Chapter 306: Peaceful Days
Zhao Ling was listening to Qin Feiyu speak with his head slightly turned: "...Although that area isn't as orderly as this one, it's right by Shichahai. Every household can channel flowing water into their backyard and create a Jiangnan-style garden. I think you should consider moving there too. Our families could keep each other company."
In the capital, water was scarce, and properties with flowing water were often priceless.
Qin Feiyu had recently purchased a house near Shichahai.
"I'm not like you, Brother Qin, familiar with every corner of the capital and able to handle anything with ease. Right now, I'm just a country bumpkin in the city—I can't even tell east from west!" Zhao Ling spotted A Sen entering and exchanged a few lighthearted words with Qin Feiyu before beckoning him over. "What is it?"
A Sen smiled and bowed to Qin Feiyu and the others before replying, "Shopkeeper Ye from Datong Company heard that you've returned, Big Brother, and sent over a banquet. Sister-in-law asked me to let you know."
Shopkeeper Ye knew Zhao Ling had just arrived home and would need time with his wife, to check on his children's studies, and to entertain relatives and old friends. He had already agreed to visit in a few days.
Zhao Ling immediately understood that A Sen had something to tell him privately. "There are two pounds of premium Biluochun Tea in the bottom drawer of the display cabinet in my study. Please give them to Shopkeeper Ye's men as a reward."
The implication was for A Sen to wait for him in the study.
A Sen smiled in acknowledgment.
Qin Feiyu, however, pulled A Sen aside to chat. "It's been a while since I last saw you, and you've grown even more composed. I heard Lord Wang wanted you to inherit his position as Hereditary Commander of One Hundred Households, but you politely declined. Are you planning to follow the path of scholars and enter officialdom through the imperial exams?"
A Sen chuckled. "My father is still young, so there's no rush to pass the hereditary title to me. I’d like to spend a few more years studying and broadening my horizons."
Qin Feiyu nodded approvingly.
A Sen bowed and excused himself.
Lin Chi then asked Qin Feiyu, "How did the matter with the Cheng family end?"
He was referring to Lord Wang's brother-in-law—the husband of Wang Furen's elder sister.
Qin Feiyu glanced around and, seeing only trusted companions present, lowered his voice. "Lord Wang gave that Cheng family wastrel a thorough beating and swore that if he ever dared disrespect his wife again, he’d beat him every single time. And you know what? It turns out there’s always someone tougher. Over the past two years, that Cheng fellow still indulges in drinking, gambling, and womanizing, but he hasn’t laid a hand on his wife since."
The group burst into laughter.
Tao Mu then shared an anecdote from the capital: "Something similar happened in the Wei family’s neighborhood. The father-in-law had tried every kind word imaginable, but the son-in-law turned a deaf ear. Eventually, the daughter couldn’t take it anymore and would rather become a nun than stay married. The father-in-law thought, 'All my kind words were wasted. Since we’re bound to go our separate ways anyway, why not?' So he called a few nephews from the clan and gave the son-in-law such a beating that the man was terrified. Not only did he stop hitting his wife, but when she asked for a divorce, he wept and knelt, refusing to let her go. He figured, 'If my father-in-law’s family could beat me like this while we’re still related, what would happen if we became strangers? I’d probably lose my life...'"
Another round of laughter ensued.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling seized the opportunity to slip away to his study.
A Sen was waiting restlessly for him. When Zhao Ling arrived, A Sen hurried over and relayed the news: Yu Jingxiu was planning to welcome Min Shi into his household.Zhao Ling pondered for a moment before saying, "The Yu Family would never agree to Min Shi entering their household, and Yu Jingxiu probably knows this. Yet he's now rushing to bring Min Shi in—there must be something unusual going on. Try to find out the details, and then we'll decide what to do."
A Sen responded cheerfully with an "Mm!" Zhao Ling returned to the main hall to continue chatting with Qin Feiyu and the others, while A Sen excused himself to Fu Tingyun, citing family matters, and left first.
Over the next few days, Zhao Ling was kept busy—paying respects to the Emperor at the palace, meeting with colleagues, and visiting relatives and friends.
Meanwhile, A Sen shuttled in and out of Needlemaker Alley and quickly got to the bottom of the matter.
