Chapter 156: Making a Request
Although spring had arrived, there was no sign of warmth in the capital. The north wind still howled, and heavy snow continued to fall. However, Fu Tingyun's room had been kept as warm as spring since the beginning of winter last year, thanks to the underground heating system that had been running continuously.
She wore only a small red jacket embroidered with ornamental flowers, her cheeks flushed, curled up on the large kang by the window reading a chess manual.
On the windowsill stood a pot of fiery-red Eighteen Scholars Camellia, its blossoms so heavy they bent the branches, vibrant and exuberant.
Feeling a bit thirsty, Fu Tingyun looked up. Zhenzhu, who had been quietly sitting on a small stool by the kang sorting threads, immediately stood up. "Madam, what would you like?"
Somehow, Zhao Ling had heard that if a pregnant woman did needlework, the baby would be born with needle marks on its ears.
Half-believing this, Fu Tingyun specifically sent Yu Wei to ask her mother, Madam Fu, who confirmed it. Terrified, she never dared to touch needlework again. When Zhao Ling found out, he became even more anxious, eventually forbidding anyone in the household from holding needles in Fu Tingyun's presence.
Since Zhenzhu and Kou'er attended to her, the task of making clothes for the unborn child fell entirely to two newly purchased women, Tong Shi and Zhou Shi. Even so, Zhenzhu and Kou'er kept busy helping with tasks like sorting threads and ironing.
"Bring me a cup of water," Fu Tingyun said lazily. "No tea, just warm water."
Though she was already six months pregnant, she still felt lethargic and listless, prompting Zhao Ling to teasingly call her the "Crabapple Fairy"—always languidly lying in bed.
Zhenzhu quickly returned with a cup of warm water.
As Fu Tingyun drank, Tong Shi entered, carrying several small garments.
A woman in her early thirties, Tong Shi had a dignified and elegant appearance.
According to Jin Yuanbao, who had helped purchase the servants, Tong Shi was originally from a respectable family. However, after her parents passed away early, her uncle took charge and married her off to a wastrel. The man misbehaved, borrowed money recklessly, and when unable to repay, tried to sell Tong Shi to a brothel. Refusing to submit, she attempted suicide by drowning but was rescued. She then voluntarily sold herself into servitude and happened to meet Jin Yuanbao at the broker's. The other woman, Zhou Shi, was a peasant whose only son fell ill, leaving the family with no money for treatment. She willingly allowed her husband to sell her.
Zhou Shi had a plain appearance but exuded a sense of honesty and diligence in her work.
Fu Tingyun was quite satisfied with both of them.
"These are the small clothes made over the past few days," Tong Shi said, placing the garments on the kang table. "Would you like to check if any adjustments are needed?"
Fu Tingyun picked up one of the tiny garments—five inches wide at the shoulders, four inches long sleeves—and gasped. "These... these are too small, aren't they?"
"Not at all," Tong Shi replied with a smile. "Newborns are only this big."
Fu Tingyun examined the clothes carefully.
Tiny, as if made for a doll, they looked utterly adorable, and she found herself reluctant to put them down.
"Why aren't there any buttons on these clothes?" she asked Tong Shi.
Tong Shi smiled. "Buttons are added after the child is born, symbolizing completeness and fulfillment."
There were too many customs like this, and Fu Tingyun had grown weary of keeping up. She didn’t press further, simply instructing Zhenzhu to put the clothes away.
Just then, Kou'er called from behind the curtain, "Madam, Madam Wu is here!"Last year on the ninth day of the ninth month, after she had politely declined Madam Ji's invitation, Madam Wu sent another invitation, asking her to come and admire chrysanthemums at her home. But by then, she had already been diagnosed with pregnancy, giving her a perfect excuse to decline. When Madam Wu and Madam Ji learned of her condition, they even made a special trip to visit her.
Fu Tingyun instructed Kou'er to "quickly invite Madam Wu in" while stepping down from the kang to slip on her shoes.
Tong Shi swiftly knelt down to help her put them on.
Once her shoes were on, Fu Tingyun adjusted her appearance, changed into fresh clothes, and headed to the main hall.
Madam Wu, attended by Zhenzhu, happened to lift the curtain and enter at that moment.
The two women came face to face.
"Oh my!" Madam Wu greeted Fu Tingyun before she could speak. "You look even better than before." She then took Fu Tingyun's hand and scrutinized her from head to toe, wearing an expression that seemed to hold back words.
Pretending not to notice, Fu Tingyun sat down with her in their respective places of honor. After Zhenzhu served tea and withdrew, Fu Tingyun asked Madam Wu with a smile, "What have you been up to these days? I heard the Emperor changed the era name to Jingde and held a grand ancestral worship ceremony. During the Lantern Festival, not only West Street but also East Street and Drum Tower Street hosted lantern fairs. It's a pity I couldn't go out, or I would have loved to see the festivities."
"I've been idly busy these days," Madam Wu replied with a laugh. "Do you remember last time when our carriages nearly collided while I was on my way to fetch Madam Yu? Lately, I've been accompanying her." Her face took on a somewhat proud expression. "Yu Da Gongzi shoulders the responsibility of three branches of the family. It's been almost two years since his marriage, yet Yu Shao Nainai hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy. Madam Yu is secretly anxious and has asked me and Madam Ji to accompany her to various Zen monasteries to pray for a child!"
When Madam Wu had previously mentioned Madam Yu sending her daughter-in-law to the capital to reunite with her son, Fu Tingyun had already guessed the underlying reason. Otherwise, how could Fan Shi, who had both a senior mother-in-law and a junior mother-in-law above her, have followed her husband to his post?
