You Tong, standing nearby, secretly broke out in a cold sweat. When the old lady made this arrangement yesterday, she noticed that Madam Shen's expression was strange. She thought that although the brothers and nephews of the Fu family were harmonious, they were still in high positions, and military and political power were held by the Fu Deqing brothers. Their interests were complicated, so she inquired about Fu Yu's attitude. Who would have thought that this morning, he would solemnly mention to the old lady that he did not want her to touch Madam Shen's things.
It is also evident that the Fu family, which possesses power and wealth, actually harbors many sensitive issues.
The fact that Fu Yu specifically mentioned it must mean it was far more serious than the domestic disputes she had imagined.
It would be best if she could avoid it.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Fu Yu's expression.
He didn't say much, but gave her a look that was best left unsaid.
You Tong pondered for a long time but still couldn't understand the meaning of his gaze. Because she was worried about uncovering the Fu family's secret plot to seize the world, and feared that Fu Yu would see through her and cause trouble, she didn't dare to ask any more questions for the time being, and just went to Xieyangzhai.
Upon arriving there, they found that Fu Lanyin and her brother Fu Zhao had changed into casual clothes, and the four of them rode out of the mansion and headed straight for the city.
...
Jing'an Temple is not far from the city; by galloping on horseback, it takes only the time it takes to burn two incense sticks.
Compared to the magnificent and bustling temples of Qizhou, this Buddhist temple nestled at the foot of the mountain was extremely quiet and deserted, without even a proper gate. Several Buddhist halls were surrounded by red walls, with a hermitage behind them where several nuns hired by the Fu family resided. Han Shi was not a nun; she lived in a small courtyard outside the walls, attended by four maids and servants, and was not bound by any strict rules or regulations. However, it was said that she was of a quiet nature, did not crave meat, and ate mainly simple, bland food.
Compared to the magnificent houses and luxurious mansions of the Fu family, this courtyard is quite simple and plain.
But beyond its simplicity, it also has many charms, such as the towering peaks behind the temple and the rippling lake not far away, making it an ideal place for self-cultivation.
With the Fu family's formidable reputation intimidating, even the most despicable people kept their distance.
You Tong truly admired this woman's discerning eye for such a secluded mountain retreat nestled by the water.
Since Fu Hui and Tian Shi had been dead for several years, Fu Lanyin had come to terms with her grief. After arriving at the courtyard, she gave all the things in Shou'an Hall to Han Shi and talked for a long time before reluctantly leaving. When she reached the temple, she sighed softly, "My sister-in-law has had a hard time here too."
You Tong was somewhat surprised, "Why is that?"
“My sister-in-law looks calm, but she is actually very capable. My grandmother used to like her very much and often asked her to help manage the affairs of the mansion. If it weren’t for my brother’s matter that made her sad, it would be better for her to live in the mansion than to be all alone here.”
Judging from his tone, it's clear that Han didn't come here because he liked living in the mountains.
Why would a young mistress from a wealthy family hide here?
After Fu Hui's cousins died in battle, the eldest son's wife, who was pregnant with his posthumous child, now lives a very privileged life with her son by her side. Even if Madam Han has no children of her own, given Fu Deqing's generosity, she certainly won't be treated poorly. Judging from Fu Deqing and Fu Lanyin's attitudes, she has no conflicts with her father-in-law and sister-in-law. The old lady is willing to bring her things, so they obviously get along well. If that's the case, why would she move out of the Fu family home and live alone?
There must be a reason for this, which is intriguing.
At that time, Fu Lanyin was less than ten years old and probably did not know the inside story. As for You Tong, she was almost a complete stranger to Madam Han, so she naturally could not ask rashly.
After thinking about it, I could only go back and try asking Aunt Zhou.
However, there's no need to worry about that right now.
You Tong rarely gets to come out, how can we waste it?
Riding along the mountain path, the morning wasn't too hot. Weaving through the shade of trees, with towering peaks on both sides, occasionally encountering clear streams and the murmuring of water, even just riding leisurely, the feeling of freedom and unbridled joy was delightful. She was like a caged bird frolicking, taking advantage of her good riding skills to look around and have a great time.
Fu Yu rarely had the leisure to go out and enjoy the scenery, so he accompanied him, heading south from Jing'an Temple straight to the Yunlin Hunting Grounds.
To my surprise, I ran into an acquaintance when I got there.
...
Yunlin Hunting Ground is the largest hunting ground outside Qizhou City.
The surrounding mountains and forests, spanning over a hundred li, were enclosed, housing birds and beasts for hunting. To the north lay Yunhu Lake, its surface as clear as a mirror, with green willows shading the sandy banks, offering a picturesque scene for a leisurely stroll around the lake. This hunting ground was run by the wealthiest merchant in Qizhou, backed by the government. He had built inns and residences along the lake for rest and lodging, and many skilled cooks specializing in roasting game were on standby, with all kinds of cooking utensils and seasonings readily available.
When the noble families of Qizhou City went hunting, they also liked to come to Yunlin Hunting Ground.
