Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The next day, Fucha personally attended to Rong Xuan’s grooming, sending him off with a loving gaze. Afterward, she visited the old lady’s room to pay her respects and report back. After receiving permission from the old lady, she quickly took care of the yard work and arranged the items brought from Fuzhou. Accompanied by the local customs she brought from the south, and with her son Cheng Wu and daughters Yun Yi and Yun Wei, she boarded a blue floral carriage and went to the Fucha residence to visit her uncle and aunt who had raised her.

Fucha’s mother passed away after she and Rong Xuan had set their marriage arrangements. At that time, Fucha observed three years of mourning, and the subsequent dowry and wedding were personally handled by her aunt. Hence, Fucha respected her aunt as a mother, and their reunion was filled with heartfelt sorrow. After being comforted by the other women for a while, the tears finally stopped.

Old Lady Fucha first called for Cheng Wu. With his thick brows and large eyes, Cheng Wu appeared honest and earnest, which greatly pleased the old lady. She praised him, saying, “As expected of the descendant of a general, this child looks solid and promising.”

She then asked him a few detailed questions about his studies. Cheng Wu answered gracefully and appropriately, without any mistakes. The old lady nodded repeatedly, and the daughters-in-law in the Fucha household showed increased respect for Fucha. In the remote Fuzhou, being able to raise such an outstanding son despite seeming arrogant, it’s no wonder the old lady often spoke highly of Fucha, even more affectionately than she did of her own daughter.

Old Lady Fucha let go of Cheng Wu and pulled the delicate little Yun Wei, who was kneeling on the cushion, into her arms. She lovingly called her “sweetheart,” and Yun Wei’s small face was covered with a layer of powder, her watery eyes reflecting affection as she sweetly said, “Yun Wei likes you.”

Such a charming little girl, with her sweet and delicate voice, perfectly touched the old lady’s heart. “Great-aunt loves you too,” she responded warmly.

With others also adding praise, the atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant. The old lady was delighted by Yun Wei’s affection and gifted her many pieces of jewelry. Yun Yi, standing obediently beside Fucha, also received some gifts, but far less than Yun Wei. Her eyelashes slightly drooped, hiding her envy.

Fucha seemed to sense something but did not speak up. Her purpose in bringing Yun Yi to the Fucha residence was clear: to both uphold the reputation of treating the illegitimate daughter well and to ensure Yun Yi harbored some resentment towards being raised by a concubine.

After dining at the Fucha residence, Fucha spent some time talking with Old Lady Fucha. Before leaving, the old lady reluctantly grasped Fucha’s hand and, with satisfaction, said, “At first, I thought you had married below your station. Who would have expected that today, with a husband like Rong Xuan, you’ve chosen well. Your choice of a husband is excellent.”

“Aunt,” Fucha said with a hint of shyness in her eyes, “It is Aunt who has been kind to Hua’er.”

After Fucha had left, Old Lady Fu Cha recalled the current situation of her legitimate daughter in the mansion. She shook her head in private, remembering how her daughter had been chosen from the selection process and had looked down on the Tong family, insisting on marrying into a higher-ranking family. Now, her son-in-law fell short compared to Rong Xuan, and the mansion was filled with many illegitimate children. Even the legitimate daughter had been harmed, and it was unclear who was behind it. If Old Lady Fucha hadn’t taken action out of concern for her daughter and sent reliable people, even the legitimate son might not have been safe. Fucha had insisted on marrying into the Tong family, and now, with a complete family, harmonious marriage, and understanding mother-in-law, her life was comfortable and easy. She looked younger than her daughter.

“Ah, thirty years of the east river and thirty years of the west river; who would have thought things would turn out like this?”

Back at the mansion, Fucha gazed at Yun Yi with affection and said, “I intended to introduce you to the relatives, but I never expected…”

“Mother, please don’t say that. I am very grateful to you.”

Yun Yi bowed, and Fucha divided a portion of Yun Wei’s jewelry, keeping only the most beautiful pearl hairpins for Yun Wei. She handed them to her and said softly, “Aunt didn’t understand your character and might have underestimated you. But as time goes on, you will understand that if you are obedient and filial, she will care for you.”

Yun Yi responded affirmatively. Fucha reassured her a few more times before Yun Yi went back to her room to rest. The concubine had already been waiting in her room, naturally adding to the lively atmosphere.

Yun Wei looked at the reduced amount of her jewelry, pouting her little lips. Fucha asked, “Are you upset because you gave away things to your sister?”

“Um… no… not really…”

The little girl alternated between nodding and shaking her head, finally pulling on the corner of Fucha’s dress and saying softly, “I’m not stingy, but… but I really like that pair of pearl hairpins.”

Fucha smiled and picked up her daughter, gently smoothing the furrowed brows and said earnestly, “Money is something you can’t lack, but it is just an external object. Yun Wei, you need to understand that to gain, you must be willing to give up something. Yun Yi is your elder sister; she will thank you for the jewelry she received. As long as she wears it, others will see it and think more highly of you. This will make you look even more beautiful than if you wore those hairpins yourself.”

After a while, Yun Wei’s eyes became clear again. She snuggled close to Fucha and asked quietly, “Will I need to give good things to my sister in the future?”

“That won’t do. You must remember what your mother said.”

Fucha lifted Yun Wei’s little head and said seriously, “You need to understand the difference. What belongs to you should never be given away to others.”

Yun Wei nodded her little head. Fucha took her daughter’s small hand and sighed with concern, “Tomorrow, you will go to school with your sisters to learn to read and write. Remember, my dear, your mother cannot protect you for your whole life. You will eventually grow up.”

“I will be very obedient, and my sisters won’t bully me.”

Yun Wei’s eyes sparkled with a smile, “Don’t worry, Mother. Fourth Sister told me quietly yesterday that she will take care of me.”

Seeing her daughter play innocently with the jade beads on her wrist, Fucha repressed her desire to say more. She realized that if she said too much now, Yun Wei might not understand.

“Madam, I have something to report.”

Fucha put down her daughter and pointed to the west side room, saying, “There’s a book on the kang table. Go and have a look. If you don’t understand anything, your mother will teach you personally.”

After sending her daughter away, Fucha let Granny Qi enter and asked lightly, “Is something wrong?”

“Madam, the concubine scolded Miss Yun Yi again, spouting nonsense. I felt sorry for Miss Yun Yi just listening to it. The concubine is becoming more and more unreasonable.”

“Is that all?”

Granny Qi whispered, “If the old lady finds out, it might reflect poorly on you, Madam… Several new servants have arrived in our courtyard. Who knows if…”

“Be quiet.”

Fucha’s expression changed: “Sister-in-law is very kind and comes from a high background. Adding a few more maidservants is a kind gesture. Stop talking such nonsense.”

Granny Qi knelt on the ground and swore, “I understand my mistake and will never do this again.”

After a while, Fucha softened her tone, raised her hand, and Granny Qi stood up and approached her to listen to the instructions. Fucha tapped her on the head and lightly scolded, “What I value is your loyalty. A clever person like Sister-in-law wouldn’t leave any incriminating evidence behind.”

“Servant is not worried about… those silver and things…”

“Isn’t everything already arranged? Why bring it up again?”

Fucha’s eyes flashed. Her delay in returning to the capital for half a year was to ensure that the family assets were transported back quietly and securely. Her husband and she had discussed it thoroughly. Although the Tong family had not split, the precious gems and silver that Rong Xuan had worked so hard for should not all be handed over to the main house; they were meant to be reserved for the children’s marriages.

The noise from the concubines in the west courtyard grew louder, and Fucha judged that the time was about right. She put down her teacup and said lightly, “This can’t go on. It’s not worth letting others laugh at us over such trivial matters.”

“Let the concubine throw a tantrum and lose face. I still care about Miss Yun Yi’s reputation. Go tell the concubine that even though Miss Yun Yi is under her care, she is not someone she can scold. Let her stay within her bounds. If she dares to insult Miss Yun Yi again, don’t blame me for not being lenient.”

Granny Qi agreed and left. Fucha smiled slightly, stood up, and went to find her daughter Yun Wei, patiently and gently imparting the lessons from the book to her.