“Miss Tang, with your father’s passing, you’ve traveled thousands of miles from Xi’an Prefecture to Nianbo Suo with just two maids and two stewards. This courage alone proves you’re as valiant as any man. You’ve arrived at Nianbo Suo and haven’t stood on ceremony with Lord Jiu and me, entrusting your worries directly to us. You must be a straightforward and open-minded person. That being the case, I’ll also set aside formalities and speak plainly. If there’s any bluntness, I hope Miss Tang won’t take offense.”
Miss Tang’s heart pounded: “Miss Fu, I’ve known Lord Jiu for five or six years. As you said, I didn’t stand on ceremony with Lord Jiu and you, which is why I came…”
“That’s excellent!” Fu Tingyun smiled, interrupting Miss Tang. “What Miss Tang is concerned about is essentially preserving the family estate left by your father.” She avoided mentioning murder for money. “I think Miss Tang should take in a husband who marries into your family.”
“Miss Fu!” Miss Tang looked at Fu Tingyun in astonishment.
Fu Tingyun nodded and said seriously, “Miss Tang may not have read our dynasty’s laws and regulations.” Not only Miss Tang, but even most scholars wouldn’t have had the chance to read the complete laws of the dynasty. “According to our dynasty’s laws, when taking in a husband, one must arrange through matchmakers, clearly establish a marriage contract, and specify the terms for supporting elders or the duration of residence. Those with only one son are not permitted to marry out. When taking in a son-in-law to support the elderly, one must still appoint a person from the same clan to continue ancestral sacrifices. The family property is divided equally. If no heir is established before death, the clan leader will appoint one according to custom.”
Zhao Ling had already understood Fu Tingyun’s meaning, and his eyes brightened: “Indeed, this is a good method!”
Miss Tang was confused in her heart and looked at Zhao Ling with a puzzled expression.
“When taking in a husband, the marriage contract must clearly state in black and white how the family property will be divided and how the descendants will perform ancestral sacrifices. Since Miss Tang’s situation inevitably involves the Feng family, why not ask the Feng family to witness and document how Miss Tang’s family property will be handled,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “For example, if you were to pass away for some reason and your children were still minors, how would the family property be managed? Or if you were to pass away without heirs, how would the family property be disposed of? With the Feng family as witnesses, I believe no one would dare to act against the agreement. If someone only wants Miss Tang’s family property, but the conditions are stringent with no benefits to gain, they would naturally give up. If someone truly admires Miss Tang, they would happily help support your household even without gaining a single coin. This achieves two purposes at once, isn’t that better?”
“This…” Miss Tang looked at Fu Tingyun’s smiling face, then glanced at Zhao Ling, who was looking at Fu Tingyun with admiration. She felt immense bitterness in her heart.
“Given Lord Jiu’s character and his relationship with your family, it would be best if Lord Jiu mediates this matter,” Fu Tingyun said with genuine sincerity. “However, Lord Jiu is now an official, with superiors like the Thousand Household, Commanders, Chief Commanders, and Generals… as numerous as stars. The Feng family might be more suitable. First, Lord Jiu’s relationship with Master Tang isn’t something that can be openly discussed in front of others, and intervening in ancestral temple matters might seem improper. Second, everyone knows there’s an entanglement between the Feng family and the Tang family. If the Feng family steps forward to protect you, it would truly be seen as saving someone from peril, with more justification than if Lord Jiu intervened. If Miss Tang finds my suggestion acceptable,” she said, looking at Zhao Ling, “I’ll ask Lord Jiu to help Miss Tang draft a letter.” Her tone was somewhat hesitant, but Zhao Ling nodded without hesitation. Seeing this, Fu Tingyun revealed a sweet smile, her tone becoming more firm. “I believe the Feng family, out of respect for Lord Jiu, will take this matter seriously. Miss Tang, what do you think?”
Miss Tang gazed at Fu Tingyun, who smiled as radiantly as a night-blooming cereus in the moonlight, and crumpled the handkerchief in her hand.
Was she supposed to just accept this?
She couldn’t resign herself to it.
After a moment of silence, Miss Tang said gravely: “I fear the Feng family would view me as meat on the chopping block. It would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone without return!”
“But apart from the Feng family, I don’t know of any other suitable candidates,” Fu Tingyun sighed. “I don’t know much else, but I’ve heard from my wet nurse about groups like the ‘white-stripping gang’ and the ‘flower-slapping gang’ who can devise numerous schemes for just a hundred or tens of taels of silver. Sometimes even gentlemen who have passed the provincial or imperial examinations can be deceived, let alone others. When Master Tang was alive, though his reputation may not have been prominent in the countryside, he was a well-known figure in the Northwest region. Many people who walk crooked paths must know about the Tang family’s affairs, and countless eyes must be watching in secret. Even if Lord Jiu manages to entrust you to figures like the Marquis of Yingchuan or Deputy General Wang, they might not understand the complexities involved. With premeditation against the unsuspecting, no one can guarantee they won’t be deceived. Only the Feng family, with their connections in both legitimate and illegitimate circles, would make these miscellaneous schemers feel like wielding an ax in front of Lu Ban—presumptuously overestimating themselves. Only the Feng family can intimidate these opportunists.”
Miss Tang trembled with anger upon hearing this, yet couldn’t utter a single word of rebuttal.
This Fu woman was mocking her humble origins, suggesting that this was why the Tang family faced such difficulties today, and why she had to resort to having the Feng family protect her…
“Lord Jiu!” She looked toward Zhao Ling, tears glistening in her eyes, her opposition evident.
