The matter had concluded, and whatever happened afterward was beyond their control or ability to inquire about.
The Third Sister-in-law couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
Fu Tingyun also felt unburdened, and discussed plans for an outing with Third Sister-in-law: “…We adults only need to mind our own business. The children have been cooped up inside all winter. Now that spring has arrived with its blooming flowers, it would be pitiful if they couldn’t go out for some fresh air. Going to Tanzhe Temple would be ideal, but now the temple is like a tiger’s lair or dragon’s den, and one could easily fall into trouble there. We’d better stay far away from it.”
Third Sister-in-law nodded repeatedly and said, “How about going to Xianguo Temple? I heard they hold temple fairs every seventh day. We could take the children to the fair?”
“We’d need to bring several maidservants and attendants,” Fu Tingyun said. “Temple fairs are packed with people, too complicated. Every year, children get lost or kidnapped.”
“Then let’s change to another place!” Third Sister-in-law immediately changed her mind. The sisters put their heads together and discussed all the temples in the capital, large and small, and finally decided to take the children to Da Ci Nunnery outside Xuanwu Gate for a spring outing.
Fu Tingyun leaned close to Third Sister-in-law’s ear and said, “I heard the Guanyin for seeking children is very efficacious. Third Sister, why not offer several sticks of incense to the Bodhisattva and pray for a daughter?”
Third Sister-in-law’s face flushed when she heard this, but she was indeed tempted. As the sisters talked more about going to Da Ci Temple, they grew increasingly excited, deciding they needed to go shopping for some new style clothes and buy some jewelry. When the maidservants at home heard there was an opportunity to accompany the masters to the nunnery for an outing, each opened their chests, looked in the mirror, and applied yellow flowers. Fu Tingyun, thinking of the five thousand taels of silver in profits that Manager Ye had delivered before the New Year, and the several boxes of silver ornaments, silverware, furs, medicinal materials, and incense that Zhao Ling had sent, decided to reward everyone with two taels of silver.
Everyone was overjoyed, with happy smiles on their faces. Their speech became more cheerful and their work more efficient, making the atmosphere even more festive than during the New Year.
The atmosphere at the Yu family mansion on Jiadao Street, however, was not so good.
Since the New Year, Grand Secretary Yu had been in a bad mood, causing everyone in the Yu family to be on edge, speaking and walking with extreme caution. Unexpectedly, after several months, Grand Secretary Yu’s expression had become even more gloomy, causing Madam Yu to also furrow her brow, making the family atmosphere even heavier.
Madam Fan watched this with hidden anxiety and whispered to Mo Zhuan: “…I asked the mother-in-law, but she wouldn’t say anything. And my husband isn’t home either, it’s truly maddening.” She lowered her voice further, “Do you think the father-in-law will be forced to retire like Grand Secretary Shen?”
Mo Zhuan was Madam Fan’s confidante, and she knew that the Yu family and Shen family had been close in the past. Given the current situation, she also felt uneasy. Upon hearing the question, she looked bewildered and said hesitantly, “That shouldn’t happen… After all, since Grand Secretary Shen and Grand Secretary Tian left, our master has the most seniority… The Emperor can’t drive away all the elders, can he? Even when new officials take over, they usually keep a few people for appearance’s sake, to show their magnanimity…”
Listening to this, Madam Fan’s brow creased with added worry. She said, “But if the new officials secure their positions, they’ll likely deal with the people left by their predecessors… Father-in-law was too close to Grand Secretary Shen!” Then she couldn’t help but complain, “Father-in-law is also to blame. All under heaven belongs to the Emperor, and he confronted him. Throughout history, has anyone who opposed the Emperor come to a good end? Why not bow his head and yield? At least he could keep his position as Grand Secretary—if he can’t even remain Grand Secretary, then we’ll truly lose face!” Saying this, she couldn’t help but sigh despondently.
Madam Yu, who was bringing ginseng soup to Grand Secretary Yu, was also advising her husband similarly: “…Since Hao Jianfeng and others have aligned themselves, the master should also follow the trend!”
Grand Secretary Yu smiled bitterly: “How could I not want to? But one must be able to align oneself first! Hao Jianfeng and the others are following Zhao Ling’s path. Would you have me also follow Zhao Ling’s path?”
Madam Yu was stunned.
“They’re following Zhao Ling’s path?” she asked with disbelief, “Are you certain about this?”
“Lord Wu told me personally,” Grand Secretary Yu said bitterly, “And it was Madam Fu who helped convey the message.”
Madam Yu was shocked, her expression changing slightly as she murmured, “Madam Fu has such capabilities…” Her expression fluctuated between light and dark.
“And not just that!” Grand Secretary Yu’s tone revealed some dejection, “She also opened a restaurant with someone, and business is very good. I estimate she earns several thousand taels of silver a year. If only back then…” He caught himself mid-sentence, his heart sinking.
What use was there in saying such things now?
Thinking of this, he promptly changed the subject: “You needn’t worry too much. As long as I perform my duties diligently, the Emperor can’t force me to retire without reason, can he?”
Madam Yu hesitated to speak.
Her husband was already past fifty. Perhaps there was more dignity in retirement than in remaining out of imperial favor, being belittled by others, and being assigned all manner of dirty, troublesome, and vexing tasks which, if done well, were merely expected, and if done poorly, would invite rebuke.
But at this moment, these words could not be spoken.
