The Buddhist ceremony would last seven days.

Every morning, Fu Tingyun went to Daxingshan Temple accompanied by the Zheng Third couple and San Fu. After having dinner at the temple, she would return to Yangliuxiang, often arriving under a sky full of stars.

Sometimes Zhao Ling had already returned and would greet her in the courtyard. Other times, when Zhao Ling hadn’t yet returned, Fu Tingyun would strain her ears listening, only falling asleep peacefully after hearing movement and seeing lanterns hung high in the front courtyard.

After completing the ceremony, Fu Tingyun donated one hundred taels of silver as a merit offering and twenty taels as incense money. Though Daxingshan Temple was thriving with worshippers, this was still a generous contribution. The guest-receiving monk smiled warmly as he invited Fu Tingyun to meet the abbot: “…Female benefactor has prayed to Buddha with a sincere heart. The Abbot wishes to gift you a consecrated Buddhist implement to bless your health and bring you auspiciousness.”

Fu Tingyun pressed her palms together and greeted the monk respectfully before following him to meet the abbot.

The abbot was an elderly man in his sixties who greeted her with a benevolent smile. After offering words of blessing, he presented her with a string of small-leaf red sandalwood prayer beads: “You can also wear them on your wrist to ward off disasters and avoid calamities.” He also invited her, “On the first day of next month, the temple will hold a ceremony with eminent monks giving dharma talks. Female benefactor might wish to come and listen.”

Fu Tingyun thanked the abbot and promised that if she could leave home at that time, she would return to worship Buddha. The guest-receiving monk escorted her to the mountain gate.

Zhao Ling stood waiting by the carriage with A Sen and Shi Zhu behind him. In the guest-receiving monk’s eyes, he appeared to be a wealthy young master who came forward with great attentiveness to greet her, speaking many auspicious words. Only after Fu Tingyun and her group had gone far did the monk return through the mountain gate with several novice monks.

A Sen and the carriage driver sat on the shaft of the carriage. Fu Tingyun handed him an oilpaper package: “These are Daxingshan Temple’s vegetarian buns that you love so much.”

A Sen let out a cheer and immediately stuffed one into his mouth, chewing contentedly for a moment before suddenly remembering something. He quickly composed his expression and took one from the package to offer to Zhao Ling, who walked beside them: “Master Nine, please have one too!”

“You eat it yourself!” Zhao Ling smiled kindly, like a neighbor’s elder brother. “I’m not hungry!”

Fu Tingyun, who was peeking through a gap in the curtain, watched in silent amazement.

She wondered what had gotten into Zhao Ling these past few days. He seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, with his eyes always carrying a hint of laughter.

A Sen also offered buns to San Fu, Shi Zhu, and the carriage driver, who, of course, wouldn’t compete with him for food. A Sen sat on the carriage shaft, eating with relish.

Fu Tingyun spoke softly to A Sen: “What have you all been doing these days? I haven’t seen you for quite some time.”

A Sen twisted his head to speak with her: “We bought three shops on Baoqing Street, three hundred mu of land in Lujia Village in Chang’an County, over four hundred mu in Xihuai Village, and more than a thousand mu in Dongjiang Village…”

His voice was clear and loud, making Fu Tingyun’s face flush red as she secretly observed Zhao Ling’s expression.

Zhao Ling’s lips curved in a smile, as if finding their conversation amusing, his expression gentle.

How could this be?

Fu Tingyun stared at Zhao Ling’s face with suspicion, trying to discern some clue from his expression.

As if sensing someone watching him, Zhao Ling suddenly looked over, meeting Fu Tingyun’s gaze.

Caught in the act of peeping.

Fu Tingyun hurriedly lowered the curtain, naturally missing the sight of Zhao Ling’s increasingly upturned lips.

San Fu, Shi Zhu, and the others hadn’t noticed anything unusual between the two as they were listening to A Sen and the carriage driver talk.

