Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 241: Frantic Panic

Third Sister and her husband jumped up in shock upon hearing the news.

"Quick, call the coachman!" Third Older Cousin's Husband ordered Third Sister in a fluster.

"Right!" Third Sister responded, rushing outside before suddenly remembering halfway and shouting for her personal housekeeper, "Bring Yu Wei in—their mistress is going into labor. Go to Shi Family Alley immediately and inform Zheng Sanniang to make preparations." Then she called for her senior maid, "The Ninth Madam is in labor. Send someone to notify Zheng San and have him prepare the carriage at once. Also, have the junior maids bring thick quilts to pad the carriage. Hurry and make a cup of brown sugar water!"

The housekeeper and senior maid swiftly carried out her orders.

Third Sister hurried back to support Fu Tingyun. "Lie down on my kang for a while."

Fu Tingyun curled up and shook her head.

As someone who had been through childbirth, Third Sister knew she was in the throes of contractions and didn’t press further. Glancing at her husband, who was still standing there dumbfounded, she silently cursed him as a "clueless fool" before saying, "Go and have some sturdy maids bring half a door plank—we’ll need it to carry Ninth Sister to the carriage later." She then instructed him, "I’ll accompany her there. Please look after Chunbing and Yuanxiao in the meantime."

Only then did Third Older Cousin's Husband regain his composure, inwardly ashamed that he had panicked worse than a woman in such a situation. Realizing it was inappropriate for him to stay, and knowing that with Zhao Ling away, a man’s presence would provide some reassurance, he said, "I’ll come over once I’ve settled the children," before quickly exiting the hall.

Yu Wei arrived just as Fu Tingyun’s contraction subsided. Relieved, Fu Tingyun gripped Yu Wei’s hand and stood up.

Several women were already waiting outside with a door plank padded with thick quilts.

Third Sister and Yu Wei supported Fu Tingyun on either side as she lay down, watching the servants carry her into the carriage.

Zheng San cracked the whip, urging the horses toward Shi Family Alley. Afraid of jostling Fu Tingyun, he didn’t dare go too fast, yet his anxiety over her condition made his hands tremble.

Fortunately, Third Sister had thoughtfully brought a pot of hot water into the carriage. Yu Wei and Third Sister took turns wringing out cloths to wipe the sweat from Fu Tingyun’s forehead.

By the time they finally reached Shi Family Alley, the house was brightly lit.

The Shen family’s messenger had arrived earlier, and the midwife, who had moved in days prior, was already boiling water in the kitchen.

Zheng Sanniang and the others helped Fu Tingyun out of the carriage.

Drenched in sweat, Fu Tingyun asked about Youyou and Xi Ge'er, "...Don’t disturb them."

Zheng Sanniang reassured her calmly, "Don’t worry, Madam. Tong Shi has already put the young mistress and young master to bed."

Fu Tingyun nodded and was taken into the inner chamber.

After a chaotic flurry of activity, she successfully gave birth to a son at the hour of Yin, weighing six jin and six liang.

Zhao Ling was overjoyed and named his second son "Xu."

However, by the time his letter reached the capital, Xu Ge'er had already celebrated his full month ceremony.

Third Sister was carrying Xu Ge'er around the room when she heard that Zhao Ling had chosen a name for the child. Smiling down at the peacefully sleeping baby, she said, "Chuyi, did you hear? Your father has given you a name. From today onward, you are Zhao Xu." Then she asked about Zhao Ling, "How is the battle going over there?"

Xu Ge'er was born on the first day of the fifth month, so Fu Tingyun had given him the nickname "Chuyi.""They say the Miao rebellion was truly due to excessive taxes and levies." She carefully refolded Zhao Ling's letter exactly as it was and placed it in the large vermilion gold-traced box beside her. "He only executed the ringleaders while pacifying the masses. He also petitioned the Emperor to reform the tax system and had stone tablets erected as proof in each county office. Since the start of May, wherever he went, the Miao tribes surrendered upon hearing his approach. At most within two or three months, the Miao rebellion will be completely suppressed."

Third Sister couldn't help clapping her hands: "Amitabha! That's wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Fu Tingyun smiled. "It's still due to the Emperor's boundless grace—if His Majesty hadn't approved the tax reforms, the rebellion couldn't have been pacified so quickly."

"Regardless, this is all thanks to your husband's good fortune," Third Sister said with a smile. "Otherwise, how could the Miao rebellion that's lasted so many years be quelled as soon as he arrived?"

Fu Tingyun wished Zhao Ling could always have such good fortune. Then she remembered Third Older Cousin's Husband and asked about his reinstatement: "Still no news?"

Third Sister smiled. "All the magistrate positions in remote counties have been filled, but the Censor of the Censorate and Recorder of the Office of Transmission positions remain vacant, let alone the Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel? Your brother-in-law says no news is good news. He told us not to worry."

Ever since Fu Tingyun gave birth to Xu Ge'er, Third Sister had been coming early and leaving late, spending nearly every day at Shi Family Alley. Firstly, she felt that with no elders around, as an older sister, she should take care of Fu Tingyun during her recovery. Secondly, she felt deeply guilty, believing that if not for their family matters, Fu Tingyun wouldn't have gone into labor two or three days early.

There had been no progress regarding Third Older Cousin's Husband's matter since that day, and the couple had been quite anxious. But with Fu Tingyun in confinement and having already visited Mr. Zhao, they had done all they could. Instead, Third Older Cousin's Husband worried that Fu Tingyun might overstress herself and repeatedly instructed Third Sister: "If Ninth Younger Sister asks, tell her that Seventh Younger Sister's Husband and I are keeping watch, so she shouldn't worry. Matters at court aren't resolved overnight."

