Chapter 278

Fu Tingjun listened, alarmed, and said, "This He Fu is quite interesting."

Zhao Ling nodded. "If there's a chance, I'd like to get to know him properly."

Back when He Fu was transferred from his post as the commander-in-chief of Gansu and returned to the capital to have an audience with the emperor, Zhao Ling had only been an inconspicuous commander in the Imperial Guard and had never met him.

Fu Tingjun ladled a scoop of warm water over Zhao Ling's shoulder and asked with a smile about A Sen: "When will he be back? Will you be in the capital when he gets married?"

"Should be able to," Zhao Ling said with a laugh. "I've left some miscellaneous matters to him. He should be back in five or six days."

Fu Tingjun then told Zhao Ling about Shopkeeper Ye San's visit.

Zhao Ling let out an "Oh" and showed great interest in what Shopkeeper Ye San had brought. He finished his bath in a hurry, put on his clothes, and dragged Fu Tingjun to the storeroom where the items were kept.

"Not bad, not bad." He circled the glass screen twice and said with a satisfied smile, "He's saved me a lot of trouble."

Fu Tingjun then asked about the birthday gifts sent by the Miao barbarians: "...What are they?"

"It's a falcon." Zhao Ling smiled at Fu Tingjun, a hint of pride in his smile.

The falcon, also known as the gray bird, was a legendary auspicious bird. There was a saying: "When a wise ruler cultivates filial piety and compassion that moves heaven and earth and all the people, and does not delight in killing, then it shall come." The emperor had made a grand display of organizing the Grand Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday celebration precisely to demonstrate filial piety. Zhao Ling and his men presenting the gray bird was a perfect complement—nothing could have been better.

Fu Tingjun quickly asked, "Where did you find such a fine thing?"

Zhao Ling chuckled and said, "It was said that someone spotted it by chance, and they sent brave warriors from the tribe to lure and capture it from the deep mountains. It took considerable effort." He added, "Since it's a living creature and extremely precious, I had them set out early. Better to travel slowly on the road than to let anything happen to the gray bird. Moreover, they couldn't publicize it along the way, lest some mishap turn the auspicious omen into a disaster and displease the emperor."

Fu Tingjun nodded, then asked Zhao Ling with a pursed smile, "So when can you 'return'?"

Zhao Ling laughed heartily and said, "I can rush back by the middle of next month."

In recent years, every time Zhao Ling returned to the capital, he was inundated with social engagements. That being the case, they could close their doors and enjoy a few quiet days together.

Fu Tingjun was naturally overjoyed. She thought of new ways every day to cook delicious meals for Zhao Ling, while Zhao Ling spent his days playing with the children.

A few days later, A Sen returned. The two of them shut themselves in the study and talked for a long while before coming out.

Fu Tingjun could see from A Sen's cheerful expression that things had gone well. Though she didn't know what matters they were, she felt happy nonetheless. She hurriedly dragged A Sen to try on his wedding clothes.

A Sen's ears turned red with embarrassment.

Third Cousin came to visit: "I've been counting the days—you two families should be formally presenting the betrothal gifts soon. How are the preparations going? Is there anything I can help with?"

"Everything's been ready for a long time," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "When the time comes, all you need to do is have your whole household come over, drink some wine, watch some opera, and join in the fun!" Then she brought up the matter of hiring a tutor for Youyou with Third Cousin.

Third Cousin agreed readily and went back to discuss it with Third Cousin's husband.

Third Cousin's husband mused, "We'll probably have to wait until after the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday celebration. Everyone's been busy with that these days."

"We also started our education at age seven," Third Cousin said with a laugh. "Next year won't be too late."

That said, Third Cousin's husband still took the matter to heart. When mid-November came and he learned that Zhao Ling had "returned," he made a special trip to Shi Family Lane. Zhao Ling, however, had gone to the palace for an audience, so A Sen came out to keep him company. Third Cousin's husband smiled and congratulated him, and A Sen, blushing, stammered through some modest disclaimers. Third Cousin's husband then asked him some questions about scholarship.

