Chapter 158: Thus
After a bath and changing into a clean, moon-white plain robe faintly scented with nanmu wood, Zhao Ling sat cross-legged by the window on the large kang. He picked up the steaming tea by his side and took a gentle sip.
The rich aroma of Iron Goddess of Mercy immediately filled his mouth.
He couldn't help but exhale deeply, his brows relaxing into an expression of comfort and contentment as he gazed at his wife, who was lazily nestled among the cushions across from him.
Fu Tingyun watched him with a soft smile.
Her eyes were bright and clear, filled with deep affection and focus, as if he could see his own reflection mirrored in them.
Zhao Ling felt his heart skip a beat.
Leaning over the kang table, he kissed her cheek and grasped her hand tightly, his voice as tender as a spring breeze brushing through treetops: "Have you been well these past few days?"
He had just returned from night duty at the palace.
"I've been fine," Fu Tingyun replied. Unlike usual, she didn't complain about him squeezing her hand too tightly. Instead, she raised his hand and gently kissed it.
That humble gesture made Zhao Ling's heart pound as if he were dreaming.
Yet, being inherently rational and composed, his expression sobered slightly as he asked in a low voice, "Has something happened?"
"Nothing!" Fu Tingyun tilted her head, smiling at him with lively, mischievous charm. "I just wanted to look at you properly!" Her tone turned coquettish by the end, her gaze lingering on him with an almost intoxicated tenderness, as if she couldn't help herself.
Zhao Ling grew uneasy.
He knew his A-Jun loved him, but she was also a woman of considerable self-restraint. Yet now, she seemed... unable to control her emotions, pouring out unrestrained affection without reason.
People didn't change their temperament overnight without cause—especially when he'd long harbored a quiet worry that the Fu family might exploit her maternal bonds to influence her...
With that thought, he moved to sit beside her, playfully leaning in until his face was inches from hers. "Here, I'll put myself right before your eyes—look all you want."
His smiling eyes, doting expression, and teasing demeanor somehow made Fu Tingyun's heart ache suddenly. Without warning, tears began streaming down her face.
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Zhao Ling panicked at her abrupt shift, quickly pulling her into his arms. "Hush now, don't cry! I'm here for everything. My sweet girl..." He soothed her with tender endearments.
Yet this only made her weep harder, clinging to him as sobs wracked her body.
Zhao Ling stopped questioning her, simply stroking her back gently, occasionally kissing her temples or forehead, murmuring "sweet girl" now and then... Under his comforting caresses, Fu Tingyun gradually calmed.
Lifting tear-swollen almond eyes that resembled walnuts, she choked out between hiccups: "Did you refuse the Guizhou assignment at the risk of losing imperial favor... because of me?"
Zhao Ling froze.Fu Tingyun had already begun to pout, "A few days ago, Mr. Zhao came by and told me everything. He said someone suggested transferring both Marquis Yingchuan and Liaodong’s Commander-in-Chief He Fu back to the Five Armies Commandery as commanders. The Emperor was displeased, and that night, when you were on duty, the Emperor casually asked your opinion. But you replied, 'Rather than recalling two unparalleled generals to serve as commanders in the Commandery, it would be better to have them swap garrisons.' The Emperor’s eyes lit up at that moment, which led to Mr. Zhao seeking your counsel later. Now, with the barbarian uprisings in Guizhou, the Emperor intends to appoint Longping Marquis Li Tong as the General to Pacify the Barbarians and lead the campaign in Guizhou. He wanted you to accompany the expedition and eagerly discussed it with you, yet you declined on the grounds of lacking sufficient talent and virtue..." At this point, she couldn’t help but punch Zhao Ling’s shoulder lightly. "Thankfully, the Emperor is broad-minded and capable of ruling the realm. If it were anyone else, your head would have already rolled. Do you even realize that?" Tears welled up in her eyes again like a spring.
"Nonsense, nonsense," Zhao Ling quickly wiped her tears, speaking softly. "I know the Emperor’s character. He wouldn’t dwell on such trivial matters. His heart is set on the nation and its people. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been displeased when someone speculated he intended to 'discard the bow once the birds are gone' by suggesting the recall of Marquis Yingchuan and He Fu, who had Merit from supporting the emperor. Nor would I have dared to tactfully express my reluctance to go to Guizhou..."
Just a few months ago, he had spoken of wanting to return to Xi’an Prefecture. The only reason for his change of heart, apart from her pregnancy and the lack of elders to care for her, was something Fu Tingyun couldn’t fathom.
Otherwise, Zhao Ling wouldn’t have been so meticulous and attentive about her childbirth arrangements.
Mr. Zhao had also mentioned that the Emperor was deeply disappointed and even murmured to himself: "Perhaps my virtue is lacking, hence no worthy ministers follow me."
At the time, she had broken into a cold sweat.
Now, seeing Zhao Ling’s indifferent attitude, it was clear Mr. Zhao hadn’t been exaggerating.
Fu Tingyun relayed the Emperor’s murmured words to Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling hesitated, "Did the Emperor truly say such a thing? Liansheng is now the Chief Eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, serving by the Emperor’s side daily. If something like this had happened, why didn’t he send me word?" His expression gradually relaxed as he smiled reassuringly. "Most likely, Mr. Zhao was interpreting the Emperor’s intentions to persuade you into convincing me!"
