Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 153: Old Acquaintances

Since it was A Sen's first time leaving home to attend school, Fu Tingyun naturally paid close attention. Every day after school, she would call A Sen over to ask what he had learned, whether he understood the teacher's lessons, who he sat with, which classmates had the gentlest personalities, and who was the most lively—covering every detail, big and small. She also instructed Zheng Sanniang to prepare small snacks for A Sen to take to school, reminding him to share them with his classmates. Within just a few days, one of his classmates invited A Sen to visit their home on the Double Ninth Festival.

A Sen hesitated over whether to accept.

When Fu Tingyun asked why, his face flushed slightly as he said, "I've never been a guest at someone else's house before..."

Was he feeling a little nervous?

Fu Tingyun smiled faintly, once again convinced that sending A Sen to school had been the right decision.

"Let me teach you some etiquette," she said. She had Zheng San and his wife play the roles of his classmate's parents, while Linchun, Zhenzhu, and others acted as siblings, showing him how to greet them and how to behave in different situations.

A Sen was naturally bright and quick-witted, though he was initially timid about unfamiliar situations. With just a little guidance, he grasped everything easily. Moreover, he always regarded Fu Tingyun's words as absolute truth, so with her personal instruction, his confidence soared. Soon, he shed his hesitation and began actively applying what he had learned.

Even Yu Wei, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but praise A Sen for his cleverness.

A Sen looked pleased with himself and began looking forward to visiting his classmate's home.

Around the same time, Fu Tingyun also received an invitation from Madam Ji, inviting her to enjoy flowers and watch a play at her home on the Double Ninth Festival.

She thought back to the day she had encountered Madam Wu at the entrance of the alley.

Would Madam Yu also be attending?

Though it had been seven or eight years since she last saw Madam Yu, her appearance hadn’t changed much...

After some consideration, Fu Tingyun declined politely, using the excuse that Zhao Ling might invite colleagues over that day.

The housekeeper who had delivered the invitation on Madam Ji's behalf looked disappointed and said, "Madam also invited Grand Secretary Yu's wife and daughter-in-law."

"We all live in the capital—there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future," Fu Tingyun replied courteously, exchanging a few more pleasantries before having Zhenzhu escort the housekeeper out.

That evening, before Fu Tingyun could mention the matter to Zhao Ling, he brought up the idea of moving A Sen to the west wing:

"Originally, you wanted him to study in peace, but now that he's attending school, it might be better for him to move inside. First, you can keep an eye on him more easily, and second, we can free up the south study to use as a guest room. What do you think?"

Zhao Ling usually didn’t involve himself in household matters, so Fu Tingyun was surprised. "Why the sudden need to turn the south study into a guest room? Have you made some particularly close friends?" But since it wasn’t a major issue, she added, "I’ll talk to A Sen first thing tomorrow. We can have the south study cleared by the afternoon."

"Mo Yi and the others haven’t brought their families to the capital yet, and with the Double Ninth Festival coming up, those fellows are clamoring to visit," Zhao Ling explained with a laugh. "Remember how Mo Yi got drunk at our wedding and ended up staying in the south study? I figured something like that might happen again, and I don’t want A Sen always having to wait on them like a servant. It’s better to move him into the inner courtyard."

So that was it!Fu Tingyun smiled and said, "Why don't we put in some effort to partition the two southern study rooms into separate guest rooms? We could also place stone tables and chairs in the courtyard. With the crisp autumn weather, everyone can sit outside to chat over tea."

"Then I'll leave it to you to handle," Zhao Ling replied, clearly intrigued by the idea as he nodded repeatedly. He then embraced her with a smile, kissing her temple gently. "Have you been tired from managing the household these days?"

With only a few masters and servants in the household, and Zhao Ling often away from home, there was hardly anything to keep her busy even if she wanted to be!

Fu Tingyun couldn't help but purse her lips in amusement.

Seeing her radiant smile, Zhao Ling couldn't resist leaning down to kiss the corner of her lips...

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Fu Tingyun was awakened by movement beside her.

She drowsily opened her eyes.

In the dim lamplight, Zhao Ling was sitting on the edge of the bed, bending over to put on his shoes.

She moved closer and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "What time is it? Are you going to the palace already?"

Her voice was full of reluctance.

But then she felt a chill and realized she was only wearing a thin undergarment. Just as she was about to pull the quilt over herself, Zhao Ling turned and embraced her. "Be good, it's only Yin hour, and it's cold outside. Stay in bed and rest well. I'll play Go with you when I return tonight." As he spoke, he tucked the quilt around her and helped her lie down, planting kisses on her forehead repeatedly. "I'll be on leave in a few days. How about we visit the Great Xiangguo Temple then? Does that sound good?" His tone was soothing and gentle, as if coaxing a child.

Fu Tingyun had barely slept the night before. The familiar, warm scent of Zhao Ling made her drowsy, and she murmured a sleepy "Mm" before drifting back into deep slumber.

Zhao Ling kissed her cheek and waited until she was sound asleep before bending down to put on his shoes again. At the door, he instructed Zhenzhu, who was on night duty, not to wake Fu Tingyun and to let her sleep until she woke naturally. Only then did he leave through the Chuihua Gate.

By the time Fu Tingyun woke up, the sun had already risen. She inwardly groaned at the lateness and called for Zhenzhu to help her wash and dress.

Yu Wei entered cheerfully with breakfast.

Since the sixth day of the new year, she had resumed her duties in Fu Tingyun's quarters.

"The newly pickled radishes are ready," she said, her eyes brimming with joy as she set the table. "Third Aunt specially sliced a small plate for you to try."

