“Master!” Xiu Zhu’s wife stared at the Fifth Master Fu, her face filled with shock.

She was delivering a message for the Madam, representing her, how could the master humiliate the Madam like this in front of his future son-in-law, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and servants?

Fu Tinggui also hesitated for a moment.

But seeing his father’s piercing glance sweep over him, he immediately answered “Yes,” and called for servants to bind Xiu Zhu’s wife.

Fu Tingyun loudly reproached the Fifth Master Fu: “Father, do you have any respect for Mother in your eyes?”

Fifth Master Fu sneered: “If not for you, I wouldn’t have embarrassed your mother like this.”

The young Madam Fu, leaning against the bamboo screen of the hall with tears streaming down her face, silently watched as the servants ran past her, but didn’t dare to make a sound.

Fu Tingyun was furious.

The servants had already seized Xiu Zhu’s wife from all sides.

Fu Tingyun lifted her skirt and rushed forward: “I want to see Mother!” But she was grabbed by the arm by Fifth Master Fu: “I’ve said before, this is my house, and it’s not your place to be insolent here.” His hand threw her forcefully, and Fu Tingyun stumbled; if Zhao Ling hadn’t steadied her, she would have fallen to the ground.

Xiu Zhu’s wife struggled: “Let me go at once, I’m acting on Madam’s orders!”

Fu Tingyun glared at her father, wanting to go help Xiu Zhu’s wife, but was held back by Zhao Ling.

She turned around and saw Zhao Ling with a tightly clenched jaw, anger churning in his eyes, his expression extremely stern.

This Zhao Ling was someone she had never seen before.

Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ling had already steadied her: “Come, let’s go see Aunt Fu.”

“Yes!” Fu Tingyun instinctively followed his steps forward.

But Fifth Master Fu stepped forward, blocking the path leading to Madam Fu’s chambers.

He gazed at Zhao Ling with icy eyes, chin slightly raised, with an arrogant expression, his brow faintly revealing traces of disdain.

Zhao Ling smirked, released Fu Tingyun, stepped forward, and suddenly drew his waist knife…

“What, what are you doing?” Fifth Master Fu cried out in alarm, his face instantly ashen.

Zhao Ling, with an almost imperceptible hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth, swung the gleaming blade through the air, bringing with it a bone-chilling coldness, slashing toward Fifth Master Fu…

“Ah!” Fifth Master Fu ducked and scrambled away…

“Master!”

“Father-in-law!”

“Ninth Miss!”

“Zhao Ling!”

Various shouts echoed throughout the courtyard, creating chaos.

Fifth Master Fu crashed into Fu Tinggui, who had been standing there dumbfounded with fear, staring blankly at Zhao Ling. They both fell to the ground, sprawled out with legs in the air.

The blade, gleaming with the cold light of autumn water, promptly followed, with a “zheng” sound, its tip pinning into the bluestone brick just next to Fifth Master Fu’s toes. The red silk-wrapped handle trembled in the air, emitting a faint whimpering sound.

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“Zhao Ling,” Fu Tingyun ran over, her face as white as snow, grabbing Zhao Ling’s arm, “Are you, are you alright?”

He must be furious…

“I’m fine.” Zhao Ling gently shook his head at Fu Tingyun, his gaze falling coldly on Fifth Master Fu as he said resolutely, “Come, let’s go see Aunt Fu.”

Fu Tingyun nodded, her gaze inadvertently following Zhao Ling’s to fall upon her father.

She saw her father’s face showing terror under Zhao Ling’s gaze, trembling as he shuffled backward.

Was this the same father who had just slapped Zhao Ling with such arrogance?

Was this the same father who had always contemptuously shouted at her whenever they met?

Was this the same father with the elegant and handsome bearing?

Fu Tingyun could hardly believe the scene before her eyes.

She looked toward her brother Fu Tinggui as if seeking confirmation.

Fu Tinggui’s gaze flickered, not daring to meet her eyes.

Was this the same brother who had loudly scolded her for disgracing the family?

Fu Tingyun felt utterly disappointed.

She walked past her father with her head held high.

Her brother Fu Tinggui, his face pale green, kept retreating until his back hit a bright red pillar, having nowhere else to go, and only then did he stop.

The young Madam Fu lowered her head in shame.

Fu Tingyun walked straight ahead, keeping her eyes forward.

In the corridor, the servants who had been holding Xiu Zhu’s wife released her, all pressing themselves against the wall, holding their breath, afraid that Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun would notice their presence.

Xiu Zhu’s wife, now free, came forward with tears to greet her, kneeling: “Ninth Miss!” After a slight pause, she respectfully addressed Zhao Ling as “Lord Zhao.”

Zhao Ling gave her the treatment deserving of a loyal elder servant, smiling and nodding at her, then stopping outside the chamber, clasping his hands in a bow, and calling out clearly: “Madam Fu, your junior Zhao Ling and your daughter have come as instructed.”

“You, you may come in!” A weak, feeble female voice came from inside.

It was Mother!

Fu Tingyun looked gratefully at Zhao Ling, and together they respectfully answered “Yes” and entered the room.

Despite it being broad daylight, the room was dim and stuffy. Stepping in, Fu Tingyun was momentarily blinded, and it took a while before she could see clearly.

In the hot weather, the windows with Korean paper were tightly shut, the air permeated with the scent of red sandalwood, making the room even more stifling.

The canopy bed against the wall had white summer cloth curtains, which were now half-drawn. A gaunt woman leaned against a ginger-yellow Hangzhou silk pillow, covered with a thin moonlight-colored Hangzhou silk quilt. In the dim room, her large almond eyes were turbid and lifeless, like pearls stripped of their luster, evoking sighs like a beauty in her twilight years.

Zhao Ling was secretly shocked.

