Every three or four days, they would find the same thing, even the smallest flaws. Even if you don't care, it's still annoying and embarrassing!
Madam Shen was both heartbroken at the loss of power and annoyed by Madam Han's pettiness. She went inside, closed the door, and began to complain.
Knowing she was full of resentment, the accompanying maidservant quickly poured her some water.
Hearing from the maid outside that Shen Yueyi had arrived, the servant woman seemed to have seen a savior and quickly smiled and comforted her, "Our maternal uncle's daughter is the most considerate and sensible. Madam, please don't be angry. Talk to her to cheer her up. What can't be overcome?" Seeing Madam Shen nod, she hurriedly said to the outside, "Quickly, please invite the young lady in."
Chapter 88 Peeping through
Having been the esteemed and respected matriarch of the Fu family for over twenty years, Madam Shen valued her reputation highly. Hearing that her niece had arrived, she didn't know why, but she suppressed her anger and tried her best not to show it, raising her hand to drink her tea. After Shen Yueyi entered and she greeted her, she asked, "Your wedding is approaching, are all the preparations complete?"
“With Mother making the decisions, there’s nothing to prepare.” Shen Yueyi sat down beside Madam Shen with a somber expression.
Madam Shen knew that her marriage was arranged in a very hasty manner, and sighed repeatedly.
Originally, she had hoped to protect her family and find a good home for Shen Yueyi, so that she could help the Shen family father and son in the future. Who would have thought that in the end, she would be hastily assigned to a commoner who had no official rank? Thinking of that insignificant family in the capital, Madam Shen felt a pang of sorrow and advised, "I know you feel wronged. If it weren't for your uncle urging me, I would never have let this matter go unresolved. I just feel sorry for you."
As he spoke, he took Shen Yueyi's hand, patted it, and looked quite regretful.
Shen Yueyi was filled with grievances and had just been quite angry. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but shed tears.
“My uncle has always treated me very well. Why would he rush me like this for no reason? It’s just that…”
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Shen gently covered her mouth and whispered, "Don't say anything more. If someone hears you, it'll cause another round of trouble."
Fu Deming's toughness was all due to Fu Yu's coercion. Although the maids and servants in this room were brought by her, they still greatly respected Fu Deming. After being warned and reminded earlier, one of them might become a spy. If Fu Deming heard her gossiping about the West Courtyard, he would definitely reprimand her. She was already facing danger from all sides, and she couldn't afford to make things worse.
Shen Yueyi was stunned for a moment, feeling even more frustrated. After Shen Shi stopped, she said through gritted teeth in a low voice, "It's all because of Wei Youtong!"
"Her?" Seeing his indignant expression and red eyes as if he had been crying, Madam Shen whispered, "You saw her?"
"I saw her at Bitan Temple. She even mocked me. She was so arrogant, she thought she was the young mistress of the Fu family!" Shen Yueyi gritted her teeth, leaned close to Madam Shen, and whispered tearfully, "Aunt, I've fallen to this point, there's nothing I can do. Wei Youtong, now that she's left the Fu family, is nothing but a helpless abandoned woman. Are we just going to let her be arrogant and carefree?"
Shen's expression tightened slightly, "You..."
"My aunt is the matriarch of the Fu family, yet she has been schemed against and brought to this state by her. Don't you hate her?"
Does she hate him? Of course, she hates him a little. However, although Madam Shen has managed the household affairs for many years and has a malicious and greedy heart, she is not as narrow-minded and prone to taking her anger out on others as Shen Yueyi. The scheme she plotted against Madam Wei that day was for the benefit of the Shen family. After it failed and was discovered, she could only blame herself for her poor planning and inferior skills, and could not blame anyone else.
Compared to Wei Youtong, the Han family, who is now going against her with all their might, is even more hateful.
She patted Shen Yueyi on the shoulder and advised, "If she's arrogant, she'll get her comeuppance. We don't need to bother with her. Your uncle is keeping a close eye on things. It's not worth damaging the jade bottle just to catch a rat."
"So, we'll just leave it at that?"
Shen lowered his head and drank his tea without saying a word.
