Chapter 154: Good News (Bonus Update Seeking Pink Tickets)
A Sen was a generous child. Before Fu Tingyun could even offer words of comfort, Jin Yuanbao defended him a few times, and his anger dissipated. Soon, he was chatting and laughing again. When he heard that his room would be cleared for Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao to stay, he immediately agreed: "...That way we can live together again!" Excited, he rushed off to prepare their rooms.
Jin Yuanbao quickly stopped A Sen and said to Fu Tingyun, "The garrison has accommodations for us. Besides, one of us is in Tongzhou, the other in Daxing—it takes two days to make a round trip, and we only get leave every ten days... The reason we came this time was first to pay our respects to Ninth Master and you, and second to help deliver some belongings." His implication was that they wouldn’t be staying long and would rarely visit in the future, so she needn’t go to the trouble.
"This is also Ninth Master’s wish," Fu Tingyun said, recalling Zhao Ling’s words with a smile. "Since he was the one who arranged your transfers to the capital, he must know your situation best. If he gave such instructions, there must be a good reason. Don’t refuse—since you call me 'sister-in-law,' treat this place as your own home."
Yu Wei, hearing this, cheerfully called for Zhenzhu and Kou'er to help tidy up the rooms.
Only then did Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao stop protesting and join in to help with the arrangements.
In less than an hour, A Sen’s belongings were moved to the western wing, Fu Tingyun’s items from Zhangye were stored away, and a few beds were brought from the back room to the southern quarters. Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao took the easternmost room, while Sanfu, Shizhu, and Anxin settled into the western one. Zheng Sanniang bustled about fetching hot water for them to freshen up, and soon after, food from Donglaishun arrived.
A Sen accompanied Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others for the meal. As they unpacked their clothes, they shared stories of what had happened to each of them in recent days.
When Zhao Ling returned in the evening, the gathering grew even livelier.
Back in their room, Fu Tingyun widened her eyes and asked, "What exactly is going on?"
Zhao Ling, slightly tipsy, chuckled. "I wanted to surprise you... but they arrived earlier than expected." Then, emboldened by the alcohol, he pulled Fu Tingyun into an embrace and kissed her.
The smell of liquor made Fu Tingyun uncomfortable, and she turned her face away with a faint grimace.
Zhao Ling immediately grew concerned. "What’s wrong?" he asked, a note of panic in his voice.
"I can’t stand the smell of alcohol," Fu Tingyun replied. "Let me brew you some strong tea."
"I’ll do it," Zhao Ling insisted, guiding her to sit. "You’ve been busy all day—rest for a bit." He then made himself a cup of strong tea, drank it, and even chewed on the tea leaves. Only when he approached her again did she feel better.
She asked, "You mentioned that Mo Yi and the others might visit on the ninth—has it been confirmed?"
"It’s settled," Zhao Ling said, recalling that a few drops of wine had splashed onto his clothes when Yang Yucheng toasted him earlier. As he spoke, he removed his outer robe. "On the ninth, the Emperor will ascend Yuming Mountain, and the Imperial Guards must accompany him. Everyone agreed to come visit on the tenth instead."
"How many people?"
"About seven or eight.""We should prepare in advance," Fu Tingyun mused. "We only have ten jars of Jinhua wine left at home—that might not be enough. While poultry and meat are easy to get, things like crabs and yellow croaker need to be ordered ahead..."
"There are still a few days left," Zhao Ling said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Fu Tingyun's shoulders as they headed toward the inner chamber. "Besides, we still have Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao at home. They won't report to the garrison until late September anyway. Since they're free these days, just give them whatever tasks you need—who’s to stop you? You’re their sister-in-law, after all."
Fu Tingyun flushed with embarrassment and sat beside Zhao Ling on the edge of the bed.
Zhao Ling knelt to help her remove her shoes. "Get some rest soon. Tomorrow, we’ll need to renovate the two study rooms in the southern wing. And those stone tables and chairs—we’ll have to arrange for someone to buy them. We should also send someone to accompany them to get new clothes..." He added, "When we disbanded before, everyone got their share of silver. Don’t worry about the expenses."
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh. "If I’m sending someone to help them buy clothes, of course we should be the ones paying."
The two chatted about household matters for a while before finally retiring.
The next day, Zhao Ling left for the palace before dawn, while Fu Tingyun busied herself with the preparations at home. By the tenth, not only familiar faces like Mo Yi, Tao Mu, and Lin Chi had arrived, but also several unfamiliar officials from the Feather Forest Guard and Golden Crow Guard. Two full tables were seated, and they even hired musicians to perform. The feast lasted until curfew, when some had to leave early for their duties at the palace the next morning.
Afterward, she helped Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others prepare their outfits and saw them off to their posts.
By the time she returned home, Fu Tingyun was exhausted and lay down without the energy to move.
Zhao Ling touched her forehead and immediately instructed Yu Wei to summon a physician.
Fu Tingyun grasped his hand. "I just feel weak all over—no fever. Don’t be so nervous, Ninth Master, or you’ll make me anxious too."
