Chapter 210

“A titled lady!” Lady Fan gasped, her face turning slightly pale. She said in a low voice, “Did you make sure? Is this Madam Fu the same one?”

Mozhuan’s expression darkened, and she bit her lip, speaking quietly, “I was afraid of making a mistake, so I specifically asked the maid who served tea in the flower hall when the master hosted the two Lords Fu at a banquet last time. The maid said she remembered clearly that the master addressed Madam Fu’s husband as ‘Lord Zhao.’”

“Then it must be true!” Lady Fan murmured, her gaze growing vacant.

Could it be, as her mother-in-law had said, that Madam Fu’s birth chart was truly auspicious?

Otherwise, in such chaos, how could she have encountered a benefactor by chance? Not only did she escape, but she also married a husband who achieved success at a young age—and at such a tender age, she enjoyed her husband’s glory and gained a titled rank...

For a moment, her mind was in turmoil.

“Since that maid saw Zhao Ling, does she know what he looks like?” Lady Fan asked, as if driven by some inexplicable impulse. “What is his background? Is he good to Madam Fu?” Her tone carried a faint hint of reluctant hope.

Mozhuan understood clearly and felt unsettled herself. “That little maid is under Steward Yu’s command and is usually tight-lipped. But because she’s close to me, she occasionally shares a few trivial matters. If I press her with detailed questions, I’m afraid she’ll grow suspicious...”

Lady Fan crumpled the white Hangzhou silk handkerchief embroidered with orchids into a ball.

She said irritably, “Then find a way to investigate! I refuse to believe this household is an impenetrable fortress with no cracks at all.”

Mozhuan softly acknowledged and then hesitated, saying, “Young Mistress, perhaps I could have Chengxin, who serves the eldest young master, help inquire outside?”

Last time, when Madam Yu summoned him to ask about Yu Jingxiu’s whereabouts, it was Chengxin who had tipped off Yu Jingxiu.

“Good,” Lady Fan said, her spirits lifting. “If he’s clever, I’ll reward him well.”

Mozhuan acknowledged and withdrew.

Lady Fan, feeling restless, kicked the large bolster at her feet to the corner of the kang.

Fu Tingjun was smiling as she held a cup of tea and chatted with Yuwei: “Who told you such nonsense? The war isn’t over yet—how could any title be conferred? Besides, even if there were one, it would go to my mother-in-law first. How could it possibly fall to me? If others are making a fuss, why are you joining in?”

Yuwei smiled and said, “I was just hoping His Majesty would, in light of Ninth Master’s great merits, issue a decree honoring three generations.”

Fu Tingjun burst out laughing. “Ninth Master’s safe return this time is already a blessing from the Bodhisattva. You’re being too greedy.” As she spoke, her smile faded, and she said seriously, “Those are mere empty honors. Though I do cherish such titles, I always feel they were earned with Ninth Master’s life, and I’m unworthy to accept them, uneasy to enjoy them...” She murmured, “I wonder when this war will end? Will there be any reversals?” Before she finished, tears glistened in her eyes.

Yuwei, seeing how Fu Tingjun had been eating vegetarian meals these days and thinking only of the battles at Xuanfu, had shared the rumor specifically to cheer her up. But instead, it had reminded Fu Tingjun of Xuanfu again. She secretly regretted it and quickly said, “When we went to Tanzhe Temple last time to offer incense for Ninth Master, didn’t we run into Teacher Yao? Didn’t he say Ninth Master was fine? He’s His Majesty’s military strategist! If he says it’s fine, then Ninth Master will surely be fine. Don’t keep worrying about Ninth Master. On the tenth of next month is the eldest young master’s first birthday celebration, and in two months, the second young master will take the prefectural exam...”

“It’s just that worry clouds judgment!” Fu Tingjun said, giving Yuwei an apologetic smile.

Keeping her busy would stop the mistress from overthinking!

Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to pull out a red list. “Mistress, this is the guest list for the eldest young master’s first birthday banquet. Please see if there’s anything to add or remove!”

Fu Tingjun took the list and discussed the invited guests with Yuwei.

Zhenzhu came in to announce: “Mistress, Madam Mo has arrived!”