Once, Madam Fu’s face had been as round as the full moon, her eyes like autumn waters…

Fu Tingyun had already knelt at her mother’s bedside.

“Mother!” She grasped her mother’s thin hand, resting on the quilt, veins prominently blue, tears streaming down her face, “How, how did you become like this!”

“Silly child,” Madam Fu smiled faintly, with barely any strength, “I’ve been ill, naturally I’ve become like this.” She seemed unwilling to discuss the topic and instructed Xiu Zhu’s wife, “Light the lamp!” Then she looked toward Zhao Ling, standing at the door, “You are Zhao Ling, aren’t you? Come closer, let me see you!”

Zhao Ling acknowledged with a respectful “Yes,” and walked over with a humble demeanor.

The room was filled with a yellowish glow as Xiu Zhu’s wife lit the lamp.

Fu Tingyun could see more clearly now.

Her mother’s temples were streaked with gray.

She couldn’t help but call out “Mother” again, her tone revealing deep concern.

Madam Fu smiled at her daughter.

Xiu Zhu’s wife moved the lamp to the small table by the bed.

The soft lamplight illuminated Madam Fu’s face, adding a sense of serenity to her expression, making her appear more gentle.

She carefully examined Zhao Ling.

The man before her was no longer the down-and-out figure she remembered. His expression was calm, his gaze resolute, his build tall and well-proportioned. Between his brows shone a powerful confidence that gave his still-young face a hint of dignity, making him stand out exceptionally.

Her gaze inadvertently turned toward her daughter.

Her daughter’s beautiful eyes were filled with tears, her expression somewhat dim, but her snow-white skin and rosy lips made her as charming as the fine scenery of May. Together with Zhao Ling – one handsome and steady, the other beautiful and gentle – they formed a perfect pair, like two jade figures.

Madam Fu couldn’t help but smile.

Once, her greatest worry had been that Zhao Ling might be after their money, but unexpectedly, it was because of him that her daughter had come to this point today.

She said to Zhao Ling: “Xiu Zhu’s wife has told me everything about you. I’ve been waiting for you!”

Both Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling were stunned, but immediately, Zhao Ling felt a surge of wild joy, unable to suppress his delighted smile as he knelt beside Fu Tingyun at Madam Fu’s bedside.

Why was Madam Fu waiting for him? Naturally, it was because of Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun had been abandoned by her family, with no ancestral temple or relatives. Would he care for and protect Fu Tingyun? Would he be willing to take responsibility for this relationship? It all depended on whether he dared to come to the Fu family to propose, whether he dared to acknowledge this relationship. Now, by accompanying Fu Tingyun here, he had already passed Madam Fu’s test, meaning that Madam Fu had consented to the marriage between him and Fu Tingyun.

“Madam!” Zhao Ling said sincerely, “Please trust me, I will take good care of Quanhui and never abandon her. I have already asked the Emperor to request that the Grand Empress Dowager bless our marriage. I will not let Quanhui suffer any grievances.”

Fu Tingyun also understood.

She glanced at Zhao Ling, her face flushed red with embarrassment.

Madam Fu’s smile gradually faded as she looked straight into Zhao Ling’s eyes with a serious expression: “I have a daughter, whose childhood name is Quanhui. Though she was mischievous from a young age, she has a kind heart and is sincere to others. I want to betroth her to you as your wife, are you willing?”

“I am willing!” Zhao Ling, looking as if he feared Madam Fu might change her mind, hastily and loudly replied, “I am willing!”

Really…

Fu Tingyun’s face burned like fire, and she lowered her head, not daring to look up.

Madam Fu smiled with satisfaction, called for Xiu Zhu’s wife to bring writing materials, then instructed Fu Tingyun: “Help me sit up.” She added, “Bring over the small wooden board from the table.”

Fu Tingyun, not understanding her intention but not daring to ask, helped her mother up and went to get the small wooden board.

Xiu Zhu’s wife brought over a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

Madam Fu spread Xuan paper on the small wooden board, had Fu Tingyun grind the ink, and with trembling hands dipped the brush and laboriously wrote characters on the paper.

Fu Tingyun looked at her mother in astonishment.

Madam Fu smiled without speaking.

After a while, having finished writing, she tremblingly handed it to Zhao Ling: “These are my daughter’s birth date and eight characters. I now entrust them to you.”

Zhao Ling kowtowed to Madam Fu, received it with both hands, then quietly apologized, took the brush Madam Fu had used, and wrote his birth date and eight characters below Fu Tingyun’s, then handed it back to Madam Fu.

Madam Fu took it and examined it carefully, showing a satisfied smile, then handed the paper back to Zhao Ling: “Keep it safe. This is the proof.”

“Yes!” Zhao Ling replied respectfully, while Fu Tingyun’s eyes were already brimming with tears.

“Mother!” She nestled beside her mother.

“Good child!” Madam Fu gently stroked her daughter’s hand, “I know you’ve been wronged, and I also know you’ve been stubborn since childhood, and won’t rest until you understand everything. But I also want to ask you something: you survived a great calamity and have found a good match; is it worth it to keep investigating so relentlessly?”

Mother was also against her pursuit of the truth?

She widened her eyes, looking at her mother in horror.

Madam Fu silently gazed at her daughter, waiting for her answer.

The lamp wick crackled, sending up sparks; the flickering light cast on everyone’s faces, the shifting light and shadow making it hard to see clearly.

Beads of sweat appeared on Fu Tingyun’s forehead.

After what seemed like an eternity, she said softly: “Mother, everyone wants to know who they are, where they come from, why they are here… I am the same… One day, I too will become a mother… If my children ask me who my maternal grandfather is, what kind of person my maternal grandmother was, if I have uncles… I want to answer them openly and honestly, not cover one lie with another… I want to have a mother’s dignity!”