Fu Yu frowned, realizing that she had changed her address from "husband" to "general" tonight, so he didn't reply.
Just in case she fell again, I casually put my arm around her shoulder to prevent her from tripping over her head.
You Tong was grateful for the kindness and dared not dodge it. However, she felt embarrassed and her face was burning. After racking her brains for a long time, she finally remembered, "Did the general mention what happened that night to anyone else?"
"No." Once again, he was reluctant to speak.
You Tong said "Oh," feeling that this response had offended him badly. She guessed that Fu Yu might not want others to see through her act for the time being, so she decided to quietly change her address back later to avoid further hurting his feelings.
Fu Yu had no idea what she was thinking. He draped the cloak over her shoulders and felt that she was weak and pitiful, but he also felt quite awkward.
This is his wife, whom he married through proper channels, but she has no intention of spending her life with him for long.
That night, her words were sweet, showering him with compliments, saying he was shallow and dared not presume to hold such a position. In truth, it was nothing but an excuse! Fu Yu glanced at her sideways, unable to help but recall the last time he visited Wangyun Tower, when she stood with her hair loose in the sunset, leaning against the railing, gazing at the scenery—a natural beauty, yet her words were infuriating—
Boring, just bear with it...
Fu Yu didn't think much of her words at the time, but in retrospect, they clearly showed her dissatisfaction with him.
A hypocritical and short-sighted woman!
Fu Yu frowned, and it sounded like he snorted.
...
The couple remained silent the entire way until they reached the vicinity of Xieyangzhai, at which point Fu Yu released his hand from her shoulder.
You Tong quietly changed her form of address back to, saying, "Thank you, my husband."
Inside the room, it was noisy and bustling. Fu Lanyin was enthusiastically rummaging through the food that Fu Zhao had hidden. Fu Zhao complained, but didn't stop her. He even helped his sister put the food into plates. After Chuncao brought over several food boxes, You Tong and Fu Lanyin and her brother set out the cups and dishes.
Fu Yu, acting like a big shot, leaned back in a square chair covered with brocade and first took a few hot pastries to eat.
After a while of busy work, and just as the wine was warmed up, Fu Deqing returned, braving the cold wind.
It was past midnight, and the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard outside. The water clock had changed, and it was already the beginning of a new year.
Fu Deqing was already used to such a quiet New Year's Eve. Braving the cold wind, he returned home and, hearing that Shou'an Hall had already closed, planned to have a pot of wine and then go to sleep. But when he entered the courtyard, he saw that the lights were still on, and shadowy figures were moving around behind the gauze windows, with laughter faintly audible. Upon entering the house, he saw that the table in the hall was full of bowls and cups, and Fu Yu was lounging with one leg crossed in a very lazy posture, while You Tong was leading his siblings in a riddle-solving game to win snacks.
Hearing the noise, everyone stood up and greeted him with smiles.
Fu Yu is older and has a calm demeanor. His twins are still mischievous and have a simple, honest smile, while his daughter-in-law is beautiful and graceful.
At that moment, Fu Deqing felt a surge of joy and excitement at the reunion after several years.
Even though his wife had passed away and his eldest son had died young, he still felt a warm glow in his heart when he looked at his children.
He laughed, took off his cloak, tossed it casually onto the table by the door, and strode over. "What, planning to cause trouble here?"
"I want to stay up all night with Father." Fu Lanyin rarely acted coquettishly in front of the old lady, but when she was with her father, she didn't hold back anymore. She tugged at Fu Deqing's sleeve and walked to the table. "Look, these candied fruits were scavenged from Fu Zhao—humph, she secretly kept several boxes and didn't even share some with us. These dishes were all made by Second Sister-in-law's side; Aunt Xia's cooking is excellent!"
"Really?" Fu Deqing glanced at the mixed bamboo shoots on the table, picked one up, and took a bite.
Crisp and refreshing, with a wonderful flavor, he nodded and said, "Indeed delicious."
As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Yu.
Fu Deqing still remembered that when Fu Yu went back to Liangshuge, he hid in his room to eat. At that time, he had some impression of the small kitchen in the south building. Now, after tasting a few cold dishes, he praised them highly and told Fu Yu to try them more often when he had time, so that he wouldn't be so preoccupied with military affairs in Liangshuge that he wouldn't enjoy his food.
Fu Yu gave a vague reply, invited him to sit down, and personally poured him wine, a hint of a smile appearing on his usually stern face.
The lights were red and the candles were warm; the siblings were playing together, and the family was enjoying a harmonious time.
I stayed up until almost midnight before I finally succumbed to sleepiness.
