Chapter 118

Marquis of Yingchuan?

What did the Marquis of Yingchuan have to do with her marriage?

Fu Tingjun's mind snapped awake instantly. She urgently tried to push Zhao Ling away. "What exactly did the Marquis of Yingchuan ask you to do?" The haziness in her eyes receded like the tide, revealing clarity and brightness once more, like bright moonlight spilling into Zhao Ling's heart, snapping him awake as well.

His body stiffened, then slowly relaxed after a moment.

He released Fu Tingjun gradually, forcibly suppressing the restless stirring in his heart, and said in a low voice, "The Marquis asked me to join forces with Commander Lu to contain the newly appointed garrison commander of Zhuanglang Wei, Lv Rong!"

Fu Tingjun was stunned. "Wasn't Lv Rong transferred from the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission? Could it be that Li Jinru of the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission and the Marquis of Yingchuan are not on the same side? Then why would both Li Jinru and the Marquis of Yingchuan show respect to Sixteenth Master? Or perhaps, although both honor Sixteenth Master, they only maintain surface cordiality and are not truly aligned in private?" She speculated.

"That's also possible." Zhao Ling's expression turned somewhat grave. "We can only observe slowly from here on."

Fu Tingjun nodded, but couldn't help comforting him: "Regardless, this is also a good thing for Ninth Master—the more weight you carry in the Marquis of Yingchuan's eyes, the more he will lean toward you. This way, even if the matters of Feng Dahu and Datong Number One are ever exposed, between you and the Marquis of Xiping, the Marquis of Yingchuan will have to carefully weigh, deliberate, and choose." She thought of Manager Ye. "Should we send word to Manager Ye? I heard from Zheng San that he's still carrying injuries. If he hurries on his way like this, what if he can't hold up?"

Zhao Ling said, "Manager Ye managed to escape the Marquis of Xiping's pursuit, so he must not be a simple man. I've also sent Sanfu and several carefully selected soldiers as his escorts. If he still can't escape the Marquis of Xiping's pursuit, then there's no use in him returning alive to Datong Number One. He might as well die on the road—at least Datong Number One, out of consideration for his dying in the line of duty, will treat his family well."

Though his words were cold and ruthless, Fu Tingjun had to admit he made sense.

She uttered an "mm" and, thinking of how Manager Ye had set out with a thousand-man camel caravan full of ambition and confidence, now reduced to a solitary figure in tattered circumstances, fell silent.

When Manager Ye returned like a young swallow flying back to its nest, would he truly be met with family comfort and colleagues' understanding?

The vicissitudes of life were so unpredictable—one moment filled with laughter and joy, the next all glory had faded.

Fu Tingjun thought of her own experiences and couldn't help but feel awe toward the future.

She lowered her head and asked Zhao Ling softly, "Do you... do you really want to get married?" The moment she finished speaking, heat rushed to her face... And so Fu Tingjun did not see that when Zhao Ling's gaze fell upon the ivory comb carved with twin lotus flowers in her hair, a flicker of sharpness passed through his brow.

"That was all my fault just now!" His expression gradually became calm and rational, indifferent and composed, but his voice was gentle and light like wind through the leaves, softly brushing past Fu Tingjun's heart. "Don't worry—no matter what, I'll wait until Uncle and Aunt give their consent!"

Fu Tingjun breathed a sigh of relief, yet for some reason, a faint sense of loss stirred deep within her. It seemed that the Zhao Ling who liked to joke and banter with her felt more familiar and close... She nodded slightly, a trace of wistfulness flickering in her eyes.

Zhao Ling only assumed that Fu Tingjun was somewhat disappointed by his earlier rashness. He felt anxious inside but had no good solution, so he simply cast everything from before aside and pretended it had never happened... He sat down at the table and, with a playful grin, handed his empty rice bowl to Fu Tingjun. "Give me a bowl of rice, will you?"

Fu Tingjun was taken aback, then let out a somewhat helpless sigh.

This fellow—his skin was truly thick!

She shot him a sideways glance, then turned to fill his bowl of rice, unable to stop herself from pursing her lips into a smile. She secretly felt grateful that Zhao Ling had always been willing to lower himself in front of her—otherwise, after what had just happened, she truly wouldn't have known how to interact with him. At that thought, the scene of them embracing surfaced in her mind... The scorching, flame-like heat of his palm seemed to still linger on her back, caressing reluctantly... The tingling sensation dormant deep within her body rippled through her heart once more... She couldn't help but shiver, and the rice bowl in her hands suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, nearly slipping from her grasp... It jolted her back to her senses... yet she dared not look at Zhao Ling's bright eyes.

"Come, come, eat!" Fu Tingjun stammered slightly.

A knock sounded at the door, along with Zheng San's call: "Third Miss, open the door!"

As if fleeing, Fu Tingjun hurried toward the door. "I'll go see!"

The rain had already stopped. The blue bricks in the courtyard had been washed clean by the rainwater, and the large red lanterns hanging under the eaves cast a ruddy glow upon the ground, shimmering with colorful halos.

She took a deep breath.

The chill of the autumn night blew away the restlessness in her heart like a breeze, calming her mind.

Fu Tingjun asked Zheng San, who was striding in quickly, "How is it? Did you run into Sanfu?"

Zheng San clasped his hands and said respectfully, "Old Chai and Sanfu have successfully left Zhangye City."

Fu Tingjun felt relieved upon hearing this.

Zheng San then asked with concern, "Is Ninth Master alright?"

"Nothing's wrong!" Zhao Ling had silently appeared behind Fu Tingjun without anyone noticing, and said flatly, "As for the Marquis, I have my own plans."

