Chapter 48: Crisis (Bonus Chapter for 240 Pink Votes)
Unlike the murderous tension permeating Mo Yi's quarters, Zhao Ling's room brimmed with the joy of reunion.
"...The Feng family refused to admit anything, but I knew immediately it was Ninth Master's doing," said Jin Yuanbao, his usually gentle eyes now alight with excitement. "When we saw the markers A Sen left behind, we were both shocked and delighted. We were actually considering having Sanfu disguise himself as a blind fortune-teller to give Mo Yi a reading, hoping to persuade him to escort Ninth Master to Xi'an. Then the Seasonal Epidemic broke out at Nine Mile Gulch, driving people toward Linchun Town. We figured our lord wouldn't miss this opportunity, so we stationed people at every city gate each night. Sure enough, Ninth Master slipped into the city under cover of darkness!"
Zhao Ling remained reclined against the headboard, but now with a faint smile playing on his lips, the former coldness gone. "We figured? More like you, Jin Yuanbao, figured it out, didn't you?" His tone carried a teasing note.
Jin Yuanbao scratched his head and grinned, his smile simple and honest.
"You've all worked hard!" Ninth Master said with concern. "How is Sanfu and the rest?"
"All doing well!" Jin Yuanbao replied. "They just miss you terribly and are hoping to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together soon!"
"Mid-Autumn Festival?" Zhao Ling's expression shifted slightly, a trace of melancholy flashing through his eyes.
Noticing this, Jin Yuanbao shot Yang Yucheng a meaningful glance, urging him to offer some comforting words. But Yang Yucheng, who had seemed distracted since entering, suddenly straightened up and asked with a smile, "Ninth Master, why didn't you send that Miss Fu to Weinan? Did something else happen with her family?"
Jin Yuanbao shot Yang Yucheng a disapproving look, as if scolding him for bringing this up at such a time.
Seeing Yang Yucheng's evasive gaze, Zhao Ling couldn't help but chuckle. "What's on your mind? You must have run into her at the door. Didn't you notice Miss Fu is in mourning?" His smile gradually faded. "Her uncle set up a congee kitchen in Fengyuan, which attracted the greed of those migrant bandits. They ended up slaughtering his entire family..."
Both Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng fell silent.
Such tragedies had been occurring frequently these days. Governor Dong Hanwen had petitioned the court to mobilize Shaanxi's military forces to suppress the unrest, using precisely this as justification.
"So... what about Miss Fu?" Yang Yucheng hesitated. "We can't just keep her with us indefinitely, can we?"
A Sen, who had been keeping watch by the side room's entrance, bristled at Yang Yucheng's tone, which seemed opposed to Zhao Ling keeping Fu Tingyun with them. Remembering all the kindness Fu Tingyun had shown him lately, he broke Zhao Ling's rule against interrupting and blurted out, "What's wrong with Miss Fu staying with us? She can cook, sew, and takes good care of Ninth Master... I think it's just fine. It's not like we can't afford to feed her."
"What do you know?" Yang Yucheng glared at A Sen. "This isn't about whether we can feed her or not. Children shouldn't interrupt when adults are talking."
A Sen stole a glance at Zhao Ling. Seeing his expression remained calm, he knew he wouldn't be scolded, but he didn't dare say more either. Muttering under his breath about Yang Yucheng, he turned his attention back outside.
"I was actually going to discuss this with Yuanbao," Zhao Ling said. "I originally promised Madam Fu, but with everything that's happened along the way, the only option now is to send someone to the Fu family with a message for Madam Fu. We'll decide our next steps based on her response."Is Ninth Master really planning to see this matter through to the end?
Jin Yuanbao hesitated, "Ninth Master, these are extraordinary times. Prince Jian and the prominent gentry of Shaanxi are all taking refuge in Xi'an Prefecture, which is under strict martial law. Once the disaster situation eases and the restrictions in Xi'an are lifted, the Feng family will surely come after us. Xi'an is truly not a place to stay for long..." As he spoke, he noticed Ninth Master's brows furrow almost imperceptibly, realizing his mind was made up. He sighed inwardly and continued, "However, Miss Fu is now alone. We can't leave without ensuring her safety. I think I should make a trip to Huayin. But without any proof, Madam Fu might not believe me. Perhaps Miss Fu could write a few words for me to carry..."
"How can you go?" Yang Yucheng immediately objected. "If you go, how will we transport our belongings out of Xi'an?" He turned to Zhao Ling, "Ninth Master, perhaps I should go instead?"
"Yuanbao will go," Zhao Ling rejected Yang Yucheng's suggestion. "Yuanbao has always been steady and cautious. We can't afford any more mistakes in this matter, so I trust him to handle it. As for the token, A Sen, go and inform Miss Fu."
A Sen acknowledged and left.
Zhao Ling said to Yang Yucheng, "You proceed with the original plan to settle Sanfu and the others. Those willing to follow us to Jiangnan can come, and those unwilling shouldn't be forced. Give them their rightful share, and we'll still be brothers when we meet again." He then smiled, "Didn't you always enjoy accounting? This time, you can handle it!"
Yang Yucheng chuckled sheepishly.
Zhao Ling's expression turned serious. "But make it clear to them: once they follow us to Jiangnan, there's no turning back. Life, old age, sickness, and death—all will be in Jiangnan."
This meant leaving their homeland forever.
Yang Yucheng nodded, his earlier playfulness gone. "Rest assured, Master, I'll arrange everything properly and make the terms clear."
Zhao Ling nodded in approval.
A Sen knocked and entered, holding a silver bracelet. "The young lady said there's no need for a written message. Showing this bracelet to Madam Fu will suffice."
Zhao Ling recognized it as the silver bracelet Madam Fu had once asked him to give to Fu Tingyun—hollow inside, it had once held two thousand taels in bank notes.
