Chapter 164: Paying Respects
"...Your mother initially thought at worst your engagement with the Yu Family would be called off. She never imagined the Fu family would deal with you so harshly. After news of your 'death' spread, she blamed herself endlessly, worrying constantly until her health gradually declined." Zhao Ling held Fu Tingyun close as they sat side by side on the heated brick bed, gently wiping away her tears as she sobbed against his shoulder. "Coupled with the hardships of traveling to the capital, and then the entire family of your uncle..." He sighed softly. "Your mother insisted on staying in that damp, gloomy southern wing, and her health deteriorated completely. Seeing you return safe and sound, married, and now a mother brought her such joy—it was merely a final rally before the end. Now that her worries are laid to rest, she has departed without regrets."
Fu Tingyun wept even harder upon hearing this. "If I had known, I should have insisted that Father arrange better lodgings for Mother..."
"Now you're talking like a child!" Zhao Ling feigned displeasure. "If your mother had truly wanted to move, would she have needed you to intervene?"
This was simply Madam Fu's way of punishing herself.
But he dared not say such things to Fu Tingyun, fearing it would only deepen her guilt.
Gradually, her sobs subsided, and she buried her face in Zhao Ling's shoulder.
"That's more like it," Zhao Ling murmured tenderly, stroking her back as if comforting a child. "Your mother knew how stubborn you are. That’s why she specifically sent Xiuzhu's family here—to prevent you from rushing recklessly to the mourning hall while still in confinement. If you clashed with your father, as a junior, no matter how justified you were, you’d still be seen as in the wrong. Your mother was thinking of your reputation. You must understand her intentions."
Fu Tingyun remained silent.
According to custom, childbirth was considered unclean, and before the month of confinement ended, one could not visit others' homes. As a married daughter, even for her own mother’s passing, she was forbidden from paying respects at the Fu residence.
If she insisted on going, conflict with the Fu family was inevitable.
Knowing she still struggled with this, Zhao Ling continued, "The weather is too hot to transport the coffin south now. Most likely, after the first seven days of mourning, it will be temporarily placed in a monastery. We can set up an altar along the route where the coffin passes and pay our respects first. Once your confinement is over, we’ll take Youyou to offer incense to your mother..."
Fu Tingyun’s spirits lifted at this, and she sat up straight, calling out for Xiuzhu's family.
Xiuzhu's family entered at once, lifting the curtain.
"Do you know which monastery Mother’s coffin will be placed in?" Fu Tingyun asked urgently.
Xiuzhu's family wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "The mourning hall has only just been set up. These matters haven’t been discussed yet!"
"Then hurry back and let me know as soon as there’s news."
Xiuzhu's family hesitated, glancing at Zhao Ling.
His expression remained calm, but he said to Fu Tingyun, "Xiuzhu's family rushed here in such haste—she likely hasn’t even had breakfast. If you want her to help, at least let her eat first." Then he instructed Zhenzhu, "Take Xiuzhu's family to rest for a while." To Xiuzhu's family, he added, "Have something to eat and regain your strength. There will be more tasks for you later."
Hearing this, Xiuzhu's family visibly relaxed and murmured an assent before following Zhenzhu out.
Fu Tingyun immediately asked, "What’s going on?" Her face was full of confusion."Don't you see it yet?" Zhao Ling said. "Mother-in-law is entrusting Xiuzhu's family to you!"
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
Then it dawned on her.
Xiuzhu's family had been her mother's dowry attendants, and with years of loyal service, they were naturally devoted to her mother. Because of Fu Tingyun's situation, her mother and father had grown estranged. If her brother had sided with their mother, it might have been different, but he agreed with their father. Now that her mother had passed, Xiuzhu's family remaining in the Fu household would likely face difficulties.
She called for Kou'er: "Go and invite Xiuzhu's family here."
But Zhao Ling stopped Fu Tingyun: "I noticed Xiuzhu's family has bloodshot eyes—they probably haven't rested properly since Mother-in-law's passing. This matter isn't urgent; let them rest first. We can discuss things this afternoon."
Fu Tingyun nodded.
"Then stay home and rest properly. Be good, rest well, don't cry so easily, and ease your mind. If there's anything you can't resolve..." Zhao Ling repeated his instructions before adding, "I'll first go to Four Happiness Alley to offer incense for Mother-in-law."
"Then go quickly!" Fu Tingyun urged him. After Zhao Ling left, she still couldn't help crying twice, with those around her constantly comforting her. Once, her sobs even startled Youyou awake, and perhaps due to the deep bond between mother and daughter, Youyou began wailing. Only then did Fu Tingyun start to control her emotions.
That afternoon, she summoned Xiuzhu's family to ask about the details before her mother's passing. Learning that her mother had entrusted both Xiuzhu and their spouse to her care, she couldn't help but look ashamed. "I've been so foolish!"
A faint smile appeared on Xiuzhu's grief-stricken face. "The young mistress married well, with the young master handling everything for you. Naturally, such small matters wouldn't catch your attention."
It made her sound as if she never concerned herself with anything.
Fu Tingyun grumbled inwardly.
Seeing her doubtful expression, Xiuzhu's family thought for a moment and added, "You might not know this, but ever since you married the young master, he visited Madam every month to talk about you." Her eyes moistened again. "By then, Madam's health had already declined—she barely acknowledged even the young master when he came to pay respects. But whenever the young master visited, her spirits would lift. In her final days, she would even count the days until his next visit..."
