Letter from the mansion… the First Madam said… coming back in a few days… told you to be careful…

What did this mean?

Who wrote the letter? What did her eldest aunt want Mama Chen to do? Who was coming back? Why the special instruction for Mama Chen to be careful?

Fu Tingyun paced back and forth in her room, anxious, irritated, with an undercurrent of anger.

The two maids looked at her pitifully: “Ninth Miss, what should we do?”

Fu Tingyun stopped walking.

The longer things dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for her.

At this point, what was there to hesitate about?

Indecision would only lead to greater chaos.

She looked at Han Yan and resolutely said: “You will leave at noon today.”

“What?” Han Yan and Lu’E both stared with open mouths in surprise.

Fu Tingyun nodded and said in a low voice: “This time, Lu’E will accompany Fan Mama and the others in the hall. If anyone asks about Han Yan, just say I called her to the inner chamber, and you don’t know what she’s doing.”

“What if Mama Chen wants to come in and check like last time?” Lu’E glanced at Han Yan and asked worriedly.

“I’ll handle it.” Determination showed in Fu Tingyun’s brow, reflecting her resolve to fight to the end.

With Mama Chen watching them so closely, it would be impossible to hide Han Yan’s absence. Once Mama Chen discovered it, there would inevitably be a confrontation. Since conflict was inevitable, her throat discomfort and these days of careful planning wouldn’t matter whether Mama Chen knew or not. Moreover, the bigger the incident became, the more difficult it would be for Mama Chen, as the person in charge, to extricate herself, which would give Han Yan more time.

As long as she could see her mother, there would be a turning point.

Lu’E gave a firm “Hmm.”

Fu Tingyun further instructed Han Yan: “The dogs are all in the courtyard… climb out through the east wing room window… if discovered, throw a few buns to feed the dogs. I heard my wet nurse say that’s how country folk deal with vicious dogs… I’ve climbed that tree before; it’s sturdy and extends beyond the wall. Take several handkerchiefs, tie them to the tree top, and climb down along them. You’ll be outside Biyun Temple then… Once out, there’s a post road with carriages passing occasionally… Don’t be stingy with silver, get back to the city quickly… On my end, I can stall for at least an hour… My wet nurse has a sworn sister who works as a servant in the outer court, surnamed Mi, who has also received my favors… Don’t go directly to the mansion; first find Old Lady Mi to inquire about the situation at home. If necessary, have her find a way to deliver a message to my mother. Mother will find a way to bring you into the inner court… I’ll write a letter greeting the family elders for you to carry. In case… ” she said gravely, “with the letter as proof, you won’t be wrongly accused of being a runaway maid!”

Han Yan was somewhat surprised.

The Ninth Miss had thought things through thoroughly, especially writing a letter for her to carry.

She felt slightly moved: “Miss, don’t worry. I will find a way to see the Fifth Madam.”

Fu Tingyun nodded.

Lu’E went to the kitchen and asked them to serve a plate of vegetarian buns at lunch.

Han Yan found several sturdy handkerchiefs and tied them into a long rope.

After writing the letter, Fu Tingyun wrapped all her silver, about five or six taels, in a plain cloth. She also found a pair of silver bracelets and a pair of silver earrings from her dressing case and gave them all to Han Yan: “In case the silver isn’t enough, these bracelets and earrings may prove useful.”

Han Yan carefully put everything away, and they ate lunch in silence.

After the meal, Fan Mama and the others, as usual, sat in the hall chatting on the pretext of enjoying the cross-breeze. Lu’E brought tea and naturally sat down among them. Fu Tingyun and Han Yan retreated to the inner chamber. Fu Tingyun helped Han Yan climb out through the east wing room window, then closed the window and sat quietly on the bed, waiting for Mama Chen.

…

That day, Fu Tingyun waited until the hour of You (5-7 pm) before Mama Chen finally arrived.

Behind her was Han Yan, limping, her clothes in disarray, looking dejected.

Fu Tingyun’s expression changed dramatically, her face instantly turning pale.

“Ninth Miss,” Mama Chen’s face was grim, with undisguised anger in her brow, “do you have anything to say to me?”

“The victor is king, the defeated a bandit!” What was there to say?

Fu Tingyun slowly stood up, giving Mama Chen a cold glance, then asked Han Yan: “Where are you hurt? Is it serious?”

Her voice was somewhat hoarse but full of concern.

Mama Chen thought her emotional state had changed, causing her voice to alter, and didn’t take note of it.

Han Yan’s tears burst forth: “Miss, I’m useless.”

“It’s all right!” Fu Tingyun comforted her. “Man proposes, God disposes.” Then she examined her. “Where exactly are you hurt? Don’t hold back. If it leaves some aftereffect, that would be terrible.”

Han Yan shook her head and began to sob softly.

Fu Tingyun instructed Lu’E: “Ask Fan Mama to bring some water to help Han Yan clean up, then go tell Master Guo Hui that Han Yan is injured and ask her to come take a look.”

Master Guo Hui knew some medical skills. In summer, she would make Six Flower Soup, and in winter, she would prepare Fan Mu Dan and send them to the Fu family. When Fu family servants suffered from summer heat, they would ask their mistresses for Six Flower Soup; when they caught cold and had fever in winter, they would use Fan Mu Dan.

Lu’E, who had been standing like a wooden chicken, responded with a flustered “Oh,” glanced at Mama Chen, and timidly pulled at Fan Mama, who was also standing there stupidly: “Could you, could you bring us some water?”

Fan Mama looked hesitant and glanced toward Mama Chen.

