Chapter 186

Fu Tingjun was unaware of everything that had happened at the Yu family. After entrusting the letter to her eldest sister-in-law to Jin Yuanbao for delivery, her attention turned to Youyou's first birthday celebration. As for Zuo Junjie's matter, she trusted that Zhao Ling would handle it properly.

"Those who know and come to offer congratulations should stay for a bowl of longevity noodles; those who don't know, there's no need to disturb them..." Yang Yucheng asked Yuwei, "Did sister-in-law really say that?"

"Madam truly said so," Yuwei nodded with a smile. "But on the twenty-third of the fourth month, the day before the young miss's birthday, Madam and Ninth Master will take the young miss to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense..."

"Then weren't all my fireworks prepared in vain?" Yang Yucheng said dejectedly. "I was planning to give the young miss a proper birthday celebration!"

Yuwei pursed her lips and smiled.

Jin Yuanbao punched him on the shoulder and laughed, "Who told you to think of the beginning but not the end?"

Yang Yucheng muttered quietly, "It's just that I never connected sister-in-law with the Fu family before."

Yuwei's smile faded slightly at his words, and she felt a trace of melancholy in her heart.

Seeing this, Jin Yuanbao laughed and said, "On the twenty-third of the fourth month, why don't we tag along and join the fun? I've never had a good look around Tanzhe Temple!"

"Great, great!" A Sen clapped his hands and said, "Sister-in-law said I should come along too, and that I should offer a stick of incense and pray to the Bodhisattva to bless my studies so I can pass the imperial examinations."

Yang Yucheng then teased A Sen, "You? Pass the imperial examinations? Then I could be a great general too."

"Sister-in-law said heroes come from all walks of life," A Sen puffed out his cheeks, unconvinced. "If you can't be a great general yourself, don't hold me back."

"Hey!" Yang Yucheng's eyes widened. "This kid dares to talk back to me now." With that, he rolled up his sleeves. "Watch me teach you a lesson..."

A Sen shouted "Brother Yuanbao" and hid behind Jin Yuanbao, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

From the heated kang by the window in the inner chamber, Fu Tingjun saw the joyful scene in the courtyard through the half-open lattice window and laughed along with them.

She turned to Zhao Ling, who was patting Youyou to sleep for her afternoon nap, and asked, "Why didn't you all become sworn brothers back then?"

Zhao Ling touched his nose at her question, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Sworn brothers have to exchange birth dates, don't they? At the time, to keep them in awe of me, I kept misleading them..."

Fu Tingjun was stunned for a moment, then collapsed onto the large bolster pillow, laughing uncontrollably.

Zhao Ling called out "Hey" at her, half annoyed and half resigned. "If I brush you off, you insist on getting to the bottom of it; if I tell you the truth, you laugh at me like this..."

Fu Tingjun quickly suppressed her laughter, leaned over, and kissed Zhao Ling on the cheek. "My fault. I apologize."

Zhao Ling pressed his advantage, leaning his face toward her. "Just one kiss? That won't do. You'll have to kiss me several more times."

This set Fu Tingjun laughing again. After a moment's thought, she did as he asked and kissed his face several times in succession... Zhao Ling seized the opportunity to pull her into his arms... Suddenly, a commotion came from the courtyard.

Fu Tingjun quickly pushed Zhao Ling away and heard Yang Yucheng asking Zheng San, "The Marquis of Yingchuan's steward came with congratulatory gifts for Youyou's first birthday?"

"Yes!" Zheng San laughed. "The visitor said he was the Marquis of Yingchuan's steward... I was just about to inform Ninth Master."

Seeing that Fu Tingjun's hair was disheveled at the temples and her clothes were in disarray, and that she was glaring at him with a mix of shyness and reproach, Zhao Ling smiled and kissed her on the cheek, whispering, "Let me go see."

Fu Tingjun nodded with a flushed face.

Zhao Ling went to meet the Marquis of Yingchuan's steward.

Fu Tingjun re-combed her hair and dressed herself neatly. Zhao Ling returned and showed her the gift list.

