Chapter 106: Fearless (Bonus Chapter for 1200 Pink Votes)
"So what?" Zhao Ling replied, his expression icy. The fact that Fu Tingyun had been coveted by petty villains and forced to flee to Wang Furen's home for safety was the greatest humiliation of his life. If he didn't kill Feng Dahu, he wouldn't have the face to see Fu Tingyun again. Noticing her worried expression, his demeanor softened slightly as he offered a smile, hoping to ease her anxiety. Still concerned, he explained further, "Before, I only cared about brotherhood and wanted to secure a future for Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others—that's why I led them into military service. But now it's different. I have you, and soon we'll have our own family. I'll be more careful and handle things with greater caution." He tightly grasped Fu Tingyun's hand, his gaze no longer tender but solemn. "Nannan, please believe me—I will never let you suffer such humiliation again." His voice was quiet, but his expression was grave, his tone sincere, carrying an undeniable conviction.
Fu Tingyun instinctively nodded, her eyes welling with tears until her vision blurred.
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The next day, the sound of neighing horses shattered the quiet of Si Baihu's household.
"I told you—if it got too late, Lord Zhao would definitely stay overnight at Brother Si's place in Minhe Town," Zhao Ming declared in a booming voice tinged with pride. "Well, Brother Zheng San, was I right?"
Zheng San chuckled and flattered, "Commander Zhao truly has a soldier's insight."
Si Baihu, who had come out to greet them, laughed heartily. "This brother speaks the truth! What could possibly escape our Brother Zhao's sharp eyes?" He then loudly ordered his servants to tend to the horses and feed them the finest fodder before clasping his hands toward Zheng San. "And this brother is…?"
"Steward Zheng San of Lord Zhao's household!" Zhao Ming quickly introduced them.
"An honor! An honor!" Si Baihu's smile grew even warmer.
"You flatter me!" Zheng San replied modestly.
The lively chatter and laughter woke Fu Tingyun.
Her conversation with Zhao Ling had finally eased the lingering anxiety in her heart, allowing her to sleep soundly through the night.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, she sat up to find the room brightly lit and the bride sitting neatly dressed by the kang, sewing shoe soles. Startled, she asked, "What time is it?"
"Almost noon," the bride replied with a smile, setting aside her needlework to fetch wash water for Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun inwardly groaned.
She usually rose at dawn—how could she have overslept in someone else's home? What must the Si family think of her?
Hurriedly thanking the bride, she rushed to get ready.
Watching her, the bride recalled the sounds she had overheard outside the door the previous night.
The moment Miss Fu showed the slightest displeasure, Lord Zhao would find ways to coax her into laughter… Who would have thought that the usually cold and imposing Lord Zhao would act like this in front of his betrothed? Still, Lord Zhao and Miss Fu reminded her of herself and her husband—whenever she was upset, her husband would cheer her up too… She now regarded Fu Tingyun with greater warmth and kindly reassured her, "My mother-in-law said you suffered a fright yesterday. It's best if you slept longer—otherwise, you'd need to visit the Great Buddha Temple for a calming ritual."
Fu Tingyun smiled awkwardly.Last night, she and Zhao Ling had chatted endlessly, their conversation seemingly inexhaustible. If not for the bride coughing twice from the night breeze, they might have talked until who knows when!
Recalling how reluctantly Zhao Ling had seen her back to her room last night, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart and asked the bride, "Has Lord Zhao woken up yet?"
"Lord Zhao has only just risen," the bride replied with a smile. "He came to check on you, but seeing you were still asleep, he told us not to disturb you. He’s now in the main hall with my father-in-law."
Fu Tingyun’s cheeks flushed slightly. Remembering the commotion she’d heard upon waking, she quickly asked, "Has someone arrived? Why all the noise?"
The bride went to check and returned with a bowl of rubbed noodles.
"It’s Vice Commander Zhao and your family’s Zheng San," she said, placing the bowl on the kang table. "They said they’d been searching for you separately with Lord Zhao and others, all the way to the Datong River. Vice Commander Zhao thought it unlikely you’d crossed the river, so he and Zheng San rested at the courier station overnight. They came to Minhe Town first thing this morning and heard you and Lord Zhao had stayed here last night, so they came straight over. They’re now talking with Lord Zhao in the main hall." She gestured to the large bowl. "Have some noodles to tide you over—lunch will be ready soon."
Fu Tingyun felt ashamed.
Her momentary willfulness had sent Zhao Ming, Zheng San, and others running all over the place...
She murmured her thanks to the bride and was about to eat the noodles when Zheng San came to pay his respects.
Seeing Fu Tingyun glowing with happiness, Zheng San knew the storm had passed, but he couldn’t help gently reminding her, "Thankfully, Lord Zhao left two gentle horses for your use. If anything had happened, regret would’ve been too late."
Fu Tingyun’s face reddened with discomfort.
Zheng San tactfully changed the subject: "Ninth Master said we’ll return to Ledu after lunch..." Though inwardly, he wondered about Fu Tingyun’s stance regarding Miss Tang, who was also in Ledu.
