Fu Tingyun felt Zhao Ling’s attitude was a bit strange: “What’s wrong? Is there something not right?”

“Nothing!” Zhao Ling smiled, “I was just thinking that with Madam Wang returning to Fujian, you’ll have one less person to talk to.”

Fu Tingyun was somewhat skeptical of Zhao Ling’s answer, but he had already changed the subject: “You mentioned that Concubine Xiao from the Marquis of Yingchuan’s household was very kind to you…” So she didn’t think further about it and simply responded with “Mmm,” adding, “But I think Madam Wang’s previous warning makes a lot of sense. I don’t want to have too much interaction with this Concubine Xiao.”

Zhao Ling strongly agreed and said, “Why don’t you move to Nianbo to live? I’ll probably have to stay in Nianbo for the next few years anyway. If you come over, I’ll have someone to take care of my daily needs. What do you think, would that be good?” By the end of his words, his gaze had turned gentle, and his tone carried a hint of pleading.

Fu Tingyun’s heart softened as she recalled his reluctant expression each time they parted after enjoying the cool evening in the courtyard at Nianbo. She asked softly: “Will you, will you be staying in Nianbo for a long time?”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling knew that Fu Tingyun was quite tempted by the suggestion. His heart filled with joy as he said: “Last time, the Marquis of Yingchuan hinted to me that because he’s afraid others might try to claim the position of Battalion Commander of Nianbo, although he has already used his connections to speak with the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, he hasn’t stopped the Wu family from lobbying in the capital. The implication is that I should seize this opportunity and quickly accumulate military merits over the next two or three years to secure the position.”

Fu Tingyun understood.

The Marquis of Yingchuan wanted Zhao Ling to become the Battalion Commander of Nianbo, but what Zhao Ling lacked now was sufficient military merit. As it happened, the family of Wu Ying, the former Battalion Commander of Nianbo, was pulling strings in the capital, hoping to have a relative from the Wu family adopted into Wu Ying’s lineage to inherit the position. The Marquis of Yingchuan was using the Wu family’s desire for succession to his advantage—on one hand, he was notifying the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War not to let the Wu family succeed, while on the other hand, he wasn’t stopping the Wu family from making a fuss in the capital. This way, as long as the Wu family’s matter remained unresolved, the court couldn’t appoint a new Battalion Commander for Nianbo, giving Zhao Ling the perfect opportunity to accumulate military merits. With the Marquis’s recommendation, the position of Battalion Commander would eventually be Zhao Ling’s. However, the court couldn’t let the Wu family continue making a commotion indefinitely, nor could they leave the Battalion Commander position vacant forever. At most, this matter would be settled in two or three years, which meant that whether Zhao Ling could rightfully claim the position depended on the next two or three years.

“Once I become Battalion Commander, it will be easier to arrange a transfer,” Zhao Ling said. “Then we can find a way to return to Jiangnan!” After saying this, remembering that Fu Tingyun was from Shaanxi, he added, “Or we could return to the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission.”

Staying in Shaanxi was entirely for her sake, wasn’t it?

But if they remained in the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission, Zhao Ling wouldn’t know when he could return to Jiangnan to clear his mother’s name, and he would continue to have unresolved issues with the Sixteenth Master. She would rather follow Zhao Ling to the unfamiliar Jiangnan.

Fu Tingyun felt a warmth in her heart and lowered her head, saying softly: “Let’s return to Jiangnan… I’ll always follow you.”

Her words carried a tone of wifely devotion, which delighted Zhao Ling so much that he didn’t know what to say. After thinking for a while, he suddenly turned and knelt before Fu Tingyun, holding her hand and earnestly saying: “Let’s go see the lanterns together during the Mid-Autumn Festival, shall we?”

Realizing that her decision could influence Zhao Ling’s mood made Fu Tingyun both happy and cherish. She smiled and nodded.

Zhao Ling’s eyes immediately lit up with joy.

Fu Tingyun suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed “Oh no!” with knitted brows.

“What is it?” Zhao Ling immediately asked, his expression full of concern.

“I promised Madam Wang I would go to her home for dinner on the Mid-Autumn Festival,” Fu Tingyun hurriedly explained, looking regretful.

“We can go together then,” relieved that it was just this, Zhao Ling smiled and said, “After dinner, we can still go see the lanterns. It’s not too late.” He added, “I have some official business to attend to during this visit, so it’s a good opportunity to meet with Lord Wang.”

Fu Tingyun felt reassured, her eyes and brows filled with smiles. She asked Zhao Ling if he had eaten, how many days he could stay at home, and what official business he needed to handle.

Zhao Ling had only eaten breakfast that morning. He came to Zhangye this time to discuss with Deputy Commander Wang about allocating a batch of weapons to the Nianbo Guard. He would return to Nianbo only after this matter was settled, so he wasn’t sure how many days he could stay at home.

Thus, a smile irrepressibly spread from the depths of Fu Tingyun’s eyes. She helped Zhao Ling finish combing his hair, then personally went to the kitchen to prepare a few dishes that Zhao Ling liked. They shared a meal that was late for lunch but early for dinner. Afterward, she brewed tea, and they sat in Fu Tingyun’s room, sipping tea while discussing what had happened at home recently. Meanwhile, Asen and An Xin were comparing martial skills in the courtyard, with little Linchun sitting on her father’s shoulders watching, occasionally clapping her little hands to cheer for Asen.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was both warm and lively.

Suddenly, San Fu came to visit.

He was wearing a lilac-colored short jacket and carrying a bundle on his back. Not only was he covered in dust, but he was also barefoot. When the teacup was handed to him, he gulped it down in one go and asked Zheng Sanniang for another. He looked nothing like an ensign but rather like an impoverished commoner.

