“The properties in Xi’an Prefecture haven’t yielded any income yet, and the bank notes from Baoqing Building should be kept for emergencies. Ninth Master brought two thousand taels of silver, which together with what I have here totals three thousand five hundred and forty-two taels and six qian. We’ve just settled in and need to buy everything, with monthly household expenses around seven or eight taels… As for the New Year gifts, I took the liberty of handling them for you. For the Marquis of Yingchuan, I prepared gifts worth two hundred taels; for Deputy Commander Liu, fifty taels; for Commander Wang of Zhuanglang Guard, sixty taels; for Prefect Hu of Xining, Prefect Peng of Suzhou, and Prefect Chen of Zhenbian, twenty taels each; for Mo Yi, forty taels; for Records Keeper Qi and other acquainted neighbors, three hundred wen each…”

The room was peaceful and quiet. Fu Tingyun’s voice was as clear and pleasant as pearls falling onto jade, yet Zhao Ling felt his scalp tingle.

He had seen the undisguised joy in her eyes the moment she first saw him, but in an instant, she had become restrained, polite, and… distant.

He had been quite shocked at the time, but after a moment’s thought, he understood.

With so many people around, the fact that she had come running out upon hearing of his return already spoke volumes about her feelings for him. How could he ask for more?

Thinking of this, he pictured her beautiful face lighting up like blossoming flowers at the sight of him—an unparalleled loveliness. Joy flooded his heart uncontrollably, and he couldn’t bear to take his eyes off her even for a moment.

He sat in the master chair in the hall, watching her walk lightly to the door, smiling as she took the hot water kettle from Zheng Sanniang… Her fair fingers holding the black lacquered handle, smooth and delicate like fine white jade, made him want to hold and caress them, to compare which was smoother—jade or her hands… The steaming water poured into the translucent teacup, and she moved half a step back, as if afraid of being scalded… He recalled her once mentioning that she often made tea for her grandmother… He wondered if she had exaggerated… His smile deepened.

She had placed the teacup on a bright red, gold-trimmed begonia-shaped tea tray and was walking toward him, holding the tray with both hands and smiling.

Green was the tea, scallion-white were her hands, bright red was the tray—vivid and beautiful like the colors of spring, captivating him, making him instinctively smile as he rose to accept the teacup… Then she smiled politely and sat in the master chair beside him, not asking why he had returned at this time, not asking if he had eaten, not asking what he had been doing all these days… Instead, she softly spoke of household expenses.

That matter-of-fact manner, polite yet cold, would be noticeable to even the most unobservant person, let alone the perceptive Zhao Ling.

Where exactly had the problem arisen?

He had interrupted her then, saying, “These are small matters, just handle them as you see fit!”

But before he finished speaking, Fu Tingyun’s expression had cooled further, her displeasure evident: “Didn’t Ninth Master go to such great lengths precisely to one day stand out and escape being controlled by others? Could it be that after a month’s absence, Ninth Master has changed his mind? Even sending New Year gifts to superiors has become a small matter!” Her slightly sarcastic tone left him momentarily speechless.

She seized the opportunity to discuss the New Year gifts: “…I waited until the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, but still heard nothing from you. I recalled that back home, sending New Year gifts after the Minor New Year would seem disrespectful. So I had Zheng San take your calling card to pay respects at the various mansions…”

He had been prepared for this, but looking at Fu Tingyun’s frost-covered face and thinking of her wholehearted management on his behalf, he suddenly lost the courage to make a clean breast of it.

“I was negligent,” he blurted out without thinking.

He immediately felt extremely awkward.

Although he had resolved to treat her well, he couldn’t simply disregard right and wrong, could he? Some things needed to be said.

Yet when he looked up, he saw her expression softening slightly, her voice gaining a hint of warmth.

He immediately abandoned his previous decision.

A real man shouldn’t quibble over words with a woman. Since she cared so much about this matter, he might as well humor her for her happiness rather than adhering strictly to right and wrong and spoiling the atmosphere between them.

Seeing Zhao Ling readily admit his mistake, Fu Tingyun, despite her annoyance, felt it inappropriate to back him into a corner without any room for maneuver. Her tone relaxed as she asked, “Have you visited Commander Lu yet?” Then, remembering how he had left all his belongings with her before departing… perhaps he thought that having given her all the money, she would naturally handle everything, which was why he hadn’t attended to it… Her anger subsided significantly, her voice softening as she said “wait a moment” before turning to enter her inner chamber.

Zhao Ling, puzzled, waited for about half a cup of tea’s time before Fu Tingyun returned, placing a sapphire blue money pouch embroidered with intertwining auspicious patterns beside his hand: “Here are two hundred and fifty taels of silver. Take two hundred to buy gifts for Commander Lu. I’ll have Zheng San rush them to Zhuanglang Guard, saying you had instructed the household early on, but due to the long journey and bad weather, there was a delay. Commander Lu should not blame you too much. The rest is for your social engagements during the New Year. Since you’ve returned, you’ll certainly need to visit Mo Yi…”

Wait, did she think he would be spending the New Year in Zhangye?

