Chapter 216

Early the next morning, when Fu Tingjun lazily rose from bed, Zhao Ling had already left for the Five Armies Supervisory Office.

She first summoned A Sen to speak with him: "...Your Ninth Master said to bring all the property I prepared for you earlier."

In other words, he had agreed to A Sen marrying into the family.

A Sen was overjoyed. He crouched in front of Fu Tingjun with a foolish grin and said, "Sister-in-law, I don't want it! Leave those properties for Youyou!"

"Nonsense." Fu Tingjun was pleased to see him so happy, and her heart rejoiced along with him. She scolded him with a smile, "Are you really planning to live off the Wang family's food and clothes? Whatever me and Ninth Master arrange, you just do as we say!"

A Sen rubbed his head and chuckled, "Fine then! I'll just build up a dowry for Youyou later!" As he spoke, his expression turned slightly serious. "I don't believe that by the time Youyou grows up, I still won't have that much capability!"

Fu Tingjun was somewhat surprised, but she also liked his ambition. She laughed, "Are you afraid your Ninth Master can't afford to marry off his daughter?"

A Sen's expression grew solemn. He straightened his face and said, "The crow feeds its parent in return, and the lamb kneels to suckle in gratitude. I was raised under Ninth Master and Sister-in-law's guidance since childhood. If I can't even accomplish this much, then am I still a true man?"

The atmosphere suddenly turned serious.

Fu Tingjun was momentarily stunned, then felt deeply gratified. She treasured his loyalty even more and encouraged him: "Very well then. Our Youyou's dowry will depend on you."

"Rest assured, Sister-in-law!" A Sen patted his chest.

Fu Tingjun then said, "Then you must study even harder. Otherwise, once the engagement with the Wang family is settled, if you fail to pass the scholar examination, people might think lightly of you."

A Sen nodded repeatedly and said, "Then I'll be off to the academy."

Fu Tingjun smiled and nodded, offering him some words of wisdom as she saw him off through the hanging-flower gate.

As she turned around, she saw Mrs. Zhang carrying her eldest son, Yi Ge'er, out of the side chamber.

Seeing Fu Tingjun, she quickly smiled and explained, "This child has been spoiled by my mother. He insists on going out the moment he opens his eyes every day, otherwise he can't sit still..."

This was just the right opportunity to tell her about Zhao Ling's plans.

Fu Tingjun pondered this as she stepped forward with a smile and patted Yi Ge'er's head, saying, "Children are all the same. Our Xige'er gets excited the moment he's about to go out. Keeping him indoors is like sitting on a bed of needles—nothing feels right." Then she continued, "Now that you're a mother, you can't easily get away. And wherever I go, I have two little tails following behind me. It's been a while since we've had a proper chat together. How is Uncle Yang doing at Daxing Guard?"

Mrs. Zhang came from an official family and had absorbed much through exposure. Being clever and quick-witted, she thought to herself—Zhao Ling had just returned, and Fu Tingjun was already asking about Yang Yucheng's situation at Daxing Guard. Could there be some special significance behind this?

She immediately became alert, and her answer to Fu Tingjun was more measured: "My husband is an open and straightforward man, and everyone enjoys associating with him. Even if something unpleasant comes up, he simply laughs it off. I haven't noticed anything that particularly troubles him."

This made it clear that Yang Yucheng was doing well at Daxing Guard, while also hinting that not everything there was smooth sailing for him.

Fu Tingjun nodded inwardly, feeling that although Mrs. Zhang was young and had never experienced much hardship, she was extremely perceptive. Compared to the somewhat carefree Yang Yucheng, her delicate and thoughtful nature made them a well-matched pair.

"Here's the matter," she said in a low voice. "Ninth Master's view is that without military merit, promotion in the army isn't easy. He wanted to ask what Uncle Yang's plans are—whether he'd be willing to follow Ninth Master to Xuanfu. And since he's now a married man, this matter needs to be discussed with you first..."

