Having arranged Fu Tingyun’s itinerary, Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and began to handle the matters of returning to the capital.
Third Sister came with her two sons to bid farewell: “…When there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll visit you in the capital again. If you give birth, send someone to inform me.”
Third Sister was the matriarch of the family, and it had already been quite difficult for her to gather like this. How could they ask her to stay longer?
Fu Tingyun nodded and earnestly urged: “If you can get away, come for the child’s hundred-day celebration.”
Third Sister agreed.
Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, along with Fifth Sister and her husband, escorted Third Sister and her sons to the main gate.
A carriage with a flat black-lacquered top and parrot-green Luzhou silk curtains slowly drove by.
Third Sister, who was about to board her carriage, was slightly startled. Chunbing and Yuanxiao had already jumped up: “Our family’s carriage…” Yuanxiao ran toward it excitedly, “Father must have come to pick us up!”
The driver, seeing Yuanxiao running over, stopped the carriage at a distance. He jumped down from the shaft and quickly caught Yuanxiao: “Second Young Master, be careful not to fall!”
Yuanxiao ignored this and called out “Father” toward the curtain.
Only then was the curtain lifted, and a middle-aged man with a cold, serious expression stepped down.
He was of medium height with a fair complexion and a robust build. His gestures were steady and open, giving him a scholarly appearance.
Seeing Yuanxiao squirming in the driver’s arms, he scolded in a low voice: “Stand properly at once. What kind of behavior is this commotion!”
Upon hearing this, Yuanxiao immediately slid down from the driver’s arms, stood with his hands at his sides, and respectfully called out “Father.”
Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed watching this. Now she understood why Chunbing and Yuanxiao acted like little old men despite their young age.
Everyone now understood who the visitor was, and Zhao Ling enthusiastically stepped forward, calling out “Third Brother-in-law.”
Third Brother-in-law politely returned Zhao Ling’s greeting, addressing him as “Ninth Brother-in-law,” and then said: “Forgive me for not coming in, as I am in mourning.”
“Third Brother-in-law, what are you saying?” Zhao Ling smiled courteously. “I should have personally gone to Hancheng to pay respects to the Lady Dowager, but I was entangled with trivial matters and couldn’t attend to it. My eldest son is still too young, so I had to send my second brother to Hancheng instead. I hope Third Brother-in-law doesn’t mind.”
The two men continued their mutual courtesies for a while until Fifth Brother-in-law lightly coughed, and they stopped.
Fifth Brother-in-law took the opportunity to step forward and bow to Third Brother-in-law.
Only then did Third Sister have a chance to bring her children to greet her husband and introduce Fu Tingyun and the others.
Zhao Ling invited Third Sister into the house for tea: “…I must at least fulfill my duties as a host!”
Third Brother-in-law thought for a moment, nodded, and smiled: “Then I’ll impose upon you!”
“Third Brother-in-law is too polite,” Zhao Ling smiled as they all returned to sit in the hall. Maidservants served tea and refreshments while Zhao Ling and Third Brother-in-law inquired about each other’s situations. Not wanting to neglect Fifth Brother-in-law, Zhao Ling occasionally exchanged a few words with him. As the sun rose higher, Fu Tingyun invited Third Brother-in-law’s family to stay: “It’s not too late to leave after lunch.”
The Third Brother-in-law didn’t decline.
Fu Tingyun quickly instructed Zheng San Niang to set a vegetarian table.
Since they weren’t drinking alcohol, the meal was finished in just half an hour. Zhao Ling and the others saw Third Brother-in-law’s family to their carriage.
Third Sister and Third Brother-in-law took his carriage, while the two children boarded Third Sister’s carriage.
The carriages soon drove out of Yangliu Hutong.
Third Sister said: “Why did you suddenly come to Xi’an?”
“We’ll be out of mourning by next spring,” the Third Brother-in-law said calmly. “I heard that the Master is coming back to perform ancestral sacrifices in a few days, so I came to pay my respects to Master Jin.”
