Sister-in-law?

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

This was the first time she had ever come to her door.

Fu Tingyun recalled the incident last December when Fifth Master Fu had come to make a scene, and her brows furrowed slightly.

She had her father-in-law above her and her husband below, both of whom disliked her. Being a woman who followed rules and traditions, logically, it shouldn’t be possible for her sister-in-law to casually visit… Could she also be coming to muddy these troubled waters?

Fu Tingyun felt somewhat displeased.

But considering that the Fu family’s young mistress had always been kind to her, she still instructed Zhenzhu: “Quickly invite the Fu family’s young mistress in.”

Zhenzhu acknowledged and withdrew.

Fu Tingyun changed her clothes and went out to welcome her guest.

The young Mrs. Fu wore a bright red robe embroidered with gold patterns, a pearl flower ornament the size of a lotus seed adorned her temple, and she wore a pair of white jade bracelets. Though dressed elegantly, she couldn’t conceal the weariness in her expression.

Could her guess be correct?

Fu Tingyun wondered inwardly, but with a warm smile on her face, she welcomed her sister-in-law to sit on the large kang bed by the window in the inner chamber.

Mrs. Fu breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Fifth Master Fu had kept his humiliating experience at the Zhao residence hidden from his son and daughter-in-law, over time, the servants attending to Fifth Master Fu had leaked some information, and she knew everything. Fearing that she might be turned away at the door like her father-in-law, she recalled the saying “people fear confrontation,” and came directly without even sending a visiting card. Unexpectedly, not only did Fu Tingyun personally welcome her at the gate, but also received her in the inner chamber… she couldn’t help feeling fortunate.

While serving tea and snacks, Zhenzhu and Kouer couldn’t help but glance at Mrs. Fu several times.

Mrs. Fu noticed clearly, and her smile became somewhat embarrassed.

Fu Tingyun’s brows furrowed slightly.

Zhenzhu and Kouer quickly lowered their heads and quietly withdrew.

Fu Tingyun offered a teacup: “This autumn’s Iron Goddess tea, Sister-in-law, please try it.”

Mrs. Fu smiled, took a sip, and praised: “Rich and smooth, excellent tea.”

Fu Tingyun smiled and said: “If Sister-in-law likes it, I’ll have some packaged for you to take home.” She continued, “Since Sister-in-law has come to visit, why didn’t you bring my two nephews along? It’s been several years since I’ve seen them. I wonder how they’re doing now?” Then she called to Yu Wei: “Bring Da Niu and Da Er to see their aunt, so they can become familiar with each other.” She continued making small talk with Mrs. Fu, seemingly intent on preventing her from speaking.

Mrs. Fu smiled and spoke about her two sons: “…They both have obedient personalities, but the weather hasn’t been good these past few days, and I was afraid they might catch a cold if I brought them out.”

Madam Tong and Yu Wei brought Youyou and Xiaoer to greet Mrs. Fu.

Mrs. Fu removed the white jade bracelet from her wrist as a gift for Youyou, and unfastened the white jade pendant from her waist as a gift for Xiaoer.

During the New Year, Youyou had kowtowed to many people, performed many courtesy bows, and received many red envelopes.

Seeing Mrs. Fu give her a gift, without Madam Tong’s instruction, she nimbly gave Mrs. Fu a curtsy and thanked her.

Xiaoer was still too young to understand, so Yu Wei held him and performed the greeting to Mrs. Fu on his behalf. Before they could even rise, Xiaoer had already tried to put the jade pendant in his mouth.

Yu Wei panicked, quickly taking the pendant from his mouth, but he immediately pouted and began to cry.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Fu Tingyun said to Mrs. Fu: “It seems Xiaoer likes your gift.”

“Indeed!” Mrs. Fu stood up, took Xiaoer in her arms and examined him carefully, then turned to Fu Tingyun and said, “No wonder people say cousins share the same flesh and blood, he resembles your two nephews somewhat.”

Fu Tingyun smiled, holding Youyou who stood beside her.

Mrs. Fu bent down and kindly asked Youyou about her daily life.

Youyou were articulate, answering three questions for every one asked, making everyone laugh heartily.

The atmosphere in the room became very pleasant.

Mrs. Fu stroked Youyou’s head, sighed, and said: “I wonder if I’ll have another chance to see Da Niuer and Da Geer again…” Her smile gradually faded.

Fu Tingyun sensed the hidden meaning in her words and knew they had finally reached the main topic, but she didn’t engage directly, only responding to the literal meaning: “That’s not difficult at all. Sister-in-law, whenever you want to see them, just come. When I got married, you added a trunk of gifts for me. Our doors are always open to you!” Then she changed the subject, saying with a smile, “On the second day of the second month, I’ve invited Lady Wang to go hiking at Yuming Mountain. Why doesn’t Sister-in-law join us for a day trip to Yuming Mountain? Bring your two sons along, so I can see them, and Youyou and Xiaoer can meet their cousins…”

Mrs. Fu’s eyes revealed understanding after comprehending the situation, and she said: “The second day of the second month, I’m afraid I won’t be available—I’ve already arranged with my father-in-law and husband to leave for Huayin on the first day of the second month…”

Fu Tingyun was stunned: “Sister-in-law is returning to Huayin, what about Master and Brother?”

