"Is it my fault that I'm such a worrywart as a father?"
"I didn't lose out on this trip either. With those two old thieves dead, we have no worries for now."
"Couldn't we have waited until I got back to do it together?"
"Two old venomous snakes have emerged from their den; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By the time you return, they'll have already escaped."
Fu Yu understood this principle perfectly well; opportunities in battle are fleeting, and once missed, they may never return. However, since the deaths of his two elder brothers, Fu Deqing had acted with exceptional caution and thoroughness. In addition to pursuing and killing the enemy, he also arranged for reinforcements to avoid losing too many soldiers and making the losses outweigh the gains. In recent years, he had not suffered any major setbacks. Given Fu Deqing's character, he would never act rashly.
He then furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "Who came to our aid when we were so far infiltrated into enemy territory?"
When this was brought up, Fu Deqing's expression turned slightly serious.
“It was your third cousin who made the arrangement, but there seemed to be a mistake in delivering the message. He was very remorseful and guilty afterwards.” Fu Deqing saw that his son looked exhausted and needed to rest, so he patted his shoulder. “Alright, it’s worth it to exchange my injuries for their two lives! Besides, if it weren’t for these injuries, I wouldn’t have known that the Wei family had such skill. Their medicinal cuisine is even more delicious than the food in restaurants.”
This is clearly a change of topic.
Fu Yu knew it wasn't the right time to pry, so he refrained from asking any further questions.
Glancing to the side, I saw empty bowls and plates on the high table next to me; the food box was the kind that was commonly used in the South Building.
The figure he had caught a glimpse of when he entered the room also came to mind. He paused for a moment before saying, "Did she deliver this?"
"She takes care of all three meals a day without fail." Leaning against the soft pillows, Fu Deqing gave a general account of his recovery, explaining that the old lady needed to be in charge of Shou'an Hall, so You Tong had to work tirelessly at Xieyangzhai. Besides taking care of her meals, she comforted Fu Lanyin, entertained the military doctors, and helped the servants with their daily needs, keeping herself very busy and expending a lot of energy.
Seeing Fu Yu nod silently, he raised his voice and said, "Alright, come in, everyone. You haven't finished your soup yet."
After You Tong brought the siblings in, he asked You Tong to fill the soup bowls and drank two bowls while they were still hot.
Following Qin Liangyu's instructions, several medicinal herbs were added to this soup. Although it tasted good, its aroma was rather bitter.
Fu Lanyin sniffed twice, and since she happened to be standing next to Fu Yu, she noticed a strange smell. She couldn't help but whisper a reminder, "Second Brother, you've been rushing here for days and haven't had a proper bath or rest, have you? You're all disheveled. Aren't you afraid someone will see you?" When Fu Yu looked over, she deliberately pinched her nose.
Fu Yu frowned, raised his arm to look at it, and sure enough, he was covered in dust.
This appearance wouldn't be unusual in the military; it's common to be drenched in sweat while marching across the Gobi Desert in the sweltering heat. However, in the Fu family mansion, it would certainly damage their dignity if an outsider were to witness it. If a delicate woman like You Tong were to smell it, she would probably hold her nose and avoid it like the plague.
He subconsciously looked at You Tong.
You Tong had also smelled the sweat earlier. Seeing the slight dishevelment in his eyes, she smiled and said, "Father should take a nap after lunch. Why don't you...husband go to the south building, wash up, and rest for a while before coming back?"
"Okay." Fu Yu nodded and stood up.
The two sisters-in-law put all the bowls and dishes into the food box. You Tong got up to say goodbye and went to get the food box, but saw Fu Yu reach out from the side and take the things away.
She was happy to be lazy, so she followed behind him.
...
Since Fu Yu led his troops south, the two had not seen each other for several months, and there had been no news of each other during that time. You Tong had been waiting anxiously for a long time, and finally saw him return safely. She felt a rare joy, like that of a couple reunited after a long separation. Although Fu Yu was covered in sweat and didn't smell pleasant, his tall and imposing figure and steady gait were pleasing to the eye.
