Though Fu Changxi had spoken only a few brief sentences, to Tang He they were like enlightenment striking his mind, instantly waking him up.
Tang He was, after all, an intelligent man. Under normal circumstances, he would never have made such a mistake. But these past days, he had worried constantly about his Wangye’s safety. He had exhausted every ounce of his ingenuity concealing things and making arrangements along the journey. Then, just when Wangye had finally returned, they had been confronted with the matter of Wangye’s memory loss. As a subordinate, Tang He naturally could not display his anxieties openly. Yet inwardly, he had become increasingly restless and had gradually lost his usual composure.
Now that Wangye had pointed it out, he finally came to his senses and smiled bitterly to himself.
I’ve truly become muddle-headed from worry. I’ve forgotten what truly matters and ended up neglecting the root for the branches.
How foolish.
Taking a deep breath, Tang He straightened his back, cupped his hands in salute, and said solemnly: “This servant has indeed been foolish. Thank you for Wangye’s guidance.”
Seeing that Tang He had understood, Fu Changxi’s expression softened somewhat, and he nodded slightly.
Since Tang He had grasped the principle, he naturally stopped nagging and instead turned his concern toward the issue immediately before them. “Wangye, that Miss Zhen appears unaware of your identity. But now that you’ve returned to the capital, as Regent you’ll be presiding over state affairs and inevitably dealing with people both inside and outside the court. Your identity cannot remain hidden forever…”
The implication was obvious.
Tang He was offering a subtle reminder.
Fu Changxi had not actually considered the matter until now. Hearing this, his expression changed slightly. Naturally, he understood what Tang He meant.
Given his position, he would inevitably have to appear before others. It was unlikely that his identity could remain concealed for much longer. Leaving aside everything else, if Zhen Tingyun or the Zhen family investigated the villa on Western Hill, they would certainly discover who its owner was. And if he intended to reveal his identity, this would actually be a suitable opportunity.
Today was the very day the Regent entered the capital.
By sheer coincidence, Zhen Tingyun had come looking for him. If he revealed the truth now, it would be a matter of simply going with the flow.
But…
After pondering for a moment with furrowed brows, Fu Changxi ultimately shook his head. “Let’s not discuss that for now.” After a pause, he added: “Bring me some ordinary clothes. I’m not exactly presentable for meeting people like this. And prepare another carriage. Nothing too conspicuous.”
Tang He bowed and carefully acknowledged the order. Yet inwardly, he could not help grumbling:
What does Wangye mean by ‘not presentable for meeting people like this’? Aren’t you just going to see that female student? Why does it sound like you’re sneaking off to meet a secret lover?
Of course, Tang He had only recently been lectured and was perceptive enough to understand immediately. His Wangye simply wanted to remove the elaborate ceremonial robes of a feudal prince and avoid exposing his identity. Since he had already offered his advice and Wangye clearly did not care, Tang He had no intention of making things difficult for his master.
Before long, he personally brought over a set of ordinary clothes and respectfully presented them inside the carriage.
There was no need for servants to assist.
Alone inside the carriage, Fu Changxi changed out of the ceremonial robes. The only thing he kept was the jade pendant hanging at his waist, a pendant similar to the purple jade pendant he had given Zhen Tingyun. His golden crown was also removed. As it came off, his black hair cascaded freely down his back, dark and glossy, as black as raven feathers.
Frowning impatiently, he could not be bothered to style it properly. He simply tied it loosely with a ribbon. The result looked ordinary enough. At least now he seemed fit to meet people.
Once he had finished, Fu Changxi summoned Tang He into the carriage and asked: “Is the carriage ready?”
Tang He nodded.
He then respectfully escorted Fu Changxi into a lighter and more inconspicuous carriage bound for the Western Hills Estate.
Meanwhile, Tang He himself rode in the more ostentatious carriage toward the Regent’s residence. This way, the carriage returning to Wangye’s residence would draw most people’s attention. Even if some old fox managed to trace Fu Changxi’s movements, seeing such deliberate concealment would discourage them from spreading rumors. Yet even so, sitting inside the carriage on the way back, Tang He could not help dwelling further on his earlier thoughts.
Honestly, given Wangye’s status, abandoning an entire palace full of people, risking offending the Empress Dowager and the imperial clan, then sneaking off to Western Hill to meet a young lady…
Those who know the truth understand he’s going to see his student.
Those who don’t would probably think he’s meeting a secret lover…
Wait a minute!
The more he thought about it, the more it sounded like one of those cheap popular romances sold in the streets. Of course, such stories were usually written by impoverished scholars. And more often than not, they featured some noble young lady secretly sneaking away from her family to meet her sweetheart at a secluded villa.
