Fu Yu's lips twitched slightly, but he stopped teasing her and stepped into the house. He saw You Tong take advantage of his inattention, turn to the side, and quickly knock away the branch in the snowman's arms. He was puzzled, but then he suddenly remembered the soldiers guarding the entrance to the Two Books Pavilion and chuckled to himself—how could she have come up with such a disheveled and crooked "guard"?
Thick curtains had already been drawn at the entrance, and Fu Yu shook his head inwardly before stepping inside.
He was greeted by a rich and enticing aroma.
Chapter 25 Cunning
As the New Year approached, when the village heads paid their rent, they delivered chickens, ducks, fish, geese, and also a lot of beef and mutton. Most of these were given to the main kitchen and stored in the Fu family's ice cellar, while some were also distributed to the small kitchens where the fire was lit. You Tong, thanks to Fu Yu, received a lot.
Taking advantage of a little free time these past two days, she asked Aunt Xia to make some braised beef and some stewed beef jerky. Tonight, she made mutton soup and a separate pot of beef broth to eat with hot pot later.
That rich, enticing aroma comes from the beef soup.
Fu Yu braved the cold to travel, and after arriving at the Two Books Pavilion, he didn't even have a sip of hot water. Now, smelling the rich aroma, he felt hungry and couldn't help but take a second look—the milky white porcelain basin was filled to the brim, with finely chopped beef mixed with diced shiitake mushrooms, chopped green onions, and crumbled tofu. It was probably thickened with cornstarch, and looked quite thick.
"It smells nice," he said casually.
"Sister Xia is in charge of cooking, and she has done a very meticulous job. The beef is all braised, so it's very flavorful. It's also made into a soup, so it tastes great." You Tong smiled and instructed Chun Cao, "Serve some beef soup to the General, and peel some of the roasted chestnuts. Eat them while they're hot to ward off the cold."
These words pleased him greatly, and Fu Yu took off his cloak and handed it to her casually.
You Tong was taken aback, then realized that he was ordering her to do something. She awkwardly accepted the task and handed it to Yan Bo.
The beef soup was served, and Fu Yu sat down at the table.
He ate very quickly, a habit he had developed from years of marching, unwilling to waste a single moment. Even now, indoors, he showed no intention of chewing slowly. In no time, a bowl of piping hot meat soup was empty, and You Tong refilled it. Seeing that Fu Yu was in a fairly good mood, she advised, "Husband, let it cool down for a while. Eating food that's too hot can upset your stomach."
Fu Yu looked up at her, but then heard the curtain move slightly and Aunt Zhou walked in.
"Young Madam, the dishes are all prepared. Shall we light the stove now?"
"Hmm, same as last time, I'll go mix the dipping sauce later." You Tong winked at Chun Cao, signaling her to come and help. Thinking it over, Fu Yu never came unless he had a reason; his sudden appearance today must mean he had something important to discuss. So she abandoned the idea of inviting Fu Lan Yin to share the meal. After Fu Yu finished his meat soup, she said, "We're having hot pot tonight, would you like to try some, husband?"
"good."
Fu Yu's appetite was whetted by the fragrant beef soup, and he also became interested in her hot pot.
...
The hot pot was placed in the open hall of the east wing, with a gleaming copper pot on the round table and cups and plates neatly arranged.
The hot pot was boiling vigorously, one side sizzling with a fiery spicy aroma, the other simmering with pickled cabbage. Three exquisite plates of pork belly, mutton, and beef stood side by side, along with boneless and deboned fish slices, tendons, preserved meats, duck blood and intestines, and shrimp paste and crab balls that had been painstakingly prepared. Beside them were leeks, bean sprouts, and several other preserved vegetables, as well as pickled bamboo shoots and wood ear mushrooms—a truly abundant and varied feast.
Further out, there are small and delicate side dishes such as sweet potato cakes, mixed goose feet, and smashed cucumber.
Chuncao brought over a square chair and invited Fu Yu to sit down. You Tong then asked, "Husband, can you eat spicy food?"
"good."
You Tong chose sesame paste as the safest condiment, added some chopped green onions, chili flakes, and sesame oil, then poured in some boiling hot sauerkraut soup and placed it in front of him. The sesame paste was specially made by her, with roasted and ground sesame seeds; it was rich, smooth, and delicious. A short while later, the mutton in the pot was cooked, and Fu Yu scooped some out, dipped it in the sauce, and brought it to his lips.
The freshly cooked meat was piping hot, wrapped in sesame paste and the aroma of chili and pickled cabbage, making it incredibly delicious.
Fu Yu was slightly surprised, but he didn't say anything and just kept picking up more meat to eat.
You Tong didn't waste any words, prepared the dipping sauce, and happily started eating.
The cold wind howled outside, but inside the charcoal brazier was warm and cozy, and the steaming hot pot made everyone feel warm all over.
