Manager Ye hesitated for a moment, then carefully said: “The Ninth Lord also said that no matter how chaotic things become outside, unless there’s a dynastic change, the chaos won’t reach the capital. He told you to stay in the capital with peace of mind!”

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

This was a matter that could implicate nine generations of a family, yet Zhao Ling had told Manager Ye about it beforehand!

Did he trust Manager Ye that much?

She stared blankly at Manager Ye, momentarily forgetting her tears.

Manager Ye looked at her with a bitter smile and said: “I didn’t understand what the Ninth Lord meant by those words at first, but now I think I do.”

“What do you mean?” Fu Tingyun asked urgently.

“This message was verbally relayed to me by someone the Ninth Lord sent. I thought it sounded strange at the time and assumed it was just meant to reassure you about staying in the capital,” Manager Ye said thoughtfully. “This year, Huguang had a bountiful grain harvest, yet the grain transport was much less active than in previous years. Moreover, someone was purchasing grain in Zhejiang and shipping it to Huguang. The head of our family found this peculiar and suspected that our Datong firm might be having problems with business in Huguang, so he specially dispatched two capable elders to inspect our Huguang branch. Six days ago, the family head received news that Prince Mu has rebelled. Only then did I realize the true meaning of the Ninth Lord’s message…”

Fu Tingyun was covered in cold sweat: “Rebelled… truly rebelled…” She looked at Manager Ye with fear in her eyes.

Manager Ye’s face also grew pale. His lips quivered for a while before he finally just nodded.

What if they failed?

All under heaven belongs to the Emperor. When the time came, the Emperor would certainly purge all rebels. Zhao Ling would be considered a traitor, and anyone could kill him. Where would he find shelter then?

Just thinking about the consequences of failure made Fu Tingyun’s heart ache as if cut by a knife, and tears uncontrollably fell from her eyes again.

Wasn’t he serving under the Marquis of Yingchuan? How did he end up in Huguang? He was just a minor centurion who had temporarily taken over as the Nianbo garrison’s battalion commander for a few days. What could he possibly do? And Mo Yi, who said he was going to celebrate his grandmother’s birthday—was he going for a celebration, or was that just an excuse to help the Sixteenth Lord? No, it should be clear now that the Sixteenth Lord was Prince Mu, who governed Huguang. Had Mo Yi gone home to visit relatives, or had he gone to work for Prince Mu? And the Marquis of Yingchuan—he was the Emperor’s brother-in-law. How could he possibly help outsiders instead of his own family? Was Zhao Ling’s trip to Huguang the Marquis’s idea, or was it at Mo Yi’s invitation? Or perhaps the Sixteenth Lord had sent someone to deliver a message to him?

He was so intelligent. He could have just continued as the acting battalion commander of Nianbo garrison. Why did he have to take such a risk that could cost him his head?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became, and the more anxious she felt.

Seeing her distress, Manager Ye couldn’t help but advise her: “Miss Fu, you are a clever person. Since the Ninth Lord sent you to the capital early, he must have wanted to keep you out of this affair. Perhaps he might still have a place to fall back on when the time comes. At this moment, you must not lose your composure. Otherwise, all the Ninth Lord’s careful planning would be wasted.”

Fu Tingyun was alarmed by his words.

Zhao Ling always planned. He had her bring all their property to the capital, so he must have had other arrangements in mind.

Just like before, when he had bought a residence in Yangliu Lane very early on.

Thinking of this, she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and tried to control her emotions.

Manager Ye felt somewhat melancholic.

When Zhao Ling had unhesitatingly saved him back then, he knew that this young man, though young, was extraordinary. Given time, he might have become another Marquis of Yingchuan. But he hadn’t expected him to take such a risky move.

One moment ascending to dragon status, the next falling into the yellow springs.

Truly decisive in matters of life and death!

Coming from a merchant background, he clearly understood that merchants held a low social status. Without the support of high government officials, no matter how capable one was, one could only be a traveling merchant. His Ye family had risen to prominence because an ancestor had once unintentionally saved the life of a jinshi official. Subsequently, for Ye family descendants competing for the position of family head, the primary consideration was whether they had a talent for business, and secondarily, whether they could deal with high government officials.

