That evening, after returning home, Third Sister told her husband about Madam Mo’s words: “…What do you think about strengthening our family ties through marriage?” When asking this, Third Sister’s eyes held a trace of hope.
Marriage was about forging good relations between two families. The couple had never discussed this matter before, and Third Sister didn’t know what her husband had in mind.
Her husband pondered thoughtfully: “As the saying goes, daughters take after their mothers. Ninth Sister’s character and virtue are beyond reproach…” He paused slightly, “But Ninth Brother-in-law, despite his youth, is already a high-ranking second-grade official with distinguished service to the Emperor. The Zhao family’s future looks promising… they might not consider our Aichun suitable…” His brows revealed some hesitation.
Third Sister felt alternating waves of joy and worry.
She was happy that her husband agreed to strengthen family ties with Ninth Sister’s family, but worried about how to bring up the subject. If it succeeded, it would certainly be a joyous occasion. But if Ninth Sister had other plans for Youyou, how could she continue to visit the Zhao family comfortably in the future?
For a while, she felt unsettled whether sitting or standing. By the time of young Master Han’s hundredth day celebration, she appeared somewhat distracted.
Madam Wu teased her: “What’s the matter? Is Third Aunt regretting the money spent? The gifts have been given; it’s too late for regrets.”
For young Master Han’s hundred-day gifts, the Shen family had sent a pair of pure gold bracelets, a pair of pure gold ankle bracelets, two sets of silk-embroidered clothes, two sets of lake silk clothes, two pairs of shoes and socks, a fine inkstone, and a box of Hu brushes. Among the relatives, their gifts were considered the most generous.
“How can Madam Wu say that?” Third Sister quickly gathered her thoughts and engaged energetically with the women around her. “I’m just envious that Ninth Sister has another son, and I can’t help feeling a bit sour about it.”
Everyone laughed heartily at her amusing remark.
Fu Tingyun playfully glared at Third Sister and stuffed a handful of dates into her arms: “Third Sister, eat some dates.”
This prompted another round of laughter.
Amid the merriment, Baoshu hurriedly entered, lifting the curtain: “Madam, the Second Master asked me to inform you that the Marquis of Wuding and his wife have come to present hundredth-day gifts for the Third Young Master.”
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Although the Grand Empress Dowager had hinted in the Great Hall that day that Madam Meng and Fu Tingyun should become closer, after leaving the palace, Madam Meng had not made any effort to interact with Fu Tingyun. After much consideration, Fu Tingyun still sent festival gifts to the Marquis of Wuding’s mansion during the Dragon Boat Festival. The Marquis’s household accepted the gifts and reciprocated. During the Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival, Fu Tingyun had again sent gifts first. Regarding this, Fu Tingyun had privately grumbled to Yu Wei: “With the Grand Empress Dowager’s words, it would be disrespectful not to send gifts, but the Marquis of Wuding’s household is so lukewarm in response that it makes us look like we’re desperately trying to curry favor with them. It doesn’t feel right.” Considering Zhao Ling’s absence, she hadn’t sent invitation cards to the Marquis of Wuding’s household for young Master Han’s hundredth-day celebration.
Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Wuding and Madam Meng had come uninvited.
Fu Tingyun looked toward Yu Wei questioningly.
Yu Wei shook her head repeatedly, indicating she had not spoken out of turn.
Of course, Fu Tingyun didn’t suspect Yu Wei; Yu Wei’s expression made her smile. She rose to join the women in welcoming Madam Meng.
Madam Meng wore a true-red, gold-embroidered wide-sleeved jacket and a pure gold hairpin, looking dignified and formal, demonstrating the importance she placed on visiting the Zhao household.
Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised and stepped forward to bow to Madam Meng.
But before she could kneel, Madam Meng stepped forward and took her hand: “When we were young ladies, we had the fortune to meet at the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace, so we’re like maiden friends. There’s no need for such formalities between us.” Her manner was warm without being excessive, making one feel refreshed and comfortable.
Fu Tingyun secretly admired her and exchanged courtesies, introducing the women behind her.
Madam Meng spoke and laughed with everyone in a friendly manner, accompanied by Fu Tingyun to the inner chamber.
Following custom, Fu Tingyun brought young Master Han for her to see.
She presented a pair of pure gold jade locks inlaid with white mutton-fat jade, symbolizing step-by-step advancement, as a meeting gift, then held young Master Han and played with him for a while before asking about the other children: “Where are your daughter and sons?”
“The children are naughty,” Fu Tingyun smiled, “With a banquet at home today, we’ve confined them to their rooms.”
“It’s good for children to be a bit naughty—it shows they’re clever and strong,” Madam Meng smiled. “Since this is my first visit, I should at least meet them. Otherwise, if we run into each other and don’t recognize each other, wouldn’t that be awkward?”
The so-called “naughty children” was merely Fu Tingyun’s modest way of speaking. The children were lively, adorable, and well-behaved, unafraid wherever they went. She smiled and asked Yu Wei to bring the children over.
The children respectfully bowed to Madam Meng.
Madam Meng held Youyou’s hand while conversing with young Masters Xi and Xu.
Both children were articulate and spoke clearly. Madam Meng nodded approvingly, her smile reaching her eyes, adding a touch of cheerfulness to her expression.
Fu Tingyun thought of Madam Meng’s childless state and couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Madam Meng, as if sensing something, suddenly turned and smiled at Fu Tingyun, asking: “Has your daughter been betrothed yet?”
Fu Tingyun was greatly startled and responded: “Youyou is still young. We haven’t planned to arrange her marriage so early.”
Madam Meng smiled and nodded, then turned back to chat with the children.
Fu Tingyun, however, felt tense.
Was Madam Meng’s question intentional or casual?
