Chapter 246

Third Cousin and her husband leapt to their feet, their faces filled with shock.

"Quick, call the carriage driver!" Third Cousin's husband instructed her in a panic.

"Oh!" Third Cousin responded, hurrying toward the door. Halfway there, she came to her senses and called out loudly to her personal maid: "Fetch Yuwei at once—their mistress is about to give birth. You go straight to Shi Family Lane and tell Zheng San's wife to start preparing." Then she summoned her senior maid: "The Ninth Concubine is about to give birth. Send someone to tell Zheng San to have the carriage ready immediately, and instruct the junior maids to lay several thick quilts in the carriage. You go brew a cup of brown sugar water right away."

The personal maid and senior maid acknowledged and hurried off.

Third Cousin came over to support Fu Tingjun: "Go lie down on my kang for a while."

Fu Tingjun curled up and shook her head.

Third Cousin, having been through childbirth herself, knew she was in the throes of labor pains and didn't press her. Looking up, she saw her husband standing there dumbfounded and silently cursed him a "silly goose" in her heart. "Go call a few of the rough-service maids to take down half the door panel," she said, "so we can carry Ninth Sister onto the carriage later." She then instructed him further, "I'll go along to check on her. Please look after Chunbing and Yuanxiao for me."

Only then did Third Cousin's husband collect himself, feeling secretly ashamed that he, a man, was less composed in a crisis than a woman or child. Knowing it was improper for him to remain here, and thinking that since Zhao Ling was away, having a man present would provide some sense of stability, he said, "I'll settle the children and then come over," and strode quickly out of the hall.

Yuwei arrived upon receiving word, just as Fu Tingjun's contraction had subsided. She let out a sigh of relief, took Fu Tingjun's hand, and helped her stand.

Several serving women were already waiting outside with a door panel covered in thick quilts.

Third Cousin and Yuwei supported Fu Tingjun from either side as she lay down, and watched as the servants carried her onto the carriage.

Zheng San cracked his whip and headed for Shi Family Lane, but fearing the ride might jostle Fu Tingjun, he dared not go fast. Yet he also feared something might happen to her, and his heart burned with anxiety—his hand holding the whip began to tremble.

It was Third Cousin who had been thoughtful enough to bring a pot of hot water onto the carriage. She and Yuwei took turns wringing out cloths to wipe the sweat from Fu Tingjun's brow.

They finally arrived at Shi Family Lane, where the household was already brightly lit.

The messenger from the Shen family had arrived long before, and the midwife, who had moved in a few days earlier, was already boiling water in the kitchen.

Zheng Sanniang and the others came forward to help Fu Tingjun down from the carriage.

Drenched in sweat, Fu Tingjun asked about Youyou and Xige'er: "...Don't disturb them."

Zheng Sanniang replied steadily, "Don't worry, madam. Mrs. Tong has already put the young miss and young master to bed."

Fu Tingjun nodded and went into the inner chamber.

After a flurry of commotion, she gave birth successfully to a son at the hour of Yin, weighing six jin and six liang.

Zhao Ling was overjoyed and named his second son "Xu."

However, by the time his letter reached the capital, Xu Ge'er had already passed his one-month celebration.

Third Cousin was carrying Xu Ge'er around the room when she heard that Zhao Ling had named the child. She laughed and said to the soundly sleeping baby, "Chuyi, did you hear that? Your father has given you a name. From today on, you are Zhao Xu." Then she asked about Zhao Ling: "How goes the fighting on that front?"

Xu Ge'er had been born on the first day of the fifth month, so Fu Tingjun had given him the milk name Chuyi.

"She says the Miao rebellion was caused by oppressive taxes and levies," Fu Tingjun said, carefully folding Zhao Ling's letter back into its original creases and placing it in the large red lacquered box with gold tracings beside her. "He executed only the ringleaders, pacified the rest, and petitioned the Emperor to establish new tax policies, with steles erected in each county seat as proof. Since the start of the fifth month, wherever he has gone, the Miao barbarians have surrendered upon hearing of his approach. Within two or three months at most, the rebellion will be quelled."