He believed himself to have a talent for business but lacked the opportunity to associate with government officials, unlike his eldest cousin, who had established such connections by managing the capital branch for years. Although he was somewhat anxious, he wasn’t desperate, feeling that he was still young and would have opportunities.

But when the caravan was raided and he barely escaped with his life to return to the Ye family, after many twists and turns and contention, he was finally assigned to help his eldest cousin manage internal affairs in the capital. This effectively placed all the blame for the caravan raid on him. He knew he would never have the chance to compete for the position of family head again.

But now, another opportunity presented itself before him.

And it was the only opportunity…

Manager Ye suddenly envisioned Zhao Ling’s young, handsome face and his eyes, cold as distant stars.

If he dared, why should I fear!

Manager Ye felt eager to try and said solemnly: “Miss Fu, in recent years, the late Emperor relied on eunuchs and the Tengji Guard. The government deteriorated, and discipline collapsed. I think news of the Huguang situation may not reach the capital immediately. Even if it does, how the court responds will probably depend on Hong Du’s wishes. You’d best stay at home and not go out these days, adopting a wait-and-see approach.”

Fu Tingyun was surprised: “How can this be? This is rebellion…”

Manager Ye said: “Otherwise, why would they say the government has deteriorated and discipline collapsed?”

Fu Tingyun remained silent.

Manager Ye couldn’t stay long and soon took his leave: “As soon as I hear any news, I’ll immediately come to inform you.”

The next day, he sent several shi of rice and flour.

Fu Tingyun then understood Manager Ye’s thoughtful intentions.

Once war broke out, grain would become scarce, which was why Manager Ye had wanted to seize the opportunity to do business in grain, right?

She immediately instructed Zheng San Niang and Yu Wei to pickle vegetables and stock up on oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and firewood. Meanwhile, her neighbors were still either happy or worried about the new Emperor’s ascension, either hurrying about or gathering to plan, as if no one had noticed anything unusual about their household.

Fu Tingyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But this situation didn’t last long.

On the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, Prince Mu raised an army in Huguang under the banner of “executing Hong and Shi, and clearing away evil ministers from the Emperor’s side.” By the time the official proclamation reached the capital, Prince Mu’s forces had already reached Xinxiang in Henan.

The capital was in an uproar. The court only reacted the next day, appointing Wu Bingcheng, Superintendent of the Five Military Commissions, as Commander-in-Chief with the general’s seal. Hong Du’s adopted son Yan Fu was appointed as the military supervisor. They led the capital’s thirteen guards to war, and also ordered Li Rujin, the Military Commissioner of Shaanxi, and Deng Zhong, the Military Commissioner of Henan, to fight alongside Wu Bingcheng.

Manager Ye quietly told Fu Tingyun: “The Shaanxi Military Commission is not moving its troops, and the Henan Military Commission is avoiding battle. Wu Bingcheng has the nickname ‘Bear Paw Superintendent’—he was originally the Commander of the Tieling Guard and was promoted to Superintendent of the Five Military Commission by sending bear paws to Hong Du. He might be good at catching bears, but fighting in a war may be a bit much for him.”

“Amitabha Buddha!” Fu Tingyun pressed her palms together. “I hope so.”

Manager Ye noticed she had wrapped three strings of agarwood beads around her wrist.

Fu Tingyun followed his gaze and explained: “With nothing else to do, I recite scriptures when I’m free.”

She must be praying for Zhao Ling!

Manager Ye smiled knowingly and brought up the grain business again: “It’s still not too late.”

Fu Tingyun truly wasn’t in the mood and politely declined.

Manager Ye didn’t press further.

A few days later, Prince Mu’s forces passed through Luancheng.

“How did they come so fast?”

“Weren’t they still in Xinxiang?”

“What are Li Rujin and Deng Xiao doing?”

The capital’s citizens discussed this extensively in teahouses.

Fu Tingyun was secretly alarmed.

It seemed that the Henan Military Commissioner Deng Xiao might also have some connection with Prince Mu.

