“Chen Zhongming was in the side hall at the time and personally heard the Emperor say to Grand Secretary Shen, ‘To cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world—if Official Fu cannot even sort out his family affairs, how can he manage the judicial matters of an entire province?'” Yu Jingxiu explained. “Grand Secretary Shen appeared quite surprised, but the Emperor merely waved his hand and said the matter should not be brought up again. Grand Secretary Shen dared not speak further, and so this round of official appointments was settled.”

Grand Secretary Yu’s brows furrowed tightly.

Yu Jingxiu hesitated, called out “Father” softly, and asked in a low voice: “What do you think of this matter…”

Grand Secretary Yu asked his son in return: “What’s your opinion?”

Yu Jingxiu considered carefully and said: “I have long suspected that Lady Fu and Zhao Ling had an irregular union without proper matchmaking!”

“Oh!” Grand Secretary Yu sat up straight, his expression grave.

“I once heard from one of Zhao Ling’s subordinates that when Lady Fu was fleeing from famine, she encountered bandits. To preserve her chastity, she attempted to take her own life with a sword. Had the Emperor not intervened in time, she would have perished,” Yu Jingxiu mused. “It seems their current position is entirely due to meeting the Emperor when he was still the heir apparent.”

“Then I investigated Zhao Ling.”

“Before meeting the Emperor, he was unknown. After meeting the Emperor, he suddenly entered the military registry and was appointed as a Captain in Zhuanglang Guard… Later, he repeatedly distinguished himself in battle at Zhuanglang and accompanied the Emperor in purging the court. After the Emperor’s ascension, he was appointed as Commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Bodyguard. In just two short years, he rose from a common soldier to a third-rank military official. The Emperor saved his life, likely regarding him as a trusted retainer.”

“Even so, I think it unlikely that Zhao Ling filed a complaint to the Emperor—firstly, the Emperor is not confused about such matters, and secondly, as a military official wanting to accuse a civil official, he would need a valid reason for his grudge against the Fu family. I wonder if the Emperor knew about the Fu family’s affairs before his ascension. Wasn’t Zhao Ling by the Emperor’s side at that time? Could it be that the Emperor, upon hearing something, became angry and, to secure the loyalty of those around him, made some casual promise… Otherwise, why would the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly arrange their marriage?”

The Grand Empress Dowager probably didn’t even know what Zhao Ling looked like!

Grand Secretary Yu nodded with great satisfaction: “You and I are thinking along the same lines!” Then, his expression darkened slightly as he sighed, “Depu, you’re such an intelligent person, never causing me, your eldest uncle, or third uncle any worry from childhood to adulthood. How could you do something so foolish at a critical moment? When all is said and done, it’s because we’ve spoiled you too much!”

Hearing his father’s self-reproach, Yu Jingxiu lowered his head in shame: “Father, I…”

His son was already grown; saying too much would only result in verbal agreement but inward resentment.

Seeing that Yu Jingxiu recognized his error, Grand Secretary Yu smiled and said: “Nevertheless, who doesn’t make mistakes when they’re young? The key is not to keep making the same mistakes over and over. This time, take it as a lesson, and never make the same mistake again. Remember, if this gets out, you might be labeled as ‘disloyal’ and ‘lustful,’ which would ruin your reputation completely. One must endure the bitterest hardships to become superior to others!” He continued, “You’ve heard firsthand about Official Fu’s situation—’cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.’ It’s time for you to seriously consider how to conduct yourself.”

Yu Jingxiu was sobered and bowed respectfully, responding, “Yes.”

Grand Secretary Yu nodded slightly and asked solemnly: “What do you think we should do now?”

Since learning of the Emperor’s assessment of Official Fu, Yu Jingxiu had also been pondering this matter. He reflected: “Father, I have another concern… Lady Fu doesn’t even spare her father; do you think she might also seize an opportunity to deal with us? Since the Emperor had the Grand Empress Dowager arrange their marriage to cover up their irregular union, it shows he is very fond of Zhao Ling…”

This was also Grand Secretary Yu’s concern.

The Emperor favored Zhao Ling so much that Zhao Ling, to demonstrate his impartiality, wouldn’t actively file complaints to the Emperor. But who could guarantee he wouldn’t seize an opportunity to kick them when they were down?

