Chapter 217

Since the couple had made up their minds, they focused wholeheartedly on establishing their own household.

"Do you know what kind of state the Zhao family of Songjiang has been in these past years?" Fu Tingjun mused. "As the saying goes, 'Poverty in a bustling city goes unnoticed, but wealth in deep mountains draws distant relatives.' Since your father and mother have the opportunity to receive posthumous honors, this is a glory for the Zhao family as well. If there were members of the Zhao family with prominent official careers, it would be easier—they would hold themselves in high regard, and if we remained firm in our stance, they wouldn't dare act too disgracefully. But if there isn't a single one among the Zhao family holding an official position, when you go to move the graves, I fear there will be quite a dispute. Better to take the initiative and ask Mr. Lü to find a geomancer to select an auspicious burial site in Chang'an, and then purchase several hundred mu of land as ancestral ritual land. If we can't buy that much land at once, we can use our four hundred-plus mu in Xihuai Village as ancestral ritual land. In any case, we should have all these trivial matters prepared. Once the imperial edict comes down, we'll act swiftly—pay our respects to your father and mother, then go to the temple to arrange for a Buddhist service. By the time they realize at the grave-exhumation that we intend to establish our own ancestral hall, we'll have everything ready on our end. Even if they try to obstruct, it won't affect the reburial of your father and mother."

Moving the graves was a major affair. Not only did one need to have a geomancer select an auspicious date and time beforehand, but one also had to invite Taoist priests and monks to conduct a water-and-land ceremony. As the filial son, Zhao Ling would also have to preside over the grave-moving ritual. If Zhao Ling needed to argue with those people from Songjiang, the grave site and tombstone in Chang'an County would already be prepared. His parents' coffins could be moved first, and he would only need to return by the time the coffins arrived in Chang'an County.

Zhao Ling nodded. "You've read my mind." He added, "Back then, when they bullied me as an orphan with my mother, it was mostly because no one in the main lineage had passed the imperial examinations, while my father had risen through the ranks by merit. Our family's fortunes flourished, and the branch family overshadowed the main lineage. They were consumed by jealousy, and when they found an opportunity, they kicked us while we were down, scheming to drive me and my mother to our deaths."

"Think about it—people like that, who see others prosper and instead of urging their own sons to study, scheme to seize property and build their empire—even if they had a naturally gifted child, he'd likely be led astray. How could such a family produce talent? In recent years, the Zhao family has only produced one juren from the branch family and three or four xiucai. The main lineage doesn't even have anyone who passed the child's examination. But their business has grown better and better—now they're the wealthiest family in Songjiang."

Fu Tingjun smiled bitterly. "Does Ninth Master have any plans?"

"I originally thought of returning to Songjiang to contend with the Zhao family, to make them taste what I suffered back then," Zhao Ling said. "But at that time, I was in the shadows and the Zhao family was in the light—there were plenty of ways to make them suffer. Now, however, I'm in the light and they're in the shadows, so it's not as convenient to follow the original plan. Moreover, the Zhao family has some qualms about my mother's matter. Back then, only the Zhao family knew about it, and it wouldn't be good to make a big public fuss seeking justice—that would only invite suspicion and ruin my mother's reputation. I've been thinking that I should return, meet with the clan elder, and see how to proceed based on the situation."

Fu Tingjun thought of her own conflict with her father and didn't want Zhao Ling to waste his energy and emotions on the Zhao family. She offered an idea: "Why not move your father and mother's graves and then come back? Whether or not they acknowledge what happened back then, you can state the facts and let everyone judge what's right. As for settling accounts with the Zhao family, we can still follow the original plan—just entrust the matter to Shopkeeper Ye San. He has no connection whatsoever to the Zhao family, and as a man of business, he has broad experience, plenty of ideas, and the connections to carry it out. If the Zhao family finds out, so much the better—it will let them know exactly what seeds they've sown."

Zhao Ling smiled. "It's too early to talk about all this now. Let's first settle the grave site and ancestral ritual land."

Just as they were speaking, Anxin came in to announce: "He Xiulin, Magistrate He, has come to pay a visit!"

Fu Tingjun was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ling laughed. "This He Xiulin is too courteous! It was merely a small favor, yet he insists on meeting me in person."

Fu Tingjun knew that He Xiulin had previously asked Zhao Ling to help him secure the position of Commander of Yulin Guard. Curious, she asked, "Was that matter settled?"

Zhao Ling nodded. "It was settled long ago. But He Xiulin is a thoughtful man—he took advantage of this trip to the capital to curry favor with all the right connections. Once he returns to Yulin, he won't have such an opportunity again!"

To secure his position, he needed powerful support in the capital.

Fu Tingjun could well understand He Xiulin's situation. She helped Zhao Ling change his clothes and saw him out the door, then summoned Yuwei to discuss the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. "...A Sen is about to be betrothed to the eldest Miss Wang. Remember to prepare a gift for A Sen to deliver to the Wang family."

Yuwei smiled and acknowledged.

Lady Chen Shi came to pay a visit.

These days, Fu Tingjun had been busy with A Sen's marriage arrangements, so she immediately invited Lady Chen Shi into the inner chamber for a chat.

Lady Chen Shi sat down, took a sip of tea, and came straight to the point: "Madam Wang sent me to ask—can the betrothal ceremony be moved up to before the end of the seventh month?"

Fu Tingjun was taken aback: "Has something happened?"

Previously, the two families had agreed to finalize the engagement before Zhao Ling left the capital.

But Zhao Ling wasn't scheduled to leave until the ninth month.

Lady Chen Shi said nothing, glancing around the room.

Seeing this, Yuwei led the attendants out and closed the partition doors behind them.

