Chapter 61: Unexpected Events
Chapter 60, "Silver," went through three drafts... meaning it was revised three times... If this chapter feels slightly disconnected from the previous one, please flip back a page... ducks under a pot lid and sneaks away
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The ritual ceremony was to last seven days.
Every morning, Fu Tingyun would go to Daxingshan Temple accompanied by Zheng San and his wife, along with Sanfu. After having dinner at the temple, she would return to Willow Lane, often under a sky full of stars.
Sometimes Zhao Ling would already be back and greet her in the courtyard. Other times, when he hadn’t returned yet, Fu Tingyun would prick up her ears and listen until the lanterns in the front courtyard were lit and movement could be heard—only then would she rest peacefully.
After completing the ceremony, Fu Tingyun donated one hundred taels of silver as merit money and twenty taels as incense offerings. Even for the prosperous Daxingshan Temple, this was a generous contribution. The reception monk smiled warmly and invited her to meet the abbot:
"...The benefactress has shown such sincere devotion to the Buddha. The abbot wishes to present you with a blessed religious object to safeguard your health and bring you auspicious fortune."
Fu Tingyun pressed her palms together in greeting and followed the monk to the abbot.
The abbot, a kindly elder in his sixties, bestowed blessings upon her and gifted her a rosary beads of red sandalwood.
"You may wear it on your wrist to ward off misfortune," he said, then invited her, "On the first day of next month, the temple will hold a Buddhist assembly with a high monk lecturing on scriptures. The benefactress may wish to attend."
Fu Tingyun thanked the abbot and promised to return if she could leave home that day. The reception monk escorted her all the way to the temple gate.
Zhao Ling stood waiting beside the carriage, with A Sen and Shizhu behind him. To the monk’s eyes, he appeared every bit the affluent young master, and the monk eagerly stepped forward with many auspicious words. Only after Fu Tingyun and her party had gone far did he return through the gate with a few little monks in tow.
A Sen sat on the carriage shaft with the driver, and Fu Tingyun handed him an oil-paper bundle.
"These are the vegetarian buns from Daxingshan Temple that you love so much."
A Sen cheered, immediately stuffing one into his mouth. After chewing happily for a moment, he suddenly remembered something and hastily composed himself, offering one to Zhao Ling, who walked alongside.
"Ninth Master, have one too!"
"Keep them for yourself," Zhao Ling replied with a warm, brotherly smile. "I'm not hungry."
Peeking through a gap in the carriage curtain, Fu Tingyun watched in surprise.
Zhao Ling had been in unusually high spirits these past few days, his eyes always carrying a hint of amusement.
A Sen then offered buns to Sanfu, Shizhu, and the driver, none of whom would dream of taking his food. He sat contentedly on the shaft, munching away.
Fu Tingyun lowered her voice to ask A Sen, "What have you all been up to lately? I haven’t seen you in days."
Twisting around to face her, A Sen replied brightly, "We bought three shops on Baoqing Street, three hundred mu of land in Lujiacun in Chang'an County, over four hundred mu in Xihuaicun, and more than a thousand mu in Dongjiangcun..."
His voice was clear and loud, turning Fu Tingyun’s cheeks pink. She couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Ling’s expression.
Zhao Ling merely smiled, as if their conversation amused him, his demeanor relaxed.
What’s going on?
Fu Tingyun studied Zhao Ling’s face suspiciously, searching for any clue in his expression.As if sensing someone's gaze, Zhao Ling suddenly looked over, locking eyes with Fu Tingyun.
Caught red-handed in her peeping.
Flustered, Fu Tingyun hastily dropped the carriage curtain, thus missing the growing curve of Zhao Ling's lips.
Sanfu and Shizhu remained oblivious to the exchange, engrossed in A Sen's conversation with the coachman.
"Where are you folks from? Must be rolling in money. The shops on Baoqing Street don't come cheap, yet you bought three at once!" The coachman clicked his tongue. "Baoqing Silver House's flagship store is there—all the famous silver shops and antique dealers in Xi'an Prefecture set up shop there. I hear the yearly rent for one storefront runs over two hundred taels!" He added, "And seventeen hundred mu of land must've cost a pretty penny!"
"Nothing much," A Sen replied, though his tone betrayed undisguised pride. "With times being hard, we got a bargain."
The coachman laughed heartily. "Even during the Kangcheng era's military unrest, land still sold for one tael and two mace per mu. You're too modest, young man." Introducing himself, he said, "I'm Ma, second in my family—folks call me Ma Er. I live on Pear Lane in the east city and usually do business near Jinshui Bridge there. Need a carriage again? Just call for me—I'll come running."
"So it's Brother Ma Er." Though young, A Sen was quick-witted and smoothly kept up the banter. "I'll remember that. Might trouble you again sometime." He then chattered with Ma Er about the best places for sweets, meat pies, combs, and hair ribbons, his lively voice filling the journey.
Unable to contain her astonishment, Zheng Sanniang whispered to Fu Tingyun, "Who'd have thought Ninth Master, so young, has already amassed such wealth. Miss, you're truly blessed."
Cold sweat broke out on Fu Tingyun's brow as she hastily changed the subject: "I've some cotton left—would you like to make Linchun a pair of padded trousers?"
Zheng Sanniang beamed. "Many thanks, miss!"
Yet Fu Tingyun's thoughts turned to Jin Yuanbao.
When would he return?
If her mother had other plans for her, forcing her to leave Xi'an Prefecture, how shocked would the Zhengs be upon learning she and Zhao Ling had no real connection?
