Chapter 13: The Ancestral Graves’ Green Smoke All Rose for the Crown Princess…
They were opened one by one to reveal spices and furs—rare ambergris, benzoin, golden face powder, and eaglewood honey; precious purple sable, black fox, sea dragon fur, and clouded leopard pelts. All were superior treasures.
The lady of the Fu family’s first branch, Yan-shi, was a versatile and adept woman, skilled at adapting to circumstances. She immediately praised, “Worthy of the Earl of Xining’s residence. Back when the Third Sister-in-law was alive, she was just as generous. The gifts she gave were both respectable and luxurious. Now, the nephew of the Han family has inherited this trait. He is a thoughtful man. Queniang, this cousin of yours is excellent.”
Fu Tangli took a light sip of her tea and merely smiled.
The managing matron’s smile grew even more eager. “In addition to these gifts, there are also one thousand three hundred and fifty taels of gold, which have been taken directly to the Second Lady’s room. The Young Master Cousin said that this is half of the income from the Weizhou silver mine this year. According to the instructions left by the old madam of his family, it is the Second Lady’s dowry. From now on, Weizhou will send someone to deliver it every year.”
This was Han Zichen deliberately showing off in front of the Fu family.
Everyone chimed in with more compliments.
Yang-shi’s eyes turned red with envy.
Seeing Fu Tangli’s unparalleled prominence, while her own daughter, Fu Shaoyao, was still locked in the ancestral hall by the Old Master and had not yet been released, she felt a surge of resentment. Fu Zhihe had pleaded several times and had almost been beaten along with her. To her vexation, Fu Tangli was out enjoying herself, unconcerned with her sister’s fate. She was truly a heartless creature.
At this thought, Yang-shi put on a smile and said in a deliberate tone, “The Earl of Xining’s residence is good, and the nephew of the Han family is also good. Back then, Old Madam Han even wrote a letter, saying she intended to betroth Queniang to the nephew of the Han family.”
She paused here intentionally, glanced at everyone’s faces, clapped her hands, and said with regret, “But who would have known? The Master Uncle took a fancy to a young lady from the Li family of Longxi. Tell me, isn’t that a pity?”
The expressions on the others’ faces grew a little awkward.
Fu Tangli slowly put down her teacup, a half-smile on her face.
The First Mistress, Yan-shi, laughed. “Indeed it is. Queniang’s fate is noble; she will soon be the Crown Princess. Who can match such an honor? Don’t mind me for being blunt, but the nephew of the Han family, he is ultimately still a little lacking. It’s no wonder the Earl of Xining didn’t dare to agree.”
The Third Mistress, Yang-shi, relying on her husband’s high official position, did not hold her brother-in-law and sister-in-law in high regard and was often disrespectful. Yan-shi had long been dissatisfied with Yang-shi and was accustomed to opposing her.
Fu Tangli followed Yan-shi’s lead and spoke with perfect composure. “This is simply due to the profound merits of the Fu family’s ancestors for generations. If I were to compare myself to the other young ladies in Chang’an, my looks are average, and my family background is average. Who would have thought His Majesty would favor me?”
She sighed and said in a humble tone, “I myself am uneasy. There is a fixed amount of merit. If I use it too lavishly, won’t I be harming Yanniang’s future? But then I think, we are full-blooded sisters, inseparable. If I am well, she is well. She surely wouldn’t mind. Mother, don’t you agree?”
Yang-shi’s face turned pale, but she couldn’t bring herself to say “no.”
Yan-shi was also a clever one and immediately interjected, “In this world, there is no gentleman more noble than His Highness the Crown Prince. No matter how much merit the Fu family’s ancestors have left, Yanniang’s marriage will surely not be able to compare to Queniang’s.” She deliberately mimicked Yang-shi’s earlier tone. “Tell me, isn’t that a pity?”
Yang-shi nearly slammed her hand on the table. The Second Mistress, Zhang-shi, sitting beside her, quickly pulled her back.
“Eldest Aunt, why do you keep bringing this up? It’s meaningless.” Fu Tangli knew when to stop and cut Yan-shi off, effortlessly changing the subject. “By the way, Eldest Aunt, you mentioned earlier that you sleep lightly at night. Please take this box of benzoin. Try burning it at night. Perhaps the scent will help you sleep more soundly. Oh, and this clouded leopard pelt, it looks a bit gaudy, and I’m not too fond of it. Why don’t you take it with you as well?”
This was returning a plum for a peach. Yan-shi said with a broad smile, “With Queniang’s wealth, these things are not much. Eldest Aunt won’t be polite with you. I’ll accept them.”