In her current situation, she's not confused about whether self-preservation or venting her anger should take precedence. She remembers Fu Deming's threat to divorce her. And look at the scene on the day of the divorce; Fu Deqing and his son, despite losing face, still defended Wei Shi so fiercely. There must have been other reasons behind it.
Judging from that expression, Shen Yueyi knew that the Shen family did not intend to take any further action.
Her hopes turned to disappointment. She looked at Madam Shen for a long time before finally saying, "Auntie, you're not going to take care of me anymore?"
"It's not that we don't care, it's just that it's not worth getting into trouble over this. Haven't we learned our lesson from before?"
"A lesson?" Shen Yueyi's eyes were red, and she said with a wronged expression, "It was just that Aunt didn't plan well before. The old lady likes me so much. If we had discussed it together and planned it more carefully, we wouldn't have made a mistake and ended up in this situation. Now that Wei Youtong has lost her support, if we do things more carefully, are we afraid that she will find out?"
"What are you saying!" Upon hearing those words, Madam Shen immediately stood up.
“I…” Shen Yueyi was stunned, not understanding why she was angry.
Shen Shi suffered a major setback, and had no one to confide in about her grievances. When Shen Yueyi pointed at her, her suppressed anger surged up. "In broad daylight, Qizhou is not a lawless place. Your uncle and his family are strict. Even the Fu family's children, grandchildren, and servants cannot act arrogantly. How easy is it for me to deal with people? Wasn't my plan all for you? Now you're blaming me!"
Having said that, he angrily flicked his sleeve and went into the inner room with a sullen face.
Shen Yueyi was left speechless.
She took Shen's care for granted since childhood. After being implicated in Shen's plot to harm You Tong, she complained about everything and harbored some resentment towards Shen. If Shen hadn't acted hastily, with her favor with the old lady, she might have had other options. How could she have made such a mistake and lost everything?
I didn't dare to say it because I needed the protection of the Shen family.
Now that Madam Shen has abandoned all responsibility and is giving her attitude in public, how can she not feel resentful?
She secretly tugged at her embroidered handkerchief, pondering how to endure it for a long time before she calmed down a little.
As for Aunt Shen, she couldn't afford to cause a scene, so she patiently went in, put on a smiling face, and coaxed her for a long time before she calmed down.
...
While there was simmering resentment and discord within the Fu family's east courtyard, You Tong was enjoying a carefree life on Pear Blossom Street.
Leaving the Fu family meant no longer having the grand mansions and luxurious furnishings of a noble household, but it was much more liberating than before. No one restricted my movements when I went out to shops, to enjoy the scenery, or to the market, and I no longer had to endure the old lady's attitude and follow the rules at Shou'an Hall as before.
That evening, the sky was overcast and the snow was piled high. As dusk settled, the first snow of the winter indeed began to fall.
You Tong didn't go to the restaurant during the day, and waited for Du Shuangxi to have dinner together in the evening. Who knew that when Du Shuangxi came back, he even brought an invitation.
It was sent by Qin Liangyu, who said that with the first snow of winter, it was a good time to go out of the city to enjoy the scenery. He had tasted a lot of delicious food at the hot pot restaurant and would like to repay her by grilling wild game outside the city the next day. He invited her and Du Shuangxi to join him. He also specifically asked Du Shuangxi to pass on the message that he would not invite anyone else, only himself and his younger brother Qin Taoyu. Qin Taoyu invited Fu Zhao and her brother, who were all acquaintances, so there was no need to worry.
You Tong held the invitation, somewhat hesitant.
I became friends with Qin Liangyu through food, so we had arranged to have a meal together beforehand, and we were both happy.
However, ever since that night when Qin Liangyu forcibly delivered the gift...
Her thoughts stirred slightly, for she couldn't fathom the thoughts of that taciturn man.
Du Shuangxi, however, was eager to try, saying, "I've already prepared the food for the restaurant this afternoon. I can ask Aunt Xia to do it for me tomorrow. You've been talking about going out of the city to play while you're at home. Are you going to stay indoors all day because of the first snow? Come on, I've never seen the snow outside Qizhou City before."
"To be honest, I've never seen it either. I didn't go out last winter."