A Sen became much more at ease, answering every question without losing his composure.

Third Cousin's husband nodded slightly.

Zhao Ling returned.

Fu Tingjun set up a banquet in the main hall of the southern wing.

Zhao Ling and Third Cousin's husband took their seats as host and guest respectively, with A Sen seated at the lower end to keep them company.

Third Cousin's husband guessed that Zhao Ling had returned to the capital for the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday celebration. After a few rounds of wine, he asked about the audience: "...Why are you back so early? You're one of the frontier officials stationed farthest from the capital."

Zhao Ling told Third Cousin's husband about obtaining the gray bird: "I wanted to present it before the new year to bring the emperor some joy."

Third Cousin's husband was stunned, then burst into laughter and clapped Zhao Ling on the shoulder: "You're something else—you actually got your hands on a gray bird! What did the emperor say? He must have been quite pleased, right?"

"He seemed fairly pleased," Zhao Ling said with a reserved smile. "The presentation ceremony will be arranged tomorrow."

Third Cousin's husband nodded repeatedly and hinted to Zhao Ling: "First the pacification of the Miao rebellion, then the auspicious omen—doesn't this show that the emperor's ascension to the throne was in accordance with heaven's will?"

"Exactly." Zhao Ling smiled and raised his cup to toast Third Cousin's husband.

When Third Brother-in-law saw that he understood, he was very pleased and drank the cup in one gulp with a smile.

Zhao Ling then asked Third Brother-in-law to escort A Sen to the Wang residence for the matrilocal wedding.

Third Brother-in-law agreed readily. On the eighteenth day, the whole family dressed up in their finest and arrived early. Third Cousin helped Fu Tingjun receive the female guests in the inner courtyard, while Third Brother-in-law helped entertain the male guests in the outer courtyard. At dusk, with wedding music accompanying and lanterns lighting the way, Third Brother-in-law rode in a sedan chair to send A Sen to the Wang residence.

He was Zhao Ling's brother-in-law, so Lord Wang naturally treated him with special regard, continuously toasting him. They drank until the hour of Hai before dispersing, and he was already so drunk he couldn't tell north from south.

The next morning when he got up, the whole street was buzzing with talk of the Guizhou Pacification Commission presenting an auspicious bird to the Grand Empress Dowager for her seventieth birthday.

This was also the first birthday gift the Grand Empress Dowager had received.

Third Brother-in-law massaged his temples, and a smile unconsciously crept to the corners of his mouth.

A few days later, an imperial decree came down: Zhao Ling had rendered meritorious service in pacifying the barbarians, and his wife, Madam Fu, was conferred the title of Third-Rank Lady of Virtue.

Although he felt that having pacified the Miao rebellion, Fu Tingjun should have had the opportunity to receive such an honor, these matters were hard to predict—perhaps the emperor had made up his mind to reward him instead! So when he heard the news, Zhao Ling was somewhat surprised. But beyond the surprise, he also felt very pleased. He was stationed at the frontier, while Fu Tingjun managed the household diligently at home and raised their children—this conferment was a recognition of Fu Tingjun's years of dedication.

Zhao Ling hurriedly urged Fu Tingjun to prepare the attire of a Third-Rank Lady of Virtue and go to the palace to express gratitude for the imperial favor.

Fu Tingjun had been thinking that Zhao Ling's auspicious tribute had come at just the right time—the emperor should have a deeper impression of him now, and in the future, Zhao Ling needn't worry too much about growing distant from the emperor due to years of not seeing him. She hadn't expected that the benefit would fall to her instead.

Hearing Zhao Ling's words, she set aside her thoughts and hastily prepared the Third-Rank Lady of Virtue attire, then followed the palace attendant to Kunning Palace to express her gratitude.

The Empress took her hand with a smile and examined her carefully for a long moment, saying, "Several years have passed, but your appearance hasn't changed a bit."

On her previous two visits to the palace, as they had been by special decree, she had merely followed behind the other ladies to offer distant bows to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress.

