Unlike the murderous atmosphere in Mo Yi’s room, Zhao Ling’s quarters were filled with the joy of reunion.
“…The Feng family refuses to speak of it, but as soon as I heard, I knew it was Master Nine’s doing,” Jin Yuan Bao, with his gentle eyes, was now visibly excited. “When we saw the mark Ah Sen left behind, we were both shocked and delighted. We were just contemplating whether to have San Fu disguise himself as a fortuneteller to give Mo Yi a reading, persuading him to bring Master Nine to Xi’an Prefecture. Unexpectedly, an epidemic broke out in Jiuli Ravine, causing people to flee to Linchun Town. We thought Master would surely seize this opportunity, so we stationed people at each city gate every night. Sure enough, Master Nine entered the city under the cover of darkness!”
Zhao Ling still reclined against the headboard, but his lips curled into a smile, no longer as aloof as before. “We thought? I believe it was you, Jin Yuan Bao, who thought of this?” His tone carried a hint of teasing.
Jin Yuan Bao rubbed his head and smiled, his smile genuine and unassuming.
“Thank you for your hard work!” Master Nine asked with concern, “How is San Fu and the others?”
“They’re all doing well!” Jin Yuan Bao replied. “They just miss Master Nine and hope to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with you soon!”
“Mid-Autumn Festival?” Zhao Ling’s expression shifted slightly, a flash of melancholy crossing his eyes.
Jin Yuan Bao noticed this and gave Yang Yu Cheng a look, signaling him to say something comforting. Unexpectedly, Yang Yu Cheng, who had seemed somewhat distracted since entering, straightened himself and smiled, “Master Nine, why didn’t you send that Miss Fu to Weinan? Has something else happened to her family?”
Jin Yuan Bao glanced at Yang Yu Cheng, as if reproaching him for bringing up such a topic at this moment.
Seeing Yang Yu Cheng’s flickering gaze, Zhao Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you thinking? You met her at the door, didn’t you? Haven’t you noticed that Miss Fu is in mourning?” As he spoke, his smile gradually faded. “Her uncle set up a porridge stall in Fengyuan, which attracted the envy of refugees, who ended up plundering and killing his entire family…”
Jin Yuan Bao and Yang Yu Cheng fell silent.
In recent days, similarly tragic events had been occurring one after another. Provincial Governor Dong Hanwen had requested the court to mobilize troops from the Shaanxi Military Commission to suppress the unrest, using precisely this as his justification.
“Then, what about Miss Fu?” Yang Yu Cheng asked hesitantly. “We can’t keep traveling with her like this, can we?”
Ah Sen, crouching at the door, keeping watch, heard Yang Yu Cheng’s tone as if he opposed Zhao Ling bringing Fu Tingyun along. Thinking of Fu Tingyun’s kindness to him these past days, he disregarded Zhao Ling’s rules and interjected, “What’s wrong with Miss Fu being with us? She can cook, make clothes, and knows how to take care of Master Nine… I think it’s good for her to be with us. We certainly won’t begrudge her a meal.”
“What do you know?” Yang Yu Cheng glared at Ah Sen. “Is this just about having enough food? Adults are talking, children shouldn’t interrupt.”
Ah Sen glanced furtively at Zhao Ling. Seeing that Zhao Ling’s expression remained calm, he knew Zhao Ling wasn’t blaming him, but he didn’t dare speak further. He muttered quietly, criticizing Yang Yu Cheng, and turned his face toward the outside of the room.
“I was just planning to discuss this matter with Yuan Bao,” Zhao Ling said. Initially, I promised Madam Fu, but I didn’t expect so many things to happen on this journey. Now we can only send someone to the Fu family to deliver a message to Madam Fu, see what she says, and then make our plans accordingly!”
Could Master Nine be planning to see this matter through to the end?
