Chapter 183: First Birthday
Fu Tingyun remained unaware of the events unfolding in the Yu Family. After entrusting the letter for her elder sister-in-law to Jin Yuanbao for delivery, she focused entirely on Youyou's first birthday celebration. As for Zuo Junjie's matter, she trusted Zhao Ling would handle it appropriately.
"Those who know about the occasion may send gifts and stay for longevity noodles. Those unaware shouldn't be disturbed..." Yang Yucheng asked Yu Wei, "Did sister-in-law really say that?"
"Madam did say exactly that," Yu Wei nodded with a smile. "However, on the twenty-third of April—the day before the young miss's birthday—Madam and Ninth Master will take the young miss to Tanzhe Temple for prayers..."
"Then all those fireworks I prepared will go to waste?" Yang Yucheng said dejectedly. "I wanted to give the young miss a proper birthday celebration!"
Yu Wei covered a smile with her hand.
Jin Yuanbao punched his shoulder playfully. "Who told you to act without thinking things through?"
Yang Yucheng muttered under his breath, "It's just that I never associated sister-in-law with the Fu family before..."
Yu Wei's smile faded slightly at this, a trace of melancholy surfacing in her heart.
Noticing this, Jin Yuanbao suggested cheerfully, "Why don't we all go along on the twenty-third? I've never properly visited Tanzhe Temple before!"
"Great idea!" A Sen clapped his hands excitedly. "Sister-in-law said I should come too. She wants me to offer incense and ask the Bodhisattva to help me study well so I can pass the imperial examinations."
Yang Yucheng immediately teased A Sen, "You? Pass the exams? In that case, I might as well become a general!"
"Sister-in-law says true heroes aren't judged by their origins," A Sen retorted, puffing out his cheeks indignantly. "Just because you can't become a general doesn't mean you should hold me back."
"Well!" Yang Yucheng widened his eyes in mock outrage. "This brat actually dares to talk back to me now!" He rolled up his sleeves dramatically. "Let me teach you some manners..."
A Sen cried out "Brother Yuanbao!" and hid behind Jin Yuanbao, making everyone burst into laughter.
From her seat by the window in the inner chamber, Fu Tingyun watched this cheerful scene in the courtyard through the half-open lattice and couldn't help smiling too.
She turned to Zhao Ling, who was patting Youyou to sleep for her nap, and asked, "Why didn't you all become sworn brothers back then?"
Zhao Ling rubbed his nose sheepishly, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Sworn brothers need to exchange birth dates, right? At that time, to maintain authority over them, I kept misleading them about..."
Fu Tingyun was momentarily stunned, then collapsed into laughter against the large bolster pillow.
"Hey!" Zhao Ling called out half-annoyed, half-resigned. "When I gloss over things, you insist on digging for details. When I tell you the truth, you just laugh at me..."
Fu Tingyun quickly composed herself and leaned over to kiss Zhao Ling's cheek. "My apologies, I was wrong to laugh."
Never one to miss an opportunity, Zhao Ling turned his face toward her. "One kiss isn't enough to make up for it. You'll need to give me several more."
This set Fu Tingyun laughing again, but she obliged by planting several more kisses on his face... Zhao Ling took the chance to pull her into his embrace... when suddenly noises erupted from the courtyard.
Fu Tingyun quickly pushed Zhao Ling away just as they heard Yang Yucheng asking Zheng San: "The Marquis Yingchuan sent his steward with birthday gifts for Youyou?"
"Yes!" Zheng San replied cheerfully. "The visitor identified himself as the Marquis's steward... I was just coming to inform Ninth Master about it."Zhao Ling noticed Fu Tingyun's disheveled hair and slightly askew collar, her eyes flashing with both shyness and reproach as she glared at him. With a chuckle, he planted a kiss on her cheek and whispered, "I'll go take a look."
Fu Tingyun nodded, her face flushed.
Zhao Ling went to meet with the steward from Marquis Yingchuan's household.