Fu Zhao, fearing her sister might fall on the way, personally escorted her to the west building, arranging for someone to put a cloak on her and light a lamp. Fu Deqing, who had been depressed since losing his wife and son, was unusually happy tonight and had drunk quite a bit. He was unsteady on his feet and had to be helped inside to rest. He didn't forget to remind Fu Yu, "Be careful on the way. You're used to walking at night. Wei Shi is still young, so don't bump into anything after drinking."
Fu Yu agreed, carried him to the couch, and helped him take off his coat before coming out.
Beside the leftovers, only You Tong and Chun Cao stood, already dressed and holding his cloak for warmth, waiting for him.
As the candlelight dimmed and the night grew still, she stood gracefully, her fair cheeks flushed with a drunken blush. Even her eyes, usually clear as a spring mountain stream, held a hazy, intoxicating allure, adding a touch of captivating charm to her brows and eyes. Her gaze, unlike her usual composed and serene expression, held a bewildered allure. Even her lips seemed to grow redder and softer, and in the dim candlelight, her skin appeared flawless, like porcelain.
She looked up, beads of sweat swaying gently by her ears, a golden phoenix holding a pearl in her hair, her beauty captivating.
Fu Yu's Adam's apple bobbed; perhaps because he had been drinking, he felt slightly hot.
Then she asked, "Husband, shall we go back to the Two Books Pavilion later, or... go to the South Tower?"
The voice, softened by the alcohol, was also gentle.
Yet this very woman, so captivating, said that night that she had no intention of staying at the Fu family home any longer, waiting for him to either divorce her or reconcile with her.
After leaving the manor, who does she plan to be with?
Should she go find Xu Chaozong? The man for whom she was willing to die?
When this thought arose, Fu Yu was slightly startled. He then looked away and silently walked to the door.
A cold wind swept down his neck, chilling him to the bone, extinguishing most of the heat in his mind and body. He looked up at the sky; the night was dark and the sky was desolate—just like the countless nights he had walked alone before, clean and decisive, without any lingering attachments. In truth, wasn't his original plan to keep to himself, to not disturb each other, to maintain a clear separation, and for her to stay quietly in the South Tower?
While female beauty may be alluring, how does it compare to a fierce tiger?
Fu Yu chuckled to himself, and when You Tong and Chun Cao came out, he said, "Let's go to the South Tower."
You Tong had initially guessed that Fu Yu would find some excuse to arrogantly go to the Two Books Pavilion, and that his question was just a polite gesture to avoid a cold atmosphere. Who would have thought that he didn't intend to stay alone? Taken aback, she didn't know what to say for a moment, when she heard Fu Yu continue, "So that you don't fall down while drunk and Father will blame me for being negligent."
"Hmm." You Tong felt a little guilty for dragging the hero down and said in a low voice, "Thank you, General."
Chapter 28 Sulking
Inside the South Building, the lights were still on.
Since the young mistress hadn't returned, no one dared to go to sleep first. So they sat around the stove, roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts, and enjoyed the prepared side dishes together to keep vigil for the New Year. Hearing the door open, they hurried out to greet them, some lifting the curtain, others carrying water. Because everything was prepared, there was no panic whatsoever.
You Tong was afraid that Fu Yu was still angry about what had happened before, so she didn't dare to slack off. When she saw Fu Yu accidentally get his outer coat caught on the inner cloak, she quickly helped him out and reached out to take it from him after he untied it.
Fu Yu was slightly surprised, raised an eyebrow, and gave it to her.
Afterwards, they washed up separately. You Tong was sleepy after drinking, so she quickly finished washing up and came out, but she didn't see Fu Yu anywhere.
She couldn't go to sleep right away, so she sat on the couch, her eyelids drooping as she sat for a long time before he finally came out.
So they extinguished the candles and lay down, and in the dim light, only their breaths and the smell of alcohol mingled together.
You Tong was sleeping on the inside side. As drowsiness came over her, she yawned and was about to fall asleep when she suddenly heard Fu Yu say in her ear, "Aren't you waiting for a divorce?" His voice was as cold and deep as ever, and it was particularly clear in the quiet night. You Tong was jolted awake and quickly opened her eyes.
The light was dim, and when I glanced to the side, I could only see his profile and couldn't make out his expression.
The few times the couple slept together, they would cover themselves with a quilt without talking, keeping their thoughts to themselves and falling asleep without uttering a sound.
Now that Fu Yu had suddenly become interested in talking, she certainly couldn't pretend to be asleep to get away with it. After thinking for a moment, she guessed that it was about going to Xiyangzhai tonight, so she said, "Even so, I have promised my husband that if I live in this South Building, I should act like a young mistress. Although You Tong is stupid and can't please my grandmother, I can't shirk my duty when I can do my best."
