Chapter 151: Harmony in Marriage
They didn't emerge from their chambers until noon the next day.
Everyone assumed they were simply exhausted from the lantern festival. Zhenzhu even asked Fu Tingyun with sparkling eyes, "Madam, can we really go to the West Street lantern festival tonight?"
"Of course," Fu Tingyun replied. Since they had decided to rest at home for the day, it was the perfect opportunity to let the household servants go out and enjoy themselves—after all, a well-fed horse runs faster. "Just be careful not to get lured away by strangers."
Zhenzhu immediately beamed with joy. "Don't worry, Madam! I'll stick close to Zheng San and promise not to talk to strangers." She then happily ran off to find Kou'er.
Amused, Fu Tingyun headed to the dining hall for lunch.
Zhao Ling was already waiting for her.
Fu Tingyun asked, "Ninth Master, any plans for the afternoon?"
"None," Zhao Ling replied, his gaze warm and tender. "Do you have any ideas?"
"I don’t have any brilliant plans," Fu Tingyun said sweetly. "I just thought of taking a nap after lunch."
Zhao Ling coughed slightly, looking somewhat awkward. "I was planning to read in the study this afternoon."
He was hinting that he wouldn’t disturb her, wasn’t he?
Fu Tingyun smiled to herself. After lunch, she retired to the inner chambers for a rest, while Zhao Ling went to the study. She slept soundly and woke to find the room bathed in the golden light of sunset.
Outside the window, Zhenzhu and Kou'er were chattering excitedly.
"...Sister Yu Wei said that since Madam promised, she won’t go back on her word. You can relax!" Zhenzhu’s voice rang out.
Kou'er replied, "Madam and Ninth Master are so kind. I’m going to buy some fried dough sweets later!"
"Fried dough sweets aren’t that special. If you really want some, just ask Xuemei to make them for you when she has the chance," Zhenzhu said dismissively. "I’m saving the ten coins Madam gave me to send to my mother later."
When had she given them ten coins?
Puzzled, Fu Tingyun got up and called out, "Zhenzhu!"
Zhenzhu hurried in.
She was wearing a brand-new light red cotton blouse and had tied red ribbons around her twin buns.
Noticing Fu Tingyun’s gaze, Zhenzhu smiled shyly and mumbled, "Since we’re going to see the lanterns..."
So she had dressed up carefully for the occasion?
Fu Tingyun remembered how, as a child, she would rummage through her wardrobe to dress up when accompanying her grandmother to temple fairs. She couldn’t help but laugh. "You look lovely!"
Zhenzhu’s eyes widened, her face flushing red. "Madam is the one who’s truly beautiful!" she whispered, then quickly busied herself helping Fu Tingyun freshen up to mask her bashfulness.
Fu Tingyun asked, "Who’s attending to Ninth Master in the study?"
"Ninth Master said he wanted to be alone," Zhenzhu replied. "He didn’t want anyone serving him."
Fu Tingyun nodded. Once she was ready, she went to the study.
Zhao Ling was deeply engrossed in writing something. Hearing movement, he looked up with a stern expression, but his face softened into a gentle smile when he saw it was her. "You’re awake!" He set down his brush and stood up.
Fu Tingyun approached him. "Ninth Master, what are you writing?""It's nothing much," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "A few days ago, Mr. Zhao asked me about affairs in the northwest. I casually mentioned a few things, and he seemed very interested. He told me to think it over carefully and draft a proposal for him. I'm just preparing in advance—in case he summons me for questioning as soon as my leave ends, I should at least have some points ready to present."
Fu Tingyun laughed. "Then maybe we shouldn’t go to Tanzhe Temple tomorrow. You can stay home and focus on writing your proposal."
"The ideas are already in my mind," Zhao Ling shook his head. "I just need to jot down a few simple points to organize my thoughts. I’m almost done—just one last section left. It won’t interfere with tomorrow’s plans."
