Early the next morning, when Fu Tingyun lazily got up, Zhao Ling had already gone to the Five Military Command Headquarters.
She first summoned Ah-Sen to talk: “…Your Ninth Master said to bring along the properties I previously prepared for you.”
This meant he had agreed to Ah-Sen marrying into the Wang family.
Ah-Sen was overjoyed and crouched in front of Fu Tingyun, grinning foolishly: “Sister-in-law, I don’t want them! Leave those properties for Youyou!”
“Nonsense.” Fu Tingyun was pleased to see him happy and scolded him with a smile, “Do you really intend to rely on the Wang family for food and clothing? Whatever arrangements Ninth Master and I make, you should just follow them!”
Ah-Sen scratched his head and smiled, “That works too! I’ll acquire another dowry for Youyou in the future!” As he spoke, his expression grew slightly serious, “I refuse to believe that by the time Youyou grows up, I won’t even have that much ability!”
Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised, but she appreciated his ambition and smiled, “Are you worried that your Ninth Master can’t afford to marry off his daughter?”
Ah-Sen’s expression became solemn as he replied respectfully, “Crows repay their parents’ kindness, and lambs kneel to drink their mother’s milk. I’ve been raised and educated by the Ninth Master and Sister-in-law since childhood. If I can’t even accomplish this much, how can I call myself a real man?”
The atmosphere suddenly turned serious.
Fu Tingyun was slightly stunned but felt gratified, cherishing his sense of duty even more. She encouraged him: “Very well. We’ll be counting on you for our Youyou’s dowry then.”
“Rest assured, Sister-in-law!” Ah-Sen patted his chest.
Fu Tingyun then said: “In that case, you must study harder. Otherwise, if the marriage with the Wang family is arranged but you fail to pass the Xiucai examination, it might give people the impression that you’re frivolous.”
Ah-Sen nodded repeatedly, saying, “I’ll go to the academy now.”
Fu Tingyun smiled and nodded, sharing some words of wisdom as she escorted him out through the outer gate.
As she turned around, she saw Madam Zhang carrying her eldest son, young Master Yi, out of the side room.
Upon seeing Fu Tingyun, she quickly explained with a smile: “This child has been spoiled by my mother. Every day when he opens his eyes, he wants to go outside, otherwise he becomes restless…”
This was a good opportunity to speak with her about Zhao Ling’s plans.
Fu Tingyun pondered as she smiled, stepped forward, and stroked young Master Yi’s head, saying: “All children are the same. Our Xiaoer is happy whenever it’s time to go out. Keeping him indoors is like making him sit on a bed of needles—everything feels wrong to him.” She continued, “Now that you’ve become a mother, you can’t get away easily. I have two little shadows following me wherever I go. It’s been a while since we’ve had a good chat. How is Uncle Yang doing at Daxing Garrison?”
Zhang came from an official’s family and had grown up in that environment. She was clever and quick-witted. Considering that Zhao Ling had just returned and Fu Tingyun was already asking about Yang Yucheng’s well-being at Daxing Garrison, she wondered if there was some hidden meaning.
She became more attentive and responded to Fu Tingyun with extra consideration: “My husband is an open-hearted person; everyone enjoys his company. Even when faced with unpleasant matters, he just laughs them off. I haven’t noticed anything particularly troubling him.”
Having clarified that Yang Yucheng was doing well at Daxing Garrison, she also implied that not everything had been smooth sailing for him there.
Fu Tingyun nodded to herself, thinking that although Zhang was young and hadn’t experienced many setbacks, she was very intelligent. Compared to the somewhat careless Yang Yucheng, her thoughtfulness complemented him perfectly.
“It’s like this,” she said softly, “Ninth Master thinks that without military achievements, promotion is difficult in the army. He wants to know if Uncle Yang has any plans and whether he’d be willing to follow Ninth Master to Xuanfu. But since he’s married now, this matter needs to be discussed with you first…”
Zhang was immediately delighted.
Following Zhao Ling? What was there to consider?
For a moment, she almost agreed right away, but then realized that if Fu Tingyun thought to consult her about such an important matter first, how could she commit without asking Yang Yucheng?
“Sister-in-law, I’ll go speak with my husband right away.” She hurriedly bowed to Fu Tingyun and went to the eastern side room where they were staying.
Still young, she couldn’t quite contain her excitement.
Fu Tingyun smiled at her somewhat hurried departure and went to the southern study where Jin Yuanbao and his wife were resting.
Jin Yuanbao had lived there previously when they were in Shijia Hutong.
When she arrived, Jin Yuanbao and his wife had already risen. One was sitting under the old locust tree in the courtyard reading a book, while the other sat quietly beside him, sewing shoe soles, waiting for breakfast.
“Sister-in-law is here!” Shi heard the movement and saw Fu Tingyun. She quickly put down her needlework and invited Fu Tingyun to sit on her bamboo stool, then personally went to pour herself a cup of cold tea.
Jin Yuanbao smiled and greeted Fu Tingyun. Seeing that Fu Tingyun had taken Shi’s needlework and was chatting with her, he made an excuse to put away his book, entered the inner room, and didn’t come out for quite some time.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but marvel silently.
With Jin Yuanbao’s level of insight, it would be a waste if he didn’t become an advisor!
What surprised her even more was Shi.
Seeing Jin Yuanbao enter the room, she smiled and asked Fu Tingyun: “Does Sister-in-law have something to discuss with me?”
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but remark: “People of the same family truly understand each other. Usually, you both seem quiet, but I didn’t expect you to be so perceptive.”
Shi smiled modestly and said: “Sister-in-law is too kind! It’s just that since Sister-in-law is good friends with my cousin, and my husband often mentions how Ninth Master and Sister-in-law used to take care of him, I naturally feel closer to Sister-in-law and can speak freely.”
