Chapter 113: Astonishment
After returning from Wang Furen's place, a light drizzle began to fall. Fu Tingyun tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep as thoughts of Zhao Ling filled her mind.
The next morning, the sky cleared, but Zhao Ling still hadn't returned.
Fu Tingyun sighed and instructed Zheng San to take down the lanterns hanging on the trees, now thoroughly drenched and ruined by the rain. Meanwhile, A Sen ran to the grocery store at the street corner and spent two coins to buy a handful of candies. Sitting on the steps in front of the store, he silently ate his sweets, watching the passersby with a quiet melancholy that tugged at the shopkeeper's heart.
"Did you have a fight with your sister-in-law?" the shopkeeper's wife asked sympathetically.
Before she could finish her sentence, A Sen jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "You're the one who fought with your sister-in-law!" he retorted before darting back home.
"Brat!" the shopkeeper's wife scolded with a laugh before turning back to her business.
A Sen returned home with his head hanging low and found Fu Tingyun kneading dough in the kitchen.
"Miss, what are you making?" he asked curiously.
"Some flaky mooncakes," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "Ninth Master hasn't had any homemade mooncakes this year yet." Her expression was gentle and serene, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her lips.
"But..." A Sen wanted to say that Ninth Master had gone off quietly to handle some business this time and would likely have to ask Lord Wang for weapons for the Nianbo Garrison upon his return. There would surely be banquets and social obligations, leaving little time for him to stay at home. But he swallowed his words.
What if Ninth Master really managed to spare a few days at home?
Wouldn't saying such things now only upset Miss Fu?
With that thought, A Sen hurried into the kitchen. "Miss, let me help you make the mooncakes!"
Fu Tingyun smiled at him, patiently explaining how to make the pastries while asking what Wang Furen's eldest daughter had talked to him about.
He kept his lips tightly sealed, refusing to answer no matter how she pressed.
Fu Tingyun simply laughed.
That evening, Zhao Ling still hadn't returned.
The next day, Fu Tingyun took A Sen to see Wang Furen off.
Everyone, whether in carriages or sedan chairs, accompanied Wang Furen and her daughter to the Seven Stars Temple outside the city. Shanning Daozhang personally hosted a vegetarian feast, and after the meal, they bid farewell to Wang Furen and her daughter. The guests exchanged pleasantries before dispersing.
Just as Fu Tingyun was about to board her carriage, Xiao Shi, who was surrounded by the other ladies, called out warmly to her, "Miss Fu, let's return together!" She invited Fu Tingyun to share her carriage.
All the wives, madams, and concubines turned their eyes toward Fu Tingyun, making her the sudden center of attention.
"I wouldn't dare trouble Xiao Yiniang," Fu Tingyun replied politely with a gentle smile, declining the offer.
Xiao Shi chuckled knowingly. "Actually, I have something I'd like to discuss with you, Miss Fu."
Her gaze was clear, her expression sincere.
Given the circumstances and Xiao Shi's demeanor, refusing again would seem ungracious. Fu Tingyun thanked her with a smile and boarded Xiao Shi's carriage.
The interior was paneled with nanmu wood, adorned with an exquisite Persian carpet. A few crimson embroidered cushions were casually strewn about, exuding an air of luxurious indolence that left Fu Tingyun inwardly astonished.Xiao Shi seemed to sense something and smiled as she extended her fair, delicate hand to lift the purple clay teapot beside her. She poured a cup of warm Iron Goddess of Mercy for Fu Tingyun, hinting with a smile, "These are all the Marquis's preferences!"
Fu Tingyun held the cup as thin as a cicada's wing in her hand, her nerves stretched to the limit.
What did Xiao Shi mean by this?
Maintaining her composure, Fu Tingyun feigned admiration in response to Xiao Shi's words and said with a smile, "It seems the Marquis is a man who knows how to live well."
"Indeed!" Xiao Shi chuckled. "The Marquis is most particular in his dealings with people."
Fu Tingyun smiled faintly.
Since Xiao Shi had sought her out and her words and actions carried an air of peculiarity, Fu Tingyun decided to remain calm and observe.
She had just steeled herself when Xiao Shi suddenly burst into laughter and said, "Miss Fu, you must think I have something important to discuss with you, don’t you? Actually, no—I simply wanted to see for myself how beautiful the woman is who could drive Feng Dahu to risk his life and Lord Zhao to kill across a thousand miles!" As she spoke, her captivating eyes fixed intently on Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun felt as if struck by lightning.
How did she know Zhao Ling had killed Feng Dahu?
If she knew, did that mean Marquis Yingchuan and the Xiping Marquis also knew?
The mere thought of the consequences sent a chill through her fingertips.
In the past, Fu Tingyun might have betrayed her shock, but after journeying westward with Zhao Ling and enduring countless hardships, she was no longer an ordinary sheltered maiden. Though caught off guard by Xiao Shi’s words, she managed to conceal her true emotions and quickly devised a countermeasure. The moment Xiao Shi finished speaking, Fu Tingyun immediately feigned surprise and asked curiously, "What do you mean by that, Xiao Yiniang?" Then, frowning slightly, she added with a hint of displeasure, "Xiao Yiniang, as women, we value our reputations most. To associate my name with Feng Dahu and speak of Lord Zhao killing across a thousand miles—you place me in an unjust position. What exactly is your intention?"
From the moment her words left her lips, Xiao Shi had been carefully observing Fu Tingyun’s expression. Seeing no flaw in her reaction, Xiao Shi wavered slightly, her confidence diminishing. She smiled and explained, "Miss Fu, don’t be upset. It’s just that I’ve heard such rumors circulating and was curious..."
The dynamic between them was like two armies facing off. The moment Xiao Shi softened her tone, Fu Tingyun seized the advantage to press forward.
