The Zhao family was military officials, while the Hao family was civil officials—the former guarded the borders, and the latter held high positions in the imperial court, their spheres not overlapping. Besides Hao Jianfeng’s matter, what else could Madam Hao need her help with?

Fu Tingyun pondered silently.

These days, Madam Hao had been approaching her and her Third Sister with Madam Wu’s help. Counting on her fingers, it was about time for them to reveal their true purpose. Moreover, she had Zhao Ling’s instructions!

“Madam Hao’s words are too kind,” she smiled and said. “As a woman confined to the inner chambers, my knowledge is shallow. I only know some needlework and embroidery. How could I deserve such words from Madam Hao? But as the saying goes, we are all guests in a foreign land, and meeting is a matter of fate. If there’s anything I can help Madam Hao with, please feel free to ask. Although I am alone with limited strength, with Madam Wu’s guidance, we can discuss any difficulties and find a way through them.”

Hearing this, Madam Hao smiled and said: “Who in Beijing doesn’t know that the wife of Guizhou General Zhao is virtuous and talented, one of the most clever people around? If Madam Zhao can’t accomplish something, then no one can!” After a few flattering remarks, she got to the point: “…It’s like this. A few days ago, my husband acquired a set of Go pieces, said to be an antique from the previous dynasty. My husband is good at authenticating paintings and calligraphy, but not these miscellaneous items. I’ve heard that Madam Zhao plays excellent Go, so I wanted to ask Madam Zhao to take a look and see if this set of Go pieces is authentic or if we’ve been cheated?”

Fu Tingyun’s eyebrow raised slightly as she listened, and she couldn’t help but feel some admiration for Hao Jianfeng.

Master Xian enjoyed playing Go, and using antique Go pieces to test the waters was a perfect approach for Hao Jianfeng—it showed refinement while subtly establishing a connection with Master Xian. What surprised her even more was that her Third Brother-in-law had racked his brains but couldn’t obtain a previous dynasty’s Go set to thank Master Xian, yet Hao Jianfeng had quickly procured one.

She wondered if Hao Jianfeng had discovered Master Xian’s love for Go on his own, or if he had received guidance from her Third Brother-in-law.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Fu Tingyun smiled and said: “Although I know how to play Go, I cannot authenticate antiques from previous dynasties. However, if Madam Hao trusts me, leave the Go set here, and after I consult with a knowledgeable friend, I’ll get back to Madam Hao…”

Before she could finish, Madam Hao was already smiling broadly and said eagerly: “I trust you, I trust you… If I can’t trust Madam Zhao, then there’s no one in this world I can trust.” She added, “If I didn’t trust Madam Zhao, I wouldn’t dare ask for your help.” Saying this, she brought out a brocade box. “Please have someone help take a look at it.”

Fu Tingyun opened the brocade box to find a pair of aged red sandalwood Go bowls. Inside, the black pieces were like lacquer, and the white pieces like snow. Although she couldn’t tell what materials they were made of, just looking at them was pleasing to the eye.

“Then Madam Hao can await my message!” Fu Tingyun handed the brocade box to Yu Wei, telling her to store it safely.

Madam Hao thanked her repeatedly.

Madam Wu then asked about the Third Sister: “…Didn’t she say she was looking for a sandalwood screen? A few days ago, I was visiting Madam Li and saw a sandalwood screen in her room, very finely crafted. When I asked, I learned it was bought on West Main Street. I was just about to send word to Madam Shen, but unexpectedly, Madam Hao brought me here instead.”

“Thank you, Madam Wu,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “You’ve kept such a small matter in mind all this time.”

“Whether the children’s clothes are warm enough, where the master’s ear warmers are stored, reminding the kitchen to prepare hot pot when the weather gets cold… Isn’t this what we women think about?” Madam Hao leaned in and smiled. “If you asked me to handle important matters, I wouldn’t be able to anyway!”

Fu Tingyun and Madam Wu found her words amusing and both laughed.