Fu Tingyun smiled.
Another capable woman.
A worthy wife is like having a treasure.
This family would surely prosper!
With this thought, Fu Tingyun’s smile grew even brighter.
She told Shi about Zhao Ling’s intentions.
Shi’s expression remained calm as she smiled and said: “I’ll call my husband out now!” With that, she went directly to the inner room.
Another surprise.
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but touch her nose thoughtfully.
Not all women hoped for their husbands to gain promotion and wealth.
Otherwise, why would there be the saying “Regret encouraging my husband to seek a title”?
Lost in these random thoughts, Jin Yuanbao walked out quickly.
He respectfully bowed to Fu Tingyun and smiled: “I am willing to follow Ninth Master to Xuanfu. Please convey this to Ninth Master for me.”
Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but look toward Shi.
Shi smiled and said: “A wife follows her husband. Like Sister-in-law, when I heard about going to the frontier, my first concern was for my husband’s safety, and I forgot that this is also an opportunity.”
Well said, “forgot that this is also an opportunity”!
Fu Tingyun nodded with a beaming smile.
When Zhao Ling returned, she told him everything in detail: “…After leaving Jin Yuanbao’s place, I ran into Yang Yucheng. He was urgently looking for me, also wanting to follow you to Xuanfu.”
Zhao Ling sighed appreciatively: “It’s good that I listened to you and first explored Zhang and Shi’s thoughts!”
Fu Tingyun joked with Zhao Ling: “Isn’t that why I’m your capable wife?”
“You? A capable wife?” Zhao Ling said, looking at her with a meaningful smile, “Hey, I’ll be home all day tomorrow…”
Fu Tingyun spat a “Pah!” at him and left the inner chamber.
Zhao Ling laughed heartily.
The next day, Fu Tingyun went to visit Chen Shi.
Chen Shi, knowing that Zhao Ling had agreed to the marriage, went to the Wang family with a smile.
Though somewhat rushed, it would be more formal to settle the marriage while Zhao Ling was still in the capital.
The Wang couple agreed immediately.
Both families busied themselves with finding matchmakers, exchanging birth charts, and writing marriage contracts. Fu Tingyun sent a message to Master Lü, asking him to have someone bring the land deeds to the capital. She also made time to meet with Manager Ye San to finalize the joint venture restaurant business. Manager Ye San took the opportunity to introduce his eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Peng, to Fu Tingyun. Then Ah-Sen passed the prefectural examination and became a tribute student. The Wang family was overjoyed, and Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun couldn’t stop smiling… In the blink of an eye, it was July. The Tatar Khan sent his eldest son, E Mune, to represent the Tatars in their surrender. The Emperor decided to accept the Tatar surrender document at the Meridian Gate. Zhao Ling, as the Deputy General of Xuanfu who had captured the leader of the Tatar Wulianghai tribe and accompanied the Tatar envoy to the capital, was discovered by officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites to be well-versed in etiquette. They all sought his assistance, and the Emperor simply issued an edict appointing Zhao Ling to oversee the surrender document ceremony. He had to arrange the ceremony’s program according to regulations, coordinate disputes between the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and even the Five Military Command Headquarters, keeping him extremely busy.
Fu Tingyun, however, discovered that her monthly period had not arrived as scheduled.
She dared not be intimate with Zhao Ling anymore.
Zhao Ling immediately guessed the reason and smiled as he touched her belly: “You’re pregnant?”
His face was beaming with joy, which inexplicably brought happiness to Fu Tingyun as well.
“Perhaps!” she wasn’t entirely certain, “We’ll know in a few days.”
Zhao Ling held her tightly in his arms and remained silent for a long time.
Fu Tingyun could barely breathe in his tight embrace and patted his shoulder: “Hey, it’s not like you’re becoming a father for the first time, and besides, we don’t have confirmation yet…”
Zhao Ling remained silent, just holding her.
His unusual behavior made Fu Tingyun’s heart tighten, and she hugged him back, asking softly: “What’s wrong?”
“Nán’er,” Zhao Ling’s voice was somewhat choked, “Thank you…” He seemed unsure how to express himself properly, his tone hesitant, “I’ve always wanted a wife like you, and then to have many children… Nán’er… I will treat you well for the rest of my life… We will grow old together and be surrounded by our descendants…”
Fu Tingyun suddenly felt tears welling up.
“Yes!” she leaned on Zhao Ling’s shoulder, “We will have many children… and grow old together…”
The summer breeze blew past, making the pomegranate flowers outside the window rustle.
Zhao Ling gently released Fu Tingyun, his deep gaze lingering on her forehead, temples, eyes, and lips.
“Nán’er,” he murmured, “The Emperor might issue an edict to posthumously honor my parents… I’m thinking, when that time comes, we should move both my father’s and mother’s graves to Chang’an County. We’ll settle down there, what do you think?”
This had already been agreed upon earlier.
Zhao Ling was bringing up old matters again, and his unusual emotion today was probably because he was thinking about those unpleasant past events.
“Alright!” Fu Tingyun smiled tenderly, nestling into his arms again, “When the time comes, we’ll buy a piece of land in Chang’an, move father-in-law and mother-in-law’s graves there, and when we grow old, we’ll be buried there too…”
Zhao Ling said: “I’m worried that it might attract people from the Zhao family… and put you in a difficult position…”
Fu Tingyun blinked at him: “Do you want to return to the Zhao family?”
Zhao Ling was stunned.
Fu Tingyun had already smiled and said: “Since we don’t share the same ancestral hall with the Zhaos of Songjiang, what is there to be difficult about?”
Zhao Ling was taken aback for a moment, then started laughing.
Fu Tingyun looked at him and also broke into a smile.