Chapter 156

Because A Sen was leaving home for the academy for the first time, Fu Tingjun naturally kept a close watch over him. Not only did she call A Sen over every day after school to ask what he had learned, she also asked whether he could understand the teacher's lessons, who he sat with, which classmates had the gentlest temperaments, and who was the most lively... She asked about everything, no matter how trivial. She also instructed Zheng Sanniang to make some snacks for A Sen to bring to the academy from time to time, and reminded A Sen to share them with his classmates. Within just a few days, a classmate invited A Sen to come play at his home on the ninth day of the ninth month.

A Sen hesitated over whether to accept.

Fu Tingjun asked him why.

A Sen's face flushed slightly as he said, "I've never been a guest at someone's home before..."

He was a little scared, wasn't he?

Fu Tingjun pursed her lips and smiled, feeling once again that sending A Sen to the academy had been the right decision.

"Let me teach you some etiquette." She had Zheng San and his wife pretend to be the parents of his classmate, and Linchun, Zhenzhu, and the others pretend to be the siblings of his classmates, showing him how to bow and greet people properly when meeting them.

A Sen was naturally clever and quick-witted—he simply felt a bit timid about unknown things. After one brief look, he understood. Moreover, he had always regarded Fu Tingjun's words as the highest truth. With Fu Tingjun's personal guidance, his confidence immediately multiplied. He quickly cast aside his restraint and became proactive, drawing inferences from one example.

Even Yuwei, who was watching from the side, couldn't help praising A Sen for being clever.

A Sen looked pleased with himself and began to look forward to visiting his classmate's home.

Just then, Fu Tingjun also received an invitation from Madam Ji, asking her to come appreciate flowers and listen to opera at her home on the ninth day of the ninth month.

She thought of the time she had encountered Madam Wu at the entrance to the alley.

She wondered whether Madam Yu would be attending.

Although it had been seven or eight years since she had encountered Madam Yu, her appearance hadn't changed much...

Fu Tingjun thought it over and, using the excuse that Zhao Ling would likely be inviting colleagues over to the house that day, politely declined.

The matron Madam Ji had sent to deliver the invitation looked quite disappointed and said, "Madam has also invited Grand Secretary Yu's wife and daughter-in-law that day."

"Since we all live in the capital, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future." Fu Tingjun exchanged a few pleasantries with the matron and had Zhenzhu see her out.

That evening when Zhao Ling returned, before Fu Tingjun had a chance to mention the matter, he was already discussing with her the idea of moving A Sen to the west wing: "...Originally, you wanted him to have a quiet place to study, but now that he's attending the academy, it might be better to move him inside. First, you can keep an eye on him at all times, and second, we can free up the south study to serve as a guest room. What do you think?"

Zhao Ling never concerned himself with household matters.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but find it strange: "Why do you suddenly want to free up the south study as a guest room? Have you made some very close friends?" But since this wasn't anything particularly momentous, she added, "I'll tell A Sen first thing tomorrow morning, and we can have the south study cleared out by the afternoon."

"Mo Yi and the others' families haven't arrived in the capital yet, and with the Double Ninth Festival coming up, those fellows have been clamoring to come visit," Zhao Ling said with a laugh. "When we got married, didn't Mo Yi drink too much and end up resting in the south study? I figured things like that are bound to happen again, and we can't keep having A Sen look after them like a little servant. It's better to just move him into the inner courtyard."

So that was it!

Fu Tingjun smiled and said, "Why don't we put in a bit more effort, then? We could divide the two-room south study into two separate guest rooms, and place stone tables and stone chairs in the courtyard. The autumn weather is crisp and clear now, so everyone can sit in the courtyard and chat over tea."

"That would be much appreciated." Zhao Ling was clearly quite taken with the idea and nodded repeatedly. Then he smiled, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her temple. "You've been managing the household these days—are you tired?"

