Chapter 59: Still No News of Fu Zihou

Within the Zhang family residence.

After overhearing the servants’ conversations, Zhao Han found himself utterly bewildered. Fu Zihou had led troops to break the siege of Qinghe County and routed the rebel army in a decisive victory! Zhao Han was almost dazed by the enormity of such unexpected news, unable to recover his composure for a moment.

“So it turns out Zihou arrived here in Liyang only after vanquishing the rebel army in Qinghe County…” he murmured, recalling how, outside the city, when he had questioned Fu Zihou about which route he’d taken, Zihou had simply replied he came straight from Qinghe County without detour. It had been true—he truly hadn’t taken any detour!

In the courtyard, Zhao Han looked down at his own hands, his face drawn with frustration, suddenly feeling an immense gap between himself and Fu Zihou. At last, he understood why his father was so attentive to the Fu family.

“Father, not only did you judge correctly, but you even underestimated Zihou!” Zhao Han could already imagine returning to the village and telling his father and fourth uncle about this matter—their expressions would speak volumes.

“Please!”
“Please!!”

Suddenly, voices sounded. Zhao Han looked up to see the Governor of Ji Commandery, Wang Jing, the commander of Liyang Granary, General Chen Leng, and the chief secretary of Ji Commandery, Cui Xin, entering the residence.

Inside the main hall of the Zhang family, Fu Zihou was respectfully conversing with Yang Jin, Yang Yuanbo, and other elders of the Yang clan when he noticed the three men arrive.

“Brother Yang, have you heard the news from Qinghe County?” Wang Jing greeted Yang Jin with a bow.

Upon seeing Wang Jing, Yang Jin, Yang Fanbo, and Yang Le kept their smiles, yet Fu Zihou keenly sensed that compared to their earlier conversation, the smiles of the three Yang elders now seemed somewhat forced.

Fu Zihou quickly recalled what Zhao Han had said at the city gates. Clearly, Wang Jing had previously shirked responsibility, causing the Yang family to lose heart.

“Brother Wang! Do you know who this is?” Yang Jin raised his hand in return and then, smiling, indicated Fu Zihou to Wang Jing.

Seeing the confused looks of Wang Jing, Chen Leng, and Cui Xin, Yang Jin didn’t beat around the bush but directly introduced Fu Zihou by name.

“This young man is Fu Zihou,” Yang Jin declared.

Upon hearing this, Wang Jing, Chen Leng, and Cui Xin were all astonished and turned to look at Fu Zihou.

“Zihou, this is Wang Jing of the Wang family from Ji Commandery, the governor! This is General Chen Leng, and this is Chief Secretary Cui Xin from Qinghe’s Cui family!” Yang Jin introduced them to Fu Zihou.

Speaking to Fu Zihou, the smile on Yang Jin’s aged face was noticeably more genuine, clearly owing much to Fu Zihou’s rescue of Yang Shan.

“Zihou! Pay your respects to Governor Wang, General Chen, and Lord Cui!” Fu Zihou promptly raised his hand in greeting.

Though Fu Zihou was young, the three officials returned his salute with equal respect.

“No need for formalities; truly a young hero! I’ve heard you used prisoners from Tiao County to battle the rebels at Qinghe?” Wang Jing asked, astonished.

General Chen Leng was similarly surprised. Having led troops for the Sui dynasty for years, fighting in Goguryeo and helping suppress Yang Xuangan’s rebellion, he was even more impressed by Fu Zihou’s actions.

Only those who command troops know how remarkable it is to defeat a rebel army with fewer than a thousand prisoners.

Moreover, from the reports from Qinghe, this youth not only possessed courage but considerable strategic acumen.

“Governor, yes, I used prisoners,” Fu Zihou responded respectfully.

“Nephew Cui, at such a young age, Zihou is already so valiant and outstanding. It’s a pity my Yang clan currently has no suitable daughters; I’ve heard you still have two unmarried daughters. Let me ask on Zihou’s behalf—why not betroth one to him?” Yang Jin, more than ten years senior to Cui Xin, addressed him as nephew.

