Fu Tingyun stepped forward to pay her respects.

Yang Tong turned his face away as he returned Fu Tingyun’s greeting, but Master An narrowed his eyes with a smile as he looked Fu Tingyun up and down, then shifted his gaze to the children behind her.

Fu Tingyun quickly instructed the children to come forward and greet Master An and Yang Tong.

Master An smiled without speaking, while Yang Tong took out gold ingots that he had prepared in advance to reward the children. Finally, he took Xu’er from the wet nurse’s arms and smiled at Zhao Ling: “This must be your second son! He looks very handsome.”

Xu’er’s large, bright black eyes were staring at Master An.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but worry inwardly.

This Master An appeared to be around sixty years old, yet how had he been so easily persuaded by Yang Tong’s few words to come to the capital? As a teacher whose role was to set an example, was Master An truly qualified?

Seeing Xu’er staring at him, Master An smiled and asked: “What are you looking at?” As he spoke, he walked over to Xu’er.

Xu’er reached out to grab Master An’s beard.

Fu Tingyun was greatly embarrassed. She quickly moved to stop Xu’er while scolding in a low voice: “Don’t be disrespectful to your elders!” However, Xu’er’s hands and feet had always been quicker than hers, and by the time she intervened, Xu’er’s hand was already in front of Master An’s face.

Master An was very surprised, but with a slight tilt of his head, Xu’er’s hand missed its target.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

Disregarding etiquette, she hurriedly took Xu’er from Yang Tong’s arms and repeatedly apologized to Master An: “The child doesn’t know any better. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Master An’s eyes curved even more with his smile.

He gently patted Xu’er’s head, but then pointed at Xi’er and asked: “Is that your eldest son, Xi’er?”

“Yes!” Fu Tingyun smiled, knowing they had come for Xu’er, but not wanting them to think less of Xi’er, “Xu’er is active, while Xi’er is quiet and gentle in everything he does.”

Hearing this, Master An smiled and asked: “Has he begun his studies yet?”

Fu Tingyun was taken aback.

Xi’er was only five years old this year, and most children wouldn’t start formal education so early.

“No,” she smiled and shook her head, “The child is still young, though in his spare time he learns a few characters with me.”

Hearing her answer, Master An seemed somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ling, who had been standing silently beside them, quickly said: “Not yet!” Then he explained to Fu Tingyun in a gentle voice, “The Master is asking if Xi’er has started learning martial arts from anyone.”

Fu Tingyun finally understood.

“Boom, boom, boom,” the sound of fireworks exploding came from outside the window.

The colorful fireworks brightened the night sky.

Master An smiled and said: “Zhao Ling, I’ve agreed to your request. I’ll be the martial arts teacher for your two sons.” Without waiting for Zhao Ling’s response, he turned and walked out, calling to Yang Tong as he went, “Didn’t you say there was a Muslim lamb spine hotpot restaurant in a hutong off Chang’an Avenue? Let’s go eat lamb spine hotpot.”

Yang Tong quickly agreed, giving Zhao Ling a look of undisguised envy before hurriedly following Master An out of the private room.

Seeing the guests had left, Youyou and Xi’er scrambled to climb onto the official’s hat chair, while Xu’er, still in Fu Tingyun’s arms, twisted his body toward his sister and brother, shouting “See fire, see fire!”

Fu Tingyun handed Xu’er to Nursemaid Tong and asked Zhao Ling in a low voice: “What’s this all about?”

Zhao Ling smiled: “Master An has kept away from worldly affairs for many years. The best way to persuade him to take Xu’er as a disciple would be to bring Xu’er to Jiugong Mountain for him to see. But first, I don’t have the time, and second, Xu’er is still young and might suffer from the bumpy journey. So I had to ask Brother Yang for help to persuade Master An to come to the capital for sightseeing and take the opportunity to meet Xu’er…” As he spoke, his face broke into a smile, “Last night I was still wondering how to persuade Master An to teach Xi’er a few skills as well, but I never expected that Master An would not only take an interest in Xu’er but in Xi’er too.” He looked extremely pleased.

Fu Tingyun, however, felt somewhat uneasy and said: “Master An seems like he knew your intentions all along…”

“Of course,” Zhao Ling smiled, “Master An has crossed more bridges than we’ve walked roads. How could our little scheme escape his notice? The reason Brother Yang was able to persuade Master An is that Master An is advanced in years but still hasn’t found a satisfactory successor. Once he heard Brother Yang’s praise of Xu’er, he would have come no matter what. As for agreeing to be the martial arts teacher for Xi’er and Xu’er,” he pondered, “being formally accepted as Master An’s disciples isn’t so easy. Master An wants to see if Xi’er and Xu’er can meet his requirements, which is why he only mentioned being their martial arts teacher without bringing up taking them as disciples.”

Seeing that Master An conducted himself with such order and discipline, Fu Tingyun felt relieved. After thinking for a moment, she said: “Why don’t you go accompany Master An? The children and I will watch the fireworks here, and you can come back for us later.”

Zhao Ling considered this and said: “Then I’ll go settle the bill at the hotpot restaurant and come back.”

Fu Tingyun nodded with a smile, helped straighten his collar, and said softly: “Go and come back soon. We’ll wait for you here.”

Zhao Ling smiled and nodded, gently squeezing Fu Tingyun’s hand before quickly leaving to catch up with Master An and the others.

