Concubine Wu smiled and said, “What business would I have with Manager Yu? I’m merely asking.”

But Concubine Wu rarely showed interest in such matters!

Lianxin was still diligently inquiring about Manager Yu’s affairs.

So when Manager Yu returned, she immediately knew.

She casually sent Zelan to pour tea, then whispered to Concubine Wu, “Manager Yu will be back tomorrow night.”

Concubine Wu responded with an “Oh,” and was about to say something when Zelan entered. Concubine Wu quickly changed the subject.

Lianxin felt quite pleased with herself.

In Concubine Wu’s heart, she was still the closest confidant.

When it was her turn for night duty, the two of them brought up the matter again: “…Do you know what Manager Yu went to do?”

“I don’t know,” Lianxin said. “He only said he was following Madam’s orders on an urgent matter. Now that it’s been handled, he’s returning.”

Concubine Wu listened thoughtfully, then asked, “Did Manager Yu bring back any local specialties for the other household managers?”

“He did,” Lianxin said with a smile. “Manager Yu brought back several jars of thick wine. Mama Shen, the housekeeper, received two bottles. Mama Shen said that wine used to be drunk by the Emperor himself—it’s extremely valuable.”

Concubine Wu made a mental note of this.

A few days later, it was Miss Zhen’s hundred-day celebration. As usual, relatives and friends were invited.

Concubine Wu found a moment to ask Madam Wu, “Where can one buy thick wine?”

Madam Wu was startled and said, “Xi’an produces thick wine. What do you need thick wine for?”

Concubine Wu smiled and said, “I heard people say thick wine is something only the Emperor can drink, so I was just asking—I thought of buying some to send to my father.”

As they were speaking, Zelan hurried over with a panicked expression.

Concubine Wu asked her, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing,” she replied, bowing to Madam Wu with a smile. “I just couldn’t find the Concubine and was a bit worried.”

Concubine Wu nodded, appearing unconcerned.

Madam Wu, however, sensed something amiss. Assuming the Yu family feared Concubine Wu might complain about her miscarriage, she stood up and said to Concubine Wu, “Take good care of your health. If you need anything, just have Lianxin send me a message.” She also admonished her, “Now that you’re someone’s concubine, you must behave accordingly. Never forget proper etiquette. Madam Yu is most particular about rules.”

Concubine Wu quickly agreed and respectfully escorted Madam Wu to the banquet hall.

That evening, Zelan reported to Mama Shu about Concubine Wu’s activities as usual.

Since Concubine Wu had disappeared while she was chatting with Madam Yu’s senior maid, and Mama Shu questioned her, and considering that Concubine Wu had only been out of sight for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea—not enough time to have a conversation with Madam Wu—Zelan concealed the meeting between Madam Wu and Concubine Wu.

Seeing that everything with Concubine Wu seemed normal, Mama Shu reported to Madam Yu.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu pressed her temples.

Mama Shu hurried forward to gently massage her scalp.

Madam Yu felt much better. She closed her eyes, half-leaning against the large pillow, and discussed Manager Yu’s trip to Huayin: “They’ve been keeping it secret there too, but somehow the news leaked out. Several of the married young ladies visited the Fu family without coordination, and now the secret has spread. Currently, the Fu family all know that Fu’s wife isn’t dead, though not many in Huayin know yet. Still, I believe this matter will become common knowledge sooner or later. That’s a minor concern—I trust the Fu family will find a way to explain the lie. The issue is with the Fu family’s in-laws, mostly prominent Shaanxi families with sharp eyes. I fear they can’t keep it hidden.” A flash of anger crossed her face. “Doesn’t the Fan family pride themselves on being a ‘family of poetry and scholarship’? How did they raise such an ill-mannered girl? What did the Fan family have against us to harm our family like this? If not for this incident, Fu’s wife would have married into our family, bearing children one after another. By now, I would be surrounded by grandchildren, enjoying my golden years…”

Mama Shu dared not interrupt, feeling cold sweat on her forehead.

Madam Yu thought of Fu Tingyun’s daughter—exquisite as jade, with bright, lively eyes clearly marking her as an intelligent, healthy child… It felt as if her granddaughter had been snatched away. Her heart ached as if a piece had been cut out, and she said bitterly, “I regret it so much. Even if he had threatened suicide, I should have remained firm. Perhaps that Fu woman would have been found, and things wouldn’t have ended up this way. I think she’s just bad luck—whoever gets involved with her suffers misfortune…”

Fu Tingyun knew nothing of these events in the Yu household. She anxiously bid farewell to Zhao Ling. Her fifth sister’s husband and fifth cousin also prepared to return to Lintong: “…Ninth brother-in-law has arranged everything. I’m just idle here, and I don’t know how my two children at home are doing. After your baby is born, we’ll visit again.”

No gathering lasts forever.

Fu Tingyun merely said things like, “If you have time, bring Yanxin and Ping’an to visit,” and bought many local specialties from the capital. On an auspicious day for travel, she sent her fifth sister’s husband and fifth cousin back to Lintong.

A few days later, her seventh sister’s husband arrived in the capital and sent a servant with local gifts and a calling card: “…If Ninth sister-in-law needs anything, just send someone to find me at the Shaanxi Guild Hall. I’ll visit when the Ninth brother returns.”