Lady Chen Shi leaned in and whispered to Fu Tingjun: "As you know, Lord Wang had originally planned to have his nephew marry into the family. But he'd last seen that nephew five or six years ago—since then, he's only heard about him through others. And since it concerns his daughter's lifelong happiness, even though he had the intention to form a marriage alliance, he naturally wanted to meet the young man in person, didn't he? When the other side got wind of this, they made the excuse of visiting relatives in the capital and plan to arrive for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now that the Wang family has agreed to a match with your Second Young Master, and with those people about to come to the capital, they want to settle this engagement quickly. Once those people arrive and see that the eldest Miss Wang is already betrothed, they'll naturally understand the matter is settled. If they ask, they'll simply say there was originally such an intention, but after meeting your Second Young Master, they felt he was a better fit..."

Fu Tingjun broke into a cold sweat as she listened: "How could this happen? I only thought they were merely discussing a possible match... What if that family becomes angry? Won't they hold a grudge against our A Sen?"

Lady Chen Shi burst out laughing: "Quanhui, you don't know—Madam Wang never wanted to take in Lord Wang's nephew as a live-in son-in-law. She said you can tell what a person will be like at three years old, and that child was always one to bully the weak and fear the strong. It's just that Madam Wang, having borne two daughters, felt guilty toward the Wang family, and with no suitable candidate available, she couldn't make up her mind. Otherwise, this marriage would have been settled long ago—it wouldn't have waited for your A Sen!"

Fu Tingjun thought this made sense: "I did find it a bit strange at the time—why did the marriage discussions go on for so long without being settled? Sending someone to propose on A Sen's behalf was just grasping at straws!"

Lady Chen Shi laughed uncontrollably at this.

Zhenzhu came in: "Madam, Madam Wu has come to deliver the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts!"

"Isn't that a bit early?" Fu Tingjun was astonished. She asked, "Did Madam Wu come in person?"

Zhenzhu replied that she had.

Fu Tingjun and Lady Chen Shi exchanged glances.

Lady Chen Shi smiled and said, "She probably has something to discuss with you! I'll be on my way. Madam Wang is still waiting for my reply! Once you've made your decision, send me word as soon as possible."

"Why don't you stay a bit longer?" Fu Tingjun thought for a moment, then said, "My husband is currently receiving guests. In a moment, I'll find a chance to have Yanqing pass a message in and see if he can send back a reply?"

Lady Chen Shi pondered for a while, then said, "Very well then? I suppose I'll have to play the part of an unwelcome guest for a while."

Fu Tingjun smiled: "I'd be delighted if you'd come as an unwelcome guest every day." She turned and instructed Zhenzhu, "Please show Madam Wu into the sitting room."

Zhenzhu acknowledged and went to escort Madam Wu in.

Madam Wu already knew Fu Tingjun had a guest, and she was well acquainted with Lady Chen Shi as well. They exchanged cheerful greetings and sat down to talk.

Fu Tingjun said politely to Madam Wu: "...We are still too young and inexperienced, not like you, madam, who handles things with such steadiness and arranges everything well in advance. By the time the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, you'll be able to go view the lanterns at your leisure."

Madam Wu heaved a long sigh at this and said, "The affairs of a household are like the weeds in a flower bed—cut one batch, and another grows in its place. There's never an end to it. I thought the same as you—deliver the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts early, and then on the day of the festival itself, I could take my son and daughter-in-law to see the lanterns on Gulou Street. But who would have thought—before I'd even finished arranging the gifts, a relative from our hometown came to stay at my house for seven or eight days, and on top of that, pestered me to help with a favor. I was so annoyed I couldn't stand it, but I was also afraid people would say that now that I've become wealthy and prominent, I look down on my old relatives. So I had to endure them patiently—it truly is a miserable life!"

"Even the emperor has three poor relatives," Fu Tingjun responded politely. "And with Lord Wu's large household and extensive connections, you must have no shortage of in-laws and relations to deal with. Madam Wu, you can't help but expend extra effort." She added, "It's fortunate that it's you, madam. If it were someone as indolent as me, I'm afraid I'd have the will to help but not the strength."

At these words, Madam Wu glanced at Lady Chen Shi, looking as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Lady Chen Shi felt a bit uneasy. But then she thought of Yanqing, who had already gone to ask Zhao Ling, and she was unwilling to give up this opportunity. She pretended not to notice and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Wu as well, smiling as she said, "Yes, yes! In our family, all the socializing with relatives is handled by my mother-in-law. Sometimes I watch her and feel anxious on her behalf, but my mother-in-law remains as calm as still water, completely unruffled. I truly admire her!" Then she sighed and added, "I wonder when I'll ever be able to be as composed as she is, letting things be."

It seemed Madam Wu really did have something to say to her!

Fu Tingjun pondered this silently.

The two families had no connections whatsoever—what business could Madam Wu possibly have with her?

She was somewhat reluctant to get involved.

Smiling, she echoed Lady Chen Shi's words: "Do you think you're a stone? Standing firm and unmoved by the winds from all directions?"

Lady Chen Shi burst into laughter.

Suddenly, Madam Wu's personal attendant rushed in, drenched in sweat.

Madam Wu's brows furrowed at the sight.

The attendant, however, seemed flustered and careless, hastily greeting Fu Tingjun and Lady Chen Shi before whispering a few words into Madam Wu's ear.

Madam Wu's expression changed dramatically, and she immediately rose to her feet, saying, "Something has come up at home. I must take my leave now. I'll come to pay a visit another day."

Though the attendant's voice was soft, Fu Tingjun and Lady Chen Shi heard clearly.

They quickly exchanged a glance and rose together with smiles, saying, "Madam Wu, please don't stand on ceremony. We'll get together again when you have the time."

They saw Madam Wu to the door.