Chapter 194: Commotion
Upon returning home, Yu Wei helped Fu Tingyun change her clothes and said somewhat regretfully, "Honestly, who would have thought we'd run into Madam Yu just from going to offer incense?"
After freshening up, Fu Tingyun felt refreshed and invigorated. She took a sip of the Longjing tea handed to her by Zhenzhu and replied, "We all live in the capital—it was only a matter of time before we crossed paths." She then chuckled, "In fact, I think it's a bit late that we only met now!"
Seeing that Fu Tingyun bore no grudge while she herself couldn't let it go, Yu Wei felt she was being petty and blushed. "Madam, Mrs. Li is coming tomorrow to discuss Lord Jin's matter with you. Should I have the kitchen prepare a banquet, or should we order dishes from Donglaishun Restaurant?"
Since Chen Shi was Shi Shi's cousin and the Shi family still needed to discuss some wedding details with her, it wasn't appropriate for her to act as the matchmaker for the Jin family. Thus, Fu Tingyun had asked the wife of Li Yunxiang, the Left Deputy Commander of the Standard Guard, to serve as Jin Yuanbao's matchmaker.
Normally, Yu Wei handled such matters without needing Fu Tingyun's input. Knowing Yu Wei was changing the subject, Fu Tingyun smiled and said, "You decide. Just make sure Mrs. Li doesn't go hungry when she arrives!"
Yu Wei agreed with a smile and went to make the arrangements.
The next day, Mrs. Li brought the dowry list for Miss Shi to Fu Tingyun. "...I've calculated that there are at least thirty-six loads, but if packed more loosely, it could stretch to sixty-four. How is Lord Jin's house purchase coming along?"
Jin Yuanbao and Zhao Ling had previously spent their earnings on land, and their salaries in recent years had only been enough for daily expenses and social obligations. Now that he was getting married, Zhao Ling thought it would be best for Jin Yuanbao to continue living with them so they could support each other.
Fu Tingyun naturally agreed.
But Jin Yuanbao refused, laughing, "Eating and drinking at my elder brother's expense, and now bringing a wife and family to freeload—my face isn't that thick."
Zhao Ling dismissed his concerns, "We're brothers—why bother keeping such accounts? Besides, your sister-in-law isn't the kind to be intolerant..."
Fu Tingyun noticed that despite Jin Yuanbao's teasing tone, his expression was resolute. Knowing his mind was made up, she smiled and said, "Since Uncle Jin has decided, we should respect his wishes." She then teased, "No wonder you agreed to the match as soon as you heard Miss Shi could make over forty types of pickles. She must be a very virtuous woman. Once you're married, you must live well together."
Jin Yuanbao hurriedly replied, "Of course, of course."
Zhao Ling could only sigh deeply.
Fu Tingyun asked Jin Yuanbao, "So what do you plan to do?"
Jin Yuanbao said, "I plan to rent a house first and get married. In a couple of years, when I'm more financially stable, I can think about buying a small courtyard."
That evening, Fu Tingyun discussed it with Zhao Ling. "Why don't you ask Jin Yuanbao how much he can contribute? Then we can help out and buy him a small courtyard as a new home."
Zhao Ling said, "A small courtyard doesn't cost much. I say we just cover the entire expense for him."
Fu Tingyun glared at him. "You're younger than Uncle Jin, yet you've already established your household and taken on responsibilities. He might have similar aspirations—that's probably why he insists on moving out." She added, "Besides, does moving out mean he’s no longer your brother?"Zhao Ling found his wife's words quite reasonable and said with a smile, "You handle these matters as you see fit! No need to ask me anymore."
Fu Tingyun, seeing his helpless expression, burst into laughter. Both she and Jin Yuanbao asked acquaintances to help find a suitable house and even notified a few real estate agents. Although there were many houses for sale, none seemed right—either there was some flaw, dissatisfaction, or the price was too high. They still hadn’t found a suitable one.
When Lady Li inquired about it, Fu Tingyun shook her head and said, "If nothing works out, we might have to rent a place first."
Lady Li then asked, "What kind of house are you looking to buy?"
Hearing the suggestive tone in her question, Fu Tingyun replied, "Do you perhaps have something suitable in mind?"
"Whether it's suitable or not, we’ll have to see," Lady Li said with a smile. "It’s a house rented by one of my husband’s Centurions in Santiao Hutong. It’s a modest two-courtyard, three-room house. The owner wants to sell it for six hundred taels of silver. The Centurion wanted to buy it but couldn’t gather enough money despite borrowing from several places. I happened to hear about it and kept it in mind."
"That sounds like a great opportunity," Fu Tingyun said cheerfully. "Once Jin Yuanbao returns, I’ll tell him to go take a look."
Lady Li left the address, and Fu Tingyun passed it on to Jin Yuanbao.
When Jin Yuanbao returned, he said, "The location is excellent, and the house is good, but it’s a bit expensive."
Fu Tingyun asked, "How much can you contribute?"
Jin Yuanbao hesitated. "If I use all my savings, I’ll have nothing left. Besides, the wedding will also cost a fair amount."
"Here’s what we’ll do," Fu Tingyun suggested. "I’ll lend you five hundred taels so you can buy the house first. After the wedding gifts are collected and the banquet is held, you can repay me part of it. The rest can be paid back gradually. In the early years, your elder brother barely managed his expenses in the capital with his salary. Only in the last two years, after being assigned outside, has he been able to send money back. You’re still young—surely you won’t let debt hold you back?"
Her words filled Jin Yuanbao with boldness, and he laughed. "Then, as Sister-in-law suggests, I’ll borrow five hundred taels from you for now."