At that thought, Tang He’s brow twitched. It was as though he had been scalded. His eyebrows immediately knitted together.
Without meaning to, he rolled the word “lover” around in his mind again. And this time, a rather different thought occurred to him.
***
By the time Fu Changxi’s carriage arrived at the gates of the Western Hills Estate, evening had fallen.
Twilight gathered on all sides. The setting sun illuminated one corner of the estate. Soft crimson clouds drifted across the sky, layer upon layer of fiery sunset clouds soaring overhead like living flames. The dazzling light painted the heavens with breathtaking splendor.
The guards stationed at the villa had already received word and had gone ahead to inform Zhen Tingyun.
Anxious at the news that Fu Changxi was returning, she immediately gathered her skirts and ran out of the house. She stood waiting for him at the villa gate. Yet strangely, once she finally saw her teacher, she found herself becoming unhappy instead. It was much like a child who falls down. When no adults are around, the child can hold back the tears. But the moment a trusted adult appears, all the grievance and hurt suddenly become unbearable.
Zhen Tingyun did not feel like crying. What she felt was an overwhelming urge to be angry.
The moment Fu Changxi stepped down from the carriage, he saw her puffing out her cheeks in obvious indignation. Unable to help himself, he laughed. “And what’s wrong this time?”
Looking at him, Zhen Tingyun turned her head slightly and let out a huff.
The sunset glow of evening burned brightly around her. Standing amidst the magnificent light, her face seemed radiant. Even her dark eyelashes appeared touched with a thin layer of gold. As she lifted her head to look at him, the lines of her profile were soft and graceful. Several loose strands of black hair slipped down beside her cheeks. A faint flush colored her fair skin. Even while she stood there puffing her cheeks in anger, she was still breathtakingly beautiful. So beautiful that no brush or ink could fully capture her charm.
Fu Changxi looked at her expression and suddenly felt that his female student resembled a little fox, one that, whenever it got angry, liked to bare its claws to scare people and swish its tail at them.
She wasn’t really being unreasonable; she was simply unbearably adorable.
Fierce in the cutest possible way.
With that thought, Fu Changxi suddenly felt his hands itch. Although the northern frontier was bitterly cold, there was no shortage of fluffy creatures there. His daily affairs were numerous, training soldiers, studying military strategy, managing his fief, dealing with his officials. Whenever he had free time, he kept an entire courtyard full of fluffy animals: wolves, horses, dogs, cats, and more. It was practically a battlefield of pets all vying for his affection.
While other men went to the inner quarters to relax with women, Fu Changxi preferred visiting his courtyard full of fluffy companions, petting them to unwind.
So really, what wasn’t comfortable about petting something fluffy? And what wasn’t adorable about a fluffy creature rubbing against you and acting spoiled? Once you had fluffy animals, what need was there for women?
That had always been Fu Changxi’s philosophy, live to old age, stay single to old age.
Unfortunately, because he had to come to the capital, he had no choice but to leave that entire courtyard of fluffy companions behind, bringing only a single horse with him.
Now, seeing Zhen Tingyun, Fu Changxi’s fingers itched again. He couldn’t help thinking of those “old loves” he’d left behind, and even regretted not bringing along the silver fox that so closely resembled Zhen Tingyun.
That little fox had been exquisitely petite, its entire body covered in silver-white fur. It had an especially beautiful tail, thick, glossy, and plush. Its fur was warm and soft to the touch. In winter, draping the fox around one’s neck made it look just like a silver scarf, wonderfully warm…
If Zhen Tingyun saw it, she’d probably like it too.
Thinking this, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on Fu Changxi’s usually indifferent face, and his gaze toward Zhen Tingyun carried an uncommon trace of warmth.
Zhen Tingyun had already been waiting for quite a while. The longer she waited, the more annoyed she became, until she finally couldn’t help complaining. “I’ve been waiting for you for almost half the day! It’s already so late, and I’m about to leave, yet you only decide to come back now!”
All the words Fu Changxi had been about to say were immediately swallowed by her complaints. Without the slightest politeness, he tossed the blame right back at her. “You came without giving any notice. It’s not as though I can spend all day every day waiting here for you.”
The moment someone informed him she’d come, he’d immediately hurried back. He had even left an entire palace full of people behind because of it. Wasn’t that enough?
Hearing this, Zhen Tingyun also realized her tone had been inappropriate, so she quickly explained herself. “I only just got home recently. I can’t keep going out all the time. Today I only managed to sneak out because the Regent returned to the capital, and my sisters all went to watch the procession.”