"Xiao Yiniang, you are mistaken!" she interrupted firmly, her expression solemn. "As the consort of Marquis Yingchuan, how can you indulge in baseless gossip and make such reckless claims? To accuse Lord Zhao of 'killing across a thousand miles'—need I remind you that Lord Zhao is an official of the court? To knowingly break the law and take lives would warrant severe punishment, including exile three thousand miles away."
Xiao Yiniang stared at Fu Tingyun’s righteous indignation, her doubts growing.
Had she truly made a mistake?
"Miss Fu, don’t misunderstand," she hurriedly clarified. "I only mentioned it because I overheard the Marquis remarking privately that, in all of the northwest, aside from Lord Zhao, he couldn’t think of anyone else who held a grudge against Feng Dahu and could kill without leaving a trace across such a distance. That’s why I asked..."
Fu Tingyun’s heart pounded violently.
Heard it from Marquis Yingchuan? What did the Marquis mean by this? And was Xiao Shi truly his favored concubine? Otherwise, why would the Marquis discuss such matters openly in her presence?The thought flashed through her mind, and she immediately said, "The world is vast, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Lord Zhao is from Longxi County. If he hadn't enlisted in the army, if there hadn't been the Xining battle, the Marquis might never have known of Zhao Ling's existence. This shows nothing in this world is absolute."
"True enough!" Xiao Shi looked at Fu Tingyun's stern expression and smiled somewhat helplessly. "My words were inappropriate. Please don't take offense, Miss Fu." Her tone carried neither guilt nor apology.
Fu Tingyun found this rather odd but decided not to press further. Her expression softened slightly as she said gently, "Xiao Yiniang, I too am a woman who enjoys casual gossip in daily life. But as women, we must remember the saying, 'Be cautious in speech and action.' Some things can be said, while others must never be spoken—lest we become those who stir up trouble." Her tone carried a hint of patient guidance.
Xiao Shi gazed at Fu Tingyun, whose youthful features still held traces of immaturity, and felt both amused and exasperated.
※※※※※
Two days later, Zhao Ling returned.
Sanfu was no longer by his side, replaced instead by a young man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. This surprised both Fu Tingyun and A Sen, who had rushed out joyfully upon hearing the news.
Zhao Ling smiled and introduced the man to Fu Tingyun: "Commander He of Ganzhou Garrison! This is my betrothed, Fu Shi, and this is my younger brother, A Sen."
Commander He's eyes lit up at the sight of Fu Tingyun, and for a moment, he seemed dazed. Then he quickly composed himself and bowed to her with cupped hands.
Fu Tingyun immediately lowered her head, gave a hurried curtsy, and said, "I'll prepare some food and wine," before hastily retreating to the kitchen.
After A Sen properly saluted Commander He, Zhao Ling gestured with a smile for the commander to follow him, and the two walked side by side toward the main hall.
Commander He couldn't resist glancing back briefly in the direction where Fu Tingyun had disappeared before regaining his composure and resuming his easygoing banter with Zhao Ling.
Zheng Sanniang chided Zheng San, "Why didn't you say anything when a guest arrived?"
Who could have guessed Miss Fu would dash out so quickly?
Zheng San didn't dare voice this thought and merely smiled in response.
Fu Tingyun's face flushed as she heard A Sen ask Anxin, "Where have you been these past few days? Who is this Commander He? Is he friend or foe? Why did he come with Ninth Master to our home?"
Anxin sidestepped the heavier questions and replied, "Commander He is He Xiulin, the eldest son of Commander He Wei of Yulin Garrison. Lord Zhao met him in Linze. Since Commander He had official business in Zhangye, Lord Zhao invited him to travel together and stop by our home."
"So they're just acquaintances..." A Sen muttered. "Ninth Master really did go to Linze!"
Anxin pretended not to hear and calmly sat at the small kitchen table, helping Fu Tingyun shell chestnuts.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Zheng San! Zheng San!"
The voice was completely unfamiliar. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances as Zheng San hurried to answer.
"Took me forever to find this place!" The newcomer was of average height, thin and pale, covered in dust, and wore a bright blue short coat. As soon as he entered, he wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and exclaimed loudly, "Is Miss Fu home? I rushed day and night from Xi'an Prefecture—I'm exhausted. Is there anything to eat in the kitchen? Have Sanniang whip up something quick to fill my stomach, then fetch me some water to wash my face. Once I catch my breath, I’ll go pay my respects to Miss Fu."
Who is this?Everyone straightened up and looked outside.
They saw Zhao Ling emerge from the main room: "Lao Chai, what brings you here? Has something happened at home?"
While others didn't know Zhao Ling's background, he had been completely open with Fu Tingyun about everything.
Fu Tingyun was filled with suspicion.
Lao Chai respectfully bowed to Zhao Ling: "Ninth Master, Accountant Lü has collected the autumn accounts. Worried you might be short on silver in Zhangye, he specifically sent me to deliver funds to you!"
As he spoke, Magistrate He came out.
Zhao Ling casually gestured toward Lao Chai and said to He Xiulin with the typical air of a young master addressing an unremarkable servant: "An old steward from home, here to deliver money." Then he indicated He Xiulin: "This is Magistrate He!"
Lao Chai bowed deferentially to He Xiulin.
It was merely the common occurrence of a generational servant suddenly arriving from home and disrupting hospitality. He Xiulin smiled indifferently.
"Miss Fu is in the kitchen. If you have any matters, discuss them with her," Zhao Ling instructed before laughing and chatting with He Xiulin as they returned to the hall.
※
I wasn't in good form last night and wrote a poor draft. Feeling that frequent major revisions weren't ideal, I took a nap and rewrote it, so the update is a bit late. My apologies... O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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