Chapter 125

The capital was at the foot of the Son of Heaven, the imperial domain itself—seven outer gates, nine inner gates, vast in territory and teeming with people, a land of abundance and splendor. Before Fu Tingjun and her companions even caught sight of the capital's city walls, they could already feel its bustling grandeur from the endless stream of travelers along the road: old men carrying loads on shoulder poles, profligate young scions laughing and frolicking with gaily dressed singing girls, weary merchant caravans with men shouting and horses neighing, and arrogant officials swaggering with imperious airs...

Zheng Sanniang couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder Chen Er from our village sticks his chin up to the sky every time he mentions he's been to the capital. Never mind anything else—just look at how spirited everyone here is. I've traveled to quite a few places with the young lady, but I've never seen anything like this."

Yuwei found her words amusing and nearly laughed, but the thought of the deceased Zheliu made her swallow the smile. A Sen, however, who was used to joking around with Zheng Sanniang, chimed in: "Ninth Master said he wants to buy a residence in the capital—doesn't that mean we can come and stay here often from now on?"

"How could that work?" Zheng Sanniang laughed. "It takes three or four months to get to the capital! A round trip eats up most of the year, and what's left of the remaining months to do anything?" She turned to Fu Tingjun, who was sitting nearby watching them talk with a smile, and said, "Young lady, don't you think so?"

Fu Tingjun smiled but said nothing, turning her head to look out the carriage window.

The post road leading to the capital was two or three zhang wide, lined with willow trees whose long branches hung by the roadside, sprouting fresh green buds. Most travelers on the road had already shed their winter clothes for lined jackets—a scene of spring in full bloom.

She let out a soft sigh.

They had set out from Zhangye in mid-August, spent the New Year in Baoding Prefecture, and only departed after the Lantern Festival, arriving in the capital at the start of February. On every clear, warm day, the roads were filled with people out enjoying the spring air.

She wondered how Zhao Ling was doing.

While still in Baoding Prefecture, she had asked someone to deliver a letter to him.

He had said he would wrap up his affairs once spring came and then set out for the capital—she didn't know if he had departed yet.

Her original thoughts had been simple: see her mother, report that she was safe, and ask her mother, in light of the fact that Zhao Ling had saved her life, to put in a good word for him with her father, so that she might be permitted to marry him.

But ever since hearing Yuwei's words, she felt uncertain.

If even two maidservants like Yitong and Yuwei could uncover such things through careful observation, yet the family still chose to have her "die of illness"—what deeper secrets lay behind it all?

She thought of how her father had even made a trip back home over the matter, yet things still spiraled beyond control. A vague unease gnawed at her. The closer they drew to the capital, the more tense she became, the fewer words she spoke, and the more chaotic her thoughts grew.

If only Zhao Ling were by her side!

Whatever happened, with Zhao Ling beside her, she would find her courage.

At this thought, she called to Zheng San, who was riding with the carriage: "How much farther to the capital?"

Zheng San had been to the capital twice as a caravan escort, so compared to Fu Tingjun and the others who had never been, he naturally served as their guide.

"Less than twenty li to go," Zheng San said with a smile. "We'll definitely reach Fucheng Gate by noon."

At the Tongzhou relay station, Master Lyu had already settled things with Guard Jian on behalf of Fu Tingjun: once they entered the city, Guard Jian and his men would help find an inn to get them settled. As for finding a house or visiting relatives—such minor matters wouldn't trouble the stewards of the Duke of Fuguo's household. They only asked that Guard Jian help arrange an introduction when they came to pay their respects at the Duke's residence, and once a house was purchased, that the Duke's steward put in a word with the Shuntian Prefecture to expedite the stamping of the property transfer documents.

Throughout the journey, Master Lyu and Zheng San, while not fawning, had been quietly and diligently cultivating good relations with these guards from the Marquis of Yingchuan's household, and they got along well with Guard Jian and his men. Though the guards hadn't thought much of Fu Tingjun's party, they had developed a favorable impression. When Master Lyu made his request, they felt obliged to exchange a few polite words. But seeing how well-organized Master Lyu's arrangements for entering the capital were, and realizing that if Fu Tingjun's party entered the Duke of Fuguo's residence, they probably wouldn't even get to see a head steward, let alone stay there, they stopped trying to persuade them otherwise. They simply said things like "come find me if you need anything" and settled the matter.

Fu Tingjun nodded, leaned back against the large bolster, and, noting that they were all still wearing heavy winter clothes, instructed Zheng Sanniang: "We're newcomers here, and people in this world judge by appearances before anything else. Zheng San needs to deliver thank-you gifts to the Duke of Fuguo's residence, and I need to visit relatives. Once we reach the inn, have Zheng San accompany you out for a stroll—find a good ready-made clothing shop and pick out some fine fabrics for everyone..." As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept past Yuwei and caught her despondent expression, causing Fu Tingjun to pause mid-sentence.

To have been reunited with Yuwei, to have unraveled some of the mysteries in her heart—Fu Tingjun felt this was already heaven's great kindness. But Yuwei clearly didn't see it that way.

In recent days, no matter what Fu Tingjun said, Yuwei always showed deep guilt and remorse, attributing past mistakes to herself.

For a troubled mind, the cure lies in the mind itself.

Since she always felt she had wronged her, it might be better to keep her busy with tasks. That way, she would have less time to dwell on her thoughts, and with time, she could be gradually guided and counseled.

Fu Tingjun sighed softly and said, "Yuwei, you should go with Zheng Sanniang as well! Help Zheng Sanniang make decisions when needed."

