Fu Tingyun knew nothing of these matters. On her way back, she kept thinking about Master Hui’s words.

Could he be a vagrant?

But he didn’t seem like one!

Setting aside his exceptional skills, just considering how he could gather so much information in half a day, presenting it clearly and prioritizing what mattered—that alone was remarkable. And being able to lead more than a dozen people into Biyun Temple in broad daylight without making a sound, successfully transporting the grain out without incident… With such abilities, how could he have failed to protect his livelihood and become a vagrant?

He certainly wasn’t a wanted bandit or a fugitive who had murdered in his village. Bandits and fugitives typically traveled alone, grabbing valuables and fleeing quickly, never daring to linger in one place. He not only had numerous companions but had entered her private chamber several times, ignoring the jewelry in her dresser, and even knew to seek medicine for his injured comrade.

He wasn’t a hunter either. Hunters lived in the mountains, moving through forests as easily as on flat ground, but tended to be uncomfortable in the bustle of towns. He could read and interpret maps—a single glance at her rudimentary layout of the Fu mansion was enough for him to navigate it successfully. That was no ordinary feat.

It was fortunate that he hadn’t used violence against Master Zhi when she discovered their activities.

At this thought, her footsteps faltered.

Back then, he had only rendered her unconscious with a pinch.

Just like with Master Zhi, he hadn’t taken their lives!

Or perhaps it was deliberate!

Once this idea arose, she couldn’t suppress the waves of emotion that followed.

So he had placed her under the old locust tree in the back courtyard. First, to provide shade so she wouldn’t get heatstroke; second, so that even if she screamed upon waking, she wouldn’t alarm anyone in the temple, giving him time to escape!

It must have been so!

Fu Tingyun clenched her fists.

Otherwise, with his skills, he could have easily overpowered ten of her.

Then she thought of how he kept his word—knowing it was a murky situation and a thorny problem, he still unhesitatingly helped her deliver the message… She very much wanted to see him, to ask who he was, why he had fallen on hard times, and if there was anything she could do to help. She couldn’t promise much, but since he had helped her so greatly, surely she could ask her mother to provide some silver as a token of gratitude.

Oh dear… she still hadn’t asked what to call him!

Fu Tingyun’s face reddened slightly.

“Ninth Young Lady,” Lu’E, who had been following behind her, called out, “Where are we going?”

Fu Tingyun came to her senses and realized she was standing beside the Great Hall.

The early afternoon sunlight was scorching and bright. The canopies of two ancient ginkgo trees spread like umbrellas beside the hall, casting a patch of dense shade that looked refreshingly cool.

“You go back and take care of Han Yan!” She suddenly felt lighter in body and mind. “I’ll go rest in my room. Come attend to me for my evening wash after dinner.”

Lu’E refused, muttering about how “that wouldn’t do,” but Fu Tingyun couldn’t be bothered to argue further. She turned onto the bluestone path leading to Jingyue Hall.

Their first meeting had been so terrifying that she feared the sight of him, only wishing to stay as far away as possible and preferably never see him again. How could she have thought to ask his name?

In her childhood, her mother had told her the story of Su Xun, who only began to study diligently at twenty-seven but eventually passed the imperial examinations.

Starting to change now wouldn’t be too late, would it?

Fu Tingyun’s lips curved into a smile as she entered her chamber.

Outside, the sun blazed like fire, but inside, all was quiet and serene. The heat quickly faded from her body, and her mind grew calm.

“Please grind some ink for me!” Previously at this hour, she would have been doing needlework, but with nothing to do now, she might as well practice calligraphy! Come to think of it, she hadn’t practiced since arriving at Biyun Temple.

Calligraphy requires daily practice to improve.

Lu’E acknowledged and went to fetch water.

As the soft brush tip touched the paper, Fu Tingyun gradually immersed herself in the joy of calligraphy practice.

…

The next day, after lunch, Fu Tingyun sent Lu’E away, closed the window lattice, and sat alone in the stuffy room flipping through “Miscellaneous Items.”

Chen Mama came to knock on the door: “Ninth Young Lady, this servant has something to report!”

Fu Tingyun went to open the door.

In the sweltering heat, Chen Mama wore a white standing-collar cotton shirt and a black jacket with blue lotus patterns. The white pipa buttons of her standing-collar shirt were fastened neatly, giving her a solemn appearance.

Behind her were Fan Mama and another woman surnamed Sun. Both were extremely stout, wearing bright blue left-lapel cotton gauze jackets, standing like two door panels blocking the entrance to the inner chamber. Fan Mama was holding a red-lacquered bamboo food box.

Fu Tingyun was secretly puzzled but turned and sat in the master chair at her writing desk.

“What is Ninth Young Lady busy with?” Chen Mama asked, but unlike usual, she didn’t stand in front of Fu Tingyun. Instead, she walked around the room once, appearing surprised to see the window lattice tightly closed.

Fu Tingyun felt no need to be polite to Chen Mama and asked directly: “What business does Chen Mama have?”

Chen Mama remained silent, standing there with her eyes lowered, staring at the blue bricks on the floor.

What was she doing?

Such bizarre behavior!

As Fu Tingyun was puzzling over this, she saw Fan Mama approach with a lowered head and place the food box on a small table nearby.

