Chapter 155

Every year, the willows turn green, and at Baling, partings bring sorrow.

Those who left the ancient Chang'an would, as was customary, break a willow branch at the Ba Bridge ten li out of town to bid farewell. For those heading west from the capital, however, the parting took place at Shilipu, ten li beyond Fucheng Gate. But now no one breaks willow branches to see off friends, and no willows line the road at Shilipu anymore.

When Zhao Ling and his party arrived, it was just past noon, and people of every description streamed past in an endless flow.

Zhao Ling chose a two-story establishment with a row of five red lanterns hanging beneath the upturned eaves, where carriages frequently pulled up at the entrance. It was a restaurant called "Yangguan," and there they held a farewell meal for Master Lyu.

The refined private room, the delicately flavored dishes, and the occasional lines of parting poetry drifting into their ears all lent Yangguan an air of scholarly elegance.

"This must be the finest restaurant in Shilipu, isn't it?" Master Lyu said, looking somewhat ill at ease. "We could have just stopped at any ordinary eatery—there was no need for you to go to such expense."

"What's all this talk of expense?" Zhao Ling said with a smile, instructing the waiter to bring another pot of fine Jinhua wine. "For what you've done for A'jun and me, we owe you a great deal. Without your help, we wouldn't have found a place to stay so easily in Xi'an Prefecture, nor could we have married so smoothly this year." As he spoke, Fu Tingjun personally filled Master Lyu's cup. Master Lyu hurriedly rose to his feet, murmuring "I wouldn't dare," but Zhao Ling pressed him back down. "Today, let my wife and I toast you."

Master Lyu's eyes grew slightly moist at the corners. He raised his cup and drained it in one go, then poured wine for Zhao Ling in return. The two fell to reminiscing about old times, and it was not until the carriages and horses before Yangguan's gates had gradually thinned that they settled the bill and left the restaurant.

Zhao Ling helped the tipsy Master Lyu into the carriage, and the two exchanged words of "take care." Zhao Ling then repeatedly urged the driver from the carriage service to be careful on the road, and only then did they wave their final goodbyes.

Fu Tingjun could not help but sigh. "Who knows when we'll see him again?"

By rights, since Master Lyu managed their farmland estates for them, he should come to the capital each year to settle accounts and deliver the harvest proceeds to supplement their household expenses. But considering Master Lyu's advancing age, they had discussed it with him and agreed that from now on, every October, Zheng San would go to Xi'an Prefecture to settle accounts with Master Lyu and bring back the year's harvest.

"I've been thinking," Zhao Ling said thoughtfully, "the emperor may well recall the Marquis of Yingchuan to the capital, and both the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission and the Shaanxi Branch Regional Military Commission are likely to see some reshuffling. If I could secure a post in one of them, would you be willing to leave the capital with me?"

Fu Tingjun was taken aback. "Aren't you happy in the Imperial Guard?"

"No, that's not it," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "Serving as a deputy is never as satisfying as holding the top position yourself. Besides, we're bound to return to Shaanxi sooner or later anyway—better to go early, get to know people, and build up some connections."

Was that really the only reason?

Fu Tingjun was doubtful.

Zhao Ling put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm genuinely doing well in the Imperial Guard. It's just that idling away my days in the capital feels meaningless..."

Catching the flicker of helplessness in her husband's eyes, Fu Tingjun felt a pang in her heart.

Zhao Ling was a man of decisive action, someone who got things done. Young as he was, how could he bear going to the office every day with nothing to do?

She took his hand. "Wherever you go, I go!"

Though she was loath to part with her mother, she was now a married daughter—Madam Fu of the Zhao family. How could she neglect her husband for the sake of her mother?

Zhao Ling looked at the earnest sincerity shining in his wife's clear eyes and drew her into his embrace. "A'jun, don't be anxious. This is just an idea of mine—whether it comes to pass depends on the emperor's wishes. After all, he's newly arrived in the capital and doesn't have many people he can rely on."

"I don't know much about matters outside the home," Fu Tingjun said with a playful pout. "But just remember this one thing: wherever you go, I'll follow, and that's where our home will be. I want to be your helpmate, not your burden!"

Zhao Ling was deeply moved.

"I'll remember, I'll remember," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

...

Zheng San's carriage driving had grown better and better—swift yet steady—and in no more than an hour they were back at Shi Family Lane.

As luck would have it, they came face to face with the Wu family's carriage in the lane.

Zheng San was about to yield the way to the Wu family, but to his surprise, the Wu carriage moved aside first. Not only that, Madam Wu's personal attendant lifted the curtain and asked, "Who is in the carriage?"

Zheng San hurriedly replied, "It's our master and mistress."

Hearing this from inside the carriage, Zhao Ling said to Fu Tingjun, "Perhaps we should buy a couple more servants? That way, you'll have someone to accompany you when you go out."

This was not the time to discuss such matters. Fu Tingjun gave a vague reply and was about to ask Zheng San what the matter was when Madam Wu's voice came from the carriage opposite: "What a surprise! I never expected to run into Lord Zhao and Mrs. Zhao here. Where have the two of you been?"

Fu Tingjun lifted the carriage curtain and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Wu: "When we married, an elder from Xi'an Prefecture came to preside over the ceremony. Now that we are returning to Xi'an Prefecture, my husband and I made a special trip to see him off."