The burden that had been on his shoulders was lightened by his return.
You Tong had walked this road dozens of times, but this was the first time she had the leisure to appreciate the scenery around her, and she couldn't help but smile softly.
As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Fu Yu suddenly spoke up, "What are you grinning about?"
"I just feel so good that my husband is back."
"Really?" Fu Yu paused slightly, turning to look at her. "You were waiting for me to come back?"
You Tong was looking around with her eyes darting about when he suddenly stopped and turned around, almost bumping into his shoulder. She looked up and met his deep eyes, the black pupils like ink jade, bloodshot around them, tired yet profound, with a hint of inquiry.
She immediately sensed something was amiss and quickly mumbled, "Lanyin and Zhao'er are the same."
These two matters should not be confused.
Fu Yu stared at You Tong, catching a hint of something being concealed in her expression. Just as he was about to investigate further, she suddenly raised her sleeve to wipe her forehead, muttered "It's hot," and then strode forward.
It was a hot midday in the height of summer. She wore a thin shirt, and her gauze skirt swayed gently, creating ripples and clouds, making her look light and graceful.
Fu Yu's lips twitched slightly as he followed behind her.
Upon arriving at the South Tower, the summer scenery was completely different from when we parted. The creeping violets were lush and green, the old locust trees provided ample shade, and the two fringe trees by the wall were nearing the end of their flowering season, yet they were at their most vibrant, their branches laden with clusters of tiny blossoms, their fragrance carried on the breeze. The buildings of the South Tower were nestled in the shade of the locust trees, and a gentle breeze swept through, dispelling the summer heat.
Fu Yu didn't stop for a moment and went straight into the inner room.
You Tong then instructed Yan Bo to have people carry water to the inner room for bathing—her small kitchen almost always had hot water, and in the summer, bathing and wiping oneself was very convenient; all one needed was some warm water. After giving her instructions, she went into the inner room and saw Fu Yu engrossed in removing his fine armor, so she went over to help.
Suddenly remembering something else, she reminded him, "Does my husband have any wounds that cannot be exposed to water?"
"It's alright." Fu Yu answered vaguely, probably because he felt that the sweat was really unbearable. Without waiting for You Tong to help him take off his clothes, he went into the inner room after the servants and maids had left.
You Tong wasn't idle either. She took clean clothes from the trunk and tiptoed inside, placing them on the table behind the screen.
Fu Yu was soaking in the bathtub. Although the water was touching his wounds and causing some pain, the warm water was not only washing away the sweat but also easing his fatigue, making him feel quite comfortable. He watched as the slender hand secretly put down his clothes and quickly withdrew. He just smiled to himself and closed his eyes to rest.
Perhaps it was the exhaustion from days of travel, or perhaps it was the comfort and ease of soaking in the bathtub, but after closing my eyes for a short while, I became drowsy.
He didn't know how long he had slept, but he vaguely heard You Tong calling him. He opened his eyes and saw her squatting beside the bathtub with a worried look on her face. One hand was holding onto the edge of the tub, and the other hand reached out to poke his shoulder. "...Wake up, go inside and sleep on the couch. You'll catch a cold if you soak in the water." Her voice was not loud. After Fu Yu opened his eyes, she took two steps back. "The bedding is all laid out inside. Husband, come out and sleep."
After saying that, he quickly left the bathroom.
Fu Yu only realized that the water in the bucket had gone cold after her figure disappeared behind the screen.
So he got up, dried himself off, threw on some clothes, went outside and saw a thin blanket on the bed, so he crawled inside.
When You Tong brought in a bowl of calming tea, the man was already lying down with his eyes closed, his hair still wet and piled up on the pillow. He had rushed back from a long journey and was obviously exhausted. He fell into a deep sleep after taking a bath. He was usually alert and sharp, but he had taken a while to wake up. After a moment of confusion, he finally focused his gaze, unlike his usual self, who could react quickly to the slightest sound.
Looking back, he must have had a very difficult time these past two weeks.
