Fu Tingyun sat on the large kang by the window in the inner chamber. Through the half-open lattice, she could see Asen standing under the wisteria trellis in the main courtyard, talking with the Wang sisters.

Sunlight illuminated his face, highlighting his handsome features and spirited demeanor.

Whatever he said made the eldest Wang daughter cover her mouth and laugh, while the second daughter leaned on her sister’s shoulder, unable to contain her mirth.

Madam Wang, sitting beside Fu Tingyun on the kang, also laughed along.

She turned to Fu Tingyun and said, “Asen has always been clever and bright. Now that he’s studying, he’s gained more steadiness. The more I see him, the more I like him.” Her tone was half admiring, half emotional.

“You’re too kind to praise him so,” Fu Tingyun responded modestly. A sudden thought occurred to her about the second Wang daughter, who was now ten years old. As if possessed, she said, “Now that you and Commander Wang are reunited, have you considered having another son or daughter for Jing Tong and Jing Yi? I heard from Midwife Lü, who delivered my baby, that the Daci Temple outside Xuanwu Gate has very effective blessings. I’m planning to go worship there in a few days. Why don’t you come with me to offer incense to the Buddha?”

Hearing this, Madam Wang smiled bitterly: “I injured myself when giving birth to Jing Yi. There’s been no movement for so many years, so I’ve given up hope.”

Such a good couple, but after they passed away, there would be no one to offer incense in their memory.

Fu Tingyun felt sorry for them and comforted her: “Why not keep one of your daughters at home? That would work just as well.”

“My husband and I have discussed this,” Madam Wang smiled. “We just don’t know whether to keep Jing Tong or Jing Yi.”

Whichever one they decided to keep at home, preparations needed to begin now.

A burst of hearty and joyful laughter came through the window.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but look outside again.

She saw both Wang daughters watching Asen intently as he spoke animatedly.

Fu Tingyun felt a stirring of excitement… but then remembered that Asen’s background was too humble, and Madam Wang might not approve… which left her feeling somewhat disappointed.

She pushed the plate of snacks on the kang table toward Madam Wang and smiled, “This is pea cake made by Zheng San’s wife. She claims it’s better than what they make at Jin Lan Zhai. Please try it!”

Madam Wang smiled and said “Alright,” but her gaze lingered on the spirited Asen for a moment before turning away.

Fu Tingyun’s heart, which had just settled, began to waver again.

That evening when Zhao Ling returned, he found her sitting at the window-side kang table, propping her chin on her hand, appearing distracted.

He stepped forward and kissed his wife’s cheek: “What are you thinking about?”

“Oh, you’re back,” Fu Tingyun hurriedly stood up. “Why didn’t you announce yourself? I didn’t even notice you.” Her tone carried a hint of coquettish complaint.

Zhao Ling tapped her nose lightly, removing his clothes: “I called out to you when I came in, but you didn’t respond. And now you say I didn’t announce myself.”

Seeing this, Fu Tingyun moved forward to help.

Zhao Ling stopped her: “Don’t worry about me, take care of yourself first.” Then he asked about Youyou, “Is she already asleep?”

“Yes!” Fu Tingyun replied, sitting back down on the kang.

Zhao Ling changed his clothes, washed his face, and sat beside her, asking again, “What’s happened? You were lost in thought.” His tone was very gentle, with a touch of concern.

Fu Tingyun smiled, pressing her lips together. After pondering for a moment, she told Zhao Ling, “Asen has been close with the two Wang daughters since childhood. Madam Wang is considering a matrilocal marriage…”

“No!” Zhao Ling replied without hesitation. “Although Asen comes from a humble background without parents or relatives to rely on, since you’ve had him recognize me as his brother, he is my blood brother. How could he marry into another family? It would have been better not to have him recognize me as his brother in the first place!” Then, realizing his tone was harsh, he softened his voice and continued, “I know you want what’s best for him. Though we brothers are currently on our own, if we manage things well, we can certainly maintain our family line.” He then took Fu Tingyun’s hand, “Rest assured, we won’t always be like this.”

“Oh my,” Fu Tingyun said, “Being a deputy commander-in-chief has changed you. I hadn’t even finished speaking, and here you are, rattling off a whole speech. If I said a few more words, you’d probably have a basketful more to say.”

Zhao Ling looked sheepish and said, “I was just worried you might get carried away with matchmaking and make some private agreement with Madam Wang. That’s why I was anxious.”

“Even if I got carried away with matchmaking, I still understand the art of arranging marriages!” Fu Tingyun pressed her advantage. “How could I make any promises to Madam Wang without consulting you first?”

“I was wrong, I was wrong,” Zhao Ling apologized with a smile. “Why don’t I serve you tonight instead?”

Fu Tingyun spat a “psh” at him, her face redder than the lanterns under the eaves: “You just keep being frivolous! After all this teasing, you can sleep in the study tonight.”

Zhao Ling glared at her, pretending to be fierce: “Three days without a beating, and you’re climbing on the roof to remove tiles. You dare tell me to sleep in the study!” With that, he held her and gently patted her bottom three times. “Will you dare again?”

Fu Tingyun laughed uncontrollably.

Zhao Ling took the opportunity to plant a loud kiss on her face.

Fu Tingyun nestled in his embrace.

Zhao Ling held her, his chin resting on top of her head, and asked softly, “Not angry anymore?”

“When was I ever angry with you?” Fu Tingyun replied lazily.

Zhao Ling just smiled.