It must be about the Xuanfu matter—these days, they frequently visited each other.

“Please, come in!” Fu Tingjun put away the list, straightened her clothes, and stepped out of the inner chamber.

Madam Mo walked in with a beaming smile: “Quanhui, great victory! They’ve captured the chieftain of the Wulianghai tribe, and the Tatars are seeking peace, agreeing to pay annual tribute.”

“Ah!” Fu Tingjun was overjoyed. “So the Tatars have admitted defeat?”

“Exactly,” Madam Mo said cheerfully. “Once they count the wounded and reorganize the troops, they’ll surely be back in the capital by July.”

“Wonderful!” Fu Tingjun beamed radiantly. “I must go to Tanzhe Temple to fulfill my vow. And I should let Teacher Yao know as well.”

Madam Mo was slightly taken aback: “You... you’ve met Teacher Yao?”

Fu Tingjun nodded. “Last time when I went to offer incense for Ninth Master, Teacher Yao had his guard summon me inside, and I asked about the Xuanfu situation. At the time, he said it was fine...”

A trace of envy appeared in Madam Mo's eyes. "I heard that Grand Secretary Shen went to visit Teacher Yao the other day and wasn't even received..."

"Of course not," Fu Tingjun said with a dismissive smile. "Grand Secretary Shen went to see Teacher Yao with a purpose in mind, while Teacher Yao and I merely met by chance."

Madam Mo thought of how Grand Secretary Shen had been repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor lately over the grain transport matter, and couldn't help but laugh. She then began discussing Xuanfu with Fu Tingjun. "...Since they've submitted their surrender, they'll most likely send an important general to accompany the Tartar envoy to the capital. Our Lord Mo has to guard Xuan and Da, so this matter will most likely fall on Lord Zhao's shoulders. Lord Zhao will probably come to the capital ahead of time."

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but sigh. "Whenever something requires going to the capital, General Mo always sends our Ninth Master. Over the years, our family has received much kindness from General Mo, yet the two of us are both poor with words—we've never even spoken a proper word of thanks."

"Saying such things makes you sound like a stranger." The shared hardships had brought Fu Tingjun and Madam Mo much closer, and Madam Mo smiled. "Our general is an impatient man. If it weren't for your Ninth Master, how could the military pay and provisions for Xuanfu have been delivered on time month after month..."

Joy puts a spring in one's step.

The two chatted at length, and Madam Mo only returned home after having her evening meal.

Jin Yuanbao and Lady Shi arrived.

"I heard the Tartars have submitted their surrender," he said, having also received the news. Even a man as steady as him showed a look of excitement. "I wonder if the Emperor will present the captives at the Meridian Gate!"

Lady Shi was a gentle, quiet woman who sat beside him with a tender smile.

A Sen, standing behind Fu Tingjun, occasionally stole curious glances at her.

Lady Shi knew that this man was, in a sense, her brother-in-law, and her smile grew even warmer.

A Sen felt embarrassed, blushed, and lowered his head.

Fu Tingjun noticed this and smiled at Lady Shi, then spoke with Jin Yuanbao. "We don't know yet. You received word so quickly—has Xuanfu officially submitted a memorial to the court?"

"No," Jin Yuanbao said with a smile. "I heard it from a colleague whose brother serves in the Banner Guard." Over the past two years, Jin Yuanbao's circle of connections had grown increasingly wide.

Fu Tingjun smiled. "We'll only know how things will be arranged once the official memorial reaches the Grand Secretariat."

Jin Yuanbao nodded and said with a smile, "If only he could make it back before Xige'er's first birthday celebration!"

Zhao Ling had been unable to attend his wedding, and he had always felt regret about that.

Fu Tingjun smiled. "We must always put the greater good first. There should be news in a few days."

As the group was happily chatting, Yang Yucheng arrived.

Seeing everyone in the room beaming with joy, he was taken aback and said, "Don't tell me you've all received the news too?"

A Sen, having finally escaped his awkwardness, declared loudly, "You knew about it all the way in Zhangjiawan, so of course we in the capital know!"

