Chapter 71: Zhangye (Bonus Chapter for 600 Pink Votes)
When Zhao Ling appeared at the inn with two carpets slung over his left shoulder and a large package of tea leaves in his right hand, following behind Fu Tingyun, everyone was stunned, unable to react for a long moment. A Sen was the quickest to respond, darting forward first: "Ninth Master, why didn't you call me when you went out?" He reached out to help Zhao Ling with the tea.
Zhao Ling moved his hand back, avoiding A Sen, and said, "The tea is too heavy for you."
Meanwhile, Yang Yucheng and the others snapped out of their daze and hurried over, some helping with the carpets, others with the tea, crowding around Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun as they entered the hall.
Zheng Sanniang brought in tea, and by then, Sanfu and the others had already put away the items.
Yang Yucheng took the tea from Zheng Sanniang and handed it to Zhao Ling while complaining, "If you thought A Sen was too young to be of much help, you could have called us! If nothing else, you could have hired a porter on the street for a few coins. Why carry everything back yourself?" He added, "No matter what, you saved our lives and provided us with food and shelter. Now that we’ve been registered in the military and become military men, it’s all thanks to you. If you keep treating us like outsiders, it really upsets me. Being an official like this feels meaningless."
Sanfu and Shizhu nodded emphatically in agreement.
Zhao Ling, however, felt somewhat awkward.
That hadn’t been his intention at all.
When he went out, he simply wanted to take a walk alone with her. After buying the items, it was only natural that he would carry them back himself rather than let her help. He also worried she might get lost if she walked behind him, so he had her lead the way, keeping her within his sight for peace of mind.
But such words were impossible to say aloud.
"It’s nothing," he replied nonchalantly with a smile. "I bought them right outside. I’m not some delicate young master who can’t carry a thing. Hiring a porter would have been too much trouble." His expression betrayed nothing as he turned to Zheng Sanniang. "Is lunch ready?"
Most guests at the Yongjing County inn were passing merchants. Since merchants valued practicality, the inn’s meals were usually affordable and tasty. Moreover, Yang Yucheng and the others had been busy with errands these past two days, returning at unpredictable hours, so they had been taking their meals at the inn as well. This way, food was always ready whenever they returned.
Zheng Sanniang quickly replied, "I’ll go check the kitchen right away."
Zhao Ling nodded and asked Yang Yucheng and the others, "You’re back so early?"
Jin Yuanbao smiled without answering, while Yang Yucheng wore a sly expression. "Ninth Master, we were just eager to eat!"
Zhao Ling burst into laughter, realizing their inquiries about Lu Cheng had gone smoothly. He pointed at the tea. "I didn’t expect to find such high-quality Biluochun Tea. Let’s divide it among everyone!"
Tea merchants heading west beyond the pass usually sold compressed tea cakes, while those heading south for overseas trade sold loose tea leaves.
Yang Yucheng chuckled. "Which unlucky fellow paid their tuition here?"
Everyone laughed at the remark.
Zheng Sanniang soon brought out lunch.
Fu Tingyun returned to her room to eat, while Zhao Ling, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others had their meal in the hall before heading together to Zhao Ling’s bedroom.No sooner had they sat down than Yang Yucheng eagerly said, "I've found out everything. This Lu Cheng is a concubine-born son of the Lu family. Because the legitimate heir broke his leg falling from a horse, his uncles clamored for 'inheritance by proxy.' His stepmother had no choice but to let Lu Cheng inherit the position. That's why the Lu family doesn't give him much face. Later, he remarried the widowed younger sister of former Gansu Commander Li Yunlan, which helped him rise to become Vice Commander of Zhuanglang Garrison. These matters are common knowledge in Zhuanglang Garrison—we didn't even need to investigate."
Zhao Ling was quite surprised.
Seeing this, Jin Yuanbao quickly added, "Ninth Master, don't underestimate him. This man is truly capable of stooping or standing tall as needed."
Zhao Ling raised an eyebrow.
Jin Yuanbao continued, "Later, when Li Yunlan was imprisoned for losing Hami Garrison, everyone expected Lu Cheng to divorce his wife. But not only did he refuse to abandon her, he went to great lengths to assist Li Yunlan. When Li Yunlan was demoted to commoner status, Lu Cheng gave him a courtesy gift of a hundred taels of gold and sent his personal guards to escort Li Yunlan back to his hometown." With a knowing smile, he added, "So when Marquis Yingchuan became the new Gansu Commander, the first person he summoned was Lu Cheng. That's how Lu Cheng ended up leading the vanguard to retake Hami Garrison."
Zhao Ling laughed. "This Lu Cheng is quite interesting!" His face lit up with excitement, like a lonely chess player finally finding a worthy opponent.
Yang Yucheng grinned at Zhao Ling. "If you hear the next part, you'll find it even more interesting!"
Zhao Ling looked at him expectantly.
Yang Yucheng lowered his voice. "After Mo Yi arrived in Zhangye, he took a concubine—a woman surnamed Lu."
Zhao Ling paused, then burst into hearty laughter. "Now that is interesting!"
A Sen brought in tea and gave Zhao Ling a curious glance before quietly slipping out to find Fu Tingyun.
"Miss Fu, Miss Fu, what did you and Ninth Master buy in town?" he asked eagerly.
Fu Tingyun showed him the headscarf. "Isn't it beautiful?"
Thinking of Zhao Ling's gift, her cheeks flushed slightly with shyness.
A Sen nodded vigorously. "It's very pretty!" Then he asked curiously, "Is this a Hui headdress?"
"Yes!" Fu Tingyun replied, trying it on.
The black velvet fabric, embroidered with golden threads, looked resplendent against her jade-like complexion, dark eyebrows, and rosy lips. The striking contrast accentuated her captivating beauty.
"Miss Fu," A Sen gazed at her admiringly, "you look absolutely stunning wearing this!"
"Really?" Fu Tingyun exclaimed with delighted surprise, rushing to check her reflection.
When Zheng Sanniang entered and saw Fu Tingyun admiring herself in the mirror with the headscarf, she hesitated before gently saying, "Miss, this is a Hui accessory. It's fine to wear it indoors for fun, but..."
Fu Tingyun's face fell.
If she could only wear it indoors, how would Zhao Ling ever see it?
Maybe she could find a chance to show him?
He'd surely be astonished and stare at her.
The thought made her cheeks burn.
He already did things that flustered her often enough. If she paraded around in the headscarf he bought... wouldn't that tell him she liked it?
Fu Tingyun bit her lip.Would he think she liked being treated this way by him?
Then... then it's better not to let him see it.
Though she thought this way, her mood still sank.
Fu Tingyun gave an "Oh," placed the headscarf into the trunk, and decided to put the matter aside. She asked about Zheng San: "Has he not returned yet?"
Two hundred taels of silver was no small sum. Anyone carrying such an amount would naturally worry about safety.
"Not yet," Zheng Sanniang replied, pleased that Fu Tingyun took her advice so readily. She smiled warmly, "Don't worry, miss. My husband is used to traveling outside. Nothing will happen!"
Fu Tingyun gave a noncommittal "Hmm" and said nothing more. A Sen then asked her to look at his writing: "I practiced all morning today. I can write everything without looking at the book now."
"A Sen is getting smarter and smarter," Fu Tingyun quickly praised him, asking him to bring in the sand tray to show her his writing.
Before long, Zheng San returned. He hadn't managed to buy a fur coat but brought back seven or eight fox pelts and a bolt of plain blue silk instead. "...The best I could find was squirrel fur, and even those were half-worn. Then I happened upon a Hu merchant selling pelts, so I took the liberty of buying a few."
Fu Tingyun ran her fingers over the glossy fox pelts and praised Zheng San for his resourcefulness. She had Zheng Sanniang attend to him while he ate, then spread the newly bought fur blanket on the kang and began cutting fabric for clothes.
Two days passed like this. After finishing the main body of the garment, they set off for Zhangye.
Zhao Ling came specifically to remind her: "Spread the new fur blanket in the carriage—it'll be warmer."
Fu Tingyun nodded.
But Zhao Ling's gaze lingered on the plain blue silk garment in her hands, clearly a man's robe. "Who is this for?" His brows furrowed slightly, his expression faintly displeased.
Fu Tingyun had already felt uneasy the moment he stared at the blue silk.
This was the second time she was making clothes for him.
Though the first time had been to thank him for saving her life, and this time was to repay him for the winter coat, she still hoped Zhao Ling wouldn't misunderstand. So when he asked, she didn't hesitate to explain hastily, "You gave your fur coat to me. I wanted to buy one to return the favor, but there weren't any suitable ones. Then I came across good pelts and thought I'd make one for you..."
Before she could finish, Zhao Ling's frown had already smoothed out, and a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes.
"Then take your time with it," he said gently. "There's no hurry to wear it—just be careful not to strain your eyes." Then he spurred his horse forward, calling out, "We'll rest at the inn by the post road near Zhuanglang Garrison today!"
Yang Yucheng and the others responded with laughter.
But Fu Tingyun thought Zhao Ling, usually so reserved, suddenly seemed unusually animated, shouting orders like a caravan leader.
Perhaps men became more spirited when riding horses, behaving a little differently than usual?
Pondering this, she shook her head with a smile and returned to sewing.
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With Zhao Ling and the others on horseback and Fu Tingyun's group in carriages, they made swift progress.
A few days after leaving Zhuanglang Garrison, they passed Liangzhou Garrison and stopped at an inn next to Shuiquaner Station near Yongchang Garrison.
Shuiquaner—as the name suggested—had water.
Many merchant caravans stopped here to replenish their supplies before heading west.
As they disembarked from the carriage, a caravan was just departing.
They passed each other by.Fu Tingyun spotted the man with the Destiny beard whom they had encountered while shopping in Yongjing County. He was sitting atop the lead camel of the merchant caravan, appearing to be the leader of the group.
The Destiny beard noticed them as well.
He paused slightly, nodded toward Zhao Ling, then led the caravan westward.
Jin Yuanbao asked Zhao Ling in a low voice, "Ninth Master, do you know this man?"
"No," Zhao Ling replied solemnly, observing the caravan of no fewer than a thousand camels before them. "We just crossed paths once while shopping in Yongjing County."
Yang Yucheng couldn't resist adding, "Let me go ask whose caravan this is—such an extravagant display." Without waiting for Zhao Ling's approval, he headed straight for the inn's front desk.
"You're asking about Master Ye?" The innkeeper chuckled. "That's the caravan from Shanxi's Datong Company."
Zhao Ling and the others couldn't help but be impressed.
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Adding fuel for more updates... Sisters, brothers, any pink votes left?
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of chapter)
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