Chapter 78: The Neighbor
Qi Taitai lived next door to Fu Tingyun. Her husband worked as a clerk in the warehouse of the General Military Headquarters—a low-ranking but lucrative position. Perhaps because of this, Qi Taitai was plump and fair-skinned, resembling a perpetually smiling Maitreya Buddha.
The moment she entered, she beamed and took Fu Tingyun’s hand. "You’re too kind to have sent us gifts for the New Year." Then, with a wink, she added, "A few days ago, someone gave my husband a basket of carrots. I brought some for you to try."
Fu Tingyun barely suppressed a laugh.
No doubt, these carrots were yet another bribe for Clerk Qi.
She thanked Qi Taitai and invited her to sit in the main hall.
Zheng Sanniang served tea.
After taking a sip, Qi Taitai’s eyes widened. "Goodness! This is premium Biluochun Tea! It must cost over ten taels per pound, no?"
It had been purchased during their stay in Yongjing.
Fu Tingyun replied modestly, "As long as you find it enjoyable, Qi Taitai."
"Delicious, absolutely delicious!" Qi Taitai’s small eyes darted about shrewdly.
Understanding the hint, Fu Tingyun immediately instructed Zheng Sanniang, "Pack a pound of this tea for Qi Taitai."
"Oh, I couldn’t possibly!" Qi Taitai protested repeatedly, but Fu Tingyun merely smiled without responding.
Truth be told, she had reason to be grateful to Qi Taitai.
Not long after Zhao Ling had left, Qi Taitai had visited with several boxes of pastries.
First, she had scrutinized the house with her small, squinting eyes before sitting Fu Tingyun down in the hall, just as she had today. "I heard your family is from the capital?"
Fu Tingyun was momentarily taken aback.
Who asked such blunt questions about others’ affairs?
Though displeased, she replied politely, "No, I’m from Pingliang County."
Qi Taitai’s face fell. "Then why did Marquis Yingchuan personally instruct the secretary to escort Ninth Master Zhao for registration?"
Suddenly, Fu Tingyun understood.
This woman was here to probe their background.
The directness of the questions showed she assumed Fu Tingyun was young and naive.
But was she acting on Clerk Qi’s orders, or was she simply a gossip who loved prying into others’ secrets?
The thought sent a chill down Fu Tingyun’s spine.
If the Qis were merely curious, that was one thing. But what if Clerk Qi had been sent by someone else to investigate?
Her mind raced.
Her grandmother had once told her that when assessing a situation, one must consider both the good and the bad. Since someone wanted to hear about them, why not "tell the truth"?
A mischievous idea formed in her mind.
"We do have relatives in the capital," Fu Tingyun said vaguely. "That’s why Marquis Yingchuan had the secretary escort Ninth Master for registration."
Her parents were in the capital—that wasn’t a lie, was it?
"Really?" Qi Taitai perked up. "What do your relatives do?"
"Some served as prefects in provincial posts, others as lecturers in the Hanlin Academy," Fu Tingyun replied. "Which one are you asking about, Qi Taitai?"
Qi Taitai’s eyes gleamed. "Then why did you come to Zhangye? I heard you two are betrothed. How could your family let you travel with him without securing your status first?"Fu Tingyun flushed crimson with embarrassment but had no choice but to respond. Otherwise, rumors would spread like wildfire by tomorrow. Moreover, the explanation she had given to the Sixteenth Master couldn’t be used here, so she had to improvise:
"Our family encountered migrant bandits, and Ninth Master was in a hurry to report to the General Military Headquarters, so he had no choice but to bring me along. After some time, he’ll send me to the capital."
Qi Taitai glanced at the small white flower pinned at Fu Tingyun’s temple and suddenly understood.
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun was silently calculating.
You can’t just come into my home and scrutinize everything while I remain in the dark about you. That’s too good to be true!
"Qi Taitai, where are you from?" she asked, her gaze clear and bright. "Your skin is as fair as snow, delicate like fine jade—you don’t seem like a native of Zhangye?"
Her words delighted Qi Taitai, and within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Fu Tingyun had learned everything—that Qi Taitai was a distant cousin of the Chen family overseeing Zhenfan, and that her husband had secured his position in the storeroom thanks to the recommendation of a certain Hu adjutant.
Their conversation flowed so smoothly that Qi Taitai practically regarded Fu Tingyun as a close friend, visiting frequently for casual chats.
Occasionally, when Qi Taitai arrived while Fu Tingyun was teaching A Sen to read, Fu Tingyun would ask her to wait. Later, she would emerge with an apologetic expression.
"I was in the middle of a lesson—it wouldn’t do to leave it unfinished. My apologies for making you wait."
Qi Taitai looked at her strangely. "So the young lady is literate?"
Fu Tingyun replied modestly, "I only teach The Thousand Poets’ Verses . Beyond that, I’m afraid I’m not capable."
From then on, Qi Taitai regarded her with a hint of wariness.
Only then did Fu Tingyun breathe a sigh of relief. She sent Zheng San out to gather rumors—were people talking about their household? And what exactly were they saying?
Zheng San returned with a smile.
"People outside are saying our family has connections in the imperial court, and that Ninth Master went to Zhuanglang Garrison just to accumulate military merits for a promotion. They also say we didn’t pay a single coin for this house—that it was gifted by some Xining Guard commander trying to curry favor with Ninth Master. They say the young lady comes from a distinguished family, not only dignified and virtuous, skilled in needlework, but also well-versed in poetry, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even the eight-legged essay."
Fu Tingyun broke out in a cold sweat, realizing the terrifying power of rumors.
Before Qi Taitai had even finished her tea, Zheng Sanniang had already delivered the leaves. Qi Taitai no longer refused and accepted them with a smile. After a few more pleasantries, she rose to leave.
Fu Tingyun escorted her to the gate.
Just then, a carriage raced past, splashing muddy snow onto Qi Taitai’s skirt.
Furious, Qi Taitai pointed at the carriage and snapped, "What blind fool is driving like that—rushing to a funeral?"
With the New Year approaching, the remark was particularly harsh.
The carriage curtain was immediately flung open, revealing a strikingly beautiful face, equally capable of charm or fury. "Who dares speak such filth?"
The two parties locked eyes—and froze in mutual recognition.
Inside the carriage was Xuemei, the personal maid of Lu Shi, Mo Yi’s concubine.
Not long after Qi Taitai’s first visit to Fu Tingyun, Lu Shi had also paid a call, with Xuemei in attendance. Back then, Xuemei had stared unblinkingly at Fu Tingyun, leaving her baffled—an impression that had lingered vividly in her mind."It turns out to be Miss Fu." Xuemei stepped down from the carriage with the help of a servant, curtsying gracefully towards Fu Tingyun. "I didn't realize it was you here earlier. Please forgive any offense caused." Her tone and demeanor were soft, yet she didn't spare Qi Taitai a single glance.
Qi Taitai's face turned livid with anger.
Xuemei merely smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Fu Tingyun: "Just as I was leaving, the concubine mentioned the rice cakes you sent—white as frost, neither sticky nor greasy, absolutely delicious. She asked me to learn how to make them from you when you have time, so we can prepare some whenever we crave them."
Fu Tingyun had included ten catties of rice cakes in her New Year gifts.
But those cakes had been bought from the market, not made by her.
Given the current situation, it wasn’t the right moment to admit that.
She gave a vague response, and Xuemei, citing the approaching Spring Festival and assuming Fu Tingyun must be busy, said she would visit another day before departing with a flourish.
Qi Taitai trembled with rage, her ample flesh quivering. After a long pause, she gritted her teeth and spat contemptuously, "What concubine? Just because she hosted two tables of wine in Zhangye doesn’t mean she’s entered the Mo family. Whether she gets a name or not depends on whether Madam Mo nods and whether the Mo family matriarch shows mercy. She might end up with nothing."
This was the first Fu Tingyun had heard of such matters, and she was inwardly startled. Not wanting to gossip, she smiled and asked Qi Taitai if she was alright and whether she’d like to change her skirt at her place before heading home.
Qi Taitai’s expression softened slightly. She thanked Fu Tingyun and returned to her own home.
Fu Tingyun shook her head and went inside.
Wang Yi’s wife sent over an invitation.
"On the fifth day of the new year, our mistress is hosting a Spring Gathering," said Wang Furen’s personal housekeeper, whom Fu Tingyun was meeting for the first time. Previously, Fu Tingyun had sent New Year gifts to the Wang household, which had been reciprocated as per custom. "The mistress hopes you will join us for the festivities."
Fu Tingyun accepted the invitation. "Please thank your mistress for me. However, as I am still in mourning, I must beg her forgiveness. Once the mourning period is over, I will personally visit to express my gratitude."
Wang Furen’s housekeeper didn’t press the matter, smiling and saying things like, "Our mistress must have overlooked that," before taking her leave.
Fu Tingyun instructed Zheng Sanniang to see her out.
Zheng Sanniang was naturally quick-witted, and Zheng San had seen much of the world. Under Fu Tingyun’s careful guidance, she had quickly learned the basics of etiquette.
As she escorted Wang Furen’s housekeeper out of the hall, Zheng Sanniang retrieved a small embroidered pouch from her sleeve and handed it over with a smile. "For your trouble, Housekeeper. This is for tea."
Wang Furen’s housekeeper thanked her warmly and accepted it graciously before departing by carriage from the back street.
Fu Tingyun soon put the matter out of her mind. With Zheng Sanniang and the others, she made offerings to the local deity, cleaned the courtyard, and prepared for the New Year. Unsure of Zhao Ling’s family customs and being a woman herself, she refrained from arranging ancestral rites. Instead, she hung divine images obtained from the temple in the main hall, purchased a bronze-style tripod censer, and a basket of thick incense sticks for the New Year’s Eve worship. She also bought twelve large red lanterns to hang at the gate and under the eaves.
A Sen came running in, overjoyed. "Miss! Miss! Ninth Master is back!"
"Really?" Fu Tingyun was ecstatic. She dropped the half-finished paper cutouts she’d been pasting on the windows and rushed outside.
Someone was leading a horse into the courtyard.Tall stature, upright posture, steady strides... Fu Tingyun suddenly felt a hint of fear, her steps slowing until she came to a halt in the center of the courtyard.
His clear eyes fixed intently upon her.
"I'm back," he said softly, a smile spilling from his eyes, brightening his face.
Fu Tingyun looked Zhao Ling up and down.
He wore a black velvet robe, draped with a sapphire-blue cotton cloak, black leather boots on his feet, and a riding whip in hand. His complexion was ruddy, his spirits high—like a noble young master returning from a hunt, with not a trace of his former self remaining.
Suddenly, Fu Tingyun’s eyes stung, her nose tingling with emotion.
This scoundrel! While she had been worrying day and night at home, he had been living well—eating well, dressing well—and now, with just a breezy "I'm back," he thought he could erase all those days of fear and anxiety she had endured...
She clenched her teeth tightly, forcing a calm and composed tone as she said, "Ninth Master is back," then instructed A Sen, "Quickly take the horse to the stable!"
Her voice was cool and rational.
Zhao Ling stood frozen in place, confusion written across his face.
※
Apologies, apologies, this is late... ⊙﹏⊙b sweat...
(End of chapter)
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