Chapter 180

Fu Tingjun felt only disgust, sneering as she glanced sidelong at her elder: "This seems to be a matter for our Zhao family, doesn't it? It has nothing to do with you!"

First Master Fu's expression froze.

Fu Tingjun had already hurried through the hanging-flower gate.

That evening, when Zhao Ling returned, she showed him the invitation.

"Meeting tomorrow morning?" Zhao Ling mused. "So urgent..." He curled his lips into a smile. "It seems that when you strike the young one, the old one comes out—I won't need to go to the Shuntian Prefecture tomorrow after all. We'll just see what our Grand Secretary Yu has to say!"

It was as if any problem could be solved once it reached Grand Secretary Yu.

Fu Tingjun's mind was full of her father's examination fraud, and she had no heart for anything else. Hearing this, she said, "You have that much confidence in Grand Secretary Yu?"

Zhao Ling smiled. "Think about it—whether it was hiring people to frame you or breaking off the engagement, it was all done by Yu Jingxiu behind the backs of the Yu elders. That's why it was full of holes and caused so much trouble. Now that Zuo Junjie is in your hands, and Fifth Master Fu personally came to plead and was rebuffed by you, he knows this matter can't be settled easily. But the capital is under the emperor's very nose, and he's a civil official. To search for Zuo Junjie in a legitimate manner, with his seniority, he'd find it hard to find suitable people..."

Fu Tingjun listened, gathering her thoughts, and said, "So those people who were trapped in the cellar and beaten by Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng were Yu family men—possibly even Yu Jingxiu's own men..."

Zhao Ling smiled at her, his eyes full of encouragement.

Fu Tingjun continued: "Although two people were sent to the yamen, as long as those two insist they only came to steal, with Yu Jingxiu's ability, he could completely disassociate himself and smoothly get them out. But no sooner had those two been sent to the yamen than Grand Secretary Yu's invitation arrived at our door, and in his name, inviting us to view flowers. He's a grand secretary, busy with state affairs—inviting Ninth Master would be one thing, but me, a woman of the inner quarters, to boil water and brew tea? Such an invitation is too unusual... And the reason Yu Jingxiu did all these things was to hide them from the Yu elders... So it's clear that Yu Jingxiu's affairs have been exposed. And even if the Yu elders didn't agree with Yu Jingxiu breaking off the engagement before, now that he's stirred up so much trouble over it, they may scold him, but they're more worried than anything—they'll have to help clean up the mess no matter what..."

"This also shows that the Yu family is still under Grand Secretary Yu's control," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "So once Young Master Yu mobilized the family's power, Grand Secretary Yu knew about it immediately... Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never be defeated. Now that we understand the Yu family's situation, when we go tomorrow, we'll know how to respond."

Fu Tingjun nodded happily, but suddenly thought of his words from yesterday—"that would explain everything"—and fell silent.

Zhao Ling knew that Fifth Master Fu had been coming to make scenes these past days, and Zheng San had told him when he entered that First Master Fu had come. Thinking she must have suffered some grievance, he gathered her into his arms and comforted her gently.

Just like a child—when there's no mother around, you get up after a fall and move on, but when mother is there, you can't help but act a little spoiled.

Fu Tingjun felt even more upset, and finally buried her face in Zhao Ling's chest and cried.

Zhao Ling was extremely attentive, coaxing her with love and indulgence, only wanting her to be happy.

Fu Tingjun's heart felt sweet, and only then did she tell him about Fifth Master Fu's examination fraud.

Zhao Ling suddenly understood. "I was wondering—your mother clearly seems like a woman with strong opinions. How is it that she went along with Lord Fu's wishes and came to the capital, yet at the same time kept quarreling with him?"

Fu Tingjun was already troubled over her father's matter, and hearing Zhao Ling say this, she couldn't help but feel a flash of annoyance. She pouted coquettishly, "Tell me the truth—what else do you know?"

Seeing her getting upset, Zhao Ling quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and laughed, "Isn't it because I was afraid of making you sad that I didn't say more?"

"Just because you're afraid of making me sad, you don't tell me!" Fu Tingjun's eyes brimmed with tears as she pouted in dissatisfaction.

Zhao Ling's heart ached at the sight. He kissed her and explained, "I figured it out gradually—I didn't mean to keep it from you."

That much, Fu Tingjun believed. But she simply didn't want to let Zhao Ling off so easily, and so she tangled with him willfully. Zhao Ling knew she had a fire of frustration burning inside her with nowhere to vent, so he agreed with everything she said, simply going along with her wishes to make her feel better.

Fu Tingjun's mood improved, and her reason gradually returned. She felt she had been too willful just now and awkwardly apologized to Zhao Ling.

"Look at you—your words were like knives just now," Zhao Ling protested, frowning. "Who could stand that? Oh, now you realize it wasn't right and apologize. But tomorrow, when something else upsets you, you'll take it out on me again. Even if I were made of flesh and blood, I couldn't withstand you venting your anger on me like this time after time!"

Fu Tingjun's face was burning hot, her brows carrying a hint of shyness. Set against her vivid, striking features, she looked delicate and alluring, as radiant as a May rose in full bloom.

Zhao Ling's heart stirred. He lowered his head and gently bit her fair, rounded earlobe, murmuring a few words indistinctly in her ear.

Fu Tingjun let out a soft "Oh!" and pushed him away.

Zhao Ling was thick-skinned. Not only was he unperturbed, but he took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace, asking her with smug satisfaction whether she liked it.

