Fu Tingyun asked Zhao Ling: “What does the Shanxi Datong Trading Company do?”

“They conduct trade between the north and south,” Zhao Ling said thoughtfully. “They’re the largest shareholder of Baoqing Tower.” He added with some admiration, “I thought they only dealt in medicinal herbs and fur with the eastern regions. I didn’t expect them to organize caravans and do business with the Arabs.”

Fu Tingyun felt these matters had little to do with her. She was more concerned about when she could finish making Zhao Ling’s fur coat.

After leaving Yongchang Wei, heavy snow began to fall.

The snowflakes drifted down, and within the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the countryside was blanketed in white.

They sought shelter from the snow at an inn next to the Dongle post station in Shandan Wei. After disembarking from the carriage, they saw Master Ye with his mustache standing alone at the inn’s entrance with his hands behind his back, looking solemnly at the falling snow, deep in thought.

Seeing Zhao Ling, he showed slight surprise but still politely nodded to him.

Zhao Ling was also quite surprised. He nodded back and passed by Master Ye, entering the inn.

Yang Yucheng couldn’t help glancing back at Master Ye’s figure.

Jin Yuanbao said, “Why don’t we stay here for the night? The snow is too heavy. It would be troublesome if we couldn’t reach the next post station.”

Zhao Ling nodded.

Jin Yuanbao asked the innkeeper for several rooms.

Just as they were settling in, there was a commotion outside.

Zheng Sanniang had made Fu Tingyun’s bed and went to help Zheng San arrange their room. Fu Tingyun was focused on hemming the fur coat—once the edges were done, the coat would be ready to wear.

The commotion grew louder and was approaching their quarters.

“None? Even if there are none, make two rooms available for me!” a crude voice shouted. “Do you want to die?”

The innkeeper repeatedly apologized.

Someone was pounding on the door of the adjacent room.

Zhao Ling was staying next door.

Fu Tingyun became worried, putting down her needlework to open the door.

But just as her hand touched the latch, she heard the neighboring door creak open, and Zhao Ling’s voice sounded from outside: “Who is it?”

Realizing there were men outside, Fu Tingyun opened her door just a crack to peek out.

She saw seven or eight men surrounding an arrogant-looking man dressed in a green Lu silk robe, crowding the hallway. The innkeeper was smiling nervously, repeatedly bowing to them.

One of the men following the man in the green Lu silk robe shouted: “We’re from the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office. We’re passing through on official business. Clear out these rooms for us.”

Fu Tingyun frowned deeply.

If they were from the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office on official business, why would they stay at this inn that charged money instead of the free post station next door?

“So you’re from the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office,” Zhao Ling said coolly with a smile. “I happen to be heading there to report in. In a sense, we’re like family. May I ask what position brother holds? Perhaps we could share a drink in the future.”

His face was stern, with his chin slightly raised, looking down at the man in the green Lu silk robe with a hint of arrogance, as if he didn’t think much of the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office. This left the group looking at each other in bewilderment, speechless for a moment.

“Brother,” the man in the green Lu silk robe spoke with a cautious, probing tone, “may I ask what position you hold? So that I might find you later to share that drink.” He smiled with shifting eyes.

“Oh!” Zhao Ling said indifferently. “I’m going to Zhuanglang Wei to serve as a Company Commander…”

Before he could finish, the group burst into laughter, their smiles full of arrogance. The man in the green Lu silk robe jeered even louder: “A mere Company Commander wants to drink with me? You should look at yourself in the mirror first. I’m a Centurion of Yongchang Wei…”

He had accidentally revealed his identity.

Zhao Ling gave the man in the green Lu silk robe a contemptuous glance, impatiently interrupting him, calling for “San Fu” and “Shi Zhu”: “Beat him until he shuts up.”

Beat an official!

San Fu and Shi Zhu didn’t have such courage, but they dared not disobey Zhao Ling. They nervously looked at Zhao Ling while rolling up their sleeves and approaching the group.

Zhao Ling seemed very dissatisfied with San Fu and Shi Zhu’s attitude and shouted: “What are you afraid of? If anything happens, just find Mo Yi!” He added, “If he dares to send me to this godforsaken place, he’ll have to clean up the mess!”

San Fu and Shi Zhu didn’t immediately understand Zhao Ling’s intention, but Fu Tingyun did.

He was borrowing influence!

She silently admired his cleverness.

The man in the green Lu silk robe’s expression began to waver.

Everyone in the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office knew about Mo Yi’s background. He came from a prestigious family and was skilled in warfare. Apart from the Marquis of Yingchuan, he didn’t respect anyone. If this person was brought here by Mo Yi, he must be either a relative or a close friend… His voice involuntarily lowered: “May I ask if you are related to General Mo?”

Zhao Ling didn’t even glance at the man, slamming the door shut with a “bang.”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile with pursed lips.

San Fu and Shi Zhu now understood and, though they charged forward with raised fists, they did so with restraint, not moving too quickly.

Innkeepers value harmony for the sake of business. The innkeeper quickly positioned himself between the two groups, bowing first to one side and then to the other: “We’re all on the same side, the same side. Why damage our relationship over such small matters…”

The man in the green Lu silk robe took the opportunity to save face: “Fine, for General Mo’s sake, I won’t quarrel with you.” He then directed his anger at the innkeeper, “You bastard, quickly find me several rooms, or I’ll tear this inn apart.”

