“Imperial title!” Fan gasped, drawing in a cold breath. Her face turned somewhat pale as she asked in a deep voice, “Are you certain? Is this Fu woman that Fu woman?”

Mozhuan’s expression darkened, and she bit her lip before saying softly, “I was afraid of making a mistake, so I specifically asked the maid who served tea in the flower hall when the Master entertained the two Fu officials at the family banquet. That maid said she remembered clearly that the Master addressed Fu’s husband as ‘Lord Zhao.'”

“So it’s true!” Fan murmured, her gaze becoming somewhat unfocused.

Could it be, as her mother-in-law said, that Fu’s birth chart was truly excellent?

Otherwise, how could she have encountered a noble benefactor in such chaotic circumstances? Not only did she escape, but she also married a successful young husband, and at such a young age, she was already honored through her husband’s glory and granted an imperial title…

For a moment, her mind was in turmoil.

“Since that maid has seen Zhao Ling, does she know what he looks like?” Fan asked, as if possessed. “What is his background? Is he good to Fu?” Her tone revealed an undercurrent of reluctant expectation.

Mozhuan understood her meaning and felt somewhat flustered herself. She said, “That young maid belongs to Manager Yu and is usually very tight-lipped. It’s only because of my friendship with her that she occasionally tells me some trivial matters. If I were to question her in detail, I’m afraid she would become suspicious…”

The white Hangzhou silk handkerchief embroidered with orchids was crumpled in Fan’s hand.

She said with displeasure, “Then find a way to inquire! I refuse to believe this household is like a wall of copper and iron without a single crack.”

Mozhuan softly acknowledged with a “Yes,” then hesitated before suggesting, “Young Mistress, what if I ask Chengxin, who serves the Young Master, to help gather information from outside?”

The last time Madam Yu had summoned him to inquire about Yu Jingxiu’s whereabouts, it was Chengxin who had reported the information to Yu Jingxiu.

“Good,” Fan’s expression brightened. “If he is clever, I will reward him accordingly.”

Mozhuan acknowledged and withdrew.

Fan restlessly kicked the large pillow at her feet to the corner of the kang.

Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun was smiling as she held a cup of tea, talking with Yu Wei: “Who’s been spreading such nonsense? The battle isn’t even over yet, how could there be an imperial title bestowed? Besides, even if there were, it would first go to my mother-in-law. How could it possibly come to me? Others are making a fuss, why are you joining in the excitement?”

Yu Wei smiled and said, “I’m just hoping that the Emperor might bestow hereditary honors for three generations in recognition of the Ninth Master’s great merit.”

Fu Tingyun laughed heartily: “It’s already Buddha’s blessing that the Ninth Master could come through safely. You’re being too greedy.” As she spoke, her smile gradually faded, and she said seriously, “Those are just empty honors. Although I also appreciate such recognition, I feel it was earned with the Ninth Master’s life, and I’m both unworthy and uneasy accepting it…” She murmured, “I wonder when this battle will end? Will there be further complications?” Before she could finish speaking, tears were already glistening in her eyes.

Yu Wei saw that Fu Tingyun had been on a vegetarian diet these days, constantly thinking about the war in Xuanfu. Hearing such rumors outside, she had deliberately told Fu Tingyun to cheer her up, but unexpectedly, it had reminded Fu Tingyun of the situation in Xuanfu. She couldn’t help but feel regret and quickly said, “When we went to Tanzhe Temple to pray for the Ninth Master, didn’t we meet Master Xin? Didn’t Master Xin say the Ninth Master would be fine? He’s the Emperor’s military advisor! If he says there’s no problem, the Ninth Master will be safe. You shouldn’t always be thinking about the Ninth Master’s affairs. On the tenth of next month is the Young Master’s first birthday celebration, and in two months, the Second Master will participate in the prefectural examination…”

“Excessive concern leads to confusion!” Fu Tingyun smiled apologetically at Yu Wei.

With something to keep busy with, Madam wouldn’t overthink things!

Yu Wei breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to take out a red list: “Madam, this is the guest list for the Young Master’s first birthday celebration. Please see if there are any additions or removals!”