Sleeping with wet hair on your head can easily lead to health problems.
You Tong sighed, gently set down the tea tray, took a clean towel, and quietly climbed onto the couch. She knelt beside him and began to gently dry his hair. The bed was dimly lit after the curtains were drawn, and the maids outside were ordered to be quiet. You Tong carefully dried his hair halfway through when she noticed that the person who had been sleeping had opened his eyes and was looking at her.
She quickly stopped, a little apologetic, "Did I wake my husband?"
Fu Yu shook his head and raised his arm to hold her hand.
"You Tong." He had been asleep for a while, and his voice was slightly hoarse, but unusually gentle. "Thank you for everything these past few days."
Chapter 57 Benefits
The bed curtains were dim and quiet. Fu Yu's voice was like a magnet being polished. The bloodshot veins in his deep eyes were still visible, and his expression was complex.
Before leaving Beijing, he asked You Tong why she insisted on divorcing him, and You Tong told him two things.
When Fu Yu said he would consider it, he was not lying. After several months of fighting in the south, seeing the women in the chaos of war, he couldn't help but think of You Tong. In the quiet of the night, when he was discussing strategies with his soldiers, he would also think of You Tong, of the peaceful days in the South Tower, of the smoke rising from the chimneys at dusk, of her charming smiles and graceful manner.
If you put yourself in Fu Lanyin's shoes, what would she do if she got married and encountered a cold husband and harsh criticism from her elders?
What would a girl who is pampered and raised in luxury by her family feel if she is treated coldly by her husband's family?
At the time, he did not regard her as his wife. He felt that the marriage was a matter of mutual benefit, and he would bear the joys and sorrows himself. He had the responsibility of guarding the border and had no time to spare for her. He had only given her the position of young mistress, and her future situation was up to fate.
Looking back on my attitude and thoughts at the time, I feel ashamed.
In particular, when he learned that You Tong had never done the things rumored, his previous contempt and prejudice felt like a slap across the face. If Fu Lanyin were to suffer such cold treatment, even if Fu Yu could refrain from tearing his husband's family to pieces, he would definitely take her away and prevent her from suffering such injustice.
How would it be any different for You Tong?
Although she was gentle and kind, she was not one to passively accept her fate. She kept a mental record of right and wrong. Her insistence on divorce clearly showed her deep dissatisfaction with the Fu family. She didn't say it outright to save face for him, but kept her resentment hidden and behaved herself, refusing to show filial piety to her elders. However, when faced with a real problem, she was completely decisive. Though she remained silent, she handled things perfectly and thoughtfully.
A mix of emotions welled up in Fu Yu's heart, all of which he concealed in his deep eyes.
You Tong smiled slightly and said softly, "I know, go to sleep now. There are still many things waiting for your husband to deal with."
Having said that, afraid of disturbing his rest, she gathered her half-dry hair to the side and left.
...
Fu Yu slept soundly for days.
The exhaustion of the past few days surged up and quickly overwhelmed him, leaving his consciousness in a deep, dark void, and he barely even dreamed.
When he woke up, the room was dimly lit and eerily quiet. He lay there blankly for a moment before his consciousness slowly returned. He then got up and saw a basin of water beside him. He immediately scooped it up to wash his face. The water was made from melted ice, and there were still some unmelted ice shards in it. It was very refreshing, and he splashed his face with it four or five times. It was extremely invigorating.
The sound of splashing water was mixed with the crisp sound of ice shards hitting the copper basin.
You Tong was sitting on the chaise longue in the outer room reading a book when she heard the noise. She looked up and saw that Fu Yu had gotten up, so she put down her book and went out to prepare dinner.
It was already evening. The servants and maids in the south building, having been instructed to do so quietly, moved about without making a sound or laughing. The courtyard was very quiet. Sometime during the day, layers of clouds had gathered in the sky, making it look gloomy and as if it were about to rain. When the evening breeze swept through the hall, it carried away the daytime heat, leaving only the rustling of leaves and grass.
Dinner was served in the side room; You Tong had ordered the dishes, and Du Shuangxi had personally cooked them.