After careful consideration, the innkeeper had to consult with Master Ye.

Master Ye said nothing, smiling as he vacated several rooms.

Listening to the commotion outside, Yang Yucheng couldn’t help but sigh: “I thought only small merchants would behave this way. I didn’t expect that even businesses as large as the Datong Trading Company must smile in the face of such uncouth people.” He added, “It’s better to have an official position after all!”

Zhao Ling just smiled without saying anything.

Asen was peeking around curiously.

“What are you doing?” Jin Yuanbao laughed, giving him a light tap on the head.

Asen pouted, rubbing his head resentfully: “Miss Fu sent me to see what the master was doing…”

Jin Yuanbao glanced at Zhao Ling with a smile, saying: “Does Miss Fu have something to discuss with the master?”

“I think the fur coat is almost ready,” Asen said. “Miss Fu wants to bring it over…”

“I’ll go and see!” Zhao Ling stood up upon hearing this. “You all go to the kitchen and see what food is available. With the heavy snow today, more people will probably seek shelter here. Better not go late when there’s nothing left to eat!”

Jin Yuanbao acknowledged with a sound.

Yang Yucheng, watching Zhao Ling leave, called out to Jin Yuanbao with a “hey” and said: “Have you noticed that the master…” He didn’t quite know how to describe it, hesitating before continuing, “Goes to Miss Fu’s room quite frequently?”

“I haven’t noticed!” Jin Yuanbao replied as if he hadn’t given it any thought. “Miss Fu is a woman traveling with us through hardship. Shouldn’t we check on her more often? You’re overthinking things.”

Yang Yucheng felt something wasn’t right, but also thought Jin Yuanbao’s explanation made sense. He chuckled awkwardly a few times.

…

The fur coat was just completed, and Fu Tingyun was still tidying up her sewing materials. She hadn’t expected Zhao Ling to come over. She put down her work and handed the fur coat to Zhao Ling: “Master Zhao, please try it on to see if it fits. If anything doesn’t feel right, let me know, and I’ll adjust it.”

Zhao Ling responded with an “Mm,” went back to his room to change into the fur coat, and returned to show Fu Tingyun.

Perhaps because he had been recuperating for some time, compared to when she first met him, not only had his complexion improved significantly, but his physique had also become more robust. The blue plain silk fur coat on Zhao Ling’s upright figure gave him a steady, elegant demeanor.

“How is it?” he asked Fu Tingyun.

“Oh!” Fu Tingyun quickly composed herself and carefully examined the fur coat. “The size seems right. Move around a bit to see if anything feels uncomfortable.”

Zhao Ling stretched his arms while saying: “This cotton robe I’m wearing was also made by you, and it feels quite good.” The implication was that this coat should also be fine.

Fu Tingyun didn’t find any issues and couldn’t help but feel relieved.

All that work hadn’t been in vain.

A gentle joy welled up inside her, and she smiled: “The weather has changed today. Master Zhao should wear this fur coat!”

Zhao Ling nodded and sat down in the nearby armchair.

Fu Tingyun naturally went to serve him a cup of hot tea and brought up the earlier incident: “…If Mo Yi finds out about what you did, won’t he create obstacles for you?”

Although she knew Zhao Ling’s method was clever, her upbringing emphasized being low-key and practical, so she couldn’t help but worry.

This area was full of military posts, and news of this incident would spread quickly. If Mo Yi were to disassociate himself from them, Zhao Ling would have a difficult time.

She had recently inquired about the hierarchy from Zheng San.

According to the court’s system, every ten men formed a Small Banner, every five Small Banners formed a Company Banner, every two Company Banners formed a Centurion unit, every ten Centurions formed a Battalion Commander unit, and every five Battalion Commanders formed a Wei (Guard).

Zhao Ling was currently just a Company Commander.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Zhao Ling took a sip of tea and smiled as he explained the relationship between Lu Cheng and Mo Yi to her. “By doing this, I’m hoping that Centurion will relay information about me to Lu Cheng’s ears. If Mo Yi tells Lu Cheng the truth, given Lu Cheng’s character, he would curry favor even with Mo Yi, let alone the Sixteenth Master’s man! If Mo Yi conceals anything from Lu Cheng, that’s even better. Lu Cheng will surely take extra care of us for Mo Yi’s sake.” He continued, “If Mo Yi wants to dissociate himself from me, so be it. Having been suddenly assigned here by the Commandant, many people must be curious about my background. If I were to tell them directly…” He winked at Fu Tingyun, suddenly revealing a childlike innocence, “Mo Yi would probably have an even bigger headache. He might even proactively claim me as his relative!”

Fu Tingyun’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Her face grew slightly warm.

She suddenly remembered that Asen sometimes winked like that too.

So, Asen had learned it from Zhao Ling!

She couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Like the sun breaking through clouds, like the dawn spreading across the sky, the room suddenly seemed brighter.

Zhao Ling felt a warmth in his heart.

If only time could stop at this moment!

He gazed at Fu Tingyun, hoping that in front of him, she could always be this happy, this radiant…