"A pair of solid gold longevity locks, a pair of solid gold bracelets, a pair of solid gold neck rings, a crimson silk-embroidered cloak..." Fu Tingjun looked at Zhao Ling in astonishment. "Such a lavish gift?"

Zhao Ling smiled wryly. "I can't figure out why either."

A chill ran through Fu Tingjun's heart. "Could it be that the emperor has agreed to let Mo Yi take you with him to Xuantong?"

"It shouldn't be about that," Zhao Ling said. "Even if I go to Xuantong, I'd only be a vice commander. Besides, I was recommended to the emperor by the Marquis of Yingchuan—no matter how prominent I become, I must remember his recommendation kindness..." He stopped mid-sentence and stood there, lost in thought.

Fu Tingjun didn't dare disturb him. She tiptoed out and handed the gift list to Yuwei, telling her to put it away properly: "We'll need to return the favor in kind later."

Yuwei acknowledged the instruction and took the gift list, then said in a low voice, "Just now, the steward quietly asked Zheng San to pass along a message from Concubine Xiao—she said she's already returned to the capital and would like you to visit her at home when you have time."

Fu Tingjun was quite surprised. "Was that message meant specifically for me?"

Yuwei nodded.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly.

Upon returning to the capital, with the various madams of the Duke of Fuguo's household and the legitimate wife of the Marquis of Yingchuan present, how could it fall to Xiao Shi, a concubine, to receive guests... The several masters of the Duke of Fuguo's household had not yet divided the family estate, and that steward claimed to be the Marquis of Yingchuan's steward, so he was clearly one of the Marquis of Yingchuan's people. If he was delivering a message on behalf of Xiao Shi, could it be that the Marquis of Yingchuan had tacitly approved it?

Fu Tingjun thought of the Nineteenth Miss of the Duke of Fuguo's household who had married the Marquis of Wuding... Though her mind was somewhat unsettled, she had made up her mind not to wade into this murky water, and said in a low voice, "Let me discuss it with Ninth Master first before we decide."

Yuwei acknowledged the order, and there was another commotion outside.

Zheng San came to report: "Madam Zhang of the Zhang residence at Zhangjiawan has sent a matron to deliver congratulatory gifts to the eldest miss."

Fu Tingjun exclaimed, "Oh my, I didn't expect to have disturbed Madam Zhang as well." She added with a smile, "This is all thanks to Uncle Yang's face!" She promptly instructed Yuwei to bring the person in, offer her tea, extend greetings to Madam Zhang, accept the gift list, distribute the gratuity, and have Yuwei personally escort her to the door.

Jin Yuanbao then teased Yang Yucheng: "Who would have thought—the son-in-law hasn't even entered the household yet, and he's already given you face."

Yang Yucheng blushed and stammered for a long while.

Zheng San hurried in.

Yang Yucheng quickly called out to him: "What's the matter?"

Zheng San said solemnly, "Yu Huaian, the steward of Grand Secretary Yu's household on Jiadao Street, has come on the orders of Madam Yu to deliver congratulatory gifts to the eldest miss!"

Yang Yucheng and the others exchanged bewildered glances.

A Sen clenched his fist: "What does she intend to do?"

"Whatever she intends to do," Yang Yucheng sneered, "we'll deal with water when it comes with earth, and soldiers when they come with generals—are we afraid of her?"

A Sen nodded vigorously, while Jin Yuanbao remained silent.

Zheng San strode quickly into the main hall.

Fu Tingjun handed the gift list to Zhao Ling: "Could it be that one plays the villain and the other the hero? By all reason, the Yu family wouldn't stoop so low as to humble themselves like this!"

Zhao Ling was also puzzled.

"Whether they play the hero or the villain, we'll simply accept it with grace," Zhao Ling said without even looking, handing the gift list back to Fu Tingjun, and declared boldly, "Accept it!"

Fu Tingjun smiled and accepted the gift list, then instructed Zheng San: "Since they sent a steward, I think you should handle the reception on our behalf."

Zheng San was taken aback, but then understood Fu Tingjun's meaning, smiled in acknowledgment, and bowed as he left the hall.

