Having made up their minds, the couple focused wholeheartedly on establishing their household.

“Do you know what the Zhao family of Songjiang has been like these years?” Fu Tingyun mused. “As the saying goes, ‘Poor in the marketplace with no neighbors nearby, rich in the deep mountains with distant relatives.’ Since father-in-law and mother-in-law have the opportunity to receive posthumous honors, this is also a glory for the Zhao family. If there are prominent officials among the Zhao descendants, it would be easier to handle—they’d maintain their dignity, and if we remain firm, they wouldn’t make things too difficult. But if none of the Zhao family members hold official positions, they might create complications when you want to move the graves. It would be better to ask Master Lü to engage a feng shui master in Chang’an to select an auspicious plot, then buy several hundred mu of land for ancestral worship. If we can’t buy that much land at once, we could use our four hundred mu in Xi Huai Village for ancestral worship. The important thing is to prepare all these details in advance. Once the imperial edict is issued, we can move quickly and decisively—pay respects to your parents, then invite monks to hold ceremonies. By the time we exhume the graves, the Zhao family will realize we’re establishing our ancestral hall. With everything prepared on our side, they won’t be able to interfere with moving your parents’ graves even if they try.”

Moving graves was a significant matter. Not only did it require a feng shui master to select auspicious dates and times beforehand, but also Taoist priests and Buddhist monks to perform water and land ceremonies. As a filial son, Zhao Ling would need to preside over the grave relocation ceremony. If Zhao Ling needed to reason with the people from Songjiang, having the graves and tombstones prepared in Chang’an County would allow his parents’ coffins to be moved first, and he would only need to return to Chang’an County when the coffins arrived.

Zhao Ling nodded: “You and I are thinking alike.” He continued, “Back then, they bullied us—a widow and an orphan—largely because the main branch had no one who passed the examinations, while my father had achieved official rank through the imperial exams. As our family fortunes grew, the side branch overshadowed the main branch, arousing jealousy. They seized the opportunity to kick us when we were down, intending to destroy my mother and me.”

“Think about it—such a family, instead of encouraging their children to strive for success when they see others prospering, they only think about scheming for property and power. Even if they have talented and intelligent children, they’ve probably been taught wrongly. How could they produce any capable individuals? In recent years, the Zhao family has only produced one Juren and three or four Xiucai from the side branches, while the main branch hasn’t had anyone even pass the children’s examination. Yet their business has grown increasingly prosperous, now becoming the wealthiest in Songjiang.”

Fu Tingyun smiled bitterly and asked, “Does Ninth Master have any plans?”

“I originally thought about returning to Songjiang to confront the Zhao family, making them taste what I experienced back then,” Zhao Ling said. “At that time, I was in the shadows while the Zhao family was in the light, so I had many ways to make them suffer losses. Now I’m in the light, and they’re in the shadows, so it’s not advisable to follow the original plan. Moreover, the Zhao family has concerns about my mother’s situation—back then, only the Zhao family knew about it. It wouldn’t be appropriate to make a big fuss seeking justice, as that might backfire and harm my mother’s reputation. I’m thinking that I should wait until I return and meet with the clan leader to see how to proceed based on their attitude.”

Fu Tingyun, thinking of her entanglements with her father, didn’t want Zhao Ling to waste his energy and emotions on the Zhao family. She suggested: “Why don’t you return after relocating your parents’ graves, regardless of whether they acknowledge what happened in the past? You can state the facts and let everyone judge for themselves. As for settling accounts with the Zhao family, we can still follow the original plan but entrust the matter to Manager Ye San… Manager Ye San has no connection with the Zhao family. As a businessman, he has extensive experience, many ideas, and the connections to help with this. If the Zhao family discovers it, even better—it will let them know what consequences their actions have brought!”

Zhao Ling smiled: “It’s too early to discuss these matters. Let’s take care of the graves and sacrificial lands first.”

As they were talking, Anxin came in to report: “Official He Xiulin has come to visit!”

Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ling smiled: “This He Xiulin is too courteous! It was just a small favor, yet he insists on seeing me in person.”

Fu Tingyun knew about He Xiulin’s previous request for Zhao Ling to help him secure the position of Commander at Yulin Garrison and asked curiously: “Has that matter been settled?”

Zhao Ling nodded: “It was settled long ago. However, He Xiulin is a thoughtful person. He’s taken advantage of this trip to the capital to establish connections all around—he might not have such opportunities after returning to Yulin!”

To ensure a stable position, one needed strong support in the capital.

Fu Tingyun could understand He Xiulin’s reasoning. She helped Zhao Ling change his clothes and saw him out. Then she called Yu Wei to discuss sending Mid-Autumn Festival gifts: “…Ah-Sen is about to get engaged to the Wang family’s eldest daughter. Remember to prepare a festival gift for Ah-Sen to send to the Wang family.”

Yu Wei smiled and agreed.

Chen Shi came to visit.

These days, Fu Tingyun had been busy with Ah-Sen’s marriage arrangements. Upon hearing of Chen Shi’s arrival, she immediately invited her to the inner chamber for a chat.

Chen Shi sat down, took a sip of tea, and got straight to the point: “Madam Wang asked me to inquire whether the betrothal ceremony could be held before the end of the seventh month?”

Fu Tingyun was slightly taken aback: “Has something happened?”

Previously, both families had agreed to finalize the engagement before Zhao Ling left the capital.

But Zhao Ling wouldn’t be leaving until September.

