The pair of bronze cranes on the vermilion steps of Cining Palace’s main hall had been polished to a brilliant shine. Every palace maid wore crimson velvet flowers in her hair and displayed joyful smiles on her face.

After entering the palace, Fu Tingyun and Lady Wu were directed to their respective positions by the ceremonial officials. Like court officials attending an imperial audience, the ladies from outside the palace were arranged according to their husbands’ ranks—nobles first, then officials; civil officials before military officers—and they would pay their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager either individually or in groups.

When it was Fu Tingyun’s turn, she noticed Lady Yu.

Lady Yu stood in the fifth position of the first row in the eastern side hall, her expression solemn. When the ceremonial official announced “Fu, wife of Zhao Huchen, Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou,” she didn’t move her eyes or eyebrows at all, as if she didn’t recognize the name.

Fu Tingyun felt relieved.

Given the relationship between their two families, saying or doing anything more would have been superfluous. It was better for everyone to be straightforward and treat each other as strangers, which felt more comfortable.

She respectfully performed a deep bow to the Grand Empress Dowager and then moved to the side.

She felt many gazes fall upon her.

She didn’t think much of it—she was a new face this year, and people’s curiosity was only natural.

After about an hour, the ceremony of paying respects finally ended. Everyone, following the guidance of the ceremonial officials, accompanied the Grand Empress Dowager to the secondary hall behind the main hall.

The Empress supported the Grand Empress Dowager, while two elderly women with graying hair conversed with her.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but take a closer look.

Someone beside her whispered, “Those are the Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping and the Lady of Duke Fuguo.”

Fu Tingyun turned to see a beautiful woman in her thirties.

She smiled and whispered back, “When did you arrive?”

The beautiful woman was none other than the wife of Qin Feiyu.

Qin Feiyu had some family connections with the Marquis of Longping’s household, so whenever there were palace events, Lady Qin would enter and exit with the women from the Longping household. Since the Marquis of Yingchuan had gone to Liaodong, the women from Duke Fuguo’s household liked to include Lady Mo in their activities. Fu Tingyun, wanting to keep a distance from both the Longping household and the Fuguo household, had to act alone.

“A little earlier than you,” Lady Qin smiled. “I saw Lady Wu leave Lady Ji to meet you when you came in… I didn’t realize your relationship with Lady Wu was so close?”

Fu Tingyun smiled without commenting.

In such an occasion, only those who were bold and confident would dare to whisper a few words, and even then, they wouldn’t engage in prolonged private conversations.

Lady Qin winked at her and said nothing more, walking alongside her as they followed the crowd into the secondary hall.

Everyone took their assigned seats as indicated by the ceremonial officials. Palace maids served tea and refreshments, and the birthday banquet officially began.

As soft music played in the secondary hall and the cold dishes were replaced with hot ones, the Lady of Duke Fuguo and the Lady of the Marquis of Longping stepped forward one after another to toast the Grand Empress Dowager, congratulating her on her seventieth birthday.

Seeing this, the women from other noble families also eagerly joined in, offering auspicious words and raising their cups.

The wives of various high-ranking officials also began to toast the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and drank at first, but later seemed somewhat reluctant, so the Empress began to drink on her behalf.

Everyone then praised the Empress for her filial piety and thoughtfulness, calling her a model for the nation.

The secondary hall became lively.

Fu Tingyun, considering herself the lowest in seniority, noticed that neither Lady Qin nor Lady Mo had moved, so she too refrained from making a toast. Additionally, she had left home at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and although she had brought a few pieces of cake with her, she hadn’t had an opportunity to eat them. By now it was noon, and she was already very hungry, so she quietly sat there eating, intending to fill her stomach first. However, the weather in late February was still cold; the cold dishes were fine, but the hot dishes had cooled by the time they were served. Oily dishes like stewed pork knuckle and braised pork had a thick layer of congealed fat on top. Afraid of feeling unwell after eating them, she only dared to pick at some vegetable dishes.

Suddenly, someone approached and asked, “Are you the wife of General Zhao Huchen, Zhao Ling?”

Only palace maids or female officials could move about during the banquet.

Fu Tingyun’s heart skipped a beat. Though somewhat nervous inside, she maintained her composure, putting down her chopsticks with a gentle smile, sitting upright, and responding with a simple “Yes.”

The questioner was a palace maid of about eighteen or nineteen years old.

She smiled at Fu Tingyun and said, “The Grand Empress Dowager requests your presence.”

Fu Tingyun was greatly surprised. She quickly stood up and glanced swiftly at the throne set up in the secondary hall.

All the ladies who had been offering toasts had returned to their seats. The Grand Empress Dowager was talking with the Lady of the Marquis of Longping, while the Empress listened with a smile, showing no sign of having previously noticed Fu Tingyun.

Although Fu Tingyun wondered about this in her heart, she dared not delay and followed the palace maid toward the throne.

People in the secondary hall gradually noticed something unusual, and their gazes discreetly fell upon Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun stopped about four or five steps from the throne. The palace maid announced in a clear voice, “Lady Zhao has arrived,” and only then did the Grand Empress Dowager turn her head.

Fu Tingyun quickly bent her knees in a curtsy, offering mundane but safe congratulatory words: “Wishing the Grand Empress Dowager an auspicious birthday, may you have this day year after year, and this moment age after age.” She then paid her respects to the Empress.

The Grand Empress Dowager laughed kindly a couple of times, then said to the Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping, “This is the wife of General Zhao Huchen, the Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou, whose territory yielded the azure bird!”

