Chapter 160

Zhao Ling and Fu Tingjun frolicked for a moment until Zhenzhu brought in tea. Only then did Zhao Ling sit down beside Fu Tingjun, take the tea, and begin telling her about the midwife: "...Her surname is Lü, about forty years old this year, and she has quite a reputation in the capital. I wanted her to move in at the beginning of April, but she has so many people seeking her services that I had to give her thirty taels of silver as a deposit before she reluctantly agreed to move in on the twentieth of April."

Her due date was the twenty-eighth of April, and it was only the second month now... And they wanted her to stay in the house for over ten days... Wasn't this making too much of a fuss?

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but show a look of embarrassment on her face and said, "Isn't it a bit too early?"

"Prepare for a rainy day!" Zhao Ling said dismissively. "It's better than being caught off guard when the time comes."

Just as they were speaking, Kou'er came in to report, "Ninth Master, Lord Mo has arrived."

Zhao Ling was slightly taken aback and instructed Kou'er, "Invite him to sit in the south hall." Then he said to Fu Tingjun, "Let me go see what he wants."

Fu Tingjun was about to get up to see him off, but he stopped her: "You're pregnant now—why bother with such formalities?" He added, "It's cold outside. Be careful not to catch a chill. Stay inside and rest; I'll be right back." Then he kissed her cheek and said in a low voice, "I'll play chess with you later."

Where had Mrs. Tong ever seen such a display? Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly lowered her head, stealing glances at the two from the corner of her eye. She saw Fu Tingjun wrapping her arms around Zhao Ling's waist, leaning into his embrace, and saying softly, "Then come back soon!"

Her expression was completely composed, and her tone was filled with reluctant attachment.

"I know!" Zhao Ling cupped Fu Tingjun's face and pecked her on her rosy, full lips, saying "Wait for me" before letting go and turning to leave the inner chamber.

Mrs. Tong felt as if her face were on fire.

So there were couples who lived like this...

At this thought, her nose tingled with sourness, and a feeling of shame welled up within her.

She involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

Fu Tingjun hardly noticed any of this. She took off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the heated kang. Seeing that Mrs. Tong was still standing there with her head lowered, she was somewhat surprised and said gently, "You may go now. I'll read for a while."

Only then did Mrs. Tong realize how she had lost her composure. She quickly responded with a loud "Yes" and withdrew.

Fu Tingjun was alone in the room setting up a chess manual when A Sen came home from school to pay his respects.

The two chatted about what had happened at the private school. As the light in the room gradually dimmed, A Sen rose to take his leave.

Fu Tingjun called for Zhenzhu: "What time is it now?"

Zhenzhu came in and replied, "It's already just past the third quarter of you hour." As she answered, she deftly lit the lamp.

It was already past the time for the evening meal. Zhao Ling had neither returned nor sent word that he would be keeping Lord Mo for dinner...

Fu Tingjun muttered to herself and instructed Zhenzhu: "Go to the south hall and see whether we should keep Lord Mo for dinner."

"Yes!" Zhenzhu responded, lifting the curtain and leaving. Before long, she returned. "Madam, the Ninth Master said to keep Lord Mo for dinner."

"Bring out a jar of Jinhua wine," Fu Tingjun said. "Make a hotpot with wild duck, a smashed cucumber salad, and stir-fried bok choy. As for the rest, let Zheng Sanniang decide."

Game meat was one thing, but fresh greens were a rare delicacy in winter—ordinary families couldn't buy them even with money. It was only through some connection Zhao Ling had managed to procure them.

Zhenzhu respectfully acknowledged the order and went to the kitchen to relay the instructions.

That meal between Zhao Ling and Mo Yi didn't end until the hai hour.

When Fu Tingjun was roused from sleep, Zhao Ling was chewing on tea leaves.

"What happened?" She yawned, covering her mouth. "Why did you talk for so long?"