Fu Tingyun watched them and snorted coldly, asserting forcefully: “You don’t need to look at Mama Chen. However senior she may be, she is still a servant of our Fu family. Unless our Fu family is ruined, the hierarchy between master and servant must be maintained.” Then she looked at Mama Chen. “Mama Chen, don’t you find what I said reasonable?”

Mama Chen remained silent, scrutinizing her eyes.

Fu Tingyun met her gaze calmly.

The silence made the atmosphere tense.

Fan Mama and the others shifted their posture uneasily.

Fu Tingyun’s gaze grew increasingly sharp.

Mama Chen’s eyes dimmed slightly, and she lowered her eyelids. A bitter smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she slowly bent her knees, performed a curtsy, and said softly, “Ninth Miss, you should know what’s best for you,” before turning to leave.

Fan Mama hurriedly called for someone to fetch water.

Lu’E breathed a long sigh of relief and ran towards Master Guo Hui’s courtyard.

Fu Tingyun slumped.

Han Yan was already kneeling before her.

“Ninth Miss, it’s all my fault for ruining your plans.” Tears streamed down her face. “I fell while going down the mountain and sprained my ankle. I finally managed to get down and waited a long time for a carriage… but wasted too much time. Just as I left Qixia Mountain, Mama Chen intercepted me…”

“We both did our best,” Fu Tingyun helped her up. “Take care of your body first. Heaven never seals off all paths. I’ll think of another way.”

Han Yan responded with a dejected “Hmm.”

Fan Mama and the others brought in water, and soon after, Master Guo Hui arrived.

Han Yan had sprained her ankle and had some superficial wounds. Master Guo Hui applied well water as a compress and left a few pieces of medicinal plaster: “Apply a few doses and it will heal.” She didn’t ask a single additional question.

By now, it was getting dark, and red lanterns were hung under the eaves of Jingyue Hall.

Lu’E escorted Master Guo Hui out, then came to serve Fu Tingyun’s evening meal.

Fu Tingyun had no appetite. Yet she thought that at this moment, everyone was probably laughing at her predicament, so she must remain composed and undisturbed.

She forced herself to drink a bowl of porridge and eat some pickled vegetables, then went to check on Han Yan and inquire about her condition before returning to her room.

What should she do?

With this failure, Mama Chen would guard her even more strictly in the future.

What did the family intend?

They planned to keep her at Biyun Temple indefinitely. Even when Mama Chen reported back about possible refugee disturbances, they had no intention of bringing her back…

As the thought flashed through her mind, Fu Tingyun held her breath.

They weren’t afraid of her being in danger…

No, no, no!

The year she was born, spring came particularly late. Until mid-March, the wind on one’s face still carried a chill.

In her grandmother’s room grew a purple magnolia, a longevity gift sent by her aunt from Nanjing. It was full of flower buds but wouldn’t bloom.

The first time it bloomed, news came from the capital that her father had placed first in the imperial examination. Later, the birth of the eldest great-grandson, her grandmother’s recovery from a long illness, and the promotions of her eldest uncle and father all occurred during its flowering season. Her grandmother always regarded it as an auspicious sign.

Her grandmother couldn’t help but mutter: “Have we offended the flower deity?” Yet inwardly she wondered if her final years had come.

Not only did she dispatch Mama Li to personally tend to the purple magnolia, but she also sought yellow talismans from the Nine Immortals Temple and invited Master Guo Hui to perform rituals.

The purple magnolia still wouldn’t bloom.

Grandmother gradually became depressed.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, she could no longer get out of bed.

Then one night, all the flowers suddenly bloomed.

The flower’s form resembled a lotus, its size like a cup, with purple petals and red stamens, spreading fragrance in all directions. It was three times more brilliant and intense than in previous years.

Grandmother was overjoyed.

A little maid came in to report: “The Fifth Madam has given birth to a young lady!”

That day was the eighteenth of the fifth month.

Among the sisters, she was the ninth.

The natural order is governed by nine.

“Perhaps it was waiting for the ninth girl to be born,” Grandmother pondered.

From then on, she was treated differently from her other sisters.

Then there was her mother.

She had given birth to four sons and four daughters, but only her eldest brother Tinggui and she survived to adulthood.

Her eldest brother was twelve years older than her.

Mother often held her close and said: “Ting Yun is mother’s dearest little cotton jacket!”

She must be overthinking, must be overthinking…

But once this thought arose, she couldn’t suppress it.

The Yu and Fu families were both prominent families. Without a legitimate reason, it would be impossible to break off the engagement.

If the Fu family wanted to marry her to Zuo Junjie, they would have to break the engagement with the Yu family.

The Fu family couldn’t possibly tell the Yu family that their Ninth Miss had an illicit relationship with someone, nor could they say their Ninth Miss had a serious illness.

Zuo Junjie’s use of her undergarment to coerce the Fu family was already shameless. In this situation, the Fu family was caught in a dilemma and wouldn’t dare to confront Zuo Junjie. Otherwise, if the matter escalated, how would the Fu family explain to the Yu family? Where would the Fu and Yu families save face? Especially the Yu family—with their distinguished lineage, how could they let such humiliation pass? By then, instead of allying through marriage, they would become enemies. The Fu family couldn’t afford such consequences.

Thinking of this, Fu Tingyun’s mouth went dry, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

If she were in charge of the Fu family, what would she do?

If she were her grandmother, what would she do?

If she were her mother, what would she do?

If she were her eldest aunt, what would she do?

If she were her eldest uncle, what would he do?

The more Fu Tingyun thought, the more alarmed and frightened she became.

The window lattice, covered with Korean paper, was snow-white, tinged with a layer of red from the lantern hanging under the eaves.

A black shadow flashed by, and the window opened and closed without a sound.