Chen Shi remained silent, glancing around.

Seeing this, Yu Wei led the serving maids away and closed the latticed doors for them.

Chen Shi leaned forward and whispered to Fu Tingyun: “As you know, Master Wang had originally planned for his nephew to marry into the family. However, he last saw this nephew five or six years ago and now only knows about him through hearsay. Since it concerns his daughter’s lifelong happiness, although he intended this marriage, he would naturally want to see the person first. The other side has heard something and is using the excuse of visiting relatives to come to the capital for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now that the Wang family has agreed to your Second Master’s marriage, and with the nephew about to arrive in the capital, they want to finalize this engagement early. When the nephew arrives and sees that the Wang family’s eldest daughter is already engaged, he’ll know the matter is settled. If he asks, they’ll simply say they had such intentions initially, but upon meeting your Second Master, they found him more suitable…”

Fu Tingyun listened anxiously: “How could this be? I thought they were just discussing the marriage… What if the other family becomes angry? Wouldn’t they hate our Ah-Sen?”

Chen Shi burst into laughter: “Quanhui, you don’t understand. Madam Wang never wanted to accept Master Wang’s nephew as a son-in-law. She says a child’s character at three predicts their future, and that boy has been a bully of the weak and a coward before the strong since childhood. Madam Wang feels guilty toward the Wang family for having two daughters, and without a suitable alternative, she couldn’t make a decision. Otherwise, this marriage would have been settled long ago—would they have waited for your Ah-Sen?”

Fu Tingyun realized this made sense: “I was wondering why the marriage negotiations had gone on for so long without being finalized. My seeking a marriage for Ah-Sen was just taking a chance on a hopeless case!”

Chen Shi couldn’t help but laugh at this.

Zhenzhu entered: “Madam, Madam Wu has come to deliver Mid-Autumn Festival gifts!”

“Isn’t that too early?” Fu Tingyun was surprised and asked, “Has Madam Wu come personally?”

Zhenzhu confirmed with a “Yes.”

Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Chen Shi smiled and said: “She probably has some business with you! I’ll take my leave. Madam Wang is waiting for my reply. Once you’ve decided, please let me know as soon as possible.”

“Why don’t you stay a bit longer?” Fu Tingyun thought for a moment and said, “My husband is meeting with guests now. In a while, I’ll have Yanqing pass him a message to see if he can give us an answer.”

Chen Shi considered for a moment, then said: “Alright then. I’ll have to impose on you a little longer.”

Fu Tingyun smiled: “I wish such an ‘imposition’ would happen every day.” She turned to instruct Zhenzhu, “Please invite Madam Wu in.”

Zhenzhu acknowledged and escorted Madam Wu inside.

Madam Wu already knew that Fu Tingyun had a guest and was acquainted with Chen Shi. They greeted each other with smiles and sat down to talk.

Fu Tingyun politely said to Madam Wu: “…We’re still too young, unlike you, Madam, who acts so prudently and arranges matters well in advance. By the time the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, you can relax and enjoy the lantern festival.”

Hearing this, Madam Wu sighed deeply and said: “Household matters are like weeds in a flower bed—cut one batch, and another grows. I thought the same as you, wanting to send the festival gifts early so that on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I could go with my son and daughter-in-law to see the lanterns on Drum Tower Street. But before I could arrange the gifts, relatives from my hometown came to stay for seven or eight days, pestering me to help them. I’m annoyed by them, but I’m afraid people will say I’ve grown arrogant with wealth and look down on my old relatives. So I have to be patient with them—it’s truly not an easy life!”

“Even the Emperor has three impoverished relatives!” Fu Tingyun replied diplomatically. “Master Wu’s household is large and prosperous, with many in-laws of various kinds. Madam Wu must exert herself considerably.” She added, “It’s fortunate that it’s you, Madam Wu. If it were someone indolent like me, I might have the will to help but lack the ability.”

Hearing this, Madam Wu glanced at Chen Shi, appearing to have something to say but hesitating.

Chen Shi felt a bit uncomfortable but remembered that Yanqing had gone to ask Zhao Ling and didn’t want to miss this opportunity. Pretending not to notice, she exchanged pleasantries with Madam Wu, saying: “Indeed, indeed! In our family, my mother-in-law handles all the relatives. Sometimes I get anxious watching her, but my mother-in-law remains as calm as still water. I truly admire her!” Then she sighed, “I wonder when I’ll be able to be like my mother-in-law, so unflappable.”

It seemed Madam Wu truly had something to discuss with Fu Tingyun!

Fu Tingyun pondered silently.

The two families had no connections—what business could Madam Wu have with her?

She felt somewhat reluctant to get involved.

Smiling, she echoed Chen Shi’s words: “Do you think you’re made of stone? Standing firm against winds from all directions, unmoved?”

Chen Shi laughed heartily.

Suddenly, Madam Wu’s maid rushed in, her forehead beaded with sweat.

Madam Wu frowned at the sight.

The maid hastily gave a cursory bow to Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi, then whispered something in Madam Wu’s ear.

Madam Wu’s expression changed dramatically. She immediately stood up and said: “There’s an urgent matter at home. I must leave now. I’ll come to visit another day.”

Although the maid had spoken softly, Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi had heard clearly.

They quickly exchanged a glance and rose together with smiles: “Please don’t stand on ceremony, Madam Wu. We can gather again when you’re free.”

They escorted Madam Wu to the door.