Fu Tingjun was so embarrassed she didn't know where to look, yet she didn't say she didn't.

Zhao Ling laughed softly, the sound carrying an indescribable joy and pride.

Fu Tingjun scolded herself inwardly.

They were already married. Even if it was a bit scandalous, it wasn't with anyone else. Since he enjoyed it, what harm was there?

With that thought, she gathered her courage and looked up at Zhao Ling.

Though Zhao Ling laughed boldly, he was still mindful of Fu Tingjun, afraid of embarrassing her. He happened to be looking down to gauge her expression.

Their eyes met.

Fu Tingjun's look was shy and reproachful, carrying a charm all her own.

Zhao Ling's gaze was deep with affection, sincere and cherishing.

For a moment, both were frozen in place.

Their gazes clung to each other, unwilling to part.

The air was thick with a subtle, wordless intimacy that made both their hearts race.

Zhao Ling couldn't help but lower his head and press his cheek against hers. "My little one, my heart is so full of joy... When I came home and saw you holding Youyou, I suddenly felt that everything I'm doing now has meaning..."

Tears instantly blurred her eyes.

Fu Tingjun held Zhao Ling tightly.

His heartbeat was steady and passionate, rising and falling in harmony with her breath.

In that moment, she wished time would stand still forever...

Fu Tingjun closed her eyes. "I suddenly feel that I don't hate Lord Fu as much anymore, nor Yu Jingxiu," she murmured. "If it weren't for them, I would never have met you..."

She was grateful for all the hardships in her life—they were the trials the Bodhisattva had given her to attain happiness.

Zhao Ling understood the depth of her love for him. His heart surged with emotion, but he also felt a bit sheepish... He joked awkwardly with Fu Tingjun, "So you're saying you don't plan to pursue Lord Fu and Yu Jingxiu for their wrongdoings anymore?"

"What are you talking about!" Fu Tingjun pushed Zhao Ling away with a reproachful look, her almond-shaped eyes wide open. "They harmed so many people for their own selfish interests. How could we simply let it go?"

"Then I know what to say tomorrow!" Zhao Ling felt a bit regretful for ruining the mood, and his spirits sank slightly.

Fu Tingjun then told Zhao Ling about First Master Fu's proposal regarding the military merit council.

Zhao Ling listened and asked nervously, "What did you say?"

"I didn't agree."

Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If anything like this comes up again, just ignore it. Those who eat are short-tongued, and those who take are soft-handed. Our life is hard now, but at least we rely on ourselves—we can do whatever we want without having to watch others' faces."

"That's what I thought too." Fu Tingjun nodded. "Besides, our relationship with the Yu family is already like fire and water. If we bowed our heads for profit now, we'd never be able to stand tall and speak freely again."

Zhao Ling seemed to recall something and suddenly said, "The Marquis of Yingchuan will be swapping posts with Liaodong Commander-in-Chief He Fu in a few days. Prepare a gift for me in the next couple of days, and have Zheng San deliver it to the Duke of Fuguo's residence with my name card."

Fu Tingjun was taken aback. "The Marquis of Yingchuan is finally going to Liaodong?"

This matter had been rumored for two or three years, causing much anxiety among the people.

"It was decided last year. But since Lord He is currently at war with Korea, the Emperor was worried that a sudden change of post might cause the Marquis of Yingchuan, unfamiliar with the territory, to suffer defeat. That's why it was postponed for a year."

Fu Tingjun thought of the Marquis of Xiping. "Is He Fu easy to get along with?"

"He's used to being the local emperor in Liaodong, and he's also a capable commander in battle," Zhao Ling said tactfully. "If you go along with him, it's fine. But if you clash with him—he once whipped a military supervisor with his horsewhip right in front of the troops!"

Fu Tingjun drew in a sharp breath. "And Deputy General Wang?"

"He's been transferred to serve as Commander of the Left Guard of the Banner Guard."

The Marquis of Yingchuan hadn't abandoned Wang Dan. Fu Tingjun was happy for the Wang couple. "Will Madam Wang come to the capital? This appointment must have been recommended by the Marquis of Yingchuan, right?"

"Of course. Otherwise, the Ministry of War would never have thought of Lord Wang." Zhao Ling smiled. "As for whether Madam Wang will come to the capital, we'll only know once Lord Wang arrives!"

"When will Lord Wang arrive in the capital?" Fu Tingjun asked urgently.

"He should arrive by autumn," Zhao Ling said. "Military orders are as unyielding as mountains. When it comes to changing posts, sooner is better than later. I heard the Ministry of War has already sent people to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief's office and the Liaodong Commander-in-Chief's office."

Fu Tingjun frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Lord He and his father have guarded Liaodong for two generations, and the Marquis of Yingchuan has run the Gansu Commander-in-Chief's office airtight. If these two join forces, the east and the west would become one line. Can the Emperor really feel at ease?"

"Isn't there still the Xuantong General's Mansion among them?" Zhao Ling chuckled, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes. "Take a guess—who do you think will go to Xuantong as the General?"

He said it casually, but with such a show of it, Fu Tingjun tried to think of the most unlikely possibility and smiled. "Could it be Mo Yi?"

"Exactly!" Zhao Ling laughed heartily and gave her a thumbs-up. "It's Mo Yi indeed." With that, his smile faded, and he said seriously, "The Emperor asked me if I'd be willing to go to Xuantong as the Deputy General."

Had they just reunited only to be separated again?

Fu Tingjun was taken aback.

Zhao Ling had already declined the Emperor once; he couldn't possibly refuse a second time...