Without stopping for lunch, he headed straight to Shi Family Alley.
Zhao Ling was at home, taking his midday rest.
A Sen made a beeline for the main house.
Zheng San, sweating with anxiety, grabbed A Sen and pulled him into the east wing: "Wait here. I'll have Yu Wei inform them."
"I have urgent business," A Sen urged him. "Go and announce me quickly."
"You're a father now, yet you're still acting like a child," Zheng San muttered under his breath before going to inform Yu Wei.
Yu Wei steeled herself and knocked on the inner chamber door.
Fu Tingyun answered.
Too embarrassed to look at Fu Tingyun, Yu Wei lowered her gaze and softly relayed the message.
Fu Tingyun turned straight back to call Zhao Ling.
Only then did Yu Wei notice Zhao Ling reclining on the large kang by the window with a book in hand, while Youyou, Xi Ge'er, Xu Ge'er, and Han Ge'er sprawled haphazardly around him.
She couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
She seemed to have overthought things... and it wasn't just her—everyone else seemed to have overthought it too...
As she pondered this, she saw Zhao Ling carefully extract his arm from under Youyou's neck and tiptoe out of the inner chamber.
"Where's A Sen?" he asked Yu Wei in a hushed voice, careful not to wake the children.
Yu Wei quickly pointed to the east wing: "Second Master is waiting for you there!"
Zhao Ling gave a slight nod and headed to the east wing.
Fu Tingyun leaned against the doorway, looking out: "Do you know what A Sen wants with Ninth Master?"
"I'll go serve Second Master some tea and snacks," Yu Wei replied, understanding the hint.
"No need," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "I was just asking. If it's something important, Ninth Master will tell me later."
With this interruption, the midday nap was over.
Yu Wei smiled and fetched water to help Fu Tingyun freshen up.
Soon, Zhao Ling returned.
Yu Wei withdrew.
Zhao Ling then said to Fu Tingyun, "A Sen just told me that Min Shi is pregnant. Yu Jingxiu doesn't want his child to be born without a name or status, so he wants to bring Min Shi into the household. The Yu Family disagrees, and Yu Xiujing has already moved out because of this."
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
This Yu Jingxiu always managed to surprise people with his actions.
Since Zhao Ling had been keeping an eye on Yu Jingxiu, he must already have plans in place.
She asked, "So what do you intend to do?""I originally thought that in recent years, Grand Secretary Yu has been getting close to the Xiping Marquis. With Feng Tong being so bold, we could easily drag Grand Secretary Yu into the mess using the horse incident. But doing so would only benefit Yu Jingxiu," Zhao Ling mused. "So I wanted to wait a while. I refuse to believe that Yu Jingxiu is a cat that doesn’t steal fish. As soon as there’s any movement in Needlemaker Alley, we’ll support the Guo family in accusing Yu Jingxiu of 'killing a husband to seize his wife.' Then we’ll expose Grand Secretary Yu’s dealings with external officials. Even if the Yu family has old connections all over the court, no one would dare defy public opinion to speak up for Grand Secretary Yu."
As he spoke, Fu Tingyun carefully considered his words. When he finished, she hesitated and said, "You mean Yu Jingxiu’s scandal should break before Grand Secretary Yu’s... because the latter is too significant. If Grand Secretary Yu’s scandal breaks first, people might overlook Yu Jingxiu’s misdeeds."
Zhao Ling nodded with a smile. "If Needlemaker Alley’s affair comes out first, everyone will focus on Yu Jingxiu’s actions. But if Grand Secretary Yu’s scandal breaks first, people might think those who despise the Yu family are kicking them while they’re down, deliberately smearing Yu Jingxiu."
"But will the Guo family be willing to testify against Yu Jingxiu in court?"
"I’ve already sent A Sen to handle that," Zhao Ling said. "Though Grand Secretary Yu may seem untouchable to ordinary officials, I’m not without influence now. Besides, with enough reward, there’s bound to be someone brave enough—and we’re not falsely accusing Yu Jingxiu!" He chuckled and took Fu Tingyun’s hand. "Enough of this. Let’s prepare to take the children to see the elephant show in a couple of days..."