After a pause, she decided that the blame belonged neither to herself nor to Fu Changxi. So she decisively shifted it onto the legendary Regent. “Who would’ve thought the Regent would pick today of all days? And you just happened not to be here. We’re really unlucky.”
Fu Changxi: “…”
There was simply no way to respond to that.
For perhaps the first time in a long while, Fu Changxi found himself speechless, with no idea how to argue back. He simply changed the subject. “So, what brings you here all of a sudden? Is something the matter?”
The change in topic was rather abrupt, but it suited Zhen Tingyun perfectly, so she didn’t mind. She wasn’t some resentful wife who would spend the entire meeting complaining. She had wanted to get to the point anyway. She immediately gave up on leaving, stepped forward, and reached out to support Fu Changxi.
He sidestepped her hand and looked at her. “What exactly is it?”
Blinking innocently, Zhen Tingyun replied, “Really, Teacher. Can’t I come see you even if nothing’s wrong? Couldn’t it simply be that… I missed you?”
It had been quite some time since Fu Changxi had last heard her sweet talk. Hearing it again now felt surprisingly pleasant. Still, maintaining his usual composure, he merely responded with a quiet, “…Mm.”
Watching his expression, Zhen Tingyun thought for a moment before reaching out to support him again.
This time, Fu Changxi didn’t avoid her.
As she helped him walk, Zhen Tingyun secretly relaxed and, smiling, pinched her fingers together to indicate only a tiny amount. “But I really do have a little problem. I’ve been staying home these past few days studying behind closed doors. The more I read, the more questions I ended up with. Since teachers are supposed to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts, I hurried over to ask you to clear up my confusion.”
“…I see,” Fu Changxi replied.
Of course. A disobedient student like her only remembered her teacher, and only sweet-talked him, when she had questions to ask.
Seeing that his expression had darkened again, Zhen Tingyun quickly added, “Oh, right! I also bought a pound of osmanthus cakes and jujube cakes for you. You have to try them later!”
Only then did Fu Changxi’s expression soften somewhat. After all, he had skipped the palace banquet because of her. The fact that she’d thought to buy him some pastries as compensation at least showed some sincerity.
Supporting Fu Changxi, Zhen Tingyun helped him inside. The first thing Fu Changxi saw was… the half-eaten pastries.
He almost laughed in disbelief.
These are supposed to be for me? Then who ate them?!
Zhen Tingyun wasn’t the least bit guilty. She helped him sit down and explained, “I know you’re always rather picky about food, Teacher, so I specially tasted them for you first…”
As she spoke, she pointed to the osmanthus cakes and sincerely recommended, “The jujube cakes are a little too sweet and rich. I think the osmanthus cakes are easier to enjoy. Why don’t you try one?”
Fu Changxi understood immediately.
The osmanthus cakes had even fewer pieces left.
Seeing him remain seated without moving, Zhen Tingyun personally picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and held it to his lips. “Teacher?”
Looking into her expectant eyes, Fu Changxi found himself unable to stay angry after all. “All right. Put it down. I’ll eat it myself.”
After a pause, he added on his own initiative, “So, what questions do you have? Go ahead.”
Since asking questions had been her original purpose, Zhen Tingyun first handed him the calligraphy she’d copied over the past two days for him to examine.
Only then did she ask, “Please take a look at my handwriting. Do you think it’s time for me to switch to a different copybook?”
“There’s no rush,” Fu Changxi replied. He picked up a piece of osmanthus cake himself, took a bite, and looked over her handwriting. “It’s improved quite a bit, but it still lacks strength. In my opinion, even though you’re practicing at home, you shouldn’t become complacent. You can practice the way you did before in the carriage, paste the paper directly onto the wall and write while standing.”
Zhen Tingyun had been pondering exactly that issue herself, so when Fu Changxi offered his advice, she obediently agreed.
It was Fu Changxi who grew curious after seeing how many questions she had, both large and small. “Didn’t you go home? Hasn’t your family hired a tutor for you?”
“They haven’t,” Zhen Tingyun replied. “My mother probably thinks I won’t pass the exam this year anyway. She wants me to learn a lesson and temper my character a bit, so she hasn’t taken the initiative to hire one.”
She understood Madam Pei’s thinking perfectly and explained it in a single sentence. But when speaking to Fu Changxi, she always seemed to have an endless supply of sweet words. “Besides, after meeting a teacher like you, Sir, how could ordinary people possibly catch my eye? Of course I wouldn’t look for any other teacher.”
