Chapter 214: Persuasion
"...They say she was brought into the household last December and conceived soon after. Then news came that Yu Shao Nainai was also pregnant." Zhao Ling frowned as he spoke. "As the Ghost Festival approached, Madam Yu and Yu Shao Nainai went to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense. When Consort Wu saw them off at the door, she somehow slipped and fell. Two days later, she miscarried." He paused briefly, his tone tinged with melancholy. "It was a baby boy, already seven months along... He was born alive... but passed away after two hours..."
Once one becomes a parent, any mention of children tugs at the heartstrings. How much more so when faced with such a bloody tragedy?
Even though it was Yu Jingxiu's child, Fu Tingyun couldn't help but feel her eyes grow moist at the thought of the mother, Miss Wu. "How could this happen?" she murmured after a long silence.
Noticing the somber mood, Zhao Ling said, "Blame the child for being born into the wrong family!" Then, to comfort her, he added, "After Yu Jingxiu committed such a heartless act, Grand Secretary Yu merely scolded him a couple of times. A family like this—even if they avoid disaster now, it’ll catch up with them sooner or later. That child’s fate was sealed, and no one could have changed it."
Fu Tingyun found his reasoning sound and nodded. "I just feel so sorry for the child."
Zhao Ling replied, "That’s why I think Lord Wang is doing the right thing. Rather than taking concubines just to have sons and turning the household upside down, it’s better to raise daughters well, bring in a son-in-law, and nurture grandchildren—it amounts to the same thing in the end."
Fu Tingyun teased him, "So, if I also give birth to a daughter, you wouldn’t take a concubine either?"
"Of course not," Zhao Ling declared firmly. "Whether you have sons or daughters is predestined. Forcing the issue only invites trouble—either domestic strife or a loss of blessings. It’s best to let nature take its course."
After all, it was someone else’s misfortune. The couple chatted idly for a while, their spirits lifting, and soon the matter was forgotten.
Fu Tingyun then brought up A Sen’s situation: "Wang Furen thinks the 26th of July is an auspicious date and wants to know our thoughts."
"Then let it be the 26th," Zhao Ling said. "Since we’ve entrusted Wang Furen with selecting the date, there’s no need to complicate things further. Let the wedding proceed according to the Wang family’s wishes. Do you think Wang Furen and Lord Wang would act against their own daughter’s interests?"
"True enough," Fu Tingyun laughed. "I heard the Tatars are arriving in the capital on the 22nd. I was just worried it might interfere with your duties."
"I’m only in charge of the celebratory events," Zhao Ling chuckled. "By the 22nd, with the Emperor, grand secretaries, and ministers all present, there probably won’t even be room for me to stand... It’ll be the perfect time to handle A Sen’s matter."
Fu Tingyun sent her reply to the Wang family, who then delivered the betrothal agreement for the matrilocal marriage.
Custom dictated that such agreements outline the responsibilities of both parties, including provisions for elderly care, funeral arrangements, inheritance distribution, and so on.
Perhaps because they were pleased with A Sen as a son-in-law, or perhaps out of gratitude for Fu Tingyun’s deference to the Wang family’s preferences in the marriage negotiations, the agreement included clauses stating that A Sen would not change his surname and that if they had three sons, the youngest would take his father’s surname. Additionally, it stipulated that if they had only two sons, the second branch would revert to the paternal lineage after three generations.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. "Lord Wang is truly a man of integrity!"Chen Shi also sighed, "Though I don't often act as a matchmaker, I frequently serve as a 'complete happiness' person at weddings. It's common to see disputes arise on the wedding day, but couples like you who discuss everything amicably and treat each other with mutual respect are rare."
"That's precisely why I wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Wang family," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "I've always held Lord Wang and his wife in high regard for their character."
Chen Shi nodded in agreement, and the two spent the day finalizing the arrangements for the betrothal gifts.
Early on the twenty-sixth, Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng, as A Sen's sworn brothers, went to the Wang family to present the betrothal gifts.
Mo Yi had also returned to the capital and was chatting with Qin Feiyu and others in the outer courtyard, while Madam Mo and the rest conversed with Fu Tingyun in the inner courtyard.
Madam Wu personally came to offer her congratulations.
Fu Tingyun, wary of her intentions, received her warmly but made sure not to give her any opportunity for a private conversation.
Madam Wu left disappointed.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, Madam Wu visited again the next day.
Fu Tingyun had no choice but to brace herself and receive her.
Madam Wu brought some premium West Lake Longjing tea as a gift.
"Try it and see how it tastes."
Seeing that the gift was neither particularly valuable nor rare, and noticing Madam Wu's eager gaze, Fu Tingyun, though sensing something unusual, felt no fear. She smiled and asked Yu Wei to brew a pot of tea.
"Well?" Madam Wu asked after Fu Tingyun had tasted it. "It's quite good, isn't it?"
The tea was clear and bright, with a sweet flavor.
"It's decent," Fu Tingyun replied honestly.
Madam Wu laughed and said, "Actually, this isn't from me. Someone asked me to give it to you."
Here it comes!
Fu Tingyun thought to herself but maintained a composed expression, feigning slight surprise as she looked at Madam Wu.
Madam Wu moved closer and whispered, "Madam Zhao, has Lord Zhao ever mentioned the Songjiang Zhao family to you?"
So she's here to advocate for the Zhao family!
Fu Tingyun couldn't hide her astonishment this time.
Madam Wu immediately understood from her reaction.
Zhao Ling must have told Fu Shi everything.
