Chapter 231

The adults did not notice the children's unusual behavior.

Eighth Cousin, Tenth Cousin, and Eleventh Cousin decided to stay at Fu Tingjun's home for two more days, waiting for Eighth Cousin to arrive.

On the third day of the tenth month, Eighth Cousin arrived as promised.

When the sisters met, there was naturally another round of joyful laughter and chatter.

But all good things must come to an end, and besides, they were all daughters-in-law who had a say in their husbands' households, some even managing the family affairs. Eighth Cousin, who had arrived last, was the first to take her leave: "...My sister-in-law has given birth three times in a row, and only now has she finally had a son. I already missed the third-day bathing ceremony. If I don't show up for the full-month celebration, I'm afraid she might misunderstand and think I'm displeased."

Eighth Cousin had given birth to two sons in succession after marrying into her husband's family.

Fu Tingjun could very well understand.

She instructed Zheng San to help carry the return gifts for Eighth Cousin onto the carriage Eighth Cousin had hired, and escorted Eighth Cousin to the main gate.

Then Eleventh Cousin also wanted to return: "...My mother-in-law is currently locked in a battle of wits with my eldest sister-in-law. When I left, she repeatedly urged me to come back soon, counting on me to lend her a hand!" As she spoke, she couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Eleventh Cousin's husband's biological mother was a second wife, while the eldest brother was born to the first wife. The mother-in-law treated Eleventh Cousin, her daughter-in-law through her own son, very well, but found fault with everything about the eldest sister-in-law.

Fifth Cousin couldn't help but advise Eleventh Cousin: "This kind of matter, you'd better not get too involved. The younger generation is watching with their eyes wide open. Be careful that they don't imitate your example later."

Third Cousin then said: "Every family has its own difficulties. Eleventh Cousin is no longer a child. In her own affairs, she has her own judgment. You're not the ones drinking the tea, so you don't know whether it's hot or cold. Don't go offering random advice."

Hearing this, Eleventh Cousin cast a grateful glance at Third Cousin.

Sixth Cousin and Tenth Cousin had come in Eleventh Cousin's carriage, so naturally they would travel back together as well.

Fu Tingjun, along with Third Cousin, Fifth Cousin, and Seventh Cousin, saw the three of them off onto the carriage.

The next day after breakfast, Seventh Cousin also came to bid Fu Tingjun farewell.

Fu Tingjun knew that Seventh Cousin still needed to return to host the hundred-day celebration for her newly born son Sansan, so she didn't try to keep her. She packed the prepared return gifts, the greeting gifts for the children, and the congratulatory gifts for Sansan's hundred-day celebration all into trunks, and had Zheng San carry them onto the carriage.

"I hope your brother-in-law can place in the top tier of the imperial examination or be appointed as a Hanlin bachelor. When that happens, I'll bring the children to the capital to see you." Seventh Cousin bid Fu Tingjun a reluctant farewell. Both sisters knew that even if that were to happen, it would probably be three years before they could meet again. Fu Tingjun couldn't help but have tears welling up in her eyes: "Seventh Sister, I'll wait for you in the capital."

Seventh Cousin nodded with tears in her eyes and boarded the carriage.

Fu Tingjun stood at the main gate until the carriage drove out of the alley and disappeared from sight. Only then did the three sisters turn back to the main hall.

Zhenzhu hurried in: "Madam, there's a gentleman outside who claims his surname is Yao. He's come to see Fifth Madam."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

Fifth Cousin's face flushed crimson as she spat out a "pah!" and said: "Didn't I say I'd go back in mid-October? Why has he come rushing over in such a hurry? None of the other brothers-in-law behave like this." She looked as if she found it very embarrassing.

Third Cousin covered her mouth and laughed.

Only then did Fu Tingjun understand.

So Fifth Brother-in-law had come looking for Fifth Sister because she had been away from home for so long.

She couldn't help but smile as she instructed Zhenzhu: "That's my fifth brother-in-law. Please invite him to sit in the outer hall, then ask Master Lyu to accompany Second Young Master to keep him company."

After all, a brother-in-law was of a different surname, and Zhao Ling was not at home, so it wasn't appropriate for her to receive a guest. A Sen was Zhao Ling's younger brother, and Shopkeeper Lyu was nominally her uncle-in-law. Having the two of them go together to receive the guest was already a very solemn display of courtesy.