"Aiyo!" Yang Yucheng's eyes widened as he gave A Sen two pats on the head. "Look at you getting all cocky now! How's your preparation for the June prefectural examination? I've already prepared firecrackers for you—don't you embarrass me when the time comes!"

"Last time it was all your fault, making everyone laugh at me," A Sen said, his face full of anger at the mention of it. "This time, don't you dare come cause trouble!"

"Well, well, now you look down on me as a country bumpkin, do you? You won't even accept my congratulations?" Yang Yucheng looked at A Sen sideways. "You've really come up in the world, haven't you..."

"Who—who looks down on you as a country bumpkin?" A Sen stomped his foot in frustration. "I—I'm just someone the Master picked up from who knows where..."

Not just Fu Tingjun, but even Lady Shi covered her mouth and laughed at the sight.

Fu Tingjun called A Sen to a halt. "That's enough. That's just your Brother Yucheng teasing you! You're a grown man now—you can't always be shouting and yelling at every little thing."

A Sen lowered his head in embarrassment, but his eyes shot Yang Yucheng a fierce glare.

Yang Yucheng laughed heartily and said, "Why aren't Daniu and the little one here?"

"They're washing up!" Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "I've already told Mrs. Tong that once they're cleaned up, they'll come and pay their respects to you all."

Lady Shi was puzzled. "Washing up this early?"

It was only just past the start of the seventh double-hour, and with summer approaching, the days were growing longer by the day.

Fu Tingjun smiled. "Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Once they've washed up, I don't let them go out to play. Before they sleep, I tell them stories and teach them a few characters along the way."

"Starting their education this early?" Jin Yuanbao said in surprise.

"It's hardly formal education," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "I just teach them casually. If they remember, good; if not, it doesn't matter. As long as they have some impression, it won't feel difficult when formal schooling begins later." She added, "This is how I learned my characters when I was young."

Yang Yucheng nodded approvingly. "That's a good method. In a few days, I'll have my wife come over to your place to learn from you."

Just then, Youyou and Xige'er came in.

As soon as Youyou spotted Yang Yucheng, her eyes lit up. She called out "Uncle Yang!" at the top of her voice, ran over to him, tugged at the hem of his robe, and looked up at him expectantly. "What goodies have you brought me this time?"

Under the lamplight, her delicate little face was as smooth and lustrous as jade.

Yang Yucheng scooped Youyou up in his arms, then pulled a slingshot from inside his robe.

Youyou cheered and hugged the slingshot to her chest. "Thank you, Uncle!"

Yang Yucheng beamed with delight. "When autumn comes, I'll take you to Zhangjiawan to shoot birds."

"Great, great!" Youyou nodded eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement.

Fu Tingjun put on a stern face and called out, "Youyou," then said, "What did I tell you the other day..."

Youyou stuck out her tongue, quickly slipped down from Yang Yucheng's arms, and respectfully greeted Jin Yuanbao and the others: "Uncle Jin, Auntie, Second Uncle!"

Jin Yuanbao laughed heartily and scooped Youyou into his arms. "Uncle brought you something too, but you have to guess what it is."

Meanwhile, Lady Shi was holding Xige'er.

Youyou tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Cherries!"

Lady Shi was taken aback. "How did you know it was cherries?"

Youyou replied innocently, "Because Uncle Yang always brings me something fun every time he comes, and Uncle Jin always brings me something delicious. Mother Tong said cherries are about to come into season these days, but they're very expensive... so I guessed Uncle Jin must have brought me cherries!"

"This child!" Lady Shi sighed, then looked toward Fu Tingjun. "She's quite something!"

Fu Tingjun's brows carried a hint of proud satisfaction, though his words remained modest. "She's just a child—her mind is only on eating and playing!"

Jin Yuanbao disagreed. "Even if she's thinking about food and fun, ordinary children wouldn't be able to guess that."

Like all parents, Fu Tingjun continued to be modest. "She's just a bit clever, that's all."

"She's a bit clever!" Xige'er echoed from the side.

"Look at you all, neglecting our little birthday star," Lady Shi said with a laugh. "Our little birthday star is throwing a tantrum!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The joyful atmosphere lasted until three days later.

The Tatars formally submitted their letter of surrender to the imperial court.