"You're the one who—" You Tong retorted, but then remembered there were other guests inside and quickly swallowed her words, inviting him in instead.
Fu Yu glanced around the room and saw Qin Liangyu sitting at the table, drinking tea and peeling walnuts, looking completely at ease. His gaze sharpened slightly, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "What a coincidence, Young Master Qin is here too. Is someone here ill?"
Qin Liangyu did not bring Qin Jiu with her today, so she stood up and bowed in greeting.
You Tong answered for him, "They've come for a meal. A few sparrows were brought over at noon, and Sister Du thought they were interesting, so she wanted to make a dish of stir-fried broad beans with sparrows for everyone to try. General, please have a seat. Sister Du is quick and efficient, so she should be able to finish it soon." As she spoke, she went over to pour him some tea.
Before my hand even touched the tea tray, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and firmly grasped the teapot's handle.
Turning her head, she saw Fu Yu standing beside her, inches away, his chest almost completely covering her.
He poured warm tea into the cup, first placing a cup in front of You Tong, then poured one for himself. He then leaned back against the desk and slowly said, "Is this the hot pot restaurant you've been dreaming of opening? It's quite impressive. It's been open for a while now, how's business? If you want to attract more customers, I'll have my soldiers come and support you."
"Forget it, I'll just do my business honestly, General, please don't cause trouble!"
You Tong's tone held a hint of disdain, indicating that she couldn't look at the accounts, so she cleared away the clutter on the table and began to tell him about the business after opening. Fu Yu found her satisfied and smug expression amusing, casually picked up some candied fruit from her table to eat, and listened quietly.
Qin Liangyu remained seated, her mind racing.
...
When Qin Liangyu learned that You Tong and Fu Yu had divorced, she did not inquire about the details, but she did think about it.
The Fu family holds military and political power under Yongning, and Fu Yu is the most outstanding among them. If nothing unexpected happens on the battlefield, Fu Deqing will surely hand over all military power to him in the future. Moreover, this man is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and has both shrewdness and strategy. Once he has a firm grasp on military power, political affairs will be a piece of cake. At that time, his wife should be like the current Madam Fu, ruling Qizhou with impunity and respected by everyone.
The Fu family values reputation above all else, and Fu Yu is an outstanding individual; they would never easily agree to a divorce.
It must be because the couple's relationship was strained and their marriage could not be continued that they had no choice but to come to this point.
Who would have thought that, judging from the current situation, the two seem to have no ill feelings towards each other and get along well?
When Fu Yu arrived, You Tong's surprise was evident on her face, which Qin Liangyu clearly saw. And when Fu Yu reached out to touch her forehead and poured water beside her, his posture and expression clearly conveyed intimacy—Qin Liangyu was born in Qizhou and had considerable interaction with the Fu family. She had naturally heard about Fu Yu's cold and ruthless nature, and his aloofness towards women. In her memory, Fu Yu had always been cold and resolute, like a cold-forged sword, sharp and awe-inspiring.
Gentle and approachable? That word doesn't fit him at all.
But the situation before us is clearly...
Qin Liangyu's mind raced. Because she had been mute since childhood and was used to quietly observing, she couldn't join the conversation, so she sat down to observe. Seeing that Fu Yu's tall and imposing figure almost blocked You Tong's graceful figure, and that he even frowned for once, she was secretly annoyed, but then she found his childishness amusing.
Fortunately, Du Shuangxi was quick and efficient, and soon brought in the dishes.
Yellow cabbage with millet cakes, chestnut meat, and sliced winter bamboo shoots, thickened with cornstarch, makes a dish called "Stir-fried Vegetables with Millet Cakes"; cooked wild duck, deboned and diced, is served with cooked yam, scallions, ginger, salt, and wine in a soup. The most eye-catching dish is undoubtedly the stir-fried broad beans with sparrows. The bright green broad beans are stir-fried until golden brown, and small pieces of sparrow meat are stir-fried until reddish-brown, with chopped scallions and chili peppers added, creating an irresistible aroma.
The three people in the room were lured by the aroma and gathered around the table.
Du Shuangxi had assumed there were only two acquaintances in the room and was even smilingly boasting about her allure when she entered and saw Fu Yu. Her voice caught in her throat.
"General, General." She quickly curtsied.
The change in attitude was so drastic that it was obvious to anyone with eyes to see. You Tong knew the awe and respect that the people around her had for Fu Yu, and couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
Qin Liangyu smiled and helped set the food on the table.
Fu Yu's face remained calm and expressionless, as if he had not noticed the subtle changes in the situation, and he sat down beside You Tong with an air of nonchalance.
The dishes were, of course, delicious. For the past twenty years, Du Shuangxi had devoted little attention to anything else but food, mastering the cooking techniques and flavors to perfection. The duck meat was tender and flavorful, the winter bamboo shoots crisp and delicious, the yellow mustard greens and millet cakes light and refreshing, and the finely stir-fried sparrows were tender and juicy, rich in aroma but not greasy. One bite revealed chewy, spicy, and slightly salty meat, filling the mouth with flavor.
