Fu Tingyun raised her head in confusion, her face covered with teardrops.

From outside came A-Sen’s anxious, loud call: “Miss, Miss, what’s happened to you?”

She gave a start and came to her senses.

This was truly terrible!

How could she have lost her composure upon hearing that Zhao Ling had met with misfortune, and believed everything these two women with ill intentions had told her?

Fortunately, when Madam Feng had invited her, she had taken precautions. Using the excuse of changing clothes, she had returned home and instructed Zheng San to investigate who Madam Feng had brought along. Were there any strong men? What kind of people were in Madam Lu’s residence? When she learned that besides two fifty-year-old carriage drivers, Madam Feng was accompanied only by women and children, and that there were no outsiders in Madam Lu’s residence, she had further instructed A-Sen: “You’ll come with me to General Mao’s place later. If you notice anything amiss, call out loudly.” Then she told Zheng San: “Hide yourself at the top of the wall, and if you hear A-Sen shouting, rush in—those women and children should be no match for you!”

A-Sen’s shouting would bring Zheng San.

She hadn’t even determined whether Madam Feng’s words were true or false!

Fu Tingyun quickly said: “Don’t shout, I’m fine!”

Through the door, she heard A-Sen respond with an “Oh.”

This servant of Miss Fu’s was too meddlesome!

Madam Feng felt somewhat displeased, but considering she had more important matters to attend to, she decided to let the servant off for now and deal with him later.

“Look how distressed Miss Fu is,” she sighed sympathetically and instructed Madam Lu, “Have a maid bring water for Miss Fu to wash her face. Regardless, Deputy Commander Liu has repeatedly emphasized that no one must know about Flag Bearer Zhao’s situation. Miss Fu hasn’t even married into the family yet. If she goes out with such red eyes from crying, the neighbors will see and there might be all sorts of suspicions, which wouldn’t be good for Miss Fu.”

Madam Lu agreed repeatedly, went out to give instructions, and soon Snow Plum came in with hot water and a handkerchief.

Madam Feng personally helped Fu Tingyun roll up her sleeves.

The golden phoenix hairpin on her head flashed brilliantly, reminding Fu Tingyun of how ostentatious this woman was, giving her a feeling that “excessive enthusiasm without reason must hide either treachery or greed.”

Fu Tingyun refused Madam Feng’s attentiveness and washed her face herself.

Madam Lu took out her fragrant cream: “This is scented cream from the National Beauty Shop in the capital. General Mao specifically had someone bring it back from Beijing.”

Fu Tingyun shook her head in refusal.

If Zhao Ling truly was… what use would she have for such things?

Seeing her sorrowful expression yet determination in her brow, Madam Lu could only awkwardly put it away.

“Madam Feng,” Fu Tingyun’s emotions gradually calmed, and she became increasingly level-headed, “When will the Commander’s office explain Flag Bearer Zhao’s situation?”

“That will take some time,” said Madam Feng. “At minimum, we must wait until the military campaign concludes. If there’s a great victory, that’s one thing, but if not… then we’ll have to await the Emperor’s decree. If Marquis Yingchuan is still commanding the Gansu garrison, we’ll need to wait for him to submit a petition acknowledging fault, for the Cabinet to reach a consensus, and only then can matters of compensation for fallen soldiers be discussed—that’s when Flag Bearer Zhao’s situation can be resolved. If Marquis Yingchuan no longer commands the Gansu garrison, we’ll have to wait for the new Gansu Commander to take office. Just the journey alone will take three to four months, so Flag Bearer Zhao’s matter may drag until next year.”

Fu Tingyun nodded slightly and asked Madam Feng, “Could I see the confidential report stating Flag Bearer Zhao died in battle? If any compensation is needed, Madam Feng need only say the word!”

Compensation meant an opportunity to make money!

Madam Feng barely suppressed the desire in her heart and said: “Miss Fu, there’s no need for such formality between us, but the Deputy Commander is keeping this confidential report, so it’s not easy to…” As she spoke, she revealed a troubled expression.

Wasn’t she attending to Deputy Commander Liu’s writing and ink supplies every day?

Given her reputation for greed, there was no reason she would refuse. Was this pretense meant to demand a higher price? Or… could there be some other ulterior motive?

Normally, Fu Tingyun might have engaged in some back-and-forth with her, but today, having just heard the terrible news about Zhao Ling, she had neither the mood nor the energy to go in circles with Madam Feng.

Looking somewhat weary, she stood up: “Thank you, Madam Feng, for telling me about Flag Bearer Zhao. His sudden, tragic fate has left me in poor spirits, so I’ll take my leave now. In a few days, I’ll visit your residence to properly thank you.” With that, she rose to leave.

Both Madam Feng and Madam Lu were stunned.

They hadn’t expected Fu Tingyun to act so decisively. Upon hearing this matter couldn’t be resolved, she offered neither polite small talk nor pleading entreaties, but simply got up to leave.

“Wait a moment, Miss Fu.” Madam Feng blocked Fu Tingyun without a second thought.

Fu Tingyun gazed at her silently, her eyes, even clearer and more transparent after crying, reflecting Madam Feng’s image.

Madam Feng suddenly felt somewhat uneasy.

She stammered: “Miss, Miss Fu, where are you planning to go?” Once the words were out, her emotions stabilized, and she regained her original eloquence: “You want to ask Madam Wang, don’t you? There’s no need, Miss Fu. Madam Wang certainly won’t get to see this confidential report. She’s merely the wife of a battalion commander. Deputy Commander Liu received her before only out of consideration for Commander Wang leading troops on the battlefield. Some things cannot be done repeatedly. If you trust me, I have a suggestion that Miss might want to carefully consider.”

