Chapter 252: Announcing Bereavement
In both the court and the inner household, it's always a battle between opposing forces—either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind over the east.
Lord Ji dismissed the matter with indifference. "This is someone else's affair. Why should we concern ourselves with it?"
Madam Ji, first slighted by Madam Yu and now accused by her husband of meddling, flared up in anger. "A thousand-mile dike can collapse because of an ant hole. I'm only worried Grand Secretary Yu might misjudge people. You didn't see Madam Wu's face when she told me about this—she was practically gloating. There are likely many like her in the capital. If the Yu Family continues to treat Fu Langzhong as an honored guest, won’t they become a laughingstock? You might tolerate it, but I can’t bear the shame!"
Lord Ji thought his wife was overreacting and tried to soothe her with a smile. "It’s not as serious as you make it out to be. Grand Secretary Yu has seen and experienced everything. He surely has his own judgment in this matter."
Madam Ji, realizing her husband had a point and that it was indeed someone else’s business, gradually calmed down and shifted the topic to Shen Rensi. "...Who pulled the strings for him?"
Lord Ji chuckled. "Zhao Ling, the Regional Commander of Guizhou."
Madam Ji was stunned. "How is that possible?"
"Why not?" Lord Ji replied with a smile. "I heard he’s brothers-in-law with Lord Zhao. Madam Zhao personally delivered his plea to the Emperor, who then gave the order. Qian Donglin stepped forward without hesitation, and the eunuch Liansheng from the Directorate of Ceremonial monitored the whole affair from start to finish..."
Madam Ji paused, then curled her lip in disdain. "Sworn siblings, more like." She sighed. "People these days have no principles left—they’ll do anything for power and wealth. Shen Rensi, a civil official, actually forming kinship ties with a military officer! No wonder morals are declining. Take the Wu Family, for example. They hold the respectable position of a third-rank Vice Minister—with a few more years of steady service, they could even enter the Grand Secretariat. Yet they sent a kinswoman to the Yu Family as a concubine! What were they thinking?" Suddenly, her expression froze, and she sat bolt upright from her reclining pillow. "Husband, this is very strange!" Without waiting for his response, she continued, "I know Madam Zhao—she’s always been extremely reserved, rarely even stepping outside her home, the very picture of a noble lady. How could she suddenly change so drastically, meddling in Shen’s affairs? And Lord Zhao isn’t even home! For a woman to run around like this—isn’t it... isn’t it highly improper?" Her face was filled with bewilderment.
The court was rife with schemers, and Lord Ji had paid little attention to the appointment of Shen Rensi, a mere seventh-rank official. Nor had he worried about Lord Fu dragging down the Yu Family and affecting him—after all, Lord Fu owed his position to Grand Secretary Yu. If he dared switch allegiances, the scholars' condemnation alone would drown him.
But now, after hearing his wife’s words, Lord Ji felt a sudden unease.
Indeed, at first glance, the matter seemed trivial. But upon closer thought, it was riddled with oddities.If Shen Rensi and Zhao Ling were merely brothers-in-law through sworn sisters, and Shen Rensi went so far as to flatter military officials and even associate with those eunuchs, wouldn’t he fear being scorned by the civil officials? Even if he secured the position of Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, isolated and without support, could he hold onto it? If an official cannot rise in rank, what’s the point of serving? He might as well stay home and live as a country squire. Acting this way, isn’t he afraid of being ostracized by his colleagues? Afraid of being suppressed by his superiors? Afraid of ruining his own future?
Could Shen Rensi truly be such a fool?
Lord Ji pondered and couldn’t help but say, “Are they really brothers-in-law? But I’ve never heard of the Fu family having such an illustrious relative. The Emperor has always favored Zhao Ling—wasn’t Lord Fu’s reassignment a few years ago thwarted by just one word from His Majesty? With such connections, why didn’t he use them back then?” The more he spoke, the more he felt as if he had fallen into a fog. But being an open-minded man, he decided to set it aside for now and chuckled, “I’ll go ask Hao Jianfeng and see if he knows anything.”
In the past, although Grand Secretary Shen also held the post of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, his focus was primarily on cabinet affairs, leaving the ministry’s matters largely in the hands of Hao Jianfeng, the Vice Minister. Now, although Qian Donglin also concurrently serves as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, first, his lack of seniority means he may not be well-versed in the ministry’s affairs; second, having just taken office and being appointed Chief Grand Councilor—aside from Chen Dan Ting, he is the youngest among the grand councilors—it’s impossible for the other senior councilors not to have reservations. Whether he can establish himself in the cabinet depends on whether he can win the approval of the majority within three months. He will undoubtedly focus his attention on the cabinet, leaving no time for the ministry’s affairs; third, Lord Ji had never paid much attention to Qian Donglin before, maintaining only a nodding acquaintance. Now that Qian Donglin has risen to Chief Grand Councilor, it’s certainly necessary to strengthen ties, but with none of the other senior councilors making a move, Lord Ji doesn’t want to be the first to step forward and risk being seen as “fawning.” The best option is to approach Hao Jianfeng, with whom he has some rapport.
Madam Ji nodded, though she couldn’t shake a vague sense of unease. Yet, she couldn’t pinpoint why.
