Chapter 60

Fu Tingjun was curious, but after all, she was a guest in the household. No matter how much Madam Lyu respected her, there were some matters she would not pry into. Smiling, she saw Madam Lyu out of the room, then sat on the bed adding stitches to the edges of her winter clothes to make them look crisper.

Before she had even finished one edge, Madam Lyu returned, carrying a blue coarse-cloth sack in both arms.

Her expression was somewhat odd as she said, "Miss Fu, Ninth Master instructed that these two hundred taels of silver be placed in your room." With that, she set the sack down in front of Fu Tingjun and untied it.

The gleaming white silver was a sight to behold.

"Placed with me?" Fu Tingjun looked at her in confusion.

Madam Lyu said, "Those were Ninth Master's instructions." Beyond that, she knew nothing.

Fu Tingjun called Zheng Sanniang in and had the silver stored in the cabinet, then instructed her, "When Ninth Master returns, come in and inform me."

Zheng Sanniang smiled and acknowledged the order.

Madam Lyu watched and laughed, saying, "Miss really should acquire a couple more trunks." She added, "Or shall I have my husband help buy a pair?"

Fu Tingjun did want a couple more trunks, so her clothes would not have to be piled up at the foot of the bed.

But she had no money on hand!

The thought flashed through her mind, and she was momentarily stunned.

Could it be that Zhao Ling had given her this silver for her personal spending?

Otherwise—she neither managed the expenses of Yangliu Lane nor oversaw Zhao Ling's earnings—what reason would he have to leave the silver with her?

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Yet she feared that if she were wrong, she would invite ridicule, so she said distractedly, "We'll talk about it later!"

Madam Lyu naturally could not make the decision for her. Seeing that she was busy with her needlework, she smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries before taking her leave.

Fu Tingjun waited for Zhao Ling with an uneasy heart all day, but he did not return until after the evening meal. Hearing that Fu Tingjun had been looking for him, he changed his clothes and came over.

"Why are you back so late?" Fu Tingjun turned to pour him a cup of tea, not realizing that her tone carried a hint of complaint.

When Zhao Ling had left that morning, he had meant to leave word, but seeing that Fu Tingjun was still asleep, and thinking of how she had been through so much hardship traveling with him these past days without a single restful night, he had hurriedly told Madam Lyu and the others not to disturb her and to let her sleep until she woke on her own. When he returned and learned that Master Lyu and the others had exchanged the silver that morning, he knew she must have been puzzled—perhaps even worried the entire day. He silently blamed himself for not leaving her a message, and so he paid no mind to the tone she used with him.

"The man who lent me the sword is called Tang Daishan," Zhao Ling explained, skirting the heavier matters. "He was originally a salt merchant in Pucheng, and privately owned a few salt wells. Later, the Feng Family curried favor with Yin Zhongyuan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and began dealing in official salt. They also took control of the private salt trade in Shaanxi, forcing Tang Daishan to the brink of ruin. At the time, I had just started in the private salt business and was still inexperienced. Tang Daishan gave me some pointers a few times, and seeing that I quickly gained a foothold, he partnered with me on several ventures. We developed a certain friendship." He smiled wryly. "I went to return the sword and meant to treat him to a meal as thanks, but he was set on having me go to the capital with him to seek connections. No matter how I refused, he would not give up. He kept dragging things out, and we ended up having dinner at Thirteen Mountain before I came back." He gave a bitter laugh. "I'm afraid he still won't let it go and will come calling again tomorrow."

Fu Tingjun immediately took a dislike to this Tang Daishan.

If Zhao Ling had said he would not go, the man should not have kept pressing him. She felt that Tang Daishan was not sincere or forthright in his dealings.

She said, "Isn't Yangliu Lane a residence you bought years ago? They say even Young Master Yang and Young Master Jin don't know where it is. How did Tang Daishan find out?"

"He didn't know before," Zhao Ling said. "But now that I'm living here, Tang Daishan naturally knows."

Fu Tingjun frowned slightly at this. "Then does he know that you're going to take up a post at the Military Command Office?"

"He shouldn't," Zhao Ling said. "He thinks the Feng Family hired someone to deal with me."