The atmosphere in the room improved further.

The three of them chatted about various topics for quite a while. Seeing that it was getting late, Fu Tingyun invited the two to stay for a meal. They didn’t stand on ceremony and stayed at the Zhao residence for lunch. Afterward, Madam Hao pulled Madam Wu to visit the Third Sister: “…This is a good opportunity to tell her about the sandalwood screen, and we can also have a cup of tea.”

Madam Wu nodded with a smile and invited Fu Tingyun to join them.

“Another day!” Fu Tingyun politely declined. “After I’ve completed the task Madam Hao entrusted to me, I’ll invite everyone to my home for tea.”

“Then it’s settled.” Madam Hao, seeing her decisive manner, was pleasantly surprised and delighted. She said many kind words and then went with Madam Wu to visit the Third Sister in Maozi Hutong.

Fu Tingyun sat down and wrote a letter to Master Xian, explaining Hao Jianfeng’s desire to authenticate the Go set and asking if Master Xian had time. Then she had Zheng San take Bao Shu to Tanzhe Temple to deliver the letter.

Before the hour of You (5-7 PM), Bao Shu returned from Tanzhe Temple, accompanied by a young novice monk who served Master Xian. He had come on Master Xian’s orders to collect the Go set.

Fu Tingyun hurriedly wrapped the brocade box and handed it to the young novice.

The next day, the Third Sister came to inquire about the news. When she learned that Master Xian had sent someone, she couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Fu Tingyun just laughed, causing the Third Sister to become embarrassed. She pretended to be angry and hit Fu Tingyun lightly, saying: “The well-fed don’t understand the hungry. If this matter succeeds, won’t Hao Jianfeng regard your Third Brother-in-law differently? Then your Third Brother-in-law will gain an ally, which will benefit his career, won’t it?”

“I’m being mercenary, I’m being mercenary!” Fu Tingyun laughed even harder, teasing the Third Sister. “Not understanding Third Sister’s concern for her husband’s efforts.”

The Third Sister reached out to pinch Fu Tingyun’s cheek: “Calling you glib-tongued!”

“I won’t dare again!” Fu Tingyun laughed and dodged to the side.

While the sisters were playing around, Yue Chuan reported from outside the door: “Madam, Master Xian has sent someone to return the Go set.”

Fu Tingyun was startled.

So quickly!

She and the Third Sister exchanged a look.

The Third Sister hurriedly urged her: “Why don’t you invite them in and ask?”

Fu Tingyun nodded and called the young novice in.

The young novice smiled and said: “Master says this is a relic of the Grand Master Shi De from the previous dynasty, very precious, and asks Lord Hao to keep it safe. He also says that since Lord Hao has gone to the trouble of acquiring such a fine item, he must be a kindred spirit. Master would like to invite Lord Hao for a game of Go whenever he is free.”

The Third Sister couldn’t hide her joy.

Fu Tingyun also showed a delighted smile: “I’ll send someone right away to return the Go set to Lord Hao.”

The young novice smiled and bid farewell.

But Fu Tingyun called him back.

“Master Xian rarely finds someone who can play Go with him, so I shouldn’t meddle,” she smiled and said. “I think it would be better if Zheng San made a trip to Tanzhe Temple to ask Master Xian’s opinion. If Master Xian agrees, let Zheng San take you to the Hao residence to return the Go set. Firstly, you can directly convey Master Xian’s intentions to Lord Hao, avoiding any miscommunication from our back-and-forth; secondly, you can familiarize yourself with the way. In the future, if there’s anything, you can speak directly with the Hao family. What do you think?”

Both the young novice and the Third Sister were surprised by this. The Third Sister, with an outsider present, couldn’t ask more questions and had to suppress her confusion. The young novice, considering Master Xian’s usual good relations with the Zhao family, thought it unnecessary to go to such trouble but still agreed with a smile.

Fu Tingyun then instructed Zheng San to make a trip to Tanzhe Temple and had Bao Shu accompany the young novice to the hall in the outer courtyard to rest.

Seeing that there were no outsiders in the room, the Third Sister quickly pulled her sleeve: “Helping Master Xian pass on a message would earn another favor from the Hao family! Master Xian had the same idea, which is why he immediately sent the young novice back with a reply. Others wouldn’t even think of such a good opportunity, yet you’re pushing it away?”

“There is a distinction between civil and military officials, especially since our Ninth Master is a general guarding the border,” Fu Tingyun smiled and said. “If it weren’t for Third Brother-in-law being in the Ministry of Personnel, even if we knew about this matter, we would pretend not to know, let alone help Lord Hao connect with Master Xian. Whether it’s Master Xian or the Emperor, as long as they know that the Ninth Master has this intention, it’s enough. It’s not convenient for us to get involved in other matters, lest we go too far and invite gossip, displeasing His Majesty.”

The Third Sister was stunned, then sighed with feeling: “No wonder the Ninth Master has enjoyed increasing imperial favor these years. Just this decisive boldness alone puts him ahead of most. It shows that success isn’t simply a matter of good luck.”

Fu Tingyun smiled but said nothing.

The Third Sister couldn’t help but share her amazement with her husband when she returned home.

Although her husband also admired the Zhao couple’s ability to seize and relinquish opportunities appropriately, he didn’t show much surprise. Instead, he smiled and said: “Otherwise, how could Zhao Ling cause such a stir in half of Shaanxi?”

“Ah!” The Third Sister’s eyes widened. “What else has happened?”

“Look at you, as if Zhao Ling is a troublemaker!” Her husband laughed at her reaction, then said, “It’s Feng Lao San. Somehow, he learned of our family’s relationship with Zhao Ling and appealed to Fourth Uncle, who brought him to me. He wants me to pass a message to Zhao Ling, hoping for reconciliation.”

“What did you say?” the Third Sister asked anxiously, knowing that the Fourth Uncle had always been kind to her husband and fearing he might have agreed to help pass on the message out of courtesy. She added, “This is ultimately Zhao Ling’s affair. He has always had his judgment. We’d better not interfere.”

“Rather than let Feng Lao San buzz around like a headless fly, causing everyone to gossip about Zhao Ling, it’s better to help him convey a message to Zhao Ling so they can clear things up. It might even align with Zhao Ling’s wishes!” Her husband said calmly. “As for what Zhao Ling plans to do, a minor figure like Feng San cannot influence that. Don’t worry about this matter; I have my judgment.”

Being concerned about her sister’s affairs, she couldn’t let it go.

She found an opportunity to ask her husband in detail: “What did Zhao Ling say?”

“I don’t know,” her husband replied. “I wrote a letter, originally planning to include it with the Ministry of War’s official documents to Guizhou. But Feng Lao San found out and insisted on personally delivering the letter to Zhao Ling. Seeing him so anxious that he was losing his composure, I gave him the letter.”

The Third Sister pondered for a long time, then went to Fu Tingyun and explained the whole situation, adding: “Your brother-in-law just acts this way—he likes to be straightforward, calling one one and two two, simple and clear, with good intentions.”

Fu Tingyun thought her Third Brother-in-law’s approach was better. Zhao Ling didn’t know many people, and suitable intermediaries for Feng Lao San were even rarer. If he desperately sought help everywhere like someone seeking medical treatment in panic, Zhao Ling’s reputation for being overbearing and bullying would only be reinforced.

She offered some words of comfort to her Third Sister.

Seeing that Fu Tingyun wasn’t concerned, the Third Sister also put the matter out of her mind and asked about Master Xian and Hao Jianfeng: “…How are things now?”

“Madam Hao visited a couple of days ago,” Fu Tingyun smiled and said. “She said that Lord Hao specifically took a few days off and spent a day at Tanzhe Temple, where he happened to meet Grand Secretary Qian, who had come to play Go with Master Xian… It seems they have made contact.”