Zhao Ling felt that these days passed as blissfully as if he were an immortal, but days like those of immortals always pass quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was already mid-June.

A decree came from the palace, summoning Zhao Ling for an imperial audience.

Fu Tingyun hurriedly helped Zhao Ling pack his things while worrying: “Wasn’t it said that you would go back at the end of June? It’s only mid-June now! Have you sent someone to inquire what this is about? If we had some advance information, you could better respond when you see the Emperor!”

“It’s most likely about the pacification of the Guizhou rebellion,” Zhao Ling lounged lazily on the cooling bed, enjoying the pleasure of Fu Tingyun bustling around him, and smiled, “A few days ago, the Marquis of Yingchuan and He Fu leaving the capital coincided with the Marquis of Longping’s triumphant return. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War quickly distributed compensation for the fallen soldiers in Guizhou, but the rewards have been temporarily withheld. I estimate it should be addressed in the next couple of days.”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun’s hands paused, remembering that Mo Yi wanted to take Zhao Ling to Xuantong. She hesitantly asked: “Will there be any changes to your situation?”

“I’ve already discussed this with Mr. Gan,” Zhao Ling said, instantly shedding his lazy demeanor, replaced by sharp astuteness. “I’ll visit Mr. Gan again tonight to inquire about the Emperor’s intentions in summoning me to the palace.”

Fu Tingyun nodded, somewhat reassured, and said: “Then let’s return to the capital early tomorrow! Although the Zhang family has allocated a separate courtyard for us, we are still guests, which isn’t convenient…”

“What’s not convenient?” Zhao Ling asked with a smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze somewhat mischievous as he took her hand. “It might not necessarily be convenient at home either… Youyou sleeps in the side room of our inner chamber!”

Fu Tingyun blushed and spat a “Pah!” at him.

Zhao Ling let out a long sigh and fell back on the cooling bed, murmuring loud enough for Fu Tingyun to hear: “It seems I’ll need to find a way to acquire a separate courtyard… otherwise it will always be inconvenient!”

Fu Tingyun gently pinched his shoulder, chiding: “Get up quickly, you should go and inform Mr. Zhang.”

Just as she finished speaking, Zhenyu came in to report: “Mr. Zhang has come.”

Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun exchanged glances: “He must have heard the news.”

Fu Tingyun nodded, and seeing Zhao Ling rise, helped straighten the lake-colored Hangzhou silk robe on his body before he exited the inner chamber.

“Should I congratulate Mr. Zhao?” Mr. Zhang smiled at Zhao Ling. “In pacifying the Guizhou rebellion, your contributions cannot be overlooked!”

“It was merely through the Emperor’s blessing and following the imperial will. Mr. Zhang is too kind,” Zhao Ling was being modest when Mr. Zhang’s brother-in-law, the Deputy Inspector of Zhangjia Bay Inspection Office, arrived.

He was a burly man with a voice like gongs and drums, shouting from a distance that he had come to see Zhao Ling off.

As Zhao Ling was declining, Mr. Zhang’s uncle also arrived…

Suddenly, the courtyard was filled with people coming to congratulate Zhao Ling.

Madam Zhang and Miss Zhang also hurried over to congratulate Fu Tingyun when they heard the news.

Fu Tingyun remained humble for a long time, taking the opportunity to bid farewell to Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang tried repeatedly to keep them, but Mr. Zhang spoke up: “An imperial audience is a significant matter and cannot be delayed. Since Mr. Zhao has returned to the capital, he cannot be without someone to care for him, so it’s good for Mrs. Zhao to hurry back early tomorrow. Zhangjia Bay is only a two-day journey from the capital; there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. If they don’t come to Zhangjia Bay, we can go to the capital!”

Only then did everyone disperse.

That afternoon, Zhao Ling rushed back to the capital, and the next day, Fu Tingyun took the household staff back to the capital.

Madam Zhang and Miss Zhang came to see them off.

Youyou was reluctant to part with Miss Zhang, her eyes full of tears. Miss Zhang was equally reluctant to part with Youyou and said to Fu Tingyun: “Sister-in-law, when you have time, please bring Youyou to stay at our home for a few days.”

Fu Tingyun smiled at Madam Zhang: “Don’t worry, we’ll come in October.”

Miss Zhang’s face turned red, and Madam Zhang laughed heartily.

This lightened the sadness of parting.

But upon returning to the capital, Fu Tingyun heard that the Marquis of Longping had only received a one-character title enhancement for his military merit, Mo Yi had been granted a hereditary Assistant Commander position and promoted to General-in-Chief of Xuantong, while Zhao Ling had received a hereditary Hundred Households position and been appointed Deputy General of Xuantong.

“How can this be?” Fu Tingyun’s face changed upon hearing the news.

Zheng San, who had inquired about the news, was also somewhat flustered: “Perhaps people are spreading rumors. We’ll know when Ninth Master returns.”

There’s no smoke without fire.

Fu Tingyun clutched her handkerchief and paced several circles at home before gradually calming down.

If he were going to Xuantong, what would she do?

The thought flashed through her mind, and her face immediately flushed red.

It wasn’t as if he had never left home before, so why was she so impatient this time?

Those splendid nights in Zhangjia Bay suddenly floated into her mind… and her heart began to feel restless.

She involuntarily walked to the small shrine dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and silently prayed: “May the Buddha bless my husband to achieve his wishes…”

But when Fu Tingyun saw Zhao Ling, with a hint of displeasure in his expression, walking into the courtyard alongside a somewhat triumphant Mo Yi, her heart sank, and she couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile.