Her eyes dimmed slightly as she insincerely comforted her husband: “Master speaks wisely. When Grand Secretary Shen first entered the cabinet, didn’t he also sit on the cold bench for several years? Master’s noble character is known to all officials at court. Time reveals a horse’s strength and a person’s heart; given time, the Emperor will naturally come to understand. For now, please ease your mind.” Then she smiled and said, “It’s been some time since you’ve seen Miss Zhen, hasn’t it? Miss Zhen can even call people now! Should I have someone bring her to you?”
“That won’t be necessary.” Grand Secretary Yu truly wasn’t in the mood. He asked about Yu Jingxiu, “When will he return?”
Yu Jingxiu was only away on an imperial inspection tour and would return to the capital periodically to report his findings to his superiors.
“By my calculation, any day now,” Madam Yu’s mood improved when speaking of her son. “Depuo handled the matter effectively this time. Master, you have a worthy successor!”
Yu Jingxiu had investigated an embezzlement case, with good results. Madam Yu brought this up to improve her husband’s mood.
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary Yu’s expression indeed brightened slightly. He said, “He’s quite obedient.”
Just then, a servant boy ran in to report: “The eldest young master has returned!”
Grand Secretary Yu and Madam Yu both broke into smiles of joy. Madam Yu even went to the main gate to welcome her son, then took his hand, asking about his daily life in Shandong as she accompanied Yu Jingxiu to see Grand Secretary Yu.
Compared to the mother’s visible delight at seeing her son, the father appeared much calmer.
Grand Secretary Yu greeted his son casually: “You’re back!”
Yu Jingxiu respectfully answered “Yes” and performed a formal bow to his father.
Seeing his son, who seemed to have matured somewhat, Grand Secretary Yu’s eyes flashed with satisfaction. He instructed Yu Jingxiu: “You’ve been gone for several months. Not only has your mother been thinking of you, but your wife must miss you too. Go to the inner courtyard to see your wife, freshen up, and later bring your wife and child to the main hall for dinner.”
Yu Jingxiu smiled and complied, returning to the inner courtyard.
Madam Yu took Mother Shu to the kitchen to prepare for the family dinner.
When Madam Fan saw her husband, she was overjoyed and personally helped Yu Jingxiu wash up and change his clothes, also taking out new spring attire for him to wear.
Yu Jingxiu looked at it and asked: “Did you make this?”
Madam Fan thought of the winter clothing mishap and suppressed her displeasure, smiling as she said, “How would I have that leisure? This was made by the sewing matron.”
Yu Jingxiu looked down to examine his new clothes and said, “Yours are better—they fit well and the style is simple yet elegant.” Then he smiled, “If you have time, please make a couple more for me!”
Madam Fan was exasperated but had to agree.
After murmuring a few vague words, Mother Shu came to summon them for dinner.
Madam Fan carried little Miss Zhen and, together with Yu Jingxiu, went to the main hall.
After dinner, the family moved to the western restroom for tea.
Grand Secretary Yu was about to ask Yu Jingxiu about his journey to Shandong when Yu Jingxiu spoke first, inquiring about the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday: “I heard it will be a grand celebration? Organized jointly by the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Household Department, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Grand Secretary Li even proposed holding a longevity banquet in Zhonghe Hall, inviting the titled ladies over seventy years old from the court to attend?”
“The Emperor does have this intention, but it’s still under discussion,” Grand Secretary Yu smiled as he listened. “I didn’t expect your news to be so current, knowing about it even in distant Shandong.”
“I heard it from Lord Jiang,” Yu Jingxiu said, exclaiming, “Whose idea was this? Having titled ladies over seventy attend a banquet in Zhonghe Hall—isn’t that risking lives? What if someone can’t make it through the banquet? Wouldn’t that be inauspicious?”
Seeing his son’s indignant demeanor, Grand Secretary Yu’s face darkened slightly. He said, “This is not for you to worry about. Don’t speak carelessly outside.” Then he asked, “Lord Jiang, is he the Left Adviser of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission?”
“That’s him!”
Grand Secretary Yu gave his son a penetrating look and pointedly said, “Grand Secretary Tian’s mother passed away two stages, he is Grand Secretary Tian’s nephew from the same mother but different father!”
“I already know that,” Yu Jingxiu smiled. “He and I get along quite well.”
Grand Secretary Yu looked at his son: “Did he tell you whose idea this was?”
“It was Chen Danting’s,” Yu Jingxiu smiled. “He also said that many provincial governors, knowing the Emperor wishes to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday, are already preparing gifts even though there’s been no official announcement. Not to mention other places, but in Shandong alone, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and jade items have all increased in price by thirty percent. The jewelry shop owners are making quite a profit these days.”
Madam Yu interjected, “Should we also prepare something? Otherwise, when the time comes, we might not be able to buy anything good even with money!”
Yu Jingxiu smiled and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ve already prepared—I had an Avalokitesvara statue carved in agarwood based on the Grand Empress Dowager’s likeness. It’s being finished in Rizhao, Shandong, and will be delivered in a few days.”
This gift alone was certainly not enough. Nevertheless, Madam Yu beamed with joy and said, “Depuo is increasingly becoming like an adult!” Looking up, she noticed her husband sitting beside her, head lowered in deep thought, his face solemn. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled and asked Grand Secretary Yu gently, “Master is thinking of a solution?”
“Oh!” Grand Secretary Yu straightened up. “I was wondering what birthday gift Zhao Ling will present to the Grand Empress Dowager!”