Thinking of the regrets of last year, You Tong no longer hesitated and readily agreed. The next morning, she dressed warmly and left the city with Du Shuangxi.
...
At this moment, Fu Lanyin, dressed in warm winter clothes and a light cloak, with a pair of sheepskin boots on her feet, was heading to Xieyangzhai to find Fu Zhao with great enthusiasm. When she arrived, Fu Zhao, a young man full of vigor, was dressed smartly and simply, carrying his favorite bow and arrows, and leading his sister outside.
Just as he stepped out, he ran into Fu Yu, who was returning from training.
Seeing that the siblings were dressed for going out, Fu Lanyin smiled broadly. Fu Yu's mind stirred slightly, and he casually asked, "Going out?"
"Hmm. Qin Taoyu and the others want to roast wild game and invited us to come along." Fu Zhao played with the arrow in his hand.
This kid is a bit dim-witted and sometimes doesn't listen to advice. Fu Yu then looked at his sister, "Have you informed Father? Who was there?"
“Father agreed.” Fu Lanyin glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then added, “The second young master of the Qin family has also invited You Tong and Sister Du, saying that with Sister Du there, the game will taste even better when roasted. It’s at Wumei Mountain in the south of the city.” If she hadn’t been somewhat in awe of her dignified and aloof second brother, she would have almost winked and hinted at it.
Fu Zhao, however, had no such thoughts. Seeing that the carriages and horses were already prepared in the distance, he pulled his sister along, saying, "It's not good to be late, Second Brother, let's go first."
The siblings walked hurriedly, and Fu Yu raised an eyebrow as he watched their backs.
It's Qin Liangyu again.
Thinking about the calligraphy brush he delivered that night, his eyes darkened slightly. He then strode back to the Two Books Pavilion, quickly removed his fine armor, changed into casual clothes, and rode out of the mansion. Fu Yu knew the terrain inside and outside Qizhou City like the back of his hand. To get to Wumei Mountain, he had to go through the south gate. Fu Zhao and her brother took the main street, while he took a side road and caught up with them at the city gate.
Seeing his expression, Fu Lanyin knew there was something going on. Her eyes crinkled slightly as she smiled and said, "If Second Brother has nothing else to do, why don't we go together?"
"Okay." Fu Yu's expression was calm and composed.
Fu Zhao quickly swallowed back the rest of his words—he thought his second brother was going out of the city on official business.
The siblings rode their horses at breakneck speed, their footsteps far exceeding those of the carriages, and arrived at the Qin family villa on Wumei Mountain early on.
Qin Liangyu, seeing that Fu Yu had come uninvited, treated him politely and ordered the servants in the villa to quickly prepare and prepare the game. Before long, she heard that the guest's carriage had arrived, so she went out to greet it.
...
The name Wumei Mountain has a little history. Because most of the villagers at the foot of the mountain are surnamed Wu, the village is called Wujia Village, and the mountain became known as Wujia Mountain. Interestingly, the mountain is uniquely beautiful and the forests are lush. More than a thousand plum trees grow on the northern slope, which is also called Meishan (Plum Mountain). Over time, the two names were combined, and that's how the name came about.
This was You Tong's first time here. She lifted the side curtains along the way to enjoy the scenery.
Winter had just begun, and the weather wasn't too cold to begin with, but after a night of snow, a chilling cold had crept to the bone. Last night's snowfall was quite heavy; although half the snow on the main road had melted into slush, the surrounding countryside remained a vast expanse of white, a pristine white landscape. The mountain climate was slightly colder, and near the villa, the snow was even thicker. The usually bustling birds were nowhere to be seen, creating a serene and uniquely wild atmosphere.
With such beautiful scenery, one can't help but look forward to the wild game today.
You Tong and Du Shuangxi got off the carriage and followed the steward who greeted them at the door. After passing a patch of dark green bamboo covered with white snow, they saw Qin Liangyu coming in, dressed in brocade and wearing a jade crown. Her appearance was handsome and elegant, and her demeanor was cheerful and refined.
You Tong smiled and bowed, but paused slightly when she caught sight of the dignified figure walking out behind him.