At the entrance to the hunting grounds were numerous guesthouses scattered around the lake. Fu Yu had not brought any servants with him, and since he planned to roast wild game for dinner, he asked Fu Zhao to find an empty guesthouse.
To everyone's surprise, when Fu Zhao returned, besides the official token, he also brought three living people with him—
The brothers Qin Liangyu and Qin Taoyu, and Qin Jiu, who was always by Qin Liangyu's side.
When Fu Deqing returned seriously injured, the military doctors and physicians were skilled in treating external injuries but not so much in treating internal organs. The Fu family specifically asked Qin Liangyu to take care of him. During that time, Qin Liangyu was extremely attentive, checking on Fu Deqing's injuries morning and evening, personally overseeing the preparation and decoction of medicine. He even personally tasted the medicinal meals prepared by You Tong, carefully adjusting the dosage. Moreover, he was always tight-lipped; even when asked, he only said that Fu Zhao was injured, and that he couldn't resist his brother's persistent pleas, so he visited two or three times a day without revealing a word.
Fu Deqing was able to overcome his initial weakness and recover quickly, thanks in no small part to Qin Liangyu.
He was also quite meticulous in his daily medical consultations and treatments for the women of the Fu family.
Fu Yu had originally planned to pay a special visit to express his gratitude, but he had just returned to Qizhou and was then sent to settle the border defenses. He had only had a rare moment of free time this time and had spent it with his wife to relax and enjoy themselves, so he hadn't had a chance yet. Now that they had unexpectedly met, he immediately dismounted, setting aside his noble status as the deputy military commissioner, and politely cupped his hands, saying, "Second Young Master Qin."
"General Fu." Qin Taoyu and Qin Jiu bowed simultaneously.
Qin Liangyu returned the greeting with clasped hands, her face warm and smiling. She turned her head and saw You Tong, and also bowed in greeting.
The azure lake reflected the sky and clouds, and he, dressed in white brocade, was upright and elegant, a true gentleman, gentle and refined.
You Tong then smiled and curtsied in greeting.
It was midday, and the weather was scorching hot. Fu Yu, used to the hardships of military campaigns, didn't mind the sweltering heat. Fu Lanyin and You Tong, however, were young women. Even though they were in high spirits for a relaxing hike, the long ride on horseback was tiring. They took their tokens and headed to the guesthouse to cool off and rest.
Fu Yu then invited the Qin siblings to join him for a meal and to thank Qin Liangyu.
The food is plentiful and exquisite. The place attracts tourists with its hunting tradition, and the food is mainly wild game. The deer, rabbit, venison, and pheasant are prepared in a refined and delicious manner, and are served with wild vegetables and mushrooms from the mountains and forests, which is very tasty.
After finishing his meal with great satisfaction, Fu Zhao regained his energy and looked at the vast, dense forest outside, eager to try his luck.
"I've been cooped up in the manor for the past two days and haven't been able to get out and stretch my muscles. Second brother—" He looked at Fu Yu with eager eyes, "This time, Tao Yu and I will go hunting and bring back a bunch of wild game for you to try, how about that?" After saying that, he looked at Qin Liangyu as if seeking her opinion.
Qin Liangyu's medical skills are superb, but her swordsmanship is mediocre. She went out today simply to accompany her younger brother.
He simply smiled upon hearing this, neither confirming nor denying.
Qin Taoyu glanced quickly at Fu Lanyin, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Fu Yu silently drank his tea, then nodded and said, "Alright, let's see if you've improved your skills lately."
He was used to fighting on the battlefield and wasn't particularly enthusiastic about hunting. As for You Tong, the delicate beauty, although she could ride a horse, she couldn't even draw a bow, so taking an arrow would be futile. She only came to hunt for fun and excitement. If they wanted to enjoy the game, only the two young men, Fu Yu and Qin Taoyu, would do it. Hearing his younger brother volunteer, he naturally agreed.
Hearing this, You Tong sighed inwardly.
Are these two brothers both blind?
Even though Fu Lanyin was shy and reserved, not daring to show it openly, Qin Taoyu's eyes glanced at her face countless times. Each time, he did so casually, as if his actions were flawless, clearly indicating that the young couple harbored unspoken feelings, their emotions ambiguous and hesitant. Last time, at the Qin family banquet, Fu Lanyin went to play Cuju (an ancient Chinese football game), returning with a joyful face and a touch of shyness. This time, having encountered them while hunting, Fu Zhao dragged Qin Taoyu along alone—wasn't that tantamount to separating a loving couple?
She sighed silently and reminded her, "Lanyin, are you going? I see you're skilled at riding horses, so I suppose you can hunt too?"
"Of course, she's no worse than Zhao'er." Fu Lanyin stared at the teacup, avoiding eye contact with anyone, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips.
You Tong then said, "Why don't you give it a try and see how much better Zhao'er is than you?"
These words were exactly what Fu Lanyin wanted to hear, so she looked at her second brother and, seeing that Fu Yu did not object, immediately said, "Okay."
Fu Zhao was naturally happy to go with her sister. The three of them rested for a while, then packed up their bows and horses and headed into the dense forest to hunt.
Qin Liangyu and Qin Jiu returned to their quarters, while You Tong and Fu Yu went to the next room for a nap.
