Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 37

As soon as the words left his mouth, Fu Changxi glanced toward the guqin resting upon the zither table before him. An idea suddenly occurred to him.

The last time, they had been pressed for time, and Zhen Tingyun had left halfway through their conversation before she ever had the chance to play the xiao.

Today, however, the timing was perfect. He could see how much his young student had improved.

While considering this, he soon heard footsteps approaching outside. They were light, cheerful, like a little sparrow hopping from branch to branch. Merely listening to them brought an inexplicable sense of delight.

A moment later, the door swung open then came Zhen Tingyun’s voice. 

“Teacher, are you here?” She entered carrying with her the fresh scent of spring and the warmth of the midday sun. Her voice rang bright and sweet. “Teacher, I brought you dumplings! I made them myself!”

Fu Changxi remained seated behind the guqin table. He neither answered immediately nor stood up. Separated by a large carved screen, he watched her through the decorative openings. He saw her looking around in every direction, carrying her food box as she searched for him.

Today Zhen Tingyun wore a light green short jacket paired with a goose-yellow skirt. The fresh colors somehow made her already tall figure appear even more graceful. Standing by the doorway with the sunlight behind her, she seemed slender and elegant, like a beauty stepping directly out of a classical painting.

The midday sunlight streamed through the carved wooden windows, falling gently across her face. Her complexion was snow-white. Her skin looked as delicate as a magnolia blossom that might fall apart at the slightest touch or perhaps like the finest polished jade, softly glowing even beneath the brilliant sunlight.

Watching her, Fu Changxi thought she resembled a young deer that had only just wandered into the spring forest. She was so adorable that it made one want to reach out and gently stroke the tiny antlers just beginning to sprout.

Then another thought crossed his mind.

That’s right…

Her birthday is coming soon.

Once it passes, she’ll already be a young lady of fourteen…

For a brief instant, countless disordered thoughts flashed through Fu Changxi’s mind. Fortunately, he stopped himself before they could wander any further. Clearing his throat lightly, he interrupted Zhen Tingyun’s aimless search. “I’m over here.”

Hearing his voice, Zhen Tingyun walked around the screen and finally spotted him seated before the guqin. She smiled. “Teacher, were you playing the qin?”

“I was only testing the tuning.” In truth, seeing Zhen Tingyun unexpectedly visit had genuinely pleased him but he had always been a reserved man. Even when happy, his expression rarely revealed it.

He gently pushed the Green Silk guqin a little farther aside before asking, “What made you decide to come today? And you even brought dumplings?”

Blinking brightly, Zhen Tingyun set the food box beside the table and opened it for him to see. Her voice remained cheerful as she explained, “Today I accompanied Grandmother to our country estate for a little relaxation. Since I was already nearby, I wanted to stop in and visit you. At lunch we had mustard greens dressed with hot oil. They tasted really good, so I thought you might enjoy trying them too. The mustard greens had just been picked, they were incredibly fresh. So I simply made some mustard green dumplings and brought them over for you.”

As she spoke, her eyes curved into smiling crescents. Her words were as sweet as honey. “It just goes to show that, as your student, I always keep you in my heart. Whenever I come across something good, my first thought is always to bring some to honor my teacher.”

Hearing that, Fu Changxi felt unexpectedly warmed inside.

He had lost his mother in childhood, and because of that the late Emperor Xiaozong had transferred his anger onto him, sending him away to his fief while still very young.

Family ties had always been painfully thin.

Although countless attendants served him faithfully and many loyal officials stood beside him, none of them could truly compare to someone as thoughtful as Zhen Tingyun.

Of course…

That was also because everyone else knew his true identity. Unlike Zhen Tingyun, none of them possessed such unabashed boldness.

Seeing that Fu Changxi’s expression had softened considerably, Zhen Tingyun felt she had successfully completed her daily task of “offering one flattering compliment.”

She promptly closed the food box and handed it to one of the villa servants. “Please cook these.” Then she turned back to Fu Changxi. “Once they’re ready, I’ll keep you company and have a bowl with you.”

