Chapter 299

Back home that evening, Third Cousin relayed Madam Mo's words to her husband: "...What do you think—shall we strengthen our bond by joining families?" As she asked, a hint of expectation flickered in her eyes.

Marriage unites two families. The two had never discussed this matter before, and Third Cousin didn't know what her husband had in mind.

Third Brother-in-law couldn't help but ponder. "As the saying goes, a daughter resembles her mother. Ninth Sister's character and virtue need no praise..." He paused slightly, "But Ninth Brother-in-law, young as he is, already holds a second-rank official post and has merit of following the dragon. The Zhao family's prospects are bright... They may not necessarily look favorably upon our Chunbing..." A trace of hesitation showed between his brows.

Third Cousin felt a mix of joy and worry.

She was glad her husband agreed to strengthen ties with Ninth Sister's family, but worried about how to broach the subject. If it succeeded, it would be a double blessing. But if Ninth Sister had other plans for Youyou, how could she ever feel comfortable visiting the Zhao household again?

She found herself unable to sit still or stand at ease. By the time of Han Ge'er's hundred-day celebration, she was somewhat distracted.

Madam Wu teased her: "What's the matter? Is Third Aunt feeling the pinch of spending silver? The gifts are already sent—no use regretting now."

For Han Ge'er's first birthday, the Shen family had given a pair of solid gold bracelets, a pair of solid gold anklets, two sets of kesi-woven garments, two sets of Lake silk garments, two pairs of shoes and socks, a Duan inkstone, and a box of Hu brushes. Among the relatives, it was the most generous gift of all.

"Madam Wu, what are you saying?" Third Cousin quickly gathered her thoughts and roused herself to entertain the ladies around her. "I'm just envious that Ninth Sister has added another son—my heart feels a bit sour, that's all."

The others found her words amusing and burst into laughter.

Fu Tingjun playfully shot Third Cousin a glare, grabbed a handful of dates, and stuffed them into Third Cousin's arms. "Third Sister, have some dates."

This provoked another round of laughter.

Amid the merriment, Baoshu hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered: "Madam, Second Master sent me to inform you that the Marquis of Wuding and his wife have come to deliver first-birthday gifts for Third Young Master."

Everyone in the room was taken aback.

Although that day in the great hall, the Grand Empress Dowager's words had hinted that Lady Meng and Fu Tingjun should grow closer, after leaving the palace, Lady Meng had made no effort to connect with Fu Tingjun. Fu Tingjun had pondered for a long while and, at the Dragon Boat Festival, still sent a festive gift to the Marquis of Wuding's residence. Only after the marquis's household accepted the gift did they return the courtesy. For the Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival, Fu Tingjun again sent gifts first. On this account, Fu Tingjun had even muttered privately to Yuwei: "With the Grand Empress Dowager's words, not sending gifts would seem disrespectful, but sending them when the Marquis of Wuding's household remains so lukewarm makes it seem like we're desperately trying to curry favor. It leaves a bad taste in one's mouth." Thinking that Zhao Ling was away from home, she hadn't sent an invitation to the Marquis of Wuding's residence for Han Ge'er's hundred-day celebration.

Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Wuding and Lady Meng came uninvited.

Fu Tingjun instinctively looked toward Yuwei.

Yuwei shook her head repeatedly, signaling that she had absolutely not said anything out of turn.

Fu Tingjun naturally wouldn't suspect Yuwei, but her expression made her smile. She rose and went with the assembled ladies to receive Lady Meng.

Lady Meng wore a bright crimson robe embroidered with gold thread throughout, adorned with a gold hairpin that swayed as she walked—solemn and grand, showing how much she valued visiting the Zhao household.

Fu Tingjun was somewhat surprised and stepped forward to greet Lady Meng with a formal bow.

But before she could kneel, Lady Meng hurried forward two steps and took her hand. "When we were young ladies, we once had the fortune to meet at the Grand Empress Dowager's residence. One could say we share a bond from those days. You needn't stand on such ceremony with me." Her manner was warm yet not excessive, like a spring breeze—comforting and pleasant.

