Chapter 53: Running About
Fu Tingyun waited for two days without any news, growing increasingly anxious.
Madam Lu came every morning to keep her company with casual conversation. In the afternoons, she would bring pastries bought by Master Lu from Guangren Temple, treating Fu Tingyun with such care that even a birth aunt could not have been more attentive.
This made Fu Tingyun somewhat puzzled, and she cautiously probed Madam Lu: "I may have to trouble you for a long time yet. Your kindness makes me feel like an outsider."
"Not at all, not at all," Madam Lu replied, her round face beaming with a kindly smile. "Ninth Master said you may stay as long as you wish, and all decisions are yours to make. If you like it here, in a couple of years, we’ll find you a good match—whether you prefer to take in a son-in-law or marry out, it’s entirely up to you." She added, "After all, we old folks are already at the twilight of our lives. What little we have will naturally go to you, so you needn’t worry about lacking a dowry if you marry."
Fu Tingyun was deeply shaken, both in heart and mind.
Zhao Ling had thought of everything for her!
She buried her face in the bed, tears streaming uncontrollably, dampening the cool bamboo mat beneath her.
What kind of person did he take her for?
Living in his house, using his hard-earned money to marry—or even take in a son-in-law? How could he even conceive of such a thing?
It was all just because he feared her family might not accept her, leaving her with nowhere to go. There were plenty of nunneries and Taoist temples in Xi’an—if worst came to worst, she could always shave her head and spend her days chanting before a dim oil lamp and ancient Buddha.
Yet another wave of resentment rose in her heart.
He was so considerate of others—why couldn’t he spare a thought for himself?
Alone in that inn, how was he faring now?
A Sen hadn’t brought any news. Had Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao really followed Zhao Ling’s orders and dispersed, leaving the city?
Her thoughts ran wild, leaving her restless and uneasy.
Then A Sen returned with Yang Yucheng.
Fu Tingyun was overjoyed.
So this Yang Yucheng was also a man of loyalty and courage!
She changed her clothes and went to the main hall.
Unlike the dashing nobleman she had seen before, today Yang Yucheng wore coarse short robes, his skin darkened to a honeyed hue—likely from some applied stain—resembling a laborer from the docks.
His gaze held a trace of wariness as he looked at Fu Tingyun.
She couldn’t help but frown inwardly.
Now was the time for unity in adversity. If Yang Yucheng didn’t trust her, how could they work together effectively?
Her expression turned frosty.
A Sen grew anxious, fearing they might clash and part ways. He tugged at Yang Yucheng’s sleeve nervously and whispered, "Brother Yucheng, Miss Fu is really impressive—she guessed everything about our situation. She genuinely wants to help Ninth Master." Then he turned pleading eyes to Fu Tingyun. "Miss Fu, Brother Yucheng says that once Ninth Master has decided something, no one can change his mind. He’s worried you might act rashly and disrupt Ninth Master’s plans."
Those probably weren’t Yang Yucheng’s exact words, were they?
More likely, he saw her as a sheltered, ignorant woman who knew nothing, using Zhao Ling’s name to summon him through A Sen and presumptuously offering advice on rescuing Zhao Ling.
Yet despite this, he had still come. That alone showed his loyalty and deep respect for Zhao Ling!
At this realization, Fu Tingyun’s expression softened. She gestured for him to take a seat in the Grand Tutor chair below and called for A Sen to serve tea.
A Sen hesitated, still worried they might argue, before finally turning to leave.Yang Yucheng, without any courtesy, took a seat on the Grand Tutor chair and cupped his hands toward Fu Tingyun, saying, "Miss Fu, I heard from A Sen that you have a brilliant plan to save Ninth Master. I rushed here in haste—would you kindly enlighten me?" His words were laced with hidden barbs, his politeness tinged with indifference.
He was annoyed by Fu Tingyun’s meddling. If not for her, Jin Yuanbao wouldn’t have been sent to Huayin to deliver the letter. Had Jin Yuanbao stayed, he would have had someone to discuss matters with, making the rescue of Ninth Master more certain.
This woman—utterly useless, only causing trouble!
Fu Tingyun, however, remained composed.
They had only exchanged glances before; this was their first proper conversation. As Zhao Ling’s right-hand man, Yang Yucheng surely had some capability. Expecting him to suddenly trust a woman like her was too presumptuous.
The most pressing matter now was to convince Yang Yucheng to believe her.
Fu Tingyun smiled faintly, her expression growing even gentler. "Judging by Young Master Yang’s attire, I assume you intend to assist Ninth Master covertly?"
Yang Yucheng had expected her to ask about Zhao Ling’s current situation, but instead, she brought up an unrelated topic. He paused briefly before nodding. "Indeed."
Fu Tingyun continued, "I wonder where Young Master Jin has gone? Have you been in contact with him?"
A flicker of anger crossed Yang Yucheng’s face.
He had tried to persuade Jin Yuanbao to stay with him in Xi’an Prefecture, but Jin Yuanbao insisted on going to Huayin, even saying, "This is Ninth Master’s order. I’ve never disobeyed him before, and I won’t start now."
The memory of it still rankled him.
Jin Yuanbao was merely following orders—he couldn’t blame him. And since it was Ninth Master’s command, he couldn’t blame Ninth Master either.
So his frustration naturally turned toward Fu Tingyun.
"Brother Yuanbao has gone to Huayin," he said coldly, staring at her. "Did Miss Fu not know?" Unable to resist, a hint of mockery crept into his tone.
Fu Tingyun acted as though she hadn’t noticed. She nodded slightly, appearing thoughtful. "At such a critical time, Young Master Jin didn’t stay to help you devise a plan to rescue Ninth Master but instead went to Huayin…"
Yang Yucheng clenched his fists in anger.