Fu Changxi couldn’t help teasing her. “You claimed you brought me dumplings. Yet there aren’t that many to begin with, and now you’re planning to eat half of them yourself.” He looked at her with deliberate criticism. “Clearly, you’re someone who never lets herself come out at a loss.”

Zhen Tingyun put on an innocent expression. “I’m only doing it so I can keep Teacher company.”

Fu Changxi lifted his eyes slightly. His pupils were as dark as ink, his gaze clear and distinct. His handsome face remained calm and detached, as though nothing could stir even the slightest emotion in him.

Zhen Tingyun, however, was never afraid of him. Seeing his expression, she instead teased him with a grin. “Otherwise, if I just sat beside you staring at you while you ate, Teacher probably wouldn’t have much of an appetite either, would you?”

Faced with someone like Zhen Tingyun, Fu Changxi simply couldn’t stay angry. In the end, he withdrew his gaze again, silently adopting an expression that plainly said, Do whatever you like.

Having successfully coaxed him into a better mood, Zhen Tingyun suddenly remembered the preserved pork rice she had eaten at lunch. She couldn’t help feeling a little regretful. “Oh dear… I forgot to bring a couple of pieces of preserved pork. The preserved pork at our estate is all homemade. I heard it’s even made from wild boar. I thought it tasted really good, and I’d originally wanted to bring some for you, Teacher…”

With Zhen Tingyun present, the room no longer possessed the quiet stillness it had before. Yet Fu Changxi didn’t find it noisy. On the contrary, his mood had grown noticeably lighter.

He replied casually, “If you want preserved pork, I’ll have someone prepare some. There’s no need to sigh over something so trivial.”

Zhen Tingyun had managed to make herself hungry just by talking about it. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, “Then… could we really have them make some?”

To Fu Changxi, such a request was hardly worth mentioning. He simply nodded and instructed a servant to make the arrangements. Only afterward did he point toward the seat opposite his qin table “Did you bring your xiao?”

The moment she heard that, Zhen Tingyun understood. Her teacher intended to test how much she had improved over these past days.

Immediately, dumplings and preserved pork vanished completely from her mind. She answered brightly, “I did! I always carry the purple jade xiao you gave me. I’m afraid of losing it.”

Those words were unexpectedly pleasant to Fu Changxi’s ears. His voice softened ever so slightly. “Very well. Play a piece. I’ll accompany you.”

Soon, the two sat facing one another across the qin table. One remained seated, playing the guqin. The other stood, raising her xiao. As qin and xiao harmonized together, their music flowed through the room like a clear mountain stream.

The lattice windows stood half open. Before long, the melody drifted outward upon the spring breeze.

At that very moment, the Little County Princess of Yan Wang’s Manor was out enjoying the scenery of Western Hill with her companions.

Hearing the distant music, she stopped in surprise and immediately called for a servant to inquire about it. 

When she learned the music came from the villa farther down the mountain, even her usually cool expression brightened. Smiling, she said to those around her, “What a coincidence. Imperial Uncle Su is here today as well.”

There was only one person whom the Little County Princess addressed as “Imperial Uncle Su.”

The Regent.

Everyone present felt their hearts skip a beat upon hearing those words. An uneasy tension spread quietly through the group.

Zhen Yiyun, meanwhile, had been preoccupied with thoughts of Yan Wang Shizi, whom she had not yet met. Yet merely hearing mention of the Regent still caused her heart to pound like a startled deer. Unable to resist, she cautiously asked, “Since the Regent is here… should we perhaps avoid disturbing him?”

Zhen Yiyun understood the Little County Princess’s temperament rather well. Though her words sounded like a considerate suggestion, they were actually a subtle attempt to steer the conversation.

Sure enough, the Little County Princess frowned slightly and turned toward her. “Why should we avoid him? Since Imperial Uncle Su is here, it’s only proper that I, as his niece, go and pay my respects.”

Zhen Yiyun lowered her head and said nothing more. Her true purpose had merely been to see whether she might be able to accompany the Little County Princess and catch a glimpse of the Regent.

