Spring in the Hall of Paintings

Walking through the corridor, Rongxuan and his family arrived at the rear hall of the ancestral home. The courtyard, complete with three bright and two dark rooms, a wing room, and a courtyard, was just as Fucha remembered. It had no extravagant decorations, only a few ordinary pots of orchids placed under the windows. As the door curtain was lifted, an elderly nanny with deeply wrinkled eyes and a smiling face greeted Fuca and said, “Second Mistress, greetings.”

“Chen Nanny, please rise quickly.” Fucha took a couple of steps forward and personally supported Chen Nanny’s arm. Since Chen Nanny was Rongxuan’s wet nurse and a close confidante of the Old Madam, Fucha did not want to appear indifferent and noted her good health with reassurance, saying, “You still look as robust as ever.”

“Thank you for your concern, Second Mistress.” Chen Nanny wiped her eyes and added, “Please come in. The Old Madam has been asking about you for several days. It’s fortunate that you arrived just as I was sent out to look for you.”

Fucha nodded, glanced at the innocent and carefree Yun Wei beside her, and sighed in relief. She then followed Rongxuan into Rongxi Hall. Chen Nanny did not wait for the young maid to announce them but instead called out directly, “Old Madam, the Second Mistress has come to pay her respects.”

The over fifty-year-old Old Madam straightened up and wore a rare smile. “Let them in quickly, hurry.”

“Mother, don’t rush, the Second Sister-in-law won’t run away.”

The speaker was a woman around thirty, dressed in a bright red qipao embroidered with peonies. Her head was adorned with glittering jewels, and her eyes, like phoenixes, had a slightly upward tilt. A beauty spot of vermilion red was positioned at the corner of her silver-red lips. Her graceful demeanor and blend of allure and competence made her quite charming.

Sitting next to the smiling Old Madam was a woman in her late thirties, dressed in a sapphire blue qipao. While she did not have the playful charm of the previous speaker, her demeanor exuded a more serious and calming presence. Her smile was not as sweet, but it was reassuring and commanding. She said with a smile, “Third Sister-in-law, you certainly haven’t changed. Your mouth—truly, it’s both endearing and exasperating.”

“Elder Sister-in-law, you’re wrong, truly wrong.” The woman pretended to be flustered, which amused everyone in the room, including the young maidservants who suppressed their laughter. The atmosphere was warm and jovial.

Seeing this scene, Fucha was momentarily taken aback but quickly returned to her usual demeanor. She realized it must be the playful nature of Third Brother’s wife, Guo Luoluo. Yun Wei, curious about everything in front of her, moved her lively eyes around. The Old Madam noticed Yun Wei’s innocent demeanor, which deepened her smile.

“You’ve returned safely, and our family is reunited. I—I, this old bone, can now feel I’ve done right by the late Lord.”

Rongxuan, Fucha, and their children knelt before the Old Madam to pay their respects. Yun Wei, remembering her mother’s instructions, bowed her head low, showing no signs of frivolity, and said in a soft, sweet voice, “Paying respects to Grandmother.”

The sisters-in-law who had been joking with each other earlier now stood quietly beside the Old Madam. Rongxuan was the first to rise and said in a subdued tone, “I am grateful for your concern.”

The Old Madam adjusted her hairpin and called Fucha forward. She patted Fucha’s hand and said with a sense of nostalgia, “It’s been difficult for you to follow Second Brother to the wilds all these years, but you’ve managed the household well, which has allowed Second Brother to rise steadily. As his mother, I did not choose the wrong wife for him. Chengwu has been well-raised, showing his father’s demeanor, and Yiyi is also very good, cultured and polite. Weiwei—”

Yun Wei looked up, her eyes crinkling into crescent shapes as she softly called out, “Grandmother.”

The Old Madam, who had been stern all her life, felt a warmth in her heart seeing Yun Wei’s innocent appearance, though her face remained impassive. She casually said with a mild smile, “Weiwei is indeed a lovable child. You must get along well with your sisters in the future.”

“Yes, Grandmother.” Yun Wei bowed slightly. At this moment, Rongxuan said, “My wife will be sure to show you proper filial piety upon returning to the household, making up for the ten years of filial duty that have been lacking.”

“The master is right. I hope Grandmother does not think poorly of this daughter-in-law for her clumsiness.” Fucha spoke humbly and respectfully. The Old Madam, however, smiled and said, “My health is still good. The second family has always been virtuous and filial; how could they be clumsy? Just keep me company and play a few hands of cards with me in your free time.”

Knowing that he had to leave the inner residence and that his elder sister-in-law and siblings were present, Rongxuan directly said, “Mother, I still have business to attend to. Please let her stay and accompany you for a while longer.”

“Go on, go on. Official matters are important,” the Old Madam said, waving her hand. After Rongxuan bowed and took his leave, he turned to his elder sister-in-law and bowed again, saying, “She has been away from the capital for over ten years. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive her.”

Elder Sister-in-law, Juoluos, responded with a half-bow and said in a deep voice, “Second brother worries too much. What can the sisters-in-law have to say?”

Rongxuan smiled in his usual honest manner and turned to leave. At this moment, Guo Luoluo spoke up, “When it comes to caring for others, no one surpasses the second uncle.”

Fucha’s face showed a rare hint of embarrassment as she softly called out, “Third sister-in-law.”

“Alright, alright. I know my son well enough. If we’re talking about understanding and sensitivity, it’s the third who truly knows how to care for others.”

The Old Madam’s words helped diffuse the tension, making Guo Luoluo’s face turn bright red. She stubbornly said, “Mother, you don’t care for me anymore. Next time we play cards, I’ll keep a close watch and make sure you don’t get away with cheating again.”

“Third sister-in-law, when have you not been the one losing?” Juoluos interjected, smiling as she explained to Fucha, “The second sister-in-law may not know, but she is famously known here as a scatterbrain who gives away money.”

“Elder sister-in-law,” Guo Luoluo’s face reddened further. Fucha covered her mouth and smiled. Although her eyes were filled with a gentle smile, it was faint and not easily noticeable to others. She discreetly observed the furnishings in the Old Madam’s room. Despite the rise of the Tong family and the success of the three brothers, the house had not been adorned with extravagant decorations. Instead, it emphasized comfort and neatness. The Old Madam’s attire was also very simple, but Fucha, with her keen eye, noticed that the hairpin on the Old Madam’s head, though appearing ordinary, was of exceptionally good quality and valuable. The Old Madam’s natal family, the Juoluos, were not only a prominent clan but were also connected to the Kang Prince and now held the title of the Duke of the Town.

“Second sister-in-law, Mother has often praised your attentiveness. In the future, please continue to assist me with the household matters.”

“Elder sister-in-law, you flatter me. As you come from a distinguished family, everything about you is exceptional. Please feel free to give orders as needed.”

Fucha slightly bowed. As the elder sister-in-law of the Old Madam’s direct niece, she did not underestimate her. Given the situation in the Tong family at that time, it was unlikely for the daughter of the Duke’s family to marry into the family. Yet, Juoluos managed to persuade her natal family and got the approval of the aunt who had lived a tough life. Such determination was not common.

The Old Madam’s gaze moved from the respectful Fucha to the obedient Yun Wei, and she said with a smile, “Yun Wei has just returned to the capital and should catch up with her sisters. I will take the lead today and let the girls leave school early.”

Although Juoluos mentioned it briefly in the letter, Fucha was clearly not well-informed about it. When did the Tong family start hiring teachers for the young ladies?

Guo Luoluo smiled and explained, “Second sister-in-law, you wouldn’t know, but it’s all because of that troublesome child of mine. I don’t know what got into her; she insisted on having a teacher. I tried to scold and discipline her, but Lan girl was adamant. Since I couldn’t persuade her otherwise, I had to trouble elder sister-in-law to hire a teacher to specifically teach the young ladies in the household to read and write.”

The Old Madam commented, “Hiring a teacher is indeed proper. Reading more and learning more characters is always beneficial.”

“Mother is right. The daughters of the Tong family are all distinguished. Second sister-in-law, the teacher I hired is also well-known for his scholarship in the capital. Letting Yun Wei and the other young ladies attend school and play together will deepen their bonds.”

“Thank you, elder sister-in-law. However—Yun Wei might not be as advanced as Yunjie and the others. This child of mine has been pampered, so we’ll need the teacher’s guidance to improve her.”

The door curtain was lifted, and a maid announced, “Old Madam, Madam, the young ladies have arrived.”