“Don’t worry about accommodation,” the Seventh Cousin Sister smiled. “He and several of his fellow students have arranged to travel to the capital together, and they’ll likely rent a courtyard house to settle in first. It’s just that they’re unfamiliar with the place and don’t know anyone in the capital, which concerns me.”
With fellow students together, they could exchange information and inquire about the imperial examinations. If they stayed at her place alone, Zhao Ling wasn’t a civil official and knew nothing about scholarly pursuits, which wouldn’t benefit Brother-in-law Bai.
Fu Tingyun didn’t insist further and smiled: “Then tell your husband when you return, and see if there’s anything I can help with. Just send someone to let me know when the time comes.”
Seventh Cousin Sister smiled in agreement.
The mood among the sisters finally calmed.
Fu Tingyun instructed Yu Wei to bring Youyou and Xige in to pay respects to their Seventh Aunt.
Seventh Cousin Sister held the children, examining them from all angles, her eyes full of smiles: “They look like Ninth Sister…” Like Fifth Cousin Sister, she hadn’t prepared gifts in advance, so she casually removed the pearl flower from her hair and the jade pendant from her waist as greeting gifts: “…Next time, Seventh Aunt will make you gold necklaces.” She smiled as she hugged Youyou, then asked Fu Tingyun about the children’s birth dates and horoscopes. Learning that Youyou was born in the year of Yihai and Xige in the year of Dingchou, before Seventh Cousin Sister could speak, Fifth Cousin Sister beside her exclaimed “Oh!” and smiled: “Our son is also from the Yihai year. He was born in the eighth month. What month was your Youyou born in?”
“The fourth month.”
“Four months older than our son.”
As they spoke, they grew somewhat excited.
Fu Tingyun asked Fifth Cousin Sister how many children she had.
“One son and one daughter,” Fifth Cousin Sister smiled. “Just like you, the daughter is older, and the son is younger.” She added, “My daughter was born in the year of Guiyou, two years older than Youyou.”
Fu Tingyun thought of the child in her belly and smiled, her hand unconsciously resting on her abdomen.
Seventh Cousin Sister, meanwhile, spoke quickly: “I have one daughter and two sons. The daughter is the eldest, and the two sons are younger. My eldest daughter was born in the year of Jiaxu, her nickname is Ranran. Born in the sixth month, a year older than Youyou. My eldest son is from the Jiazi year, a year younger than Youyou, nicknamed Changsheng. The second son just celebrated his full month and hasn’t been named yet. Being the third in line, everyone calls him Sansan.” She covered her mouth and laughed, “If you had returned a few days earlier, it would have been perfect. Third Sister came for the full-month celebration and hasn’t left yet. We could have come together.” Then she spoke of Third Cousin Sister’s affairs, “Her two sons—the eldest was born in the year of Renshen. Since he was born in the second month when spring pancakes are eaten, and Brother-in-law Shen’s previous children hadn’t survived, they invited a Daoist priest from Jiuxian Temple to cast his horoscope. The priest said a humble name would help him thrive, so they called him ‘Spring Pancake.’ The second son was born in the same year as Youyou, but on the Lantern Festival, older than both Youyou and Ping’an. Following after Spring Pancake, they named him ‘Yuanxiao’ (rice ball).”
Those names were chosen…
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She said, “When I left Huayin, Second Aunt was worried that Third Sister hadn’t shown any signs of pregnancy. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Third Sister’s eldest son would already be seven years old!” By the end of her words, she couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Fifth Cousin Sister couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing this.
Seventh Cousin Sister, however, felt that Fu Tingyun had suffered a great deal. Her feelings were already deep, and if they continued to dwell on melancholy subjects, it would only make Fu Tingyun more downcast. Their sisterly gathering was a rare occasion—they should speak of happy things, of dreams and aspirations to lift their spirits. What was the point of making everything sad and mournful?