Fu Tingyun, feeling embarrassed, twirled the cord around his waist with her jade-white fingers and said, “I was saying, both of the Wang daughters are quite nice. I don’t know which one Madam Wang will keep at home. When the time comes, we could propose to have Asen marry the other one. What do you think?”

Zhao Ling was silent for a moment, then said, “Let’s wait and see for now. Asen’s foundation is too thin. It would be better to first acquire some property for him. If he could become a xiucai or something similar, that would be even better.”

“That works,” Fu Tingyun said. “After all, the Wang family hasn’t decided who to keep yet.” Then, she added worriedly, “What if Madam Wang keeps the one Asen likes? Should we first sound out Asen’s feelings? That way we can prepare in advance!”

“You’re already worrying about something that hasn’t even begun to take shape,” Zhao Ling smiled and patted her shoulder. “Let’s go to sleep. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the Daci Temple early tomorrow?”

Fu Tingyun remembered another matter: “When are you free in the next few days? The Shi family has expressed interest in inviting you for a meal. But I was thinking, with them offering their daughter and us accepting a daughter-in-law, perhaps we should invite the Shi family for a meal instead. What do you think?”

“That sounds good!” Zhao Ling said. “Let’s set it for the day after tomorrow. I’ll be free then.” He added a reminder, “Have Penglai Pavilion deliver the meal. You are not to go to the kitchen.”

“Zheng San’s wife and the others will cook. I’ll just watch from the side…” Fu Tingyun said softly.

“Watching is not allowed either,” Zhao Ling said sternly. “Don’t take advantage of your good pregnancy to be reckless.” He then asked, “When will Midwife Lü move in?”

“Early in the fifth month,” Fu Tingyun replied. “Don’t be so nervous, alright? This isn’t my first pregnancy. Even Midwife Lü says my condition is good and there won’t be any problems.”

“Childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell…”

Seeing that he was genuinely concerned, Fu Tingyun quickly promised him: “I’ll have Zheng San go to Penglai Pavilion to order the meal!”

Zhao Ling finally relented and helped Fu Tingyun to bed.

A couple of days later, they had a meal with the Shi family. Since Zhao Ling wouldn’t return until March of the following year, Jin Yuanbao, learning from Yang Yucheng’s example, set the date for next March.

Zhao Ling stayed at home for a few more days, personally delivering an eight-colored gift box to Midwife Lü and inviting her to stay at their home before returning to Xuantong.

As the weather grew hotter, Fu Tingyun’s pregnancy advanced. After sending the Dragon Boat Festival gifts, she devoted herself to awaiting childbirth at home.

On the morning of the tenth day of the fifth month, she began having contractions. By noon, she had given birth to a healthy eight-pound baby boy.

Not only were Madam Zhang, Chen Shi’s wife, Madam Wang, and others who were waiting in the inner chamber delighted, but even Madam Yang (née Zhang), who was waiting in the outer room, was also very pleased. Despite her large belly, she went to the southern hall to report the news to Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and others who were waiting there.

Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao were overjoyed. One wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, and the other went to report the good news to various households.

By the afternoon, Zheng San brought back Youyou, who had been playing with the Wang sisters at the Wang family’s home with Tong Shi accompanying her.

She curiously peered at her brother from the bedside and asked Fu Tingyun, “Why is he so big? Which tree did he come from as a fruit?”

Fu Tingyun was mortified.

It was all Zhao Ling’s fault.

When Youyou had asked why Fu Tingyun’s belly was so big, Fu Tingyun had said it was because she ate too much, but Zhao Ling had told her it was because she was carrying a little sister or brother. Youyou, persistent in her questioning, had asked why Zheng San’s wife said that little sisters and brothers jumped out of fruits on trees. Zhao Ling had told her that Zheng San’s wife was wrong, that sisters and brothers were born. Youyou had then asked how they were born… Fu Tingyun had had to interrupt Zhao Ling, saying that her father was just teasing her, and that Zheng San’s wife was right—sisters and brothers did jump out of fruits on trees. This had finally satisfied Youyou, and she had gone to sleep.

Who would have thought the child would still remember?

She could only say, “It was from the largest jujube tree in our backyard. It fruited when you weren’t home.”

Youyou nodded very seriously and exclaimed, “That must have been a huge fruit! Why wasn’t I at home?”

Her little adult manner made everyone burst into laughter, but she tilted her head and asked seriously, “Why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong?”

Everyone in the room was doubled over with laughter, tears streaming from their eyes.

…

After the child’s third-day cleansing ceremony, Madam Yu received the news.

“An eight-pound baby boy!” she said somewhat dejectedly. “Having both sons and daughters, truly blessed!”

Shu Mama didn’t dare respond to this. She only asked, “Which opera troupe would you like to invite for your birthday celebration?”

But Madam Yu answered an unasked question: “I remember you mentioned last time that Lord Wu has a distant brother, a failed xiucai whose wife died, leaving two daughters. Her brother teaches in someone else’s home and cannot care for them properly. He wants to send them as child brides. Go ask if he would be willing to become a second wife. If willing, everything else can be arranged.”

Shu Mama’s heart tensed.

The mistress had finally lost her patience.

She solemnly acknowledged with a “Yes,” changed her clothes, and went to Madam Wu.

Madam Wu was delighted to hear this and personally returned to Zhoushan, only to find that her brother had gone to Songjiang to teach. She then rushed to Songjiang, but her brother was unwilling to let his daughter become a concubine. She stayed there, explaining the advantages and disadvantages to her brother. Unable to resist her persuasive tongue, he finally allowed his eldest daughter to accompany her to Beijing.

By then, it was late autumn, and the wind cut to the bone.