Fu Tingyun was shocked and paled, springing to her feet: “What did you say?”

Her voice was high-pitched and sharp, startling Zheng San: “They say Commander Lu is missing!”

“Who told you this?” Fu Tingyun’s lips trembled as she paced anxiously around the room. “It’s just hearsay, how can you believe such things! Military affairs are confidential, and Commander Lu is a third-rank official. If he were missing, how could there be no reaction from the Commander-in-Chief’s residence…”

Zheng San looked at her silently.

Tears welled up in Fu Tingyun’s eyes.

She lowered her head: “Go call San’s mother in.” Her voice was low, tinged with melancholy.

Zheng San sighed inwardly and went to call his wife.

With Zheng San’s mother’s help, Fu Tingyun freshened up and changed her clothes, then went next door to Mo Yi’s residence.

Madam Lu was surprised to see her and invited her into the hall: “What brings Miss Fu to visit today?” Her words couldn’t help but carry a hint of mockery.

Fu Tingyun didn’t bother to quibble with her and got straight to the point, telling Madam Lu about the rumor Zheng San had heard: “…I don’t know if it’s true or false, so I wanted to ask Madam Lu for reliable information.”

This was the first time Madam Lu had heard this news.

Her expression changed dramatically as she called out loudly, “Lu Mama!”

A woman in her thirties entered.

She immediately instructed: “Quickly tell Manager Lu to return to Zhuanglang Garrison and see how my brother is doing.”

The woman didn’t say a word, respectfully acknowledged with a “Yes,” curtseyed, and withdrew.

Madam Lu let out a long breath.

She seemed to trust Manager Lu greatly, and her expression gradually relaxed. After thinking for a moment, she said: “Is Miss Fu worried about Ensign Zhao? Don’t worry, once Manager Lu returns, everything will be clear.”

Fu Tingyun nodded, sat with Madam Lu for a while, then rose to take her leave.

Madam Lu, also troubled by this news, exchanged a few polite words and saw Fu Tingyun out.

Fu Tingyun, accompanied by Zheng San and his wife, went to Madam Wang’s residence.

Madam Wang lived in the Commander-in-Chief’s official residence. The guards at the gate didn’t recognize Zhao Ling, let alone Zheng San. Fu Tingyun didn’t dare pretend to be Madam Wang’s relative, so they couldn’t enter. It was only when Zheng San mentioned Wei Shi that the guards called Wei Shi out, and with his escort, they were allowed in.

Although Wei Shi had guarded Fu Tingyun’s door for several days, he didn’t recognize her. He curiously glanced at her, seeing that she wore a cyan-colored kerchief on her head, revealing only her beautifully contoured round chin, as delicate and white as mutton-fat jade. His heart pounded, and he dared not look again, keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead as they walked, chatting with Zheng San: “What business do you have with Madam Wang? If you had come half an hour later, you wouldn’t have seen me—I’ve been ordered by Madam to depart immediately for Xining Garrison…”

Hearing this, Fu Tingyun felt a chill in her heart and quickly said: “Master Wei, I have something to ask.” Without waiting for his response, she continued, “Is Master Wei going to Xining Garrison to inquire about Commander Wang’s whereabouts?”

Wei Shi was slightly startled.

That voice was truly beautiful.

Like mountain spring water flowing over rocks, like the gentle chime of jade chimes in a hall, clear and pleasant to the ear.

“Yes, yes!” he hurriedly replied, “Madam has sent me to Xining Garrison specifically to inquire about our master’s whereabouts…”

This meant the rumor might not be unfounded.

Fu Tingyun fell silent.

Wei Shi continued murmuring: “The intelligence came last night. Counting the days, Commander Lu has been missing for five or six days, and there’s no definite news about our master… Madam didn’t sleep all night and went to Deputy Commander Liu’s place at dawn. Deputy Commander Liu confirmed everything but asked our madam not to spread the word to avoid causing public panic.”

