Chapter 138: The Argument
"Who is born already acquainted with others?" Zhao Ling said. "Lord Fu seems too fixated on trivial formalities! By visiting today, haven't I given Lord Fu the chance to know me?" He smiled faintly, his expression gentle yet carrying a hint of nonchalance, exuding the carefree elegance of a noble scion. Yet for some reason, Fu Tingyun sensed an underlying implication in his words, as if his smile held an indescribable trace of mockery.
"Lord Fu, since today is a day of rest, I imagine several officials from the neighboring residences will take the opportunity to visit the antique shops on West Street," he continued before Master Fu the Fifth could respond. "If we stand here talking at the gate, we might obstruct their sedan chairs. Shall we continue our conversation inside?"
Master Fu the Fifth hesitated briefly before turning and entering the courtyard.
Fu Tinggui, seeing this, followed his father inside with a flustered expression.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
Wasn’t he supposed to be studying under some highly respected old Hanlin scholar? How could he lack even the most basic etiquette for receiving guests?
As she thought this, her gaze drifted toward Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling, however, remained composed. He gave her a meaningful glance, signaling for her to follow him, then strode in with effortless grace.
Yu Wei, after a moment’s consideration, carefully closed the main gate behind them.
Master Fu the Fifth stood in the center of the courtyard, his expression cold as he regarded Zhao Ling. Fu Tinggui stood behind his father, visibly tense.
"Say what you have to say right here," Master Fu the Fifth said coolly, his tone making it clear he wanted the conversation over as quickly as possible.
How could he act like this? Even ordinary neighbors wouldn’t treat a guest so rudely.
"Father!" Fu Tingyun’s anger flared, and she stepped forward, ready to argue, but Zhao Ling swiftly pulled her back.
"Focus on the matter at hand. Losing your temper won’t help," he murmured to her.
Fu Tingyun knew he was right, but she still seethed with indignation. Suppressing her emotions, she retreated behind Zhao Ling.
The gazes of the Fu father and son simultaneously fell on Fu Tingyun’s arm, tightly gripped by Zhao Ling, then quickly averted, as if stung by the sight.
Just then, the bamboo curtain of the main hall clattered against the doorframe.
Everyone in the courtyard turned toward the sound and saw Madam Fu hastily rolling down her sleeves as she stepped out of the hall, her face etched with anxiety—clearly, she had come to investigate the commotion.
Realizing all eyes were on her, she froze momentarily.
At the sight of her, Master Fu the Fifth turned away expressionlessly.
Fu Tinggui, however, glared at her fiercely.
Madam Fu shrank back a few steps, her back pressing against the hall’s door curtain.
Fu Tingyun lowered her eyes.
Her sister-in-law was caught in an awkward position, and she didn’t want to drag her into this. The only option was to pretend not to notice.
Zhao Ling smiled. "Lord Fu, the law does not override human sentiment. The past is but fleeting clouds—there’s no benefit in dwelling on it. However, Madam Fu has long been concerned for Miss Fu’s well-being. For her safety, she even entrusted me to escort Miss Fu to Weinan. Miss Fu, too, has yearned to see her mother, going through great hardships to reach the capital. I implore Lord Fu to take pity on their deep mother-daughter bond and grant them this opportunity to reunite."
Master Fu the Fifth remained silent, his expression unreadable as he stared at Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling bowed slightly, his demeanor respectful yet unflinching, allowing the scrutiny without hesitation.The courtyard was eerily silent, with only the faint sound of Yu Wei and others breathing softly.
After a long while, Master Fu the Fifth finally spoke in a composed tone: "Lord Zhao, since you keep referring to 'Miss Fu' and 'Madam Fu,' you must be aware that this is our Fu family's private matter? Even if the Emperor himself were here, he would never interfere in clan affairs. Could it be that Lord Zhao, with his Merit from supporting the emperor and newfound influence, believes he can disregard court etiquette and meddle in our family affairs?" His sharp gaze fixed on Zhao Ling as he continued, "I advise Lord Zhao to study under the old scholars of the Hanlin Academy and learn proper manners, lest you embarrass His Majesty in the future!"
Fu Tingyun felt her chest tighten with anger, her hands clenched into fists.
She was his daughter—he could humiliate her if he wished. But since he treated Zhao Ling as an outsider, what right did he have to stand on ceremony and insult him?
Just as Fu Tingyun was about to speak up in defense, Zhao Ling responded with neither arrogance nor deference, smiling as he said, "Lord Fu has indeed hit the mark—I lost my father young and had little formal education. By His Majesty's grace, I was appointed Commander of the Left Feather Forest Guard. It’s true I ought to study more under the Hanlin Academy’s venerable scholars and learn the proper rites and customs." He added, "I’ve heard Lord Fu once served as an academician at the Hanlin Academy, surely a man of profound learning. If the opportunity arises, I’d gladly seek your guidance. As for interfering in the Fu family’s affairs," his tone grew earnest, "Lord Fu, with the gates closed, let’s speak plainly." He couldn’t mention his relationship with Fu Tingyun outright—doing so would give Master Fu grounds to punish her again for "improper conduct." Instead, he kept their connection vague. "Miss Fu knows Madam Fu’s health is frail and would never trouble her with unpleasant matters. She merely wishes to see the mother who has long worried for her. If you find Miss Fu’s actions improper, simply instruct her—I’m certain she would heed your teachings."
