Who would open a gift right in front of someone?

What was this fellow up to?

Fu Tingyun secretly glanced at him disapprovingly, but didn’t fall for his trap. She smiled, said “thank you,” and accepted the box. She chided him gently: “The rain is coming down so hard, yet you didn’t bring an umbrella. Autumn has already begun, and rain can chill you to the bone. What if you catch a cold?” She got off the kang bed and called for An Xin to fetch clothes from his room for him to change into, then personally brewed a cup of hot tea for Zhao Ling before sitting down again.

Her every action appeared so naturally graceful, but unfortunately, the lingering blush on her cheeks betrayed her true feelings, making her like a delicate flower in full bloom, revealing both her genuine emotions and infinite charm.

Having changed into dry clothes and sipping hot tea, Zhao Ling couldn’t help but feel regretful as he watched her. If only his darling had opened his gift, how wonderful that would have been!

Opportunities slip away so quickly. It seemed he would have to wait for another chance.

He couldn’t help but sigh softly, yet persisted hopefully: “Then let’s agree to watch the lanterns together during next year’s Mid-Autumn Festival!”

She had plenty of time; it only depended on whether he did.

Fu Tingyun responded with a simple “alright” and smiled at Zhao Ling. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, he quickly changed the subject: “I never expected those bandits would rob the Datong Company this time!” As he said this, his eyebrows rose slightly, and he smiled, “This truly is ‘finding what you seek without effort after searching everywhere’!”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun understood everything.

She pondered: “For Datong Company to reach its current scale, it must have powerful backers. So Lord Zhao simply rescued Manager Ye, keeping him as a living witness. Even if Datong Company doesn’t care about the lost goods and wants to let the matter drop without a trace, they can’t explain this to the families of the murdered managers, nor to those currently working for Datong Company. Otherwise, who would risk their lives for Datong Company in the future? Besides, the truth always comes out eventually. Datong Company’s watchful competitors will certainly learn about the robbery in the outer territories. If this news spreads widely, it will cast doubt on both Datong Company’s capabilities and credibility.”

“Indeed!” Zhao Ling nodded. “That’s why I need to escort Manager Ye safely to Xi’an Prefecture. Once there, the Ye family will naturally take over this matter. By then, even if the Marquis of Xiping wants to let it go, the people from Datong Company may not be willing to drop the issue.”

What a brilliant strategy!

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but show admiration in her eyes.

Zhao Ling was somewhat surprised and instantly felt elated, as if he had drunk a smooth, mellow aged wine.

Fu Tingyun, immersed in her thoughts, didn’t notice Zhao Ling’s expression. She mused: “If that’s the case, why should Lord Zhao risk himself? Why not introduce Manager Ye to the Marquis of Yingchuan…”

“Impossible!” Zhao Ling rejected her suggestion without a second thought. “If the Marquis of Yingchuan learns of this matter, he will use it to bargain with the Marquis of Xiping to suppress him. By then, not only will Manager Ye be silenced, but we too, knowing about this affair, would become endangered. That would be a terrible loss.”

Fu Tingyun realized after brief consideration that she had proposed a bad idea.

Datong Company, upon learning of this matter, would certainly not let it go. The Marquis of Yingchuan wasn’t yet ready to openly confront the Marquis of Xiping. For him, the best approach would be to hand Manager Ye over to the Marquis of Xiping. This way, the Marquis of Yingchuan would both earn goodwill from the Marquis of Xiping and issue a warning to him. The Marquis of Xiping, already no match for the Marquis of Yingchuan, would likely become even more cautious and wouldn’t dare oppose him. At that point, the entire Shaanxi Command would truly become the Marquis of Yingchuan’s domain. If such a situation developed, and if it were discovered that Zhao Ling had killed Feng Dahu, the Marquis of Yingchuan would surely turn a blind eye to the Marquis of Xiping’s revenge against Zhao Ling for the sake of stability. After all, Zhao Ling and the Sixteenth Young Master were merely casual acquaintances. No matter how capable Zhao Ling was, how could he compare to the stability of the northwest? Presumably, even if the Sixteenth Young Master learned of it, he wouldn’t say anything.

Perhaps this was the tragedy of being an insignificant person.

Her heart ached slightly.

A hint of disappointment showed on her face.

Zhao Ling misunderstood, thinking Fu Tingyun was embarrassed for having spoken incorrectly in front of him. How could he bear to see her unhappy? He quickly said: “That’s why I specifically invited He Xiulin, who comes from a military family, grew up in the northwest, and is known as the ‘Little Mengchang,’ to visit my home. I staged this play with Manager Ye so that when I send people to escort him back to Xi’an Prefecture, they can verify his identity.” As he spoke, he lowered his voice and muttered, “I’ve made some arrangements to convince Manager Ye that the Marquis of Yingchuan already knows about the Marquis of Xiping’s actions but has repeatedly tolerated him for the greater good, and cannot help him…”

Fu Tingyun’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and she hurriedly interrupted Zhao Ling: “So does the Marquis of Yingchuan know about the connection between those bandits and the Marquis of Xiping?”

“He knows,” Zhao Ling said. “However, before coming to Zhangye, the Marquis of Yingchuan was serving in the Five Military Commands. After arriving, although he heard rumors about this matter, he was unable to find concrete evidence against the Marquis of Xiping. Unlike us, who have connections in the underworld that make it easier to uncover those bandits. Otherwise, the Marquis of Yingchuan would have already used this leverage to subdue the Marquis of Xiping!”

Fu Tingyun immediately felt uneasy and hastily told Zhao Ling about Concubine Xiao’s probing: “Do you think the Marquis of Yingchuan might have discovered something?”

