But in this matter, Fu Tingyun felt there might still be room for reconciliation between them.

Who was Master Xu?

He was the strategist to the current Emperor, a meritorious official who had helped the Emperor ascend to the throne. What situations hadn’t he experienced? What scenarios hadn’t he witnessed? How could he be displeased simply because she was asking for his help?

That wasn’t the point.

The point was that he had revealed his displeasure.

It was well known that strategists were typically resourceful and calculating individuals who preferred to remain inscrutable, planning carefully before acting. They would rarely allow ordinary people to perceive changes in their emotions.

Yet now, she could sense Master Xu’s emotional shift.

Could this be understood as Master Xu not considering her an outsider, and therefore not maintaining his guard around her?

In that moment, Fu Tingyun’s mind raced through countless possibilities.

How should she respond to Master Xu?

Be completely honest? Or provoke him strategically?

Master Xu was a strategist, and when it came to tactics, no one could match him—certainly not her. If she tried to provoke him, even if she succeeded momentarily, he would see through it once he calmed down. Rather than risking his displeasure later, it seemed better to move him with sincerity, to touch his heart with genuineness.

The thought passed quickly, and Fu Tingyun said: “Does Master Xu know how I first met the Emperor?”

Master Xu was startled.

“At that time, Ninth Master had encountered Feng Si, was severely injured, and lay unconscious. Ah-Sen and I, in search of a doctor to treat Ninth Master, took shelter in a City God temple…” Fu Tingyun’s expression became solemn as she recalled the scene. “…Only after the Ninth Master killed the bandit leader did the Emperor’s men intervene. Afterwards, I felt some resentment, but upon careful consideration, I could understand the Emperor’s intention—given his special status, who could guarantee that we weren’t in league with the bandits? The Emperor feared harming innocents because of his involvement, yet also feared being deceived into a trap. So once he confirmed we were merely civilians in distress, he immediately stepped in to save us.”

“Think about it, Master Xu. At that time, the Emperor was merely a prince who had left his fief without permission. If his whereabouts had been discovered, he might have been stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner at best. Worse, he might have lost his life. Yet for a few starving refugees, the Emperor unhesitatingly chose to draw his sword and help… The sages constantly teach that an emperor should embrace the world and bestow grace upon his people. I don’t know what it truly means for an emperor to ’embrace the world’ or ‘bestow grace upon his people,’ but I do know that the Emperor risked his safety to rescue us from danger…” As Fu Tingyun spoke, remembering the pain and despair of that time, tears welled up in her eyes. “I still remember the Emperor’s furious expression when he heard that Qingyang and Gongchang were suffering from severe drought, people were displaced, bandits were rampant, and the Shaanxi Military Commission, tasked with suppressing the bandits, was nowhere to be seen.”

“Master Xu, what kind of person do you think the Emperor is?”

Master Xu was taken aback.

Fu Tingyun continued: “I recall that during Emperor Wen of Han’s time, Marquis Jiang Zhou Bo led officials to enthrone Emperor Wen. Yet not long after, Emperor Wen grew suspicious of Zhou Bo after listening to slander. Zhou Bo apologized, requested to resign, and returned his seal, but still couldn’t escape trouble. It was only by relying on the prison records that he was able to clear his name.”

“Now look at our Emperor—the Meng family of Yingchuan Marquis has produced one duke and two marquises, with both father and son having contributed to the Emperor’s rise. Who knows how many eyes are watching the Fuguo Duke’s mansion, or how many memorials have been submitted saying the Yingchuan Marquis’ father and son’s achievements might overshadow the Emperor, which wouldn’t bode well for the court? Yet since his ascension, the Emperor has never acted rashly. First, he stabilized the civil officials, adjusted the military officials, pacified the realm, and only then began gradually improving the administration. Not only was the Yingchuan Marquis not conveniently recalled to the capital, but he also exchanged defense duties with He Fu, who likewise commands significant forces… When Ninth Master was of humble status, he once made a living by smuggling salt. The Emperor didn’t hold this against him at all. During the northern expedition, he not only made Ninth Master his guard but also entrusted him with important responsibilities after entering the capital. He even allowed him to follow General Mo in defending the northern borders, and now has promoted him to Commander-in-Chief of Guizhou to suppress the Miao people. He often praises Ninth Master as a ‘southerner with northern appearance’ in front of court officials, allowing Ninth Master to resolve family rifts without worries.”

“Master Xu, what kind of person do you think the Emperor is?”

Master Xu was visibly moved.

Fu Tingyun’s gaze grew even clearer as she continued: “All along, Master Xu has been both teacher and friend to Ninth Master. Ninth Master’s current success owes much to your guidance. I still remember when Ninth Master was reluctant to go to Xuanfu, it was you who helped him analyze the situation, which finally made him decide to go, leading to his subsequent journey to Guizhou.”

“I originally thought that although Ninth Master and I are without family, having a good teacher like Master Xu and a beneficial friend like General Mo is enough for a lifetime. So when I encountered Third Brother-in-law’s situation, my first thought was to ask Master Xu to point out a clear path. I truly don’t understand why you’re so angry.”

She looked at Master Xu with genuine puzzlement.

“You!” Master Xu began but stopped, his expression showing both admiration and melancholy.

Fu Tingyun didn’t understand why, so she could only look at him quietly.

Master Xu sighed and smiled: “It seems I’ve misunderstood you.”

That smile was so sincere and warm that Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but breathe a long sigh of relief.

Master Xu had accepted her explanation, hadn’t he?

The corners of her mouth turned upward slightly, revealing a hint of a smile.

“Do you know why I was displeased?” Master Xu asked seriously. Without waiting for Fu Tingyun to answer, he continued, “You have no family, no clan, and were rescued by the Emperor, which is why the Emperor values Huchen so much. I’ve watched Huchen progress step by step from a small guard to where he is today, becoming a frontier governor. The dream that has weighed on my heart all this time has now been realized by Huchen. I can’t help but hope he goes further, reaches higher.”

“A wise wife at home is like having a treasure.”

“When I learned you were a loyal and virtuous woman, I was even happier for Huchen.”

“Legal principles don’t go beyond human emotions. But what I didn’t expect was that with Zhao Ling away, you would come to me on your own, explicitly asking me to help you secure a position that Grand Secretary Yu intends for his son…”

So that was it!

Fu Tingyun suddenly understood.

Master Xu wasn’t upset about her seeking revenge against the Yu family due to personal grudges, nor about her planning Third Brother-in-law’s reinstatement. Rather, he felt she shouldn’t act behind Zhao Ling’s back…

She couldn’t help but smile bitterly: “It’s really because the matter is urgent, and I couldn’t wait for Ninth Master’s reply…”

Before she could finish, Master Xu gently shook his head, indicating she didn’t need to explain further: “After hearing your words, I realize I overthought things—since you can discern subtle signs, you must also clearly see Zhao Ling’s position and understand the bigger picture.” As he spoke, he instructed the young novice beside him, “Bring paper and ink.” Then to Fu Tingyun, he said, “What is your Third Brother-in-law’s name? Where is he from? Which examination did he pass to become a jinshi… Write it all down for me.”

This, this was success!

Fu Tingyun was both surprised and delighted.

Though the situation had turned around, wasn’t this happening too quickly?

And Master Xu, who had been so difficult to talk to earlier, had suddenly become so generous…

Only when the young novice brought the four treasures of the study did Fu Tingyun begin to feel a sense of reality. Not until she had written down all of Third Brother-in-law’s details on paper and handed it to Master Xu did she dare to believe that all this was real!

She couldn’t help but beam with joy: “Thank you, Master Xu.”

Master Xu nodded with a smile: “You’re about to give birth, aren’t you? Go home and rest early. Just stay at home and wait for news.”

“Yes!” Fu Tingyun’s face bloomed like a flower as she repeatedly thanked Master Xu before rising to take her leave from the rear mountain.

Yu Wei was anxiously waiting by the roadside.

Seeing Fu Tingyun, she immediately came forward.

Without waiting for her to ask, Fu Tingyun softly said, “It’s done.”

Yu Wei’s eyebrows also lifted with joy.

The two went to Third Cousin’s rented residence.

It was just lamp-lighting time, and Third Cousin’s family was gathered around the table for dinner.

Hearing that Fu Tingyun had arrived, she abandoned her rice bowl and hurried out: “Why are you coming at this hour? If you had anything to say, you could have just sent Yu Wei with a message.” As she spoke, she and Yu Wei helped Fu Tingyun down from the carriage.

The large red lanterns hanging under the eaves of the front gate cast a festive glow on Fu Tingyun’s smiling face.

“I just returned from Tanzhe Temple,” she said with a beaming smile. “Master Xu asked me to write down Third Brother-in-law’s native place and other details…”

Third Cousin was accustomed to moving in society. Upon hearing this, she first froze, then broke into a delighted smile: “Really? Master Xu asked you to write down all of Third Brother-in-law’s information for him?” She eagerly pulled Fu Tingyun inside, took a few steps, then remembered Fu Tingyun was pregnant and immediately slowed her pace. She happily instructed her senior maid: “Quick, go report to the master that Ninth Concubine has arrived and that the matter has been successful!”

Although the senior maid didn’t know what the matter was, she was a perceptive person. Hearing this, she immediately responded with a smiling “Yes” and trotted into the courtyard.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile.

Halfway down the path, Third Brother-in-law came out to meet them.

Compared to Third Cousin’s elation, Third Brother-in-law appeared much calmer. Yet the excitement that couldn’t be hidden from the corners of his eyes and brows revealed his current mood.

“Ninth Sister-in-law,” he clasped his hands and bowed to Fu Tingyun, “Great favors need no words of thanks. Please come inside and have a cup of tea.”

“What tea?” Third Cousin said with a face full of smiles. “We should set up a banquet to properly thank Ninth Sister-in-law.” Having said this, she suddenly remembered that Fu Tingyun had just come from Tanzhe Temple and quickly asked, “Have you had dinner yet?”

“Not yet!” Fu Tingyun didn’t stand on ceremony with them.

“Oh my, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Third Cousin immediately gave instructions for the kitchen to prepare a meal.

“There’s no need,” Fu Tingyun felt somewhat tired and wanted to finish talking and return home early. “Just prepare something simple to eat.”

“That’s fine,” Third Cousin smiled. “You’ve been running around all day. Just eat something light and go home early to rest. We can gather properly tomorrow.”

The couple welcomed Fu Tingyun into the main hall.

Chunbing and Yuanxiao had only eaten half their meals.

Third Cousin had them pay their respects to Fu Tingyun, then had their wet nurses take them to the side room to finish eating. She invited Fu Tingyun to sit in the place of honor before asking about her trip to Tanzhe Temple.

Fu Tingyun naturally wouldn’t mention matters concerning the Emperor and simply gave a brief account of what had transpired.

Third Brother-in-law and Third Cousin couldn’t help but marvel: “Master Xu didn’t treat you as an outsider at all!”

“Indeed,” Fu Tingyun smiled as she picked up the teacup and took a sip. Suddenly, her expression froze, showing signs of panic.

Seeing this, Third Cousin immediately asked: “What’s wrong? Is something amiss?”

She feared there might be some change in her husband’s reinstatement.

But before she finished speaking, Fu Tingyun had already drawn in a sharp breath and murmured: “I, I think I’m going into labor!”