Chapter 161

After bathing and changing into a clean, neatly pressed moon-white plain cotton robe faintly scented with namnu wood, Zhao Ling sat cross-legged on the large kang by the window, picked up the steaming cup of tea beside him, and took a gentle sip.

The rich, mellow fragrance of Tieguanyin immediately filled his mouth and lingered between his lips and teeth.

He could not help but let out a long, relaxed sigh, then looked across at his wife, who was lazily nestled among the embroidered pillows, a look of comfort and contentment spreading across his brow.

Fu Tingjun watched him and smiled, pressing her lips together.

Her eyes were bright and clear, her gaze tender and focused, as if he could see his own reflection mirrored in them.

Zhao Ling's heart stirred involuntarily.

He leaned across the kang table and kissed her cheek, then took her hand and held it tightly, his voice as soft as the spring breeze brushing through the treetops: "Have you been well these past few days?"

He had just returned from his night duty at the palace.

"I've been just fine," Fu Tingjun said. Instead of grumbling as she usually did that he was squeezing her hand too hard, she lifted his hand and gently kissed it.

That humble, deferential gesture made Zhao Ling's heart pound like a drum, as if he were dreaming.

But he was by nature a calm and rational man. His expression subtly tightened, and he asked in a low voice, "What's happened?"

"Nothing!" Fu Tingjun tilted her head and smiled at him, her expression lively and playful, with a hint of slyness and a great deal of charm. "I just wanted to take a good look at you!" As she finished speaking, she coquettishly pouted, her gaze toward him brimming with infatuated tenderness, as if she could not help herself.

Zhao Ling felt a little uneasy.

Of course he knew his A-jun loved him, but she was also a woman of considerable self-restraint. Yet now she seemed... as if she could barely contain her emotions, her tender feelings pouring out recklessly without restraint.

For no reason at all, a person could not suddenly undergo such a drastic change in temperament... Besides, he had always harbored a faint worry and concern that the Fu family might use the bond between mother and daughter to influence her...

With that thought, he moved over to sit beside Fu Tingjun, grinning as he leaned in and brought his face close to hers: "I'll put myself right here in front of you, so you can look your fill."

His smiling eyes, his doting expression, his playful demeanor—for some reason, Fu Tingjun suddenly felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, and tears began to fall silently without warning.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" She had been perfectly fine just a moment ago, and now suddenly this. Zhao Ling's heart panicked, and he quickly gathered her into his arms. "There, there, don't cry! Don't cry! I'll handle everything! My good girl..." he coaxed her with tender affection.

But she only felt even more heartbroken and clung to him, sobbing loudly.

Zhao Ling stopped asking questions. He simply stroked her back gently, occasionally kissing her temple and forehead, and now and then murmuring soothing words like "good girl" to comfort her... Under his caresses, Fu Tingjun's emotions gradually calmed.

She lifted her tear-filled eyes, swollen like walnuts, and asked in a choked voice: "You refused to go to Guizhou, risking the emperor's displeasure—was it because of me?"

Zhao Ling was stunned.

Fu Tingjun then said with playful reproach: "Teacher Yao came by a few days ago and told me everything. He said someone suggested transferring both the Marquis of Yingchuan and Liaodong's Commander-in-Chief He Fu back to the Five Armies Supervisory Office to serve as military governors. The emperor was displeased, and coincidentally, you were on duty that night. The emperor casually asked your opinion, and you said, 'Rather than transferring these two renowned generals back to the Supervisory Office as governors, it would be better to have the two generals swap their posts.' The emperor's eyes lit up at that, which led to Teacher Yao seeking your counsel. Now that the barbarians in Guizhou are in rebellion, the emperor wishes to appoint the Marquis of Longping, Li Tong, as General for the Pacification of Barbarians to lead the campaign, and he wanted you to accompany the expedition. He told you with great enthusiasm, but you declined, citing your lack of talent and virtue..." At this point, she could not help but pound Zhao Ling's shoulder with her fist. "Thank goodness the emperor is broad-minded and magnanimous enough to hold the realm in his heart. If it had been anyone else, your head would have rolled long ago—do you realize that?" Tears gushed forth again like a spring.

"That's not true, that's not true at all." Zhao Ling quickly wiped her tears and said softly, "I know the emperor's character. He wouldn't take such a small matter to heart. What occupies his mind is the nation's welfare and the common people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been displeased when someone speculated that he intended to 'cast aside the bow once the birds are gone' and proposed recalling the Marquis of Yingchuan and He Fu—both of whom had earned merit for following the dragon—back to the capital. And I wouldn't have dared to gently decline going to Guizhou..."

Just a few months ago, he had said he wanted to return to Xi'an Prefecture, but now he had changed his mind. Apart from her pregnancy and the lack of an elder to care for her, Fu Tingjun could think of no other reason.

Otherwise, Zhao Ling would not have been so attentive and considerate in every detail concerning her childbirth.

Teacher Yao had also said that the emperor was deeply disappointed and had even muttered to himself: "Could it be that my virtue is insufficient, and that is why no worthy ministers remain by my side?"

At the time, she had broken out in a cold sweat from fright.

Now, seeing Zhao Ling's nonchalant attitude, it was clear that Teacher Yao had not been exaggerating.

Fu Tingjun then told Zhao Ling what the emperor had muttered to himself.

Zhao Ling hesitated and said, "Did the Emperor really say such a thing? Liansheng is now the Grand Steward of the Qianqing Palace, serving by the Emperor's side every day. If something like this had truly happened, why hasn't he sent me word?" As he spoke, his expression gradually relaxed, and he smiled to comfort her, "It's most likely that Teacher Yao was speculating on the Emperor's intentions to get you to persuade me!"