"Nothing serious." Zhao Ling leaned down and kissed her forehead. The faint fragrance of tea on him was mingled with a hint of wine. "His Majesty has been reshuffling the personnel of the Five Armies Supervisory Office these days. The Mo family has the merit of following the dragon and is a large, influential clan, so everyone naturally has their own ideas. Mo Yi is quite helpless about it."

That was true.

Scions of great families enjoyed the protection of their clans, but they also needed to contribute to them in return. Behind all the glory lay bitterness and helplessness.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but wrap her arms around Zhao Ling's neck. "It's better for us! Though we have no one to help us, every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile is earned by our own hands. Using them brings us peace of mind and a clear conscience."

Zhao Ling smiled silently.

The smile spilled out from the depths of his eyes, softening his expression, warm like winter sunlight.

...

The next day, before Zhao Ling had returned, Lin Chi arrived.

Hearing that Zhao Ling hadn't come back, he was somewhat surprised and said, "Very well, I'll wait for him."

Yanqing had been living with Anxin these past days, and seeing the constant stream of imperial guard commanders coming and going at the Zhao residence, he had gradually grown bolder and more composed in his conduct. Upon hearing this, he invited Lin Chi to sit in the south hall, served tea and refreshments, and then went to report to Fu Tingjun.

It seemed His Majesty's moves this time were quite substantial!

Fu Tingjun mused to herself and had the kitchen prepare the evening meal.

That evening, Zhao Ling didn't return to the house until the beginning of the xu hour.

Fu Tingjun noticed he had drunk quite a bit again and teased him, "You're quite popular, aren't you? Everyone likes to come to you with their problems."

Zhao Ling made a "of course" expression and said, "Your husband is a man of fine character."

This made Fu Tingjun laugh heartily.

Zhao Ling took the opportunity to lean in with a shameless grin. "How about we share one quilt tonight?"

Fu Tingjun blushed and said, "Didn't you say yourself that we'd each sleep in our own?"

"Isn't that because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold back?" Zhao Ling said with complete confidence. "I'm doing this for your sake, and for the child's sake!"

Fu Tingjun thought of how he would hold her and kiss her at every opportunity, and said with playful reproach, "So you can hold back now?"

"How would I know without trying?" Zhao Ling said, lifting the quilt and slipping in, nibbling her ear as he said, "Sleeping alone is too cold."

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but laugh again. "Winter is already over. It's only now that you're complaining about the cold..."

"It's mainly because I have to start night duty at the palace again tomorrow," Zhao Ling mumbled as he pulled Fu Tingjun into his arms.

Fu Tingjun's heart softened, and she took his hand.

Zhao Ling brushed the loose strands of hair from her cheek and tucked them behind her ear, saying softly, "Go to sleep now! In a couple of days when I'm off duty, we'll go visit your mother." His voice had returned to its usual calm rationality, composed and steady, which somehow made Fu Tingjun's heart ache even more.

...

When they went to see Madam Fu, Fifth Master Fu and Fu Tingzheng were both away from home.

Young Mistress Fu, who saw them out, looked dejected and said quietly, "A few days ago, someone asked Father to write a central scroll. He had planned to write it during his day off, but as soon as he heard you were coming, he changed his mind and said he was going to visit a friend." Her expression turned bitter as she continued, "And your eldest brother... no sooner had Father left than he said he had arranged to meet friends to admire the plum blossoms, and he went out too."

Fu Tingjun sneered and returned home with Zhao Ling.

To their surprise, Tao Mu was sitting in the hall of their southern house, drinking tea.

"You two are so devoted to each other—where did you run off to this early in the morning?" He came out to greet them, bowing to Fu Tingjun with a smile, then said to Zhao Ling, "I've been waiting at your house for nearly an hour. If you hadn't come back soon, I would have gone looking for you."

"My apologies, my apologies," the couple returned the bow. Zhao Ling laughed and said, "We finally have a day off, so the two of us went out visiting." Regarding their trip to Sixi Lane, they neither deliberately concealed nor denied it, nor did they actively publicize or acknowledge it. "You finally have a day off—why aren't you at home resting with your mother and your wife? What brings you to my place?"

