Seeing her husband’s opposition, Fan knew she couldn’t continue. She hurriedly entered the inner chamber and retrieved a black lacquer box from behind the headboard carved with a shepherd boy playing the flute, found the deed to the hill, and handed it to Yu Jingxiu.

Yu Jingxiu took the deed and went to his study.

Fan sat on the couch fanning her daughter, but her mind was in turmoil, thinking about the deed Yu Jingxiu had taken.

When they got married, the Yu family had provided them with private property worth over eight thousand taels of silver, generating an annual income of more than two thousand taels. Additionally, since she had married up in social status, her father, fearing the Yu family might look down on her, had strained his resources to provide a dowry that brought in eight to nine hundred taels annually. Their daily expenses were covered by the household funds, and they also received a monthly allowance of fifty taels. Any official matters requiring gratuities were paid from his father-in-law’s account, so they never had to touch their own money.

Although her husband hadn’t said anything, she understood that with such a major setback for the Yu family, they would certainly need to spend money to influence people.

The Yu family had been established for a hundred years, enjoying wealth and honor. Madam Yu’s natal family, the Shu clan, was also a renowned, wealthy household in Jiangnan. It was said that her dowry had been no less than ten thousand gold. How had the family reached such dire straits that her husband would rather sell land than let his mother know?

Or perhaps his mother was also struggling financially? That might be why her husband was reluctant to ask…

Considering this possibility, she began to feel anxious.

Was her husband hiding something from her?

When the nest falls, can there be any unbroken eggs?

She didn’t want to be left in the dark, knowing nothing and having no strategy to cope!

Lost in thought, she unconsciously fanned vigorously, making a “whoosh-whoosh” sound.

Mozhuang, who was bringing in watermelon, exclaimed, “Oh my!” and quickly said, “Madam, what’s the matter? You’ll frighten the Young Miss!”

Fan came to her senses and handed the fan to a young maid beside her.

Mozhuang offered the watermelon: “This watermelon was sent from Shandong. Try it—is it sweet?”

Fan took the watermelon but didn’t eat it. Instead, she dismissed the servants attending her and whispered to Mozhuang: “Keep an eye on what the Master has been doing these days.”

Mozhuang was surprised and asked, “Is something wrong with the Master?”

Fan didn’t hide it from her and told Mozhuang about Yu Jingxiu wanting to sell the hill.

Mozhuang’s heart sank.

She had always heard of wealthy families buying land, never selling it.

“I understand,” she solemnly replied to Fan. “I’ll report to you if there’s any movement from the Master’s side.”

Fan nodded.

But her brows involuntarily furrowed with worry.

…

Meanwhile, at Fu Tingyun’s place, there was laughter and joy.

“…Grand Secretary Shen has been Minister of Personnel for over ten years. All official appointments, big and small, came from his hand. Now that Grand Secretary Shen has retired, the court’s structure is likely to change,” the Seventh Sister’s husband said excitedly. “Not to mention, those who were seeking favor with Grand Secretary Shen for the vacant positions of Clerk in the Court of State Ceremonial and Censor in the Censorate must be crying without tears now.”

Compared to the Seventh Sister’s husband, the Third Sister’s husband appeared much more composed.

He nodded with a smile and said, “I was wondering why this year’s vacancies hadn’t been filled yet. It turns out Grand Secretary Shen had his hands full…”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun couldn’t help laughing: “So all those ‘don’t worry’ words from the Third Brother-in-law were just to comfort me—you weren’t certain yourself!”

The Third Sister’s husband was startled, then laughed: “Nothing can escape the Ninth Sister’s notice!”

The Seventh Sister’s husband then asked from the side: “Should there be news about the Third Brother-in-law’s matter soon?”

“Not necessarily,” the Third Sister’s husband smiled. “With such major changes in the court, there’s much to be done! What seems monumental to us is trivial in the eyes of the Grand Secretaries. This matter might still drag on for another month or two.”

