Chapter 229: Homecoming
With Fu Tingyun's travel arrangements settled, Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and began preparing for their return to the capital.
Third Sister came with her two sons to bid farewell to Fu Tingyun: "...When there's a chance, I'll visit you in the capital. If the baby arrives, send someone to let me know."
As the Wife of a Clan Leader, Third Sister had little free time. That she could spare a moment to meet like this was already a rare opportunity—how could Fu Tingyun ask her to stay longer?
Fu Tingyun nodded and earnestly urged, "If you can manage it, come for the baby's hundred-day celebration."
Third Sister agreed.
Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, along with Fifth Sister and her husband, escorted Third Sister and her children to the main gate.
A black-lacquered, flat-roofed carriage with parrot-green Lu silk curtains slowly approached.
Just as Third Sister was about to board her own carriage, she paused in surprise. Chunbing and Yuanxiao immediately jumped up. "That's our family's carriage!" Yuanxiao exclaimed, even more excitedly running toward it. "Father must have come to fetch us!"
Seeing Yuanxiao approach, the driver stopped the carriage from afar. The coachman hopped down from the shaft and caught Yuanxiao in his arms. "Second Young Master, be careful not to fall!"
But Yuanxiao paid no heed, calling out "Father!" toward the carriage curtains.
Only then were the curtains lifted, revealing a stern and solemn middle-aged man.
He was of average height, with a fair complexion and a sturdy build. His movements were steady and composed, exuding an air of refined elegance.
Seeing Yuanxiao squirming in the coachman's arms, he scolded in a low voice, "Stand properly at once! Such unruly behavior is unbecoming!"
At once, Yuanxiao obediently slipped down from the coachman's hold, standing straight with his hands at his sides, respectfully addressing him as "Father."
Fu Tingyun felt a pang of embarrassment. Now she understood why Chunbing and Yuanxiao, despite their young age, already carried themselves like little old men.
Everyone now recognized the visitor. Zhao Ling stepped forward warmly, bowing and greeting him as "Third Older Cousin's Husband."
Third Older Cousin's Husband returned the courtesy with equal politeness, addressing Zhao Ling as "Ninth Younger Sister's Husband." He added, "Forgive me for not paying a visit—I am in mourning and must observe propriety."
"Not at all," Zhao Ling replied graciously. "I should have personally visited Hancheng to pay respects to the late Dowager. But trivial matters have kept me occupied, and with my eldest son still young, I could only send my second brother in my stead. I hope you will not take offense."
The two exchanged polite remarks for some time until Fifth Sister's husband lightly coughed, finally prompting them to end their pleasantries.
Seizing the opportunity, Fifth Sister's husband stepped forward to greet Third Older Cousin's Husband.
Only then did Third Sister have the chance to present her children to her husband and introduce Fu Tingyun and the others.
Zhao Ling invited Third Older Cousin's Husband inside for tea. "...At least allow me to fulfill my duty as host!"
After a brief moment of consideration, Third Older Cousin's Husband nodded with a smile. "Then I shall impose."
"You're too kind," Zhao Ling replied amiably. The group turned back and settled in the main hall once more, where maids served tea and refreshments. Zhao Ling and Third Older Cousin's Husband inquired about each other's affairs, and to avoid neglecting Fifth Sister's husband, they occasionally included him in the conversation.
As the sun rose higher, Fu Tingyun urged the family to stay. "It wouldn't be too late to leave after lunch."
Third Older Cousin's Husband did not decline.
Fu Tingyun promptly instructed Zheng Sanniang to prepare a vegetarian feast.
Without wine, the meal concluded in just half an hour. Zhao Ling and the others then escorted Third Older Cousin's Husband and his family back to their carriages.
Third Sister and her husband boarded his carriage, while the two children returned to Third Sister's own.The carriage quickly left Willow Lane.
Third Sister asked, "Why did you suddenly come to Xi'an?"
"I'll be out of mourning next spring," Third Older Cousin's Husband replied calmly. "I heard that Lord Jin will be returning to his hometown soon to pay respects to his ancestors, so I came to greet the eldest son of the Jin family."
