Early the next morning, Fu Tingyun wrote a letter and had Yu Wei deliver it to the Chen household, asking Chen Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law, to help inquire about the Zhang family.
After reading the letter, Chen Shi smiled and said to Yu Wei: “Your Madam has truly asked the right person. As it happens, my natal family has some distant relation to the Zhang family, and I’ve met the Zhang daughter when she was young—she’s quite pretty. Leave this matter to me.”
Yu Wei thanked her repeatedly.
A few days later, Chen Shi replied: “…The Zhang daughter has a gentle and mild temperament. Master Zhang fears his daughter might suffer if she marries too far away, and seeing that Master Yang has no parents-in-law above him nor sisters-in-law below, and being such a handsome man, he became interested in this match. Every year on the ninth day of the first month, Madam Zhang takes her daughter to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense to Guanyin Bodhisattva. Why don’t we go and take a look? It would set your mind at ease.”
“Thank you, Sister,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “The New Year is approaching, and everyone is busy with festival preparations. Rather than hastily settling this matter, perhaps we should wait until after the New Year to discuss it properly. Then you can also earn the matchmaker’s shoes for good fortune.”
“Then it’s settled,” Chen Shi smiled, spent some time playing with Youyou, chatted with Fu Tingyun about domestic matters, then rose to take her leave.
Although Zhao Ling was not at home, the proper rituals could not be neglected.
On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, they sent off the Kitchen God; on the twenty-fifth, they welcomed the Jade Emperor. Then they began sweeping dust, hanging spring couplets, welcoming the God of Wealth, staying up on New Year’s Eve, paying New Year visits, and eating dumplings—celebrating the New Year with great festivity.
On the ninth day of the first month, Fu Tingyun, fearing to frighten her child, left Youyou at home in the care of the wet nurse and Madam Tong, while she took Yu Wei to Tanzhe Temple.
The road to Tanzhe Temple was crowded with people. Those who had gone up the mountain yesterday to burn the first incense were now returning home, while those who wanted to offer early incense today were heading up the mountain. The bustling crowd was disorderly—people could squeeze through gaps, but carriages moved even slower than pedestrians. By the time they reached the foot of Tanzhe Mountain, it was packed with people, making it impossible for carriages to push through.
Fu Tingyun clicked her tongue at the sight: “It’s good we didn’t bring Youyou!”
Yu Wei also stared in astonishment: “Why are there so many people today?”
“It’s the ninth day,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “Everyone is eager to offer the first incense. If they can’t be the first, they at least want to offer incense early for the Bodhisattva’s blessing!”
Just then, a manservant squeezed through, panting as he said: “Is this the Zhao family carriage from Shi Family Hutong? I’m from Commander Chen’s household of the Front Guard of the Jinwu. I’ve been sent by our First Madam to escort the Madam.”
Fu Tingyun and her party were delighted and followed the servant to a manor not far from the foot of Tanzhe Mountain, where they met with Chen Shi.
“This is property of Tanzhe Temple,” Chen Shi personally poured Fu Tingyun a cup of tea and sat down in the armchair opposite her. “Because my grand-uncle is a lay Buddhist at Tanzhe Temple, we were able to borrow this manor to rest. After we meet with Madam Zhang, we can go up the mountain to worship—there’s no rush.”
Fu Tingyun naturally agreed.
After resting for a while and chatting, Madam Zhang arrived with her daughter.
Madam Zhang was a woman of thirty-seven or thirty-eight, well-preserved, looking only about thirty. The Zhang daughter was fourteen or fifteen, refined and quiet.
Lifting the head to marry off a daughter, lowering the head to receive a daughter-in-law. Perhaps knowing the purpose of this visit, Madam Zhang, as the representative of the bride’s family, appeared somewhat uncomfortable in her movements. The Zhang daughter kept her head down, occasionally glancing at Fu Tingyun from the corner of her eye, not becoming more poised even when her mother cast her a reproachful look.
After the Zhang mother and daughter left, Chen Shi quickly said: “The Zhang daughter isn’t usually like this…”
Fu Tingyun hastened to say: “This is good. It shows she’s a girl of genuine disposition.”
Hearing this, Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, she had brought them together; if the match succeeded, it would reflect well on her.
As this thought passed through her mind, her face showed some hesitation.
Fu Tingyun, being perceptive, smiled and said: “Could it be that the Zhang family has entrusted Sister with something to tell me? A matchmaker must speak to make the match. Sister and I are not strangers—please speak freely.”
Hearing this, Chen Shi laughed: “I knew you were straightforward. I won’t hold back then. The Zhang family is very satisfied with Master Yang, except for one matter—they hope that after marriage, Master Yang could settle in Daxing or Zhangjia Bay… Could this be negotiated?”
This would mean relocation.
This was a significant matter.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be stories of people leaving home young and returning old.
“I’ll discuss this with Uncle Yang,” Fu Tingyun said diplomatically. “I truly don’t dare make this decision for him.”
Not having outright refused, Chen Shi was already grateful and quickly smiled as she poured tea for Fu Tingyun.
When Yang Yucheng heard the Zhang family’s condition, he immediately refused.
“The Ninth Master advised me to establish household registration and acquire land in Hu County. If I ever leave official service, I’ll return to Hu County to be a retired gentleman,” he said somewhat proudly. “By then, the Ninth Master will be in Chang’an, I’ll be in Hu County, and Yuanbao in Lantian. We can coordinate easily if anything happens. How delightful would that be? Who would be willing to register in Daxing? I’m not marrying into their family.”
