A-Sen was a magnanimous child. Without waiting for Fu Tingyun to intervene, and after Jin Yuanbao spoke a few words in his defense, his anger dissipated, and he became cheerful again. When he heard that his room would be given to Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao, he repeatedly said it was fine: “…This way we can live together again.” He excitedly went to prepare the room for them.
Jin Yuanbao hurriedly stopped A-Sen and said to Fu Tingyun: “We have places to stay at the military garrison. Besides, one of us is in Tongzhou and the other in Daxing, a round trip takes two days, and we only get leave once every ten days… We came here firstly to pay our respects to the Ninth Master and you, and secondly to help deliver your belongings.” His meaning was clear—they wouldn’t be staying here long, and it would be rare for them to visit in the future, so she needn’t go to any trouble.
“This is also the Ninth Master’s intention,” Fu Tingyun smiled, thinking of Zhao Ling’s words. “It was the Ninth Master who transferred you all to Beijing, so he should know your situations best. If he has given such instructions, there must be a necessity for it. Don’t decline—since you call me ‘Sister-in-law,’ just treat this place as your own home.”
Hearing this, Yu Wei was already smiling and loudly calling for Zhenzhu and Kouer to help prepare the rooms.
Only then did Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao stop objecting and go to help move things.
In less than half an hour, A-Sen’s belongings were moved to the west wing, Fu Tingyun’s items from Zhangye were stored away, and several beds were moved from the back room to the south chamber. Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao took the room on the east side, while San Fu, Shi Zhu, and An Xin occupied the one on the west. Zheng San-niang also arranged hot water for them to wash up, and the food from Donglaishun Restaurant had arrived.
A-Sen accompanied Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others for the meal. As they ate, they organized their clothes and talked about what had happened to each of them recently.
When Zhao Ling returned in the evening, everyone had another lively gathering.
Back in their room, Fu Tingyun stared at him with wide eyes: “What’s this all about?”
Zhao Ling, having drunk some wine, chuckled: “I just wanted to give you a pleasant surprise… didn’t expect they’d arrive early.” Then, emboldened by the alcohol, he embraced Fu Tingyun and kissed her on the mouth.
Fu Tingyun felt uncomfortable from the smell of wine and turned her face away, showing discomfort.
Zhao Ling quickly asked, “What’s wrong?” His tone betrayed traces of panic.
“I can’t stand the smell of wine,” Fu Tingyun said. “I’ll go brew you a strong cup of tea.”
“I’ll do it,” Zhao Ling guided her to sit down nearby. “You’ve had a tiring day, rest for a while.” He then brewed a strong cup of tea, drank it, and even chewed some tea leaves. When he approached Fu Tingyun again, she felt somewhat better and asked him: “You mentioned Mo Yi and the others might come to our home on the ninth. Has that been decided?”
“It’s decided,” Zhao Ling answered, thinking that when Yang Yucheng toasted him earlier, a couple of drops of wine might have spilled on his clothes. While talking to Fu Tingyun, he removed his outer garment. “On the ninth, the Emperor will be climbing Yu Ming Mountain, and the Imperial Guard will accompany him. Everyone has agreed to come to our house on the tenth.”
“How many people are coming?”
“About seven or eight.”
“We’ll need to prepare in advance,” Fu Tingyun pondered. “We only have ten jars of Jinhua wine left, which may not be enough. Chicken, duck, fish, and meat are easy to arrange, but crabs and yellow croaker need to be ordered in advance…”
“We still have a few days, don’t we?” Zhao Ling smiled, putting his arm around Fu Tingyun’s shoulders as they headed to the inner chamber. “Besides, don’t we have Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao? They won’t report to their garrison posts until late September. While they’re free these days, feel free to instruct them as needed—after all, you’re their sister-in-law!”
Fu Tingyun smiled sheepishly as she and Zhao Ling sat side by side on the bed.
Zhao Ling crouched down to help her remove her shoes: “Get some rest soon! Don’t you want to remodel the two study rooms in the south wing tomorrow? And those stone tables and chairs need to be purchased too. We also need to send someone to help them buy some clothes…” He added, “When we disbanded, everyone received their share of silver. Don’t worry about the accounts.”
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh: “Since I’m sending people to help them buy clothes, naturally we should pay for it.”
The couple chatted about household matters for a while before retiring.
The next day, before dawn broke, Zhao Ling left for the palace. Fu Tingyun stayed home managing these trivial matters. By the tenth, besides familiar faces like Mo Yi, Tao Mu, and Lin Chi, several unfamiliar officials from the Imperial Guard and Palace Guard also came. They filled two tables, hired singers for entertainment, and ate and drank until curfew. Since some had early palace duties the next day, the gathering finally dispersed.
She then helped Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and the others prepare their outfits and sent them off to their posts.
Upon returning home, Fu Tingyun felt exhausted and didn’t want to get up from her bed.
Zhao Ling felt her forehead and hurriedly instructed Yu Wei to invite a doctor to the house.
Fu Tingyun held Zhao Ling’s hand: “I just feel weak all over, but I don’t have a fever. Ninth Master, don’t be so nervous—you’re making me worried too.”
