Chapter 268: Joy
Fu Tingyun took a deep breath, the turbulence in her heart gradually subsiding. Only then did she realize how heavily Zhao Ling was pressing down on her, his weight like a mountain.
She pushed at Zhao Ling. "Get up!" Her body felt weak, devoid of strength.
Zhao Ling still had his eyes closed, his brows relaxed in post-satisfaction laziness.
He murmured an indistinct "Mm," shifting slightly to move his weight onto his shoulder, yet his body remained draped over hers.
This man—did he not realize there were people outside?
Her face flushed, Fu Tingyun pushed at him again. "I'll fetch water for you..."
"Oh," Zhao Ling mumbled, still refusing to open his eyes.
Fu Tingyun called out coyly, "Ninth Master!" "Hurry and get up. You're covered in dust—it's filthy!" Her intention had merely been to make him rise, but once the words left her mouth, she felt they were inappropriate. He had rushed back at this time, likely traveling day and night without rest, enduring hardship just to see her and the children sooner. To say such a thing was too harsh... Softening her voice, she added, "Let me help you freshen up first, then I'll attend to you..." Though they had been married for years, some words still eluded her. She whispered, "Alright?"
Only then did Zhao Ling open his eyes, but instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer for a kiss.
Fu Tingyun inwardly groaned—once he started like this, he wouldn’t stop anytime soon... But people were waiting outside!
"L-Later," she stammered, instinctively squirming to evade him. "Zheng San and the others must know you're back... And Youyou, Xi Ge'er, Xu Ge'er... Housekeeper Tong will bring the children to greet you..."
Yet Zhao Ling, unable to restrain himself, pressed her back onto the bed...
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Fu Tingyun blinked her bleary eyes open, staring at the flickering candlelight in momentary confusion.
Had she dreamed that Zhao Ling had returned, and then they...
At the thought, her cheeks burned fiercely.
Then warmth pressed against her back as someone drew near.
A man’s scorching breath brushed her ear. "Awake?" The achingly familiar voice echoed softly in the quiet chamber. "Want some water?" With that, the warmth behind her vanished as he moved away, the rustling sound of bed curtains being drawn filling the room.
Fu Tingyun quickly turned over, her gaze meeting a pair of deep, tender eyes.
"Ninth Master!" She threw her arms around his waist, then immediately let go.
Then... what had just happened was real?
Didn’t that mean everyone in the household knew?
Embarrassed, she lowered her lashes.
"What’s wrong?" Zhao Ling caressed her cheek, pulling her into his embrace and bringing a teacup to her lips. "Here, drink some water... You were sweating a lot earlier."
Fu Tingyun hurriedly reached for the cup, murmuring, "I’ll do it myself," her tone tinged with shyness.
Zhao Ling didn’t insist. After she drank, he set the cup aside and simply held her, leaning back against the headboard.
Fu Tingyun felt flustered, yet she couldn’t deny how intimate and comforting this embrace was.
She rested her head against his shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of soap lingering on him.
Only then did Fu Tingyun realize they had both been washed clean—especially Zhao Ling, who had even washed his hair.
What had happened after she lost consciousness?How could she have slept so soundly?
Fu Tingyun had many questions to ask but didn’t know where to begin, so the first thing that slipped out was, "What time is it now?"
Zhao Ling glanced out the window and said, "Almost dawn!"
"How did I sleep for so long?" Fu Tingyun was astonished.
Zhao Ling kissed the top of her head and replied, "I didn’t let them disturb you."
Fu Tingyun nestled obediently in his arms and asked about the children, "...When did they go to bed?"
"It was too late, so I didn’t let them wake the children," Zhao Ling said with a smile.
Fu Tingyun felt slightly reassured but then began to worry he might misbehave... She quickly pushed him away.
Zhao Ling frowned in displeasure.
Fu Tingyun had no choice but to say, "Can’t you be serious when I’m talking to you properly?"
"But this is serious business too!" Zhao Ling looked up, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
Fu Tingyun was exasperated.
She struggled to sit up.
"No, no, no," Zhao Ling quickly held her tighter. "I promise to behave, alright?" He added, "A-Jun, I’ve finally managed to come back this once."
Fu Tingyun’s heart softened immediately, and she settled back into his embrace. She couldn’t help but ask, "Why did you suddenly return? You gave me such a fright! You didn’t even send word ahead—I could’ve prepared properly."
Zhao Ling gently pinched her hand and teased suggestively, "Haven’t you prepared quite well already?"
"You scoundrel!" Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh.
Zhao Ling showered her with kisses until she was breathless and begged for mercy, only then relenting.
"The Empress Dowager is celebrating her seventieth birthday," Zhao Ling said as Fu Tingyun lay quietly in his arms, tucking the blanket around her. "I’m accompanying the newly appointed Pacification Commissioner to the capital to present our congratulations..."
"You got the news so quickly?" Fu Tingyun was surprised. "Third Older Cousin's Husband mentioned that the Grand Secretariat only began discussing it in the past couple of days."
Zhao Ling curled his lip. "The idea was originally proposed to Grand Secretary Chen by Li Xiang... We’ve known for a while."
The current emperor had ascended the throne by purging the imperial court and thus placed great emphasis on righteousness. Organizing a grand nationwide celebration for the Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday was the perfect display of filial piety. Once someone proposed it, the emperor couldn’t possibly resist.
But Fu Tingyun was a little worried. "Aren’t you back too early?"
"Couldn’t I miss you and the children?" Zhao Ling raised an eyebrow at her.
Fu Tingyun pretended to scowl. "I think you truly missed the children, but missing me was just an excuse!"
"How could that be?" Zhao Ling grinned. "Without you, there’d be no children. I missed you both!"
Seeing his playful expression, Fu Tingyun couldn’t keep up the act and laughed along.
"Still, I shouldn’t show my face these next few days," Zhao Ling chuckled. "The Pacification Commissioner hasn’t even left Guizhou yet!"
Zhao Ling had quelled the Miao rebellion, and to appease the Miao people, the emperor established four Pacification Commissions in Guizhou, appointing four chieftains as Pacification Commissioners."You're far too reckless!" Fu Tingyun was startled, all the tenderness from moments ago vanishing, replaced by sheer panic. "If the Emperor finds out, it would be a grave crime. Even if he doesn't pursue it now, who knows when he might bring it up..." She added, "How could you be so foolish!" Yet in her heart, she understood—he must have missed her and their child terribly to risk such an audacious return to the capital. Tears began to fall uncontrollably. "If you missed us so much, I could have brought our child to see you. How could you sneak back like this!" Then, without another thought, she threw off the covers and tried to rise. "Let me prepare some provisions for you. Leave tonight under cover of darkness and return to Guizhou. Even waiting for those pacification commissioners along the way would be better..."
Zhao Ling quickly pulled Fu Tingyun back.
She stumbled and fell into his arms.
"The morning air is chilly—be careful not to catch cold," he soothed her. "Don't worry. The imperial decree for the Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday celebrations should arrive in a couple of days. I'll stay home for a while to see you and the children, then leave to wait for those pacification commissioners at Zhangjiawan. Nothing will go wrong!"
But Fu Tingyun sensed something amiss.
Her face filled with alarm as she grasped Zhao Ling's hand tightly. "What... what are you planning?"
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Writing those kinds of scenes always takes a bit longer... O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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