The Master that Third Brother-in-law referred to was Jin Keng, courtesy name Kechun, formerly a Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and Minister of Rites, currently the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a native of Xi’an Prefecture in Shaanxi, and the chief examiner of the Jiaxu imperial examination.
Master Jin referred to Jin Keng’s eldest son.
Although Master Jin’s position wasn’t what it used to be, having served as an official in the capital for over twenty years, he still had some influence. For her husband’s official career, if he could get someone’s recommendation, that would be ideal.
Third Sister couldn’t help but smile.
Master Jin wouldn’t return to Xi’an Prefecture until the twelfth month. Wasn’t it a bit early to visit now?
This man was just like this—even when coming to pick her and the children up, he needed to find a reason that he felt justified.
She playfully asked: “So has my husband’s matter been settled? When Master Jin returns to Xi’an, will my husband need to come again?”
“Of course I’ll come again,” the Third Brother-in-law appeared slightly uncomfortable, clearing his throat lightly. “Finding someone to handle matters isn’t so simple. This visit is just to give the Jin family advance notice, to avoid appearing abrupt when visiting later.”
Is that so?
Third Sister blinked her eyes.
Third Brother-in-law couldn’t help but ask in a low voice: “How have you and the children been these days?”
“Very well,” Third Sister’s smile grew even broader. “If I weren’t thinking of you, I would have gone with Fifth Sister to escort Ninth Sister back to the capital!” She then explained, “Ninth Sister is pregnant!”
At this point, she realized she hadn’t explained Ninth Sister’s “return from death” to her husband. Knowing his proper and meticulous nature, Fifth Sister’s explanations might not be enough to fool him. If her husband looked down on Ninth Sister because of this… she began to feel troubled.
“Husband,” she hesitantly said, “Ninth Sister’s situation is quite complicated…”
Just as she started, Third Brother-in-law gently shook his head at her: “You don’t need to say more. Since you were willing to leave home affairs to support her, she must be a virtuous and kind woman. Since we’re all related as family, let’s just treat each other as relatives.”
Third Sister was stunned.
A wave of smiles rippled through Third Brother-in-law’s eyes: “If I can’t trust others, can’t I at least trust you?”
“Husband!” Third Sister called out emotionally, her eyes growing moist.
…
Since Fifth Sister was going to the capital, Fifth Brother-in-law couldn’t let her go alone, could he? Moreover, the journey back and forth would take at least a month, meaning they would inevitably spend the New Year in the capital. Shouldn’t they at least inform the elders at home?
Fifth Brother-in-law returned to Lintong.
Meanwhile, Ah-Sen, representing Zhao Ling, went to pay respects to Third Sister’s mother-in-law.
With the excuse of “meeting Manager Ye San of the Datong firm,” although Yao’s parents were displeased, they reluctantly agreed when their son insisted and assured them that their grandson and granddaughter would remain at home. Nevertheless, Yao’s father still grumbled, “You should focus more on your studies in the future.”
By the time Fu Tingyun and the others set out, it was already the twentieth day of the tenth month. By the time they reached the capital, it was the twenty-first day of the twelfth month.
Looking at the majestic city walls of the capital, Fifth Sister smiled with relief: “Fortunately, we arrived in the capital before the Little New Year. Otherwise, we would have had to spend the New Year on the road.” Then, thinking about how they had been traveling for days, she asked Fu Tingyun, “Are you all right?” Her gaze fell on Fu Tingyun’s slightly protruding belly.
“I’m fine,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “There’s hardly any discomfort in the early months, let alone now.”
“That’s true,” Fifth Sister said with a smile. We sisters all carry well during pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Ran Ran, Fourth Sister came to see me and mentioned that when she was pregnant, she still performed her morning and evening duties and served Fourth Brother-in-law as he studied late into the night. Yet she still gave birth to her child smoothly and safely.”
As they were talking, the carriage stopped, and Zheng San said through the curtain: “Madam, the Ninth Master has come to receive you.”
Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.
Zhao Ling was still in the capital?
Why hadn’t he returned to Xuanfu?
She quickly lifted the curtain and saw Zhao Ling wearing black sable ear-warmers and a sapphire-blue silk robe, talking with Fifth Brother-in-law beside the carriage.