After Fu Tingyun had tidied her hair and straightened her clothes, Zhao Ling returned and handed her the gift list to review.
"A pair of pure gold longevity locks, a pair of pure gold bracelets, a pair of pure gold necklaces, a crimson embroidered cloak..." Fu Tingyun looked up at Zhao Ling in astonishment. "Such extravagant gifts?"
Zhao Ling gave a wry smile. "I can't fathom the reason either."
A chill ran down Fu Tingyun's spine. "Could it be that the Emperor has agreed to Mo Yi's request for you to accompany him to Xuantong?"
"Unlikely to be about that," Zhao Ling replied. "Even if I were to go to Xuantong, I'd only be a deputy commander. Besides, I was recommended to the Emperor by Marquis Yingchuan—no matter how illustrious one becomes, one must remember such favors..." He suddenly trailed off, standing lost in thought.
Not daring to disturb him, Fu Tingyun tiptoed out and handed the gift list to Yu Wei, instructing her to store it safely. "We'll need to return gifts of equal value later."
Yu Wei acknowledged the order and took the list, then added quietly, "Earlier, that steward whispered to Zheng San that Xiao Yiniang asked him to relay a message—she's returned to the capital and hopes you'll visit when you have time."
Fu Tingyun was taken aback. "Was this specifically for me?"
Yu Wei nodded.
Fu Tingyun's brow furrowed slightly.
Now that she's back in the capital, with the Duke's household having multiple ladies above her and Marquis Yingchuan's principal wife below, how could a mere concubine like Xiao Shi be the one receiving guests? The Duke's sons haven't divided the family estate yet, and since the steward identified himself as Marquis Yingchuan's man, his assistance in passing Xiao Shi's message suggested the Marquis's tacit approval.
Fu Tingyun thought of the Duke's nineteenth daughter, who had married the Marquis of Wuding... Though her mind was in turmoil, she resolved not to wade into these murky waters. "I'll discuss it with Ninth Master first," she murmured.
Yu Wei assented, just as another commotion arose outside.
Zheng San came to report: "Housekeeper from the Zhang residence in Zhangjiawan has brought congratulatory gifts for the young mistress on behalf of Madam Zhang."
Fu Tingyun exclaimed softly, "I hadn't expected to draw Madam Zhang's attention too!" Then she laughed. "This is entirely thanks to Uncle Yang's connections!" She promptly instructed Yu Wei to usher the visitor in, served tea, inquired after Madam Zhang's wellbeing, accepted the gift list, distributed gratuities, and had Yu Wei personally escort the housekeeper out.
Jin Yuanbao teased Yang Yucheng: "Who would've thought? The son-in-law hasn't even entered the picture yet, but your prestige is already making waves."
Yang Yucheng flushed and stammered incoherently.
Zheng San hurried back in.
Yang Yucheng called out to him, "What's happened?"
Zheng San announced solemnly, "Yu Huaian, steward from Grand Secretary Yu's household on Alley Street, has come bearing gifts for the young mistress by order of Madam Yu!"
Yang Yucheng and the others exchanged bewildered glances.
A Sen clenched his fists. "What's she scheming now?"
"Whatever it is," Yang Yucheng sneered, "we'll meet earth with earth and troops with troops—since when do we fear her?"
A Sen nodded vigorously while Jin Yuanbao remained silent.
Zheng San hastened into the main hall.
Fu Tingyun passed the gift list to Zhao Ling. "Is this a case of one playing the villain while the other plays the hero? Surely the Yu Family wouldn't stoop to such obsequious behavior without reason..."
Zhao Ling, too, was perplexed."Whether they're playing the good cop or the bad cop, we'll just receive them with open arms," Zhao Ling said without even glancing at it as he handed the gift list back to Fu Tingyun with bold confidence. "Accept it!"
Fu Tingyun smiled and took the list, instructing Zheng San, "Since they sent stewards, I think it's appropriate for you to handle the reception."
