Chapter 279

On the marble terrace before the main hall of Cining Palace, a pair of bronze cranes gleamed with a fresh polish. Every palace maid wore bright red velvet flowers in her hair, their faces beaming with festive joy.

After entering the palace, Fu Tingjun and Madam Wu each took their designated positions as directed by the ceremonial officials. Just as civil and military officials attended court, the titled ladies of the outer court were arranged according to their husbands' ranks—first the nobility of merit, then the high ministers, first civil officials, then military officers—approaching either individually or in groups to offer birthday congratulations to the Grand Empress Dowager.

When it came to Fu Tingjun's turn, she caught sight of Madam Yu.

She stood in the fifth position of the first row in the eastern side hall, her expression solemn. When the ceremonial official announced, "Lady Fu, wife of Zhao Huchen, Commander-in-Chief of Guizhou," not a flicker crossed her brow or the corner of her eye, as if she did not recognize the name at all.

Fu Tingjun breathed a sigh of relief.

Given the relationship between their two families, any further words or actions would be superfluous. Better to part cleanly and decisively—meeting as strangers felt far more comfortable.

She performed the grand ceremonial bow to the Grand Empress Dowager with utmost reverence, then stepped aside.

She felt many gazes settle upon her.

She did not think much of it—she was a new face this year, and it was only natural for people to be curious.

After about an hour, the birthday salutations finally came to an end, and the assembled crowd, guided by the ceremonial officials, escorted the Grand Empress Dowager toward the secondary hall behind.

Supporting the Grand Empress Dowager was the Empress, while the two elderly women with graying hair engaged her in conversation.

Fu Tingjun could not help but take a second look.

Someone beside her whispered, "Those are the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping and the Duchess of Fuguo."

Fu Tingjun turned around and saw a beautiful woman of about thirty.

She could not help but smile and whispered in return, "When did you arrive?"

The beautiful woman was none other than Qin Feiyu's wife.

Qin Feiyu had some kinship ties with the Marquis of Longping's household, so whenever there was a palace event, Madam Qin would come and go with the women of the Marquis Longping family. And ever since the Marquis of Yingchuan had departed for Liaodong, the women of the Duke of Fuguo's household preferred to have Madam Mo accompany them on such occasions. Fu Tingjun, not wishing to grow too close to either the Marquis Longping family or the Duke of Fuguo's household, had no choice but to move about on her own.

"I arrived a bit earlier than you," Madam Qin said with a smile. "I saw Madam Wu leave Madam Ji to welcome you in... I didn't realize you and Madam Wu were so close."

Fu Tingjun smiled without replying.

At such an occasion, only those with boldness and solid backing dared to whisper a few words, and even then, they did not dare to keep murmuring for long.

Madam Qin winked at her and said no more, walking shoulder to shoulder with the others into the secondary hall.

At the signal of the ceremonial officials, everyone took their seats. Palace maids served tea and refreshments, and the birthday banquet officially began.

As the soft strains of music rose in the secondary hall and the cold dishes gave way to hot courses, the Duchess of Fuguo and the Marchioness of Longping stepped forward one after another to toast the Grand Empress Dowager, congratulating her on her seventieth birthday.

Seeing this, the ladies of the noble houses were not to be outdone, offering auspicious words and raising their cups in toast.

The wives of several senior court ministers also began raising their glasses to the Grand Empress Dowager.

At first, the Grand Empress Dowager accepted all the toasts with a beaming smile, but gradually she began to falter. Seeing this, the Empress stepped in to drink on her behalf.

Everyone then chimed in with praise for the Empress's filial devotion and thoughtfulness, declaring her a true model for the nation.

The secondary hall grew lively.

