Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 152: Farewell

Year after year, the willows turn green,

At Ba Bridge, parting sorrow is seen.

Those departing from ancient Chang'an would bid farewell by breaking willow branches at Ba Bridge ten miles outside the city. For those traveling west from the capital, Ten Mile Inn outside Fucheng Gate served the same purpose, though nowadays no one practices the willow-breaking tradition, and the inn no longer has willow trees planted everywhere.

Zhao Ling and his party arrived at noon, when the place bustled with people coming and going.

Zhao Ling chose a two-story restaurant with grand red five-beaded lanterns hanging under its upturned eaves. Carriages frequently stopped at its entrance—the Yangguan Restaurant, where they were hosting a farewell banquet for Master Lu.

The elegant private room, the exquisite dishes with their enticing aromas, and the occasional strains of parting poetry drifting to their ears all lent Yangguan an air of refined sophistication.

"Is this the finest restaurant in Ten Mile Inn?" Master Lu fidgeted slightly in his seat. "We could have gone to any ordinary eatery. You really shouldn't have gone to such expense for me."

"Don't mention expense," Zhao Ling said with a smile, signaling the waiter to bring another jug of premium Jinhua wine. "A-Jun and I owe you a great deal. If not for your help, we wouldn't have found lodging so easily in Xi'an, nor could we have had such a smooth wedding this year." As he spoke, Fu Tingyun, seated beside him, personally filled Master Lu's cup. The old man hastily stood up, murmuring protests, but Zhao Ling pressed him back down. "Today, let us toast you—both my wife and I."

Master Lu's eyes grew moist. He raised his cup and drained it in one go, then poured wine for Zhao Ling. The two reminisced about old times until the stream of carriages outside Yangguan dwindled, and they finally settled the bill and left.

Zhao Ling helped the slightly intoxicated Master Lu into his carriage. After exchanging earnest wishes for each other's well-being, Zhao Ling repeatedly reminded the coachman to drive carefully before they finally waved goodbye.

Fu Tingyun couldn't help sighing. "I wonder when we'll see him again?"

In principle, as the manager of their estates, Master Lu should come to the capital every year to settle accounts and deliver produce to supplement their household. But considering his advanced age, they had agreed that Zheng San would go to Xi'an every October to review the accounts with him and bring back the estate's yields.

"I've been thinking," Zhao Ling said thoughtfully, "the Emperor might recall Marquis Yingchuan to the capital. There will likely be changes in both the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission and the Branch Military Commission. If I try for a position in either, would you be willing to leave the capital with me?"

Fu Tingyun was startled. "Are you unhappy serving in the Feather Forest Guard?"

"Not at all," Zhao Ling laughed. "But being a deputy is never as free as being in charge. Besides, sooner or later, we'll return to Shaanxi. We might as well go earlier to start building connections."

Was that all there was to it? Fu Tingyun was skeptical.

Zhao Ling pulled her closer. "I'm truly fine in the Feather Forest Guard. I just feel... idling away days in the capital lacks meaning."

Noticing the fleeting frustration in her husband's eyes, Fu Tingyun's heart ached. Zhao Ling was decisive and action-oriented—a man of deeds. For someone so young to spend his days in idle routine at the office, how could he bear it?

She clasped his hand firmly. "Wherever you go, I'll go with you!"Though reluctant to part with her mother, she was now a married woman—Fu Shi of the Zhao family. How could she neglect her husband just because she missed her mother?

Zhao Ling gazed at the earnest sincerity in his wife's clear eyes and couldn't help but pull her into his embrace. "A-Jun, don’t worry too much. This is just an idea of mine—whether it comes to fruition depends entirely on His Majesty’s will. After all, the Emperor has only just arrived in the capital and has few trustworthy people at his disposal."

"I don’t understand much about these external affairs," Fu Tingyun replied with a coquettish pout. "But remember this: wherever you go, I will follow, and our home will be wherever we are together. I want to be your virtuous helpmate, not your burden!"

Zhao Ling was deeply moved.

"I’ll remember, I’ll remember," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

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Zheng San’s carriage handling had improved greatly—swift and steady, they reached Shi Family Alley in just an hour.

But as they entered the alley, they happened to cross paths with the Wu family’s carriage.

Zheng San was about to yield the way when, unexpectedly, the Wu family’s carriage moved aside first. Not only that, but Madam Wu’s personal housekeeper lifted the curtain and called out, "Who is in the carriage?"

Zheng San quickly replied, "It’s our master and mistress."

Hearing this from inside the carriage, Zhao Ling discussed with Fu Tingyun, "Perhaps we should hire a couple more servants? Then you’d have attendants when you go out."

Now wasn’t the time for such discussions, so Fu Tingyun gave a vague acknowledgment and was about to ask Zheng San what was happening when Madam Wu’s voice came from the opposite carriage: "What a surprise to encounter Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao here! Where have you two been?"

Fu Tingyun lifted their carriage curtain and exchanged pleasantries. "We had elders come from Xi’an Prefecture to oversee our wedding. Today, we escorted them back."

"What a coincidence!" Madam Wu laughed. "You were seeing someone off, while I’m rushing to welcome someone." She added, "Have you heard of this year’s top scholar, Yu Jingxiu? He’s the eldest son of the Yu family from Nanjing’s Fengle Ward. His father is Grand Secretary Yu Guoliang, and they’re related by marriage to Lord Ji of Bensi Alley. Madam Yu has been living in Nanjing, but now that her son has achieved the top rank, she’s brought her daughter-in-law to the capital for a reunion. Madam Ji invited me to join her in welcoming Madam Yu at Fucheng Gate."

