Year after year, the willows’ green, at Baling Bridge, partings grieve.
Since ancient times, those who left Chang’an would bid farewell at the Baling Bridge ten miles away, breaking off willow branches as a keepsake. Those departing westward from the capital, however, would say their farewells at Ten Mile Post, ten miles beyond Fucheng Gate. But nowadays, no one breaks willows for parting, and Ten Mile Post is no longer lined with willow trees.
When Zhao Ling and his party arrived, it was just noon, with people of all kinds coming and going in an endless stream.
Zhao Ling chose a two-story building with large red linked-pearl lanterns hanging from its upturned eaves. Carriages occasionally stopped at the entrance of this restaurant called “Yangguan,” where they were hosting a farewell dinner for Master Lu.
The elegant private room, the delicious dishes pleasing to both eye and palate, and the occasional parting verses that drifted to their ears all added a scholarly grace to Yangguan.
“This must be the best restaurant in Ten Mile Post, isn’t it?” Master Lu said somewhat restlessly. “We could have just found any ordinary tavern. How can I let you spend so much?”
“Don’t talk about spending,” Zhao Ling smiled and instructed the waiter to bring another pot of fine Jinhua wine. “A Yun and I owe you a great deal of thanks. Without your help, we wouldn’t have found a place to stay so easily in Xi’an Prefecture, and we wouldn’t have been able to arrange our wedding so smoothly this year.” As he spoke, Fu Tingyun personally filled Master Lu’s wine cup. Master Lu quickly stood up, repeatedly saying, “I wouldn’t dare,” but was pressed down by Zhao Ling. “Today, let us as husband and wife toast to you.”
Hearing this, Master Lu’s eyes grew moist. He raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, then poured wine for Zhao Ling. The two men talked about past events until the stream of carriages outside Yangguan grew sparse, and only then did they settle the bill and leave the restaurant.
Zhao Ling helped the tipsy Master Lu into his carriage. The two men bade each other to “take care,” and Zhao Ling repeatedly instructed the carriage driver to be careful on the road before everyone finally waved goodbye.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help feeling wistful. “I wonder when we’ll meet again?”
By rights, since Master Lu was managing their estates, he should come to the capital each year to settle accounts and bring some of the harvest to supplement their household expenses. But considering Master Lu’s advanced age, they had arranged with him that every October, Zheng San would go to Xi’an Prefecture to settle accounts with Master Lu and bring back the estate’s produce.
“I’m thinking that the Emperor might recall the Marquis of Yingchuan to the capital, which would lead to changes in both the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission and the Branch Regional Military Commission,” Zhao Ling mused. “If I could secure a position at either of those commissions, would you be willing to leave the capital with me?”
Fu Tingyun was greatly surprised. “Are you unhappy in the Imperial Guards?”
“No,” Zhao Ling smiled. “Being a subordinate officer is never as comfortable as being in charge. Besides, we’ll have to return to Shaanxi sooner or later. Better to go earlier, so we can make connections and build a network.”
Was that the only reason?
Fu Tingyun was quite doubtful.
Zhao Ling put his arm around her shoulders. “I am doing fine in the Imperial Guards. I just feel that spending my days idly in the capital isn’t very meaningful…”
Seeing the fleeting look of resignation in her husband’s eyes, Fu Tingyun felt a pang in her heart.
Zhao Ling was decisive and practical. How could someone so young and energetic be content going to and from the office with nothing substantial to do?
She couldn’t help but take Zhao Ling’s hand. “Wherever you go, I will go!”
Though she would miss her mother, she was now a married woman, a Zhao. How could she neglect her husband because she was reluctant to leave her mother?
Zhao Ling, seeing the sincerity and earnestness in his wife’s clear gaze, pulled her into his embrace. “A Yun, don’t worry. This is just an idea I had. Whether it’s possible still depends on the Emperor’s wishes. After all, the Emperor has just arrived in the capital and doesn’t have many people he can rely on.”
“I don’t understand much about these outside matters,” Fu Tingyun responded with gentle reproach. “Just remember one thing: wherever you go, I’ll follow, and that’s where our home will be. I want to be your helpful wife, not your burden!”
Zhao Ling was deeply moved.
“I’ll remember, I’ll remember,” he promised, placing a kiss on her forehead.
…
Zheng San’s carriage-driving skills had improved, becoming both fast and stable. It took only an hour to return to Shi Family Alley.
But in the alley, they encountered the Wu family’s carriage head-on.
Just as Zheng San was about to give way to the Wu family’s carriage, the latter unexpectedly yielded first. Moreover, Madam Wu’s maid lifted the curtain and asked, “Who is in the carriage?”
Zheng San quickly replied, “Our master and mistress.”
Hearing this inside the carriage, Zhao Ling discussed with Fu Tingyun: “We should buy a couple more servants. Then you’ll have someone to accompany you when you go out.”
This wasn’t the time to discuss such matters. Fu Tingyun vaguely agreed, and was about to ask Zheng San what was happening when Madam Wu’s voice came from the opposite carriage: “What a surprise to meet Lord Zhao and Lady Zhao here. Where have you been?”
Fu Tingyun lifted the carriage curtain and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Wu. “We got married recently, and an elder from Xi’an Prefecture came to preside over the ceremony. He’s now returning to Xi’an, so we went specially to see him off.”