Among Wang Jing, Chen Leng, and Cui Xin, Yang Jin was closest to Cui Xin. Both hailed from prominent families, and during the siege of Qinghe, they, along with the Xie family, urgently sought alliances. These recent days of crisis had brought them closer, and now that the danger was over, a little jest was inevitable.

“Hahaha!!” At Yang Jin’s words, Yang Fanbo and Yang Le couldn’t help but laugh, while the older Zhang and other gentry families showed little amusement.

Hearing Fu Zihou’s surname, everyone knew he was not from a noble family. Compared to the Yangs and Cuis, these lesser gentry were the ones most eager to marry their daughters to a promising talent, seeking a chance for their family to rise.

Hearing Yang Jin speak, none dared to interrupt.

“Elder Yang, Zihou already has a fiancée!” Fu Zihou hadn’t expected Elder Yang to be so enthusiastic.

Perhaps the relief from Qinghe’s crisis had put Elder Yang and the others in good spirits. Among all the elders Fu Zihou had ever met, only Yang Jin felt genuinely affable, not the least bit rigid or stern.

“Silly boy, your Uncle Cui is from Qinghe’s Cui family!” Yang Jin sighed, as if disappointed, and turned to Cui Xin.

“If not for Yang Xuangan—no, for Xuangan’s rebellion two years ago, your Uncle Cui wouldn’t have been implicated. Today, he would likely have risen from Deputy Administrator of Qi Commandery to its governor! Don’t be fooled by Zhang Xuduo being the current administrator; back when your Uncle Cui was Deputy, his status was equal to Zhang Xuduo’s,” Yang Jin explained, his words tinged with regret for how Qinghe’s Cui family had been drawn too deeply into the rebellion.

“Well, do you regret claiming you have a fiancée?” Yang Jin asked, still smiling.

Fu Zihou was stunned by Yang Jin’s words, looking in awe at Cui Xin. To become Deputy Administrator of Qi Commandery before forty—what a feat! Yet now, he had been demoted to chief secretary…

“The Fu family fell on hard times years ago, left with nothing. My birth father, to support the family, became a traveling merchant. My betrothed never abandoned me,” Fu Zihou explained to Yang Jin, recovering his composure.

He didn’t directly refuse Elder Yang’s offer due to his fiancée but first stated he was the son of a merchant and then explained that his betrothed had never despised him, so how could he abandon her?

“A merchant’s son!”
“He’s a merchant’s son!!”

With Fu Zihou’s words, the Zhangs and other gentry in the hall began murmuring. Even Yang Jin, Wang Jing, Chen Leng, and Cui Xin looked at Fu Zihou in surprise.

The only ones who weren’t surprised were Xie Zhangyuan, Xie Shuyuan, and Xie Shudu, who already knew Fu Zihou’s background.

“To be upright and forthright is a true man; his father cared for the family, which is no shame,” Yang Jin said, stroking his gray beard as he regarded Fu Zihou.

Now it was Yang Jin who felt awkward—not toward Fu Zihou, but toward Cui Xin. Had Fu Zihou’s background been more respectable, even if from a humble family, his earlier words would not have been improper, given Fu Zihou’s youth and valor in battle.

Yet Fu Zihou was a merchant’s son, making Yang Jin’s offer to Cui Xin, though unintentional, seem slightly insulting. As a member of the prestigious Hongnong Yang clan, such words could easily be misconstrued.

“Elder Yang speaks wisely,” Cui Xin agreed, then turned to Fu Zihou.
“If you have a wife who never abandoned you, cherish her till old age. Qinghe’s Cui family is grateful for your help—should you need anything, do not hesitate to ask! If there is opportunity, I have three sons who may become your friends,” Cui Xin said lightly, steering the conversation toward his own family.

—————————

In the Li family residence in Tiao County.

Old Lady Li paced anxiously in the rear courtyard.
“Why hasn’t Zihou returned yet? Is there any news?” she sighed.

With each day that Fu Zihou failed to return, Old Lady Li worried for his safety, especially since days ago, Cui Duxing had reported that Fu Zihou had gone after the rebel leader Zhang Jincheng.

