Chapter 227: Smooth Progress
Zhao Ling was initially surprised upon hearing the news, but soon a look of joy appeared on his face.
There are five cardinal relationships in human life, and lacking any one of them inevitably brings a sense of regret.
Now that Fu Tingyun had relatives to visit, her days would become more grounded and lively.
He was genuinely happy for Fu Tingyun from the bottom of his heart and even more grateful that Fifth Sister and her husband had acknowledged this kinship despite the Fu family's stance. As a result, he treated Fifth Sister's husband with more warmth than usual, smiling and bowing respectfully to him.
Fifth Sister's husband knew that his wife's account of this "resurrected" ninth sister was vague, and he suspected there was more to the story. However, since disputes in the husband's family were to be settled there, and those in the wife's family likewise, he didn't press for details when his wife remained silent. Still, aware of how much his wife valued this ninth sister, and knowing that the Fu family did not accept her, he felt it was his duty as a husband to stand by his wife. By attending the Zhao family's ancestral rites, he could lend her his support—even if the Fu family found out, they would hesitate to criticize too harshly out of respect for him.
But when he actually arrived in Xi'an Prefecture and saw the usually haughty Tengji Guards humbly serving as the Zhao family's gatekeepers, he truly grasped that his wife's ninth sister had married a third-rank military official of the court—a favorite of the emperor and a prominent figure in the government.
Fifth Sister's husband couldn't help but feel uneasy.
What if Zhao Ling turned out to be an arrogant and domineering man? How should he handle that?
His wife, however, took a simpler view: "No matter how arrogant he is, he’s still your brother-in-law. What is there to fear?" She added, "In fact, if that’s the case, we should uphold the dignity of being elder sister and brother-in-law—since the Fu family has already disowned Ninth Sister, if we cower before her husband just because he’s an official, wouldn’t that make Ninth Sister look even worse? Just act as the proper brother-in-law you are!"
But he thought differently: "Ninth Sister is the one living with her husband. As long as they’re happy, we can endure a little discomfort."
Fifth Sister understood this logic but was concerned about her husband’s feelings. She nodded vaguely and said, "We’ll see when the time comes."
Now, seeing Zhao Ling treat him with such respect and courtesy, Fifth Sister's husband let out a long sigh of relief and returned the greeting with even greater humility, gently inquiring about Zhao Ling’s journey.
Zhao Ling answered briefly before Fu Tingyun introduced Third Sister, Chunbing, and Yuanxiao to him.
Third Sister hastily performed a curtsy and stepped aside, while Chunbing and Yuanxiao knelt respectfully and bowed deeply to Zhao Ling.
Who knew who Zhao Ling was? The fact that Third Sister’s two sons treated him with such courtesy was entirely because of Fu Tingyun.
Zhao Ling felt a deep fondness for both Third Sister and Fifth Sister.
He personally helped the two children up and asked them kindly about their names, ages, and interests.
The boys answered each question with maturity, showing no signs of excitement despite the elder’s unusual warmth.
Zhao Ling couldn’t help but feel slightly awkward.
Fu Tingyun suppressed a smile.
Zhao Ling then beckoned to her, saying, "Let me introduce someone to you—" Before he could finish, a stranger dressed in the attire of a scholar—a refined man in his thirties—stepped forward from the crowd behind him.Without waiting for Zhao Ling's introduction, the young man respectfully bowed to Fu Tingyun with a courteous smile. "Nephew Zhao Qi pays his respects to Ninth Aunt."
Fu Tingyun was taken aback.
Zhao Ling chuckled. "This is Zhenzhi from the sixth branch of the outer family. Eighth Uncle has fallen ill and can no longer serve as the clan head of the Songjiang Zhao family. Everyone unanimously elected Zhenzhi to succeed him. Although we've established a separate ancestral hall, our roots trace back to Songjiang. Zhenzhi traveled thousands of miles with me to escort my parents' coffins northward to legitimize our new branch."
So, matters in Songjiang had been settled according to plan.
A faint smile escaped Fu Tingyun's lips.
She curtsied in return to Zhao Qi. "Thank you, Clan Head."
Zhao Qi hastily bowed deeper in response. "Ninth Aunt honors me too greatly." He added, "I'm seventeenth in my family's birth order. If Ninth Aunt doesn't mind, you may simply call me Seventeen."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Fu Tingyun replied warmly, exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Qi.
As Fu Tingyun had chosen burial grounds near their estates in Dongjiangcun—where most of the Zhao family properties were concentrated—selecting about a hundred mu of lower-grade fields adjacent to their own land, they needed to hurry to Dongjiangcun. When the conversation lulled, Zhao Ling said cheerfully, "Zhenzhi will accompany us to the capital later—there'll be plenty of time to talk. Let's set off for Dongjiangcun now, or we'll miss the auspicious hour." He then invited Third Sister to share a carriage with Fu Tingyun. "...You're older than A-Jun, and she's with child now, particularly vulnerable to jostling. Were it not for reburying my parents, I'd never have allowed her to travel so far. The journey to Dongjiangcun will take half a day—please look after her on the way."
Third Sister readily agreed.
Housekeeper Tong carried Youyou into Third Sister's carriage.
Pouting, Youyou was reluctant but knew her aunt was there to care for her mother, so she obediently sat beside Yuanxiao.
Yuanxiao chattered away: "When my grandmother passed, I went to the ancestral graves too. There were so many tombstones and trees! My uncle said we'd all be buried there someday. Cousin Youyou, will you be buried in Dongjiangcun too? Aren't you scared? I think it's a little frightening..."