Fifth Sister, who was peering out behind her, suddenly exclaimed softly, “Oh my! Your husband is wearing sable ear-warmers!”
According to the current dynasty’s regulations, only officials of the third rank and above could wear ear-warmers, and sable was exclusively for imperial use.
Fu Tingyun, knowing Zhao Ling’s character, knew he would never make such a showy gesture, and smiled: “Perhaps it was bestowed by the Emperor? I’ll ask him later.”
As she spoke, Zhao Ling had already noticed Fu Tingyun.
He was smiling and greeting Fu Tingyun while walking over with Fifth Brother-in-law.
“Fifth Sister, you must be tired from the journey.” he first bowed slightly to Fifth Sister, then gently asked Fu Tingyun, “How was the journey? Has the child been well-behaved? All the New Year supplies at home have been prepared, and the New Year gifts have been sent according to the list you made last year. Madam Wang has even made several New Year outfits for us and the children…” He rambled on at length, implying that she didn’t need to worry about New Year preparations as he had taken care of everything.
Fu Tingyun felt increasingly suspicious.
Zhao Ling was caring and considerate toward her, but he wasn’t someone who paid attention to such trivial matters. Moreover, this kind of obvious attempt to cover something up in front of guests…
The thought flashed through her mind, leaving Fu Tingyun slightly dazed.
Indeed, it gave the impression of trying to hide something.
What exactly was Zhao Ling trying to conceal?
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but ponder for a moment.
Behind her, Fifth Sister whispered in her ear: “Ninth Sister, you’re truly fortunate—how many men are willing to do such things?”
Hearing this, Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly composed her thoughts. She smiled, turning back to nod at Fifth Sister, then praised Zhao Ling: “On the road, I was just telling Fifth Sister that we had nothing at home and didn’t know how to celebrate the New Year properly. I never expected the Ninth Master to have arranged everything. Fortunately, you thought so thoroughly; otherwise, this year would have been quite chaotic.”
Zhao Ling chuckled upon hearing this and said: “Let’s go home quickly! It’s cold at the city gate. Be careful not to catch a chill.”
Fu Tingyun nodded.
Everyone returned to the Shi Family Hutong.
The floor heating had already been started, making the rooms as warm as spring.
After traveling for over a month, everyone couldn’t help but sigh with comfort upon suddenly returning to such an environment.
After washing up and having a simple dinner, everyone retired early and didn’t rise until noon the next day.
Zhao Ling and Fifth Brother-in-law went to the Datong firm’s branch in the capital. Zheng San Niang and Yu Wei were taking inventory of New Year goods in the kitchen. Zhenzhu was having Youyou and Young Master Xi try on their New Year clothes. Fu Tingyun and Fifth Sister reclined on the large kang by the window, discussing Fifth Brother-in-law’s visit to the Datong firm: “…Manager Ye San is a legendary figure of the Datong firm, experiencing several ups and downs but remaining steadfast. He’s quite an extraordinary person. What kind of relationship does Ninth Sister have with Manager Ye San? As you’ve probably observed these days, your brother-in-law is a straightforward person. I’m afraid he might appear timid in front of Manager Ye San!”
“Fifth Sister, please don’t worry. Manager Ye San and our Ninth Master share a life-and-death friendship,” Fu Tingyun assured her. “He’s also like family to us.” Seeing Fifth Sister’s restless state, she suggested, “Besides, with Zhao Ling accompanying him, what could go wrong? The shops in the capital don’t close until after the Little New Year. With the New Year approaching, Fifth Brother-in-law and Fifth Sister haven’t had new clothes made for the New Year yet. Why don’t we go out to the streets and see if there’s anything Fifth Sister likes? The household matters are in Yu Wei’s hands, so there’s nothing for me to worry about.”
Just as Fifth Sister was about to agree, Qing Yan hurriedly entered and reported: “Madam, there’s a steward surnamed Li outside, saying he’s from Assistant Commissioner Wu’s household in Shaanxi. He has been sent by Commissioner Wu to congratulate our Master on his promotion to Guizhou Regional Commander…”