Fu Tingjun secretly admired her and exchanged pleasantries courteously, introducing the ladies behind her to Lady Meng.

Lady Meng chatted amiably with everyone, then was escorted by Fu Tingjun into the inner chamber.

Following proper etiquette, Fu Tingjun brought Han Ge'er over for her to see.

Lady Meng presented a pair of solid gold jade locks inlaid with mutton-fat white jade, symbolizing rising step by step, as a first-meeting gift. She held Han Ge'er and played with him for a while, then asked about the other children: "Why aren't your daughter and sons here?"

"The children are mischievous," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "Since we're hosting a banquet today, I've kept them in their rooms."

"It's good for children to be mischievous—it shows they're clever and robust," Lady Meng said with a laugh. "This is my first visit; I really should meet everyone. Otherwise, if we cross paths without recognizing each other, wouldn't that be an embarrassment?"

The so-called "mischievous children" was merely Fu Tingjun's modest remark. The children were lively and adorable, well-behaved and sensible—they could go anywhere without worry. She smiled and had Yuwei bring the children over.

The children respectfully paid their respects to Lady Meng.

Lady Meng took Youyou's hand and asked Xige'er and Xu Ge'er questions.

Both boys spoke clearly and articulately. Lady Meng nodded continuously as she watched them, a smile reaching all the way to her eyes, and a touch of cheerfulness crept into her expression.

Fu Tingjun, thinking of how Lady Meng had no children of her own, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Meng-shi seemed to sense something and suddenly turned back to smile at Fu Tingjun, saying, "Has your young miss been spoken for in marriage?"

Fu Tingjun was startled and replied, "Youyou is still young. We haven't planned to settle her engagement so early."

Meng-shi nodded with a smile, then turned around and resumed chatting with the children.

But Fu Tingjun's heartstrings tightened.

Was Meng-shi's remark intentional or merely casual?

She herself was born into the Duke of Fuguo's household and married into the Marquis of Dingyuan's family. The people she associated with were either noble aristocrats or imperial relatives. If she intended to help arrange a match for Youyou, the other party would hardly be from an ordinary family.

A great match is not a good match.

She had suffered from such an experience herself and had never once considered marrying Youyou into those complicated noble households, let alone the imperial family.

What she feared most was that Meng-shi, thinking highly of herself, might seek Youyou as a bride for the Marquis of Dingyuan's household.

After all, the Marquis of Dingyuan's household still had no legitimate son...

A trace of worry flickered in Fu Tingjun's eyes.

Third Cousin, who had been sitting quietly to the side, clenched her jaw tightly.

After the midday feast, Meng-shi prepared to leave and sent her maidservant to the outer courtyard to see whether the banquet at the Marquis of Wuding's residence had concluded.

The maidservant returned, however, and whispered a few words into Meng-shi's ear.

Upon hearing this, Meng-shi said, "Our marquis and Lord Qin and Second Master Zhao are drinking merrily and say they won't leave until after the afternoon feast." She smiled at Fu Tingjun with pursed lips. "Our marquis is not usually fond of socializing, yet he's taken a liking to your household and refuses to leave. This must be fate."

Fu Tingjun suppressed the surprise in her heart and replied with an unruffled smile, "I would welcome him with open arms. My only regret is that the wine and food are not fine enough—I fear we've done the marquis a disservice."

"The marquis often drinks the finest nectar from the palace, but he's never been in such high spirits as today," Meng-shi said, flattering Fu Tingjun with composure. "Clearly, Lady Zhao's banquet is so well prepared that the marquis finds it more enjoyable than the imperial vintage."

Fu Tingjun hurriedly demurred with modest words.

And so the two women chatted idly, while the others sat nearby with forced smiles, listening—the once lively banquet gradually turning subdued.

