Xiao Jiaru, leaning on Fu Xuanrui’s supporting hand, stood up smoothly. In a corner where Fu Xuanrui couldn’t see, she flashed a triumphant smile.
After resting overnight at Yongning Wangfu, Fu Xuanrui set off for Chengshui Xian early the next morning with Xiao Jiaru.
This time, Xiao Jiaru was exceptionally thoughtful—preparing five thousand taels of silver and five thousand jin of grain. She also had clothes and a small wooden sword toy prepared for Fu Zhuoxu.
She didn’t ride in a carriage either, instead hurrying on horseback alongside Fu Xuanrui. They departed in the morning and arrived at Jiang Wanwen’s Zhuangzi by early evening.
When Ruhua came to report, Jiang Wanwen was in her experimental field with Fu Xuanming and his siblings, pulling weeds. Even two-year-old Fu Zhuoxu was playing with mud in the ditch by the field.
Seeing the expectant look in Ruhua’s eyes, Jiang Wanwen knew exactly what she was thinking—nothing more than “when under someone else’s roof, one must bow their head.” Ruhua hoped she and Fu Xuanrui would maintain the superficial appearance of a “loving mother and dutiful son.”
But Jiang Wanwen had no intention of bowing her head. “So they’ve arrived. Must I, as their mother, personally go greet them? Go tell them to ride slowly. If they trample and ruin my wheat, I won’t let them off easily!”
Though momentarily stunned, Ruhua quickly went to deliver the message. She worried that if she delayed, the Emperor and Empress might actually ride over the crops, and her mistress would beat them and throw them out.
Once Ruhua left, Fu Xuanming, Fu Xuanchen, and Fu Xuanzhao immediately huddled together while pretending to pull weeds, whispering among themselves.
“Do you think Mother will beat up Eldest Brother later?” Fu Xuanchen was the type to enjoy watching drama unfold.
Fu Xuanzhao first glanced at their mother, then at their nephew amusing himself in the ditch, and said quietly, “I think for Xu Er’s sake, Mother probably won’t embarrass Eldest Brother.”
In Fu Xuanzhao’s mind, their mother was still the endlessly forgiving parent. After all, when Third Brother tripped her, causing her to faint for a day or two, she had only beaten him up.
Moreover, in Fu Xuanzhao’s memory, Eldest Brother had always been more favored by their mother than the rest of them.
“That depends on whether Eldest Brother knows his place,” Fu Xuanming remarked, convinced that Eldest Brother was highly likely to get beaten. He didn’t believe their mother would overlook the fact that Eldest Brother hadn’t come to pay respects, sent gifts, or even written in over half a year.
When Jiang Wanwen finished weeding the area around her and straightened up, she saw the three siblings whispering together. She shouted loudly, “If you three aren’t careful and pull out my wheat, I’ll beat every one of you!”
Hearing their mother’s voice, the three immediately scattered, pretending to focus on weeding while secretly waiting for Eldest Brother and his wife to arrive. They all wanted to see their mother put Eldest Brother in his place.
Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru never expected that upon arriving at the estate, they would be barred from entering. No matter how they identified themselves, the guards at the gate refused to let them in, insisting they wait for someone to seek their mistress’s permission first.
Fu Xuanrui gazed at the repaired traps and towering walls surrounding the area, sinking into deep thought. The more he pondered, the more astonished he became. This was vastly different from the life he had imagined for the Empress Dowager at Zhuangzi Estate.
During the wait for clearance, Fu Xuanrui couldn’t resist asking directly, “Ruer, how much silver did you bring for Mother Empress during your last visit?”
Xiao Jiaru was momentarily stunned. Though tempted to lie, she knew the Emperor would inevitably verify with the Empress Dowager, making the situation worse. She had no choice but to reply truthfully, “At that time, Your Subject had just finished procuring a batch of grain, and there was little silver left in the accounts. I only prepared one thousand taels.”
“One thousand taels?”
Fu Xuanrui’s surprise was justified. Though he had been leading battles at the front, he knew better than anyone whether there were funds in the public treasury. The war had just begun, and moreover, his father had long harbored rebellious intentions. It was only out of compassion—fearing harm might come to Shengyang’s mother and others—that his father had restrained himself, but preparations had been made thoroughly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rebelled so decisively.
Seeing Fu Xuanrui’s reaction, Xiao Jiaru knew her gamble had failed. Without attempting excuses, she immediately knelt on the ground. “Your Subject momentarily lost her way. Please forgive me this once, Your Majesty!”
Fu Xuanrui felt the Empress was becoming presumptuous. Although he had no intention of replacing her yet, a necessary reprimand couldn’t be omitted. Thus, he didn’t offer a hand to help her up, speaking indifferently instead, “Rise! I entrusted the rear to you out of trust. But if there comes a day when I deem you unworthy of that trust, do not blame me.”