His tone was somewhat vague. To anyone listening without full understanding, it would be subjectively interpreted as the Marquis of Yingchuan suspecting Zhao Ling over the matter with Manager Ye, having specially summoned Zhao Ling for questioning via his guards, with Zhao Ling finding a way to brush it off.

Fu Tingjun was secretly surprised, but quickly understood Zhao Ling's intention.

Rather than telling Zheng San the truth, it was better to let this misunderstanding continue. At the very least, Manager Ye would be moved to tears of gratitude upon hearing it.

Could he be trying to cultivate a relationship with Manager Ye?

Fu Tingjun mused inwardly, standing to the side with a smile, quietly listening as Zhao Ling questioned Zheng San.

...

The next day, the sky cleared. Zhao Ling went to the Commander-in-Chief's office after breakfast and didn't return until after the lamps were lit. Every day he was either greasing the palms of the officials at the Commander-in-Chief's office or going out socializing with He Xiulin, showing no urgency to return to Niambo Station. But no matter how late he came back, he would always go to see Fu Tingjun before retiring for the night. Occasionally he would bring her rare delicacies like fried quail or small trinkets such as peachwood hairpins and glass bead bracelets.

Fu Tingjun outwardly maintained her composure, smiling and thanking Zhao Ling, but inwardly she was overjoyed. She would wait for Zhao Ling to return every night before going to bed. Zhao Ling no longer urged her to rest early as he used to. Sometimes when he came back early, he would sit and chat with Fu Tingjun for a long while. Fu Tingjun noticed that every time he returned, he would either mention what delicious food some restaurant had or say that He Xiulin had mentioned a scenic spot worth visiting, and she couldn't help but worry: "Is it really alright for you not to return to Niambo Station?"

"Let me first finish the task the Marquis of Yingchuan assigned!" Zhao Ling said dismissively.

Fu Tingjun trusted Zhao Ling deeply and didn't pry much into his official matters. Upon hearing this, she said no more, only concerning herself daily with whether his clothes were properly ironed and whether he had enough silver on hand.

Several days passed in this manner. When September arrived, chrysanthemums began appearing in the markets. Fu Tingjun had Zheng San buy two pots and place them on Zhao Ling's windowsill, while she pondered how to celebrate Zhao Ling's birthday.

Jin Yuanbao returned from the capital, travel-worn and weary.

Fu Tingjun was overjoyed and quickly invited Jin Yuanbao into the hall. Before Jin Yuanbao could even take his seat, she eagerly pressed him: "Did you see my family?"

"No!" Jin Yuanbao had traveled via the official post road under the Marquis of Yingchuan's name, using the six-hundred-li express relay, traveling day and night. His body was at its limit. Ignoring the dust covering him, he plopped down into the armchair and said wearily, "Your mother has kept to herself since arriving in the capital. I was in a hurry to return and couldn't stay longer, so I never found the opportunity to pay my respects to her. However, I did see a matron by her side called 'Xiuzhu's Wife.' I wrote a note reporting that you were safe, then bought the most common blue cloth in the street and wrapped the silver bracelet you gave me together with the note in it. When Xiuzhu's Wife went to the temple to burn incense, I dropped it into her basket of incense and candles. I saw with my own eyes Xiuzhu's Wife open the cloth, look around in shock, then abandon her incense offering and hurry back to the Fu residence on Sixi Lane. Not long after, I saw Xiuzhu's Wife carrying the cloth and asking around at nearby stalls whose goods it was. I originally wanted to meet with Xiuzhu's Wife, but a young servant was constantly trailing behind her. Several times I stood right beside Xiuzhu's Wife, but before I could even speak, she would look at me warily..." At this point, Jin Yuanbao smiled sheepishly, "This matron by your mother's side... she's a bit overly cautious in her methods!"

That was only natural. Otherwise, she wouldn't be the most capable person by her mother's side instead of Bi Bo.

Thinking of Bi Bo, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was likely in grave danger, Fu Tingjun's expression dimmed. But it was quickly replaced by the joy of having made contact with her family: "So my mother must have received my news!" She beamed with delight, but then her smile faded and her brows furrowed slightly. "You said a young servant was following Xiuzhu's Wife... what's that all about?"

Zheng San came in cheerfully carrying tea.

Jin Yuanbao smiled his thanks and picked up the teacup to drink.

Fu Tingjun's heart gave a sudden lurch.

Ever since learning in Xi'an that her mother had gone to the capital, she had thought of her mother constantly, fearing that her mother might be consumed by guilt over her disappearance, or even fall ill from longing. Others might not know, but Jin Yuanbao was meticulous in his thinking—there was no way he didn't understand. His unhurried sipping of tea instead of immediately answering her question... there could only be one reason: he didn't know how to answer her question in a way that would be appropriate.

Her face instantly turned pale. "Is it... is it something that happened to my family?" As she spoke, she recalled Jin Yuanbao's words about "never having found the opportunity to pay respects to your mother." Her mother was a woman of the inner quarters, certainly not easily accessible, but he could have gone to visit her father or elder brother instead? Even if Jin Yuanbao dared not call upon her father, who was a court official, her brother was merely a student—surely he wouldn't be afraid to meet him either?

No, something was wrong.

Jin Yuanbao had once served under the Marquis of Yingchuan. There was no way he would be too timid to pay respects to her father.

Her fingers twisted tightly together.

Jin Yuanbao seemed almost unable to look at her, lowering his eyelids before speaking after a long pause: "I don't know how to put it... Anyway, I just felt the atmosphere was strange. I didn't even dare to call upon your father or elder brother..."