Chapter 271

With the matter settled for now, what happened afterward was beyond their control—they had neither the means nor the ability to intervene.

Third Cousin couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Fu Tingjun also felt a weight lifted from her shoulders and began discussing plans for a spring outing with Third Cousin. "...We adults only concern ourselves with our own affairs, but the children have been cooped up indoors all winter. Now that the weather has finally warmed, it would be a pity not to let them out for some fresh air. Going to Tanzhe Temple would be ideal, but with its current precarious situation, one misstep could spell trouble. Better we keep our distance."

Third Cousin nodded in agreement and said, "How about we go to Xiangguo Temple instead? I hear they hold temple fairs every seventh day. Shall we take the children to browse the fair?"

"We'd need to bring extra maids and attendants," Fu Tingjun said. "Temple fairs are packed with people and far too chaotic. Every year, children get lost or are abducted."

"Then let's pick another place!" Third Cousin immediately changed her mind. The two sisters then went through every temple and monastery in the capital, big and small, before finally deciding to take the children to Da Ci Nunnery outside Xuanwu Gate for their spring outing.

Fu Tingjun leaned close to Third Cousin's ear and whispered, "I hear the Guanyin statue there for granting children is very efficacious. Why don't you offer a few extra sticks of incense and pray to the Bodhisattva to bless you with a daughter?"

Third Cousin's face flushed at the suggestion, but she was also rather tempted. The more the two sisters talked, the more they looked forward to visiting Da Ci Temple. Naturally, they decided to go shopping for new dresses in the latest styles and buy a few pieces of jewelry. When the household maids heard they might have the chance to accompany their mistresses to the nunnery for some fun, they too opened their trunks and adorned themselves before mirrors. Remembering that Shopkeeper Ye San had sent over five thousand taels of silver in profits before the new year, and that Zhao Ling had delivered several chests of silver ornaments, silverware, furs, medicinal herbs, and spices, Fu Tingjun decided to reward each servant with two taels of silver.

Everyone was overjoyed, with smiles beaming on every face. They chatted more cheerfully and worked more briskly—the atmosphere was even more festive than during the New Year.

The mood at the Yu residence on Jiadao Street, however, was far less pleasant.

Ever since the new year began, Grand Secretary Yu's spirits had been low, and the entire Yu household walked on eggshells, speaking and moving with great caution. Yet even after several months had passed, Grand Secretary Yu's expression had only grown darker, and Madam Yu's brows were perpetually furrowed, making the household atmosphere even heavier.

Lady Fan watched with growing anxiety and whispered to Mozhuan, "...I asked Mother-in-law, but she wouldn't say anything. And with my husband away from home, it's simply maddening." She lowered her voice further and said, "Tell me, could Father-in-law be forced into retirement like Grand Secretary Shen?"

Mozhuan was Lady Fan's trusted confidante, and she knew that the Yu family had once been close to the Shen family. Now, in this situation, she too felt uneasy. Hearing this, she looked somewhat bewildered and said dully, "That shouldn't happen... After all, with Grand Secretary Shen and Grand Secretary Tian gone, our master has the most seniority... The Emperor can't very well drive out all the old officials, can he? Even a newly appointed steward would make a show of keeping a few people around to demonstrate his magnanimity..."

Lady Fan's brow furrowed with added worry as she said, "But once the steward has secured his position, he'll likely clean house on those left by his predecessor... Father-in-law was too close to Grand Secretary Shen!" Then she couldn't help but complain, "Father-in-law really is something else. All under heaven belongs to the Emperor—who in any dynasty has ever benefited from butting heads with the sovereign? Why not just bow his head and show some deference? At the very least, he could keep his position as Grand Secretary—if he loses even that, then he'll truly have no face left!" With that, she let out a despondent sigh.

Madam Yu, who had come to serve Grand Secretary Yu his ginseng soup, was offering the same advice to her husband: "...Since even Hao Jianfeng and the others have thrown in their lot with the new faction, you should follow suit and go with the flow!"

Grand Secretary Yu smiled bitterly. "Don't think I haven't considered it! But I need to be able to make that move, don't I? Hao Jianfeng and the others got in through Zhao Ling's connections—are you suggesting I should also go through Zhao Ling?"

Madam Yu was stunned.

"Are you certain they really went through Zhao Ling?" she asked, her face full of doubt. "Did you verify this?"

"Lord Wu told me himself," Grand Secretary Yu said bitterly. "And it was Madam Fu who helped broker the introduction."

Madam Yu was shaken to the core. Her expression shifted slightly as she murmured, "Madam Fu... has such abilities..." Her face showed a mixture of emotions.

"That's not all!" Grand Secretary Yu's tone carried a hint of dejection. "She's also opened a restaurant with a partner, and business is quite good. From what I can tell, it brings in several thousand taels a year. If only back then..." He stopped mid-sentence, his heart giving a sudden lurch.

What was the point of dwelling on such things now?

At the thought of this, he changed the subject at the right moment: "You don't need to worry too much. As long as I work diligently, the Emperor can't very well force me into retirement without cause, can he?"

Madam Yu seemed about to speak but held back.

Her husband was already past fifty. Between retiring with dignity and being slighted for losing the Emperor's favor—having all the dirty work, troublesome affairs, and vexing matters dumped on you, where doing well was merely expected and doing poorly invited scolding—the former surely carried more dignity!

But at this moment, she could not say such a thing.