Jin Yuan Bao hesitated, “Master Nine, these are extraordinary times. Prince Jian and the Shaanxi gentry are taking refuge in Xi’an Prefecture, which is heavily guarded. Once the disaster situation improves and Xi’an Prefecture lifts its martial law, the Feng family will certainly cause trouble for us. Xi’an Prefecture is not a place to stay long…” As he spoke, he noticed Master Nine’s brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, and realizing his mind was made up, he sighed inwardly. “However, Miss Fu is now alone, and we can’t leave without ensuring she’s properly settled. I think I should make a trip to Huayin. However, without any proof, Madam Fu might not believe me, so I’d request that Miss Fu write a few words for me to carry…”
“How can you go?” Yang Yu Cheng immediately objected upon hearing this. “If you go, how will we get our things out of Xi’an Prefecture?” He looked toward Zhao Ling, “Master Nine, I think I should go instead.”
“Yuan Bao will go,” Zhao Ling didn’t agree with Yang Yu Cheng’s suggestion. “Yuan Bao has always been steady and cautious. This matter cannot afford any more mistakes, and I’ll be more at ease if Yuan Bao goes. As for a token, Ah Sen, go tell Miss Fu.”
Ah Sen responded and left.
Zhao Ling said to Yang Yu Cheng, “Arrange for San Fu and the others according to the original plan. Those who are willing to follow us to Jiangnan will come with us, and those who aren’t, we won’t force them. Give them what they deserve, and we’ll still be brothers when we meet again in the future.” Then he smiled, “Aren’t you quite fond of accounting? This time, you handle it.”
Yang Yu Cheng smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
Zhao Ling’s expression turned serious. “However, make it clear to them that once they follow us to Jiangnan, they can never return. Birth, aging, sickness, and death—all will be in Jiangnan.”
This meant leaving one’s homeland behind.
Yang Yu Cheng nodded, his expression no longer playful as before. “Master, rest assured, I will arrange everything properly. I will make all necessary explanations.”
Zhao Ling nodded in approval.
Ah Sen knocked on the door and brought in a silver bracelet. “Miss said that no written message is necessary; just show this bracelet to Madam Fu.”
Zhao Ling recognized it as the silver bracelet that Madam Fu had asked him to deliver to Fu Tingyun that day. It was hollow inside and had once contained banknotes worth two thousand taels.
He nodded.
Ah Sen handed the silver bracelet to Jin Yuan Bao.
Zhao Ling asked Jin Yuan Bao, “Have you found out who this Mo Yi is?”
“I’m not quite sure,” Jin Yuan Bao said hesitantly. “It seems somewhat implausible!”
Zhao Ling raised his eyebrows.
Perhaps finding it too incredible, Jin Yuan Bao’s expression became solemn, and his voice involuntarily lowered, “Marquis of Yingchuan, Meng Shu, who holds the seal of General Pacifier of the Qiang and guards Gansu, has a mobile corps general called Mo Yi. He’s from the Mo clan of Luyi, and his clan uncle is Mo Shang, who holds the seal of General Conqueror of the Barbarians and guards Guangdong…”
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Ling’s expression had drastically changed.
A single “Master Sixteen” had led to connections with two major generals commanding substantial forces guarding the western and southern regions…
Master Nine had always been one to conceal his emotions; why today…
As this thought flashed through his mind, Yang Yu Cheng’s heart sank, and he exclaimed, “Could this Mo Yi be that Mo Yi?”
Zhao Ling remained silent.
A flash of fear crossed Jin Yuan Bao’s eyes. “Then, what should we do?”
Zhao Ling’s expression was grim. “Yuan Bao, you go to Huayin to deliver the message. After meeting Madam Fu, explain to her that we can’t send her any more messages. Tell her to find her way to send someone to Xi’an Prefecture to meet Miss Fu. You don’t need to come back; go directly to Jiangnan. Yu Cheng, you return now and lead those willing to go to Jiangnan away tonight without delay…”
“No!” Both men stood up simultaneously, opposing in unison, “If we leave, we leave together, or none of us leaves.”
