Chapter 12: Cousin Arrives to Offer Support
The military officer was polite. He did not enter but stood at the doorway and said, “As the year comes to a close, the Capital Prefecture has ordered us to tighten security around the capital, for fear of bandits hiding in the mountains. We will conduct a thorough search of this mountain. For the next two or three days, please refrain from going out, so as not to obstruct our work.”
Uncle Yan Wu agreed repeatedly. He went back and reported to Fu Tangli, then informed everyone else in the household.
Sure enough, for the next few days, Fu Tangli frequently saw soldiers coming and going from her attic window. They wore iron armor and carried weapons, patrolling day and night with strict vigilance. Their movements carried the grim, killing aura of seasoned troops, not like the men under the Capital Prefecture, but more like a battle-hardened army.
She was, after all, just a maiden of the women’s quarters. Though a flicker of doubt crossed her mind, she quickly dismissed it.
Three days later, the soldiers withdrew. The officer even made a special trip to their door to inform them, “We have searched the area multiple times and have not found any suspicious individuals in the mountains. You may go out without worry in the future.”
Uncle Yan Wu acknowledged this with a nod.
Dailuo came to ask for Fu Tangli’s instructions. “Those soldiers have left, and the sky has cleared. We can go out now. The umbrella My Lady brought back a few days ago, should we take it back to Yunlu Temple and return it to Daoist Master Xuanyan?”
At the mention of Xuanyan, Fu Tangli was reminded of the scene of him bathing naked by the pool that day, and she felt uncomfortable all over. She coughed twice. “Let’s leave it for now. There’s no hurry.”
Dailuo asked again, “The white medicinal yeast, black-clothed red yeast, and green glutinous rice are all ready. The plum blossoms have also been dried. What about the spring water? Can it be used? When does My Lady plan to start brewing the wine? I can accompany you to fetch the water.”
At the mention of the spring water, Fu Tangli felt even more ill at ease. She said slowly, “The spring water cannot be used. The Daoist Master said he will not drink that water.”
“Then is My Lady going to collect the snow from the plum blossoms?”
Fu Tangli said decisively, “No.”
In short, she was not going anywhere for the time being, to avoid running into Daoist Master Xuanyan.
Yanzhi came closer, looked at her for a few moments, and said in surprise, “My Lady, why is your face so red?”
“Oh, because it’s too hot in the house,” Fu Tangli said expressionlessly, then turned and went into her room, refusing to come out again.
Dailuo and Yanzhi looked at each other, perplexed.
***
And so, Fu Tangli quietly stayed at home for a few more days. The plum blossoms were dried, but she did not brew wine. Instead, she boiled them with Jingting Green Snow tea and drank it slowly by herself, leaning against the small window.
In her leisure, she would burn Dalbergia incense, take out her brush, and copy a few scrolls of the Wondrous Scripture of Rebirth in the Cavern of Mystery. She wrote each stroke slowly. Outside the window, fine snow fell; inside, the room was fragrant. She would often sit like this for the entire day.
Dailuo’s heart ached for her. “Why is My Lady so devout? It’s not as if you’re the Third Lady, locked in the ancestral hall copying scriptures. Why must you subject yourself to such hardship?”
Fu Tangli just smiled. “I made a promise to Grandfather that I would stay here to pray for my grandmother and mother. Did you think I was joking? Since I haven’t gone to the temple to offer incense these past few days, I’ll just copy some scriptures. In two days, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, it will be the anniversary of my mother’s death. I wish to ask the Daoist Masters of Yunlu Temple to hold a sacrificial ceremony. These scripture scrolls can be considered my offering, a token of my sincerity.”
Dailuo quickly lowered her head, not daring to say more.
…
One afternoon, Fu Tangli was copying scriptures when Yanzhi came running in, her face alight with joy. “My Lady, the Young Master is here!”
Fu Tangli’s brush did not stop. She asked nonchalantly, “Young Master? Which Young Master?”
Yanzhi clapped her hands. “Who else could it be? Our family’s Young Lord, of course.”
Dailuo and Yanzhi were maids from the Earl of Xining’s residence. The Young Lord they spoke of was the Earl of Xining’s eldest son, Han Zichen.
The Old Duke and Old Madam Han had only one legitimate daughter, Han-shi. The current Earl of Xining was the son of a concubine and of mediocre ability, so he had never been favored by Old Madam Han. Only her eldest grandson, Han Zichen, who was skilled in both literary and martial arts, intelligent and capable, and far surpassed his father in ability, brought Old Madam Han some comfort.
As Old Madam Han grew older, the power of the Earl of Xining’s residence had gradually been handed over to Han Zichen. Han Zichen did not disappoint. He was accomplished at a young age and had managed Weizhou City like an iron fortress, winning the hearts of the people. Even now, when Yanzhi spoke of Han Zichen, her voice was full of respect.
“The Young Lord has traveled all this way from Weizhou. When he learned that My Lady was not at the residence, he came up the mountain without stopping to fetch you. Isn’t this a great show of affection? Let those people in the Fu family see that our lady is not without support.”
Compared to Yanzhi’s excitement, Fu Tangli seemed overly calm. She merely raised an eyebrow to acknowledge that she had heard. She meticulously finished copying the page of scripture, closed the book, washed her hands, and then slowly walked out.
The servants had already welcomed Han Zichen in, serving him tea and showing him to a seat with great attentiveness.
Though young, Han Zichen possessed a great deal of authority. He sat in the main hall, with a retinue of guards from the Earl of Xining’s residence behind him, his bearing noble and imposing.
