Chapter 119: The Post Station
Marquis Yingchuan's guards were highly trained. From booking inns and feeding horses to keeping night watch and providing hot water, they were far more considerate than Zheng San had imagined. There was nothing for them to worry about—they simply had to follow the guards.
In less than half a month, they had left the Provincial Administration Commissioner's jurisdiction and settled in Ningjing County.
Zheng San first went to a silver shop to exchange Fu Tingyun's cash into bank notes. Then, he found a merchant caravan heading to Zhangye and arranged for the clothes, shoes, and socks Fu Tingyun had made for Zhao Ling’s birthday to be delivered to Nianbo Garrison.
They had left in such a hurry that Fu Tingyun had only just cut the fabric for the clothes. During their journey, she slept during the day and worked on the needlework at night when they stopped at inns. Though the gift would arrive late, it was still a token of her affection.
Once the items were sent off, Fu Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief.
She thought back to this time last year when she had gone shopping with Zhao Ling for the first time. He had given her two Hui headscarves, and they had run into Shopkeeper Ye… Had Shopkeeper Ye made it safely to Xi’an Prefecture?
After resting for a night, they continued their journey.
When they reached Wushan County, heavy rain poured down. The carriage carrying their luggage left deep wheel tracks in the muddy road. The next day, as they passed through a mountainous stretch, they were surrounded by a group of bandits.
They numbered only about twenty, while the bandits had thirty or forty men.
Fu Tingyun’s heart pounded with fear, and her legs went weak. Still, she held onto A Sen, preventing him from rushing forward. “Wait until the guards can’t hold them off,” she said, regretting having dismissed the escort guards earlier.
But Marquis Yingchuan’s guards showed no fear. The leader, a man named Jian, gave a signal, and the guards swiftly unslung crossbows from their backs. Arrows shot toward the bandits like falling stars.
The bandits at the front didn’t even have time to draw their swords before they fell, howling in pain.
One of the bandits cried out in terror, “They’re using military crossbows!”
Jian sneered before raising his voice. “We serve under Marquis Yingchuan, the Gansu Regional Commander.”
At this, the bandits scattered like frightened birds and beasts.
The guards did not give chase, allowing the remaining bandits to flee into the mountains.
They continued on their way calmly.
That night, they rested at a post station, where the magistrate and deputy magistrate of Wushan County hurried over.
Jian sat imposingly as the local officials, sweating profusely, tried to explain why bandits had appeared in Wushan County.
A Sen excitedly recounted the scene to Fu Tingyun, but she sighed inwardly, her heart aching for Zhao Ling.
To owe Marquis Yingchuan such a huge favor—what price would Zhao Ling have to pay to repay it?
She resolved to part ways with these guards once they reached the capital. Then, she would have Zheng San send generous gifts to the Duke of Fu’s residence as thanks. As for buying a house, she would figure it out herself.
The rest of the journey was peaceful. By the time snowflakes began drifting from the sky, they had arrived in Xi’an Prefecture.
Thinking of the hardships they had endured along the way, Fu Tingyun had Zheng San find an inn in a bustling part of Xi’an and book a quiet courtyard. She arranged a feast to thank the guards.
As the provincial capital of Shaanxi, Xi’an’s public security was far better than that of ordinary counties. The guards relaxed, drinking and playing finger-guessing games with Zheng San, leaving only two on duty. They also assigned two others to escort Fu Tingyun to Willow Lane.Master Lu and Madam Lu were startled to see her. Grasping her hands, they asked anxiously, "What happened? Where is Ninth Master?" Their expressions flickered with unease as they glanced at the two unusually tall and powerfully built guards who clearly stood out.
"Ninth Master is perfectly fine. He's earned military merits and been promoted to centurion," Fu Tingyun quickly reassured them before adding, "...A relative in the capital has fallen ill, so I'm rushing to see her."
The Lu couple knew about Zhao Ling sending Jin Yuanbao to inform their capital relatives earlier, so they immediately understood. Hearing of Zhao Ling's promotion to centurion delighted them beyond measure. Madam Lu even wanted to make a thanksgiving offering at Guangren Temple: "I'd vowed to donate twenty taels of silver for incense if my prayers were answered."
Master Lu warmly invited the two guards inside for tea.
"No need!" The guards stood like door gods. "We're following orders and will wait here," they replied somewhat coldly.
Master Lu, concerned that keeping Marquis Yingchuan's guards at the doorstep would be discourteous, tried to persuade them further. But recalling A Sen's description of how Escort Guard Jian treated the magistrate of Wushan County, Fu Tingyun understood these men wouldn't even glance their way without Marquis Yingchuan's orders. She interjected before Master Lu could speak: "Since you're following orders, we'll trouble you two military men to wait here." Turning to Madam Lu, she added, "It's cold—have the maids bring them some hot tea later to warm up." This way, they'd fulfilled basic courtesy.
Seeing Fu Tingyun had handled it, the Lu couple didn't insist and cheerfully ushered her inside, serving tea and snacks in Madam Lu's inner chamber.
When they learned Fu Tingyun planned to buy property in the capital, Master Lu pondered and said, "Then I should accompany you to avoid being cheated."
