Chapter 203: Within Reason
Zheng San went to the southern hall, while Fu Tingyun sat on the large kang by the window, reading the letter by the light filtering through the lattice.
Within moments, her expression changed drastically.
Yu Wei, who was attending to her, grew extremely anxious.
Ninth Master had said he would return by early March, and by the count of days, he should be arriving any time now. What could be so urgent that he couldn’t wait to tell the mistress in person but had to entrust a letter to Lord Mo instead...
Her mind raced.
Could it be that Ninth Master had taken a fancy to someone outside? Now that he was about to return, he had to inform the mistress openly...
Yu Wei couldn’t help but scrutinize Fu Tingyun carefully.
She saw Fu Tingyun’s delicate brows furrow tightly, her originally rosy face growing increasingly pale, as if frostbitten, with fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead...
Unable to maintain decorum any longer, Yu Wei urgently asked, “Mistress, mistress, what did Ninth Master write in the letter?”
Fu Tingyun looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. “He said that after the New Year, they discovered Tatar activity near Xuanfu. Mo Yi led troops out several times to suppress them but returned empty-handed. Both he and Mo Yi found the situation suspicious and feared the Tatars might take advantage of their absence to invade, so they decided to postpone their return to the capital...”
So it was about this!
Yu Wei couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Fu Tingyun, surprised, said with displeasure, “Xuanfu might be going to war!”
Only then did Yu Wei realize belatedly, “Then... then will Ninth Master be in any danger?”
“Who knows!” Fu Tingyun replied, her heart tightening again. “That man... he only ever shares good news with me, never the bad. Think about it—in the two years he’s been in Xuanfu, when has he ever mentioned battles? If not for the delay in his return, he probably wouldn’t have told me this time either...” As she spoke, her heart ached, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Ninth Master will surely be fine,” Yu Wei hurriedly comforted her. “His skills are unmatched—even the Emperor has praised him endlessly. How many could possibly be his match? Besides, Lord Mo is the commander-in-chief. If the Tatars invade, Lord Mo should be the one leading the troops...”
“You’ve been in this household for years,” Fu Tingyun said. “Haven’t you noticed Ninth Master’s temperament? Is he the kind of person who hides behind others in the face of danger? It’d be a blessing if he didn’t charge headfirst into battle!”
Yu Wei thought it over and realized it was indeed true.
“Then... then what should we do?” she asked uneasily.
The distance was too great... Fu Tingyun had no idea what to do either!
Her tears fell silently.
Zhenzhu announced from behind the curtain, “Zheng San is here!”
Fu Tingyun quickly wiped her tears and, supported by Yu Wei, rose to go to the hall.
Zheng San was pacing anxiously. When he saw Fu Tingyun, he hurried forward.
“Mistress,” he said with a bow, his expression grave. “Lord He said Xuanfu might be going to war...”
“I already know,” Fu Tingyun gestured for Zheng San to sit. “Ninth Master mentioned it in his letter. What else did Lord He say?”After Fu Tingyun had taken her seat, Zheng San also half-sat on the Grand Tutor chair. "Minister He also mentioned that according to precedent, whenever the General Military Headquarters of Gansu changes its commander, the Mongols and Tatars would inevitably gather troops at Jiayuguan to test the new commander's capabilities. However, this time after Minister He went to Zhangye, there was no movement at Jiayuguan. Instead, traces of Mongols or Tatars were frequently spotted around Xuanfu and Datong. The Emperor has already appointed General Mo as the Governor of Xuan-Da to oversee the military forces in Xuanfu and Datong..."
Fu Tingyun gritted her teeth silently upon hearing this.
This Zhao Ling—with tensions already high and swords drawn—still had the nerve to write in his letter, "If everything goes smoothly, I might be able to return before Xi Ge'er's first birthday celebration..."
She couldn't help but say fiercely, "What else did Minister He say?"
Zheng San was somewhat puzzled by Fu Tingyun's anger but still replied respectfully, "Minister He's father passed away three years ago. As the eldest son, Minister He wishes to inherit his father's position as commander of Yulin Garrison. Originally, he wanted Marquis Yingchuan to help put in a word with the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. Unexpectedly, Marquis Yingchuan politely declined and even suggested that if it proved too difficult, he might as well ask our Ninth Master for assistance. Minister He then went to Xuanfu. Coincidentally, he encountered this matter, and Ninth Master entrusted him to bring some things home. He also gave Minister He his own name card, telling him to seek out Minister Qin if he encountered any difficulties..."
Fu Tingyun was momentarily taken aback.
The He family held a hereditary position as commander, and as the eldest son, He Xiulin was entitled to inherit it by law. However, hereditary positions could be either active or honorary. An active position meant real authority, while an honorary one only entitled the holder to the benefits of the position. To inherit an active position, one had to navigate the bureaucracies of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War.
For Marquis Yingchuan, this would have been a trivial favor.
He Xiulin had previously served as the assistant commander of Ganzhou Garrison under Marquis Yingchuan. Yet the Marquis had refused even this small request... It was clear he had resolved to remain secluded and no longer involve himself in external affairs.
Qin Feiyu was a favorite of the Emperor. By introducing He Xiulin to Qin Feiyu, Zhao Ling ensured that Qin Feiyu would likely report the matter to the Emperor... This was for the best... Whether successful or not, it would be seen as the Emperor's grace.
Fu Tingyun instructed Yu Wei, "Go to Madam Mo and see if she has any news."
Yu Wei acknowledged and left.