He was avoiding impropriety.

Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San to order a feast from Penglai Pavilion and have it delivered to the Shaanxi Guild Hall as a welcome for her seventh sister’s husband.

Her seventh sister’s husband sent a servant to express his thanks.

Yu Wei couldn’t help remarking with a smile, “I see that Seventh Uncle is as courteous as Third Uncle.”

The baby was due in mid-May, only a few months away. Fu Tingyun was sewing baby clothes. She smiled and replied, “Better too much courtesy than too little.” She added, “Tell Zheng San to check on Seventh Uncle at the Shaanxi Guild Hall every few days—first to set my mind at ease, and second to offer help if needed.”

Yu Wei went to relay the message.

Fu Tingyun focused on her needlework. During this time, her seventh sister’s husband twice asked Zheng San to accompany him—once to visit Pu’an Temple outside the city for a spring outing, and once to visit a great scholar in Qipan Hutong.

Soon it was March.

Fu Tingyun received a letter from Zhao Ling saying all was well and that she shouldn’t worry. He asked about the children: “…Though Youyou is young, try teaching her a few characters. Xihai is the eldest son, so his character is most important—don’t spoil him just because he’s young.” He inquired about everything, great and small.

She smiled, placed the letter in the box beside her pillow, and began writing a reply.

Zhenzhu excitedly ran in: “Madam, Madam, Third Aunt has arrived in the capital!”

Fu Tingyun was stunned, only realizing after a moment—her third sister’s husband had completed his mourning period and had come to the capital to seek reinstatement.

A smile spread across her face, and she stood up: “Quick, please invite Third Sister to come in and sit.”

Zhenzhu ran out of the inner chamber, and Fu Tingyun followed to welcome the guests.

Her third cousin had brought Chunbing and Yuanxiao with her.

The sisters had much to catch up on. As for the children, Yuanxiao was chattering away with Youyou, while Chunbing had been completely ignored by Youyou.

As Fu Tingyun had guessed, her third cousin’s family had come to the capital for her husband’s reinstatement.

“According to your brother-in-law’s wishes, we should wait until his matter shows some progress,” her third cousin said with a smile. “But I thought he might not remain in the capital, so I insisted on coming along.” Then she took Fu Tingyun’s hand, “Come, let’s see your house.”

Fu Tingyun naturally complied, showing her third cousin around the entire residence.

Her third cousin finally nodded with a satisfied smile: “It seems Zhao Ling is indeed capable of managing a household. Now I can rest easy.” She looked greatly relieved.

Fu Tingyun was puzzled at first, then realized her third cousin had worried that her comfortable life might be just a facade.

Touched, she teased her third cousin: “So all your previous contentment was just pretense!”

Her third cousin didn’t deny it and smiled: “At that time, I was just glad you were alive. Now that I know you’re living well—all of us sisters except Second Sister are free from want—naturally, I want even better for you.”

The sisters continued their conversation after returning to the main hall.

Fu Tingyun asked about her third sister’s husband’s reinstatement: “Are there no positions in the capital this year?”

Her third cousin sighed: “Your brother-in-law says he’s in his prime, and if he’s just to remain in the Hanlin Academy studying, he might as well take a provincial post and do something practical for the common people.”

Fu Tingyun apologetically replied: “It’s a pity our man is a military official with no connections to the ministers.”

Her third cousin chided her: “I know that! I came simply to see you and give the children a chance to broaden their horizons. The capital is, after all, the seat of the Emperor—an important place with a dense population and abundant treasures. Who knows if we’ll have another chance to visit?”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Well then, starting tomorrow, I’ll accompany Third Sister to tour the capital!”

Her third cousin glanced at her pregnant belly and said with a smile: “You’d better stay home! I’ve already hired a carriage.” Her gaze fell on Youyou, who was whispering with Yuanxiao, “If you’re willing to part with her, let Youyou accompany me. Boys aren’t as dear as daughters!”

Youyou heard her third aunt mention her name and looked up with a confused expression.

Her adorable little face made her third aunt envious. She hugged Youyou and asked, “Would you like to accompany Third Aunt to tour the capital tomorrow?”

Hearing this, Youyou immediately beamed but didn’t dare agree without looking to her mother for permission.

Fu Tingyun was reluctant to entrust her child to anyone, even her third cousin: “Let Zheng San and Mama Tong accompany you all!”

This was as good as an agreement.

Youyou and her third cousin smiled at each other.

After dinner, her third sister’s husband came to pick up his wife and children, formally meeting Fu Tingyun: “…When Ninth brother returns, I’ll visit again.”

Fu Tingyun knew he was avoiding impropriety, smiled in agreement, and saw the family off.

Over the next few days, Youyou left early and returned late each day, telling Fu Tingyun about her experiences.

Seeing that Youyou was having great fun, that her third cousin took meticulous care of her, even more than of her own two sons, and that Zheng San and Mama Tong were with them, Fu Tingyun finally set her mind at ease.

Her seventh sister’s husband, hearing that her third sister’s husband had arrived in the capital, visited him at her third cousin’s rented residence. He actively helped inquire about vacant positions, but by late April, there was still no progress.