How much had Prince Mu planned?

Who else was involved?

Compared to the outside, the atmosphere in Shi Family Alley seemed somewhat tense.

Zheng San Niang told Fu Tingyun: “Madam Wu from across the street has been running to Madam Ji’s house in Bensi Alley ahead of us every day for the past two days. I heard that Madam Ji is also from Zhoushan.”

In such circumstances, there were no closer ties than fellow townspeople in a foreign land.

Fu Tingyun was concerned about her mother in Four Happiness Alley and resented her stone-hearted father, brooding for half the day.

The old woman who came to work from the Li family, not understanding the situation, saw Fu Tingyun standing alone under the eaves with a displeased expression and flatteringly said with a smile: “They’ll be racing dragon boats in the Western Park. Why don’t you go watch, miss? It’s quite lively.”

Fu Tingyun was shocked: “They’re still racing dragon boats this year?”

“Why not?” the two old women smiled. “With the new Emperor ascending the throne, it should be even more festive than in previous years.” They presented a completely peaceful and prosperous appearance.

Fu Tingyun was speechless.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, Dingzhou was captured by Prince Mu’s forces. The Prefect of Dingzhou died in battle, the Left Guard and Right Guard of the capital’s thirteen guards were wiped out, and the Front Guard suffered over fifty percent casualties.

Only then did the capital show some panic.

Early in the morning, Zheng San got up to sweep the courtyard and saw a line of seven or eight carriages parked in front of the Wu family’s door. The Wu family’s steward hurriedly came over with a smile to explain: “Our madam and mistress are going to the Guanyue Temple outside the city to burn incense.”

“The weather is cool today, so it’s most appropriate to go in the morning,” Zheng San chatted pleasantly with the steward, but saw several old women carrying boxes and trunks into the carriages.

He reported this to Fu Tingyun.

“Could they be trying to flee?” Fu Tingyun wondered to herself. “The master of their house is a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rites!” She then asked Yu Wei to keep an eye on the situation.

The Wu family women never returned.

Fu Tingyun sighed.

By the time of Fu Tingyun’s birthday, Prince Mu’s forces had occupied Baoding Prefecture.

On the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month, Prince Mu’s forces met Wu Bingcheng’s army at Zhuozhou, heavily defeating the capital’s guard forces. Wu Bingcheng died in battle, and Yan Fu fled back to the capital.

The Emperor was furious. He executed Yan Fu and summoned the Cabinet and Ministry of War for consultation.

Shen Shichong suggested appointing Chen Qingxiao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, as the new General to replace Wu Bingcheng.

The Emperor adopted this suggestion and ordered troops from Shanxi, Shandong, Liaodong, and other places to come to the capital to support the Emperor.

Before the troops from various regions could arrive in the capital, on the fourteenth day of the sixth month, the capital was surrounded.

The capital immediately fell into chaos. Rice became more precious than gold. Robberies of shops, silver houses, and wealthy official households occurred from time to time, with no one to enforce order. Everyone feared for their safety.

Fu Tingyun concentrated all their belongings in the back wing and had everyone move there to live. Zheng San patrolled with A Sen, while during the day, Master Lü was responsible for going out to gather news.

Some said Prince Mu’s forces were insufficient and had relied on cavalry for swift victories to the capital. Now that they had reached the capital, with its strong defenses, the cavalry advantage was lost. The Shanxi Military Commission’s troops had arrived at Xinle, temporarily cutting off Prince Mu’s retreat route, and Prince Mu would soon be defeated. Others said that Deng Xiao of the Henan Military Commission had aligned with Prince Mu and was using the Henan Military Commission’s forces to block the Shanxi Military Commission’s troops at Xinle. Those fighting the Shanxi Military Commission were all from the Henan Military Commission.

There were all kinds of rumors, and it was impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood or determine who was winning.

Yet there was never any news of the Shaanxi Military Commission or the Guangdong Military Commission.

The west and south maintained an unusually silent stance.

Fu Tingyun set up a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and offered incense to the Bodhisattva every morning, noon, and evening.