The mood of Third Cousin’s family began to grow somber.

If Zhao Ling were home, he might have found a solution…

Fu Tingyun was also at a loss. Thinking that the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, she couldn’t let Third Cousin’s family spend it in such low spirits. She prepared realgar wine, various pastries, fruits, and other seasonal items, then took her two children to visit Third Cousin’s rented residence.

When Third Cousin saw Yu Wei supporting the heavily pregnant Fu Tingyun as she awkwardly descended from the carriage, she hurried forward to support Fu Tingyun’s other arm, chiding her: “Why bother with such formalities between sisters? If you need anything, just send Yu Wei or have her bring me a message, and I’ll come to you. Rushing here yourself—what if you disturb the baby? Ninth Master is far away in Guizhou, fighting the Miao rebels. You can’t have him worrying about two things at once!”

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Since Ninth Master isn’t home, I thought of bringing Youyou and Young Master Xi to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with you. Fearing you might refuse, I had no choice but to come uninvited.”

She was in the later stages of pregnancy, and Third Cousin would rather bring Chunbing and the others to Shi Family Hutong for the festival than agree to let her come with the children.

Hearing this, Third Cousin immediately understood Fu Tingyun’s intentions. She felt both grateful and delighted, but still glared at her, saying: “Your brother-in-law isn’t made of glass. If he can’t handle this minor setback, how could he ever advance far in his career? Don’t worry about us. For the Dragon Boat Festival, our family will come to your place.” Fearing Fu Tingyun might argue, she added firmly, “That’s settled. No need to say more.” Then she squatted down to hug Youyou and smiled at Young Master Xi, who was held by his wet nurse: “Third Aunt has made some fuling cake. Would you like to come with Third Aunt to eat some?”

“Yes!” Young Master Xi answered loudly with bright eyes, his voice strong and spirited.

Youyou nodded repeatedly in Third Cousin’s arms.

Hearing this, Third Cousin’s eyes curved into crescent moons. She praised Young Master Xi, saying, “This child is being raised so well,” then stroked his head. Carrying Youyou, she turned and entered through the gate with hanging flowers.

Chunbing and Yuanxiao quickly followed.

Fu Tingyun could only shake her head helplessly and follow along.

The sisters settled in the inner chamber, where maids and elderly servants brought a table full of pastries and snacks. Young Master Xi ate until his cheeks bulged.

Youyou, being a girl, took a small shortbread cookie and ate it slowly while holding a handkerchief underneath.

Chunbing and Yuanxiao each ate two pieces of snow cake before sitting aside to drink tea. Chunbing was slightly better, but Yuanxiao stretched his neck, staring longingly at Young Master Xi.

Fu Tingyun handed two shortbread cookies to Chunbing and Yuanxiao.

Chunbing insisted he wasn’t hungry, while Yuanxiao, swallowing his saliva, claimed he didn’t like shortbread.

Third Cousin was strict with them!

Fu Tingyun smiled and asked Yuanxiao: “Then what do you like to eat? Ninth Aunt will get it for you.”

“I, I don’t like to eat anything!” Yuanxiao glanced at his mother and pitifully refused Fu Tingyun’s offer.

Each family had its own rules, and Fu Tingyun couldn’t arbitrarily break them. She pretended not to notice and discussed the Dragon Boat Festival with Third Cousin: “…Since it’s the Dragon Boat Festival, would Third Brother-in-law approve of going to Shi Family Hutong?”

“Your Third Brother-in-law isn’t so pedantic. He can tell sincerity from pretense!”

Just then, the maid Third Cousin had sent to inform Third Brother-in-law of Fu Tingyun’s visit returned with a message: “The master says that since Ninth Concubine rarely visits, you should entertain her well. He has already sent someone to Penglai Pavilion to order a feast.”

Traditionally, female guests were entertained by the women of the household.

Third Cousin, however, felt that between sisters, such formalities weren’t necessary. The Third Brother-in-law should come to greet them. Thinking about how her husband had been constantly entertaining guests lately and wondering if he needed to go out later, she asked the maid: “What is the master doing now?”

The maid replied with a smile: “Seventh Uncle has arrived, and the master is talking with him in the study!”

Hearing this, Third Cousin became restless.

Both the Su and Bai families had been officials for generations. Though they hadn’t produced any third-rank high officials, they had numerous fifth and sixth-rank officials, with relatives and acquaintances throughout the court. Lately, they had relied heavily on the Seventh Brother-in-law’s efforts.

Who knew what news Seventh Brother-in-law had brought this time?

Fu Tingyun naturally understood why Third Cousin was so anxious and smiled: “Why doesn’t Third Cousin go greet Seventh Brother-in-law?”

They weren’t outsiders!

Third Cousin thought briefly, then agreed.

“Wait here, I’ll be back shortly,” she said apologetically.

“It’s fine,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “I’ll rest in your room for a while.”

Third Cousin nodded and went to her husband’s study.

Fu Tingyun began asking Chunbing about his studies.

Chunbing answered each question.

Fu Tingyun was secretly amazed.

She hadn’t expected someone as young as Chunbing to have already completed “The Great Learning” and “The Doctrine of the Mean.”

Fu Tingyun asked him a few more questions, which he answered impressively. She nodded approvingly, chatted casually with him, and learned that he also had to write five hundred characters every day. She couldn’t help but gently ask: “Isn’t that tiring?”

Chunbing was startled and replied: “Not tiring. My father writes two thousand characters every day. I only write five hundred.”

Already a jinshi graduate, yet still practicing a thousand characters daily.

Fu Tingyun felt humbled.

It seemed Third Brother-in-law was truly dedicated to learning!

No wonder Second Aunt had disregarded others’ opinions and married Third Cousin, with her substantial dowry, to Third Brother-in-law, who was a widower at the time.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Third Cousin returned, but her expression wasn’t good.

Fu Tingyun sent the children out to play.

Third Cousin didn’t object.

Youyou blinked her big eyes and asked Third Cousin: “Third Aunt, may I take some shortbread cookies to eat outside?”

Third Cousin forced a smile for Youyou: “Of course!” She instructed her servants to leave a few pastries for Fu Tingyun and take the rest of the snacks and fruits to the side room.

The children went happily to play in the side room.

Fu Tingyun immediately leaned forward and asked urgently: “What did Seventh Brother-in-law say?”

“Don’t mention it,” Third Cousin said dejectedly. “It seems he can only be posted to the provinces!”

Some officials in the capital, feeling their careers had limited prospects, would seek provincial positions to govern a region.

Fu Tingyun asked: “Are there no good provincial positions either?”

Third Cousin nodded: “Besides magistrate positions in some small counties in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guangxi, there’s a secretary position in Tai’an, a deputy magistrate position in Lüliang, and a judge position in Linfen… As for desirable positions like the secretary in Jurong, or magistrates in Shaoxing or Wuhu, the ministers’ disciples and old acquaintances have long had their eyes on them. Your brother-in-law’s mentor was a favorite of the late emperor, but now he’s just passing time in the Court of Judicial Review. Though he has some old connections and can help secure magistrate positions in small counties, if we’re hoping for his full support, I’m afraid your brother-in-law’s relationship with him isn’t quite sufficient.”

Fu Tingyun nodded slightly and asked: “What about in the capital? Aren’t there any satisfactory positions?”

“Of course there are,” Third Cousin said. “Censor of the Censorate, Secretary of the Court of State Ceremonial, Keeper of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices… they’re all quite good. The Ministry of Personnel even has an open position for Left Remonstrator.”

As she spoke, she revealed some disappointment: “But your brother-in-law lacks support at court. Seventh Brother-in-law is willing but unable to help much. If he stays in the capital, the best he could get is a minor official position like Ritual Food Official in the Court of Imperial Entertainments.”

Fu Tingyun took note of the Left Remonstrator of the Ministry of Personnel.

The Six Ministries’ Remonstrators didn’t belong to any specific department. The Chief Remonstrator was only of the seventh positive rank, while the Left and Right Remonstrators were of the seventh deputy rank. Though low in rank, they had the right to directly memorialize the Emperor. They were responsible for attendance, remonstration, correction, collection, and inspection of affairs in the Six Ministries. They handled imperial edicts, major case reviews, and minor case approvals. If there were errors, they could return and resubmit documents. They classified and copied memorials from inside and outside the court, annotated and forwarded them to the appropriate ministries, and corrected mistakes.

Many court dignitaries had risen from the position of Remonstrator—no matter how capable you were, the Emperor had to know who you were first!

Moreover, as a Remonstrator in the Ministry of Personnel, overseeing official appointments and dismissals, the power was even greater.

She thought for a moment and asked: “If one were to pursue the Left Remonstrator position in the Ministry of Personnel, where would the difficulty lie?”

Third Cousin was startled, hesitated for a moment, then said: “This position is too coveted. Your brother-in-law lacks both the connections and experience… We never even considered pursuing it…”

Fu Tingyun sensed that Third Cousin seemed to have something difficult to express.

She carefully said: “I have an idea, though I don’t know if it’s feasible. Sister, if you tell me the truth, I can think it over. Otherwise, I’m completely in the dark, and even if I wanted to try, I probably couldn’t.”

After a long hesitation, Third Cousin finally said through gritted teeth: “Grand Secretary Yu is seeking this position for his son…”

“Grand Secretary Yu?” Fu Tingyun was shocked.

Third Cousin nodded.

Fu Tingyun asked in surprise: “Isn’t his son in the Court of State Ceremonial? That position isn’t inferior to Left or Right Remonstrator in the Six Ministries!”

“You don’t understand,” Third Cousin explained. “The Chief Remonstrator of the Ministry of Personnel is only thirty this year and was among the first batch of jinshi after the Emperor’s ascension. He’s shrewd and capable, earning the Emperor’s favor. Word has spread that he’ll be promoted within two years at most. Given the Emperor’s steady approach, if he’s promoted, the Chief Remonstrator will likely be selected from the Left or Right Remonstrators. Even if the Emperor doesn’t intend this, there’s still an opportunity if one can influence the Prime Minister. That’s why everyone is eyeing this position.”

Fu Tingyun suddenly understood.

She snorted coldly: “Just because he’s Yu Jingxiu, Grand Secretary Yu’s son, should we simply surrender? Come, let’s meet with Third Brother-in-law and Seventh Brother-in-law!”

Third Cousin quickly pulled her back: “Don’t be rash. The Yu family has deep roots and is far more complex than you imagine…”

Fu Tingyun smiled: “We may not understand court politics, but Third Brother-in-law and Seventh Brother-in-law are astute. Whether it’s possible or not, we should consult with them. Three cobblers with their wits combined equal a Zhuge Liang. If we all discuss it, we might find a solution! Third Sister, don’t hold me back. Whether it works or not, let Third Brother-in-law and Seventh Brother-in-law decide!”

Third Cousin felt a stirring of hope.

After all, Zhao Ling had earned merit by supporting the Emperor early, and surely had more connections than they did.

What seemed like a golden path of unlimited potential to them might be trivial in the eyes of powerful figures. With just a word from the Emperor or the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household, not only could a Left or Right Remonstrator position be secured, but even positions like the Jurong County Magistrate or the Shandong Provincial Advisor could be arranged with ease—the Ministry of Personnel would have to create a vacancy if necessary…

Her confidence suddenly multiplied as she supported Fu Tingyun: “Let’s go to the study!”