As the saying goes, a thief can steal for a thousand days, but no one can guard against theft for a thousand days.

“I had originally planned to keep the elder and younger Fu under control, using filial piety to restrain Lady Fu.” his expression showed slight displeasure. “Who would have thought that Lady Fu would be impenetrable, using the deceased Lady Fu as an excuse. She is a formidable character. We must indeed be careful.”

“So I think we’d better take the initiative,” Yu Jingxiu said grimly. “Wasn’t Zhao Ling established at Zhuanglang Guard? I suggest we find a way to investigate this man at Zhuanglang Guard. I refuse to believe there’s nothing about him that can be criticized!”

Grand Secretary Yu asked gravely: “How do you plan to investigate?”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said: “Father, do you remember the Marquis of Xiping?”

Grand Secretary Yu was momentarily taken aback.

Yu Jingxiu continued: “The Marquis of Xiping has been stationed at Liangzhou Guard for generations, but the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission first had the Marquis of Yingchuan, then He Fu. The Marquis of Yingchuan, being of noble birth and a gentle person, would give him some face, but He Fu is different. He rose from the rank of Lieutenant, and is a decisive character—when his temper flares, he would draw his sword and strike even his own Deputy General for disobeying military orders. The Marquis of Xiping felt stifled under him. So, in October, he sent his second son to the capital, hoping to approach Grand Secretary Shen’s circle, but lacking an introducer…”

Grand Secretary Yu raised his eyebrows: “Who else knows about this?”

“No more than ten people,” Yu Jingxiu’s eyes flashed with pride. “He entered the capital disguised as a silk merchant. If not for my brother Zhongming visiting a silver shop that day to find a good longevity lock for our mentor’s young son, coincidentally catching him exchanging gold and revealing his identity, I wouldn’t have known either.”

Grand Secretary Yu remained silent.

Yu Jingxiu stood quietly beside his father, waiting for his decision…

……

Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun was leaning dejectedly against the pillow on the large kang by the window.

Yu Wei brought in tea and snacks.

“Madam, it’s not worth feeling upset over these matters.” she used a toothpick to pick up a small piece of preserved fruit and handed it to Fu Tingyun. “The Fifth Master now knows you truly don’t want any connection with him, so he definitely won’t come looking for you again. Thinking of it this way, it might not be a bad thing.”

“I’m not fretting over the Fifth Master,” Fu Tingyun took the toothpick and said softly. “I’m thinking about my mother… She lived an upright life, only to marry someone like the Fifth Master. She must have known everything while she was alive, which is why she lived so miserably. On her deathbed, she repeatedly instructed me not to return to the Fu family, not to be blindly filial—probably fearing I would be exploited by the Fifth Master again…” She sighed deeply, “I’ve also come to understand—how many lives do I have to be manipulated by the Fifth Master once or twice? Besides, I have children now. If something were to happen to me, what would become of my children?”

Yu Wei nodded repeatedly: “It’s wonderful that you’ve come to this realization, Madam.”

Just as she finished speaking, Youyou ran in.

“Mother, look, look at the flower Nanny Tong taught me to make,” she proudly showed a lopsided small crimson velvet flower to Fu Tingyun. “I want to put it on you.”

Madam Tong, who followed her in, looked at the large kingfisher feather ornament in Fu Tingyun’s hair and explained with embarrassment: “Madam, it’s too cold outside, so I entertained the young miss by making a velvet flower… I can make a better one for you.”

“No need!” Fu Tingyun smiled, embracing Youyou and tilting her head. “Let Youyou put it on me.”

Youyou happily complied and placed her handmade velvet flower next to her mother’s large kingfisher feather ornament.

Fu Tingyun asked Yu Wei to bring a mirror.

“Very nice, very nice,” she nodded, “It’s beautiful.”

Youyou giggled upon hearing this and turned to get down from the kang: “I want to make one for my brother, one for Second Uncle, one for Yu Wei, one for Zheng San’s wife, one for Nanny Tong…” she counted on her little fingers.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Madam Tong, somewhat excited, carried Youyou to the warm room.