Even if that were the case, it was still a grave matter. How could he remain so unconcerned?
"How can you say such things!" Fu Tingyun chided. "Doesn’t Mo Yi and the others understand the Emperor’s temperament? Why else would they come one after another to persuade you?"
Now that she was with child, Zhao Ling feared nothing more than her anger. He hurriedly explained, "Mo Yi has also been assigned to Guizhou by the Emperor. Lin Chi and the others came to plead on his behalf. There are things you don’t know. Longping Marquis is the Emperor’s cousin. Back when the Emperor was still in his princely residence, he received much care from the Longping Marquis’s mother. Even when the Emperor came to the capital to inherit his title, it was through her connections. This time, the Emperor has made it clear to Longping Marquis that he will only bear the title of General to Pacify the Barbarians. All other military affairs will be managed by the Commander-in-Chief, and he is not to interfere."
Recalling Tao Mu’s expression that day, Fu Tingyun believed him somewhat, her expression softening slightly."Although that may be so, we all know the Longping Marquis is indecisive by nature, fond of meddling and shirking responsibility. Before the Emperor, he naturally grovels obediently, but once he leaves the capital, who knows how he'll act," said Zhao Ling. "That's precisely why Mo Yi is so insistent on dragging me along—he says he can't stand the sight of the Longping Marquis's face. He wants me to handle all dealings with the Marquis, promising all military merits will be ours while he takes none, just so he can avoid offending this 'ancestor' and return safely to the capital after the campaign." He paused before continuing, "That Mr. Zhao is comparable to the legendary persuaders Zhang Yi and Su Qin. Not just you—even the grand secretaries and Hanlin academicians would be left speechless before him. Since he came to our door, I imagine you've already agreed to his request..." He couldn't help sighing slightly, regret coloring his voice. "My intention was to spare you worry, yet I've ended up displeasing you after all. The only solution now is to ask your mother to come care for you..." But thinking of Madam Fu's health... Zhao Ling grew anxious again.
Fu Tingyun's dissatisfied huff sounded by his ear: "I'm not some ignorant woman who doesn't respect her husband," she said, slanting a glance at Zhao Ling. "How can a man's important affairs be constrained by the women in his inner quarters? Mr. Zhao deliberately came to discuss this with me, clearly intending for me to persuade you to change your mind. How could I let him have his way?"
For a woman, childbirth is like passing through the gates of hell.
Though the opportunity was rare, Zhao Ling truly didn't wish to leave at this time—if anything happened to Fu Tingyun or their child, what use would extraordinary achievements be when there'd be no one left in this world to share them with?
Hearing this, joy blossomed in his heart, his expression brightening: "You mean..."
"After listening to Mr. Zhao, I naturally entreated him with great trepidation to intercede on your behalf," Fu Tingyun shot Zhao Ling a look and recounted her conversation with Mr. Zhao in detail: "I said, 'You've accompanied my husband all the way from Huguang to the capital. He has a straightforward nature—if others don't understand, you as his strategist know best. He would never intentionally defy the Emperor—it must have been careless words. Please speak on his behalf before the Emperor and beg His Majesty not to punish him...' Mr. Zhao then told me to persuade you as well."
"Naturally I agreed wholeheartedly, saying, 'The Benevolent, Filial and Kind Empress Gao wrote in Admonitions for Women: "When the husband errs, advise him earnestly." Now that my husband has offended the Emperor, I too bear responsibility and shall diligently counsel him—please set your mind at ease.' As for whether to go to Guizhou, the Empress also wrote: 'When the husband speaks, listen attentively.' As a mere woman who only knows weaving, spinning, and boiling water, matters concerning my husband's career prospects are not for me to comment on..."
"Brilliant reply!" Before she could finish, Zhao Ling exclaimed in high praise, laughing heartily as he cupped her smooth, jade-like face and planted several loud kisses.
Using the Benevolent, Filial and Kind Empress as precedent had both preserved her reputation and tactfully declined Zhao's request.
"Now you're acting crazy again!" Fu Tingyun laughed, pretending displeasure as she pushed him. "Be careful not to crush the baby."
Chuckling, Zhao Ling moved half an inch away.Fu Tingyun's expression turned cold as she said, "Mo Yi came to persuade you, but you didn't change your mind. Lin Chi and Tao Mu also came to advise you, yet you remained firm. How is it that after Mr. Zhao visited me, Ninth Master suddenly changed his decision? If outsiders were to find out that Ninth Master sought counsel from a woman, how would you maintain your standing in court? Mr. Zhao's intentions were good, but his approach was wrong."
Zhao Ling nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly." Then he praised Fu Tingyun, "No wonder I heard elders say in my childhood that a virtuous wife is like a treasure to the family. You truly are the treasure of our household." Noticing a trace of anger still lingering between her brows, he teased her, "But you can't blame Mr. Zhao for this. Everyone knows I'm henpecked..."
Before he could finish his words, Fu Tingyun exclaimed indignantly, "What do you mean 'everyone knows you're henpecked'? What exactly have you been telling people? I was wondering why Mr. Zhao suddenly wanted to see me... So it's because you've been spreading nonsense outside!"
"No, no. Absolutely not," Zhao Ling waved his hands frantically, suddenly feeling like he had stirred up a hornet's nest.
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Dear sisters, there will be another chapter tonight, though it might be a bit late...
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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