Her eyes dimmed slightly as she offered insincere comfort to her husband: "What you say makes sense, my lord. Didn't Grand Secretary Shen sit on the bench for several years before entering the Grand Secretariat? Your noble character is known to every civil and military official in the court. A long road tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart. In time, the Emperor will naturally come to know you. For now, I ask that you set your mind at ease." Then she smiled and said, "You haven't seen Zhen-jie'er in a while, have you? She can call out to people now! Why don't I have someone bring her over for you to see?"

"No need." Grand Secretary Yu truly was not in the mood, and asked instead about Yu Jingxiu: "When does he return?"

Yu Jingxiu was merely on an inspection tour on behalf of the Emperor, returning to the capital at intervals to report his findings to his superiors.

"By my reckoning, within a day or two." Speaking of her son lifted Madam Yu's spirits considerably. "Depu has handled matters capably this time—you have a worthy successor!"

After Yu Jingxiu departed, he had investigated a case of embezzlement, and the response had been very favorable. Madam Yu brought this up now to lift her husband's spirits.

Grand Secretary Yu's expression indeed softened somewhat, and he said, "He has been obedient enough."

Just as they were speaking, a young servant ran in to announce: "The eldest young master has returned!"

Grand Secretary Yu and Madam Yu both broke into delighted smiles. Madam Yu went all the way to the front gate to greet her son, then took his hand, asking along the way about his daily life in Shandong, accompanying Yu Jingxiu to see Grand Secretary Yu.

Compared to the mother's joy at seeing her son, the father appeared far more composed.

Grand Secretary Yu greeted his son coolly: "You're back!"

Yu Jingxiu respectfully acknowledged with a "Yes" and performed the full formal bow to his father.

Seeing that his son had matured somewhat, a flicker of gratification passed through Grand Secretary Yu's eyes. He instructed Yu Jingxiu: "You've been gone for several months—not only has your mother missed you, but your wife must have as well. Go to the inner courtyard and see your wife, freshen up, and then bring your wife and child to the main hall for the evening meal."

Yu Jingxiu smiled and acknowledged, then returned to the inner courtyard.

Madam Yu took Mama Shu to the kitchen to attend to the evening family dinner.

Lady Fan was overjoyed to see her husband. She personally attended to Yu Jingxiu's washing and change of clothes, and brought out a new spring garment for him to wear.

Yu Jingxiu looked at it and asked: "Did you make this?"

Lady Fan thought of the winter clothing mishap and suppressed her displeasure, smiling as she said: "How would I have the leisure for that? It was made by the seamstress."

Yu Jingxiu looked down and examined the new garment on his body, then said: "Yours are still better—well-fitted, with a simple and elegant style." Then he smiled. "If you have the time, do make a couple for me."

Lady Fan was exasperated but could not refuse.

They exchanged a few vague words before Mama Shu came to urge them to the evening meal.

Lady Fan carried Zhen-jie'er and went with Yu Jingxiu to the main hall.

After the meal, the family moved to the western sitting room for tea.

Grand Secretary Yu was about to ask Yu Jingxiu about his time in Shandong when Yu Jingxiu spoke first, asking about the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday celebration: "I heard it's to be a grand affair? Jointly managed by the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and the Court of Sacrificial Worship. Grand Secretary Li even proposed holding the longevity banquet in the Hall of Central Harmony, inviting all titled ladies of the court aged seventy and above to attend?"

"The Emperor does have that intention, but it is still under discussion." Grand Secretary Yu smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to be so well-informed—you knew about it even from Shandong."

"I heard it from Lord Jiang." Yu Jingxiu said, then exclaimed, "Whose idea was this? Inviting titled ladies aged seventy and above to the Hall of Central Harmony for the longevity banquet—isn't that asking for trouble? What if one of them fails to hold up during the feast? Wouldn't that be terribly inauspicious?"

Seeing his son's indignant expression, Grand Secretary Yu's face darkened slightly, and he said: "This is not your concern. Do not speak recklessly outside." Then he asked him, "Lord Jiang—is he the Left Assistant Administration Commissioner of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission?"

"That's him!"

Grand Secretary Yu gave his son a deep look and said with pointed meaning: "Grand Secretary Tian's mother remarried—he is Grand Secretary Tian's nephew by a different father."

"I already know that." Yu Jingxiu smiled. "He and I have a fairly good relationship."

Grand Secretary Yu looked at his son: "Then did he tell you whose idea this was?"

"It's Chen Danting," Yu Jingxiu said with a smile. "He also mentioned that many provincial governors, knowing the Emperor wants to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday, are already preparing birthday gifts in every way they can think of, even though there's no official announcement yet! Not to mention other places—just in Shandong alone, the prices of antiques, calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and jade have all gone up by thirty percent. The jewelry shops must be making a killing today."

Madam Yu interjected from the side, "Shouldn't we start preparing too? Otherwise, we might not be able to buy anything good even if we have the money!"

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said, "Mother, you needn't worry. I've already prepared something—I've had an agarwood statue of Guanyin carved in the likeness of the Grand Empress Dowager. It's being made in Rizhao, Shandong, and should be finished and delivered in a couple of days."

That alone certainly wouldn't be enough. But Madam Yu was still delighted to hear it, and said, "Depu is becoming more and more like a proper adult!" She looked up, however, and saw her husband sitting beside her with his head lowered in deep thought, his face utterly solemn. Somewhat surprised, she asked softly, "Is my lord thinking of something?"

"Oh!" Grand Secretary Yu sat up straight. "I was thinking—what gift will Zhao Ling present to the Grand Empress Dowager?"