Yu Jingxiu returned from Grand Secretary Yu’s place and, upon entering the room, immediately noticed several brand new winter garments placed on the kang table. The patterns were ones he had never seen before, though the colors indicated they were meant for men. He couldn’t help but look at them a bit longer.
Madam Fan felt a wave of irritation.
How could she have forgotten to put these away?
She instinctively didn’t want Yu Jingxiu to know these clothes were made by Concubine Fei—these days, she had been preoccupied with taking care of little Miss Zhen and hadn’t personally made any needlework for Yu Jingxiu in quite some time.
“Since the weather is getting colder,” Madam Fan smiled and said, “I thought to prepare several winter garments for you to take along.” As she spoke, she gave Mo Zhuan a look, signaling her to put the clothes away.
Mo Zhuan went over with a smile to gather the clothes.
Yu Jingxiu, however, walked over and felt the edge of a garment, saying: “Your needlework has improved—these stitches are meticulous and even.” Then he looked up at Madam Fan. “Don’t do these things anymore. Not only is it hard on your eyes, but you also need to take care of little Miss Zhen. What are those needlework matrons in the household for?” His eyes were full of tenderness.
Mo Zhuan was startled and looked toward Madam Fan.
Madam Fan didn’t even glance at Mo Zhuan and smiled, saying: “Your father called you over. What did he say?” She changed the subject.
That evening, while Yu Jingxiu was handling some correspondence in his study, Mo Zhuan approached Madam Fan: “First Madam, about these clothes…”
“Give them to the servants!” Madam Fan said with a somewhat gloomy expression.
Mo Zhuan acknowledged and left.
Two days later, Yu Jingxiu set the date for his departure. Madam Yu, accompanied by Mama Shu, came to inspect the trunks that Madam Fan had prepared for her son. Just then, Yu Jingxiu returned from his office. Concerned that his mother might find fault with Madam Fan’s preparations—since she had never done this before—he quickly smiled and said: “As the weather is turning cold, Madam Fan was afraid I might catch a chill, so she specially made me several winter garments.”
Madam Fan was startled.
Madam Yu had already responded with an interested “Oh,” and asked eagerly: “What fabrics did you use? What styles did you make?”
Madam Fan looked anxiously toward Mo Zhuan.
Mo Zhuan was inwardly greatly relieved.
Not only were those winter clothes made of good material, but they were also of new styles. Such fine items would naturally be given to those wives and matrons who had shown her great respect! As for who would receive them, she hadn’t yet decided. Moreover, with Madam Yu’s sudden arrival, the items hadn’t yet been distributed.
She gave Madam Fan a slight nod, indicating there was no problem, then turned to fetch the winter clothes made by Concubine Fei.
Madam Yu looked through them and, seeing that the needlework was quite careful, nodded approvingly at Madam Fan: “You’ve worked hard!” She seemed very satisfied.
Madam Fan couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Mo Zhuan stood to the side, wiping cold sweat.
Yu Jingxiu took his mother’s arm and smiled: “Mother, now you can rest assured, right?”
Madam Yu smiled and patted the back of her son’s hand that rested on her arm. She didn’t look any further, gave Yu Jingxiu a few instructions, and then returned to the main room with Mama Shu.
Madam Fan, however, became fixated on Concubine Fei, constantly asking her to do this and that, until for a period, Concubine Fei had not a moment’s rest.
Concubine Fei couldn’t help but complain to Concubine Wu: “…If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble. My flattery hit the horse’s leg instead of its back.”
Concubine Wu just laughed at this.
Concubine Fei asked her: “You’re always staying in your room. How do you bear it? What do you usually do to pass the time?”
“I do some needlework,” Concubine Wu smiled and said. “My father recently married a new wife and has had another son. My sister married a private tutor who is a xiucai. I take scraps of fabric and make small items for them, providing a bit of extra help to them all, big and small.”
Concubine Fei said with surprise: “But they’re far away in Zhoushan!”
