After seeing Madam Wu off, Chen Shi and Fu Tingyun walked toward the main room while speaking in low voices: “I recall that Master Wu is already in his fifties and has grandchildren. How could he enter the flower garden at such an advanced age? How could there be a pregnant concubine in his household?” As she spoke, her lips curled downward, her expression showing disdain. “Look at those civil officials, filing impeachments against each other over the slightest disagreement. Honestly, our military households are much more peaceful than those of the civil officials—if it weren’t for those stationed at the borders living apart from their wives and lacking heirs, few would take concubines at such an age when they already have sons and daughters!” She continued, “Judging from Madam Wu’s reaction, when that maid rushed in without regard for propriety to report that the concubine had miscarried, Madam Wu’s face changed dramatically, and she rose to leave immediately… Who knows what strange circumstances lie behind this?”

Fu Tingyun smiled and said: “It shouldn’t be Master Wu’s concubine, right? Otherwise, why would she be called ‘Concubine Wu’? No matter how absurd Master Wu might be, he wouldn’t take a woman with the same surname as a concubine. Master Wu isn’t that confused. Perhaps it’s…” At this point, she suddenly remembered encountering Miss Wu at Tanzhe Temple. “Could it be…” she murmured, “she became someone’s concubine?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she shook her head, “That’s impossible! The Wu family has been an educated official family for generations. If she became someone else’s concubine, given Madam Wu’s temperament, how could she accompany Madam Wu to offer incense at Tanzhe Temple? Or perhaps Miss Wu went to a prestigious family that could help Master Wu’s career?” But that didn’t seem right either. After all, she would still be another family’s concubine, not a proper relative. Any help would be limited… However, if Miss Wu served someone like Elder Shen and gained his favor, it might be possible… Considering that Miss Wu was pregnant… she thought she might have guessed correctly.

Chen Shi, hearing Fu Tingyun’s muttering without catching what she was saying, quickly asked: “What is it? Do you know what’s going on? Tell me quickly!” Her face showed eagerness.

Since this was someone else’s private matter, Fu Tingyun hadn’t intended to discuss it. Recalling Miss Wu’s shy expression that day, she felt a pang of sympathy and was even more reluctant to talk about it. She smiled and said: “How would I know anything? I just found it strange.”

Chen Shi didn’t believe her: “Aren’t you neighbors?”

“What difference does being neighbors make?” Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Nowadays, everyone sweeps the snow from their doorstep.’ Besides, my family and the Wu family are on different paths—military and civil. Madam Wu is sophisticated and sociable, able to converse with anyone and enter any circle. Since my husband is stationed at the border, I try to avoid potential trouble and stay away from her. How would I dare to initiate conversations with her?” As she spoke, she changed the subject, “But I think you’re right—Madam Wu did seem to have something to discuss with me…” She pondered, “I wonder what it could be?”

“Who cares what it is!” Chen Shi laughed, “That woman loves to help others to show off her capabilities. It might not even be her matter. Since she didn’t succeed this time, she’ll find another opportunity to speak with you.” Lowering her voice, she whispered in Fu Tingyun’s ear, “I’ve heard that Madam Wu takes silver for helping people with their affairs…”

Fu Tingyun was startled.

She had heard about such things from her elders.

This was the so-called “ladies’ social networking.”

For sensitive matters, the ladies would act as intermediaries, and compensation would be paid to them. If discovered, it would merely be considered a lapse in household management, allowing for complete deniability.

“If that’s the case, we should stay even further away from her,” Fu Tingyun said solemnly. “Helping relatives and friends is one thing—one can’t refuse due to personal relationships. But taking silver to intervene for strangers… she earns the money while I run around confused, helping her? Wouldn’t that make me a fool? Moreover, matters requiring silver to smooth over—how many of those can withstand scrutiny in broad daylight? What if I were implicated?”

“That’s precisely the point,” Chen Shi nodded repeatedly.

The two sat down to drink tea and eat some pastries, playing with Youyou and Xiaoer for a while. Then Yanqing came in to report: “Madam, Ninth Master says everything is at your discretion. He also mentioned that he’ll be going to Master Qin’s residence with Official He and will return for dinner.”

Fu Tingyun nodded and smiled at Chen Shi: “Now you can relax! I’ll have the kitchen prepare some good dishes. Why don’t you stay for dinner, and we can chat properly?”

Chen Shi smiled: “I’m relieved, but Madam Wang is still anxious! I need to go back to give her an answer, and then I’ll return to discuss the betrothal date with you. There will be plenty of time for us to talk!” She politely declined the invitation.

Fu Tingyun understood and walked Chen Shi to the main gate, where they saw Madam Wu hurriedly boarding her carriage with several maids and servants, driving out of Shijia Hutong without looking back.

“Where could Madam Wu be going?” Chen Shi muttered as she boarded her carriage.

Fu Tingyun remained lost in thought.

Could it be that Miss Wu had become a concubine to some Elder?

She felt sorry for Miss Wu.

She let out a long sigh.

Yu Wei, standing beside her, heard this and smiled: “Are you missing Second Master?” She teased, “It’s not too late to change your mind now!”

“I wish I could change my mind,” Fu Tingyun laughed, “but I’m afraid someone would be furious with embarrassment if I did!”

The two of them chatted and joked as they entered the house.

That evening, when Zhao Ling returned, Fu Tingyun asked about his meeting with Qin Feiyu.

