Since it was A-Sen’s first time leaving home to attend school, Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but pay close attention. Not only did she call for A-Sen every day after school to ask what he had learned, but she also inquired whether the teacher’s lessons were understandable, who he sat next to, which classmate had the gentlest personality, which one was lively… she covered everything, no matter how trivial. She also instructed Zheng San-niang to frequently prepare small snacks for A-Sen to take to school and reminded him to share with his classmates. In just a few days, a classmate invited A-Sen to visit his home on the ninth day of the ninth month.
A-Sen hesitated whether to accept.
Fu Tingyun asked him why.
A-Sen’s face slightly flushed as he said, “I’ve never been a guest at someone else’s home before…”
He was a bit scared, wasn’t he?
Fu Tingyun smiled with pursed lips, once again feeling that sending A-Sen to school was the right decision.
“I’ll teach you some etiquette,” she said. She had the Zheng San couple pretend to be the classmate’s parents, and Linchun, Zhenzhu, and others act as the classmate’s siblings, teaching him how to bow properly and how to greet people.
A-Sen was already clever and quick-witted, just somewhat timid about unfamiliar things. After a brief demonstration, he understood completely. Moreover, he had always regarded Fu Tingyun’s words as golden rules. With her guidance, his confidence immediately doubled, and he quickly shed his reservations, actively taking initiative and applying what he learned to various situations.
Even Yu Wei, who was watching from the side, couldn’t help but praise A-Sen’s intelligence.
A-Sen’s face showed pride, and he began to look forward to visiting his classmate’s home.
Just then, Fu Tingyun also received an invitation from Madam Ji, asking her to come to her home on the ninth day of the ninth month to appreciate flowers and watch opera.
She recalled the encounter with Madam Wu at the entrance of the alley.
Would Madam Yu attend?
Although it had been seven or eight years since meeting Madam Yu, her appearance hadn’t changed much…
Fu Tingyun thought for a moment, then politely declined, using the excuse that Zhao Ling might be hosting colleagues at home that day.
The servant who delivered the invitation was quite disappointed upon hearing this and said, “The madam has also invited the wife and daughter-in-law of Grand Secretary Yu.”
“Living in the capital, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future,” Fu Tingyun smiled and exchanged a few courteous words with the servant before having Zhenzhu escort her out.
That evening when Zhao Ling returned home, before Fu Tingyun had a chance to tell him about this matter, he consulted with her about moving A-Sen to the west wing: “…Originally, you wanted him to have a quiet place to study, but now that he’s attending school, he should move in here. First, you can keep an eye on him at all times, and second, we can clear out the south study to use as a guest room. What do you think?”
Zhao Ling usually didn’t manage household affairs.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but find it strange: “Why did you suddenly think of turning the south study into a guest room? Have you made some close friends?” But this wasn’t a particularly extraordinary matter, so she continued, “I’ll tell A-Sen first thing tomorrow morning, and we can clear out the south study by the afternoon.”
“Mo Yi and the others haven’t brought their families to the capital yet. The Double Ninth Festival is approaching, and those fellows are clamoring to visit our home,” Zhao Ling said with a smile. “Didn’t Mo Yi get drunk and rest in the south study during our wedding? I was thinking, such things might happen again in the future, and we can’t always have A-Sen attend to them like a servant. It’s better to move him to the inner courtyard.”
So that was it!
Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Why don’t we put in a bit more effort and divide the two rooms of the south study into separate guest rooms? We could also place stone tables and chairs in the courtyard. The autumn weather is pleasant now, and everyone can sit outside to drink tea and chat.”
“Then I’ll trouble you to take care of it.” Zhao Ling found this idea interesting as well, nodding repeatedly. Then he smiled, embraced her, and kissed her temple, asking, “Have you been tired managing the household these days?”
With just a few masters and servants in the house, and the master Zhao Ling absent most of the time, even if she wanted to be busy, what was there to do?
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile with pursed lips.
