Chapter 234

After arranging Fu Tingjun's itinerary, Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and began preparing for his return to the capital.

Third Cousin came with her two sons to bid farewell: "...If there's a chance in the future, I'll come to the capital to see you. If you give birth, send someone to let me know."

Third Cousin was the matriarch managing the household affairs; being able to gather like this was already no small feat. How could they presume to keep her longer?

Fu Tingjun nodded and earnestly urged, "If you can get away, come then to celebrate the child's hundred-day feast."

Third Cousin agreed.

Fu Tingjun and her husband, along with Fifth Cousin and her husband, escorted Third Cousin and her sons to the main gate.

A black-lacquered flat-top carriage with a parrot-green silk curtain hanging at the front slowly approached.

Third Cousin, who was about to board her carriage, paused slightly in surprise. Chunbing and Yuanxiao had already jumped up, exclaiming, "That's our carriage..." Yuanxiao even dashed toward it joyfully, shouting, "Father must have come to pick us up!"

Seeing Yuanxiao running over, the driver stopped the carriage from afar, jumped down from the shaft, and caught Yuanxiao in his arms: "Second Young Master, mind you don't fall!"

But Yuanxiao paid no heed, calling "Father" toward the curtain.

Only then was the curtain lifted, and a stern-faced middle-aged man stepped down.

He was of medium height, with a fair complexion and a sturdy build. His movements were steady and open, exuding an air of refined elegance.

Seeing Yuanxiao squirming in the driver's arms, he scolded in a low voice, "Stand properly at once! Carrying on like this—what decorum is that!"

Hearing this, Yuanxiao immediately slid down from the driver's arms, stood at attention with hands at his sides, and respectfully called out "Father."

Fu Tingjun felt embarrassed watching this. Only then did she understand why Chunbing and Yuanxiao, despite their young age, already behaved like little old men.

Everyone now understood who this man was. Zhao Ling, especially, stepped forward enthusiastically and called out, "Third Brother-in-Law."

Third Brother-in-Law returned the greeting courteously, addressing him as "Ninth Brother-in-Law," then added, "Forgive me for not calling at your door, as I am in mourning."

"Third Brother-in-Law, you speak too formally," Zhao Ling said with a polite smile. "I should have gone to Hancheng myself to pay respects to Grand Madame, but I've been tied up with trivial matters and unable to attend to it, and my eldest son is still young. I had to send my second brother to Hancheng in my stead. I hope Third Brother-in-Law won't take offense."

The two exchanged courtesies for quite a while until Fifth Brother-in-Law gave a soft cough, bringing the conversation to an end.

Fifth Brother-in-Law took the opportunity to step forward and pay his respects to Third Brother-in-Law.

Only then did Third Cousin have the chance to present her children to her husband and introduce Fu Tingjun and the others to him.

Zhao Ling invited Third Brother-in-Law inside for tea: "...You must at least let me fulfill my duties as host!"

Third Brother-in-Law pondered briefly, nodded, and said with a smile, "Then I'll trouble you!"

"Third Brother-in-Law is too kind," Zhao Ling responded with a smile. The whole party turned back and sat down again in the hall. Maidservants served tea and refreshments. Zhao Ling and Third Brother-in-Law exchanged inquiries about each other's circumstances, and lest Fifth Brother-in-Law feel neglected, Zhao Ling occasionally engaged him in conversation. As the sun climbed higher, Fu Tingjun urged Third Brother-in-Law's family to stay: "There's no harm in leaving after lunch."

Third Brother-in-Law did not decline.

Fu Tingjun promptly instructed Zheng Sanniang to prepare a vegetarian feast.

Since no wine was served, the meal was finished in less than half an hour. Zhao Ling and the others saw Third Brother-in-Law's family off to their carriage.

Third Cousin and Third Brother-in-Law rode in his carriage, while the two children took Third Cousin's carriage.

The carriage quickly left Willow Lane.

Third Cousin then asked, "Why did you suddenly come to Xi'an?"

"Mourning will end early next spring," Third Brother-in-Law said flatly. "I heard that the Master will be returning to his ancestral home for sacrifices in a few days, so I came to give Lord Jin's eldest son a heads-up."