His tone was sincere, his attitude humble, treating Master Fu the Fifth with the respect of a junior toward an elder. Even Madam Fu couldn’t help but nod faintly in approval.
Yet Master Fu the Fifth paled with rage.
"Fine, fine, fine!" He laughed bitterly. "Today, I’ve truly broadened my horizons. I’d long heard that military men were all fists and no sense of propriety or shame, but I never imagined such brazen audacity—to march into my home and spout nonsense with such conviction…"
Tears welled in Fu Tingyun’s eyes.
No. She couldn’t let Zhao Ling shield her any longer.
Their relationship lacked legitimacy. Her father needed only to seize on this point, and no matter how reasonable Zhao Ling’s words were, he could dismiss them outright. No matter how right Zhao Ling was, her father would still attack his status.
She should have known—her father would never let her see her mother, not even with Zhao Ling’s intervention. Why subject Zhao Ling to such humiliation for nothing?"Father!" Fu Tingyun desperately pulled Zhao Ling behind her, "There's no need for you to twist the facts like this. Lord Zhao has already made it clear—he was acting on Mother's request. If you don't believe him, you can ask Mother yourself. Why must you humiliate people here? If not for Lord Zhao, your daughter would have died long ago. You're just afraid I'll see Mother, aren't you? Fine, I won't see her then! As for Zuo Junjie's matter, I'll seek justice from Uncle myself." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. With a thud, she knelt toward the southern wing, "Mother gave me life and raised me, yet not only have I failed to show filial piety before her, but I've also caused her endless worry and heartache. From now on, I fear I won't even be able to bring her joy..." Her voice broke with sorrow, and after a long pause, she choked out, "Mother, I kowtow to you," then knocked her head three times against the ground with loud thuds, "Mother, please take care of yourself. Your unfilial daughter... just consider that I died of illness at Azure Cloud Temple..."
Her jade-like forehead was red and swollen.
Zhao Ling's heart trembled at the sight.
Even during their hardest times fleeing, he'd never let her suffer so much as a scratch. Yet now, she was enduring such humiliation because of him.
He turned his gaze to Master Fu the Fifth.
The man's eyes held nothing but disdain.
He looked at Fu Tinggui.
His face showed only annoyance.
He glanced at Madam Fu.
She covered her face and wept, yet dared not move an inch.
His eyes swept over the servants hiding behind the wing and trees.
Silence reigned absolute.
A flash of steel passed through Zhao Ling's expression.
Lifting his robe, he knelt solemnly beside Fu Tingyun.
"Madam Fu!" His voice was calm yet carried a strange intensity, as if speaking directly into everyone's ears, "I am Zhao Ling. You entrusted me to escort your daughter to Weinan to seek relatives, never imagining Master Xie's family would meet tragedy. Left with no choice, your daughter and I went to Xi'an instead. Bandits attacked us on the road—it was only through your daughter's courage that I survived. In Xi'an, she guided me to serve a worthy lord. I've come to admire your daughter's fearless wisdom in crisis, and wish to marry her. Yet she insists on seeking parental approval. As my parents have passed, I've no elders to speak for me. Today, I formally ask for your daughter's hand..."
"Utter shamelessness!" Master Fu the Fifth roared before he could finish, "Silence! Don't defile my courtyard—"
Unfazed, Zhao Ling continued, "I swear to share honor and disgrace with her, through fortune and misfortune, never to abandon—"
Master Fu the Fifth swung his hand to strike Zhao Ling's face.
Zhao Ling didn't flinch, taking the blow squarely.
Fu Tingyun threw herself over Zhao Ling.
This man—whose skills were so exceptional that Marquis Yingchuan recommended him as the Emperor's personal guard—could have easily dodged. That he chose to endure her father's slap showed he truly respected him as an elder.
Her Zhao Ling, who'd gone to Huguang without telling her—she hadn't even dared complain about that—now bore her father's slap on his face because of her!
Not on his body. On his face.He was a man of noble stature, standing tall even when schemed against by the likes of Marquis Yingchuan and Mo Yi. Yet, he had been struck in the face by her father.
"Father, you've gone too far, too far..." Fu Tingyun shouted at her father, never regretting anything more than stepping into this courtyard and bringing Zhao Ling before her father to be humiliated. "Let's go, let's go..." She reached for Zhao Ling, "Let's go home... let's go home..." Tears fell like rain, endless and unceasing.
Then, with a creak, the door of the southernmost room against the wall suddenly opened, and Xiuzhu's family emerged, eyes red: "Master, the mistress says she wishes to see Lord Zhao and the Ninth Young Lady!"
"Mother!" Fu Tingyun murmured, staring blankly at the dark room behind the wooden door, rooted to the spot.
Xiuzhu's family nodded tearfully at Fu Tingyun, as if confirming that it was true—her mother really wanted to see them.
Overwhelmed with shock and joy, Fu Tingyun turned to Zhao Ling, only to see the red mark on his cheek from her father's slap. Her gaze turned icy as she said, "Wait here for me. After I see Mother, we'll go home!"
"I'll go with you," Zhao Ling said with a gentle smile, his voice warm and soothing like the spring sun. "Auntie wants to see both of us."
Fu Tingyun nodded involuntarily.
But then came her father's frosty voice: "Xiuzhu's family, you have quite the nerve to defy my orders! Jiezhi, go and have this insolent servant tied up."
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Sisters, brothers, please vote for pink tickets... O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I'll be out tomorrow, so there will only be one update.
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(End of Chapter)
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