"What a coincidence!" Madam Wu laughed. "You are off to see someone off, while I am rushing to receive someone." She added, "I wonder if Mrs. Zhao has heard of this year's new top scholar, Yu Jingxiu? He is the eldest son of the Yu family of Fengle Ward in Nanjing. His father, Grand Secretary Yu Guoliang, is related by marriage to Lord Ji of Bensi Hutong. Lady Yu has always lived in Nanjing. Now that the eldest son has won the top scholar title, Lady Yu has specially brought her daughter-in-law to the capital to reunite with her son. That is why Madam Ji has invited me to go with her to Fucheng Gate to receive Lady Yu."

What a coincidence indeed!

Fu Tingjun was quite taken aback.

She recalled Lady Yu's stern yet gentle eyes...

Clearly, experience matters.

Her grandmother had once said that although Lady Yu was shrewd and capable, she was not one to lack consideration and care for others.

Fu Tingjun neither wished to lie nor to bring up the Yu family again, so she sidestepped the matter with a smile: "Fucheng Gate is nearly an hour's carriage ride from here. It is getting late—you should be on your way, or you might not make it in time."

Madam Wu exchanged a few more polite words before urging her carriage out of Shi Family Hutong.

Zhao Ling and Fu Tingjun alighted at their own hanging-flower gate.

Seeing that Fu Tingjun had remained silent ever since meeting Madam Wu, he tried to console her: "This matter was not your fault, so why dwell on it? If blame is to be placed, it can only fall on the heavens for their cruel twists of fate! Even if you do run into the Yu family, just greet them openly and naturally. Otherwise, the more you shrink back, the more they will believe it was your fault. You understand this reasoning without my having to spell it out."

Fu Tingjun let out a "pfft" of laughter, leaving Zhao Ling utterly bewildered.

"I was just thinking," she said, "whether I should hire two coarse-work maidservants as you suggested."

Zhao Ling's face flushed slightly, and he awkwardly changed the subject: "Didn't you say we should find a tutor to begin A Sen's education? I made some inquiries—those old Hanlin academicians rarely take on beginning students. Not far from here, on Chunshu Hutong, there is a private school called Bowen. The master there is only a licentiate, without much scholarly distinction, but he is said to have a real knack for teaching and has produced several successful candidates. I think I might go have a look one of these days."

Only retired Hanlin academicians would take on students when the patron was a powerful court official or a prominent local family, either to cultivate connections or because the young man was exceptionally gifted. Ordinary academicians would not take students at all, let alone young children just beginning their studies.

Fu Tingjun smiled. "Then Ninth Master should go have a look one of these days! Chunshu Hutong is close by."

As the two were speaking, A Sen, having heard the commotion, came running out: "Ninth Master, Sister-in-law!" He greeted them cheerfully.

Fu Tingjun and Zhao Ling both stopped their conversation at the same time.

...

Zhao Ling was on duty at the palace four days out of every six. Before they knew it, his day off had arrived again. He went to Chunshu Hutong early in the morning and did not return until nearly noon.

"That gentleman's surname is Yang," the couple spoke in the inner chamber. "He said he wants to see the child first. I thought it over—I have to go to the palace again tomorrow, so I arranged with Mr. Yang to bring A Sen over this afternoon at the hour of shenchu. Help A Sen wash up and get ready." He added, "Have Zhenzhu call A Sen over—I have some words of instruction for him."

Fu Tingjun acknowledged the request.

Before long, A Sen arrived.

When he heard that Zhao Ling would be taking him to meet the tutor that afternoon, and that the tutor would need to see him first before deciding whether to accept him, a hint of timidity showed on his face.

Fu Tingjun encouraged him: "You weren't afraid of those refugees, so why be afraid of this? Besides, you've been learning characters with me these past days. I studied at a private school for ten years under a renowned retired Hanlin scholar from Shaanxi—I'm no worse than those tutors outside. If you can't trust yourself, can't you at least trust me? Were I not a woman who cannot raise you within the inner quarters, I wouldn't necessarily have to send you to a private school at all!"

A Sen's eyes brightened at her words, and his confidence returned.

Fu Tingjun broke into a smile.

After they shared the midday meal together, Fu Tingjun got A Sen cleaned up and ready, and A Sen and Zhao Ling set off for Bowen Private School.

Fu Tingjun sat doing needlework while waiting for their return.

She had just finished embroidering two butterflies when the door curtain of the hall clattered loudly and A Sen burst in like a whirlwind: "Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, the tutor accepted me! Please hurry and prepare the tuition gift."

Fu Tingjun was, of course, overjoyed to hear this. She set down her needlework and pulled A Sen aside to ask for details. As A Sen recounted the news with great animation, Zhao Ling entered. Fu Tingjun hurriedly asked how much the tuition was, whether the start date for school had been set, and what needed to be prepared.

Before Zhao Ling could speak, A Sen rushed to answer: "The teacher's tuition is fifteen taels of silver a year, and school starts on the first day of the month. We need to prepare the four treasures of the study and the beginner's text Thousand Poets' Verses ."

Starting from Thousand Poets' Verses !

Was her own teaching not good enough?

Since A Sen was present, Fu Tingjun only muttered to herself, happily helping A Sen prepare his things.

When Zheng Sanniang heard about it, she couldn't stop praising A Sen for his capability.

A Sen was so delighted that he thumped his chest and declared, "When Linchun grows up, he'll come study with me too!"

"Then we'll be counting on Young Master A Sen's kind words," Zheng Sanniang said with a hearty laugh.

A Sen was so happy that his eyes crinkled into slits, showing only his teeth.

Standing under the eaves of the main house watching A Sen, Zhao Ling frowned slightly. "This child—how can he make promises so carelessly!"

"He's happy today, so don't scold him," Fu Tingjun said with a smile. "We can have a proper talk with him in a couple of days."

Zhao Ling nodded, requested half a day off, and the next day took A Sen to Bowen Private School.