They usually slept in the same bed, keeping a distance of about a foot between them and rarely touching. However, this bed was not as spacious as the one in the mansion. He was preoccupied with his thoughts and did not pay attention. He lay down according to his usual habit, and his arm accidentally touched her two hands that were wrapped around her knees—the touch was soft, but it seemed a little cold.
Fu Yu was slightly taken aback. He grasped her hand and found that her fingertips were not as warm as they should be.
A sudden gust of cold wind blew outside, causing snow to fall in a flurry. The chill seemed to seep through the cracks in the windows and doors, and even though Fu Yu wasn't afraid of the cold, he felt that the blanket covering him wasn't as warm as usual. Turning his head, he saw You Tong's back pressed against the wall, her eyes tightly closed, her eyelashes long, and her brows slightly furrowed.
Fu Yu hesitated for a moment, then took both of her hands and held them in his palms.
He had practiced martial arts for many years to strengthen his body, making him as stoic as a furnace. His fingertips were calloused, but his palms were very warm. His body was more effective than a hot water bottle. When their skin touched, the warmth spread from You Tong's hands and knees to his arms, body, and even his limbs.
You Tong was still half asleep when she sensed the warmth. Her brows relaxed unconsciously, and she moved towards that direction without thinking.
So, after Fu Yu held her for only a moment, her body pressed against his chest.
Her delicate, petite body exuded a faint fragrance. Her waist was soft and warm, but her knees were a little cool. She curled up against his waist, seemingly finding it warm and comfortable, and didn't move away. She only withdrew her warmed hands, placing them in the narrow space between them. Her breathing remained even as usual, and she even slept more soundly because of the warmth.
Fu Yu's body stiffened slightly, and he was instantly wide awake.
Having abstained from women for over twenty years, this was the first time he had truly held a beauty in his arms and had no intention of pushing her away.
This taste is unfamiliar and wonderful.
He remained frozen for several breaths before coming to his senses. His gaze fell on You Tong's face, and his expression gradually became complicated.
Since their marriage, although they had slept in the same bed several times, they had always maintained a clear separation. The closest they had ever been was when she held his arm tightly in her sleep, refusing to let go. But that was all. This was the first time she had taken the initiative to snuggle into his arms, unlike her usual politeness, and certainly not the cold indifference she had shown that night when she said she intended to divorce him.
The person in his arms was sleeping peacefully, without any guard or reservations. Their breath fell on his neck and chest, making him feel a little itchy.
This is her truest self, charmingly naive and soft-hearted.
Fu Yu remained frozen, his mind not filled with romantic thoughts, but with the scene at the South Tower that night.
...
You Tong's words about wanting a divorce were like a brand with shards of ice, already etched into Fu Yu's mind.
When he first heard her tactful words, he was annoyed, even slightly angry. After all, he had been known as an outstanding person for many years, proud and arrogant, and no one had ever dared to push him away, go against his good intentions, or embarrass him to his face. Therefore, he turned away in a huff, feeling displeased.
Then the family stayed up all night on New Year's Eve.
While You Tong and her brother Fu Lanyin were playing and laughing, Fu Yu, though not part of the fun, saw it all. You Tong at that time was completely different from her stubbornness and politeness in front of him at Shou'an Hall. She would pay attention to her younger siblings' hobbies, move their favorite foods over to them, and give them a break when guessing riddles to make Fu Lanyin happy.
Fu Lanyin was kind and friendly, so she reciprocated and they got along well.
The old lady harbored prejudice, so she only adopted a polite and respectful demeanor, without any intention of flattery.
And what about him?
How did he treat her?
A teenage girl marries far away, only to be neglected by her husband and alienated by prejudiced female relatives. If you were in her shoes, how many people could remain calm? He avoided her for days because of a fleeting dream, and left in frustration after hearing the words of divorce. How could she remain unmoved by all the prejudice and neglect she faced? Self-preservation through avoidance and distancing is actually an instinct for many people. He was no exception, let alone You Tong.
That night at Xieyangzhai, when this thought arose, Fu Yu felt a sense of relief. Only then, when recalling the past, did he no longer feel the initial annoyance and resentment, but instead thought of Xu Chaozong's matter and was surprised by his unwarranted jealousy.
With a beautiful woman in his arms, soft and warm, sleeping obediently beside him, Fu Yu suddenly had a strange thought.
If he treated her with the same kindness he showed now, would she stop backing down now?
Will she put aside her past with Xu Chaozong and stop thinking about divorce?
After all, things seem pretty good when she's around.
Fu Yu had been fighting for over a decade, and the only things he had ever seriously considered were military strategy, tactics, and troop deployment. This was the first time he had seriously pondered matters concerning women.
Chapter 30 Ingratiation
The next morning, the snow stopped and the wind died down. The bright sun broke through the clouds, the snow gradually melted, and a hint of spring warmth appeared.
No one knew what Fu Yu was thinking last night, and You Tong felt refreshed when she woke up.
Shen Feiqing and his men from next door, along with the Prince of Xiping's subordinates, all set off early in the morning. Fu Yu, however, was in no hurry to leave. He told You Tong to stay at the inn and to leave two others as guards before taking Du He out. Before leaving, as You Tong helped him get dressed, she noticed that he was wearing a very thin armor under his dark, thick coat.