"Better to be cautious," Fu Tingjun said. "He's so well-informed—he knew the moment you moved. He may well know about your appointment to the Military Command Office." She thought of how trafficking private salt was a serious crime. If Zhao Ling had already entered the Military Command Office, people would think twice before moving against him—out of respect for the master, they might pretend not to know. But since he had not yet taken up the post, if this were exposed now, Sixteenth Master, being a feudal prince, could not act openly. The Military Command Office, for the sake of its own reputation, might not defer to Sixteenth Master, and Zhao Ling's future could be completely ruined. But she could not say this to him directly, so she spoke more tactfully: "Everyone is so pleased that you're going to the Military Command Office! Madam Lyu was even planning to go to Guangren Temple in the next couple of days to fulfill her vow. The capital is far away, and autumn is nearly here—the weather will only grow colder. Why go with him to the capital and make everyone worry?"

And would you worry?

The thought suddenly surfaced in Zhao Ling's mind, and had he not been a cautious man, it might have slipped out of his mouth.

He broke out in a cold sweat.

In a few days, he would have to report to the Provincial Military Command. There were over twenty garrisons under the Shaanxi Provincial Military Command. Last time he met with Wu Xin, they had lunch together at Thirteen Mountain. From Wu Xin's tone, the Provincial Military Command was overcrowded—even those recommended by the Ministry of War mostly went to the various garrisons first, then slowly looked for opportunities to transfer. The chances of someone newly arrived staying directly at the Provincial Military Command were slim. As for Huayin, news should have arrived in the next few days. Madam Fu knew that Master Xie's family had met with misfortune, so she would certainly have arrangements for her daughter... After all, he was an unrelated person, and his future was uncertain...

Thinking of all this, he couldn't help feeling somewhat dejected.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, finding the Longjing tea from after Grain Rain bitter and astringent.

Fu Tingjun saw him with his head lowered and silent, and felt uneasy.

Could it be that this Tang Daishan had offered Zhao Ling some benefit?

Then she thought it impossible.

Zhao Ling valued loyalty and kept his word. Since he had agreed to go to the military camp, even if he didn't like it, he would still go.

But why wasn't he saying anything?

There must be something strange about this!

Fu Tingjun pondered silently.

Since he wouldn't say, she could only slowly find out later.

As for last night—she had been so busy chatting with him about this and that that she had forgotten to ask whether he was actually willing to go to the Provincial Military Command... And now with this Tang Daishan matter arising, she needed to find a way to remind him.

She thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "How did Ninth Master come to think of smuggling salt? I've heard people say that although this trade brings great profits, the risks are also great, and it's very hard work."

Why did she suddenly ask about this?

Was it because of Tang Daishan's appearance?

Zhao Ling no longer had the leisurely mood he'd had when talking with Fu Tingjun just moments ago. "This way, the money comes in more and faster." His answer was somewhat absent-minded.

In Fu Tingjun's eyes, this came across as dismissive.

She was secretly furious.

It wasn't because he couldn't get by—just because it "comes in more and faster"...

She took a deep breath, constantly telling herself, "Don't get angry. He's probably been around people like Feng Laosi and Tang Daishan for so long that he's become indifferent to salt smuggling." Only then did her mood gradually calm. She smiled and asked him, "If Ninth Master weren't smuggling salt, what would you plan to do?"

Zhao Ling clearly hadn't expected her to ask this, and looked somewhat surprised.

"What would I plan to do?" He thought for a moment, then said, "I've never thought about it!"

How could he have never thought about it?

Then why was he going to Jiangnan?

Or perhaps he didn't want to tell her?

Fu Tingjun was furious, but seeing his indifferent expression, she felt that even if she pressed further, he wouldn't say anything more. Somewhat helplessly, she said, "Isn't Ninth Master going to the military camp? Why not take the opportunity to think it over well. Confucius said, 'At thirty, one stands firm.' It won't be too late to make plans then."

"That's a good idea," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "I'll take this opportunity to think it over carefully!" But his smile seemed forced.

What was wrong with him?

He had been perfectly fine when he came in—patient and gentle as he explained the matter of Tang Daishan. How had he become like this in the blink of an eye?

Fu Tingjun didn't understand and couldn't guess what was on his mind, so she had no choice but to set these feelings aside for the moment and smile as she asked him, "This morning, Madam Lyu brought in two hundred taels of silver. I wonder what Ninth Master has in mind?"