Fu Tingyun felt a chill inside her. When she saw Madam Wang, before she could speak, Madam Wang had already taken her hand: “Don’t worry, I’m sending Wei Shi to Xining Garrison right away. He used to serve by the Commander’s side and has experienced many battles. The Marquis of Yingchuan is stationed at Menyuan, and his guards all know Wei Shi. Wei Shi will bring back news soon.” Her composure and calm tone gradually soothed Fu Tingyun’s anxious heart.

Madam Wang invited her to stay for lunch: “…If not for this matter, you would not have come to my door.” She smiled and took Fu Tingyun’s arm to the inner chamber, calling her maid: “Go, call the two young ladies to pay their respects to Miss Fu.”

This was the etiquette for close family friends.

Fu Tingyun was unprepared and repeatedly said, “I wouldn’t dare.” When she met Madam Wang’s two daughters, having no gifts prepared, she gave the pair of silver lotus hairpins from her hair to the ten-year-old eldest Miss Wang and the seven-year-old second Miss Wang.

Both girls were very well-mannered and graciously thanked Fu Tingyun.

Madam Wang modestly said: “I’ve spoiled them, and they don’t know proper etiquette. Please don’t laugh at them, Miss Fu.”

The eldest Miss Wang, being older, merely smiled demurely at her mother’s words, while the second Miss Wang puffed her cheeks somewhat indignantly.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile, her mood immediately improving.

Madam Wang chatted with her about everyday matters while the two young ladies sat properly, quiet and well-behaved. When it was time to eat, the maids served a dish of meat floss.

Fu Tingyun looked at Madam Wang in surprise.

Madam Wang explained with a smile: “My father is the Commander of Fuzhou Garrison.”

Fu Tingyun was moved.

Fuzhou bordered the sea, where Japanese pirates were rampant. The Fujian Command frequently went to sea to suppress bandits. Of their captures, one-tenth was officially submitted, while nine-tenths were privately distributed. Even ordinary ensigns had substantial wealth, not to mention a Garrison Commander. Yet Madam Wang had followed Commander Wang to Zhangye.

“How did Madam end up marrying into Shandan Garrison?” she asked, remembering that Zhuanglang Garrison’s Commander Wang Yi was from Shandan Garrison. The two places were worlds apart, and she couldn’t help asking.

A flash of melancholy crossed Madam Wang’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself and smiled: “The Commander was a military graduate of the twenty-sixth year of Xiping, serving as an official in Fuzhou Garrison. My father saw his upright character and betrothed me to him. His father had already passed away, and his mother had no one to care for her, so the Commander transferred to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office. Later, his mother passed away from illness. The Commander was alone here, and I was worried, so I came to join him.”

She hadn’t expected Commander Wang to be a military graduate!

Fu Tingyun was somewhat surprised. Noticing Madam Wang’s expression, she sensed there might be more to the story and silently reproached herself for speaking out of turn. She picked up a piece of meat floss with her chopsticks and said: “This is only the second time I’ve had meat floss. The first time was when I went to Nanjing with my grandmother…” She shared some of her experiences in Nanjing.

Madam Wang and her two daughters listened with great interest, and the meal was enjoyed in harmony. When Fu Tingyun took her leave, the two Wang young ladies reluctantly accompanied her to the door, with the second young lady tugging at her sleeve and asking: “Elder Sister Fu, when will you come to visit us again?” She was attached to Fu Tingyun.

Hearing this, Madam Wang’s eyes reddened slightly.

In Zhangye, most were frontier soldiers. The wives of lower-ranking officials usually came from humble backgrounds, and Madam Wang, fearing her daughters might pick up vulgar habits, was reluctant to socialize with them. Higher-ranking officials were usually served by concubines, making social interactions even less desirable. Over time, the few families they could visit with didn’t have young ladies of suitable age.