Fu Yu seemed to hum in agreement, then asked, "Is undressing also acceptable?"
"This is the young mistress's duty."
Fu Yu was silent for a moment before saying, "The duties of a young mistress are not limited to this."
"Hmm?" You Tong was drunk and sleepy, and didn't quite understand.
Then he said, "The Fu family has gone through a proper marriage ceremony and formal betrothal to bring you to my side, not so that you can cause trouble and eat."
As he spoke, he seemed to turn around, move slightly closer to her, and prop himself up a little.
The two slept under the same bed, though You Tong separated them by a three- or four-inch divider, they were still very close. As Fu Yu moved, the bed seemed to shift slightly, the quilt rustling softly, and his breath, carrying a hint of alcohol, warmly brushed against her face.
The man, in his early twenties, was in his prime. He looked down at her from above, and even through her inner garment, his robust aura enveloped her.
You Tong gasped in shock, then belatedly realized what Fu Yu meant—
Between husband and wife, besides daily life and sleeping in the same bed, there are so many things they can do.
What is he doing...?
You Tong's alarm bells rang. She felt his breathing become slightly heavier. Opening her eyes, she saw Fu Yu's face not far away, his deep eyes fixed on her. Although his expression was indifferent, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he clearly swallowed. Was he... trying to use alcohol to act crazy and solidify their marriage?
Wasn't he too proud and arrogant to even look down on the infamous Wei family woman, and therefore unwilling to stay for even a moment longer?
How can we shirk responsibility at this moment?
You Tong was quite frightened by his appearance. All her sleepiness vanished, and she became extremely clear-headed. She quickly moved away, barely managing to maintain a calm expression. Her mind, however, was in a state of panic and confusion. She could handle other situations, but how could she deal with this? If she was too forceful, she might anger Fu Yu; if she wasn't forceful, she would be letting herself down.
A thousand thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant, yet I was unsure of the most appropriate measure.
Fu Yu stared at her, watching as her usually calm and composed face changed slightly, and a rare look of panic appeared in Miao Li's eyes.
The bed was filled with a warm, fragrant scent. He guarded half of his territory, and as he watched her flinch and back away, he suddenly felt an indescribable sense of pleasure.
This feeling of exhilaration dispelled most of the pent-up frustration he had been carrying.
He subtly curled his lips, then slowly leaned back and said, "But don't worry, your figure is too slender."
After saying that, he lay back down in his original spot with a blank expression and didn't say anything more.
Silence returned to the room. You Tong, who had been tense, felt her heart settle and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking about his almost dismissive tone and expression at the end, she felt a surge of resentment—she was only sixteen at the start of the new year; how could she have developed so quickly? Her current slender figure was already outstanding compared to her peers. Did he think that at this age one could have such a curvaceous figure?
That was such a disdainful and contemptuous tone!
You Tong rolled her eyes inwardly, but didn't dare show it on her face.
But that's alright, if he doesn't like her, she can feel more at ease!
Her drowsiness had vanished with fright, and her heart was still pounding, her mind sharp and alert. She lay there for a while, still shaken, but couldn't fall asleep. The man beside her, however, seemed to be asleep, his breathing deep and even, his profile handsome and aloof.
You Tong couldn't sleep, so she glared at him angrily. Only then did she realize the true meaning behind his teasing. She wanted to punch him awake, but she didn't have the guts.
After grumbling for a long time, I finally drifted off to sleep.
...
When You Tong woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky. She hadn't had enough sleep and wanted to stay in bed, clutching her quilt.
However, with the new year comes new customs, and becoming someone else's wife is not as easy and carefree as being a young girl. She could only get up with a yawn to wash and dress. In contrast, Fu Yu was refreshed and energetic. It is said that he got up at Chenshi (7-9 AM) to practice his sword outside, then ate some porridge and vegetables before heading to his study in high spirits.
You Tong pouted and ignored her.
The first day of the Lunar New Year was quite leisurely, but things got busy from the second day onwards as people started to visit.
You Tong spent the morning with the guests, and in the afternoon she went to the South Tower to prepare gifts to take back to the capital. She and Fu Yu were scheduled to return to the capital on the fourth day of the lunar new year. In addition to visiting her parents' home, Fu Yu also seemed to have a few old friends of the Fu family to visit. The old lady at Shou'an Hall prepared some things and ordered people to carry them to the South Tower to be placed with You Tong's gifts, so that they could be prepared for the journey.
Fu Yu also tacitly avoided returning to the South Building. The couple's few meetings took place in Shou'an Hall or when receiving guests.
On the day of departure, You Tong got up early and dressed in clothes that would make it easy to travel by carriage, waiting for Chuncao Yanbo to leave.