Chapter 81

At the end of the first month, a heavy snow fell.

The snow came swiftly and fiercely—within a single day and night, the accumulation had already risen past the knee.

Zheng San and A Sen were clearing snow in the courtyard with brooms and shovels when they saw the personal maid of Madam Wang, wife of Wang Yi, the Assistant Commander stationed at Zhuanglang Guard, pass by the front gate, flanked by two young maidservants.

Both men had good memories, so they bowed to the women from a distance.

Madam Wang's personal maid returned the courtesy and greeted them warmly: "How has Miss Fu been these days?"

"Thank you for your concern—all is well!" Zheng San said with a smile. "Where have you come from? The weather is so cold—why not step inside for a cup of hot tea before you continue on your way?"

"Thank you kindly!" Madam Wang's personal maid laughed. "I've just come from Registrar Chen's home at the Judicial Office. On our mistress's orders, I still need to see Madam Wang." Seeing Zheng San's puzzled expression, she explained further, "Madam Wang is the wife of Master Wang, a wealthy merchant from Zhangye. Since her husband shares the same surname as our master, she and our mistress have sworn sisterhood. Many people have frozen to death in the city, and our mistress wishes to distribute flatbreads in the western part of town. She has invited Madam Chen and Madam Wang to the residence to discuss the matter."

"This is a truly meritorious deed!" Zheng San had survived famine before and knew that at times like this, even a single bowl of porridge or a piece of bread could save a life. His words of praise were utterly sincere, unlike the hollow courtesy of others.

Madam Wang's personal maid felt greatly pleased to hear this and chatted with Zheng San for a while before taking her leave.

Zheng San went back inside and told Zheng Sanniang about it. When Zheng Sanniang sat down to do needlework with Fu Tingjun, she couldn't help but sigh: "Thank goodness we met you, miss. Otherwise, we might well have been among those shivering in the snow."

Outside, dark clouds hung heavy and the north wind howled, rattling the window frames.

They sat on the heated kang, warm and cozy.

Fu Tingjun smiled and asked what had happened.

Zheng Sanniang told Fu Tingjun about Zheng San's encounter with Madam Wang's personal maid.

As Fu Tingjun listened, her expression gradually grew serious. She instructed Sanniang: "Seal ten taels of silver and send it to Madam Wang's residence—consider it our donation. Though the amount is small, it comes from the heart. Please ask Madam Wang not to think little of it."

Helping others within one's means is a pleasant thing, and Zheng Sanniang, having come from humble origins and known hardship herself, was overjoyed. She praised Fu Tingjun repeatedly for having the heart of a bodhisattva, and added: "I'll donate five maces of silver too!"

Fu Tingjun naturally agreed.

Zheng Sanniang cheerfully weighed out ten taels of silver on the scale. Despite the snow beginning to fall again, she took an umbrella and made her way to Madam Wang's residence, stumbling along the uneven path. She did not return until lamplighting time.

"I saw someone frozen to death on the street!" she said, shaking the snow from her clothes, her face somewhat pale. "It was a child—about the same age as our Linchun." With that, she began to wipe away tears.

Fu Tingjun's heart grew heavy at the news. That evening, she wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, asking how the weather was on his end.

The snow continued for seven or eight days before the skies finally cleared. Mud and water covered the streets everywhere. When Zheng San went out to buy lamp oil, he returned to tell Fu Tingjun: "They've started distributing flatbreads in the western part of town."

Fu Tingjun thought for a moment, then told Zheng Sanniang to go to Madam Wang's residence: "See if they need help there. If they're short-handed, stay and lend a hand for a few days."

Zheng Sanniang agreed readily and went to Madam Wang's.

Madam Wang happened to be short of someone to knead dough.

Zheng Sanniang rose early each day, prepared the morning meal and kept it warm in the pot, then went to the western part of town to help.

Madam Qi came by for a visit and, seeing that A Sen was the one serving tea, asked about Zheng Sanniang: "Has she caught a chill? That Physician Zhu at the Huichun Hall on our street corner is quite good. Go fetch some medicine and mention our master's name—he'll be sure to throw in some extra licorice or honeysuckle."

Fu Tingjun thanked her with a smile and told Madam Qi about Zheng Sanniang going to the western part of town to help with the flatbread distribution.

All the ladies in the official households knew of this matter. Madam Qi, being habitually stingy, felt that donating money without any recognition was less worthwhile than burning a few extra sticks of incense at the temple. When Madam Wang came to ask her, she hemmed and hawed and brushed the matter aside. But fearing she would lose face if others brought it up, and thinking that Zhao Ling was not part of the Commander-in-Chief's office and that Fu Tingjun was an unmarried young woman who surely wouldn't know about it, she decided to come by for a visit. To her surprise, not only did Fu Tingjun know about the matter, but she had even sent her household servant to help in the western part of town. Madam Qi suddenly felt her face burn with embarrassment. "You know our family," she said awkwardly, "we have four or five children to feed, and we rarely even get to eat meat on ordinary days... How about I donate five maces of silver?" She watched Fu Tingjun's expression closely as she spoke.

Everyone has their own choices. Charity should come from the heart, not from reluctance.

"Many hands make light work," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "Every little bit adds up!"

"Yes, yes!" Seeing no hint of disdain in Fu Tingjun's expression, Madam Qi immediately brightened with joy. "It's just that my family is truly in difficult straits..." She went on to list a long string of hardships.

Fu Tingjun looked at the gold-threaded crimson jacket Madam Qi was wearing and smiled without saying a word.

Seeing that the weather had cleared, Madam Lu brought Xuemei along for a visit.

Seeing Madam Qi present, her expression immediately cooled. She gave a slight nod in greeting, then smiled and pointed at the food box in Xuemei's hands: "With all this snow these past two days, I haven't been able to visit Miss Fu. I had some free time, so I made some steamed buns with flower fillings. Would you like to taste them?" As she spoke, Xuemei had already placed the food box on the side table.