Fu Tingyun smiled and personally opened a chest, handing him a bank note for five hundred taels.
Jin Yuanbao first had someone negotiate with the owner, citing distant relations, and settled on a price of five hundred and sixty taels. After the agent helped him transfer the deed at the government office, he hired workers to repaint the house and invited both Buddhist monks and Taoist priests to perform ritual ceremonies to consecrate the home and honor the household gods. He then invited Fu Tingyun, Youyou, Zhang Shi, and other close female relatives to visit for a day, followed by colleagues the next day.
When the Shi family heard the news, they were naturally delighted. Later, the young lady of the Shi family secretly sent a message to Fu Tingyun: "Sister-in-law, please tell Lord Jin that I have two or three hundred taels of my own savings. We can use it to repay the debt gradually."
Fu Tingyun relayed the message to Jin Yuanbao, teasing him, "She hasn’t even entered your household yet, and she’s already siding with the outsider. Once she’s married in, she’ll probably move everything from the Shi family to the Jin family!"
Jin Yuanbao flushed crimson, unable to utter a word, though his expression betrayed a hint of happiness.
A Sen, returning from school, caught wind of the conversation and burst into laughter.
Jin Yuanbao grew both flustered and annoyed.
A Sen was overjoyed. "We’re always the ones left speechless by Brother Yuanbao’s words. Now it’s his turn to be tongue-tied! Truly, fortunes change—what goes around comes around!"
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside."I'll go take a look." Jin Yuanbao fled the hall as if escaping, provoking another round of laughter from Fu Tingyun and A Sen.
A Sen asked Fu Tingyun, "Sister-in-law, when will you start sending New Year gifts? Brother Yuanbao is so busy this year, and now that I've passed the child scholar exams, let me help Zheng San deliver the gifts!" He grinned cheekily at Fu Tingyun, looking more like he was asking for a favor than offering to help with household duties.
Noticing something, Fu Tingyun replied, "Very well! Understanding human relationships is an art in itself. You can help deliver gifts to Lord Mo's, Lord Tao's, Lord Lin's, and Lord Qin's households."
A Sen blinked in surprise. "Just these four? No others?"
Suppressing a smile, Fu Tingyun maintained a serious expression. "These four are your elder brother's closest friends, so it's most important. That's why I'm assigning you to deliver them."
The commotion outside grew louder.
Both felt reassured with Jin Yuanbao handling it and paid no mind.
A Sen responded with an "Oh," his face falling slightly, but he didn't rush off. Scratching his head, he hesitated before asking, "Then... what about Lord Wang's household? Doesn't he count as elder brother's friend?"
Barely holding back laughter, Fu Tingyun said solemnly, "I'll personally deliver Lord Wang's gifts."
A Sen's eyes lit up immediately. "Then let me accompany you, sister-in-law! Before elder brother left, he told me not to be lazy and to stay alert to help you with errands..."
Fu Tingyun could no longer contain her amusement, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she prepared to tease him further, but Jin Yuanbao lifted the door curtain and entered.
His expression was grim as he said in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, Lord Fu from Four Happiness Alley demands to see you. Zheng San and the others refused him entry, so he's making a scene at the gate. From what he's saying, it seems he's accusing Ninth Master of using some underhanded means to sabotage his promotion..."
"Sabotage his promotion?" Fu Tingyun frowned. "Ninth Master is just an outposted military officer—how could he possibly interfere with the Six Ministries? Especially when Lord Fu himself works in the Ministry of Personnel. What is he trying to pull now?" She felt irritation rising.
She had kept his examination cheating scandal secret all this time, yet he had the audacity to come make trouble at her home.
Fu Tingyun's eyebrows arched sharply. "Open the main gates wide. I'll confront him right at the entrance. If he can't produce evidence, I'll counter-sue him for slander!"
Jin Yuanbao hesitated. "Wouldn't that be... inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it?" Fu Tingyun said coldly. "He's no toddler—if he's making a scene at my gate, he's clearly intent on humiliating me. I might as well settle this openly to prevent him from throwing his weight around as my elder in the future. Otherwise, why doesn't he dare make trouble elsewhere? He's only bold because I'm his daughter." She added, "I could overlook insults against me, but dragging Ninth Master into this—that I cannot let pass without clarification." With that, she lifted the curtain herself and strode out of the hall.
Jin Yuanbao and A Sen hurried after her through the festooned gate.
Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San: "Open the gate and let Lord Fu in."
Zheng San acknowledged with a "Yes" and unbarred the main entrance.
Master Fu the Fifth wore a lilac-colored robe. Whether from rage or neglect, his hair was disheveled and his eyes bloodshot, devoid of his usual scholarly refinement, appearing thoroughly disheveled.Seeing Fu Tingyun standing behind the door, he jumped up and began pointing at her while shouting, "So you've finally come out. I thought you'd hide behind Zhao Ling like a turtle for the rest of your life! I've seen ruthless women before, but never one like you. For your own selfish gain, you'd even disregard the kindness of those who raised you. Even a dog would bark at its master, but you—you'd rather see everyone in the family suffer..."
The alley was empty, but the side doors of nearby houses were left slightly ajar.
Fu Tingyun sneered inwardly, standing as straight as a pine tree as she calmly watched Master Fu the Fifth.
Her gaze was icy, her expression filled with undisguised disdain and mockery, making Master Fu the Fifth increasingly uncomfortable. His tirade gradually trailed off.
"Finished?" Fu Tingyun curled her lip contemptuously. "If you're done, then I have a few things to say..."
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Only one update today; the next will have to wait until tomorrow... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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