Chapter 212: Ritual Preparations
Having made up their minds, the couple focused wholeheartedly on establishing their own household.
"Do you know how the Zhao family of Songjiang has fared these years?" Fu Tingyun pondered. "As the saying goes, poverty isolates you even in a bustling city, while wealth attracts distant relatives from deep mountains. Since your parents now have the chance to be posthumously honored, it would bring glory to the Zhao family. If there were prominent officials among the Zhao descendants, it would be easier—they would value their reputation, and if we stood firm, they wouldn’t dare act too shamelessly. But if none of the Zhao descendants hold official positions, there might be complications when you try to relocate the graves. It’s better to ask Mr. Lü to find a feng shui master to select an auspicious burial site in Chang’an and purchase several hundred mu of ancestral land. If we can’t acquire enough land immediately, we can use the 400-plus mu we own in Xihuaicun as ancestral land. We must prepare all these details in advance. Once the imperial decree is issued, we’ll act swiftly—pay respects to your parents, commission a Taoist or Buddhist ritual at the temple, and by the time the Zhao family realizes we intend to establish our own ancestral shrine, everything will already be in place. Even if they try to interfere, it won’t hinder the relocation of your parents’ graves."
Relocating graves was a significant matter. Not only must an auspicious date be chosen by a feng shui master, but Taoist and Buddhist rituals must also be arranged. As the filial son, Zhao Ling would preside over the ceremony. If he needed to confront the Zhao family of Songjiang, the gravesite and epitaph in Chang’an County could be prepared in advance. His parents’ coffins could be moved first, and he only needed to return by the time they arrived in Chang’an.
Zhao Ling nodded. "You and I think alike." He added, "Back then, they bullied an orphan and a widow, largely because the main branch of the family had no one who passed the imperial exams, while my father rose through the ranks as a scholar-official, prospering the household. The collateral branches, jealous of our success, seized the chance to kick us when we were down, trying to drive my mother and me to ruin.
"Think about it—a family like that, seeing others prosper, doesn’t encourage their descendants to strive for success but instead schemes to seize property and power. Even if there were talented youths among them, they’d likely be corrupted. How could such a family produce capable individuals? In recent years, the Zhao family has only produced one provincial graduate and three or four county-level scholars from the collateral branches, while the main branch hasn’t even had a single child pass the preliminary exams. Instead, their business has flourished, making them the wealthiest family in Songjiang."
Fu Tingyun smiled bitterly. "What does Ninth Master plan to do?"
"I originally intended to return to Songjiang and confront the Zhao family, making them taste the bitterness I once endured," Zhao Ling said. "Back then, I was in the shadows while they were in the light—there were countless ways to make them suffer. But now, I’m exposed while they lurk in the shadows, making it harder to proceed as planned. Moreover, the Zhao family has been cautious about my mother’s affairs. Only the Zhaos knew the truth back then, so making a public fuss would only invite suspicion, tarnishing my mother’s reputation. I’ve been thinking—this matter must wait until I return and meet the clan head. We’ll see how they act before deciding our next move."Fu Tingyun thought of her own conflicts with her father and didn’t want Zhao Ling to waste his energy and emotions on the Zhao family. She suggested, “Why don’t you just move your parents’ graves and then return, regardless of whether they admit to what happened back then? You can make the past events public and let everyone judge for themselves. As for settling accounts with the Zhao family, stick to the original plan—just entrust the matter to Shopkeeper Ye San. He has no ties to the Zhao family, and as a businessman, he has broad experience, plenty of ideas, and the connections to handle this. If the Zhao family finds out it’s related to you, even better—it’ll show them that they reap what they sow!”
Zhao Ling chuckled. “It’s too early to discuss this now. Let’s first take care of the graves and ancestral land.”
As they spoke, Anxin came in to announce, “Lord He Xiulin is here to visit!”
Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised.
Zhao Ling smiled. “This He Xiulin is too courteous! It was just a small favor, yet he insists on seeing me in person.”
Fu Tingyun knew that He Xiulin had previously sought Zhao Ling’s help in securing the position of commander of Yulin Garrison. Curious, she asked, “Has that matter been settled?”
Zhao Ling nodded. “It was settled long ago. But He Xiulin is a thoughtful man—he’s using this trip to the capital to network with all the right people. Once he returns to Yulin, he might not get another chance like this.”
Without strong backing in the capital, it would be hard to secure a stable position.
Fu Tingyun could understand He Xiulin’s approach. After helping Zhao Ling change his clothes and seeing him off, she called Yu Wei to discuss Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. “...A Sen is about to become engaged to Eldest Miss Wang. Remember to prepare a gift for him to send to the Wang family.”
Yu Wei smiled and agreed.
Chen Shi came to visit.
These days, Fu Tingyun had been busy with A Sen’s marriage arrangements. Upon hearing of Chen Shi’s arrival, she immediately invited her into the inner chamber for a private talk.
After sitting down and taking a sip of tea, Chen Shi got straight to the point. “Wang Furen sent me to ask if we could finalize the betrothal before the end of July.”
Fu Tingyun was taken aback. “Did something happen?”
Previously, the two families had agreed to arrange the engagement before Zhao Ling left the capital. But Zhao Ling wasn’t leaving until September.
Chen Shi remained silent and glanced around.
Understanding, Yu Wei dismissed the servants and closed the partition door.