Fu Tingjun considered herself the most junior in rank, and seeing that Madam Qin and Madam Mo had not stirred, she had no intention of stepping forward either. Besides, she had left home at the hour of the Tiger (around 3-5 a.m.), and though she had brought a few pastries with her, she had never had a chance to eat them. By now it was past noon, and she was famished. So she sat quietly in her place, head bowed, eating her fill of the dishes to stave off her hunger first. But the weather in late February was still cold—the cold dishes were fine, but the hot dishes had already gone cold by the time they were served. Oily dishes like braised pork knuckle and red-cooked pork had a thick layer of fat floating on top, and fearing they would upset her stomach, she only dared to pick at the vegetable dishes.

Suddenly, someone came over and asked her, "Are you the wife of Zhao Ling, Lord Zhao Huchen?"

Only palace maids or female officials could move about freely during the banquet.

Fu Tingjun's heart gave a start. Though flustered inside, she betrayed nothing on her face. She smiled gently, set down her chopsticks, sat up straight, and answered, "Yes."

The questioner was a palace maid of about eighteen or nineteen.

She smiled at Fu Tingjun and said, "The Grand Empress Dowager requests your presence for a word."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback. She quickly rose to her feet, darting a swift glance at the throne set up in the secondary hall.

The ladies who had been offering toasts had all returned to their seats. The Grand Empress Dowager was holding the Marchioness of Longping in conversation, while the Empress leaned in with a smile, listening attentively. There was no sign that she had ever taken any notice of Fu Tingjun.

Fu Tingjun muttered inwardly, but dared not show the slightest negligence as she followed the palace maid toward the throne.

Gradually, people in the secondary hall noticed something amiss, and gazes began to fall upon Fu Tingjun with quiet curiosity.

Fu Tingjun stopped four or five paces from the throne. The palace maid announced in a crisp voice, "Lady Zhao has arrived," and only then did the Grand Empress Dowager turn her head.

She quickly bent her knees in a curtsey, offering the conventional yet unobjectionable blessing, "May the Grand Empress Dowager enjoy a felicitous birthday, with this day recurring year after year," before paying her respects to the Empress.

The Grand Empress Dowager let out two kind chuckles, then said to the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping, "This is the wife of Lord Zhao Huchen, the Governor of Guizhou, whose jurisdiction has been blessed with the appearance of a gray bird!"

Fu Tingjun once again bent her knees in a curtsey to the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping.

The Grand Madame of Marquis Longping, with great humility, stepped forward quickly to take Fu Tingjun's hand: "Lady Zhao, there's no need for such formalities. Speaking of which, our families share some connections—when my foolish son went to Guizhou to suppress the rebellion, Lord Zhao served as his camp officer."

"Your memory is truly remarkable," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "Later, my husband returned and told me that during his time in Guizhou, following Marquis Longping and General Mo to quell the unrest, he learned a great deal."

Hearing this, the Grand Empress Dowager laughed and said to the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping, "Look at this child, what a silver tongue she has."

The Empress smiled in silence.

The Grand Madame of Marquis Longping nodded repeatedly, her expression warm: "She's far more capable than we were back then." Her tone suggested great familiarity with the Grand Empress Dowager.

"I am but dull-witted," Fu Tingjun said modestly, "and do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty."

The Grand Empress Dowager seemed to be in excellent spirits. She waved her hand dismissively, appearing less solemn and more relaxed than usual, and said with a laugh, "I hear you already have one daughter and two sons? Is the eldest a girl or a boy? How old are they?"

Fu Tingjun answered each question in turn.

The Grand Empress Dowager sighed with a hint of emotion as she listened, saying, "Both you and the wife of Marquis Wuding were married by my decree. She remains childless to this day, yet you already have a house full of sons and daughters." At this, she asked the female official beside her, "Where is the wife of Marquis Wuding? She was here just a moment ago..."

The female official quickly pointed to a banquet table not far away, saying with a smile, "The wife of Marquis Wuding has just taken her seat." She added, "Shall I go and invite her over for a chat?"

The Grand Empress Dowager gave an almost imperceptible nod.

