Chapter 49: Farewell
Fu Tingyun finished brewing the tea and turned around to see Zhao Ling's gaze fixed on the ink painting she had created.
Her paintings had never been particularly inspired. Fifth Sister had once teased her, saying, "You're only good at drawing embroidery patterns."
Seeing Zhao Ling scrutinize her painting, Fu Tingyun felt her ears burn with embarrassment.
"There was a patch of peeling wall..." she murmured in explanation. "Since this isn't our home... just a temporary place to stay... I thought of this solution... It's not very well done..." She wished she could tear the painting down right then and scolded herself inwardly—covering the spot with plain paper would have sufficed. Why did she have to be so particular about aesthetics and paint something to paste over it?
Zhao Ling, assuming her unease stemmed from him seeing her private artwork, smiled and said, "I think it's quite nice!"
He thought the painting was good?
Her landscape painting was modeled after the style of Xia Gui, a master from the previous dynasty. Though it consisted of only a few sparse strokes, it was her most practiced subject.
"Really?" Fu Tingyun's heart bloomed with joy.
Zhao Ling nodded and took a seat in the Grand Tutor chair beside her. "Pasting your own painting over a peeling wall is practical, economical, and quite elegant. It's truly a rare idea!"
Fu Tingyun's smile stiffened.
So, when he said "quite nice," he meant her idea was clever... not that her painting was well-executed!
Zhao Ling lowered his head to pick up the teacup, oblivious to Fu Tingyun's reaction.
As he lifted the lid, a delicate floral fragrance wafted toward him.
Looking closely, he saw a few jasmine blossoms floating amidst the green tea leaves.
Zhao Ling gave an inward nod of approval.
Their daily necessities were all procured by Xiao Wu. Whether it was out of frugality or because Mo Yi didn't mind such things, the tea he bought was always coarse and made from large, low-grade leaves. No wonder the Ninth Miss of the Fu family had added jasmine blossoms to mask the tea's astringency.
She really was someone who knew how to live well!
He took several sips.
Fu Tingyun sat there, her spirits dampened, until Zhao Ling spoke again, snapping her out of her dejection.
"You're saying... you want me, A Sen, and Zheng San and his wife to move to Willow Lane?" She stared at Zhao Ling in shock, her eyes wide with a flicker of alarm.
Thinking of the hardships she had endured, Zhao Ling felt a pang of guilt. The explanation spilled from his lips before he could stop it: "Willow Lane is one of my private residences." But the moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake.
The Ninth Miss of the Fu family was sharp-witted, resolute, and carried the pride typical of noblewomen. If she didn't know he was in danger, that would be one thing—but if she did, she would never choose to save herself at his expense. The more he said, the more he might harm her.
He swiftly changed tack. "An inn is a place of mixed company. With us posing as... an engaged couple... the more people who know, the worse it is for your reputation. It would be better to claim you're visiting relatives and move to Willow Lane. It's just a street away from Guangren Temple—quiet despite being in a lively area, a very good place. If your mother sends someone to fetch you, it would also put her more at ease..."
Was he blaming her for falsely claiming they were "engaged"?
She had indeed handled the matter poorly.
She had only thought about how to explain their relationship to others but hadn't considered his feelings.Previously, she had thought their encounter was merely a passing acquaintance. Even knowing he had many secrets, she hadn't cared enough to ponder them deeply. But now it occurred to her—at his age, he was likely already married. If not, he must at least be betrothed... Before, they'd been surrounded by Mo Yi and the Zheng couple who knew nothing of their backgrounds. But now that he'd reunited with his companions, he'd have to explain his circumstances. If they learned he'd been addressing her as his "betrothed," and word reached either his wife or future in-laws, he'd find it impossible to justify himself.
Zhao Ling's words struck her heart like pounding drums, leaving her breathless.
It seemed he held great respect for his wife and future in-laws. Otherwise, he wouldn't have proposed her moving to a separate residence immediately after meeting his companions.
Fu Tingyun burned with shame and remorse.
He had saved her, yet for her own selfishness, she'd placed him in an unjust position.
Truly repaying kindness with resentment.
When had she become such a person!
Suppressing the inexplicable panic in her heart, Fu Tingyun forced a smile. "It was my lack of consideration that put Ninth Master in this difficult position." She struggled to maintain a dignified composure. "There's no need for A Sen to accompany us. You're still unwell and need someone to attend to you. As you said, Zheng San is capable and skilled in martial arts, while Zheng Sanniang is honest and hardworking. With them by my side, I'll have support for everything. You needn't worry."
Yes, he had arranged everything for her, shown her every possible kindness. What more could she possibly want?
Then why did her heart feel so unsettled?
She couldn't dwell on it further.
Human nature was insatiable.
The more she thought, the more it would only deepen her sorrow.
Fu Tingyun took a deep breath, straightened her back, and assumed what she believed to be the most poised and dignified posture. "Ninth Master, when shall we depart?"
Zhao Ling watched as the rosy hue drained from Fu Tingyun's cheeks, leaving them pale. Her upright posture resembled a magnolia trembling in the wind, on the verge of collapse. His throat felt blocked, rendering him speechless for a long moment.
She must have misunderstood that he was forcing her out.
