Zhao Ling noticed Fu Tingyun’s gloomy expression and naturally understood why.

Why would he want to go to Xiantong?

“Don’t worry,” Zhao Ling put an arm around Fu Tingyun’s shoulders. “After dinner, I plan to visit Chen Yunsheng, the Front Command Commander of the Jinwu Guard. He’s been serving in the Imperial Guards for over twenty years and has the best connections. The Imperial Guards are mostly filled with sons from aristocratic and meritorious families. Once I leak the news that Mo Yi will be appointed as the General Commander of Xiantong and that he needs a Deputy General Commander, you wouldn’t believe how many people will be fighting over that position…”

Surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao! This guy…

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile, though she still felt uneasy. “Xiantong is one of the nine major General Commanders’ offices. Being dispatched there as a Deputy General Commander would greatly benefit your promotion…”

“I’m only twenty-five this year, and His Majesty is barely thirty,” Zhao Ling consoled her with a smile. “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.” He continued, “My current position is merely due to His Majesty’s consideration of our old friendship. To stand firm and go far, I need more tempering. Being sent out so early would make me stand out too much—a tall tree catches the wind, which might not be a good thing.”

Fu Tingyun finally nodded.

Zhao Ling then said, “Tomorrow will likely be a trap. You should stay home with Youyou. I’ll go alone.”

“I should go with you!” Fu Tingyun objected. “Since he invited me, if I don’t show up, they might think I’m afraid, and things could get complicated. It’s better to take this opportunity to clarify everything face to face.”

Zhao Ling thought her reasoning was sound and said nothing more.

The couple talked intimately for a while, had dinner, and then Zhao Ling played with Youyou for a bit before leaving for Chen Yunsheng’s residence.

Fu Tingyun instructed Yu Wei to prepare gifts for the Marquis of Yingchuan, wrote a letter to Lady Wang, put Youyou to bed, and prepared gifts for the two young ladies of the Wang family. She was busy until midnight when Zhao Ling returned, and then they retired together.

Early the next morning, the couple went to Jiadao Street.

Jiadao Street was an alley connecting Chang’an Avenue to Chaoyang Avenue. Though called an alley, it was about twenty feet wide. Since both Chang’an Avenue and Chaoyang Avenue were among the nine main roads of the capital, Jiadao Street was also quite valuable. Both sides of the street were lined with the capital’s most powerful silver shops and antique pavilions. The Yu family’s residence was located in a quiet lane off Jiadao Street.

They were greeted by Yu Huaian, the Yu family’s chief steward in the capital.

He was a hereditary servant of the Yu family who had served by Grand Scholar Yu’s side since childhood. As Grand Scholar Yu’s official position grew, so did the number of people seeking favors from him, and Yu Huaian’s status in both the Yu household and the capital rose accordingly. Not only did respectable managers of the Yu household treat him well, but even ordinary fourth or fifth-rank officials would greet him warmly as “elder brother” with clasped hands.

When he saw Zhao Ling helping Fu Tingyun out of the carriage and walking straight ahead, he gave Zhao Ling a puzzled look.

Zhao Ling gave him a cold glance.

Yu Huaian thought of the two Fu masters who had arrived early and were already flattering his master with smiling faces. His heart trembled, and he quickly lowered his head, respectfully leading Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun to the small flower hall beside Grand Scholar Yu’s outer courtyard study, where he usually received distinguished guests.

It was April, and several hydrangea bushes were planted in front of the small flower hall, blooming in a brilliant display of purple and red, with clusters shaped like balls in full bloom.

From a distance, Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling could hear a familiar hearty laugh.

After such an incident, they could still come to the Yu residence and chat so merrily as if nothing had happened…

Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed for them. She couldn’t help turning back to smile at Zhao Ling, saying, “The hydrangeas are blooming beautifully, all clustered together and lively.”

Zhao Ling nodded slightly, maintaining his composure.

Hearing this, Yu Huaian was about to respond with “These were planted by our young master when he was little,” but remembering the dispute between the two families, he swallowed his words. He quickly ascended the steps and reported with lowered hands at the bamboo curtain: “Lord Zhao and Lady Zhao have arrived.”

There was a brief silence inside.

Then came a steady and gentle voice: “Please invite them in.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Huaian lifted the curtain.

Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun entered one after the other.

The small flower hall had half-closed window panels, stone-ground floor tiles, red lacquered furniture with carvings, and large peonies in blue and white porcelain vases—an atmosphere of splendor greeted them.

Fu Tingyun’s gaze, however, fell on an unfamiliar man in his fifties sitting in the hall.

He wore a semi-new lilac-colored patterned Hangzhou silk casual robe. Thin but vigorous, with a gentle expression, he chuckled when he saw them enter and turned to the First Master Fu sitting below him: “Indeed a talented man, matching Lady Zhao like a golden boy and jade girl. Truly enviable!”

His eyes conveyed approval, his tone was appreciative, like a kind elder.

Fu Tingyun narrowed her eyes slightly.

First Master Fu had already leaned forward with a smile: “Indeed.” Then he called out loudly to Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun, “Come quickly and pay respects to Grand Scholar Yu.”

Fu Tingyun strongly disliked this attitude of acting like an elder only when needed. But seeing Zhao Ling properly saluting Grand Scholar Yu, she still gave a curtsy.

Grand Scholar Yu pointed to the seat below Fifth Master Fu and said kindly: “Please sit down and talk.”

