Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but cry as well.

Eldest Cousin Sister was ten years older than her. Being the eldest, she spent more time disciplining her sisters than playing with them. Second Cousin Sister was a concubine’s daughter and from the same branch as Eldest Sister, so she always acted according to Eldest Sister’s mood. Though the sisters never said it, they inevitably felt less intimate with her. Only Third Cousin Sister, with her humor, wit, and cheerful liveliness, often led the sisters in play. If the sisters caused trouble, she would take responsibility in front of the elders without hesitation. If any sister had difficulties, she would contribute money if she had it, or effort if she didn’t, always providing her sisters with an answer. The sisters both admired and adored her, respecting her even more than Eldest Cousin Sister.

Third Cousin Sister’s words transported her back to childhood.

Thinking of the injustice she suffered at Fifth Master Fu’s home, she cried even more sorrowfully.

Seeing this, Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister couldn’t help wiping their tears on the side. It was Madam Lü, who had accompanied Third Cousin Sister in, who was older and had experienced more joys and sorrows, who advised: “Your reunion as sisters is a joyous occasion. You should be happy, why are you shedding tears instead?”

Hearing this, Third Cousin Sister pushed Fu Tingyun away, forced a smile while holding back tears, and said: “Aunt is right. Our reunion as sisters should be happy. Crying like this would be ungrateful for Buddha’s kindness.”

“Precisely,” Madam Lü chuckled and said, “Let’s all go inside—Third Madam has come from afar and hasn’t even had a cup of tea yet!”

Fu Tingyun quickly wiped her tears and smiled: “Look at me, only thinking of my sorrows, forgetting that Third Sister has traveled a long way…” Then, remembering Yu Wei mentioning that Third Cousin Sister had brought her two sons, she craned her neck to look behind her, “I heard both nephews came with Third Sister, where are they?”

Just as she was asking, two boys in Buddhist blue long gowns stepped forward, respectfully paid their respects to her, addressing her as “Ninth Aunt,” and then paid respects to Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister, addressing them as “Fifth Aunt” and “Seventh Aunt.”

Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister simultaneously smiled, one saying, “No need for such formality!” and the other saying, “I haven’t seen you for days, you’ve become more sensible!”

Fu Tingyun now knew these were Third Cousin Sister’s two sons, and couldn’t help examining them carefully.

Spring Pancake was seven, and Yuanxiao was four. Though handsome with clear features, they didn’t resemble Third Cousin Sister. They were taller than average children their age, and their expressions showed less of the liveliness typical of children their age and more composure.

She quickly called Yu Wei to bring Youyou and Xige out to meet the guests, then gave the already prepared greeting gifts—two inkstones from the previous dynasty and two boxes of fine paper—to the two boys.

The two boys thanked her respectfully.

Yu Wei led Youyou and Xige to appear under the eaves of the main house.

Seeing the two children, Third Cousin Sister couldn’t help widening her eyes: “How is it that both look like they were cast from the same mold as Quanhui when she was little?”

Fifth Cousin Sister and Seventh Cousin Sister laughed heartily on the side.

Fu Tingyun smiled bitterly: “I also wish my son resembled his father, but he looks like me. What can I do?”

Fifth Cousin Sister teased: “Don’t you have another one in your belly? It’s not too late to consult Third Sister now. Spring Pancake and Yuanxiao both look like Third Sister’s husband!”

“You’re pregnant again?” Third Cousin Sister looked at Fu Tingyun in surprise, then her eyes revealed a trace of envy. “You are blessed!”

As they spoke, Youyou and Xige walked over.

Fu Tingyun smiled, pointing to Third Cousin Sister, Spring Pancake, and Yuanxiao, telling the two children to acknowledge their relatives.

Youyou performed a proper greeting again, while Xige could only manage a barely passable cupped fist salute.

Third Cousin Sister was delighted at the sight. She held Xige with one arm and took Youyou’s hand with the other, instructing someone by her side: “Bring in the greeting gifts for my cousin’s daughter and son.”

The maid acknowledged with a smile, and soon had people bring in two chests.

Fu Tingyun looked on anxiously and quickly said: “Third Sister, you’re spoiling these two children too much!”

Third Cousin Sister smiled: “They’re just things to play with and wear, nothing precious.” She then joked, “I’m just an aunt. It’s enough if I win the favor of my nephew and niece. As for disciplining the children, that’s the responsibility of your parents. What has it to do with me?”

These words made everyone burst into laughter.

Amid the laughter, Fu Tingyun led everyone into the hall.

Yu Wei directed the maids to serve tea and refreshments, Madam Lü instructed the daughters-in-law to prepare a resting chamber for Third Cousin Sister, and Zheng San Niang had already prepared a table of fine dishes.

Third Cousin Sister went to freshen up, and everyone took their seats around the eight-immortals table in the hall according to seniority.

Pearl came in to report: “Madam, Fu family’s young mistress has arrived!”

Sister-in-law!

Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly said: “Please invite her in!” Turning back, she saw that her three sisters also wore surprised expressions. Fu Tingyun excused herself, saying: “I’ll go greet my sister-in-law.”

Third Cousin Sister, Fifth Cousin Sister, and Seventh Cousin Sister also stood up: “We’ll go together to greet sister-in-law.”

Fu Tingyun nodded and went out with Third Sister. They met Fu’s young mistress at the festooned gate.

