Chapter 225: The Banquet
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but cry as well.
The eldest cousin sister was ten years her senior and, being the eldest, had spent more time disciplining them than playing with them. The second cousin sister, being a concubine-born daughter from the same branch as the eldest, always followed the eldest's lead in daily matters. Though none of the sisters spoke of it, they couldn't help but feel slightly less affectionate toward her. Only Third Sister, with her humor, wit, and cheerful disposition, often led them in play. When the sisters got into mischief, she would take the blame before their elders without hesitation. If any sister faced difficulties, she would contribute money or effort, always finding a way to help. The sisters admired and adored her even more than they did the eldest cousin sister.
Third Sister's words made her feel as though she had returned to her childhood.
Thinking of the grievances she had suffered at Master Fu the Fifth's hands, she wept even more bitterly.
Seeing this, Fifth Sister and Seventh Sister couldn't help but wipe away tears as well. It was Madam Lu, who had accompanied Third Sister, who—being older and having experienced more of life's joys and sorrows—admonished them, "Your reunion is a joyous occasion. You should be happy, not shedding tears like this."
Hearing this, Third Sister gently pushed Fu Tingyun away, forcing a smile through her tears. "Aunt is right. Our reunion should be a happy one. Crying like this would be ungrateful to the Bodhisattva's kindness."
"Exactly so," Madam Lu chuckled. "Let's all go inside—Third Aunt has traveled far and hasn't even had a sip of tea yet!"
Fu Tingyun hastily dried her tears and smiled. "Look at me, so caught up in my own sorrow that I forgot Third Sister must be exhausted from her journey..." Then, remembering what Yu Wei had said about Third Sister bringing her two sons, she craned her neck to look behind her. "I heard both nephews came with you. Where are they?"
As she spoke, two children—one taller, one shorter—dressed in deep blue robes stepped forward and bowed respectfully to her, addressing her as "Ninth Aunt," then turned to greet Fifth Sister and Seventh Sister as "Fifth Aunt" and "Seventh Aunt."
Fifth Sister and Seventh Sister smiled in unison. One said, "No need for such formality!" while the other remarked, "You've grown so much more sensible since we last saw you!"
Fu Tingyun realized these were Third Sister's two sons and studied them carefully.
Chunbing was seven, and Yuanxiao was four. Though their features were delicate and handsome, they didn't resemble Third Sister. They were taller than most children their age, and there was a certain steadiness in their bearing that belied the usual liveliness of youth.
She quickly called for Yu Wei to bring out Youyou and Xi Ge'er to greet the guests, then presented the prepared gifts—two antique Duan inkstones and two boxes of Chengxin paper—to the boys.
The children thanked her solemnly.
Yu Wei led Youyou and Xi Ge'er to the main hall's entrance.
Third Sister's eyes widened at the sight of the two children. "How is it that both of them look exactly like Quan Hui did when she was little?"
Fifth Sister and Seventh Sister burst into laughter beside her.
Fu Tingyun smiled wryly. "I'd hoped my son would take after his father, but he looks just like me. What can I do?"Fifth Sister teased, "Isn't there another one in your belly? It's not too late to ask Third Sister for advice now—Chunbing and Yuanxiao both take after their father!"
"You're pregnant again?" Third Sister looked at Fu Tingyun in surprise, then with a hint of envy in her eyes, "You really are blessed!"
As they spoke, Youyou and Xi Ge'er approached.
Fu Tingyun pointed to Third Sister, Chunbing, and Yuanxiao, introducing them to the children.
Youyou could already perform a proper bow, while Xi Ge'er could only manage a clumsy fist-and-palm salute.
Third Sister was delighted, holding Xi Ge'er in one arm and taking Youyou's hand with the other, instructing her attendant, "Bring in the gifts I prepared for the young lady and young master."
The housekeeper smiled in acknowledgment and soon had two chests carried in.
Fu Tingyun, seeing this, broke into a sweat and hurriedly said, "Third Sister, you're spoiling these children too much!"
Third Sister laughed, "They're just some toys and clothes, nothing too extravagant." She joked, "As their aunt, all I want is to win my niece and nephew's affection. As for discipline, that's your responsibility as parents—what does it have to do with me?"
This sent everyone into fits of laughter.
Amid the laughter, Fu Tingyun led everyone into the hall.
Yu Wei directed the maids to serve tea and snacks, while Madam Lu instructed the servants to prepare a guest room for Third Sister. Zheng Sanniang had already prepared a sumptuous feast.
After Third Sister freshened up, everyone took their seats around the octagonal table in the hall according to seniority.
Zhenzhu entered and announced, "Madam, Madam Fu has arrived!"
Eldest sister-in-law!
Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly said, "Please invite her in!" Turning back, she saw the surprise on her sisters' faces. She excused herself, saying, "I'll go greet her."
Third Sister, Fifth Sister, and Seventh Sister also stood up. "We'll come with you to greet her."
Fu Tingyun nodded and left with Third Sister. They met Madam Fu at the moon gate.