The Master Third Brother-in-Law referred to was Jin Keng, styled Kechun, formerly a Grand Secretary of the Hall of Military Eminence and Minister of Rites, currently serving as Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review. He was a native of Xi'an Prefecture, Shaanxi, and had been the chief examiner of the Jiazhu year.

Lord Jin's eldest son referred to Jin Keng's eldest son.

Although Lord Jin's status had changed from its former glory, having served as a capital official for over twenty years, he still wielded some influence. If her husband could secure a recommendation from him for his official career, nothing could be better.

Third Cousin couldn't help but purse her lips in a smile.

Lord Jin wouldn't return to Xi'an Prefecture until December—wasn't it a bit early to come calling now?

That was just like him—even when coming to pick up her and the children, he had to find some self-righteous excuse.

She asked playfully, "So, did your business get settled? When Lord Jin returns to Xi'an, will you need to come again?"

"Naturally, I'll have to come again." Third Brother-in-Law felt slightly uncomfortable and gave a soft cough before saying, "Getting things done through others is never simple. This trip was just to give the Jin family advance notice, so it won't seem abrupt when I visit later."

Is that so?

Third Cousin blinked.

Third Brother-in-Law couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Have you and the children been well these days?"

"That's wonderful." Third Cousin laughed even harder. "If I weren't thinking of you, I would have accompanied Fifth Cousin to escort Ninth Cousin back to the capital!" Then she explained, "Ninth Cousin is with child!"

Having said that, she remembered that she had yet to explain to her husband the matter of Ninth Cousin's "return from the dead," and further reflected that her husband had always been upright in temperament and meticulous in conduct—Fifth Cousin's words might not be enough to fool him. If he came to think less of Ninth Cousin because of this... She couldn't help but feel troubled.

"Husband," she said hesitantly, "Ninth Cousin's matter is rather complicated..."

She had barely begun when Third Cousin's husband gently shook his head at her. "You needn't say more. Since you were willing to set aside matters at home to come and support her, she must be a virtuous and kind woman. Since we're already connected by kinship, let's just treat her as a relative."

Third Cousin was stunned.

A wave of warmth rippled through her husband's eyes. "If I can't trust you, who else can I trust?"

"Husband!" Third Cousin called out, somewhat moved, her eyes growing moist.

...

Since Fifth Cousin was going to the capital, Fifth Cousin's husband couldn't very well let her go alone, could he? Besides, the round trip would take at least a month, so they would inevitably have to spend the New Year in the capital. They would need to inform their elders at home, no matter what.

Fifth Cousin's husband returned to Lintong.

A Sen, on behalf of Zhao Ling, went to pay respects at the grave of Third Cousin's mother-in-law.

There was still the excuse of "knowing Shopkeeper Ye San of Datong Number" to fall back on. Though Yao's parents were displeased, their son insisted, and their grandson and granddaughter would both remain at home, so in the end they reluctantly nodded. Even so, Yao's father said gloomily, "In the future, you'd do better to put your mind on your studies."

Thus, by the time Fu Tingjun and the others set out, it was already the twentieth day of the tenth month, and they didn't arrive in the capital until the twenty-first day of the twelfth month.

Gazing at the majestic city walls of the capital, Fifth Cousin couldn't help but say with relief, "Thank goodness we made it to the capital before Little New Year. Otherwise, we'd have had to spend the New Year on the road." Then, thinking of how they'd been traveling nonstop these past days, she asked Fu Tingjun, "Are you alright?" Her gaze fell on Fu Tingjun's slightly rounded belly.

"I'm fine." Fu Tingjun smiled. "If I was fine in the early months, why would I have any trouble now?"

"True." Fifth Cousin laughed. "We sisters all carry our pregnancies well. When I was pregnant with Ranran, Fourth Cousin came to visit me and talked about when she was pregnant—she still performed her morning and evening greetings to her elders every day and even served Fourth Cousin's husband while he studied late into the night by lamplight. Yet she still gave birth smoothly and safely."

As the two were talking, the carriage came to a stop. Zheng San said from outside the curtain, "Madam, Ninth Master has come to receive you."

Fu Tingjun was quite surprised.

Zhao Ling was still in the capital?

Why hadn't he returned to Xuanfu?

She quickly lifted the curtain and saw Zhao Ling wearing black sable earmuffs and a sapphire-blue silk robe, chatting with Fifth Cousin's husband beside the carriage.