Xiao Jiaru hurriedly made promises, her mind clearing somewhat—she must never employ such clumsy tactics again. “Your Majesty, rest assured, Your Subject merely lost her way momentarily. There will absolutely be no next time. Please forgive me this once!” Her final sentence carried a slight hint of coquettishness.
Just as Fu Xuanrui prepared to scold her further, the closed gates swung open, and Ru Hua Gugu, who served the Empress Dowager, emerged from within.
As Ru Hua approached, she promptly performed a salute. “This maid pays respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.Fu Xuanrui immediately smiled and gestured a symbolic assistance. “Auntie Ru Hua, there’s no need for such formality. I am delighted to see you again.”
“Your Majesty flatters this maid. My mistress instructed me to inform Your Majesty and Her Majesty that when entering the estate, please ride carefully and avoid trampling the wheat on either side. The mistress treasures these crops dearly and would be displeased if they are damaged.”
Knowing that the Empress had given his mother only a thousand taels, Fu Xuanrui was in a position of guilt and thus exceptionally agreeable. Moreover, he understood the importance of grain. “I understand. Please lead the way, Auntie Ru Hua.”
Ru Hua paid respectful salutes to Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru before mounting her horse and guiding their party toward the estate.
Following behind Ru Hua, Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru grew increasingly amazed. Fu Xuanrui observed that within the walls, a moat had been constructed, irrigation channels dug in the fields, and both sides of the path were lined with heavy-headed wheat and unfamiliar crops. The farmers working in the fields appeared healthy, and children could be seen running between the plots. From Fu Xuanrui’s estimation, the distant houses were all built of stone.
Fu Xuanrui now eyed every grain of food as if wanting to stuff it all into his own pockets. “Ru Hua Gugu, the Empress Dowager has managed this Zhuangzi quite well! You won’t be able to harvest all these grains in time, will you? Shall I send people to help you with the harvest later?”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Ruhua felt utterly speechless inwardly. He hadn’t come to see his mother for over half a year, and the moment he showed up, he was already coveting her grains.
If it weren’t for General Jiang leaving her mistress enough silver, her mistress’s life would have been far more difficult!
But what Ruhua thought didn’t matter. She was merely a servant, so she replied respectfully: “Your Majesty, this humble servant cannot make such decisions. You would need to ask my mistress directly.”
Chapter 25: Fu Xuanrui Is Astonished by Jiang Wanwen’s Grandeur Upon First Arrival at the Estate
Xiao Jiaru, leaning on Fu Xuanrui’s supporting hand, stood up smoothly. In a corner where Fu Xuanrui couldn’t see, she flashed a triumphant smile.
After resting overnight at Yongning Wangfu, Fu Xuanrui set off for Chengshui Xian early the next morning with Xiao Jiaru.
This time, Xiao Jiaru was exceptionally thoughtful—preparing five thousand taels of silver and five thousand jin of grain. She also had clothes and a small wooden sword toy prepared for Fu Zhuoxu.
She didn’t ride in a carriage either, instead hurrying on horseback alongside Fu Xuanrui. They departed in the morning and arrived at Jiang Wanwen’s Zhuangzi by early evening.
When Ruhua came to report, Jiang Wanwen was in her experimental field with Fu Xuanming and his siblings, pulling weeds. Even two-year-old Fu Zhuoxu was playing with mud in the ditch by the field.
Seeing the expectant look in Ruhua’s eyes, Jiang Wanwen knew exactly what she was thinking—nothing more than “when under someone else’s roof, one must bow their head.” Ruhua hoped she and Fu Xuanrui would maintain the superficial appearance of a “loving mother and dutiful son.”
But Jiang Wanwen had no intention of bowing her head. “So they’ve arrived. Must I, as their mother, personally go greet them? Go tell them to ride slowly. If they trample and ruin my wheat, I won’t let them off easily!”
Though momentarily stunned, Ruhua quickly went to deliver the message. She worried that if she delayed, the Emperor and Empress might actually ride over the crops, and her mistress would beat them and throw them out.
Once Ruhua left, Fu Xuanming, Fu Xuanchen, and Fu Xuanzhao immediately huddled together while pretending to pull weeds, whispering among themselves.
“Do you think Mother will beat up Eldest Brother later?” Fu Xuanchen was the type to enjoy watching drama unfold.
Fu Xuanzhao first glanced at their mother, then at their nephew amusing himself in the ditch, and said quietly, “I think for Xu Er’s sake, Mother probably won’t embarrass Eldest Brother.”
In Fu Xuanzhao’s mind, their mother was still the endlessly forgiving parent. After all, when Third Brother tripped her, causing her to faint for a day or two, she had only beaten him up.
Moreover, in Fu Xuanzhao’s memory, Eldest Brother had always been more favored by their mother than the rest of them.
