Chapter 215

Yang Yucheng clicked his tongue in amazement. "If Ninth Master ever rises to a position as high as the Marquis of Yingchuan, what would become of him? I fear he wouldn't even have time to eat."

Jin Yuanbao, having served by the Marquis of Yingchuan's side, did not view the Marquis with the same distant awe as Yang Yucheng, who could only admire him from afar.

He rebutted dismissively, "By your logic, the Marquis of Yingchuan wouldn't need to eat at all? When one's rank grows, those who come to call must weigh their own standing—those worthy of such dealings number only a handful across the entire court. Besides, some who pride themselves on their status would go out of their way to avoid an encounter." He added, "It's men like Ninth Master who are the busiest of all."

Yang Yucheng pondered this and found it quite reasonable. He sighed, "If only Ninth Master could one day reach the stature of the Marquis of Yingchuan."

Fu Tingjun smiled. "There is no such thing as perfection in this world. Even the Marquis of Yingchuan has his own constraints, doesn't he? I think things are just fine as they are now. We have friends, good companions, good health, and a smooth official career... There's no need to envy others!"

Yang Yucheng's wife, Mrs. Zhang, nodded. "I think Sister-in-law is right. My father used to say, 'The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be battered by the wind.' The Marquis of Yingchuan, fearing others' designs on him, keeps a very tight rein on his subordinates. Other households' chief stewards, when they arrive at Zhangjiawan, might not swagger sideways, but at least they look down their noses at everyone. Not so with the Marquis's stewards—they are always cautious to a fault, never offending even a common soldier... From what I hear, that sounds like a miserable way to live!"

Zhangjiawan was a necessary stop for goods traveling from the south to the north, and few families of any substantial business failed to maintain a foothold there.

Fu Tingjun's curiosity was piqued. "Do the noble houses of the capital all let their stewards conduct business openly in their names?"

"It's always been a matter of 'hiding from those above, not from those below,'" Mrs. Zhang laughed. "When your star is rising, even if everyone knows, no one dares say a word. Once you fall from grace, even if no one knows, they'll find ways to pin the blame on you anyway. So why not be generous about it and do what needs doing while you still hold the advantage?"

This was a perspective Fu Tingjun had never encountered before.

She had always taught her children to be low-key, steady, and rule-abiding.

She let out an "ah" and laughed. "I never expected such depth of learning from my sister-in-law's family. I stand instructed! On reflection, those words truly hold wisdom."

No wonder that Lord Zhang had held his post as inspector of Zhangjiawan for so many years!

Mrs. Zhang pressed her lips together in a smile.

Yang Yucheng, however, wore a smug look and said with a hint of disdain, "Sister-in-law, don't flatter her. She's merely parroting a few phrases she picked up from my father-in-law!"

Mrs. Zhang pouted in displeasure and muttered softly, "Every time I say something, you have to lecture me. Why can't you learn from Uncle Jin? He always speaks to Aunt Jin so gently and kindly."

Lady Shi, who had been sitting quietly listening, was caught off guard. A faint smile bloomed at the corners of her lips, and she cast a tender glance at Jin Yuanbao.

Jin Yuanbao happened to look over at that moment.

Their eyes met, and both, feeling a little embarrassed, turned their faces away.

Yang Yucheng, meanwhile, sputtered, "He's him, and I'm me. Are you married to him or to me?"

Mrs. Zhang's expression froze, and her face flushed crimson. Feeling cornered and humiliated, tears began to well in her eyes.

Fu Tingjun shot Yang Yucheng a glare and said sternly, "Is that any way to speak? Fortunately, we're all family here—if you'd said that in front of outsiders, where would your sister-in-law's dignity be? I think she's been indulging you so much that you've forgotten your place. Say one more word, and I'll tell Ninth Master—see how he deals with you!" She then turned to console Mrs. Zhang, "You know how he is—the closer someone is to him, the more unrestrained his words and actions become... Don't take it to heart."

Yang Yucheng gave an awkward smile.

Mrs. Zhang, in turn, felt a pang of sympathy for her husband and quickly said, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. He treats me very well on ordinary days. I'm only upset today because he didn't spare my feelings in front of you."

"Did you hear that?" Fu Tingjun scolded Yang Yucheng. "Your sister-in-law always puts you first!"

Lady Shi, seeing that she could no longer remain silent, said softly with a smile, "This just proves Sister-in-law's point: there's no perfection in this world. Sister Yang envies my husband for his gentle way with words, but I feel my husband is like a gourd—keeping everything bottled up inside, unlike Brother Yang, who is quick of speech and discusses everything with Sister Yang!"

At this, Jin Yuanbao rose with a smile and clapped Yang Yucheng on the shoulder. "I think we'd better step outside, don't you? When women start comparing, there's no end to it. I'd rather not stand here and be made a target." He offered Yang Yucheng a way out.

Yang Yucheng was certainly not about to waste it.

He went along with it: "No wonder my wife always compares me to you—my eyesight really is no match for yours!" With that, he greeted Fu Tingjun and left the hall with Jin Yuanbao.

Only the women remained in the room.

They chatted cheerfully about household matters, and before they knew it, it was time to light the lamps.

Zhao Ling returned.

Everyone exchanged warm greetings once more, the atmosphere lively and bustling.

It wasn't until the third watch sounded that they each retired to their rooms.

Zhao Ling spoke to Fu Tingjun about Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao: "...As I see it, staying in the capital like this, who knows how long it'll take them to earn titles for their wives and children. Better they come with me to Xuanfu."

