This was Fu Tingyun’s second time entering Mo Yi’s residence.

The first time, she came to inquire about Zhao Ling’s news, so anxious that she hardly noticed her surroundings. But this time, she was on guard and couldn’t help but carefully observe her environment.

The layout of both houses was the same, but Mo Yi’s courtyard was paved with large bluestone slabs. The willows on either side of the main house steps were thick enough to require two people’s arms to encircle them. In addition to carriages, the rear building’s stable also housed sedan chairs, making it appear more impressive.

She brought A-Sen with her.

A-Sen remained under the eaves of the main house while she followed Xue Mei into the hall.

Madam Feng and Madam Lu sat on master chairs on the left and right of the main hall, with five or six maids standing behind them. Fu Tingyun recognized two who served Madam Lu, while the other four were unfamiliar, presumably brought by Madam Feng. Though their appearances were ordinary, they wore silk and silver ornaments, dressed quite richly, complementing Madam Feng’s bright red clothes and golden phoenix hairpin, creating a scene of splendor.

Fu Tingyun was slightly surprised; she hadn’t expected Madam Feng to occupy the main seat in Madam Lu’s home.

Looking at the black lacquered square table with its serrated edges, she noted seven or eight tall blue-and-white porcelain fruit plates with sea-wave patterns. Besides apples, grapes, red dates, and sweet melons that could still be found in cellars at this time, there was even a plate of peaches that couldn’t be bought in the market now…

She wondered where Madam Lu had obtained them. Or perhaps Mo Yi had procured them?

Just from this display, it was clear how enthusiastic Madam Lu was toward Madam Feng.

As Fu Tingyun was pondering this, Madam Feng beckoned to her: “Come, sit beside me!” in an elder’s tone, pointing to the master chair below her.

Fu Tingyun inwardly snorted coldly but smiled as she greeted Madam Feng and Madam Lu, then sat where Madam Feng had indicated.

“Thank you, Concubine Feng!” she expressed gratitude while glancing at Madam Lu.

Her look implied: you are the host, yet you allow an outsider to act as mistress in your home—don’t you have any say in this?

Either Madam Lu didn’t understand Fu Tingyun’s glance, or she felt that currying favor with Madam Feng was more important. She showed no reaction to Fu Tingyun’s hint. When Fu Tingyun looked at her, she merely smiled politely and pointed to the tea Xue Mei had poured for Fu Tingyun: “It’s premium Biluochun tea, sent from the Marquis of Yingchuan’s residence in the capital during the New Year. The Marquis specifically had some sent to the General. I’ve been drinking this tea these past few days—clear color with a sweet aftertaste. Miss Fu, please try it and see how it tastes.” Her tone carried a hint of subtle pride.

These two were birds of a feather. Fu Tingyun felt that engaging with them was a waste of expression.

She nodded slightly, acknowledging Madam Lu’s greeting, then looked directly at Madam Feng: “Concubine Feng, you mentioned earlier that you had news of Ensign Zhao. May I ask what news that is?”

Madam Feng had anticipated this question and wasn’t surprised. She solemnly gestured to the maids behind her, who immediately curtseyed and filed out.

Seeing this, Madam Lu also gestured to Xue Mei, who led Madam Lu’s maids out as well, thoughtfully closing the latticed door of the hall behind them.

Only Fu Tingyun, Madam Feng, and Madam Lu remained in the room.

Madam Feng’s expression grew somber, appearing even more grave as she asked Fu Tingyun in a low voice: “When you went to Madam Wang’s, what did she tell you?”

Fu Tingyun certainly wouldn’t tell the whole truth. She concealed the matter of Wei Shi and told Madam Feng about the news Madam Wang had obtained from Deputy Commander Liu, then said: “I wonder if Concubine Feng has any way to discover Commander Lu and Ensign Zhao’s whereabouts? If Concubine Feng has any information, I would certainly express my gratitude generously.” As she spoke, she looked meaningfully at Madam Lu. “I believe Madam Lu must be as anxious as I am!”

Madam Lu was immediately furious with embarrassment.

This Miss Fu truly acted as her teacher, criticizing her without mercy.

These words mocked her for not caring about Commander Lu.

A young girl who relied on her slightly better background and the General’s favor, thinking she knew everything. Let her be arrogant now. Wait until she learned that once Deputy Commander Liu and the Marquis of Northwest joined forces, even the Marquis of Yingchuan would have to yield—then let’s see if she could still maintain that disdainful attitude.

She inwardly sneered, recalling Madam Feng’s earlier advice: “You’re just a branch of the Lu family. The Lu family’s commandant position is hereditary. As long as you remain General Mo’s woman, whoever inherits this position in the Lu family won’t slight you. What’s important is that you keep the General in your grasp.” Any hesitation she had felt now vanished, and she said: “The Lu family has several shops in Zhangye. Usually, when Zhuanglang Garrison wants to send something to me, or I want to send something back to Zhuanglang, Manager Lu from the shop helps with the delivery. This morning, after hearing what you said, I immediately sent Lu Mama to see Manager Lu, but Lu Mama returned saying that Manager Lu had gone back to Zhuanglang two days ago…” Thinking that Mo Yi was still safely by the Marquis of Yingchuan’s side, she felt a wave of relief and gained some confidence. “As for Commander Lu… I’m completely in the dark now and can only ask Sister Feng to help me.” She looked toward Madam Feng, promptly passing the topic to her.