He nodded.
A Sen handed the bracelet to Jin Yuanbao.
Zhao Ling asked Jin Yuanbao, "Have you found out the identity of this Mo Yi?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Jin Yuanbao hesitated. "It just seems too improbable!"
Zhao Ling raised an eyebrow.
Perhaps because the matter was so unbelievable, Jin Yuanbao's expression grew grave, and his voice lowered involuntarily. "Marquis Yingchuan, Meng Shu, holds the Pingqiang General's seal and garrisons Gansu. Under his command is a Guerilla General named Mo Yi, a descendant of the Luyi Mo clan. His uncle is Mo Shang, who holds the Zhengnan General's seal and garrisons Guangdong..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Ling's expression changed dramatically.
A Sixteenth Master, connected to two great generals commanding heavy forces in the west and south...
Ninth Master had always been one to conceal his emotions—why today...
The thought flashed through Yang Yucheng's mind, and his heart skipped a beat. He exclaimed, "Could this Mo Yi really be that Mo Yi?"
Zhao Ling remained silent.
A flicker of fear crossed Jin Yuanbao's eyes. "Then... what should we do?"Zhao Ling's expression was grim. "Yuanbao, you go to Huayin to deliver the letter. After meeting Madam Fu, explain clearly that we can no longer send messages for her. She'll have to arrange for someone to come to Xi'an to see Miss Fu herself. You don't need to return—head straight to Jiangnan. Yucheng, you go back now and take those willing to go to Jiangnan with you. Leave tonight without delay..."
"No way?" The two men stood up simultaneously, voicing their opposition in unison. "We either leave together or not at all."
Zhao Ling's eyes suddenly grew moist.
He smiled, his expression filled with indescribable relief and warmth.
"This isn't a matter of strength in numbers," Zhao Ling said with a laugh. "With your skills, what could you possibly accomplish by staying here? Not being a burden to me would be achievement enough. Just follow my arrangements!" As he spoke, his expression darkened abruptly, transforming like an unsheathed sword—sharp, radiant, and exuding an intimidating aura. "Let's see what Mo Yi can do to me!"
"Ninth Master!" Though both men knew Zhao Ling's reasoning was sound, they struggled to accept this arrangement. They called out emotionally but found themselves at a loss for words.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" Zhao Ling arched his eyebrows, his eyes brimming with unshakable confidence. His demeanor suddenly became solemn and dignified, carrying an air of regal authority that seemed to look down upon the world.
Yang Yucheng gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll follow Ninth Master's arrangements."
Zhao Ling turned his gaze to Jin Yuanbao.
After a moment of silence, Jin Yuanbao lifted his head. "I'll also follow Ninth Master's arrangements."
His gentle eyes were firm and composed, lending an air of dignity and stature to his ordinarily plain features.
Zhao Ling smiled faintly. "Don't either of you go making decisions that could ruin my plans."
Their expressions shifted slightly.
Neither Yang Yucheng nor Jin Yuanbao had any intention of leaving. They simply knew Zhao Ling's temperament well enough to realize further arguments would be futile.
Both wore awkward smiles.
Zhao Ling warned them again, "Don't overestimate yourselves."
The two smiled wryly, murmuring their assent before rising to take their leave.
Zhao Ling called A Sen to his side. "Do you still remember the residence I used to have on Willow Lane?"
"Of course!" A Sen stared at Zhao Ling, his face full of bewilderment.
Zhao Ling gently patted his head. "When the time comes, take Miss Fu and the others there."
A Sen pressed his lips tightly together, unspeaking, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
"You silly child," Zhao Ling sighed softly, like a spring breeze brushing willow branches. "I'm counting on you to guard that escape route for me!"
A Sen, after all, was still young and deeply trusted Zhao Ling. Hearing this, he wavered uncertainly.
Zhao Ling scoffed. "Trying to strategize like Yuanbao at such a tender age? Give it another ten years!"
A Sen's tears turned to laughter.
Zhao Ling went to see Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun was in the middle of sewing when she heard it was Zhao Ling. She hurriedly stuffed the needles, thread, and half-finished garment into a cabinet. "Wait a moment, I'll be right there."
Standing outside the partition under the eaves, Zhao Ling listened to the rustling sounds inside and the hurried footsteps of Fu Tingyun moving about. Even without seeing her, he could easily picture her flustered state.
Shouldn't a young lady from a respectable family smile without showing teeth and walk without disturbing her skirts? Yet every time he met this Ninth Miss Fu, she was bouncing around like a child who hadn't grown up.
I wonder if she acts like this in front of her parents too?
The corners of his lips curled into a pleased arc.Bored out of her wits, the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a green sprout emerging from the cracks between the blue bricks in the wall. It trembled as it reached for the sun, its tender green hue so delightful that one couldn't help but want to pluck it and savor the long-missed fragrance of fresh grass.
The door creaked open, revealing Fu Tingyun's rosy cheeks.
"What brings Ninth Master here?" she said, ushering Zhao Ling into the room.
Though she had only stayed here for a few days, the room already bore traces of her presence.
A faint fragrance lingered in the air. Several bright red paper-cuttings adorned the windows, a watercolor painting she had done hung on the wall, a copy of Thousand Poets' Verses lay discarded by the pillow, and half a cup of tea remained in the tray on the table.
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Thank you, dear sisters. Opening the comment section and seeing it filled with pink votes suddenly gave me the feeling of striking it rich...
Also, thanks to "Silent Wooden Fish" for the suggestion—it's been revised. And to "Little Trader" for the note about the small gold coins... I'd only ever seen ten-ounce gold coins and thought they were all the same. I didn’t know there were different sizes. Thanks for the heads-up—I’ve learned something new and have already made the correction.
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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