Fu Tingyun accompanied the children as they watched the fireworks, but her mind was focused on where Master An should stay in their home. In at most two more months, the tutor she had invited for Youyou would also arrive. If the tutor were to be housed in the small study next to the south wing hall, then Master An should be arranged in the back-covered rooms. In front of the back-covered rooms was the rear courtyard with an open space. This way, they would need to open a back door by the back-covered rooms.

Time was of the essence—she would have Zheng San invite a mason to come and take a look when they returned home!

Having made up her mind, she began to enjoy the fireworks with the children.

Before long, Zhao Ling returned.

“After a few cups of wine with them, Master An sent me back,” he smiled, “Master An probably feels that it’s not easy for me to come back for a visit!”

Fu Tingyun was naturally pleased that he had returned so quickly. She asked about affairs in Guizhou: “How is the Miao rebellion going? Will you be stationed in Guizhou for a long time?”

“It’s mainly because the county officials have been too dismissive of the Miao people.” Speaking of this, Zhao Ling became solemn. “Although I’ve obtained some imperial edicts to pacify the Miao people, implementing these policies effectively will take time and process.” As he spoke, his tone briefly paused, “You haven’t seen how truly difficult life is for the Miao people… Some have never tasted salt in their entire lives; girls of fifteen or sixteen don’t have proper clothes to wear; and there was a child, about the same age as our Youyou, who was nearly beaten to death as a thief because he accidentally damaged a birdcage at a market…”

Fu Tingyun gradually understood his meaning.

She involuntarily stepped forward to embrace his waist, resting her face against his chest: “Then, I’ll give you ten years. Is that enough?”

Zhao Ling was startled.

Fu Tingyun raised her head, looking into his deep, dark eyes that appeared more profound than usual due to his suppressed anger, and said softly: “You want to use your position as the Emperor’s favored official to implement those policies, don’t you? I’ll give you ten years. You can do good work in Guizhou, and I’ll raise the children well at home. But after ten years, you must return to my side and stay with me and the children, going nowhere else… all right?” As she said this, her eyes grew moist.

Those lonely nights were painful just to think about.

But she couldn’t force him to stay by her side.

A wild goose leaves its call; a person leaves their name.

Everyone, when young, has their aspirations and yearnings.

Since she loved this man, she wanted him to be happy, to forever be spirited and vigorous, to live a life without regrets.

“Tingyun!” Zhao Ling’s eyes also reddened.

He held Fu Tingyun tightly.

“Five years, give me five years,” he said with some emotion, “By then, no matter what happens, I will return to you and the children, and we’ll never be apart again.”

“Mm!” Fu Tingyun nodded, tears glistening on her eyelashes.

Outside the window, the fireworks were at their most brilliant.

…

Zhao Ling had been away for more than half a year and couldn’t linger in the capital any longer.

After settling Master An and selecting Mr. Yan, a recommended scholar from his third sister’s husband, to be the family tutor, he returned to Guizhou with peace of mind.

Mr. Yan was over fifty years old, a native of Haining in Zhejiang. Since passing the provincial examinations at twenty-one, he had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, and his family assets had been sold off. It wasn’t until his son died from lack of money for medical treatment that he gave up his ambitions and wholeheartedly sought teaching positions to support his family. At first, he was reluctant when he heard he would be teaching a seven-year-old girl, but later, learning that the family also had two young masters, one five and one three years old, and that the tuition fee was higher than other families offered, he agreed, thinking that if he taught well, he might be able to teach the two young masters next, securing at least ten years without having to relocate. Upon arriving at the Zhao family, he found the young miss to be intelligent, bright, and lively, quick to learn and understand. He was very pleased, and the servants throughout the household also showed him great respect, making him even more satisfied. He put in his utmost effort to teach the young miss, hoping to secure a long-term position in this household.

Fu Tingyun was also very satisfied.

Mr. Yan was scholarly, sensible, and transparent in his dealings. Master An lived in the back-covered courtyard, and Xi’er and Xu’er trained martial arts with him. Although they stood in a horse stance until their limbs trembled and could barely hold their chopsticks, the children’s persistence showed a temperament that she found more precious than anything. In the evenings, she would help the children apply hot towels to their arms and legs while offering encouraging words to boost their spirits.

After several days of this routine, it was time for the Empress’s birthday celebration. She went to the palace with Madam Wu and Madam Ji to pay their respects to the Empress.

Compared to the grand celebration of the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Empress’s birthday was celebrated much more simply.

The inner-rank ladies ate longevity noodles at Kunning Palace, while the outer-rank ladies paid their respects and each received a few longevity peaches before departing.

On the twentieth day of the third month, the Emperor’s birthday, the outer-rank ladies had even less involvement. Fu Tingyun was content with the leisure time and thought about making belly wraps for the children as summer was approaching.

…

As Yu Jingxiu hurriedly walked out, he saw Concubine Fei in the distance, carrying a small bamboo basket.

His footsteps faltered.

Since that day, he had not seen Concubine Fei again.

He wondered how she was doing.

Just as he was considering whether to inquire, Concubine Fei walked over.

She seemed surprised to encounter Yu Jingxiu, but quickly regained her composure, smiling as she bent her knees in greeting to him.

Yu Jingxiu noticed that the small bamboo basket was full of Daphne flowers. He wanted to ask what she planned to do with so many Daphne flowers, but felt the question would be meaningless, so he swallowed his words before they left his mouth.