Chapter 108: Speaking Frankly (Bonus Chapter for 1240 Pink Votes)
"Miss Tang, after your father's passing, you traveled alone with just two maids and two stewards all the way from Xi'an Prefecture to Nianbo Garrison. Such courage alone proves you're every bit as remarkable as any man. Since arriving at Nianbo Garrison, you've treated Ninth Master and me with such familiarity as to entrust your concerns to us directly—this shows you must be an open and straightforward person. Therefore, I'll likewise set aside formalities and speak plainly. If anything I say seems abrupt, please don't take it to heart."
Miss Tang's heart pounded rapidly: "Miss Fu, I've known Ninth Master for five or six years now. As you said, I consider him and you close acquaintances, which is why I came..."
"Excellent!" Fu Tingyun interrupted with a smile. "What worries you, Miss Tang, is simply the preservation of your father's estate." She tactfully avoided mentioning any fears of foul play. "Might I suggest you consider taking a live-in son-in-law?"
"Miss Fu!" Miss Tang stared at Fu Tingyun in astonishment.
Fu Tingyun nodded solemnly. "You may not have studied our dynasty's legal codes." Few had—even most scholars never read the complete statutes. "According to our laws: For taking a son-in-law, there must be a matchmaker, a clear marriage contract specifying provisions for elderly care or duration of residence. Families with only one son may not send him as a live-in groom. If taking an elderly-care son-in-law, one must also designate a clan successor for ancestral rites, with the estate divided equally. If no successor is designated before death, the clan head shall appoint one according to custom."
Zhao Ling immediately grasped Fu Tingyun's meaning, his eyes lighting up: "Brilliant! This solution is perfect!"
Miss Tang, however, remained confused, looking at Zhao Ling's expression in bewilderment.
"For a live-in marriage, the property division and ancestral succession must be explicitly documented. Since your situation inevitably involves the Feng family, we could have them serve as guarantors, clearly stipulating how your estate should be handled," Fu Tingyun explained. "For instance: If you were to pass prematurely with underage children, how should the property be managed? Or if you passed without heirs, how then? With the Feng family as witnesses, no one would dare violate such terms. If someone merely coveted your wealth, harsh conditions offering no advantage would deter them. But a genuine admirer would happily help maintain your household even without material gain. Two benefits achieved at once—wouldn't that be ideal?"
"This..." Miss Tang gazed at Fu Tingyun's smiling face, then at Zhao Ling's admiring look toward her, feeling nothing but profound bitterness in her heart."Given Ninth Master's temperament and your family's relationship with him, it would be ideal if he were to handle this matter of guarantee," Fu Tingyun said sincerely. "But now that Ninth Master is part of the officialdom, with superiors like chiliarchs, commanders, regional commanders, and generals—too numerous to count—it might not be as straightforward as having the Feng family intervene. Firstly, Ninth Master's strained relationship with Master Tang isn't something that can be openly discussed, making his involvement in ancestral temple affairs somewhat improper. Secondly, everyone knows about the disputes between the Feng and Tang families. If the Feng family steps in to protect you, it would truly be a rescue in times of peril, making their involvement more justified than Ninth Master's. If Miss Tang finds my suggestion acceptable," she said, glancing at Zhao Ling, "I could ask Ninth Master to draft a letter on your behalf." Her tone carried a hint of hesitation, but Zhao Ling nodded firmly at her without delay. Seeing this, Fu Tingyun broke into a sweet smile, her voice growing more resolute. "I believe the Feng family, out of respect for Ninth Master, would treat this matter with due seriousness. Miss Tang, what do you think?"
Miss Tang stared at Fu Tingyun, whose beauty under the moonlight bloomed like an ephemeral flower, her handkerchief crumpled tightly in her hand.
Was she just going to let it go like this?
She couldn't accept it.
After a moment of silence, Miss Tang replied gravely, "I fear the Feng family might see me as nothing more than meat on a chopping block. If that happens, it’d be like throwing good money after bad—no return!"
"Other than the Feng family, I don’t know of any other suitable candidates," Fu Tingyun sighed. "I may not know much, but I’ve heard from my wet nurse about swindlers and kidnappers who devise all sorts of traps for mere tens or hundreds of taels of silver. Even Presented Scholars and high-ranking officials sometimes fall for them, let alone ordinary folk. When Master Tang was alive, though his reputation in the countryside was modest, he was a formidable figure in the northwestern circles. Many with ill intentions must know about the Tang family’s affairs, and countless eyes are likely watching in the shadows. Even if Ninth Master managed to entrust you to someone like Marquis Yingchuan or Deputy General Wang, they might not fully grasp the intricacies of the situation. With deception preying on innocence, no one can guarantee they wouldn’t be fooled. Only the Feng family, with their connections in both lawful and unlawful circles, could see through such schemes. To them, these underhanded tricks would be like brandishing an axe before Lu Ban—utterly futile. They could deter those who thrive on deceit."
Miss Tang trembled with anger but found herself unable to refute a single word.
This Fu Shi was clearly mocking her for her humble origins, implying that the Tang family’s downfall was inevitable and that she had no choice but to rely on the Feng family for protection...
"Ninth Master!" She turned to Zhao Ling, her eyes glistening with tears, her opposition unmistakable.
Fu Tingyun felt displeased.
If Miss Tang truly wanted to discuss this properly, why did she keep looking to Zhao Ling for rescue at the slightest hint of trouble?