"How could we impose?" Fu Tingyun protested. "At your age, in this bitter winter weather..."
"Let him go with you," Madam Lu chimed in warmly. "You youngsters don't understand—there are countless tricks in property deals. Seeing outsiders, some might pose as brokers and owners to swindle you together, or repaint crumbling beams to sell as nearly new, or take deposits for relatives' properties they can't actually sell... Having him along means an extra pair of legs. Besides, he's just idling at home—a trip to the capital would be exciting!" Her sincerity was evident.
Fu Tingyun had resolved not to trouble the Duke Fu's household. While Zheng San was competent as a former escort guard for protection, dealing with government clerks wasn't his strength. Short of reliable help, she found the Lu couple's offer tempting. After brief consideration, she smiled, "Then we'll trouble Master Lu."
"Don't speak so formally, Miss Fu," Madam Lu said, pleased they weren't being treated as outsiders. "We owe Ninth Master such great debts—this is just a small effort... You mustn't stand on ceremony with us hereafter."Fu Tingyun readily agreed with a smile. Master Lu brought up the matter of selling land: "The rent from the three shops and the income from the fields in Chang'an County are all in my hands, totaling about twelve hundred taels. I can also manage to scrape together another five hundred taels. I think it would be best to sell two hundred acres first—that should alleviate the urgent need in the capital." His implication was clear: it would be better not to sell the land in the end.
"You and I think alike," Fu Tingyun said with a laugh. "I never intended to sell it in the first place. I came here to ask you to find me a few honest and reliable tenants."
Zhao Ling always felt that the money he gave her was her private savings and was reluctant to let her spend it.
"That's easy, that's easy," Master Lu said, his eyes crinkling with joy upon hearing they wouldn't need to sell the land. "The current tenants renting our fields are all very honest."
After discussing the farmland matters for a while and noticing the late hour, Fu Tingyun stood up to take her leave.
The next day, Master Lu delivered the year's earnings to her. Madam Lu accompanied her to buy some local products from Xi'an. After resting for two days, Master Lu bid farewell to Madam Lu and accompanied them to the capital.
On Laba Festival, they stopped at a courier station in Weinan County.
Fu Tingyun stood by the window, gazing silently at the swirling snowflakes for a long time.
Zheng Sanniang cheerfully brought over a bowl of Laba porridge: "Miss, I made this—please try it!"
Fu Tingyun smiled and sat on the kang, taking a few sips. Though it tasted like chewing wax, she nodded. "Hmm, it's quite good."
Zheng Sanniang wiped her hands on her apron with a smile. "Then please enjoy it. I'll take some to the guards as well."
Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile.
As Zheng Sanniang lifted the thick cotton curtain, the sounds of crying and scolding drifted in.
"...You damn whore, I told you not to steal, I told you not to steal!" a man's voice roared.
"I didn't steal, I didn't steal! You threw it away, so I picked it up..."
Fu Tingyun froze.
The voice arguing back belonged to a young woman—soft yet stubborn, and oddly familiar.
Her expression changed, and she instinctively walked toward the door.
The scolding grew clearer.
"What I threw away is still mine! Who told you to pick it up? If you pick it up, it's stealing..." The man's voice was unreasonable, followed by several thuds, as if he were kicking someone.
Strangely, there was no sound of the woman crying or begging for mercy.
Fu Tingyun followed the noise.
In the courtyard behind the station, a scrawny man in a bright blue coarse cotton robe was kicking a woman curled up in the snow.
Despite the freezing cold, the woman wore only a few tattered summer garments for warmth. She was emaciated, her exposed skin bruised purple from the cold.
"Stop!" Fu Tingyun frowned and shouted. "What did she steal from you?"
The thin man looked up with a vicious expression, but upon recognizing her as the guest who had arrived today with the name cards of the Duke of Fuguo and Marquis Yingchuan, he immediately bowed his head submissively, his tone fearful. "Miss, you don't understand—this is a fallen commoner. She often sneaks into the station to steal food. I was afraid she might bring filth into the kitchen. What if the esteemed guests ate it and fell ill with diarrhea or dysentery? I would never be able to atone for such a crime. That's why I was teaching this wretch a lesson...""You're lying, I've never set foot in the kitchen," the woman curled up in the snow murmured in protest, struggling to prop herself up on her elbows and lift her head.
Fu Tingyun turned to look.
Their gazes met in the air.
Fu Tingyun stood frozen as if struck by lightning, her face pale as frost.
The woman's eyes widened in disbelief: "I... am I dreaming... Or have I died already, to see the young miss..." As she spoke, two clear trails of tears streamed down her face. "Young miss, young miss," she crawled forward on her hands and knees toward Fu Tingyun, "I've wronged you, I've wronged you..." leaving a winding trail in the snow behind her. "She came with me when I entered the household. I taught her how to style hair, how to dress, how to stand, how to smile... Like my own sister, she helped me pack your trunks, and I praised her for being clever and sensible... Young miss..." She stretched out her bony hand, trembling as she clutched at the hem of Fu Tingyun's skirt, "It was me, it was me who harmed you, it was me..." She collapsed onto the ground, wailing bitterly.
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Wishing everyone a joyful Dragon Boat Festival with your families!
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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