“The good thing is that we all have sons and daughters and are doing well,” she laughed brightly. “Third Sister’s husband can take office after his mourning period ends, and my husband is also diligently studying for the imperial examinations. We’ll all only get better in the future!”
Fifth Cousin Sister caught her meaning and realized she had been too much of a dampener. She quickly smiled and said: “Seventh Sister is right. Though my husband is a decent scholar, with Third Sister’s husband’s support, our business has grown larger over the years.” She then asked Fu Tingyun, “Since you’re in the capital, do you know what businesses are profitable there?”
Fu Tingyun smiled: “What? Are you thinking of doing business in the capital?”
“We don’t have that kind of capital or connections yet,” Fifth Cousin Sister smiled, showing her teeth. “But I’ve always felt that the capital is at the Emperor’s feet, and all the good things from everywhere go to the capital. Following the capital’s trends is never wrong.”
The earlier melancholy was thus brushed aside.
Fu Tingyun thought of Manager Ye from the Third Branch and smiled: “I know a manager from the Datong Banking House. I don’t know if he can help you.”
Fifth Cousin Sister’s face lit up with joy: “I never imagined you would know such influential people. When will your Lord Zhao return to Xi’an Prefecture? He and my husband’s brother-in-law should meet.”
Fu Tingyun laughed heartily and glanced sideways at Seventh Cousin Sister: “See how people become like the families they marry into. Back at home, she would give the change as a reward to the maid who helped with shopping, even when buying just a needle. Now, as soon as she hears I know someone from Datong Banking House, she immediately clamors for my husband to make an introduction.”
“Of course!” Fifth Cousin Sister declared righteously. “I’m not like you two, with husbands either in official positions or pursuing scholarly paths. I rely entirely on those few shops for my livelihood!”
Seventh Cousin Sister laughed so hard she started coughing: “And what’s that to boast about? Last year, Fifth Sister wanted to acquire a batch of old stock from the Jiangnan Textile Manufacturing Bureau. She went to Third Sister’s place, had Third Sister’s husband write a letter to his fellow graduate, then sent a capable steward with Fifth Sister’s husband to travel day and night to Hangzhou. They forcefully made the deal happen. Now, when people in Xi’an Prefecture mention the Yao family from Lintong, who doesn’t take notice?”
Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.
From the tone, it seemed Fifth Sister’s husband was somewhat weak, while Fifth Sister made all the decisions at home…
Fifth Cousin Sister blushed and warned Seventh Cousin Sister: “Don’t talk nonsense!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” Seventh Cousin Sister laughed. “There are no outsiders here, are there?”
Fu Tingyun felt at ease.
As long as a couple lived harmoniously, it didn’t matter who was in charge.
And from Fifth Sister’s tone, it seemed Third Sister’s husband was also someone willing to help others!
The sisters chatted and laughed as the sun set in the west.
Fu Tingyun invited the two to stay at her home: “…If nothing else, it’s safe and quiet.”
Both had rushed over from Huayin, heading straight to Yangliuxiang upon reaching Xi’an Prefecture, without considering other arrangements. Hearing this, they suddenly remembered that their maids and elderly female servants were still waiting outside.
“Look at me, I was so caught up in conversation,” Fifth Cousin Sister jumped up and was about to call for Yu Wei, but Seventh Cousin Sister hesitated and said, “I’m afraid there might not be enough space… I think we should stay at an inn.”
“How could you stay at an inn when you’re at my home?” Fu Tingyun said, understanding that Seventh Cousin Sister’s concern was not unfounded. “Even if your attendants stay at an inn, you two should stay here.”
Seventh Cousin Sister thought briefly and agreed with a smile: “Alright! Let them stay at an inn. We sisters can have some intimate conversations.”
Fu Tingyun called Yu Wei in and asked her to make arrangements.
Yu Wei, however, was prepared and smiled: “Since I hadn’t informed Madam, I didn’t dare make decisions. But I’ve reserved two small courtyards at the inn where the Tengji Guards are staying. The east and west wing rooms have also been prepared. If Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss wish to keep a few close servants with them, there’s space for them too.”