Fu Changxi glanced at her. His expression remained calm, and he didn’t say anything.
Zhen Tingyun knew her flattery had hit the mark. Fu Changxi was probably secretly pleased, so she promptly began asking about several mathematics problems that had confused her while reading arithmetic books recently.
After eating so many pastries, Fu Changxi’s mouth had gone dry. He instructed Zhen Tingyun to pour him a cup of hot tea. Then, while eating pastries and sipping tea, he leisurely explained the arithmetic problems to her.
Zhen Tingyun, having already drunk plenty of tea and eaten enough pastries while waiting, wasn’t hungry at all. Instead, she listened attentively, occasionally asking questions, completely focused.
After they finally finished discussing the problems, Zhen Tingyun glanced outside at the darkening sky. Part of her wanted to go home, but another part wanted to play a tune for Fu Changxi to demonstrate the progress she’d made with the xiao and ask him for some guidance.
Seeing her hesitation, Fu Changxi thought for a moment before speaking first. “It’s getting late. If you don’t leave now, you’ll likely be unable to make it back into the city. Although you could stay here, you’re still an unmarried young lady. Spending the night away from home would not be good for your reputation.”
Though Fu Changxi had already skipped the palace banquet for her sake and personally cared little for such matters of reputation, he still had to consider Zhen Tingyun’s situation.
That was what it meant to truly care for someone.
Zhen Tingyun was thinking the same thing. Although Zhen Yiyun had improved somewhat lately, there was no telling whether she was secretly plotting against her behind the scenes. This was no time to hand someone ammunition.
So, though disappointed, Zhen Tingyun stood up as well. “In that case, I’ll head back now.”
She truly was disappointed. Even her usually bright, sparkling eyes seemed to have dimmed.
Fu Changxi’s heart softened. “When I left last time, I heard you playing the xiao. You’ve improved considerably. At the time, I thought that as your teacher, I ought to reward you somehow.”
Before he had even finished speaking, Zhen Tingyun’s eyes lit up instantly, filled with anticipation.
Seeing how delighted she looked improved Fu Changxi’s mood even further.
Of course, the gift had already been prepared long ago.
He merely turned his head and gave an instruction to someone outside the door. Soon, a servant arrived carrying a long wooden box.
Sweetly, Zhen Tingyun said, “Thank you, Teacher.”
She accepted the box and opened it.
Inside was a purple jade xiao. Beneath it were several thin booklets, likely music scores of some kind. She couldn’t help muttering inwardly:
First he gave me a purple jade pendant, now a purple jade xiao. Did Yuanhui’s ancestors discover a whole purple jade mine or something? Otherwise, where does he get so much purple jade to waste?
Even so, she felt deeply honored and somewhat overwhelmed. “This is far too valuable.”
Fu Changxi replied, “I used it myself when I was young. I don’t use it much anymore. Hearing your xiao playing reminded me of it, so I had someone retrieve it from the treasury for you. During the music examination at the Women’s Academy, you’re allowed to bring your own instrument. Surely you can’t show up carrying a bamboo xiao you bought on the roadside.”
Though deeply touched, Zhen Tingyun still insisted on arguing. “What’s wrong with a roadside bamboo xiao? Didn’t I still play it quite well?”
Without hesitation, Fu Changxi replied, “It would embarrass me.”
Zhen Tingyun grumbled a few times but ultimately accepted the gift, half-reluctantly and half-willingly. “Thank you, Teacher. In the future, I will definitely…”
Having experience with this sort of thing, Fu Changxi cut her off. “Filial piety isn’t something proven with words.”
Zhen Tingyun grumbled inwardly:
You used to say you didn’t need me to be filial at all.
Nevertheless, she sweetly replied, “Mhm, mhm. Then next time, how about I give your shoulders another massage?”
Only then did Fu Changxi’s expression ease somewhat.
After chatting for a little longer, they could no longer justify delaying her departure. Fu Changxi personally escorted Zhen Tingyun outside. He stood there until her carriage disappeared into the distance before calling over one of his men. “Follow her and make sure nothing happens.”
His subordinate immediately acknowledged the order and selected several shadow guards to secretly escort her.
***
Zhen Tingyun truly adored the purple jade xiao Fu Changxi had given her. Even on the ride home, she secretly stroked it several times inside the carriage, unable to put it down.
After all, the amount of purple jade used in the xiao far exceeded that of the pendant. Judging by its value, perhaps only the Imperial Green jade bracelet Old Madam Pei had given her could compare. It was nearly worth all her possessions combined.
After admiring the xiao for a while, she was about to put it away when her fingertips suddenly brushed against something. Curious, she lowered her head and looked carefully.