“Where are you from? You’re certainly wealthy. The shops on Baoqing Street aren’t cheap, yet you bought three at once,” the driver remarked with admiration. “The headquarters of Baoqing Silver Shop is there, and all of Xi’an Prefecture’s famous silver shops and antique stores are located there. I heard the rent for just one storefront is over two hundred taels of silver a year!” He continued, “One thousand seven hundred mu of land—you must have spent quite a sum, right?”

“It’s nothing special,” A Sen replied. “The harvests haven’t been good lately, so we got a bargain.” Yet his tone couldn’t hide his pride.

The driver laughed heartily, “Even during the military troubles of the Kangcheng era, land still cost at least 1.2 silver taels per mu. Young fellow, you’re being too modest.” He then introduced himself, “My surname is Ma, and I’m the second born in my family. Everyone calls me Ma Er. I live in Lizi Lane in the eastern part of the city and usually do business near Jinshui Bridge in the east. Young fellow, if you need a carriage again, just call out and I’ll be there immediately.”

“So you’re Brother Ma Er,” A Sen, clever beyond his years, exchanged pleasantries with Ma Er. “I’ll remember that. If we need anything in the future, we’ll trouble Brother Ma Er.” They then chatted about where to find the best candies, where the meat pies were most delicious, and where to buy combs and hair ties. The entire journey was filled with A Sen’s cheerful chatter.

Zheng Third Mistress couldn’t contain her astonishment and whispered to Fu Tingyun: “I never expected Master Nine, at such a young age, to have earned such a large fortune. Miss, you are truly blessed.”

Fu Tingyun broke out in a cold sweat and quickly changed the subject: “I still have some cotton left. Would you like to make two pairs of cotton pants for Linchun?”

Zheng Third Mistress was delighted: “Thank you, Miss!”

Fu Tingyun, however, was thinking about Jin Yuanbao.

When would he return?

If her mother had other arrangements for her, she would have to leave Xi’an Prefecture. When the Zheng couple learned that there was no relationship between her and Zhao Ling, who knew how shocked they would be?

The carriage swayed back and forth, and Fu Tingyun’s heart was in turmoil. Finally, they arrived at Yangliuxiang, where Old Master Lu and Madam Lu were waiting at the gate with Lu Wei.

Madam Lu helped Fu Tingyun down from the carriage.

From a distance, someone came running toward them: “Master Nine, Master Nine!”

He shouted all the way.

Everyone turned to look.

They saw Jin Yuanbao in tattered clothes, carrying a bundle and running quickly toward them, with a panting Yang Yucheng following behind.

“Brother Yuanbao, Brother Yuanbao!” A Sen waved excitedly. “We’re here.”

Jin Yuanbao ran up to Zhao Ling and grabbed his arm: “Master Nine, Master Nine, you’re still alive!” Before he could finish speaking, he began to cry like a child.

Tears also glistened in the corners of Zhao Ling’s eyes. Noticing the carriage driver looking at them curiously, he said in a deep voice: “Let’s talk inside.”

Jin Yuanbao nodded repeatedly while choking with sobs. Old Master Lu dismissed the carriage driver, and the others surrounded them as they walked toward the house.

Yang Yucheng caught up: “Why, why did you run so fast? I chased you, chased you for two streets. I haven’t run like this for many years. I’m, I’m exhausted!” He put his arm on San Fu’s shoulder. “Won’t someone give me a push?”

Everyone couldn’t help but smile.

The atmosphere was cheerful.

Zhao Ling laughed and gently reprimanded Yang Yucheng: “Enough fooling around. Yuanbao has had a hard journey.” He instructed Zheng Third Mistress, “Heat some water and prepare some food.” His gaze inadvertently fell on Fu Tingyun standing to the side, and his face showed some hesitation.

Yang Yucheng shouted from the side: “On such a good day, let’s order a feast! The lamb scorpion soup at Thirteen Mountain is truly excellent!”

