While Fu Tingyun was secretly keeping watch but seeing nothing unusual, Zhao Ling returned.

He arrived in the capital travel-worn, accompanied by several attendants.

“Why didn’t you send someone ahead with a message?” Though Fu Tingyun’s words were reproachful, her face bore an irrepressible smile. She helped Zhao Ling prepare water for washing and stood by the washstand watching him refresh himself, her eyes never leaving him.

The sight warmed Zhao Ling’s heart.

He smiled at her before lowering his head to wash his face.

Youyou led her three brothers into the room.

“Father, Father,” her clear voice sounded like a joyful lark, “when will you return to Tongren Prefecture?”

Zhao Ling dropped his towel, crouched down to pick up Youyou, and lifted her high in the air.

Youyou cried out in fright and clung tightly to Zhao Ling’s arms.

Fu Tingyun quickly said, “Put her down! She’s nine years old this year, not a two or three-year-old little girl anymore!”

Zhao Ling smiled sheepishly as he lowered Youyou, gently patting her head. “Father has just returned home and barely set foot inside. Do you want me to go back to Guizhou already?”

“No, no,” Youyou shook her head repeatedly. “Cousin Yuan Xiao said that on the eighth day of the fourth month, Buddha’s birthday, there will be an elephant performance in front of Baiyun Temple. My brothers and I all want to see it.” To convince her father, she tugged at her eldest brother Xi, who stood nearby. “Isn’t that right, Big Brother?”

Xi nodded repeatedly, looking at Zhao Ling with a mixture of awe, unease, shyness, and hope—but notably absent was the joy a child typically shows upon seeing a long-absent parent.

Zhao Ling felt a slight pain in his heart.

With all his sons, from birth to raising, he had never fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.

With this thought, he put his arms around Xi and Xu’s shoulders and asked with a smile, “Do you want to go too?”

“Yes, yes!” Xi and Xu’s eyes lit up, while the youngest, Han, still innocent and uncomprehending, echoed his brothers in his childish voice, “Want to go!”

Zhao Ling picked up his youngest son and smiled, “Good. When the time comes, Father will take you all to see the elephants.”

The children cheered.

Xi felt his father suddenly become much closer to him. The natural bond between father and son overcame the strangeness of two years’ separation, and he immediately became more familiar with Zhao Ling. “Father, Father, can we also buy cherries to eat?”

By early April, early cherries were already in season.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Zhao Ling nodded with a smile, showing complete agreeability like a perfect gentleman.

The children grew bolder.

Xu pulled at Zhao Ling’s sleeve: “Father, I don’t want cherries. I want to buy a big knife!”

Zhao Ling was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a request from his second son. His instinct was to refuse, but then he remembered that being away from home for so long, his children rarely had the chance to enjoy festivals and fairs. Guilt overrode rationality, and he said, “The big knives sold at temple fairs are just toys—they can’t even cut wood. In a few days, Father will take you to Liangcao Hutong. There’s a century-old shop there famous for making blades. Even the Five Guards Command buys weapons there. Father will have a good knife custom-made for you.”

Xu’s mouth fell open in amazement.

Fu Tingyun burst out laughing.

Now it was Zhao Ling’s turn to be stunned.

“What Xu wants is not a real knife, but a peachwood ceremonial knife sold at temple fairs,” Fu Tingyun explained, her eyes narrowing with amusement, her face full of mischief.

“Oh…” Zhao Ling scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.

Yu Wei entered the room: “Master, Madam, the meal is ready. Where would you like it served?”

“Let’s have it in the inner chamber,” Fu Tingyun said, her heart full at the sight of Zhao Ling.

Yu Wei acknowledged with a smile and led two servants carrying a kang table into the room.

Zhao Ling got onto the kang and saw the children standing at its edge, looking at him expectantly. He smiled and leaned down to ask, “Would you like to join me for a bite?”

While the children hesitated over whether to accept, Fu Tingyun intervened: “They’ve just had breakfast, and in another hour, it will be time for lunch. If they eat now, they won’t eat later.” Then she addressed the children, “Those who should be studying with the tutor, go study. Those who should be training with the master, go train. I’ll speak with the tutor later—you’ll have half a day off this afternoon to spend time with your father.”

The children became excited and dispersed happily.

Zhao Ling looked at Fu Tingyun with a hint of ardor in his eyes: “Would you like to join me?”

Fu Tingyun smiled and shook her head, bringing up another matter: “You promised the children to see the elephant performance. Can you stay until the eighth day of the fourth month? Why did you only return to the capital now for your duty report? Won’t the censors impeach you for this?”

“I’ve already submitted a memorial to the Emperor, explaining that I contracted dysentery on the road and would be a month late returning to the capital for my report.” Zhao Ling’s expression grew more serious. “I took the opportunity to visit Xi’an…”

Fu Tingyun’s attention was completely caught by the words “contracted dysentery.”

Dysentery was difficult to treat, and many people lost their lives to it.

Her face paled with alarm as she urgently asked, “How did you get dysentery? How are you feeling now?”

“I just had diarrhea,” Zhao Ling quickly explained. “It happened to provide a convenient excuse for visiting Xi’an Prefecture. I’ve just come from Xi’an today.”

“I’m glad you’re all right!” Fu Tingyun sighed with relief, though still concerned. “I’ll have Zheng San invite an imperial physician to examine you right away, just to set my mind at ease.”