With that thought, she made a decision. Without waiting for Zhao Ling to respond, Fu Tingyun said, "Miss Tang, my knowledge is limited. Whether this works or not is ultimately your decision. I’m only concerned that the longer this drags on, the worse it will be for you."
Let’s see how you try to scare me now!
Miss Tang sneered inwardly but maintained a deferential facade. "Miss Fu, what do you mean by that?""Different trades are separated by mountains. Not long after Master Tang passed away, it's likely that everyone on the northwestern routes knew about the vast fortune he left Miss Tang, but the scions of official families might not be aware," Fu Tingyun said. "Given time, it's inevitable that swindlers and kidnappers would collude with those good-for-nothing young masters from prominent families to scheme against Miss Tang. By then, even the Feng family might steer clear. If those people succeed... I fear even their elders would look down on Miss Tang. Forget about a proper marriage—securing any legitimate status would be difficult. Besides, those willing to collude with such ruffians are hardly upstanding characters themselves, and may not even intend to marry Miss Tang properly..."
Miss Tang was overjoyed upon hearing this.
She had thought this Miss Fu had some clever strategy, but it turned out to be nothing more than this.
Fu Tingyun had already said everything she needed to hear. Waiting any longer would just make her look foolish.
"That's precisely why Peiling begs Ninth Master and Miss Fu to take me in," she said, rising to her feet. Biting her red lips, she knelt before Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun with a mix of stubbornness and shyness.
So Miss Tang's given name was Peiling!
Fu Tingyun picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.
After all this circling, she had finally gotten Miss Tang to "speak her mind."
Zhao Ling would undoubtedly help Miss Tang. But Fu Tingyun couldn't stay at Nianbo Garrison indefinitely until Miss Tang's affairs were settled. Rather than waste time arguing with Miss Tang, it was better to lay things out plainly. That way, Miss Tang wouldn't resort to gestures like praying for her at the City God Temple. Fu Tingyun had no desire to be labeled a "jealous woman" later.
The rest was up to Zhao Ling.
Without a direct refusal from him, Miss Tang would never give up!
She also turned her gaze to Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling sighed inwardly.
He wasn't unaware of Miss Tang's feelings for him. Back then, he had been intent on returning to Jiangnan and hadn't planned to settle down. Later, Miss Tang had always carried herself with grace, and he thought the matter was behind them. He admired her straightforwardness and treated her with respect. Yet now, even after he had made it clear he was betrothed, she was still willing to...
Could it really be, as Tingyun had suggested, that Miss Tang was motivated by the vast fortune her father had left?
But then again, it was understandable.
If this wealth had been painstakingly accumulated by his own family over generations, he wouldn't be willing to let it go easily either.
"Miss Tang, please rise!" Zhao Ling said with a sigh. "I will find a way to help you. There's no need to humble yourself like this."
Fu Tingyun was surprised to sense Zhao Ling's pity for Miss Tang.
Miss Tang naturally noticed it too: "Ninth Master, I don't feel humbled. My late father had repeatedly wished to entrust the Tang family's affairs to you. I am merely honoring his final wishes. I beg you, Ninth Master..." She couldn't bring herself to say anything more explicit.
Though Fu Tingyun knew Zhao Ling wouldn't break his promise to her, she still felt a pang of sourness. Her large eyes flicked toward Zhao Ling with a teasing, sidelong glance.Zhao Ling saw her looking like she was enjoying the spectacle and pretended to glare at her in mock anger. He tilted his chin slightly, signaling for her to quickly help Miss Tang up, but his tone remained gentle as he said, "Miss Tang, you should know my temperament. Something like kicking someone when they're down is something I, Zhao Ling, would never do. Rest assured, I will do my utmost for your matter. There’s truly no need for you to act like this—it only makes me seem greedy and ungrateful, as if I’m exploiting kindness for gain."
How could this be?
A flicker of confusion passed through Miss Tang’s eyes.
She had already humbled herself to such an extent, yet he remained unmoved. Was he truly so heartless, without even a shred of sympathy for her?
Zhao Ling’s earlier words and expressions flashed through her mind like a series of paintings, one after another.
Oh no!
She jolted in realization.
She had fallen into Fu Shi’s trap.
Fu Shi had repeatedly claimed that she was after the family’s vast wealth… No wonder Zhao Ling felt that accepting her would make him seem greedy and ungrateful!
Beads of cold sweat broke out on Miss Tang’s forehead.
"Ninth Master, please listen to me," she said, reaching out to grasp Zhao Ling’s sleeve, but Fu Tingyun seized her arm instead. "Miss Tang, whatever you have to say, you can say it standing up. We’re around the same age—there’s no need for such formality between us. Acting like this only makes us seem like strangers."
Claiming they weren’t strangers, yet treating her like an outsider at every turn…
Miss Tang’s heart ached with anger, and she nearly raised her elbow to shake Fu Tingyun off—but then she caught sight of Zhao Ling.
He was blinded by this honey-tongued, scheming woman. If she really hurt Fu Tingyun, he would surely be displeased, wouldn’t he?
With that thought, Miss Tang forcibly swallowed her rage.
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Today’s update is an hour earlier than yesterday’s… I’m doing my best, so I’d appreciate it if you could throw a few pink votes my way for support!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: The update will be delayed by a few hours!
(End of chapter)
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