The carriage stopped in front of the Zhao residence in Shi Family Alley. The third elder sister and two children alighted from the carriage and headed directly to Fu Tingyun’s inner chamber.
“I’ll have to trouble ninth sister with these two children,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll leave the city at dawn tomorrow. I’ll return after Grandmother’s seventh seven-day memorial service.” She then instructed the two children, “You must listen to your Ninth Aunt!”
The third elder sister’s new residence was in Hat Alley, which, although only a fifteen-minute journey from Shi Family Alley, was near the south of the city. They would depart tomorrow from Fucheng Gate in the west. If they were to bring the children over before departure, they would have to take a long detour, delaying their journey. They might not reach Ten-Li Post before noon, making it difficult to reach the post station for an overnight stay, which would raise significant safety concerns.
Chunbing respectfully responded to his mother with a “Yes,” while Yuanxiao could hardly conceal his excitement: “Mother, can I play with Cousin Youyou?”
Both adults smiled at this, and the sadness of parting was considerably lightened.
The third elder sister smiled and said, “Playing is fine, but you mustn’t bully little sister Youyou or brothers Xi and Xu. If I find out, I won’t bring you here to play anymore.”
Yuanxiao quickly promised: “Mother, I’ll be considerate of little sister Youyou and won’t fight with her over silk nest candy.”
Everyone laughed again.
The third elder sister stroked her younger son’s head and instructed her elder son: “Take good care of your brother and don’t be mischievous.”
Chunbing hurriedly acknowledged respectfully.
Fu Tingyun stepped forward and put her arms around the shoulders of both children, smiling as she said to the third elder sister: “They’re both sensible children. Third sister, please don’t worry. If the third brother-in-law misses the children, he can come and see them.” She continued, “When is the third sister departing? I’ll come to see you off.”
“It’s too early,” the third elder sister said. “You shouldn’t trouble yourself. Between us sisters, there’s no need for such formalities.”
Fu Tingyun thought about her five children at home. If she went to see the third elder sister off, she wouldn’t return until after dark, which made her uncomfortable.
After some thought, she smiled and said: “Very well, I’ll have Yu Wei represent me to see the third sister off.” She then inquired about her escort arrangements: “Why not hire a security bureau to accompany you?”
“I had thought of that originally,” the third elder sister smiled and said. “However, Official Hao learned that I was returning to Huayin and spoke to the Five Districts Command. They’ve assigned more than ten men who will escort me back to Huayin.”
“That’s good,” Fu Tingyun said, unable to resist gossiping. “This Official Hao, is he the same Official Hao Jianfeng who served as a Councillor in Shaanxi?” She was still at home when her second elder sister was arranging her marriage. “I heard he harbors some resentment. My eldest uncle tried several times to approach him but couldn’t succeed. How is it that he has no friction with the third brother-in-law?”
“I’m not entirely sure,” the third elder sister said. “But I heard your brother-in-law say that Hao Jianfeng is not only capable in his work but also fair, smooth in handling affairs and relationships. If not for Grand Secretary Shen’s incident this time, perhaps after Grand Secretary Tian retires due to old age, he might have had a chance to enter the cabinet.”
Hao Jianfeng and Grand Secretary Shen both worked in the Ministry of Personnel, one as the head and one as the deputy, collaborating well. After a long time, even if they weren’t originally from the same faction, they would be seen as such. Now that the Emperor was displeased with Grand Secretary Shen, forcing him to retire, Hao Jianfeng, as part of Grand Secretary Shen’s faction and a high-ranking official of the second rank, would likely face difficulties in the future.
Fu Tingyun smiled and said: “His luck is truly terrible.”
The third elder sister nodded: “It shows that entering the cabinet also depends on luck.” Her tone carried a hint of reflection.
After chatting briefly, the third elder sister, thinking of the many trivial matters waiting at home, rose to take her leave and hurried back to Hat Alley.
At the ornamental gate, she ran into her husband.
Seeing that her husband was coming from the hall in the south wing, the third elder sister greeted him with a smile: “Does my lord have guests?”
Her husband’s expression, however, was slightly unusual upon hearing this.
The third elder sister looked at him curiously.
Her husband didn’t hide anything from her and said: “Official Fu just came by, asking if we had informed those in Shi Family Alley about the death and when you would be departing. He wants to return to Huayin together.”
The third elder sister frowned slightly upon hearing this.
Her husband had already said: “I told him that as soon as we received the news, you went to Shi Family Alley to report the death. As for when you would depart for Huayin, since I have matters to attend to in the next few days, we might need to wait a while. Once we’ve set a specific date, we can discuss the departure time with him.”
The third elder sister knew that her husband didn’t want her to be too close to Fifth Uncle.
This was for the better. It would prevent any potential complications.
However, this meant she would likely arrive in Huayin before Fifth Uncle.
The third elder sister pondered and said: “If Fifth Uncle asks later, we’ll say that Official Hao kindly spoke to the Five Districts Command, who thought we were departing tomorrow and had made all arrangements, so we had to change our plans at the last minute.” She then instructed her husband, “Wait until I’ve left the city before sending someone to inform those in Sixi Alley—they’re returning home for mourning and won’t be back in the capital for some time. They need to arrange for their belongings to be taken, sent, pawned, or locked in storage, and need to arrange for someone to watch the house. Even if they wanted to travel with us, they couldn’t be ready so quickly.”
This was indeed a good idea.
It wouldn’t offend Official Fu either.
Her husband agreed with a smile, though a trace of worry flashed across his brow.
The third elder sister smiled and said: “Having married into the Shen family, I am now a member of the Shen family. My lord, please speak freely.”
Her husband then took the third elder sister to his study.