Born in the Fuguo Duke’s mansion and married into the Dingyuan Marquis’s household, Madam Meng’s social circle consisted of nobles and royal relatives. If she intended to help arrange a marriage for Youyou, the other party would certainly not be from an ordinary family.
It would be an unequal match.
Having suffered such hardship herself, Fu Tingyun had never thought of marrying Youyou into a complex household of high officials, let alone the royal family.
What she feared most was that Madam Meng, with her high self-regard, might seek Youyou as a bride for the Dingyuan Marquis’s household.
It was well known that the Dingyuan Marquis’s household still had no legitimate son…
A trace of worry crossed Fu Tingyun’s eyes.
Third Sister, sitting quietly nearby, clenched her teeth.
After the midday formal meal, Madam Meng prepared to leave and sent her maid to check if the Marquis of Wuding’s banquet in the outer courtyard had ended.
When the maid returned, she whispered something in Madam Meng’s ear.
After listening, Madam Meng said: “Our Marquis and Lord Qin and Second Master Zhao are drinking happily and say they’ll leave only after the afternoon banquet.” As she spoke, she smiled at Fu Tingyun, “Our Marquis usually doesn’t enjoy socializing, but unexpectedly, he’s lingering at your home. This must be fate.”
Fu Tingyun suppressed her surprise and smiled smoothly at Madam Meng: “I welcome this opportunity, but I fear our humble banquet doesn’t do justice to the Marquis.”
“The Marquis often drinks the finest wines in the palace, yet he hasn’t shown such enthusiasm as today,” Madam Meng subtly complimented Fu Tingyun. “Madam Zhao’s banquet is exceptionally well-arranged, making the Marquis feel even more comfortable than drinking those imperial wines.”
Fu Tingyun hurriedly expressed her modesty.
The two conversed intermittently while the others sat with polite smiles, listening, causing what had been a lively banquet to grow subdued.
Finally, after the evening meal, people gradually dispersed, but the Dingyuan Marquis’s side had not yet concluded. Fu Tingyun had to continue accompanying Madam Meng in conversation until the second watch of the night, when the tipsy Dingyuan Marquis finally bid farewell.
Yu Wei whispered to Fu Tingyun: “When the Dingyuan Marquis’s wife’s maid went to fetch the Marquis, he seemed to have drunk too much and said in front of everyone, ‘If you’re impatient, go back. I want to enjoy a few more cups here.”
Fu Tingyun frowned deeply, closed the door, and wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, telling him of her concerns, then had Anxin arrange for someone to deliver it that night.
Early the next morning, Third Sister rushed over and pulled her to a side room to talk: “…Do you know why the Dingyuan Marquis and his wife came together yesterday?”
Fu Tingyun felt anxious and quickly asked: “What have you heard?”
Third Sister said softly: “After the Dingyuan Marquis’s household suffered that great calamity, their family line thinned, and they no longer have any outstanding figures. Their current glory and wealth only come from the Grand Empress Dowager’s favor with the Emperor. The Grand Empress Dowager, being advanced in age, fears that after her passing, the Dingyuan Marquis’s household will gradually decline. That’s why she’s helping the Dingyuan Marquis befriend the Emperor’s favored ministers, so that in the future, someone can speak for the Dingyuan Marquis before the Emperor.”
“Not only do I know this, but Qin Feiyu and others know it too,” Fu Tingyun said somewhat impatiently. “Everyone in the capital knows.”
“But do you know that the Emperor intends to establish a Governor-General for Yunnan and Guizhou to oversee the military and civil affairs of those two regions?” Third Sister asked.
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
She had thought Third Sister had heard rumors about why Madam Meng had asked if Youyou was betrothed!
Fu Tingyun’s expression relaxed.
Third Sister gave her a look of exasperated disappointment: “Have you not understood at all? The Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou—your husband Zhao Ling is the most likely candidate! That’s a senior first-grade position! Do you understand? If Ninth Brother-in-law becomes the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, his status and position will be different. That’s why the Marquis of Wuding and his wife condescended yesterday…”
“The Ninth Master’s chances shouldn’t be that great, right?” Relieved it wasn’t about Youyou, Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “The Emperor just rewarded him; it’s unlikely he’d be promoted again so quickly…”
“Oh my,” Third Sister said urgently, “You should strive for things like this.” She pulled Fu Tingyun up, “Hurry and change your clothes. Let’s ask Master Yan to advise us.”
But Fu Tingyun held Third Sister’s hand: “Third Sister, since you all know about this, Master Yan surely knows too. I think both the Emperor and Master Yan have their considerations. It might be inappropriate for us to rashly get involved. Better to tell the Ninth Master and let him decide!”
Third Sister was stunned.
Fu Tingyun smiled brightly and nodded at her, pulling her to sit on the kang by the window: “Third Sister came so early—have you had breakfast? Today the kitchen made thousand-layer pastries. Why don’t you try them and see how they taste!”
“You…” Third Sister bit her lip, “You really won’t intervene?”
Fu Tingyun tactfully said: “Some things are appropriate once, but not repeatedly.”
Third Sister sighed deeply and changed the subject to Youyou’s marriage prospects: “If Madam Meng proposes for her eldest son by a concubine…”
“Even if she obtained an imperial decree, I wouldn’t agree,” Fu Tingyun’s brow revealed a formidable determination.
Third Sister seemed to want to say something but held back.
Fu Tingyun, disturbed by the matter, didn’t think deeply about Third Sister’s unusual behavior. Instead, she lowered her head, pondering for a moment, then said, “But you’re right, I should see Master Yan… Some things require the Emperor’s intervention.”
Just as she finished speaking, Baoshu rushed in.
“Madam,” he looked somewhat anxious, “Anxin wants to see you.”