Fu Tingyun knew nothing about what had happened in the Yu family. After sending the letter to her elder sister-in-law through Jin Yuanbao, her attention turned to Youyou’s first birthday celebration. As for Zuo Junjie’s matter, she trusted that Zhao Ling would handle it well.

“Those who know about it can come with gifts and stay for a bowl of longevity noodles. Those who don’t know, we won’t disturb them…” Yang Yucheng asked Yu Wei, “Did sister-in-law say that?”

“Madam truly said so,” Yu Wei nodded with a smile. “But on April 23rd, the day before Young Miss’s birthday, Madam and Ninth Master will take Young Miss to Tanzhe Temple to burn incense…”

“Then wouldn’t all those fireworks I prepared be wasted?” Yang Yucheng said dejectedly. “I was planning to give Young Miss a proper birthday celebration!”

Yu Wei smiled with pursed lips.

Jin Yuanbao punched his shoulder and laughed: “Who told you to only mind the beginning without thinking of the end?”

Yang Yucheng muttered quietly: “It’s just that I never connected sister-in-law with the Fu family before.”

Hearing this, Yu Wei’s smile faded slightly, feeling somewhat melancholic.

Jin Yuanbao noticed and said with a laugh, “On April 23rd, let’s go join the excitement! I haven’t properly explored Tanzhe Temple yet!”

“Great, great!” A Sen clapped his hands and said, “Sister-in-law told me to go along too, and said she’d have me light incense so the Buddha would bless me to study well and pass the imperial examination.”

Yang Yucheng then mocked A Sen: “You? Pass the imperial examination? In that case, I could become a great general too.”

“Sister-in-law said that heroes can come from anywhere,” A Sen puffed his cheeks, unwilling to concede. “If you can’t become a great general yourself, don’t hold me back.”

“Well!” Yang Yucheng widened his eyes, “This boy dares to talk back to me now.” Saying this, he rolled up his sleeves. “Let me teach you a lesson…”

A Sen shouted “Brother Yuanbao” and hid behind Jin Yuanbao, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Fu Tingyun, sitting on the large kang bed by the window in the inner room, watched the joyful scene in the courtyard through the half-open lattice and smiled.

She turned to Zhao Ling, who was patting Youyou for her afternoon nap, and asked: “Why didn’t you ever form a sworn brotherhood with them?”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling rubbed his nose, looking rather embarrassed: “Don’t sworn brothers need to declare their ages? At that time, to gain their respect, I constantly misled them…”

Fu Tingyun was stunned for a moment, then fell back on the large welcoming pillow, unable to contain her laughter.

Zhao Ling called out to her with some frustration, half annoyed and half helpless: “If I brush you off, you insist on digging deeper; if I tell you the truth, you laugh uncontrollably…”

Fu Tingyun quickly suppressed her laughter, leaned over to kiss Zhao Ling’s cheek, and said: “I’m wrong, I apologize to you.”

Zhao Ling seized the opportunity and moved his face closer to hers: “How can just one kiss be enough? You should kiss me several more times.”

This made Fu Tingyun laugh again. After thinking for a moment, she followed his request and kissed his face several times… Zhao Ling took the chance to embrace her… Suddenly, there was a commotion in the courtyard.

Fu Tingyun quickly pushed Zhao Ling away and heard Yang Yucheng asking Zheng San: “The steward from the Marquis of Yingchuan has brought gifts to celebrate Youyou’s first birthday?”

“Yes!” Zheng San said with a smile. “The visitor said he’s the steward of the Marquis of Yingchuan… I was just about to report to Ninth Master!”

Zhao Ling saw that Fu Tingyun’s temples were disheveled and her collar untidy, as she glared at him with a mixture of shyness and anger. He smiled, kissed her cheek, and whispered: “I’ll go see.”

Fu Tingyun nodded with a flushed face.

Zhao Ling went to meet the steward of the Marquis of Yingchuan.

