Chapter 167: Catching a Thief
Early the next morning, Fu Tingyun wrote a letter and had Yu Wei deliver it to the Chen family, entrusting Chen Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Chen family, to inquire about the Zhang family.
After reading the letter, Chen Shi smiled and said to Yu Wei, "Your mistress has indeed asked the right person. My maiden family is somewhat related to the Zhang family, and I’ve seen the Zhang girl when she was young—she was quite pretty. Leave this matter to me."
Yu Wei thanked her repeatedly.
A few days later, Chen Shi sent a reply: "...The Zhang girl has a gentle and docile temperament. Zhang Daren fears his daughter might suffer if married too far away, so when he saw Lord Yang—who has no parents-in-law or sisters-in-law and is also handsome—he thought of arranging a marriage. Every year on the ninth day of the first lunar month, the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Zhang Taitai takes her daughter to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense and worship. Why don’t we go take a look that day? It’ll put your mind at ease."
"Thank you so much, sister," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "With the New Year approaching, everyone is busy with preparations. Rather than rushing to settle this matter, let’s discuss it properly after the New Year. By then, you can also earn a pair of matchmaker’s shoes for good luck."
"Then it’s settled," Chen Shi replied cheerfully. After playing with Youyou for a while and chatting with Fu Tingyun about household matters, she took her leave.
Though Zhao Ling was not at home, the proper etiquette could not be neglected.
On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, they bid farewell to the Kitchen God, and on the twenty-fifth, they welcomed the Jade Emperor. Then came sweeping the dust, pasting spring couplets, welcoming the God of Wealth, staying up late on New Year’s Eve, paying New Year’s visits, and eating dumplings—celebrating the New Year in a lively fashion.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month, fearing the crowds might frighten the child, Fu Tingyun left Youyou at home under the care of the wet nurse and Tong Shi, while she took Yu Wei to Tanzhe Temple.
The road to Tanzhe Temple was packed with people. Those who had gone up the mountain the day before to offer the first incense were now heading home, while those hoping to offer incense early today were just making their way up. The chaotic throng left little room for movement, and carriages moved even slower than pedestrians. By the time they finally reached the foot of Tanzhe Mountain, the crowd was so dense it was nearly impassable, and the carriage couldn’t squeeze through at all.
Fu Tingyun clicked her tongue in amazement. "Good thing we didn’t bring Youyou!"
Yu Wei was equally stunned. "Why are there so many people today?"
"It’s the ninth day," Fu Tingyun said with a laugh. "Everyone’s competing to offer the first incense. Even if they can’t get the first, they still want to go early to pray for the Bodhisattva’s blessings!"
Just then, a servant squeezed through the crowd, panting as he asked, "Is this the carriage from the Zhao family of Shi Family Alley? I’m from the household of Commander Chen of the Golden Crow Guard’s forward division. Our eldest daughter-in-law sent me to escort you, madam."
Delighted, Fu Tingyun and her party followed the servant to an estate not far from Tanzhe Mountain, where they met up with Chen Shi.
"This is property of Tanzhe Temple," Chen Shi said, personally pouring tea for Fu Tingyun before sitting down in a Grand Tutor chair opposite her. "Because my granduncle is a lay patron of the temple, we were able to borrow this estate to rest. Once we meet with Zhang Taitai, we can go up to the temple to worship."
Fu Tingyun readily agreed.
After resting and chatting for a while, Zhang Taitai and her daughter arrived.
Zhang Taitai was a woman of about thirty-seven or thirty-eight, well-preserved and looking no older than her early thirties. The Zhang daughter, fourteen or fifteen years old, was delicate and quiet.Raising a daughter to marry up, a daughter-in-law to bow down. Perhaps aware of the purpose of this visit, as the bride's family, Zhang Taitai appeared rather uneasy in her gestures, while Zhang Xiaojie kept her head lowered, occasionally stealing glances at Fu Tingyun from the corner of her eye. Even her mother's exasperated looks failed to make the young lady behave more openly.
After the Zhang mother and daughter left, Chen Shi quickly explained, "Zhang Xiaojie isn't usually like this..."
Fu Tingyun promptly replied, "This is quite good. It shows she's an honest and straightforward girl."
Hearing this, Chen Shi visibly relaxed.
After all, she had brought them here. If this match succeeded, it would reflect well on her too.
As this thought crossed her mind, a trace of hesitation appeared on her face.
Fu Tingyun, being perceptive, smiled and said, "Does the Zhang family have something else they'd like you to convey to me? Matchmaking requires communication—how else would a match be made? We're close enough—please speak freely."
Chen Shi laughed, "I knew you were straightforward, sister. Then I won't beat around the bush. The Zhang family is very satisfied with Lord Yang, but they have one request—they hope after marriage, Lord Yang could settle in Daxing or Zhangjiawan... Would this be negotiable?"
This would require relocation.
A significant matter indeed.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be stories of people leaving home young and returning old.
"Let me discuss this with Uncle Yang," Fu Tingyun said tactfully. "This isn't something I can decide for him."
Chen Shi was already grateful she hadn't outright refused and quickly poured tea for Fu Tingyun.
Yang Yucheng rejected the Zhang family's condition immediately upon hearing it.
"Ninth Master advised me to establish household registration and acquire land in Huxian," he said rather proudly. "When I retire from official duties, I'll return to Huxian as an old master. Ninth Master will be in Chang'an, I in Huxian, Yuanbao in Lantian—we can support each other when needed. What could be more delightful? Why would I bother settling in Daxing? I'm not some live-in son-in-law."