After the usual pleasantries, they returned to the hall and rearranged themselves by seniority. Only then did Fu Tingyun learn that news of her gathering had spread throughout the Fu family.
"...They didn't receive invitations, so it wouldn't be proper for them to come unannounced. But I took advantage of my husband being your blood brother to come uninvited," Madam Fu explained with a smile. "It's just a pity my two nephews are studying with their uncle and couldn't make it back in time, otherwise I would have brought them along." Her tone was full of regret.
Once married, daughters become part of another family, but daughters-in-law become part of the Fu family. Madam Fu's arrival indirectly reflected the Fu family's attitude toward Fu Tingyun's return.
Third Sister, Fifth Sister, and Seventh Sister, all of whom had sisters-in-law from their own families, couldn't help but look somewhat ashamed upon hearing this. Third Sister even found a private moment to confide in Fu Tingyun: "Even we were shocked to learn you were alive, and couldn't help but revisit the past. How much more so for our sisters-in-law, who married into the family? They mostly heard about you from our brothers, who lived in the outer quarters—unlike us sisters who grew up with you and know your character. You must give them some time.""I bear no resentment," Fu Tingyun said with a smile, speaking candidly. "Even among sisters, some are closer than others, let alone sisters-in-law and cousins."
Third Sister nodded slightly, her expression one of relief. "Quan Hui, you've grown up!"
As if she had weathered countless hardships.
Fu Tingyun burst into laughter, teasing, "When I'm sixty, you'll only be sixty-six. By then, we'll both be white-haired and wrinkled—hardly any difference to see, right?"
Third Sister was torn between laughter and exasperation. "Hearing you say that, you still sound like the reckless little Fu Xiaojiu from back then!"
Fu Tingyun grinned and linked arms with Third Sister.
It felt like they had returned to the past...
Both women exchanged knowing smiles.
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With Third Sister and Madam Fu's arrival, the house felt a bit crowded but also lively and bustling.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, time flew by, and before they knew it, it was already the second day of the tenth month.
Sixth Sister, Tenth Sister, and Eleventh Sister arrived together.
The courtyard immediately grew even noisier.
Everyone greeted one another, catching up on each other's lives, talking about their husbands and children—the clamor of voices left Chunbing, Yuanxiao, and Youyou, who were peering over the railing, utterly dumbfounded.
Yuanxiao frowned in distress. "Didn’t Father say, 'A gentleman should be slow to speak but quick to act'? Mother isn’t acting like a gentleman at all!"
"Third Aunt isn’t a man!" Youyou retorted immediately. "Gentlemen are men."
Yuanxiao wasn’t sure if Youyou was right. He looked to his older brother, Chunbing, for confirmation.
Chunbing thought Youyou made a fair point, but he didn’t want his younger brother to lose face in front of their newly met, pretty cousin. Torn, he coughed lightly in imitation of their father and said solemnly, "You’re still young. You’ll understand when you’re older."
Yuanxiao’s expression brightened at once.
Youyou, however, pouted in annoyance and turned her face away. Remembering she was the host, she decided never to share personal thoughts with these rigid cousins again.
Chunbing, feeling guilty, unconsciously adopted a placating tone and whispered to Youyou, "Cousin Zhao, do you like orchids? We have a greenhouse in the backyard where Father keeps all his orchids—Green Cloud, Song Plum, Snow White, Eternal Blessing, Phoenix Tail..."
Youyou didn’t want to engage with him. "I don’t like orchids."
Chunbing paused, flustered. "Then... what do you like?" His voice grew even gentler.
Seeing how deferential he was, Youyou softened, feeling she had been too harsh. "I like balsam flowers. You can use them to dye nails."
"Oh!" Chunbing couldn’t hide his disappointment. "Only maids like balsam flowers... they grow everywhere..."
Being compared to maids made Youyou feel slighted. "Well, I like balsam flowers, and I like dyeing my nails!" She lifted her chin defiantly.
Chunbing panicked at her sudden outburst. Fortunately, raised under his father’s meticulous guidance, he quickly steadied himself. Recalling his earlier words, he realized his mistake.
Regretful, he hurried to explain, "Cousin Zhao, I didn’t mean it like that... I just meant balsam flowers are common, unlike orchids, which grow in refined places..."Wasn't it said that she was like a little maid who had never seen the world?
Youyou puffed out her cheeks.
He had misspoken again.
Chunbing regretfully thought of explaining more carefully, but just then the Housekeeper who attended his mother came over with a smile: "Young Master, the Madam is calling for you! She says you and the Second Young Master should come pay respects to the concubines!"
He had no choice but to drop the subject, taking his younger brother's hand as they followed their mother's Housekeeper toward the main house.
After a few steps, he couldn't help but look back—but Youyou had already disappeared from sight.
Only the yellow withered leaves of the locust tree covered the ground.
Chunbing unconsciously clenched his fist.
No matter what, he had to find an opportunity to explain things clearly to his cousin... What if she misunderstood him?
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O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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