Not wanting to distress his wife, Zhao Ling agreed with a smile. "If you still feel this way tomorrow, you must tell me. We’ll have to see a physician no matter what." Privately, he resolved to ask his colleagues in the Feather Forest Guard about the best apothecaries and physicians in the capital.
Fu Tingyun nodded.
The next morning, she still felt sluggish.
"I haven’t even done anything strenuous. Why do I feel like this?" she muttered to herself. After seeing Zhao Ling off, she told Yu Wei to call for a physician. "No pain or itching, but I just don’t feel right."
"A checkup wouldn’t hurt," Yu Wei agreed and went to fetch a physician.
Upon entering the immaculate courtyard, lush with plants, the physician noted the well-mannered attendants—young pages in the outer courtyard and little maids leading the way inside—and immediately shed any casual demeanor. Eyes lowered, he entered the inner chamber with solemn focus.
Behind crimson bed curtains, a hand rested outside, draped with a pale green Hangzhou silk handkerchief, revealing a wrist fairer than frost or snow.
The physician dared not look too closely and took a seat on the brocade stool to examine her pulse.
After checking both wrists repeatedly, he finally asked, "Are there any elders in your household?"
Fu Tingyun’s heart skipped a beat. "You may speak freely, physician. It’s just my husband and me here."The physician pondered for a moment before saying, "Madam has no serious issues—it's likely just exhaustion from recent days. I'll prescribe some tonics to replenish her qi and blood. I'll return for a follow-up in ten days."
When had she become so fragile?
As Fu Tingyun mused over this, Yu Wei escorted the physician out.
The scent of medicine soon wafted through the house. Zhao Ling, alarmed by the smell, rushed into the inner chamber. "What happened?" His face was pale. "Are you unwell? Why didn't you send Anxin to inform me?"
"It's nothing!" Fu Tingyun quickly reassured him. "The physician said I'm just tired and need some rest."
Still uneasy, Zhao Ling asked Mo Yi to help find a royal physician for a consultation. However, like them, most royal physicians were on duty in the palace and could only visit Fu Tingyun when they had spare time, unless summoned by special decree. Before the royal physician could arrive, the original physician returned for the follow-up, prescribing the same medicine and scheduling another visit in ten days.
On his way out, the physician encountered Zhao Ling...
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun hesitated to hand the prescription to Yu Wei.
Yu Wei asked gently, "What's troubling you?"
"This physician doesn't seem very skilled. Do you think we should find another one?" Fu Tingyun said hesitantly. "Lately, I’ve not only felt exhausted but also constantly drowsy..."
Before she could finish, the door curtain rustled as Zhao Ling entered. "Trust is essential when employing someone. If you doubt him, I'll question him during his next visit." He took the prescription from Fu Tingyun and handed it to Yu Wei. "Take this medicine for now—it's only for ten days at most."
Yu Wei smiled and left to prepare the medicine.
Fu Tingyun reluctantly accepted the arrangement.
Zhao Ling carefully fed her the medicine, coaxing her like a child when she resisted. He even bought her honeycomb toffee to eat after taking the bitter medicine. At night, he no longer disturbed her, waking at her slightest movement as if she were fragile porcelain—afraid she might shatter if held too tightly or bump if placed carelessly...
Suspicion crept into Fu Tingyun's mind. She grabbed his collar and asked, "Do I have some Virulent Disease? Am I... running out of time?"
"Nonsense," Zhao Ling scolded affectionately. "Apart from fatigue, do you have any other discomfort or pain?"
Fu Tingyun thought carefully. "Not really..."
"Then that settles it," Zhao Ling said firmly. "If it were a Virulent Disease, would you still feel this relaxed?"
Fu Tingyun gave an awkward laugh.
Zhao Ling kissed her cheek tenderly. "Maybe it's just autumn lethargy. Lately, even I struggle to stay awake during duty and have to splash cold water on my face."
Had her restless nights disturbed his sleep?
Guilt flooded Fu Tingyun's heart.
"Stop overthinking," Zhao Ling said, pulling her into his arms. "Rest now. Tomorrow I’ll be on night duty at the palace, so Yu Wei will attend to you these days. She’s been with you since childhood—you’re more comfortable with her." He added, "How’s your appetite lately? Tell me what you’d like to eat. Don’t hold back and suffer needlessly."
Eager for him to rest, Fu Tingyun said, "Zheng Sanniang’s cooking suits me well." Then she urged him, "Go to sleep now—don’t worry about these things. I’m going to rest too."Zhao Ling indeed fell silent, and soon, his breathing became long and even. Only then did she let out a long sigh of relief.
When the doctor came for the follow-up examination, Zhao Ling took a day off. With her husband by her side, Fu Tingyun only drew the inner gauze curtain.
Zhao Ling stood by the bed. Though his expression was gentle, Fu Tingyun couldn’t shake the feeling that he seemed tense. When the doctor finished carefully taking her pulse and nodded slightly at Zhao Ling, he could no longer contain his excitement and immediately grasped Fu Tingyun’s hand.
“A-Jun, you’re pregnant. We… we’re going to be parents…”
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O(∩_∩)O~
Isn’t this a bit too soon?!
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(End of Chapter)
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