The weather was hot at this time of year, but the inn was shaded by trees, making it relatively cool. A light quilt was enough for a midday nap, and no one needed to serve her. You Tong unfolded the quilt herself, and Fu Yu stood by the table, watching her slender back. He hesitated for a moment before casually saying, "I thanked you specifically for my father's injury, and you thanked Qin Liangyu as well. Is there another reason?"
When You Tong deliberately raised her teacup to thank Qin Liangyu, he glanced over, his eyes filled with doubt.
You Tong didn't know how to explain at the time, but seeing Fu Yu glancing at her frequently, she got mischievous and waited to see his reaction. Sure enough, after holding back for a long time, this gentleman finally asked.
She then put down the quilt, turned around, smiled at him, and said, "Yes."
Chapter 64 Ruthless
The building is built over the lake, surrounded by tall trees and birdsong. The wind blows in through the lake-facing windows, carrying with it the humid heat.
There was no one else in the room. Fu Yu, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, asked with great interest, "Why?"
“I mentioned to my husband before that there is a cook who is skilled at making tripe, and I would like to invite her to join my side. I wonder if my husband still remembers her?” Seeing Fu Yu nod, You Tong continued, “That cook is Du Shuangxi. When my father was injured, she personally cooked most of the medicinal meals. The dishes that my husband has been tasting at the South Tower recently were also mostly made by her. Shuangxi’s cooking skills are far superior to Xia Sao’s. I was able to find her thanks to the Second Young Master Qin.”
"Him?" Fu Yu frowned unconsciously. "You asked him for help?"
His voice deepened slightly, just as she had expected.
You Tong leaned against the bed frame and nodded, saying, "Yes. Young Master Qin is a righteous man and was unwilling to easily reveal Shuangxi's whereabouts, so I wrote him a letter and asked him to pass it on to Shuangxi. Shuangxi read that letter and felt that we might get along well, so she came to Qizhou with me."
After the sound faded, the room fell silent for a moment.
Fu Yu didn't speak, only looked at her silently, and after a moment said, "You should come to me with this kind of thing."
"Does my husband know Shuangxi?"
“I know Qin Liangyu,” he said.
In a few words, the atmosphere in the room became slightly tense. You Tong looked up and saw some displeasure hidden in those deep eyes.
Just as she had expected, he, like the old lady, did not want her to have any contact with men outside the family.
You Tong had a slight headache. She moved closer to him and tried to keep her voice calm and gentle. "Why bother my husband with things I can handle myself? There are countless things to deal with outside, and my husband is often so busy that he can't possibly come to you every time something happens and cause you trouble. Besides, I don't know Shuangxi at all. It would be awkward to suddenly ask her for help. My husband is in a high position and has the patience to persuade him to help."
By the end, she had walked up to Fu Yu, her head tilted slightly back, her almond-shaped eyes as beautiful as stars.
Fu Yu's gaze lingered on her face, his lips moved, but he didn't speak.
He understood what she meant, of course. He had the safety of Yongning's soldiers and people on his shoulders, and he really couldn't afford to be distracted by such trivial matters.
But the scene he had just witnessed still lingered in his mind—You Tong smiled and thanked him, while Qin Liangyu nodded gently. Both of them appeared open and honest, as if they were old friends reunited, and Qin Liangyu seemed to know what she was thinking. In contrast, although he, her husband, could hold her in his arms and share a bed with her, he seemed to know very little about her thoughts and feelings.
It's like a thorn stuck in my throat, I can't spit it out, and I can't swallow it down.
Fu Yu stared at You Tong, his expression neither angry nor displeased, and after a moment he said, "If you need anything in the future, will you still ask him for help?"
"If the situation requires it, why not?" You Tong stood gracefully, neither dodging nor avoiding.
This indifferent tone made Fu Yu choke, and then, as if annoyed, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her waist.
“I am your husband!” he said through gritted teeth.
You Tong felt as if she had been branded on the waist with hot tongs, her back suddenly tensed up, and her chest even jumped twice. "I... know. But—" She looked at Fu Yu's nose, which was almost touching her face, took half a step back, and observed his expression. "I can handle things myself, so I don't need to trouble you."
That didn't address the root of the problem.
Fu Yu's eyes darkened slightly, and the thorn that had been stuck in his throat slipped out of his mouth, "But he's a man."
It was like a short sword hanging overhead finally falling, striking the ground with a resounding clang.
You Tong felt a sense of relief, then chuckled, "So that's what my husband is concerned about." As she spoke, she gently removed his hand from her waist, her brows furrowing with displeasure. "The young mistress of Nanlou should stay within the confines of the mansion, honoring her elders and serving her husband. She cannot have any contact with men outside, even if they are completely honest and have no ulterior motives. If she wants to go out for a stroll, she needs her elders' permission, right?"
Fu Yu's hand suddenly felt empty, and he felt that these words seemed familiar.
At close range, her voice was soft and warm, and a faint fragrance from her hair wafted to his nose. Her features were beautiful, and her skin was smooth and supple.
The taste of those red lips and white teeth is unforgettable.