Leaning in, Chen Shi whispered to Fu Tingyun, “As you know, Lord Wang originally planned for his nephew to marry into their family. But he hasn’t seen the nephew in five or six years and can only rely on hearsay about how he’s turned out. Since this concerns his daughter’s future, he wanted to meet the nephew in person before finalizing the match. Hearing this, the nephew used visiting relatives as an excuse to come to the capital for Mid-Autumn Festival. Now that the Wang family has agreed to your second master’s proposal, they want to settle the engagement quickly before the nephew arrives. Once he sees Eldest Miss Wang is already betrothed, he’ll know the plan is off. If asked, they’ll simply say they considered the idea but found your second master more suitable...”Fu Tingyun broke into a sweat upon hearing this. "How did this happen? I thought they were merely discussing the marriage proposal... What if that family becomes angry and holds a grudge against our A Sen?"
Chen Shi burst into laughter. "Quan Hui, you don't know this, but Wang Furen never wanted to take in Lord Wang's nephew as a live-in son-in-law. She said you can tell a child's character from the age of three—that boy has always been a bully who preys on the weak. But Wang Furen only bore two daughters and felt guilty toward the Wang family. Moreover, she couldn't find a suitable candidate and couldn't make up her mind. Otherwise, this marriage would have been settled long ago—how could it have waited for your A Sen?"
Fu Tingyun thought it made sense. "I did find it strange at the time—why did the marriage discussions drag on for so long without being finalized? Helping A Sen propose was just a last-ditch effort!"
Chen Shi laughed heartily at this.
Zhenzhu entered. "Madam, Madam Wu has come to deliver the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts!"
"This is too early, isn't it?" Fu Tingyun was startled. "Did Madam Wu come in person?"
Zhenzhu confirmed it was so.
Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi exchanged glances.
Chen Shi smiled. "She probably has something to discuss with you! I’ll take my leave first. Wang Furen is still waiting for my reply. Once you’ve settled things here, send me word as soon as possible."
"Why don’t you stay a little longer?" Fu Tingyun pondered. "Our master is currently receiving guests. Later, I’ll try to have Yan Qing pass a message inside to see if he can get a reply from him?"
Chen Shi considered for a moment. "Alright then. I suppose I’ll have to play the unwelcome guest for once."
Fu Tingyun chuckled. "I’d be delighted if you were this 'unwelcome guest' every day." She turned to Zhenzhu. "Please invite Madam Wu to sit inside."
Zhenzhu acknowledged and escorted Madam Wu in.
Madam Wu already knew Fu Tingyun had a guest and was also familiar with Chen Shi. They exchanged warm greetings and sat down to talk.
Fu Tingyun spoke politely to Madam Wu. "...We’re still too young and inexperienced, unlike you, Madam, who handles things so steadily and arranges everything well in advance. By Mid-Autumn Festival, you’ll be able to enjoy the lanterns with ease."
Madam Wu sighed deeply. "Household matters are like weeds in a flowerbed—cut one batch, and another springs up. It never ends. I originally thought the same as you—deliver the Mid-Autumn gifts early so I could take my son and daughter-in-law to Gulou Street to see the lanterns on the festival day. But before I could even arrange the gifts, relatives from my hometown arrived. They’ve stayed with me for seven or eight days and even pestered me for help. I’m worn out by them, but I’m afraid people will say I’ve grown arrogant with wealth and look down on old relatives. So I have to endure and humor them—it’s truly no way to live!"
"Even the Emperor has distant relatives in straw sandals," Fu Tingyun replied diplomatically. "Besides, with Official Wu’s vast family and numerous in-laws, you naturally have to put in more effort." She added, "Fortunately, it’s you, Madam. If it were someone as lazy as me, I’d want to help but wouldn’t have the energy."
At this, Madam Wu glanced at Chen Shi, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but held back.Chen Shi felt a bit uneasy. But then she thought of Yan Qing going to ask Zhao Ling and didn’t want to give up this opportunity. Pretending not to notice, she also exchanged pleasantries with Madam Wu, smiling as she said, “Yes, yes! All the relatives in our household are entertained by my mother-in-law. Sometimes I even feel anxious for her, but she remains utterly unruffled—I truly admire her!” Then she sighed, “I wonder when I’ll be like my mother-in-law, standing firm no matter which way the wind blows.”
It seemed Madam Wu really had something to say to her!
Fu Tingyun pondered silently to herself.
There was no connection between their families—what could Madam Wu possibly want with her?
She wasn’t keen on getting involved.
With a smile, she chimed in with Chen Shi, “Do you think you’re a rock? Standing firm no matter which way the wind blows?”
Chen Shi burst into laughter.
Madam Wu’s personal Housekeeper suddenly rushed in, sweating profusely.
Madam Wu frowned at the sight.
The Housekeeper hastily bowed to Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi, barely keeping her composure, then leaned in to whisper a few words into Madam Wu’s ear.
Madam Wu’s expression changed drastically, and she immediately stood up. “There’s an urgent matter at home—I must take my leave now. I’ll visit another day.”
Though the Housekeeper had spoken softly, Fu Tingyun and Chen Shi heard clearly.
They exchanged a glance and rose together with smiles. “No need for formalities, Madam Wu. Let’s meet again when you have time.”
They escorted Madam Wu out.
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Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend!
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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