Chapter 219: Willow Lane
Guangren Temple remained as bustling and noisy as ever, while Willow Lane was as tranquil and peaceful as always.
Fu Tingyun stepped down from the carriage and gazed at the old locust tree stretching beyond the wall, momentarily lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Madam Lu, who had just received the news, hurried out with the support of a young maid who had recently styled her hair, panting slightly from the exertion.
"Madam!" Her eyes reddened at the sight of Fu Tingyun. "We've been waiting for you so eagerly." As she spoke, her gaze drifted behind Fu Tingyun, her brows furrowing with urgency. "Where is the young miss? And the young master? Weren't they supposed to come with you?"
She had yet to meet the two children.
Just then, Yu Wei descended from the carriage, carrying Xi Ge'er in her arms.
Madam Lu immediately stepped forward. "This... this must be the young master, right?"
Though they had never met, Yu Wei had heard Fu Tingyun speak of Madam Lu many times. Now, seeing her kind expression and her evident concern for Youyou and Xi Ge'er, Yu Wei felt an instant warmth toward her and quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, this is the young master!"
Madam Lu's eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at Xi Ge'er. "He's so handsome... he takes after Madam... he'll surely grow into a refined young gentleman..." She gently stroked Xi Ge'er's head, her expression full of affection.
Xi Ge'er, however, was shy around strangers and turned his face away, burying it in Yu Wei's shoulder.
Yu Wei smiled apologetically and explained, "This is the young master's first time traveling."
At that moment, Housekeeper Tong came down from the carriage, holding Youyou in her arms.
Madam Lu immediately approached.
"You must be the young miss?" She crouched in front of Youyou and took her small hands in hers. "I'm your Auntie Lu!" As she spoke, she studied Youyou intently, as if trying to commit every detail of her appearance to memory.
A journey of over twenty days could feel monotonous and lonely even for adults, let alone for a child.
Knowing this was Youyou's first time returning to Chang'an County, Fu Tingyun had told her stories about the people and places there to pass the time. So when Madam Lu introduced herself, Youyou immediately recognized who she was.
She curtsied respectfully and called out loudly, "Great-aunt!"
The way children imitate adults is inherently endearing in its clumsiness, but Youyou's voice was sweet and melodious. Despite her young age, she already understood basic etiquette without needing prompting. Madam Lu was momentarily stunned before being overwhelmed with delight.
"Oh, no, no!" She waved her hands in protest. "How could the young miss call me 'Great-aunt'?" She glanced at Fu Tingyun. "If not for Ninth Master, my husband and I would have long been lost to the world. Calling me 'aunt' back then was merely a temporary arrangement—how could it be taken seriously? Madam, this is too much honor for me!"
"If not for you and your husband safeguarding Ninth Master's property here in Willow Lane, how could he have ventured out with peace of mind?" Fu Tingyun walked over with a smile. "Even a blood-related aunt couldn't have done more. Please don't stand on ceremony with us!" With a firm yet gentle tone, she took Madam Lu's hand. "Let the children pay their respects to you—it's the least we can do to express our gratitude."
Madam Lu repeatedly declined.
Understanding her insistence, Fu Tingyun knew further persuasion would be futile. So she simply ignored Madam Lu's protests and instructed Yu Wei to have Xi Ge'er bow to her.Madam Lu couldn't help feeling undeserving, her face flushing crimson as she murmured repeatedly, "This simply won't do! This simply won't do!" appearing somewhat flustered.
Yu Wei noticed this and signaled Zhenzhu to assist Madam Lu, saying with a smile, "Madam will be staying in Xi'an for over twenty more days. There's plenty of time ahead, and Madam Lu will have many opportunities to speak with her. This isn't the best place for conversation!"
Only then did Madam Lu regain her composure. She patted her forehead and reproached herself, "Look at me..." Then she turned to invite Fu Tingyun and the others inside, personally serving tea and assisting Fu Tingyun with freshening up, while Master Lu and A Sen arranged the attendants. It wasn't until dusk that everything was settled.
Fu Tingyun then summoned Master Lu to inquire about purchasing burial land and ancestral land.
"I think it's best for the burial land and ancestral land to be together," Master Lu said. "This way, it would be convenient for erecting memorial arches in the future. We've looked at several sites, and the geomancers all spoke highly of them. But this matter is of great importance, and my judgment is limited. I dare not make the decision alone and must await Madam's approval."
This would become the ancestral burial ground of the Zhao family, and the feng shui was crucial for blessing future generations. Moreover, having the ancestral land adjacent to the burial site would allow for conversion into additional burial space when needed. Master Lu indeed couldn't make such a decision unilaterally.
After some thought, Fu Tingyun said, "Very well, tomorrow I'll go with you to see the land." She added, "I estimate Ninth Master should return from Jiangnan by mid-October. We still need to carve the memorial tablets and pave the paths... This matter must be settled soon!"
Yu Wei, however, bit her lip and interjected, "Madam, you're with child! From the capital to Xi'an, Ninth Master has sent countless messengers to check on you... Now that we've finally arrived safely in Xi'an Prefecture, you should rest for a few days first!"
Fu Tingyun's face reddened.
Master Lu exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, you're expecting?"
Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed.
Master Lu immediately beamed, "Then Madam should rest at home! I'll have someone sketch out those plots for you to review. If you find them suitable, we can take sedan chairs to inspect them later."
Fu Tingyun knew that now that Master Lu was aware of her condition, he would never allow her to travel around under any circumstances.
