Zhao Ling was quite surprised to hear this, then showed signs of delight.

There are five cardinal relationships in human life, and if one is missing, some regret is inevitable.

Now that Fu Tingyun had relatives to interact with, her life would have more stability and liveliness.

He was genuinely happy for Fu Tingyun and grateful to Fifth Sister and her husband for acknowledging this relationship despite the Fu family’s attitude. He treated Fifth Brother-in-law with more warmth than he normally would with others, smiling as he bowed to him.

His wife had been vague about the experiences of this ninth sister who had returned from the dead. Fifth Brother-in-law suspected there was something unusual about it, but he believed in standing with one’s in-laws in their family matters and with one’s natal family in their issues. Since his wife hadn’t elaborated, he didn’t ask further. He only thought that since his wife valued this Ninth Sister-in-law, even though she wasn’t accepted by the Fu family, as a husband, he should stand with his wife. If he could appear at the Zhao family’s ceremonial rites, it would show support for his wife. Even if the Fu family found out, they wouldn’t be able to blame them too much out of respect for him.

When he arrived in Xi’an Prefecture and saw those usually arrogant Tengji Guards acting as doorkeepers for the Zhao family with lowered eyes and submissive attitudes, he truly realized that his wife’s Ninth Sister had married a third-rank military official of the current dynasty, a favorite of the Emperor and a prominent figure at court.

Fifth Brother-in-law couldn’t help feeling anxious.

What if Zhao Ling was an arrogant and domineering person? What should he do then?

His wife thought simply: “No matter how arrogant he is, he’s still your brother-in-law. What are you afraid of?” She continued, “If that’s the case, we should maintain our dignity as her elder sister and brother-in-law. The Fu family already doesn’t recognize Ninth Sister. If we act timidly just because Ninth Brother-in-law is an official, wouldn’t that make people look down on Ninth Sister even more? Just focus on being a good brother-in-law!”

But he didn’t think that way: “Ninth Sister-in-law still has to live with Ninth Brother-in-law. As long as they’re good together, it doesn’t matter if we have to endure a bit!”

Fifth Sister understood this reasoning too, but fearing her husband might be mistreated, she nodded and ambiguously said, “We’ll see when the time comes.”

Now, seeing that Zhao Ling treated him with respect and courtesy, Fifth Brother-in-law let out a long sigh of relief. He returned Zhao Ling’s bow even more humbly and gently asked about his journey.

Zhao Ling answered briefly, and Fu Tingyun introduced Third Sister, Chunbing, and Yuanxiao to him.

Third Sister hastily curtseyed and stepped aside, while Chunbing and Yuanxiao respectfully knelt and performed a formal bow to Zhao Ling.

Who did they think Zhao Ling was? Third Sister’s two sons showing him such respect was only because of Fu Tingyun.

Zhao Ling felt genuine goodwill toward both Third Sister and Fifth Sister.

He helped the two children to their feet and kindly asked their names, ages, and what they liked.

The two children maturely answered Zhao Ling’s questions one by one, without showing any excitement despite the elder’s special kindness.

Zhao Ling felt somewhat awkward.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile with pressed lips.

Zhao Ling then beckoned to Fu Tingyun: “Let me introduce someone to you…” Before he could finish, a stranger emerged from the crowd behind him—a man wearing the gown only scholars could wear, about thirty years old, with elegant manners.

Without waiting for Zhao Ling’s introduction, he respectfully smiled and bowed to Fu Tingyun: “Nephew Zhao Qi pays respects to Ninth Aunt.”

Fu Tingyun was greatly surprised.

Zhao Ling smiled and said: “This is Zhen Zhi from the Sixth Branch. The Eighth Master is slightly unwell and can no longer serve as the clan head of the Songjiang Zhao family. Everyone has jointly elected Zhen Zhi to succeed him. Although we are establishing a separate ancestral temple, we originate from Songjiang. Zhen Zhi has helped me escort my parents’ coffins northward over thousands of miles to legitimize our establishment of a new ancestral line.”