Fu Tingyun curtseyed again to the Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping.

The Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping humbly stepped forward to take Fu Tingyun’s arm: “Lady Zhao, there’s no need for such formality. Our two families have some connection—years ago, when my foolish son went to Guizhou to pacify the rebellion, General Zhao was his camp officer.”

“Your Ladyship has an excellent memory,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “Later, when my husband returned, he told me that during his time in Guizhou, he learned a great deal from following the Marquis of Longping and General Mo to quell the rebellion.”

The Grand Empress Dowager laughed and said to the Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping, “Look at this child, she knows how to speak.”

The Empress smiled without commenting.

The Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping nodded repeatedly, her smile warm: “Much better than we were at her age.” Her tone suggested great familiarity with the Grand Empress Dowager.

“This humble servant is slow-witted,” Fu Tingyun said modestly, “and dare not accept such praise from the Grand Empress Dowager.”

The Grand Empress Dowager seemed to be in a good mood. She waved her hand dismissively, appearing less formal and more relaxed than usual, and smiled, “I hear you already have one daughter and two sons? Is the daughter older or are the sons? How old are they each?”

Fu Tingyun answered each question in turn.

The Grand Empress Dowager listened with a somewhat wistful expression and said, “You and the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding both had marriages arranged by me. She still has no children, while you already have both sons and daughters.” At this point, she asked the female official beside her, “Where is the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding? She was just here…”

The female official quickly pointed to a table not far away and said with a smile, “The Lady of the Marquis of Wuding has just taken her seat.” She added, “Shall I invite her to come over and talk?”

The Grand Empress Dowager gave an almost imperceptible nod.

The female official walked swiftly yet gracefully to that table and invited a dignified young woman to come over.

Fu Tingyun was surprised.

In just a few years, the once bright and cheerful girl had transformed into a composed lady with a touch of gravity.

The Lady of the Marquis of Wuding smiled and curtseyed to the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager pointed to Fu Tingyun: “This is the wife of General Zhao from Guizhou. Years ago, I arranged marriages for both of you at the same time. Do you remember? That I can celebrate my seventieth birthday, and that you can meet at my birthday banquet, is also fate. You should become better acquainted!”

Upon hearing this, Fu Tingyun and Lady Meng, the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding, quickly curtseyed and respectfully responded, “Yes.”

The Grand Empress Dowager then smiled and said to the Lady of the Marquis of Longping, “When I first met Fu, she was overly composed and not lively enough; Jin’er was overly lively and not composed enough. But look now—in just six or seven years, Fu has become more vibrant, while Jin’er has become more dignified. It seems there are no constants in this world. That you and I have lived to this day, we should be content!” Her tone suddenly became somewhat melancholic.

Hearing this, the Empress quickly said, “Grandmother, your blessings and longevity extend far, and we as your descendants have received much of your grace. The Emperor also said that in a few more years, when you celebrate your ninetieth and hundredth birthdays, he too wants to learn from Lao Laizi and wear colorful clothes to entertain his parent!” As she said this, she covered her sleeve and laughed, “We’re all waiting for that day!”

“Yes, yes!” the Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping smiled. “I’m planning to talk about old times with you again, just like today!”

Fu Tingyun and the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding also joined in, one saying, “May the Grand Empress Dowager enjoy the longevity of the tortoise and crane, with blessings, longevity, health, and peace,” and the other saying, “Everyone wishes you enduring blessings and longevity, so we can come to the palace again to celebrate.”

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled with pleasure and changed the subject, saying, “You’ve all come to the palace to attend the birthday banquet, so I won’t keep you talking anymore, lest you don’t eat well. You may go now!”

Everyone respectfully acknowledged her command and returned to their seats under the watchful eyes of all the ladies in the hall.

Until the end of the banquet, the Grand Empress Dowager did not summon any other ladies from outside the palace.

The Grand Lady of the Marquis of Longping went without saying, and the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding was the Grand Empress Dowager’s grandniece-in-law. Only Fu Tingyun, first with her arranged marriage and now with this summons, inevitably became the focus of everyone’s attention.

Upon leaving Cining Palace, many ladies from outside the palace smiled, nodded, and greeted Fu Tingyun. Lady Wu directly came over and took Fu Tingyun’s arm: “Let’s go back together. We’re neighbors anyway, so we’ll have company on the way.”

Fu Tingyun smiled and agreed.

Lady Ji also came over to greet Fu Tingyun.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three of them headed toward the East Gate.

Lady Wu asked Fu Tingyun, “What did the Grand Empress Dowager say to you?”

At the time, there had been music playing in the secondary hall, and a symbolic vermilion step had been set up near the throne, so unless one was close, one couldn’t hear what they were saying.

“Nothing much,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “My marriage was arranged by the Grand Empress Dowager herself years ago. Her Ladyship probably remembered and called me over to ask a few questions.”

“Then why did she also call over the Lady of the Marquis of Wuding?” Lady Wu asked skeptically.

“Our marriages were arranged at the same time years ago!”

They continued talking as they walked out of the East Gate.

Behind them, someone lowered their voice and called out “Lady Yu.”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but turn around.

She saw that Lady Yu was right behind her, only seven or eight steps away.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

Then she heard the lady who had called out to Lady Yu say with a smile, “Why are you walking so quickly? You disappeared in the blink of an eye…”

Fu Tingyun turned back and quickly left the East Gate.