At long last, the evening feast concluded, and the guests departed one after another. But the Marquis of Dingyuan's party still showed no sign of ending, so Fu Tingjun had no choice but to continue keeping Meng-shi company in conversation. It was not until the hour of Hai was struck that the thoroughly inebriated Marquis of Dingyuan finally took his leave.

Yuwei then whispered to Fu Tingjun, "When the marquis's wife sent her maidservant to fetch him just now, the marquis seemed quite drunk. He actually said in front of everyone, 'If you're impatient, go home. I want to stay here and drink a few more cups.'"

Fu Tingjun knitted her brows tightly. After closing the doors, she wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, telling him of her concerns, and had Anxin deliver it that very night.

Early the next morning, Third Cousin came running over and pulled her into the side chamber to talk. "...Do you know why the Marquis and Marchioness of Dingyuan came together yesterday?"

Fu Tingjun's heart tightened with anxiety. "What have you heard?"

Third Cousin said in a low voice, "After the great calamity that befell the Marquis of Dingyuan's household, their family has dwindled, and there are no outstanding figures left. Their current glory and wealth rely solely on the Grand Empress Dowager's favor with the Emperor. The Grand Empress Dowager is advanced in years and fears that after her passing, the Marquis of Dingyuan's household will gradually decline. That's why she's been helping the Marquis of Dingyuan cultivate good relations with the Emperor's favored ministers—so that in the future, someone will speak on the marquis's behalf before the Emperor."

"I know all this—Qin Feiyu and the others know it too," Fu Tingjun said with some impatience. "Everyone in the capital knows it."

"But do you know that the Emperor intends to establish a Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou to oversee the military garrisons and regional military commissions of both provinces?" Third Cousin asked.

Fu Tingjun was stunned.

She had thought Third Cousin had heard some rumor about why Meng-shi had asked whether Youyou was betrothed!

Her expression relaxed.

Third Cousin then wore a look of exasperation. "Do you even understand what I'm saying? For the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, your Zhao Ling is the most likely candidate! That's a first-rank official! Do you know what first-rank means? If Ninth Brother-in-law becomes Governor-General, his status and position will be entirely different. That's why the Marquis and Marchioness of Wuding condescended to visit yesterday..."

"Ninth Master's chances probably aren't great, are they?" Fu Tingjun smiled, since it had nothing to do with Youyou. "The Emperor just rewarded him; he can't possibly promote him again so soon..."

"Good heavens," Third Cousin said urgently, "you have to strive for these things!" She pulled Fu Tingjun to her feet. "Quick, go change your clothes. Let's ask Teacher Yao for his advice."

But Fu Tingjun pulled Third Cousin back by the hand. "Third Sister, since you all know about this, Teacher Yao must know as well. I think the Emperor and Teacher Yao both have their own plans. It might be inappropriate for us to barge in rashly. Better to tell Ninth Master and let him decide for himself!"

Third Cousin was taken aback.

Fu Tingjun smiled radiantly and nodded at her. She led her to sit on the kang by the window. "Third Cousin, you came over so early—have you had breakfast yet? The kitchen made thousand-layer pancakes today. Why don't you try some and see how they taste!"

"You..." Third Cousin bit her lip. "Are you really not going to interfere?"

Fu Tingjun said tactfully, "Some things can be done once, but not twice or thrice."

Third Cousin let out a long sigh and dropped the subject, instead asking about Youyou's marriage prospects. "If the Meng family truly proposes a match for their eldest legitimate son..."

"Even if she obtained an imperial edict, I would not agree." Fu Tingjun's brows carried a sharp, aggressive edge.

Third Cousin seemed about to speak but held back.

Fu Tingjun, agitated by the matter, did not dwell on Third Cousin's unusual demeanor. She lowered her head in thought for a moment, then said, "But you're right—I do need to go see Teacher Yao... Some matters require the emperor's intervention after all."

No sooner had she spoken than Baoshu rushed in.

"Madam," he said, looking somewhat anxious, "Anxin wishes to see you."