Third Cousin clapped her hands in delight: "Amituofo, that's wonderful, wonderful!"

Fu Tingjun smiled: "It's all thanks to His Majesty's boundless grace—had the Emperor not approved the new tax policies, the Miao rebellion could never have been pacified so quickly."

"Regardless, it's Ninth Brother-in-law's good fortune," Third Cousin said with a smile. "Otherwise, after all these years of Miao unrest, why would it be settled the moment he arrived?"

Fu Tingjun wished Zhao Ling would always have such good fortune. Then she thought of Third Cousin's husband and asked about his reinstatement: "Any news yet?"

Third Cousin smiled: "The magistrates for the remote small counties have all been decided. The positions of Censor at the Censorate and Secretary at the Office of Transmission are still vacant, let alone the Left Supervising Secretary at the Ministry of Personnel? Your brother-in-law said no news is good news. He told us not to worry."

Ever since Fu Tingjun gave birth to Xu Ge'er, Third Cousin had been coming early and leaving late, spending nearly every day at Shi Family Lane. First, because she felt Fu Tingjun had no elder in the household, and as her elder sister, with Fu Tingjun needing rest and recuperation, it was her duty to come and care for her. Second, she harbored deep guilt, feeling that had it not been for their family's affairs, Fu Tingjun would not have gone into labor two or three days early.

There had been no further developments regarding Third Cousin-in-law's matter since that day, and the couple was growing quite anxious. But Fu Tingjun was still in her confinement period, and they had already done everything they could—including visiting Teacher Yao. Third Cousin-in-law's husband, fearing that Fu Tingjun might worry herself sick, had repeatedly urged Third Cousin: "If Ninth Sister asks about it, tell her that Brother-in-law Seven and I are keeping a close watch on things, and she shouldn't worry. Matters at court cannot be resolved overnight."

That was the context behind Third Cousin's words.

But Fu Tingjun felt the matter had been dragging on far too long.

She couldn't help but frown: "If I were the one in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, with so many eyes watching, I would cut through the knot with one swift stroke. The longer this drags on, the more people learn about the vacancy for Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, and the more people come seeking favors. There's only one position—if you promise it to one person, you offend another. Better to decide early and dismiss everyone else with a simple 'You came too late.' That washes your hands clean of it all..." As she spoke, her expression turned solemn. "No, this won't do. We need to make another trip to Tanzhe Temple."

"Absolutely not!" Third Cousin refused resolutely. "You need to rest properly. If you're anxious, wait until your brother-in-law comes over and ask him yourself. There's no way I'll let you endure the hardship of travel again. This is the sixth month—you break a sweat just sitting still, and you've only just finished your confinement." By the end, her tone carried a hint of pleading.

Fu Tingjun felt embarrassed.

Third Cousin found a feather fan and began fanning her.

Zhenzhu came in to report: "Madam, Third Elder Brother-in-law has arrived."

Fu Tingjun looked toward Third Cousin.

Third Cousin had no choice but to say: "Then please invite Third Elder Brother-in-law to the inner courtyard hall."

Zhenzhu glanced at Fu Tingjun, and only after seeing her nod did she smile and withdraw to escort Third Cousin-in-law to the hall.

The three of them took their seats according to precedence. Tea had just been served, and before anyone could speak, Kou'er came in to announce: "Seventh Elder Brother-in-law has arrived."

Fu Tingjun quickly instructed Kou'er to welcome him into the hall as well.

Kou'er acknowledged and left.

Before long, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

Third Cousin-in-law was about to make a teasing remark about Seventh Brother-in-law when the curtain stirred—Seventh Brother-in-law lifted it himself and strode in with long steps.

