With their separation imminent, the husband and wife cherished every moment they had together.

Zhao Ling canceled almost all his social engagements, spending his free time at home with his wife and daughter. He frequently took the mother and daughter out to the Baiyun Temple in the west of the city, the Cuifeng Nunnery outside Xizhimen Gate, the merchant-lined Gulou Street, and the scenic Yuming Mountain. He even squeezed through crowds with Youyou in his arms and Fu Tingyun by his side during the Lantern Festival on the seventh day of the seventh month and the temple fair on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. After receiving the imperial edict when he entered the palace on the twelfth day of the eighth month, setting his departure date for the twentieth, he became even more demonstrative, contrary to his usual low-key demeanor. Not only did he buy fireworks to set off at home, but after worshiping the Moon Goddess at home, the whole family went to the lantern festival outside Dong’an Gate. They bought all sorts of items: various lanterns, peach wood bracelets, silver-plated snow moths, brass thimbles, and much more. Youyou’s hands were full of sugar treats, flour balls, lotus stems, water chestnuts, and melon seeds, struggling to manage everything.

Fu Tingyun watched with tears in her smiling eyes. Besides the autumn clothes she had made for Zhao Ling in spring, she had also purchased comfortable shoes and leather boots from West Street, and the four treasures of the study from Gulou Street. Everything was packed into twelve full boxes, yet she still felt he should take more pouches, hairnets, and belts.

Zhao Ling stopped her: “It’s as if I’m leaving forever.” He kissed Fu Tingyun’s cheek. “I’ll be back next March.”

“I heard from Mo Yi that the first thing you’ll do when you arrive is train troops,” Fu Tingyun said. “Even with Anxin by your side, he’s just a growing boy who doesn’t know how to take care of you. It’s always good to bring more things from home.”

Zhao Ling smiled and said, “We don’t need to pack as if we’re moving house.” Then he took Fu Tingyun’s hand. “Come, let’s go watch Youyou on the swing.”

A few days ago, he and Jin Yuanbao, who was home on leave, had made a swing for Youyou.

Fu Tingyun knew he was worried others might laugh at him for bringing so many things to his post, thinking it wasn’t dignified or generous enough. Considering that the postal route from the capital to Xuantong was convenient, and that things could be sent later through messengers, she smiled and let it go, following Zhao Ling to the backyard.

Since Youyou was still small, Zhao Ling had made a basket-like wicker chair and secured her in it with cloth straps. Tong Shi and the others didn’t dare push too hard, so the swing only swayed gently, but Youyou was already as happy as a little bird.

Seeing Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, she raised her rosy face, calling “Mother” and “Father,” melting Zhao Ling’s heart as he ran over to play with Youyou on the swing.

Fu Tingyun smiled, prepared honeysuckle tea, and invited them to drink.

Zheng San rushed in excitedly.

“Madam, Ninth Master,” he said, waving a large red invitation card, “Banner Guard Left Commander Wang Yi has come to visit with his family!”

“Ah!” Fu Tingyun exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. “I received a letter from Madam Wang recently, but she didn’t mention anything about coming to the capital…”

Meeting old friends in a foreign land, Zhao Ling was also delighted: “Perhaps they wanted to surprise us!” He picked up Youyou, kissed her, and said, “Let’s go meet two older sisters.”

Youyou, being gentle-natured, nodded with a smile.

The family went to the main gate.

After three years, Wang Yi and his wife hadn’t changed much. However, Wang’s eldest daughter, now thirteen, had grown into a graceful young lady, while the second daughter, now ten, showed less childishness and more steadiness in her demeanor.

Fu Tingyun embraced both Wang daughters, emotionally telling Madam Wang, “If we’d met by chance, I wouldn’t have recognized them.”

Madam Wang chuckled and pointed at Youyou, who was being taught by Zhao Ling to call Wang Yi “Uncle.” “Is this your eldest daughter? She’s truly beautiful and seems very lively.” Then she extended her hands. “Come, let Auntie hold you.”

Youyou wasn’t shy with strangers. She opened her arms and threw herself into Madam Wang’s embrace, delighting Madam Wang who kept exclaiming “Oh my!”

The two Wang daughters stared wide-eyed at Youyou.

Madam Wang pointed to her daughters: “This is your eldest sister, and this is your second sister.”

Although Youyou could speak, she could only string two characters together at a time, parroting “Big Sis” and “Second Sis,” making everyone laugh heartily.

Wang’s second daughter ran over to hold Youyou’s little hand, looking very curious.

Madam Wang scolded her: “Don’t hurt your little sister.”

“I won’t, I won’t. I’ll be gentle,” the second daughter quickly defended, turning to look at Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun stepped forward and gently patted the second daughter’s shoulder, indicating she wasn’t concerned.

The second daughter sighed in relief.

Zhao Ling, watching all this, hurriedly said, “This isn’t the place to talk. Commander Wang and Madam Wang, please come inside.”

The families were close enough to be considered intimate friends.

The group went to the main hall.

Everyone sat according to their positions, and the maids served tea. Wang Yi spoke to Zhao Ling about the Marquis of Yingchuan: “…I had planned to come earlier, but Lord He said he wasn’t familiar with that area and asked me to delay my journey by two months. I didn’t even get to bid farewell to the Marquis. The Marquis treated me with the kindness of giving me a second life. I heard his two young sons are still in the capital, and I plan to visit them in a few days.” He seemed to be asking Zhao Ling for an introduction.