Meanwhile, when Madam Wu returned home and recounted her visit to the Ji household to Official Wu, he flew into a rage on the spot: “If you’re so vague, how can anyone understand what you mean?”
Madam Wu protested, “But I can’t just speak recklessly! What if there’s no such connection between the Zhao and Shen families? If Lord Zhao finds out, wouldn’t he resent us?”
Truly, they feared Zhao Ling.After a moment's contemplation, Official Wu came up with an idea: "Why don't you go directly to the Zhao residence? Tell Madam Zhao that since you've heard she and Madam Shen are like sisters, living right next door to each other, you should at least show some hospitality as the host. Invite Madam Shen over for a meal to welcome her properly. That would be the perfect opportunity to find out whether they're sworn sisters or actual siblings. If they are truly sisters, you could ask which sister Madam Zhao is in the family hierarchy. You can always verify with Madam Ji later. This would also give you a chance to get closer to Madam Shen. Those who don't plan ahead will find trouble at their doorstep. I used to think Qian Donglin and Chen Dan Ting were far from reaching the third rank, so I didn't pay them much attention. But who knew they'd suddenly join the Grand Secretariat? Now it's too late to cozy up to them, wasting all those previous opportunities. Who's to say Shen Rensi won't be the next Qian Donglin or Chen Dan Ting?" He sighed deeply for quite some time.
Madam Wu, however, was delighted: "My husband is truly wise."
The next day, she went to Fu Tingyun's residence.
Upon hearing that Madam Wu wanted to host a welcoming banquet for Third Sister, Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.
Madam Wu had always been fond of befriending the powerful, and Third Older Cousin's Husband was merely a minor seventh-rank official...
What scheme was Madam Wu cooking up this time?
After some thought, Fu Tingyun smiled and said, "There's no need to trouble yourself. My sister has been extremely busy with moving these past few days..."
"Then it's all the more reason to invite Madam Shen for a meal," Madam Wu hastily interrupted. "This way, I can properly congratulate her on the housewarming." Her attitude was quite insistent.
Fu Tingyun felt a headache coming on.
What exactly was Madam Wu up to?
The two went back and forth, neither able to convince the other.
Just then, Yue Chuan rushed in: "Madam, Third Aunt has arrived!"
Well, speak of the devil.
With no other choice, Fu Tingyun instructed Yue Chuan: "Please invite Third Aunt to the inner chamber for conversation!"
Yue Chuan acknowledged and left.
Madam Wu smiled and moved closer: "You see, Madam Shen and I are clearly fated to meet!"
Fu Tingyun could only offer a faint smile in return.
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside.
"Quan Hui!" Third Sister lifted the curtain with a grave expression. "Grandmother has passed away..." She stopped mid-sentence upon noticing Madam Wu in the inner chamber and swallowed her remaining words.
Fu Tingyun paled in shock: "How did you find out, Third Sister? When we returned to Shaanxi last year, she was perfectly healthy! How could this happen so suddenly..." As she spoke, memories of her grandmother's kind face surfaced, making her eyes redden.
Seeing Fu Tingyun's reaction, Third Sister's eyes also moistened, but she remained silent. Instead, she stepped forward to greet Madam Wu with a curtsy: "You're here as well!"
Madam Wu, who had caught only part of the conversation, perked up immediately.
Grandmother has passed away, and Madam Shen personally came to inform Madam Zhao, who became visibly distressed... This meant they weren't sworn sisters after all?
Excited by this realization, Madam Wu returned the greeting and asked with concern: "A family elder has passed? Is there anything I can assist with? Where will the funeral be held? I should send some offerings."
"That won't be necessary," Fu Tingyun said gloomily. "It's too far away to trouble everyone. We'll inform you all when the funeral arrangements are settled."Madam Wu naturally couldn't stay any longer. After saying a few words like "please accept my condolences" and "do let me know once the funeral arrangements are settled," she took her leave.
Third Sister immediately took Fu Tingyun's hand: "It was Fifth Uncle's people who brought the news of mourning. Fifth Uncle has already started drafting his resignation for the mourning period. Your Third Older Cousin's Husband thinks I should go back. I came to ask what your plans are."
"Third Sister, could you help prepare some sacrificial offerings and a funeral couplet according to proper rites?" Fu Tingyun said quietly. "I remember how kind she was to me before... So I won't return to Huayin. To avoid any confusion for the Fu family. As for mourning, even though she no longer considered me her granddaughter, I'll still observe the proper rituals. This will be my filial duty to her."
"That would be best," Third Sister nodded after hearing this. "I'll take care of the sacrificial offerings and funeral couplet for you."
Fu Tingyun then asked about Chunbing and Yuanxiao: "...Will they be going back with you?"
"The weather is too hot. I plan to leave them in the capital."
"Then why not let them stay with me for a while?" Fu Tingyun suggested. "That way Third Older Cousin's Husband won't have to worry about both ends - handling official business while taking care of two children."
Third Sister thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go back and discuss it with your cousin-in-law first." She then stood up, "I need to hurry back to pack, so I won't stay longer. I'll send word if anything comes up."
Fu Tingyun nodded and saw Third Sister out.
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Thank you everyone for the pink votes, we're temporarily in second place... The pink vote rankings are so competitive now, I'm already very satisfied with this good result.
Although the pink vote doubling event has ended, I hope to continue receiving your support as always!
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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