So many days had passed without a word.

“Mother, we’ve already sent people to inquire! There’s no sign of Zihou in Qinghe County,” Bao Shi said, frowning.

“These days, news of what happened in Qinghe has spread through Tiao County. Fortunately, Fu Zhi and his wife have been holding things together; otherwise, the Fu elders would have already heard what happened in Qinghe,” Bao Shi added, helpless. Worried about alarming the Fu family, she’d enlisted Fu Zhi and his wife to keep them calm—but this secrecy couldn’t last forever. If Fu Zihou continued missing, his parents would surely grow suspicious.

“Mother, perhaps we should tell Uncle Fu,” Bao Shi suggested.

But Old Lady Li immediately rejected the idea.
“In this bitter cold, do you expect your Uncle Fu, at his age, to wait at the gate every day?”

Old Lady Li looked at Bao Shi reproachfully, then turned to her fourth daughter-in-law, Wei Shi.
“Any news from Fourth or Fifth Sons?” she asked.

Fourth son Li Shaozhi and fifth son Li Liyan were both in Wuyang Commandery.

“No, Mother,” Wei Shi replied, shaking her head.

By the fire, Zhou Shi sat with Bao Shi and Wei Shi, watching her mother-in-law, Old Lady Li, who had lost sleep over Fu Zihou these past days. She felt helpless.

If not for knowing Fu Zihou was the Fu elders’ grandson, others might mistake him for a Li family grandson.

No—she hadn’t seen Old Lady Li so invested even in her own sons and grandsons.

That night, upon hearing of Fu Zihou’s deeds, Old Lady Li’s aged face had been lit with a smile that never faded, as if her beloved grandchild had achieved glory.

Thinking of all this, Zhou Shi knew that once Fu Zihou returned safely, Old Lady Li would scold her again—for if not for her interference, Fu Zihou would have been her own son-in-law.

In the guest room of the Li residence, Cui Yuzhe listened to the servants’ reports, frowning as he watched them leave. He paced restlessly.

“Why is there still no news of Zihou? Could something have happened?” Cui Yuzhe worried.

When he’d led troops to assist Qinghe County, he hadn’t faced Zhang Jincheng, but he had witnessed the ferocity of the rebel forces.

With no news of Fu Zihou, Cui Yuzhe feared the worst.

Fu Zihou not only carried his sister’s sword but also Cui Yuzhe’s identification token. In truth, Fu Zihou’s march to Qinghe was partly due to Cui Yuzhe.

By the window, Cui Wenjin held her sword, lying across the wooden table as she scrutinized each notch on the blade.

The sword was no longer bent, and the scabbard had been cleaned. When the blacksmith had asked whether to sharpen the blade, Cui Wenjin had absentmindedly refused.

Where could he be?
Had something happened?

Cui Wenjin stared at her sword, uneasy for days.
She’d once thought him a fraud.

Remembering how she’d assumed his request for wine was a trick, and doubting he’d truly gone to Qinghe—she’d thought him a liar.

A liar…

Suddenly, by the window, Cui Wenjin seemed to realize something. She slowly stood, thoughtful.

“Brother! Could he have gone to Liyang?” she said softly.

“Liyang? He’s wounded—why would he go to Liyang? Injured, he couldn’t possibly go there. Even if he had an appointment with the Xie family, it wouldn’t be urgent. Moreover, the Xies wouldn’t blame him if they knew the reason,” Cui Yuzhe replied, shaking his head.

“No, brother, I just feel he’s in Liyang! Let me go alone and see, all right?” Cui Wenjin insisted, anxious to find him.

“With the new year approaching, even if he’s not there, we can visit Father,” she said.

“I’ll go with you! I won’t let you travel alone!” Cui Yuzhe replied. Though he doubted Fu Zihou was in Liyang, he agreed to accompany his sister, taking the opportunity to see their father. Perhaps their father had heard of the events in Qinghe, but surely he had not yet met Fu Zihou. Cui Yuzhe would use the occasion to speak with his father about Fu Zihou.