The household had only a few masters and servants, and the head of the household, Zhao Ling, was away from home most of the time. Even if she wanted to be busy, there wasn't much to keep her occupied!

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.

Zhao Ling looked at her smiling face, as lovely as a flower, and couldn't resist leaning down to kiss the corner of her mouth...

...

Fu Tingjun was awakened by the movement beside her.

She opened her eyes groggily.

In the dim lamplight, Zhao Ling was sitting on the edge of the bed, bending over to put on his shoes.

Fu Tingjun leaned over and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind: "What time is it now? Are you heading to the palace?"

There was boundless reluctance in her voice.

But then she felt a chill on her body and realized she was only wearing a thin undergarment. Just as she was about to pull the blanket over herself, Zhao Ling turned around and embraced her: "Be good, it's only the hour of Yin. The weather is cold! You rest well here in the room. I'll come back in the evening and play Go with you." As he spoke, he wrapped the blanket around her, helped her lie down, and kissed her forehead again and again. "In a few days, it'll be my turn for a day off. We'll go visit the Great Xiangguo Temple then, shall we?" His tone was gentle and soothing, as if coaxing a small child.

Fu Tingjun had barely slept at all the night before. Zhao Ling's familiar, warm presence made her drowsy. She murmured a sleepy "Mm" in response and sank back into deep slumber.

Zhao Ling kissed her cheek and watched her fall asleep before bending down to put his shoes back on. He walked to the door and instructed Zhenzhu, who was on night duty, not to wake Fu Tingjun and to let her sleep until she woke on her own. Only then did he step out through the hanging-flower gate.

By the time Fu Tingjun woke, the sun had already risen. She silently cursed under her breath and called for Zhenzhu to help her wash and dress.

Yuwei entered with a smile, carrying the morning meal.

Since the sixth day of the new year, she had resumed her duties in Fu Tingjun's quarters.

"The newly pickled radishes are ready," she said, her eyes and brows brimming with delight as she set out the bowls and chopsticks for Fu Tingjun. "Sanniang specially cut a small plate for you to taste, madam."

The rice porridge was fragrant, sticky, and sweet, and the freshly pickled radishes were crisp and delicious. Fu Tingjun ate two full bowls, and the plate of scallion-fried yellow croaker she usually enjoyed so much went untouched as she was already full.

She set down her chopsticks contentedly and told Yuwei about Zhao Ling's arrangement to have A Sen stay in the western wing and to clear out the two study rooms in the southern house as guest rooms: "...I really should at least let A Sen know. It was too late yesterday, and I'd planned to tell him this morning, but who knew I'd wake up so late? Now I'll have to wait until the afternoon." She sounded rather dejected.

Yuwei quickly said, "It won't delay much—we have all the furnishings we need at home. The western wing has been empty, but it's cleaned regularly, so he can move right in. As for partitioning the study, even if we find a carpenter today, they couldn't possibly start work right away—it would have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest. Please don't worry, madam. Ninth Master didn't say anyone was waiting to move in!"

As the two were talking, Kou'er came in: "Madam, there's a group of people at the gate with horse-drawn carts loaded with things. They say they've come from Zhangye—men named Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao—and they want to see you..."

"Ah!" Fu Tingjun was greatly startled and stood up. "Quick, quick, invite them in." With that, she was already heading for the door.

Seeing this, Kou'er trotted ahead of Fu Tingjun to receive the guests, while Yuwei steadied Fu Tingjun: "Madam, please slow down. They've already arrived at the gate—there's no need to rush this very moment."

True enough!

Fu Tingjun laughed at herself: "It's just that the news came so suddenly..." Her steps did indeed slow.

Kou'er had already led Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao through the hanging-flower gate.

The two bowed respectfully to Fu Tingjun, addressing her as "Sister-in-law."

Fu Tingjun pretended not to notice the teasing glint in Yang Yucheng's eyes, returned their greetings, and invited them into the hall for tea.