Although the novel had devoted little description to him, it had hinted more than once that the person who ultimately removed Empress Dowager Shen and the entire Shen faction, and who secured Yan Wang Shizi as Crown Prince, was none other than this Regent.

For that reason, Zhen Yiyun had long been curious. She very much wanted to see this man whom the novel described as “holding absolute power over the court, never marrying, and leaving behind no heirs.”

With Fu Changxi accompanying her on the qin, Zhen Tingyun played the entire piece smoothly from beginning to end.

When the final note faded, she proudly lowered her purple jade xiao. Turning toward Fu Changxi, she blinked expectantly.

Fu Changxi merely assumed something was wrong with her eyes. “…What is it?”

Left with no choice, Zhen Tingyun offered a rather obvious hint. “Teacher… what did you think of my playing?”

“It was quite good.” After a brief pause, he finally praised her. “You’ve improved considerably.”

Zhen Tingyun was so delighted she practically floated with happiness. If she had possessed a tail, it would undoubtedly have been wagging furiously behind her.

Fu Changxi truly couldn’t stand the way she shamelessly fished for compliments and then became unbearably pleased the instant she received one. Putting on the dignified air of a teacher, he instructed, “You started late, and your foundation is still weak. If you truly wish to accomplish something in this art, you’ll have to work even harder than others.”

Whenever it came to studying, however, Zhen Tingyun was genuinely earnest. She immediately nodded. “Mm-hmm. I understand.”

Before Fu Changxi could continue speaking, Zhen Tingyun sat down opposite him, propped her chin on one hand, and asked curiously, “But I’ve heard people say that diligent practice can certainly perfect one’s technique, yet it only reaches the level of skill, not the Dao itself. The truly gifted geniuses can understand ten things from hearing one. Once they grasp one principle, they comprehend a hundred more. They’re far beyond ordinary people.”

Fu Changxi raised his eyes slightly. Rather than answering directly, he said, “Such geniuses are exceedingly rare, far more common are ordinary people. Since your goal is simply to gain admission to the Women’s Academy, there’s no need to envy a genius’s natural gifts. As long as you work diligently and surpass those of ordinary ability, that will already be enough.”

Truthfully speaking, Zhen Tingyun did possess a measure of talent. Otherwise, she could never have reached her current level in only a few short months.

Fu Changxi possessed exceptionally discerning judgment. He could clearly see that she had already crossed the threshold. What she lacked was only time. Given enough time to polish and refine her technique until every movement became natural and complete, combined with her innate talent, she would almost certainly achieve something remarkable.

Unfortunately…

The Women’s Academy examinations would be held in June and time was precisely the one thing she lacked most. All he could do now was encourage her to continue practicing diligently.

When the examinations arrived, she would simply have to try her luck. Perhaps she would encounter an insightful master capable of recognizing her potential.

Naturally, Fu Changxi had no intention whatsoever of telling Zhen Tingyun that she was talented. Given her habit of becoming absurdly pleased after receiving even the slightest compliment, he truly didn’t dare praise her too much.

As for Zhen Tingyun…

She interpreted his words rather differently.

That’s true.

All I really want is to get into the Women’s Academy, find a good family to marry into, leave the troublesome Zhen household behind, and stay far away from everything that happened in that dream.

There’s no need to become overly obsessed with this.

If I remain interested afterward, I can always continue studying music once I’ve entered the Women’s Academy.

Having thought it through, Zhen Tingyun didn’t pursue the matter any further. Instead, she stood up from her seat. “I’ll go check whether the dumplings are done. I’ll have a bowl with you before I leave, Teacher.”

Fu Changxi nodded and watched her leave.

A short while later, Zhen Tingyun returned carrying a red sandalwood tray with two bowls of freshly cooked mustard green dumplings, one large, one small. The smaller bowl held only five or six dumplings at most, pitifully few.

Fu Changxi glanced at it twice before asking, “You’re only eating that little?”

Zhen Tingyun looked completely unconcerned. “I’m just having a few to taste them. Tonight we’re still having steamed rice with cured pork.”

