Early the next morning, the snow stopped.

The world dressed in silver and white invigorated the spirit of all who beheld it.

While waiting for breakfast, Zhao Ling and his companions stood in front of the inn admiring the snowy landscape.

Jin Yuanbao said, “Now that it has started snowing, the weather certainly won’t improve anytime soon. If we encounter a blizzard on the road, it would be disastrous. Why not rest at the inn for a few days? After all, we’re only five or six days away from Zhang Ye, so it won’t delay our journey much.”

Yang Yucheng thought exactly the opposite.

“Precisely because we’re only five or six days away from Zhang Ye, I think we should leave earlier,” he smiled. “Even if we encounter a blizzard along the way, it’s not a big deal—we’ll just grit our teeth and get through it. Once we reach Zhang Ye, everything will be fine. Staying stranded on the road makes me feel uneasy!”

By nature, Zhao Ling would have agreed with Yang Yucheng’s approach.

Even encountering a blizzard wouldn’t be a major concern.

But thinking of Fu Tingyun, he hesitated.

A gentle male voice beside them said: “Why don’t you travel with us to Zhang Ye?”

Everyone turned to see Master Ye from the Datong Trading Company smiling beside them, with five or six manager-like figures standing behind him.

Seeing Zhao Ling turn around, Master Ye smiled and said: “Our caravan has guides who travel in this area year-round, and we have camels. Even if we encounter a blizzard, we’ll have some shelter. What do you think?” He gazed at Zhao Ling with bright eyes.

Zhao Ling thought about yesterday’s dispute… Master Ye must have heard something… He smiled and said, “Then we’ll trouble Master Ye.”

Master Ye was surprised: “You know my surname is Ye?”

Zhao Ling replied: “When Master Ye was leaving the inn and we were entering, we heard it from the innkeeper.”

Master Ye chuckled and formally introduced himself: “My name is Shou Xin, courtesy name Shang Cheng, the third manager of Datong Trading Company. If you don’t mind, just call me Third Manager.”

Zhao Ling, being half a businessman himself, had an instinctive respect for merchants, but he didn’t belittle himself either. He smiled and said, “I wouldn’t dare,” then continued: “My surname is Zhao, given name Ling, the ninth child in my family. Brother Shang Cheng can just call me Zhao Jiu.”

Master Ye bowed respectfully: “Brother Zhao.”

The two exchanged pleasantries about the weather before Master Ye’s manager invited him for breakfast. Master Ye warmly invited Zhao Ling and his companions, but Zhao Ling politely declined.

Yang Yucheng watched Master Ye’s retreating figure with excitement: “Are we traveling with Master Ye?”

Datong Trading Company was legendary in the business world.

Jin Yuanbao glared at him: “Can you show some dignity? You’re a military official now.”

Yang Yucheng thought of the Centurion in green clothing and straightened his back considerably, but still muttered quietly: “I just think the people from Datong Trading Company are all impressive!” He added, “This Master Ye, being so nice to the master—he isn’t planning something, is he?”

“What would Master Ye want from me?” Zhao Ling smiled. “I’m just a small Company Commander. Large merchants like them who can organize such big caravans traveling thousands of miles for north-south trade all have powerful backers—at minimum, a third-rank provincial official. He simply doesn’t want to cause trouble.” He continued, “Enough. Businessmen seek mutual convenience. There’s no need to overthink this. Why not take advantage of such a convenience? Now hurry and pack your things so we can get on the road.”

Everyone ate breakfast and set off together.

Master Ye showed neither particular enthusiasm nor coldness toward Zhao Ling—his words and actions were natural and friendly. They chatted and laughed, discussing the scenery along the way. Having traveled extensively, Master Ye naturally knew more, and although Zhao Ling was young, he could engage with whatever Master Ye discussed, which secretly surprised the merchant. Master Ye’s attitude toward Zhao Ling gained a touch of respect alongside his friendliness.

The snow fell intermittently, making the journey somewhat inconvenient, but they didn’t encounter any severe blizzards, and finding lodging along the way went smoothly. Although they took two days longer than planned, they finally reached Zhang Ye.

The majestic city walls and sprawling fortifications extending for miles left Fu Tingyun wide-eyed as she secretly lifted the curtain to peek outside.

Zhao Ling turned around to see her fair, jade-like fingers peeking out from the blue carriage curtain.

He couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Master Ye rode over: “Brother Zhao, why not stay at the Shanxi Guild Hall with me? Our Shanxi Merchants Association has permanent representatives in Zhang Ye. If you need anything, you’ll have people at your service.”

Zhao Ling smiled: “I’ve heard that the Zhaixing Tower in Zhang Ye is built on a slope and offers views of the city…”

Master Ye laughed: “Zhang Ye is one of the nine border fortresses, a military stronghold. How could they allow people to overlook the city? It’s just situated on slightly higher ground, that’s all.”

But Zhao Ling insisted on staying at the Zhaixing Tower.

Given their shallow acquaintance, Master Ye said nothing more, and they queued to enter Zhang Ye City.

Squeezing through the bustling, chaotic crowds, they found the Zhaixing Tower located on Zhang Ye’s most prosperous street.

As Master Ye had said, the Zhaixing Tower was merely built on a slightly elevated foundation.

Zhao Ling was satisfied nonetheless and asked the innkeeper to find them several street-facing rooms.

The innkeeper looked troubled.

Yang Yucheng said in a low voice: “Master, street-facing rooms aren’t safe…” suggesting he shouldn’t insist.