Oddly enough, Mo Yi was completely oblivious and even boasted to her: “How about that? As an older brother, I’ve done well, haven’t I? I didn’t forget about Brother Huchen when good things came along!”

“Huchen?” Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling in surprise.

Before Zhao Ling could speak, Mo Yi burst into laughter and said: “What do you think? Isn’t this character good? Most importantly, it was bestowed by the Emperor—this morning in the side hall of Qianqing Palace, the Emperor gave it in the presence of the Grand Secretaries. Grand Secretary Shen even sycophantically wrote the two characters. The calligraphy is in Anxin’s hands.” He then called out loudly, “Anxin, show the Grand Secretary’s calligraphy to your mistress. Your mistress comes from a scholarly family.” He smiled at Fu Tingyun and continued, “If by chance you don’t like it, you can take it to the stationery shop on Jiadao Street. I heard that Grand Secretary Shen’s inscriptions now sell for ten taels of silver per piece—while he’s still a Grand Secretary, you might as well sell it quickly.”

Even if Fu Tingyun had many misgivings in her heart, they were dispersed by Mo Yi’s joking. Moreover, there was the joyous occasion of the Emperor bestowing a character on Zhao Ling.

She couldn’t help but laugh and turned to call Zhenyu to serve tea.

Mo Yi seized the opportunity to say: “Our two families are already close as relatives. Why do you still call me General Mo? Why not follow the children and call me Uncle?”

Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling, saw him nod slightly, and then smiled, giving Mo Yi a curtsy and addressing him as “Uncle.”

Mo Yi laughed heartily and said to the silent Zhao Ling: “Why don’t we strengthen our relationship through marriage? I have four sons—see which one you like, and I’ll send him to be your son-in-law!”

Fu Tingyun was shocked and dismayed.

How could children’s marriages be arranged so casually?

She was a living example of this.

“You haven’t been drinking, have you? Why are you speaking as if drunk?” Zhao Ling said bluntly. “Let’s discuss how to handle matters in Xuantong instead.” Afraid that Mo Yi would continue to talk nonsense, he instructed Fu Tingyun, “Brother Mo will dine here tonight.”

Fu Tingyun acknowledged and left.

After seeing Mo Yi off, the couple sat on the large kang bed by the window in the inner chamber to talk.

“When the Emperor received me privately, he told me that although Qin Feiyu’s martial arts are superb, leading troops in battle requires more than just martial prowess,” Zhao Ling said solemnly. “He wants me to learn from Mo Yi about how to conduct military campaigns and formations, so that I can eventually take charge on my own.”

Qin Feiyu was the Emperor’s bodyguard during his time as a prince and later contributed to the Emperor’s accession. After ascending the throne, the Emperor appointed him as Deputy General of Datong.

Fu Tingyun was greatly surprised: “Could it be that General Qin…”

Zhao Ling whispered: “The Emperor has recalled him to the capital and appointed him as the Commander of the Tengji Guards.”

Fu Tingyun wiped her sweat: “Then won’t you eventually be transferred to Datong?”

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Zhao Ling teased: “Are you so certain I’m capable?”

“If you aren’t capable, others would be even less so,” Fu Tingyun straightened her back and said confidently.

Zhao Ling smiled, then his expression turned serious: “The Emperor has instructed us to depart after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The household affairs will once again fall on your shoulders…” He showed a guilty expression.

“A good man’s ambition lies in the four corners of the world,” Fu Tingyun quickly said. “Could it be more difficult than when we were in Zhangye?”

“That’s true,” Zhao Ling smiled again and comforted Fu Tingyun. “However, I will return to the capital annually to report on my duties. At that time, I’ll stay at home for some days…”

But they still wouldn’t be able to see each other as often as now…

Although they hadn’t separated yet, just thinking about it made Fu Tingyun’s eyes moisten… yet she didn’t want Zhao Ling to see her anxiety… She threw herself into Zhao Ling’s arms, rubbing her face against his chest, trying to remove the tears from her eyes. But the familiar and warm scent that filled her nostrils… Zhao Ling’s restrained expression suddenly appeared in her mind… When he left, she was pregnant; when he returned, she was still in mourning. First, she was preoccupied with Youyou, and then she was inhibited by being in the Zhang family’s guest quarters. There were many times of half-hearted resistance and a few times of giving him full pleasure… From now on, who knew when the husband and wife would see each other again… Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a wrenching pain in her heart.

She raised her head, her eyes, moistened by tears, glittering like jewels in the lamplight: “Don’t we still have two months?”

Zhao Ling was slightly stunned, not understanding her meaning.

Fu Tingyun’s cheeks flushed red, and with her head lowered, she pushed Zhao Ling down onto the large kang.

Zhao Ling could hardly believe it.

He held her face, looking at her in surprise.

She felt as if her entire body was on fire, and with half-lowered eyelids, she murmured: “Don’t we still have two months?”

Zhao Ling understood.

He laughed heartily.

Then he turned and pressed Fu Tingyun beneath him.

His bright eyes blazed with fiery light like the summer sun: “Ah Yun, you truly please me!” His hand was already somewhat impatiently reaching into her collar.

Fu Tingyun struggled.

Zhao Ling thought he was too eager, and she was uncomfortable, so he quickly propped himself up on his elbow.

Fu Tingyun turned over, once again pressing Zhao Ling beneath her, imitating his actions by putting her hand into his collar, her lips pouting: “Let me…”

Zhao Ling’s eyes, filled with amusement, gazed at her fixedly as he slowly released his grip…

Fu Tingyun blew out the lamp on the kang table.

In the quiet night, apart from moans, there were occasional sounds such as “hurry up” and “I have no strength left”…