Chapter 157: Transfer
After Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun had their playful moment, Zhenzhu brought in tea. Only then did Zhao Ling sit beside Fu Tingyun, take the tea, and discuss the midwife with her: "...Her surname is Lü, around forty years old, quite renowned in the capital. I originally wanted her to move in by early April, but she's in such high demand. I had to pay thirty taels as a deposit before she reluctantly agreed to move in on the twentieth of April."
Her due date was the twenty-eighth of April, and it was only early February... Moreover, having someone stay for over ten days... Wasn't this making too much of a fuss?
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but look embarrassed and said, "Isn't this too early?"
"Better safe than sorry!" Zhao Ling dismissed her concern. "It's better than being flustered when the time comes."
Just as they were speaking, Kou'er came in to report, "Ninth Master, Lord Mo is here."
Zhao Ling was slightly taken aback and instructed Kou'er, "Ask him to wait in the south hall." Then he turned to Fu Tingyun and said, "I'll go see what he wants."
Fu Tingyun made to rise and see him off, but he stopped her: "You're pregnant—why bother with such formalities?" He added, "It's cold outside; be careful not to catch a chill. Stay inside, and I'll be back soon." Then he kissed her cheek and whispered, "Later, I'll play chess with you."
Tong Shi had never seen such intimacy between a couple before. Her face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head, stealing glances at them from the corner of her eye. She saw Fu Tingyun wrap her arms around Zhao Ling's waist, nestling against him as she murmured softly, "Then come back soon!"
Her expression was completely natural, her tone full of reluctance to part.
"Understood!" Zhao Ling cupped Fu Tingyun's face and pecked her rosy, full lips, saying, "Wait for me," before finally letting go and leaving the inner chamber.
Tong Shi felt as though her face was on fire.
So this was how some couples lived their lives...
At this thought, her nose tingled with emotion, and she suddenly felt a wave of shame and inadequacy.
Unconsciously, she took a few steps back.
Fu Tingyun didn't notice any of this. She took off her shoes and climbed onto the kang, only to see Tong Shi still standing there with her head bowed. Surprised, she gently instructed her, "You may leave for now. I'll read for a while."
Only then did Tong Shi realize her own awkwardness and hurriedly responded loudly before retreating.
Left alone in the room, Fu Tingyun set up a chessboard. A Sen returned from school and came to pay his respects.
The two chatted about happenings at the private school until the light in the room gradually dimmed, and A Sen stood to take his leave.
Fu Tingyun called for Zhenzhu: "What time is it now?"
Zhenzhu entered and replied, "It's already a quarter past the Hour of the Rooster." As she answered, she deftly lit the lamps.
It was already past dinnertime, yet Zhao Ling had neither returned nor sent word that he would be keeping Mo Yi for dinner...
Fu Tingyun muttered to herself before instructing Zhenzhu, "Go to the south hall and see if Lord Mo will be staying for dinner."
"Aye!" Zhenzhu responded, lifting the curtain to leave. Moments later, she returned. "Madam, Ninth Master says he will be keeping Lord Mo for dinner."
"Bring out a jar of Jinhua wine," Fu Tingyun said. "Prepare a wild duck hotpot, smashed cucumbers, and stir-fried bok choy. For the rest, let Zheng Sanniang decide."
Game was one thing, but fresh greens in winter were a rare delicacy—something even wealthy families couldn't easily obtain. Zhao Ling had somehow managed to procure these through his connections.
Zhenzhu respectfully acknowledged the order and went to the kitchen to relay the instructions.Zhao Ling and Mo Yi's meal lasted until the hour of Hai before concluding.
Fu Tingyun was awakened by the noise while Zhao Ling was chewing on tea leaves.
"What happened?" She covered a yawn with her hand. "Why did it take so long?"
"Nothing major." Zhao Ling leaned down to kiss her forehead, his faint tea fragrance mingling with a hint of alcohol. "His Majesty has been adjusting personnel in the Five Armies Commandery these days. The Mo family has Merit from supporting the emperor and substantial influence, so naturally everyone has their own opinions. Mo Yi is quite helpless about it."
That made sense.
As scions of noble families, while enjoying their clans' protection, they also needed to contribute in return. Behind the glory lay bitter helplessness.
Fu Tingyun instinctively wrapped her arms around Zhao Ling's neck. "We're better off! Though we have no one to rely on, every blade of grass, every brick and tile was earned by our own hands. Using them feels secure and at ease."
Zhao Ling smiled silently.
The smile overflowed from his eyes, softening his expression with winter sunlight warmth.
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The next day, before Zhao Ling returned, Lin Chi arrived.
Hearing Zhao Ling wasn't back yet, he expressed surprise, saying, "Alright, I'll wait for him."
Having stayed with Anxin recently and seeing Imperial Guards officers constantly coming and going at the Zhao residence, Yan Qing gradually grew bolder and more composed in his actions. Upon hearing this, he invited Lin Chi to sit in the southern hall, served tea and snacks, then went to inform Fu Tingyun.
It seemed His Majesty's actions this time were quite significant!
Fu Tingyun pondered this and had the kitchen prepare dinner.
That evening, Zhao Ling didn't return until the beginning of Xu hour.
Noticing he'd drunk quite a bit again, Fu Tingyun teased him, "You're quite popular! Everyone likes to discuss matters with you."
Zhao Ling made an "of course" expression, saying, "Your husband's character is rather excellent."
This made Fu Tingyun burst into laughter.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Ling moved closer with a cheeky grin. "How about we share a blanket tonight?"
Fu Tingyun blushed. "Didn't you say we should sleep separately?"
