Chapter 201

Sister-in-law?

Fu Tingjun was stunned.

This was the first time her sister-in-law had come to visit her.

Thinking back to the incident last twelfth month when Fifth Master Fu had come to her door making a scene, Fu Tingjun could not help but furrow her brows slightly.

Her sister-in-law had a father-in-law above her and a husband beside her, neither of whom held her in much regard. And since she herself was a woman who followed propriety to the letter, there was no reason she should be freely visiting her... Unless she too had come to wade into these murky waters?

Fu Tingjun felt a flicker of displeasure.

But recalling that the Young Mistress Fu had always been quite kind to her, she still instructed Zhenzhu: "Quickly, invite the Young Mistress Fu in."

Zhenzhu acknowledged and withdrew.

Fu Tingjun changed her clothes and went out to receive her guest.

Young Mistress Fu wore a crimson jacket embroidered with gold thread throughout, a pearl flower the size of a lotus seed pinned at her temple, and a pair of white jade bracelets on her wrists. Her attire was quite luxurious, yet it could not conceal the weariness etched between her brows.

Could it be that her guess had hit the mark?

Fu Tingjun muttered inwardly, but her face broke into a warm smile as she welcomed her sister-in-law to sit on the large kang by the window in the inner chamber.

Young Mistress Fu could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

Although Fifth Master Fu's ordeal at the Zhao residence had been kept from his son and daughter-in-law, as time passed, those who served him had let bits and pieces slip out, and she knew the full story well. Fearing she might be turned away at the door just like her father-in-law had been, she recalled the saying "people fear facing each other directly" and came straight to the door without even sending a visiting card first. To her surprise, not only had Fu Tingjun personally come to the hanging-flower gate to receive her, but she was also entertaining her in the inner chamber... She could not help but feel fortunate.

Zhenzhu and Kou'er could not resist stealing a few glances at Young Mistress Fu as they served tea and refreshments.

Young Mistress Fu noticed this clearly, and a hint of embarrassment crept into her smile.

Fu Tingjun's brows knitted slightly.

Zhenzhu and Kou'er quickly lowered their heads and retreated quietly.

Fu Tingjun raised her teacup. "This autumn's Tieguanyin. Do try it, sister-in-law."

Young Mistress Fu smiled and took a sip, then praised, "Rich and smooth—excellent tea."

Fu Tingjun smiled and said, "If you like it, sister-in-law, I'll have some wrapped up for you to take home later." Then she added, "Since you've come for a visit, why didn't you bring my two nephews along? It's been several years since I've seen them. How are they doing now?" She then called for Yuwei: "Bring Daniu and Dagé'er out for their aunt to see, so she can put faces to names." She kept the conversation to family matters, as if deliberately trying to keep her sister-in-law from raising anything else.

Young Mistress Fu watched her and smiled softly, then spoke of her two sons: "...They're both well-behaved children, but the weather has been poor these past couple of days, and I was afraid they might catch a chill if I brought them out."

Mrs. Tong and Yuwei brought Youyou and Xige'er over to pay their respects to Young Mistress Fu.

Young Mistress Fu slipped the white jade bracelets from her wrists and gave them to Youyou as a welcome gift, and unfastened the white jade pendant from her waist to give to Xige'er.

During the New Year, Youyou had kowtowed and curtsied to many people and received many red envelopes.

Seeing Young Mistress Fu offer her a gift, she didn't need Mrs. Tong's prompting—she swiftly performed the proper salute and thanked her.

Xige'er was still too young to understand. Yuwei held him and performed the salute on his behalf, but before she had even straightened up, Xige'er was already stuffing the jade pendant into his mouth.

Yuwei broke into a sweat at the sight and quickly snatched the pendant from his mouth, but his lips puckered and he burst into tears.

Everyone laughed.

Fu Tingjun said to Young Mistress Fu, "You can see how much Xige'er likes your gift, sister-in-law."

"Yes!" Young Mistress Fu rose and took Xige'er in her arms, studying him carefully, then turned to Fu Tingjun and said, "No wonder they say blood runs thicker between cousins—he bears some resemblance to your two nephews."

Fu Tingjun laughed, pulling Youyou, who stood beside her, into an embrace.

Young Mistress Fu bent down and asked Youyou kindly about her daily life.

Youyou was articulate, answering three questions for every one asked, and had everyone laughing heartily.

The atmosphere in the room grew warm and pleasant.

Young Mistress Fu stroked Youyou's head and sighed. "I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to see Daniu and Dagé'er again..." Her smile gradually faded.

Fu Tingjun heard the hidden meaning beneath her words and knew the real topic had finally arrived, but she did not take the bait. She only responded to the literal meaning: "What's so difficult about that? Come see them whenever you like, sister-in-law. You gave me a wedding gift when I married—our door will always be open to you!" Then she changed the subject, smiling, "On the second day of the second month, I've invited Madam Wang to go on an outing to Yuming Mountain. Why don't you join us for a day there? Bring the two nephews along—I can finally see them, and Youyou and Xige'er can meet their older cousins..."

A look of worldly understanding flickered in Young Mistress Fu's eyes. "On the second day of the second month, I'm afraid I won't be free—I've already arranged with my father-in-law and husband to set out for Huayin on the first day of the second month..."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback. "You're returning to Huayin, sister-in-law? What about your father-in-law and your husband?"