Fu Tingyun took the list and discussed the guests to be invited with Yu Wei.

Zhenzhu came in to announce: “Madam, Madam Mo has arrived!”

She must have come about the Xuanfu matter—these days, they frequently visited each other.

“Please invite her in!” Fu Tingyun put away the list, adjusted her collar, and left the inner chamber.

Madam Mo entered with a face full of smiles: “Quanhui, great victory! They’ve captured the leader of the Wulianghai tribe. The Tartars have requested peace talks and agreed to pay annual tribute.”

“Ah!” Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. “Does that mean the Tartars have surrendered?”

“Indeed,” Madam Mo laughed happily. “After counting the wounded and reorganizing the troops, they should be able to return to the capital in July.”

“Wonderful!” Fu Tingyun smiled as brilliantly as a flower. “I must go to Tanzhe Temple to fulfill my vow. Also, I should inform Master Xin.”

Madam Mo was slightly taken aback: “You, you’ve met Master Xin?”

Fu Tingyun nodded: “The last time I went to pray for the Ninth Master, Master Xin had his guard call me in. I asked about the situation in Xuanfu, and Master Xin said there was no problem…”

Madam Mo’s eyes revealed a hint of envy: “I heard that Grand Secretary Shen went to visit Master Xin a few days ago but wasn’t received…”

“Of course,” Fu Tingyun smiled matter-of-factly. “Grand Secretary Shen went to see Master Xin with an agenda, while my meeting with Master Xin was just by chance.”

Madam Mo thought about how Grand Secretary Shen had been repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor over the canal transport matter in recent days, and she couldn’t help but smile. She began discussing the situation in Xuanfu with Fu Tingyun: “…Since they’ve submitted a surrender document, they’ll likely send an important general to accompany the Tartar envoy to the capital. My husband, General Mo, must remain to guard Xuanfu and Datong, so this task will almost certainly fall to Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao will probably come to the capital ahead of schedule.”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but feel reflective: “Whenever there’s a need to go to the capital, General Mo always assigns my husband. Over the years, we’ve received much care from General Mo, yet both my husband and I are clumsy with words and have never properly expressed our gratitude.”

“Saying such things makes us seem like strangers.” The shared hardships had brought Fu Tingyun and Madam Mo much closer. Madam Mo smiled and said, “My husband is an impatient man. If it weren’t for your Ninth Master, how could the military salaries and provisions for Xuanfu be allocated promptly every month…”

Joy makes the spirit bright.

The two chatted for half the day, and Madam Mo stayed for the evening meal before returning home.

Jin Yuanbao and Lady Shi came over.

“I heard the Tartars have submitted a surrender document,” he had also received the news, and even such a steady person showed an excited expression. “I wonder if the Emperor will hold a ceremony at the Meridian Gate to present the captives!”

Lady Shi was a gentle woman who sat beside him with a soft smile.

A Sen, standing behind Fu Tingyun, occasionally glanced curiously at her.

Lady Shi knew that he was considered her younger brother-in-law, so her smile became even gentler.

A Sen became embarrassed and lowered his head, his face flushed.

Fu Tingyun noticed this and smiled at Lady Shi, then spoke with Jin Yuanbao: “It’s still unknown. You’ve received the news so quickly—has Xuanfu officially submitted a memorial to the court?”

“No,” Jin Yuanbao smiled. “I heard it from a colleague whose brother is in the Banner Guard.” Jin Yuanbao’s social circle had been expanding over these two years.

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “We’ll only know how things will be arranged when the official memorial reaches the Cabinet.”

Jin Yuanbao nodded and smiled: “It would be wonderful if he could return before Young Master Xi’s first birthday celebration!”

Zhao Ling hadn’t been able to attend his wedding, which he had always regretted.

Fu Tingyun smiled: “The greater good must always take priority. We should have news in a few days.”

As everyone was talking happily, Yang Yucheng arrived.

Seeing everyone with joy written all over their faces, he was momentarily stunned and asked, “Don’t tell me you’ve all received the news too?”

A Sen had finally escaped his embarrassment and said loudly, “If you know about it in Zhangjiawan, how could we not know in the capital?”