Zhenzhu acknowledged and withdrew.

But Fifth Cousin called her back.

She said to Fu Tingjun with a red face: "I'd better go see him myself. That way, you can all meet him too."

Fu Tingjun naturally agreed.

Even so, she instructed Zhenzhu to inform Shopkeeper Lyu and A Sen.

Before long, A Sen accompanied a young man with a tall, slender build and handsome features, though with a somewhat shy expression, along with Fifth Cousin, as they walked in.

Fu Tingjun knew this was Fifth Brother-in-law.

She quickly brought the children forward to greet him.

Fifth Cousin introduced them from the side.

Third Cousin also stepped forward to exchange greetings with Fifth Brother-in-law.

Fifth Brother-in-law's face turned red before he even spoke. Somewhat bashfully, he returned the greetings to Fu Tingjun and Third Cousin, then gently greeted the children. He took out from his bosom a small carved wooden arhat with movable joints as a greeting gift for Xige'er, a palm-sized Western doll for Youyou, and for Chunbing and Yuanxiao—one received a wooden carved frog that could jump when its tail was pressed, and the other received a wooden carved acrobat that could do somersaults.

The four children's eyes lit up on the spot. They were overjoyed, shouting "Fifth Uncle!" loudly, and immediately grew close to Fifth Brother-in-law.

Fifth Cousin watched from the side with a gentle smile, her gaze resting on Fifth Brother-in-law soft and tender, brighter than the March sunshine.

Fu Tingjun secretly felt happy for Fifth Cousin as she watched.

Because these two welcome gifts were not only exquisite but also quite valuable, she bent her knees in a bow and exchanged pleasantries with Fifth Brother-in-law.

Fifth Brother-in-law was clearly not adept at handling such occasions, his expression growing even more embarrassed as he murmured, "...I thought since you're unfamiliar with the area and still need to relocate the graves and establish the ancestral shrine, I didn't bring the children. I came ahead early to see if there was anything I could help with." With that, he glanced at Fifth Cousin and added, "I also brought two capable stewards from home."

He was explaining to Fu Tingjun and Fifth Cousin the reason for his sudden appearance.

"I see!" Fifth Cousin responded gently to her husband, asking with concern, "Have you had your morning meal yet?"

Fifth Brother-in-law hesitated for a moment before saying, "I've... I've eaten."

Given his manner, it was clear he had rushed over to see Fifth Cousin without having breakfast.

Fu Tingjun barely suppressed a laugh.

She first thanked Fifth Brother-in-law for coming to help, then said with a smile, "Since Brother-in-law has come as a guest, we must add something to the table." With that, she raised her voice to instruct Zhenzhu to set out the morning meal.

Fifth Cousin, clearly knowing her husband's temperament, did not decline but said, "Then I'll accompany you to have some breakfast!"

Fifth Brother-in-law blushed and murmured an assent, following Fifth Cousin to the outer hall.

Third Cousin then said, "I also thought—since you're newcomers here, how could the grave relocation proceed without a few people to liven things up? So I discussed it with your Third Brother-in-law beforehand, and I'll return only after the memorial ceremony is complete."

"Third Sister's consideration is truly thoughtful!" Fu Tingjun was deeply grateful.

Zhao Ling had already fallen out with the Zhao family, and she had no contact with the Fu family either. Though some officials might come to show their support, that was merely icing on the cake—nothing compared to the mutual exchanges between relatives.

"Our family is still in mourning now, and we won't complete the removal of mourning rites until February next year," Third Cousin said, feeling the need to defend her husband since Fifth Brother-in-law had made the trip. "Otherwise, your Third Brother-in-law would have come with me as well."

"Though Third Brother-in-law didn't come in person, he sent the two children over," Fu Tingjun said, able to appreciate the kindness of Third Cousin's family. "Youyou now has older cousins—Third Sister, you don't know how happy that makes me!" As she spoke, her nose tingled and she nearly shed tears.

"Things will get better," Third Cousin comforted Fu Tingjun. "You're about to become a mother again, Ninth Brother-in-law has won a great victory and earned merit of following the dragon—your days will only improve." She added, "Let those in the Fu family who followed the crowd regret their choices."

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but smile.

