Chapter 213: The Concubine
After seeing Madam Wu off, Chen Shi and Fu Tingyun walked back toward the main house, speaking in hushed tones. Chen Shi remarked, "I recall that Wu Daren is already in his forties, nearly fifty, with grandchildren now. How could he still be dallying in the flower fields at this age, even having a concubine who’s pregnant?" Her lips curled slightly, and her brows carried a hint of disdain. "Look at those civil officials—they’re always impeaching this one or that at the slightest disagreement. Honestly, our military households are far more orderly than theirs. If it weren’t for the long separations due to border postings leading to a lack of heirs, few of our men would take concubines at this age, already blessed with children!" She added, "Did you see Madam Wu’s reaction? The Housekeeper rushed in without regard for propriety upon hearing the concubine had miscarried, and Madam Wu herself turned pale and immediately rose to leave… Who knows what’s really going on?"
Fu Tingyun chuckled. "It probably isn’t Wu Daren’s concubine. Otherwise, why would she be called ‘Consort Wu’? Even if Wu Daren were that reckless, he wouldn’t take a concubine sharing his surname—he’s not that foolish. Perhaps…" She suddenly remembered the young Miss Wu she had encountered at Tanzhe Temple. "Could it be…" she murmured, "that she became someone else’s concubine?" But she quickly shook her head. "No, that can’t be. The Wu Family is, after all, an official household with generations of scholarly heritage. If she had become a concubine elsewhere, given Madam Wu’s temperament, how could she have accompanied Miss Wu to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense? Unless the family Miss Wu married into was so illustrious it could aid Wu Daren’s career?" Yet even that didn’t quite fit. After all, a concubine was hardly a proper relation—any help would be limited. Still, if Miss Wu served someone like Grand Secretary Shen and managed to win his favor, perhaps… And considering she had even conceived… Fu Tingyun began to think her guess might not be far off.
Beside her, Chen Shi, hearing her mutter incomprehensibly, pressed eagerly, "What? Do you know something? Tell me!"
This was another family’s affair, and Fu Tingyun had no intention of discussing it. Recalling Miss Wu’s shy, bashful expression that day, she felt a pang of pity and grew even more reluctant to speak of it. Smiling, she said, "How would I know anything? I was just thinking aloud."
Chen Shi wasn’t convinced. "But you live next door!"
"What does that matter?" Fu Tingyun replied lightly. "These days, everyone minds their own business. Besides, my household and the Wu Family are worlds apart—civil versus military. Madam Wu is the type who can charm anyone and go anywhere, while my husband is stationed at the border. To avoid trouble, I steer clear of her—why would I seek her out?" She deftly shifted the topic. "Though I do think you’re right—Madam Wu seemed to have something to discuss with me…" She paused thoughtfully. "I wonder what it could be?""Never mind what her business is!" Chen Shi said with a laugh. "She's the type who loves to help others just to show off her capabilities—it's probably not even her own affair. Since she didn't succeed this time, she'll surely find another opportunity to bring it up with you." Lowering her voice, she whispered, "I've heard that Madam Wu charges silver for helping people with their matters..."
Fu Tingyun was startled.
She had heard elders speak of such things before.
This was what they called "ladies' networking."
Some matters were too sensitive, so wives would act as intermediaries to convey messages, with compensation also passing through them. If anything went wrong, they could simply claim "lax household management" and wash their hands of it.
"If that's the case, then we mustn't get involved with her," Fu Tingyun said solemnly. "Helping relatives and friends out of obligation is one thing, but taking up causes for strangers in exchange for silver... If she's profiting while I'm left running around cluelessly, wouldn't I be a fool? Besides, how many matters requiring silver bribes can be openly discussed in broad daylight? We might end up implicated!"
"Exactly," Chen Shi nodded repeatedly.
The two sat down for tea and snacks, playing with Youyou and Xi Ge'er for a while before Yan Qing came in to report: "Madam, Ninth Master says to leave everything to your discretion." He added, "Ninth Master also mentioned he'll be going with Lord He to visit Lord Qin and will return for dinner."
Fu Tingyun nodded and smiled at Chen Shi. "Now you can rest easy! I'll have the kitchen prepare some good dishes. Stay for dinner, and we can chat properly."
Chen Shi laughed. "I'm at ease, but Wang Furen must be on tenterhooks! I need to deliver the reply to her first, then return to discuss the betrothal date with you. Don't worry—we'll have plenty of time to talk!" She politely declined the invitation.
Seeing the sense in this, Fu Tingyun escorted Chen Shi to the main gate, where they saw Madam Wu hurriedly boarding her carriage with several maids and attendants, departing Shi Family Alley without a backward glance.
"Where is Madam Wu off to?" Chen Shi muttered before getting into her own carriage.
Fu Tingyun, however, seemed lost in thought.
Could it be that Miss Wu had truly become some grand secretary's concubine?
She felt a pang of pity for Miss Wu and sighed deeply.
Yu Wei, standing nearby, teased, "Are you reluctant to part with Second Master? It's not too late to change your mind!"
"I might regret it," Fu Tingyun chuckled, "but I fear someone would fly into a rage if I did!"
The two bantered as they returned inside.
That evening, when Zhao Ling returned, Fu Tingyun asked about his meeting with Qin Feiyu.
