Chapter 187: Taking Office
With their parting imminent, the couple cherished every moment together.
Zhao Ling declined nearly all social engagements, spending his free time at home with his wife and daughter. He often took them out—visiting Baiyun Temple in the western part of the city, Cuifeng Nunnery outside Xizhimen Gate, the bustling Drum Tower Street lined with shops, and the scenic Yuming Mountain. Even during the lantern festival on the seventh day of the seventh month and the temple fair on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, he braved the crowds, holding Youyou’s hand while guiding Fu Tingyun through the throngs.
On the twelfth day of the eighth month, after receiving the imperial edict in the palace and setting his departure date for the twentieth, Zhao Ling cast aside his usual restraint. He bought fireworks to set off at home, and after paying respects to the Moon Goddess with his family, they all went to the lantern fair outside Dong’an Gate. They returned with armfuls of purchases—ornate lanterns, peachwood bracelets, silver-plated snow moths, brass thimbles, and more. Candies, rice dumplings, lotus stems, water chestnuts, and melon seeds filled Youyou’s hands and pockets until she could hardly manage them all.
Fu Tingyun watched with tearful laughter. Apart from the autumn clothes she had hurriedly tailored for Zhao Ling in the spring, she packed twelve chests with casual shoes and boots bought from West Street, along with writing supplies from Drum Tower Street. Still, she felt he needed more—pouches, hairnets, belts—and kept adding to the pile.
Zhao Ling stopped her, teasing, “It’s as if I’m leaving forever.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back by next March.”
“Mo Yi mentioned the first thing you’ll do upon arrival is train troops,” Fu Tingyun said. “With only Anxin by your side—and he’s still half a child—who will take care of you? It’s better to bring more from home.”
Zhao Ling chuckled. “But not to the point of moving the entire household.” He tugged her hand. “Come, let’s watch Youyou on the swing.”
A few days prior, he and Jin Yuanbao, who was on leave, had built a swing for Youyou.
Knowing he was wary of appearing overly indulgent by bringing so many belongings to his new post, Fu Tingyun relented, thinking she could always send more later via the convenient courier routes between the capital and Xuantong. Smiling, she followed Zhao Ling to the backyard.
Youyou, still small, was secured in a basket-like swing with cloth straps. Tong Shi and the others dared not push too hard, so the swing barely swayed, yet Youyou giggled with delight like a little bird.
Spotting Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, she beamed, her cheeks flushed, calling out, “Mama! Papa!” Her voice melted Zhao Ling’s heart. He dashed over to swing with her.
Fu Tingyun brewed honeysuckle tea for them, inviting the pair to take a break.
Just then, Zheng San hurried in, waving a bright red invitation.
“Madam, Ninth Master,” he announced cheerfully, “Commander Wang Yi of the Left Standard Guard has arrived with his family!”
“Ah!” Fu Tingyun gasped, overjoyed. “I received a letter from Wang Furen not long ago, and she didn’t mention coming to the capital at all…”
Meeting old friends in a distant land delighted Zhao Ling as well. “Perhaps they wanted to surprise us!” He lifted Youyou and kissed her. “Let’s go meet your two little sisters.”
Youyou, ever gentle, nodded happily.
The family headed to the front gate together.After three years apart, Wang Yi and his wife hadn't changed much, but the Eldest Miss Wang and Second Miss Wang had grown significantly—one was now thirteen, already a graceful young lady, while the other was ten, her childish features giving way to a more composed demeanor.
Fu Tingyun embraced Eldest Miss Wang with one arm and Second Miss Wang with the other, exclaiming excitedly to Wang Furen, "If I ran into them by chance, I wouldn't even recognize them!"
Wang Furen chuckled and pointed at Youyou, who was being taught by Zhao Ling to call Wang Yi "Uncle." "This must be your Da Niu? She's absolutely lovely and looks quite lively too." She then held out her arms. "Come, let Auntie hold you."
Youyou, unafraid of strangers, stretched out her arms and threw herself into Wang Furen's embrace, delighting her so much she kept exclaiming, "Oh my!"
The two Wang sisters stared wide-eyed at Youyou.
Wang Furen pointed to her daughters. "This is Eldest Sister, and this is Second Sister."
Though Youyou could already speak, she still only managed two words at a time, mimicking them by calling out "Eldest Sis" and "Second Sis," which made everyone burst into laughter.
Second Miss Wang ran over to squeeze Youyou's tiny hands, looking utterly fascinated.
Wang Furen scolded her, "Don't hurt the little one!"
"I won't, I won't! I'll be gentle," Second Miss Wang quickly defended herself, glancing back at Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun stepped forward and gently patted Second Miss Wang's shoulder to show she didn't mind.
Second Miss Wang sighed in relief.
Zhao Ling, noticing the commotion, interjected, "This isn't the place for conversation. Lord Wang and Wang Furen, please come inside and sit."
The two families were practically like kin.
The group moved to the main hall of the residence.
After everyone was seated according to rank, maids served tea. Wang Yi and Zhao Ling began discussing Marquis Yingchuan. "…I originally planned to come earlier, but Lord He said he wasn't familiar with the area and asked me to delay my departure by two months. I didn't even get to see the Marquis off. The Marquis has been like a second father to me. I heard his two young sons are still in the capital, so I plan to visit them in a few days." There was a hint of hoping Zhao Ling would facilitate the introduction.
Zhao Ling pretended not to catch the implication and simply smiled. "That sounds good." He then added, "It's rare for all of us—you, General Mo, Lin Chi, Tao Mu, and me—to be in the capital at the same time. Tomorrow, I'll host a small gathering at Penglai Pavilion." Raising his voice, he called for Anxin and instructed him, "Go deliver invitations to the gentlemen, then reserve a table for us at Penglai Pavilion."