Fu Tingyun found this very strange, but seeing that San Fu had arrived so suddenly and that Zhao Ling was sitting there without saying a word, she knew they had matters to discuss. She smiled and asked San Fu if he had eaten, then excused herself to prepare food for him.

Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhao Ling and San Fu walked out together.

“I need to go out with San Fu on some business,” Zhao Ling instructed An Xin to fetch the horses, then said to Fu Tingyun, “I might be gone for two or three days. If anyone asks, tell them I went to Linze on short notice—the Commander of Ganzhou Guard is arranging a marriage for his son.” He added, “Do we have any ready-made flatbreads or similar? Give us everything you have.”

The Commander of Ganzhou Guard arranging a marriage for his son certainly wouldn’t make Zhao Ling this nervous!

Fu Tingyun had many questions in her heart and instinctively felt that this matter might not be simple. But with Zhao Ling leaving in such a hurry, it wasn’t the time to ask these questions. She hurriedly said, “We only have a few steamed buns. Why don’t you wait for about half an hour, and I’ll make some fresh buns and flatbreads for you…”

“Never mind then!” Zhao Ling immediately said, “We’ll buy something on the road.” As he spoke, he realized he might not be able to return in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which was in just two days, and showed some hesitation, “Mid-Autumn Festival…”

“The important matters come first,” Fu Tingyun promptly said. “Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes won’t spoil even after ten days or half a month.” At this point, her voice suddenly turned as gentle as spring water, “What matters is that you return safely. You promised me that you would accompany me to the capital next spring.”

“Yes!” Zhao Ling nodded firmly, gazing at her tenderly for a moment before mounting his horse with San Fu and An Xin.

…

After Zhao Ling left, people indeed came asking about him.

Fu Tingyun repeated what they had agreed upon. Mrs. Qi sighed: “Your Lord Zhao is really impressive. In less than a year in Zhangye, he’s gotten to know people from all over. Unlike my husband, who always socializes with the same few people no matter where he goes.”

“Lord Qi is in charge of internal affairs!” Fu Tingyun smiled to console Mrs. Qi. “When Master Nine enters the Commander’s residence, aren’t there many matters that Lord Qi has the final say on?”

“That’s true!” Mrs. Qi finally regained some face and left after chatting for a while.

Asen was alone in the courtyard, practicing with a wooden sword. He ignored Linchun when she called to him, appearing somewhat forlorn.

Fu Tingyun walked over to him: “What’s wrong?” she asked, putting her arm around Asen’s shoulders.

“Master Nine took An Xin…” Asen said glumly, “In the past, he always took me for such matters!”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh: “That’s because Master Nine is now the Centurion of Nianbo! For military matters, naturally, he can only use people from the military!”

“It’s not a military matter,” Asen pouted. “Brother San Fu looks honest and can keep his composure. He’s also fast on his feet and used to be responsible for surveillance. If it were a military matter, who would Master Nine have him watch?”

Fu Tingyun was startled upon hearing this.

Yes, what exactly had happened?

By the fifteenth day of the eighth month, watching the sunset fill the sky, there was still no sign of Zhao Ling. Fu Tingyun couldn’t wait any longer, so she took a gift box and went with Asen to Madam Wang’s home.

The two young ladies of the Wang family were hanging lanterns with Li Niang. Seeing them arrive, they ran over, calling “Sister Fu, Sister Fu,” and then pulled Asen away to help hang lanterns.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Wang came out wearing a treasured blue jacket embroidered with gold all over.

She was rosy-cheeked and looked exceptionally cheerful.

“Come inside and sit down,” she said while looking behind Fu Tingyun. “How come? Is Lord Zhao upset that I didn’t send him an invitation, so he didn’t come?” Madam Wang teased, “Our Lord Wang is waiting for him to drink together!”

“He went to Linze,” Fu Tingyun could only tell Madam Wang this.

Madam Wang was somewhat surprised but quickly accepted it and even comforted her: “Nowadays, Lord Zhao is considered a new prominent figure in Zhangye. Many people want to meet him, and for his career to go smoothly, he can’t avoid such social engagements. You should be understanding.”

“I know,” Fu Tingyun said sincerely. “In the future, such matters will probably become more frequent.”

But the problem was, he wasn’t going to socialize with the Commander of Ganzhou Guard!

Fu Tingyun muttered in her heart as she entered the house with Madam Wang.

Just as the two of them sat down, Li Niang led in a clever-looking young servant: “Madam, Mo Xiang has come by order of the Marquis of Yingchuan to invite the master to enjoy the moon together.”

Madam Wang was startled upon hearing this and looked at Fu Tingyun with a mixture of amusement and resignation: “See, here it comes!”

Fu Tingyun smiled with pursed lips.

The young servant stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Madam Wang and Fu Tingyun.

Madam Wang smiled and waved at him: “Lord Wang is in the study. You can go find him yourself!” She added, “If the master gets drunk, remember to help him back!”

“Don’t worry, Madam. I will take good care of Lord Wang,” the servant replied with a smile before withdrawing.

Madam Wang then said with a smile: “Now we can have some peace.” She led Fu Tingyun to the back garden, adding, “There’s an osmanthus tree in the back garden. We’ll have dinner under it.”

Fu Tingyun smiled and agreed.

When they reached the back garden, they found that the two young ladies of the Wang family and Asen were already there.

The second young lady of the Wang family was being helped by a maid to hang rabbit lanterns on the osmanthus tree.

The eldest young lady stood under the osmanthus tree, asking Asen, “Will you come to Fujian to visit us?”