"I just don’t want to delay your important work," Fu Tingyun said, rolling up her sleeves to grind ink for him. "Didn’t you say yesterday that Tanzhe Temple isn’t going anywhere? We can always visit another time when we’re free."
"That’s not the same," Zhao Ling replied, picking up his brush again. "Tanzhe Temple is the sacred site of Guanyin."
Fu Tingyun didn’t understand at first, but when Zhao Ling gave her a teasing glance, she realized—Guanyin Bodhisattva is also known as the Child-Giving Guanyin.
Her face flushed, and she glared at him.
Zhao Ling burst into laughter, sprinkling yellow sand over the freshly written proposal to dry the ink.
As Fu Tingyun helped, she asked, "What exactly did Mr. Zhao ask you about?"
"He asked where I was stationed during the Mongol invasion, how many battles I fought, who the opponents were, and the outcomes," Zhao Ling said. "He also inquired why our merchants are frequently robbed outside Jiayuguan and whether there’s a way to encourage more trade caravans to pass through. All sorts of questions, really."
Since Mr. Zhao had been the emperor’s military advisor before his ascension, his opinions likely influenced imperial decisions. If Zhao Ling answered well, he might earn Mr. Zhao’s favor—something that could only benefit him.
"How did you respond?" Fu Tingyun’s expression grew serious.
"Since those merits were credited to Lu Cheng back then, I can’t burn bridges now. I answered what I could and avoided what I shouldn’t say," Zhao Ling replied. "I know my limits." He added thoughtfully, "Logically, these questions should have been directed at Marquis Yingchuan. I wonder why Mr. Zhao asked me instead? Could it be that the emperor was dissatisfied with the marquis’s answers?" He shook his head. "But Marquis Yingchuan is shrewd—that doesn’t seem likely."
This puzzled Fu Tingyun as well.
They discussed several possibilities but found none convincing.
After dinner, Zheng San took A Sen and the others to see the lanterns, but Yu Wei insisted on staying behind. "Not everyone should go. Otherwise, who will serve tea or water for the master and mistress?"
Seeing that persuasion was futile, Fu Tingyun relented and allowed Yu Wei to stay. Seizing the opportunity, Yu Wei reported that she had taken the liberty of distributing rewards ranging from ten to a hundred coins to each servant on Fu Tingyun’s behalf.
Likely because Fu Tingyun had remained in the inner chambers, Yu Wei hadn’t been able to inform her earlier.
Moreover, giving servants bonuses during the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival was a long-standing tradition in the Fu household.
"You handled this well," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "Thank goodness you were here to help."
Fu Yuwei blushed modestly.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling stood on the steps, his expression grave as he gave Zheng San a few final instructions and reminded A Sen and the others to be careful before finally letting them leave.Only the couple remained in the main room. Zhao Ling asked Fu Tingyun, "Do you know how to play Go?"
Not only did she know, it was practically her specialty.
However, in Go, there was always someone better. Fu Tingyun didn’t dare boast and replied modestly, "I once learned from the old Hanlin scholar who taught us to read. I usually play with my sisters—sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I’m not sure how good I really am."
"Then let’s play a game and find out," Zhao Ling said with a smile. The two sat down at the daybed in the study to play. Zhao Ling took black and let Fu Tingyun make the first move. Without hesitation, she placed her stone in the corner. Zhao Ling responded, and the two went back and forth. In less than the time it took for two incense sticks to burn, Zhao Ling was already sweating on his forehead. "Who taught you this?" he asked.
"The old Hanlin scholar who taught us."
"What was his name?"
"I only know his surname was Lin, given name Zhan, courtesy name Fengchun."
"I’ve never heard of him," Zhao Ling said with a bitter smile. "I lose this game."
Fu Tingyun nodded seriously. "If we kept playing, your dragon would be cut in half." Then she asked, "Would you like to go first this time?"
This time, Zhao Ling didn’t stand on ceremony and took white, making the first move.
Though he still lost, it wasn’t as disastrous as before.
"Another game?" he offered.
Fu Tingyun agreed with a smile.