The old steward from Fu Fangxu’s side, Fu Quan, had also come along and was standing by with a smile. “The Second Lady is staying on the mountain for a short while. The servants attending to her are the same as at home, and all her food, clothing, and expenses are of the best quality. The Old Master was just mentioning two days ago that the weather was getting colder and that he was going to have the Third Master bring the Second Lady home. And just then, Young Master Cousin arrived.”
Han Zichen’s expression was placid. He spoke only to Uncle Yan Wu. “How do you people do your work? This courtyard was originally for my aunt to escape the summer heat. How can anyone live here in winter? Besides, it’s an old house, over a decade old, and in a state of disrepair. Even if my cousin doesn’t mind, you should have told me and had someone come to renovate it. How dare you let my cousin live here? Are you bullying her for her soft nature?”
Uncle Yan Wu had no way to defend himself and quickly knelt.
Fu Quan was extremely embarrassed. “Young Lord misunderstands. The Second Lady is to be the future Crown Princess, the most precious person in our family. Who would dare to neglect her? There is no such thing.”
“Elder Cousin, please calm down.” A maid lifted the curtain, and Fu Tangli walked in with a slight smile. “The mountain scenery is natural and pleasant. I myself wanted to come and stay for a few days to enjoy some peace and quiet. It’s nothing.”
Han Zichen stood up, looked at Fu Tangli, and a gentle smile appeared on his face. “Even so, it is still the fault of the servants for not being attentive enough.” His tone was close and familiar. He sighed. “We haven’t seen each other for two years, and you seem to have gotten thinner. It seems the climate of Chang’an does not suit you. You have suffered.”
Fu Tangli did not comment on Han Zichen’s concern. She sat down gracefully, made a gesture, and ordered the servants to bring fresh hot tea. She said politely, “The residence is busy, and you are needed everywhere, Elder Cousin. For you to come all this way to Chang’an, is there some important matter?”
Han Zichen’s expression was composed. “According to Grandmother’s will, half of the annual income from the silver mine in Weizhou is your dowry. I was thinking that you are to be married next year, so I hurried to bring this money to you first.”
He glanced at Fu Tangli, a deep meaning in his eyes. “Besides, your birthday is approaching. Next year, you will marry into the Eastern Palace, and it may be difficult for us to meet again. Elder Cousin has made a special trip this year to celebrate your birthday. I hope you will not think me presumptuous.”
Tomorrow, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, was Fu Tangli’s birthday.
Fu Tangli stood up and bowed to Han Zichen. “You have gone to so much trouble, Elder Cousin. I am truly grateful.”
Her expression was graceful, her posture dignified, her every word and action impeccable.
But the smile on Han Zichen’s face faded. “Lihua, you have changed a lot. You were not so reserved before.”
He called her by her old pet name, Lihua. Ever since her grandmother had passed away, no one had called her that for a long time.
Fu Tangli’s face remained impassive. She said slowly, “The Fu family has been a scholarly family for generations, and we value etiquette and rules above all else. It cannot be compared to the bold customs of the northern lands. Grandfather and Father do not like me to be too lively. As their daughter, how can I displease my elders? Naturally, I must be cautious in my words and actions. All that happened in the past was due to my youth and ignorance. Now, it is no longer permissible.”
Han Zichen looked as if he wanted to say something but held back. After a long moment, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing more.
***
Because someone from the Earl of Xining’s residence had arrived, Fu Fangxu gave special instructions that the Second Lady must be brought home. The Fu family servants did not dare to disobey. They hastily packed up and escorted Fu Tangli down the mountain.
The mountain road was difficult. By the time they returned to the Fu residence, it was almost dusk.
Fu Fangxu returned from his official duties and held a welcome banquet especially for Han Zichen.
It was a lavish feast in a grand hall, brightly lit by candles, with servants as numerous as clouds. Truly, precious delicacies overflowed from jade platters, and golden wine filled the goblets.
Fu Fangxu, his three sons, and his four grandsons were all present, giving Han Zichen ample face.
During the banquet, Han Zichen was modest and affable, his words and laughter pleasant. He treated the Fu family with the respect of a junior and had someone present the gifts he had brought from Weizhou, his words and actions deferential.
Fu Fangxu, however, feigned displeasure. “Zichen is being too distant, addressing this old man as Chancellor Fu. How can this old man dare to accept such a generous gift?”
Han Zichen quickly raised his wine cup and bowed. “The Old Master is right. It is Zichen’s fault. I will punish myself with three cups.”
Fu Fangxu stroked his beard and smiled.
Two years ago, when Fu Tangli had just returned from Weizhou, the Earl of Xining’s residence had sent someone to greet the Fu family, but their words were merely polite. Now that Fu Tangli had been designated as the Crown Princess, Han Zichen had suddenly become so warm. Fu Fangxu naturally understood the meaning behind it.
The Earl of Xining’s residence would need the Crown Princess’s influence in the future, and the Fu family needed this powerful in-law connection. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
For a time, both host and guest were pleased.
Because there was an outsider present, the men and women did not dine together. The female family members had a separate banquet in the adjacent flower hall.
A managing matron came over with some servants and recounted the situation in the front hall. At the end, she smiled and said, “The Young Master Cousin and the Old Master are getting along very well. He will come over later to pay his respects to the ladies. Here are the gifts the Young Master Cousin brought for the Second Lady. They have been brought over for the Second Lady to look at first.”
By this time, the meal was almost over, and the ladies of the Fu family were drinking tea. The servants brought in several chests.