The Lord Jin he referred to was Jin Keng, styled Kechun, formerly the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and Minister of Rites, now the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. A native of Xi'an Prefecture in Shaanxi, he had served as chief examiner for the imperial examinations in the year of Jiaxu.
The "eldest son of the Jin family" meant Jin Keng's firstborn son.
Although Lord Jin was no longer as influential as before, having served as a capital official for over twenty years, he still held some sway. If he could recommend her husband for an official position, that would be ideal.
Third Sister couldn't help but smile faintly.
Lord Jin wasn't returning to Xi'an until December—wasn't this visit a bit premature?
This was just like him—even when coming to fetch her and the children, he had to find what he considered a proper excuse.
She asked playfully, "So has my husband's business been settled? Will you need to come again when Lord Jin returns to Xi'an?"
"Of course I'll need to come again," Third Older Cousin's Husband replied, coughing lightly with slight discomfort. "Getting things done through connections isn't that simple. This visit is just to inform the Jin family in advance, so my sudden visit later won't seem abrupt."
Really?
Third Sister blinked.
Unable to resist, Third Older Cousin's Husband lowered his voice and asked, "Have you and the children been well these days?"
"We've been fine," Third Sister replied, her smile widening. "If not for missing you, I would have accompanied Fifth Sister in escorting Ninth Sister back to the capital!" She then explained, "Ninth Sister is pregnant!"
At this point, she realized she hadn't yet explained Ninth Sister's "return from the dead" to her husband. Considering his upright and meticulous nature, Fifth Sister's fabricated story might not fool him. If he were to look down on Ninth Sister because of this... She hesitated.
"Husband," she began haltingly, "Ninth Sister's situation is rather complicated..."
She had barely started when Third Older Cousin's Husband gently shook his head. "No need to explain. Since you could leave household matters to support her like this, she must be a virtuous woman. Since we're related, we'll treat her as family."
Third Sister was stunned.
A ripple of warmth appeared in Third Older Cousin's Husband's eyes. "If I can't trust others, can't I at least trust you?"
"Husband!" Third Sister called out emotionally, her eyes moistening.
※※※※※
Since Fifth Sister was going to the capital, Fifth Older Cousin's Husband couldn't let her go alone, could he? Besides, the round trip would take at least a month, meaning they would have to spend the New Year in the capital. They would need to inform the elders at home regardless.
Fifth Older Cousin's Husband first returned to Lintong.
A Sen went on behalf of Zhao Ling to pay respects to Third Sister's mother-in-law.
Fortunately, there was still the excuse of "visiting Shopkeeper Ye San of Datong Company." Although Yao's parents were displeased, their son insisted on going, and their grandchildren would remain at home, so they reluctantly agreed. Even so, Yao's father couldn't help saying gloomily, "You should focus on the imperial examinations in the future."
Thus, by the time Fu Tingyun and the others set off, it was already the twentieth day of the tenth month. They didn't arrive in the capital until the twenty-first day of the twelfth month.Gazing at the imposing city walls of the capital, Fifth Sister couldn't help but smile in relief. "Thank goodness we arrived before Minor New Year, or we'd be spending the holiday on the road." Then, recalling their days of constant travel, she turned to Fu Tingyun with concern, "Are you holding up alright?" Her eyes lingered on Fu Tingyun's slightly protruding belly.
"I'm fine," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "If there were no issues during the early months, why would there be any now?"
"True," Fifth Sister agreed. "Our family has always had easy pregnancies. When I was expecting Ranran, Fourth Sister came to visit and told me how she'd still performed morning and evening greetings daily while pregnant, even tending to Fourth Brother-in-law's late-night studies by lamplight—yet she delivered her child smoothly and safely."
As they chatted, the carriage came to a stop. Zheng San's voice came through the curtain, "Madam, Ninth Master has come to meet you."
Fu Tingyun was surprised.
Zhao Ling was still in the capital?
Why hadn't he returned to Xuanfu?