"How did you two come to be here? Why didn't you send word ahead? I would have prepared rooms for you." She spoke rapid-fire. "And Sanfu, Shizhu, and Anxin—where are they? Why didn't they come along?" As she spoke, Yuwei and Zhenzhu brought in tea, and she called out to Yuwei, "Go tell Zheng San that Lord Yang and Lord Jin have arrived, and have them unload Lord Yang's and Lord Jin's things and put them in..."

The southern study would be best...

A thought flashed through Fu Tingjun's mind, and her tone paused briefly before she said with feigned annoyance, "Did Ninth Master arrange for you to come to the capital?"

The two chuckled.

Yang Yucheng said, "Sister-in-law, we're now ranked officials of the court, after all. If not for Ninth Master's help, how could we have been transferred to this vital region around the capital..."

"I knew it." Fu Tingjun pretended to be angry. "He had me clear out the southern study yesterday... So I was the only one kept in the dark!"

"Sister-in-law, you're too harsh." Jin Yuanbao quickly said seriously, "Ninth Master only wanted to give you a surprise!"

That Zhao Ling—he knew full well that Yang Yucheng and the others were coming, yet he still kept her up last night, and now she'd only just gotten out of bed at this hour.

Fu Tingjun's cheeks flushed slightly.

Jin Yuanbao quickly changed the subject: "I've been transferred to Tongzhou Garrison as a centurion. Yucheng, Sanfu, and Shizhu have been transferred to Daxing Garrison—Yucheng as a platoon leader, and Sanfu and Shizhu as squad leaders."

Another surprise.

"Sanfu and Shizhu are in the capital too?" Fu Tingjun beamed.

"Not just them," Yang Yucheng said quickly. "Anxin's here too. And we brought everything you left behind in Zhangye."

Before he even finished speaking, Sanfu's booming voice came from outside the hall: "Sister, where should I put these things?"

"Follow me." Yuwei smiled and had him place the items in the eastern wing.

Jin Yuanbao called out to them: "Come in first and pay your respects to your sister-in-law."

Sanfu answered with a loud "Yes," and brought Shizhu and Anxin inside.

After they all paid their respects, they went back to unloading the goods.

Fu Tingjun hurriedly instructed Zheng Sanniang to order a feast from the nearby restaurant called Donglaishun: "...You all drink and eat on your own for now. Once Ninth Master returns, he'll properly keep you company."

A cry of surprise came from outside.

A Sen rushed in, his face alight with excitement: "Brother Yucheng! Brother Yuanbao!" He threw himself into Yang Yucheng's arms.

"Ouch," Yang Yucheng teased him, "Our young master number two is back from school." He looked him up and down, adding, "Still wearing that cocoon silk robe—you already look like a rich young gentleman. If you walked down the street like this, we wouldn't dare recognize you."

They were all men, and travel-worn from the road, looking like the cart pullers they were.

"You..." A Sen jumped out of Yang Yucheng's arms, glaring at him with fury, as if they were sworn enemies.

"Didn't you say you were going to school?" Jin Yuanbao chimed in from the side. "How is it that the more you learn, the worse you get? Before, you'd roll up your sleeves and throw a punch at words like that. What now? All you can do is sulk?"

Tears welled up in A Sen's eyes.

He looked at Fu Tingjun, then at Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng, and burst into loud sobs out of sheer frustration.

When had A Sen ever cried like this!

Fu Tingjun was startled and quickly pulled A Sen into her arms. "Look at you, being so petty. Aren't they just teasing you?"

A Sen wiped his tears with the back of his hand, sobbing and stammering, "I just feel like they're all keeping me at arm's length now... I'm not that kind of person at all, yet they call me a rich young master, putting on airs... Most people in our school wear cocoon silk clothes... Only two or three wear coarse cloth, and there are even some wearing Hangzhou silk and Lake silk..."

Fu Tingjun shot Yang Yucheng a glare.

Yang Yucheng smiled sheepishly and coaxed A Sen, "Wasn't I just joking with you?"