"They are staying in the capital." Young Mistress Fu's expression was somewhat indifferent. "Before the new year, someone from our hometown in Huayin came to say that Grandmother was feeling slightly unwell. Although Mother-in-law is no longer with us, our branch cannot stand by idly when it comes to tending to her. So I discussed it with my own family and decided to take your two nephews back to Huayin. First, to fulfill our filial duty, and second, both children were born and raised in the capital—they know nothing of Huayin. In time, they might not even recognize their own cousins, let alone understand the bonds of siblinghood. My mother and brothers all thought it was a good idea..."

"Grandmother is ill?" Fu Tingjun grew anxious. "How is she? Is it serious?"

"She's advanced in years and caught a chill—her body couldn't fight it off," Young Mistress Fu said. "I hear it's not serious..."

If that were the case, why return to Huayin to tend to her?

Neither Fifth Master Fu nor her brother had taken concubines. If she left, who would look after Fifth Master Fu and her brother in the capital?

Grandmother was unwell, Mother was gone, and her sister-in-law wanted to fulfill her filial duty. It made sense that she'd bring the children back to Huayin out of concern for their youth—but why write to her natal family to consult her mother and brothers?

Knowing Grandmother's condition wasn't serious, these questions surfaced one after another in Fu Tingjun's mind.

As if reading her thoughts, Young Mistress Fu gave a bitter smile, her voice suddenly dropping low. "I originally thought that whatever grievances you suffered, Lady, were unavoidable. But when I later learned the true reason, I felt deeply uneasy... I told your brother, but he didn't take it seriously..." She bit her lip, as if she had a thousand words but didn't know how to express them.

Fu Tingjun also resented Fu Tingzheng.

They were born of the same mother. If he hadn't known what had happened, that would be one thing—but now that he did, to still hold such an attitude... Yet resentment was resentment; she couldn't let this drive a wedge between her brother and sister-in-law. Her brother was a heartless, indifferent man—in the end, it would be her sister-in-law who suffered.

She quickly said, "This has nothing to do with my brother. Sister-in-law, don't overthink it."

Young Mistress Fu sighed softly, picked up her teacup, lowered her eyelids, and gazed at the golden tea within. "I too was educated in the classics from a young age, studying the Four Books and Five Classics alongside my brothers at home..." She spoke with some difficulty. "Teaching by example... nothing surpasses it... So I wrote to my mother. When she learned of it, she discussed it with my brothers... Everyone in my natal family felt it best that I take the children back to Huayin... My father-in-law has no one to care for him, but fortunately your brother still needs to attend the Imperial Academy... With him fulfilling my filial duty before Father-in-law, I can rest easy... If nothing comes up, I won't return to the capital again... I had to come bid you farewell, Lady... It's a pity your brother keeps such a tight rein that I couldn't bring the nephews to kowtow to you..." With that, she covered her face and wept.

"Sister-in-law!" Fu Tingjun felt as if struck by lightning. She stared numbly at the silently weeping Young Mistress Fu, and for reasons she couldn't explain, tears streamed down her own face. "You... why must it come to this... In the end, it's my fault..."

Hearing this, Young Mistress Fu pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, forced a smile, and teased, "Since ancient times, people urge harmony, not separation. I know you mean well, Lady, but those words may not be your true feelings!"

Fu Tingjun felt even more bitter at heart. She opened her mouth to persuade her further, but Young Mistress Fu had already spoken: "I know you mean well, Lady, but my mind is made up. If you still consider me your sister-in-law, say no more. Though I am weak-willed, I am not one to confuse right and wrong. If I stayed in the capital for momentary comfort, what would I do when your two nephews grow older and reach the age of understanding? If I return to Huayin, with me watching over them and their uncles helping, they may not necessarily become accomplished, but at least they won't grow crooked... You are a mother yourself—you should understand my predicament! Anyone may come to persuade me, but you, Lady, should not."

Fu Tingjun was left speechless.

Tears hung on her cheeks.

Young Mistress Fu smiled at the sight and handed her handkerchief over. "Quickly wipe your tears—our Lady is not one to simply cry when faced with trouble."

The light tone eased the tension in Fu Tingjun's heart as well.

She took the handkerchief from Young Mistress Fu and wiped her tears, then said, "Then what do you plan to do from here? The allowance from the clan's common fund distributed to each branch is only enough for daily expenses..." She stood up as she spoke. "I have some private savings—take them for now!" Fearing her sister-in-law might be too proud to accept, she added, "Mother left Huayin four or five years ago, leaving only a few old servants to watch over the house. With no one living there for so long, the furniture and furnishings must be old and worn. There will be many places needing money..."

Young Mistress Fu grabbed Fu Tingjun's arm. "There's no need to use your private savings, Aunt! I still have my dowry from my maiden family, and my elder brother has also agreed to give me one-tenth of the family's annual income from now on," she said, then smiled. "Do you know why I discussed this with my elder brother?" Her tone carried a hint of playfulness.

Fu Tingjun was quite surprised, her eyes widening as she looked at Young Mistress Fu.

Young Mistress Fu smiled and winked at her.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but laugh.

Could this be her sister-in-law's true nature... or perhaps her sister-in-law had been living under pressure all these years?

She sat down and said in a clear voice, "Very well then, whenever you need it, just let me know. There's no hurry."

Young Mistress Fu laughed crisply. "Don't you worry! I won't forget you when your two nephews get married!"

Fu Tingjun laughed as well.

The two looked at each other, and suddenly both felt a new closeness between them.