Chapter 230

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but cry as well.

The eldest cousin was ten years older than her, and as the eldest sister, she spent more time disciplining the younger sisters than playing with them. The second cousin, being a concubine's daughter and from the same branch of the family as the eldest cousin, always acted according to the eldest cousin's moods. Though the sisters never said anything, they couldn't help but feel a bit less close to her. Only the third cousin was witty, lively, and cheerful, often leading the sisters in play. If the sisters got into trouble because of her, she would take responsibility before the elders without hesitation. If any sister had difficulties, she would contribute money if she had it, or effort if she didn't, always managing to give the sisters a satisfactory resolution. The sisters both admired and loved her, respecting her even more than the eldest cousin.

The third cousin's words made her feel as if she had returned to her childhood.

Thinking of the grievance she had suffered at Fifth Master Fu's hands, she cried even more sorrowfully.

Seeing this, the fifth and seventh cousins couldn't help but wipe their own tears on the side. It was Madam Lyu, who had accompanied the third cousin in, who was older and had experienced more joys and sorrows in life, who advised them: "The reunion of you sisters is a great joy. You should be happy, so why are you shedding tears instead?"

Hearing this, the third cousin pushed Fu Tingjun away, held back her tears, and forced a smile, saying, "Aunt is right. Our reunion as sisters should be a happy occasion. Crying like this would be ungrateful for the Bodhisattva's kindness."

"That's exactly right." Madam Lyu chuckled and said, "Let's all go inside—Third Aunt has come from afar and hasn't even had a sip of tea yet!"

Fu Tingjun quickly wiped her tears and smiled, saying, "Look at me, only thinking of my own sorrow and forgetting that Third Sister has traveled so far..." Then, remembering that Yuwei had mentioned the third cousin had brought her two sons along, she craned her neck to look behind her. "I heard both nephews came with Third Sister—where are they?"

Just as she asked, two boys, one big and one small, dressed in long robes of Buddha-head blue, stepped forward, respectfully bowed to her, calling "Ninth Aunt," then bowed to the fifth and seventh cousins, calling "Fifth Aunt" and "Seventh Aunt."

The fifth and seventh cousins smiled in unison, one saying, "No need for such formality!" and the other saying, "Haven't seen you in a few days—you've become even more well-mannered!"

Fu Tingjun knew these were the third cousin's two sons and couldn't help but take a closer look.

Chunbing was seven, and Yuanxiao was four. Though they had delicate, handsome features, they didn't resemble the third cousin. Rather, they were taller than most children their age, and their brows carried less of the liveliness typical of young children, replaced by a hint of composure.

She quickly called for Yuwei to bring out Youyou and Xige'er to meet the guests, then bestowed the gifts she had prepared in advance—two Duan inkstones from the previous dynasty and two boxes of Chengxin paper—upon the two boys.

The boys thanked her in a composed manner.

Yuwei led Youyou and Xige'er to appear under the eaves of the main hall.

The third cousin looked at the two children and couldn't help but widen her eyes: "How is it that both of them look exactly like Quanhui did when she was little?"

The fifth and seventh cousins burst into laughter on the side.

Fu Tingjun smiled wryly: "I want my sons to look like their father too, but they just look like me. What can I do?"

Hearing this, the fifth cousin teased, "Aren't you carrying another one in your belly? It's not too late to ask Third Sister for advice now—Chunbing and Yuanxiao both take after Third Brother-in-law!"

"You're pregnant again?" The third cousin looked at Fu Tingjun in surprise, then a hint of envy appeared in her eyes. "You really are blessed, you rascal!"

As they spoke, Youyou and Xige'er walked over.

Fu Tingjun smiled and pointed out the third cousin, Chunbing, and Yuanxiao, telling the two children to greet their relatives.

Youyou could already perform a proper bow, but Xige'er could only manage a clumsy clasped-fist salute.

The third cousin found this delightful, scooping up Xige'er with one arm and taking Youyou's hand with the other, instructing her attendants: "Bring in the gifts I prepared for the young miss and young master."

The matron smiled and acknowledged, and before long, two trunks were carried in.

Fu Tingjun broke into a sweat at the sight and quickly said, "Third Sister, you're spoiling these two children too much!"

The third cousin laughed and said, "They're just toys and clothes, nothing precious." Then she joked, "I'm just their aunt—all I need to do is win the affection of my nephew and niece. As for disciplining the children, that's the parents' responsibility. What does it have to do with me?"

Her words drew laughter from everyone.

Amid the laughter, Fu Tingjun led everyone into the hall.

Yuwei directed the maids to serve tea and refreshments, Madam Lyu directed the married servants to prepare a side room for the third cousin to rest in, and Zheng Sanniang had already prepared a fine table of dishes.

The third cousin went down to freshen up, and then everyone took their seats around the octagonal table in the hall according to rank.

Zhenzhu came in to report: "Madam, Young Mistress Fu has arrived!"

Sister-in-law!

Fu Tingjun was taken aback and quickly said, "Please, invite her in!" Turning back, she saw that all three of her cousins also looked surprised. Fu Tingjun excused herself and said, "I'll go greet my sister-in-law."

Third Cousin, Fifth Cousin, and Seventh Cousin all stood up as well: "We'll go greet her together."

Fu Tingjun nodded and left with her three cousins, meeting Young Mistress Fu at the hanging flower gate.

