Chapter 82: The Battle Begins
Seeing Fu Tingyun’s pale face and the cold sweat on her forehead, Wang Furen couldn’t help but feel some pity for the young girl, who had no elder by her side to guide her. Softening her tone, she said, “Though gentleness is a woman’s most prized virtue, one must also understand propriety and discern right from wrong. Blindly yielding and compromising can ruin one’s reputation instead. I see that you are a sensible girl, which is why I’ve spoken so frankly despite our brief acquaintance. If you find my words reasonable, take them to heart. If you think I’ve overstepped without knowing the full situation, then simply treat them as an elder’s ramblings and let them pass…”
“No, no, no,” Fu Tingyun quickly replied. “Your words are pearls of wisdom that have shaken me awake. It was my foolishness to act so rashly.” With that, she rose and bowed deeply to Wang Furen. “Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I shall never forget your kindness.” Her attitude was respectful, her tone sincere.
Wang Furen nodded slightly, her voice growing even gentler. “You are young and have little experience—it’s no surprise you don’t yet understand how ‘three men spreading rumors can make a tiger real.’ Just be more cautious in the future.” She added, “I’ve heard that Centurion Zhao’s parents are also no longer with us. In your household, you must establish clear rules. Remember, managing a home is a long-term endeavor. Whether your children will be diligent and studious, whether your family will prosper—much of it depends on how well the household is run. A man’s official duties outside can only go so far. You must remain humble and frugal at all times, for that is the path to lasting blessings.”
Fu Tingyun was filled with reverence and responded respectfully, offering tea to Wang Furen with both hands.
A pleased smile flickered in Wang Furen’s eyes. She then advised Fu Tingyun, “Qi Taitai is fond of gossip—distance yourself, and she’ll resent you; get too close, and she’ll grow tiresome. You must handle it carefully. As for Lu Shi…” She paused. “It’s best to keep your interactions with her to a minimum.”
Fu Tingyun agreed to everything.
Wang Furen went on to discuss household management.
To be fair, much of what Wang Furen said was no more than what Fu Tingyun had already learned at home. However, the lessons from her family had been confined to the pages of women’s conduct manuals—memorized but not always connected to real-life situations. Listening to Wang Furen’s words now, Fu Tingyun reflected anew and felt a surge of gratitude toward her. She listened attentively, like a devoted student. Later, she personally cooked a meal for Wang Furen and saw her off at the gate before returning.
From then on, Fu Tingyun took Wang Furen’s advice to heart. Whenever Qi Taitai or Lu Shi visited, she excused herself by saying she was busy sewing spring clothes for Zhao Ling. She would invite them to sit in the hall but kept her needlework in hand, responding only perfunctorily to their chatter, appearing somewhat distracted. Gradually, Qi Taitai found the visits dull and came less often. Though Lu Shi grumbled, she couldn’t fault Fu Tingyun for prioritizing Zhao Ling’s needs and could only wait until she was less busy.
For a time, the household settled into peace.
Fu Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief. She kept the courtyard gate shut, spending her mornings teaching A Sen to read and write and sewing spring robes for Zhao Ling.
In the blink of an eye, mid-March arrived. Zheng San suggested planting two trees in the courtyard, and Fu Tingyun agreed. Not long after the trees were planted, dark clouds loomed overhead, and a fierce wind swept through Zhangye like a spinning top, lifting even livestock into the air. Some families lost children, and the city was filled with the sound of weeping.Fortunately, most of the buildings in Fu Tingyun's residence were sturdy. Next door, experienced servants were loudly shouting instructions like "Everyone take shelter inside," "Bring the horses indoors," and "Close the doors quickly!" Zheng San, who had plenty of experience from his travels, was quick-witted and followed suit in securing things. Aside from the two trees and the bamboo horse Linchun had forgotten in the yard, there were no other losses.
Linchun couldn’t find his bamboo horse and burst into loud sobs.
Zheng San, who was tidying up the chaotic yard, gently patted the little boy’s head. "We’re lucky to be alive, and you’re crying over this!"
The little one, now able to toddle around, clung to A Sen’s leg in distress.
Everyone laughed, easing the fear left by the tornado.