“That depends on whether Eldest Brother knows his place,” Fu Xuanming remarked, convinced that Eldest Brother was highly likely to get beaten. He didn’t believe their mother would overlook the fact that Eldest Brother hadn’t come to pay respects, sent gifts, or even written in over half a year.
When Jiang Wanwen finished weeding the area around her and straightened up, she saw the three siblings whispering together. She shouted loudly, “If you three aren’t careful and pull out my wheat, I’ll beat every one of you!”
Hearing their mother’s voice, the three immediately scattered, pretending to focus on weeding while secretly waiting for Eldest Brother and his wife to arrive. They all wanted to see their mother put Eldest Brother in his place.
Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru never expected that upon arriving at the estate, they would be barred from entering. No matter how they identified themselves, the guards at the gate refused to let them in, insisting they wait for someone to seek their mistress’s permission first.
Fu Xuanrui gazed at the repaired traps and towering walls surrounding the area, sinking into deep thought. The more he pondered, the more astonished he became. This was vastly different from the life he had imagined for the Empress Dowager at Zhuangzi Estate.
During the wait for clearance, Fu Xuanrui couldn’t resist asking directly, “Ruer, how much silver did you bring for Mother Empress during your last visit?”
Xiao Jiaru was momentarily stunned. Though tempted to lie, she knew the Emperor would inevitably verify with the Empress Dowager, making the situation worse. She had no choice but to reply truthfully, “At that time, Your Subject had just finished procuring a batch of grain, and there was little silver left in the accounts. I only prepared one thousand taels.”
“One thousand taels?”
Fu Xuanrui’s surprise was justified. Though he had been leading battles at the front, he knew better than anyone whether there were funds in the public treasury. The war had just begun, and moreover, his father had long harbored rebellious intentions. It was only out of compassion—fearing harm might come to Shengyang’s mother and others—that his father had restrained himself, but preparations had been made thoroughly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rebelled so decisively.
Seeing Fu Xuanrui’s reaction, Xiao Jiaru knew her gamble had failed. Without attempting excuses, she immediately knelt on the ground. “Your Subject momentarily lost her way. Please forgive me this once, Your Majesty!”
Fu Xuanrui felt the Empress was becoming presumptuous. Although he had no intention of replacing her yet, a necessary reprimand couldn’t be omitted. Thus, he didn’t offer a hand to help her up, speaking indifferently instead, “Rise! I entrusted the rear to you out of trust. But if there comes a day when I deem you unworthy of that trust, do not blame me.”
Xiao Jiaru hurriedly made promises, her mind clearing somewhat—she must never employ such clumsy tactics again. “Your Majesty, rest assured, Your Subject merely lost her way momentarily. There will absolutely be no next time. Please forgive me this once!” Her final sentence carried a slight hint of coquettishness.
Just as Fu Xuanrui prepared to scold her further, the closed gates swung open, and Ru Hua Gugu, who served the Empress Dowager, emerged from within.
As Ru Hua approached, she promptly performed a salute. “This maid pays respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.Fu Xuanrui immediately smiled and gestured a symbolic assistance. “Auntie Ru Hua, there’s no need for such formality. I am delighted to see you again.”
“Your Majesty flatters this maid. My mistress instructed me to inform Your Majesty and Her Majesty that when entering the estate, please ride carefully and avoid trampling the wheat on either side. The mistress treasures these crops dearly and would be displeased if they are damaged.”
Knowing that the Empress had given his mother only a thousand taels, Fu Xuanrui was in a position of guilt and thus exceptionally agreeable. Moreover, he understood the importance of grain. “I understand. Please lead the way, Auntie Ru Hua.”
Ru Hua paid respectful salutes to Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru before mounting her horse and guiding their party toward the estate.
Following behind Ru Hua, Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru grew increasingly amazed. Fu Xuanrui observed that within the walls, a moat had been constructed, irrigation channels dug in the fields, and both sides of the path were lined with heavy-headed wheat and unfamiliar crops. The farmers working in the fields appeared healthy, and children could be seen running between the plots. From Fu Xuanrui’s estimation, the distant houses were all built of stone.
Fu Xuanrui now eyed every grain of food as if wanting to stuff it all into his own pockets. “Ru Hua Gugu, the Empress Dowager has managed this Zhuangzi quite well! You won’t be able to harvest all these grains in time, will you? Shall I send people to help you with the harvest later?”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Ruhua felt utterly speechless inwardly. He hadn’t come to see his mother for over half a year, and the moment he showed up, he was already coveting her grains.
If it weren’t for General Jiang leaving her mistress enough silver, her mistress’s life would have been far more difficult!
But what Ruhua thought didn’t matter. She was merely a servant, so she replied respectfully: “Your Majesty, this humble servant cannot make such decisions. You would need to ask my mistress directly.”