Fu Yu simply took off his coat and, without needing anyone to serve him, picked out the cooked meat to eat himself. Occasionally, You Tong would help him if his chopsticks slipped and he couldn't pick up the meat. When he came across duck blood and duck intestines, he didn't hesitate to put them into his mouth. The cold and stern demeanor he had developed after days of running around and fighting was also dispelled by the heat. His usually aloof and indifferent brows gradually relaxed, and through the steaming mist, he no longer seemed as indifferent and distant as before.
The couple sat around the hot pot, initially each guarding their own side, but later they worked together to find the hidden vegetables and meat.
You Tong quickly ate some, and after satisfying her appetite, she took a silver spoon and personally cooked the shrimp paste.
This stuff is crisp and tender, and addictive. Fu Yu was captivated the first time he tried it. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes were constantly scanning around, searching for shrimp paste, no longer displaying his initial calm and composed demeanor. He was quick, and in no time he had scooped out most of the cooked shrimp paste. You Tong was slow to react and, after a lot of effort, only managed to scoop out two pieces.
Just as she reached out to touch another grain of rice floating in the pot, the other person's chopsticks had already seized it.
Seeing that the other party was about to take away the prey, You Tong was both greedy and angry, and couldn't help but say, "Husband!"
Fu Yu paused slightly, looked up at her, and a smile appeared in his eyes. "What is it?"
“This shrimp paste—” she pointed to the delicious dish in the pot, “is quite troublesome to make.”
Seeing that Fu Yu seemed not to understand, she added, "I helped make the shrimp paste, and my wrists are sore. I only managed to make this small bowl in the whole afternoon." After saying this, she inwardly scolded herself for being too stingy, even fussing over food. However, her mouth was still greedy for the last bit of deliciousness, and she stared longingly at that one piece, licking her lips.
Fu Yu finally understood.
"You like it?" he asked.
You Tong looked into those deep eyes, feeling a little embarrassed, but still nodded.
"Here you go." Fu Yu nodded, stood up slightly, and placed the shrimp paste into her bowl.
You Tong felt guilty for snatching the food from the tiger's mouth, so she cherished it even more and slowly savored it with a little sauce.
But then Fu Yu lightly flicked his chopsticks and pulled out two more charcoal grains from behind the charcoal tube. "There are more here."
You Tong was surprised and delighted. She quickly scooped one into her bowl and said, "Thank you, my husband!"
She finished eating with relish, but then, realizing what had happened, she was filled with rage again—Fu Yu was truly treacherous! There were so many shrimp balls in the pot, yet he ignored the ones right in front of him and instead snatched them from her territory, hiding the delicious treat behind the charcoal burner. The charcoal burner blocked her view; she couldn't see or eat them. He had finished the other delicacies, and there was still this little bit of food he had stored up nearby, which he could enjoy slowly.
How...insidious and despicable! Humph.
You Tong secretly grumbled to herself, when she heard Fu Yu say, "This tastes good. Next time, have the maid make more."
"Okay." You Tong forced a polite smile.
...
By the time the meal was finished, it was already past midnight.
Earlier, military reports arrived, bringing joy throughout the city. You Tong, being in the Fu family, naturally heard of Fu Yu's heroic exploits. Seeing Fu Yu's lingering enthusiasm, and not having finished making shrimp paste, she gave him the few crab balls she had. Finally, she ordered someone to ladle a bowl of tangy and delicious mutton soup, sprinkled with chopped scallions, into the main room.
Then he left the side room to Chuncao and the others, and invited Fu Yu to the main room to have soup and rest.
The couple rarely saw each other after getting married, and the few times they did meet were always for special reasons. Fu Yu's visit this time must also be for something.
When You Tong and the others brought the sour soup, she dismissed the maids and took the silver scissors to trim the lamp wick.
Fu Yu stood tall and looked around. He saw a porcelain vase on the table with newly picked plum blossoms, and several pots of daffodils growing on the windowsill and tableside. They were lush and green. Next to the charcoal braziers in the four corners, there were large urns filled with water. The room was warm and pleasant, and it didn't feel dry at all. It was a comfortable place to live.
With a slight thought, he casually said, "I'll send two pots of daffodils to my grandmother tomorrow."
“Okay.” You Tong replied, but when he didn’t say anything more, she turned around and saw Fu Yu standing by the table, looking at her.
Perhaps because he was full, his cold and indifferent demeanor was not very obvious when they were facing each other under the lamp. Seeing an orange on the table, he casually picked up a knife, cut it open, handed half of it to her, and said, "Grandmother, have you finished dealing with Su Ruolan's matter?"
"Following my husband's decision, she was sold to Yinzhou. Jin Deng, who conspired with her, was also punished and sent to do manual labor outside." You Tong hadn't expected him to still remember the past. The oranges were sweet and juicy, with a refreshing fragrance after being peeled. She smiled as she ate them with her head down. "I'm so sorry for always bothering my husband with such trivial matters, not only at the South Tower, but also at my grandmother's place. But things have been much calmer since Su Ruolan left."