But even if he guessed correctly, what could he do?
Take back his words? Let her remain in danger like him?
That was impossible.
If so, then let her misunderstand.
Zhao Ling's mouth filled with a bitter taste.
To do good deeds and end up like this—he was probably the only one in the world!
"We'll leave at dawn tomorrow," he said. He had no intention of seeking help from that Wu Xin. It was only a matter of time before Mo Yi turned against him. Every extra minute they stayed here increased her danger. "Pack your things tonight. I'll have A Sen escort you."
"Leave at dawn tomorrow?" Fu Tingyun's face grew even paler.
Her clothes weren't even finished yet!
Once they parted now, they might never meet again...
"Could we delay for two or three days?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of pleading. "I have many things to pack, and it can't be done so quickly."
Zhao Ling was resolute by nature, decisive in action, and unwavering once his mind was made up.
But seeing Fu Tingyun's once pomegranate-bright face now as white as pear blossoms, his determination wavered momentarily.
Even if he sent her away, arrangements still needed to be made regarding Mo Yi. A delay of two or three days shouldn't matter, should it?Fu Tingyun was unaware of Zhao Ling's current state of mind, sensing only a trace of hesitation from him.
She lowered her eyelids: "Perhaps... stay a couple more days?"
This was already her limit. Any earlier, and the winter clothes would have to be left unfinished.
Her voice was soft, like wispy clouds, utterly lacking confidence.
Zhao Ling was deeply shaken.
Even when facing vicious bandits at the City God Temple, she had never appeared this vulnerable.
"Alright!" he said. "We'll set off in two days then."
Fu Tingyun nodded. After seeing Zhao Ling off, she worked day and night to finish the winter garments without rest.
Zheng Sanniang kept urging her: "You must eat something!"
Had Zhao Ling married yet?
If he had, what kind of person was his wife?
How could she let him wander about like this?
If he hadn't married, what did his betrothed look like?
Did she know about his current situation?
Did she know Zhao Ling was an extraordinary man of integrity and loyalty who stood firm between heaven and earth?
Would she cherish him properly?
"I'm not hungry," Fu Tingyun shook her head, stitching densely. Only this way could she temporarily forget the chaotic thoughts that kept surfacing in her mind. "After washing the dishes, help pack our things. Tomorrow we're moving elsewhere."
"Why?" Zheng Sanniang looked alarmed.
Having survived the catastrophic years of corpses littering the fields, what she longed for most was stability.
"We came to Xi'an Prefecture to seek refuge with a distant aunt of Ninth Master's," Fu Tingyun explained, using the story she and Zhao Ling had agreed upon. "A Sen and Chen Liu came looking once before but couldn't find her. This time, thanks to meeting Young Master Yang and Young Master Jin, we learned where she moved to. Since Ninth Master and I aren't married yet, staying together would be improper. Plus with Ninth Master being ill, it's already great kindness that they're willing to take us in—we can't bring illness into their home. Ninth Master's idea is for us to move to the relatives' place while he stays at an inn temporarily. Once recovered, he'll come find us."
Zheng Sanniang relaxed upon hearing this, smiling: "That's good, that's good!"
Mo Yi frowned upon hearing the plan: "All this back-and-forth is too troublesome. Why don't you just get married already?" Then he asked, "Has your father-in-law's hundred-day mourning period passed?"
Zhao Ling also frowned: "Though our families aren't scholarly lineages, we're literate enough to know better than to wear red during filial mourning."
Mo Yi looked embarrassed and fell silent for a long while.
After Zhao Ling left, Mo Yi sent Chen Liu to investigate.
"It's a small two-courtyard house occupied by an elderly couple in their fifties," Chen Liu soon reported back. "Originally from Liangzhou, they lost their child in the wars and moved to Xi'an six years ago. They live off rent from two shopfronts on Chang'an Street. They keep one maidservant and an old male servant."
It seemed flawless, yet something about it felt unsettling.
Mo Yi grew irritable.
Chen Liu reassured him: "Mo Ye, how could Miss Fu possibly escape our grasp?"
Mo Yi felt slightly comforted but sighed: "I don't know why, but I feel something's off about this."
Chen Liu dismissed the concern: "Mo Ye, no one has ever escaped the God Crossbow Unit's encirclement!"
True enough.
Even celestial beings would be powerless against ten thousand arrows darkening the sky.
Mo Yi's spirits lifted: "Any news about that Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao?""Both of them have sold off their goods at low prices. It seems they're planning to leave Xi'an Prefecture," Chen Liu said. "I've already sent men to follow them. If they dare to leave, they'll be killed without exception."
Mo Yi nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun was standing at Zhao Ling's door, knocking.
A Sen came to open it. Seeing the bundle in Fu Tingyun's hands, he vaguely guessed what it might contain, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss Fu!"
Fu Tingyun smiled and nodded at him.
Zhao Ling appeared at the doorway.
"What's this?" He glanced at the bundle in Fu Tingyun's hands, looking at her with surprise.
After just two days apart, she had visibly lost weight. Her once bright and lively dark eyes were now filled with exhaustion, and her pale face bore dark circles as if she hadn't slept for days.
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Work was quite busy today, so I'm posting a draft first and will correct any errors later.
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of chapter)
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