After a brief display of power and cunning, the outcome is now decided.
Xu Chaozong's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Let's go inside and talk."
The most magnificent and solemn hall in the entire palace, Hanyuan Hall, was almost completely looted by the rebels. Even though Fu Yu had ordered people to clean it up in the past few days, traces of the fierce battle could still be seen. The hall was empty and quiet, the gold bricks were cold and hard, the throne was high above, but the dragon heads on the armrests had been cut off, and the once richly furnished imperial desk was now empty.
Xu Chaozong wanted to walk to the throne, but his steps were heavy and hesitant.
He had long coveted this position, but after finally obtaining it, it became a heavy burden, leaving him with mixed feelings.
He gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and then stepped onto the stairs, sitting there all alone.
Fu Yu watched coldly, and only after Xu Chaozong was seated did he say, "Is His Majesty still reluctant to part with this seat?"
"This is my throne. My grandfather left it to my father, and then it was passed down to me." Xu Chaozong paused, his withered hand brushing across the painted surface, his gaze sweeping over the eerily empty palace. "You want it, don't you?"
Fu Yu did not answer the question he already knew the answer to.
Xu Chaozong sneered, "Several years ago, when you married You Tong, you already had this intention, didn't you? Later, you promised to quell the rebellion, pacify Xuanzhou, and help me ascend the throne. All of this was for this purpose. Under the banner of supporting the monarch, you secretly won over people's hearts and cultivated your own power. It's just that I was careless and didn't see through the Fu family's ambitions early enough, and ended up raising a tiger that would become a threat!"
A cold glint appeared between Fu Yu's brows. "Even if you figured it out, what can you do about it?"
Xu Chaozong's expression froze, and all his resentful words were stuck in his throat.
After a long pause, he finally stood up. "I know you and Wei Jian are two peas in a pod. You were just waiting for Zheng Biao to storm the capital, kill me, and then you'd use the imperial edict to legitimately enter the capital and seize the throne. I will not grant your wish. I will live, or die, I will not abdicate. Fu Yu, if you want to sit here, you must commit regicide. Regicide and seizing power is treason, and you cannot pin the crime of usurping the throne on anyone else!"
His tone gradually became agitated, and an eerie red flush rose on his pale and haggard face. After several sleepless nights, his eyes were almost bloodshot.
Fu Yu's eyes flashed like lightning as he stared at him, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
As if finding the matter amusing, he shook his head and walked confidently to the throne.
The fierce general who roamed the battlefield stood tall and imposing, like Mount Hua, bowing slightly with the advantage of his height.
"At your wit's end, is this how the Emperor retaliates?" He raised his hand, gripping Xu Chaozong's shoulder like an iron clamp, and pressed him down hard, causing the man to sit back on the dragon throne like a puppet, with a dull thud of bones colliding. Fu Yu opened his lips, his voice calm and unperturbed, "Then you can sit there. The capital is in chaos, and I'm just looking for an excuse to win people over. I can kill him after I've used him; that's not impossible."
Having said that, he loudly ordered Du He to come in and sent men to escort the emperor back to the inner palace to rest.
...
In Qizhou, a thousand miles away, apart from the troop movements, the people were hardly affected by the changes in the capital.
However, due to the troop movements, the defenses inside and outside Qizhou were not as tight as before, and You Tong rarely left the city these days.
The affairs of the inner quarters of the mansion were handled by Madam Han, so she didn't need to interfere. As for the outside world, when the Kyoto hot pot restaurant on Lijing Street opened, everyone from her to the two managers, and then to the waiters, was inexperienced and had to learn as they went. Now, the two managers were in charge and had become familiar with all the ingredients, and the waiters, having worked with them for a long time, were all capable of doing the work of two people.
When the branch opened in March, half of the staff were sent there. The veterans led the newcomers, Chuncao and Yanbo each managed a part, and Du Shuangxi also took on an apprentice based on character and talent. Everything went smoothly.
Aside from checking the accounts, she rarely had to handle or worry about anything personally.