Zhao Ling perked up a bit at this and said, "This morning I went to Daxingshan Temple and spoke with a reception monk there. They can hold a memorial service for Master Xie's family at any time. Why don't you pick a date, and I'll escort you there when the time comes." He continued, "The silver you have is all in my hands. These days, all accounts need to be settled in cash. Baoqing Silver Shop only starts exchanging when the banknotes reach two thousand taels in value. I think it's best not to touch your banknotes for now. You know I've been wanting to acquire some property these days and happen to need silver, so I exchanged some at Baoqing Shop and had Shopkeeper Lyu send you two hundred taels first. That way, when you go to Daxingshan Temple for the memorial service, you'll have money for donations and incense offerings. And if you want to buy any little trinkets you like, you can have Zheng Sanniang help you purchase them!"

She hadn't expected him to still be thinking about this matter...

Fu Tingjun was quite surprised, and even more grateful.

She thanked him in a low voice, the corners of her eyes growing slightly moist.

"What's there to thank me for!" Zhao Ling said. "I should have taken care of this matter for you long ago. But because Mo Yi was around, I was afraid it might cause misunderstandings, so I put it off." Then he asked her, "When would you like to go?"

Fu Tingjun had Zheng Sanniang bring an almanac and settled on tomorrow's date.

"Very well!" Zhao Ling rose to take his leave. "I'll send Yucheng to Daxingshan Temple first thing tomorrow morning to let them know."

Fu Tingjun thought about how she still needed to make preparations for the trip to Daxingshan Temple, so she didn't keep him longer. She saw Zhao Ling to the door, and the next day took a hired carriage to Daxingshan Temple.

……

Daxingshan Temple was the oldest Buddhist monastery in Shaanxi, having stood for over five hundred years. Its halls were imposing, its courtyards numerous. Perhaps because of the famine years, worshippers thronged the grounds in extraordinary numbers, shoulder to shoulder, heel to heel, voices clamoring in a din like a temple fair.

Fu Tingjun followed Zhao Ling into the Grand Buddha Hall to pay homage to the Bodhisattva, then walked along the broad blue-stone corridor toward the rear. Only after passing the Hall of the Medicine King did the number of pilgrims gradually thin.

They turned west through a long gallery and entered a courtyard where pines and cypresses stood verdant. Five principal rooms faced south—one bright central chamber flanked by two dark ones on each side—with wing rooms to left and right and a hall in the middle, where an incense table held a Bodhisattva statue over three feet tall. The reception monk welcomed them into the hall to offer incense before the Bodhisattva, then led them to rest in a side chamber, while in the main hall the forty-nine monks who had been summoned began to shake their staffs and beat their cymbals and drums, chanting sutras and performing the rites.

Seated in the side chamber, Fu Tingjun listened to the waves of Buddhist chanting drifting over. At one moment she recalled the warmth of her uncle holding her as a child while picking flowers; at another, the joy of following her third cousin to fish at her uncle's estate that year; then the image of her eldest nephew at his one-month celebration, dressed in a crimson robe, fair as carved jade... Tears streamed down her cheeks despite herself.

Zheng San's wife, who accompanied her, offered endless words of comfort, yet Fu Tingjun remained heartbroken for a long while.

When the young novice brought vegetarian meals at noon, she noticed Zhao Ling standing beneath the broad-canopied pine tree at the edge of the courtyard.

He stood with hands clasped behind his back, his bearing as upright as a pine, his expression aloof as he gazed toward the Grand Buddha Hall, as if burdened with thoughts he could share with no one—looking solitary and forlorn.

A faint melancholy stirred unbidden in Fu Tingjun's heart.

She hurried over in quick steps. "Weren't you supposed to go with Master Lyu to look at the shop? Has something happened?" Then, remembering it was already noon, she added, "The novice has brought some vegetarian dishes—they look quite appetizing. Ninth Master, why not join us for a meal?"

Zhao Ling turned his head and fixed his gaze on her. Seeing the growing anxiety in her brow, revealed without the slightest concealment, he could not help but smile.

"Nothing's the matter," he said, his gaze warm and gentle as it rested on her. "I just wanted to stand here and be still for a while."

Sometimes a person needs solitude.

Fu Tingjun harbored no suspicion and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Go and eat," he said. "I'll be on my way." He turned to leave.

"But your midday meal?" Fu Tingjun, not expecting him to depart so abruptly, called after him.

"Yucheng is still waiting for me outside," Zhao Ling said, waving to her with a smile. "Don't worry about me." He moved as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, his every gesture brimming with an indescribable ease and verve.

Fu Tingjun watched him go in silence, and found herself smiling.