Mrs. Zhang was delighted.

If she could follow Zhao Ling, what more could she ask for?

For a moment, she nearly agreed to Fu Tingjun on the spot. But then she thought—if Fu Tingjun had considered that such an important matter should first be discussed with her, how could she presume to agree without first consulting Yang Yucheng?

"Sister-in-law, I'll go speak with my husband right away." She hastily bowed to Fu Tingjun and hurried off to the eastern side chamber where they were staying.

After all, she was young and still somewhat impetuous.

Fu Tingjun watched her slightly flustered retreating figure with a smile, then went to the study in the southern room where Jin Yuanbao and his wife were staying.

That was where Jin Yuanbao had lived back when he was on Shi Family Lane.

When she arrived, the couple had already risen. One was sitting under the old locust tree in the courtyard reading a book, while the other sat quietly nearby stitching a shoe sole, waiting for breakfast.

"Sister-in-law is here!" Lady Shi heard the commotion and saw Fu Tingjun. She quickly set down her needlework, stood up, and offered her seat on the bamboo stool, then personally poured a cup of cool tea.

Jin Yuanbao, meanwhile, greeted Fu Tingjun with a smile. Seeing that Fu Tingjun had picked up Lady Shi's needlework and was chatting with her, he used the excuse of returning a book and went into the inner room, not coming out for quite some time.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

With Jin Yuanbao's keen perception, it was truly a pity he wasn't working as a strategist!

What surprised her even more was Lady Shi.

Seeing Jin Yuanbao go inside, she smiled and asked Fu Tingjun, "Sister-in-law, is there something you need from me?"

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but remark, "Truly, birds of a feather flock together. Usually, the two of you seem so quiet and reserved, but I never expected you both to be so sharp in your observations."

Lady Shi smiled modestly and said, "You flatter me, sister-in-law! It's just that since you're such good friends with my cousin, and my husband has always spoken of how Ninth Master and you took care of him in the past, I already feel a closeness to you from the start. Before you, I feel I can speak freely."

Fu Tingjun and the book both laughed.

Another capable one.

A virtuous wife is a treasure in the household.

This family was bound to prosper!

As the thought flashed through her mind, Fu Tingjun's smile grew even brighter.

She conveyed Zhao Ling's intentions to Lady Shi.

Lady Shi's expression, however, remained quite calm as she smiled and said, "I'll go fetch my husband right away!" With that, she went straight into the inner chamber.

Another surprise.

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but touch her nose.

It seemed not all women longed for their husbands to rise in rank and fortune.

Otherwise, why would there be the saying, "I regret urging my husband to seek a noble title"?

As she was lost in thought, Jin Yuanbao strode out quickly.

He respectfully bowed to Fu Tingjun and smiled, saying, "I am willing to accompany Ninth Master to Xuanfu. Please convey this to Ninth Master on my behalf."

Fu Tingjun couldn't help but glance toward Lady Shi.

Lady Shi smiled and said, "The wife follows the husband. Like you, sister-in-law, when I heard we were going to the frontier, my first thought was worry for my husband's safety. I quite forgot that this was also an opportunity."

What a fine phrase—"forgot that this was also an opportunity"!

Fu Tingjun nodded with a beaming smile.

When Zhao Ling returned, she told him the whole story in detail: "...Coming out of Jin Yuanbao's place, I ran straight into Yang Yucheng. He was urgently looking for me, also wanting to follow you to Xuanfu."

Zhao Ling, however, remarked with feeling, "Good thing I listened to you and sounded out Mrs. Zhang and Lady Shi's intentions first!"

Fu Tingjun teased him, "Otherwise, how would I be your worthy helpmeet?"

"You? A worthy helpmeet?" Zhao Ling said, gazing at her with a smile and a meaningful look. "Hey, I'll be home all day tomorrow..."

Fu Tingjun spat at him playfully and left the inner chamber.

Zhao Ling burst into laughter.

The next day, Fu Tingjun went to see Lady Chen Shi.