Upon meeting, there was inevitably a moment of reunion joy. After returning to the hall and once again seating themselves according to age, Fu Tingyun learned that news of her gathering had spread throughout the Fu family.

“…They didn’t receive invitation cards and didn’t want to come uninvited, but since my husband is your full brother, I’ve come without an invitation,” Fu’s young mistress explained with a smile. “It’s just a pity that your two nephews are currently studying with their maternal uncle and can’t return in time. Otherwise, I would have brought them along.” Her tone was quite regretful.

Once young ladies married out, they became part of another family, while daughters-in-law who married in became part of the Fu family. Fu’s young mistress’s arrival indirectly indicated the Fu family’s attitude toward Fu Tingyun’s return.

Third Cousin Sister, Fifth Cousin Sister, and Seventh Cousin Sister, all having sisters-in-law and brothers’ wives themselves, showed some shame upon hearing this. Third Cousin Sister even found an opportunity without others present to speak intimately with Fu Tingyun: “You being alive was a great shock even to us who knew about it, causing us to carefully recall the events of that year. Not to mention your sisters-in-law who married into the family from outside. They mostly heard about your affairs from your brothers. The men stay in the outer courtyard, unlike us sisters who grew up with you and know your character and virtue. You should give them some time.”

“I bear no resentment,” Fu Tingyun smiled and spoke frankly. “Even among sisters, some come and some don’t, let alone sisters-in-law.”

Third Cousin Sister nodded slightly, showing a gratified expression: “Quanhui, you’ve grown up!”

As if she had experienced much vicissitude.

Fu Tingyun laughed heartily and teased: “When I’m fifty, sister will only be fifty-six. We’ll both have white hair and wrinkled skin—there shouldn’t be much difference then, right?”

Third Cousin Sister didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Hearing you say that, you still sound like the reckless little Fu Nine from back then!”

Fu Tingyun grinned and linked arms with Third Cousin Sister.

It felt like they had returned to the past…

Both revealed knowing smiles.

…

With Third Cousin Sister and Fu’s young mistress’s arrival, the house felt somewhat crowded but very lively.

Everyone chatted and laughed, and time passed particularly quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the tenth month.

Sixth Cousin Sister, Tenth Cousin Sister, and Eleventh Cousin Sister arrived together.

The courtyard immediately became noisy.

Everyone greeted each other, asking about recent situations, talking about their husbands and children, chattering away, leaving Spring Pancake, Yuanxiao, and Youyou, who were peering over the railing, speechless.

Yuanxiao said somewhat troubledly: “Doesn’t Father say ‘The superior man is slow to speak but quick to act’? Mother being like this isn’t behaving like a superior man!”

“Third Aunt isn’t a man!” Youyou immediately retorted. “A superior man is male.”

Yuanxiao wasn’t sure if Youyou’s words were correct, so he looked toward his brother Spring Pancake.

Spring Pancake thought Youyou’s words made sense, but he didn’t want his brother, who had misspoken, to lose face in front of the pretty cousin they had just met. In his dilemma, he imitated his father by lightly coughing twice and said solemnly: “You’re still young. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

Yuanxiao’s face brightened upon hearing this.

Youyou, however, became somewhat angry, pouting and turning her face away. Remembering she was the host, she decided not to speak intimately with these two rigid cousins anymore.

Spring Pancake felt he had wronged Youyou and, revealing an ingratiating expression he wasn’t aware of, said softly to Youyou: “Cousin Zhao, do you like orchids? There’s a greenhouse in our back garden where my father keeps his orchids. There’s Green Cloud, Song Plum, Snow Pure, Eternal Blessing, Phoenix Tail…”

Youyou didn’t want to pay attention to him and said: “I don’t like orchids.”

Spring Pancake was stunned and said somewhat awkwardly: “Then, what do you like?” His voice became increasingly gentle and soft.

Seeing his humble demeanor before her, Youyou felt her attitude had been somewhat poor. Her expression gradually softened, and she said: “I like balsam flowers; they can dye fingernails.”

“Oh!” Spring Pancake was somewhat disappointed. “Only maids like balsam flowers… they grow everywhere…”

Compared to maids, Youyou felt this cousin was looking down on her. She angrily said: “I just like balsam flowers, and I like dyeing my fingernails.” Her chin lifted involuntarily.

Seeing her suddenly become angry, Spring Pancake’s heart couldn’t help but panic. Fortunately, he had been carefully nurtured by his father since birth and quickly regained his composure. Recalling their exchange, he realized that his words had been somewhat inappropriate.

He was very regretful and quickly said: “Cousin Zhao, I didn’t mean it that way… I meant that balsam flowers are everywhere, unlike orchids, which grow in refined places…”

Wasn’t he saying she was like a little maid with no worldly experience?

Youyou puffed her cheeks.

He had misspoken again.

Spring Pancake remorsefully wanted to explain more carefully, but his mother’s maid came over with a smile: “Young Master, the Madam is calling for you! She says you and Second Young Master should go pay respects to the madams!”

He had to stop the conversation and took his brother’s hand to go to the main house with his mother’s maid.

After walking a few steps, he couldn’t help looking back, but Youyou had disappeared.

Only yellow withered leaves from the locust tree covered the ground.

Spring Pancake couldn’t help clenching his fist.

He must find an opportunity to explain himself to his cousin… otherwise, what if she misunderstood him?