“Sounds good!” Zhao Ling quickly withdrew his gaze from Fu Tingyun, his expression becoming composed again. “You go to Thirteen Mountain and order the feast!”

“Ah!” Yang Yucheng howled like a wolf. “Why me? I’ve been waiting for Yuanbao at Xisheng Inn for more than ten days, not even daring to use the latrine…”

Everyone knew he was just acting silly to make them laugh, so they ignored him and tried to suppress their laughter as they headed toward the hall.

“How unlucky I am! How unlucky I am!” Yang Yucheng walked dejectedly at the back, muttering continuously. “You want me to order a feast, fine, but who’s paying?”

The others could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Fu Tingyun watched the scene before her, her vision somewhat blurred.

Jin Yuanbao had returned, which meant she would have to leave this place.

She would never again see the handsome and playful Yang Yucheng, nor the lively and adorable A Sen…

Her gaze fell on Zhao Ling.

He was laughing heartily.

His eyes slightly narrowed, his expression indescribably joyful, like sunlight breaking through dark clouds—bright and dazzling enough to make one unable to keep their eyes open.

Fu Tingyun lowered her head.

Her chest felt as if someone had punched it, making it painful to breathe.

She naturally didn’t see Zhao Ling looking over at her.

The depths of his eyes were as deep as the sea, mysteriously unfathomable.

…

Three people sat in Old Master Lu’s study, which was arranged like an accounting office: Zhao Ling, Fu Tingyun, and Jin Yuanbao.

Everyone’s expression was somewhat solemn, making the atmosphere in the study naturally a bit heavy.

Madam Lu served tea and quietly withdrew, closing the door of the study.

Zhao Ling gestured to Jin Yuanbao, suggesting he drink some tea first: “Did you encounter any dangers on your journey?”

Jin Yuanbao had already calmed his emotions. If not for his slightly reddened eyes, one wouldn’t have known he had been crying earlier.

“I took small paths,” he said respectfully. “The journey was very smooth; it only took about ten days to reach Huayin.” As he spoke, he glanced at Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun knew he was about to discuss her matters. Her heart tightened, and her hands clenched into fists.

“…However, I was unable to meet Madam Fu!”

“What?” Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun exclaimed in unison. Even someone as calm as Zhao Ling couldn’t help but ask urgently, “What happened? Why didn’t you see Madam Fu?” Fu Tingyun’s face turned pale, her fingers twisting anxiously.

“I heard from the Fu family that Madam Fu had gone to the capital,” Jin Yuanbao glanced at Zhao Ling, a strange light flashing in his eyes, then his peripheral vision swept over Fu Tingyun. “Fearing the rumors might be false, I found a way to sneak in. Madam Fu had indeed gone to the capital. She left only two dowry servants to manage the estate; all the others had followed her to the capital.”

“How could this be?” Fu Tingyun’s expression was distraught. “How could Mother leave me behind and go to the capital?” She looked at Jin Yuanbao, her eyes full of hope. “Didn’t Mother leave any message for me?”

Jin Yuanbao gazed at those eyes that shone like jewels and, after a long moment, softly said: “According to people in Huayin, after the death of the Fu family’s Ninth Miss, Madam Fu couldn’t bear the blow and fell ill. The Fu family’s Fifth Master, fearing that Madam Fu would be grieved by the surroundings, proposed to the Fu family’s Old Madam that Madam Fu should join him at his post. The Old Madam agreed. The Fu family’s Seventh Master personally came to escort Madam Fu to the capital.”

Fu Tingyun’s full-blooded brother, Fu Tinghong, was the seventh among his male cousins.

After Fu Tingyun’s father passed the imperial examination and remained at the Hanlin Academy, her brother had always followed their father to study in the capital. His wife was the daughter of her father’s fellow examination candidate. Her sister-in-law had only lived at home for three months before following her brother to the capital. Both of her nephews were born in the capital, and she had never seen them.