Fu Tingyun waited for two days without any news, causing her much anxiety.

Madam Lü would come every morning to chat with her, and in the afternoon, she would bring pastries that Mr. Lü had bought from Guangren Temple. She took exceptional care of Fu Tingyun, treating her no differently than a biological aunt would.

Fu Tingyun found this rather strange and tried to probe Madam Lü: “I’ll be troubling you for many days to come. Your politeness makes it seem like I’m an outsider.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Madam Lü’s face was round as the full moon as she smiled at Fu Tingyun with loving kindness. “Master Nine said you could stay as long as you want, and that everything should be decided by you. If you like it here, after a couple of years, we can find you a good marriage match. Whether you want the husband to be adopted into the family or you want to marry out, it’s all up to you.” She continued, “After all, we’re an old couple with not many years left, and all our possessions will be left to you. Don’t worry about not having a dowry for your marriage.”

Fu Tingyun was shocked to her core.

Zhao Ling had thought of everything for her!

Lying on her bed, tears flowed uncontrollably, dampening the cool green bamboo mat.

What kind of person did he take her for?

Living in his house, using his hard-earned money to marry someone else? Even bringing a husband into his house? He thought of that.

It was only because he feared the Fu family wouldn’t accept her and she’d have nowhere to go. Xi’an Prefecture had many Buddhist nunneries and Daoist temples; worst case, she could cut off her hair and live out her days with the Buddha.

Another wave of resentment surged in her heart.

He was so considerate of others, but why didn’t he care for himself?

He was staying alone at the inn, and who knew how he was doing now?

There was no news from A-Sen’s side. Had Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao followed Zhao Ling’s instructions, disbanded their companions, and left the city?

With all these thoughts, she was deeply unsettled.

A-Sen returned with Yang Yucheng.

Fu Tingyun was overjoyed.

That meant Yang Yucheng was truly a loyal and righteous person!

She changed her clothes and went to the hall.

Unlike the elegant young master from the other day, today’s Yang Yucheng wore a short hemp garment and had applied something to his skin that gave it a honey color, making him look like a porter selling labor at the docks.

His gaze toward Fu Tingyun carried a hint of vigilance.

Fu Tingyun secretly frowned.

Now was the time to weather the storm together. If Yang Yucheng didn’t trust her, how could they unite their efforts?

Her face revealed a trace of coldness.

A-Sen observed this and became anxious, fearing they would fall apart at the first disagreement. He nervously tugged at Yang Yucheng’s sleeve and whispered, “Brother Yucheng, Miss Fu is formidable. She has figured out everything about our affairs. She truly wants to help Master Nine.” Then he looked at Fu Tingyun with pleading eyes: “Miss Fu, Brother Yucheng says that once Master Nine has decided something, no one can change it. He fears that if you act rashly, you might ruin Master Nine’s plans.”

Those probably weren’t Yang Yucheng’s exact words, were they?

He most likely thought she was an ignorant woman raised in seclusion, knowing nothing, using Zhao Ling’s name to summon him through A-Sen, and presuming to give advice on rescuing people!

Yet even so, he still came. It showed he was not only loyal to Zhao Ling but also deeply respectful!

With this realization, Fu Tingyun’s expression softened. She gestured for him to sit in the lower seat and called A-Sen to pour tea.

A-Sen hesitated for a moment before turning away, worried they might argue.

Yang Yucheng, however, sat in the chair without ceremony, cupped his hands toward Fu Tingyun, and said, “Miss Fu, A-Sen said you have an excellent plan to save Master Nine. I rushed here, and I would like to hear your guidance.” His words concealed barbs, with a hint of indifference beneath his courtesy.

He was irritated by Fu Tingyun’s meddling. If not for her, Jin Yuanbao wouldn’t have been sent to Huayin to deliver a message. If Jin Yuanbao hadn’t gone to Huayin, he would have had someone to consult with, giving him more confidence in rescuing Master Nine.

This woman was truly more of a hindrance than a help!

Fu Tingyun, on the contrary, became calmer.

They had only met briefly before, and this was their first conversation. Since Yang Yucheng was Zhao Ling’s right-hand man, he must be quite capable. It would be presumptuous to expect him to suddenly trust a mere woman like her.

Now the most important thing was to convince Yang Yucheng to trust her.

Fu Tingyun smiled slightly, her expression becoming more gentle: “Judging by your attire, Master Yang, it seems you’re planning to help Master Nine in secret?”

Yang Yucheng had expected her to ask about Zhao Ling’s condition, but was surprised when she brought up something unrelated. He was slightly taken aback but nodded and said, “That’s right!”

Fu Tingyun continued, “May I ask where Master Jin has gone? Are you in contact with him?”

A flash of displeasure crossed Yang Yucheng’s face.

At the time, he had urged Jin Yuanbao to stay with him in Xi’an Prefecture, but Jin Yuanbao had insisted on going to Huayin, saying, “This is Master Nine’s wish. I have never disobeyed Master Nine, and I won’t this time either.”

Thinking of this made him angry.

Jin Yuanbao was following orders, so he couldn’t blame him; it was Master Nine’s instructions, so he certainly couldn’t blame Master Nine either.

Naturally, his anger was directed at Fu Tingyun.

“Brother Yuanbao went to Huayin.” he coldly looked at Fu Tingyun. “Doesn’t Miss Fu know that?” He couldn’t help but reveal a hint of mockery.

Fu Tingyun, however, acted as if she hadn’t heard. She nodded slightly and thoughtfully said, “At this time, instead of staying with you to help Master Nine escape his predicament, Master Jin went to Huayin…”

Hearing this, Yang Yucheng was so angry that his hands clenched into fists.

