Chapter 133: Change
The outside world was indeed in chaos.
Everywhere, people hurried about. The clerks from the shops across the street frantically boarded up their doors under the flustered urging of their shopkeepers, who were sweating profusely as they shouted, "Hurry, hurry!" At the street corner, a child, separated from their parents, stood bewildered and wailing, only to be quickly found by their pale-faced mother. The mother scolded the child loudly for disobedience as she dragged them away... The streets were bustling, noisy, and filled with an overwhelming sense of panic.
Fu Tingyun was momentarily dazed.
A woman called out to Zheng Sanniang, "Why are you still here? Hurry home and tell your husband to bar the gates. Prince Mu's army has already passed through Chengtian Gate," she said, lowering her voice and pointing skyward. "The heavens are about to change!" When she looked up and saw Fu Tingyun and Shopkeeper Ye San standing behind Zheng Sanniang, she froze slightly.
For others, Prince Mu's troops entering the capital might spell disaster, but for them, it was the long-awaited good news. How could she stop Miss Fu?
Zheng Sanniang muttered to herself but quickly put on a polite smile and introduced the woman to Fu Tingyun. "Miss, this is Housekeeper Li from the Ji Family in Bensi Alley."
Housekeeper Li hastily curtsied to Fu Tingyun, unable to resist studying her.
She was truly beautiful, especially her smile—radiant and dazzling like the summer sun.
Housekeeper Li couldn't help but feel puzzled.
With the inner city in such turmoil, how could this Miss Fu be smiling so brightly, as if she hadn't a care in the world?
Then she noticed the steward-like man beside Miss Fu. Though his lips were pressed together, his eyes sparkled like stars, clearly brimming with joy.
Housekeeper Li shook her head in bewilderment.
Fu Tingyun, however, paid no mind to these thoughts. She smiled and asked Housekeeper Li, "Prince Mu's troops have already passed Chengtian Gate?"
Housekeeper Li tensed, remembering her errand, and hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes. Our Madam and young master have already left the city, leaving only a few of us servants behind. Our steward sent me to check the situation, and I just heard it from people on the street." Realizing she might have said too much, she added awkwardly, "Miss Fu, our steward is waiting for my report. I must take my leave." With a hasty bow, she hurried off.
No wonder Madam Wu had been visiting the Ji Family so often those days—it seemed the Wu and Ji families had fled the city to avoid the chaos of war.
Fu Tingyun pondered this.
Shopkeeper Ye San whispered to her, "Now that Prince Mu has entered the city, his priority will be meeting with the Emperor and The Empress Dowager. He won’t have the mind to deal with external matters. Many will take advantage of the chaos to profit from the turmoil. It’s best for you to keep your gates tightly shut as before, lest petty villains exploit the situation. If Master Zhao arrives in the capital, he’ll surely find a way to see you. Please remain patient."Fu Tingyun was extremely worried about Zhao Ling. Upon hearing that Prince Mu had entered the capital, she couldn't help but want to inquire about Zhao Ling's situation. However, seeing the chaotic scene on the streets, she realized she neither knew where Zhao Ling was stationed nor recognized any of Prince Mu's men. Rushing around recklessly would only land her in trouble. Since Prince Mu intended to rule, order in the capital would surely be restored soon. It would be better to wait and find a way to gather information then. So she smiled and responded to Shopkeeper Ye San, exchanging pleasantries like "we'll send word as soon as there's news" before parting ways at the alley entrance.
As the group headed home, they saw nothing but tightly shut doors along the way.
Zheng San continued to patrol at night with A Sen as instructed by Fu Tingyun.
That evening, the imperial palace was ablaze with lights, illuminating the entire capital.
Fu Tingyun stood beneath the eaves, gazing at the crimson glow in the sky until dawn began to break before finally turning back to her chambers.
Just two hours later, the clanging of gongs reverberated through the capital's streets and alleys.
People couldn't help but peek out to see what was happening.
A man's deep voice rolled out like waves: "The Emperor has issued an 'Edict of Self-Reproach,' posted outside the Meridian Gate, announcing his abdication in favor of Prince Mu... The Emperor has issued an 'Edict of Self-Reproach,' posted outside the Meridian Gate, announcing his abdication in favor of Prince Mu..."
"Ah, the times are truly changing!"
"Prince Mu is going to be Emperor!"
"I heard the Wuding Marquis's family are Prince Mu's maternal relatives—won't they rise to prominence now?"
"Are there even any male heirs left in the Wuding Marquis's household?"
As long as swords weren't at their throats, there were always those eager to gossip.
Fu Tingyun, however, let out a long sigh of relief.
Resolving the Emperor's situation without bloodshed would only benefit the broader balance of power in the future.
Outside, Li Hui, the commander of the Five Cities Patrol Brigade, personally led his men to maintain order in the capital, urging shops to reopen and patiently reassuring the public: "Prince Mu only seeks to execute Hong Du and Shi Wenbin to rid the people of these scourges. Now that Hong Du and Shi Wenbin have been imprisoned, there's no need for panic. Everyone should go about their business as usual."
The Five Cities Patrol Brigade was far more amicable than usual.
Though most remained cautious, a few bold shopkeepers led their employees in reopening.
To everyone's surprise, things were no different from ordinary days. There were no vicious thugs, no rampaging officers, and even the freelance gangs that once bullied merchants had vanished. Shops on West Street were the first to reopen, followed by those on East Street and Drum Tower Street. Within just two or three days, the capital regained its bustling, prosperous atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager returned to the palace. First, an Imperial Decree declared the new ruler unfit to inherit the throne, demoting him to Prince Shun and relocating him to the Western Gardens. Then, Prince Rong submitted a memorial stating that the late Emperor had no sons and his brothers were few, so a capable nephew should be selected. Officials soon followed with memorials praising Prince Mu's virtue and noble lineage, advocating for his enthronement... These dizzying changes added yet another layer of excitement to the capital.
