Chapter 288: Mischief
Not many days passed before the Dragon Boat Festival arrived.
In the capital, it was customary to eat zongzi and visit relatives during the festival, with dragon boat races held on the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month.
On the day before the festival, Third Older Cousin's Husband came up the mountain, bringing zongzi, assorted pastries, and fruits for the children.
Fu Tingyun politely said, "You didn’t have to bring anything just to visit."
With a smile, Third Older Cousin's Husband pointed at a few golden melons and said, "These were bestowed by the emperor. Official Hao knew I was coming and specially sent some over."
Seeing the children staring wide-eyed at the treats, Fu Tingyun accepted them with a smile. After dinner, when everyone gathered in the hall for tea, she instructed Yu Wei to cut the melons so everyone could have a taste.
Third Older Cousin's Husband then brought up the idea of watching the dragon boat races: "Why not let Xi Ge'er and Xu Ge'er come along to enjoy the excitement?"
Chunbing, sitting nearby, perked up at the suggestion.
But Fu Tingyun gently declined: "The crowds will be overwhelming, and with four or five children, it’ll be too much for you to handle alone. The dragon boat races at West Garden happen every year—there’ll be plenty of time for them to see it when they’re older."
Concerned for the children’s safety, Third Older Cousin's Husband didn’t press further. With a smile, he said, "Then I’ll take them another time," and changed the subject to Zhao Ling: "…I heard his memorial of gratitude has already reached the capital. Everyone envies how he climbs the ranks year after year—so young, yet already a frontier governor."
"Gains come with losses," Fu Tingyun replied lightly. "He can’t manage household affairs as much now."
"That’s true."
After some casual conversation, the adults dispersed.
Noticing Xi Ge'er and Xu Ge'er hanging their heads low, Fu Tingyun comforted them: "When your father returns, he’ll take you to West Garden."
Only then did the two boys cheer up again.
But the next morning, as they watched the Shen family’s carriage depart through the gate, they couldn’t help but gaze enviously.
Daoist An had learned of Third Older Cousin's Husband’s intentions the day before. Seeing the two boys standing side by side in the courtyard, staring wistfully after the carriage, his heart softened. He approached and wrapped an arm around them, asking, "What’s the matter? Do you want to go too?"
Both boys nodded eagerly, with Xu Ge'er adding dejectedly, "Mother’s afraid we’ll get lost. She said we have to wait for Father to take us."
Daoist An, though in his seventies and childless, had found great joy in the lively presence of the boys since coming to the Zhao household. Their gloom stirred his spirit.
He laughed heartily and declared, "So you want to see the dragon boat races at West Garden? I’ll take you!"
Xi Ge'er and Xu Ge'er’s faces lit up with delight.
Without waiting for their reaction, Daoist An went straight to Fu Tingyun: "…No need to worry. I’ll have Yang Tong assign attendants to accompany us. I promise to bring them back safe and sound."
Fu Tingyun hesitated.
Just then, two small heads peeked out from the doorway.
Their dark, round eyes fixed on her pleadingly, tugging at her heart.
"Then I’ll trouble you, Daoist An," Fu Tingyun relented. "I’ll have Zheng San escort you there."
Deep down, she was still uneasy.
Understanding her maternal concern, Daoist An took no offense and nodded with a smile.
Xi Ge'er and Xu Ge'er cheered in excitement.Fu Tingyun personally helped the two children change their clothes and repeatedly instructed them to listen to Daoist An before finally seeing Xi Ge'er and Xu Ge'er off in the carriage with Third Sister.
Returning to the house, Fu Tingyu intended to comfort Youyou, who had stayed behind, but before she could speak, Youyou proactively said, "Mother, with so many of us, Master An can't take care of everyone. I'm the older sister, so I'll stay home to keep you company."
"Our Youyou is so well-behaved," said Third Sister, who had stayed to accompany Fu Tingyun, hugging Youyou and planting two kisses on her cheeks. "How about Youyou joins your mother and aunt in doing needlework today? I can teach you how to embroider a little bird—one pecking at worms!"
Youyou was immediately intrigued.
Third Sister then had her personal maid bring tracing paper and showed Youyou how to trace embroidery patterns.
Youyou, who practiced calligraphy daily and knew how to hold a brush, quickly learned to trace the patterns.
Third Sister couldn’t stop praising Youyou’s cleverness.
Fu Tingyun tried to temper her enthusiasm: "Don’t spoil the child. Weren’t we all able to trace patterns at her age?"
"But not as well as Youyou," Third Sister laughed, pulling out a few more patterns for Youyou to trace. She even instructed Youyou, "Have A-luo keep these for you. You can take them out whenever you want to practice." It seemed she was determined to teach Youyou needlework.
A-luo smiled and agreed.
Youyou traced a few more patterns under Third Sister’s guidance.
Yu Wei, noticing they had been busy for nearly two hours, brought over tea and snacks.
Just as Fu Tingyun and the others had settled down, Baoshu rushed in: "Madam, the gatekeeper Dechuan spotted two ragged children loitering around our courtyard. Suspecting they might be scouts for thieves, he devised a plan to catch them. But the children claimed to know you—they even knew exactly what our master does, how many people are in the household, and when you were conferred the title of Third-Rank Worthy Person. Dechuan said our family might have caught the attention of ill-intentioned people and asked me to seek your instructions—should we handle this privately or send them to the authorities?"
Everyone was stunned.
Thinking of Zhao Ling’s absence in Guizhou, Fu Tingyun pondered and said, "First, find out what’s really going on. If you can’t get any answers, invite Second Master over."