Sure enough, she found a faintly carved character Xi near the bottom of the jade flute.
She couldn’t help thinking:
While carving Hui onto a jade pendant might be rather unlucky, and Xi and Hui are actually opposites in meaning, someone like Yuanhui seems to engrave a character on every personal item he owns. I wonder if that’s some kind of strange habit?
Thinking this, she tucked the purple jade xiao back into her robes and smiled happily to herself.
In any case, Yuanhui gave it to me, so it’s mine now!
After carefully storing away the flute, Zhen Tingyun began flipping through the two booklets Fu Changxi had placed beneath it. One was indeed the collection of musical scores she had guessed it would be. The other was something she had begged him for several times before without success: notes on horseback riding and archery techniques.
Although the purple jade xiao was an exceptionally rare treasure, these two booklets were equally important to the current Zhen Tingyun.
Even though dusk was already approaching, she still skimmed through both booklets, identifying the direction for her future efforts.
It was time to find an opportunity to ask Madam Pei where that estate was located, and when she would be allowed to go there.
With these thoughts occupying her mind, Zhen Tingyun returned all the way home to the Zhen residence.
Just as she stepped through the courtyard gate, she unexpectedly ran into Zhen Yiyun.
Since the two sisters had never gotten along, Zhen Tingyun had nothing in particular to say to her elder sister. She merely brushed her off with a casual remark. “So, Elder Sister, you’ve already returned? That’s a relief. I’ve been out walking all day and my legs are sore, so I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll head back and get some rest.”
Zhen Yiyun glanced at her. Her eyes shifted slightly, as if she were thinking about something, before she replied, “If you’re tired, then go and rest.”
Zhen Tingyun nodded and returned to her room. She had someone bring hot water so she could wash her face and hands, then changed into a lake-green everyday robe. Only then did she lazily recline in a lounge chair, idly turning the purple jade xiao over in her hands, wondering whether she should play a tune.
Just then, she heard movement outside.
Two burly old women with fierce-looking faces entered, bowed, and reported, “Second Miss, Madam requests your presence. She wishes to speak with you.”
Zhen Tingyun paused, slowly rising from the chair. She carefully studied the two unfamiliar women before asking, “What is it about?”
They answered politely enough. “Nothing in particular. Madam merely wishes to ask you a few questions.”
One of Zhen Tingyun’s brows arched slightly. She quickly nodded. “I understand. Let me tidy myself up first, then I’ll go with you.”
Seeing how readily she agreed, the two women smiled. They were both broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with fleshy, intimidating faces. Even when smiling, they looked anything but gentle. In fact, they appeared rather ferocious, and even their calm speech sounded as though they were quarreling. “Ordinarily, Miss is our master, so there’s naturally nothing wrong with asking us old servants to wait a while. But it wouldn’t do to keep Madam waiting too long. We ask that you hurry.”
Hearing that tone, Zhen Tingyun felt a growing sense that something was wrong. Recalling her chance encounter with Zhen Yiyun at the courtyard gate earlier, she secretly clenched her teeth. While pretending to straighten her collar, she quietly instructed Pinglan, “I’m afraid something has happened on Mother’s side. Go at once and invite Grandmother to the main courtyard so everyone can talk together.”
After a pause, she lowered her voice. “Make it quick.”
Hearing the seriousness in her tone, Pinglan immediately became nervous as well and hurriedly agreed.
Having secured herself some outside support, Zhen Tingyun finally felt a little more at ease. After straightening her clothes, she headed toward the main courtyard.
When she arrived at the entrance to the main courtyard, someone stopped Qiusi, who had been following behind her, allowing only Zhen Tingyun herself to enter. The ominous feeling in her heart grew even stronger. Her face, however, remained perfectly calm. She simply instructed Qiusi, “Wait here for me.”
Then she stepped inside.
After passing the large red sandalwood screen carved with the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, she suddenly heard a sharp shout. “Unfilial girl! Kneel this instant!”
Startled, Zhen Tingyun looked up. She saw Madam Pei sitting upright in the seat of honor, her face filled with fury.
Seated beside Madam Pei was none other than Zhen Yiyun.
She was still dressed exactly as she had been earlier, her hair arranged in cloud-shaped coils, wearing a goose-yellow woven-gold jacket and skirt. Now she sat properly with both hands resting on her knees, her head slightly lowered. Her eyelids were faintly red, and her eyelashes still glistened with moisture. She had clearly been crying just moments before.
As for why Madam Pei was so enraged at this moment, the story had to go back a little earlier.
