Tingyun discussed with Zhao Ling: “I heard from Xiu Zhu’s wife that Bibo’s wife passed away long ago, and Bibo has remarried. Xiu Zhu and her two children remained in Huayin. I think we should settle Xiu Zhu’s family of four at our estate in Chang’an County. If anything happens, Master Lü can help look after them, and they won’t need to leave their homeland…”

“That’s a good idea,” Zhao Ling nodded repeatedly. “After all, she served your mother-in-law, and it would be disrespectful for us to employ her now. Besides, Chang’an County is in Shaanxi, where the customs and way of life are similar to what they’re used to, so they’ll be more comfortable there.”

While they were talking, Muo Yi came to visit.

He stayed for nearly an hour before taking his leave.

Fu Tingyun asked Zhao Ling: “Was he here about the Guizhou campaign?”

Zhao Ling nodded.

Before he could speak, Fu Tingyun continued: “Last time I was pregnant, this time my mother has passed away. Who knows what will happen next… Does the Ninth Master plan to stay at home forever?” She moved forward to embrace his waist, pressing her face tightly against his chest. “Ninth Master, I’m not some delicate, fragile woman. Don’t forget, I fled with you from Huayin to Zhangye. Do what you need to do! Didn’t you say that your daily routine of going to and from the yamen was boring?” She murmured, “If love is to last for a long time, why worry about seeing each other every day? Ninth Master wishes for my happiness every day, and I wish for yours as well!”

Zhao Ling couldn’t help but hold her tightly in his arms: “Qin…” He lowered his head to kiss the top of her head. “Don’t worry, there are only twenty or thirty thousand rebels in Guizhou, but the court has dispatched fifty thousand troops, with Muo Yi as Commander-in-Chief. Nothing will go wrong.”

He knew the details so clearly.

He was eager to go.

Fu Tingyun nodded: “We have Zheng San and Yu Wei at home. Chen Shi also comes to visit occasionally. Madam Li is very kind, and there’s Madam Muo too—she’s a mother of four children. If there’s anything I don’t understand, I can ask them for guidance. You don’t need to worry about matters at home…”

They talked for half the night. Two days later, the expedition orders were issued: Duke Longping would bear the Barbarian-Pacifying General’s seal, Muo Yi would serve as Commander-in-Chief, and Zhao Ling would be the Vanguard Officer for the Guizhou campaign.

From Sixi Hutong, Xiu Zhu’s wife also sent word that Madam Fu’s coffin would be placed at Cuifeng Temple near the West Straight Gate.

On the seventeenth day, Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, dressed in mourning clothes appropriate for a daughter and son-in-law, set up an altar on Guangping Street, which Madam Fu’s coffin would pass by.

According to custom, if the deceased was a relative, one should set up an altar to pay respects when the coffin passes by their door. However, they were neither residents nor merchants of this area, so they were quite unfamiliar to the locals. Soon, a crowd of curious onlookers gathered around.

“They look unfamiliar—did they just move here?”

“Never seen them before.”

“Look at this altar with complete animal offerings—I wonder what relation the deceased is to this young couple?”

Passersby also turned their heads to look.

Zhao Ling supported Fu Tingyun as they knelt on the bluestone slabs.

Amid the soft music, Madam Fu’s coffin drew nearer.

Fu Tingyun began to cry.

Paper money fluttered down like snowflakes.

Fu Tinggui, who was leading the funeral procession, caught sight of Fu Tingyun.

His eyes instantly widened larger than brass bells, his face turning blue with anger.

The two young nephews, still small in age, suddenly saw a familiar face and confusedly called out “Aunt,” but were hurriedly pulled back by someone…