Madam Feng’s eyes had already lit up when she heard Fu Tingyun say, “Express my gratitude generously.” As soon as Madam Lu finished speaking, she immediately said: “Don’t worry, when Deputy Commander Liu reads the official documents, I will serve by his side grinding ink. As soon as there’s news of Commander Lu and Ensign Zhao, I’ll immediately come tell both of you sisters.” After she finished speaking, she looked at Fu Tingyun and Madam Lu with a hesitant expression.

Before Fu Tingyun could say anything, Madam Lu urgently asked: “Could it be that Sister is hiding something from us?” She pleadingly tugged at Madam Feng’s sleeve. “Dear Sister, I’m almost dying with anxiety now. Please tell me?”

Madam Feng quickly glanced at Fu Tingyun.

Fu Tingyun sat there with pursed lips and furrowed brows, appearing very troubled.

Madam Feng nodded imperceptibly and said softly to Madam Lu: “There’s one thing that Deputy Commander Liu instructed no one should mention, fearing it would shake public morale and cause unrest…” Her peripheral vision watched Fu Tingyun. “Releasing the news that Commander Lu is missing was also a necessary measure. In reality, Commander Lu is fine…”

“What did you say?” Madam Lu was both shocked and delighted, tightly grasping Madam Feng’s hand. “Sister, is this true? How do you know? Why do you say releasing the news of Commander Lu’s disappearance was a necessary measure…”

Fu Tingyun’s heart also surged like turbulent waves upon hearing this.

Madam Feng was Deputy Commander Liu’s concubine, so she certainly had access to some confidential documents. This matter concerned not only life and death but also reputation. She was certain Madam Feng wouldn’t speak carelessly.

“What exactly happened?” Fu Tingyun also grew excited. “Could it be that Commander Lu’s disappearance is merely a ploy to lure the enemy?” She urgently asked Madam Feng.

“No!” Madam Feng looked at her, shaking her head with a tragic expression, and said solemnly, “Commander Lu led the troops from Zhuanglang Garrison’s five hundred household office to support Commander Hu, but the entire army was annihilated. Only Commander Lu escaped with the protection of several personal guards… According to the law, Commander Lu deserves death. But as you know, Commander Lu’s relationship with the Marquis of Yingchuan is exceptional, so… the Marquis came up with this idea. Externally, they only say he’s missing. If they can win a major battle, they’ll attribute the military merit to Commander Lu, using merit to compensate for his fault…”

“No, no, no,” Fu Tingyun knew about officials protecting each other. That year, when her family had a lawsuit against another prominent family in Huayin over an irrigation canal for their estate, the county magistrate was from the same examination year as her uncle. Her family only sent a steward to court, yet the magistrate ruled in their favor. Zhao Ling had mentioned that Lu Cheng was promoted by the Marquis of Yingchuan himself, so it was natural that he would protect Lu Cheng, but Zhao Ling… “The Ninth Master won’t die,” she shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face, “Perhaps he just got separated from the troops and hasn’t found the main camp yet; maybe he’s injured and can’t move…” The pain was like a knife cutting through her heart. Her vision blurred, and she walked toward the exit in a daze. “I must find him, he must still be alive…” He hadn’t yet escorted her to her parents’ side; how could he be dead?

No, it can’t be, it can’t be…

“Miss Fu!” Someone gripped her arm tightly. The strong scent of powder entered her nostrils. “Calm down, calm down.” It was Madam Feng’s voice, full of sympathy and pity. “Ensign Zhao is truly dead. He was dispatched by the Shaanxi Command, and Deputy Commander Liu must give the Shaanxi Command an explanation… Though he was only an ensign, his name was listed first. I saw it clearly, there can be no mistake.”

“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!” Fu Tingyun covered her face and wept loudly. He had even killed Feng Laosi; even the Sixteenth Master had admired him as a good man and had given him his name card. How could he die, how could he die… “It’s all my fault, all my fault…” If not for her presumptuous advice to Yang Yucheng, he wouldn’t have joined the military. No wonder there’s a poem saying “Regret urging my husband to seek a marquis title.” Had she known it would come to this, she would rather he had continued smuggling salt. “It was I who ruined him…” She felt heartbroken, sorrowful, grieved, with regret as desperate as Chang’e stealing the elixir.

“Miss Fu,” she heard Madam Feng consoling her in a tone of universal compassion, “The dead have it easy. They close their eyes, and it’s over. It’s the living who are pitiful. Look at you, coming to Zhangye with Ensign Zhao, not enjoying a single day of happiness before he left you. You’re so young and without support now. How will you live your days to come?”

The days to come…

Fu Tingyun gazed vacantly at the two women before her, whose faces she could not see.

What future did she have?

Naturally, she would take Zhao Ling’s memorial tablet and those of his parents, find a nunnery, and spend the rest of her days with a solitary lamp and Buddha, completing her remaining years.

She only regretted not asking Zhao Ling clearly about his hometown when he was willing to tell her everything. She could have sent him back to his roots. During annual festivals, he could have enjoyed the incense offerings from his descendants…

“Miss Fu, Miss Fu!” Madam Feng called Fu Tingyun with some anxiety.

She hadn’t expected Fu Tingyun to be so profoundly affected, surpassing even those women who had lost their husbands.

Could it be that they had already consummated their marriage?

She speculated inwardly.

But looking at Fu Tingyun’s face, as delicate as rain-beaten begonia, and recalling Fu Tingyun’s promise of “generous gratitude,” she suddenly felt at ease.

Even if they had consummated their marriage, what of it? This young lady was so beautiful and had some property. Most importantly, her brother admired her and had promised that if she helped him marry Miss Fu, he would behave properly and live faithfully with Miss Fu from then on…