Fu Tingyun leaned against the large bolster pillow, lost in thought.
Madam Mo came from a military family, and the Mo clan had many descendants in the army. If there were any changes in Xuanfu, she would likely know quickly if she paid attention.
Within a few days, Madam Mo sent a message: "Xuan-Da has erupted in battle..."
Such news naturally weighed heavily on Fu Tingyun's heart, leaving her sleepless with worry. But for the common folk of the capital, it was merely a topic of conversation over breakfast, and for the secluded women of the inner chambers, it was something entirely negligible.
Fan Shi had Mo Zhuan extinguish the lamp and lower the silk bed curtains, plunging the space into darkness. Only then did she open the small sandalwood box in her hand.
A soft glow filled the bedchamber.
"Ah!" Mo Zhuan gasped in a hushed voice. "How beautiful!" She then added enviously, "The young master truly dotes on you, madam!"
Fan Shi remained silent, covering her mouth as she smiled, her eyes brimming with joy. "A friend gave it to him. He didn’t want it at first, but then he thought of me being confined at home during my pregnancy and brought it back for me to play with...""Young Mistress," Mo Zhuan exclaimed once more in admiration, "there's no one in the world who treats you better than the young master! Just because he feared you might be bored, he gave you a priceless night pearl to play with..."
Fan Shi smiled faintly.
Soft footsteps sounded from outside.
Fan Shi's brows furrowed slightly.
Hearing this, Mo Zhuan raised her voice sharply, "Who's there? Didn't I say no one is to disturb the young mistress while she's resting for her pregnancy?" Her tone was thick with displeasure.
"M-Mo Zhuan, elder sister," a young maid's voice trembled with fear, "it's... it's Consort Wu from the rear courtyard. The housekeepers were asking how the clothes should be made..."
It was already March, and by custom, the household should be preparing summer clothes. And a consort was entitled to two more sets than a first-rank maid.
Fan Shi's face darkened instantly, and she snapped the jewelry box shut with a sharp "click."
The bed curtains plunged the space into complete darkness.
"How utterly vexing!" Fan Shi's cool voice came from within the curtains. "Draw them open!"
"Yes!" Mo Zhuan didn't dare delay, quickly rising to tie back the curtains.
Bright light streamed in, highlighting Fan Shi's snow-white complexion.
She extended her hand.
Mo Zhuan hurriedly helped her out of bed.
"Come, we're going to the rear courtyard."
Mo Zhuan gave Fan Shi a startled glance before lowering her eyes and responding, "Yes."
The young maid who had come to deliver the message began crying anxiously, "Young Mistress, Young Mistress..."
"Why are you crying?" Fan Shi asked gently with a smile. "If you're worried, you may come along." With that, she turned and left the inner chamber.
The young maid hesitated, torn between staying and going. Watching Fan Shi's retreating figure, she finally made up her mind and ran after her.
Fan Shi didn't enter Consort Wu's quarters but stood on the steps before the door. She looked down at Consort Wu, who stood below with her hands clasped, her expression bewildered and her belly still flat. Then she glanced at the maids, wives, and housekeepers Mo Zhuan had summoned, who now stood meekly in the courtyard. Her voice was quiet but carried an undeniable authority: "Rules are rules. No matter what, Consort Wu was brought into the Yu Family by sedan chair—she is a proper concubine of the household and should receive what is due to her. Today, someone actually asked me how her clothes should be made?" As she spoke, her gaze briefly swept over a housekeeper wearing a lilac-colored silk sleeveless vest. "From today onward, I don't want to hear such questions again! If I do, the offender will no longer serve in my courtyard. Is that clear?"
All the maids, wives, and housekeepers curtsied and murmured their assent, making Consort Wu, who remained standing, appear all the more out of place.
Fan Shi's gaze settled on Consort Wu.
"Now that you're carrying the young master's child, you should focus on resting peacefully." Her expression was stern, edged with severity. "It's just two sets of clothes—there's no need for you to go to such lengths to test me. I'm not an unreasonable person. If such matters arise in the future, simply have your personal maid ask Mo Zhuan. Don't stoop to such petty behavior again. It not only shames me but also displeases the young master."
Consort Wu stared at Fan Shi in shock.
Was she implying that the housekeeper had asked about her summer clothes because she had put them up to it?"Young Mistress," Consort Wu couldn't help but defend herself, "this matter could be taken lightly or seriously. At its least, it's just my lowly background showing through my shallow perspective. At its worst, it could be seen as me taking advantage of my pregnancy to compete for favor. But I swear I never sent anyone to inquire about the summer clothes..."
Before she could finish speaking, the old woman in lilac clothes suddenly knelt before Fan Shi with a start: "Young Mistress, this old servant was blinded by foolishness! Seeing that Consort Wu lacked proper attendants, I was swayed by her encouragement to come before you with idle gossip. Please forgive me this once!" With that, she began kowtowing repeatedly, her forehead thumping against the floor.
"You..." Consort Wu wasn't stupid—she simply felt ashamed of being a concubine and never dared speak with confidence. Staring at the old woman kowtowing to Fan Shi, she trembled with rage, her gaze involuntarily shifting to Fan Shi herself.
Fan Shi had been marveling at how such a clever old woman had spent most of her life working in the sewing room when she suddenly felt a gaze upon her—one that seemed capable of seeing through worldly affairs.
She turned her head instinctively and found herself locking eyes directly with Consort Wu.
※
O(∩_∩)O~
※
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel