The imperial court and domestic affairs were the same—either the east wind prevailed over the west wind, or the west wind over the east.

Official Ji dismissively said, “This is someone else’s business. Why should we concern ourselves with it?”

Madam Ji, having been brushed off by Madam Yu once and now being accused of meddling by her husband, immediately felt her temper rise: “A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant’s hole. I’m just worried that Grand Secretary Yu might misjudge people. You didn’t see Madam Wu’s expression when she told me these things—her face was full of malicious glee. In and around the capital, there are likely many people like her. If the Yu family still treats Official Fu as an honored guest, wouldn’t that invite ridicule? You may be able to bear it, but I can’t stand to lose face like that!”

Official Ji felt his wife’s reaction was somewhat excessive today. He smiled to appease her: “It’s not as serious as you say. Grand Secretary Yu has experienced many things and met all kinds of people. He has his judgment in this matter.”

Madam Ji, thinking her husband’s words were reasonable and that it was indeed someone else’s affair, gradually calmed down. She then inquired about Shen Rensi: “…Whose backing does he have?”

Official Ji smiled and said, “Commander-in-Chief Zhao Ling of Guizhou.”

Madam Ji was astonished: “How is that possible?”

“Why not?” Official Ji smiled. “I heard he and Commander Zhao are brothers-in-law. It was Madam Zhao herself who helped Official Shen make the connections. The Emperor gave his word, Qian Donglin threw himself into the effort, and the Chief Eunuch Liansheng from the Directorate of Ceremonials supervised the entire process…”

Madam Ji was stunned as she listened, then scornfully pursed her lips: “They must be sworn sisters, right?” Then she sighed, “People nowadays have become less principled. They’ll do anything for promotion and wealth. Shen Rensi, a civil official, was forming family ties with a military commander. No wonder social morals are declining daily. Not to mention others, just look at the Wu family. They’re a Senior Vice Minister of the third rank. As long as they don’t make mistakes, after a few years of service, they would have opportunities to become a minister or enter the cabinet. Yet they sent their clan relative to become a concubine in the Yu family! I don’t know what they were thinking!” At this point, her expression suddenly froze, and she sat bolt upright from her reclining position against the pillow. “My lord, this matter is very strange!” Without waiting for Official Ji to speak, she continued directly, “I know Madam Zhao. She’s very low-profile, rarely leaves her home, and truly has the air of a noble lady from a prestigious family. How could she suddenly change completely and involve herself in Official Shen’s affairs? And Commander Zhao isn’t even home! For a woman to be running around everywhere, isn’t that too, too inappropriate?” Her face was full of confusion as she spoke.

Every day, countless people in the court schemed their way through life, and Official Ji hadn’t paid much attention to the appointment of Shen Rensi, a minor seventh-rank official. Nor had he been concerned about Madam Ji’s worry that Official Fu might implicate the Yu family and thereby affect him—after all, Official Fu had risen to his position thanks to Grand Secretary Yu; he was Grand Secretary Yu’s man. If he wanted to seek other patrons and change his allegiance, leaving aside everything else, even the disapproval of the scholarly community would be enough to destroy him.

But now, having heard his wife’s words, he also felt a tightening in his chest.

Indeed! At first glance, this matter seemed unremarkable, but upon closer examination, it was peculiar in many aspects.

If Shen Rensi and Zhao Ling were merely brothers-in-law through sworn sisterhood, and if Shen Rensi had curried favor with military officials and gotten involved with eunuchs, wouldn’t he fear being despised by civil officials? Even if he obtained the position of Left Censor in the Ministry of Personnel, being isolated without support, could he maintain his position? What was the point of becoming an official if one couldn’t be promoted? Wouldn’t it be better to stay home and be a farmer? By acting this way, wasn’t he afraid of being ostracized by colleagues? Of being suppressed by superiors? Of ruining his prospects?

Could Shen Rensi be such a fool?

Official Ji pondered this and couldn’t help saying: “Are they brothers-in-law? But I’ve never heard that the Fu family had such a prestigious relative. The Emperor has always shown particular favor to Zhao Ling. Wasn’t it because of the Emperor’s word that Official Fu’s assignment to a post outside the capital several years ago couldn’t proceed? If they had such a relationship, why didn’t they use it then?” The more he spoke, the more he felt like he had fallen into a fog of mystery. But he was an open-minded person; since he couldn’t figure it out, he decided to set it aside for now. He smiled and said, “I’ll go ask Hao Jianfeng to see if he knows anything.”

Previously, although former Grand Secretary Shen had concurrently held the position of Minister of Personnel, his energy was mostly focused on cabinet matters, and the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel had fallen to Hao Jianfeng, the Vice Minister. Now, although Qian Donglin also held the concurrent position of Minister of Personnel, firstly, his experience was limited, and he might not know the affairs of the Personnel Ministry well; secondly, he had just assumed his position and had been appointed Chief Grand Secretary—apart from Chen Danting, he was the youngest. It was impossible that the other cabinet ministers didn’t have their opinions. Whether he could establish himself in the cabinet would depend on whether he could gain the recognition of most ministers in these three months. He would focus his attention on the cabinet; he simply had no time to attend to the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. Thirdly, Official Ji had never really taken Qian Donglin seriously before; they were merely nodding acquaintances. Now that Qian Donglin had been promoted to Chief Grand Secretary, this relationship needed to be cultivated. However, with none of the cabinet ministers having expressed their positions, Official Ji didn’t want to be the first to step forward, lest he be misunderstood as someone who “bows and scrapes”… It was best to find Hao Jianfeng, with whom he had some friendship.