"I went to Third Brother-in-law's place, and his servants said you were all here at Shi Family Lane, so I rushed over." Joy radiated from his brows and eyes. "I just came from the Ministry Quarter—Grand Secretary Shen has retired, Grand Secretary Mo has been dismissed and impeached over the Grand Granary affair, and the Emperor has appointed Qian Donglin and Chen Danting to the Grand Secretariat. Qian Donglin succeeds Grand Secretary Shen as Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and concurrently Minister of Personnel, while Chen Danting succeeds Grand Secretary Mo as Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Pavilion and concurrently Minister of Works."

The Six Ministries were located in the Ministry Quarter.

Third Cousin-in-law let out an "Ah!" and sprang to his feet, exclaiming excitedly: "Is this true?"

Fu Tingjun and Third Cousin also rose involuntarily, both asking what had happened.

Seventh Brother-in-law laughed: "I can't explain the details. This morning I went to the Ministry Quarter hoping to ask about Third Brother-in-law's matter, but instead I heard this news." He added, "The word came from the Ministry of Personnel—apparently after the morning court session today, Qian Donglin and Chen Danting have already gone to the palace to thank the Emperor. The official notice should be posted by midday at the latest."

Third Cousin-in-law could no longer sit still. He grabbed Seventh Brother-in-law: "Come, let's go see for ourselves!"

So Grand Secretary Yu's hopes had come to nothing!

Fu Tingjun was both pleased and worried.

Pleased that the Yu family had finally hit a wall, worried that Third Cousin-in-law's matter might change course because of this.

She quickly instructed Baoshu to accompany them.

Baoshu was one of the young servants Zhao Ling had sent from Xuanfu, along with another named Yuechuan. Both were only eight or nine years old, with bright, clever eyes—clearly intelligent children. They had been learning proper conduct under A Sen for barely a month, yet they already handled their duties without a single mistake.

Third Cousin asked Fu Tingjun: "Who are Qian Donglin and Chen Danting?"

Fu Tingjun shook her head: "I don't know either."

"It seems we'll have to wait until your brother-in-law returns to ask him!" Third Cousin murmured, though her heart was uneasy, wondering whether her husband's matter would encounter unexpected complications.

The two sisters each dwelled on their own thoughts, yet both were thinking of the same thing.

For a moment, the room fell silent, not a sound to be heard.

...

Compared to the quiet stillness of the Zhao residence on Shi Family Lane, the Yu mansion on Jiajie Street was in turmoil, like waves crashing against the shore.

Grand Secretary Yu had picked up his inkstone several times, wanting to hurl it, but each time he saw his son standing before him with a worried expression, he forced himself to set it down.

Yu Jingxiu had never dreamed the outcome would be like this. Seeing his father so distressed, he couldn't help but speak with righteous indignation: "Father, how can this be? The Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy who also serves as Junior Mentor, and the Director of the Imperial Academy—men who have never governed a single region—have gone straight into the Grand Secretariat. And that Chancellor has even become Senior Grand Secretary! Isn't this the most absurd joke in the world? Father, is there truly nothing else we can do?"

“Other options?” Grand Secretary Yu gave a bitter smile, his gaze at his son dim and lifeless. “Xiang Zhuang performed the sword dance, but his target was the Duke of Pei. We all thought His Majesty was going to make a move against Grand Secretary Shen, but who would have guessed His Majesty had set his sights on Mo Yingbo instead... Do you think, with a sovereign like this, we still have any options? Whether Qian Donglin is the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy or the Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, His Majesty likely doesn't care. All he wants is an obedient Grand Secretary...”

Yu Jingxiu fell silent.

Seeing this, Grand Secretary Yu forced himself to rally and let out a few hearty laughs, then said, “Enough, Depu, don't lose heart. It's better that I didn't become Grand Secretary—you can go to the Ministry of Personnel instead.” With that, he patted his shoulder encouragingly and said, “Work hard. Your father awaits the day you rise in rank and honor, and enter the Grand Secretariat. That would bring me more joy than becoming Grand Secretary myself.”