The white rice porridge was fragrant and sweet, and the freshly pickled radishes were crisp and delicious. Fu Tingyun ate two bowls in a row, leaving untouched a plate of her usual favorite—pan-fried yellow croaker with scallions—as she was already full.

She set down her chopsticks contentedly and told Yu Wei about Zhao Ling's idea of having A Sen move to the west wing and converting the two southern study rooms into guest quarters. "...We should at least inform A Sen. It was too late yesterday, so I planned to tell him this morning, but I overslept. Now we'll have to wait until afternoon." She sounded rather dejected.

Yu Wei quickly reassured her, "It won't delay things much—we already have all the furnishings ready. Though the west wing is empty, it's always kept clean, so he can move in directly. As for partitioning the study, even if we find craftsmen today, they won't start immediately. It'll likely be tomorrow at the earliest. Don't worry too much, Madam. Ninth Master didn't say there were guests waiting to move in right away!"The two were still talking when Kou'er came in: "Madam, there's a group of people outside with horse carts and belongings. They say they've come from Zhangye—someone named Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao—asking to see you..."

"Ah!" Fu Tingyun exclaimed in surprise, standing up. "Quick, quickly invite them in." As she spoke, she was already heading toward the door.

Seeing this, Kou'er hurried ahead to greet the guests, while Yuwei steadied Fu Tingyun. "Madam, take it slow. They're already at the door—there's no rush."

True enough!

Fu Tingyun chuckled. "It's just that the news is so sudden..." Her steps indeed slowed.

Kou'er soon led Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao through the moon gate.

The two bowed respectfully to Fu Tingyun, addressing her as "sister-in-law."

Pretending not to notice the teasing glint in Yang Yucheng's eyes, Fu Tingyun returned the courtesy and invited them into the hall for tea.

"How did you end up here? Why didn’t you send word ahead? I could have prepared rooms for you," she said rapidly. "Where are Sanfu, Shizhu, and Anxin? Why didn’t they come with you?" As Yuwei and Zhenzhu served tea, she called out to Yuwei, "Go tell Zheng San that Lord Yang and Lord Jin have arrived. Have them unload their belongings and put them in..."

The southern study would be best...

The thought flashed through Fu Tingyun's mind, causing her to pause mid-sentence before she feigned annoyance. "Did Ninth Master arrange for you to come to the capital?"

The two chuckled.

Yang Yucheng said, "Sister-in-law, we’re now officials with proper ranks. Without Ninth Master’s help, we’d never have been transferred to such an important place near the capital..."

"I knew it," Fu Tingyun said with mock irritation. "Just yesterday, he told me to tidy up the southern study... So I was the only one kept in the dark!"

"Sister-in-law, you exaggerate," Jin Yuanbao quickly interjected seriously. "Ninth Master just wanted to surprise you!"

That Zhao Ling—he knew Yang Yucheng and the others were coming, yet he kept her up last night, making her sleep in so late.

Fu Tingyun’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Jin Yuanbao swiftly changed the subject. "I’ve been transferred to Tongzhou Garrison as a centurion, while Yucheng, Sanfu, and Shizhu are assigned to Daxing Garrison. Yucheng is a centurion, and Sanfu and Shizhu are junior officers."

Another pleasant surprise.

"Sanfu and Shizhu are in the capital too?" Fu Tingyun beamed.

"Not just them," Yang Yucheng said eagerly, "Anxin is here too. We even brought all the things you left behind in Zhangye."

Before he finished speaking, Sanfu’s booming voice echoed from outside the hall: "Sister, where should we put these things?"

"Follow me," Yuwei said, directing him to store the items in the eastern wing.

Jin Yuanbao called out, "Come in first and pay your respects to Sister-in-law."

Sanfu loudly acknowledged and summoned Shizhu and Anxin inside.

After exchanging greetings, they went back to unloading.

Fu Tingyun promptly instructed Zheng Sanniang to order a feast from a nearby restaurant called Donglaishun. "For this meal, help yourselves. When Ninth Master returns, he’ll properly entertain you."

Just then, an excited shout came from outside.

A Sen ran in, his face alight with joy. "Brother Yucheng! Brother Yuanbao!" He threw himself into Yang Yucheng’s arms."Oh my," Yang Yucheng teased him, "Our Second Young Master has returned from school." He looked him up and down, "Already dressed in a pongee robe, looking every bit the wealthy young gentleman. If we saw you on the street like this, we wouldn't dare recognize you."

They were all men, travel-worn from the journey, looking more like cart-pullers.

"You..." A Sen jumped out of Yang Yucheng's arms, glaring at him furiously with an expression of sworn enmity.

"Didn't they say you went to school?" Jin Yuanbao joined in the teasing, "How come you're regressing? Before, you'd roll up your sleeves ready to fight when hearing such words. What? Now you just sulk in anger?"

A Sen's eyes brimmed with tears.

He looked at Fu Tingyun, then at Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng, before bursting into loud sobs.

When had A Sen ever cried like this before!

Fu Tingyun was startled and quickly pulled A Sen into her arms: "Look at you being so petty. Weren't they just teasing you?"

A Sen wiped his tears with the back of his hand, stammering between sobs: "I just feel... they're treating me like a stranger... I'm clearly not like that, yet they call me a rich young master putting on airs... Most students at my school wear pongee clothes... Only two or three wear coarse cloth, and some even wear Hangzhou silk and Huzhou silk..."

Fu Tingyun shot Yang Yucheng a glare.

Yang Yucheng smiled sheepishly, coaxing A Sen: "Wasn't this just for fun?"

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No matter what, there must be an extra update today... The second update will come later, might be quite late, but you can read it tomorrow morning just the same!

O(∩_∩)O~

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(End of Chapter)