“They’ll remain in the capital.” Mrs. Fu’s expression was somewhat indifferent. “Before the New Year, we heard from people in our Huayin hometown that Grandmother was slightly ill. Although Mother is no longer with us, we cannot ignore our duty to care for her. So I discussed with my natal family and decided to take your two nephews back to Huayin. First, to fulfill our filial duty, and second, because the two children were born and raised in the capital but are quite unfamiliar with Huayin. If too much time passes, they might not even recognize their cousins, let alone develop any brotherly affection. My mother and brothers from my natal family all thought this was a good idea…”

“Grandmother is ill?” Fu Tingyun became anxious upon hearing this. “How serious is it? Is it serious?”

“She’s elderly and caught a cold, which her body couldn’t resist well,” Mrs. Fu said. “I heard it’s not serious…”

If that’s the case, why return to Huayin to care for her?

Fifth Master Fu and her brother hadn’t taken concubines, so who would take care of them in the capital after she left?

If Grandmother was unwell, and Mother was gone, it made sense for Sister-in-law to return and fulfill her filial duties, and taking the children along because they were too young to leave behind was understandable. But why did she need to write to her natal family to discuss it with her mother and brothers?

Knowing that Grandmother’s condition wasn’t serious, these questions emerged one after another in Fu Tingyun’s mind.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Mrs. Fu smiled bitterly, her voice suddenly lowering, and said: “I originally thought that Aunt suffered wrongdoing out of necessity, but after learning the true reason, I felt very uneasy… I spoke to your brother about it, but he dismissed it…” As she spoke, she bit her lip, as if she had thousands of words but didn’t know how to express them.

Fu Tingyun also resented Fu Tinggui.

They were born of the same mother, and while it was understandable if he didn’t know what had happened before, now that he knew, he still maintained such an attitude… But resentment aside, she couldn’t allow this to create a rift between her sister-in-law and brother. Her brother was an indifferent person, and in the end, it would be her sister-in-law who would suffer.

She quickly said: “This matter has nothing to do with Brother, Sister-in-law shouldn’t think too much about it.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Fu sighed softly, picked up her teacup, lowered her gaze to look at the golden tea inside, and said quietly: “I was also raised with traditional teachings, and read the Four Books and Five Classics with my brothers since childhood…” She continued with some difficulty, “Setting an example through actions… speaks louder than words… so I wrote a letter to my mother… When my mother found out, she discussed it with my brother… My natal family thought it would be better for me to take the children back to Huayin… My father-in-law doesn’t have anyone to care for him, and your brother still needs to study at the Imperial Academy… With him fulfilling filial duties on my behalf, I can rest assured… If nothing else happens in the future, I won’t return to the capital… I had to come to say goodbye to Aunt… It’s just a pity that your brother is strict and wouldn’t allow me to bring the nephews to kowtow to you…” As she spoke, she covered her face and wept.

“Sister-in-law!” Fu Tingyun was thunderstruck, staring blankly at the silently weeping Mrs. Fu, and for some reason, tears streamed down her face. “You, you needn’t do this… It’s all my fault…”

Mrs. Fu heard this, took out her handkerchief to wipe her tears, forced a smile, and joked: “Since ancient times, people advise reconciliation, not separation. I know Aunt means well, but these words may not truly represent Aunt’s heart!”

Fu Tingyun felt even more sorrowful upon hearing this, and just as she was about to speak again, Mrs. Fu said: “I know Aunt means well, but I’ve made up my mind. If Aunt still considers me your sister-in-law, please don’t say anything more. Though I’m weak, I’m not someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong. If I stayed in the capital for temporary comfort, what would happen when your two nephews grow up and come to understand? By returning to Huayin, with me watching over them and their uncles supporting them, they may not necessarily become successful, but at least they won’t grow up crooked… You are a mother too, you should understand my difficulties! Anyone else could try to persuade me, but Aunt shouldn’t.”

Fu Tingyun was speechless.

Tears hung on her cheeks.

Mrs. Fu looked at her and smiled, passing her handkerchief over, saying: “Quickly dry your tears, our family’s aunt is not someone who only knows how to cry when facing problems.”

The light-hearted tone made Fu Tingyun’s heart ease.

She took Mrs. Fu’s handkerchief and wiped her tears, saying: “Then what do you plan to do in the future? The money allocated to each branch of the family is only enough for daily expenses…” At this point, she stood up, “I have some personal savings, Sister-in-law, please take them!” Fearing that her sister-in-law might be too proud to accept, she added, “Mother left Huayin four or five years ago, leaving only a few old servants to look after the house. With no one living there for so long, the furniture and furnishings are probably old and worn out. There will be many expenses…”

Mrs. Fu grabbed Fu Tingyun’s hand: “How could I use Aunt’s savings! I still have my dowry from my natal family, and my brothers have agreed to give me one-tenth of the family’s income each year.” She smiled and continued, “What do you think I was discussing with my brothers for?” Her tone was somewhat playful.

Fu Tingyun was very surprised, widening her eyes as she looked at Mrs. Fu.

Mrs. Fu smiled and winked at her.

Fu Tingyun laughed.

Could this be her sister-in-law’s true nature… or perhaps, had her sister-in-law also been living under pressure all these years?

She sat down and said in a clear voice: “Very well, when Sister-in-law needs anything, just let me know.”

Mrs. Fu’s laughter was crisp: “Rest assured, I won’t forget you when your two nephews get married!”

Fu Tingyun also laughed.

Their eyes met, and suddenly they both felt much closer than before.