“This is Zhang Ye,” Zhao Ling smiled. “We aren’t merchants.”

Seeing his mind was made up, Yang Yucheng said nothing more.

“Even one room will do,” Zhao Ling smiled at the innkeeper. “I’m willing to pay double.”

Yang Yucheng and the others were puzzled.

The innkeeper thought for a moment, called over an attendant, and gave some quiet instructions. The young attendant acknowledged and left. Jin Yuanbao paid the deposit, and when the attendant returned, he smiled: “There’s one street-facing room available. Please wait a moment, the guest is just checking out.”

Everyone knew the innkeeper had persuaded a guest to vacate the room, but they pretended not to know and chatted casually.

Suddenly, Yang Yucheng darted out of the inn and returned dragging a man inside like an eagle catching a chick.

“Why have you been following us?” he threw the man forcefully to the ground.

The man couldn’t get up for quite some time.

Fu Tingyun didn’t recognize him, but Zheng San identified him as one of the green-robed Centurion’s men and immediately went to Zhao Ling’s side to whisper a few words.

Zhao Ling also recognized him, but was pleased with Zheng San’s quick-wittedness, nodding appreciatively before coldly asking the man: “What did your Centurion send you to follow us for?”

His expression was icy, his piercing gaze shooting toward the man like arrows, making him shudder. But thinking of the person who sent him, the man gathered some courage and retorted: “Our Centurion said a mere Company Commander has no right to report to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office. He sent me to see if you’re genuine or fake.” Recalling his Centurion’s words that “only Battalion Commanders have the right to personally report to the Commander-in-Chief’s office,” he grew more suspicious of Zhao Ling and his tone hardened: “If you’re genuine, that’s fine, but if you’re imposters,” he snorted coldly, “our Master Feng will make sure you suffer!”

Fu Tingyun knew nothing about these matters, but hearing this, she felt a spark of joy.

The Shaanxi Military Command held Zhao Ling in special regard.

For people like them without backgrounds or connections, if superiors didn’t value them, it would be difficult to succeed. Later, if they wanted to transfer to another command, they might not even find a way.

It was like the maids and servants in the Fu household. As long as they could occasionally appear before the mistresses, when good assignments came up, putting a little pressure on the head servants would usually succeed if the head servant put in a word.

For this report to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office, they needed to establish connections with people there.

As Fu Tingyun pondered this, she heard Zhao Ling laugh coldly: “Since your Centurion Feng wants clarity, I’ll make things clear for him.” He called out loudly, “Yucheng,” and said, “Find him a room to stay in. When we go to report to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office, we’ll take him along.” His voice was deep and eerie, carrying a bone-chilling coldness: “After he sees clearly, we’ll settle this account properly.” He had no intention of letting the matter with Centurion Feng rest.

The man shuddered.

Yang Yucheng laughed loudly as he grabbed the man’s collar: “Come, I’ll find you a room.” He dragged him away.

The man grew frightened and shouted: “Do you know who our Master Feng is? He’s the eighth son of the Marquis of Xiping…”

Yang Yucheng’s hand paused, but Zhao Ling remained unmoved.

At this point, showing weakness would only invite humiliation.

Yang Yucheng understood this and simply said: “Don’t worry, after beating you, our master will naturally go explain to the Marquis of Xiping.” He dragged the man away without hesitation.

Although Fu Tingyun didn’t know who the Marquis of Xiping was, the fact that this man could use him to threaten Zhao Ling suggested he wasn’t a simple character.

She couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

Before even reporting to the Gansu Commander-in-Chief’s office, they had already offended Mo Yi and now this Centurion Feng…

But Zhao Ling joked self-deprecatingly to comfort her: “A person without enemies isn’t truly talented.” He continued, “The Marquis of Yingchuan is from a powerful family in the capital, while the Marquis of Xiping has guarded Ganzhou for generations. No matter how capable I am, it’s impossible for both of them to like me. Besides, I was recommended by the Sixteenth Master, so choices must be made.”

When he went to report to the Shaanxi Military Command, he had likely already been branded as belonging to the Marquis of Yingchuan’s faction.

Fu Tingyun had been trained in the art of maintaining balance within the inner household, which emphasized finding common ground amidst differences and keeping harmonious relations.

She couldn’t help but sigh.

Perhaps this was the difference between the outer court and the inner household!

Zhao Ling smiled and beckoned to her: “Come with me!”

Fu Tingyun followed him into the street-facing room.

Zhao Ling pushed open half the window and pointed outside: “Look!”

Outside was a street filled with Persian people in white robes leading tall camels, Semu people with curved swords at their waists and long mustaches, Uyghur girls with countless small braids wearing four-cornered flowered hats and leather jackets carrying water jugs, and groups of Hui women hurrying along the street. The crowd was bustling, voices were clamorous as people spoke languages she couldn’t understand, creating a lively atmosphere.

“This…” Fu Tingyun had an inkling but feared she might be overthinking. She bit her lip and looked at Zhao Ling nervously.

“I’m just a small Company Commander from Zhuanglang Wei. After reporting to the Commander-in-Chief’s office, I’ll rarely have the chance to visit Zhang Ye again,” he gazed at Fu Tingyun with tender eyes. “I plan to stay in Zhang Ye for a few days to establish whatever connections I can. Now that you’re here, you’re my ‘fiancée.’ I probably won’t have time to accompany you around the streets. If you get bored, just open the window to look outside and refresh your spirits!”