Their eyes met from afar. Fu Lanyin, raised with strict discipline, couldn't very well ignore her sister-in-law. Her initial hesitation vanished, and she walked straight over. Her beautiful eyes fell on the plate, and her voice carried a hint of amusement, "What is this? It smells so good! I could smell it from a mile away."
"Guess what?" You Tong said mysteriously, handing over the porcelain plate.
Fu Lanyin did not refuse and tried to take a bite. She found that the pale yellow cake was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, tender and fragrant.
The steaming, delicious flavor spread across her tongue, filling her mouth with a fragrant and tempting aroma. She couldn't resist taking another bite, finishing half the pancake before hesitatingly saying, "Could it be..." The guess was on the tip of her tongue, yet she refused to believe it—in all her life, she had eaten plenty of radishes—crisp and tender in salads, soft and glutinous in soups, fragrant stir-fried—but this one in her hand...
You Tong glanced at her, her smile growing wider, and finally couldn't help but chuckle, "That's right, it's a radish!"
"really?"
“Hmm!” You Tong nodded in agreement, and then led her to the South Building, explaining, “There are many such dishes in the south, all made by ordinary people at home. They don’t cost much money, but their taste is not necessarily inferior to expensive dishes.”
As Fu Lanyin approached, she smelled the wafting fragrance and smiled to herself, "I've never tasted it before."
"Want to go in and have a taste?" You Tong pointed to the kitchen through the bamboo fence. "There are other good things inside too."
The South Building was Fu Yu's residence. Since Fu Lanyin had arrived there and was being kindly invited, she couldn't refuse and followed him inside. Seeing the kitchen, she couldn't help but smile, "This place is always so quiet; adding the kitchen gives it a lively atmosphere. Let me see—" As she spoke, she didn't maintain her aloof demeanor, glancing into the kitchen and exclaiming, "It smells so good! Are those crabs going to be steamed?"
"I'm planning to make crab balls." You Tong took the freshly made radish cakes and handed them to her. "Aunt Xia is quick and efficient; she'll be able to make them in a little while. Since you're here, why don't you try some?"
Fu Lanyin blinked. "Okay."
...
While the radish cakes were halfway fried, the crispy fish simmering in the pot was also ready.
Spring grass was brought out and drizzled with the broth from the braised fish. The fish was fried until crispy and then simmered until tender, emitting a rich aroma. Fu Lanyin took a bite with her chopsticks and found it tender, smooth, and fragrant. She nodded and praised, "It tastes very good. Do you often cook like this, Second Sister-in-law? You're so lucky!"
"I think about these things when I have nothing else to do, it's a way to amuse myself. If you like, come and try them when you have time."
Fu Lanyin smiled and agreed.
The crabs outside were already marinated. Xia Sao had someone cut them open, clean them, and remove the meat. She then added egg yolks, lotus root starch, and salt, mixed it well, and poured ginger juice, vinegar, and wine over it, intending to make it into meatballs. Later, she planned to add chicken broth, bamboo shoots, and mushroom slices. Just thinking about the fragrant and smooth taste made her mouth water.
However, this is a delicate task and requires a lot of effort.
Having already tasted two delicious dishes, Fu Lanyin was reluctant to miss the crab meat balls, so she waited patiently.
The two women, sitting idly, inevitably started talking about Fu Yu, whom they both involved with. You Tong, having lived in the South Building for nearly two months and become familiar with the house and furniture, began to act like a hospitable young mistress. Fragrant tea and pastries were served in turn. When she mentioned that Fu Yu would be returning in a couple of days, she frowned slightly and said, "Today at Shou'an Hall, I heard from the Old Madam that there are some things to arrange in the manor after my husband returns, is that right?"
Food can subtly bring people closer. Fu Lanyin has been observing You Tong's words and actions for a long time and has some trust in him.
Hearing her mention this, I sighed softly.
