Chapter 269

Fu Tingjun looked at Third Cousin's expression and felt a strange unease, as if Sixth Uncle's insistence on dividing the family had something to do with her!

She couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is going on here? The Shu family has been officials for generations, a family steeped in poetry and propriety. For them to urge Sixth Uncle to propose dividing the family while his mother's body is barely cold—such an unfilial, unrighteous, and immoral act—how could they possibly instigate him to do such a thing? Could there be some misunderstanding in all this?" Then she added, unable to restrain herself, "Although Uncle Shu enjoys teasing me, apart from that, he is steady and proper in conduct. Now that he has passed the imperial examination and become a magistrate, he should act even more prudently. How could he let Sixth Uncle propose dividing the family?" Her face was full of confusion, and she simply could not believe that Shu Minghui would do such a thing.

Third Cousin blurted out at this, "You seem to know Uncle Shu quite well!" But no sooner had the words left her mouth than a flicker of regret passed through her eyes, and she hurriedly covered it with a smile, saying, "What I mean is, among us sisters, Uncle Shu likes to tease you the most, often making you jump around like a cat whose tail has been stepped on. I didn't expect you to be so fair toward him."

"One cannot judge a matter by a single instance," Fu Tingjun said. "I'm not a child anymore; I understand this principle." Even so, for some reason, she felt that Third Cousin seemed to be implying something beneath her words.

"As it happens, this matter has some connection to you." Third Cousin had already returned to her usual composed and natural demeanor, smiling as she spoke of Sixth Uncle's proposal to divide the family. "Somehow, Uncle Shu learned of your situation. They say he flew into a rage. First, he sent his aide to deliver a message to Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt, asking them to uphold justice. At that time, Grandmother was already bedridden with illness, so Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt could hardly say much. Later, Uncle Shu personally rushed back from Meng County. He happened to arrive just as Grandmother passed away. He shut himself in a room with Sixth Uncle and had a long talk—even my mother couldn't find out what was said—but Sixth Uncle's face turned very grim afterward, and he paced before Grandmother's spirit tablet for several days."

"At the time, we thought Uncle Shu had quarreled with Sixth Uncle over his constant traveling and neglect of family affairs. But who would have thought that no sooner had Grandmother been buried than Sixth Uncle proposed dividing the family. He even said that he had already discussed the matter with the Shu family."

"When Eldest Uncle heard this, he flew into a rage and berated Sixth Uncle, saying, 'Are you a son of the Fu family or a son-in-law taken into the Shu family?'"

"Fifth Uncle also said to Sixth Uncle, 'How can you be ordered around by your wife's family? Especially over something so nonsensical.'"

"You know how Sixth Uncle usually holds Eldest Uncle and Fifth Uncle in the highest regard, but this time he didn't say a word—he only insisted on dividing the family. Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle, seeing that he was determined, urged him, saying, 'You must at least give us a reason, or how are we to explain this to our relatives and friends?'"

"Only then did Sixth Uncle reveal that you were still alive and that you had been wronged by Yu Jingxiu. He said, 'When a husband keeps a mistress outside, the wife is always the last to know. It's not that I want to divide the family, but I still have a wife and children. My wife needs to return to her natal family, and my children need to be matched in marriage. I must leave them some dignity.'"

Fu Tingjun was stunned and interrupted Third Cousin, saying, "Wasn't Uncle Shu in Meng County? How did news of this reach him?" Then, thinking of how hurtful rumors could be, she said with a sigh, "What are people saying?"

"Who in this world doesn't enjoy a bit of gossip? Especially about our family." Third Cousin also felt troubled recalling the matter, and her expression grew heavy. "Uncle Shu apparently heard it from members of the Shu family. From what Sixth Uncle said, it seems that every family of some standing in Shaanxi has heard of this matter. When they speak of you, they mostly pity you for being harmed by Yu Jingxiu, unable to return home and forced to marry far away. They also discuss Yu Jingxiu, finding him despicable for scheming against his own wife's family—though his scholarship is good, his moral character is utterly lacking. But the most discussed are Eldest Uncle and Fifth Uncle, saying they are cunning and opportunistic, that the Fu family's century-old reputation and the scholars' sense of propriety and honor have been completely cast aside, trading a daughter's life for their own wealth and position... Before I came, when Old Master Huang of the eastern part of the city passed away, he didn't even send an invitation to the Fu family!" She sighed and said with a bitter smile, "I haven't dared to tell your brother-in-law about any of this, for fear he might laugh at us."

Fu Tingjun had already seen her in far more disheveled states, so she had no such concerns. Still, listening to this, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, and she murmured, "It seems the saying 'people's hearts hold their own sense of justice' has some truth to it. As the one directly involved, I thought of the Fu family's kindness in raising me and couldn't bear to ruin their century-old reputation, so I swallowed all my grievances. Who would have thought that paper can never wrap fire in the end..." Then she thought of Shu Ming and said, "But Uncle Shu was too rash in this matter. After all, this is the Fu family's affair—others might say he's meddling in things that don't concern him..." Then she remembered that Shu Ming should be in Fang County at this time, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Has something changed on Uncle Shu's side? Why else would he suddenly return to Huayin?"

She felt somewhat uneasy.

Third Cousin, however, was thinking of the scene when Shu Ming had heard of Fu Tingjun's death.

At that time, Shu Ming had been on the road to the capital for the imperial examinations. Upon hearing the news, he insisted on turning back. The steward who had accompanied him from the Shu family tried every way to dissuade him but couldn't, so they had no choice but to turn around midway.

After returning, he went to Fu Tingjun's grave and offered three sticks of incense.

As an in-law by marriage, this could be considered loyal and righteous, fulfilling the proper rites.