Previously, there was some friction between the Grand Elder Madam and the First Madam. Now that the Grand Elder Madam has passed away, there might be some turmoil in Huayin,” the third elder sister’s husband tactfully advised his wife. “When you return, firstly, don’t get involved in these matters. Secondly, advise your father and mother that with uncles above and elder brothers below, even if they suffer some disadvantage, they shouldn’t contend for anything. Returning safely and smoothly is the priority. Furthermore, regarding the money that the Fu family borrowed from our family, entrust it entirely to your father and mother to handle, but also make it clear to them that they shouldn’t feel burdened. If it helps them withdraw smoothly, it doesn’t matter whether the money is recovered or not. If they feel wronged in these trivial matters, just tell them to do what they think is best, and you’ll provide the money to help them arrange everything properly. The most important thing is not to quarrel over money and become a laughingstock for the neighbors.”
The third elder sister was both surprised and pleased by her husband’s words.
Surprised that her husband thought her uncles’ families would quarrel over property, and pleased that her husband was sincere towards her, willing to forgo such a large sum of money without hesitation…
A hint of unease flashed in her eyes, and she said somewhat anxiously: “Grandmother has just passed away… surely it won’t happen so quickly?”
Though she knew that few could match her husband’s insight into matters, that was her birthplace, her roots, and she still harbored some hope.
Her husband understood his wife’s thoughts all too well.
Not recognizing the true face of Lushan Mountain, only because one stands on it.
It was understandable that his wife was unwilling to believe her natal family would become like this.
But for the bigger picture, he couldn’t help but remind her: “Even if they don’t quarrel now, it will be inevitable after the three-year mourning period.”
The third elder sister fell silent.
…
The next day, the third elder sister’s husband and the seventh elder sister’s husband escorted the third elder sister out of Fucheng Gate. By noon, they stopped at “Yangguang Inn” in Ten-Li Post for lunch.
As they were coming downstairs, they encountered Hao Jianfeng.
He was walking in from outside, chatting and laughing with several men dressed in silkworm-cocoon robes who appeared to be scholars.
The third elder sister’s husband hastily stepped forward to pay his respects and introduced the seventh elder sister’s husband to him.
Hao Jianfeng also smiled and introduced those beside him: “…This is Academic Zhou from the Hanlin Academy, this is Official Zheng from the Court of Judicature, this is Official Wang from the Court of the Imperial Stud…” He specially introduced a man in his thirties with a square face and silkworm-like eyebrows: “This is Official Jiang, Left Councillor of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission. We are seeing him off this time.”
A man in his thirties already at the fourth rank and serving in the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission… he was likely not a simple figure.
The third elder sister’s husband felt tense internally but continued to smile humbly and respectfully as he stepped forward to pay his respects.
And when the others heard that he was the Left Censor Shen from the Ministry of Personnel, they also smiled and greeted him warmly. Two of them even glanced in the direction where the third elder sister was standing.
Someone else entered from outside.
Everyone looked up.
They saw Fifth Master Fu, now dressed in mourning clothes, walking in breathlessly.
The third elder sister, her husband, and the seventh elder sister’s husband were all stunned.
Hao Jianfeng especially turned his face away, pretending not to have seen Fifth Master Fu.
Even if these officials didn’t have business at the Ministry of Personnel, they underwent evaluation by the ministry every three years. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t recognize Official Fu, nor was there anyone unaware that Hao Jianfeng wasn’t particularly fond of him.
In the past, these people, though they might not have been enthusiastic in greeting him, would at least have smiled and nodded at Fifth Master Fu, given they were bound to encounter each other. But ever since the Emperor had declared Fifth Master Fu “unfit for service,” his official career had reached its peak. Now that he was returning home for mourning, with little hope of reinstatement, who would displease Hao Jianfeng for his sake?
Everyone imitated Hao Jianfeng, pretending not to see him, and continued chatting with Hao Jianfeng and the third elder sister’s husband.
The third elder sister’s husband and the seventh elder sister’s husband exchanged a glance, both showing bitter smiles.
Others could ignore Fifth Master Fu, but they couldn’t.
The two apologized to Hao Jianfeng and the others, then stepped forward to pay their respects to Fifth Master Fu.
“Why have you rushed over, elder sir?” the third elder sister’s husband smiled and said. “Are you here to see my humble wife off? We left in a hurry and didn’t have time to inform you…”
As he explained, Fifth Master Fu’s face grew as dark as an impending storm.
He had seen Hao Jianfeng and the others’ behavior, and he knew exactly what these people were thinking.
But given that the situation was stronger than him, what could he do?
Restraining his anger, Fifth Master Fu said: “Didn’t you say earlier that you would wait a few days before leaving? I couldn’t wait. This morning, I sent a servant to inform you, only to discover you had already left the city at dawn. I was just thinking that our two families had the same idea and might encounter each other at Ten-Li Post, and indeed we have.”
He probably rushed over after hearing they had left the city at dawn, didn’t he?
The third elder sister’s husband smiled and looked behind him: “Where is Brother Jieshi?”
Jieshi was the courtesy name of Fu Tinggui, Fu Tingyun’s brother.
Fifth Master Fu was about to speak but hesitated.
He knew that Fu Tingyun was unwilling to travel with him and had been having someone monitor the activity at Hat Alley.
When the servant returned this morning with the news, he had immediately suspected this was Fu Tingyun’s idea. He had no choice but to leave Fu Tinggui at home to pack while he rushed ahead.
The third elder sister’s husband saw this and became even more certain of his thoughts.
Fifth Master Fu, however, looked behind him, his gaze falling on the third elder sister, and asked: “Where is Quanhui? Why isn’t she with you?”