Chapter 295

"Learn some martial arts from Master An?" Fu Tingjun was taken aback upon hearing Third Cousin-in-law's request.

"Yes!" Third Cousin laughed. "Just enough to keep fit and healthy!"

"Then let me have a word with Master An?" Fu Tingjun couldn't give a direct answer to this matter.

"Of course, naturally." Third Cousin-in-law was very grateful. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Fu Tingjun, he took Third Cousin and left.

Fu Tingjun thought for a moment, then wrapped up two liang of the Dahongpao tea that Seventh Cousin-in-law had sent over some days ago, and headed to the back courtyard.

Daoist An was holding a palm-leaf fan, reclining in a wicker chair under the eaves to escape the heat. Seeing Fu Tingjun approach, he smiled and sat up, calling for his personal attendant to serve tea.

"Then use the tea leaves I've brought for you, Elder!" Fu Tingjun said with a smile, handing the tea packed in a red box to the attendant. "It's Dahongpao. Do try it and see how it tastes?"

Daoist An didn't stand on ceremony and instructed the attendant to brew the tea.

Fu Tingjun then asked about the two children: "...Are they obedient in their studies? Have they caused you any trouble?"

"Both children are very well-behaved." Daoist An said, with a warm smile in his eyes—it was clear he was quite fond of the two boys. "And they can endure hardship. The elder one is more steady and honest, the younger one more quick-witted. Zhao Ling is a fortunate man."

Hearing her sons praised by their master, Fu Tingjun couldn't help but let a hint of joy show at the corners of her eyes and brows. "That's also because you've guided the two children so well that they've become this obedient." As she spoke, the attendant came over with the tea.

From a distance, they could already smell a delicate fragrance.

Daoist An's brows twitched slightly.

Fu Tingjun also paused her conversation.

By the time the attendant walked over, Daoist An could hardly wait to pick up the teacup, lower his head to inhale the tea's aroma, and then take a gentle sip.

"Excellent tea!" Daoist An's eyes lit up as he praised. "It has both the freshness of Longjing and the mellow richness of Minhong. Truly worthy of being a royal tribute."

She hadn't expected Daoist An to be a tea connoisseur.

Fu Tingjun smiled. "A fine sword goes to a hero. I still have a few liang of premium Xinyang Maojian at home—I'll have my maid deliver it to you shortly."

Daoist An laughed heartily at this. "You wouldn't happen to have something you need from me, would you?" This remark turned Fu Tingjun's face bright red.

"No, no." He said with a cheerful smile. "Just go ahead and say whatever it is."

Somewhat embarrassed, Fu Tingjun told him about Third Cousin-in-law's wish to have Chunbing and Yuanxiao learn martial arts from him.

"This is a good thing." Daoist An agreed readily. "No need for formal apprenticeship ceremonies. Just have them get up at the same time as Xige'er and Xu Ge'er tomorrow and come find me in the back courtyard."

That... that was it? He'd agreed just like that?

Fu Tingjun was momentarily stunned.

She had expected to be refused, or even scolded by Daoist An!

Coming back to her senses, she thanked him profusely.

"What's there to thank!" Daoist An laughed. "Having those two lads come over will also give Xige'er and Xu Ge'er some company, so they won't keep pining to go play with Yuanxiao." He added, "If anyone else wants to learn martial arts from me in the future, just bring them straight to me."

He was extremely generous and easygoing.

Fu Tingjun repeatedly acknowledged with "yes," exchanged a few more pleasantries with Daoist An, and then went to report the news to Third Cousin and Third Cousin-in-law.

The couple was naturally overjoyed. Following the customary remuneration for a family tutor, Third Cousin-in-law personally delivered clothing and silver.

Daoist An didn't decline and had his attendant accept them.

From then on, every morning at dawn, Chunbing and Yuanxiao joined the training in the back courtyard.

Time passed imperceptibly until the end of the seventh month. Though the afternoons were still hot, one needed a thin quilt at night by then. Fu Tingjun's pregnancy was now showing, and Third Cousin discussed with her about going down the mountain: "You'll need to start preparing for the delivery on your end."

The two sisters had the same thought. They chose an auspicious day, and with Third Cousin-in-law escorting them, both families made their way down the mountain in a grand procession.

Since Fu Tingjun was pregnant and had three children with her, Third Cousin and Third Cousin-in-law first escorted them back to Shi Family Lane, directing their own maids and serving women to help Fu Tingjun's household carry the trunks and boxes.

With carriages and horses making a commotion in front of the Zhao residence, the neighbors on both sides all knew they had returned from Yuming Mountain.

Third Cousin took her leave of Fu Tingjun at the ornamental gate: "...I don't know what a mess the house is in by now—I need to go back and tidy things up. I'll come visit you again in a couple of days. If you need anything, just have Zheng Sanniang send word to me."

Fu Tingjun nodded with a smile and called Youyou, Xige'er, and Xu Ge'er to see Third Cousin's family off.

Since Third Cousin-in-law and Fu Tingjun had agreed before coming down the mountain that Chunbing and Yuanxiao would come every five days to seek Master An's guidance, and practice on their own at home the rest of the time, the children felt no sadness at the parting. Instead, they huddled together, chattering away.

Third Cousin-in-law couldn't help but smile wryly. He patted Chunbing and Yuanxiao on the shoulders and said, "If your studies aren't up to par, then don't bother coming."

Chunbing quickly said, "Father, rest assured, we will do our homework properly." When he first started learning martial arts with Master An, he was so exhausted that he could barely lift his arms, but after persisting, he found that his body felt lighter when walking, and his concentration while reading improved. He cherished the opportunity to train with Master An.