Zhao Ling knew his own body and was certain he was perfectly fine, but to reassure Fu Tingyun, he smiled and nodded in agreement.

Only then did Fu Tingyun ask about Xi’an: “…Does Feng San have some news?” Then with sudden realization, she asked, “Is that why you had Manager Ye come every day to discuss opening branch stores, to divert my attention?”

“That was a coincidence,” Zhao Ling smiled. “I was worried about you, and since the matter was significant, it wasn’t appropriate to send a message through someone else. So I asked Manager Ye to look after you a bit more. I suppose he deliberately found something to keep you occupied, to prevent you from overthinking.”

Fu Tingyun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Zhao Ling proceeded to tell her about his journey to Xi’an Prefecture: “…Feng San recently had someone bring me a message. The Marquis of Xiping has two pastures under his jurisdiction. In recent years, the Marquis’s eldest son, Feng Tong, has been secretly conducting a horse-trading business behind his father’s back. He’s sold all the good horses from the pastures, leaving only old and sick ones. Now, with the Provincial Governor about to inspect the military, Feng Tong is suddenly anxious and has asked him to find a way to borrow some horses to pass the inspection…”

Fu Tingyun was shocked: “This Feng Tong is far too daring!” Then she asked, “What do you plan to do?”

“See if there’s an opportunity to report this to the Censorate,” Zhao Ling smiled. “That’s why I’m planning to stay in the capital for a few more days.”

“Be careful,” Fu Tingyun cautioned him. “Don’t get yourself pulled down in the process.”

Zhao Ling smiled and patted her hand.

His large hand with distinct knuckles was warm and soft.

Fu Tingyun turned her hand over and gripped Zhao Ling’s hand firmly.

Zhao Ling was surprised, but a warm smile soon welled up in his eyes.

“Nan’nan,” he gazed at her intently, using his other hand to gently caress her temple, full of affection.

Fu Tingyun smiled and rested her head on Zhao Ling’s shoulder.

Zhao Ling turned his head and kissed her forehead. He wanted to ask if she had missed him, but the question seemed superfluous… her actions had already given him the answer.

For a moment, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

Five more years—no, at most three years—and he would return to properly accompany his wife and children…

Feeling guilty, he called out, “Ah Qun… I’m sorry…”

Fu Tingyun gently shook her head, signaling him not to speak. “I just want to lean on you like this for a while.” She closed her eyes and revealed a sweet smile.

Zhao Ling couldn’t bear to deny her wish. They sat nestled together on the kang, quietly gazing at the pomegranate tree outside, which was beginning to sprout green buds.

…

After the meal, Zhao Ling went to the palace to present his card.

Before he returned home, relatives and friends had already learned of his arrival in the capital.

The house immediately became lively.

Zheng San Niang had been busy in the kitchen from noon until lamplight without rest. Fu Tingyun was constantly serving tea and refreshments, discussing the children with one visitor and inquiring about elders’ health with another, busily moving about.

Zhao Ling, however, left the roomful of guests to join Ah-Sen in the study.

“…Still no movement from the Needle Makers’ Hutong?” he asked with a serious expression.

“None!” Ah-Sen was quite troubled. “That Yu Jingxiu, who knows what he’s thinking—he hasn’t visited Concubine Min’s place for days.”

“Could he have tired of her already?” Zhao Ling said in a low voice. “If so, this could be problematic.”

Hearing this, Ah-Sen scratched his head and asked, “What about the Guo family? Should we still send them a message?”

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Ling replied, “Yes! Even if we can’t deal with Yu Jingxiu, we should still inform the Guo family.”

“Indeed!” Ah-Sen sighed. “That young Master Guo died such an unjust death!”

Zhao Ling had other concerns, however. He instructed Ah-Sen: “Young Master Guo’s father is quite opportunistic. Even if he learns the circumstances of his son’s death, it’s uncertain whether he would seek justice for his son. If he hesitates, find a way to reveal the rift between our families to him—that might help him make up his mind.”

Ah-Sen loudly acknowledged with a “Yes,” when Fu Tingyun’s voice came from outside: “Ninth Master, are you in the study? Official Qin and the others have arrived and are looking for you everywhere!”

Zhao Ling gave Ah-Sen a meaningful look and whispered, “Keep this matter quiet for now.” Then he opened the latticed door and raised his voice with a laugh, “I was trying to sneak away to chat with Ah-Sen for a bit, but you found me so quickly.”

Fu Tingyun smiled and said, “Would you prefer I tell them you’re not home?” She casually adjusted his collar.

“Since I’ve returned, I should at least greet them,” Zhao Ling sighed. “I’ll go say hello.”

Fu Tingyun suspected nothing and, after greeting Ah-Sen, accompanied Zhao Ling out through the entrance gate. Just as she was about to return to the hall, she saw Ah-Sen’s servant running towards them.

Seeing Fu Tingyun, he stopped and bowed respectfully.

Fu Tingyun smiled and asked, “What’s the rush?”

The servant stood frozen for a moment.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile, pointing to the study: “Is the Second Master in there?”

The servant hurriedly thanked her and ran towards the study.

Ah-Sen was impatient by nature, and those who served him tended to be the same.

Fu Tingyun smiled, shaking her head as she entered the hall.

In the study, the servant was panting as he reported to Ah-Sen: “Yu Jingxiu is going to bring Concubine Min into his household!”

Ah-Sen stood up excitedly: “Come, let’s find the Ninth Master!”