"Father and son fight side by side; brothers face the tiger together." Fu Tingjun naturally approved. "Having them by your side couldn't be better." But she had her concerns too. "Only, they're both married men now—whether to go or stay will take some deliberation." She added, "If you were to ask, they certainly wouldn't refuse, but fruit plucked by force isn't sweet. Better I first sound out the two sisters-in-law, and once I see how they feel, you can step in."

Zhao Ling nodded. "I'll leave this to you."

Fu Tingjun then brought up A Sen's marriage to Zhao Ling: "After the New Year, Lord Wang kept his eldest daughter at home to take in a son-in-law..." She'd barely begun when Zhao Ling scooped her up and tumbled onto the bed with her.

"Why so much chatter?" He kissed and nibbled at her neck. "We can talk later. Let's attend to more important matters first!" In a few quick motions, he'd stripped off her underrobe.

Fu Tingjun was speechless, but somewhat stirred as well, and let him have his way for a while.

Only then did Zhao Ling say, "What were you about to say earlier? Lord Wang kept his eldest daughter at home to take in a son-in-law—are they settling the engagement these days, or holding the wedding?" Then, with a hint of guilt, he added, "With me away from home, you haven't had the chance to get around much. When the time comes, I'll accompany you to the Wang residence for a few days of visiting."

What nonsense was this!

Fu Tingjun chided him playfully: "You don't even listen properly before jumping to conclusions." She toyed with his fingers and softly told him the whole story.

Zhao Ling sat up at once. "No! How can we let A Sen marry into their family? Wouldn't he be unable to hold his head up for the rest of his life?"

"You, too—why won't you let me finish?" Fu Tingjun grew anxious. "If A Sen hadn't taken a liking to the eldest Miss Wang, why would I have gone to propose on his behalf? We've both suffered under the weight of reputation—what matters more, reputation, or living a comfortable life? Besides, the Wangs have agreed that A Sen won't change his surname. Even if he doesn't marry into the family, if anything should happen to the Wangs, wouldn't A Sen still fulfill his duty as a son-in-law? And Lord Wang and his wife are both people of upright character—if A Sen lives with them, he can learn how to conduct himself in the world. What's wrong with that?"

Zhao Ling felt a headache coming on.

Fu Tingjun reasoned with him gently: "Only the one drinking the tea knows whether it's hot or cold. Only the one living the life knows whether it's good or not. When you picked him up back then, wasn't it so he could survive and live a good life? If he feels that being with the eldest Miss Wang makes everything else negligible, that's the good life he wants. If you block him now, wouldn't you be going against your original intention?"

Zhao Ling knew his wife was right, but his heart felt heavy.

He turned over and pulled up the blanket. "I'm done with it! Do whatever you want."

That meant he'd agreed!

Fu Tingjun smiled and leaned over, pressing herself against his shoulder, kissing his face and murmuring softly, "Ninth Master, you're wonderful!"

Zhao Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He turned and gathered Fu Tingjun into his arms, teasing, "I never realized I mattered so much to you."

"Ninth Master!" Fu Tingjun took his hand and coaxed him.

Zhao Ling smiled helplessly. "Fine, fine. When the time comes, have all the property you've set aside for A Sen brought over with him! We can't have A Sen truly living off the Wangs' food and drink."

"Mhm!" Fu Tingjun beamed and nodded. "Then I'll formally reply to the Wangs." She added, "Or, since you're home, why don't we settle this matter now?"

"Fine!" Since he'd agreed, Zhao Ling wouldn't hedge. "As long as the Wangs don't think it's too rushed, I have no objection."

The couple nestled together, discussing other matters: "...This business Shopkeeper Ye San introduced—do you think it's worth doing?"

Zhao Ling thought for a moment, then smiled. "You're short on silver, aren't you? Just pawn some of those paintings and calligraphy pieces. I bought those things back then because silver was too conspicuous—I was afraid of drawing greedy eyes on the road back to Jiangnan and inviting trouble for no reason."

"How can that be?" Fu Tingjun came from a scholarly family and believed nothing in the world was more precious than paintings, calligraphy, and books. Only families that had fallen on hard times, when they truly couldn't make ends meet, would pawn such things. She was living well now—how could she pawn paintings and calligraphy? "I think I'd rather pawn my jewelry instead. Pawn it as a redeemable loan—once we have money, we can buy it back!"

"Don't worry about this matter." Zhao Ling decisively ended the topic. "Ten thousand taels of silver, right? When do you need it? I'll have Anxin come back then."

Fu Tingjun's heart tightened at his words. "Where would you get that much silver?"

"I'll borrow it from Mo Yi." Zhao Ling said without hesitation. "If he agrees readily, I'll pay him back once I make money; if he's reluctant, then I won't."

He wasn't someone who didn't know his limits. Since he spoke this way, there must be a reason behind it.

Fu Tingjun didn't press further, only reminded him: "Don't let money cause a rift between you and others. There's no wall that doesn't let the wind through—word getting out wouldn't sound good."

"Don't worry," Zhao Ling said, "I know what I'm doing." Then, feeling the atmosphere had grown a bit serious, he let out a "hey" and said, "Can we stop talking about all this messy stuff and talk about us instead?"

Fu Tingjun looked at his rather displeased expression and laughed while hiding in his arms. "Then you tell me—what should we talk about?"

Zhao Ling's eyes twinkled, and he whispered ambiguously in her ear with a sly smile: "For instance, which position from just now did you like the most..."

Before he could finish, Fu Tingjun had already punched him on the shoulder. "Don't talk nonsense!"

"Alright, alright, alright!" Zhao Ling laughed heartily, teasing her. "I won't talk nonsense—I'll just do nonsense instead, how about that?" With that, he pressed Fu Tingjun beneath him.

"You rascal..." Fu Tingjun couldn't help but laugh...