The four of them enjoyed the meal, and Fu Yu also took the opportunity to show his concern for the Qin family.
After the meal, Du Shuangxi returned the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen. Qin Liangyu stood up, glanced at Fu Yu, and then took out the brocade box that had been prepared beforehand, placing it on the table. He could not speak and could not utter any flowery words, so he silently opened the box, took out the contents, and handed them to You Tong with both hands.
The doctor's skillful hands were exceptionally clean, with a writing brush in his palm. The brush handle had fine, intricate patterns, resembling swirling cloud patterns, and was the color of sandalwood. The brush tip was delicate and light.
At first glance, it is clearly for women, and judging from its materials and craftsmanship, it is not an ordinary product.
Fu Yu glanced at her, then looked at You Tong, who looked surprised and asked, "What's this?"
"A gift for you," Qin Liangyu replied with her lips.
You Tong quickly waved her hand and said with a smile, "Young Master Qin, you are too kind. The dishes are all thanks to Sister Du; I didn't do any work at all. We are kindred spirits who enjoy food together. Even if you don't do me the honor, I will still cook some for you to try from time to time. Besides, many of the ingredients were made by you. I can't accept this generous gift. Thank you for your kindness."
Qin Liangyu smiled without saying a word, and walked to her desk.
All the account books were put away, but the ink on the inkstone was still wet.
Qin Liangyu dipped his brush in the ink and casually unfolded a blank sheet of Xuan paper. You Tong assumed he intended to use the brush as a substitute for his words and couldn't stop him. He watched as Qin Liangyu wrote a few characters, made some minor strokes, and then placed the brush on the brush holder. Peeking over, he saw the brushstrokes flowing smoothly on the snow-white Xuan paper—"I have nothing to offer but a brush."
Beside the characters, a branch extends diagonally, with a few plum blossoms dotted on it.
You Tong was taken aback at first, but when she realized where the words came from, she laughed.
I folded flowers and sent them to the Longtou people when I met the messenger. Jiangnan has nothing, just give me a spring branch.
It's a short, witty poem, and his adaptation of it is quite interesting.
His gift was unexpected; it was merely a calligraphy brush, yet it inexplicably evoked a sense of poetry. Moreover, the brush was already stained with ink, and even if it were washed and put back, it couldn't be restored to its original state. To refuse it again would be too impolite. After a moment's hesitation, she finally smiled and said, "In that case, it would be impolite to refuse."
As he spoke, he took out the brush and tried it out. It was indeed soft to the touch, and the ink was plentiful. It was very easy to use, so he put it away and thanked him.
Fu Yu, watching from the side, would have been dumbfounded if he hadn't been so shrewd and composed.
Having lived for over twenty years, I've seen my fair share of gift-giving, but this is the first time I've encountered something like Qin Liangyu's—she forcefully presents a gift that You Tong doesn't want to accept, yet in the end, she forces the issue and presents it in a poetic way to please a woman. Compared to the rough soldiers and strategists I usually deal with, this learned, taciturn scholar is truly cunning when it comes to giving gifts.
I've known Qin Liangyu for over a decade, how come I never realized she was also a cunning fox?
Fu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, watching You Tong put the brush back on the brush holder as if she liked it quite a bit, and the corners of his lips twitched.
"Two dishes in exchange for a famous writing brush, Young Master Qin's gift is truly very valuable."
Qin Liangyu seemed not to understand the implied meaning, and simply turned around, smiled, and nodded.
You Tong glanced at Fu Yu's face and saw him looking at her with deep, meaningful eyes. She couldn't help but smile inwardly.
That sounds a bit sarcastic, doesn't it?
...
It was already late at night when we came out of the hot pot restaurant.
You Tong always travels through the back alley. After finishing his business at the shop, Manager Xu had already ordered his men to prepare a carriage and wait at the back door.
Because it was late at night and the frost was heavy, Qin Liangyu originally wanted to escort You Tong back, but Fu Yu stopped her.
"I went to the capital a while ago and brought her two family letters, along with a few words to convey. It's late, and since Young Master Qin has no attendants, he should return home early to avoid worrying the old lady."
As he spoke, he nimbly mounted his horse, his robe billowing in the wind, displaying the demeanor of a fierce general.
In this round, Qin Liangyu was completely defeated.
Chapter 86 Anger
The journey back to my accommodation from Lijing Street wasn't too far.
As the new moon approached, the night sky was dark, and most of the shops on both sides of the street had closed their doors and turned off their lights, making the surroundings exceptionally dim. A lantern hung in front of the carriage, its glass cover protecting the candlelight inside, casting a dim, yellowish glow. You Tong sat upright in the carriage, with Du Shuangxi resting with her eyes closed beside her. The restaurant had just opened, and she had personally prepared the broth for the hot pot. There were also many small things to worry about in the kitchen, and she was quite exhausted by the end of the day.
The sound of horses' hooves clattering on the bluestone pavement alternated with each other.
You Tong leaned against the side wall, listening to the sound of hooves, and knew that Fu Yu was on her right, separated only by the side wall.
