Chapter 159: Tanzhe Temple (Bonus Chapter for Pink Votes)
Fu Tingyun refused to let Zhao Ling evade the question. With a mix of coquetry and persistence, she insisted on knowing the truth.
Seeing her resolute attitude, Zhao Ling realized there was no way around it and reluctantly explained, "On the day of Winter Solstice, which happened to be our day off, none of us could take leave. It wasn't until the 20th of the twelfth month that we were compensated with a day off. Mo Yi invited a few of us to drink at Baishun Tavern, where we ran into Deputy Commander Ma of the Standard Guard's Right Division. He insisted on calling in a singer. After a few drinks, he started spouting nonsense. Not wanting to engage with him, I excused myself, saying I had matters at home." His expression turned stern as he continued, "But that Ma fellow took offense, accusing me of disrespect and started boasting about his ancestors... Mo Yi, noticing my displeasure, kept signaling me and tried to placate Ma by mentioning your pregnancy and how you lacked elder care at home... Who knew this would get twisted as it spread."
Fu Tingyun's smile faded. "What kind of background does this Ma have to act so aggressively? Just because you refused to join him for drinks, he resorts to slander!"
"People like him don’t come from any respectable background," Zhao Ling said dismissively. "He’s just insecure and likes to brag. Don’t take it to heart."
Arguing over such matters often only fuels the fire.
Yet Fu Tingyun couldn’t help feeling indignant on Zhao Ling’s behalf. "It’s all because of Mo Yi—why couldn’t he have said something else instead of mentioning my pregnancy and being alone at home? Every time you cross paths with him, trouble follows!" Her eyes sparkled with an idea. "Do you know about Mo Yi’s family situation? Will his wife be coming to the capital?"
"The Mo family has many descendants. I only know he’s from the main branch, with one wife, two concubines, and four sons. Beyond that, I’m not sure," Zhao Ling replied. "I heard his wife is set to depart for the capital after the New Year with his concubines and sons, likely arriving by mid-April."
Most people wouldn’t travel until after the Yuanxiao Festival.
Fu Tingyun’s mind was made up. "I’ll have to pay her a visit then."
Zhao Ling shook his head with a smile. "Don’t stir up trouble."
"Don’t worry," Fu Tingyun said, lips curving. "I just want to teach him a lesson for always running his mouth." Noticing Zhao Ling’s skeptical look, she nestled into his arms, twirling the sash of his robe. "I’ve been cooped up at home every day, and you won’t even let me do needlework. All I do is study chess manuals or practice calligraphy... I want to visit Tanzhe Temple to pray. When can you take me?"
Zhao Ling looked apologetic. "I’ll make time in the next couple of days."
But days turned into weeks without him finding the opportunity—first came the Empress Dowager’s birthday on the 21st of the second month, then the Empress’s celebration on the 12th of the third month, followed by the Wan Sheng Festival on the 20th... Eventually, Fu Tingyun informed Zhao Ling and set off for Tanzhe Temple under Zheng San’s escort, accompanied by Yu Wei.
Located over twenty li from the capital, Tanzhe Temple was a majestic sight—ancient trees towering into the sky, pagodas standing in solemn rows, and grand halls built into the mountainside with exquisite harmony. Bamboo groves and rare flowers adorned the serene and elegant surroundings.
By now, Fu Tingyun was well into her pregnancy. With Yu Wei’s support, she knelt with some difficulty to pay homage to the Bodhisattva Guanyin.Yu Wei nervously stood guard nearby. After Fu Tingyun finished offering incense, she supported Fu Tingyun's arm and couldn't help but whisper a complaint: "Madam, really, you could have just given us servants any instructions—why insist on making this trip yourself? Or you could have told Ninth Master—he could have come to the temple to offer incense for you. But you absolutely refused. If you were to bump or bruise yourself, how would I explain it to Ninth Master..." As she spoke, children who had come to the temple with their parents ran past them, chasing each other. Yu Wei shielded Fu Tingyun behind her, only relaxing once the children had run off into the distance before taking Fu Tingyun's arm again.
Fu Tingyun watched the lively, adorable children with a smile. "Sincerity brings blessings," she said. "Naturally, I had to come myself."
Yu Wei hesitated, holding back her words.
She truly couldn't fathom what wish Fu Tingyun still harbored in her heart.
Ninth Master, needless to say, doted on her and complied with her every whim. Even Fu Tingyun's greatest worry—Wu Laoye of the Fu family—now turned a blind eye to her affairs because of Ninth Master's influence...
As Yu Wei pondered, she heard Fu Tingyun sigh deeply and murmur, "I came specifically to pray to the Bodhisattva for a son."
Yu Wei was stunned. After a long pause, she finally whispered, "Didn't Ninth Master say he'd be happy with either a son or a daughter? He even said that if you could 'bloom first and bear fruit later,' completing the character for 'good,' it would be perfect. From the way he spoke, it didn’t seem like he was just saying it to make you happy..."
"I know," Fu Tingyun replied, her eyes glistening slightly. "Precisely because Ninth Master treats me so well, I don’t want to hinder his future because of me." She then recounted how Zhao Ling had tactfully declined an imperial appointment on her behalf. "...Ninth Master is just worried about me. If I bear a son, the Zhao family will have an heir. If such a situation arises again, Ninth Master would have fewer reservations."