Before he could finish, Youyou’s sweet, melodious voice rang out from the inner chamber: "Daddy, Daddy, are we going to see the elephants now?"
Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun turned to see their daughter standing sleepily on the kang, rubbing her eyes.
The couple exchanged a smile.
Zhao Ling stepped forward and picked up Youyou. "Silly girl, it’s not even the eighth of April yet!"
"But I dreamed you took me and my brothers to see the elephants!" Youyou giggled, hugging her father. "Xi Ge'er ate so many cherries that his teeth hurt at night and he couldn’t eat anything. Daddy bought Xu Ge'er a real big knife, and he chopped down the jujube tree in the backyard. Master An praised him, but Mama made him kneel on the washboard..."
"You’re the one kneeling on the washboard!" Xu Ge'er, who had woken up at some point, protested loudly.
Zhao Ling burst into laughter and pulled Xu Ge'er into his arms. "No arguing with your sister!"
"I’m not arguing!" Xu Ge'er pouted, his lips practically forming a hook. "Cousin Chunbing indulges her, Cousin Yuanxiao and big brother all indulge her. If I indulge her too, she’ll grow up spoiled and reckless—that’d be bad. I’m doing this for her own good." By the end, his little face was stern and serious.
Zhao Ling was taken aback.
Youyou stamped her foot in frustration. "Mama, look at Second Brother!"
Fu Tingyun stood by, suppressing a smile.
Zhao Ling could only play peacemaker. "Alright, alright. The sun’s so nice today—let’s go swing in the backyard!"
The children cheered and scrambled off the kang to put on their shoes.Zhao Ling smiled and went to the backyard with the children.
Fu Tingyun, accompanied by Yu Wei, was in the kitchen making Sweet Fermented Rice Soup with Glutinous Rice Balls for Zhao Ling and the children.
Outside the gate, a vendor's loud yet melodious cry rang out: "Xinlimei Radishes... sweet and crispy Xinlimei Radishes..."
The eldest son, Xi Ge'er, suddenly appeared from somewhere: "Mother, mother, I want to eat Xinlimei Radishes!"
Fu Tingyun smiled, wiped her hands, went back inside to fetch ten coins, and gave them to Xi Ge'er: "Buy some for your father, sister, and younger brothers too."
Xi Ge'er responded with an "Aye!" and happily went out the door.
Youyou poked her head out: "Mother, where's the eldest brother?"
Fu Tingyun turned around and saw Xu Ge'er standing behind Youyou with a look of disdain: "Big brother heard the vendor calling—he must have gone to buy something."
Just then, Xi Ge'er came running back in, arms full of radishes.
"Sister, second brother," he said cheerfully, "we have radishes to eat."
Xu Ge'er snorted.
Youyou was quite annoyed and glared at Xu Ge'er before stepping forward to help Xi Ge'er with the radishes: "Why did you buy so many?"
"Not many, not many," Xi Ge'er replied, either not noticing or completely oblivious to the tension between his sister and brother, still beaming. "There are so many of us at home—each person can have at most half a radish."
Xu Ge'er said, "I won't eat any. You can have my half."
Before the words had even faded, Zhao Ling came walking along the corridor, holding Han Ge'er in his arms: "Huh! Where did Xi Ge'er disappear to? Why have you all run off?"
Xu Ge'er kept his mouth shut.
Youyou looked at Xi Ge'er.
Xi Ge'er, still smiling brightly, handed a tender radish to Zhao Ling: "Father, have a radish!"
Zhao Ling took the radish with a smile.
Han Ge'er clung to his father's neck, swaying back and forth: "Father, I don't want radishes—I want to swing, I want to swing!"
Fu Tingyun gazed at her husband and children, feeling that the spring sunlight was so radiant, the years peaceful and serene. Unconsciously, the corners of her lips curled up into a bright, beautiful smile.
※
The story is basically finished here, with just the final chapter, "Afterword," remaining.
Though it's a bit hard to part with, all good things must come to an end.
Thank you all for your companionship these past days, and for your support—we placed third in the November Pink Vote rankings.
O(∩_∩)O~
A new story will begin on December 26th, though I'm still struggling with the title.
When the time comes, I hope all you dear readers—sisters and brothers alike—will come and show your support.
※
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel