Seeing his demeanor, Madam Yu’s expression softened, and her voice became gentler: “On such a hot day, you still made a special trip to Jiangxiangyuan. You must be tired. Go back to your room and rest! Come with your wife for dinner tonight. I’ll have the kitchen prepare the one-dish duck that you love and the tea-scented rice balls that your wife enjoys.”
“I’m not tired,” Yu Jingxiu, still feeling guilty, picked up the crystal dish in front of Madam Yu and served her cherries. “I’ll just stay here and chat with Mother.”
Hearing this, Madam Yu smiled faintly, her eyes revealing a trace of reminiscence: “I remember when you were little, you would cuddle in my arms every day after school and tell me about what happened at the academy. After you washed up, we would go together to pay respects to your grandmother… Later, your father felt that your grandmother, aunt, and I were spoiling you too much and decided to send you to the Fan family to study, allowing you to return only during festivals. You don’t know how my heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. I soaked several pillows with my tears, but thinking of your future, I pretended nothing was wrong and helped you pack your clothes and arrange your writing materials…” As Madam Yu spoke, she smiled and stroked her son’s head. “In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much. Not only have you taken a wife, but you’ve also achieved scholarly honors. Whenever I think about it, I wake up smiling in my dreams several times.”
“Mother!” Embarrassed and ashamed, Yu Jingxiu lowered his head. His mother only spoke of his accomplishments without mentioning his childlessness. “Your son is unfilial for not giving you a grandson to hold…”
“You are both still young, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future,” Madam Yu said gently. “Some things can’t be rushed. The more anxious you are, the harder they are to come by. Otherwise, how would we have the saying ‘Willows planted without intention still provide shade’? But you also cannot simply defy your elders. You are my son, and naturally I think the best of you no matter what, but you have an aunt above you and an aunt below you… When the family is harmonious, all affairs prosper!” She continued, “Outsiders all say how shrewd, how formidable, how domineering I am, but you’ve grown up by my side—am I that kind of person? It’s because I gave birth to you that I’ve always let your first aunt and your aunt go ahead in everything. I simply understand the principle that water overflows when full, and the moon wanes when full—I have everything, so if I can’t endure some grievances, how could I peacefully enjoy such blessings? You’re a smart person, you should understand these principles better than I do!”
Water overflows when full, the moon wanes…
Yu Jingxiu silently repeated these words in his heart, becoming somewhat absent-minded.
Whenever his grandmother had something nice to give to her daughters-in-law, or his father brought back something special from outside, his mother would always let his first aunt and aunt choose first.
At that time, he was too young to understand and felt it was unfair to his mother, but she would embrace him with a smile and say: “I already have you, which is the best thing of all. I don’t care about anything else…”
Seeing this, Madam Yu’s eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction as she picked up her teacup and took a leisurely sip.
…
When Yu Jingxiu returned to his quarters, his wife Madam Fan was worshiping Buddha in the small shrine set up in the side room.
Hearing movement, she came out with a smile to greet him: “Why are you back so early today? Have you paid your respects to Mother?”
The breeze stirred, carrying the strong and fragrant scent of sandalwood.
Yu Jingxiu was momentarily dazed and asked her: “Since when have you become so diligent in worshiping Buddha?”
Madam Fan gave him a sideways glance and said with charming reproach: “This Guanyin Bodhisattva is the one that you and I brought back together from Tanzhe Temple. How could you forget so quickly? You haven’t taken any of my matters to heart!”
Only then did Yu Jingxiu remember.
This was the Bodhisattva that his wife had invited from Tanzhe Temple’s high monk to pray for a son…
He hurriedly gave a salute and smiled: “Please forgive me, my lady!”
Madam Fan covered her mouth and laughed, her expression full of joy, clearly not taking these small matters to heart.
Mozhuan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but say: “The young mistress says there is no better husband in the world than the young master. The young mistress offers three incense sticks every day, praying for the young master’s longevity, smooth career, and many children and grandchildren…”
Madam Fan glared at Mozhuan: “You talk too much!”
Mozhuan pouted: “I’m not making things up! This is what the young mistress says before the Buddha every day!” She looked quite aggrieved.
Yu Jingxiu smiled, smoothing over the awkwardness between mistress and maid: “Alright, alright, go freshen up. We’ll go to Mother’s place for dinner later.”
Madam Fan’s expression stiffened as she asked: “Does Mother have any instructions?”
“What instructions could there be?” Yu Jingxiu smiled, putting his arm around Madam Fan’s shoulders as they walked toward the main room. “It’s just that we haven’t had dinner together for a long time, and she wants some liveliness…”
Hearing this, Madam Fan couldn’t help but mutter quietly: “We just had lunch together a few days ago…”
With her mother-in-law’s stern face, every time she picked up food or held her bowl, that icy gaze would sweep over her. If she hadn’t been confident in her family upbringing and etiquette, she might have knocked over the dishes.
Thinking of this, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Yu Jingxiu was surprised and hesitantly asked: “You don’t want to go?” Having to interact daily with someone who dislikes you would make anyone feel like the days drag on, but recalling his mother’s words earlier, he couldn’t help but advise: “Mother came to Beijing for our sake. She’s unfamiliar with the place and has no one to talk to. Whatever happens, just bear with it a bit more. Once we have children and Mother’s heart is at ease, things will be different!”
Yes, the key was offspring.
As long as she could continue the Yu family line, what else could her mother-in-law find fault with?
Thinking of this, her spirits lifted. Worried that her husband might have misunderstood, she quickly said: “I just feel a bit sad that no matter what I do, Mother remains lukewarm toward me.” Remembering her own mother’s advice when she got married—”In the most difficult times, you must maintain a cheerful demeanor—who wants to look at a bitter face every day”—she curled her lips into a sweet smile and said in a silvery voice: “Where in the world are there perfect situations? I already have a family that treasures me like a jewel, a kind-hearted father-in-law, and the most considerate husband… There should be some regrets, otherwise even the Buddha would envy my good fortune!”