“Oh my!” Yang Yucheng widened his eyes and gave A Sen’s head a couple of slaps. “You’ve become quite smug now! How are your preparations for the prefectural examination in June? I’ve already prepared firecrackers for you, don’t make me lose face when the time comes!”

“It was all your fault last time, making me a laughingstock,” A Sen became angry at the mention of this. “You’re not allowed to cause trouble this time!”

“You little rascal, now that you see me as a country bumpkin, you don’t even want me to come and congratulate you?” Yang Yucheng glanced at A Sen sideways. “You’ve grown up, haven’t you…”

“Who, who sees you as a country bumpkin?” A Sen was so angry that he stamped his feet. “I’m still the one who was picked up from who knows where…”

Not just Fu Tingyun, even Lady Shi covered her mouth and laughed.

Fu Tingyun called to A Sen: “Enough, your Brother Yucheng is just joking with you! You’re a grown boy now, you can’t always shout and yell whenever something happens.”

A Sen lowered his head in embarrassment, but his eyes glared fiercely at Yang Yucheng.

Yang Yucheng laughed heartily and asked, “How come I don’t see Damei and the little master?”

“They’re washing up!” Fu Tingyun smiled. “I’ve already told Lady Tong that once they’re clean, they should come over to greet you.”

Lady Shi asked curiously, “They’re washing up so early?”

It was only the beginning of the first watch, and the days were getting longer as summer approached.

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Without rules, there can be no square or circle. After washing up, I don’t let them go out to play. Before sleeping, I tell them stories and teach them a few characters along the way.”

“Starting their education so early?” Jin Yuanbao asked in surprise.

“It can hardly be called formal education,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “I just teach them casually. If they remember, that’s fine; if not, it doesn’t matter. The impression will make formal education easier later on.” She added, “That’s how I learned characters when I was little.”

Hearing this, Yang Yucheng nodded repeatedly: “That’s a good method. In a few days, I’ll have my wife come visit and learn from you.”

As they were talking, Youyou and Young Master Xi came in.

Youyou’s eyes brightened when she saw Yang Yucheng. She called out “Uncle Yang” loudly as she ran to his side, tugging at his clothes and looking up at him: “What nice things have you brought me?”

In the lamplight, her little face gleamed like jade, smooth and bright.

Yang Yucheng picked up Youyou and then pulled a slingshot from his bosom.

Youyou cheered and hugged the slingshot to her chest: “Thank you, Uncle!”

Yang Yucheng was delighted, his face beaming with joy as he said, “When autumn comes, I’ll take you to Zhangjiawan to hunt birds.”

“Yes, yes!” Youyou nodded repeatedly, eager to try.

Fu Tingyun called out “Youyou” with a stern face and said, “What did I tell you the other day…”

Youyou stuck out your tongue and quickly slipped down from Yang Yucheng’s arms. She respectfully greeted Jin Yuanbao and the others: “Uncle Jin, Auntie, Second Uncle!”

Jin Yuanbao laughed heartily and took Youyou in his arms: “Uncle has also brought you something, but you have to guess what it is.”

Lady Shi, meanwhile, held Young Master Xi.

Youyou tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, “It’s cherries!”

Hearing this, Lady Shi was startled and asked, “How did you know it was cherries?”

Youyou innocently said, “Because Uncle Yang always brings me fun things, and Uncle Jin always brings me delicious things. Mama Tong said cherries would be in season these days, but they’re very expensive… So I guessed Uncle Jin must have brought me cherries!”

“This child!” Lady Shi sighed, looking toward Fu Tingyun. “She’s quite something!”

Fu Tingyun’s brow revealed pride in her daughter’s cleverness, but modestly said, “Children only think about eating and playing!”

Jin Yuanbao disagreed: “Although she’s thinking about food, what ordinary child could make such a guess?”

Like all parents, Fu Tingyun continued to be modest: “It’s just a bit of childish cleverness.”

“She’s just a bit clever!” Young Master Xi imitated from the side.

“Look at you all, neglecting our little birthday boy,” Lady Shi smiled. “Our little birthday boy is getting upset!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

The joyful atmosphere continued until three days later.

The Tartars officially submitted their surrender document to the court.