Chapter 135: The Visit (Bonus Update Seeking Pink Tickets)
Fu Tingyun never expected that while the Emperor had forgotten Zhao Ling, he still remembered her.
This showed that when the Emperor had saved them back then, he had done so without expecting anything in return and hadn't taken it to heart.
She couldn't help but feel ashamed.
As for the "family" the Emperor mentioned, did he mean the Empress Dowager?
At that time, the Emperor had raised the banner of "Purging the Emperor's Entourage." He couldn't very well admit he coveted the golden throne, so he had used the Empress Dowager as an excuse.
As she pondered this, she heard Zhao Ling say: "Later, after we sent out the proclamation, our troops were stalled at Handan. Not only that, but the Emperor's general Ding Kewen died in battle. The Emperor's strategist Zhao Tingyi, fearing the Emperor would become disheartened, asked us guards to console him. Instead, the Emperor ended up comforting us with casual conversation. That day happened to be my shift, and he asked when we planned to marry. I thought—if the Emperor really did ascend the throne, it would be troublesome if I spoke carelessly before him. So I simply told him about our situation..."
"What did the Emperor say?" Fu Tingyun asked urgently.
She was afraid the Emperor might misunderstand her as having disgraced her family.
"The Emperor said that seeing how you'd rather die than yield at the City God Temple, there must have been some misunderstanding. He said it would be good if we could find that Zuo Junjie," Zhao Ling replied. "But the Emperor also said that in this vast world, if Zuo Junjie couldn't be found, should we never marry? Yet if you wanted to return to the Fu family, the Yu Family would be difficult to deal with, and it wouldn't be good for your reputation. He suggested that after he met with the Empress Dowager, he could ask her to arrange our marriage. That way, everything would be proper." Zhao Ling smiled as he continued, "These days, the Emperor has been busy with his ascension. Once things settle down, I'll ask him to issue the decree..."
A marriage arranged by the Empress Dowager would be an immense honor.
Moreover, the Emperor knew the truth of their situation. Even if people gossiped behind their backs, they wouldn't dare do so openly, and Zhao Ling's career wouldn't be hindered by their circumstances.
Her greatest worry had been resolved so smoothly, and Fu Tingyun was naturally overjoyed.
But just as a happy smile bloomed on her face, her expression dimmed, and she lowered her eyelids.
Though an imperial marriage arrangement was wonderful, she still wished she could see her mother first.
Thinking this, she forced another smile.
When it came to her concerns, Zhao Ling always took them to heart. Now that he was serving the Emperor, it was rare for him to return. She didn’t want to trouble him with this.
But who was Zhao Ling? He had already noticed her fleeting change of expression.
Softly, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Fu Tingyun instinctively wanted to brush it off, but then she remembered they had been discussing their marriage. She didn’t want Zhao Ling to misunderstand. After hesitating, she finally voiced her thoughts: "...I just wish I could see my mother first."
Zhao Ling raised an eyebrow but didn’t look surprised. After a moment of silence, he said, "Should I accompany you back for a visit?"
Wouldn’t that only add fuel to the fire?
"Perhaps it's better to wait a while longer," Fu Tingyun replied. "If there's still no news, then you can accompany me back." Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she changed the subject: "Are you still serving as the Emperor’s guard? Did you take time off to come back, or is this your official leave?""He's still serving as a guard by the Emperor's side," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "I came back during a break and have to return before four in the afternoon."
It was already two in the afternoon.
Though Fu Tingyun had many questions for him, she decided to save them for later, considering he would be home for less than an hour. After all, Zhao Ling was now in the capital—there was no need to rush.
She quickly called for Zheng Sanniang and instructed her to prepare some of Zhao Ling's favorite dishes.
Zhao Ling stopped her gently, saying, "I've already eaten at the palace. I just came back to see you."
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but laugh. "How can palace food compare to home cooking? I'll make some of your favorites—just try a little."
Zhao Ling didn’t insist further.
Zheng Sanniang smiled and agreed before turning to leave.
Fu Tingyun then asked about Zhao Ling’s daily life. "When you left Huguang, it was early spring, and now it’s midsummer. Have you prepared all your seasonal clothes?"
"The Emperor hasn’t formally ascended the throne yet, so things are still unsettled. The Imperial Guards haven’t rotated, and those of us who followed from the princely estate remain as close guards. With so few hands, we’re either on duty or sleeping. The palace provides food and lodging, so there’s no need to buy anything for now."
Seizing the chance, Fu Tingyun chided him, "Even if you don’t need anything now, once things stabilize, will you still be on duty day and night? If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve brought the dozen or so summer clothes I made for you when I came to the capital. Store-bought clothes never fit as well as handmade ones."
Zhao Ling smiled sheepishly and readily admitted his mistake. "It won’t happen again." He added, "Luckily, Anxin is still in Zhangye. He can bring the things we left there later."
Since he’d admitted his fault, Fu Tingyun didn’t press further, but she resolved to find another opportunity to remind Zhao Ling. Though external affairs were men’s domain, if men ran into trouble outside, could the women at home truly remain unaffected?
Zheng Sanniang entered. "The meal is ready. Where would you like it served, miss?"
"So soon?" Fu Tingyun was surprised.
"I started preparing as soon as Ninth Master arrived," Zheng Sanniang said with a smile. "I figured you two would have much to discuss, so I waited in the kitchen."
Fu Tingyun’s face flushed.
Zhao Ling, however, thought Zheng Sanniang was becoming more and more efficient.
Fu Tingyun then asked Zhao Ling, "Shall we have the meal in the southern hall? Everyone has missed you these days. We can dine with Master Lu and the others."
"Of course!" Zhao Ling agreed readily and went with Fu Tingyun to the southern hall.
"Only, I’m on duty tonight and can’t drink. I’ll have to wait for my day off to enjoy a proper drink."
"Your duties come first, of course." Master Lu was overjoyed that Zhao Ling had aligned himself with the right person and wouldn’t fuss over such trivial matters.
A Sen pestered Zhao Ling with endless questions.
Yu Wei set the table.
Fu Tingyun called her over to kowtow to Zhao Ling—a formal gesture of acknowledging him as her master.
Seeing how Zhao Ling had rushed straight to the main house to see Fu Tingyun upon his return, Yu Wei was already pleased. Noticing how he prioritized Fu Tingyun in both words and actions, her happiness grew, and she kowtowed to Zhao Ling three times with utmost sincerity.Zhao Ling observed that although she was a maid, her demeanor was graceful and her expression dignified, which left him quite satisfied. After exchanging pleasantries about "cherishing fate and blessings," he finally took a seat at the round table in the hall.
The meal was filled with laughter and conversation. As the hour grew late, Fu Tingyun escorted Zhao Ling to the main gate. "Don’t worry about matters at home," she said. "At this time, everyone is pledging their loyalty to the Emperor. You shouldn’t neglect your duties either—focus on serving His Majesty diligently. If anything arises, I’ll send word to you."
Zhao Ling had arrived alone on foot, dressed in an ordinary sapphire-blue silk straight robe, yet his striking presence was unmistakable. He waved at Fu Tingyun. "Understood. Go back inside and rest! I’ll visit when I have time."
A neighbor’s wife, observing this, asked Zheng Sanniang about Zhao Ling. "Such a handsome young man—who is he to your household? Why haven’t we seen him visit before?"
"He’s our master," Zheng Sanniang replied, seizing the opportunity to clarify the rumors surrounding Fu Tingyun living alone in such a large residence. "He previously served in His Majesty’s former residence and has now accompanied the Emperor to the capital. Our young lady came ahead to settle some affairs." She added vaguely, "Since he’s from the former residence, once His Majesty ascends the throne, our household will soon celebrate a joyous occasion."
Fu Tingyun felt a hint of shyness at the mention of her own marriage. She hadn’t even told Yu Wei about the imperial betrothal, but Zheng Sanniang, having grown up in the village, had no trouble weaving ambiguous statements to mislead others.
The women were visibly stunned.
Who would’ve thought this family had ties to the Emperor’s former residence?
Their gazes toward Zheng Sanniang shifted noticeably, and even the laborers from the Li family began treating her with newfound respect.
Later, Yu Wei discussed with Fu Tingyun, "Since we’ll be staying in the capital long-term, should we summon a matchmaker for servants to purchase a few people? Relying on others’ servants isn’t ideal."
Without their contracts in hand, their loyalty couldn’t be guaranteed.
"Let’s wait until Ninth Master’s position is settled," Fu Tingyun replied. Zhao Ling was currently just an ordinary adjutant, but with his merit from supporting the emperor, the Emperor would surely assign him a post—whether he’d remain in the capital was still uncertain. "First, help me with something—go to Four Happiness Alley and inform them I’ll visit first thing tomorrow."
Yu Wei was taken aback.
Fu Tingyun continued, "I’ve realized they’re trying to drag this out. I don’t have the patience for it. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Four Happiness Alley and see what they can possibly do to me."
With Zhao Ling back in the capital and their own residence secured, delaying their marriage any longer would only invite gossip. The sooner they wed, the better. She wanted to resolve this before Zhao Ling settled into his new role.
"I’ll head to Four Happiness Alley right away," Yu Wei said, understanding her intent, and promptly left.
By dusk, she returned with a report. "The young mistress said Wu Laoye is still furious and asked us to delay our visit. I mentioned that calming Wu Laoye’s temper won’t be easy. Perhaps the young lady should speak with him directly—after all, they’re father and daughter. Even if bones are broken, the bond remains. His anger would likely ease upon seeing her. The young mistress agreed and said she’d relay this to Wu Laoye and his wife.""You phrased that well," Fu Tingyun praised Yu Wei. She prepared an Eight-color Gift Box and set off early the next morning with Yu Wei to Four Happiness Alley.
Four Happiness Alley was quiet, with only the thick, ancient locust tree standing lush and verdant in silence.
Yu Wei stepped forward to knock on the door.
At the first knock, the door creaked open, as if someone had been waiting for their arrival.
A scholarly man in his late twenties emerged—tall, fair-skinned, with a cold and somewhat gloomy expression.
He stood beneath the eaves of the Ruyi gate, his icy gaze sweeping past Yu Wei before settling on Fu Tingyun.
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Sisters, brothers, the competition for pink votes is fierce—please support with your pink votes… O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Due to a power outage, I’m updating as soon as I finish writing, so the timing might be a bit irregular these two days.
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(End of Chapter)
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