The crispy, layered pancakes filled with meat were flaky on the outside and tender on the inside. They were pan-fried in a large iron wok until golden brown, then sliced open and steaming hot, releasing a wonderful aroma. Next to it was a pot of pickled fish with sauerkraut. The fish was tender and smooth, deboned before cooking, and made with pickled peppers and sauerkraut that You Tong had prepared earlier—it was very appetizing. Further on were braised pork ribs in ten-spice vinegar, braised matsutake mushrooms, stir-fried wild pheasant chicks, and two pots of old duck and bamboo shoot soup simmering in an earthenware pot.
The most eye-catching dish is the iron plate in the center, with fresh vegetable leaves on the bottom and finely diced mutton on top, half fat and half lean. After being grilled on the iron plate, it is sprinkled with cumin from Persia, making it look very tempting.
The courtyard was filled with the aroma of food, and the mutton in the pot was glistening with oil, making one's mouth water.
Fu Yu had been busy fighting for months, and when the war was intense, he had no appetite. He usually ate the communal meals in the military camp. He hadn't treated his stomach to anything for a long time. When he suddenly saw the table full of delicious food, his eyes lit up.
You Tong smiled and invited him to sit down, then turned around and said, "What about the other two?"
"It must be ready by now. I'll go get it." With that, she went to the kitchen and returned shortly with a lacquered tray. Inside was a plate of smooth cold noodles mixed with sesame paste, chili oil, and vinegar, along with cucumber salad with garlic, celery and tofu skin salad, shredded vegetables, and steamed and cooled eggplant with garlic sauce. The four side dishes were neatly arranged in four compartments on a porcelain plate.
Such a sumptuous and delicious meal is enough to reward someone who has been through a long and arduous journey.
Fu Yu glanced at You Tong, his eyes full of approval. He picked up some mutton with his chopsticks to taste it. He found it tender and delicious, with a spicy and salty flavor. Even after the lean meat was gone, the rich, fatty aroma of roasting lingered in his mouth. The cooking time and flavor were just right, much better than anything he had ever eaten in the mutton-rich north.
He casually remarked, "My cooking skills in the small kitchen are gradually improving."
"It wasn't fried." You Tong was happily biting into the crispy meat pie, almost swallowing her tongue, and her words were rather muffled. "Miss Du spent a lot of time baking it. My husband woke up at just the right time. If it had cooled down, it wouldn't have tasted so good." As she spoke, she turned around and pointed outside. Sure enough, there was a small corner for grilling meat hidden on the north side of the kitchen.
Fu Yu glanced at it and nodded, saying, "Indeed, it's very good."
He paused, then asked, "Who is Miss Du?"
He vaguely recognized the names of the maids and servants in the South Tower, but none of them had the surname Du.
You Tong seized the opportunity and said, "I specially invited her. Her name is Du Shuangxi. Not only is her cooking superb, but she also puts a lot of thought into the food. This meal tonight was prepared by her. What do you think of her cooking, husband?"
"It tastes very good." Fu Yu glanced at her, a glint in his eyes. "Thank you for your help."
You Tong smiled gently at him, then buried herself in her meal.
Fu Yu's gaze remained fixed on her, noticing her slightly puffed cheeks and her eyes darting between the dishes. Gradually, a smile appeared in his eyes. Each time she reached for her chopsticks, he would follow her gaze and quickly pick up a piece for her to put in her bowl, remaining silent but quick and nimble.
It was rare for him to show such thoughtfulness, willing to set aside his arrogant temper and take care of her a little, which You Tong appreciated.
...
Fu Yu had come from afar, and after resting, he would surely have important matters to report to Fu Deqing. Therefore, after finishing her meal, You Tong did not go to Xieyangzhai to cause trouble, but simply prepared the food box and entrusted it to Fu Yu to take there personally. When she arrived there, Fu Deqing had indeed sent Fu Lanyin and her brother away, and the military doctors had also returned to their residences. Only Fu Deming, who had just returned from the yamen, was present.