But who would have known that in the middle of the night, he would quietly sneak back to Fu Tingjun's grave alone and lie there weeping. The grave keeper thought it was a ghost haunting and was so frightened that he called people to drive away the spirit. Only then did they learn that the person crying at the grave was Shu Ming.

After that, Madam Shu had largely stopped visiting the Fu family.

This time, when he heard that Fu Tingjun was still alive, he abandoned his duties without a second thought and rushed back, even asking her why Fu Tingjun hadn't returned. What kind of person was Zhao Ling? Did he treat Fu Tingjun well? Had Fu Tingjun gained or lost weight? How many children did she have? Were the children obedient? Who did they resemble... He asked about every detail, no matter how small. Even Fifth Uncle Fu probably had never cared about Fu Tingjun to such a degree. He even disregarded propriety and persuaded Sixth Uncle to divide the family estate...

In the past, when she was young, she had only felt that Shu Ming was more patient with Fu Tingjun than with the other sisters, and since Fu Tingjun had always known how to win over her elders, she assumed Shu Ming was like everyone else—that he appreciated Fu Tingjun's cleverness and wit. Now that she was grown and married, and understood matters between men and women, looking at Shu Ming again, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But the two of them hadn't seen each other since Fu Tingjun and Yu Jingxiu became engaged, so she could only suppress such feelings in her heart, unable even to speak a word of advice. Yet if she said nothing—next spring, when Shu Ming's three-year term as county magistrate ended, he would by all accounts come to the capital for his performance review, and then the two would meet... She felt a vague worry, afraid that Shu Ming would lose his head like last time and do something as absurd as crying at a grave.

"That man—he's as shrewd as they come, what could possibly happen to him?" Although Shu Ming was their elder, he was actually three years younger than Third Cousin and had grown up playing with them, so when she spoke of him, there was more familiarity and less reverence. "He heard about your situation and came back to Huayin specially..." As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt they were somewhat ambiguous, so she spoke more directly, "You know what he's like—he was good at his studies from a young age, and as the youngest son, Madam Shu doted on him most. He developed the temperament of a young master. Usually it doesn't show, but when it flares up, even nine oxen couldn't pull him back. Otherwise, he wouldn't have persuaded Sixth Uncle to divide the family. He served three years as assistant magistrate in Meng County, received a 'good' rating in his evaluation, and was promoted to county magistrate. Next year he'll return to the capital for his review. With his temperament, he'll definitely come to see you then. I'm just afraid he'll act up and do something that leaves people both amused and exasperated."

Fu Tingjun thought of the things Shu Ming had done when she was little and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Third Sister's concern is not without merit. But I'm not a child anymore—even if he wants to stir me up, he'll have to see whether I agree!"

"Just remember what you said," Third Cousin urged repeatedly. "You're both parents now—you can't just do as you please and lose the dignity of your elders."

"Surely Uncle Shu wouldn't grab me by the hair the moment we meet?" Fu Tingjun laughed. "Don't worry. Uncle Shu isn't a child either."

Third Cousin gave her repeated instructions before finally heading home.

Fu Tingjun then wrote a letter to Zhao Ling. Besides telling him about Hao Jianfeng's matter, she also told him about Shu Ming, adding, "Uncle Shu was mischievous from childhood—I simply can't imagine him sitting in the courtroom with a stern face trying cases..."

Zhao Ling's reply did not arrive until after the Lantern Festival. He advised Fu Tingjun to remain still and not proactively inquire about Hao Jianfeng's matter, adding, "I have already written a letter and sent it by urgent courier to Teacher Yao's place. If any of them need you to act as a go-between, they will come to you on their own. Just act according to the situation." As for Shu Ming, he said, "It's clear that justice lies in the hearts of the people. Not everyone is like First Master Fu and Fifth Master Fu; it's just that people don't know the truth. As long as we manage our affairs well and make our lives better day by day, eventually everyone will look down on the Yu family. In this world, more people add flowers to brocade than send charcoal in the snow."

Fu Tingjun reflected on the events of recent days and found Zhao Ling's words quite sensible. Recalling that she had heard from Madam Mo that the various cave villages in Guizhou were now all law-abiding and disciplined, she wanted to ask in her reply about the war situation there.

Just as she picked up her brush, Baoshu came in to report, "The neighboring Madam Wu and Madam Hao have come to visit you."

The surname Hao... it should be Hao Jianfeng's second wife.

Last time, when Madam Wu hosted a welcome banquet for Third Cousin, she had specifically introduced Madam Hao to her.

Madam Wu never came without a purpose, and she probably had something to discuss with her this time, coming together with Madam Hao.

Thinking this, Fu Tingjun had Baoshu usher the two ladies into the main hall, changed her clothes, and went to the hall.

Madam Hao was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a very plump figure and a perpetual smile on her face. Seeing Fu Tingjun come out, she immediately stood up and called out somewhat eagerly, "Mrs. Zhao."

Madam Wu also stood up, smiling, "It's been a few days, but Mrs. Zhao looks as spirited as ever. It seems these days have been smooth sailing for you, with everything going your way!"

"Madam Wu flatters me," Fu Tingjun stepped forward and greeted both ladies with a bow. "I simply go with the flow and let my heart be at ease, which keeps me well."

Madam Hao quickly said, "How is Mrs. Zhao plump? Look at that waist—even a girl of seventeen or eighteen couldn't compare. It's us who are like a bucket and a teapot, with no shape at all."

Hearing this, Madam Wu laughed.

Fu Tingjun laughed along with them, chatting idly with Madam Wu and Madam Hao for quite a while. It wasn't until the maidservants brought tea and refreshments that Madam Wu cast a meaningful glance at Madam Hao, who then said with a hint of caution in her smile, "Actually, the reason I came this time is that there's something I'd like to ask Mrs. Zhao for help with!"