The female official walked briskly yet swiftly to the banquet table and invited a young woman of solemn and dignified bearing to come over.

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

In just a few short years, the bright and radiant young girl of spring had transformed into a noble lady of composure tinged with gravity.

The wife of Marquis Wuding smiled and paid her respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager then gestured to Fu Tingjun: "This is the wife of Lord Zhao, the Governor of Guizhou. I bestowed marriage upon both of you at the same time back then—do you remember? That I can celebrate my seventieth birthday and you two can meet at my birthday feast is a matter of fate. You should become better acquainted!"

Hearing this, Fu Tingjun and the wife of Marquis Wuding, née Meng, quickly bent their knees in a curtsey and respectfully replied, "Yes."

The Grand Empress Dowager then said with a smile to the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping, "When I first saw them, I thought Fu was too reserved and lacking in vivacity, while Jin was too lively and lacking in composure. But look now—in just six or seven years, Fu has grown ever more vibrant, while Jin has become increasingly dignified. This shows that nothing in this world is set in stone. That you and I have lived to see this day should be enough to make us content!" Her tone suddenly carried a note of wistfulness.

Hearing this, the Empress quickly said, "Grandmother, your blessings are long and enduring, and we younger generations have all benefited greatly from your grace. His Majesty even said that when you celebrate your ninetieth and hundredth birthdays, he will follow the example of old Laolaizi and dress in colorful clothes to amuse you!" She laughed, hiding her smile behind her sleeve. "We are all looking forward to that day!"

"Yes, indeed!" the Grand Madame of Marquis Longping said with a laugh. "And I plan to sit with you again, reminiscing about days gone by, just as we are today!"

Fu Tingjun and the wife of Marquis Wuding each chimed in, one saying, "May the Grand Empress Dowager enjoy the longevity of the crane and turtle, with blessings and health," and the other saying, "We all hope for your boundless blessings, so that we may come to the palace again for more festivities."

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled with relief and dropped the subject, saying, "You have all come to the palace to attend the birthday feast. I won't keep you talking, lest you don't get to eat properly. You may take your leave now!"

The group respectfully acknowledged the command and, under the gaze of all the noble ladies in the hall, returned to their seats.

Until the feast concluded, the Grand Empress Dowager did not summon any other noble ladies.

The Grand Madame of Marquis Longping went without saying, and the wife of Marquis Wuding was the Grand Empress Dowager's grand-nephew's wife. Only Fu Tingjun, having first received a marriage decree and then an audience, inevitably became the center of attention.

As she left Cining Palace, many noble ladies smiled and nodded in greeting to Fu Tingjun. Madam Wu, however, hurried over and took Fu Tingjun's arm directly: "Shall we go back together? We're neighbors anyway, so we'll have company on the way."

Fu Tingjun smiled and agreed.

Madam Ji also came over to greet Fu Tingjun.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three of them headed toward the East Gate together.

Madam Wu then asked Fu Tingjun, "What did the Grand Empress Dowager say to you?"

A light ensemble was playing in the side hall, and a ceremonial platform had been symbolically erected beside the throne—unless one drew close, it was impossible to hear what was being said.

"Nothing much, really." Fu Tingjun smiled. "I was granted my marriage by the Grand Empress Dowager herself back then. She must have recalled it and called me over to ask a few questions."

"Then why did she summon the wife of Marquis Wuding as well?" Madam Wu asked, unconvinced and wary.

"Because we were granted our marriages together at the same time!"

Chatting as they went, they exited through the eastern gate.

Behind them, someone called out in a lowered voice, "Madam Yu!"

Fu Tingjun could not help but turn around.

She saw Madam Yu right behind her, no more than seven or eight paces away.

Her brows knitted slightly.

Then she heard the lady who had called out to Madam Yu laugh and say, "Why are you walking so fast? You vanished in the blink of an eye..."

Fu Tingjun turned back around and quickly left through the eastern gate.