Hearing this, Fu Changxi couldn’t help looking at his own large bowl again. “…”

Zhen Tingyun’s survival instincts were remarkably strong. She immediately changed her tune. “I just have a small appetite, so naturally I can’t eat much. But you’re different, Teacher. You’re busy every day, running around with work, and you still take time to teach a dull student like me. You’ve worked so hard, you definitely need to eat more.”

“Look, I specially made these mustard green dumplings for you and even picked out the biggest bowl. You have to try them.” As she spoke, Zhen Tingyun handed the larger bowl to Fu Changxi first, smiling brightly.

Fu Changxi commented flatly, “Smooth words and a pleasing face.”

Zhen Tingyun pretended not to hear him. Calmly holding her own bowl, she set it on the table, put away the tray, then sat down and started eating her dumplings.

Fu Changxi also picked up his spoon and took a bite. The dumpling wrapper was paper-thin; with one bite it burst with hot, savory broth. The fresh fragrance of the mustard greens blended perfectly with the rich meat filling, vibrant and sweet like spring bringing all things back to life.

Unable to resist, Fu Changxi ate another.

Seeing this, the corners of Zhen Tingyun’s lips curled upward ever so slightly.

The two sat facing each other, finishing about half a bowl of dumplings before Fu Changxi remembered something else. “If I remember correctly, your birthday is in the fourth lunar month?”

Had Fu Changxi not mentioned it, Zhen Tingyun would have almost forgotten.

She had grown up in the countryside with Old Lady Zhen and wasn’t like the refined young ladies of the capital who held elaborate birthday banquets. In earlier years, Old Lady Zhen would simply muddle through the occasion. It was only later, after the grandmother and granddaughter had grown closer and the old woman began treating her granddaughter with greater care, that she remembered to celebrate her birthday properly. Of course, there weren’t many customs in the countryside, and Old Lady Zhen was notoriously frugal. The most she would do was personally cook a bowl of longevity noodles for Zhen Tingyun.

To be honest, Old Lady Zhen’s cooking couldn’t compare to Bazhen’s. Even so, every year Zhen Tingyun would eat that bowl of noodles with sincere appreciation.

Thinking of it now, her expression softened before she came back to herself and nodded. “Yes. The nineteenth day of the fourth month.”

Fu Changxi nodded as though pondering something. Then he suddenly changed the subject. “Did you read the notes on mounted archery I gave you last time? How has your practice been?”

The moment mounted archery came up, Zhen Tingyun completely forgot about her birthday. She was so troubled she nearly lost her appetite. Putting down the spoon in her hand, she sighed. “I do have someone set up a target in our courtyard at home, and whenever I have time I practice with my bow. But I heard that during the women’s academy examination, the archery test is done on horseback…”

The main problem was that she simply lacked the conditions to practice mounted archery. Wealthier families had their own riding grounds where they could practice as much as they liked. But the Zhen family was only an ordinary household, and Zhen Tingyun even shared a courtyard with Zhen Yiyun. Forget riding a horse there, even if a horse could somehow fit, there was no way anyone would gallop around and shoot arrows in their own courtyard.

Although Madam Pei had said she could use this estate in the western suburbs to practice mounted archery, Zhen Tingyun wasn’t foolish. She had already figured out that Madam Pei had entrusted the management of the estate to Zhen Yiyun. If she kept running over there whenever she pleased, Zhen Yiyun would almost certainly be unable to tolerate it. Even this visit had only been possible because Madam Pei felt guilty and suggested it herself, earning the approval of the two family elders. But she couldn’t keep relying on the same method forever.

Fu Changxi had evidently expected this. After a brief moment of thought, he said, “I’ve been busy lately, so I probably won’t be staying at the villa very often. But I’ve already instructed the guards here. Arrange your schedule however you like and come every few days to practice your riding and archery. If I’m not here, have one of the guards watch over you. It’ll be safer that way. Besides, most of them are highly skilled in these matters. If you run into any difficulties, you can ask them for guidance.”

Zhen Tingyun was overjoyed upon hearing this but after the excitement faded, she couldn’t help looking at Fu Changxi again.

She was no longer the ignorant country bumpkin she’d once been. She knew perfectly well that anyone who owned a villa in the Western Hills was a person of power and status. And Yuanhui’s villa even had guards stationed around it!