Seeing the Empress's warm tone, Fu Tingjun felt somewhat reassured, but she still kept her eyes lowered respectfully and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise."

"You needn't be modest," the Empress said, turning to ask the female official beside her with a smile, "Tell me, am I right?"

"Your Majesty is quite right," the female official said with a modest smile. "I think Madam Zhao's appearance hasn't changed at all."

Hearing this, the Empress's smile grew even warmer, and she asked Fu Tingjun how many children she had. Learning that she was already the mother of three children, the Empress seemed quite surprised and laughed, saying, "Lord Zhao is a fortunate man." Then she asked about the children.

Fu Tingjun answered each question in turn.

The Empress also spoke of her own three legitimate sons.

The atmosphere was pleasant.

It wasn't until the female official beside the Empress reminded her that the Empress finally ended the conversation, bestowing upon Fu Tingjun a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with mutton-fat jade, several bolts of feather gauze, several bolts of kesi silk, several bolts of brocade with floral patterns, and several bolts of gold-threaded fabric, saying, "Make some winter clothes for the children."

Fu Tingjun expressed her gratitude and followed the female official to the inner court to receive the gifts.

When she left the palace, it was already time for lanterns to be lit, and Zhao Ling was anxiously waiting outside the palace gate.

Seeing her come out, he immediately went up to meet her and asked in a low, concerned voice, "How did it go?"

Noticing that the banner guards on duty at the palace gate were all watching them, Fu Tingjun said briefly, "Everything went well," then boarded the carriage. Only after the carriage had driven off the main avenue of Chang'an did she tell Zhao Ling the details of the audience.

Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and happily embraced Fu Tingjun: "Good, it's all settled. We can have a peaceful Spring Festival now."

"Perhaps not," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "According to custom, on the first day of the new year, I must go to the palace to pay respects and congratulate the Empress on the new year."

"I'll be going to pay respects then too," Zhao Ling said with a casual smile. "It's not much trouble."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Fu Tingjun leaned against Zhao Ling's shoulder and said softly, "Our lives will only get better."

Zhao Ling said nothing, but simply held Fu Tingjun's hand tightly.

……

Although the Lantern Festival had passed, the large red lanterns throughout the city were not taken down as in previous years. Instead, additional red silk banners of celebration were hung along the main thoroughfares, and the capital's main roads had been swept spotlessly clean under the supervision of the Shuntian Prefecture. Gifts offered in celebration of the birthday from various regions arrived one after another. One day, the capital's residents would see a pair of red coral over a foot tall; the next day, an embroidered screen as tall as a person; the day after, a pair of porcelain vases over ten feet in length... Broadening their horizons, they all discussed the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday celebration. Some said the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday feast would consist of one thousand and eight hundred dishes; others said that on the day of the Grand Empress Dowager's birth, she would wear a jacket made of gold thread, pearls, and jade to receive congratulations; still others said that the Emperor, to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday, would grant a general amnesty to the empire... For a time, all sorts of rumors circulated, and the capital buzzed with excitement, even livelier than during the Spring Festival.

And indeed, to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday, the Emperor granted a general amnesty on the second day of the second month. Subsequently, he held banquets at the Western Garden three times, where imperial relatives, princes, and princesses respectively offered birthday congratulations and gifts to the Grand Empress Dowager. Then, on the twenty-first day of the second month, the Emperor held a birthday feast in the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The Grand Empress Dowager first received congratulations from the assembled officials in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and then received audiences from the titled ladies in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.

Fu Tingjun followed behind the titled ladies, who all looked at least a dozen years older than she, and walked silently toward the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.

Suddenly, someone tugged at her sleeve.

She turned around and saw that it was Madam Wu.

Seeing a familiar face in such a place put Fu Tingjun's mind at ease considerably.

She smiled slightly at Madam Wu.

Madam Wu smiled back and silently pointed ahead, signaling that they should walk together.

Fu Tingjun nodded with a smile, and the two entered the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility side by side.