Yu Jingxiu was stunned.
Both his mother and his wife had said the same thing independently!
He blankly said: “You, you think so too?”
Instead of his usual response of looking at her apologetically when she expressed self-pity and then comforting her tenderly…
Madam Fan was bewildered.
Yu Jingxiu had already entered the inner chamber, somewhat absent-mindedly.
…
Zhao Ling returned home in the late afternoon, around the hour of You.
After hearing Fu Tingyun recount Concubine Xiao’s words, he smiled bitterly: “I’ve underestimated the Marquis. When it comes to decisive action, if the Marquis claims second place, no one would dare claim first.” For the first time, his tone revealed admiration.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but comfort him: “Ninth Master appreciates the Marquis’s recommendation. You can find ways to repay him in the future.”
“That’s all we can do now,” Zhao Ling sighed deeply as he sat in the grand chair. Fu Tingyun personally brewed tea for him. He took the cup, had a sip, and then asked about Madam Fu’s end-of-mourning ceremony: “…Today the Emperor held a council with several Grand Secretaries in the Western Garden and set the eighth day of the fifth month for welcoming the Marquis of Longping back to the capital. I’ve been assigned to the Ministry of Rites for this matter, under Minister Wu, who lives next door to us. Minister Wu specifically had a clerk ask me to go to the Ministry of Rites early tomorrow for a meeting. I’m afraid I’ll be busy with this matter for the next few days. Please take care of your mother’s affairs, whether it’s making a trip to Sixi Hutong or arranging a ceremony at a famous temple for her. Just let me know once you’ve decided.”
“Let’s hold a ceremony for Mother at Tanzhe Temple!” Fu Tingyun said without hesitation. “Mother’s wish before she died was that I would never again set foot in the Fu family home.”
Although Zhao Ling greatly disliked the Fu family, if Fu Tingyun wanted to return to Sixi Hutong for her mother’s affairs, he would have been willing to swallow his pride and accompany her. Now that Fu Tingyun had decided to hold the ceremony at Tanzhe Temple, he called Jin Yuanbao to help with the arrangements: “…Youyou is growing bigger, and her temper is also growing. She can’t walk steadily, yet refuses to be held or supported. Your sister-in-law doesn’t dare take her eyes off her for a moment, fearing she might fall if not watched carefully. If you can help out, your sister-in-law can have an easier time.”
Jin Yuanbao accepted the task and made a trip to Tanzhe Temple on his day off to arrange everything properly.
Zhao Ling had just finished welcoming the Marquis of Longping and Mo Yi back to the capital when the Marquis of Yingchuan and He Fu returned to the capital for an imperial audience regarding the garrison rotation. The Marquis of Yingchuan came from a family of distinguished service, and He Fu had not returned to the capital for a long time. One needed to say farewell, the other needed to make arrangements, and their comings and goings stirred up everyone of significance in the military. Additionally, Mo Yi was determined to bind Zhao Ling to his war chariot, insisting on taking Zhao Ling wherever he went, causing Zhao Ling to be constantly engaged in social obligations and suffering greatly.
Just then, Yang Yucheng’s mother-in-law, Madam Zhang, whose niece had given birth to a son and was celebrating his first month, came to the city for the celebration. She took the opportunity to bring some fresh fruits for Fu Tingyun and politely invited them to her countryside home to escape the summer heat: “…With the wind coming across the river, you can’t imagine how cool it is!”
Fu Tingyun didn’t take it seriously and politely exchanged pleasantries. She sealed two taels of silver as a gift, asking Madam Zhang to take it to her niece as a congratulatory present.
Giving a gift for a relative’s celebration was a way to give Madam Zhang face.
Madam Zhang was smiling from ear to ear and insisted that Fu Tingyun come along to the celebration.
Fu Tingyun thought for a moment and went with Madam Zhang to her niece’s home.
When Zhao Ling returned and didn’t see Fu Tingyun, he heard that Madam Zhang had come and invited them to the countryside to escape the summer heat. This caught his attention. Considering that his assignment hadn’t been finalized yet, once Madam Fu’s end-of-mourning ceremony was completed, he sent word to the Five Military Commands Office, left Zheng San and his wife to watch the house, and took Fu Tingyun, Youyou, A Sen, and others to Zhangjia Bay.
Yang Yucheng had no family, so the Zhang family treated Zhao Ling as their in-law.
The closeness between in-laws showed that the Zhang family was generous in their treatment of others.
Mr. Zhang was naturally overjoyed and specially arranged for the Zhao couple to stay in the best courtyard on his estate with the most beautiful scenery. The Zhang family was also a large clan, and when the various aunts and uncles in the clan heard that Mr. Zhang’s in-laws had come to escape the summer heat, they all came to keep them company. Even Yang Yucheng took leave to come over. Everyone ate and drank together for several days. Mr. Zhang personally accompanied Zhao Ling, either going fishing, looking at the fields, or touring the mountains. This made things difficult for Yang Yucheng, who had to observe the etiquette of a junior and serve on the side.
Meanwhile, Madam Zhang and Miss Zhang came daily to accompany Fu Tingyun and Youyou, either gathering in the hall to chat, taking Youyou to play in the back garden, or seeking Fu Tingyun’s guidance on needlework. Even when the couple “rode the red waves” late at night and needed to summon maids to serve hot water, the Zhang family’s servants only thought it was because the weather was too hot. This put Fu Tingyun’s anxious heart at ease, and she allowed Zhao Ling to behave as wildly as he pleased.