Chapter 85: Dire News (Bonus Chapter for 840 Pink Votes)
This was Fu Tingyun's second time stepping into Mo Yi's residence.
The first time, she had come seeking news about Zhao Ling, her mind in such turmoil that she hadn't noticed anything else. But this time, wary and guarded, she couldn't help but carefully observe her surroundings.
The layout of both residences was identical, though Mo Yi's courtyard was paved with large bluestone slabs. The willow trees flanking the main house's steps were thick enough to encircle with both arms, and the carriage shed opposite housed not just a horse-drawn carriage but also a sedan chair—giving it a more imposing appearance.
She had brought A Sen along.
A Sen remained under the eaves of the main house while she followed Xuemei into the hall.
Feng Shi and Lu Shi sat on either side of the central hall's Grand Tutor chairs, flanked by five or six maids. Fu Tingyun recognized two of them as Lu Shi's attendants, while the other four were unfamiliar—likely brought by Feng Shi. Though their features were plain, they were dressed in silk and adorned with silver, their luxurious attire complementing Feng Shi's crimson robes and gold phoenix hairpins, creating a dazzling scene.
Fu Tingyun was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected Feng Shi to occupy the seat of honor in Lu Shi's home.
Her gaze then fell on the black-lacquered square table with its bulging edges, where seven or eight high-footed blue-and-white porcelain fruit plates with wave patterns were arranged. Alongside apples, grapes, red dates, and melons—fruits still available in cellars at this time—there was even a plate of peaches, which were utterly unavailable in the market right now...
Had Lu Shi procured them from somewhere? Or perhaps Mo Yi had?
Just this display alone spoke volumes about how enthusiastically Lu Shi was fawning over Feng Shi.
As Fu Tingyun pondered, Feng Shi beckoned to her. "Come, sit beside me!" she said in a tone befitting an elder, gesturing to the Grand Tutor chair below her.
Fu Tingyun scoffed inwardly but smiled and exchanged greetings with Feng Shi and Lu Shi before taking the indicated seat below Feng Shi.
"Thank you, Aunt Feng," she said, though her eyes flicked toward Lu Shi.
Her gaze carried a clear implication: You're the hostess, yet you're letting an outsider take charge in your own home. Aren't you going to do anything about it?
Whether Lu Shi didn't understand Fu Tingyun's silent message or simply prioritized currying favor with Feng Shi, she showed no reaction to the hint. Instead, when Fu Tingyun looked her way, she merely smiled politely and pointed to the tea Xuemei had poured for Fu Tingyun. "Premium Biluochun Tea. It was sent from the Marquis Yingchuan's household in the capital during the New Year, and the Marquis specially had some delivered to the General. I've been drinking it these past few days—the liquor is clear, and the flavor lingers sweetly. Miss Fu, do try it and see what you think?" Her tone carried a faint note of pride.
These two were clearly birds of a feather. Fu Tingyun felt it would be a waste of effort to engage with them further.
She gave a slight nod, acknowledging Lu Shi, then turned her sharp gaze to Feng Shi. "Aunt Feng, you mentioned earlier that you had news about Centurion Zhao. May I ask what it is?"
Feng Shi seemed to have anticipated the question. Without surprise, she solemnly gestured to the maids behind her, who immediately curtsied and filed out of the room.
Noticing this, Lu Shi also signaled to Xuemei, who led the other maids out as well, carefully sliding the partition door shut behind them.
The room was now left with only Fu Tingyun, Feng Shi, and Lu Shi.Feng Shi's expression darkened slightly, her face growing more solemn as she asked Fu Tingyun in a low voice, "What did Wang Furen say when you visited her?"
Of course, Fu Tingyun wouldn't reveal the whole truth. She omitted the matter of Wei Shi and only relayed the news Wang Furen had received from Liu Fuzongbing. Then she added, "I wonder if Feng Yiniang has any means to find out where Commander Lu and Centurion Zhao are? If Feng Yiniang has any information, I will surely repay you generously." As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Lu Shi. "I believe Consort Lu must be just as anxious as I am!"
Lu Shi immediately flushed with anger and shame.
This Miss Fu truly acted as if she were her mentor, reprimanding her without the slightest restraint.
These words were clearly mocking her for not caring about Commander Lu.
This brat, just because she came from a slightly better background and caught the general's favor, thought she knew everything. Let her be arrogant now—just wait until she learns that once Liu Fuzongbing joins forces with the Marquis of the Northwest, even Marquis Yingchuan will have to yield. Then we'll see if she can still maintain this haughty demeanor.
She sneered inwardly, recalling Feng Shi's earlier advice: "You're just a branch of the Lu family. The Lu family's chiliarch position is hereditary. As long as you remain General Mo's woman, no matter who inherits the position, the Lu family won't dare slight you. What's important now is to keep General Mo firmly in your grasp." Any hesitation she had felt earlier vanished completely. She said, "The Lu family owns a few shops in Zhangye. Usually, when Zhuanglang Garrison needs to send something to me or I need to send something back, it's handled by Shopkeeper Lu. This morning, after hearing your words, I immediately sent Mama Lu to see Shopkeeper Lu. But Mama Lu returned saying Shopkeeper Lu had gone back to Zhuanglang Garrison two days ago..." The thought that Mo Yi was still safe and sound by Marquis Yingchuan's side filled her with relief and bolstered her confidence. "As for Commander Lu... I'm completely in the dark now. I can only ask Sister Feng to help me!" With that, she turned her gaze to Feng Shi, deftly passing the topic to her.