There was a commotion in the courtyard.

Fu Tingjun and Zhao Ling exchanged a glance.

They heard Lady Chen Shi's hearty laughter: "Mrs. Zhao, your daughter's first birthday—you didn't send us invitations, and when we come to offer our congratulations, you don't even come out to greet us..."

The Zhao couple was taken aback.

The curtain was lifted, and Lady Chen Shi strode in first.

Behind her followed Madam Wu and Yuwei, who wore a somewhat embarrassed expression.

"We ran into each other at the alley entrance and came together..." Lady Chen Shi explained, then looked up and saw Zhao Ling, and immediately flushed crimson—she had thought Zhao Ling was still in Guizhou, and had not let Yuwei announce her, intending to surprise Fu Tingjun, but had never expected to run into Zhao Ling... Lady Chen Shi and Madam Wu both let out an "Oh!" in unison, turned to retreat, but collided with Yuwei behind them...

The scene suddenly became somewhat chaotic.

Zhao Ling quickly smiled and bowed to Lady Chen Shi and Madam Wu with clasped hands: "Your presence graces our humble home! Please, come inside and sit." Then, using the excuse of needing to discuss matters with Yang Yucheng, he smilingly took his leave of the two female guests.

Lady Chen Shi couldn't help but clutch her chest: "How is Lord Zhao at home?"

"The emperor had matters to inquire about." Fu Tingjun said briefly, then seated Lady Chen Shi and Madam Wu in the places of honor and called for Kou'er to serve tea.

Lady Chen Shi chatted and laughed for a while, then asked about Youyou's first birthday celebration.

Madam Wu, however, held her teacup and seemed lost in thought for a long while. When the two finished their conversation, she asked about Zhao Ling's affairs: "They say the Marquis of Longping is difficult to get along with, yet unexpectedly Lord Zhao and the Marquis of Longping hit it off well, and the Marquis even yielded such a fine opportunity as an audience with the emperor to Lord Zhao."

"An army cannot go a single day without its commander." Fu Tingjun said modestly, "That's also because he isn't as highly positioned and powerful as the Marquis of Longping and General Mo."

Madam Wu chuckled, glanced at Lady Chen Shi, and said, "Then we should congratulate Mrs. Zhao in advance—once the Marquis of Longping returns victorious, Lord Zhao will likely be promoted again."

Lady Chen Shi hadn't thought that far and was somewhat surprised to hear this.

Fu Tingjun entertained Madam Wu's remarks: "The great victory in Guizhou this time was mostly due to the merits of the Marquis of Longping and General Mo; our lord was merely following orders..."

Zhenzhu came in to report: "Madam, Madam Mo has arrived."

"What a coincidence!" Madam Wu said with a smile, and the group went to welcome Madam Mo inside. They had just exchanged greetings when Madam Li arrived, and everyone engaged in another round of pleasantries.

Youyou's birthday had not yet arrived, and invitations had not been sent out, yet the Zhao household was already bustling with activity.

...

On the other side, Madam Yu received Yu Huaian's letter and held her teacup for a long time without making a sound.

Yu Huaian carefully studied Madam Yu's expression, but could discern neither joy nor anger, and a sense of unease began to creep into his heart.

Madam Yu, however, abruptly said, "I understand. You may take your leave."

Yu Huaian's heart leapt with delight. He respectfully paid his respects to Madam Yu and quietly withdrew.

Madam Yu let out a long sigh.

Mama Shu hurried forward with a smile and said, "What troubles you, Madam? Would you care to take a stroll in the garden?"

"It's a space no bigger than the palm of a hand. I've been walking round and round it for two years now—what's there to see?" Madam Yu waved her hand impatiently.

Mama Shu smiled and said, "The capital is a hard place to live in, after all. Naturally, it can't compare to our residence in Nanjing. Besides, Madam is a woman of the world—how could ordinary scenery catch your eye..."

But Madam Yu seemed distracted, murmuring to herself, "Mighty yet unbending, noble yet immovable... Indeed, a daughter of the Fu family..." Her tone was filled with boundless wistfulness.

Mama Shu was taken aback.