Chapter 239: Connections
After the adults had finalized their plans to visit Mr. Zhao, Fu Tingyun rose to take her leave. Third Older Cousin's Husband and Seventh Sister's Husband escorted her out of the study, while Third Sister accompanied her back to the inner quarters to fetch Youyou and Xi Ge'er.
Youyou, Yuanxiao, and Xi Ge'er were giggling and tumbling about on the kang, thoroughly enjoying themselves, while Chunbing sat alone by the edge, looking somewhat forlorn.
Upon seeing the adults enter, the three children immediately quieted down.
Fu Tingyun smiled and beckoned to Youyou and Xi Ge'er. "Say goodbye to Third Aunt. We're leaving now."
Obediently, Youyou and Xi Ge'er climbed down from the kang and bowed to Third Sister.
Noticing the mess in the red-and-gold lacquered snack box on the kang table, Third Sister understood the situation but gave no sign of it. Instead, she calmly reminded Youyou and Xi Ge'er to "come visit Third Aunt again with your mother when you have time." Surrounded by maids and matrons, she saw Fu Tingyun and the children off to their carriage and waited until it had disappeared down the alley before returning to the main house with her two sons.
Once seated by the window on the kang and sipping tea served by a maid, Third Sister finally addressed her younger son, who stood before her with hands at his sides. "How many sweets did you just eat?" she asked coolly.
Yuanxiao lowered his head guiltily, his eyes darting toward his older brother.
But his brother stood there dumbly, as if struck dumb by fear.
Yuanxiao couldn't help but mutter to himself: What's wrong with Brother? He always pleads for me in front of Mother...
Third Sister sighed inwardly as she observed this.
Youyou was a well-mannered child. Earlier, preoccupied with her husband's affairs, Third Sister hadn't given it much thought. But upon seeing the snack box, she realized that Youyou had asked for treats specifically for Yuanxiao's sake.
Third Sister also felt her husband was too strict with their sons. Yet she couldn't show any leniency in front of them. If one parent disciplined while the other indulged, children would quickly learn to exploit the situation, making it impossible to maintain order.
"Let this be the last time," Third Sister said without further reprimand. "The rules were set by your father. Your elder brother has never broken them. If you can't abide by them, I'll have to speak to your father—then you won't study under him anymore. You can attend a private school to learn basic literacy and manage household affairs when you grow up. As for bringing honor to our family, leave that to your brother."
Tears immediately welled up in Yuanxiao's eyes. "Mother, I want to study with Father, just like Brother... I won’t do it again..."
Not ready to forgive him so easily—lest he think a simple apology would suffice—Third Sister hardened her expression. "Then I'll see if you can follow your father's rules from now on."
"I can, I can!" Yuanxiao sobbed hastily. "I won’t eat anything even if Cousin Youyou offers it again..."
What did this have to do with Youyou?
Third Sister was torn between laughter and exasperation. Just as she was about to further correct her younger son, her eldest, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
"Mother, it's not Cousin Youyou's fault. It's mine. I failed to watch over Younger Brother. Cousin Youyou didn’t know Father limits us to two sweets a day, and I didn’t stop her when she offered snacks to Younger Brother... It’s all my fault... Please don’t blame Cousin Youyou or Younger Brother..." With that, he knelt before his mother.As soon as Yuanxiao saw this, he knelt down beside his brother: "Mother, it's not Elder Brother's fault. I was the one who wanted to eat..."
Brotherly love and respect.
Third Sister nodded inwardly and said, "Since you both know you were wrong, your mother won't say more. Don't let this happen again. Understood?"
The two brothers answered respectfully, "Yes."
Third Sister then dropped the subject and let them go rest.
Having received their mother's forgiveness, Yuanxiao quickly went to sleep without any lingering worries. However, Chunbing remained somewhat downcast.
Chunbing's wet nurse tried to console him: "The young mistress is a guest, so naturally the young master couldn't stop her! Madam must have known this, which is why she didn't blame the second young master. There's no need for the young master to worry."
Chunbing remained silent, letting his wet nurse wash his feet.
Seeing this, the wet nurse felt distressed and said, "Shall I accompany the young master later to apologize to Madam?"
"No need," Chunbing muttered gloomily before turning over to get into bed.
Puzzled, the wet nurse could only help Chunbing settle in for the night.
After blowing out the lamp, the room fell quiet.
Suddenly, Chunbing spoke up: "Why do you think Cousin Youyou barely pays me any attention?"
The wet nurse was taken aback.
"Did I say something the other day that upset Cousin Youyou?" Chunbing murmured. "I didn't mean to. I wanted to apologize, but she kept talking to Second Brother, and I couldn't get a word in..."
So this was what had been troubling the young master!
But it was understandable.
The Zhao family's young cousin was both pretty and lively. The Shen family had no daughters, and the master and mistress were both reserved people. It was no wonder the young master valued this rare playmate so much.
"The Zhao family's young cousin is the same age as the second young master, so naturally they'd be closer," the wet nurse said with a smile. "Look at the Zhao family's young master—he can only follow behind his sister and the second young master too." She added, "If the young cousin didn't want to pay you any attention, she wouldn't have given you that spun sugar—didn't she say it's her favorite?"
Chunbing's eyes lit up at this.
That was true.
Youyou had even said that this kind of candy was the sweetest and tastiest. She had asked if he liked it too.
His heart settled.
