Madam Fu’s coffin gradually receded into the distance amid the funeral music, leaving only paper money scattered on the ground like snowflakes.

Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun to her feet as she cried until she nearly fainted, gently comforting her: “Let’s go home first! In a few days, we’ll go to Cuifeng Temple to offer incense and hold a ceremony for your mother. If you collapse from exhaustion, you won’t be able to go…”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun nodded repeatedly, but her tears continued to fall endlessly, wiped away only to be replaced by more.

Once they were in the carriage, Zhao Ling simply held her in his arms: “Close your eyes and rest for a while. If you keep crying like this, you’ll damage your eyes.”

Fu Tingyun knew this well, but she couldn’t control her emotions.

She obediently nestled in Zhao Ling’s embrace.

Perhaps due to not having rested well for several days, or perhaps from exhaustion from crying, Fu Tingyun fell asleep to the rhythmic sounds of the carriage wheels.

When she awoke, she found herself still curled in Zhao Ling’s arms, in the carriage, though it had stopped moving some time ago.

“You’re awake!” Zhao Ling helped her sit up, shaking his numb arm. “You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to wake you. I had Zheng San stop the carriage in the hutong.” Then he smiled, “Are you feeling better? Do you want to rest in the carriage a bit longer, or shall we get out and go home?”

His expression was gentle and calm, making his entire person seem steady and resolute, like a mountain or the sea, quietly standing guard—always visible whenever she turned around.

The grief and loneliness of her mother’s death gradually receded, replaced by a sense of warmth and security.

She took Zhao Ling’s hand: “Let’s go home!”

Zhao Ling nodded with a smile and carefully helped Fu Tingyun down from the carriage.

Zheng Sanniang and Madam Tong, who had been waiting at the ornate gate, immediately surrounded them. One asked, “Is the Madam alright? Is there any discomfort?” while the other said, “The young miss has been very good, neither crying nor fussing, sleeping in the east ear room with Miss Yu Wei and the wet nurse.”

As they finished speaking, Zhenzhu and Kou’er came forward, one saying “The Madam has returned,” the other saying “Madam, let me help you…” Even Yu Wei, who was looking after Youyou in the ear room, lifted the curtain upon hearing the commotion and said: “The weather is hot, Madam should go inside and rest!”

Looking at the suddenly bustling courtyard, Fu Tingyun felt a warmth in her heart and kept nodding.

…

Just as darkness fell, Jin Yuanbao arrived.

Fu Tingyun was astonished: “Did he settle his affairs so quickly?”

Zhao Ling smiled: “Muo Yi was afraid I wouldn’t go with him to Guizhou, so he’s been focused on this matter every day! How could it not be quick?”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but mutter: “Why is he always so anxious about you?”

“This can’t be blamed on him,” Zhao Ling smiled. “For this campaign to quell the rebellion in Guizhou, the Huguang Military Commission is responsible for gathering provisions, while the Guangxi and Guangdong Military Commissions are responsible for dispatching troops. The Guangdong Commander-in-Chief Muo Shang is Muo Yi’s clan uncle, and the Guangxi Commander-in-Chief Li Zai is Muo Yi’s former commander. So tell me, if Muo Yi doesn’t take the position of Commander-in-Chief, who will? He couldn’t refuse, so he had to drag me in to help him mediate.”

“Your temperament is bad enough,” Fu Tingyun laughed. “Let’s hope you don’t end up dragging Muo Yi down instead of helping him.” Then she urged him, “Hurry and meet Jin Yuanbao before he gets impatient.”

Zhao Ling smiled and went to the south wing hall, staying there for dinner, and returning only at the Hour of the Dog.

“I’ve arranged for Jin Yuanbao to stay in the guest room in the south wing. Having another person in the house will make you all feel safer.”

Fu Tingyun nodded and said: “Why don’t we temporarily assign Kou’er to serve him?”

This time, An Xin would be accompanying Zhao Ling to Guizhou.

After discussing the matter, the next day, they assigned Kou’er to attend to the guest room in the south wing, and Jin Yuanbao reported to the Five Cities Military Affairs Bureau.

A messenger came from the palace, summoning Zhao Ling to an imperial audience on the twenty-first.

Zhao Ling’s face was filled with guilt.

When an official was leaving the capital, they were required to enter the palace the day before to express gratitude for the emperor’s favor and receive imperial instructions.

This meant he would likely leave the capital on the twenty-second, before Fu Tingyun’s confinement period ended, let alone being able to accompany her to Cuifeng Temple to offer incense and hold ceremonies for Madam Fu.

“I need to get a small notebook to record all the promises you’ve broken to me,” Fu Tingyun said with a smile before Zhao Ling could speak. “Someday when you make me unhappy, I’ll bring out that notebook and settle accounts with you.”

“Good, good, good,” Zhao Ling held his wife tightly. “Whenever I make you unhappy, you can settle accounts with me.” His eyes were somewhat moist.

Fu Tingyun leaned against his shoulder, softly instructing him: “Although you’re going with the army, you must still be careful. Remember that Youyou and I are waiting for you in the capital, so don’t be reckless…”

“I understand, I understand,” Zhao Ling gently kissed his wife’s forehead, softly promising.

The couple talked for half the night.

The next day, Zhao Ling went to the palace where the Emperor gave the customary instructions, then smiled and told them: “The twenty-sixth of this month is an auspicious day. You shall depart then!” As he spoke, he glanced slightly at Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling was stunned.

When he returned home and told Fu Tingyun, he asked: “…Could it have been my imagination?”

Fu Tingyun, however, felt a surge of joy, like finding a village beyond the willow grove. “Find an opportunity to thank the Emperor! Regardless of why he set the date for the twenty-sixth, it resolves our dilemma.”