Author's Note: The allure of delicious food is endless! For those fairies who haven't yet added it to their favorites, remember to give it a like! Thank you breathesky2007 for the landmine!
Chapter 9 Ride Together
Although the atmosphere in the room was not as suddenly cold as it had been this morning, the light in Fu Lanyin's eyes had dimmed considerably.
You Tong's heartstrings tightened slightly, and she gently pressed down on the back of her hand.
Fu Lanyin smiled slightly, shook her head, and said, "It's alright. Every year on the first day of the tenth lunar month, Father would take us siblings to Jinzhao Temple to offer incense. Unless it's an extremely urgent military matter, he would never delay. My second brother also traveled day and night to rush back for this matter."
When you go to a temple to offer incense, there is no need to be so formal.
You Tong tentatively asked, "Are we going to pray for blessings?"
“It can be considered a prayer for blessings, but—” Fu Lanyin hesitated for a moment, thinking that since You Tong had already married into the Fu family and become a daughter-in-law, she should participate in this matter. So she said in a low voice, “The first day of the tenth month is the anniversary of my mother’s death. She was a devout Buddhist and did good deeds during her lifetime. She enshrined a Bodhisattva at Jinzhao Temple. When my elder brother was alive, she would go there every year to fulfill her vow. Now that my mother is gone, my father remembers this matter and does not fail to do so for a single day.”
After she finished speaking, she looked down at the handkerchief in her hand, as if reminiscing and feeling sad.
You Tong wanted to comfort her, but Fu Lanyin looked up after a moment of sadness, her eyes now clear and devoid of grief. "Six years have passed, it's all over now. Second sister-in-law, those crab meat balls sound quite unique, how are they made? I'll have someone try making them sometime."
This was clearly an intentional attempt to change the subject.
You Tong didn't want to bring up her sad story anymore, so she explained the detailed recipes for the dishes.
Fu Lanyin wasn't one to dwell on the past. After listening to her elaborate explanation, she even went to the kitchen twice to check on things.
After Aunt Xia finished cooking quickly, the glutinous rice balls were ready and placed on a plate, topped with bamboo shoots and mushrooms soaked in broth. The aroma of crab meat mingled with the fragrance of chicken soup, and the color was incredibly tempting. Taking a bite while it was still hot, you would find it tender and soft, and you would almost want to bite your tongue off and swallow it whole.
The two sisters-in-law both loved food and sat facing each other at the table, vying to take a bite.
After enjoying the delicious food, a bowl of light bamboo shoot soup will cleanse the palate and leave you feeling completely satisfied.
Fu Lanyin was born into a wealthy family and had tasted all the delicacies in the city. She often enjoyed some good food at the old lady's Shou'an Hall, but this was the first time she had ever come to her second brother's courtyard, which was usually aloof and reserved, to enjoy a meal. She couldn't help but feel excited and gratified to see the new warmth and life in the courtyard. She felt even closer to You Tong.
Outside, the sky was clear and the air was crisp. Standing under the south corridor, the leaves on the trees in the courtyard were half-withered, and the withered vines of Virginia creeper climbed all over the bamboo fence.
Further away, the sky was as blue as if the lake had been washed clean, and the tall trees, still retaining some green in late autumn, were scattered and interspersed, creating a spacious and bright atmosphere.
Fu Lanyin's heart shifted with the surroundings, and a bright smile appeared on her face. She strolled with You Tong on the low hill for a while, and before leaving, her eyes crinkled as she said, "To be honest, when Second Sister-in-law first married into the family, I was very curious. Now it seems that what you said is quite different from what they said." A hint of teasing was hidden in her clear eyes. She was quite straightforward and did not hide or embellish the gossip about others in her words.
You Tong smiled and said, "Hearing is believing. You can only know a person's character by spending a long time with them."
“That makes sense!” Fu Lanyin curled her lips. “If I get a craving later, I’ll come back to my second sister-in-law’s place.”