Zhao Ling vaguely felt a headache coming on, but years of decisive action had taught him that the longer he delayed, the worse the consequences would be. Not wanting to displease Fu Tingyun again, he considered briefly before smiling and saying, “I returned this time to accompany Commander Lu in delivering New Year gifts to the Marquis of Yingchuan. His share can be sent directly to the inn, saving Zheng San a trip to Zhuanglang Guard.”

Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling in surprise.

No wonder he had returned alone—he wasn’t coming back for the New Year but accompanying his superior to deliver gifts!

If he could accompany his superior to deliver gifts, Zhao Ling and Lu Cheng must be getting along well!

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Ling reluctantly nodded, smiling: “I must return to the inn soon. This afternoon I need to accompany Commander Lu to see the Marquis of Yingchuan.”

Fu Tingyun suddenly felt empty inside. The anger in her heart had dissipated like smoke, and her thoughts focused entirely on his words about “returning to the inn soon.” She hurriedly asked, “Have you had lunch? What time are you expected back at the inn?” Regretting her intentional coldness earlier and her lengthy, pointless talk, she anxiously inquired, “Have I delayed your important business?”

Seeing her concerned expression, Zhao Ling’s lips curved into a pleased smile.

“It’s fine,” he explained. “As soon as Commander Lu reached the inn, he sent me home to check in. Judging by his manner, he probably had something he wanted to discuss privately, and we might even have lunch together. I just need to return to the inn before the Shen hour [3-5 PM] when he’s scheduled to meet the Marquis of Yingchuan.”

Fu Tingyun relaxed, recalling his words that “Commander Lu sent me home to check in as soon as he reached the inn.” Realizing he hadn’t had lunch yet, she turned to look at the hourglass on the console table and saw it was just past the beginning of the Wu hour [11 AM-1 PM]. Her mood eased further as she said, “Then Ninth Master should rest well at home!” Thinking that the kang in the western room of the main house would be cold, and by the time it warmed up, he would need to leave, she suggested, “Shall I have Zheng Sanniang prepare A Sen’s room for you?”

His past experiences had taught him to fall asleep quickly wherever he lay down, so he wasn’t particular about such things. He smiled, “That’s fine! It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Indeed!

Fu Tingyun called A Sen to help Zhao Ling freshen up and instructed Zheng San to immediately go to the street and buy another set of gifts similar to those for the Marquis of Yingchuan: “…though not the same. Remember to replace the glass cup with a jade one, or a gold one if jade isn’t available; and replace the boxwood paperweight with a brush holder.” She called Zheng Sanniang, “The Ninth Master will leave after lunch, so prepare the meal quickly.” Realizing that since Zhao Ling wouldn’t be home for the New Year, the holiday provisions she had purchased would serve little purpose, she further instructed Zheng Sanniang, “Take out the carrots Mrs. Qi gave us and cook them with mutton, and soak the dried day lilies for a stir-fry dish…” Feeling there was too much to oversee, she simply said, “Never mind, I’ll cook myself!”

Everyone in the household sprang into action, creating a bustling atmosphere that felt warm and reassuring.

Zhao Ling washed his face, changed into clean clothes, and lay on the warm kang. A Sen immediately approached him: “Master, can you tell me about the military camp?” His face full of longing, “When I’m a few years older, will you take me to the garrison too?”

“We’ll talk about it when you can hold a sword,” Zhao Ling smiled, affectionately patting his head. Thinking of Fu Tingyun in the kitchen, he asked him, “What has Miss Fu been doing at home these days?”

“Not much!” A Sen replied somewhat bored. “She stays home every day, either sewing or teaching me to read. Occasionally, Mrs. Qi from next door comes to visit. Since you left, I’ve only been to the street twice, both times when Miss sent Brother Zheng San to buy New Year supplies, and he needed someone to watch the cart.”

This boy, accustomed to roaming freely with him since childhood, had already grown restless after just a month.

“You must listen to Miss Fu, understand?” Zhao Ling earnestly instructed A Sen. “From now on, we’ll live a normal life, and what Miss Fu teaches you is what normal children should learn. You must study well with her.”

A Sen always obeyed Zhao Ling, and though confused, he nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Ling fell into a contemplative silence.

With the ninth daughter of the Fu family, would his life gradually become normal too?

Bustling about daily for life’s necessities, planning for advancement… striving diligently was, at times, a form of happiness.

He smiled wryly.

A man’s voice called at the main gate: “Anyone home?”

Zhao Ling sat up.

A Sen hurried to open the door.

Soon, Mo Yi entered, lifting the curtain behind A Sen.

“You rascal, returning without a word!” He smiled, lightly punching Zhao Ling’s shoulder, the seemingly rough gesture full of affection. “If I hadn’t run into Lu Cheng, I wouldn’t have known!”

Lu Cheng’s clan niece had been made Mo Yi’s concubine, with Lu Cheng making the arrangements.

Since he had come to deliver New Year gifts to the Marquis of Yingchuan, how could he forget Mo Yi?

Zhao Ling smiled and invited him to sit: “The garrison’s men have been running to the Commander-in-Chief’s mansion these days, so I feared you’d be busy. Since you’re here, why not stay for lunch?”

“Gladly!” Mo Yi agreed happily. “To be honest, I’ve been thinking about your lady’s cooking!”