This meant that the matters in Songjiang had been settled according to plan.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but let a smile spread across her lips.

She curtseyed to Zhao Qi and politely said: “Thank you, Clan Head!”

Zhao Qi hurriedly bowed in return: “I don’t deserve such a grand gesture from Ninth Aunt.” He added, “I’m the seventeenth in my family. If Ninth Aunt doesn’t mind, you can just call me Seventeen.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Fu Tingyun smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Zhao Qi.

When Fu Tingyun had selected the burial site for her parents-in-law, she had considered that the Zhao family’s largest properties were in East Jiang Village. She ultimately chose a plot of lower-grade land about a hundred mu in size, adjacent to her estate. They needed to rush to East Jiang Village immediately. After their conversation concluded, Zhao Ling smiled and said: “Zhen Zhi will come to the capital with us later. There’s plenty of time ahead; we can talk more in the future. Shall we go to East Jiang Village first? If we don’t set off soon, we might miss the auspicious time.” He then invited Third Sister and Fu Tingyun to share a carriage: “…You are older than Ah Qin, and Ah Qin is pregnant now and fears jolting. If it weren’t for moving my parents’ graves, I wouldn’t let her travel such a long distance under any circumstances. The journey to East Jiang Village is still half a day’s travel. Please take care of her along the way.”

Third Sister gladly agreed.

Nurse Tong carried Youyou into Third Sister’s carriage.

Youyou pouted, and although she was greatly unwilling in her heart, she knew that Third Aunt was taking care of her mother, so she obediently sat beside Yuanxiao.

Yuanxiao chatted with her: “When my grandmother passed away, I also went to the ancestral grave. There were many tombstones and many trees. My uncle said that when we die in the future, we will all be buried there. Zhao family cousin, will you also be buried in East Jiang Village in the future? Are you afraid? I feel a bit scared…”

Youyou felt her skin crawl hearing this. But seeing that Chunbing was sitting properly, clearly eavesdropping on their conversation while pretending to be casual, she didn’t want to let Yuanxiao feel superior. She said: “What’s there to be afraid of? My father is amazing! He can even capture the leader of the Tartars. The Emperor also rewarded me with several pieces of silk fabric. Mother said she would make clothes for me for the New Year, and we will go to the palace to thank the Grand Empress Dowager.”

Since Zhao Ling was often away from home, Fu Tingyun feared the children would become unfamiliar with him, so she frequently told them stories about Zhao Ling.

Yuanxiao looked at her with envy: “You’ve even been to the imperial palace and seen the Emperor. You’re really amazing.” He continued, “Is the imperial palace fun? Is the Emperor very imposing? Sitting in a palace made of gold, beheading anyone who doesn’t obey…”

Youyou had never seen the Emperor either and was wildly speculating: “Of course, the Emperor is the Son of Heaven…”

Yuanxiao listened with his chin in his hands and said enviously: “Being the Emperor must be really great…”

The two children were talking nonsense, straying further and further from reality.

Chunbing became anxious.

His father had taught them that Heaven, Earth, the Ruler, Parents, and Teachers were not to be criticized.

He couldn’t help but cough lightly and said: “What nonsense are you talking! How did Father teach us? Be careful, or I’ll tell Father when we get back!”

Upon hearing this, Yuanxiao quickly sat properly and didn’t dare to ask any more questions.

Youyou suddenly felt bored. Remembering that Yuanxiao had just been reprimanded by Chunbing, she feared that initiating conversation might implicate Yuanxiao. She became even more dissatisfied with Chunbing and secretly glared at him.

Unexpectedly, Chunbing was looking right at her and caught her expression.

“Do not look at what is improper; do not listen to what is improper.”

This was what her mother had taught her just a few days ago.

Her glaring at Chunbing was certainly wrong.

But why did Chunbing happen to look over at that moment and catch her in the act?

Youyou became furious with embarrassment.

She felt that Chunbing was sneaky and indeed not a good person!

She lightly “hmph”-ed and turned her face away.

Chunbing felt completely bewildered.

He had only wanted to explain to Youyou about the incident from the other day. How could she be angry again before he even had a chance to speak?

Should he still explain it to her or not?

His instinct told him this wasn’t a good time, but the unease in his heart made him feel he had to say something.

After pondering for a while, Chunbing still felt it was better to clear up the misunderstanding as soon as possible. That way, Youyou wouldn’t be angry anymore and would treat him like she treated Yuanxiao, sharing good food and fun things.

“Zhao family cousin,” he said somewhat urgently, “I heard my mother say that balsam is also called ‘bone-penetrating grass’ or ‘golden phoenix flower.’ It comes in many colors and can dispel wind, relieve pain, promote blood circulation, and reduce swelling. It’s a very good medicinal herb…”

Youyou secretly despised this cousin.

He had actually told Third Aunt about this incident… Just now, Yuanxiao had merely talked too much, and he had threatened to tell Third Uncle…

She didn’t want to speak to him anymore.

Youyou called out, “Nurse Tong,” and asked: “When will we arrive in Chang’an?”

Nurse Tong had been sitting beside them with a smile, listening to the children’s conversation. Hearing the question, she smiled and said: “Mother hasn’t been to Chang’an either. I don’t know when we’ll arrive. Why don’t I ask the driver?”

“Good idea!” Youyou crawled over and lifted the carriage curtain, poking her head out to ask the driver: “Uncle, when will we arrive in Chang’an?”

The driver was one of the Shen family’s servants, known for his steadiness, which was why Third Sister had brought him along when going out.

Hearing her, he smiled and said: “Young Miss, please go back inside the carriage. The wind is strong outside; be careful not to catch a cold.” He added, “We’ll arrive in Chang’an in at most half an hour.”

Youyou retreated back into the carriage.

Nurse Tong quickly embraced her: “Good young miss, Mother would have asked for you. Why did you go out yourself?”

Youyou nestled in Nurse Tong’s arms with a smile, not wanting to get up.

Nurse Tong held her and hummed a tune.

Youyou, drowsy and hazy, actually fell asleep.

Chunbing deeply regretted his actions.

Even when they arrived at the Zhao family cemetery in East Jiang Village, his spirits were still low.

Third Sister thought her eldest son was tired from the carriage ride, so she hugged him and asked gently: “Can you still hold up?”

Chunbing hurriedly shook his head: “Mother, I’m fine.”

Third Sister wanted to comfort her son further, but the Taoist priests and Buddhist monks invited by the Zhao family had already begun the ceremony. The knocking sounds of the wooden fish and the humming of the sutras came in waves.

The grave relocation ceremony had officially begun.

Third Sister had no choice but to release her son and walk to Fu Tingyun’s side.

“If you’re not feeling well, don’t force yourself.” The sounds from the Taoist priests and monks were too loud, so she had to shout in Fu Tingyun’s ear, “The child is most important.”

Speaking at this time could only be done by shouting, which might make people think she was disrespectful to the ancestors.

Fu Tingyun nodded, indicating that she understood.

Third Sister didn’t say anything more.

Opening the graves, lowering the coffins, reciting eulogies, erecting tablets… After all these procedures, it was already dusk.

Fu Tingyun and the others got back into their carriages to rest at the house she had purchased in Chang’an County.

Third Sister asked Fu Tingyun in a low voice: “What’s the story with that Zhao Qi?”

“How would I know about the affairs of the Zhao family?” Fu Tingyun said, winking at Third Sister.

“You clever thing.” Third Sister couldn’t help but laugh, then sighed: “Such a major matter was handled so smoothly by Zhao Ling. No wonder you admire him so much. He truly has some capability.”

Fu Tingyun disagreed: “I respect him because he treats me well.”

Such a defense of Zhao Ling… Third Sister looked at Fu Tingyun and smiled.

Fu Tingyun’s face turned red with embarrassment.