Upon returning home, Yu Wei helped Fu Tingyun change her clothes and said with some annoyance, “How unfortunate! We just went to offer incense and ran into Madam Yu.”
Fu Tingyun washed up, feeling refreshed. She took a sip of the Dragon Well tea that Pearl had brought and said, “We both live in the capital. Meeting face to face was bound to happen sooner or later.” Then she smiled and added, “I think it’s rather late that we’re only meeting now!”
Seeing that Fu Tingyun held no grudges while she couldn’t let it go, Yu Wei felt somewhat petty and blushed, saying, “Madam, Madam Li is coming tomorrow to discuss Mr. Jin’s matter. Should we instruct the kitchen to prepare a full banquet? Or shall we order some dishes from Donglaishun Restaurant?”
Since Chen Shi was Shi’s cousin, the Shi family still needed to discuss some wedding details with her and couldn’t serve as matchmakers for the Jin family. Fu Tingyun had asked the wife of Li Yunxiang, the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard of the Banners, to be Jin Yuanbao’s matchmaker.
Normally, Yu Wei would arrange these matters without Fu Tingyun needing to worry. Fu Tingyun knew Yu Wei was changing the subject and smiled, “You can decide. Just make sure Madam Li has something to eat when she arrives!”
Yu Wei smiled in acknowledgment and went to make the arrangements.
The next day, Madam Li brought Stone Miss’s dowry list to Fu Tingyun: “…I’ve calculated that there will be at least thirty-six carriers, and if packed loosely, it could be spread out to sixty-four carriers. How is Mr. Jin’s house purchase coming along?”
Jin Yuanbao and Zhao Ling had previously invested their earnings in land. These past few years, their salaries were just enough for daily expenses and social obligations. Now that he was getting married, according to Zhao Ling’s thinking, it would be better to continue living together, so they could look after each other.
Fu Tingyun naturally agreed.
Jin Yuanbao, however, was unwilling and said with a smile, “Eating my brother’s food, drinking my brother’s drinks, and now that I’m getting married, still dragging my family to stay at my brother’s house—I’m not that thick-skinned.”
Zhao Ling disagreed: “We’re brothers, why be so particular? Besides, your sister-in-law isn’t the type who can’t accommodate others…”
Fu Tingyun noticed that although Jin Yuanbao spoke jokingly, his expression revealed determination. Knowing his mind was made up, she smiled and said, “Since Uncle Jin has decided, let’s follow his wishes.” Then she added with a smile, “No wonder you immediately agreed to this marriage when you heard that the Shi family’s daughter knows how to make more than forty kinds of pickled vegetables. That Miss Shi must be a very virtuous person. Once you’re married, you must live well together.”
Jin Yuanbao quickly replied, “Definitely.”
Seeing this, Zhao Ling could only heave a long sigh.
Fu Tingyun then asked Jin Yuanbao, “So what’s your plan?”
Jin Yuanbao said, “I plan to rent a house first for the wedding. After a couple of years, when I’m more financially comfortable, I can think about buying a small courtyard.”
That evening, Fu Tingyun discussed with Zhao Ling: “Why don’t you ask Jin Yuanbao how much money he can put together, and then we can help him buy a small courtyard as a wedding house.”
Zhao Ling said, “How much could a small courtyard cost? I think we should cover the entire expense for him.”
Fu Tingyun gave him a stern look and said, “You’re several years younger than Uncle Jin, yet you’ve already established your household and career. Uncle Jin might have similar aspirations. Otherwise, he wouldn’t insist on moving out.” She added, “Will he stop being your brother once he moves out?”
Zhao Ling found his wife’s words reasonable and smiled, “You handle these matters as you see fit. No need to ask me anymore.”
Fu Tingyun saw his helpless expression and burst into laughter. She and Jin Yuanbao both asked acquaintances to help find suitable houses, and even notified the broker’s office. Though there were many houses for sale, when it came to buying, either there was something wrong with the property, or it didn’t meet their requirements, or it was too expensive. They still hadn’t found a suitable one.