Fu Tingjun smiled and thanked her, then had A Sen take the buns to the kitchen to steam: "Let everyone have a taste!"

Madam Qi laughed and said "good," but Madam Lu thought she lacked tact, deliberately bringing up topics she knew Madam Qi wouldn't appreciate. Hearing this, Madam Qi's face grew somewhat embarrassed. After eating the buns, she rose with a smile to take her leave, saying, "These steaming hot buns have warmed me up inside, and now the sun has come out. I'll go see where Madam Wang is distributing pancakes and donate some silver while I'm at it." Then she smiled at Madam Lu and said, "I heard General Mo also donated quite a sum. Would the concubine like to come along and see?"

Such a major matter—how could a concubine possibly take the lead in handling it?

"You..." Madam Lu ground her teeth in frustration, and it was a long moment before she calmed down. She sneered, "The snow is deep and the ground is slippery. I'm afraid I might break my leg."

Madam Qi's face flushed red with anger at these words. She was about to retort when Fu Tingjun stood up and took her arm: "Madam Qi, it's getting late. If you don't go to Madam Wang's soon, you'll have to wait until tomorrow." Madam Qi shot Madam Lu a cold glare before following Fu Tingjun out the door.

When Fu Tingjun returned, Madam Lu was sitting there with her head bowed, sobbing quietly. Seeing her come in, she complained to Fu Tingjun with tearful eyes: "Just because she's the legitimate wife, she looks down on me like this. If it weren't for the fact that we're neighbors, I would lodge a complaint with the General, and her Registrar Qi would find himself in serious trouble..." Fu Tingjun consoled her for quite a while before she finally wiped her tears and left, supported by Xuemei.

These people had no regard for time or place—they could quarrel even in her home.

Fu Tingjun lay on her bed, feeling as though she had stepped into a pond and gotten mud all over her feet, making every step heavy and burdensome.

That evening, Zheng Sanniang returned, beaming with joy: "The Marquis of Yingchuan has come to an agreement with Master Wang. Master Wang will take charge of providing relief to the disaster victims. Starting tomorrow, I won't need to go anymore."

In the late Spring and Autumn period, Tian He, the Grand Minister of Qi, often lent out grain with large measures and collected it back with small ones to win people's hearts. Later, he deposed Duke Kang of Qi and established himself as ruler. From that time onward, successive dynasties prohibited merchants from privately building bridges, repairing roads, or opening granaries to distribute grain. Now that Master Wang had the Marquis of Yingchuan's endorsement, he had nothing to worry about.

Fu Tingjun was overjoyed to hear this.

Relying on women and children to distribute pancakes and save lives had its limits in both resources and manpower. It was best for the government and capable merchants like Master Wang to take the lead.

"I only pray that Heaven will protect us and stop the snow."

Zheng Sanniang nodded repeatedly.

In the following days, not only did it stop snowing, but the north wind also ceased, and the weather gradually turned warmer.

Fu Tingjun and Zheng Sanniang were airing their bedding in the courtyard when Madam Wang unexpectedly came to visit her, accompanied by two trusted maids.

"I've long heard everyone praise your virtue and kindness, but I never had the chance to meet you. Now that I see you today, you truly live up to your reputation." Madam Wang took a sip of tea and smiled as she appraised Fu Tingjun.

She was wearing a plain moon-white cotton jacket and an indigo pleated skirt, with her black hair neatly coiled into a bun, revealing a smooth forehead. She looked clean and tidy, and Madam Wang nodded with satisfaction.

Fu Tingjun sat below Madam Wang and hurriedly responded with a modest "Thank you for your praise, Madam," while her peripheral vision also took in this Madam Wang she was meeting for the first time.

She appeared to be just over thirty, of medium height, slim and dignified, wearing a sapphire-blue brocade jacket with vase patterns. She looked somewhat delicate and scholarly.

Hearing Fu Tingjun's words, Madam Wang smiled slightly, her expression softening considerably: "Everyone knows I'm the worst at giving compliments. I invited you to the spring banquet, and you declined out of filial mourning for your elders; when you learned there were people freezing to death in the city, you not only donated silver on your own initiative but also sent your own people to help... You truly deserve the words 'virtuous, kind, gentle, and upright'!"

Was this praise or criticism?

Fu Tingjun hadn't expected Madam Wang to speak so sharply, and she steeled herself to respond: "You flatter me, Madam. I merely followed in the footsteps of others."

"But some people aren't even willing to follow in others' footsteps!" A hint of coldness appeared between Madam Wang's brows. "Zhangye these days is becoming more and more chaotic!"

The scope of this statement was too broad, so Fu Tingjun smiled without saying anything.

But Madam Wang had no intention of changing the subject. She said, "What does Miss Fu think?"

Fu Tingjun naturally had no desire to engage in verbal sparring. She smiled and said, "I am new here, and being in mourning, I rarely go out. I haven't noticed anything in particular."

"Is that so?" Madam Wang raised an eyebrow with a smile. "I hear that General Mo's mistress has been coming to you to learn proper conduct?" Her tone carried a hint of disdain.

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

Madam Wang continued, "Although you are betrothed to Banner-bearer Zhao, you are still an unmarried young lady. She is a mistress, one who pleases others with her looks. For her to be coming and going from your place—even if others know she is learning proper conduct from you, they will inevitably mutter to themselves: what could a seductive woman like that possibly learn from an unmarried young lady? There are some things you need to think over carefully." By the end, her words carried a note of earnest advice. "Although General Mo has old ties with your family, sometimes, you still have to live your own life!"

A single speech left Fu Tingjun drenched in cold sweat.