“What a coincidence,” Madam Wu smiled upon hearing this. “You went to see someone off, while I’m hurrying to welcome someone.” She continued, “Have you heard of this year’s new top scholar, Yu Jingxiu? He’s the eldest son of the Yu family from Fengle Ward in Nanjing. The current cabinet minister, Lord Yu Guoliang, is his father and is related by marriage to Lord Ji of our alley. Lord Yu’s wife has been living in Nanjing all this time. Now that her son has achieved the top rank in the imperial examinations, Lady Yu is bringing her daughter-in-law to the capital for a family reunion. Madam Ji has invited me to go with her to Fucheng Gate to welcome Lady Yu.”
What a coincidence indeed!
Fu Tingyun was quite surprised.
She recalled Lady Yu née Shu’s eyes, stern yet not without gentleness…
Truly, the older ginger is spicier.
Her grandmother had once said that although Lady Yu was shrewd and capable, she was not someone who didn’t know how to be considerate and caring.
Fu Tingyun, neither wanting to lie nor to bring up the Yu family again, dodged the issue and smiled: “Fucheng Gate is almost an hour’s carriage ride from here. It’s getting late, you’d better hurry, or you’ll miss them.”
After exchanging a few more courtesies, Madam Wu urged her carriage out of Shi Family Alley.
Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun alighted from their carriage in front of their ornamental gate.
Seeing that Fu Tingyun had been silent since meeting Madam Wu, he consoled her: “This isn’t your fault, so why do you keep dwelling on it? If anyone is to blame, it’s just heaven’s coincidence! Even if you encounter someone from the Yu family, just greet them naturally. Otherwise, the more you shrink back, the more they’ll believe it was your fault. You understand this principle without me having to explain it.”
Fu Tingyun burst out laughing, leaving Zhao Ling confused.
“I was thinking about whether we should add a couple of strong servant women as you suggested.”
Zhao Ling’s face reddened slightly, and he awkwardly changed the subject: “Didn’t you say you wanted to find a teacher for A Sen’s basic education? I’ve asked around. Those old scholars from the Hanlin Academy rarely teach beginners. Not far from us in Chunshu Alley, there’s a private school called Bowen. The teacher there is only a xiucai, not particularly distinguished in academic rank, but I’ve heard he has a knack for teaching. Several of his students have gone on to become juren and jinshi. I think I should go there one day to have a look.”
Only those retired old Hanlin scholars who saw that the family was either currently powerful or from a wealthy local clan would take on students, either to build connections or because they saw the student as exceptionally talented. Ordinary Hanlin scholars wouldn’t take students, especially not young children just beginning their education.
Fu Tingyun smiled. “Then Lord Nine should go and have a look! Chunshu Alley is close by.”
As they were talking, A Sen, who had heard them coming, ran out. “Brother Nine, Sister-in-law!” he greeted them happily.
Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling simultaneously dropped the topic.
…
Zhao Ling had to be on duty in the palace for four days every six days. Before they knew it, it was his day off again. He went to Chunshu Alley early in the morning and didn’t return until almost noon.
“The teacher’s surname is Yang,” the couple talked in the inner chamber. “He said he wants to see the child first. Since I have to enter the palace again tomorrow, I arranged with Teacher Yang to bring A Sen over this afternoon at the hour of Shen. Help A Sen get cleaned up in a while.” He added, “Ask Pearl to call A Sen here. I have something to tell him.”
Fu Tingyun agreed.
Shortly after, A Sen came.
When he heard that Zhao Ling would take him to meet the teacher in the afternoon, and that the teacher wanted to see him first before deciding whether to accept him, a hint of timidity appeared in his expression.
Fu Tingyun encouraged him: “You weren’t afraid of those refugees, why would you be afraid of this? Besides, you’ve been learning characters with me these days. I studied with a famous old Hanlin scholar from Shaanxi for ten years, no worse than any outside teacher. Even if you don’t trust yourself, don’t you trust me? If I weren’t a woman who can’t keep you in the inner quarters, I might not have needed to send you to a private school at all!”
A Sen’s eyes brightened at her words, and he became confident again.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile.
After lunch together, Fu Tingyun got A Sen ready, and he left with Zhao Ling for the Bowen Private School.
Fu Tingyun did some needlework while waiting for them.
She had just finished embroidering two butterflies when she heard the hall door curtain clatter loudly. A Sen burst in like a whirlwind: “Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, the teacher has accepted me! Please help me prepare the tuition fees.”
Fu Tingyun was naturally overjoyed. She put down her needlework and pulled A Sen close to ask about what happened. A Sen recounted everything animatedly just as Zhao Ling came in. Fu Tingyun quickly asked how much the tuition was, if they had set a date for starting school, and what they needed to prepare.
Before Zhao Ling could speak, A Sen hurriedly said, “The teacher’s tuition is fifteen taels of silver per year. I’ll start on the first day of the month. We need to prepare the four treasures of the study and ‘Poems of a Thousand Masters’ for beginners.”
Starting with “Poems of a Thousand Masters”!
Had her teaching not been good enough?
Since A Sen was present, Fu Tingyun only grumbled inwardly while happily helping A Sen prepare his things.
When Madam Zheng San heard the news, she kept praising A Sen for his abilities.
A Sen was so pleased that he patted his chest proudly: “When Linchun gets older, she can go to school with me too!”
“Then we’ll thank Young Master A Sen for his kind words,” Madam Zheng San laughed heartily.
A Sen was so happy that his eyes disappeared behind his wide grin.
Zhao Ling, standing under the eaves of the main house, watching A Sen, frowned slightly: “This child, how can he make promises so carelessly!”
“He’s happy today, so don’t scold him,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “You can talk to him properly in a couple of days.”
Zhao Ling nodded and took half a day’s leave. The next day, he took A Sen to the Bowen Private School.