Fu Tingyun, however, grew increasingly anxious.
Pacing back and forth in the hall, she fanned herself with a snow-white round fan.
Finally pausing, she asked Yu Wei, "Still no news at all?"
Yu Wei shook her head. "Shopkeeper Ye San said the Emperor was escorted into the capital by cavalry, with some troops still on the road—Commander Zhao may not have arrived yet."The Empress Dowager had already issued an Imperial Decree for Prince Mu to ascend the throne, awaiting only the selection of an auspicious date by the Imperial Astronomers for Prince Mu to perform the rituals to heaven, earth, and ancestors before officially becoming emperor. Yet, people had already begun addressing Prince Mu as "Your Majesty."
That scoundrel! Since someone had come to the capital, why hadn't he sent her a message? Didn't he know how worried she was?
Fu Tingyun vigorously fanned herself twice with her round fan, the flames of anger in her heart subsiding slightly.
"I suppose we'll have to wait until His Majesty ascends the throne," she said dejectedly, when another possibility suddenly occurred to her.
Had he been injured during the campaign?
Was that why he couldn't send her word?
The thought flashed through her mind, and her fingertips gripping the fan turned pale.
No, she couldn't just wait like this.
If she waited any longer, she'd go mad.
Fu Tingyun summoned Master Lu: "Could you go to the Duke of Fu's residence? See if there's any news from Marquis Yingchuan?" she murmured. "Everyone's saying it was the Duke of Fu himself who persuaded Li Hui to open the Zhengyang Gate. Marquis Yingchuan's Iron Cavalry Camp is renowned in the northwest—I refuse to believe the cavalry by His Majesty's side has no connection to him!"
Master Lu departed at once.
Fu Tingyun sighed, resting her elbow on the stone bench beneath the wisteria trellis, staring blankly at the goldfish swaying gracefully in the large celadon lotus-patterned vat.
A gentle breeze passed, and the wisteria blossoms, hanging like willow tendrils, lightly brushed her face. Her clear eyes resembled a mountain stream—pure, trickling, yet filled with silent solitude.
This was the scene Zhao Ling encountered as he entered the courtyard.
His heart ached as if it might shatter.
As if to dispel her loneliness, he called out loudly, "A-Jun!"
"Zhao Ling!" Fu Tingyun sprang to her feet.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened in shock as she stared at him, scarcely believing what she saw.
Her expression delighted Zhao Ling.
The corners of his lips curled upward involuntarily.
"A-Jun!" His voice was as tender as the spring sunlight of March.
"It's really you!" A glimmer of moisture appeared in Fu Tingyun's eyes, her face radiant with joy as she rushed toward him like a jubilant little bird. "When did you return? I was so worried—why didn't you send word? Were you injured? Where have you been all this time…"
Each word flowed warmly into Zhao Ling's heart like spring water.
He spread his arms and pulled Fu Tingyun tightly into his embrace.
"Sweetheart, sweetheart!" he murmured, as if only by doing so could he confirm she was truly in his arms—not like in countless nights when she appeared in his dreams, only to vanish when he opened his eyes to seek her. "Prince Mu has succeeded… No one will dare covet you anymore…" Reunited after their separation, he couldn't resist kissing her delicate, porcelain-like cheeks. "Sweetheart, sweetheart… I'll protect you for the rest of my life…"
Warmth enveloped Fu Tingyun, his soft lips burning like fire against her cheeks. Her heart fluttered, her body weak and powerless, and she fidgeted uneasily, wanting to pull away—until a bright shaft of light filtering through the wisteria trellis caught her eye.
She shuddered.
"Let me go!" she cried, both flustered and indignant as she tried to push him away. "We're—we're in the courtyard!"The embarrassed voice, like a divine decree, sent a tremor through Zhao Ling's heart. Though reluctant, he released Fu Tingyun, yet his gaze stubbornly clung to her face, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
This scoundrel...
Fu Tingyun burned with embarrassment, quickly scanning the courtyard.
In the quiet afternoon, only the pomegranate flowers bloomed brilliantly.
She couldn't help but exhale in relief.
If Zheng Sanniang and the others had seen this, she would have died of shame.
Her face flushed like morning clouds as she lowered her head. "Let's... let's go inside to talk," she said, turning to enter the main room.
Zhao Ling's eyes brimmed with laughter as he followed her inside.
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The black lacquered furniture gleamed like mirrors. A monochrome painting by Li Cheng hung in the central hall, while a celadon flower vase held several branches of bright red oleander.
Zhao Ling nodded imperceptibly in approval before turning his gaze to Fu Tingyun.
She was approaching with a begonia-patterned famille rose teacup in hand.
Her rose-red Hangzhou silk blouse and sapphire-blue Xiang skirt complemented her fair complexion, which glowed softly in the dimly lit room like a radiant pearl. There was no trace of the melancholy she had shown earlier.
Was it because he had returned?
Joy instantly filled Zhao Ling's heart.
What could bring greater happiness than being the reason for someone else's joy?
He couldn't resist taking hold of the hand that offered him the teacup.
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[Author's note: Today is July 1st, a Sunday, when I should be posting double updates to ask for pink votes. But the writing has been particularly difficult these past few days. Though I understand what needs to be done, I simply couldn't manage the double update... (>_
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