This was the first time Yu Wei had heard of this matter, and she quickly reassured her, "Madam, don’t worry. Didn’t the physician Ninth Master brought to examine you say, 'A round belly means a daughter, a pointed belly means a son'?" She glanced at Fu Tingyun's belly. "Yours is pointed."
As they whispered, they reached the center of the courtyard in front of the Mahavira Hall, where a massive incense burner, about twice the height of a person, stood. Just then, a group of well-dressed guards, matrons, and maids escorted two women inside.
One appeared to be in her late thirties, her jet-black hair styled in the fashionable Peony bun of the capital, adorned with gold and jade hairpins. She wore a sapphire-blue brocade sleeveless vest, her fair and delicate skin accentuated by piercing, bright eyes that exuded an air of authority rare among women.
The other was around seventeen or eighteen, her features exquisitely beautiful. Dressed in a plain lake-green Hangzhou silk sleeveless vest, her gaze carried a hint of allure, drawing frequent glances from temple visitors. Yet she smiled gracefully, unbothered by the attention. Occasionally, when her eyes met someone's, she would nod slightly with elegant charm, stirring hearts effortlessly.
Fu Tingyun quickly lowered her head, adjusting her hood to hide her face in its shadow as she passed by the group.Yu Wei was sharp-eyed and kept her head down as she followed Fu Tingyun. Only after they had left the Guanyin Hall did she whisper, "Madam, who were those people? Why did we have to avoid them?"
"That was Madam Shu, the third wife of the Yu Family from Nanjing's Fengle Ward," Fu Tingyun replied. "If I'm not mistaken, the woman beside Madam Yu must be her daughter-in-law, Fan Shi."
Yu Wei was horrified.
Fu Tingyun quickly reassured her, "It's alright! This was just a coincidence—I heard the Yu Family's young mistress has difficulty conceiving, and Tanzhe Temple holds rituals for Guanyin. Madam Yu must have brought her here to pray for a child."
Yu Wei couldn't help feeling a pang of fear. "Thank goodness they didn't recognize you. If they had, how would you have explained yourself?" she said, then added, "If only Wu Laoye were willing to speak up for you."
Fu Tingyun sighed at this.
In others' eyes, she was still a daughter of the Fu Family. It would be best if everyone could agree on a unified explanation for her situation.
After all, Zuo Junjie's false accusations against her were a family matter—best resolved within the Fu Family.
As Yu Wei had said, if her father were willing to stand up for her, why would she need to avoid Madam Yu?
She thought of the letter she had sent to her Aunt through a messenger.
There had been no reply yet. Had her Aunt even received it?
Perhaps she should write to Jinhua and consult her uncle, who was currently in office, about how to handle this.
No doubt there would be more turmoil ahead.
Lost in thought, Fu Tingyun leaned on Yu Wei as they slowly made their way down the mountain.
As they passed through the temple gates, a group of beggars swarmed around them.
"Spare some change, madam!"
"Bless you with a healthy son, madam!"
They clamored for alms.
Among them, Fu Tingyun noticed not only a few elderly men with graying hair and a couple of children still in pigtails but also a young man dressed in a long gown. She couldn't help but take a second look.
That glance was a mistake—the young man looked back.
Their eyes met in midair...
Fu Tingyun gasped sharply, and the young beggar immediately bolted.
"Quick, catch that man!" she shouted, pointing at the fleeing figure. "He stole from us!" Then she turned urgently to Yu Wei and cried, "Zuo Junjie—that man is Zuo Junjie!"
Yu Wei's face paled as she lifted her skirts and gave chase.
Fu Tingyun tried to follow but was blocked by the other beggars. "Please, madam, spare some change!"
She hastily scattered a handful of coins.
The beggars scrambled to pick them up.
Seizing the moment, Fu Tingyun rushed in the direction Zuo Junjie had fled.
The area outside Tanzhe Temple was crowded with visitors, and Zheng San's carriage was parked far below at the foot of the mountain.
After weaving through the throng for some time, Fu Tingyun saw neither hide nor hair of Zuo Junjie—nor of Yu Wei.
A dull ache pulsed in her abdomen.
Not daring to search further, she sat down on a nearby stone railing to rest.
A kindly old woman carrying an incense basket approached her. "Young lady, are you alright? Did you lose your family?"
"No," Fu Tingyun replied calmly, forcing a smile. "They've just gone to buy something for me." But inwardly, her mind was in turmoil.
Why had Zuo Junjie come to the capital?
When had he arrived?
And why was he begging near Tanzhe Temple?Last time when she and Zhao Ling came to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense, they had also encountered beggars, but why hadn't she seen Zuo Junjie then?
Her thoughts were in turmoil as the old lady smiled, nodded, and left.
Soon after, Yu Wei came looking for her.
She hurriedly supported Fu Tingyun: "Madam, we let him get away..."
Seeing Yu Wei covered in sweat and gasping for breath, Fu Tingyun quickly said, "Since he's come to the capital, we'll turn the entire city upside down to find him." She stood up resolutely, "Come, let's find Zheng San and have him arrange for some people to help continue the search. I refuse to believe he can vanish without a trace, disappearing into thin air like this."
Yu Wei nodded and helped Fu Tingyun toward where their carriage was parked: "He seemed very familiar with the surroundings, darting right and left, then disappeared into a small alley..."
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O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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