“That long?” The Seventh Sister’s husband was very disappointed.

“It would be good if it could be settled within a month or two,” the Third Sister’s husband replied patiently. He smiled, “It’s perfect timing since I have nothing to do these days. Didn’t you organize some kind of ‘poetry society’? This is the best season to appreciate lotus flowers. If you go out sometime, include me too!”

“Certainly!” the Seventh Sister’s husband teased with a smile. “We’ve been needing someone to chip in for expenses.”

Everyone laughed.

Seeing it was getting late, the Third Sister’s husband rose to leave.

Fu Tingyun, knowing that the Third Sister had been staying with her for several days, also persuaded her to go home: “…The full-month ceremony is done, and I can get out of bed now. Your husband shouldn’t be left alone without someone to take care of him, should he? If anything happens, I’ll send a servant to find you.”

The Third Sister thought Fu Tingyun made sense, so she packed her things, took Spring Cake and Yuanxiao, and left with her husband and the Seventh Sister’s husband.

Youyou asked Fu Tingyun: “When will Brother Spring Cake come again?” looking reluctant to part.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but be curious.

Nursemaid Tong explained with a smile: “The Shen family’s eldest young master learned how to make grasshoppers from grass somewhere, and the Young Miss loves them. These past few days, the Young Miss and the Shen family’s second young master have been learning to make grasshoppers from their eldest young master!”

“Is that so?” Fu Tingyun smiled, drawing her daughter into her arms, and asked, “Have you learned how to make them?”

Youyou nodded eagerly: “I don’t know how, but Elder Cousin kept teaching me.” Then she leaned close to her mother’s ear and whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret, but you can’t tell anyone… Second Uncle read something wrong, and Elder Cousin corrected him. Second Uncle’s face turned even redder than my jacket.”

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

No wonder Ah-Sen seemed uncomfortable around Spring Cake.

She had been wondering why Ah-Sen, who loved children the most, didn’t pay much attention to the Shen family’s two children… so that was the reason!

Fu Tingyun linked pinky fingers with her daughter: “Then you mustn’t tell anyone else either!”

Youyou quickly linked fingers with her mother and covered her mouth, saying: “I won’t tell anyone.”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh.

Youyou happily threw yourself into her mother’s arms.

Since Fu Tingyun had been pregnant with Young Master Xu, even when she occasionally held Youyou, she had been very careful.

Fu Tingyun hugged her daughter back, kissed her little face, and that night let Youyou sleep in her room.

When Young Master Xi heard about this, he also clamored to sleep with his mother.

Fu Tingyun simply had Young Master Xu brought in as well.

Youyou and Young Master Xi took turns holding Young Master Xu’s hand and touching his feet, making Young Master Xu fuss and whimper, while Youyou and Young Master Xi were having the time of their lives.

Fu Tingyun held Young Master Xu, not letting Youyou and Young Master Xi disturb him.

The two children then leaned against Fu Tingyun, watching Young Master Xu sleep.

Youyou asked her mother: “Was I also sleeping all the time when I was little like my little brother?”

With such childish talk and playfulness, they didn’t fall asleep until the Hour of the Pig.

Fu Tingyun looked at her sleeping daughter and sons, feeling completely fulfilled and particularly secure.

The next day, after settling the children, she sat down to write a letter to Zhao Ling.

But Pearl hurriedly entered: “Madam, the Third Madam has arrived.”

Fu Tingyun was surprised.

The Third Sister had just left yesterday, so why had she come back today?

She put down her brush and instructed Pearl to bring the Third Sister to the inner chamber.

Pearl loudly acknowledged with a “Yes” and stepped out of the inner chamber with light, quick steps.

Fu Tingyun didn’t tidy up her writing materials but went out to greet her sister.

The Third Sister was just lifting the curtain to enter, and the sisters met face to face in the hall.