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help feeling it was a pity.
But this was a major life decision about marriage and career, and ultimately, Yang Yucheng had to make his own choice.
She relayed his response.
The Zhang family inevitably discussed back and forth, dragging things out until the end of the second month, but eventually agreed.
Fu Tingyun then invited Chen Shi to be the matchmaker.
Yang Yucheng proposed setting the wedding date in October of this year or March of next year: “…The Ninth Master is my brother whom I’d give my life for. For my wedding, I must have him preside over the ceremony.” Additionally, regarding betrothal gifts, dowry, and such matters, he would always invite Chen Shi to consult with Fu Tingyun: “She is my sister-in-law. With my parents gone, such matters should naturally be discussed with her.”
Fu Tingyun broke into a sweat hearing this.
Zhao Ling was even younger than Yang Yucheng…
But this was difficult to mention, so she could only vaguely agree and then help him make decisions.
As interactions continued, the Zhang family came to know that Fu Tingyun was capable of managing household affairs, and their attitude toward her changed. Madam Zhang even chose a beautiful spring day to bring many gifts and visit Fu Tingyun: “…My daughter has been spoiled by me. In the future, if anything arises, I hope you, as her sister-in-law, will guide her.”
“Madam Zhang is too kind,” Fu Tingyun responded warmly, adhering to the principle of returning ten times the respect given. “Although I’ve only met Miss Zhang once, I can tell she’s an exceptionally intelligent young lady. My uncle is also good-natured. I’m sure they will be harmonious and loving together.” She continued, “When Uncle initially refused to move to Daxing, I was quite disappointed for them. Honestly, Uncle has fought alongside the Marquis of Yingchuan, and it’s unlikely he’ll leave military service anytime soon. Even if he eventually returns to Hu County, that’s years away. Fortunately, Master and Madam Zhang are understanding people and ultimately blessed this marriage.”
This pleased Madam Zhang greatly, who became even more intimate with Fu Tingyun, chatting about family matters until dusk.
Zhangjia Bay was a day’s journey away.
Fu Tingyun invited Madam Zhang to stay overnight.
Madam Zhang declined: “Now that my daughter’s marriage is settled, I need to inform her uncles—my natal family lives not far from here in Silversmith Hutong.”
Silversmith Hutong was in the northeast corner of the capital, while Shi Family Hutong was on the central axis—how was that not far?
Fu Tingyun compromised, keeping her for dinner and personally escorting her to the main gate.
“You should go back inside!” Madam Zhang stopped her from coming down the steps. “It’s so late, your daughter must be looking for her mother.”
“A moment’s delay won’t matter.” Despite this, Fu Tingyun politely remained on the steps, watching Madam Zhang’s carriage head toward the main street outside Shi Family Hutong.
Suddenly, a figure darted out.
The Zhang family coachman cried out in alarm, pulling hard on the reins.
The horse reared up, letting out a high-pitched neigh that made one’s heart tremble.
Fu Tingyun’s face turned pale as she lifted her skirt and rushed forward.
The figure who had darted out was caught off guard, greatly startled, and fell to the ground, looking up in terror.
The light from the bright red lantern of the general store at the hutong entrance illuminated his face.
A high, straight nose, thin lips, and despite the flicker of fear in his eyes, there was unmistakable pride in his features.
“Zuo Junjie!” Fu Tingyun exclaimed, glancing back at Yu Wei, and instinctively quickened her steps. “Quick, help me catch him, he stole something from our home,” she shouted to the Zhang family coachman.
Zuo Junjie scrambled to his feet in panic and ran toward a small alley nearby.
The Zhang family coachman came to his senses and jumped down from the carriage to give chase.
Zheng San, A’sen, and Yanqing also ran after him.
In the deep night, Zuo Junjie quickly disappeared.
Fu Tingyun smiled coldly and mobilized everyone in the household to search.
Now that Zuo Junjie knew where she lived, if they missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to encounter him again.
Her heart was racing with anxiety.
Madam Zhang nervously tugged at Fu Tingyun’s sleeve: “What happened? Didn’t I hit someone?”
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” she could only reassure Madam Zhang this way. “That man once stole something my mother gave me. Now that we’ve finally come across him, we must recover the item.”
Madam Zhang let out a flustered “Oh.”
Two people approached from ahead.
Fu Tingyun looked closely and saw that it was Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng.
Overjoyed, she hurried to meet them: “We just encountered Zuo Junjie.”
The two were startled: “Where?”
Fu Tingyun succinctly explained what had happened.
Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng exchanged a glance, then said: “You take your people to guard several places around here, I’ll go call some brothers to help.”
Yang Yucheng responded and left immediately, not even noticing Madam Zhang standing nearby.
“Sister-in-law, go back inside and rest. We brothers will handle this,” Jin Yuanbao instructed before hurrying away.
Madam Zhang became even more satisfied with Yang Yucheng: “Decisive and efficient—a man who gets things done.”
Fu Tingyun broke into a sweat hearing this: “Today’s events have delayed you. Let me see you out.”
“No rush, no rush,” Madam Zhang smiled. “I see your household doesn’t have many people. I brought two old women with my carriage; let them help with the search.” Without waiting for Fu Tingyun’s agreement, she directly instructed two sturdy old women, “Follow Master Zhao’s people and take orders from the son-in-law.”
The two old women cheerfully complied and went to find Yang Yucheng.