Zhao Ling pretended not to understand and simply smiled, “That’s good.” Then he added, “Since you, General Mo, Lin Chi, and Tao Mu are all in the capital, I’ll host a small gathering at Penglai Pavilion tomorrow.” He called out loudly for “Anxin” and instructed him, “Go deliver invitations to the gentlemen, then reserve a table at Penglai Pavilion.”

Anxin acknowledged and withdrew.

Wang Yi showed a flash of confusion, but the joy of reunion quickly overshadowed this minor displeasure. He loudly agreed and discussed past events with Zhao Ling. Learning that Zhao Ling would soon serve as Mo Yi’s deputy, he couldn’t hide his excitement: “Brothers who hunt tigers together, father and son on the battlefield. All of us who came from the Gansu General’s Office now have our places. Mo Yi has his approach to warfare. You should learn well from him and strive to stand on your own someday.” His sincerity was evident.

Fu Tingyun was grateful that she and Zhao Ling had met such genuinely kind people as Wang Yi and his wife.

After the meal, Wang Yi and Zhao Ling went to the study to continue discussing court affairs, while Fu Tingyun and Madam Wang retired to the inner chambers.

Madam Wang asked about Asen.

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “He’s studying at the teacher’s house and returns in the evening. He’s preparing for the children’s examination next February and is working very hard now.” She accidentally glanced at Wang’s two daughters playing with Youyou and noticed both girls were listening attentively.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Madam Wang continued, “That’s good, that’s good. I find him very intelligent. If he can pass the exam, he’ll have a bright future.”

“Indeed,” Fu Tingyun smiled and tactfully told Madam Wang about Concubine Xiao’s visit.

Madam Wang was surprised and pondered for a moment before asking, “Are you saying we should avoid contact with the Marquis of Yingchuan?” Her expression showed some displeasure.

“No, no,” Fu Tingyun hurriedly explained. “It’s just that it’s not convenient for us to visit the Duke’s mansion now.”

Madam Wang’s expression softened. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell my husband about this.” Then she sighed, “The Marquis of Yingchuan… has such a difficult situation…”

Fu Tingyun also felt somber.

A trace of sadness filled the room.

The children sensed the adults’ emotions and looked at them anxiously.

Fu Tingyun quickly brightened her mood and smiled, “You’ve come at the perfect time, Madam Wang. Uncle Yang has set his wedding for the tenth day of the tenth month. I’ve never handled such matters before, so I’ll need your help then.”

Madam Wang readily agreed and began discussing Yang Yucheng’s wedding, bringing the atmosphere back to cheerfulness.

When Mo Yi and others learned of Wang Yi’s arrival in the capital, they took turns hosting welcome banquets for Commander Wang’s family. Fu Tingyun also attended several of these banquets as a companion. With all this activity, they soon reached the nineteenth day of the eighth month.

After packing trunks, entering the palace to express gratitude, the next morning, Fu Tingyun carried Youyou, and along with Asen, Yang Yucheng, Jin Yuanbao, and others, saw Zhao Ling off at the Ten-Li Pavilion.

Zhao Ling gently stroked his daughter’s head, but his gaze rested on his wife: “Take good care of yourself. I’ll be back in spring.”

Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile, though her nose stung.

She tried hard not to let tears fall, silently stepping back a few paces to allow Zhao Ling to bid farewell to Wang Yi, Lin Chi, Tao Mu, Qin Feiyu, and others who had come to see him off.

Mo Yi impatiently said, “Why all this fuss? During the New Year, you can come to Xuantong to play. I’ll take you wolf hunting on the grasslands.”

Everyone laughed.

The laughter diluted the sadness of parting.

But as Zhao Ling’s figure faded into the distance, Fu Tingyun couldn’t hold back anymore.

She jumped into the carriage and silently wept into her pillow.

…

Without Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun found everything rather dull. Only when playing with a Youyou did her mood brighten.

Fortunately, after a few days, the Zhang family sent someone to discuss Yang Yucheng’s wedding. Sending invitation cards, finding establishments to cater the banquet, inviting auspicious people—everything required Fu Tingyun’s input.

Fu Tingyun invited Madam Wang, Chen Shi’s wife, and others to help. By watching and learning, she managed to dilute much of the pain of separation.

After receiving Zhao Ling’s letter from Xuantong, she suddenly realized her monthly period hadn’t arrived on time.

Fu Tingyun’s heart pounded with shock and joy. She sought out Yu Wei for advice: “It’s probably too early for a diagnosis, and we shouldn’t spread the news, but it’s better to be careful. I think I should move to Uncle Yang’s new house for now. The wedding preparations are almost complete, with only the decoration of the new house and the guest reception remaining. With Zheng San’s couple and Madam Wang helping, if I’m extra careful, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Yu Wei had also noticed and was about to remind Fu Tingyun. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but feel happy and quickly said, “Then I’ll accompany you.”

Fu Tingyun nodded. She left Yan Qing and Wu Yue at home to attend to Asen, who was still attending school, while she took Yu Wei and others to Zhang Family Bay.

Since this visit was for Yang Yucheng’s wedding, it wasn’t appropriate for Madam Zhang to meet her directly. She sent her attendant to pay respects and brought some food.

Tong Shi fed Youyou.

Youyou whined for her mother to feed her.

Fu Tingyun didn’t dare hold her. She had Tong Shi sit with Youyou on the kang bed while she sat beside them, feeding her daughter.

Youyou looked at her mother in confusion.

Tong Shi glanced at Fu Tingyun’s abdomen, hesitating to speak.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Was it that obvious?

She silently prayed that it wasn’t just a misunderstanding.