“Can you not jump to conclusions so easily?” Master Wu glared at Madam Wu. “The Yu family has deep roots. If the two families fight, the Yu family won’t necessarily lose. But even the mightiest must bow to reason. Let’s first find out what grudge exists between them before making any plans.”
Madam Wu felt greatly reassured.
Master Wu instructed her: “Also, have a word with Concubine Wu. If anything happens over there, remember to have someone send us news.”
Madam Wu agreed and arranged for someone to pass the message to Concubine Wu the next day.
Concubine Wu was dazed after hearing it.
“So it’s really like that!” she murmured to herself, not even noticing when Lian Xin brought in tea.
Meanwhile, after the third brother-in-law went to his ministry, the third elder sister’s heart also settled down.
She went to Shi Family Hutong to discuss with Fu Tingyun: “…Good things and capable people all flock to the capital. Not just the children, but even I have gained much knowledge. I’ve discussed with your brother-in-law about entrusting the household affairs to loyal stewards, so we can stay in the capital for a few years. If the children can make progress in their studies because of this, that would be wonderful. But if we do this, it would be best to purchase a residence to settle down. If the ninth sister knows any trustworthy property agents, please introduce them to me.”
It’s never good for a husband and wife to be separated.
Fu Tingyun strongly agreed with her third elder sister’s decision. She asked Chen Shi, Madam Mo, Madam Wang, and others to help inquire about suitable residences.
A few days later, Madam Mo sent word: “There’s one in Sanyuan Hutong. The location isn’t the best, but the house is seventy percent new, with three courtyards. The owner needs money urgently, so it’s thirty percent cheaper than the market price.”
The third elder sister wanted to go see it and pulled Fu Tingyun along: “This is such a big decision, and your brother-in-law is busy from dawn to dusk every day. I have no one to consult with. Come give me your advice.”
Fu Tingyun smiled and agreed, accompanying her third elder sister to Sanyuan Hutong by carriage.
As soon as they got off the carriage, she was stunned.
As it turned out, Sanyuan Hutong and Sixi Hutong were right next to each other.
The sisters looked at each other in dismay.
The third elder sister said to the property agent, “This hutong is too narrow for carriages to pass through. Let’s forget it. Please find us another suitable place.”
“No, no,” the owner was eager to sell, and the agent was offered a high commission, so he was determined to close the deal. He quickly said, “At least go in and have a look, ladies… The blue bricks are all in a row, the pillars have been newly painted, and there are several large items left behind. I guarantee you’ll like it at first sight…” As he spoke, he walked over and measured the hutong with his feet. “Look, there’s enough room not just for one carriage, but for two carriages to pass with plenty of space! If you don’t believe me, drive the carriage in and see…”
“No!” The third elder sister’s attitude was very firm. “Please trouble yourself to find us another place!” She insisted on leaving.
The agent had no choice but to follow them out of Sanyuan Hutong.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help feeling somewhat apologetic and said: “Third Sister, why don’t you go in and have a look? You can’t avoid the Fu family just because of me! That’s between me and the Fu family, it has nothing to do with you.”
But if they moved there, the ninth sister would not be able to visit them often.
The third elder sister pondered and smiled: “That may be true, but if I were to live here, I would feel uneasy just thinking about it. Besides, this place is indeed somewhat remote. It would probably take your brother-in-law half an hour to get to his ministry. Summer is fine, but in winter, that would be quite a hardship. It would be better to find a place closer to Bingma Hutong.”
Fu Tingyun knew this was her third elder sister being considerate of her feelings. She was very grateful and said: “I’m not afraid of meeting the Fifth Master Fu, but I’m afraid that if the two of us cause a disturbance in your home, and your husband, Spring Cake, and Tangyuan see it, they might look down on the other members of the Fu family.”
“They wouldn’t dare!” The third elder sister laughed. “Without the help of our Fu family’s two brothers-in-law, would he be where he is today? If he dares to look down on our Fu family’s sons-in-law, I would never let it go with your brother-in-law.” Though she said this, she knew in her heart that if there was a conflict between Fu Tingyun and the Fifth Master Fu, it would be embarrassing for the Fu family members. She decided to change the subject, no longer talking about these unpleasant matters. She leaned forward to lift the curtain and asked the agent who was sitting on a mule beside the carriage: “Are there other residences to see?”
The agent had thought this deal was almost certain, so he hadn’t planned to take them to see other places.
After thinking for a while, he said: “There are several other nice residences, but they’re a bit far from here. We’d have to go see them early tomorrow morning.”
The third elder sister nodded, arranged a time with the agent, and then settled back in the carriage. She said to Fu Tingyun: “Since we’re out, let’s go to my place for a cup of tea.”
Fu Tingyun, thinking it had been a while since she had seen Spring Cake and Tangyuan, smiled and nodded, instructing Yu Wei to go ahead and buy a few boxes of pastries to bring to her third elder sister’s rented place.
The third elder sister said: “If you keep spending like this, I won’t invite you to my home anymore.”
“These are for my nephews, Third Sister, so don’t fuss,” Fu Tingyun joked. “I’m being nice to them now in hopes that they’ll remember my kindness and come see me often when I’m old!”
“If you don’t spoil them, they won’t visit you?” The third elder sister said disapprovingly. “What kind of future would such children have when they grow up?”
As they talked, they quickly arrived at the third elder sister’s rented residence.
Yu Wei had already arrived and handed the eight colorful gift boxes to the third brother-in-law’s maid, then helped Fu Tingyun out of the carriage.
Spring Cake and Tangyuan happily came forward to greet her. They both asked in unison: “…Why didn’t Youyou come with Ninth Aunt?” They were looking behind her.
Fu Tingyun was slightly surprised, then smiled: “Had I known, I would have brought her. Do you miss her?”
Spring Cake blushed and remained silent, but Tangyuan nodded repeatedly, saying: “Cousin can sing songs and play string figures.”
Fu Tingyun and the third elder sister couldn’t help but laugh.
A young maid came in to report: “Madam, the Fifth Master Fu from the Fu family is here. He says he wants to see our Master.”
Father?
What is he doing here?
Fu Tingyun was quite stunned.
The third elder sister was also surprised and said to Fu Tingyun, “I’ll go check and be right back.” She had no intention of asking her to meet him.
Fu Tingyun nodded and continued chatting with Spring Cake and Tangyuan.
Before half an incense stick’s time had passed, footsteps were heard outside.
Fu Tingyun thought it was her third elder sister returning and paid no attention, but when the curtain lifted, it was the Fifth Master Fu who entered.
Behind him followed the fifth elder sister, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Fu Tingyun’s face darkened slightly, and just as she stood up, the Fifth Master Fu was already speaking gently: “Quanhui is here too! What a coincidence. Why didn’t you bring your children? Your eldest son should be three years old now, right? I haven’t seen him yet. I heard you gave birth to another son? Very good, very good.” He exchanged pleasantries with Fu Tingyun with the dignity of an elder.
What game is he playing?
If he was concerned about her, how come he couldn’t even name all his grandchildren?
Fu Tingyun laughed coldly in her heart, gave a faint smile as a greeting, and then said to her third elder sister: “It’s getting late, and the children are waiting at home. I should go now. I’ll visit Third Sister another time.”
The third elder sister breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew Fu Tingyun’s temperament well—if you were reasonable, she was more gentle than anyone, but if you were unreasonable, no matter who you were, she would stand straight and unbending. The fifth uncle was, after all, an elder. If he said something inappropriate and Fu Tingyun responded, she might be seen as disrespectful; if she didn’t respond, wouldn’t she be suffering in silence?
She only hoped Fu Tingyun would quickly leave this place of contention.
Without a word to detain her, she rose to escort Fu Tingyun out, explaining in a low voice: “He saw your carriage and insisted on coming in. I couldn’t stop him…”
Fu Tingyun nodded slightly and said: “I understand… after all, he is an elder.”
The fifth elder sister gave her a grateful look.
“Wait!” The voice of the Fifth Master Fu, tinged with hesitation, came from behind them. “Quanhui, I have something to ask you!”
Fu Tingyun and the fifth elder sister exchanged a glance.
The fifth elder sister gently shook her head, gesturing for her to leave quickly.
But Fu Tingyun pondered for a moment, turned around, and smiled at the Fifth Master Fu who had followed them out: “What instruction does Master Fu have?”
The daughter’s form of address made a flash of embarrassment cross the Fifth Master Fu’s eyes, but he still said: “I heard your third brother-in-law managed to get a position in the Ministry of Personnel, and it was due to your intervention?”
The third elder sister frowned.
And Fu Tingyun, for some strange reason, just wanted to laugh out loud.
Indeed, a leopard cannot change its spots.
The only thing that could make the Fifth Master Fu bow his head was power and status.
She broke into a radiant smile and said: “Master Fu is mistaken! My third brother-in-law got his position in the Ministry of Personnel because of his virtue and talent, as well as his qualifications. What does that have to do with me?”
The Fifth Master Fu heard this with slight displeasure and said: “Do you still resent me for not acknowledging you? You should know that back then, I had no choice! Your eldest uncle and I were both deceived by Yu Jingxiu, which is why we announced to the public that you had died of illness. Our Fu family is large and prestigious, with a reputation to uphold. Your eldest uncle and I couldn’t just go back on our word…”
“Master Fu,” Fu Tingyun smiled and interrupted him, “what exactly do you want to say? I’m very foolish, so please speak plainly.”
The Fifth Master Fu’s expression froze, his eloquent speech suddenly coming to a halt. He said somewhat awkwardly: “It’s nothing… The past was all a misunderstanding… Your eldest uncle has been in Jinhua for four or five years now, and he’s thinking about moving to a different place…”
Fu Tingyun laughed heartily, with tears coming to her eyes: “Is it only my eldest uncle who wants to move? Don’t you have any plans?”
The undisguisable contempt in her tone made the Fifth Master Fu’s face turn ashen.
He wanted to say something, his lips moving, but he swallowed his words several times.
“If I said I didn’t resent you at all for not acknowledging me in the past, that would be somewhat hypocritical,” Fu Tingyun calmed down and smiled at the Fifth Master Fu. “However, since learning why you didn’t acknowledge me, that little bit of resentment has dissipated, though I still feel some regret in my heart. But standing here today, listening to what you’ve said, I’m truly grateful that you didn’t acknowledge me.” As she spoke, she revealed a look of disdain. “For the sake of power and status, you’re truly capable of anything, aren’t you? Not only do I feel fortunate, but I also feel fortunate for my mother—it’s good that she passed away, because if she saw what you’re like now, she would probably feel as ashamed as I do.” Her expression became solemn. “Fifth Master Fu, I don’t know you. My father died long ago. In my heart, he was a learned and kind man who would teach me calligraphy, explain classical texts to me, and tell me how to be a person… not someone like you who only knows how to scheme and grovel, someone who disregards all propriety and shame for a bit of power and status!” Having said this, she turned and strode away.