Just as Baoshu was about to comply, Yue Chuan hurried in: "Madam, those two boys are Thirteenth Young Master Li and his personal servant."
Fu Tingyun and Third Sister exchanged bewildered glances.
"Just the two of them?" Fu Tingyun asked. "No attendants?"
Yue Chuan shook his head: "According to the servant, they hired a carriage to come here."
"Third Sister," Fu Tingyun stood up, "I’ll go take a look and be right back."
"I’ll go with you!" Third Sister, worried Fu Tingyun might mishandle the situation, set aside her needlework and stepped down from the kang. "I’d also like to know what’s going on."
Fu Tingyun nodded and had Baoshu lead the way to the front courtyard.
Youyou’s eyes had gleamed the moment Third Sister stepped down. Seeing Fu Tingyun and Third Sister leave, she thought for a moment and followed them.
Thirteenth Young Master Li stood there in a patched, coarse lilac-colored short robe, looking utterly dejected. Had Yue Chuan not identified him beforehand, she might not have recognized him at first glance.Seeing Fu Tingyun and Third Sister, he immediately straightened up and said loudly, "Madam Zhao, I wasn't peeping at your household. I came to apologize to your eldest daughter. It was all my fault—I shouldn't have tricked her. But I didn't mean to. At the time, I just called out once, and who knew your eldest daughter would start crying? I was too embarrassed to say I was actually fine..." As he spoke, he spotted Youyou and quickly called out, "Miss Zhao, don't be angry anymore. I came specifically to apologize to you..."
Youyou pursed her lips and ignored him.
Thirteenth Young Master Li's expression grew visibly anxious. He called out to Youyou, "It's true! I really came to apologize..."
Third Sister frowned. "Is this how you apologize...?"
Fu Tingyun gestured for her to stop, then smiled at Thirteenth Young Master Li. "We appreciate your kindness. My daughter isn't petty—what's done is done, and she won't hold a grudge." She then asked warmly, "When did you leave home? Does your family know you're here? Have you had breakfast? Are you hungry...?"
At her words, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Thirteenth Young Master Li's face before he quickly composed himself. Scratching his head, he said, "I left at dawn. My family knows I'm here, but... I left a note for a servant to give to my mother after I left, so they must know by now. I've already eaten breakfast—I'm not hungry..."
Fu Tingyun chuckled. "You ate at dawn, and now it's nearly noon. How could you not be hungry?" She invited him and his attendant inside. "Stay and have lunch with us before you go!"
Thirteenth Young Master Li hesitated, but when he saw Youyou turn and head into the inner courtyard, he immediately smiled. "Thank you, Madam Zhao." He then bowed respectfully to Fu Tingyun, displaying the grace of a young nobleman.
Fu Tingyun nodded inwardly.
Though spoiled by his grandmother, this young master still observed proper etiquette when behaving well, showing that the Li family upheld strict standards in daily life.
Third Sister whispered, "Quan Hui..."
But Fu Tingyun signaled her to stay quiet and led the young master into the hall, then exchanged a glance with Yu Wei.
Yu Wei discreetly left the room.
Fu Tingyun invited Thirteenth Young Master Li to sit and pointed at his clothes with a smile. "Where did you get these?"
He grinned. "I bought them from a farmer on the way for five taels."
Fu Tingyun barely suppressed a twitch at the corner of her mouth. She then inquired about Madam Li and mentioned Mother Huang. By noon, she insisted he stay for lunch.
After some polite refusals, Thirteenth Young Master Li finally accepted the invitation.
Noticing Youyou's absence at the table, he asked, "Where is the young miss?"
Fu Tingyun smiled. "She's a girl—she eats in her own room."
Thirteenth Young Master Li gave an "Oh," his shoulders slumping.
Third Sister's heart skipped a beat, but Fu Tingyun acted oblivious and cheerfully urged him to eat more.Perhaps truly hungry, Thirteenth Young Master Li ate two full bowls of rice before setting down his chopsticks, yet his movements remained composed throughout.
Fu Tingyun invited Thirteenth Young Master Li to the adjacent side room for tea.
A commotion arose outside the door.
Third Sister furrowed her brows, about to inquire, when Yu Wei lifted the curtain and Madam Li rushed in abruptly.
"Thirteen, what are you doing here?" Madam Li took several quick steps forward and embraced the startled young master, "You've worried everyone sick. Your Tenth Brother is still searching for you in the Western Garden with several servants!"
Thirteenth Young Master Li struggled free from Madam Li's embrace.
Only then did Madam Li realize her impropriety, hastily curtsying to greet Fu Tingyun and Third Sister.
Seizing the opportunity, Thirteenth Young Master Li dashed outside.
Noisy clamor erupted beyond.
Third Sister looked out.
Several burly servant-like men were seen carrying Thirteenth Young Master Li away, while Madam Li's apologetic voice reached their ears: "My deepest apologies for troubling you, Madam Zhao. My husband has written saying he'll personally come to apologize when he returns to the capital."
"Please don't stand on ceremony, Madam Li," Fu Tingyun smiled. "I merely feared the child might wander elsewhere, causing you further search, hence I had Yu Wei send word. Now that he's found, all is well." She then offered Madam Li tea.
"My household still doesn't know I've found Thirteen," Madam Li declined graciously. "I shall visit another day to trouble you, Madam Zhao."
Fu Tingyun didn't press further, escorting Madam Li out through the moon gate.
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This writing carries certain intentions... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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