Chapter 236: The Truth Comes Out (Bonus Chapter Seeking Pink Tickets)
Consort Wu smiled and said, "Why would I have any business with General Manager Yu? I was just asking."
But it was rare for Consort Wu to show interest in anything!
Lianxin still diligently inquired about General Manager Yu's affairs.
Thus, the moment General Manager Yu returned, she knew.
She casually sent Zelan away to fetch tea and whispered to Consort Wu, "General Manager Yu will be back tomorrow evening."
Consort Wu gave an "Oh" and was about to say something when Zelan entered. Consort Wu quickly dropped the subject.
Lianxin was immensely pleased.
In Consort Wu's heart, she was still the closest.
That night, during her watch, the two spoke of the matter again: "...Do you know what General Manager Yu went to do?"
"No," Lianxin replied. "They only said he was sent by Madam on urgent business. Once it was settled, he returned."
Consort Wu listened, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Did General Manager Yu bring back any local gifts for the other stewards?"
"He did," Lianxin said with a smile. "General Manager Yu brought back several jars of thick wine. Mama Shen's husband received two bottles. Mama Shen said that wine was once reserved for the Emperor—it’s very precious."
Consort Wu took note.
A few days later, Zhen Jie'er's hundred-day celebration was held, and relatives and friends were invited as usual.
Consort Wu seized a moment to ask Madam Wu, "Where can one buy thick wine?"
Madam Wu was taken aback. "Thick wine is produced in Xi'an Prefecture. Why do you want it?"
Consort Wu smiled. "I heard it was once a wine only the Emperor could drink, so I thought to ask—I wanted to buy some to send to my father."
Just then, Zelan hurried over, looking flustered.
Consort Wu asked her, "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Zelan said, bowing to Madam Wu. "I just couldn’t find you, Consort, and got worried."
Consort Wu nodded, appearing unconcerned.
Madam Wu, however, sensed something amiss. Assuming the Yu Family was guarding against Consort Wu complaining to her about the miscarriage, she stood and said to Consort Wu, "Take good care of your health. If anything comes up, have Lianxin pass me a message." She then admonished her, "Now that you’re someone’s concubine, you must act the part. Never breach etiquette. Madam Yu values propriety above all."
Consort Wu quickly assented and respectfully escorted Madam Wu to the banquet hall.
That evening, Zelan reported Consort Wu’s activities to Mama Shu as usual.
Remembering that she had been whispering with Madam Yu’s maid when Consort Wu disappeared, and fearing Mama Shu might question her, she reasoned that Consort Wu had only been out of sight for a short while—hardly enough time to say much to Madam Wu. So she omitted the meeting between Madam Wu and Consort Wu.
Mama Shu, seeing that Consort Wu was behaving normally, went to report to Madam Yu.
Madam Yu listened and pressed her temples.
Mama Shu hurried forward to gently massage her scalp.Madam Yu immediately felt much more comfortable. She closed her eyes, half-reclining against the large bolster pillow, and spoke of General Manager Yu's trip to Huayin: "They kept it hidden over there too, but somehow the news leaked. Several married daughters from the family coincidentally went to see Fu Shi, and the matter couldn't be contained any longer. Now the Fu family knows Fu Shi isn't dead. Though few in Huayin are aware yet, I suspect it's only a matter of time before this becomes common knowledge. That's a minor issue—I believe the Fu family will find a way to smooth over this lie. But the Fu family's marital connections are mostly with prominent Shaanxi families, and those people have sharp eyes. I doubt we can keep it from them." As she spoke, a flash of malice crossed her face. "The Fan family claims to be 'a family of scholars and poets,' don't they? How could they raise such an ill-mannered girl? What grievance did our family have with the Fans that they would harm us like this? If not for this incident back then, Fu Shi would have married into our family, bearing children every year—I'd have grandchildren playing at my knees by now, enjoying my golden years..."
Mama Shu dared not respond, feeling cold sweat bead on her forehead.
Madam Yu thought of Fu Tingyun's daughter—fair as jade, with bright, intelligent eyes, clearly a clever and healthy child... It felt as though her own granddaughter had been snatched away, and her heart ached as if a piece had been carved out. She said bitterly, "I regret it so much. Back then, even if he had begged for death, I should have gritted my teeth and refused to relent. Perhaps Fu Shi would have come looking, and things wouldn't have escalated to this point. I think she's nothing but a jinx—whoever gets involved with her meets misfortune..."
Fu Tingyun, of course, knew nothing of what was happening in the Yu household. Suppressing her worries, she saw Zhao Ling off. Then Fifth Sister and her husband prepared to return to Lintong: "...Your husband has arranged everything perfectly. I'm just idling here. We don’t know how our two children are faring back home. Once you’ve given birth, we’ll come visit you again."
All gatherings must eventually part.
Fu Tingyun could only say things like, "When you have time, bring Yanxin and Ping’an along," and bought many local specialties from the capital. Choosing an auspicious day for travel, she saw Fifth Sister and her husband off to Lintong.
A few days later, Seventh Sister's husband arrived in the capital. He sent his personal servant with some local gifts and a name card: "...If Ninth Sister needs anything, send someone to the Shaanxi Guild Hall to find me. Once your husband returns, I’ll pay a formal visit."
He was avoiding impropriety.
Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng San to order a banquet from Penglai Pavilion to be delivered to the Shaanxi Guild Hall as a welcome for Seventh Sister's husband.
In return, Seventh Sister's husband sent his servant to express gratitude.