Zhao Ling smiled: “Many people are seeking Qin Feiyu’s support these days. He doesn’t pay attention to ordinary individuals, but He Xiulin received Qin Feiyu’s assistance with just my calling card. He felt that Qin Feiyu valued me highly, so he thought that if I brought him to meet Qin Feiyu, Qin would regard him differently.”

Fu Tingyun smiled: “Did Qin Feiyu immediately become friendly with him?”

Zhao Ling laughed: “I don’t know if he truly became friendly, but He Xiulin received a calling card from Qin Feiyu, which allows him to seek an audience directly whenever needed.”

Fu Tingyun thought of the hearty man she’d met in that dilapidated City God Temple in Linchun and exclaimed: “I never imagined that Qin Feiyu would put on such airs now!”

“It’s unavoidable,” Zhao Ling was quite understanding. “If he didn’t filter visitors like this, he’d probably be dealing with pestering people all day.” Then he asked about Ah-Sen’s matter, “How did it go?”

“I’ve asked Madam Wang to set a date,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “Madam Wang is older and more experienced in these matters than we are.”

Zhao Ling nodded. Fu Tingyun noticed he had been drinking quite a bit and helped him prepare to wash up.

“Let Zhenzhu and the others handle it!” Zhao Ling said softly, gently touching her lower abdomen. “How are you feeling?”

“Couldn’t be better,” Fu Tingyun said somewhat dejectedly. “We’ll have to wait three months for confirmation.”

While other pregnant women either vomited incessantly or felt constantly lethargic, she had to wait until her pulse showed clear signs.

“This shows that my child is both sensible and considerate,” Zhao Ling said, touching her abdomen again. “Knowing that father isn’t home to take care of mother, the baby is behaving well, causing no trouble.”

“We still don’t know for sure!” Though happy about the pregnancy, Fu Tingyun was afraid of giving Zhao Ling false hope.

“I’m certain,” Zhao Ling was full of confidence. “Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to Tanzhe Temple to pay respects to the Buddha. We can ask for blessings for your smooth and safe pregnancy.”

“Are you free tomorrow?” Fu Tingyun asked in surprise. “Aren’t you helping the Ministry of Rites with the Tatar surrender matter?”

“The preparations are almost complete. The remaining minor details can be handled by the clerks at the Ministry of Rites,” Zhao Ling said. “After tomorrow, I’ll be busy again.”

“Oh!” Fu Tingyun responded, suddenly remembering that Master Wu worked at the Ministry of Rites, and brought up Madam Wu, “…Do you think I’m being too sensitive? Or could she have something to ask of you?”

“She probably doesn’t have anything to ask of me,” Zhao Ling pondered. “Master Wu is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but I’m working with Left Vice Minister Bai on this assignment…” Seeing Fu Tingyun’s worried expression, he smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, if there’s any issue, just refer it to me.” He then carried her to the bed, “Rest early. I’ll join you after washing up.”

Fu Tingyun absent-mindedly responded with a “Mmm,” still thinking about the day’s events, feeling something strange but unable to identify what it was.

When Zhao Ling returned from washing up and saw her still in a daze, he sat beside her, took her hand, and asked gently: “What are you overthinking now?”

Fu Tingyun thought for a moment and told Zhao Ling about Miss Wu: “…Master Wu is, after all, an official of the third rank. To have reached his current position, he must possess some skill. If he thinks this would gain him an Elder’s support and help him become a minister, isn’t he thinking too simplistically?”

Seeing her preoccupation with these matters, Zhao Ling smiled and fanned her gently: “Go to sleep now! I’ll inquire about it for you tomorrow.”

Fu Tingyun’s face lit up with a smile.

Not because Zhao Ling was willing to help her inquire, but because he took all her concerns to heart, making her feel cherished.

Zhao Ling couldn’t help but smile: “Go to sleep! Look at you, like a child, happy with just a bit of coaxing.”

Fu Tingyun spoke sweetly to him: “It’s only because you’re the one coaxing me. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t care!”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling’s eyes crinkled with amusement, though he teased persistently: “Oh my, I didn’t realize others were coaxing you besides me!”

“You rascal!” Fu Tingyun pretended to be annoyed, lightly pinching his arm. “Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll ignore you!”

“If you ignore me,” Zhao Ling said nonchalantly, “I’ll just have to pay attention to you!”

The couple bantered playfully before happily retiring for the night.

The next day, when the carriages for Tanzhe Temple were prepared and Youyou and Xiaoer were dressed and ready, Zhao Ling was summoned to the Ministry of Rites on short notice.

“Ah Qun,” his expression was half regretful, half frustrated, “I’m truly sorry…”

“Don’t say that.” Fu Tingyun was also disappointed but tried to appear cheerful and bright. “Official business takes priority. Besides, I’m not even three months along, and Tanzhe Temple is over twenty li away…” She joked, “Weren’t you going to pray to Buddha for my safe and smooth journey? Perhaps this is Buddha’s will!”

Zhao Ling felt even more uneasy.

Fu Tingyun had already instructed the children to bid him farewell: “…Father is going to the government office, and we’re visiting Uncle Jin’s house!”

The children’s spirits were quickly lifted.

Youyou cheered happily, and Xiaoer imitated her: “Visit Uncle Jin’s house!”

Zhao Ling, with a trace of guilt on his face, departed for the Ministry of Rites. On the way, he instructed Anxin to inquire about Miss Wu’s situation.

By the afternoon, Anxin had returned with news: “…She is a distant relative of Master Wu who became a concubine of Yu Jingxiu last December.”

Zhao Ling was momentarily stunned.