Indeed, it wasn’t that Madam Feng couldn’t get the report—she had conditions!

Fu Tingyun’s heart suddenly began to pound, and she grew somewhat nervous. Certain thoughts flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed them, unwilling to consider them.

“What suggestion does Madam Feng have?” she quietly looked at Madam Feng. “I’m extremely anxious right now and have no good ideas. Please share your thoughts, and I’ll see if I can manage it!”

Hearing this, Madam Feng’s face showed a faint smile: “This is something Miss Fu can accomplish.” Her eyes sparkled with an unusual light. “You know that I can see Deputy Commander Liu’s confidential reports because I’m in his household. What you may not know is that the Deputy Commander is particularly accommodating and indulgent toward his family members. I come from the Marquis of Xiping’s family in Liangzhou and have only one younger brother named Feng Dahu, who is twenty-three this year. He wields an excellent staff, and whenever Deputy Commander Liu has matters to attend to, he always sends my brother to handle them. He always manages things perfectly for Deputy Commander Liu, so he’s especially favored by the Deputy Commander, who treats him better than his brothers. This brother of mine has very high standards and hasn’t yet married. I was thinking, why not have my brother steal that confidential report? If Deputy Commander Liu discovers it, we’ll say you’re my brother’s sweetheart, and my brother stole the report to please his beauty. Miss Fu is exceptionally beautiful, so our Deputy Commander Liu surely wouldn’t be suspicious. If Deputy Commander Liu doesn’t discover it, even better—Miss Fu can simply buy some fruits to thank my brother. What do you think, Miss Fu?”

Truly a wolf’s heart with a thief’s intentions!

Such a person wasn’t even worth pretending to humor.

Fu Tingyun sneered: “I’d have to be out of my mind to play along with your madness!”

Madam Feng’s expression changed.

Madam Lu quickly said, “Miss Fu, please calm down. If you weren’t so deeply in love with Flag Bearer Zhao, Sister Feng wouldn’t help you like this. She’s only doing this for your good. Think about it: Flag Bearer Zhao is gone, and you’re all alone. Forget about going to the capital to seek relatives—even leaving Zhangye City won’t be easy. You don’t know that in Zhangye City there are seven or eight notorious gangs that specifically target solitary women like yourself. They break in at night, knock people unconscious, stuff them in cloth bags, and sell them either to brothels in Yongjing or Wuwei, or to the Hu people beyond the border… Sometimes they even snatch people in broad daylight. The city folk all know their ferocity and dare not make a sound. By the time the government officials arrive, the person is long gone. Miss Fu, please listen to my advice. We’re not asking you to marry Brother Dahu immediately—just to rely on his reputation to prevent others from targeting you. Sister Feng is truly thinking of you, so your reaction is hurtful. In my opinion, if this pretense were to become reality, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Brother Dahu’s character, appearance, and family background are impossible to find in Zhangye City even with a lantern. If he weren’t so selective and his family didn’t indulge him so much, how would Miss Fu have such a chance with our Brother Dahu…”

“No need for your concern!” Fu Tingyun’s cold gaze swept over Madam Lu like a blade. “Madam Wang strictly observes propriety. The first time she went to see Deputy Commander Liu was to save her husband from prison—an act of loyalty and righteousness. How could I ask Madam Wang to see Deputy Commander Liu again for my fiancé? I plan to see Marquis Yingchuan. Since Deputy Commander Liu, stationed in Zhangye, already has the list of fallen soldiers, surely Marquis Yingchuan has it too. I’ll ask General Mao to introduce me to Marquis Yingchuan then.”

She knew that Madam Wang couldn’t hold sway over this Madam Feng, so she had to invoke Marquis Yingchuan.

“No…” Madam Lu had heard from Mao Yi that Fu Tingyun had once fled from Pingliang County to Xi’an Prefecture. Mao Yi had praised Fu Tingyun more than once as a virtuous and loyal woman. Hearing that Fu Tingyun wanted to find Marquis Yingchuan and see Mao Yi, her face suddenly changed color, and her thin, shrill voice was filled with fear.

But Fu Tingyun’s mind stirred.

Why was Madam Lu afraid of her finding Marquis Yingchuan?

Or was she afraid of her seeing Mao Yi?

Could it be that Zhao Ling’s situation…

She couldn’t help thinking positively, and from the corner of her eye, she quickly glanced at Madam Feng.

Madam Feng’s face was as dark as if it were about to rain.

She glared fiercely at Madam Lu and snapped in a low voice: “What are you screeching about? Shut your mouth!”

A flash of fear crossed Madam Lu’s face, and she quickly lowered her head.

“Miss Fu,” Madam Feng looked at Fu Tingyun, no longer showing her previous warmth, “don’t be childish! Zhangye City is now under Deputy Commander Liu’s control. You want to find Marquis Yingchuan to see General Mao, but you’ll need to get out of here first. If you obediently listen and marry my brother, I’ll cherish you like a sister. If you don’t listen,” she snorted coldly, “I’ll give you to my brother to warm his bed, without any status at all!”

Madam Feng had become so arrogant that it bordered on insanity, but Madam Lu still had some weakness to exploit.

Fu Tingyun completely ignored Madam Feng and looked directly at Madam Lu: “In that case, let’s make a bet to see whether I can leave Zhangye City or not.” With that, she strode away.