Feng Shi's eyes had lit up the moment Fu Tingyun mentioned "repaying you generously." As soon as Lu Shi finished speaking, she quickly said, "Don't worry. When Liu Fuzongbing reviews official documents, I'm right there grinding ink and serving him. The moment there's any news about Commander Lu and Centurion Zhao, I'll come straight to tell both of you." After a pause, she hesitated, glancing at Fu Tingyun and Lu Shi.
Before Fu Tingyun could respond, Lu Shi urgently asked, "Sister, are you hiding something from us?" She tugged at Feng Shi's sleeve pleadingly. "Dear sister, I'm nearly frantic with worry. Please, tell me!"
Feng Shi shot a quick glance at Fu Tingyun.
Fu Tingyun sat there with pursed lips and a furrowed brow, looking deeply troubled.
Feng Shi nodded subtly to herself and whispered to Lu Shi, "There's something Liu Fuzongbing has forbidden anyone to speak of, fearing it might unsettle the people and cause unrest..." Her eyes flicked toward Fu Tingyun. "Releasing the news of Commander Lu's disappearance was a last resort. In truth, Commander Lu is unharmed..."
"What?" Lu Shi gasped, both shocked and overjoyed, gripping Feng Shi's hand tightly. "Sister, is this true? How do you know? Why was spreading the news of Commander Lu's disappearance a last resort..."Fu Tingyun's heart was also in turmoil upon hearing these words.
Feng Shi was Liu Fuzongbing's concubine, so she must have had access to some highly confidential documents. This matter was not only a matter of life and death but also concerned reputation. Fu Tingyun was certain Feng Shi wouldn’t speak carelessly.
“What exactly happened?” Fu Tingyun grew agitated as well. “Could Commander Lu’s disappearance be just a ruse to lure the enemy?” she pressed Feng Shi urgently.
“No!” Feng Shi looked at her with a solemn expression and shook her head gravely. “Commander Lu led five hundred households from Zhuanglang Garrison to support Lord Hu, but the entire force was annihilated. Only Commander Lu escaped under the protection of a few personal guards… By law, this is a capital offense. But as you know, Commander Lu and Marquis Yingchuan share an extraordinary bond, so… the Marquis came up with this plan. To the outside world, it’s only reported as a disappearance. If they can win a major battle later, the military merit will be credited to Commander Lu to offset his crime…”
“No, no, no,” Fu Tingyun knew how officials shielded one another. That year, when her family had a lawsuit over irrigation channels for their estates with another prominent family in Huayin, because the county magistrate had passed the imperial exams in the same year as her uncle, her family only sent a steward to court, and the magistrate ruled in their favor. Zhao Ling had once said that Lu Cheng was promoted entirely by Marquis Yingchuan, so it was natural for the Marquis to protect him. But Zhao Ling… “Ninth Master wouldn’t die,” she shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face. “Maybe he just got separated from the troops and couldn’t find the camp in time. Maybe he was injured and couldn’t move…” Her heart felt as if it were being carved out, and her vision blurred. In a daze, she stumbled toward the door. “I have to find him. He must still be alive…” He hadn’t even taken her to her parents yet—how could he be dead?
It couldn’t be, it couldn’t…
“Miss Fu!” Someone gripped her arm tightly, the heavy scent of powder filling her nose. “Calm down, calm down.” It was Feng Shi’s voice, brimming with sympathy and pity. “Centurion Zhao… is truly dead. He was dispatched by the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission. Liu Fuzongbing has to give them an explanation… Though he was only a centurion, his name was listed first. I saw it clearly—there’s no mistake.”
“I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it!” Fu Tingyun covered her face and sobbed. He had even killed Feng Laosi. Even Sixteenth Master had admired him as a true hero and given him his name card. How could he die? How could he… “It’s all my fault, all my fault…” If she hadn’t presumptuously given Yang Yucheng advice, he wouldn’t have enlisted. No wonder the poem said, “I regret urging my husband to seek titles.” If she had known this would happen, she would rather he had continued smuggling salt. “I’m the one who got him killed…” Heartbreak, sorrow, grief, and regret as bitter as Chang’e stealing the elixir of immortality.
“Miss Fu,” Feng Shi consoled her in a mournful tone, “The dead have it easy. They close their eyes, and it’s over. But the living suffer. Look at you—you came all the way to Zhangye with Centurion Zhao, never enjoying a single day of happiness, and now he’s left you behind. You’re so young, with no one to rely on. How will you live from now on?”
From now on…
Fu Tingyun stared blankly at the two women before her, their faces indistinct.
What future did she even have left?Naturally, she would take Zhao Ling and his parents' memorial tablets, find a nunnery, and spend the rest of her days with the dim light of oil lamps and ancient Buddhist chants, ending her life in solitude.
The only regret was why she hadn’t taken the chance to ask Zhao Ling when he was willing to tell her everything—where exactly his hometown was, so she could send him back to his roots. Then, during festivals, he could still receive incense offerings from descendants...
"Miss Fu, Miss Fu!" Feng Shi called out nervously to Fu Tingyun.
She hadn’t expected Fu Tingyun to be so deeply affected, even more so than widows who had lost their husbands.
Could it be that the two had already consummated their relationship?
She muttered to herself.
But looking at Fu Tingyun’s face, as delicate as rain-drenched crabapple blossoms, and recalling her promise of "generous rewards," Feng Shi quickly dismissed her doubts.
Even if they had been intimate, so what? This girl was so beautiful, had some wealth, and most importantly, her younger brother adored her. He had promised that as long as she helped him marry Miss Fu, he would turn over a new leaf and live faithfully with her from then on...
※
Decided to save time by finalizing the draft at work at noon, but the office internet was down and I couldn’t log in... ⊙﹏⊙b sigh... Spent the whole afternoon accompanying telecom technicians to check the circuits...
(End of Chapter)
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