Madam Wu’s words greatly surprised Fu Tingyun, but upon careful consideration, this matter did seem like something Zhao Ling would do. Recalling Zhao Ling’s instructions not to pay attention to this matter, she had no choice but to respond vaguely to Madam Wu: “Could there be some misunderstanding? Our master isn’t that kind of person.” She then promised Madam Wu, “This is the first time I’ve heard of this matter, it’s truly shocking. Why don’t I ask our master when he returns and then get back to you?”

“Then I’ll await your news.” Madam Wu’s mind was now a complete mess, and she had no better solution. She repeated phrases like “I never expected” and “good intentions leading to bad results” back and forth with Fu Tingyun before rising to take her leave.

Fu Tingyun, however, sat on the large kang bed by the window, deep in thought for a long while before calling Yu Wei to come in. She picked up their previous conversation, discussing Ah-Sen’s marriage matters.

When Zhao Ling returned in the evening, she pulled him into the study to talk: “Madam Wu came by saying that the reason the Zhao family knows of your news is because Manager Ye let it slip after drinking too much. She suspects that you and Manager Ye are working together to scheme against the Zhao family… What exactly is going on? Why haven’t you told me anything about this?”

Zhao Ling was momentarily stunned, then chuckled while rubbing his head, saying: “It seems there are many clever people in this world!” His expression showed no concern, indirectly confirming his scheme with Manager Ye against the Zhao family.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but slightly furrow her brow.

Some experiences are like drinking water—only the drinker knows whether it’s cold or hot.

Take herself, for example. In others’ eyes, if the ruler wants an official dead, the official must die; if a father wants a son gone, the son must go. Her refusal to acknowledge her father and clan was seen as disloyal and unfilial, but who knew her heartbreak, distress, loss, and despair?

She believed that on the matter of dealing with the Zhao family, no one had more right to speak than Zhao Ling.

But Zhao Ling not telling her made her feel somewhat upset.

Seeing this, Zhao Ling smiled bitterly.

“Ah Qun,” he sighed deeply, “I just didn’t want you to get involved in this matter…”

Husband and wife are from the same root—what does he mean by not wanting her involved?

If he wanted to distance her, why marry her in the first place?

Wasn’t it too late to say such things now?

Fu Tingyun’s expression cooled: “According to what you’re saying, my affairs are none of your business? So whatever you do has nothing to do with me…”

Seeing her face turning slightly bluish, Zhao Ling knew she was quite angry. He shook his head somewhat helplessly and stepped forward to put his arm around her waist.

“What should I say?” His tone carried thick indulgence, “Why is your temper so bad? Getting so upset over such a small matter…”

“Now you think my temper is bad?” A flood of grievance surged in Fu Tingyun’s heart, “We haven’t known each other for just a day or two—why didn’t you think my temper was bad before we married?” She couldn’t finish her sentence as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Zhao Ling panicked, hurriedly taking out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, “We can just talk, there’s no need to cry at every little thing!”

Now even her crying had become spoiled behavior!

Fu Tingyun felt not only aggrieved but also added a touch of heartbreak.

She turned her face away, forcing herself not to let the tears fall.

This stubborn yet fragile appearance made Zhao Ling’s heart tremble.

“It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” He decided to apologize first, regardless of anything else, to soothe his wife’s emotions, “Don’t be angry, I was just teasing you, wasn’t I? You know I love joking with you the most!” As he spoke, he pulled her into his embrace, kissing and coaxing her.

Fu Tingyun broke into a smile through her tears, coquettishly complaining: “You said you had nothing to do with me… that hurt my feelings!”

When did I ever say such a thing?

Zhao Ling’s forehead broke out in sweat.

No wonder people say women are unreasonable. Even someone as calm and composed as Ah Qun occasionally showed such traits.

His attitude improved even more.

Zhao Ling had always been steady and dignified in front of her, and seeing him like this made Fu Tingyun feel somewhat unaccustomed.

She took the initiative to put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

This must mean the storm had passed?

Zhao Ling sighed inwardly and kissed Fu Tingyun’s cheek.

Fu Tingyun asked him softly: “What exactly are your plans regarding the Zhao family?”

Since he couldn’t hide it anymore, Zhao Ling didn’t try to: “Naturally, it’s an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!”

Fu Tingyun didn’t understand.

Zhao Ling explained: “Aren’t they uncomfortable seeing my father a step ahead of them? Well then, I’ll have Manager Ye spread the word that not only am I not dead, but I’ve also been appointed as the Vice General of Xuantong with the rank of third official grade due to my loyalty to the Emperor. With more than a dozen branches in the Zhao family, inside and out, I don’t believe that anyone will be moved by this news!”

Fu Tingyun began to understand.

She pondered: “So you told me not to pay attention to this matter, letting the Zhao family become anxious and uneasy, blaming each other to clear themselves, even pushing everything onto the Sixth Grand Uncle Zhao, who was in charge back then…”

“Exactly!” A flash of coldness crossed Zhao Ling’s eyes, “By then, someone will naturally come forward to uphold justice for my mother—I was too young back then, and so many years have passed. If I rashly returned to the Zhao family now, things have changed, and without loyal servants or close relatives to help find evidence, it would be impossible to clear my mother’s name even if I wanted to. Better to let them fight among themselves and expose what happened back then. It will also let the Sixth Grand Uncle see how those who curry favor with him treat him, letting him taste the bitterness of betrayal and isolation!”