When Madam Li inquired, Fu Tingyun shook her head and said, “If we really can’t find one, we’ll have to rent a house first.”
Madam Li then asked, “What kind of house are you looking for?”
Fu Tingyun found Madam Li’s question interesting and said, “Do you have something suitable?”
“Whether it’s suitable or not, you’ll have to see it first,” Madam Li smiled and said, “One of my husband’s warrant officers has rented a house in Three Lane Hutong. It’s only two courtyards with three rooms. The owner wants to sell it for six hundred taels of silver. The warrant officer wants to buy it but couldn’t gather enough money even after borrowing from several places. I happened to hear about it the other day and kept it in mind.”
“This could be good news,” Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “I’ll tell Jin Yuanbao when he returns, so he can go take a look.”
Madam Li left the address, and Fu Tingyun gave it to Jin Yuanbao.
When Jin Yuanbao returned, he said, “The location is good, and the house is nice, but it’s a bit expensive.”
Fu Tingyun asked, “How much can you afford?”
Jin Yuanbao hesitated, “If I put everything I have into it, I would have no savings left. Besides, the wedding will also cost a sum of money.”
“How about this,” Fu Tingyun said, “I’ll help you with five hundred taels of silver. You can buy the house first, and after you receive the wedding gifts and hold the banquet, you can repay me part of it, and then gradually pay back the rest. A few years ago, your brother was in Beijing, and his salary wasn’t even enough for his expenses. These past couple of years, he’s been posted elsewhere and has brought back some extra. You’re still young—how could I let debt trouble you?”
This filled Jin Yuanbao with confidence, and he smiled, “Then I’ll follow your suggestion, sister-in-law, and borrow five hundred taels from you for now.”
Fu Tingyun smiled and personally opened her box to take out a silver note worth five hundred taels for him.
Jin Yuanbao first found someone to establish a connection with the homeowner and closed the deal for five hundred and sixty taels of silver. After the broker helped him change the deed at the government office, he had the house whitewashed, invited both Buddhist monks and Taoist priests to perform rituals, installed the household deities, and invited Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Madam Zhang, and other close female relatives to visit for a day, followed by his colleagues the next day.
When the Shi family heard the news, they were naturally pleased. As a result, Miss Shi secretly sent a message to Fu Tingyun: “Please tell Mr. Jin for me that I have two or three hundred taels of private savings, which can be used to gradually repay the debt.”
Fu Tingyun relayed the message to Jin Yuanbao, not forgetting to tease him: “She hasn’t even entered the door yet and already sides with outsiders. Once she enters the door, won’t she be dragging everything from the Shi family over to the Jin family!”
Jin Yuanbao’s face turned red, and he couldn’t say a word, though his expression revealed joy.
A-Sen, who had returned from school and overheard this, laughed heartily beside them.
Jin Yuanbao was both anxious and annoyed.
A-Sen was extremely delighted: “We’re often left speechless by Brother Yuanbao’s teasing, but now it’s Brother Yuanbao’s turn to be at a loss for words. Indeed, the wheel of fortune turns; after thirty years east of the river, forty years west of the river!”
This made Fu Tingyun laugh.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside.
“I’ll go see what’s happening.” Jin Yuanbao quickly left the hall, eliciting another bout of laughter from Fu Tingyun and A-Sen.
A-Sen then asked Fu Tingyun, “Sister-in-law, when will you start sending New Year gifts? Brother Yuanbao is so busy this year, and I’m already a student, so let me help Zheng San deliver the New Year gifts!” As he spoke, he looked at Fu Tingyun with a flattering smile, appearing not as if he wanted to help with household matters, but rather as if he was asking Fu Tingyun for a favor.