Zhao Ling’s eyes suddenly became a bit moist.
He smiled, a smile filled with indescribable relief and gratification.
“This isn’t a matter of strength in numbers,” Zhao Ling smiled. “With your skills, what can you do by staying here? Not burdening me would be good enough. Just follow my arrangements!” As he spoke, his expression darkened, changing abruptly, like an unsheathed precious sword, radiating sharpness, emanating killing intent. “I want to see what Mo Yi can do to me.”
“Master Nine!” The two knew Zhao Ling’s reasoning made sense, but they found it difficult to accept such arrangements. They called out in agitation but didn’t know what else to say.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!” Zhao Ling raised his eyebrows, confidence exuding from the corners of his eyes and brows, suddenly making him appear solemn and dignified, vaguely possessing the air of a sovereign looking down upon the world.
Yang Yu Cheng bit his lip. “Very well, I’ll follow Master Nine’s arrangements.”
Zhao Ling looked toward Jin Yuan Bao.
Jin Yuan Bao remained silent for a moment, then raised his head. “I will also follow Master Nine’s arrangements.”
His gentle gaze was firm and composed, making his ordinary appearance seem dignified and grand.
Zhao Ling smiled faintly. “You two mustn’t act on your own and spoil my plans.”
Both men’s expressions changed slightly.
Neither Yang Yu Cheng nor Jin Yuan Bao had planned to leave; they simply knew Zhao Ling’s temperament and understood that saying more would be futile.
Both smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Zhao Ling warned them again: “Don’t think you know better.”
The two smiled bitterly, acknowledging with nods, and rose to take their leave.
Zhao Ling called Ah Sen to his side. “Do you remember my former residence in Willow Lane?”
“I remember!” Ah Sen looked at Zhao Ling, his face full of bewilderment.
Zhao Ling gently stroked his head. “When the time comes, take Miss Fu and the others there.”
Ah Sen pressed his lips tightly together without speaking, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
“You silly child,” Zhao Ling sighed softly, like a March breeze passing over willow tips. “I’m counting on you to guard that escape route for me!”
Ah Sen was still young and trusted Zhao Ling implicitly, but upon hearing this, he seemed indecisive.
Zhao Ling snickered, “At such a young age, you’re already trying to learn from Yuan Bao about strategizing? Wait another ten years!”
Ah Sen broke into laughter through his tears.
Zhao Ling went to Fu Tingyun’s quarters.
Fu Tingyun was about to sew clothes. Hearing it was Zhao Ling, she hurriedly stuffed her needles, threads, and half-finished garments into the cabinet. “Wait a moment, I’ll be right there.”
Zhao Ling stood under the eaves outside the latticed door, listening to the rustling sounds inside and Fu Tingyun’s hurried footsteps. Without seeing, he could imagine Fu Tingyun’s flustered appearance.
Weren’t ladies from noble families supposed to smile without showing their teeth and walk so gently their skirts wouldn’t move? How was it that whenever he saw this Ninth Miss of the Fu family, she was always jumping around like a child who hadn’t grown up?
He wondered if she behaved the same way in front of her parents.
The corners of his mouth curved into a pleased arc.
In his idleness, his peripheral vision caught sight of a green blade of grass poking out from between the cracks of the blue bricks in the corner, trembling in the sunlight, its tender green so appealing that one couldn’t help but want to pluck it and inhale the long-missed fragrance of fresh grass.
The door creaked open, revealing Fu Tingyun’s flushed face.
“What brings Master Nine here?” she said, letting Zhao Ling into the room.
Though she had only lived here for a few days, the room already bore her traces.
A faint fragrance permeated the air. Several large red window paper-cuts were pasted on the windows. An ink-wash painting she had drawn hung on the wall. A copy of “Thousand Family Poems” lay by her pillow. Half a cup of tea remained in the tea tray on the table.