As early winter approached, the night air was already quite cold. She lifted the side curtain and saw Fu Yu's tall and imposing figure. Unlike the others who wore warm padded jackets, he was only dressed in brocade robes, without even a cloak. In the deep darkness, his profile was stern, his eyes fixed straight ahead, showing no trace of the petty behavior he had displayed earlier, taking advantage of Qin Liangyu's inability to speak.
As if sensing her gaze, Fu Yu suddenly turned his head and looked over, bumping right into her. He raised his eyebrows slightly, as if asking a question.
You Tong blinked, afraid that he would misunderstand her as spying, and quickly came up with an excuse, "It's cold at night, General, you should go back early. I'll take the letter home with me and read it slowly."
"No rush, we'll be there soon," Fu Yu said calmly.
Upon arriving at Pear Blossom Street and entering the courtyard, the lights under the eaves were bright, and the maid had prepared hot water in the main room, waiting for her to return and rest.
Grandma Xu is getting on in years and doesn't need much sleep. Right now, she's wearing an outer garment and sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought.
Upon seeing her return, Granny Xu was initially delighted, but upon seeing the imposing man behind her, she was taken aback, exclaiming, "General Fu?"
"Mother-in-law." Fu Yu was unusually polite, glancing at the main house where many people were gathered, before walking into the side courtyard. You Tong accompanied her, and when she met Granny Xu's questioning gaze, her heart tightened—even though she was now divorced and no longer bound by Madam Fu's strict rules, the courtyard was full of servants and maids, and she was alone there, bringing a man home in the middle of the night, which was not appropriate anywhere.
Especially since that person was her ex-husband.
However, despite her divorce and escape, Wei Sidao still served the Fu family, who were plotting to seize power. Since Fu Yu had braved the night wind to go there and said he had something to convey, it must be important news that shouldn't be delayed. Therefore, she could only smile at Granny Xu and ask her to go back inside and rest, lest she catch a cold.
...
The maids and servants hadn't even had a chance to rest when they saw a guest arrive and quickly served tea.
The hall was brightly lit. Fu Yu took out a letter from home and handed it to her, saying that Wei Sidao and his wife, as well as his younger brother, were all safe and sound, and that she didn't need to worry. Finally, he glanced at Chuncao Yanbo, who was standing nearby.
You Tong then told the two of them to wait outside the hall.
After waiting for the door to close slightly, she took a few steps inside, glanced at Fu Yu, and asked, "Father, is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Of course not. Even if I were to give instructions, I would write them in a letter home, not tell him.
Looking at her serious and earnest expression, Fu Yu's lips gradually curved into a smile. He leaned close to her ear and said earnestly, "Try to eat more."
You Tong was slightly surprised, but quickly realized what she meant. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes revealed a hint of annoyance.
With Wei Sidao's personality, how could she say such a thing? Fu Yu was clearly playing her for a fool!
She had taken it seriously and was secretly worried! Her eyes widened. Standing on her own turf, she was no longer as timid and hesitant as she had been at the South Tower. She turned her head to accuse him of being ridiculous. In her haste, she forgot that Fu Yu was very close. As she turned her head, his head bumped against her cheek, causing a slight pain.
You Tong cried out "Ouch!" and took a half step back, clutching her forehead.
Fu Yu thought she was about to fall, so he quickly reached out to support her.
You Tong was both annoyed and in pain, so she punched him in the chest and said angrily, "I'm talking to you about serious matters!"
It was rare to see her with such a fierce look; her two almond-shaped eyes were wide open, and she looked incredibly beautiful with her puffed-up cheeks.
At the South Tower, she was either composed and calm, or soft-spoken and charming. When she rarely showed her sharp edge, she deliberately restrained herself, keeping a certain distance, thus losing her unrestrained and unruly true nature. But now, the beauty was angry, quite different from her usual restrained demeanor. Her pink fist came at him, but it didn't hurt at all. Instead, it aroused his heart. Fu Yu was inexplicably in a good mood and chuckled softly to himself.
Seeing his expression, You Tong couldn't help but laugh, though she still feigned anger, "You're still laughing!"
"Alright, alright, let's get down to business." Fu Yu suppressed a laugh, flipped his hand and took out a brocade pouch he always carried with him, from which he took out a bracelet.
As soon as the smooth and lustrous bracelet was taken out, You Tong's gaze froze.
Ordinary jade bracelets are either as vibrant as a bamboo forest after rain, as blue as a clear blue sky, or as smooth and white as fine mutton fat. Occasionally, a bracelet with two contrasting colors, dyed like chicken blood, becomes a rare treasure. This jade bracelet is translucent and light, with most of it as smooth as mutton fat and a small portion as vibrant as pigeon blood. A touch of pale green at the junction, like a misty rain, is perfectly placed, making it extremely elegant.
Judging from its quality and appearance, even the imperial palace might not have such a precious item.
This thing was so stunning that she couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful!"
If you like it, that's fine.
Fu Yu lowered his head, took her hand, and put the jade bracelet on her wrist.