Zhao Ling nodded slightly.

Fu Tingyun busied herself preparing his luggage. On the twenty-fifth, with Zheng San driving the carriage, their family of three, along with Yu Wei, went to Cuifeng Temple.

Madam Fu’s coffin was placed in a small side room behind the temple hall. Xiu Zhu’s wife lived in a small house not far from there, where she tended to Madam Fu’s incense and candles daily.

Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling offered incense before Madam Fu’s tablet. Xiu Zhu’s wife and Yu Wei helped Zhao Ling arrange the offerings. While Zhao Ling went to discuss the ceremonies for Madam Fu with the abbess, Xiu Zhu’s wife took the opportunity to thank Fu Tingyun: “Thank you, Young Mistress, for sending someone to escort my husband and two children to the estate in Chang’an County.”

“It’s what we should do,” Fu Tingyun said, her gaze falling on her mother’s tablet, which bore only a few brief words—”Virtuous Lady of the Fu Family, née Xie”—yet these words summarized her mother’s entire life. A wave of melancholy suddenly surged in her heart, and her voice became dejected, “You served my mother faithfully, and now it’s time for you to enjoy your well-deserved rest.” After a pause, she continued, “Now that you’ll be living permanently at the estate in Chang’an County, I must trouble you to tend to my mother’s memorial services!”

Master Fu the Fifth had already consulted a geomancer to select an auspicious date, deciding that on the fourth day of the eighth month, Fu Tinggui would escort the coffin back to their hometown.

At that time, Madam Fu would be buried in the Fu family ancestral graves, located forty li outside Huayin City.

“The Young Mistress is too kind,” Xiu Zhu’s wife followed Fu Tingyun’s gaze to Madam Fu’s tablet, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’ve noted everything you instructed.”

Fu Tingyun nodded gently, taking Youyou from Yu Wei’s arms, and pointing to Madam Fu’s tablet, she softly told her sleeping daughter: “Youyou, this is your maternal grandmother. You never met her… but she always thought of you… Yet she never got to see you even once…” As she spoke, tears blurred her vision.

Behind her came the soft sobbing of Yu Wei and Xiu Zhu’s wife… and from afar, the deep, lingering temple bells, making Fu Tingyun’s heart feel peaceful and serene.

…

On the occasion of Madam Fu’s twenty-first day of mourning, Fu Tingyun visited Cuifeng Temple again.

The young nun who guided them smiled and said: “Your relatives are truly close! Early this morning, someone came to pay respects to Madam Fu.”

Fu Tingyun was surprised.

When they reached where Madam Fu’s coffin was placed, they indeed saw offerings and incense.

She asked Xiu Zhu’s wife: “Who came?”

Xiu Zhu’s wife hesitated.

Fu Tingyun dismissed the young nun and paid respects to her mother. Only then did Xiu Zhu’s wife say: “It was Madam Yu—she sent her attendant, Mama Shu, especially to pay respects to Madam.”

Fu Tingyun was astonished.

Xiu Zhu’s wife lowered her head, murmuring: “Madam Yu always cared deeply for Madam. When Madam passed away, she came to offer incense at the mourning hall… And now she has sent her most trusted mama…”

Fu Tingyun was silent for a moment, then said: “I will remember this kindness. When the opportunity arises, I will find a way to repay it.”

Xiu Zhu’s wife breathed a sigh of relief.

…

A married daughter observes one year of mourning for deceased parents, while a granddaughter observes five months of mourning for maternal grandparents. Thus, Youyou did not have a hundred-day celebration. However, Chen Shi remembered this and brought gifts that day to offer congratulations.

“An elder in the family has passed away,” Fu Tingyun said, wearing a white cloth flower. “I can only offer you a simple vegetarian noodle meal.”

“Not at all,” Chen Shi smiled. “I’m the one who has been impolite.” Then she joked self-deprecatingly, “I thought you were too busy to send me an invitation, so I came specifically to demand an explanation.”

These words made Fu Tingyun laugh.

Chen Shi then asked with concern: “May I ask which elder in your family has passed away? We should also pay our respects.”

“It’s all in the past now, so I didn’t want to trouble everyone,” Fu Tingyun smiled, changing the subject. “There have been so many things happening lately that I haven’t had a chance to ask you—has your child’s chickenpox healed?”

“He still has two small pockmarks on his face,” Chen Shi sighed. “Fortunately, he’s a boy. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome.” She then spoke about the dangers of the disease and things to be mindful of, which Fu Tingyun listened to attentively.

Zhenzhu entered to report: “Madam Muo has arrived.”

Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised and welcomed Madam Muo together with Chen Shi.

“I thought you had forgotten about me,” Madam Muo said, surveying the courtyard’s arrangements. “So you didn’t hold a hundred-day celebration for the young miss! Even if Zhao Ling isn’t home, don’t you still have us? You’re being too careless.”

Before she finished speaking, Kou’er hurried in: “Madam, Madam Wu and Madam Ji have sent their mamas with gifts to congratulate the young miss on her hundred days.”

Fu Tingyun smiled wryly: “It seems I’ll have to invite all the madams and ladies to a meal at our home another day.”

Madam Muo and Chen Shi both laughed, saying in unison: “I can’t speak for others, but we’re coming for a bowl of noodles.”

Fu Tingyun apologized repeatedly.

Everyone went to the main room, laughing.

From then on, Chen Shi and Madam Muo often visited, and consequently, Chen Shi and Madam Muo also became well acquainted. Through Madam Muo, Fu Tingyun met several wives and ladies from families of the Imperial Guards’ Deputy Commanders and Assistant Commanders. Through Fu Tingyun and Madam Muo, Chen Shi met the wives of Lin Chi and Tao Mu. Gradually, Fu Tingyun came to know more people in the capital.