As the horse's hooves clattered away, You Tong stood in the second-floor corridor, watching that tall, taut back, and frowned slightly.
It was clear that Fu Yu's expression was more solemn than usual, probably because of the noisy guests from last night.
—A subordinate of the Prince of Xiping.
While in the capital, You Tong was confined to the inner quarters and knew little about the outside world. Even when she occasionally heard about it, it was only trivial anecdotes and historical stories that young ladies were interested in, fine for casual conversation but irrelevant to politics or current affairs. Even when she was with Xu Chaozong, the original owner only thought about romance and had no interest in matters outside the capital.
Upon arriving at the Fu family's residence, the situation was slightly different.
Fu Yu and his son held considerable military power and dominated the region. When You Tong went to Shou'an Hall, he would occasionally run into the Fu brothers, Fu Deqing and Fu Deqing, and listen to them talk to the old lady about things outside. The military governor's vision and breadth of mind were much broader than those of civil officials like Wei Sidao. After listening to them more, You Tong was able to get a glimpse of their abilities.
The world is in chaos now, and although the royal family enjoys honor and glory, it is gradually becoming empty inside.
The imperial court not only had no power to suppress powerful families like the Fu family, but also had to try to win them over.
Of these powerful forces that carved out their own territories, Fu Deming mentioned the one he mentioned most often: Wei Jian, the Prince of Xiping.
Wei Jian was not a member of the royal family. Like the Fu family, his ancestors rose from humble beginnings and built their fortune through numerous military achievements. However, unlike the Fu family, which remained a prominent family in Qizhou after seizing power, Wei Jian's father was merely a deputy general under the Dingjun military governor.
More than twenty years ago, the military governor of Dingjun fell seriously ill, and Wei Jian and his son seized the opportunity to usurp power, temporarily holding onto authority. The military governor of Dingjun was stationed in the western border region, and at that time, internal strife arose from the power struggle, which led to an invasion by foreign invaders. Wei Jian and his son acted ruthlessly, and without waiting to quell the internal strife, they mobilized a large army to repel the enemy.
After several fierce battles, most of the soldiers who were dissatisfied with the Wei family's seizure of power died on the battlefield. The remaining soldiers either supported the Wei family or acted according to the situation and all turned to the Wei family.
After the invading enemy forces retreated, the Wei family led their troops in triumph, winning praise from the entire city and taking the opportunity to eliminate their rivals, thus gaining both fame and fortune.
Then Wei Jian gave a false military report, saying that the enemy troops had not retreated and were poised to launch a counterattack, and asked the court to allocate grain and supplies for their rescue.
The imperial court had no money or provisions to spare. Being thousands of miles away, they couldn't ascertain the true situation. Seeing the Wei family's subtle coercive intentions and fearing potential unrest on the border, and also to win over the people, they granted the Wei family the title of Prince of Xiping. The Wei family reciprocated, guarding the western frontier peacefully for years, and generally showing some deference to the imperial court in their dealings. Over a decade, they had annexed and merged several nearby prefectures, building a strong and well-equipped army.
Looking around, the only family that can rival the Fu family is probably the Wei family.
Now, with internal strife raging, the high-ranking officials who control the military are all harboring their own ambitions, and their eyes are undoubtedly fixed on the capital. Fu Yu's trip to the capital is probably not just about bringing his wife back to her parents' home and paying respects to his father-in-law; the Wei family's grand journey must also have some plans.
And what about her?
The capital city was home not only to the kind-hearted Xue family and the Wei family, but also to Xu Chaozong and Xu Shu.
As old memories resurfaced, You Tong gazed towards the capital, her eyes growing increasingly intense.
...
With the snow deep and the roads slippery, the inn is quite quiet today after several groups of guests left last night.
You Tong had nothing to do in the room. After flipping through a book for a while, her eyes felt tired, so she went outside to look at the snow scene.
The snow on the rooftops and eaves had partially melted, and merchants hurried on their journeys. After the first three days of the New Year celebrations, shops gradually reopened.
There's a jewelry shop across the street; judging from its storefront decoration, it looks quite luxurious.
You Tong rarely went out while in Qizhou, and the gifts she prepared for Madam Xue were all readily available in the manor; she didn't add much. Now, seeing her from afar, and remembering Madam Xue's love of dressing up, she decided to go over and pick out a few things that caught her eye to give to Madam Xue in the capital. Even if they weren't as expensive and exquisite as those in the capital, it would still be a token of her filial piety.
So he took Chuncao Yanbo with him and went to the opposite corner of the street.
The shop was newly decorated, indicating it had only been open for a short time. The jewelry it produced was also very unique, with a dazzling array of exquisite pieces.
You Tong was captivated by the dazzling array of jewels and jade. With nothing else to do, she slowly examined each piece. When she found one that caught her eye, she ordered it to be packed away, either to be given to the Xue family in the capital, or to be given to Fu Lanyin in Qizhou, or to be used by herself, thus adding a few more items to her collection.