You Tong had been granted a special pardon before her marriage and was no longer confined to the mansion. She often went to the market to check out the prices. When she had free time, besides indulging in food and enjoying delicious meals, she mostly strolled in the backyard to admire the flowers and cool off with Fu Lanyin. Fu Lanyin's pregnancy was becoming more and more obvious, and she dared not move around too much lately, only going back and forth between the Fu and Qin mansions.
The only person I'm worried about is Fu Yu.
It wasn't until Fu Deqing returned to Qizhou after his victory and learned that Fu Yu was unharmed that his anxiety subsided.
With less to worry about, the two sisters-in-law went out of the city together. When they returned, they had just arrived at the South Tower when Aunt Zhou came to greet them. As she helped her take off her cloak, she said, "Someone from Xiyangzhai just now came and said that they would like to invite the young mistress to come over after she returns. There is a letter from the general, and the old general also has a few words to say to her."
You Tong had been worried about the dangerous place in the capital lately, and upon hearing this, she frowned slightly, "Did you tell me what it is?"
"Don't worry, General is well." Aunt Zhou smiled and comforted her, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I heard that the old general is sending the young mistress to the capital. It seems the situation there is stable, and the general can't wait to meet her." With that, she smiled and stepped back, then called for Yuzan to help her change her clothes.
You Tong was extremely worried about Fu Yu's safety and couldn't wait to read the letter. She quickly changed the letter and rushed to Xiyangzhai.
When they arrived there, what Fu Deqing said was exactly what Aunt Zhou had relayed.
Unfolding Fu Yu's letter, one finds a brief overview of the situation in the capital. It concludes by stating that the Wei family is unharmed during the war and there is no need to worry. He has arranged for his residence in Dan Gui Garden to be vacated, and others are renovating the inner palace, leaving positions vacant. Although the capital has been through war, its atmosphere is completely different from before; both civil and military affairs are under his control. He hopes You Tong can arrive in the capital soon.
He had prepared generous gifts in the capital, waiting for her to come and collect them.
Looking at the final, spirited strokes of his pen, You Tong imagined him writing the letter home and couldn't help but smile.
Chapter 122 Welcoming the Emperor
A breeze blew in through the open window of Xieyangzhai, carrying with it the heat from the scorching sun.
Due to the recent escalation of the war, Fu Yu has been busy traveling around, and in nearly a month, he has sent back a rare letter home. You Tong read it over and over again. Fu Deqing sat behind his desk, slowly sipping two cups of tea. He watched her clutch the letter with a smile, and recalling Fu Yu's expression before his departure, a smile gradually appeared on his dignified and resolute face.
Turning my head, I saw lush green bamboo groves and towering pines and cypresses outside the window.
Although it was hot and humid, it was a good day.
When his eldest son died in battle, his wife passed away, and Fu Yu became taciturn and cold, Fu Deqing shouldered the heavy responsibility of leading the Yongning army. Looking at his young children who had lost their mothers, he often suffered from insomnia in the dead of night. He was afraid that Fu Yu, with his cold and aloof nature, would become immersed in the war because of the pain of losing his brother and mother, turning into a heavy sword that only knew how to kill. He was also afraid that Fu Lanyin and her siblings had lost their mothers at a young age, and he was too busy with military affairs to take care of them.
Fortunately, there's no need to worry about that now.
Fu Lanyin married her ideal man and is now six months pregnant; she will soon give him a grandson.
Although Fu Zhao is mischievous, he is also sensible. He can find a suitable marriage partner later.
As for Fu Yu... the one who worried him the most, and the one he valued and expected the most, Fu Yu also found a woman who could accompany him for the rest of his life.
From a young age, Fu Deqing knew that he and his elder brother bore the heavy responsibility of leading the Yongning army, with the safety of countless people on their shoulders. Over the years, his brothers, nephews, and other relatives had supported him, and this burden weighed heavily on his shoulders, preventing him from relaxing for even a moment. At this moment, however, he slowly let out a sigh of relief, then stood up. When You Tong looked up at him, he instructed, "This time when you return to the capital, your status will be different from before."
These words were profound, and You Tong lowered her brows and listened attentively to his instruction.
"What the Fu family wants to do is clear to you without me having to explain. Although Emperor Hui'an survived the war and kept his life, the empire can never be returned to him. Xiuping is arrogant and proud, exceptionally gifted since childhood, and has achieved early success and numerous military exploits, which has led him to be very self-important. In the past, he only had the generals of Yongning to advise, and I was there to guide him. But now that he's in the capital, you're all he has by his side. Wei Shi—" Fu Deqing said solemnly and slowly, "The burden of the empire is a thousand times heavier than that of Yongning. From now on, the task of advising Xiuping will be entrusted to you."
He spoke solemnly, and You Tong bowed respectfully, saying, "I will keep Father's instructions in mind. General, you have the world in your heart, and with high position comes heavy responsibility. I know what is important. We had our reasons for acting the way we did before. Now that I have sincerely married into the Fu family, I will never shirk any of the responsibilities I should bear in the future."
"That's good." Fu Deqing nodded, seemingly with some emotion, and simply raised his hand and said, "Go back and pack your things. Tomorrow morning, I will have someone send you back to the capital."
You Tong agreed, but before taking her leave, she remembered something else: "Isn't Father going back?"
“I’m not going back.” Fu Deqing said, looking out the window with his hands behind his back, his tone surprisingly relaxed. “I’m staying in Qizhou and don’t want to move.”
His children have grown up and gone their separate ways. When they have gone far away, the only person who will stay with him is his wife who has been with him since childhood.
From this mansion to Jinzhao Temple, traces of the past can be found everywhere.
He dedicated his entire life to the people of Yongning, and the only affection he had left was for one person. In his youthful arrogance, he neglected his wife and children while on campaign, resulting in the death of his eldest son and the heartbreak that led to his wife's passing. The guilt in his heart was unspeakable, and there was no way to make amends. In the remaining years of his life, if he could find some peace, he only wished to stay here with her, even if it meant being separated by death.
The rest can be left to one's children and grandchildren.
Fu Deqing raised his hand, stroked his beard, and looked at the crabapple tree that his wife had planted in the pavilion, surrounded by pines and cypresses—when she planted it herself, it was just a slender sapling, but now, with the passing years, it had grown into a tall and spreading tree. The road was long and arduous, and their meeting was uncertain. Ten years had passed, both long and short, and he had gone from being ambitious and proud to being attached to old things.
Thinking of you makes me grow old; the years have passed so quickly.
...
After leaving Xiyangzhai, You Tong did not rush back to Nanlou, but went to Liangshuge instead.
When she first married into the household, she and Fu Yu were estranged and distant. She always avoided this place and rarely went there. But now she no longer needs to be so cautious.
Since Fu Yu left, this place has been vacant for half a year. Although servants sweep the courtyard and tend to the study, without Du He and the surrounding guards, and without any news or documents coming and going, it inevitably feels deserted. The magnificent buildings are hidden under the shade of trees, creating a cool and secluded space in the sweltering summer heat.
Pushing open the door, the first thing that catches the eye is the broken sword.
The mottled patina, the missing half of the blade, and the dark bloodstains truly shocked her when she first saw it.
He even once felt a sense of awe and fear towards this study, thinking that Fu Yuren was so cold, ruthless and gloomy.
Now, after spending so much time together, our feelings have changed. Reaching out to touch it, through the cold, hard blade, it's as if I can feel the flames of battle and the bloodshed. This is the treasured sword used by the Fu family's ancestor, buried for a long time beneath a sea of blood and mountains of corpses before being recovered. Over the past hundred years, generations of Fu family men have fought on the battlefield, rising from humble beginnings to become powerful warlords with armies at their command. Countless lives, both surnamed Fu and nameless, have been sacrificed in the process.
The Fu family is supported by the people and also protects the land with their lives. Fu Yu keeps him alive to constantly remind him of his original intentions.
Now, she must take this sword and head to the capital.
You Tong summoned a maid, who carefully removed the broken sword and scabbard, wrapped them in layers of soft cloth, and placed them in a box.
Afterwards, he went to Shou'an Hall to say goodbye.
Nearly seventy years old, Madam Fu was too frail for the long journey and had no intention of relocating, preferring to remain in Qizhou. In the past six months, she had suffered two bouts of colds, her health deteriorating further, her hair now completely white, and she appeared frail and aged. Knowing that You Tong was going to the capital to stay by Fu Yu's side and not return to Qizhou, this elderly woman, thinking of her impending death, revealed a kind and gentle demeanor, offering countless words of advice.
You Tong agreed to everything and then quickly brought out several sets of clothes that she had prepared for Fu Yu.
The remaining Fu Lanyin, Han Shi, and others did not need to go to the capital all at once and remained in Qizhou.
The management of the hot pot restaurant was entrusted to the two managers, surnamed Xu. You Tong only invited Du Shuangxi over alone, instructing her to train her apprentices to be fully trained as soon as possible and then come to the capital. At that time, she could then put her skills to use again.
After working until late at night and resting for a night, I set off back to Beijing.
...
With the war initially settled, the Fu family's troops marched south, linking up front and back, and had already cleared the road from the capital to Qizhou.
You Tong's trip this time went much more smoothly than before.
Traveling by day and resting by night, they stayed at a post station that night, only a hundred miles away from the capital.
You Tong and Fu Yu were separated by distance just half a month after their marriage, and in the past six months, apart from exchanging letters, they had not seen each other for a single moment. While in Qizhou, she tried her best to focus on the restaurant's accounts and purchasing, and with Fu Lanyin and Han Shi to keep her company, she didn't feel too bad except for the occasional worry and longing she felt in the middle of the night. This time, however, having traveled a long way to the capital, the thought of seeing him soon filled her with a subtle excitement. So much so that she tossed and turned, unable to sleep until the fourth of the morning before finally drifting off to sleep.
The next day, they got up early as usual to continue their journey. You Tong rode with Yu Zan and slept soundly with a soft pillow in her arms.
The wind was gentle and the sun was shining. The carriage swayed slightly. In her drowsy state, Yu Zan suddenly nudged her gently, "Young Madam, wake up quickly."
You Tong was startled awake by her push. Before she could even open her eyes, she casually asked, "Are we here?"
"They haven't arrived yet, it's the General." Yu Zan urged in a low voice, "The General has come to fetch you personally, wake up!"
General... Fu Yu?
You Tong was jolted awake, most of her drowsiness vanished, and she opened her eyes in surprise. Yu Zan had already leaned forward and lifted the carriage curtain, saying happily, "Look, isn't that him!"
Outside the curtain, the official road stretches out, with lush vegetation and rolling hills on both sides.
A procession rode up from among the tall willows lining the road, the leader riding a magnificent black steed, galloping towards her. The wind billowed his dark, patterned robes, revealing a handsome and dignified man with his hair tied back with a jade crown, his features cold and resolute. Behind him were countless followers, their hooves thundering. They reined in their horses a few hundred paces away, leaving only Fu Yu alone on horseback, who instantly appeared before her.
The coachman hastily reined in his horse, and the accompanying guards saluted in unison, "Greetings, General!"
Fu Yu, with a composed demeanor, raised his hand, his deep and clear eyes falling upon her.
You Tong had just woken up and was completely taken aback by Fu Yu's sudden appearance. She didn't know if he had just happened to run into her while on official business or if he had come specifically to pick her up. She just stared at him blankly, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like lake water reflecting the sunlight in early spring. The face she had longed for day and night, the beloved wife who had appeared in her dreams so often, seemed to have gained even more charm than when they parted.
After a moment of eye contact, You Tong opened her lips in surprise and unconsciously licked them.
Fu Yu's eyes darkened slightly, and the wind made his throat a little dry.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he tried his best to maintain a dignified posture and dismounted.
“It’s still fifty li from the capital. I’ll come to pick you up.” He said slowly, glancing at the jade hairpin.
Yu Zan then realized her superfluousness, and hurriedly half-squatted up from her bowing posture and jumped off the carriage shaft.
You Tong's gaze remained fixed on him, from his eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose, to his shoulders and chest. Seeing him step into the carriage, she quickly made room to the side, saying, "There are many affairs in the capital, why bother to go to such lengths, my husband? General Sun is here to protect us, nothing will go wrong... Mmm!" Before she could finish speaking, the moment the carriage curtain fell, the man who had just entered the carriage suddenly leaned down and pounced on her, kissing her, choking back the sound of surprise in his throat.