Zheng San was momentarily surprised but quickly understood her meaning. With a smile, he acknowledged the order and bowed out of the hall.
A commotion arose in the courtyard.
Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling exchanged glances.
Chen Shi's hearty laughter already reached their ears: "Madam Zhao, your daughter's first birthday celebration, and not only did you not send us invitations, but you're not even coming out to greet us when we arrive to congratulate you..."
The Zhao couple was taken aback.
The curtain was lifted, and Chen Shi strode in first.
Behind her followed Madam Wu and Yu Wei, who looked somewhat embarrassed.
"We met at the alley entrance and came together..." Chen Shi explained, then looked up and saw Zhao Ling. Her face instantly flushed crimson—she had thought Zhao Ling was still in Guizhou. She had told Yu Wei not to announce their arrival, intending to surprise Fu Tingyun, never expecting to run into Zhao Ling... Chen Shi and Madam Wu both exclaimed "Oh!" simultaneously, turning to leave but bumping into Yu Wei behind them...
The scene quickly descended into chaos.
Zhao Ling hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting to Chen Shi and Madam Wu with a smile: "Your presence honors our humble home! Please, come in and sit." Then, excusing himself on the pretext of having matters to discuss with Yang Yucheng, he took his leave from the ladies.
Chen Shi patted her chest: "Why is Lord Zhao at home?"
"The Emperor had some questions for him," Fu Tingyun replied briefly, inviting Chen Shi and Madam Wu to take the seats of honor and calling for Kou'er to serve tea.
After some lighthearted banter, Chen Shi inquired about Youyou's first birthday celebration.
Madam Wu, however, held her teacup thoughtfully for a while. When the conversation lulled, she asked about Zhao Ling: "They say the Longping Marquis is difficult to get along with, yet Lord Zhao seems to have struck a chord with him—even being entrusted with such an honor as an audience with the Emperor."
"An army cannot go a day without its commander," Fu Tingyun said modestly. "It's also because he doesn't hold as high a rank as the Longping Marquis or General Mo."
Madam Wu chuckled, glancing at Chen Shi: "Then we must congratulate Madam Zhao in advance—once the Longping Marquis returns victorious, Lord Zhao is sure to be promoted again."
Chen Shi hadn't considered this and looked surprised at the notion.
Fu Tingyun politely responded to Madam Wu: "The victory in Guizhou was largely due to the Longping Marquis and General Mo. Our lord merely followed orders..."
Zhenzhu entered to announce: "Madam, Madam Mo has arrived."
"What a coincidence!" Madam Wu said with a smile. The group went to welcome Madam Mo, and just as they finished exchanging pleasantries, Madam Li arrived, prompting another round of warm greetings.
Youyou's birthday hadn't even arrived yet, and invitations hadn't been sent out, but the Zhao household was already bustling with activity.
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Meanwhile, Madam Yu received Yu Huaian's message and sat silently holding her teacup for a long while.
Yu Huaian cautiously observed Madam Yu's expression but couldn't discern any emotion, which made him increasingly uneasy.
Suddenly, Madam Yu said, "I understand. You may leave."
Yu Huaian's heart leapt with relief. He bowed respectfully to Madam Yu and quietly withdrew.
Madam Yu let out a long sigh.Mama Shu hurried forward with a smile. "What's troubling you, Madam? Would you like to take a stroll in the garden?"
"This tiny place—I've been walking around it for two years now. There's nothing new to see," Madam Yu waved her hand impatiently.
Mama Shu chuckled. "Living in the capital isn't easy, naturally it can't compare to our estate in Nanjing. Besides, Madam has seen the world—ordinary sights would hardly catch your eye..."
But Madam Yu seemed distracted, murmuring to herself, "Majestic yet unyielding, noble yet unchanging... truly a young lady from the Fu family..." Her tone carried boundless melancholy.
Mama Shu was taken aback.
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Luckily, the update came a bit earlier than expected... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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