The carriage jostled along, mirroring Fu Tingyun's unsettled heart. At long last, they arrived at Willow Lane, where Master Lu and Madam Lu stood waiting at the gate with Luwei.
Madam Lu helped Fu Tingyun alight from the carriage.
Suddenly, distant shouts pierced the air: "Ninth Master! Ninth Master!"
A figure came running toward them.
Everyone turned to look.
There was Jin Yuanbao, clad in tattered clothes with a bundle on his back, sprinting their way—with a panting Yang Yucheng trailing behind.
"Brother Yuanbao! Brother Yuanbao!" A Sen waved excitedly. "Over here!"
Jin Yuanbao reached Zhao Ling and clutched his arm. "Ninth Master... Ninth Master... You—you're really alive!" Before he could finish, he burst into childlike sobs.
Moisture glistened in Zhao Ling's eyes too. Noticing the coachman's curious stare, he said firmly, "Let's talk inside."
Jin Yuanbao nodded repeatedly through his tears. Master Lu dismissed the coachman as the group ushered them into the house.Yang Yucheng hurried over, panting, "You—why did you run so fast? I chased you—chased you for two whole streets! Haven't run like this in years—I'm exhausted!" As he spoke, he slung his arm over Sanfu's shoulder. "Someone, give me a push, will you?"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
The atmosphere was lively.
Zhao Ling chuckled and lightly scolded Yang Yucheng, "Alright, enough clowning around. Yuanbao has had a long journey and must be tired." He then instructed Zheng Sanniang, "Prepare some hot water and food." His gaze inadvertently swept past Fu Tingyun, who stood nearby, and a hint of hesitation flickered across his face.
Yang Yucheng piped up, "On such a joyous occasion, let's order a feast! The mutton spine soup at Shisan Mountain is absolutely divine!"
"Fine," Zhao Ling quickly averted his eyes from Fu Tingyun, his expression settling into calm composure. "Go ahead and order from Shisan Mountain."
"Ah!" Yang Yucheng howled dramatically. "Why me? I've been squatting at the Rising Joy Inn waiting for Yuanbao for over ten days—didn't even dare visit the outhouse..."
Knowing he was just hamming it up to amuse them, everyone ignored his antics, suppressing their laughter as they headed toward the hall.
"Why am I so unlucky? Why am I so unlucky?" Yang Yucheng trailed behind, muttering dejectedly. "I'll go order the feast, sure—but who's footing the bill?"
The group could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
Fu Tingyun watched the scene before her, her vision slightly blurred.
Jin Yuanbao had returned, which meant it was time for her to leave.
She would never again see the dashing yet mischievous Yang Yucheng or the lively and adorable A Sen...
Her gaze lingered on Zhao Ling.
He was laughing heartily.
His eyes crinkled slightly, his expression radiating an indescribable joy, like sunlight breaking free from dark clouds—so bright and dazzling it was almost blinding.
Fu Tingyun lowered her head.
Her chest ached as if struck by a fist, the pain stealing her breath.
Naturally, she didn't see Zhao Ling glance her way.
His eyes were deep as the ocean, inscrutable and unfathomable.
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Three people sat in Master Lu's study, furnished like an accountant's office: Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun, and Jin Yuanbao.
Their expressions were solemn, lending the room a heavy atmosphere.
Madam Lu served tea and quietly withdrew, closing the study door behind her.
Zhao Ling motioned for Jin Yuanbao to take a sip of tea first. "No dangers along the way, I hope?"
Jin Yuanbao had regained his composure, though the faint redness around his eyes betrayed his earlier bout of tears.
"I stuck to backroads," he replied respectfully. "The journey was smooth—only ten days to reach Huayin." He glanced at Fu Tingyun.
She tensed, sensing he was about to speak of her affairs, and clenched her hands into fists.
"...But I couldn't meet Madam Fu."
"What?" Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun exclaimed in unison. Even the usually unflappable Zhao Ling pressed urgently, "What happened? Why couldn't you see her?" Fu Tingyun paled, her fingers twisting anxiously."I heard from the Fu family that Madam Fu has gone to the capital," Jin Yuanbao said, glancing at Zhao Ling with a strange look in his eyes before his gaze flickered briefly over Fu Tingyun. "Afraid the rumors might be wrong, I found a way to sneak in. Madam Fu truly has left for the capital. She only left two families from her dowry to manage the estates—everyone else went with her to the capital."
"How could this be?" Fu Tingyun's face paled with distress. "How could Mother leave me behind and go to the capital?" She looked at Jin Yuanbao, her eyes brimming with hope. "Didn't she leave any message for me?"
Jin Yuanbao stared into those gem-like, shimmering eyes before finally lowering his voice. "According to people in Huayin, after the ninth young miss of the Fu family passed away, Madam Fu was so devastated that she fell ill. Wu Laoye of the Fu family, fearing Madam Fu would be tormented by painful memories, proposed to the Fu family matriarch that Madam Fu accompany him to his official post. The matriarch agreed. Master Qi personally came to escort Madam Fu to the capital."
Fu Tingyun's full elder brother, Fu Tinggui, was the seventh among his cousins.
Ever since Fu Tingyun's father became a Presented Scholar and remained in the Hanlin Academy, he had been studying in the capital with his father. His wife was the daughter of his father's fellow candidate, and after only three months at home, his sister-in-law followed her husband to the capital. Both nephews were born there—Fu Tingyun had never even met them.
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O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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