Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 101: Nianbo Garrison (Bonus Chapter for 1120 Pink Votes)

Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhao Ling had not returned, only sending a brief letter of reassurance through Zhao Ming.

Fu Tingyun summoned Zhao Ming for a conversation. "How is Ninth Master's health? Has he been busy with official duties these days?"

This was Zhao Ming’s first time meeting Fu Tingyun. Though separated by a bamboo curtain, the faint fragrance, her graceful silhouette, and her clear yet melodious voice left him momentarily dazed before he could respond.

"Nianbo Garrison may be remote, but since the chiliarch came from the Capital Military Office, we didn’t dare slack off. We specially hired two capable sisters to take care of his daily needs. It’s certainly not as comfortable as home, but it’s clean and tidy." His smile carried a hint of sycophantic eagerness. "Nianbo Garrison was long controlled by the Wu Family. After the Mongol invasion left it in shambles, the chiliarch took over only to find that military pay had been delayed for years, the garrison’s estates were ruined, the horses were aged, and the weapons outdated… It was a mess upon closer inspection, with nothing going right. These days, the chiliarch has been busy with military training and calculating the owed pay. With autumn approaching, winter provisions are still uncertain, so I’ve been running back and forth to the General Military Headquarters on his orders—either pleading poverty before Deputy General Wang or borrowing funds from Marquis Yingchuan…" At this point, he puffed out his chest slightly, as if merely speaking with Marquis Yingchuan was a tremendous honor. "But our chiliarch has the face for it—neither Marquis Yingchuan nor Deputy General Wang gave me any trouble. This time, Marquis Yingchuan allocated three thousand taels of silver to Nianbo Garrison for winter. His former superior, Commander Lu, also sent two hundred dan of grain. Now everyone in the garrison praises the chiliarch’s wisdom. Even the Wu Family, who once dared to challenge him openly, have now fallen in line." He finished with a proud smile, adding, "We all think we should address him as chiliarch, but he insists on being called ‘hundred-household commander’ since that’s his current rank, so we have no choice but to comply!"

Zhao Ling had always been skilled at managing subordinates. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to rally a force from nothing in the past, eventually making even the Feng Family wary of him.

But this wasn’t Fu Tingyun’s main concern. She pondered for a moment before asking, "Is Ninth Master so busy that he couldn’t even find time to meet Marquis Yingchuan? Did the Marquis say anything when you saw him?"

"No, nothing at all!" Zhao Ming quickly replied with a smile. "Marquis Yingchuan seemed pleased to hear the chiliarch was busy training the troops. He even sent a jar of wine for him." Lowering his voice conspiratorially, he added, "According to Adjutant Lin, who serves the Marquis, it was originally a gift from the Emperor to the Duke of Fu—then the Duke’s wife had it specially delivered to the Marquis…" He clicked his tongue in admiration. "A gift from the Emperor!"

Could it be that someone else had killed Feng Dahu?

At this moment, Fu Tingyun’s desire to see Zhao Ling grew even stronger.She patiently exchanged a few words with Zhao Ming, then had Zheng San accompany him for a meal. Leaning her elbow on the table with her chin propped in her hand, she sat there for a long while. When Zheng San returned to report that Zhao Ming had left, she immediately instructed him: "We'll set out for Nianbo Garrison tomorrow."

Zheng San had also made discreet inquiries and knew Zhao Ling had been stationed at Nianbo Garrison all this time. A weight lifted from his mind. As a servant, he naturally wouldn't oppose Fu Tingyun's decision. He respectfully acknowledged the order and went to prepare the carriage and horses.

Meanwhile, Zheng Sanniang busied herself helping Fu Tingyun pack clothes and prepare provisions.

Fu Tingyun instructed A Sen: "With me gone, I'm entrusting household matters to you. Don't act childish—take good care of Sanniang and Linchun. I'll return in twenty days at most."

After all, Nianbo Garrison was a military post. She didn't plan to stay long—just see Zhao Ling, exchange a few words, then return.

A Sen badly wanted to go along, but considering Fu Tingyun had entrusted him with household responsibilities, he pouted but ultimately nodded reluctantly.

Zheng Sanniang, however, was uneasy: "I should accompany you..."

"No need." Fu Tingyun wouldn't feel at ease leaving A Sen and Linchun alone at home. "By carriage, traveling day and night, it's only seven or eight days' journey. And at Nianbo Garrison, Ninth Master will have serving women attending him."

Not daring to contradict her wishes, Zheng Sanniang instead gave endless advice about the journey. At dawn the next day, she saw Fu Tingyun off.

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The entire route was blanketed in endless yellow sand, the sun hanging in the sky like a fiery orb, baking the earth with waves of heat. Fortunately, temperatures cooled at dawn and dusk—otherwise, traveling in such weather would surely cause heatstroke or serious illness.

Entering Nianbo Garrison, they encountered only military households along the way. The journey was peaceful, though occasionally people would approach them with wary eyes, asking whom they sought. Worried about encountering sycophants who might delay her with excessive hospitality, Fu Tingyun uniformly claimed they were looking for Zhao Ming, who had transferred from Zhuanglang Garrison.

Everyone seemed familiar with Zhao Ming—some sneered, while others eagerly gave directions. Within two or three days, they reached the garrison headquarters at Ledu.

Ledu was a small town with a single main street running through it. Upon entering town, Zheng San spotted Zhao Ming sitting in a street-side tavern, drinking and boasting with two or three men, surrounded by four or five young fellows listening with keen interest.