She spoke without reservation now: "...The original Sixth Master Zhao is now old and senile, no longer managing affairs. The current head of the Zhao family is Eighth Master Zhao, the nephew of Sixth Master Zhao. Eighth Master said that everything back then was orchestrated by Sixth Master. After Sixth Master stepped down, everyone realized it had all been a misunderstanding. The Zhao family feels deeply remorseful toward Lord Zhao. They even sent people to look for him. But with so many years passed and no news—especially since Lord Zhao had gone to the northwest—they assumed he was no longer alive. So they erected a cenotaph for him beside the graves of Old Master Zhao and Old Madam Zhao."
"If not for the Zhao family needing to transfer funds through Datong Company recently, Eighth Master Zhao wouldn't have known Lord Zhao was still alive!""Originally, we wanted to visit in person to acknowledge our familial ties, but considering it was their fault back then, we felt somewhat guilty. We were also afraid Lord Zhao might still hold a grudge over past events. If words were spoken in anger, there’d be no room left for reconciliation." As she spoke, she picked up her teacup with a smile. "As it happens, both our Wu Family and their Zhao Family are prominent households in Jiangnan, and through various connections, we’re actually related by marriage. After much deliberation, the Zhao Family learned that our residence is next to yours, so they came to me for help. They admit it was entirely their fault in the past and don’t expect Lord Zhao to forgive them. They only ask that he, as the greater man, overlooks their past pettiness—they’re willing to endure any scolding or punishment to settle this grievance. After all, blood runs thicker than water, and they hope to resume their former relationship. As for the properties left by the late Master Zhao, some were merged into the Zhao Family’s collective assets, while others fell into Sixth Elder’s hands. Regardless, Eighth Master Zhao has pledged to return everything intact." She then leaned closer to Fu Tingyun and whispered, "Eighth Master Zhao also said that if Lord Zhao could forgive him this once, he’d willingly transfer four hundred acres of prime farmland outside Dingjia Bridge in Songjiang and three silk shops in Wenli Alley, Hangzhou, under Madam Zhao’s name as her personal allowance. And when the time comes for the children’s schooling, betrothal, or marriage, there’ll be additional funds for study expenses and dowry."
In other words, if she could persuade Zhao Ling not to retaliate against the Zhao Family, they were willing to give her the so-called four hundred acres of prime farmland outside Dingjia Bridge in Songjiang and three silk shops in Wenli Alley, Hangzhou, as her private savings—plus covering all future expenses for the children.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
The Zhao Family’s calculations were truly shameless!
Not only were she and her husband completely transparent with each other—what’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours—so where was the need for private savings? Even if she wanted some, she certainly wouldn’t take it from the Zhao Family. The Zhao Family currently had no officials in their ranks, and as the saying goes, a county magistrate could ruin a family, while a prefect could exterminate a clan. The Zhao Family might appear prosperous now, but their foundation was as flimsy as paper—how could they withstand any turmoil? If she accepted their offer, the Zhao Family would surely come knocking at the slightest trouble in the future… Did they think her a fool?
Though these thoughts ran through her mind, she merely raised an eyebrow slightly and said thoughtfully, "Madam Wu, this is a weighty matter. Allow me some time to consider it carefully."
Hearing the hint of possibility in her tone, Madam Wu’s heart leapt with joy. She quickly smiled and said, "Of course, of course." Sensing that Fu Tingyun might need to strategize, she stood up. "Then I’ll take my leave first. They’re waiting for my reply!" She then added in a low voice, "But do decide soon. Timing is everything in such matters. If Lord Zhao loses his temper and things turn ugly, the Zhao Family, having nothing left to lose, might act recklessly without restraint."
Meaning, the private savings would vanish.
Fu Tingyun smiled without responding and saw Madam Wu out.
Yu Wei spat at Madam Wu’s retreating figure. "Blind as a bat, that one."
"Yet such ‘bat eyes’ are remarkably adept at trimming their sails to the wind," Fu Tingyun remarked, thinking of Miss Wu. Her own sarcastic tone surprised Yu Wei.
Fu Tingyun had already stepped back inside.
When Zhao Ling returned, she told him about the matter. "...What do you plan to do?"
Zhao Ling gave a cold laugh. "Keep stringing them along for now. I have my own plans."
"Mm." Fu Tingyun nodded, though a trace of concern flickered across her brow."It's fine," Zhao Ling said, taking her hand. "Qin Feiyu gave me a hint that the conferment of honors will happen within days. If the Zhao family has well-connected sources, they've likely already heard the news. But until the imperial edict is officially issued, they'll probably cling to false hope. If they haven't heard anything, they'll likely try to pin the blame on Sixth Elder to appease my anger. Either way, once the honors are concretely bestowed, they'll only grow more anxious. We'll act according to circumstances then."
Most people fear the unknown.
By delaying our response, we can unsettle the Zhao family—consider it collecting a bit of interest in advance.
Fu Tingyun smiled and nodded, continuing to ignore the matter as planned.
After waiting several days, Madam Wu received news that Zhao Ling's father, Zhao Xiang, had been posthumously honored as a Grand Master of Excellent Counsel (rank 3a), and his mother, Madam Meng, had been posthumously honored as a Lady of the Third Rank.
The Zhao family panicked and sent someone to Madam Wu with a message: "...Our Eighth Madam just arrived from Songjiang the day before yesterday. She said if not for your kindness, we wouldn't even know which way Lord Zhao's door faces! It's been ten years since she last visited the capital. She heard Baoqing Silver House recently invited the Suo family from Jiangnan to craft some stylish new jewelry sets. She'd like to invite you to view them whenever you're free." They added, "Face-to-face meetings resolve things best. Our Eighth Madam suggests you bring her to visit Lady Zhao. After all, she is Lord Zhao's aunt-by-marriage. If she kneels before Lady Zhao, surely Lady Zhao wouldn't strike someone offering goodwill?"
The Zhao family had grown so desperate they'd begun addressing Fu Tingyun as "Lady."
※
O(∩_∩)O~
※
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel