When they arrived at Madam Shen's place, she was shameless enough to completely forget about the past attempt to kill him, and calmly drank her tea. The remaining sisters-in-law, even if they didn't know the details of Madam Shen's plot to kill him, could hardly fail to sense something amiss when they saw Madam Shen being punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall and stripped of her power as head of the household, Qiu Niang and her husband being punished, and You Tong being divorced and forced to leave the mansion. Caught between her grandmother and mother-in-law, their attitude towards You Tong was neither overly warm nor cold.
Of all the women in the room, with Fu Lanyin absent, it was Madam Han who was the most affectionate.
"Zhou Gu has been taking care of things at Nanlou. She's always been cautious and thorough. We've been very grateful to her for helping with the preparations for the wedding and the new house. We should have added some more people, but we didn't know what kind of people you preferred, so we haven't done it yet. I'll call people over tomorrow, and we'll choose reliable people together so we can use them with peace of mind. Is that alright?"
You Tong knew that she was avoiding suspicion. Although she was in charge of managing the household affairs, she had no intention of placing people in front of anyone.
She smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law. I've been busy with the New Year these past few days, so there's no rush to add more later when I have more free time."
"Alright." Madam Han was indeed extremely busy with these two important matters.
The atmosphere in Shou'an Hall was harmonious, and You Tong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After returning to the South Building, while Fu Yu was in the study handling matters, she found Aunt Zhou and planned to clean up the small kitchen before the New Year. At yesterday's wedding banquet, Fu Lanyin did not cause any trouble. After the busy end of the year, her sister-in-law would definitely come back to her parents' home to join in the fun. At that time, she would have to treat her to delicious food.
She planned to leave the courtyard on Pear Blossom Street for Du Shuangxi to live in. He spends most of his time in the hot pot restaurant, and if he feels like cooking, the restaurant's kitchen will have plenty of food.
The treasures that You Tong and Xia Sao had accumulated could only be put to good use if they were moved to the South Building.
So he found some people, made a list, and ordered everything from kitchen utensils and pickles to books and paintings in the study, along with the account books. Yanbo personally supervised the packing and moving of everything.
After these trivial matters were arranged, dusk was already falling and birds were flying back to the forest.
You Tong was exhausted from last night's ordeal, and it was her first time having sex, so she felt very uncomfortable. While Aunt Xia was preparing dinner, she went to her room to rest. In her drowsy state, she heard faint voices outside. She sat up with her eyes still blurry, slipped on her shoes, and got out of bed. Before she even reached the side room, she saw a figure flash outside, and Fu Yu walked in.
Normally, she would have gone to greet him, gently and virtuously helping him undress, and then pouring him a cup of hot tea to relieve his fatigue.
But the moment You Tong saw Fu Yu reach out to undo his cloak, for some reason, the image of him grabbing her collar and pounced on her last night, reeking of alcohol, flashed through her mind. Then came the bullying and oppression—not to mention the pain of losing her virginity, just looking at the dog-chewed marks on her soft breasts was painful.
I thought he was restrained and would take his time, but who knew that after drinking a little, he turned out to be a beast in human clothing.
You Tong's forward-pointing toes stopped, and she inexplicably took two steps back.
The smile that had just appeared in Fu Yucai's eyes froze slightly, and he was puzzled.
She clearly came out to greet him upon hearing the commotion. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her clothes were half-rumpled, and she looked drowsy and half-asleep, exuding a unique languid charm. He was about to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but why did she suddenly hide away?
Chapter 113 Soft and fierce
After a moment of slight surprise, Fu Yu calmly took off his cloak and draped it over the sandalwood rack beside him. He then strolled over to You Tong, leaned down slightly, and brushed a stray hair behind her ear, saying, "Haven't you had enough sleep yet?"
At close range, his gaze was intense, fixed on her eyebrows, eyes, and red lips, as if he still wanted more.
You Tong crossed her arms and backed away slightly. "Did my husband come back from the training ground?"
"You can smell that?"
"It smells of dust." Unlike him, You Tong wasn't shameless enough to settle scores in bed during the day, so she went back inside and brought out another set of casual clothes to help him change. Fu Yu obeyed, taking off his outer garment and letting You Tong put it on. As she bent down to help him tie the sash, he took a deep breath of the faint fragrance emanating from his hair, feeling a little distracted.
Last night, she was afraid of pain and would try to dodge at the slightest pressure. It took him a lot of effort to kiss her until she was completely satisfied. Unfortunately, it was quite late at night, and she cried out that she was tired and in pain, looking pitiful. As soon as her tears fell, even his hardest heart softened, and he had no choice but to suppress his still burning desire.
Today, after finishing the last training session of the year with his troops, he rushed back.
After dinner, once the door is closed, it will be another warm and cozy night, filled with the soft fragrance of jade.
Fu Yu had been fighting and killing for over a decade, and this was the first time he had ever discovered such pleasure beyond the cold, hard blades and weapons.
They then went into the inner room to wash off the dust of their journey and had a meal together.
The kitchen utensils hadn't all arrived yet, but with Aunt Xia in charge of cooking, the meals were anything but monotonous. Fu Yu hadn't eaten at You Tong's place in a long time, so he had an extra bowl. You Tong ate to her heart's content, finishing the last piece of grilled fish with orange flavor on her plate, drinking two spoonfuls of creamy white soup, before leaning back in her chair and wiping her hands contentedly.
The South Building regained its former lively atmosphere. Aunt Xia, wearing an apron, prepared to steam late-night pastries. Yanbo and the maids cleaned up the broken tables, while Aunt Zhou called on the capable Muxiang to light up the lanterns under the corridor one by one.
The evening breeze was chilly, and the light of day was dim.
You Tong was afraid of gaining weight from eating too much, so she put on a cloak and went to Wangyun Tower on the north slope to digest her food.
Fu Yu accompanied her upstairs. In the enveloping night, all around were dark shadows of trees, and the bright moon was nowhere to be seen. Because it was close to the New Year, lanterns were lit even in the usually dim places. Looking from above, the dark red light meandered among the pavilions and flowering trees, winding into the distance in the deepening night.
The two hadn't gone for a night out together in a long time, and the scenery and people there made them feel refreshed and relaxed.
Unfortunately, military affairs were tedious, and Fu Yu hadn't been standing there long when Shen Gu arrived, saying that Du He had something to ask him for instructions.
After going around in circles and returning, it was already 11:45 PM.
The light inside the fence was dim, and the door to the main house was tightly closed. Zhou Gu and Yanbo were in the side room, fuming clothes, their laughter drifting out of the window. Fu Yu went in and, as usual, went to the side room first. Not seeing You Tong reading a book under the lamp, he was surprised and went into the inner room. There, he saw the curtains half-drawn, and under the brocade quilt, You Tong was already asleep with her eyes closed.
This is somewhat disappointing.
Fu Yu didn't disturb her. He tiptoed into the inner room, washed up, changed into his nightgown, and went to the outer room to extinguish most of the candles.
He rolled onto the bed, lay on his back for a while, and then noticed something amiss—
Outside the window, all was silent; inside, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After he lay down, even the rustling of the quilt ceased. Her dark hair piled up like clouds beside him, and her even breathing clearly reached his ears. Though it sounded even and long, it was quite different from that of someone fast asleep. By the dim candlelight remaining outside the bed curtains, her cheeks were as smooth and fair as fine porcelain, her eyelashes fluttering like fans, highlighting the beautiful curve of her eyebrows. But upon closer inspection, the occasional slight movement of her eyes was quite noticeable.
Fu Yu paid attention for a moment and became even more convinced that she was pretending to be asleep.
He then half-sat up, leaned over, and pressed the tip of his nose against her cheek.
His warm breath tickled her face, and even with her eyes closed, You Tong could feel his gaze upon her. Her heartbeat, which had been calmed by deep breathing, gradually became erratic. She tried her best to pretend to be asleep for a moment, but seeing him take advantage of the situation and move his lips to her face, she couldn't bear it any longer and opened her eyes, "I'm asleep."
"Really?" Fu Yu glanced at her, then chuckled softly, "You're not really putting on an act."
"I was almost asleep," You Tong said stubbornly.
Fu Yu simply reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying, "It's still early, why are you sleeping?"
Through her thin nightgown, he felt her soft, warm body embrace him, and he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her. The bed curtains were dim, and the neckline of her nightgown was half-open, revealing her almost bare chest. He clearly hadn't intended to sleep properly; the hem of his robe was open all the way down to his chest, and when he leaned in close, the deep cleavage of his waist and abdomen was fully exposed. His battlefield experience had forged a strong and robust aura in him, and as he leaned in close, his breath made her face flush.
You Tong glanced at his chest and waist, where he was deliberately trying to seduce her, breathing into her ear.
Her eyes felt like they were being burned, and she quickly looked away.
Seeing that he was about to use the same trick again, she simply sat up and pushed him down onto the couch.
Fu Yu let her bully him, lying on the couch, his long legs bending and stretching, his arms embracing her.
A burning desire flickered in his usually cool eyes, and his throat went slightly dry as he became agitated. "So heartless?"
"Who told you to...eat so greedily last night? You've felt terrible all day, you can barely walk. And—" You Tong knelt beside him, looking aggrieved, her tone fierce. As she spoke, she leaned forward, lifting half of her nightgown to show him the marks on her chest and shoulders, and casually removed the hands that had been making those mistakes. "I don't know when they'll go away. I still want to live a few more days. Living beyond your means has taken a toll on your health. I need to rest tonight!"
She was born with fair and smooth skin, even more so on her body than on her face. The marks, varying in shades of blue and purple, were shocking to behold.
Fu Yu hadn't expected to leave behind such evidence last night. Looking at her aggrieved yet fierce gaze, he felt somewhat guilty. "Shall we put some medicine on?"
"No need, I'll be fine after one night's sleep." You Tong didn't want to get herself into trouble, so she fastened her collar and lay down properly.
Fu Yu couldn't bear to let her suffer, so he forcefully suppressed the flames before they flared up. He held her in his arms and tried his best to sleep peacefully through the night. When she woke up the next morning, she was full of energy and his arms were full of warmth. He finally broke through his self-control and took advantage of her half-asleep state and weak will to get what he wanted.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that he reluctantly got up and headed to the government office.
...
The next day was Lunar New Year's Eve.
The joy of the wedding had barely faded when the year-end and New Year arrived, making the Fu family even more lively than in previous years. Fu Deqing had already made his rounds in December, returning just in time for Fu Yu's wedding. In the west courtyard, the father and his two sons gathered together, along with You Tong and Han Shi, making it a fairly complete gathering.
In contrast, the East Courtyard was much quieter.
Because Xu Chaozong was unwilling to be controlled by others, he had been constantly making underhanded moves after deciding to get in touch with Wei Jian. Wei Jian, carrying the imperial decree, had his eyes fixed on the lucrative territory of Jingzhou. He hadn't gained much advantage since the war began before the new year, and the conflict had dragged on until now. Undeterred, he continued to launch attacks on the city, even during the holidays. Zhao Yanzhi, with the Fu family secretly backing him, was unwilling to hand over the people to the corrupt officials of the Wei family. He fought desperately to defend the city, relying on the advantageous terrain and mountains, refusing to retreat an inch.
While Zhao Yanzhi was holding off Wei Jian, news of the new emperor's murder of his father and brothers to seize the throne spread more and more in the south. The people, who had been exploited by cruel officials, were increasingly resentful, and bandits and refugees were causing trouble. It seemed that an uprising was about to break out.
News from all over was sent to the capital, and Fu Deming had no free time. He was constantly busy at his office and residence and didn't even step out of the capital.
The Fu brothers were all capable generals under his command. They dared not slacken their efforts during the holidays, setting an example by guarding the border in the cold.
With the men gone, only Madam Shen, her daughter-in-law, and her two grandsons remained in the east courtyard, which was as desolate as ever.
Fu Deqing was not a narrow-minded person. For the sake of his brother and nephew, he called Han Shi over several times and instructed her to take good care of things, add more things to the east courtyard, and take You Tong there more often to visit the children, so that his sister-in-law would not feel lonely and heartbroken.
Even so, on New Year's Eve, when the whole family gathered together, Shen couldn't manage a smile.
Having been married into the Fu family for so many years, it was common for the women to spend the New Year in solitude. Before, she managed the household affairs with great pomp and circumstance, enjoying respect among her daughters-in-law and servants, and even without her husband and son by her side, she felt no problem. But in the past year and a half, having relinquished her power, she felt guilty and began to feel suspicious and scrutinized by the servants. Furthermore, with Han Shi gaining favor in the Shou'an Hall, she felt neglected. Over time, this gradually led to her developing anxieties and frequent bouts of melancholy.
Even though she has become the wife of a prime minister, she is no longer as radiant as before.
That night, the mansion was brightly lit. Fu Yu and his son had gone to the military camp, leaving only the old lady and the women to enjoy a banquet and listen to music.
Outside, firecrackers boomed and music filled the air. Inside, Madam Han was beaming with joy, chatting and laughing with You Tong and several of her sisters-in-law around the old lady. The room was filled with laughter, but Madam Han felt a deep sadness and loneliness.
Shen sat in the middle, a smile on her face, but her heart was filled with bitterness.
After the banquet ended, he returned to his room, sat by the window, and was sullen.
When Aunt Jia, who was on duty that night, noticed that her expression was not right, she assumed that the lady was missing the prime minister and her son, and comforted her.
This Jia Gu was part of her dowry from her maiden home. She was a personal maid in her boudoir, and here she was also a first-class head servant, the most trusted person. During this year, she had a clear understanding of Shen's situation in the Fu family, and she knew the mistress's temperament well, so her words of comfort were particularly considerate. She only advised her to take it easy, enjoy her honor and wealth, and not worry about such trivial matters in the inner quarters.
Shen was initially just feeling down, but her thoughts were stirred up by her words, and she sighed.
"I've come to terms with these matters in the inner quarters. In any case, it was my miscalculation that gave them leverage, so I can't blame anyone else. I—" She paused, not hiding it from her most trusted confidant, and said in a low voice, "I'm indignant on behalf of Zhang'er and the others. The men in this household are all outstanding individuals. The Prime Minister works tirelessly for the government, risking his life in the treacherous waters of the capital. Zhang'er, needless to say, endures years of harsh winds and cold, separated from his wife and children. Doesn't he deserve more credit?"
Jia Gu understood the deeper meaning behind those words.
Having served the mistress for so many years, she was well aware of Shen's heartache.
From the highest levels of imperial power and nobility to the lowest levels of commoner families, unless the eldest son is incompetent and mediocre, the eldest son is always chosen as the heir. Nowadays, most military governors are succeeded by their sons after the father dies. Fu Deming and his sons are all capable individuals who can stand on their own. It would be a waste for Fu Deming to hand over his position to the second branch of the family out of consideration for his brothers. How could Shen Shi be willing to accept this?
But now that things have come to this, no one can sway Fu Deming's mind.
Aunt Jia sighed inwardly and advised, "Madam, keeping this matter to yourself will only cause you distress. It's better to leave it to the men to handle. You are the Prime Minister's wife, a woman of high status. In this Yongning region, besides the Old Madam, who doesn't respect you? Just enjoy your retirement and happiness. Why worry about these things?"
"The Prime Minister's wife?" Madam Shen chuckled. "How do I look like the Prime Minister's wife in this mansion? Look at Madam Han and Madam Wei!"
Jia Gu was naturally aware of the feud between the two young mistresses and her own mistress.
When your aunt plots against you and tries to harm you, people refuse to get close to you and only maintain a superficial harmony. You can't blame anyone else.
Only Shen, who had become accustomed to flattery and fawning over the years, felt a knot in her heart when she suddenly encountered someone who refused to give her face.
But it was difficult to persuade her with these words. After hesitating for a long time, Aunt Jia said, "Why should Madam concern herself with matters outside? Which of the young mistresses in our courtyard doesn't respect their mother-in-law? Not to mention the two young masters who are so adorable. If Madam really feels stifled in the mansion, why not go to the capital for a while and relax?"
Fu Deming was all alone in the capital, and Shen was always very worried about him whenever she thought of him.
Upon hearing this, Shen's mind stirred slightly.
If she could live in the Prime Minister's residence in the capital, she wouldn't have to follow the rules at Shou'an Hall, nor would she have to suffer from the resentment of her two nieces-in-law. After Fu Deming became Prime Minister, he thought that Shen Feiqing had been in the capital for a long time and was familiar with the people and affairs of the capital, so he transferred him back to the Ministry of Personnel as Vice Minister. If she returned to the capital, she wouldn't have to worry about the inner quarters. With her husband and younger brother around, she could be more at ease.
Thinking this way, the next morning she went to ask the old lady for her opinion, citing her concern for her husband.
Madam Fu did not object and agreed.
Chapter 114 Leaning on the Railing