"...That woman—skin white as snow, delicate brows that would just slightly furrow," he said, mimicking the expression with a pained look that seemed utterly out of place on his rough face, raising goosebumps. "Just seeing it made my heart ache, let alone our captain!" He shook his head with exaggerated admiration. "Our captain is truly a lucky man!"

The group burst into laughter.

One of Zhao Ming's drinking companions chuckled, "Captain Zhao has the looks to match. How can you compare? You can only look and ache with envy!"

"True, true!" Zhao Ming laughed unperturbed, taking a sip from his cup. "Can't help feeling envious, that's all!"

The crowd roared with laughter.

Zheng San couldn't help but frown.

Truth be told, he could somewhat understand Zhao Ming.A group of men gathered here—what else would they talk about besides women? Just like when they escorted caravans, they would tell a few bawdy jokes to pass the time during idle nights. But if they were using Fu Tingyun as gossip fodder, he found the words too grating to bear.

Just as he was about to call out to Zhao Ming, a young woman emerged from the kitchen behind them, carrying a plate of food. She wore a blue headscarf, a white blouse, and a bright blue skirt.

"Commander Zhao," she said with a smile as radiant as a hibiscus flower, her eyes curving into crescents. "I heard you've met the lady from Hundred Household Zhao's family—is that true?"

The lady from his family?

Then who had Zhao Ming been talking about earlier?

Zheng San suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. At the same time, Fu Tingyun's low, slightly icy voice reached his ears: "Stay quiet. Listen to what Zhao Ming says."

His head buzzed, and for a long moment, all he could see were Zhao Ming's lips moving soundlessly.

But Fu Tingyun heard every word clearly.

"Only met her once," Zhao Ming said, unconsciously straightening his posture. "To be honest, she truly carried herself like the proper wife. There was a curtain between us, and a young married woman stood beside it. Whenever she asked me questions, that woman remained there the whole time. Dressed neatly, wearing silver hairpins and bracelets—even more refined than Hundred Household Chen's wife. Every time I visited, she was courteous, either sending me snacks or fruits..."

The people in the tavern listened with keen interest.

The proper wife?

Then who was the lesser wife?

Fu Tingyun felt as if a fire were smoldering inside her, growing fiercer by the moment. By the end, she was practically gnashing her teeth as she ordered Zheng San, "Head to the Nianbo Garrison office."

Zheng San didn’t dare utter a word and drove the carriage forward along the street.

Some in the tavern had already noticed their carriage, but since this was the only eatery in town, travelers often stopped here for meals, so no one paid much attention. Now that the carriage didn’t stop but continued down the street, someone remarked curiously, "Huh, where’s that carriage from?"

At this, everyone turned to look outside.

Zhao Ming let out an "Oh!" and stood up abruptly. "That’s the Hundred Household’s—I recognize the driver, he’s the Hundred Household’s steward." As he spoke, he hurriedly got up and called out, "Brother Zheng San!"

Zheng San hesitated over whether to stop and greet Zhao Ming, but the Nianbo Garrison office was already in sight.

He pulled the carriage to a halt. Before he could even set down the footstool, Fu Tingyun leaped out and strode straight into the office.

Zhao Ming had already caught up. "Brother Zheng San, if you were coming to the garrison, you should’ve told me—I could’ve welcomed you properly." As he spoke, he glanced curiously at Fu Tingyun’s retreating figure. "Who is...?"

Zheng San hesitated.

So did the gatekeeper.

Since the driver knew the commander, surely the passenger was also familiar.

Thus, Fu Tingyun entered the office unimpeded.

It was midday, and most of the staff had gone for lunch. The front hall was quiet and empty.

Fu Tingyun walked straight into the inner hall.

At the center of the room stood a large black-lacquered round table inlaid with snow-white marble. Two sharp-eyed women were setting out bowls and chopsticks while whispering to each other. Sensing movement, they looked up to see an unfamiliar woman walking in with light, graceful steps, her demeanor poised and unruffled.This was the office of Nianbo Garrison. Ever since Chiliarch Zhao dealt with the Wu Family, even deputy chiliarchs would arrive here with deference. Who was this woman, daring to show neither a smile nor the slightest caution...

The two women grew displeased, and one of them stepped forward to scold, "Who are you, miss? Don't you know this is the office of Nianbo Garrison?" Her tone carried a condescending arrogance. "Step back at once! Or I'll call the guards!"

Fu Tingyun's eyes were fixed solely on the two sets of bowls and chopsticks laid out on the large round table.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Two sets of bowls and chopsticks!

Why would he set two places when eating alone?

If there were guests, why was there no sound of conversation or laughter?

Typically, in a government office, the east chamber was the inner quarters, while the west chamber served as the study.

She headed straight for the east chamber.

"What are you barging in for, woman?" The two women hadn't expected the intruder to show not the slightest hesitation. By the time they snapped out of their surprise and moved to stop her, Fu Tingyun had already entered the inner chamber.

Zhao Ling seemed to have just returned from outside, his face flushed. Having removed his official uniform, he wore only his underwear as he washed his face with well water. Hearing the commotion, he looked up, his long eyebrows slightly furrowed in displeasure.

After just a few days apart, you don’t even recognize me anymore!

Fu Tingyun sneered inwardly and yanked off the kerchief covering her head.

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Today's extra update is a bit late, and the regular update will also be delayed, probably around 10 PM. If it's too late for you, feel free to read it tomorrow morning!

Sorry about that.

O(∩_∩)O~

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(End of Chapter)