Fu Tingyun felt his muscles stiffen and hugged him compassionately.

Zhao Ling’s expression softened slightly as he bent down to kiss the top of her head.

“Then I’ll demand to select a new clan head on grounds of the main branch’s lack of virtue,” his voice became much calmer, “Find a family from the side branches to support as clan head, and demand the main branch hand over the communal property… How they schemed to get my family’s property is exactly how I’ll let others scheme to get theirs!”

“Yes!” Fu Tingyun nodded in support, then wondered if Zhao Ling hadn’t told her because he feared she would call him vicious and ruthless.

The thought flashed by, and she immediately denied it.

She had seen Zhao Ling at his worst—this was nothing in comparison.

She couldn’t help but ask in confusion: “Then why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been so worried!”

Zhao Ling let out a long sigh and said seriously, “Ah Qun, you’ve already severed ties with the Fu family. I don’t want you to be on bad terms with the Zhao family as well!” As he spoke, his hand fell on Fu Tingyun’s abdomen, “This little one has come at just the right time!”

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

If one person says you’re not good, it might be a misunderstanding. But if two or three people say you’re not good, others usually think there’s something wrong with you.

But what did this have to do with the child?

Thinking of her pettiness earlier, she felt both ashamed and embarrassed, somewhat unable to face Zhao Ling.

“It’s alright,” Zhao Ling said gently, his chin rubbing against the top of her head, “You didn’t know.” Then, as if not wanting her to continue feeling guilty, he changed the subject, “Just stay out of this matter.” His voice was somewhat low but conveyed a reassuring solidity, “If anyone comes to you, you don’t need to say anything—just look at them with difficulty. Men handle external affairs, women handle internal affairs. If they have any complaints, they’ll have to come to me.”

“No!” Fu Tingyun summoned her courage to look up, her clear gaze sparkling like brilliant gems, “I’ll be with you—how can I push everything onto you? I’m just a woman, and any impropriety would be dismissed as long hair, short wisdom,’ but you’re an official of the third rank. Your reputation is more important than mine.” She knew it was difficult to change Zhao Ling’s decisions, especially when it concerned her reputation, so she persuaded him: “Anyway, I’ll be going with you to Songjiang to relocate your parents’ graves, I can’t stay uninvolved…”

But Zhao Ling said: “I’m not planning to take you to Songjiang!”

Fu Tingyun was shocked.

“You’re pregnant now!” Zhao Ling said seriously, “How could you travel south with me?”

So that’s what he meant by the child coming at the right time.

If she hadn’t been pregnant, she would certainly have had to accompany Zhao Ling to Songjiang. Now, with pregnancy as an excuse, she could legitimately stay in the capital.

“Ninth Master!” She felt a surge of excitement, “I…” But she hesitated at the thought of disregarding the child’s safety by forcibly following Zhao Ling to relocate his parents’ graves.

“Didn’t you remind me to prepare my parents’ graves early?” Zhao Ling looked at her with a slight smile and said gently, “The Emperor has already granted me a two-month leave. When the time comes, I’ll return to Jiangnan, and you’ll be escorted by Zheng San and others, taking Youyou and young master Xi to Chang’an slowly, preparing things there with Manager Lü. When my parents’ coffins arrive in Chang’an, there will be someone to host, avoiding the chaos and discourtesy of hurried arrangements!” He continued, “Since we’re setting up memorial fields in Chang’an this time, we’ll inevitably need to establish a residence in Chang’an. After all, it’s where we’ll be living in the future, and how it should be arranged is for you to decide. I’m not comfortable letting others handle it.”

That made sense.

But Fu Tingyun still hesitated at the thought of Zhao Ling going to Songjiang alone to deal with those people from the Zhao family.

“Alright, alright,” Zhao Ling laughed, seeing her hesitation, “Let’s settle it this way—you women are always so fussy.” He added, “I’m going to Jiangnan to exhume the graves, but we need someone to receive the spirits in Chang’an, don’t we? It’s a pity our young master Xi is too young, otherwise, I would have taken you with me.”

He was trying to comfort her, wasn’t he?

Fu Tingyun’s eyes brimmed with tears as she smiled with pursed lips.

The moisture in her eyes made them clear and lively.

She softly asked him: “When do you plan to depart?”

“I’ll leave in the next day or two!” Zhao Ling said, unable to resist bending down to kiss her red lips, his tone revealing a hint of distraction, “Let Madam Wu know about my return to Jiangnan… When the Zhao family members are desperate, there’s an eight or nine out of ten chance they’ll contact me on the road.”

Fu Tingyun nodded: “Alright!”

Her rosy lips seemed like a silent invitation.

Zhao Ling swept Fu Tingyun up into his arms and toppled with her onto the lohan bed in the study.

“Don’t do this…” Fu Tingyun pressed her hands against his chest, “I, I haven’t even passed three months yet!”

“I know!” Zhao Ling bit Fu Tingyun’s earlobe, “I just want to talk with you…”

Is this how one talks?

Fu Tingyun wanted to question, but what emerged was a heart-racing moan…

Her face flushed red as she buried her head in Zhao Ling’s embrace!