After the adults had finalized their plans to visit Master Xu, Fu Tingyun rose to take her leave. Third Brother-in-law and Seventh Brother-in-law escorted her out of the study, while Third Cousin accompanied her back to the inner quarters to collect Youyou and Young Master Xi.

Youyou, Yuanxiao, and Young Master Xi were giggling and playing in a jumble on the kang bed, while Chunbing sat alone at the edge, appearing somewhat lonely.

Seeing the adults enter, the three children immediately quieted down.

Fu Tingyun smiled and beckoned to Youyou and Young Master Xi: “Say farewell to Third Aunt. We’re going home now.”

Youyou and Young Master Xi obediently got down from the kang and paid their respects to Third Cousin.

Third Cousin noticed the mess in the red lacquered gilt box on the kang table and understood what had happened. Without showing any reaction, she said a few words to Youyou and Young Master Xi about “coming to visit Third Aunt with your mother when you have time” and other such pleasantries. Surrounded by maids and servants, she saw Fu Tingyun and her children get onto the carriage. Only after the carriage had disappeared from the hutong did Third Cousin lead her two sons back to the main room.

“How many sweets did you eat just now?” Sitting down on the large kang by the window and taking a sip from the teacup offered by a maid, Third Cousin calmly asked her second son, who stood before her with his hands at his sides.

Yuanxiao lowered his head guiltily and glanced sideways at his brother.

But he saw his brother standing there dumbfounded, as if frightened into a stupor.

He couldn’t help wondering silently: What’s wrong with brother? Usually, he would plead with his mother on his behalf in such situations…

Seeing this, Third Cousin secretly sighed to herself.

Youyou was a well-mannered child. Earlier, she had been preoccupied with her husband’s affairs and hadn’t given it much thought, but upon seeing the box, she realized that Youyou had asked for sweets on Yuanxiao’s behalf.

Third Cousin also felt that her husband was too strict with their two sons. But she couldn’t show the slightest leniency in front of her children. Otherwise, with one parent enforcing rules and the other indulging, the children would quickly learn to read the adults’ expressions, knowing someone would spoil them, and eventually, no one would be able to control them.

“Don’t let this happen again.” Third Cousin didn’t overly reprimand her son but said, “These rules were set by your father, and your older brother has never broken them. If you can’t abide by them, I’ll have to tell your father—you won’t need to study with him anymore. You can go to a private school to learn a few characters, and when you grow up, you can help manage the household affairs. The task of bringing glory to the family name will be left to your brother.”

Tears immediately burst from Yuanxiao’s eyes: “Mother, I want to study with Father, just like brother… I won’t dare do it again…”

Third Cousin didn’t intend to forgive her second son so easily, lest he think that he could obtain forgiveness simply by admitting his mistake. She said sternly: “Then I’ll see if you can follow your father’s rules in the future.”

“I can, I can…” Yuanxiao sobbed, quickly replying, “Even if Cousin Youyou offers me food again, I won’t eat it…”

What did this have to do with Youyou?

Third Cousin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just as she was about to lecture her second son further, her eldest son, who had been silent all along, suddenly said: “Mother, this isn’t Cousin Youyou’s fault. It’s all mine. I didn’t watch over my brother properly. Cousin Youyou didn’t know about Father’s rule that we can only eat two sweets a day, and when I saw her giving pastries to my brother, I didn’t stop her… It’s all my fault… Please don’t blame Cousin Youyou or my brother…” As he spoke, he knelt before his mother.

Seeing this, Yuanxiao also knelt beside his brother: “Mother, it has nothing to do with my brother. I was the one who wanted to eat…”

Brotherly friendship and respect.

Third Cousin nodded inwardly and said: “Since you both acknowledge your mistakes, I won’t say more. But you mustn’t do this again. Understood?”

The brothers respectfully answered, “Yes.”

Third Cousin then ended the discussion and sent them off to rest.

Having received their mother’s forgiveness, Yuanxiao soon went to sleep without any lingering concerns. Chunbing, however, remained downcast.

Chunbing’s wet nurse tried to console him: “The young lady is a guest, so naturally, Young Master couldn’t stop her! The mistress surely understands this, which is why she didn’t blame Second Young Master. Young Master needn’t worry.”

Chunbing remained silent, allowing his wet nurse to wash his feet.

The wet nurse looked at him with heartache and said, “How about I accompany Young Master to apologize to the mistress later?”

“No need,” Chunbing said glumly, turning to get into bed.

The wet nurse was puzzled but had no choice but to help Chunbing to bed.

After blowing out the lamp, the room fell quiet.

Suddenly, Chunbing asked: “Why do you think Cousin Youyou doesn’t pay much attention to me?”

The wet nurse was surprised.

“Did I make Cousin Youyou angry with what I said the other day?” Chunbing murmured. “I didn’t mean to. I wanted to apologize to Cousin, but she was always talking with Second Brother, and I couldn’t get a word in…”

So this was what was bothering the Young Master!

But it was understandable.

The Zhao family’s young lady was both beautiful and lively. The Shen family had no daughters, and both the master and mistress were serious people. Having a playmate visit was a rare occasion, so it was no wonder the Young Master valued it so much.

“The Zhao family’s young lady is the same age as Second Young Master, so naturally, they’d be closer,” the wet nurse smiled and said. “Look at the Zhao family’s young master—he can only follow behind the Zhao family’s young lady and Second Young Master, right?” She continued, “If the Zhao family’s young lady didn’t want to acknowledge you, she wouldn’t have given you nestled sugar to eat—didn’t she say she loves nestled sugar the most?”

Chunbing’s eyes brightened at her words.

That’s right.

Youyou also had said that this type of sugar was the sweetest and most delicious. She had asked if he liked it too.