Fu Tingyun was struck by a thought and said, “That’s fine! ‘Mastery of social graces is true scholarship.’ You can help deliver New Year gifts to Official Mo’s family, Official Tao’s family, Official Lin’s family, and Official Qin’s family!”
A-Sen was taken aback and asked, “Besides these four families, are there no others?”
Fu Tingyun laughed inwardly but maintained a solemn expression as she said, “These four families are all good friends of your brother’s, so they’re very important. That’s why I’ve arranged for you to deliver to them.”
The commotion outside grew louder.
Both of them felt reassured with Jin Yuanbao handling it and paid no attention.
A-Sen responded with an “Oh,” his expression showing disappointment, but he didn’t rush to leave. He scratched his head and stammered, “What about Official Wang’s family? Aren’t they considered my brother’s good friends?”
Fu Tingyun could barely contain her laughter as she said seriously, “I will personally deliver to Official Wang’s place.”
A-Sen’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he quickly said, “Then, can I accompany you when the time comes? Before my brother left, he told me not to be lazy and to be alert when I need something, to help run errands…”
Fu Tingyun could no longer hold back her laughter, her eyes dancing with amusement. She was about to tease him further when Jin Yuanbao lifted the curtain and entered.
His expression wasn’t pleasant, and he said gravely, “Sister-in-law, Official Fu from Sixi Hutong wants to see you. Zheng San and the others won’t let him in, so he’s making a scene at the door. From what he’s saying, it seems he’s claiming that the Ninth Master used some tactics to make him lose a promotion opportunity…”
“Lose a promotion opportunity?” Fu Tingyun frowned, “The Ninth Master is just a military official posted away from the capital, how could he possibly have influence in the Six Ministries, especially since he is an official in the Ministry of Personnel? What is he trying to do now?” As she spoke, she started to feel annoyed.
She had kept his examination cheating secret to this day, and yet he had the nerve to come to her house and cause trouble.
Fu Tingyun raised an eyebrow and said, “Open the main gate wide. I’ll stand at the entrance and reason with him. If he can’t produce evidence, I’ll accuse him of slander!”
Jin Yuanbao hesitated, “Is that… is that a good idea?”
“What’s not good about it?” Fu Tingyun said coldly, “He’s not a child of two or three years. Since he’s come to make a scene at my doorstep, he intentionally wants to embarrass me. I might as well open the door and clarify things with him, to prevent him from coming to our house to act like an elder whenever he pleases—otherwise, why doesn’t he dare to make scenes at other houses? It’s only because he’s relying on the fact that I’m his daughter.” She added, “I might overlook what he says about me, but if he drags the Ninth Master into this, I must clarify matters with him.” With that, she lifted the curtain herself and left the hall.
Jin Yuanbao and A-Sen hurriedly followed her out through the hanging flower gate.
Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San, “Open the door and let Official Fu in.”
Zheng San acknowledged with a “Yes” and opened the main gate.
The Fifth Master Fu wore a lilac-colored robe. Whether due to his agitation or neglect of appearance, his hair was disheveled, and his eyes were bloodshot, with none of his usual scholarly elegance, looking quite bedraggled.
Seeing Fu Tingyun standing behind the door, he jumped up, pointed at her, and began to berate her: “So you’ve finally come out. I thought you were going to hide behind Zhao Ling like a turtle for the rest of your life. I’ve seen heartless women before, but none like you. For your selfish interests, you even disregard the kindness of those who raised you. Even a dog would bark a couple of times at its master, but you—you seem to hope for the misfortune of everyone in the family…”
The hutong was empty of people, but the side doors of each house were slightly ajar.
Fu Tingyun inwardly sneered, standing as straight as a pine tree, silently watching the Fifth Master Fu.
Her gaze was as cold as ice and frost, her expression carrying undisguised contempt and mockery, making Fifth Master Fu feel very uncomfortable. His scolding gradually subsided.
“Are you finished?” Fu Tingyun said disdainfully, twisting her mouth, “If you’re done, I’d like to say a few words…”