"Me!" Yuwei looked at Fu Tingjun in astonishment.

She had originally been a maid in Fu Tingjun's chambers, and it was only right for Fu Tingjun to order her about. But in recent days, Fu Tingjun had been arranging for doctors and medicine for her along the journey, and Zheng Sanniang had also been courteous to her. She felt uneasy and uncertain. Upon hearing Fu Tingjun's words, she was overjoyed.

If Fu Tingjun was willing to put her to use, did that mean she had already forgiven her mistakes?

Yuwei immediately showed a delighted expression: "I'll go with Sanniang! I'll go! I know what kind of clothes to pick..."

Zheng Sanniang looked at Yuwei's happy demeanor and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "No rush, no rush. Let's first settle into the inn and then talk."

Yuwei blushed with embarrassment.

Fu Tingjun watched, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

The atmosphere in the carriage became cheerful.

A Sen asked Fu Tingjun, "Miss, where are we staying?"

Today, Master Lyu had set off ahead of them, precisely to arrange lodging at an inn before they arrived in the capital.

"I'm not entirely sure either," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "But the Duke of Fuguo's residence is on Xi'anmen Street, not far from Fucheng Gate. We'll probably find an inn nearby, so that if anything comes up, we can ask the stewards of the Duke of Fuguo's residence for help."

"Can I go take a look at the Duke of Fuguo's residence?" A Sen blinked his big, round eyes. "I've never seen a duke's mansion before!"

"Of course!" Fu Tingjun felt that seeing more and reading more would broaden one's horizons and open one's mind. "There are plenty of rare and interesting things in the capital. Once we're settled, I'll have Zheng San take us out for a stroll."

"Great!" A Sen cheered, patting Linchun on the head. Seeing this, Linchun imitated A Sen's cheer and reached out to pat A Sen's head.

Everyone was amused and laughed endlessly.

The carriage arrived at Fucheng Gate.

Fu Tingjun felt the carriage slow down. Guard Jian and the others had shed their usual fierce demeanor, as if they had become more cautious and careful.

Master Lyu was waiting at Fucheng Gate. Seeing their carriage, he immediately ran over with a smile: "I've booked several rooms at the Gaosheng Inn on Xi'anmen Street and arranged a few tables of food. We can have lunch first, and then Guard Jian can return to the Duke of Fuguo's residence to report!"

Guard Jian thought for a moment and agreed with a smile.

From afar, someone shouted loudly.

They instinctively looked in that direction.

A large group escorting two lavishly decorated carriages rushed toward them at great speed, and pedestrians on the road hurriedly moved aside.

Guard Jian's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly said, "Move aside quickly—that's the carriage of Liu Hu, Commander of the Left Guard of the Tengji Guard."

The driver was also one of the Marquis of Yingchuan's men. Before Guard Jian even finished speaking, he had already steered the carriage to the side of the road and stopped. The guards also reined in their horses and halted. By the time Guard Jian's words faded, the carriage of Liu Hu, Commander of the Left Guard of the Tengji Guard, had already sped past them.

Master Lyu was dumbfounded: "Who is this Commander Liu?"

Guard Jian smiled bitterly and said in a low voice, "He's the adopted son of Hong Du, the eunuch in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

An adopted son of a eunuch, forcing the guards of the Duke of Fuguo's residence to yield?

Master Lyu was left speechless.

But Guard Jian was unwilling to say more and said with a smile, "Where is this Gaosheng Inn you mentioned? It's already past noon, and we've been traveling for most of the day—we're all starving..."

Master Lyu had once been a shopkeeper, so reading people's expressions was second nature to him. He immediately caught the hint and, without bringing up Commander Liu again, quickly said, "Guard Jian, please follow me... It's in an alley not far from the Duke of Fuguo's residence. The inn is a bit small, but it's clean and tidy, and the owner cooks excellent food..." As he spoke, he turned from Fucheng Gate Street onto Xi'anmen Street.

...

The inn was indeed a bit small, as Master Lyu had said—only three courtyards deep—but it was kept spotlessly clean. When Fu Tingjun pushed open the door of her room, she faced a grape trellis, though it was not yet the season for new shoots, leaving only withered vines entwined on the bamboo frame.

Fu Tingjun stood by the window, thinking about Master Lyu's words.

"When will you go visit your relatives? I should prepare some gifts."

"Let's first get the clothing and accessories ready," she had replied to Master Lyu. "I'll let you know in advance when I'm ready to go."

Master Lyu had hurried off to the front hall to entertain Guard Jian, but she remained here, lost in thought.

She had already arrived in the capital, and her mother was still ill. She should go see her mother at the earliest opportunity—so why was she hesitating in her heart?

Fu Tingjun took a deep breath.

That evening, she had Yuwei stand watch for the night and asked her, "Can you find a way to find out what time my father goes to the yamen?"

There were some matters she couldn't entrust to Zheng San or Master Lyu.

Fu Tingjun instinctively wanted to avoid her father.

Yuwei didn't hesitate: "Miss, find me a coarse cloth garment. I see many street vendors selling snacks—I can pretend to be one and go ask around!"

Fu Tingjun nodded. In front of Zheng San and the others, she only said she wanted Yuwei to go out and buy some personal trinkets, and gave Yuwei twenty taels of silver. Yuwei went out early and returned late each day, while Master Lyu and Zheng San purchased goods to thank the Duke of Fuguo's household and found a broker to look at residences.