Anxin acknowledged the order and withdrew.
A flicker of confusion crossed Wang Yi's eyes, but the joy of reunion quickly overshadowed his slight displeasure. He responded heartily, "Excellent!" and began catching up with Zhao Ling. When he learned Zhao Ling was about to become Mo Yi's deputy, he couldn't hide his excitement. "Brothers hunt tigers together; fathers and sons fight side by side in battle. All of us who came from the General Military Headquarters in Gansu have now secured our own places." Encouraging Zhao Ling, he added earnestly, "Mo Yi is a brilliant strategist. Learn well under him, and strive to stand on your own someday."
Fu Tingyun couldn't help feeling grateful that she and Zhao Ling had met such sincere and kind people as Wang Yi and his wife.
After the meal, Wang Yi and Zhao Ling retired to the study to continue discussing court affairs, while Fu Tingyun and Wang Furen withdrew to the inner chambers.
Wang Furen asked about A Sen.Fu Tingyun smiled. "He's studying at the tutor's house and only returns in the evenings. He's preparing for the child scholar examination next February and is working very hard now." Her gaze inadvertently swept over the two young Miss Wangs playing with Youyou, noticing both girls were pricking up their ears to listen.
She couldn't help but chuckle.
Wang Furen kept saying, "That's good, that's good," adding, "I find him quite clever. If he can obtain an examination degree, he'll have prospects for the future."
"Exactly," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile, then tactfully mentioned Xiao Yiniang's recent visit to Wang Furen.
Wang Furen was momentarily taken aback and pondered for a while before saying, "Are you suggesting we should avoid contact with Marquis Yingchuan?" Her brows furrowed slightly with displeasure.
"No, no," Fu Tingyun quickly clarified. "It's just that it might not be appropriate for us to visit the Duke of Fu's residence at present."
Wang Furen's expression eased somewhat. "Don't worry, I'll discuss this matter with Lord Wang." Then she sighed, "Marquis Yingchuan... has had such a difficult time..."
Fu Tingyun also felt a pang of sadness.
A somber mood settled over the room.
Sensing the adults' emotions, the children looked at them uneasily.
Fu Tingyun quickly composed herself and said cheerfully, "Wang Furen, your visit is perfectly timed. Uncle Yang has set his wedding for the tenth day of the tenth month. Having never handled such matters before, I'll certainly need your help when the time comes."
Wang Furen readily agreed, and as they discussed Yang Yucheng's wedding, the atmosphere became lively again.
Meanwhile, Mo Yi and others, upon learning of Wang Yi's arrival in the capital, took turns hosting welcoming banquets for Lord Wang and his family. Fu Tingyun attended several of these as a guest. Amidst these activities, time flew by, and soon it was the nineteenth day of the eighth month.
After packing trunks and cases and going to the palace to express gratitude, early the next morning, Fu Tingyun, holding Youyou, along with A Sen, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and others, saw Zhao Ling off at Ten Mile Inn.
Zhao Ling gently stroked his daughter's head, but his gaze rested on his wife. "Take good care of yourself. I'll return when spring comes."
Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile, though her nose tingled with emotion.
She fought back tears and quietly stepped back to let Zhao Ling bid farewell to Wang Yi, Lin Chi, Tao Mu, Qin Feiyu, and the others who had come to see him off.
Mo Yi said impatiently, "No need for such sentimental farewells. When New Year comes, visit Xuantong, and I'll take you all wolf hunting on the grasslands."
Everyone laughed.
The laughter eased the sorrow of parting.
Yet, as Zhao Ling's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Fu Tingyun could no longer hold back.
She climbed into the carriage and silently wept into the pillow.
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Without Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun found everything somewhat dull and joyless. Only when playing with Youyou did her spirits lift.
Fortunately, within a few days, the Zhang family sent someone to discuss Yang Yucheng's wedding arrangements. Sending out invitations, finding a Wedding Shop to cater the banquet, and inviting a "complete blessing" woman—each task required Fu Tingyun's input.
She enlisted the help of Wang Furen, Chen Shi, and others, learning as she went, which helped alleviate her sense of loss.
When she received Zhao Ling's letter from Xuantong, she suddenly realized her monthly courses had not arrived on time.Fu Tingyun's heart pounded with a mix of shock and joy. She called Yu Wei over to discuss: "It might be too early to confirm with a diagnosis now, so it's best not to make it public. Still, we should be cautious. I think I’ll stay at Uncle Yang’s new house for the time being. After all, most of the wedding preparations are nearly complete—it’s just about arranging the bridal chamber and receiving guests. Even for those matters, Zheng San and his wife, along with Wang Furen, can help. If I’m careful, nothing should go wrong."
Yu Wei had also noticed and was about to remind Fu Tingyun. Hearing this, she couldn’t contain her delight and quickly said, "Then I’ll accompany you there."
Fu Tingyun nodded, leaving Yan Qing and Wu Yue at home to look after A Sen, who still had school. She then took Yu Wei and the others to Zhangjiawan.
Since this trip was for Yang Yucheng’s wedding, Zhang Taitai found it inappropriate to meet her directly. Instead, she sent her personal housekeeper to pay respects and brought some food offerings.
Tong Shi fed Youyou.
Youyou cooed, wanting her mother to feed her.
But Fu Tingyun didn’t dare hold her, so she had Tong Shi sit on the kang with Youyou while she sat beside them to feed her daughter.
Youyou looked at her mother in confusion.
Tong Shi, however, cast a glance at Fu Tingyun’s stomach, hesitating as if wanting to say something.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Was it that obvious?
She silently prayed that this wouldn’t turn out to be a misunderstanding.
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O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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