As he spoke, he and Tao Mu entered the hall.

Fu Tingjun saw that Zhenzhu had already brought tea, and supported by Yuwei, she went through the hanging flower gate.

Tao Mu stayed for lunch and dinner, not taking his leave until nightfall.

And just like that, a perfectly good day off came to an end.

Fu Tingjun asked Zhao Ling, "What? Is Tao Mu going to make a move too?"

"Who can say with these things?" Zhao Ling said. "Anyway, until the announcement is made, this matter won't rest."

Fu Tingjun nodded almost imperceptibly.

The next day, she had Zheng Sanniang make vegetable dumplings, then instructed Zheng San to take them to see Guard Jian at the Duke of Fuguo's residence—ever since Guard Jian had escorted them to the capital and enthusiastically helped them find and purchase this house, Zheng San and Guard Jian, both being straightforward in temperament, had gradually become close.

"Ask Guard Jian who will take over the Marquis of Yingchuan's position after he's transferred back to the capital."

"The Marquis of Yingchuan is returning to the capital?" Zheng San was greatly surprised. "But why are people outside all saying that the Marquis of Yingchuan is going to be promoted to Governor of Shaanxi?"

Fu Tingjun recalled what Madam Wu had said last time and replied, "I only heard a rumor. But no matter where the Marquis of Yingchuan is transferred, it couldn't be to Governor of Shaanxi. That position is a civil post."

Zheng San acknowledged with an "mm" and went to the Duke of Fuguo's residence.

Guard Jian was the Marquis of Yingchuan's man, and since Zhao Ling had gotten where he was today through the Marquis of Yingchuan's recommendation, he was considered part of the Marquis's faction. Since Zheng San was asking about this matter with concern, Guard Jian felt there was nothing to hide and said frankly, "I've also heard that the Marquis is going to be moved. But I heard it's between being Commander of the Five Armies Supervisory Office or Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong. I overheard some of the senior stewards at the residence discussing it privately—it seems His Grace the Duke wants the Marquis to return to the Five Armies Supervisory Office and send Fourth Master to Shaanxi as an Assistant Commissioner or Assistant Judge, while the Marquis's elder brother, the heir of the Duke of Fuguo's residence, wants the Marquis to go to Liaodong... Anyway, the matter is quite complicated. Whether the Marquis ends up at the Five Armies Supervisory Office or in Liaodong, there won't be a final decision until the imperial edict comes down."

"Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong!" Fu Tingjun was deeply shocked when she heard Zheng San's words.

Among the various regional commanders, the Liaodong Regional Commander was the most distinctive. He held the rank of General Who Subdues the Barbarians, overseeing the entire northeastern defense line. Under his command were one Deputy Regional Commander for joint defense, five Assistant Generals for garrison duties, eight Mobile Corps Commanders, six Defense Commissioners, one Battalion Commander for the central camp, and nineteen Defense Officers, leading a force of one hundred thousand troops, including thirty thousand cavalry. The nearest garrison post to the capital could reach it in just four days of rapid march.

Moreover, when the Marquis of Yingchuan was in Gansu, he had personally established the Wind-Chasing Battalion, which struck fear into the hearts of the Mongols!

If the Emperor harbored any suspicion toward the Marquis of Yingchuan, why would he propose sending him to Liaodong? If the Emperor still trusted the Marquis of Yingchuan, then what reason did Mo Yi and the others have to be so alarmed?

Fu Tingjun thought of Tao Mu.

When he had spoken with Zhao Ling, his gaze had been calm and his demeanor relaxed—not at all like someone putting on an act.

She couldn't help but lower her head in deep thought.

Zheng San quietly withdrew.

Yuwei, however, entered with a somewhat tense expression: "Madam, Teacher Yao has arrived and says he wishes to see you."