Concubine Wu smiled and said: “People often come from Nanjing, and the stewards from the Wu residence frequently come to Beijing. I just have them bring the items over.”
Concubine Fei smiled and said: “Madam Wu is quite close to you!”
Concubine Wu smiled slightly but said nothing.
The two often gathered to chat. Concubine Fei did most of the talking, while Concubine Wu usually just listened.
On the day of the Laba Festival, the Wu family sent Laba porridge, with one portion specifically designated for Concubine Wu. Concubine Wu had to give some return gifts, so she searched through her trunk and found several purses and handkerchiefs for the matron to take back.
The matron smiled and asked her, “Do you have anything for Madam Zhao? I can take it to her as well.”
Concubine Wu was taken aback.
The matron smiled and said: “Madam says that since Lord Zhao is not home, Madam Zhao has closed her doors and is not receiving visitors. Ordinary people cannot see her. Since you were able to see Madam Zhao, she must hold you in special regard. If you have anything for Madam Zhao, I can certainly take it back for you.”
She probably wants to use me to gain favor with Madam Zhao!
Since Madam Zhao wasn’t receiving visitors, she had her reasons. Her barging in last time was already impolite; how could she trouble Madam Zhao again?
“No,” Concubine Wu smiled and said. “As a mere concubine, how could I send things to Madam Zhao? Please convey my thanks to Madam when you return.” With that, she stood up to see the visitor out.
Seeing that Concubine Wu was not being courteous, the matron returned to the mansion, somewhat embarrassed, to report to Madam Wu.
Madam Wu felt a bit of a headache and called her maid: “Has there been any news from the Zhao family these days?”
The personal maid smiled and said: “Madam Shen has returned! She brought many things for Madam Zhao and hasn’t left yet!”
Madam Wu’s face showed delight as she said: “Let’s go visit Madam Zhao.”
The personal maid smiled and responded with a “Yes.” Noting the heavy wind and snow outside, she helped Madam Wu put on a gray squirrel fur cape, took an oiled paper umbrella, and escorted Madam Wu to the Zhao residence.
Yue Chuan was somewhat at a loss but had no choice but to report to Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun was sitting with her Third Sister on the large kang by the window in the inner room, talking. When she heard that Madam Wu had come, she couldn’t help but rub her forehead.
The Third Sister smiled and said: “Better let her in! Although she loves to gossip, you’ve been cooped up at home without going out, so you don’t know what’s happening outside. Having her to chat with saves you from having to send people to gather news.”
“You needn’t worry about that,” Fu Tingyun smiled and said. “Though I’m sitting at home, Ah-Sen talks to me every day. I just don’t like Madam Wu’s prying eyes.” Despite saying this, she still invited Madam Wu in.
Madam Wu brought up the old topic, wanting to hold a welcoming feast for the Third Sister with Fu Tingyun accompanying.
Since she was inviting the Third Sister, Fu Tingyun couldn’t make the decision. The Third Sister cheerfully smiled and said: “Certainly! I’ll await Madam’s invitation card. However, as the New Year approaches, this is my first time spending the New Year in Beijing, and my husband has just joined the Ministry of Personnel, so there are inevitably some social engagements. Let me return the invitation to Madam when spring arrives.”
Hearing this, Madam Wu was naturally delighted and set the date for the tenth day of the month.
After seeing Madam Wu off, Fu Tingyun couldn’t help smiling and asking her Third Sister: “What scheme does Sister have in her gourd this time?”
The Third Sister suppressed a smile and said: “This is what your Third Brother-in-law said—Lord Wu is connected to Hao Jianfeng, and Hao Jianfeng is connected to several third-rank officials who used to follow Grand Secretary Shen. Now both Grand Secretary Qian and Grand Secretary Li are having a hard time in the cabinet. The Emperor can ask once, can ask twice, but cannot inquire about everything. Hao Jianfeng and the others don’t want to challenge the Emperor, but Grand Secretary Qian and Grand Secretary Li are too junior in seniority to immediately switch sides, and they can’t find a suitable way to back down. If we could connect Hao Jianfeng with Master Xian, wouldn’t that be a ready-made step down? Hao Jianfeng and others want to save face and don’t want to yield to Grand Secretary Qian and Grand Secretary Li, but Master Xian was the Emperor’s military strategist during his time as heir apparent. In terms of seniority, he was a jinshi in the Bingchen year of the twenty-third year of Xiping. Yielding to Master Xian wouldn’t be shameful!”