Seeing her smile like a blooming flower, Zhao Ling couldn’t resist bending down to kiss the corner of her mouth…
…
Fu Tingyun was awakened by movement beside her.
She opened her eyes drowsily.
In the dim yellow lamplight, Zhao Ling was sitting on the edge of the bed, bending over to put on his shoes.
Fu Tingyun moved closer, embracing his waist from behind: “What time is it now? Are you going to the palace?”
There was an infinite reluctance in her voice.
Feeling a chill on her body, she realized she was only wearing a light undergarment. Just as she was about to pull the blanket to cover herself, Zhao Ling had already turned around and embraced her: “Darling, it’s only the hour of Yin (3-5 am). The weather is cold! Rest well in the room, and I’ll play Go with you when I return tonight.” As he spoke, he pulled up the blanket to wrap around her, helped her lie down, and kissed her forehead again and again. “In a few days, it will be my turn to have leave. Then we can go visit the Grand Xiangguo Temple. How does that sound?” His tone was gentle and soft, as if coaxing a child.
Fu Tingyun had barely slept the night before. Zhao Ling’s familiar and warm presence made her drowsy, and she murmured a sleepy “Mmm” before falling into deep sleep again.
Zhao Ling kissed her cheek, watched her fall asleep, then bent down to put on his shoes again. At the door, he instructed Zhenzhu, who was on night duty, not to wake Fu Tingyun and to let her sleep until she woke naturally, before leaving through the hanging flower gate.
By the time Fu Tingyun woke up, the sun had already risen. She inwardly exclaimed, “Oh no!” and called Zhenzhu to help her wash up.
Yu Wei entered with breakfast, smiling.
Since the sixth day of the month, she had resumed her duties in Fu Tingyun’s room.
“The newly pickled radishes are ready,” she said, her eyes and brows exuding happiness as she helped Fu Tingyun set out the bowls and chopsticks. “San-niang has specially cut a small plate for madam to taste.”
The white rice porridge was fragrant, sweet, and glutinous. The newly pickled radishes were crisp and tasty. Fu Tingyun ate two bowls and was too full to even touch the green onion fried yellow croaker that she usually enjoyed.
She put down her chopsticks comfortably and told Yu Wei about Zhao Ling’s plan to have A-Sen move to the west wing and to clear out the two rooms of the south study for guests: “…I should at least inform A-Sen. It was too late yesterday, and I had planned to tell him early this morning, but I woke up late, so now I’ll have to wait until the afternoon.” She was quite disappointed.
Yu Wei hurriedly said, “It won’t take much time—we have all the furnishings ready at home. Although the west wing is empty, it’s regularly cleaned, so he can move in directly. As for dividing the study, even if we find craftsmen today, they won’t be able to start work immediately. It will have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest. Madam should relax. The Ninth Master didn’t say anyone was moving in right away!”
As they were talking, Kouer came in: “Madam, a group of people have arrived at the gate with horse carts and luggage. They say they’re from Zhangye, and their names are Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao. They want to see you…”
“Ah!” Fu Tingyun was greatly surprised and stood up. “Quick, invite them in.” As she spoke, she was already walking toward the door.
Seeing this, Kouer ran ahead of Fu Tingyun to invite the guests, while Yu Wei held Fu Tingyun back: “Madam, please go slowly. They’re already at the door, so there’s no rush.”
She was right!
Fu Tingyun smiled at herself: “It’s just that the news is so sudden…” Her footsteps indeed slowed down.
Kouer had already led Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao through the hanging flower gate.
The two men respectfully bowed to Fu Tingyun, addressing her as “Sister-in-law.”
Fu Tingyun pretended not to notice the playful look in Yang Yucheng’s eyes, returned the greeting, and invited them to the hall for tea.