His upright and dignified figure was all too familiar. He wore a tea-colored brocade robe with a cross-collar, printed with dark gold patterns, without any other embellishments. A thin, dark-colored cloak draped over his shoulders, hanging down his imposing figure like a precarious waterfall, while a purple sable shawl was draped over his shoulders for warmth, adding to his noble bearing. As he walked slowly, his demeanor was serene and imposing, as if he were carrying Mount Hua.
It was actually Fu Yu?
You Tong was slightly surprised, and a surge of joy seemed to well up in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it and simply bowed to Fu Yu, saying, "General."
Fu Yu nodded to her, and then they went inside together.
Qin Liangyu served her guests game, and the preparations were quite thorough. Du Shuangxi oversaw the cooking and seasonings, and they sat around the stove in the snow, enjoying fish and meat. You Tong, Du Shuangxi, and Lan Yin sat together, Fu Zhao and Qin Taoyu sat side by side, Fu Yu sat with Qin Liangyu, and Qin Jiu followed beside them, answering questions and chatting on their behalf.
We had a lively meal and even broke out in a light sweat.
Seeing that Du Shuangxi and Fu Lanyin were enjoying their meal, You Tong got up and went outside for some fresh air. Fu Yu caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye and followed her out.
Unnoticed by others, Qin Liangyu glanced at the dignified figure and shook her head inwardly. The Qin and Fu families had a close relationship, and Qin Liangyu had recently arranged a marriage for Qin Taoyu, with their children about to become in-laws. Fu Yu had come uninvited, so Qin Liangyu naturally had to entertain him. Now that the man had gone out with her, Qin Liangyu didn't have the nerve to follow him, so she could only suppress her anger and eat the barbecue for the time being.
Outside the hall, You Tong offers delicious food and preserved fruits, and the beautiful scenery is pleasing to the eye, making it a very pleasant place.
This villa covers a large area, but it doesn't have many buildings; it retains most of the natural landscape and is occasionally dotted with pavilions.
At this time of year, the plum blossoms have not yet bloomed, and the withered leaves have not yet all fallen. In the distance, the treetops, leaning and horizontal, are covered with a blanket of white snow, creating a natural scene.
She took a deep breath, feeling quite chilly, and then heard someone behind her say, "Want to go for a walk?"
Turning around, she saw Fu Yu standing behind her, his broad shoulders spreading open his cloak, his eyes like dark jade, looking down at her.
You Tong also had something to say to him, so he nodded and headed towards the hillside covered with miscellaneous trees. The snow in the forest was quite thick, and it crunched underfoot. Occasionally, one could see faint marks left by wild cats, foxes, and rabbits. Birds hiding in the branches were startled and flew away, and the snow fell down in a soft rustling sound.
The two stood side by side, talking about the jade bracelet—
Previously, Fu Yu left the jade bracelet behind, and You Tong sent someone to return it. However, the man returned it exactly as it was, insisting that it be returned in person. Since You Tong was already divorced, it was not appropriate for her to visit the Fu family again. Moreover, this man was always busy running around and could not be seen at all. How could it be easy to return it in person?
You Tong guessed what he meant, and since they had met by chance, she brought up the matter.
"...That gift is too valuable, and I cannot accept it without a reason. I am already extremely grateful that the General did not make things difficult for us regarding the divorce, and everything is going smoothly at the hot pot restaurant, so there is no need to worry. Lan Yin and I are compatible in temperament, but General—" She glanced at Fu Yu, feeling a little more confident now that she was no longer under his roof, and then forced herself to say, "No woman wants her husband to have too close a relationship with other women. To the General, I am already his ex-wife. The General is a man of great stature and beauty, and he will surely find a good match. In the future, it would be best if we... met less often."
After she finished speaking, she saw that the man's eyes were deep and he stared at her without saying a word.
Every time You Tong met his gaze, she found it difficult to concentrate and would lower her head to avoid it, secretly biting her lip.
Compared to his previous arrogance and displeasure after being defied, he was calm this time.
"Is this what you really think?" he asked after a moment.
You Tong slightly clenched her fingers, trying her best not to reveal her emotions, and said in a calm voice, "Yes."