Sitting up excitedly, he leaned over to ask his wet nurse, who was sleeping on a pallet by the bed, "Do you think it would be good if I bought some spun sugar to bring when I see Cousin Youyou next time?"
The wet nurse felt a vague unease.
Wouldn't this make the young master seem too submissive in front of the Zhao family's young cousin?
The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it as overthinking.
The young master was only seven, and the young cousin just four. Children were simple—they liked or disliked things without overcomplicating matters.
"Of course!" the wet nurse said cheerfully. "I'll help you remember this. It's late now—you should sleep. You have calligraphy practice early tomorrow!"
"Mm!" Chunbing replied happily, a smile lingering on his lips as he soon drifted off to dreamland.
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Upon returning home, Fu Tingyun first wrote a letter to Zhao Ling, informing him about Third Older Cousin's Husband's situation. After waiting two more days for Third Older Cousin's Husband's reply, she finally set out for Tanzhe Temple, despite her heavily pregnant state.
Unlike the quiet chill of her last visit, Tanzhe Temple in April was lush with greenery, vibrant with blossoms, and bustling with pilgrims—a scene of lively prosperity.
Hearing that Fu Tingyun had come to visit Mr. Zhao, the reception monk did not dare delay and immediately went to inform the abbot.The abbot personally escorted Fu Tingyun to a side room to sit and sent someone to inform Mr. Zhao.
Soon, the messenger returned: "Master Zhenghe invites the benefactress for tea."
Masking his astonishment, the abbot accompanied Fu Tingyun to the back mountain where Mr. Zhao was in seclusion.
A stone-paved path led straight to a two-story building nestled among green trees. Several Taihu rocks arranged into a miniature mountain landscape added a rustic charm, with clusters of lush orchids growing nearby...
In the past, she hadn't paid much attention, merely finding the place refreshingly elegant. But after hearing Third Older Cousin's Husband's words and examining it more carefully, she realized Mr. Zhao's residence didn't resemble a monk's austere retreat, but rather looked like a country villa of some official family. When she saw Mr. Zhao wearing monk's robes made of Songjiang three-shuttle cloth dyed gray, she could only admire Third Older Cousin's Husband's insight.
Mr. Zhao invited Fu Tingyun to sit on the daybed in the main hall and personally brewed her a pot of Iron Goddess of Mercy tea: "...Given your current delicate condition, this mild tea suits you perfectly."
Fu Tingyun rose with a smile to accept the teacup, thanking him, then handed several boxes of pastries to the little monk by Mr. Zhao's side: "With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, I made some vegetarian treats for you to try."
After expressing gratitude, Mr. Zhao asked cheerfully, "What brings you here so suddenly? Is there something urgent?"
Fu Tingyun came straight to the point: "Indeed, I seek your counsel on a matter." She then frankly explained how Third Older Cousin's Husband had come to the capital seeking reinstatement, while Grand Secretary Yu was also maneuvering to secure the position for his son Yu Jingxiu. "Ninth Master always says your wisdom is as vast as the ocean. Whether going to Xuanfu or Guizhou, he always visits you first. He claims that just seeing you sitting serenely gives him rock-solid confidence, knowing there's someone who can offer guidance through any difficulty. Feeling anxious about Third Older Cousin's Husband's situation, I thought of you. In your opinion, who should we approach to secure that Left Remonstrance Official position for him?"
Mr. Zhao seemed surprised. After a pause, he smiled: "I didn't realize Huchen held me in such high esteem!"
Though his tone and expression remained ordinary, Fu Tingyun inexplicably sensed a hint of disappointment in his attitude, and his gaze toward her seemed less warm than before.
Zhao Ling had never actually said those words—her remarks contained elements of flattery.
Yet this was truly what she believed.
If Mr. Zhao dared undertake something as monumental as "Purging the Emperor's Entourage," what couldn't he accomplish?
Even if he didn't help directly, just pointing them in the right direction would greatly facilitate Third Older Cousin's Husband's matter.
Thus she maintained complete composure, her gaze clear and steady.
"Not just Ninth Master, I believe many share this view," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have dispatched Imperial Guards to ensure your safety."
Mr. Zhao raised an eyebrow at this. "Perhaps things aren't as you imagine—the Emperor sent Imperial Guards not to protect me, but to prevent me from leaving the capital!" His piercing gaze fixed on her.
Fu Tingyun was momentarily taken aback.
She hadn't expected Mr. Zhao to be so direct... nor for the conversation to involve the Emperor... Any response would risk appearing critical of imperial authority...Fu Tingyun felt a thin layer of sweat break out on her back, yet her expression remained composed. With feigned surprise, she countered, "Is that really how Mr. Zhao sees it?"
She gazed at Mr. Zhao with pretended confusion.
"That is indeed what I think!" Mr. Zhao laughed, though not a trace of amusement reached his eyes. "Why? Does Madam Zhao hold a different view?"
She had managed to displease Mr. Zhao after all.
To think, Mr. Zhao had always regarded them as friends with no conflicting interests—whether it was Zhao Ling or herself, he never hesitated to receive them whenever they sought an audience. Yet now, she had acted no differently from those scheming officials, coming to ask for a favor—and worse, competing with Yu Jingxiu for a position... He must think her terribly petty!
But she couldn’t simply give up.
Nor could she back down now.
Otherwise, not only would Third Older Cousin's Husband’s matter remain unresolved, but their friendship with Mr. Zhao would also come to an end.
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Apologies, this chapter was a bit tough to write, so the update is late... The extra update might be even later. Everyone can check back tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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