What a coincidence indeed!

Fu Tingyun was taken aback.

She recalled Madam Yu’s stern yet gentle eyes...

Truly, the older ginger is spicier.

Her grandmother had once remarked that while Madam Yu was shrewd and capable, she was also considerate and caring.

Not wanting to lie but also unwilling to dwell on the Yu family, Fu Tingyun sidestepped the topic with a smile. "Fucheng Gate is nearly an hour’s ride from here. It’s getting late—you should hurry, or you might miss them."

After some polite exchanges, Madam Wu urged her carriage onward and left Shi Family Alley.

Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun alighted at their own gate with its elegant hanging-flower arch.Seeing Fu Tingyun remain silent since meeting Madam Wu, he consoled her: "This matter isn't your fault, why dwell on it? If anyone's to blame, it's just fate's cruel twist! Even if you encounter the Yu Family, just greet them openly. Otherwise, the more you shrink back, the more they'll believe it was your mistake. You understand this reasoning without me saying it."

Fu Tingyun suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Zhao Ling utterly bewildered.

"I was just thinking," she said between chuckles, "whether we should hire two more maidservants for rough work as you suggested."

Zhao Ling's face flushed slightly as he awkwardly changed the subject: "Didn't you mention finding a tutor for A Sen's elementary education? I inquired—those veteran Hanlin academicians rarely teach beginners. There's a private school called Bowen Academy in Chunshu Lane nearby. Though the teacher there is merely a Licentiate without impressive scholarly honors, he's reputedly excellent at instruction and has produced several Provincial Graduates and Presented Scholars. Perhaps I should visit there sometime."

Only retired Hanlin academicians would take students—either to network with powerful officials or local magnates, or when exceptionally talented youths caught their eye. Regular Hanlin scholars wouldn't accept pupils, let alone young children just beginning their studies.

Fu Tingyun smiled. "Then Ninth Master should visit soon. Chunshu Lane is conveniently close."

Their conversation was interrupted when A Sen came running at the sound of their voices. "Ninth Master! Sister-in-law!" he greeted them cheerfully.

Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling simultaneously fell silent.

※※※※※

Zhao Ling served four-day shifts at the palace every six days. Soon it was his rest period again. He went to Chunshu Lane early in the morning and returned around noon.

"The teacher's surname is Yang," he told his wife in their chamber. "He wants to examine the child first. Since I must return to palace duty tomorrow, I arranged to bring A Sen this afternoon at 3 PM. Please prepare him properly." He added, "Have Zhenzhu summon A Sen—I need to instruct him."

Fu Tingyun agreed.

Soon A Sen arrived.

Learning that Zhao Ling would take him to meet a teacher that afternoon—one who would decide whether to accept him—the boy looked somewhat apprehensive.

Fu Tingyun encouraged him: "You weren't afraid of those Migrant Bandits—why fear this? Besides, you've been learning characters from me. I studied for ten years under Shaanxi's renowned retired Hanlin scholar—my teaching rivals any schoolmaster's. If you doubt yourself, at least trust me! Were I not constrained as a woman who can't properly raise a boy in the inner quarters, I might not even send you to school!"

A Sen's eyes brightened, his confidence visibly restored.

Fu Tingyun couldn't help smiling.

After lunch, she prepared A Sen, who then left with Zhao Ling for Bowen Academy.

While doing needlework, Fu Tingyun waited for their return.

She had just embroidered two butterflies when the hall curtain clattered open—A Sen burst in like a whirlwind: "Sister-in-law! The teacher accepted me! Please prepare my tuition gifts!"Fu Tingyun was naturally overjoyed to hear this. She immediately put down her needlework and pulled A Sen over to ask for details. As A Sen animatedly recounted everything, Zhao Ling entered. Fu Tingyun then busied herself asking about the tuition fees—had the amount been settled? Had a start date for school been determined? What preparations needed to be made?

Before Zhao Ling could respond, A Sen eagerly interjected, "The tutor's fee is fifteen taels of silver per year. Classes start on the first day of the month. We need to prepare the Four Treasures of the Study and the 'Thousand Family Poems' for beginners."

Starting with the 'Thousand Family Poems'!

Did that mean her own teaching wasn't good enough?

Though she kept these thoughts to herself in A Sen's presence, Fu Tingyun happily helped him prepare the necessary items.

When Zheng Sanniang found out, she couldn't stop praising A Sen for his accomplishments.

This made A Sen so delighted that he thumped his chest and declared, "When Linchun grows up, he can come study with me too!"

"Then we'll hold Young Master A Sen to his kind promise," Zheng Sanniang laughed heartily.

A Sen was so happy his eyes disappeared into crescents, leaving only his teeth visible.

However, Zhao Ling, who stood watching A Sen from under the eaves of the main house, frowned slightly. "This child—how can he make promises so carelessly?"

"He's happy today, so don't scold him," Fu Tingyun said with a smile. "You can talk to him properly in a couple of days."

Zhao Ling nodded. He took half a day off and the next day took A Sen to Bowen Private School.

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Every Monday is a gloomy Monday, impossibly busy...

PS: Some sisters in the comments have mentioned that the pacing feels too slow. I'll reorganize my thoughts and try to break free from the shadow of 'The Concubine's Daughter.' As for the intimate scenes, since they're a young couple, I thought they might be less reserved and more passionate...

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(End of Chapter)