Fifth Cousin, who had been peering out from behind her, suddenly let out a low "Oh!" and said, "Your husband is wearing sable earmuffs!"

There was a standing regulation in the current dynasty that only officials of the third rank and above could wear earmuffs, and sable fur was reserved exclusively for the imperial family.

Fu Tingjun knew Zhao Ling's temperament well—he would never do something so ostentatious. She smiled and said, "Perhaps they were bestowed by the Emperor? I'll ask him in a moment."

As she spoke, Zhao Ling had already spotted Fu Tingjun.

Smiling as he greeted her, he walked over together with Fifth Cousin's husband.

"Fifth Sister, you must have had a tiring journey." He first made a bow to Fifth Cousin, then asked Fu Tingjun gently, "How was the trip? Is the child behaving? All the New Year provisions at home are prepared, and the holiday gifts have been sent according to your usual list from past years. Madam Wang even made several sets of New Year clothes for us and the child..." He rambled on at length, the implication being that she needn't worry about the New Year arrangements—he had taken care of everything.

A flicker of suspicion arose in Fu Tingjun's heart.

Zhao Ling cared about her and was considerate, but he wasn't the type to pay attention to such trivial matters—let alone prattle on like this in front of guests in a way that seemed almost deliberately conspicuous...

The thought flashed by, and Fu Tingjun was momentarily stunned.

Yes, that was exactly it—it gave one the feeling of trying too hard to cover something up.

What exactly was Zhao Ling trying to hide?

Fu Tingjun fell into brief contemplation.

Behind her, Fifth Cousin whispered with a smile, "Ninth Cousin, you're truly blessed—how many men would be willing to do such things?"

Fu Tingjun was startled by these words and quickly collected her thoughts. She smiled and nodded at Fifth Cousin, then praised Zhao Ling: "On the road, I was just telling Fifth Sister that we had nothing prepared at home and I didn't know how we'd manage the New Year this time. I never expected Ninth Master to have arranged everything. It's a good thing he was so thorough—otherwise, this year would have been complete chaos."

Zhao Ling chuckled at this and said, "Let's head back quickly! It's cold at the city gate—mind you don't catch a chill."

Fu Tingjun nodded.

Everyone returned to Shi Family Lane.

The underfloor heating had already been lit, and the rooms were warm as spring.

After traveling for over a month, returning suddenly to such an environment, everyone couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

After washing up and having a simple dinner, everyone retired early and didn't get up one by one until noon the next day.

Zhao Ling and Fifth Brother-in-law went to the Datong Number's capital branch, Zheng Sanniang and Yuwei were checking the New Year supplies in the kitchen, Zhenzhu was trying on New Year's clothes for Youyou and Xige'er, and Fu Tingjun and Fifth Cousin Sister were leaning on either side of the large kang by the window, talking about Fifth Brother-in-law going to Datong Number: "...Shopkeeper Ye San is a legendary figure at Datong Number. He's risen and fallen several times, yet he's always stood firm—a truly remarkable man. What exactly is Ninth Sister's relationship with Shopkeeper Ye San? You must have noticed these past days that your brother-in-law is a straightforward man. I'm afraid he'll show his inadequacy in front of Shopkeeper Ye San!"

"Fifth Sister, rest assured. Shopkeeper Ye San and our Ninth Master share a bond forged in life-and-death situations." Fu Tingjun assured her. "And he's also on excellent terms with our family." Seeing Fifth Cousin Sister looking restless and uneasy, she said outright, "Besides, with Zhao Ling accompanying him, what could possibly go wrong? The shops in the capital don't close until the twenty-third of the twelfth month. With the New Year approaching, Fifth Brother-in-law and Fifth Sister haven't yet gotten new clothes for the holiday. Why don't we go stroll down the street and see if there's anything that catches Fifth Sister's eye? Besides, with Yuwei handling matters at home, there's nothing for me to worry about."

Fifth Cousin Sister was about to agree when Qingyan hurried in to report: "Madam, there's a steward outside with the surname Li, claiming to be from Lord Wu's household, the Assistant Prefect of Shaanxi. Sent by Lord Wu's orders, he's come especially to congratulate our master on his promotion to Commander-in-Chief of Guizhou..."