Fu Tingyun widened her eyes: “These days, Third Brother-in-law comes every few days to see the children, checks their schoolwork, and even finds time to give Ah-Sen some guidance. Why hasn’t he mentioned a word of this to me?” She added, “Is Third Brother-in-law trying to build a bridge for Hao Jianfeng?”
“How could he discuss these matters with you when your husband isn’t home?” The Third Sister covered her mouth and laughed, then lowered her voice and said, “Your Third Sister’s meaning is that Hao Jianfeng has been in the Ministry of Personnel for many years and has deep connections. If he can’t get through using your channel, he’ll certainly find other ways. Rather than that, why not do him a favor? Take the opportunity to befriend him while he’s in difficulty. She also said, with Hao Jianfeng’s ability, even if he can’t enter the cabinet and become a minister, he can maintain a stable position at the second rank. Zhao Ling has been sent to serve outside the capital as a general. Rations, military funds, and military appointments all require the Grand Secretaries’ joint deliberation. If you have someone like Hao Jianfeng to assist, wouldn’t that make things twice as effective with half the effort?”
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but seriously consider this.
Zhao Ling had won several more battles in Guizhou, and even Lady Mo personally came to congratulate her.
When in Xuanfu, Zhao Ling had returned to Beijing multiple times to negotiate with the Ministry of War regarding food, military pay, and other matters for the Xuanfu General’s Office. If there were a capable person who could speak for Zhao Ling in court, it would save Zhao Ling a lot of trouble. The Third Brother-in-law’s seniority was too shallow; being promoted to the third rank in ten years was already remarkable. Relying on the Third Brother-in-law might be too late. If things were as he described, helping Hao Jianfeng would both resolve the Emperor’s dilemma and build a relationship with Hao Jianfeng—a win-win situation!
“This matter still needs to be discussed with the Ninth Master,” she said prudently. “Court affairs are seen more clearly by the men.”
“Of course,” the Third Sister smiled and said. “However, it would be best to do this before or right after the New Year. If delayed too long, unexpected changes may occur.”
Fu Tingyun nodded. Realizing this wasn’t a matter that could be settled quickly, she changed the subject and asked about the Third Sister’s return from Huayin: “Weren’t you supposed to return after the seventh seven-day memorial service? Why did you only come back now? Are Fifth Sister and the others well?”
“Ah!” The Third Sister sighed with a bitter smile upon hearing this. “It’s good you didn’t go back. If you had gone, you would have felt ashamed too!” Then she described what had happened in Huayin: “…The first seven-day memorial service hadn’t even passed when First Aunt and Fourth Sister-in-law quarreled over expenses. After the forty-ninth day, I finally persuaded my mother to move to a separate courtyard to observe mourning and not manage the affairs of the main house. As a result, Sixth Uncle, who normally doesn’t handle matters, jumped out and said he wanted to divide the family property… We, as the married daughters, were in an awkward position whether we spoke up or not. Before the lamps were lit in the evening, we all returned to our marital homes. However, First Aunt detained me, wanting me to be the arbitrator. Only when my mother pretended to be ill was I able to escape. What kind of situation is this?”
Fu Tingyun was greatly startled: “How could it be Sixth Uncle proposing to divide the family? Aren’t the Shu family members involved?”
The Shu family was Sixth Aunt’s maiden family. Besides her blood brother Shu Ming, who had become an official, several more jinshi had gradually emerged from the family in recent years.
The Third Sister gave Fu Tingyun a peculiar look and said: “It seems it was the Shu family uncle who wanted Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt to separate from First Aunt and the others!”