Madam Ji nodded, but in her heart, she still felt uneasy. Yet if asked why, she couldn’t articulate it.

On the other side, when Madam Wu returned home and told Official Wu about her visit to the Ji family, Official Wu immediately became angry: “With your vague hints, how would others know what you’re trying to say?”

Madam Wu said aggrievedly: “But I can’t speak recklessly! If there’s nothing between the Zhao and Shen families, and Commander Zhao found out, wouldn’t he hold a grudge against us?”

She was truly afraid of Zhao Ling.

Official Wu pondered briefly and had an idea: “Why don’t you go directly to the Zhao residence? Just tell Madam Zhao that you heard Madam Shen is her sister, and since they live next door, out of respect if nothing else, you should fulfill your duties as a host and invite Madam Shen to your home for a meal to welcome her. Then you can inquire whether they are sworn sisters or actual sisters. If they are sisters, what is Madam Zhao’s birth order? You can then verify with Madam Ji afterwards. You can also take the opportunity to get closer to Madam Shen. Those without foresight will have immediate worries. Previously, I thought Qian Donglin and Chen Danting were far from reaching the third rank, so I didn’t take them seriously. Who knew they would enter the cabinet in the blink of an eye! Now it’s not appropriate to approach them, wasting the good times of the past. Who can guarantee that Shen Rensi won’t be the next Qian Donglin or Chen Danting?” He sighed for a long time.

Madam Wu was delighted to hear this: “My lord truly understands.”

The next day, she went to Fu Tingyun’s residence.

Hearing that Madam Wu wanted to welcome her third elder sister, Fu Tingyun, I was very surprised.

Madam Wu had always liked to associate with the powerful, but her third brother-in-law was merely a minor seventh-rank official…

What was Madam Wu’s hidden agenda this time?

She pondered and smiled: “Please don’t trouble yourself. These days my sister is busy moving house, overwhelmed with work…”

“Then it’s even more appropriate to invite Madam Shen to our home for a meal,” Madam Wu hastily interrupted Fu Tingyun’s words. “I can then legitimately go to congratulate Madam Shen on her new residence.” Her attitude was very resolute.

Fu Tingyun found this quite vexing.

What exactly did this Madam Wu want to do?

The two went back and forth, neither able to convince the other.

Just then, Yuechuan ran in: “Madam, Third Madam has arrived!”

Well, this saved the trouble.

Fu Tingyun reluctantly instructed Yuechuan: “Please invite Third Madam to the inner chamber.”

Yuechuan acknowledged and left.

Madam Wu smiled and moved closer: “See, Madam Shen and I are destined to meet!”

Fu Tingyun could only smile faintly.

Hurried footsteps were heard from outside.

“Quanhui!” The third elder sister entered with a solemn expression, lifting the curtain. “Grandmother has passed away…” Just as she spoke, she noticed that Madam Wu from next door was also in the inner chamber. She quickly swallowed the rest of her words.

Fu Tingyun was visibly shocked: “How did the third sister know? When we returned to Shaanxi last year, wasn’t she still doing well? How suddenly…” As she spoke, her grandmother’s kindly face appeared in her mind, and her eyes involuntarily reddened.

Seeing Fu Tingyun’s reaction, the third elder sister’s eyes also reddened, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she stepped forward to pay respects to Madam Wu, greeting her: “You’re here too!”

Madam Wu, having heard half the conversation, perked up.

Grandmother has passed away, and Madam Shen personally came to inform Madam Zhao of the death. Madam Zhao, upon hearing this, immediately became sorrowful… This meant they weren’t sworn sisters?

Madam Wu, somewhat excited, returned the greeting to the third elder sister and concernedly said: “Has an elder in the family passed away? Is there anything I can help with? Where are the funeral arrangements being held? I should also send some offerings.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Fu Tingyun said, dejected. “It’s too far away to trouble everyone. When the funeral arrangements are finalized, we can trouble you all then.”

Madam Wu naturally couldn’t stay any longer. After saying a few words like “my condolences” and “please let me know when the funeral arrangements are finalized,” she rose to take her leave.

The third elder sister immediately took Fu Tingyun’s hand: “It was Fifth Uncle who sent someone to report the death. Fifth Uncle has already begun writing his petition for mourning leave. Your third brother-in-law suggests I return home. I’ve come to ask about your plans.”

“Third sister, please help me arrange several tables of offerings according to the proper customs and send a mourning couplet,” Fu Tingyun said softly. “The kindness the old lady showed me in the past, I remember… So I won’t return to Huayin. It would be difficult for the Fu family to explain. As for mourning, although she no longer considered me her granddaughter, I will observe the proper rituals. This is also my filial duty to her.”

“That’s a good approach,” the third elder sister nodded upon hearing this. “I’ll make sure the offerings and mourning couplet are properly arranged.”

Fu Tingyun then asked about Chunbing and Yuanxiao: “…Will they also return with you?”

The weather is too hot. I plan to have them stay in the capital,” she replied.

“Then let them stay with me for a few days,” Fu Tingyun said. “This way, the third brother-in-law won’t have to worry about two things at once—the affairs of the yamen and taking care of the two children.”

The third elder sister thought for a moment and said: “I’ll go back and discuss it with your brother-in-law first.” Then she stood up. “I need to hurry back to pack my luggage, so I won’t talk anymore with you now. If anything comes up, I’ll have someone inform you.”

Fu Tingyun nodded and saw the third elder sister out.