Before I knew it, time had flown by as I carefully selected each item. By the time I finished and left, it was almost evening and the sky was getting dark.
After the sun sets, the warmth is completely dispelled by the evening breeze. Walking out onto the street, I feel cold all over and my stomach feels empty.
You Tong ate at the inn last night, and it was indeed bland and tasteless. Although it wasn't unpalatable, it didn't whet her appetite either, a waste of money and ingredients. Seeing a wonton shop on the street, with steaming hot steamed buns and crispy fried dough, she decided to go in with Chuncao Yanbo. As soon as she entered, she felt the warmth and smelled the delicious aroma of food.
The shop was small, and a few diners were sitting inside. They were all travelers, each with two steamers of buns in front of them, chatting and laughing as they ate.
You Tong ordered three bowls of wontons, half a steamer of meat-filled buns, half a steamer of vegetable and mushroom buns, and half a steamer of braised pork soup dumplings, plus scallion pancakes. The waiter, who looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old and quick-witted, warmly greeted them and poured them three cups of tea made with red dates before going inside to get the buns.
In no time, steaming hot steamed buns and scallion pancakes were served.
Although the steamed buns were made with simple ingredients, the flavor was exceptional. The skin was thin, and the filling was generous. With each bite, the meat sauce mixed with broth was incredibly tempting. The greens and mushrooms were also finely and evenly chopped, neither oily nor greasy. The most wonderful dish was the scallion pancake. Made only with flour, salt, scallions, and oil, without any other seasonings, it was fried to a golden brown, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with the aroma of scallions infused throughout. The more you ate, the more delicious it became.
The wonton wrappers are thin and the filling is generous, topped with chicken broth, making them smooth, fragrant, and delicious.
You Tong had eaten tasteless meals at the inn for three consecutive days, but now that she was enjoying a feast, she felt that there were countless delicacies in the world, and she could never get enough of them. Since she was already about 80% full, she didn't dare to be greedy and ordered the innkeeper to make her some scallion pancakes, intending to heat them up for a late-night snack.
The fatigue from the journey was completely wiped away by the comfort of the delicious food.
She wasn't a person with lofty ambitions. Life is short, only a hundred years. Being able to do whatever she wanted and be unrestrained was already the greatest joy.
At this moment, I am on a journey, and although I am tired and weary, I am free from the rules and constraints of a grand mansion.
You Tong walked on the street where the wind was biting cold. Her stomach was full and she felt warm all over. She was in a very good mood and even wanted to hum a song.
Fu Yu and Wei Tianze rode in from afar, their robes fluttering in the wind.
Fu Yu was preoccupied with his own plans and didn't pay much attention to the distance, but Wei Tianze did see her and couldn't help but smile, "Is that the young mistress?"
"who?"
“There.” Wei Tianze pointed with his riding whip.
Fu Yu looked over and saw the streetlights flickering, pedestrians shivering, wishing they could disappear into their windproof robes and hurry home. You Tong, however, strolled leisurely, her slender figure wrapped in a cloak, her head tucked into her hood, occasionally turning back to tease her two maids. Now and then, she would lightly jump, reaching out to touch the treetops above her head, her steps light and carefree, a charming and innocent demeanor she had never shown in front of him before.
It was as if the cold, dark night was nothing to fear, and only this unrestrained scene was precious.
Fu Yu looked at her as if he were seeing a fox or rabbit roaming freely in the mountains and fields. Although she was not dignified, she had a unique free and light spirit.
Such a graceful and unrestrained posture, relaxed and carefree.
Fu Yu's gaze was fixed on her, and a smile gradually appeared in his deep, cold eyes.
Upon arriving at the inn's entrance, he dismounted and opened his hand to Wei Tianze, who had approached him.
Wei Tianze was stunned and said, "What?"
"I just asked you to buy it."
"Oh, so that's what you want." Wei Tianze suddenly realized, looking down at the bag of candied chestnuts in his hand.
They had just ridden into the city, and it was already quite late. The two were hurrying back to discuss matters, originally planning to have dinner at the inn. However, when they passed a stall selling candied chestnuts, Fu Yu suddenly reined in his horse and asked Wei Tianze to buy two bags. Wei Tianze was quite surprised, not expecting the usually composed and steady Fu Yu to be so fond of snacks, and even made a couple of jokes about it.
At that moment, Fu Yu sat upright on his horse and simply denied it in a low voice: "I am not greedy for this."
Wei Tianze thought that Fu Yu remembered his little habit and was kindly reminding him, so he went and bought two packs to take with him and grind his teeth before going to bed.
Now that Fu Yu had asked for it, she raised her hand, intending to give him half.
To everyone's surprise, Fu Yu acted swiftly, snatching the two bags of candied chestnuts before Wei Tianze could react, and placing a piece of silver in his palm. "Thanks! I'll call Du He later, and we'll discuss this in your room." With that, he handed the reins to the shopkeeper and walked straight to the door, ignoring Wei Tianze's bewildered expression.
In the night breeze, You Tong's cloak swayed gently as she gracefully approached.
Upon seeing the two, he greeted them with a smile. Noticing that Wei Tianze's glare at Fu Yu was rather strange, he took a closer look.