Fu Tingyun combed her hair again and dressed properly. Zhao Ling returned and showed her the gift list.

“A pair of pure gold longevity locks, a pair of pure gold bracelets, a pair of pure gold necklaces, a dark red carved silk robe…” Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling in surprise. “Such generosity?”

Zhao Ling smiled bitterly: “I can’t figure out why either.”

Fu Tingyun tensed and asked: “Could it be that the Emperor has agreed to let you go to Xuantong with Mo Yi?”

“It shouldn’t be for that reason,” Zhao Ling said. “Even if I go to Xuantong, I’d just be a Deputy General, and since I was recommended to the Emperor by the Marquis of Yingchuan, no matter how prominent I become, I should still be grateful for his recommendation…” At this point, he suddenly stopped and stood there deep in thought.

Fu Tingyun didn’t dare disturb him and quietly walked out, giving the gift list to Yu Wei, instructing her to put it away properly: “We’ll need to reciprocate later.”

Yu Wei acknowledged and accepted the list, then whispered: “Just now, the steward quietly told Zheng San that Concubine Xiao asked him to pass on a message to you that she has returned to the capital and invites you to visit her home when you have time.”

Fu Tingyun was very surprised: “Was it specifically for me?”

Yu Wei nodded.

Fu Tingyun frowned slightly.

Having returned to the capital, the Fu Guogong Mansion had several madams above and the legitimate wife of the Marquis of Yingchuan below. How could it be Xiao’s turn, as a mere concubine, to receive guests… The Fu Guogong family hadn’t divided their household yet, and since the steward claimed to be from the Marquis of Yingchuan, he was the Marquis’s man. If he was delivering a message for Xiao, could it be with the Marquis’s tacit approval?

Fu Tingyun thought of the Fu Guogong family’s nineteenth young lady who had married the Marquis of Wuding… Though her mind was somewhat confused, she was determined not to wade into these troubled waters, and whispered: “Let me discuss it with Ninth Master first.”

Yu Wei acknowledged, and there was another commotion outside.

Zheng San came to report: “Madam Zhang from the Zhang Mansion in Zhangjia Bay has sent a Nanny with birthday gifts for the Young Miss.”

Fu Tingyun exclaimed: “I didn’t expect to disturb Madam Zhang as well.” She continued with a smile, “This must be all due to Uncle Yang’s connections!” She quickly instructed Yu Wei to bring the visitor in, served tea, conveyed greetings to Madam Zhang, received the gift list, gave silver as a reward, and had Yu Wei personally escort the visitor to the gate.

Jin Yuanbao teased Yang Yucheng: “Well, well, the son-in-law hasn’t even arrived, but you’re already getting the special treatment.”

Yang Yucheng blushed and stammered for quite a while.

Zheng San hurried in.

Yang Yucheng quickly called to him: “What’s the matter?”

Zheng San said solemnly: “Yu Kuai’an, the steward from Grand Secretary Yu’s family on Jiadao Street, has come on Madam Yu’s orders to bring birthday gifts for the Young Miss!”

Yang Yucheng and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

A Sen even clenched his fist: “What does she want?”

“Never mind what she wants,” Yang Yucheng sneered. “We’ll deal with whatever comes. Are we afraid of her?”

A Sen nodded repeatedly, while Jin Yuanbao remained silent.

Zheng San hurried into the hall.

Fu Tingyun handed the gift list to Zhao Ling: “Could it be that they’re playing good cop, bad cop? Logically, the Yu family shouldn’t be so humble!”

Zhao Ling was also puzzled.

“Regardless of whether they’re playing good cop or bad cop, we should just accept it graciously.” Zhao Ling didn’t even look at the list and handed it back to Fu Tingyun, saying magnanimously, “Just accept it!”

Fu Tingyun smiled and took the list, instructing Zheng San: “Since they sent a steward, I think you should receive him on our behalf.”

Zheng San was surprised, then quickly understood Fu Tingyun’s meaning, smiled and acknowledged, then left the hall with his head lowered.