"She's awful."
Fu Yu did not deny it, but stopped what he was doing and looked her over.
Commanding thousands of troops, enforcing military regulations, and making decisive decisions, he possessed an awe-inspiring presence. His gaze was seasoned and steady, and even without its usual sharpness and coldness, it still made people's hearts pound when he looked at them.
You Tong didn't understand why he was looking at her like that, so she just tilted her head and showed a puzzled expression.
Then Fu Yu said, "She made a mistake, and Grandmother was also rash. What about you?"
"Me?" You Tong took a half step back. "Does my husband think I'm also at fault?"
"It's not necessarily a mistake. You could have done better."
“My husband flatters me. You Tong is dull-witted, and I have already done my best to get to this point.” You Tong avoided his gaze, but unexpectedly, Fu Yu suddenly reached out and gently lifted her chin with his calloused fingertips, forcing her to look at him. This action seemed frivolous, but because Fu Yu was usually ruthless, You Tong did not feel any ambiguity in it, only her heart skipped a beat.
The room was warm and cozy, illuminated by red candlelight. The couple stood at the table, so close that they could even see each other's reflections in their eyes.
The eyes opposite him were like black jade, scrutinizing and seemingly able to see into people's hearts.
Since their marriage, he had never gazed at her like this before; he used to disdain to bother, but now his gaze carried a sense of authority. You Tong, having experienced relatively little, found her palms gradually sweating as she witnessed Fu Yu's methods of dealing with tough men in the military.
"Yes, there were indeed some inappropriate aspects." She finally couldn't hold back and honestly admitted, "I shouldn't have let Su Ruolan run rampant in the first place."
“She’s nothing,” Fu Yu shook his head. “I’m talking about my grandmother’s side.”
Since marrying into the household, You Tong had harbored a desire to keep her distance. While she maintained proper etiquette towards Shou'an Hall, she had no intention of becoming close to it. In the past few months, although she had paid her respects on time, she had never tried to please the old lady and dispel misunderstandings like the eldest branch's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Shen. She had not mentioned her true intentions to anyone, including Chuncao.
At this moment, looking at Fu Yu's expression, she felt a little guilty for some reason.
This person is really not easy to fool when he gets serious.
She quickly thought of a solution, but then heard Fu Yu say, "If you can change my opinion, why can't you change Grandmother's opinion?"
"My grandmother is of noble status, and You Tong dares not offend or disturb her; it is truly beyond my power."
"Is it that you can't, or... are you unwilling?"
Fu Yu's fingertips lingered under her soft chin, then he suddenly leaned closer to examine her closely.
Chapter 26 Refusal
You Tong held her breath for a moment, scrutinizing his expression.
Setting aside his authoritative scrutiny, there was no displeasure on his face; in fact, his fingertips unconsciously caressed her chin. The roughness of his calloused skin touched her soft, smooth skin, and his breath fell on her face. If he were just two inches closer, he could kiss her lips.
You Tong felt a sudden panic and took a half step back.
"Does my husband want to hear the truth?"
"Of course." Fu Yu replied without the slightest hesitation.
You Tong turned her head slightly, her fingers lightly pinching her sleeve. She took two steps to the side, took a deep breath, and drove away the panic caused by the ambiguity. Then she looked up at Fu Yu again, her bright eyes clear and calm, regaining her usual composure.
The man before her was her husband, the deputy military commander of Yongning, and a valiant war god revered and supported by the people of Qizhou.
As battle reports arrived one after another in the twelfth lunar month, while she admired and respected the brief messages, she also thought about the conditions on the battlefield—the borderlands were cold and desolate, and in the twelfth lunar month, they were even colder and more deserted, with no birds or beasts to be seen. Fu Yu, leading his iron cavalry, must have been galloping across the land, braving the icy winds day and night, fighting for his life.
Behind those brief battle reports lies the hardship and dedication of the soldiers.
She was in Qizhou, enjoying this peace and tranquility, but she should actually be grateful to the soldiers who were fighting bloody battles on the front lines.
So when Fu Yu came to visit today, she originally planned to treat him well and make him as happy as possible.
But since things have come to this point, and Fu Yu is determined to get to the bottom of things, she can't lie, hide anything, or pretend to comply while secretly disagreeing, lest he misunderstand and become entangled in complicated matters later on.
She composed herself, met his gaze, and said softly, "I understand what you mean, my husband. Now that I've entered the Fu family, I should serve my elders as diligently as my aunt and sister-in-law in the eldest branch of the family. Although my grandmother has prejudices against me, she is still a woman of flesh and blood. If I am filial and considerate and explain things clearly, she will understand, right?"
Seeing that Fu Yu did not deny it, she continued, "My husband means that I should be a good granddaughter-in-law and that the family should live happily together. I shouldn't be like I am now, hiding in this South Building, not getting close to and pleasing my elders, and not integrating into the inner quarters."