She had secretly counted them before.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…

There were well over ten of them, and that wasn’t even counting the ones hidden out of sight.

So just what kind of background did Yuanhui have? Who exactly was he?

Naturally, Fu Changxi noticed the suspicion in Zhen Tingyun’s gaze. In truth, he had already prepared himself to answer her questions.

But then Zhen Tingyun merely blinked a few times and actually held herself back. She didn’t ask!

For a moment, even Fu Changxi couldn’t describe what he was feeling.

It was Zhen Tingyun who reacted first. Suddenly her ears twitched slightly, as though she had heard something. “It sounds like someone is coming from outside?” After a pause, she added in surprise, “That voice… I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

Then realization struck her. She looked at Fu Changxi in disbelief. The voice sounded extremely familiar…

It was very much like that young county princess from Yan Wang’s Manor!

But almost immediately, Zhen Tingyun had no time to keep looking at Fu Changxi. She began to panic herself. Today, Zhen Yiyun had gone to attend the young county princess’s banquet. Could it be that she had come here too?

Thinking of this, Zhen Tingyun forced herself to calm down before turning to Fu Changxi. “Teacher… I think I just heard the voice of that young county princess from Yan Wang’s Manor?”

Fu Changxi: “…”

Although he had already decided to let nature take its course, if she asked, he would simply tell her the truth, now that Zhen Tingyun had actually asked, Fu Changxi suddenly found that… he didn’t really want to answer anymore.

After a moment of silence, Fu Changxi finally said, “Perhaps… you heard wrong.”

After a pause, he rose from his seat and headed outside, saying as he walked, “Stay here for now. I’ll go out and take a look…”

Zhen Tingyun certainly had no desire to go outside. She obediently nodded and watched Fu Changxi leave, though one thought continued circling in her mind:

So just what is Yuanhui’s identity? Surely he isn’t the beauty the young county princess is secretly keeping in a golden house, is he?

The more Zhen Tingyun thought about it, the more absurd her imagination became, until she gave herself goosebumps. In the end, she could only shrug.

No more wild guesses. I’ll just wait until Yuanhui comes back and ask him.

***

When Fu Changxi stepped out of the room, he indeed found the young county princess, Fu Nianhua, waiting outside.

Naturally, behind the young county princess was a group of noble young ladies. Fu Changxi swept his gaze over them without a second thought, as though they didn’t exist. Looking at this niece of his, whom he rarely saw, he barely managed to summon some patience before asking, “What is it?”

“Imperial Uncle Su.” Seeing Fu Changxi emerge from inside, the young county princess’s usually icy expression blossomed into a smile. She quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Today your niece is hosting a banquet in the courtyard. We happened to hear Imperial Uncle’s xiao and qin music, so I came to pay my respects.”

Fu Changxi nodded.

The young county princess was about to continue speaking.

But Fu Changxi interrupted her, saying indifferently, “Since you’ve come to pay your respects, and you’ve already done so, shouldn’t you be leaving now?”

Young county princess: “…”

The smile on her face nearly collapsed. She couldn’t help complaining inwardly:

No wonder Mother always says Imperial Uncle has a solitary temperament and is difficult to approach. He really won’t give anyone even the slightest bit of face…

Fortunately, the young county princess had been personally raised by Yan Wangfei. Toward girls like Zhen Yiyun she was reserved and aloof, but before an elder like Fu Changxi, her admiration and affection were mixed with considerable caution. Seeing his displeased expression and hearing him openly dismiss her, she naturally wasn’t about to shamelessly linger. She bowed once more and said gently, “Yes. Your niece will take her leave.”

As the young county princess departed, the group of noble daughters behind her naturally couldn’t remain either and all followed her out.

Walking at the very back, Zhen Yiyun secretly glanced at Fu Changxi before leaving. Her fingers clenched tightly around her sleeve while her heart pounded wildly.

She had only arrived in the capital the previous year. Until now, she had never met Yan Wang Shizi described in the novel as ‘Deep-set eyes, a high nose, lips as sharp as if carved with a blade, forever dressed in purple robes, like a jade immortal descended from heaven, seemingly heartless, yet full of feeling.’