"Because I was afraid I couldn't control myself!" Zhao Ling declared righteously. "Wasn't it for your sake? For the child's sake!"
Remembering how he constantly hugged and kissed her, Fu Tingyun retorted coyly, "And now you can control yourself?"
"How would I know without trying?" As he spoke, Zhao Ling lifted the blanket and slipped in, nibbling her ear. "Sleeping alone is too cold."
Fu Tingyun couldn't help laughing again. "Winter's already passed, and now you complain about cold..."
"Mainly because I start night shifts at the palace tomorrow," Zhao Ling mumbled, pulling Fu Tingyun into his arms.
Her heart softened, and she held his hand.
Zhao Ling gently tucked the stray hair behind her ear, whispering tenderly, "Sleep now. In two days during my break, we'll visit your mother." His voice regained its usual calm rationality and composed detachment, which somehow made Fu Tingyun feel unsettled.
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When they visited Madam Fu, neither Master Fu the Fifth nor Fu Tinggui were home.Madam Fu, who saw them off, looked downcast and said softly, "A few days ago, someone asked Father-in-law to write a couplet for their central hall. He originally planned to write it during his day off, but as soon as he heard you were coming, he changed his mind and said he was going to visit a friend." Her expression turned bitter. "And your elder brother... the moment Father-in-law left, he claimed he had plans with friends to admire plum blossoms and left too."
Fu Tingyun sneered, and she and Zhao Ling headed home.
Unexpectedly, Tao Mu was sitting in the southern hall of their house, sipping tea.
"You two are so inseparable—where did you go so early in the morning?" He came out to greet them, bowing to Fu Tingyun with a smile before addressing Zhao Ling. "I've been waiting here for nearly an hour. If you hadn't returned soon, I would have gone looking for you."
"Our apologies," the couple returned the courtesy. Zhao Ling chuckled, "It's rare to have a day off, so we went visiting." They wouldn’t deliberately hide or deny their trip to Four Happiness Alley, but neither would they openly admit or publicize it. "Since you finally have a day off, why aren’t you resting at home with the old lady and your wife? What brings you here instead?"
As he spoke, he led Tao Mu into the hall.
Fu Tingyun, seeing Zhenzhu had already brought tea, entered the inner courtyard with Yu Wei’s support.
Tao Mu stayed for both lunch and dinner, only leaving after nightfall.
And so, their precious day off came to an end.
Fu Tingyun asked Zhao Ling, "What’s going on? Is Tao Mu also being reassigned?"
"Who can say for sure with these things?" Zhao Ling replied. "Until the official announcement is made, the speculation won’t stop."
Fu Tingyun gave an almost imperceptible nod.
The next day, she had Zheng Sanniang prepare vegetable dumplings and instructed Zheng San to take them to visit Jian, the guard from the Duke of Fu’s residence—ever since Jian had escorted them to the capital and helped them purchase this house, he and Zheng San, both straightforward men, had gradually grown closer.
"Ask Jian who will replace Marquis Yingchuan after he’s recalled to the capital."
"Marquis Yingchuan is returning to the capital?" Zheng San was shocked. "But everyone outside is saying he’s being promoted to Governor of Shaanxi!"
Recalling what Madam Wu had mentioned earlier, Fu Tingyun said, "I only heard a whisper of it. But there’s no way Marquis Yingchuan would be promoted to Governor of Shaanxi. That’s a civil position."
Zheng San gave a noncommittal hum and left for the Duke of Fu’s residence.
Jian was Marquis Yingchuan’s man, and Zhao Ling owed his current position to the Marquis’s recommendation, making him part of the Marquis’s faction. Since Zheng San was asking out of concern, Jian saw no reason to hide anything. He spoke frankly, "I’ve also heard the Marquis is being transferred. But from what I gather, it’s between becoming a commander in the Five Armies Commandery or the Liaodong Regional Commander. Some of the higher-ranking stewards in the residence have been whispering that the Duke wants the Marquis to return to the Five Armies Commandery while sending the Fourth Master to the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission as an assistant or deputy. Meanwhile, the Marquis’s elder brother—the heir of the Duke’s household—wants him to go to Liaodong... It’s all quite complicated. Until the imperial decree is issued, no one can say for certain whether the Marquis will end up in the Five Armies Commandery or Liaodong."
"Liaodong Regional Commander!" Fu Tingyun was stunned by Zheng San’s report.Among the several regional commanders, the Liaodong Regional Commander holds the most unique position. He holds the rank of General Who Conquers Barbarians, overseeing the entire northeastern defense line. Under his command are one deputy regional commander, five regional defense commanders, eight guerilla generals, six defense officers, one camp commander, nineteen reserve officers, and a force of 100,000 soldiers, including 30,000 cavalry. The nearest garrison to the capital could reach it in just four days of forced march.
Moreover, Marquis Yingchuan had personally established the Wind Chasers Battalion in Gansu, which struck fear into the hearts of the Mongols!
If the Emperor harbored suspicions against Marquis Yingchuan, why propose sending him to Liaodong? And if the Emperor still trusted him, why would Mo Yi and the others be so anxious?
Fu Tingyun thought of Tao Mu.
When he spoke with Zhao Ling, his gaze was calm and his expression relaxed—it didn’t seem feigned.
She couldn’t help but lower her head in deep thought.
Zheng San quietly withdrew.
However, Yu Wei entered with a slightly nervous expression. “Madam, Mr. Zhao is here and wishes to see you.”
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O(∩_∩)O~
Whispering: Pink tickets...
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(End of Chapter)
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