“How did you come here? Why didn’t you send word ahead? I could have prepared rooms for you,” she said in rapid succession. “Where are San Fu, Shi Zhu, and An Xin? Why didn’t they come with you?” As she spoke, Yu Wei and Zhenzhu brought tea. She called Yu Wei, “Go tell Zheng San that Master Yang and Master Jin have arrived. Have them unload their belongings and put them in…”
The south study would be best…
A thought flashed through Fu Tingyun’s mind, causing her to hesitate momentarily before saying with feigned annoyance: “Your coming to the capital—was it Ninth Master’s idea?”
The two men chuckled.
Yang Yucheng said, “Sister-in-law, we are now at least ranked officials of the imperial court. If it weren’t for Ninth Master’s help, how could we be transferred to this important location near the capital…”
“I knew it,” Fu Tingyun pretended to be displeased. “Just yesterday he asked me to clear out the south study… so he was keeping it a secret from only me!”
“Sister-in-law, you’re taking it too seriously,” Jin Yuanbao hastily said with a serious expression. “Ninth Master just wanted to surprise you!”
This Zhao Ling—he knew Yang Yucheng and the others were coming, yet last night he had still kept her up, causing her to rise at such a late hour.
Fu Tingyun’s face turned slightly red.
Jin Yuanbao quickly changed the subject: “This time, I’ve been transferred to Tongzhou Guard as a Centurion, while Yucheng, San Fu, and Shi Zhu have been transferred to Daxing Guard. Yucheng serves as a Company Commander, while San Fu and Shi Zhu serve as Squad Leaders.”
Another surprise.
“San Fu and Shi Zhu have also come to the capital?” Fu Tingyun’s face was full of smiles.
“Not only have they come to the capital,” Yang Yucheng said quickly, “An Xin has also arrived. And they’ve brought all your belongings from Zhangye.”
Before he could finish speaking, San Fu’s loud voice came from outside the hall: “Sister, where should I put these things?”
“Come with me,” Yu Wei smiled and had him put the items in the east wing.
Jin Yuanbao called out to him: “Come in and pay your respects to the Sister-in-law first.”
San Fu responded with a loud “Yes” and called Shi Zhu and An Xin to come in.
Everyone paid their respects and then went to move the luggage.
Fu Tingyun hurriedly instructed Zheng San-niang to order a feast from the nearby Donglaishun Restaurant: “…You can drink and enjoy yourselves for now. When Ninth Master returns, he’ll properly entertain you.”
Suddenly, there was an exclamation from outside.
A-Sen ran in excitedly: “Brother Yucheng! Brother Yuanbao!” He threw himself into Yang Yucheng’s arms.
“My goodness,” Yang Yucheng teased him, “our young master is out of school.” He looked him up and down. “Already wearing silk robes like a young master from a wealthy family. If we saw you walking on the street, we wouldn’t dare recognize you.”
The men were dusty from their journey and looked like cart drivers.
“You…” A-Sen jumped out of Yang Yucheng’s arms, glaring at him with furrowed brows, looking utterly indignant.
“Didn’t you say he started school?” Jin Yuanbao also joined in the teasing. “How has he regressed? In the past, hearing such words, he would roll up his sleeves and be ready to fight. How is it that now he only knows how to sulk?”
Tears welled up in A-Sen’s eyes.
He looked at Fu Tingyun, then at Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng, and burst into tears with a “wah.”
When had A-Sen ever cried like this!
Fu Tingyun was greatly startled and quickly pulled A-Sen into her arms: “Look at how petty you are. Aren’t they just teasing you?”
A-Sen wiped his tears with the back of his hand and stammered through his sobs: “I feel like they’ve grown distant from me… I’m not that kind of person, yet they say I’m a young master from a wealthy family, putting on airs… Most people at our school wear cocoon silk robes… Only two or three wear coarse cloth, and some even wear Hangzhou silk and Huzhou silk…”
Fu Tingyun glared at Yang Yucheng.
Yang Yucheng smiled sheepishly and tried to comfort A-Sen: “Weren’t we just teasing you?”