Zhao Ling, however, sat opposite Fifth Master Fu and politely exchanged pleasantries with Grand Scholar Yu: “Upon entering, I saw a flourishing display of hydrangeas. It seems Grand Scholar Yu is a flower enthusiast. The purple magnolias must also be blooming luxuriantly.”

Though they had only met a few times in court and the palace, despite their different paths in civil and military affairs, as a favored official with the merit of having followed the Emperor, Zhao Ling had already become a figure of attention for many, including Grand Scholar Yu.

Seeing Zhao Ling so clearly drawing lines, Grand Scholar Yu was somewhat surprised.

After the victory in Guizhou, Zhao Ling had shown superior coordination skills. Although Fu Tingyun had suffered grievances, she had at least preserved her life. He had also unknowingly helped the Fu family quite a bit. Moreover, Zhao Ling’s status was different now, and he had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch. Given Zhao Ling’s character, he should have understood what this meant. Why had he suddenly become so rigid?

He thought of the character of the two Fu masters…

Could the problem lie with them?

But there was no time to ponder this now.

Grand Scholar Yu glanced at Fu Tingyun with slight guilt, his expression turning solemn, and frankly said: “Lord Zhao, talk of appreciating flowers is just an excuse. I invited the two Masters Fu and you both here today because of my unfilial son…” As he spoke, he showed some helplessness. “It’s all my fault for being busy with official duties and not disciplining him strictly, which led to his arrogant nature and this reckless behavior… It’s all my fault.”

Before Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun could respond, First Master Fu said: “How can this be your fault? You’ve been away serving as an official for years, and Yu Zhuanxiu was taught by a tutor. There were bound to be some inadequacies…” As he spoke, he remembered that Yu Jingxiu’s tutor was his father-in-law, and showed some embarrassment.

Fifth Master Fu, who had been silent, quickly chimed in: “Yu Zhuanxiu is still young and inevitably impetuous. After a few years, with more experience, he’ll gradually become steady. Isn’t this how everyone matures?”

Seeing how perceptive the two Fu masters were, Grand Scholar Yu nodded slightly to himself and looked toward Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling was well aware of Fu Tingyun’s wishes, but firstly, the two Fu masters were elders, and arguing with them would make her appear unfilial in others’ eyes; secondly, he had long seen through their true nature—First Master Fu, though feeling uneasy, was still thinking about how to protect himself, while Fifth Master Fu didn’t believe he had done anything wrong and still rightfully blamed Fu Tingyun. He didn’t want to waste words with these two. Thirdly, he wanted to hear what Grand Scholar Yu had to say, to better respond, so he had remained silent.

Seeing Grand Scholar Yu silently questioning him, he smiled faintly and was about to speak when he felt Fu Tingyun tugging at his sleeve.

Fu Tingyun believed that with Zhao Ling’s abilities, he could handle the matter according to her wishes. But she was the one directly involved, and she had determined that the Yu family should give her an explanation. As a father, Grand Scholar Yu could not be impartial. In this situation, no matter how reasonably Zhao Ling acted or spoke, Grand Scholar Yu would feel it was Zhao Ling’s idea. Rather than letting Zhao Ling take the blame, she preferred to speak for herself. At worst, she would be criticized for “overstepping,” which was better than damaging Zhao Ling’s reputation.

She stood up and said softly: “I have a question I’d like to ask Grand Scholar Yu.”

Grand Scholar Yu was startled and glanced at Zhao Ling.

Although Zhao Ling didn’t know what Fu Tingyun intended to do, he would unconditionally support whatever she wanted.

“Please enlighten us, Grand Scholar Yu!” he immediately supported his wife.

Grand Scholar Yu could not hide his astonishment but quickly regained his genial expression: “Please speak, Lady Zhao.”

“If you invited us to appreciate flowers, I would have nothing to say. But as you just mentioned, you invited us to discuss Yu Jingxiu’s instigation of Zuo Junjie to falsely accuse me. May I ask why Grand Scholar Yu invited the two masters of the Fu family?” As Fu Tingyun spoke, a hint of solemnity appeared between her brows. “The Fu family has already removed my name. I have no connection with the two masters of the Fu family now. Perhaps it’s not appropriate for outsiders to interfere in some matters?”

Grand Scholar Yu was stunned.

First, Master Fu’s face had already turned red.

Fifth Master Fu flew into a rage, springing to his feet with a furious look, shouting “rebellious creature”: “Do you intend to be unfilial?”

Fu Tingyun didn’t even glance at him but looked into Grand Scholar Yu’s eyes and said: “Beating or plotting to murder grandparents or parents constitutes unfiliality. I no longer have parents, so how can I be accused of unfiliality? I ask Master Fu not to casually place such a grievous accusation on me. I cannot bear it.”

This was from the legal classics, something even most men might not know, yet she, an inner chamber woman, could cite classics and argue eloquently… No wonder his wife had always praised this woman from the Fu family of Huayin.

He couldn’t help but examine Fu Tingyun carefully.

Tall stature, delicate figure, rosy complexion, clear voice, and especially eyes that sparkled with intelligence. She looked radiant.

She was indeed in excellent health.

Grand Scholar Yu thought of his daughter-in-law… Yesterday, in the accounts that Huaian had brought, there was an expenditure for bird’s nest soup for her… He frowned slightly… Although Fan Shi had been delicate before, he had never heard she had any illness. How was it that within two or three years of marriage, she was daily consuming either ginseng or bird’s nest, or asking people to make nourishing pills for her? Even with all this, she still frequently called for physicians to check her pulse…