Fu Tingyun felt somewhat regretful.
But marriage and establishing a household were significant matters that only Yang Yucheng could decide for himself.
She relayed his response.
The Zhang family deliberated back and forth until late February, when they finally agreed.
Fu Tingyun then asked Chen Shi to serve as matchmaker.
Yang Yucheng proposed holding the wedding in October this year or March next year: "...Ninth Master is my sworn brother. I must have him preside over my wedding." Moreover, regarding betrothal gifts and dowry matters, he would consult Fu Tingyun through Chen Shi: "She's my sister-in-law. With my parents gone, naturally I should discuss these matters with her."
This made Fu Tingyun break out in a sweat.
Zhao Ling was actually younger than Yang Yucheng...
But this wasn't something she could point out, so she vaguely agreed and helped him make decisions.
Through these interactions, the Zhang family came to recognize Fu Tingyun's authority in household matters, and their attitude toward her changed accordingly. Zhang Taitai even chose a bright spring day to visit Fu Tingyun with many gifts: "...I've spoiled that daughter of mine. In the future, please guide her as her sister-in-law.""You flatter me, Zhang Taitai," Fu Tingyun responded warmly, adhering to the principle of returning kindness with greater kindness. "Though I've only met Zhang Xiaojie once, I could tell she's an exceptionally intelligent girl. My uncle is also a gentle soul. They are sure to be a harmonious and loving couple." She added, "At first, my uncle was reluctant to move to Daxing, and I felt quite regretful for them. To be honest, since he fought alongside Marquis Yingchuan, it's unlikely he'll retire from the military register anytime soon. Even if he returns to Huxian County someday, who knows how many years that will take. Fortunately, Zhang Daren and you are understanding people, and this marriage was ultimately arranged."
Her words delighted Zhang Taitai, who grew even closer to Fu Tingyun, chatting about family matters until dusk.
Zhangjiawan was a day's journey away, so Fu Tingyun invited Zhang Taitai to stay overnight.
Zhang Taitai declined, "Now that my daughter's matter is settled, I must inform her uncles—my family lives nearby in Silversmith Alley."
Silversmith Alley was in the northeast corner of the capital, while Shi Family Alley lay along the central axis. How was that "nearby"?
Fu Tingyun compromised by insisting she stay for dinner and personally escorted her to the gate.
"Please, don't come any further!" Zhang Taitai stopped her from descending the steps. "It's so late—your eldest daughter must be looking for her mother."
"A few more moments won't hurt." Nevertheless, Fu Tingyun politely remained on the steps, watching Zhang Taitai's carriage head toward the main street beyond Shi Family Alley.
Suddenly, a figure darted out.
The Zhang family's coachman shouted in alarm, yanking the reins hard. The horse reared with a piercing whinny that sent shivers down spines.
Fu Tingyun turned pale and rushed forward, lifting her skirts.
The figure, caught off guard, fell to the ground in fright and looked up, terrified.
The glow from the red lanterns of the alley's grocery store illuminated his face—a high-bridged nose, thin lips, and eyes flickering with fear yet unable to conceal the arrogance in his brow.
"Zuo Junjie!" Fu Tingyun gasped, glancing back at Yu Wei before quickening her pace. "Quick, help me catch him! He stole from our family!" she called to the Zhang family's coachman.
Zuo Junjie scrambled up in panic and bolted into a nearby alley.
The coachman snapped out of his daze and gave chase, joined by Zheng San, A Sen, and Yan Qing.
In the thick darkness, Zuo Junjie soon vanished.
Fu Tingyun smirked coldly and mobilized the household to search. Now that Zuo Junjie knew where she lived, missing this chance might mean never catching him again. Her anxiety burned.
Zhang Taitai tugged nervously at Fu Tingyun's sleeve. "What happened? Did I hit someone?"
"It's nothing, nothing," Fu Tingyun reassured her. "That man once stole something my mother gave me. Now that we've finally run into him, I must get it back."
Zhang Taitai let out a flustered "Oh."
Two figures approached from the opposite direction. Fu Tingyun squinted—it was Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng.
Overjoyed, she hurried toward them. "We just saw Zuo Junjie!"
The two men startled. "Where?"Fu Tingyun briefly recounted the events that had transpired.
Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng exchanged a glance before Jin said, "Take some men and secure the surrounding areas. I'll go gather a few more brothers."
Yang Yucheng immediately left without even noticing Zhang Taitai standing nearby.
"Sister-in-law, you should go rest inside. We brothers can handle things here," Jin Yuanbao instructed before hurrying off as well.
Zhang Taitai, however, was even more impressed with Yang Yucheng. "Swift and decisive—a man who gets things done."
Fu Tingyun broke into a cold sweat. "We’ve inconvenienced you today. Let me escort you out."
"No rush, no rush," Zhang Taitai said with a smile. "I see your household is short on hands. I’ve brought two sturdy maids with me—let them help with the search." Without waiting for Fu Tingyun’s approval, she directly ordered the two burly women, "Follow the Zhao family’s people and obey the young master’s instructions."
The two maids cheerfully acknowledged and went to find Yang Yucheng.
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This chapter was posted at dawn on the 27th. I only just realized what happened.
The flight was delayed—waited five hours. Tianjin was the departure point, and I met Liu Anhuaming, a woman, and Ruo Yi during the layover in Wuhan. Arrived at the hotel late at night and saw Qin Lü and Yue Shao in the lobby. Apparently, Yehui Mei hasn’t arrived yet… Sharing a room with Lao Zhuang Mohan, the author of The Legend of the Small Tower …
More gossip tomorrow!
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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