Fu Tingyun discussed New Year gift matters with Yu Wei, deciding which families A-Sen would deliver to and which families Zheng San would visit.

In the evening, A-Sen received the news and ran to ask Yu Wei, who was heating water in the kitchen: “When will we deliver the New Year gifts to the Wang family?”

Yu Wei covered her sleeve and smiled: “As long as everything is delivered before the Laba Festival, as for which family to visit and when, it’s entirely up to the young master’s discretion.”

Upon hearing this, A-Sen ran out of the kitchen.

Yu Wei smiled and asked: “What’s gotten into him?”

“Who knows?” Zheng San’s wife, who was tending the fire, laughed, “He’s been acting strangely these days.”

Yu Wei smiled, fetched the water, and attended to Fu Tingyun’s rest.

Early the next morning, A-Sen went out. He returned for lunch and informed Fu Tingyun: “I want to deliver the New Year gifts to the Wang family this afternoon.”

A-Sen had been on holiday since the Beginning of the Winter Festival.

“That’s fine!” Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San to accompany him.

He returned only at lamp-lighting time: “Madam Wang insisted I stay for dinner. Seeing that Official Wang wasn’t home, and there were just Madam Wang and her three daughters in that large residence, so quiet and empty, I stayed for dinner.”

It was just a two-courtyard residence with seven or eight servants besides the family of four—hardly deserving to be called “quiet.”

Fu Tingyun laughed inwardly and asked about the gift delivery. She learned that Madam Wang was preparing for the New Year and was very pleased when A-Sen delivered the New Year gifts. Madam Wang said she would send someone to return the courtesy in a few days. Fu Tingyun then sent A-Sen off to rest.

A-Sen returned to his room.

However, Fu Tingyun called Yan Qing, who had accompanied him: “What gifts did A-Sen give to the Wang family’s two daughters?”

Yan Qing was first shocked, then relieved—assuming A-Sen had already mentioned it to Fu Tingyun, he said: “The young master gave a pot of kumquats to the Wang family’s eldest daughter and a pot of narcissus to their second daughter. Because of this, the second daughter was upset for quite a while, until Madam Wang scolded her.”

A-Sen wasn’t usually so ignorant of social etiquette.

Fu Tingyun asked curiously: “What made him think of giving the Wang family’s eldest daughter a pot of kumquats? In such cold weather, where did he get it from?”

Yan Qing smiled: “Some days ago, when the Wang family’s eldest daughter visited our home, she mentioned that during New Year in Fujian, they would always display a pot of kumquats. The young master searched all over the streets but couldn’t find any. Later, he asked a narcissus seller and learned that there were greenhouses in Fengtai. The young master went there, but only two households grew kumquats, and one pot cost fifty taels of silver. The young master helped people hunt birds outside the city, earning more than ten taels of silver, which finally allowed him to gather enough money to buy the kumquats. He had been thinking every day about how to deliver them to the Wang family’s eldest daughter…”

No wonder he had volunteered to deliver the New Year gifts to the Wang family!

It was actually for the Wang family’s eldest daughter…

Most families would typically keep their eldest daughters.

Fu Tingyun felt somewhat troubled and quietly spoke with Yu Wei.

“I thought the young master got along better with the Wang family’s second daughter…” Yu Wei was also quite surprised. “Why don’t you sound out the young master’s intentions?”

“He’s so young, he may not be thinking that far ahead,” Fu Tingyun sighed. “Besides, even if he has such thoughts, the Wang family would have to approve. If I ask him and the Wang family has no such intention, wouldn’t it break A-Sen’s heart?”

Yu Wei began to smile: “Madam, you’re overthinking this—why not visit Madam Wang someday and ask which daughter she plans to keep at home, then casually mention it to the young master in everyday conversation? Look at how the young master gave those kumquats—it shows he has his ideas. Perhaps before you even speak, the young master already has a plan.”

“That’s true!” Fu Tingyun laughed. After the Lantern Festival ended on the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, she wrote an invitation to Madam Wang, asking her to go to Yuming Mountain for an outing on the second day of the second month.

Unexpectedly, just as the invitation was sent, Pearl came in to report: “Madam, the First Madam Fu from Sixi Hutong wishes to see you.”