Fu Tingyun felt displeased.
If Miss Tang truly wanted to discuss matters with her, why did she always look to Zhao Ling for help at the slightest disturbance?
Thinking of this, she immediately made a decision, and before Zhao Ling could respond, Fu Tingyun said: “Miss Tang, my understanding is limited. Whether to proceed or not is ultimately your decision. I’m just concerned that the longer this matter drags on, the more unfavorable it will be for you.”
Let’s see how you try to scare me!
Miss Tang sneered inwardly but outwardly maintained a submissive appearance: “Miss Fu, what do you mean by that?”
“Different trades are like different mountains. Master Tang hasn’t been gone for long, and the news that he left Miss Tang with vast wealth has probably spread throughout the Northwest region, but the sons of official and noble families may not have heard of it yet,” Fu Tingyun said. “Given enough time, there’s no guarantee that gangs like the ‘white-stripping gang’ and the ‘flower-slapping gang’ won’t collude with some ineffectual sons of prestigious families to scheme against Miss Tang. By then, even the Feng family might step aside. If by chance these people succeed… I fear the elders of those families would look down on Miss Tang. Let alone a proper marriage, even securing a recognized position might not be easy. Moreover, someone who would collude with such rogues is probably not of upright character and may not intend to marry Miss Tang at all…”
Miss Tang was overjoyed upon hearing this.
She had thought this Miss Fu had some clever strategy, but it turned out to be nothing special.
Fu Tingyun had already said everything that needed to be said. If she waited any longer, she would only be fooling herself.
“That’s why Pei Ling is begging Lord Jiu and Miss Fu to take me in.” she stood up, her pearl-like teeth biting her red lips, showing defiance mixed with a touch of shyness, and knelt before Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun.
So Miss Tang’s given name is Pei Ling!
Fu Tingyun picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip.
After all the circling, this Miss Tang had finally “expressed her true feelings.”
Zhao Ling would help Miss Tang. And since she couldn’t stay at Nianbo Suo until Miss Tang’s affairs were settled, rather than wasting time in endless entanglement with Miss Tang, it was better to clarify things directly. This would also prevent Miss Tang from doing things like praying for her at the City God Temple. She didn’t want to be labeled as a “jealous woman” later.
The rest was up to Zhao Ling.
Without Zhao Ling’s explicit refusal, Miss Tang would never give up!
She also looked toward Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling felt somewhat reflective.
He wasn’t unaware of Miss Tang’s feelings for him, but at that time, he had been focused on returning to Jiangnan and wasn’t ready to start a family. Later, Miss Tang had always appeared gracious and straightforward, making him think the matter was over. He admired her frankness and treated her with increased respect. He hadn’t expected that after he had told her about his fiancée, she would still be willing to…
Was it as Tingyun had suggested, that Miss Tang was concerned about the millions in family assets left by Master Tang?
But thinking about it, it was understandable.
If this wealth had been accumulated by his family over several generations, he too would be reluctant to give it up easily.
“Please rise, Miss Tang!” Zhao Ling sighed. “I will find a way to help with your situation. You don’t need to humble yourself like this.”
Fu Tingyun sensed Zhao Ling’s sympathy toward Miss Tang and was somewhat surprised.
Miss Tang naturally sensed it too: “Lord Jiu, I don’t feel humbled. My father, while alive, had several times wanted to entrust the Tang family affairs to you. I am merely following my father’s dying wish. I implore Lord Jiu…” She couldn’t bring herself to say anything more explicit.
Although Fu Tingyun knew Zhao Ling wouldn’t break his promise to her, she still felt a twinge of jealousy, and her large eyes glanced sideways at Zhao Ling with a half-smiling expression.
Seeing her watching as if enjoying a spectacle, Zhao Ling pretended to glare at her angrily, raising his chin to signal her to quickly help Miss Tang up. But his voice remained gentle: “Miss Tang should know my character. I could never kick someone when they’re down. Rest assured, Miss Tang, I will do my utmost to help you. You don’t need to go to such lengths, as it makes me look greedy and exploitative of your situation.”
How could this be?
A flash of bewilderment crossed Miss Tang’s eyes.
She had already humbled herself to such an extent, yet he remained unmoved. Was his heart truly made of stone, without even a shred of sympathy for her?
The words Zhao Ling had just spoken and the expressions on his face appeared in her mind like a series of paintings, one after another.
Terrible!
She was suddenly startled.
She had fallen into Fu’s trap.
Fu had repeatedly said she was concerned about her family’s vast fortune… No wonder Zhao Ling would think that if he took her in, he would appear greedy and exploitative!
Cold sweat beaded on Miss Tang’s forehead.
“Lord Jiu, please listen to me.” she reached out to grasp Zhao Ling’s sleeve, but Fu Tingyun caught her arm: “Miss Tang, whatever you have to say, you can say it standing up. We are of similar age, and there should be no reservations between us. Acting like this only creates distance between us.”
Talking about not standing on ceremony, yet treating her like an outsider at every turn…
Miss Tang was so angry that her heart hurt. She raised her elbow, intending to shake off Fu Tingyun, but caught sight of Zhao Ling from the corner of her eye.
He had been deceived by this honey-tongued, venom-hearted woman. If she truly hurt Fu Tingyun, wouldn’t he be displeased?
Thinking of this, Miss Tang forcibly swallowed her anger.