When Lady Chen Shi learned that Zhao Ling had also agreed to the match, she went smiling to the Wang family.

Though settling the marriage while Zhao Ling was still in the capital was somewhat hasty, it could also be made more ceremonious.

The Wang couple agreed immediately.

The two families busied themselves with inviting matchmakers, exchanging birth charts, and drafting the marriage contract. Fu Tingjun sent word to Master Lyu, asking him to have the land deeds brought to the capital by messenger, and also found time to meet with Shopkeeper Ye San to finalize the joint venture for the restaurant. Shopkeeper Ye San took the opportunity to introduce his eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Peng, to Fu Tingjun. Then A Sen passed the prefectural examination and became a tribute student, filling the Wang family with joy, while Zhao Ling and Fu Tingjun grinned from ear to ear... Amid all the bustle, the time flew by to the seventh month. The Tatar Khan sent his eldest son, Emune, to represent the Tatars in surrendering, and the Emperor decided to accept the Tatar surrender document at the Meridian Gate. As Deputy Commander of Xuanfu who had captured the leader of the Tatar Wulianghai tribe alive and had accompanied the Tatar envoy to the capital, Zhao Ling was discovered by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites to be well-versed in ceremonial protocol. They all vied to enlist his help, and the Emperor ultimately issued an edict placing Zhao Ling in charge of the surrender ceremony. He had to arrange the ceremony's agenda according to protocol while also mediating disputes among the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and even the Five Armies Supervisory Office—keeping him busier than ever.

Fu Tingjun, however, noticed that her monthly cycle had not arrived on time.

She dared not carry on with Zhao Ling as usual.

Zhao Ling guessed the truth in an instant and smiled as he touched her belly: "Are we really expecting?"

The sheer delight on his face brought Fu Tingjun an inexplicable joy.

"Perhaps!" She didn't dare be too certain. "We'll only know in a few days."

Zhao Ling held her tightly in his arms, remaining silent for a long while.

Fu Tingjun was nearly breathless from his embrace and patted his shoulder: "Hey, it's not like you're becoming a father for the first time, and besides, nothing's confirmed yet..."

Zhao Ling said nothing, just held her like that.

His unusual behavior made Fu Tingjun's heart tighten. She wrapped her arms around him in return and whispered, "What's wrong?"

"Little one," Zhao Ling's voice was a bit choked, "thank you..." He seemed unsure how to express himself, his tone hesitant. "I've always wanted a wife like you, and then, to have many children... Little one... I'll be good to you for the rest of my life... We'll grow old together, with children and grandchildren filling our home..."

Fu Tingjun's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.

"Alright!" She leaned against Zhao Ling's shoulder. "We'll have many children... and grow old together..."

The summer breeze blew past, and the pomegranate blossoms outside the window rustled softly.

Zhao Ling gently released Fu Tingjun, his deep gaze lingering over her forehead, her animal-like crest, her eyes, and her lips.

"My dear," he murmured, "the emperor may issue a decree posthumously honoring my parents... I think, when that time comes, we should move both my father's and mother's graves to Chang'an County. We can settle down and make our home there. What do you think?"

This had long been discussed between them.

Zhao Ling bringing it up again, and being especially agitated today, was probably because he was reminded of those unpleasant memories from the past.

"Alright!" Fu Tingjun smiled gently, nestling once more into his arms. "When the time comes, we'll buy a piece of land in Chang'an, move Father's and Mother's graves there, and when we grow old, we'll be buried there too..."

But Zhao Ling said, "I'm worried that it might stir up trouble with the Zhao family... and put you in an awkward position..."

Fu Tingjun blinked at him. "Do you want to rejoin the Zhao family?"

Zhao Ling was taken aback.

Fu Tingjun then laughed. "Since we're not from the same ancestral hall as the Songjiang Zhao family, what's there to be awkward about?"

Zhao Ling was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile.

Seeing this, Fu Tingjun smiled as well.