Even if that were the case, it was still a momentous matter—how could he not take it seriously at all?

"How dare you say such a thing!" Fu Tingjun chided him. "Do you mean to say that Mo Yi and the others don't know the Emperor's temperament either? Why is it that every single one of them has come to urge you?"

She was now with child, and Zhao Ling feared nothing more than provoking her anger. He quickly said, "Mo Yi was also cast off by the Emperor to Guizhou. Lin Chi and the others came to plead his case. There are some things you don't know. That Marquis of Longping is a cousin of the Emperor. Back when the Emperor was at his Former Residence, he received much care from the Grand Madame of the Marquis of Longping. Even when the Emperor came to the capital to Inherit a Peerage, it was the Grand Madame of the Marquis of Longping who helped pave the way. This time, when the Emperor sent him to Guizhou, he had already made it clear to the Marquis of Longping that he would only bear the seal of the General for the Pacification of Barbarians—all other military affairs would be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, and he was not to interfere."

Fu Tingjun recalled Tao Mu's expression that day and believed him somewhat, her demeanor softening slightly.

"That may be so, but we all know the Marquis of Longping is indecisive by nature, fond of meddling and shifting blame. Before the Emperor, he naturally acts subservient, but once he leaves the capital, there's no telling what he'll do," Zhao Ling said. "That's why Mo Yi has been so fixated on bringing me along—he said he can't stand the Marquis of Longping's face, and told me to simply deal with the Marquis directly. All military merits would count as ours; he wouldn't take a single share. He only asks not to offend that ancestor of his, to finish this war smoothly, and to return safely to the capital." He paused, then said, "That Teacher Yao is comparable to Zhang Yi and Su Qin. Never mind you—even those Grand Secretaries and Hanlin scholars are left speechless when they encounter him. Since he came to your door, I imagine you've already agreed to him..." He couldn't help but let out a slight sigh, somewhat regretfully saying, "My original intention was not to worry you, but who knew it would end up displeasing you after all. Under the circumstances, the only option is to invite your mother to come and look after you..." But then he thought of Madam Fu's health... and Zhao Ling grew anxious again.

From beside him came a dissatisfied snort from Fu Tingjun: "I'm not some foolish woman who doesn't know how to respect her husband," she said, casting a sidelong glance at Zhao Ling. "How can a man of valor conduct his affairs while being constrained by a woman of the inner chambers! When Teacher Yao came specifically to speak with me about this matter, he must have already made up his mind to have me persuade you to change your decision—so how could I let him have his way?"

For a woman, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell.

Though the opportunity was rare, Zhao Ling truly was unwilling to leave at such a time—if anything were to happen to Fu Tingjun and the child, even if he rendered unparalleled merit, who would there be in this world to share it with him?

His heart leapt with joy at her words, and his brows and eyes danced with delight: "You mean..."

"After hearing Teacher Yao's words, I naturally showed proper deference and earnestly begged him to help plead your case," Fu Tingjun said, shooting Zhao Ling a glance, and then recounted her conversation with Teacher Yao in full detail: "I said, 'You traveled all the way from Huguang to the capital with my husband. My husband is a straightforward man by nature. Others may not know this, but you are his strategist and know him best. My husband is by no means intentionally defying the Emperor—most likely he spoke without thinking. I beg you, Teacher Yao, to say a few words in my husband's defense before the Emperor, and to plead that His Majesty not punish him...' Teacher Yao then said that I should also urge you."

"Of course I agreed readily, saying that the Ancestral Empress Renxiao Ciyi wrote in her 'Admonitions for Women': 'When a husband commits wrongdoings, admonish him earnestly.' Now that my husband has offended the Emperor, I too bear responsibility, and it is only fitting that I counsel him diligently—I asked him to rest assured. As for whether to go to Guizhou, the Ancestral Empress Renxiao Ciyi also wrote in her 'Admonitions for Women': 'When a husband speaks, listen with full attention.' I am but a woman who knows only weaving and spinning, boiling water and preparing soup. Matters concerning my husband's future are not something I can presume to discuss..."

"Well answered." Before she had even finished speaking, Zhao Ling praised her loudly, laughing heartily as he cupped her face, smooth as congealed cream, and planted several loud kisses on it.

By invoking the Ancestral Empress Renxiao Ciyi as her authority, she had both preserved her own reputation and tactfully declined Teacher Yao's request.

"You're being mad again!" Fu Tingjun laughed, feigning displeasure as she pushed him away. "Be careful not to press on the child."

Zhao Ling smiled and shifted half an inch away.

Fu Tingjun's expression suddenly turned cold, and she said, "When Mo Yi came to urge you, you didn't change your mind. When Lin Chi and Tao Mu came to urge you, you didn't change your mind either. So how is it that the moment Teacher Yao comes to me, Ninth Master changes his mind? If outsiders were to learn of this—that Ninth Master consults with women—how could he stand tall in the court? Teacher Yao's intentions are good, but his methods are wrong."

Zhao Ling nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly." Then he praised Fu Tingjun, saying, "No wonder when I was young, I heard the elders say that a virtuous wife is a treasure in the home. You truly are our family's treasure." Seeing that Fu Tingjun's brows still carried a hint of displeasure, he teased her, "But then again, this isn't Teacher Yao's fault—everyone knows I'm henpecked..."

The moment those words left his mouth, they drew a spirited rebuke from Fu Tingjun: "What do you mean 'everyone knows you're henpecked'? What exactly have you been telling others? I wondered why Teacher Yao suddenly wanted to see me... So it was because you've been running your mouth outside!"

"No, no. Absolutely not." Zhao Ling waved his hands repeatedly, suddenly feeling as if he had poked a hornet's nest.