Hence Third Sister's current response.

But Fu Tingyun felt this matter had dragged on too long.

She frowned. "If I were in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, with so many people watching, I'd make a swift decision. The longer it's delayed, the more people will learn about the vacancy for Left Supervising Secretary, and the more will come seeking favors. There's only one position—agreeing with you means offending him. Better to decide quickly and simply say 'you're too late' to wash one's hands clean..." As she spoke, her expression turned solemn. "No, we must visit Tanzhe Temple again."

"No!" Third Sister firmly refused. "You must rest properly. If you're anxious, you can ask your brother-in-law yourself when he arrives later. You absolutely must not exhaust yourself with travel again. It's June—even sitting makes one sweat, let alone you've just finished your confinement." Her tone carried a hint of pleading by the end.

Fu Tingyun flushed with shame.

Third Sister found a feather fan and began fanning her.

Zhenzhu entered and announced: "Madam, Third Uncle has arrived."

Fu Tingyun looked at Third Sister.

Third Sister had no choice but to say: "Then invite Third Uncle to the inner courtyard hall."

Zhenzhu glanced at Fu Tingyun and, seeing her nod, withdrew with a smile to escort Third Older Cousin's Husband to the hall.The three of them took their seats according to seniority. Tea had just been served when Kou'er entered and announced, "Seventh Sister's Husband has arrived."

Fu Tingyun quickly instructed Kou'er to usher him into the main hall. Kou'er acknowledged and left. Soon after, hurried footsteps could be heard outside.

Third Older Cousin's Husband was about to tease Seventh Sister's Husband when the curtain moved—Seventh Sister's Husband strode in, lifting the curtain himself.

"I went to Third Older Cousin's Husband's place first," he said, his face alight with joy. "His family told me you were all at Shi Family Alley, so I rushed over. I just came from Military Horses Alley—Grand Secretary Shen has retired, and Grand Secretary Mo has been dismissed and investigated over the Imperial Treasury matter. His Majesty has appointed Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting to the Grand Secretariat. Qian Donglin will replace Grand Secretary Shen as Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Profundity and concurrently serve as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Chen Dan Ting will replace Grand Secretary Mo as Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory and concurrently serve as Minister of the Ministry of Works."

The Six Ministries were located in Military Horses Alley.

Third Older Cousin's Husband gasped and stood up excitedly. "Is this true?"

Fu Tingyun and Third Sister also rose, asking for details.

Seventh Sister's Husband chuckled. "I don't know the specifics. I went to Military Horses Alley this morning to inquire about Third Older Cousin's Husband's matter and unexpectedly heard this news." He added, "The news came from the Ministry of Personnel. It's said that after this morning's court session, Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting entered the palace to express gratitude. Official notices will be posted by noon at the latest."

Third Older Cousin's Husband couldn't sit still. He grabbed Seventh Sister's Husband. "Let's go see for ourselves!"

So Grand Secretary Yu's hopes had been dashed!

Fu Tingyun felt both joy and worry—joy that the Yu Family had finally hit a snag, and worry that Third Older Cousin's Husband's situation might change as a result. She quickly instructed Baoshu to accompany them.

Baoshu was one of the young attendants Zhao Ling had sent from Xuanfu, along with another named Yue Chuan. Both were only eight or nine years old, with bright, lively eyes that marked them as clever children. After just over a month of learning etiquette under A Sen, they could handle tasks flawlessly.

Third Sister asked Fu Tingyun, "Who are Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting?"

Fu Tingyun shook her head. "I don't know either."

"I suppose we'll have to wait for your husband to return and ask him," Third Sister murmured, though unease gnawed at her—would this complicate her husband's affairs?

The two sisters were lost in their own thoughts, yet pondering the same matter. For a moment, the room fell silent, utterly still.

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In stark contrast to the quietude at the Zhao residence in Shi Family Alley, the Yu mansion on Alley Street was like stormy waves crashing against the shore.

Grand Secretary Yu repeatedly picked up an inkstone, tempted to hurl it, but each time he restrained himself upon seeing his son's anxious face.

Yu Jingxiu had never imagined such an outcome. Seeing his father's distress, he indignantly exclaimed, "Father, how could this happen? The Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy and Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices—men who've never governed a region—directly entering the Grand Secretariat? And the Grand Academician becoming Chief Grand Secretary? Isn't this a farce that will invite ridicule? Father, surely there's something we can do!""Other methods?" Grand Secretary Yu smiled bitterly, his gaze dull and lifeless as he looked at his son. "The sword dance of Xiang Zhuang was aimed at the Duke of Pei. We all thought His Majesty intended to target Grand Secretary Shen, but who knew his sword was pointed at Mo Yingbo... Do you think there’s anything we can do against such an emperor? Whether Qian Donglin is the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy or the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, His Majesty likely wouldn’t care. All he wants is an obedient Chief Grand Secretary..."

Yu Jingxiu fell silent.

Seeing this, Grand Secretary Yu forced himself to perk up and laughed heartily a few times. "Alright, De Pu, don’t lose heart. It’s even better that I didn’t become Chief Grand Secretary—now you can go to the Ministry of Personnel." He patted his son’s shoulder encouragingly. "Work hard. Your father is waiting for the day you rise in rank, become a minister, and enter the Grand Secretariat. That would bring me more joy than becoming Chief Grand Secretary myself."

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Luckily, it’s not too late... O(∩_∩)O~

Back to normal tomorrow.

PS: Please vote with pink tickets! One counts as two!

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(End of Chapter)