Fu Tingyun also liked the two sisters and, seeing Madam Wang’s reaction, felt she wouldn’t object to their friendship. She smiled and said: “If you have time, you can also come visit me!”

The second Miss Wang looked pleadingly at her mother.

Madam Wang smiled and stroked her daughter’s face, then said to Fu Tingyun: “Then we’ll certainly have to trouble Miss Fu sometime.”

“Welcome, welcome,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “I would be delighted.”

Madam Wang personally escorted her to the front gate of the Commander-in-Chief’s residence.

On the way, Fu Tingyun asked Zheng San’s mother, who had been arranged to dine with the Wang family servants: “Does Commander Wang have only these two daughters?”

If there were children from concubines whom the principal wife disliked, they wouldn’t need to appear before guests.

Zheng San’s mother nodded: “The Wang family has only these two young ladies.” After thinking, she added, “Commander Wang also has only Madam Wang by his side.” She continued, “I heard Commander Wang has been in Zhangye for ten years already. In the early years when Madam Wang wasn’t here, Commander Wang was only attended by male servants.”

Fu Tingyun nodded inwardly, deeply feeling that the Wang couple were worthy of friendship.

Entering the back street alley, she saw two elegant carriages stopped at Madam Lu’s gate. Four or five servant women and coachmen stood at Madam Lu’s door talking. When they saw people entering, they all glanced curiously. Two of the servant women widened their eyes and dashed into Madam Lu’s courtyard.

Fu Tingyun was puzzled, vaguely feeling this had something to do with her.

As she approached the gate, a burst of hearty laughter came from Madam Lu’s courtyard.

“Miss Fu, we were just talking about you.” A woman in her prime, wearing a bright red peony-patterned padded jacket, walked out, accompanied by Madam Lu, smiling. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.” She smiled at Fu Tingyun, the golden phoenix hairpin at the edge of her black hair bun glittering brilliantly. “My maiden name is Feng. Thanks to Ensign Zhao’s kindness, I like those four wine cups with gold-inlaid magpies on plum branches.”

Fu Tingyun smiled and curtsied to Madam Feng, but her heart was alarmed.

She hadn’t expected that the servant woman who had just entered Madam Lu’s door would be followed so quickly by Madam Feng coming to meet her. Even more surprising was that Madam Feng was wearing a bright red padded jacket and golden phoenix hairpin, attire reserved for principal wives. Madam Feng’s arrogance was evident.

“Thank you for your appreciation.” she didn’t want to make enemies through words, deliberately omitting any title, “I’m glad you like them.” She then greeted Madam Lu.

Madam Lu seemed to still be absorbed in the news Fu Tingyun had brought her earlier that morning and appeared somewhat distracted.

“I just came from Madam Wang’s place and am covered in dust,” Fu Tingyun smiled. “I won’t disturb you both. When I have time, I’ll visit you both again.” She decided to mention Madam Wang to intimidate this Madam Feng.

Both Madam Feng and Madam Lu’s expressions changed slightly.

Madam Lu glanced at Madam Feng.

Madam Feng paused briefly, then raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Did Miss Fu go to Madam Wang’s to inquire about Ensign Zhao? Speaking of which, I’ve also heard a thing or two from my husband… ” She looked thoughtfully at Fu Tingyun. “Why doesn’t Miss Fu come sit in Madam Lu’s room? I’ll certainly tell you everything I know.”

Fu Tingyun became even more suspicious.

What exactly did this Madam Feng want?

In a flash of insight, she suddenly thought of Feng Dahu… Could it be?

She looked toward Madam Lu.

Madam Lu smiled at her, but her smile seemed somewhat unnatural.

Fu Tingyun became even more convinced of her guess.

Some things can be avoided for a time but not forever. Rather than constantly worrying and being on guard, it might be better to settle things once and for all.

She smiled slightly: “I’m covered in dust. Please wait, Concubine Feng, while I change my clothes, and then I’ll join you.”

This Madam Feng didn’t deserve her courtesy.