Zhao Ling’s expression also grew serious.

He lowered his head in contemplation while Fu Tingyun held her breath.

For a moment, the room became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Light, quick footsteps gradually approached, breaking the silence that filled the room.

“Sir!” It was An Xin speaking. “Someone from the Commander-in-Chief’s residence is here, saying that Lord Meng requests your presence.”

The Marquis of Yingchuan? Right after Zhao Ling had just returned from the Commander-in-Chief’s residence?

The two exchanged glances.

Zhao Ling called An Xin in to inquire: “Who came with the message?”

“It’s Lin Chi, Lord Lin, and two colleagues.”

If she remembered correctly, this Lin Chi was one of those ordered to kill Zhao Ling before. They were the Marquis of Yingchuan’s guards, highly skilled in martial arts.

Fu Tingyun grabbed Zhao Ling’s arm, her lips trembling, unable to speak.

“It’s alright!” Zhao Ling smiled and patted Fu Tingyun’s hand. “Trust me!”

Just one sentence, but somehow, Fu Tingyun’s heart suddenly calmed. With a composed expression, she said: “I’ll have Zheng San escort Manager Ye away.”

Zhao Ling nodded and instructed her in a low voice: “San Fu is staying at the City God Temple outside the city. Have A Sen deliver a message to San Fu, and let San Fu escort Manager Ye back to Xi’an Prefecture. Yang Yucheng is waiting for them in Panglang Guard.”

Fu Tingyun responded with a sound of agreement and instructed An Xin: “Go tell the gentlemen from the Commander-in-Chief’s residence that Lord Zhao will change his clothes and then go.”

An Xin acknowledged and left.

Fu Tingyun went to the east wing room where Zheng San was staying.

Manager Ye, having escaped death, had relaxed his tense nerves and slept for a full day and night. He had just awakened and was being served chicken soup prepared by Zheng San’s wife. Upon learning that something had changed, a sharp, piercing coldness flashed in his eyes: “Miss Fu, please convey to Lord Zhao that if it were only about me, Ye, I would go with him to see the Marquis of Yingchuan without hesitation. But I carry the burden of dozens of unjust deaths from the Ye family. Forgive my disloyalty, but I can only desert now.” Then he added, “Great kindness needs no words of thanks. As long as I, Ye Shangcheng, live another day, I will never forget how this life was saved!” After speaking, he stood up and cupped his hands toward Zheng San: “I trouble you, Manager Zheng!”

His back was straight as a ramrod, his brow revealing an imposing aura, his bearing majestic. Where was the slightest trace of his previous dejection? He seemed to have transformed back into the original Third Manager of Datong Company who wielded significant power. This made Zheng San feel intimidated, and he hurriedly responded respectfully, “I wouldn’t dare,” while helping Manager Ye pack his belongings.

Zhao Ling, attended by An Xin, hurriedly walked through the courtyard.

Fu Tingyun and the others watched his figure disappear into the heavy curtain of rain. Manager Ye and Zheng San put on their conical rain hats and straw capes, silently bowed to Fu Tingyun, and left her home.

Rolling thunder sounded from the horizon.

The rain fell harder and harder. In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a layer of water had accumulated in the courtyard.

Zheng San’s wife held Fu Tingyun’s arm: “Miss, let’s go back! Your skirt hem is already wet.”

Fu Tingyun seemed not to have heard and stood silently under the dripping eaves of the main gate. The moisture splashed up by the rain had made her clothes damp. Just as Zheng San’s wife was about to persuade Fu Tingyun again, Fu Tingyun had already turned and entered the courtyard, murmuring, “When will this rain ever stop?”

Zheng San’s wife couldn’t help but look up at the sky, feeling that Fu Tingyun’s question was strangely abrupt. As she was wondering how to respond, Fu Tingyun had already waded through the water toward the east wing room that served as her inner chamber. Zheng San’s wife hurriedly followed: “Miss, let me carry you on my back!”

“No need!” Fu Tingyun entered her inner chamber in quick strides.

Because of the rain, although it was afternoon, the inner chamber was as dark as deep night.

Zheng San’s wife lit a lamp and helped Fu Tingyun change her shoes.

Fu Tingyun got onto the kang bed, moved the lamp to the small table on the kang, and opened the red gold-decorated box that Zhao Ling had given her.

Inside was an ivory comb.

Not much larger than a palm, its smooth, fine texture displayed a warm, soft, pale yellow luster in the lamplight. Carved on the back of the comb was a pair of conjoined lotus flowers.

This rascal, he indeed had ulterior motives.

Fu Tingyun imagined the scene if she had opened the box in front of Zhao Ling… He would certainly have teased her, wouldn’t he?

Thinking of this, her face flushed crimson. She redid her hair in front of the mirror, inserted the ivory comb with the conjoined lotus into her hair, then put on a brass thimble, picked up the half-finished shoe sole, and sat quietly on the kang, stitching.

…

By lamp-lighting time, the rain had gradually lessened.

Zheng San’s wife came in: “Miss, it’s getting late. Perhaps you should first…”

“I’ll wait for Lord Zhao to return before having dinner together.” Fu Tingyun didn’t raise her head, her eyes fixed on the shoe sole in her hand. Her voice was as gentle as usual but conveyed an unyielding determination.

Zheng San’s wife said nothing more.

From outside came A Sen’s exclamation: “Lord Zhao… Lord Zhao has returned!”

Fu Tingyun jumped off the kang and rushed out, seeing Zhao Ling walking toward her with a smile on his face.