The two were so engrossed in their game that they lost track of time. Only when the lantern festival-goers returned, their noise breaking the quiet of the night, did they realize how late it was.
They hurriedly washed up and went to bed, still discussing the game before falling asleep.
※※※※※
The next day, they went to Tanzhe Temple.
The couple devoutly kowtowed before the statue of Guanyin and donated twenty taels of silver as incense money...
The following day, they visited Baiyun Temple.
They touched the stone monkeys, played the Wofeng Bridge Game, admired the osmanthus in the back garden, and enjoyed the famous vegetarian dishes of the capital... They had a wonderful time and promised to return when they had the chance.
On the way home, Zhao Ling suggested going to Xiangshan the next day to see the autumn leaves. "It’s a bit early, but the trees are lush and green—it wouldn’t hurt to take a look."
Fu Tingyun wasn’t particularly interested in hiking. "Let’s go another day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here, and we haven’t even made the mooncakes yet."
Zhao Ling thought that made sense.
He also had superiors and colleagues to entertain.
From that day on, one was busy with social engagements outside, while the other prepared festive treats at home. Before they knew it, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived on the fifteenth day of the eighth month.
They set up tables and chairs in the courtyard, found a quiet spot to worship the image of the Moon Goddess, and gathered around the round table to eat mooncakes, admire the moon, and pay respects to the Moon Goddess. With the addition of Yan Qing and the others, the household was much livelier than in previous years.
The next day, at the hour of Yin, Zhao Ling rose early to wash and dress before heading to the inner palace.
Zheng San and his wife handled the shopping, while Yu Wei took care of cleaning and laundry. With so few people in the household, Fu Tingyun found herself at a loss for what to do. She ended up sitting on the heated kang by the window in Zhao Ling’s study, studying Go strategies.
In the evening, a servant came to inform her that Zhao Ling was on duty at the palace and wouldn’t be returning that night.
Fu Tingyun took the news in stride, but as night fell, she felt an unexpected loneliness.
Usually, there was always a warm body beside her, but now she was left alone... Waking up thirsty in the middle of the night, she murmured drowsily, "Ninth Master..."
Her mood was low.
She needed to find out how many nights a month Zhao Ling had to stand duty at the palace!She was deep in thought when Master Lu approached: "I heard Ninth Master stayed overnight at the palace. Do you know if he'll return tomorrow?"
"He should, right?" Fu Tingyun couldn't say for certain either.
Master Lu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, telling you is the same—since the wedding is over, I should return to Xi'an Prefecture..."
Fu Tingyun was taken aback: "Why do you want to go back to Xi'an? Didn't you say last time you'd bring Madam Lu to the capital?"
"That was just joking with A Sen and the others!" Master Lu laughed. "I still need to help manage your properties in Shaanxi."
"Please don't worry for now. Wait until Ninth Master returns before making any decisions." After seeing Master Lu off, it wasn't until the fourth day that Zhao Ling finally returned.
Upon hearing that Master Lu wanted to leave, he thought for a moment and said, "That might be for the best. When I grow old and retire someday, I'll want to return to my roots. Having you oversee our properties in Xi'an would give us peace of mind."
Master Lu was visibly moved and repeatedly assured him, "Ninth Master, rest assured, I will take good care of your properties."
Since Zhao Ling only had one day off every ten days and insisted on personally seeing Master Lu off, Master Lu set his departure date for the 20th day of the eighth month.
For this occasion, Fu Tingyun specially had Zheng San purchase five rolls of high-quality brocade and two pairs of fashionable shoes, sending them to Master Lu's quarters as gifts for Madam Lu.
Her thoughtful gesture reminded Master Lu, who then hurriedly began buying presents for friends and neighbors back home, even asking Fu Tingyun for suggestions. The two kept busy with preparations until Zhao Ling's day off finally arrived.
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Today I saw comments from sisters saying the pacing is too slow, mentioning my previous two books. I went back to check them today... I'm really trying to move away from the narrative style used in "The Concubine's Daughter," though perhaps not very successfully(>_
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