“Ninth Young Lady, the weather is hot, and your health hasn’t fully recovered since your heatstroke. With the Yu family coming to propose marriage soon, Master is concerned and has sent some medicine to relieve summer heat.” Her voice was low and somewhat deep. “While the medicine is still warm, please drink it quickly, Ninth Young Lady!” As she spoke, she opened the food box.

The red lacquer was so shiny that one could see one’s reflection. Inside was only a blue and white porcelain bowl, its blue walls making the brown medicine appear black.

What did this mean?

Fu Tingyun looked at Chen Mama in confusion.

Chen Mama stared at her feet, standing motionless like a clay statue.

Fan Mama stood bowing, her hands tightly clasped together, as if guarding against something.

In the room so quiet a falling pin could be heard, there came a faint rustling sound.

Fu Tingyun looked over.

She saw Mama Sun standing in front of the door.

A scene flashed through her mind, and Fu Tingyun suddenly understood.

Her face turned deathly pale. All the blood in her body rushed violently toward her head as she raised her hand to sweep the bowl away.

Fan Mama, who hadn’t moved until now, stepped forward and blocked her, just beginning to say “Ninth Young Lady” when Fu Tingyun turned and climbed onto the master chair, lunging toward the window lattice.

Everyone in the room was momentarily stunned.

Fu Tingyun used both hands and feet to climb across the desk to reach the window.

“Stop her!” Chen Mama’s voice was both urgent and flustered.

Mama Sun, who had been guarding the door, rushed over and grabbed Fu Tingyun’s ankles.

Fu Tingyun screamed: “Lu’E… Han Yan… Master Hui… Master Zhi…”

Someone covered her mouth.

She showed no mercy, using all her strength to bite down.

“Aiyou!” It was Chen Mama who cried out in pain.

Fu Tingyun bit down even harder.

Fan Mama and Mama Sun, one grabbing her shoulder and one grabbing Chen Mama’s hand, pleaded: “Ninth Young Lady, please let go!”

You all want me dead, and you expect me to worry about hurting you?

Fu Tingyun’s head buzzed, focused solely on biting off that piece of flesh from Chen Mama.

Some pleading, some pulling, some flailing, some biting—the four women formed a circle, spinning around in confusion like a tangled ball of hemp.

Suddenly, Fu Tingyun released Chen Mama.

Chen Mama clutched her hand, retreating repeatedly.

Fu Tingyun charged headfirst toward Chen Mama.

Fan Mama and Mama Sun, seeing that Fu Tingyun had released Chen Mama, relaxed a bit. Their grip on Fu Tingyun unconsciously loosened, and they momentarily lost their hold.

Fu Tingyun broke free from their hands, twisted her body, and, while shrieking “Help!” she darted to the door, swiftly opening the inner chamber door.

Chen Mama and the others were shocked. Before any orders could be given, Fan Mama and Mama Sun chased after her.

The main hall was empty, with doors and windows tightly shut—clearly, the rough servant women had been instructed to stay away.

By the time all the door bolts were undone, Fan Mama had caught up. As Fu Tingyun pulled the main door open a crack, Fan Mama’s hand touched her shoulder.

Her advantage lost, she had no more chances.

She made a split-second decision to run toward the central hall.

Mama Sun and Chen Mama pursued her, one in front and one behind.

“Ninth Young Lady!” Chen Mama looked at Fu Tingyun, who stood leaning against the long table, her eyes revealing fear and anxiety. “We are only acting on Master’s orders…”

“You’re lying!” Fu Tingyun’s voice had never been so shrill as she shouted, “He is my uncle, how could he bear to let me die! Besides, matters in the inner quarters have always been handled by the women of the family. How could First Uncle interfere? You hate that I’ve never shown you respect, and now you’re deceiving your superiors and oppressing those beneath you, trying to kill me…”

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, as if it might leap out if she couldn’t contain it.

Even if she died, she wouldn’t let Chen Mama, who dared to give her the medicine, have peace.

“Ninth Young Lady!” Chen Mama’s face darkened, the trace of hesitation in her eyes slowly disappearing, replaced by coldness. “What are you saying? Master simply pitied your illness and sent some medicine. Why are you talking about living and dying in such a frightening manner? Have you become confused from your illness?”

“If I were ill, a doctor should be called,” Fu Tingyun shouted, hoping someone would hear the commotion and come in, reversing the unfavorable situation. “I’ve never heard of giving medicine without taking a pulse or diagnosing the illness. Our Fu family doesn’t have such customs. Chen Mama, don’t try to deceive me using my First Uncle’s name.”

She hadn’t expected the Ninth Young Lady to be so sharp-tongued.

In matters of life and death, words alone could not sway the outcome.

She couldn’t possibly convince the Ninth Young Lady, nor would the Ninth Young Lady accept her fate.

Chen Mama exchanged a glance with Fan Mama and Mama Sun. She guarded the main door while Fan Mama and Mama Sun rushed toward Fu Tingyun from left and right.

Fu Tingyun’s expression changed dramatically. She looked around desperately for something to use, spotting the incense burner, plum vase, flower gu, and table screen on the long table.

She hurled them all at Fan Mama and Chen Mama.

The crisp sound of shattering porcelain and the dull ringing of bronze alternated. Although they slowed Fan Mama and Chen Mama’s steps, they were still getting closer and closer to Fu Tingyun.

Someone save me!

Fu Tingyun’s heart gradually sank, tears welling in her eyes.

Suddenly, a thin and silent figure appeared in her mind.

Her heart leaped with joy.

How could she have forgotten—they had an appointment!