They exchanged pleasantries, and after returning to the main hall, they sat down again according to seniority. It was then that Fu Tingjun learned that news of her gathering had already spread throughout the Fu family.

"...Those who didn't receive invitations couldn't very well come uninvited, but relying on the fact that your husband and you are siblings born of the same mother, they came without being asked," Young Mistress Fu explained with a smile. "It's just a pity that your two nephews are currently studying with their maternal uncle and can't return in time. Otherwise, I would have brought them along." Her tone was full of regret.

Once daughters married, they became members of another family, but daughters-in-law who married in became members of the Fu family. Young Mistress Fu's arrival also indirectly signaled the Fu family's attitude toward Fu Tingjun's return this time.

Third Cousin, Fifth Cousin, and Seventh Cousin all had sisters-in-law of their own, and they couldn't help but show a hint of shame on their faces. Third Cousin especially found a moment when no one else was around to speak intimately with Fu Tingjun: "Even we were greatly shocked to learn you were still alive, and couldn't help but carefully recall the events of those years. How much more so for the sisters-in-law? They married in from outside, so most of what they know about your matter came from hearing the brothers speak of it. They were in the outer courtyard, not like us sisters who grew up with you and know your character and virtue. You should give them some time."

"I hold no resentment," Fu Tingjun said frankly with a smile. "Even among sisters, some come and some don't; how much more so for sisters-in-law?"

Third Cousin nodded slightly upon hearing this, showing a gratified expression: "Quanhui, you've grown up!"

She said it as if Fu Tingjun had weathered many storms.

Fu Tingjun laughed heartily and teased, "When I'm fifty, you'll only be fifty-six, Sister. We'll both be white-haired and wrinkled by then—surely there won't be much difference between us?"

Third Cousin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, saying, "Hearing you say that, you're still just like that reckless Little Ninth Fu from back then!"

Fu Tingjun grinned and linked her arm through Third Cousin's.

It was as if they had returned to the old days...

Neither could help but reveal a knowing smile.

...

Because of Third Cousin and Young Mistress Fu's arrival, the household felt a bit crowded, but it was also very lively.

Everyone chatted and laughed, and time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the tenth month.

Sixth Cousin, Tenth Cousin, and Eleventh Cousin arrived together.

The courtyard immediately became bustling.

Everyone greeted one another, asking about each other's recent circumstances, talking about their husbands and children, chattering away noisily. Chunbing, Yuanxiao, and Youyou, who were leaning on the railing watching, were left dumbfounded.

Yuanxiao said with some distress, "Didn't Father say 'The gentleman desires to be slow in speech but quick in action'? Mother isn't being a gentleman at all!"

"Third Aunt isn't a man!" Youyou immediately retorted. "Gentlemen are men."

Yuanxiao didn't know whether Youyou was right, so he looked toward his elder brother Chunbing.

Chunbing felt that Youyou's words made sense, but he didn't want his younger brother, who had said something wrong, to lose face in front of Youyou, this pretty new cousin he had just met. In his dilemma, he imitated his father's manner and gave a light cough, then said solemnly, "You're still young. You'll understand when you grow up."

Upon hearing this, Yuanxiao's expression brightened considerably.

Youyou, however, pouted in slight anger and turned her face away. Remembering that she was the hostess, she decided she would never again share intimate words with these two rigid cousins.

Chunbing, though, felt somewhat apologetic toward Youyou. With a fawning expression he himself wasn't even aware of, he said softly to Youyou, "Cousin Zhao, do you like orchids? We have a greenhouse in the back courtyard where my father keeps all his orchids. There are Lüyun, Songmei, Xuesu, Yongfu, Fengwei..."

Youyou didn't want to acknowledge him and said, "I don't like orchids."

Chunbing was taken aback and said with some difficulty, "Then... then what do you like?" His voice grew even gentler and softer.

Seeing how humble he was being before her, Youyou couldn't help but feel that her own attitude had been somewhat poor, and her expression gradually softened. She said, "I like balsam flowers. They can dye your fingernails."

"Oh!" Chunbing was somewhat disappointed. "It's maids who like balsam flowers... They bloom everywhere..."

Being compared to maidservants, Youyou felt this cousin was looking down on her a bit. She said angrily, "I just like balsam flowers, and I like dyeing my nails." Her chin lifted involuntarily.

Seeing her suddenly lose her temper, Chunbing felt a flutter of panic. Fortunately, having been carefully cultivated by his father since birth, he quickly composed himself. Recalling his words and actions just now, he realized that what he had said was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

He was deeply regretful and quickly said, "Cousin Zhao, that's not what I meant... I meant that balsam flowers can be found everywhere, unlike orchids, which grow in refined and secluded places..."

Wasn't that just saying she was like a little maidservant who had never seen the world?

Youyou puffed out her cheeks.

He had said the wrong thing again.

Chunbing regretted it and wanted to explain more carefully, but who knew that his mother's personal maid would walk over with a smile and say, "Young Master, the Madam is calling for you! She says you and the Second Young Master should go pay respects to the concubines!"

He had no choice but to stop the topic, take his younger brother's hand, and follow his mother's personal maid toward the main hall.

After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but look back, but Youyou was nowhere to be seen.

Only the yellow withered leaves of the locust tree lay scattered all over the ground.

Chunbing couldn't help but clench his fists.

No matter what, he had to find an opportunity to explain things clearly to his cousin... Otherwise, what if she misunderstood him?