Then he heard Fu Tingyun continue, “It seems Master Jin is a person of great strategic thinking!”

Yang Yucheng was stunned once again.

Jin Yuanbao indeed had many good ideas!

Fu Tingyun spoke slowly, “He must have realized early on that Master Nine couldn’t possibly escape, and since you were determined to stand with Master Nine to the end, he had no choice but to go to Huayin. First, to fulfill Master Nine’s last wish, and second,” her voice gradually lowered, tinged with sorrow, “second, with both of you gone, there would be someone to collect your remains…”

Her words struck like lightning, making Yang Yucheng’s head buzz.

Indeed, he and Yuanbao were like brothers, having gone through countless bloody battles together. Yuanbao had never backed down and was not a coward, fearing death. How could he abandon Master Nine at this time?

He recalled that among the brothers, it was always Yuanbao who came up with ideas.

Perhaps, just as Miss Fu from the Fu family suggested, Jin Yuanbao had realized that Master Nine couldn’t possibly escape alive, which was why he went to Huayin.

Yang Yucheng looked at Fu Tingyun, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

Fu Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t know what Jin Yuanbao’s actual plans were, but she recalled that Zhao Ling had sent Jin Yuanbao to investigate Moyi’s background. Jin Yuanbao had not failed Zhao Ling’s trust and had thoroughly uncovered the details of this mobile general under the Gansu Commander-in-Chief. This showed that he was very skilled at espionage and analysis, which was why she had made such a statement. She hoped to surprise Yang Yucheng, gain the upper hand, and lay the groundwork for what she would say next.

It seemed her guess had been correct.

“When I used to watch plays, I most admired those censors who could not be bent by force or swayed by wealth,” Fu Tingyun changed the subject, her face showing reverence. “I always felt that they ‘returned their lofty spirit to the heavens, with their loyal hearts illuminating through the ages,’ leaving their names in history, being enshrined in the Temple of Loyalty, which was the most glorious thing in the world.” As she spoke, her gaze dimmed, “But one day, my father said that those who died for their principles were merely incompetent villains seeking a clean reputation, selfishly implicating the emperor in unrighteousness through their despicable actions.”

Yang Yucheng was surprised.

He didn’t know what Fu Tingyun meant by these words.

“I was young then, reading the Records of the Grand Historian, and felt my father was exaggerating, so I argued with him,” her expression was solemn as she continued slowly. “I don’t quite remember exactly what was said at the time, but the question my father asked that left me speechless was branded in my heart, and I still remember it vividly.” She looked at Yang Yucheng, “My father asked me, if the ministers leave their names in history and are enshrined in the Temple of Loyalty, what then of the emperor?”

Fu Tingyun’s gaze burned like flames, staring directly into Yang Yucheng’s eyes, as if asking him how he would answer if he were in her place.

That fire seemed to burn from her eyes into his throat. Yang Yucheng felt his mouth go dry, and for a long while, he couldn’t speak.

“I want to ask Master Yang, if Master Nine escapes with your help, what then?”

Fu Tingyun’s voice was strong and forceful, resounding in his ears like a great bell.

If Master Nine escaped, what then?

Their opponent was a prince whose background they hadn’t fully uncovered, involving the Yingchuan Marquis, the Guangdong Commander-in-Chief, and the Mo clan of Luyi… Behind these people were truly powerful families. Compared to them, the so-called jianghu giants were like a cocoon fire next to the bright moon. Any one of them could easily crush them to dust with a wave of their hand.

Master Nine was injured. Even if he could escape Moyi’s pursuit, what about afterward? Would it provoke the Yingchuan Marquis or even that unnamed prince?

She was talking about him!

Implying that he, like a censor, was endangering Zhao Ling’s life for the sake of his loyalty and righteousness.

A woman with such insight.

No wonder Master Nine regarded her so highly, remembering to settle her safely even in difficult times.

Yang Yucheng’s expression became serious, with no trace of disrespect.

“Miss Fu, I understand everything you’ve said,” he set aside his casual attitude, speaking humbly and sincerely. “But once Master Nine has decided something, it never changes. I owe Master Nine a great debt. Even knowing it’s like a moth flying into a flame, I have no choice but to follow. If Miss Fu has any ideas that could help Master Nine escape danger, I will obey your commands and do as you direct.” His final words were resolute, his demeanor unyielding. Gone was the elegant demeanor of a young master or the silent endurance of a porter. What remained was bold heroism and unbending integrity.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

With such brothers by his side, Zhao Ling would have no regrets even in death.

She asked Yang Yucheng, “How many people do you have with you?”

“Only two,” Yang Yucheng hesitated. “One called San Fu, one called Shi Zhu. They’ve both followed Master Nine for many years and received martial arts training from him. Three or five strong men couldn’t get close to them. They know about Master Nine’s situation and insist on staying.” He continued, “Moyi is no ordinary person. Too many people would get in the way. However, if Miss Fu needs manpower, half of Shaanxi’s idle gangs are currently in Xi’an Prefecture. I can hire some with money. After all, it’s citizens against officials. They can run errands, but there are some things they absolutely cannot know about.”

Fu Tingyun smiled slightly: “So you, San Fu, and Shi Zhu are all prepared to die?”

“Of course,” Yang Yucheng’s expression was spirited, full of heroic气, without a trace of fear. “Even if we can’t save Master Nine, we’ll make Moyi pay dearly. We’re not soft persimmons that he can squeeze however he wants.”

“Excellent!” Fu Tingyun was infected by his spirit and stood up abruptly. “If you’re not afraid of death, what else is there to fear? I have a task I’d like Master Yang to handle!”