Fifth Cousin Sister was startled upon hearing this: “Why are there people from the Tengji Guards?”
Fu Tingyun had not intended to publicize this, but now she had to advise Fifth Cousin Sister: “My husband and Commander Qin of the Tengji Guards are good friends. Since I was traveling alone with the children, Commander Qin was concerned there might be no one to look after us on the road, so he privately assigned a few men to escort us back to Xi’an. Please don’t mention this to others.”
Fifth Cousin Sister heard this and reproached: “Am I the kind of person who likes to gossip about others? Why do both of you keep instructing me not to tell anyone?”
Fu Tingyun could barely contain her amusement.
Seventh Cousin Sister teased: “Evidently, I’m not the only one who feels certain matters need to be emphasized to Fifth Sister.”
Fifth Cousin Sister was furious.
Seventh Cousin Sister quickly said: “Ninth Sister, after several years, your Yu Wei has become even more capable. It seems you’re now very good at training people.”
“It’s Yu Wei herself who is diligent,” Fu Tingyun said modestly, though she was indeed pleased with Yu Wei’s astuteness.
Fifth Cousin Sister said discontentedly: “Hey, you two, do you have to play off each other like this?”
Seventh Cousin Sister and Fu Tingyun exchanged glances and both smiled, pressing their lips together.
Fu Tingyun thought of the times when she and her sisters studied with the old tutor when they were young… Her gaze became as gentle as spring water: “Please make yourselves at home, sisters!” She instructed Yu Wei to arrange a banquet. “Remember to tell the kitchen to prepare steamed fish that Fifth Aunt likes and braised pork hock that Seventh Aunt enjoys.”
Yu Wei acknowledged with a smile and left.
Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister exclaimed in unison: “Ninth Sister still remembers?”
“We sisters grew up together—even if bones break, tendons remain connected. How could I forget!” Fu Tingyun smiled brilliantly.
Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister didn’t speak, but there was a glimmer of tears in their eyes.
The atmosphere became warm and peaceful for a moment.
When dinner time came, Madam Lü brought Jinhua wine, and the atmosphere became lively again.
Fifth Cousin Sister personally poured a large cup for Fu Tingyun and smiled: “Do you remember when we stole wine from Grandmother’s storeroom?”
“I didn’t steal anything,” Fu Tingyun denied. “It was Third Sister who stole it. I was just keeping watch outside.”
“Anyway, you drank the wine,” Fifth Cousin Sister said, raising her cup. “Seventh Sister just gave birth a month ago, so she’s excused, but as the host, you can’t refuse.”
Fu Tingyun straightforwardly raised her cup: “I’ll first toast to Fifth Sister.”
Seventh Cousin Sister quickly stopped Fu Tingyun: “After three days apart, one looks at a friend with new eyes. Fifth Sister’s husband can’t hold his liquor, but Fifth Sister has developed quite a capacity…”
Fifth Cousin Sister glared at Seventh Cousin Sister and said: “Even if Ninth Sister is now an official’s wife, you don’t need to flatter her like this, do you?”
Seventh Cousin Sister laughed: “I’m just afraid that by the time the host is sprawled on the table, we guests will still be eating and drinking here… with no one to serve hot soup and tea.”
Fifth Cousin Sister called out, “Yi Tong”: “You come and attend to us.”
Yi Tong smiled and stood nearby.
Madam Lü, seeing the sisters enjoying themselves, offered a toast and returned to her room.
Having reunited after a life-and-death separation, with Zhao Ling not at home, Fu Tingyun and her sisters indulged themselves. The dinner lasted until the hour of Hai (9-11 pm) before breaking up. Fu Tingyun, Fifth Cousin Sister, and Seventh Cousin Sister were all tipsy. The next day, they all emerged from their rooms pale-faced, rubbing their temples.