Zhao Ling didn’t want his wife to suffer. He agreed with a smile and promised: “If you still feel this way tomorrow, remember to tell me. We must visit a doctor.” But in his heart, he resolved to ask the old Beijing residents at the Imperial Guard about the best pharmacies and the most skilled physicians.
Fu Tingyun nodded.
When she woke the next day, her body still felt somewhat weak.
“I haven’t even done anything. Why am I like this?” she muttered. After seeing Zhao Ling off, she instructed Yu Wei to invite a doctor: “It’s not painful or itchy, but I just don’t feel well.”
“It’s good to have a doctor take a look,” Yu Wei smiled and went to invite a doctor to visit.
Seeing the neat courtyard with flourishing flowers and trees, escorted in the outer courtyard by a servant boy and led through the main courtyard by a young maid who hadn’t yet put up her hair—all signs of a noble household—the doctor immediately dispelled any negligence, kept his eyes downcast, and entered the inner chamber.
The bright red curtains were lightly draped, and from behind them extended a hand with a light green Hangzhou silk handkerchief draped over it, revealing a small section of snow-white wrist.
The doctor didn’t dare look twice and sat on the embroidered stool to check her pulse.
He examined her left hand, then her right, then back to her left, before finally asking: “Are there any elders in your household?”
Fu Tingyun’s heart trembled upon hearing this. She said: “Doctor, please speak freely. There’s only my husband and me in our household.”
The doctor hesitated before saying: “Madam doesn’t have any serious problems. I’m afraid you’re just tired from recent activities. Let me prescribe some qi-boosting and blood-nourishing medicine for you to take. I’ll come back for a follow-up examination in ten days.”
When had she become so frail?
As Fu Tingyun pondered this, Yu Wei had already escorted the doctor out.
The smell of medicine permeated the house, alarming Zhao Ling as he rushed into the inner chamber: “What happened?” His face was somewhat pale. “Where are you feeling unwell? Why didn’t you send An Xin to inform me?”
“It’s nothing!” Fu Tingyun hurriedly reassured him. “The doctor said I’m just tired and need a few days of rest.”
Zhao Ling, still concerned, asked Mo Yi to help find an imperial physician to examine her. However, like them, imperial physicians were mostly on duty in the palace and could only come to see Fu Tingyun when they had free time without a special decree. In the end, no imperial physician came, but the doctor returned for his follow-up. He prescribed the same medicine and said he would return in ten days.
As he was leaving, he encountered Zhao Ling…
Meanwhile, Fu Tingyun held the prescription but hesitated to give it to Yu Wei.
Yu Wei gently asked her: “What’s the matter?”
“I think this doctor seems quite ordinary in his medical skills. Do you think we should change to a different doctor?” Fu Tingyun hesitated. “Lately, I not only often feel tired but also constantly want to sleep…”
Before she could finish, the door curtain rustled, and Zhao Ling entered: “Trust someone completely or don’t use them at all. Since you don’t trust him, I’ll question him when he comes next time.” He took the prescription from Fu Tingyun’s hand and gave it to Yu Wei. “Take this medicine for now—it’s only for ten days at most.”
Yu Wei smiled and left.
Fu Tingyun reluctantly accepted this arrangement.
Zhao Ling carefully fed her the medicine. When she didn’t want to drink it, he would coax her like a child. He especially bought glutinous rice candies for her to eat after taking the medicine. At night, he no longer disturbed her, and would immediately wake up if she moved slightly, treating her as if she were fragile porcelain—afraid of dropping her while holding her, afraid of bumping her when she was on the table…
Fu Tingyun grew suspicious and grabbed his collar, asking: “Do I have some terminal illness with little time left…?”
“Nonsense,” Zhao Ling scolded with affection. “Besides lacking energy, do you have any discomfort or pain anywhere?”
Fu Tingyun thought carefully: “I don’t think so…”
“Then that settles it,” Zhao Ling immediately said. “If you had a serious illness, could you still be this comfortable?”
Fu Tingyun smiled awkwardly.
Zhao Ling lovingly kissed her cheek: “Maybe it’s autumn drowsiness. Sometimes when I’m on duty, my eyelids fight each other, and I have to splash cold water on my face.”
Was she disturbing his sleep at night?
Fu Tingyun was suddenly filled with guilt.
“Stop overthinking,” Zhao Ling held her in his arms. “Get some rest now! I have night duty at the palace tomorrow. Let Yu Wei attend to you these days. She’s been with you since childhood, so you’ll be more comfortable with her.” He added, “How’s your appetite these days? Tell me if you want to eat something. Don’t hold back and suffer.”
Fu Tingyun only hoped he would rest soon and said: “Zheng San-niang’s cooking suits my taste quite well,” then urged him, “You should sleep now, don’t worry about these things. I’m going to sleep too.”
Zhao Ling indeed fell silent, and soon his breathing became long and even. Only then did she breathe a long sigh of relief.
When the doctor came for the follow-up examination, Zhao Ling had taken a day off. With her husband accompanying her, Fu Tingyun only lowered the inner gauze curtain.
Zhao Ling stood by the bed. Though his expression was gentle, Fu Tingyun felt he seemed very nervous. After the doctor carefully checked her pulse and nodded slightly to Zhao Ling, he could no longer contain his excitement and immediately grasped Fu Tingyun’s hand.
“A-Qun, you’re pregnant. We, we’re going to be parents…”