Yang-shi sneered and interjected, “Indeed. I’ve never seen Eldest Sister-in-law be polite.”
Fu Tangli was very considerate. She turned her head and said to Yang-shi, “You poor thing. Yanniang is still unable to leave the ancestral hall. I will take these things to visit her later. If she likes anything, she can take it. You know, most of the things Elder Cousin sent are rare treasures from foreign lands, things that can’t be bought even with money. My uncle dotes on me and sent them all this way. Let Yanniang see them too, and be happy for me.”
Happy? Impossible. More like infuriated. Yang-shi knew Fu Shaoyao’s temper. How could she dare let Fu Tangli visit her in the ancestral hall? She hastily refused. “There’s no need. These things are too extravagant. Yanniang is still young and has no use for them. Queniang should keep them for herself. Don’t let her see them.”
“Oh, in that case, so be it.” Fu Tangli sighed with regret and rose gracefully. “I will return to my room first. There are so many things to sort through; it will take some time. I won’t keep you all from your chat.”
With that, she took her leave.
Dailuo and Yanzhi followed behind, one carrying a lantern, the other a censer.
Once they were outside and had walked a short distance, Fu Tangli let out a long breath. “Talking to these people is truly exhausting. So pretentious. I can’t stand it for a moment.”
Yanzhi hadn’t had the status to speak in the flower hall. Now, she couldn’t help but complain, “The First Mistress isn’t necessarily genuinely good to My Lady. Why bother giving her things? Isn’t it a waste?”
Fu Tangli gave a faint smile. “For Eldest Aunt to speak up for me is already a rare kindness. Why demand sincerity? Besides, giving her things makes Mother unhappy, which makes me happy.”
She said slowly, “You see, I’m just a malicious little lady.”
Dailuo wanted to laugh, but her heart ached. She couldn’t help but whisper, “If… if the Earl had agreed to the marriage proposed by the Old Madam back then, My Lady could have stayed in Weizhou, happy for the rest of her life, without having to suffer like this.”
Yanzhi tugged at Dailuo’s sleeve, shooting her warning glances. “That’s old news. It was just a joke from the Old Madam. No one took it seriously. Why are you bringing it up?”
Dailuo quickly lowered her head. “Yes, this servant was speaking nonsense. My Lady, please don’t be offended.”
But Fu Tangli didn’t mind. Her face was as calm as a cloud. “Do you think my uncle could make decisions for my elder cousin? It was my elder cousin’s own idea. He is a cold-hearted person who values profit over affection. The Li family could help him greatly, so he married the sixth daughter of the Li family. What’s so good about a man like that? To be honest, he’s not even as good as the Crown Prince.”
She stopped and looked back.
Not far away, the lights were brilliant, outlining the pavilions against the night sky like a painting. Servants came and went, tea and wine flowed endlessly, and the faint sound of laughter and conversation could be heard.
The splendor was so close, yet the winter night’s wind was bone-chillingly cold.
“No one is sincere. In this world, now, there is only myself,” Fu Tangli murmured to herself.
***
The next day, it started snowing early in the morning, a light, persistent flurry that covered the world in a blanket of white. The eaves and corridors were wrapped in a plain garment, looking exceptionally cold and clear.
Fu Zhihe had set up an incense table and candlesticks at home to commemorate his late wife, Han-shi.
Speaking of which, Fu Zhihe had truly been sincere toward Han-shi back then. Han-shi was beautiful and gentle, and she had withered at the peak of her youth, leaving Fu Zhihe with the memory of a beauty like a dream, a face that never aged. Now, thinking back, his heart ached even more, and he couldn’t help but weep at the table.
Fu Tangli went forward, respectfully lit three sticks of incense for her deceased mother, knelt, and kowtowed three times, remaining silent throughout.
Fu Zhihe’s eyes were red. “Queniang, you should kowtow a few more times to your mother. If it weren’t for giving birth to you, she wouldn’t have left so soon. If I had known, if I had known, I shouldn’t have let her…”
He didn’t say the rest. If I had known, should I not have let Han-shi give birth to this child?
Fu Tangli stood with her hands at her sides, motionless, and said nothing.
To commemorate Han-shi, Fu Shaoyao had been granted permission by her grandfather to leave the ancestral hall for half a day. After paying her respects to Han-shi, she did not get up but simply knelt on the ground and wiped her tears.
“Yanniang is offering incense to Mother today, begging Mother to have mercy and send a dream to Sister. I know my mistake now. Please ask her to forgive me this once.”
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Fu Tangli’s expression.
Fu Tangli stood to the side, unmoved by the eight winds, not a trace of emotion on her face.