His heart settled.

He sat up excitedly and leaned over to ask his wet nurse, who was lying on the small bed: “Do you think I should buy some nestled sugar for Cousin the next time I see her?”

The wet nurse felt a slight unease.

Would the Young Master appear too submissive before the Zhao family’s young lady by doing this?

The thought flashed briefly, and the wet nurse dismissed it as overthinking.

Young Master was only seven years old, and the young lady was just four. Children simply like what they like and dislike what they dislike—they don’t think too deeply.

“That would be nice!” the wet nurse smiled and said. “I’ll help you remember this! It’s getting late, you should sleep now! You still need to practice calligraphy early tomorrow morning!”

“Mm!” Chunbing happily agreed, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth, and soon drifted into dreamland.

…

After returning home, Fu Tingyun first wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, telling him about Third Brother-in-law’s situation. Then, after waiting two more days and receiving Third Brother-in-law’s letter, she finally set out for Tanzhe Temple, carrying her now-heavy body.

Unlike the quietness of her previous visit, April had transformed Tanzhe Temple into a verdant sanctuary with lush trees, colorful flowers, and numerous pilgrims—a bustling scene of prosperity.

Hearing that Fu Tingyun had come to visit Master Xu, the reception monk didn’t dare to be negligent and immediately went to inform the abbot.

The abbot personally invited Fu Tingyun to a side room and sent someone to notify Master Xu.

Soon, the messenger returned: “Master Zhenghe invites the female benefactor over for tea.”

The abbot, barely concealing his astonishment, accompanied Fu Tingyun to the rear mountain where Master Xu meditated.

A path paved with bluestone slabs led directly to a two-story small building nestled among green trees. A few Taihu rocks piled to form an artificial hill created a sense of rustic charm, with several lush and graceful orchids nearby…

Previously, she hadn’t paid much attention, only feeling that the place was fresh and elegant. But after hearing Third Brother-in-law’s analysis, she now examined the area carefully and realized that Master Xu’s residence didn’t resemble a monk’s place of quiet cultivation but rather looked like a villa belonging to some official’s family. Upon seeing Master Xu in his monk’s robe dyed gray from Songjiang triple-woven cloth, she could only admire Third Brother-in-law’s insight.

Master Xu invited Fu Tingyun to sit on the arhat bed in the main hall and personally brewed a pot of Iron Goddess tea for her: “…Given your pregnancy, this tea with its balanced nature is particularly suitable for you.”

Fu Tingyun smiled, rose to accept the teacup, said “Thank you,” and handed several boxes of pastries to the young novice monk beside Master Xu: “With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, I’ve prepared some vegetarian pastries for you to try.”

Master Xu expressed his thanks and smilingly asked Fu Tingyun: “What made you suddenly decide to visit me? Could it be that you have some urgent matter?”

Fu Tingyun didn’t beat around the bush and said with dignity: “Indeed, I have a matter on which I’d like to seek Master Xu’s advice.” She then frankly told Master Xu about Third Brother-in-law coming to the capital to seek reinstatement and how Grand Secretary Yu also wanted to secure the position for his son, Yu Jingxiu. “Ninth Master always says your wisdom is as vast as the ocean. Whether he goes to Xuanfu or Guizhou, he always makes a point to visit you. He says that just seeing you sitting calmly and knowing there’s someone who can offer advice no matter what difficulties arise makes his heart as steady as a rock, allowing him to face any adversity with tranquility. I’m anxious about Third Brother-in-law’s situation and thought of you. What do you think? In my Third Brother-in-law’s circumstances, who should he approach to secure that Left Remonstrator position?”

Master Xu was quite surprised and, after a moment, smiled and said: “I didn’t expect Huchen to hold me in such high regard!”

His tone and demeanor seemed normal, but for some reason, Fu Tingyun sensed a faint disappointment in his attitude, and his gaze was no longer as warm as before.

Of course, Zhao Ling had never said such things, and her words had an element of flattery.

But that was truly what she thought.

If Master Xu dared to undertake something as significant as “clearing the court,” what couldn’t he accomplish?

Even if he didn’t directly help, pointing out a path would make Third Brother-in-law’s endeavors much more efficient.

Therefore, her demeanor remained very candid, her gaze clear and calm.

“Not just Ninth Master, I believe many others think the same,” Fu Tingyun smiled and said. “Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have sent the Imperial Guards to protect Master Xu’s safety.”

Hearing this, Master Xu raised his eyebrows and said: “Perhaps things aren’t as you imagine—the Emperor sending Imperial Guards might simply be to prevent me from leaving the capital!” His gaze was quite piercing as he looked at her.

Fu Tingyun was slightly taken aback.

She hadn’t expected Master Xu to be so direct… and to even involve the Emperor… Any response would risk being seen as criticizing the Emperor…

A thin layer of sweat formed on Fu Tingyun’s back. But her face revealed nothing as she asked in feigned confusion: “Is that really what Master Xu thinks?”

She looked at Master Xu with apparent bewilderment.

“That is indeed what I think!” Master Xu smiled, though without the slightest trace of mirth in his eyes. “Why? Does Madam Zhao have a different perspective?”

She had truly displeased Master Xu!

After all, Master Xu had always treated them as friends without any conflicts of interest. That’s why, whether it was Zhao Ling or herself, whenever they sought to meet him, he would see them without hesitation. Who would have thought that this time she would be like those ambitious officials, not only asking him for a favor but also wanting to compete with Yu Jingxiu for a position… He probably thought she was petty!

But she couldn’t just give up.

Nor could she retreat.

Otherwise, not only would Third Brother-in-law’s matter remain unresolved, but their friendship with Master Xu would also end here.