There was a commotion in the courtyard.

Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling exchanged glances.

They heard Chen Shi’s hearty laughter: “Mrs. Zhao, you didn’t even send us invitations for your daughter’s first birthday, and now that we’ve come to congratulate you, you don’t even come out to welcome us…”

The Zhao couple was dumbfounded.

The curtain was lifted, and Chen Shi walked in first.

Behind her followed Madam Wu and Yu Wei, who looked somewhat embarrassed.

“We met at the entrance of the alley, so we came together…” Chen Shi explained, then looked up and saw Zhao Ling, immediately turning red—she had thought Zhao Ling was still in Guizhou, and not having Yu Wei announce them was meant to surprise Fu Tingyun, but unexpectedly she encountered Zhao Ling… Chen Shi and Madam Wu simultaneously exclaimed “Oh my!” and turned to leave, but bumped into Yu Wei behind them…

The scene became chaotic for a moment.

Zhao Ling quickly smiled and cupped his hands to Chen Shi and Madam Wu: “Both madams honoring our humble home truly brightens our abode! Please come in and sit.” Then he excused himself, saying he had something to discuss with Yang Yucheng, and took his leave from the two female guests.

Chen Shi couldn’t help but pat her chest: “How is Mr. Zhao at home?”

“The Emperor had questions for him,” Fu Tingyun explained briefly, invited Chen Shi and Madam Wu to take their seats, and called for Kou’er to serve tea.

Chen Shi chatted and joked for a while, asking about Youyou’s first birthday celebration.

Madam Wu, however, held her teacup and seemed lost in thought for some time. After the two finished talking, she asked about Zhao Ling’s affairs: “They say the Marquis of Longping is difficult to get along with, but unexpectedly Mr. Zhao and the Marquis are compatible, and the Marquis even let Mr. Zhao handle such a good opportunity as the imperial audience.”

“An army cannot be without a general for a day,” Fu Tingyun humbly said. “That’s also because he’s not as high-ranking and powerful as the Marquis of Longping and General Mo.”

Madam Wu chuckled and glanced at Chen Shi: “Then we should congratulate Mrs. Zhao in advance—when the Marquis of Longping returns victorious, Mr. Zhao will likely be promoted again.”

Chen Shi hadn’t thought that far ahead and was somewhat surprised by this comment.

Fu Tingyun engaged with Madam Wu’s remark: “This recent victory in Guizhou is mainly due to the merits of the Marquis of Longping and General Mo. My husband is merely following orders…”

Zhenyu came in to report: “Madam, Madam Mo has arrived.”

“What a coincidence!” Madam Wu said with a smile. The group went to welcome Madam Mo, and just as they had exchanged greetings, Madam Li arrived, and everyone exchanged more pleasantries.

Youyou’s birthday hadn’t arrived yet, and invitation cards hadn’t been sent out, but the Zhao household was already bustling with activity.

…

Meanwhile, Madam Yu received Yu Kuai’an’s letter and held her teacup for a long time without speaking.

Yu Kuai’an carefully observed Madam Yu’s expression but couldn’t discern whether she was pleased or angry, and began to feel uneasy.

Madam Yu suddenly said, “I understand, you may go now.”

Yu Kuai’an was delighted and respectfully bowed to Madam Yu, then quietly withdrew.

Madam Yu let out a long sigh.

Shu Mama quickly came forward with a smile: “What’s the matter, Madam? Would you like to take a stroll in the garden?”

“Such a tiny place, I’ve been walking around it for two years, what’s there to see?” Madam Yu impatiently waved her hand.

Shu Mama smiled and said: “Living in the capital is not easy. Naturally, it can’t compare to our residence in Nanjing. Besides, Madam is a person of experience, how could ordinary scenery impress you…”

But Madam Yu seemed distracted and murmured to herself: “Dignified without bending, noble without swaying… Indeed, she is a girl from the Fu family…” Her tone was infinitely melancholic.

Shu Mama was stunned.