She quickly lifted the curtain and saw Zhao Ling wearing black sable ear muffs and a sapphire-blue ramie silk robe, conversing with Fifth Sister's husband beside the carriage.
Peering out behind her, Fifth Sister suddenly gasped softly. "Your husband is wearing sable ear muffs now!"
According to court regulations, only officials of the third rank or higher could wear ear muffs, and sable fur was reserved for imperial use.
Knowing Zhao Ling's character well, Fu Tingyun was certain he wouldn't flaunt such privileges. "Perhaps they were bestowed by the emperor?" she mused. "I'll ask him later."
Just then, Zhao Ling spotted Fu Tingyun.
With a warm smile, he greeted her while walking over with Fifth Sister's husband.
"Sister Fifth, you must be exhausted from the journey," he said, first bowing to Fifth Sister before turning to Fu Tingyun with gentle concern. "How was the trip? Is the baby behaving? All the New Year provisions are ready at home, and the holiday gifts have been sent according to your usual list. Wang Furen even made several sets of festive clothes for us and the children..." He rambled on, his underlying message clear: everything for the New Year was taken care of, so she needn't worry.
This raised Fu Tingyun's suspicions.
While Zhao Ling was always caring and considerate, he wasn't one to fuss over such trivial matters—especially not in such an obvious, almost performative way in front of guests.
The thought flashed through her mind, leaving her momentarily stunned.
Yes, it did feel like he was trying to cover something up.
What exactly was Zhao Ling hiding?
Fu Tingyun fell into brief contemplation.
Behind her, Fifth Sister whispered with a chuckle, "Ninth Sister, you're truly blessed—how many men would willingly handle such things?"
The words snapped Fu Tingyun back to the present. She quickly composed herself, nodding at Fifth Sister with a smile before praising Zhao Ling. "On the road, Fifth Sister and I were just saying how unprepared we were for the New Year, wondering how we'd manage. Who knew you'd arranged everything so perfectly? Thank goodness for your thoughtfulness, or this year would have been chaos."
Zhao Ling chuckled heartily. "Let's head back now. It's too cold at the city gates—we don't want anyone catching a chill."
Fu Tingyun nodded.
The group returned to Shi Family Alley.
The underground heating system was already lit, filling the house with springlike warmth.
After over a month of travel, everyone sighed in comfort at the sudden return to such cozy surroundings.After freshening up and having a quick dinner, everyone retired early and didn't rise until noon the following day.
Zhao Ling and Fifth Sister's husband had gone to the capital branch of Datong Company. Zheng Sanniang and Yu Wei were taking stock of New Year provisions in the kitchen, while Zhenzhu was fitting Youyou and Xi Ge'er for their festive new clothes. Fifth Sister and Fu Tingyun sat side by side on the large kang by the window, discussing Fifth Sister's husband's visit to Datong Company.
"...Shopkeeper Ye San is a legendary figure at Datong Company," Fifth Sister said. "Despite several ups and downs, he's remained unshaken—a truly remarkable man. How close is Ninth Sister's relationship with Shopkeeper Ye San? You must have noticed by now that your brother-in-law is a rather straightforward man. I'm afraid he might appear awkward in front of Shopkeeper Ye San!"
"Fifth Sister, don't worry," Fu Tingyun reassured her. "Shopkeeper Ye San shares a life-and-death friendship with our Ninth Master. He's practically family to us." Seeing Fifth Sister's restless demeanor, she added, "Besides, with Zhao Ling accompanying them, what could possibly go wrong? The shops in the capital won't close until after Minor New Year. Since the New Year is approaching and you and Brother-in-law haven't prepared your festive outfits yet, why don't we go shopping? We can see if there's anything that catches your eye. Yu Wei can handle household matters—there's nothing requiring my attention anyway."
Just as Fifth Sister was about to agree, Yan Qing hurried in and reported, "Madam, there's a steward surnamed Li outside. He claims to be from the household of Official Wu, the Tongzhi of Shaanxi, and says he's come by Official Wu's orders to congratulate our master on his promotion to Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou..."
※
O(∩_∩)O~
※
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel