Chapter 177: Change of Guard
Fu Tingyun felt nothing but disgust as she coldly glanced at her elder. "This seems to be a matter concerning our Zhao family, and has nothing to do with you!"
Master Fu's expression stiffened.
Without another word, Fu Tingyun strode swiftly through the hanging flower gate.
When Zhao Ling returned that evening, she showed him the invitation.
"Scheduled for tomorrow morning?" Zhao Ling mused, then smirked. "So urgent... It seems that beating the young has alarmed the old. I won’t need to visit the Shuntian Prefecture tomorrow—let’s see what our Grand Secretary Yu has to say!"
As if any problem could be resolved simply by bringing it before Grand Secretary Yu.
Fu Tingyun’s mind was still preoccupied with the matter of her father’s exam fraud and had little patience for anything else. She retorted, "Do you really have so much faith in Grand Secretary Yu?"
Zhao Ling chuckled. "Think about it—whether it was framing you or breaking off the engagement, Yu Jingxiu did it all behind his family’s back. That’s why there were so many loopholes and complications. Now that Zuo Junjie is in your hands, and even Master Fu the Fifth’s intervention was rebuffed, Yu Jingxiu knows this matter can’t be settled quietly. But the capital is under the Emperor’s watch, and as a civil official, he lacks the authority to conduct a legitimate search for Zuo Junjie. Given his rank, he’d struggle to find the right people..."
Fu Tingyun focused, her thoughts sharpening. "So those men Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng cornered in the cellar were from the Yu Family—possibly even Yu Jingxiu’s own men?"
Zhao Ling smiled at her, his eyes encouraging.
She continued, "Even though two were handed over to the authorities, as long as they insist they were just thieves, Yu Jingxiu has the means to distance himself and secure their release. But no sooner were those two delivered than Grand Secretary Yu’s invitation arrived—and in his name, no less, inviting us to admire flowers. A grand secretary, buried in affairs of state, inviting Ninth Master is one thing, but me, a woman confined to the inner quarters, boiling water and brewing tea? Such an invitation is far too irregular... Yu Jingxiu went to such lengths precisely to keep his family in the dark. This means his schemes have been exposed. Even if the Yu elders initially disapproved of his breaking the engagement, now that he’s caused such chaos, while they may scold him, their greater concern would be damage control..."
"This also confirms that Grand Secretary Yu still holds the reins of the Yu Family," Zhao Ling added with a smile. "So the moment Young Master Yu mobilized the family’s resources, Grand Secretary Yu was immediately alerted... Know your enemy and know yourself, and you shall win every battle. Now that we understand the Yu Family’s situation, we’ll know how to respond tomorrow."
Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile, but then fell silent, recalling Zhao Ling’s words from the day before: "Only then does it make sense."
Knowing that Master Fu the Fifth had been harassing her lately, and having been informed by Zheng San that Master Fu had visited earlier, Zhao Ling guessed she must have been upset. He pulled her into his arms, murmuring soothing words.
Like a child who brushes off scrapes when alone but seeks comfort in a mother’s presence, Fu Tingyun’s sorrow deepened. She finally broke down, weeping against Zhao Ling’s chest.
With tender care, Zhao Ling coaxed and pampered her, doing everything to lift her spirits.Fu Tingyun felt a sweet warmth in her heart before finally telling him about Master Fu the Fifth's cheating in the examination hall.
Zhao Ling suddenly understood and said, "I was wondering. Mother-in-law clearly seems like a very decisive person, so how could she both comply with Lord Fu's wishes to come to the capital and yet stubbornly hold a grudge against him?"
Fu Tingyun was already conflicted about her father's situation, and hearing Zhao Ling say this made her somewhat annoyed. She pouted coquettishly, "Tell me the truth—what else do you know?"
Seeing her agitation, Zhao Ling quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and chuckled, "I was just afraid of upsetting you, so I didn’t say much."
"So you hid things from me just to spare my feelings?" Fu Tingyun's eyes brimmed with tears as she pursed her lips in dissatisfaction.
Zhao Ling's heart ached at the sight. He kissed her and explained, "I only pieced it together gradually—it wasn’t intentional to keep it from you."
Fu Tingyun believed this, but she didn’t want to let him off so easily. She tangled with him playfully, and Zhao Ling, knowing she had pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent, indulged her every whim to make her feel better.
As her mood improved, Fu Tingyun gradually regained her composure and felt embarrassed by her earlier tantrum. She shyly apologized to Zhao Ling.
"Did you hear yourself earlier? Your words were like knives," Zhao Ling grumbled, frowning. "Anyone would be hurt! Oh, now that you’ve calmed down, you think it was inappropriate and apologize. But tomorrow, if something else upsets you, you’ll take it out on me again. Even if I were made of flesh and steel, I couldn’t endure being your punching bag over and over!"
Fu Tingyun’s face burned, her delicate features tinged with shyness, making her as radiant and captivating as a rose in May.
Zhao Ling’s heart stirred. He lowered his head and nibbled her plump, fair earlobe, murmuring something indistinct into her ear.
Fu Tingyun gasped and pushed him away.
Unfazed, Zhao Ling shamelessly pulled her back into his embrace, smugly pressing her for an answer.
Too flustered to meet his gaze, Fu Tingyun still didn’t refuse.
Zhao Ling chuckled softly, his laughter brimming with joy and triumph.
Fu Tingyun scolded herself inwardly.
They were already married—no matter how outrageous things got, it was between the two of them. If he liked it, why not indulge him?
With that thought, she mustered the courage to look up at Zhao Ling.
Though Zhao Ling wore a bold smile, he was still mindful of Fu Tingyun’s feelings, worried about embarrassing her. Just then, he lowered his head to study her expression.
Their eyes met.
Fu Tingyun’s gaze held a mix of bashfulness and reproach, exuding a unique charm.
Zhao Ling’s eyes were tender, sincere and adoring.
For a moment, they were both transfixed.
Their gazes lingered, unwilling to part.
The air between them thrummed with an unspoken, electrifying tension that made their hearts race.
Unable to resist, Zhao Ling pressed his cheek against hers and whispered, "Sweetheart, I’m so happy… Coming home to see you holding Youyou, I suddenly feel like everything I do now has meaning…"
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
Fu Tingyun clung tightly to Zhao Ling.
His heartbeat was steady yet fervent, harmonizing with the rhythm of her breath.
In this moment, she wished time would stand still forever…Fu Tingyun closed her eyes. "Suddenly, I don’t feel as much hatred for Lord Fu anymore, nor for Yu Jingxiu," she murmured. "If not for them, I wouldn’t have met you..."
She was grateful for all the hardships in her life, seeing them as trials bestowed by the Bodhisattva to lead her to happiness.
Zhao Ling understood her affection for him, his heart surging with emotion, yet also tinged with bashfulness. He teased her awkwardly, "So you mean you’re not going to hold Lord Fu and Yu Jingxiu accountable anymore?"
"What nonsense!" Fu Tingyun pushed Zhao Ling away in mock annoyance, her almond eyes widening. "They harmed so many people for their own selfish gains—how could we just let them off so easily?"
"Then I know what to say tomorrow!" Zhao Ling regretted his ill-timed joke, his mood dampening slightly.
Fu Tingyun then told Zhao Ling about Master Fu’s proposal regarding the discussion of military merits.
Zhao Ling tensed and asked, "What did you say?"
"I didn’t agree."
Zhao Ling exhaled in relief. "If anything like this comes up again, just ignore it. Those who eat others’ food are beholden; those who take others’ gifts are bound. Though our life is hard now, at least we rely on ourselves and can do as we please without bowing to anyone."
"That’s exactly what I think," Fu Tingyun nodded. "Besides, our relationship with the Yu Family is already like fire and water. If we lower our heads for profit now, we’ll never be able to speak with dignity again."
Zhao Ling seemed to recall something and suddenly said, "Marquis Yingchuan is about to swap posts with He Fu, the Liaodong General, in a few days. Could you prepare a gift for me in the next couple of days? I’ll have Zheng San deliver it to the Duke’s residence with my name card."
Fu Tingyun was shocked. "Marquis Yingchuan is really going to Liaodong after all?"
This matter had been rumored for two or three years, causing much unease.
"It was decided last year, but since General He was still fighting against Goryeo, the Emperor feared that a sudden change of command might lead to defeats under Marquis Yingchuan’s unfamiliar leadership, so it was postponed for a year."
Thinking of the Xiping Marquis, Fu Tingyun asked, "Is He Fu easy to get along with?"
"He’s been acting like a local emperor in Liaodong for so long, and he’s a formidable commander," Zhao Ling said carefully. "If you go along with him, fine. But if you oppose him—he once whipped a military supervisor with his horsewhip on the battlefield!"
Fu Tingyun gasped. "What about Deputy General Wang?"
"He’s been transferred as the commander of the Left Standard Guard."
Marquis Yingchuan hadn’t abandoned Wang Dan, and Fu Tingyun was happy for the couple. "Will Wang Furen come to the capital with him? This appointment must have been recommended by Marquis Yingchuan, right?"
"Of course. Otherwise, the Ministry of War would never have thought of Lord Wang," Zhao Ling chuckled. "As for whether Wang Furen will come to the capital, we’ll only know after Lord Wang arrives!"
"When will Lord Wang reach the capital?" Fu Tingyun pressed urgently.
"He should arrive by autumn," Zhao Ling said. "Military orders are absolute—swapping commands should be done sooner rather than later. It’s said the Ministry of War has already sent envoys to the General Military Headquarters in Gansu and Liaodong."
Hearing this, Fu Tingyun frowned slightly. "General He and his father have guarded Liaodong for two generations, and Marquis Yingchuan has fortified the Gansu headquarters like an iron wall. If these two join forces, the east and west would form a single line—can the Emperor truly rest easy with that?""Wasn't there also the General Military Headquarters of Xuantong among them?" Zhao Ling laughed, a playful glint flashing in his eyes. "Take a guess—who will be appointed as the commander of Xuantong?"
His casual tone made Fu Tingyun deliberately consider the most unlikely candidate. She smiled and said, "Could it be Mo Yi?"
"Exactly!" Zhao Ling laughed heartily and gave her a thumbs-up. "It is indeed Mo Yi." Then his expression turned serious as he continued, "The Emperor asked me if I'd be willing to serve as deputy commander at Xuantong."
Would they have to part again so soon after just reuniting?
Fu Tingyun froze.
Zhao Ling had already refused the Emperor once—he couldn't possibly refuse a second time...
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At least the updates are on schedule...
PS: Fu Tian's new work Wealth and Glory
Synopsis: The day her adoptive mother lay dying was also the beginning of an earth-shattering upheaval.
With her father and brothers far at the frontier, and the lives of her mother and younger brother entirely in others' hands, what path should a helpless young woman take?
Tears stain her sleeves as she gazes upon the vast landscape—how long can wealth and glory last? Look now at the Fen River's waters, where only autumn geese fly year after year.
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(End of Chapter)
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