Fu Tingyun listened with shock and said, “This He Fu is quite interesting.”

Zhao Ling nodded, “If there’s an opportunity, I should make his acquaintance.”

Years ago, when He Fu was reassigned as the Provincial Military Commander of Gansu and returned to the capital to have an audience with the Emperor, Zhao Ling was just an unremarkable commanding officer in the Imperial Guard and had never met him.

Fu Tingyun poured a ladle of warm water over Zhao Ling’s shoulders and asked with a smile about Ah-Sen, “When will he return? Will you be in the capital for his wedding?”

“I should be,” Zhao Ling smiled. “I gave him some minor tasks to handle; he should be back in five or six days.”

Fu Tingyun then told Zhao Ling about Manager Ye’s visit.

Zhao Ling responded with an “Oh,” showing great interest in the items Manager Ye had brought. He quickly finished his bath, got dressed, and pulled Fu Tingyun to the storeroom where the items were kept.

“Very good, very good,” he said, circling the glass screen twice with satisfaction. “He has saved me a lot of trouble.”

Fu Tingyun then asked about the birthday gifts sent by the Miao and Yi people: “…What are they exactly?”

“It’s an eagle,” Zhao Ling smiled at Fu Tingyun, his smile carrying a hint of pride.

Eagles, also known as azure birds, were legendary, auspicious creatures. There was a saying, “When a wise ruler practices filial piety and compassion, moving heaven and earth for all people, and avoids killing, then the eagle appears.” The Emperor was making grand arrangements for the Grand Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday to demonstrate his filial piety, and Zhao Ling’s gift of an azure bird was perfectly complementary—nothing could be better.

Fu Tingyun quickly asked, “Where did you find such a wonderful thing?”

Zhao Ling chuckled and said, “They say it was occasionally spotted, and tribal warriors were sent to lure and capture it from deep in the mountains, which took considerable effort.” He continued, “Since it’s a living creature and extremely precious, I had them set out early. It’s better to travel slowly than to risk any harm to the azure bird. Moreover, we couldn’t publicize this along the way, lest something unfortunate happen and the auspicious omen turn into a misfortune, displeasing the Emperor.”

Fu Tingyun nodded and asked with a smile, “Then when can you officially ‘return’?”

Zhao Ling laughed and said, “I can return by the middle of next month.”

In recent years, Zhao Ling had been busy with social obligations whenever he returned to the capital. This way, they could enjoy some peaceful, private time together for a few days.

Fu Tingyun was naturally delighted and thought of ways to prepare delicious meals for Zhao Ling every day, while Zhao Ling spent his days playing with the children.

A few days later, Ah-Sen returned. He and Zhao Ling were closeted in the study talking for half a day before they emerged.

Fu Tingyun saw Ah-Sen’s pleased expression and knew that things had gone well. Though she didn’t know the specifics, she felt happy. She hurriedly pulled Ah-Sen away to try on his wedding clothes.

Ah-Sen was so embarrassed that his ears turned red.

Her third cousin came to visit: “By my calculation, your two families should be formally exchanging betrothal gifts soon. How are the preparations going? Is there anything I can help with?”

“Everything is already prepared,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “We just need your entire family to attend, drink, watch the opera, and add to the festivities!” She then discussed finding a tutor for Youyou.

The third cousin readily agreed and went back to consult with her husband.

Her husband pondered, “It might have to wait until after the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. Everyone is busy with that these days.”

“We also began our education at seven,” the third cousin smiled. “Next year would be fine as well.”

Despite saying this, her husband took the matter to heart. By mid-November, when he heard that Zhao Ling had “returned,” he made a special trip to Shi Family Hutong. Zhao Ling had gone to have an audience with the Emperor, so Ah-Sen came out to entertain him. The cousin’s husband congratulated him, and Ah-Sen, red-faced, mumbled modestly. The cousin’s husband then asked him some academic questions.

Ah-Sen became more natural, answering every question properly.

The cousin’s husband nodded slightly.

Zhao Ling returned.

Fu Tingyun had prepared a feast in the southern reception hall.

Zhao Ling and the cousin’s husband sat as host and guest, with Ah-Sen at the end seat as an attendant.

The cousin’s husband guessed that Zhao Ling had returned to the capital for the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. After three rounds of drinks, he asked about the audience: “…Why did you return so early? You’re one of the most distant frontier officials.”

Zhao Ling told him about obtaining an azure bird: “I wanted to present it before the New Year to please the Emperor.”

The cousin’s husband was amazed, then laughed heartily, patting Zhao Ling’s shoulder: “You’re something, actually finding an azure bird! What did the Emperor say? He must have been pleased!”

“He seemed quite happy,” Zhao Ling smiled modestly. “The presentation ceremony will be arranged tomorrow.”

The cousin’s husband nodded continuously, hinting to Zhao Ling: “First pacifying the Miao rebellion, then obtaining an auspicious omen—doesn’t this suggest that the Emperor’s ascension to the throne was by heaven’s will?”

“Exactly,” Zhao Ling smiled, raising his cup to toast the cousin’s husband.

The cousin’s husband was pleased to see that Zhao Ling understood, and with a smiling face, drained his cup in one go.

Zhao Ling then asked the cousin’s husband to escort Ah-Sen to his bride’s home on the wedding day.

The cousin’s husband readily agreed. On the eighteenth, the entire family dressed in their finest and arrived early. The third cousin helped Fu Tingyun receive the female guests in the inner courtyard, while her husband helped entertain the male guests in the outer courtyard. At dusk, accompanied by festive music and lanterns lighting the way, the cousin’s husband took a sedan chair to escort Ah-Sen to the Wang mansion.