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
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Zhao Ling returned from Four Happiness Alley in the afternoon. "The master still has some colleagues and old friends in the capital, so the funeral arrangements were quite lively. I've already spoken to the young mistress—let Xiuzhu's family stay with us for now. Once the Zen Monastery for the wake is decided, she'll send someone to inform you."
Normally, Fu Tingyun might have let such words pass, but Xiuzhu's family's remarks had made her pay closer attention to Zhao Ling's every word and action.
She called Anxin over to ask, "What did you all eat for lunch?"
"We just bought two flatbreads near Chunshu Alley..."
Fu Tingyun nearly burst into tears again. Turning to Xiuzhu's family, she said, "What is Father thinking? Didn't he insist I had nothing to do with the Fu family anymore? Now that Zhao Ling went to pay respects to Mother, he couldn't even arrange a proper meal for them..."
"Young mistress, please don't be upset," Xiuzhu's family could only soothe her. "Madam never wanted you involved with Four Happiness Alley's affairs either. Isn't this for the best?"
Fu Tingyun let out a long sigh.
Xiuzhu's family hesitated, as if wanting to say more."You served my mother, and it was you who assisted with her final rites before she passed," Fu Tingyun said. "You've watched me grow up since childhood—there's nothing you can't say to me!"
Despite this, Xiuzhu's family hesitated before speaking: "I was thinking... I'd like to return to the Fu household to keep vigil for Madam Fu. Once her coffin is sent south, I'll come back..."
"This should be my duty," Fu Tingyun choked out. "Hearing you say this shames me deeply."
"Please don't say such things, Mistress," Xiuzhu's family replied. "Madam Fu's greatest concern was always your well-being. As long as you're happy, she can rest in peace." She quickly fetched a handkerchief to wipe Fu Tingyun's tears, and the two reminisced at length about the past and future before Zheng San was sent to escort Xiuzhu's family back to Four Happiness Alley.
That evening, Fu Tingyun discussed with Zhao Ling: "From what Xiuzhu's family said, Bi Bo's family passed long ago, and Bi Bo has since remarried. Xiuzhu and her two children remained in Huayin. I was thinking—why not settle Xiuzhu's family of four at our estates in Chang'an County? Master Lu could look after them if needed, and they wouldn't have to leave their homeland..."
"That's a fine idea," Zhao Ling nodded repeatedly. "After all, she once served your mother—it wouldn't be proper for us to employ her directly. Besides, Chang'an County is still within Shaanxi, so the customs are familiar, and they'd adjust more easily."
As they spoke, Mo Yi arrived.
After staying nearly an hour, he took his leave.
Fu Tingyun asked Zhao Ling, "Is he still here about the Guizhou campaign?"
Zhao Ling nodded.
Before he could speak, Fu Tingyun continued, "Last time, I was pregnant. This time, it's my mother's passing. Who knows what might come next... Does Ninth Master intend to stay home forever?" She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face tightly against his chest. "Ninth Master, I'm no fragile flower. Remember—I followed you all the way from Huayin to Zhangye through famine. You should do what you must! Didn't you say how tedious it is, day after day of office routines?" she murmured. "If love between both sides can last for aye, why need they stay together night and day? You wish for my daily happiness, and I wish the same for you!"
Zhao Ling couldn't help but hold her tightly. "A-Jun..." He kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry. Guizhou only has twenty or thirty thousand rebels, yet the court is sending fifty thousand troops. With Mo Yi as commander-in-chief, there'll be no danger."
He knew the details so clearly—proof of how much he wanted to go.
Fu Tingyun nodded. "At home, there's Zheng San and Yu Wei. Chen Shi visits me often, and Madam Li is very kind. Then there's Madam Mo—a mother of four. If I'm unsure about anything, I'll seek their advice. You needn't worry about household matters..."
They talked late into the night. Two days later, the mobilization order was issued: Longping Marquis bearing the Pingman General seal, Mo Yi as commander-in-chief, and Zhao Ling as Vanguard, marching to Guizhou.
From Four Happiness Alley, Xiuzhu's family sent word that Madam Fu's coffin would be placed at Cuifeng Nunnery near Xizhimen Gate.
On the seventeenth, Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, dressed in mourning attire befitting a daughter and son-in-law, set up a sacrificial altar on Guangping Street, where Madam Fu's funeral procession would pass.According to custom, if the deceased was a relative, an altar should be set up for worship when the coffin passed by the door. But they were neither residents of this sort nor local merchants—utter strangers—and soon a crowd of onlookers gathered.
"Never seen them before. Must be new here?"
"Don't recognize them."
"Look at that altar—all three sacrificial animals are present. Wonder who the deceased was to this young couple?"
Passersby also turned their heads for a glance.
Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun kneel on the stone pavement.
Amid the soft strains of funeral music, Madam Fu's coffin drew nearer.
Fu Tingyun began to weep.
Paper offerings fluttered down like snowflakes.
Fu Tinggui, leading the funeral procession, spotted Fu Tingyun at once.
His eyes widened to the size of bronze bells, his face darkening with rage.
The two nephews, still young, suddenly caught sight of a familiar face and called out "Auntie" in confusion, only to be hastily yanked back by someone...
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The weather was truly scorching...
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(End of Chapter)
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