Zhao Ling smiled. "So many people are seeking Qin Feiyu's favor these days that he ignores ordinary petitioners. Yet He Xiulin managed to secure his assistance with just my name card, making him think Qin Feiyu holds me in high regard. He then dragged me along, hoping Qin Feiyu would treat him differently seeing me personally introduce him."
Fu Tingyun laughed. "Did Qin Feiyu immediately warm up to him?"
"Whether he truly did, I can't say," Zhao Ling replied. "But He Xiulin did receive a name card from him, allowing him to request an audience directly for any future matters."Fu Tingyun thought of the cheerful man in the dilapidated City God Temple of Linchun Town and clicked her tongue in surprise. "Who would have thought Qin Feiyu would put on such airs now?"
"It can't be helped," Zhao Ling said understandingly. "If he didn't set up such barriers, he'd have to deal with those people pestering him every day." Then he asked about A Sen, "So what was decided in the end?"
"I asked Wang Furen to pick an auspicious date," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "As an elder, she has more experience with such matters than we do."
Zhao Ling nodded. Noticing he'd drunk quite a bit, Fu Tingyun helped him prepare for bed.
"Let Zhenzhu and the others handle it," Zhao Ling said softly, gently touching her abdomen. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Couldn't be better," Fu Tingyun said somewhat gloomily. "We'll have to wait until after three months to confirm."
While others suffered terrible nausea or constant fatigue during pregnancy, her case was different—they could only be certain once the pulse diagnosis showed clear signs.
"This just shows our child is thoughtful and considerate," Zhao Ling said, caressing her belly again. "Knowing Father isn't home to care for Mother, they're being quiet and well-behaved."
"We don't even know for sure if I'm really pregnant yet!" Though happy at the prospect, Fu Tingyun feared giving Zhao Ling false hope.
"You definitely are," Zhao Ling said with complete confidence. "Tomorrow I'll accompany you to Tanzhe Temple to pray to the Bodhisattva for your safe and smooth pregnancy."
"You have time tomorrow?" Fu Tingyun asked in surprise. "Aren't you supposed to be assisting the Ministry of Rites with the Tatar surrender arrangements?"
"Most preparations are done. The minor details can be left to the Ministry clerks," Zhao Ling replied. "After tomorrow, things will get busy again."
"Oh," Fu Tingyun responded, suddenly remembering that Wu Daren served in the Ministry of Rites and brought up Madam Wu. "...Do you think I'm being oversensitive? Or is there really something she wants from you?"
"Probably nothing she needs from me," Zhao Ling pondered. "Wu Daren is the Right Vice Minister of Rites, but I've been working with Left Vice Minister Bai on this assignment..." Noticing Fu Tingyun's worried expression, he comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry. If anything comes up, just refer them to me." Then he carried her to bed, saying, "Rest early. I'll join you after washing up."
Fu Tingyun absentmindedly murmured agreement, still puzzling over the day's events though she couldn't pinpoint what felt off.
When Zhao Ling returned from washing up to find her still lost in thought, he sat by the bed, took her hand, and asked gently, "What's troubling you now?"
After some hesitation, Fu Tingyun told Zhao Ling about Miss Wu: "...Given that Wu Daren holds a third-rank position and must have some capability to have risen this far, doesn't it seem overly simplistic of him to think such methods could win him a Grand Secretary's support for joining the cabinet?"
Amused that this was all she could think about, Zhao Ling fanned her gently. "Go to sleep! I'll make inquiries for you tomorrow."
Fu Tingyun beamed at this—not just because Zhao Ling offered to help, but because his attentiveness to all her concerns made her feel deeply cherished.
Zhao Ling couldn't help chuckling. "Sleep now. Look at you—like a child, easily pleased with just a little coaxing."Fu Tingyun sweet-talked him: "It's only because it's you who's coaxing me. If it were someone else, I wouldn't even care!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling's entire face lit up with smiles, though his words remained teasing: "Oh? So there are others besides me who try to coax you, huh?"
"You!" Fu Tingyun pretended to be annoyed and lightly pinched his arm. "Keep talking nonsense and I'll ignore you!"
"If you ignore me," Zhao Ling said nonchalantly, "I'll just keep bothering you!"
The couple continued their playful banter before retiring for the night with laughter.
The next day, when the carriages for Tanzhe Temple were all prepared and Youyou and Xi Ge'er were dressed and ready, Zhao Ling was unexpectedly summoned to the Ministry of Rites.
"A-Jun," he said with a mix of frustration and apology, "I'm really sorry..."
"Nonsense," Fu Tingyun replied, though disappointed, she tried to appear cheerful. "Official matters come first. Besides, I'm not even three months along yet, and Tanzhe Temple is over twenty li away..." Then she teased, "Weren't you going to pray to the Bodhisattva for my safe delivery? Perhaps this is the Bodhisattva's will!"
This only made Zhao Ling more uneasy.
Fu Tingyun had already urged their two children to bid him farewell: "...Papa's going to the yamen, while we're visiting Uncle Jin's house!"
The children's moods were quickly lifted.
Youyou cheered excitedly while Xi Ge'er giggled and parroted: "Go Uncle Jin's house!"
With lingering guilt, Zhao Ling left for the Ministry of Rites. Midway, he instructed Anxin to investigate Miss Wu's situation.
By afternoon, Anxin returned with news: "...She's a distant relative of Official Wu and became Yu Jingxiu's concubine last December."
Zhao Ling was momentarily stunned.
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O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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