As he was Zhao Ling’s brother-in-law, Lord Wang naturally treated him with special regard, constantly offering him drinks. By the time the gathering dispersed at the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), he was too drunk to tell east from west.

The next morning, the entire city was discussing how the Guizhou Pacification Commission had presented an azure bird for the Grand Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday.

This was also the first birthday gift the Grand Empress Dowager had received.

The cousin’s husband massaged his temples, a smile involuntarily appearing at the corners of his mouth.

A few days later, a royal decree was issued: In recognition of Zhao Ling’s achievements in pacifying the ethnic minorities, his wife Fu was granted the title of Lady of the Third Rank.

Although Zhao Ling had expected Fu Tingyun to receive some recognition for his pacification of the Miao rebellion, such matters were unpredictable—perhaps the Emperor had already decided to reward him instead! So when he heard this news, Zhao Ling was somewhat surprised. But beyond his surprise, he was also pleased. While he was guarding the frontier, Fu Tingyun had worked hard managing the household and raising the children. This title was a form of recognition for Fu Tingyun’s years of dedication.

Zhao Ling hurriedly urged Fu Tingyun to prepare the appropriate attire for a Lady of the Third Rank to enter the palace and express her gratitude.

Fu Tingyun had been thinking that Zhao Ling’s timely presentation of the auspicious gift would leave a deeper impression on the Emperor, so Zhao Ling wouldn’t need to worry about growing distant from the Emperor due to years of not seeing him. She hadn’t expected that she would be the one to benefit.

Hearing Zhao Ling’s words, she didn’t have time to think further and hastily prepared the attire befitting a Lady of the Third Rank. She followed a palace eunuch to Kunning Palace to express her gratitude.

The Empress smiled, took her hand, and examined her carefully for a moment, saying, “It’s been several years, yet your appearance hasn’t changed at all.”

During her previous two visits to the palace, she had only followed behind other ladies to bow distantly to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress, as she was there by special decree.

Seeing the Empress’s friendly tone, Fu Tingyun felt slightly more at ease but still maintained proper decorum, looking down respectfully as she said, “Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise.”

“There’s no need to be modest,” the Empress said, turning to ask the ladies-in-waiting beside her with a smile, “Don’t you all agree with what I said?”

“Your Majesty is correct,” the lady-in-waiting smiled humbly. “I also think Lady Zhao looks unchanged.”

The Empress’s smile became even warmer upon hearing this, and she asked Fu Tingyun how many children she had. Learning that she was already a mother of three, the Empress was quite surprised and smiled, “General Zhao is indeed fortunate.” She then inquired about the children.

Fu Tingyun answered each question.

The Empress also spoke about her own three sons.

The atmosphere was pleasant.

Only when a lady-in-waiting reminded the Empress did she change the subject. She awarded Fu Tingyun a pair of red gold hairpins inlaid with white jade, several bolts of gauze silk, several bolts of carved silk, several bolts of patterned silk, and several bolts of gold-threaded cloth, saying, “Make some winter clothes for the children.”

Fu Tingyun expressed her gratitude and followed the lady-in-waiting to receive the gifts from the imperial storehouse.

By the time she left the palace, lanterns were being lit. Zhao Ling was anxiously waiting outside the palace gate.

Seeing her emerge, he immediately went to meet her, asking with concern in a low voice, “How did it go?”

Fu Tingyun, noticing the guards at the palace gate watching them, briefly said, “Everything went well,” then boarded the carriage. Once the carriage had traveled down Chang’an Avenue, she told Zhao Ling the details of the audience.

Zhao Ling sighed with relief and happily embraced Fu Tingyun: “Good, there’s no problem. We can have a peaceful New Year celebration.”

“Perhaps not,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “According to custom, on the first day of the New Year, I must enter the palace to pay respects and congratulate Her Majesty the Empress on the New Year.”

“Anyway, I’ll also be going to pay respects,” Zhao Ling smiled unconcernedly. “It’s not much trouble.”

As they spoke, they couldn’t help but smile at each other.

Fu Tingyun leaned on Zhao Ling’s shoulder and said softly, “Things will only get better for us.”

Zhao Ling said nothing but tightly held Fu Tingyun’s hand.

…

Even after the Lantern Festival, the red lanterns throughout the city had not been taken down as in previous years. Red silk decorations symbolizing celebration had been added to the main streets, and the capital’s main roads had been thoroughly cleaned under the supervision of the local government. Birthday gifts from various regions continued to arrive. The capital’s residents were amazed to see a pair of foot-tall red corals one day, a man-high embroidered screen the next, and a pair of giant porcelain vases taller than a man the day after… Amidst their astonishment, they discussed the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. Some said the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday feast would have one thousand and eighty dishes; others said that on her birthday, she would wear a robe made of gold thread and pearls to receive congratulations; still others said that to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Emperor would grant a general amnesty… All kinds of rumors circulated, and the capital was bustling, even more lively than during the Spring Festival.

Indeed, to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Emperor granted a general amnesty on the second day of the second month. He then hosted three consecutive banquets in the Western Garden, where imperial relatives, princes, and princesses paid their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and presented birthday gifts. On the twenty-first day of the second month, the Emperor held a birthday feast in Baohe Hall. The Grand Empress Dowager first received congratulations from court officials in Baohe Hall, then received the ladies from outside the palace in Cining Palace.

Fu Tingyun walked silently toward Cining Palace, following behind those ladies who appeared at least a generation older than herself.

Suddenly, someone tugged at her sleeve.

She turned and saw that it was Lady Wu.

Seeing a familiar face in this place relieved Fu Tingyun considerably.

She smiled gently at Lady Wu.

Lady Wu smiled back and silently pointed ahead, indicating that they should walk together.

Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile, and the two entered the Cining Palace side by side.