“Third Sister, please come sit inside,” Fu Tingyun said, but the Third Sister grabbed her wrist.

“Ninth Sister,” she said, her face unable to hide her joy, “Early this morning, the Ministry of Personnel sent someone to call your brother-in-law, saying he has been appointed to fill the vacancy of Left Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. They asked him to go to the Ministry to fill out the selection form…”

“Really?” Fu Tingyun was both surprised and delighted. “How sudden! Is the news reliable?”

“Reliable, reliable,” the Third Sister hurriedly said. “The messenger was a Secretary from the Ministry of Personnel who came personally with a clerk, and spoke very courteously… Your Third Brother-in-law asked me to wait for you here. He’ll come directly to your place after leaving the Ministry.”

Fu Tingyun nodded repeatedly and asked if the Third Sister had eaten breakfast.

“How could I eat anything!” The Third Sister laughed dismissively. “I was afraid I was dreaming.” She asked Fu Tingyun to pinch her arm, “See if it hurts?”

This made Fu Tingyun laugh heartily, and she instructed Yu Wei to bring some breakfast for the Third Sister.

The Third Sister chattered away to Fu Tingyun: “…Your brother-in-law often says, ‘When the wild goose passes, its call remains; when a person passes, their name remains’… He has always wanted to accomplish great things… He was full of ambition, ready to make his mark, but who would have thought his examination year wouldn’t select any imperial scholars… He finally secured the position of Assistant Magistrate in Daxing County, but before he could take office, his mother suddenly passed away… Although he outwardly appeared diligent as always, I knew he was hurting inside…”

Fu Tingyun hadn’t known that the Third Brother-in-law had once been appointed Assistant Magistrate of Daxing County!

Fu Tingyun comforted the Third Sister: “Blessings often come disguised as misfortune, and misfortune often leads to blessings. Now that the Third Brother-in-law has secured the position of Left Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, his wishes have been fulfilled.”

The Third Sister nodded continuously, holding Fu Tingyun’s hand: “This is all thanks to you. Without you, how could he have gotten such a good position?” She continued, “Even if he had smoothly taken the position of Assistant Magistrate in Daxing County, in three years, he might not have risen to the position of Left Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. This truly confirms your saying, ‘Blessing often comes disguised as misfortune, and misfortune often leads to blessing.'”

As they chatted, noon quickly arrived.

The Third Sister’s husband returned from the Ministry of Personnel.

“How did it go?” The Third Sister couldn’t help rushing forward to meet him.

Seeing the Third Sister’s husband’s beaming face, Fu Tingyun knew the matter was settled.

Indeed, after telling the Third Sister, “The Ministry of Personnel told me to rest for two days before taking office,” the Third Sister’s husband stepped forward and bowed to Fu Tingyun: “It’s done!” Then he said, “This matter is all thanks to the Ninth Sister’s help. When the Ninth Brother-in-law returns, I’ll drink a toast with him properly!”

“The Third Brother-in-law is too kind!” Fu Tingyun quickly returned a curtsy and smiled, “The Third Brother-in-law already had the qualifications; I merely helped things along.”

“The Ninth Sister is too modest,” the Third Sister’s husband returned her curtsy and smiled, “If not for the Ninth Sister, how would I have gotten the position?” As he spoke, he showed some remorse, “It even caused Young Master Xu to come into the world early…”

“Children come early or late without any fixed time,” Fu Tingyun quickly said, “Besides, my son and I are both safe. The Third Brother-in-law shouldn’t worry about it.”

The two continued exchanging polite words.

The Third Sister listened and burst out laughing, saying, “You two may not be tired, but I am.” Then she said, “We’re family after all, why so formal?” Turning to her husband, she asked, “Go wash your face quickly. Today we’ll have lunch here at the Ninth Sister’s place!” Then to Fu Tingyun she said, “What do you think, should we go to Tanzhe Temple to give Master Yan the news?”