She had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Madam Lu, who had been helping Zhenzhu arrange the rooms outside, soon learned of this.
She came in smiling warmly, inquiring solicitously about Fu Tingyun's daily routine.
Fu Tingyun answered each question and added, "My pregnancy has been smooth, and this isn't my first child. Those around me are experienced too, so there's no need to worry."
Madam Lu nodded repeatedly but still offered caring advice like "don't overexert yourself" and "let me know if you crave anything special." The next day, before dawn, she personally stewed old hen soup for Fu Tingyun: "...After such an arduous journey, you must replenish your strength."
Not wanting to reject her kindness and somewhat concerned that the journey might have strained the baby, Fu Tingyun let Madam Lu indulge her—serving chicken soup one day and sea cucumber soup the next—while she discussed the burial land purchase with Master Lu.
After finally selecting four or five potential sites, Master Lu hired the finest sedan chair in Xi'an Prefecture, escorted by the Tengji Guard, to visit the burial grounds.
This inevitably drew attention from Xi'an's officials.
Both the Xi'an Prefect and the Shaanxi Provincial Administration Commissioner sent gifts and name cards through their representatives.A Sen, being Zhao Ling's younger brother and a scholar, represented the Zhao family in socializing with these Shaanxi officials.
The Shaanxi Regional Military Commission naturally couldn't pretend not to know. They also sent people with gifts and name cards.
Even more, some official wives who prided themselves on their status came to visit Fu Tingyun.
For a time, Willow Lane became bustling with activity, even more lively than Guangren Temple.
Fu Tingyun found herself overwhelmed by social engagements, putting her actual business matters on hold.
Seeing this wasn't sustainable, she excused herself by saying she needed to purchase property in Chang'an County and went there.
No sooner had she entered the city than the name card of the Chang'an County magistrate's wife arrived.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but smile wryly.
After meeting the magistrate's wife and exchanging pleasantries, two men in their forties were brought to stand at the foot of the hall's steps.
Fu Tingyun was startled.
The magistrate's wife pointed at the two men and said, "These are the best property agents in Chang'an. Since you're looking to buy a house, they can help you! With my introduction, they wouldn't dare deceive you."
Fu Tingyun had no choice but to thank her repeatedly.
She had to admit that with the magistrate's wife's recommendation, these two agents worked diligently. Within just two days, they found seven or eight properties for her. After discussing with Master Lu, Fu Tingyun selected a large three-section courtyard house.
"I might as well buy the vegetable garden next to it," Master Lu suggested after seeing it. "It'll be useful when the family expands."
Thinking this a good idea, Fu Tingyun settled everything within three days in Chang'an County.
"No wonder people say it's easier to be an official with connections at court," she privately remarked to Yu Wei. "Without the magistrate's wife's help, I would have had to stay in Chang'an for at least ten more days." She then instructed Yu Wei to prepare generous gifts for the magistrate's wife and added, "There's nothing pressing here now. Didn't you say you wanted to return to Huayin? Why not leave tomorrow? Just make sure to return before the Ninth Master comes back in early October."
After a moment's thought, Yu Wei agreed with a smile and returned to Huayin escorted by Zheng San.
A few days later, she returned.
Accompanying her was Yi Tong.
"Ninth Miss... no, Madam..." Yi Tong choked out as she knelt before Fu Tingyun, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I'd never see you again..."
Reunited after long separation, Fu Tingyun couldn't stop her own tears from falling.
"Get up quickly!" She personally helped Yi Tong up, her gaze naturally taking in her appearance.
Perhaps due to motherhood, Yi Tong had gained considerable weight. She wore a slightly worn green official-style Lu silk jacket and only a pair of silver-plated clove earrings.
These were still the items Fu Tingyun had given her years ago.
Her once delicate, pale fingers had now turned rough and yellowish, with several cracks visible.
"You..." Fu Tingyun felt as if a heavy stone weighed on her heart.
Had it not been for those past misfortunes, even if Yi Tong hadn't followed her, she would have received the Fu family's protection... How could her life have become so difficult?
"Discuss with your husband about coming to the capital with me," Fu Tingyun said. "Or you could manage my property in Chang'an for me! I still need stewards there."
Yi Tong agreed without hesitation.
Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised.Yu Wei covered her mouth with a hand, laughing. "In household matters, Brother-in-law Huo always listens to Sister Yi Tong." She added, "Brother-in-law Huo's family originally had modest assets, but after his father became bedridden, their savings were gradually depleted. The First Madam once sent someone to ask Sister Yi Tong if she'd be willing to return to the Fu household to work, but she refused outright, not wanting to be someone who betrays trust and forgets kindness."
"Yi Tong, why didn't you come to the capital to find me? After you married out, I thought you must be living well..."
"Young Mistress had just arrived in the capital then," Yi Tong replied with a smile. "I was afraid of troubling you. Besides, though life was hard, he never once looked down on me, so it didn't feel bitter..."
Indeed!
Had it not been for Zhao Ling back then, how could she have what she had today?
Had it not been for that upheaval, how would Yi Tong have known the depth of her good husband's devotion? How else would she have willingly followed him through those difficult yet sweet days of hardship?
Fu Tingyun nodded, suddenly unburdened, and said with a smile, "Very well, choose a day to move into the residence in Chang'an. After you've settled in, come pay respects to Ninth Master."
Yi Tong cheerfully agreed and began chatting with Fu Tingyun about matters in Huayin.
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O(∩_∩)O~
The update came a bit earlier than expected...
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(End of Chapter)
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