Wang Furen soon sent someone to check on them. Seeing that Fu Tingyun’s side had already tidied up, Wang Furen’s personal Housekeeper repeatedly praised Fu Tingyun for her excellent household management, making Fu Tingyun quite embarrassed. She kept saying, "It’s all thanks to Zheng San and his wife’s quick thinking."
The Housekeeper disagreed and smiled. "That’s also because the young lady maintains strict order in daily affairs."
Fu Tingyun had no choice but to modestly deflect the praise again. Since the Housekeeper needed to return and report to Wang Furen, Fu Tingyun didn’t detain her long. She instructed Zheng Sanniang to give the Housekeeper some silver pieces as a token of appreciation and saw her off.
A few days later, a soldier in his thirties, dressed in a red padded military coat, came to visit.
"I’m Zhao Ming, in charge of farmland management at Zhuanglang Garrison. Since I share the same surname as Centurion Zhao, we treat each other like brothers," he said with a smile. "Brother Zhao heard about the black wind in Zhangye, and since I was reporting on farmland matters at the General Military Headquarters this time, he specially asked me to check on how things were at home."
His expression carried a hint of shrewdness as he surveyed the furnishings in the hall.
Zheng Sanniang came out from the inner quarters and greeted Zhao Ming with a smile, relaying Fu Tingyun’s words: "Thank you for your trouble, Manager Zhao. Please let our master know that everything at home is fine and he needn’t worry." She added, "Our master isn’t home, and the young lady is a woman of the inner quarters. We can only offer you a humble drink in the side room as a small token of our gratitude."
"No need, no need!" Zhao Ming quickly declined with a smile. "I have other matters to attend to and can’t stay long. When Brother Zhao returns, I’ll come again for a proper visit!" He insisted on leaving.
Under such circumstances, it wasn’t appropriate to press him to stay. After exchanging a few polite words, Zheng San escorted Zhao Ming out, presenting him with locally prepared dried chicken and duck as gifts.
The next morning, Lu Shi came over. After sending Xuemei and Zheng Sanniang away, she whispered to Fu Tingyun, "My brother came to Zhangye yesterday. He told me the Mongols have invaded—Guide Garrison, Zhenhai Fort, and Fuqiang Fort have already fallen. The Marquis has ordered Hu Canjiang, stationed at Xining Garrison, and Wang Canjiang, stationed at Zhuanglang Garrison, to rush to Xining Garrison. It’s almost certain Zhuanglang Garrison will also send reinforcements." Her face showed worry. "War is coming again!"
Fu Tingyun was shocked. "Really?" Why hadn’t Zhao Ming, the farmland manager who visited yesterday, mentioned a word about it? Recalling that Zhenhai Fort and Fuqiang Fort were under Xining Garrison’s jurisdiction, she clung to a sliver of hope and hesitantly said, "Isn’t Nianbo Garrison the closest to Xining Garrison? Shouldn’t they be the first to send reinforcements?""You don't understand," Lu Shi said with evident pride, "Wu Ying, the Chiliarch of Nianbo Garrison, is utterly incompetent. He only got his position because his brother died fighting at Jiayuguan. When it comes to battle, he's useless. That's why they had to dispatch my brother for reinforcements."
Which meant Zhao Ling might also get a chance to go to battle!
Fu Tingyun felt both alarmed and thrilled. The battlefield was dangerous, and the mere thought made her worry for Zhao Ling. Yet military achievements had always been the fastest path to promotion—if Zhao Ling could distinguish himself in battle, they might leave the military camp sooner.
"Will everyone be sent to Xining Garrison?" she asked Lu Shi.
Lu Shi smiled. "That I don't know! But I can speak to my brother and have Centurion Zhao assigned to Xining Garrison!" Her eyes gleamed meaningfully at Fu Tingyun.
Being sent to Xining Garrison meant opportunities for battle, and battle meant chances for promotion!
Lu Shi was observant—otherwise, Mo Yi wouldn't have considered bringing her back for his grandmother's birthday celebrations, nor would he have disregarded Fu Tingyun for her sake. She had long noticed Fu Tingyun's coldness toward her.