Even when the Regent had entered the capital that day, she had done no more than watch him from afar atop a restaurant.

So this was also the first time she had seen such a man from so close.

She had never expected that the Regent, who was mentioned only briefly in the novel, would actually look like this.

That appearance…

That bearing…

None of the celebrities from her previous life could compare. It was a beauty and presence beyond words.

Lost in a daze, she followed the others all the way to the courtyard gate before finally recovering slightly. Quietly glancing around and seeing that everyone else also seemed distracted, she relaxed. Then she tugged lightly at Pei Mingzhu’s sleeve and whispered, “I never imagined the Regent would be like this.”

Nothing like the distant glimpse she had caught from the restaurant before.

Pei Mingzhu also came back to her senses, covering her still-warm cheeks with one hand as she whispered, “Exactly… I never imagined it either…”

The young ladies chatted quietly among themselves. Only after they had all left the courtyard did Fu Changxi return to the room to see Zhen Tingyun.

This time, however, Zhen Tingyun truly couldn’t hold herself back. “Teacher, the person who just came… that was the young county princess, wasn’t it?”

Although she hadn’t heard the conversation between Fu Changxi and the princess, she had carefully thought it over while sitting inside. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became that she hadn’t misheard in the beginning.

Looking up at Fu Changxi with her eyes slightly widened, she wore an expression that plainly said: I may not have read many books, but don’t try to fool me.

Fu Changxi genuinely felt a headache coming on. To be honest, now wouldn’t have been a bad time to reveal his identity. Yet somehow, he found himself unable to say it. After thinking for a moment, he merely replied, “It was her.”

Zhen Tingyun’s eyes widened even further.

Fu Changxi was honestly afraid her eyeballs might pop right out.

Then he heard her ask softly, “Then… why would the young county princess come here?” She didn’t dare ask his identity directly, instead taking a rather roundabout route. Though admittedly, it wasn’t much of a detour.

Seeing how worried and frightened she looked, something stirred in Fu Changxi’s heart, and before he knew it, the words had already left his mouth. “This is the Regent’s villa. Naturally, she came to pay respects to her Imperial Uncle, the Regent.”

Zhen Tingyun felt her heart pounding so violently she could barely breathe. Even her voice weakened. “Th-Then… Teacher, who exactly are you…?”

Having watched enough of the constantly changing expressions on her face, Fu Changxi finally said, “Don’t worry. I’m not the Regent.”

Before he had even finished speaking, Zhen Tingyun’s previous anxiety and weakness vanished completely.

She let out one long, enormous sigh of relief.

Seeing her reaction, Fu Changxi found himself forced to invent an explanation despite not wanting to lie. “I’m one of the Regent’s attendants. For the time being, it isn’t convenient to tell you my name. This villa was also given to me by the Regent. Since he isn’t here, the young county princess came briefly and then left.”

Zhen Tingyun trusted her teacher Fu Changxi greatly. Hearing his explanation and fitting it together with everything that had happened, she gradually came to an understanding.

When you put it that way… it actually makes sense.

At the very least, it sounded far more believable than Yuanhui secretly being the Regent himself.

After all, who would believe that the mighty Regent would sneak off to steal her horse only to end up being carried back by the horse instead?

She certainly didn’t….

Thinking it over, Zhen Tingyun successfully convinced herself. As she relaxed, the tension faded from her face. She couldn’t help glaring at Fu Changxi with playful reproach. “Honestly, Teacher! At a time like this you’re still making jokes. You nearly scared me to death…”

Then another thought suddenly occurred to her. Smiling, she said to Fu Changxi, “Oh, and that joke you told me last time, you learned it from the Regent too, didn’t you? I actually thought you’d come up with it yourself. Then I repeated it at my maternal grandparents’ house, and the young county princess exposed it on the spot. It was so embarrassing!”

With an expression that clearly said, This is all your fault.

Fu Changxi: “…”

I copied… myself?!

What the h*ll, I have been grievously wronged!!