Youyou felt a chill but noticed Chunbing sitting primly, ears perked up while pretending nonchalance. Not wanting to let Yuanxiao gloat, she said, "What's there to fear? My father is amazing! He even captured the Tatar chieftain, and the Emperor rewarded me with several bolts of silk. Mother says she'll make me New Year clothes so we can visit the palace to thank the Empress Dowager."
Since Zhao Ling was often away, Fu Tingyun often told the children stories about him to keep his memory alive.
Yuanxiao's eyes sparkled with envy. "You've been to the palace and seen the Emperor? You're so lucky!" She continued, "Is the palace fun? Is the Emperor very grand? Sitting in a golden hall, chopping off heads when people disobey..."
Having never met the Emperor either, Youyou guessed wildly: "Of course! The Emperor is the Son of Heaven..."
Yuanxiao propped her chin in her hands, sighing wistfully. "Being Emperor must be wonderful..."
The two children's nonsense grew increasingly far-fetched.
Chunbing grew visibly agitated.Father once said that heaven, earth, the sovereign, parents, and teachers were not to be criticized.
He couldn't help but cough lightly and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? How did Father teach us? Be careful or I'll tell Father when we get back!"
Upon hearing this, Yuanxiao quickly sat up properly and didn't dare ask any more questions.
Youyou immediately seemed a bit bored. Thinking about how Yuanxiao had just been scolded by Chunbing, she worried that initiating conversation might get Yuanxiao in trouble too. This made her even more displeased with Chunbing, so she secretly glared at him.
Who would have thought Chunbing happened to look her way at that very moment, catching her expression red-handed.
"Don't look at what's improper, don't speak what's improper."
This was what Mother had just taught her two days ago.
Glaring at Chunbing like this was naturally wrong.
But why did Chunbing have to look over right then and catch her in the act?
Youyou was both embarrassed and angry.
She thought Chunbing was sneaky and indeed not a good person!
She let out a soft "hmph" and turned her face away.
Chunbing was utterly baffled.
He had merely wanted to explain that day's incident to Youyou. How had she gotten angry again before he'd even opened his mouth?
Should he still try to explain then?
His instincts told him this wasn't a good time, but the unease in his heart made him feel he had to speak up.
After much deliberation, Chunbing decided it would be best to clear up this misunderstanding as soon as possible. That way, Youyou wouldn't be angry anymore and would treat him like she did Yuanxiao, sharing all the good food and fun things.
"Cousin from the Zhao family," he said somewhat urgently, "I heard from Mother that garden balsam is also called touch-me-not or golden phoenix flower. It comes in many colors and can dispel wind, relieve pain, activate blood circulation, and reduce swelling. It's very good medicine..."
Youyou secretly despised this cousin.
He'd actually told Third Aunt about this matter... Earlier, Yuanxiao had just talked a bit too much, and he'd threatened to tell Third Uncle...
She didn't want to speak to him anymore.
Youyou called out, "Mama Tong," and asked, "When will we reach Chang'an?"
Mama Tong had been sitting nearby listening to the children talk with a smile. Hearing this, she replied cheerfully, "Mama has never been to Chang'an either. I don't know when we'll arrive. Should I ask the driver?"
"Okay!" Youyou crawled over and lifted the carriage curtain, sticking her head out to ask the driver, "Uncle, when will we reach Chang'an?"
The driver was one of the Shen family's most steady servants, which was why Third Sister had brought him along for the trip.
He chuckled and said, "Young Miss, please get back inside the carriage. The wind is strong out here—be careful not to catch cold." Then he added, "We'll reach Chang'an in at most another half hour."
Youyou withdrew back into the carriage.
Mama Tong hurriedly embraced her. "Good young miss, Mama could have asked for you. Why did you run out yourself?"
Youyou giggled and snuggled into Mama Tong's arms, not wanting to get up.
Mama Tong held her and hummed a tune.
Youyou grew drowsy and actually fell asleep.
Chunbing was filled with regret.
Even when they arrived at the Zhao family cemetery in Dongjiangcun, his spirits remained low.
Third Sister thought her eldest son was tired from the journey and hugged him gently, asking softly, "Can you hold on?"
Chunbing quickly shook his head. "Mother, I'm fine."
Third Sister wanted to comfort her son a bit more, but the Taoist priests and monks the Zhao family had invited had already begun the ritual ceremony. The rhythmic knocking of wooden fish and the droning chants of scriptures came in waves.
The grave relocation ceremony had officially begun.Third Sister had no choice but to let go of her son and walked over to Fu Tingyun's side.
"If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself," she had to speak loudly into Fu Tingyun's ear due to the clamor of the Taoist priests and monks, "The baby is what matters most."
Speaking in such a manner, practically shouting, made it seem disrespectful to the ancestors to onlookers.
Fu Tingyun nodded to indicate she understood.
Third Sister said no more.
The grave was opened, the coffin lowered, eulogies recited, and the tombstone erected... By the time all was done, dusk had fallen.
Fu Tingyun and the others boarded the carriage again, heading to the residence she had prepared in Chang'an County to rest.
Third Sister then asked Fu Tingyun in a low voice, "What's the deal with that Zhao Qi?"
"How would I know about the Zhao family's affairs?" Fu Tingyun replied, blinking at Third Sister.
"You little devil," Third Sister couldn't help but laugh, then sighed, "For Zhao Ling to handle such a major matter so calmly and efficiently, no wonder you're so impressed by him. It's clear he's truly capable."
Fu Tingyun protested, "I respect him because he treats me well."
Such defense of Zhao Ling... Third Sister looked at Fu Tingyun and laughed.
Fu Tingyun blushed crimson.
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Happy weekend, everyone!
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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