Fu Tingyun nodded, feeling she should clarify the situation to avoid confusion. "Ninth Master and I discussed it yesterday. After Master Tang’s passing, there are unresolved matters. Miss Tang asked Ninth Master to mediate, but given his current circumstances, he can’t get directly involved. Still, out of respect for Master Tang, he can’t simply walk away. Miss Tang will likely stay in Ledu a while longer. As guests from afar, we’ll extend courtesy to her before returning to Zhangye."
Zheng San had heard Zhao Ming praise Miss Tang repeatedly during their journey—her beauty, her vast inheritance as an orphan with no siblings, and how fortunate any man would be to marry her. Zhao Ming had even suggested that Miss Tang’s long journey to seek out Lord Zhao hinted at admiration, and if she were willing to be a concubine, who could refuse such an opportunity?
Zheng San found Zhao Ming’s reasoning persuasive.
He couldn’t help worrying for Fu Tingyun.
After all, marriage wasn’t just about uniting families—it was also about continuing the lineage and ensuring prosperity.He knew Zhao Ling was a man of his word, but if Miss Tang was truly willing to lower herself to become a concubine, even though Fu Tingyun was beautiful and virtuous, and shared a bond of hardship with Zhao Ling, judging by Zhao Ming's tone, Miss Tang wasn't unattractive either. Add to that her willingness to be a concubine, her substantial private wealth, and the potential of bearing children—over time, no matter how beautiful or virtuous Fu Tingyun was, she might struggle to keep Miss Tang in check. If a wife couldn't control her husband's concubine, her position would be in name only.
Fu Tingyun had saved his life, and as her servant, his loyalty naturally lay with her.
Throughout the journey, he had been frantic—afraid Fu Tingyun might stubbornly clash with Zhao Ling, giving Miss Tang an opening, or that she might naively agree to let Miss Tang become a concubine...
Thankfully, Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling had reconciled, and Zhao Ling was an honorable gentleman!
Only now did he truly relax, rising to take his leave.
Si Taitai's rubbed noodles were delightfully chewy, with a light and refreshing broth—utterly delicious. Fu Tingyun finished a large bowl, leaving no room for lunch. She sat chatting with the bride, tidying up their belongings. When Zhao Ling's banquet ended, Si Taitai brought snacks and fruits for the road and personally escorted her to the carriage.
Fu Tingyun looked up and saw Zhao Ling in a ginger-yellow linen robe, bidding farewell to Si Baihu at the gate.
As if sensing her gaze, Zhao Ling suddenly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
His gaze instantly burned with intensity.
This was their first meeting since confessing their feelings.
Despite the crowd between them, she could feel his tender affection.
Fu Tingyun’s face flushed like morning clouds.
With a hurried nod in Zhao Ling’s direction, she fled into the carriage.
Even after the carriage left Minhe Town, her heart continued to race.
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Her jet-black hair was coiled into a bun, adorned with two pure white mutton-fat jade hairpins. She wore a turquoise gauze blouse with a right-front closure and a lotus-hued Hangzhou silk pleated skirt, radiant as a pomegranate blossom in May. Her face, dotted with beads of sweat on her forehead and nose, was unpowdered yet appeared even fairer and more delicate than her usually proud snow-white complexion.
Miss Tang studied the woman before her, her gaze flickering uncertainly.
Who would have thought that Zhao Ling, so proud and aloof, would chase after her in front of so many people!
Fu Tingyun paid no mind to Miss Tang’s shifting moods.
As long as Zhao Ling remained devoted, she feared nothing.
She smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the wives of the centurions and baihus who had come to welcome her safe return, patiently answering their questions: "How did Lord Zhao find you in the end?" "Thank goodness you only fell into the water—what if you'd been hurt?" "I know Si Taitai too—her rubbed noodles are unmatched. You’re lucky to have tasted them!" She invited the ladies into the hall, instructing Zhao Ling’s two serving women to serve tea.
Miss Tang followed them in, sitting humbly on a small stool near the door—a position that, ironically, made her stand out all the more.A woman beckoned to her with a smile, "Miss Tang, you're practically family. Come sit closer." Then she turned to Fu Tingyun with a grin, "Miss Fu, you might not know this. When your horse got spooked, Miss Tang was so worried something might happen to you that she spent the entire night at the City God Temple burning incense and praying for your safety."
The other women nodded in agreement, praising Miss Tang for her kind heart.
Fu Tingyun looked genuinely surprised. "Miss Tang is too modest. I wouldn't have known if you all hadn't mentioned it." She curtsied slightly toward Miss Tang with a smile, "Thank you for your concern." Then with genuine care, she added, "I did notice you looked pale today, but I never imagined you'd spent the whole night at the City God Temple. You must be exhausted! You should go rest immediately. Staying up all night is terrible for one's health."
Miss Tang quickly demurred, "It's nothing, really. Since I couldn't be of much help, I could only pray to the Bodhisattva for Miss Fu's safety."
"That was very thoughtful of you," Fu Tingyun thanked her repeatedly and urged her to rest. "Otherwise, I'd feel terribly guilty."
Some of the ladies exchanged glances and sipped their tea quietly. Others joined Fu Tingyun in persuading Miss Tang, who finally yielded to their insistence. After apologizing to the ladies for leaving early, she retired to her room to rest.
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I'd love to update more frequently, but work commitments sometimes get in the way. After much deliberation, I've decided to count this chapter as an extra update. Today's regular update might come later, so don't wait up—you can read it tomorrow morning... O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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