But then Fu Tingyun added, "It seems Young Master Jin is a man of great foresight and strategy!"
Yang Yucheng was stunned once more.
Jin Yuanbao was indeed full of ideas!
Fu Tingyun spoke slowly, "He must have already realized that Ninth Master couldn’t escape this predicament. Knowing you were determined to stand by Ninth Master, he had no choice but to go to Huayin. First, to fulfill Ninth Master’s last wish. Second…" Her voice softened, carrying a note of sorrow, "Second, if you both perish, someone would be left to collect your remains…"
Her words struck Yang Yucheng like thunder, leaving his mind reeling.
It was true—he and Yuanbao were as close as brothers, having weathered countless storms together. Yuanbao had never faltered; he was no coward. How could he abandon Ninth Master now?
He recalled how Yuanbao had always been the one to devise plans between them.
Perhaps, as this Miss Fu said, Jin Yuanbao had indeed foreseen that Ninth Master couldn’t escape death, which was why he went to Huayin?
Yang Yucheng’s expression grew solemn as he regarded Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun breathed a quiet sigh of relief.She had no idea what Jin Yuanbao was truly planning, but recalling how Zhao Ling had sent him to investigate Mo Yi's background—and how Jin Yuanbao had indeed fulfilled his task, uncovering every detail about the Guerilla General under the Gansu General Commander—it was clear he excelled at espionage and analysis. That was why she had made such a remark. She hoped to catch Yang Yucheng off guard, seize the initiative, and set the stage for what she was about to say next.
Judging by his reaction, she had guessed correctly.
"When I used to watch operas, I admired those imperial censors the most—those who could not be bent by power nor swayed by wealth," Fu Tingyun shifted the topic, her expression one of reverence. "I always believed their 'noble spirit fills the universe, their loyal hearts illuminate eternity,' that their names would be enshrined in history and honored in temples of loyalty—the most glorious fate a person could achieve." Her gaze dimmed slightly. "But one day, my father told me that officials who died remonstrating were nothing more than incompetent men seeking fame, using their selfish actions to trap the emperor in disgrace."
Yang Yucheng was taken aback.
He didn’t understand what Fu Tingyun was getting at.
"I was young then, reading the Records of the Grand Historian , and I thought my father was exaggerating. I argued with him," she continued solemnly. "I don’t remember the exact words we exchanged, but the question my father posed when he left me speechless is seared into my memory to this day." She turned her gaze to Yang Yucheng. "He asked me, 'If the ministers achieve eternal fame and are honored in temples of loyalty, what then should become of the emperor?'"
Fu Tingyun’s eyes burned like flames, fixed unwaveringly on Yang Yucheng’s, as if asking him— If it were you, how would you answer?
That fire seemed to leap from her gaze into his throat. Yang Yucheng felt his mouth go dry, unable to speak for a long moment.
"I’d like to ask you, Young Master Yang—if Ninth Master escapes with your help, what then?"
Fu Tingyun’s voice rang out firm and resonant, like the tolling of a great bell in his ears.
If Ninth Master escapes, what then?
Their opponent was a prince whose background they had yet to fully uncover, one who had already drawn in Marquis Yingchuan, the Guangdong General Commander, and the Mo family of Luyi... Behind these figures stood true aristocratic families. Compared to them, the so-called martial world giants were like fireflies next to the bright moon—any one of them could crush them into the dust with a mere flick of their wrist.
Ninth Master was injured. Even if he managed to evade Mo Yi’s pursuit, what then? Would it provoke Marquis Yingchuan, or even that unnamed prince?
She’s talking about me!
Implying that, like those censors, he was willing to sacrifice Zhao Ling’s life for the sake of his own loyalty.
For a woman to possess such insight...
No wonder Ninth Master held her in such high regard, ensuring her safety even in dire times.
Yang Yucheng straightened his expression, all traces of disrespect gone.
"Miss Fu, I understand what you’re saying," he said earnestly, shedding his earlier dismissiveness. "But once Ninth Master makes a decision, he never wavers. I owe him a great debt. Even if it means throwing myself into the fire, I have no choice but to act. If you have any plan that could help Ninth Master escape danger, I will follow your orders without hesitation." His tone was resolute by the end, his expression unyielding—no longer the refined nobleman nor the silent porter, but a man of iron will and unshakable courage.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.With brothers like these by Zhao Ling's side, he could die without regrets.
She asked Yang Yucheng, "How many men do you have left with you?"
"Only two," Yang Yucheng replied hesitantly. "One named Sanfu, the other Shizhu. They've both followed Ninth Master for many years and received his guidance in martial arts. Three or five ordinary men wouldn't stand a chance against them. They know about Ninth Master's situation and insisted on staying." He added, "That Mo Yi is no ordinary man—having too many people might actually hinder us. But if Miss Fu needs more hands, most of Shaanxi's freelance gangs are currently based in Xi'an Prefecture. I could hire some with money. After all, it's civilians against officials—they can run errands, but there are certain matters they must never learn about."
Fu Tingyun smiled faintly. "So, you, Sanfu, and Shizhu are all prepared to die for this?"
"Of course," Yang Yucheng declared, his spirit soaring without a trace of fear. "Even if we can't save Ninth Master, we'll make sure Mo Yi pays dearly. We're not soft persimmons for him to squeeze as he pleases."
"Good!" Fu Tingyun, infected by his fervor, sprang to her feet. "If death holds no fear for you, what else is there to dread? There's something I need you to do for me, Young Master Yang!"
※
Must everyone wait until 500,000 words before jumping into the pit?
(>_
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