Yu Wei couldn’t help but laugh. "Seventh Brother-in-law seems just as courteous as Third Brother-in-law."
The baby was due in mid-May, just a few months away. Fu Tingyun was sewing small clothes for the child and smiled at the remark. "Better to have too much courtesy than none at all." She added, "Tell Zheng San to check on Seventh Brother-in-law at the Shaanxi Guild Hall every few days. It’ll ease my mind, and if anything comes up, he can lend a hand."
Yu Wei acknowledged and left.
Fu Tingyun focused on her needlework. During this time, Seventh Sister's husband asked Zheng San to accompany him twice—once for an outing to Puan Temple outside the city, and another to visit a great scholar in a place called Chessboard Alley.
Before long, it was already March.Fu Tingyun received a letter from Zhao Ling, assuring her that all was well and asking her not to worry. At the end, he inquired about the children: "...Though Youyou is still young, try teaching her a few characters. Xi Ge'er, as the eldest son, must be instilled with good character—don’t spoil him just because he’s young." He asked about every little detail.
Smiling, she placed the letter in the box by her pillow and picked up a brush to reply.
Zhenzhu rushed in excitedly, "Madam, Madam! Third Sister has arrived in the capital!"
Fu Tingyun froze for a moment before realizing—Third Older Cousin's Husband had completed his mourning period and had come to the capital to seek reinstatement.
A smile spread uncontrollably across her face as she stood up. "Quick, invite Third Sister inside!"
Zhenzhu scurried out of the inner chamber, and Fu Tingyun followed to greet her.
Third Sister had brought Chunbing and Yuanxiao along.
The sisters shared a heartfelt reunion, while the children chattered away—mostly Yuanxiao, who kept talking to Youyou, leaving Chunbing struggling to get a word in. He glanced at Youyou, looking somewhat helpless.
As Fu Tingyun had guessed, Third Sister’s family had come to the capital for reinstatement matters.
"Your brother-in-law wanted to wait until his affairs were settled before bringing us," Third Sister said with a laugh. "But I insisted on coming, thinking he might not even stay in the capital." She then tugged at Fu Tingyun. "Come, show me your house."
Naturally obliging, Fu Tingyun gave her a full tour of the residence.
Only then did Third Sister nod slightly, a satisfied smile appearing. "It seems Zhao Ling knows how to live well. Now I can rest easy." She looked as if a weight had been lifted.
Fu Tingyun was puzzled at first but soon understood—Third Sister had worried she might only be putting on a facade of prosperity.
Touched, she teased, "So all that earlier relief was just an act, huh?"
Third Sister didn’t deny it, laughing. "Back then, I was just glad you were alive. Now that I see you’re doing well—and all of us sisters, except Second Sister, are comfortably settled—of course I want the best for you."
As they chatted, they returned to the main hall to sit.
Fu Tingyun asked about Third Older Cousin's Husband’s reinstatement. "Are there no vacancies in the capital this year?"
Third Sister sighed. "Your brother-in-law says he’s in his prime—if he’s just going to stay in the Hanlin Academy doing scholarly work, he might as well take an external post and accomplish something tangible."
Fu Tingyun apologized, "It’s a pity my husband is a military official and has no connections with the grand secretaries."
Third Sister scoffed. "Of course I know that! I came mainly to see you and to broaden the children’s horizons. The capital, after all, is the heart of the empire—prosperous and magnificent. Who knows if we’ll ever get another chance to visit?"
Fu Tingyun smiled. "Then starting tomorrow, I’ll take you around the city!"
Third Sister glanced at her belly and chuckled. "You’d better stay home and rest. I’ve already hired a coachman." Her gaze then fell on Youyou, who was whispering with Yuanxiao. "If you don’t mind, let Youyou accompany me? Boys are nowhere near as sweet as daughters!"
Hearing her name, Youyou looked up, utterly bewildered.The adorable little face made Third Sister envious. She picked up Youyou and asked, "How about accompanying your third aunt to explore the capital tomorrow?"
Upon hearing this, Youyou immediately beamed with joy but didn't dare to agree outright, instead looking at her mother.
Fu Tingyun wasn't comfortable entrusting her child to anyone else, not even Third Sister: "Let Zheng San and Housekeeper Tong accompany you."
This was as good as giving permission.
Youyou and Third Sister exchanged delighted smiles.
After dinner, Third Older Cousin's Husband came to pick up his wife and child, formally meeting Fu Tingyun: "...Once Ninth Younger Cousin's Husband returns, I'll pay another visit."
Fu Tingyun smiled in acknowledgment and saw them off at the door.
Over the next few days, Youyou left early and returned late each day, eagerly sharing her daily adventures with Fu Tingyun upon coming home.
Seeing how much fun Youyou was having and how attentively Third Sister cared for her—even more so than her own two sons—along with Zheng San and Housekeeper Tong keeping watch, Fu Tingyun finally felt at ease.
When Seventh Sister's Husband heard that Third Older Cousin's Husband had arrived in the capital, he went to pay his respects at Third Sister's rented residence. He actively helped inquire about vacancy appointments for Third Older Cousin's Husband, but by late April, there was still no progress.
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The latter half of the chapter wasn't satisfactory, so I rewrote it, which delayed things until now—apologies... I'll make it up with extra updates later. Everyone, it's better to read in the morning!
Off to bed now!
O(∩_∩)O~
Sisters, remember to vote with your pink tickets when reading...
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(End of Chapter)
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