Even before meeting Fu Tingyun, she had heard Mo Yi speak of her. In his words, Miss Fu was flawless—so much so that he had urged Lu Shi to learn etiquette from her. She had expected a stern, rigid woman, but instead, Fu Tingyun was bright and amiable. What unsettled her more was Fu Tingyun's beauty—unmatched not just in Zhangye, but likely across all seventeen garrisons under the General Military Headquarters of Gansu.
Mo Yi, who usually looked down on everyone, had gone out of his way to help the Zhao family find a residence... Every time Lu Shi saw Fu Tingyun's smiling face, it grated on her. Especially since this Miss Fu was an orphan from a fallen family, engaged to a mere centurion who relied on her brother for military advancement... Yet Fu Tingyun accepted her attentions with unruffled grace, making Lu Shi itch to teach her a lesson in humility.
Fu Tingyun, however, was unimpressed.
Rather than pleading with Lu Shi, it would be better to approach Mo Yi directly.
Surely Mo Yi would be eager to see Zhao Ling's true capabilities?
In fact, he might have already spoken to Lu Cheng about it!
"Thank you, Consort Lu," Fu Tingyun said. "But this is a matter for Zhao Ling to decide. I shouldn't make such choices for him."
Lu Shi was momentarily speechless.
For years, Marquis Yingchuan had garrisoned the General Military Headquarters of Gansu, dealing heavy blows to the Mongols, Tatars, and Tibetans, who now feared him. Any incursions were usually acts of desperation, and at the mere sight of reinforcements, the invaders would scatter—if they resisted at all, it was half-heartedly. Thus, garrisons often competed for the chance to join such missions, eager for military merits.
Miss Fu likely didn’t know this, hence her reluctance.
Lu Shi hurried to explain the situation.
Yet Fu Tingyun remained unmoved.
Surprised, Lu Shi frowned briefly before smoothing her expression."That's true," she said with a smile. "It's my fault for being overly concerned. Centurion Zhao must have already made plans." Then she brought up the black wind incident in the city. "Marquis Yingchuan will personally conduct a Buddhist ritual at the Great Buddha Temple in two days for the victims. I plan to go and pray for the general. Miss Fu, if Centurion Zhao happens to go to Xining Garrison... why don't you come with me?"
Fu Tingyun politely declined.
Lu Shi left disappointed.
Fu Tingyun immediately wrote a letter and had Zheng San deliver it to Zhuanglang Garrison: "...This news probably hasn't spread yet. If Ninth Master can receive word early, he'll be able to make plans sooner." She paused, then added, "Whether Ninth Master stays or goes, get me a definite answer."
In her heart, she faintly felt that Zhao Ling wouldn't pass up this opportunity.
The Great Buddha Temple was indeed worth visiting.
However, Zheng San looked troubled: "Before leaving, Ninth Master repeatedly instructed me not to leave your side for even a step."
If he left, with only the young and weak at home, how could he rest easy?
"We live on the back street of the General Military Headquarters," Fu Tingyun said, understanding his concern. "You can set your mind at ease." She gave an example: "Look at Qi Taitai's household—they don't even have a gatekeeper, yet everything's fine!"
After much hesitation, Zheng San finally yielded to Fu Tingyun's insistence and went to Zhuanglang Garrison.
Fu Tingyun hired a carriage and went to the Great Buddha Temple with Zheng Sanniang.
The Great Buddha Temple, also called the Reclining Buddha Temple, had stood for over three hundred years. Its main hall housed a statue of Sakyamuni entering Nirvana, over ten zhang in length. A single middle finger of the Buddha could comfortably accommodate a lying person—a majestic sight Fu Tingyun had never witnessed before.
Yet she had no heart to admire it.
Squeezed among the bustling crowd, she knelt devoutly on a prayer cushion, murmuring prayers to the Bodhisattva—asking for Zhao Ling's safety, health, and smooth sailing in all endeavors.
At that moment, she felt a faint regret.
Blades and arrows are blind. If by chance... perhaps she really shouldn't have facilitated Zhao Ling's enlistment.
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A note about updates for sisters and brothers O(∩_∩)O~ Every Sunday I visit my daughter. If there are extra updates, Sundays and Mondays might be tight schedule-wise. Please note, dear reading sisters and brothers, that Sundays and Mondays usually have single updates only.
(End of Chapter)
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