Yuanxiao, however, treated martial arts as a chance to play with Xige'er, and his studies were not as diligent as before.

Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but lower his head, responding somewhat listlessly, "Yes."

Xige'er, hiding behind Fu Tingjun, made faces at him, looking rather gleeful.

Yuanxiao glared at Xige'er several times before following his parents back home.

Although they had stayed in the mountains for two or three months, Mother Zhou and the others left at home had kept the courtyard spotless, and had even changed to seasonally appropriate cloth curtains and blue silk canopies, so that all that was needed was to unpack the trunks and make the beds to rest.

Fu Tingjun praised Mother Zhou and the others who had stayed behind, when a young maid ran in to report, "Madam Wu has come to visit you, Madam."

"What does she want?" Fu Tingjun muttered softly, looking at the servants coming and going in the courtyard, and instructed the young maid, "Invite her to sit in the hall of the south wing."

The young maid acknowledged and left.

Fu Tingjun freshened up, changed her clothes, and went to the hall in the south wing.

"We've just returned from the mountain, and the house is in a mess," she explained with a smile as she entered, addressing Madam Wu. "I'm afraid I must trouble you to have tea in the south wing."

"It's fine, it's fine." Madam Wu smiled and stepped forward, warmly taking Fu Tingjun's hand. "I just hadn't seen you for a few months and missed you dearly." As she spoke, her expression changed, and with an "Oh my," she stepped back a few paces, looking Fu Tingjun up and down. "You're expecting again?" She seemed quite surprised.

Fu Tingjun's face flushed slightly, and she said, "Almost five months along."

"Oh my," Madam Wu immediately laughed, "Then by the end of the year, we'll have another occasion to drink wine, won't we?" Her expression was filled with joy.

Fu Tingjun gave a vague response and changed the subject, asking after Madam Wu, "Have you been well these days?"

It was meant to be a polite remark, but Madam Wu let out a long sigh and said, "Well? How could I be well? That Madam Li has been driving me to a headache with all her fussing."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

Madam Wu continued, "Their Thirteenth Young Master had some misunderstanding with your eldest daughter, didn't he? She wrote a letter to Lord Li, who was furious and immediately sent his aide to bring Thirteenth Young Master Li to his post. Madam Li wanted to speak with you, but since you've been staying at Yuming Mountain, she came several times without finding you, and being thin-skinned, she was too embarrassed to go up the mountain to disturb you again. So she entrusted me to let you know to inform her as soon as you returned. She even sent servants every few days to check, afraid I wouldn't be diligent enough. So the moment you returned, I came to see you, so I can give Madam Li a reply."

Hearing that Thirteenth Young Master Li was no longer in the capital, Fu Tingjun couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Madam Li must have wanted Madam Wu to mediate on her behalf!

Anyone in that situation would feel ashamed.

She could understand that well.

Fortunately, she hadn't intended to be close to the Li family anyway, so she smiled and said, "Then please tell Madam Li for me that it was just children playing around, and she need not take it to heart. Such formality actually makes me a bit uneasy."

Seeing Fu Tingjun so agreeable, Madam Wu was overjoyed and showered her with flattery about how "Madam Zhao is truly magnanimous," before taking her leave.

Yuwei privately grumbled to Fu Tingjun, "I wonder how much benefit Madam Wu received from Madam Li to be so diligent."

"Who cares how much benefit she got!" Fu Tingjun laughed. "As long as this matter can be settled with the Li family as soon as possible, that's the best outcome."

Yuwei nodded repeatedly.

Nevertheless, the next day, Madam Li still came with many gifts to visit Fu Tingjun and Youyou.

Only after Fu Tingjun repeatedly insisted that she did not blame Thirteenth Young Master Li did Madam Li leave with a red face.

Yuwei sighed as she watched, "A flower planted on a pile of cow dung."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Fu Tingjun couldn't help but laugh, scolding her.

Yuwei covered her mouth and giggled.

Zhenzhu walked in: "Madam, there's a maidservant named Lianxin who claims to have been sent by her mistress, saying she has urgent matters to see you."

"Mistress?" Fu Tingjun and Yuwei exchanged puzzled glances. She thought for a long while, then said in confusion, "I can't recall having any dealings with any mistress..."

Yuwei, however, had a sudden thought and said, "Could it be that one?" As she spoke, she pointed toward the neighboring courtyard.

Fu Tingjun thought it over and said hesitantly, "That's actually quite possible."

Yuwei curled her lips and said, "What does their family's business have to do with us? It's already good enough that we don't go looking for trouble with them. Surely she doesn't expect our mistress to meddle in her affairs?" Having said this, she stared intently at Fu Tingjun, stopping just short of tugging at her sleeve to make her refuse.

"Let's still see her," Fu Tingjun said thoughtfully. "I once said that if she had any matters, she could send a maid to let me know... If there's something we can help with, we might as well lend a hand. If not, we should make it clear to Concubine Wu so that she doesn't pin her hopes on us." She added, "You don't understand—when a person is in despair, even knowing that a straw is useless, they will still clutch it tightly in their hands."

Yuwei, reminded of her own experiences, lowered her head in slight shame.

Fu Tingjun then had Zhenzhu bring the person in.

The young maid was only twelve or thirteen years old. She was very nervous upon seeing her, her voice taut and trembling as she spoke, not daring to lift her eyes even once. "My mistress said that our master often visits a Miss Min on Needleworker's Alley, and she would like to ask the mistress to help look into what background this Miss Min has..."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

Given the extent of their acquaintance, it didn't seem close enough to warrant asking for help with something like this, did it?