Fifth Cousin came in to take her leave: "...Now that your Brother-in-law is here, we can't very well stay at your place. I've already instructed the steward to find a small courtyard at the nearest inn and rent it, so we can settle there temporarily." Then, afraid she might worry, she added, "Our Yao family has done well in business these past few years, and we know several major merchants in Xi'an Prefecture. Such a small matter won't be a problem for us."

Since Third Cousin was staying here, it would indeed be inconvenient for Fifth Brother-in-law to lodge there as well, and since Fifth Cousin had already spoken, Fu Tingjun wasn't in a position to interfere. She said a few things like "If anything comes up, just let Uncle Lyu know—he's an old resident here," then called Yuwei to help Fifth Sister pack her trunks and arranged for someone to notify the Yao family servants staying with the Tengji Guard. After the midday meal, Fu Tingjun and Third Cousin saw the couple off.

That evening, Fu Tingjun and Third Cousin shared a bed, speaking intimately.

Within two days, Anxin arrived, travel-worn and weary: "Madam, Ninth Master will arrive early tomorrow morning."

Fu Tingjun quickly brought out the prepared mourning clothes, and Willow Lane also removed its red decorations. Fifth Cousin, upon receiving word, hurried over with Fifth Brother-in-law.

Fifth Brother-in-law asked, "Is the stone tablet ready? Does the tortoise pedestal match the proper dimensions?"

Zhao Ling's father had been posthumously conferred the rank of Grand Master of Imperial Hospitality, third grade, and his mother had been titled Lady of the Third Rank. The scale of the tomb therefore had to follow the regulations for a third-grade official: the burial ground extending seventy paces, the mound one zhang and two chi high, the stone tablet three chi and six cun tall, the tortoise pedestal three chi and two cun high, with a pair of stone tigers, a pair of stone sheep, a pair of stone horses, and a pair of stone pillars before the grave. The court would also grant two hundred taels for materials and one hundred craftsmen for the tomb's construction. Fifth Brother-in-law, being a scholar, knew these regulations, which was why he asked.

Master Lyu quickly replied, "Everything is prepared, awaiting only the coffins of the Grand Old Master and Grand Madame."

Afterward, they discussed various details and agreed to meet at Willow Lane at the beginning of the chen hour the next day, then proceed together to the main east gate of Xi'an Prefecture to await the arrival of the elders' coffins.

The next day, they arrived at the main east gate at three quarters past the chen hour and waited until the beginning of the wu hour before they saw a procession of horse-drawn carts, all dressed in white mourning clothes, slowly approaching.

Fu Tingjun and the others hurried forward to meet them.

She spotted Zhao Ling walking at the front of the procession at once.

He was draped in hempen mourning garments, looking somewhat dejected and much thinner.

Fu Tingjun's heart gave a start.

Had the journey to Songjiang not gone smoothly?

In that flash of thought, Zhao Ling's gaze had already turned toward her.

A gentle smile curled at the corners of his lips as he strode forward to meet her.

"Ah, Jun!" Zhao Ling's gaze was focused and earnest, as if no one else around him existed. "Are you alright?" He glanced at her belly. "Is the child behaving well?"

This occasion called for solemnity, yet a bright, joyful smile couldn't help but spill from Fu Tingjun's eyes. "I'm fine! You've lost so much weight..." The words had barely left her mouth when she realized such a question wasn't quite appropriate to ask in front of everyone, so she phrased it more tactfully. "How was your journey?"

Hearing this, Zhao Ling snapped back to attention and replied with a smile, "Quite smooth." At the same time, he looked past her. "Where are Youyou and Xige'er?"

Hearing her father mentioned, Youyou, who was being held by Mother Tong, struggled to get down, ran forward, and hugged Zhao Ling's leg. "Papa!"

Zhao Ling laughed heartily and scooped Youyou up in his arms.

Held by her tall father, she could see farther and take in more of her surroundings.

Youyou giggled with pure delight.

Xige'er also called out "Papa" and squirmed in Yuwei's arms.

Zhao Ling walked over and picked up Xige'er as well.

With a daughter in one arm and a son in the other, both little ones were no light burden.

Fu Tingjun, feeling for Zhao Ling after his long journey, scolded with a smile, "Alright, come down now. Papa still has important matters to attend to!"

Youyou obediently got down, and Yuwei took Xige'er back.

Fu Tingjun introduced Zhao Ling to her fifth cousin and her husband: "...The eldest son of the Yao family of Lintong."