Chapter 141: Headache
"This is a matter of the heart," Madam Fu said dismissively. "Now that you're back, I'll naturally recover slowly. There's no need for you to worry. As for sending a woman to attend to me," she teased her daughter, "you're not even married yet, and already you're taking things from me. If you do marry, won't you empty out the Zhao household completely?"
"Mother!" Fu Tingyun pouted, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Alright, alright," Madam Fu laughed. "I won't tease you anymore." She sighed deeply. "Just seeing you and knowing you're doing well is enough to satisfy me." Then she called for Xiuzhu's family, "Please invite Lord Zhao in."
Zhao Ling had been standing outside the door and, upon hearing this, entered without waiting for Xiuzhu's family to summon him.
Madam Fu smiled at them both. "It's getting late, and I still have matters to discuss with Wu Laoye, so I won't keep you for a meal. Though Quan Hui is no longer part of the Fu family, and I can't do much for her wedding, I am still her elder. Once you've settled everything, remember to send someone to let me know."
If Madam Fu's presence could influence Master Fu the Fifth's attitude, Zhao Ling thought it would be a good thing.
He respectfully agreed.
Fu Tingyun, however, was deeply saddened by her mother's words. Though she had talked at length with her, she still felt it wasn't enough. Seeing Zhao Ling waiting patiently beside her, she finally stopped and, together with him, bowed to her mother before leaving the room one after the other.
Outside the door, Fu Tinggui was fidgeting nervously, peeking around. When he saw Zhao Ling emerge, his face turned pale with fright, and he stumbled back several steps, only stopping when he felt at a safe enough distance.
Fu Tingyun didn't even bother to glance at him, let alone greet him. As she walked out with Zhao Ling, she asked quietly, "Did you see my father?"
Zhao Ling shook his head. "By the time I came out, your father was already gone."
Fu Tingyun looked up and saw Zhao Ling's waist saber still boldly planted in the middle of the courtyard.
Good. At least she wouldn't have to see him and be reminded of his cowardly behavior earlier.
Lost in thought, she suddenly encountered Madam Fu, who had heard the commotion and lifted the curtain to step out from the hall. Her eyes were red as she nodded at Fu Tingyun. Fu Tingyun paused briefly, then said gently, "Sister-in-law, I'd appreciate it if you could look after Mother for me. I'll bow to you in thanks." She began to curtsy, but Madam Fu quickly stopped her.
"Little sister, don't be like this. Taking care of Mother is my duty. You can rest assured—I'll do my best to be filial to her."
They exchanged only a few words before Madam Fu noticed her husband glaring at her resentfully from a distance. She immediately fell silent and stepped aside.
Without even turning around, Fu Tingyun could guess the reason for Madam Fu's reaction. Disgusted, she said nothing and left Four Happiness Alley with Zhao Ling.
On the way back, she asked him, "Did you deliberately wear your official uniform and carry your waist saber to Four Happiness Alley because you knew I wouldn't be able to see Mother smoothly?"
Zhao Ling chuckled evasively. "Nothing of the sort. I just thought the uniform would make me look more imposing." He showed no remorse for drawing his saber against Master Fu the Fifth.
Fu Tingyun said nothing but quietly reached out to take Zhao Ling's hand.
※※※※※Master Fu the Fifth watched through the bamboo curtain of the hall as Zhao Ling and his daughter disappeared through the main gate, his face turning ashen before he headed to Madam Fu's room.
Madam Fu had already lain down with the assistance of Xiuzhu's family. Seeing her husband enter, she lifted her eyelids slightly and said coldly, "Jiezhi must have been listening at the door and reported everything Quan Hui and I discussed to you. You must be satisfied now?" With that, she closed her eyes and turned her face away, refusing to look at Master Fu the Fifth again.
Master Fu the Fifth stood silently by his wife's bedside for a long moment before murmuring, "You should move back to the main residence. This place is too dark and damp."
"But it's the farthest from you," Madam Fu muttered, turning her back to him.
Master Fu the Fifth gazed at his wife's back with a complicated expression, his face unreadable. After a long pause, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Tears welled up behind Madam Fu's tightly shut eyes.
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Zhao Ling returned to his room and changed into a plain sapphire-blue summer robe made for him by Fu Tingyun before heading out. "I have some matters to discuss with Mo Yi. Don't wait for me for dinner."
"Wait a moment," Fu Tingyun called out to him, fastening a pouch to his waist. "There are twenty taels in bank notes and five taels in loose silver inside. When you're out, you'll inevitably need to socialize. Having money on hand will give you more confidence."
Zhao Ling grinned at her for a long while before finally turning to leave.
When he returned that evening, slightly tipsy, he happily told Fu Tingyun, "I've invited Mr. Zhao to be our marriage officiant." Then he scratched his head and added, "But I'm not sure who to ask to stand in as your family." His face flushed with youthful bashfulness.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but smile faintly.
So that's what he had been busy with.
The Fu family no longer acknowledged her, so she couldn't marry from their home. The place she lived now would be their future home—she was to marry into it, meaning she needed another location to depart from for the wedding.
She had no one in mind either and whispered shyly, "We can discuss it slowly!"
"There are only about ten days left until the sixth day of the eighth month," Zhao Ling sat beside her. "Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng probably won't make it in time for the wedding. We'll need someone enthusiastic to act as the Master of Ceremonies, send out invitations, arrange the banquet, and prepare the wedding attire... There's so much to do." He muttered to himself, "Mo Yi is now the Commander of the Golden Crow Guard. He even asked me yesterday when we were getting married. If we asked him to stand in as your family, he'd surely agree. But that would tie us to the Mo family, which has many branches—Inner Thirteen Houses, Outer Nine Houses—and complicated relationships. It might not be for the best. Lin Chi is a good man, currently the Forward Commander of the Feather Forest Guard. He could also serve as your family, but he's Marquis Yingchuan's guard and was recommended to the Emperor alongside me by the Marquis. Getting too close to him might not be wise either." He rubbed his temples in frustration. "Shopkeeper Ye San isn't suitable either—his family is, after all, in trade."
For a moment, he seemed genuinely troubled.
The Emperor detested factionalism, especially now when his rule wasn't yet firmly established.
Fu Tingyun poured Zhao Ling a cup of cool tea and said softly, "How about we just rent a house? That would keep things simple."
Zhao Ling hesitated. "But that would be too plain for you, not lively enough."
Fu Tingyun appreciated his thoughtfulness but had her own perspective. "We're living our lives together, not putting on a show for others to enjoy. Why do we need a spectacle?"Zhao Ling was someone who had experienced both prosperity and desolation, which shaped his low-key and reserved demeanor. Fu Tingyun's words struck a chord with him, and an intense joy welled up in his eyes, sparkling under the lamplight like the bright stars of a summer night.
"Very well," he said, standing up. "I'll go discuss this with Master Lu."
His eagerness made Fu Tingyun purse her lips in amusement.
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Zhao Ling didn’t return until well past midnight. Early the next morning, he left for the palace. Master Lu also went out and returned in the evening to report to Fu Tingyun: "There’s a small house in Bensi Alley up ahead, occupied only by a mother and daughter. They have three southern rooms for rent. I’ve already negotiated with them—ten taels of silver for ten days. Would you like to go take a look?"
Fu Tingyun was intrigued, but just then, Zheng Sanniang and Yu Wei entered.
One was busy with the wedding banquet menu, the other with Fu Tingyun’s dowry, and both had come to report their progress.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh, struck by an odd thought—she was probably the first person in history to arrange her own wedding like this.
As they were talking, the servant boy Yan Qing rushed in. "Miss, miss!" he panted, looking flustered. "Two palace eunuchs have arrived and asked to see you. Young Master A Sen is keeping them company in the southern hall, serving tea and chatting."
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
She was just an ordinary woman—if eunuchs wanted to see her, it had to be because of Zhao Ling.
Since when had Zhao Ling gained such prestige in the imperial court?
She instructed Yu Wei and hurried after Yan Qing to the southern hall.
The two eunuchs were of different ages—one in his thirties introduced himself as Zhong, while the other, a teenager, stood by in attendance.
Eunuch Zhong was exceedingly polite, smiling as he informed her that the Empress Dowager wished to see her tomorrow at the third quarter of the si hour (around 10:45 AM). "…I’ll be waiting for you at the Gate of Divine Prowess at the first quarter of the mao hour (around 5:15 AM)."
Could this be about the marriage decree?
Fu Tingyun’s heart trembled, her voice tight with tension. "Thank you, Your Excellency." Yu Wei quickly stepped forward and handed a pouch to the younger eunuch, allowing Fu Tingyun to add, "I’ll rely on your guidance tomorrow."
Eunuch Zhong seemed pleased by her quick-wittedness, his expression growing even more amiable. "Her Majesty is most benevolent—there’s no need for concern," he reassured. After exchanging pleasantries, Fu Tingyun personally escorted him to the gate. Only after he had gone did she realize her palms were drenched in sweat.
Stay calm, stay calm.
She repeated this to herself, but the thought that the Empress Dowager’s favor could solidify her marriage to Zhao Ling made her immediately turn to search for suitable attire to wear to the palace.
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When Zhao Ling returned home, he found the place in disarray—Fu Tingyun’s trunks and cases lined up from the inner chambers all the way to the hall. Bewildered, he asked, "What’s going on?"
"You’re asking me?" Fu Tingyun, exhausted from trying on clothes all afternoon, was drenched in sweat as she huffed in playful exasperation. "If the Empress Dowager wants to see me, why didn’t you give me any warning? I have no idea what to wear for the palace tomorrow—I’ve been searching all day!" She looked thoroughly distressed.
But Zhao Ling’s face lit up with surprise and delight. "Really? The palace sent someone to summon you?" He seemed genuinely unaware.
Fu Tingyun froze.Zhao Ling rubbed his hands excitedly: "I invited Mr. Zhao to be our marriage witness, hoping to use his influence to inform the Emperor about our wedding. I never expected Mr. Zhao would act so quickly..."
Although the Emperor had agreed to grant the marriage, one couldn't very well go and urge the Emperor, could they?
It seemed this Mr. Zhao was quite an interesting character.
Fu Tingyun's face flushed red.
Zhao Ling suggested, "Why don't we go out to the streets before the shops close?"
Fu Tingyun instead calmed down and asked, "Since you serve in the palace, haven't you inquired about The Empress Dowager's habits?"
Zhao Ling's eyes brightened as he pondered: "The Empress Dowager lived in a nunnery for decades and, due to the late Emperor's circumstances, became accustomed to extreme caution. Although the Emperor respects her deeply and visits her daily after morning court, she remains very prudent. She usually wears old clothes and only changes into the new ones made by the Empress when the Emperor comes to pay his respects..."
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There will be another update tonight!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Earnestly calling for pink votes...
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(End of Chapter)
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