"Many Zen monasteries in the capital are quite efficacious," Fu Tingyun responded politely. "I'm sure Yu Shao Nainai will have good news soon."
"That's exactly what I told Madam Yu to comfort her," Madam Wu said. She then picked up her teacup and took a sip, letting out a slightly exaggerated exclamation. "This must be the Iron Goddess of Mercy from last autumn's harvest. The flavor is truly mellow."
The tea had been sent by Wang Furen, along with two embroidered handkerchiefs from the Wang family's young ladies, fifty taels of silver as a gift, and a reply letter.
"You have a discerning palate, Madam," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "It was a gift from an elder who lives far away in Fujian."
"So your family has relatives in Fujian!" Madam Wu marveled. Suddenly lowering her voice, she added, "I've heard that Lord Zhao has a wide circle of acquaintances. During his years in Shaanxi, he acquired quite a bit of property. Is there any truth to that?"
Seeing her behave so mysteriously and not wanting anyone to know about Zhao Ling's past involvement in salt smuggling, Fu Tingyun felt displeased.
She made no effort to hide her feelings, her expression cooling as she replied, "I only married into this family in August. What you speak of is news to me."Madam Wu could naturally sense the change in Fu Tingyun's demeanor. A hint of awkwardness flashed in her eyes as she hurriedly said, "Please don't misunderstand, Madam Zhao. I meant no offense by my words. I only asked because I have a matter to request Lord Zhao's assistance with."
So we've finally reached the main point.
Fu Tingyun leisurely took a sip of tea before responding, "Though both hold the same third-rank position, your husband, Official Wu, is a Vice Minister of Rites, while our Lord Zhao is merely a guard. I'm not certain he can be of much help."
Her refusal was already quite evident.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Madam Wu's eyes, but she quickly composed herself with a smile. "What does it matter that my husband is a Vice Minister of Rites? Truth be told, this matter can only be handled by your Lord Zhao."
Fu Tingyun remained skeptical.
Madam Wu continued, "Madam Zhao, I have a relative who has long been in the silk and tea trade. Hearing how those doing business beyond the frontier have been making fortunes these past years, they've become interested too. However, the journey is long, and from Yongjing to Jiayuguan falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional Military Commission. We don't know a single person there, so we hoped Lord Zhao might offer some guidance." She added, "Madam Zhao could also join us and earn some extra for cosmetics and daily expenses."
This was outright bribery!
Fu Tingyun's disdain for Madam Wu grew even stronger.
"I recall Madam Wu is from Jiangnan. Since this is your relative, I presume they're also from Jiangnan? To the east, there's the Ningbo Maritime Trade Office, and to the west, the Guangdong Maritime Trade Office. Rather than painstakingly organizing a caravan to venture beyond the frontier, wouldn't maritime trade be just as profitable?"
Surprised by Fu Tingyun's insight, Madam Wu's expression stiffened slightly. "The Ningbo and Guangdong Maritime Trade Offices have become the Emperor's private coffers, overseen by eunuchs. There's no way to intervene there. We've considered privately organizing ships for overseas trade, but we have no connections with those inspection offices..."
She was determined to have Zhao Ling facilitate an introduction.
Had it not been for Madam Wu's earlier mention of "cosmetics money," Fu Tingyun might have relayed the request to Zhao Ling. But now, she wanted nothing to do with this woman.
"Madam seeks help from the temple's caretaker instead of the Bodhisattva," Fu Tingyun said with a faint smile. "Since you're acquainted with Madam Yu, why not ask her to speak on your behalf to the Duke of Fu? That would be far more effective than anything we could say ten or a hundred times over."
Though civil and military officials moved in different circles, as key ministers, Madam Yu's husband and the Duke of Fu could more easily converse than ordinary people.
Madam Wu revealed a peculiar expression and softly said, "Madam Zhao may not know, but I've heard that Marquis Yingchuan is about to be transferred back to the Five Armies Commandery... Even if we sought Madam Yu's help, the Duke of Fu's household might not be willing to assist!"
So he's being transferred back after all!
Fu Tingyun was momentarily dazed.
From then on, she parried every request Madam Wu made, refusing to agree to pass the message to Zhao Ling no matter how she pleaded.
Madam Wu, humiliated and furious, suppressed her displeasure, exchanged a few polite words, and took her leave.
Yu Wei, concerned, asked Fu Tingyun, "What if she makes things difficult for Ninth Master..."
Before she could finish, a clear, cheerful voice laughed, "Who's going to make things difficult for me?"
The curtain was lifted, and Zhao Ling strode in, heading straight for Fu Tingyun.Fu Tingyun's eyes immediately brightened as she said, "Why are you back so early today?" She moved to get off the kang and slip into her shoes, but Zhao Ling pressed her back down. "Things have been sorted out these days, so there's much less work," he said. As usual, he crouched before Fu Tingyun, gently stroking her belly while softly speaking to the child inside. "Were you good today? Did you disturb your mother? Daddy came home early today, and your mother is very happy..."
This had become Zhao Ling's daily routine upon returning home.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help feeling a bit jealous. "A child dressed up at seventeen or eighteen is one thing, but a child still in the womb is another—they can't understand you anyway."
"What does it matter if he understands or not," Zhao Ling kissed her belly, "as long as I know." His joy was evident.
Fu Tingyun was speechless for a long moment.
※
Sisters, brothers, please support with pink votes!
PS: Ning/bo City was actually flagged as an illegal word(>_
OpenNovel