“Alright, I’ll be ready to wait for you anytime, Second Miss,” You Tong teased.
...
After seeing Fu Lanyin off, You Tong returned to her room, took out a Buddhist scripture from her book box, bathed and burned incense, and slowly copied the scripture.
Since marrying into the Fu family at the end of July, in the past two months, apart from Aunt Zhou's warmheartedness and frequent assistance, most people inside and outside the South Building have been indifferent and avoidant towards her. Although You Tong had no intention of integrating into this household, she still found herself liking a straightforward and charming girl like Fu Lanyin. The matter at Jinzhao Temple also surprised her quite a bit.
The Fu family was full of brave and skilled warriors, and Fu Deqing held great power and was considered a famous general of the time.
Unexpectedly, beneath that fierce exterior lay such delicate and enduring affection—
He had been with his wife for twenty years. Despite his high position, great power, and handsome appearance, he had never taken a concubine. He had two children and treated Fu Lanyin and her siblings with the love and care of a loving father. Now in his forties, he was in his prime as a military general, strong and accomplished. After Lady Tian's death, he could have remarried and taken concubines, but in the past six years, he had made no move. He only had a few servants left by his wife to serve him, and he didn't even keep many maids.
Fu Deqing was not eccentric; his self-restraint stemmed from his remembrance of his deceased wife.
Of his children, his eldest son died young, and You Tong never met him. Of the twins, Fu Zhao spent most of her time in the study, and her temperament was still unknown. However, Fu Lanyin was straightforward and honest, showing no signs of the arrogance often associated with high-born daughters; she was well-mannered, and her deep longing for her deceased mother was evident in her words. Although Fu Yu was cold and indifferent towards her, he still rushed back to offer incense despite his busy military duties, demonstrating his filial piety towards Madam Tian.
The fact that her husband and children both cherish her memory so much shows that the second wife's family must have been extremely harmonious when she was alive.
This also shows that the Tian family was quite popular.
You Tong had never met her mother-in-law before, but on the anniversary of her death, she could not leave empty-handed. So she copied a sutra overnight and wrapped it in fine silk.
The next day, she waited all day but still didn't hear any news of Fu Yu returning to the mansion. In the evening, a servant from Shou'an Hall came to deliver a message, saying that they were going to Jinzhao Temple to offer incense the next day and that she should not eat any meat tonight and should go with him the next day.
You Tong agreed, and that evening she prepared only some vegetarian dishes to eat.
When she woke up the next morning, she felt a chill all over her body, and the surrounding light was dimmer than usual, making her head feel groggy.
You Tong sat for a while, holding the brocade quilt. When she saw Chuncao holding a cloak with a thin fleece lining, she wrapped it around herself, got up, and walked into the inner room in her soft shoes. She casually said, "What time is it? It seems to be earlier than usual."
"It's getting late. It's just that it's raining outside, so it's quite dark inside." Chuncao was helping her wash her face when she saw that Youtong looked listless and felt worried. "Young Madam doesn't look well. Has she caught a cold? It's not convenient to call a doctor right now. Aunt Xu is outside. Why don't you ask her to come in and take a look?"
"No need, I just haven't had enough sleep. Let's have breakfast early and go to Shou'an Hall, we can't keep others waiting."
Chuncao agreed, and left Yanbo Muxiang to help her dress and do her makeup. She went to the small kitchen to urge Xia Sao to quickly serve the porridge and dishes.
After You Tong finished dressing, a delicious and simple meal was ready.
You Tong deliberately chose simple clothes and jewelry today. Perhaps because she hadn't slept enough, she had no appetite. After eating half a bowl of porridge, she was too lazy to eat anything else. So she ordered Chuncao to take the copied scriptures and hurry to Shou'an Hall.
In late autumn and early winter, the temperature drops sharply after a night of rain, making it especially cold.
Wearing a warm feather cloak, You Tong lifted the curtain and went outside. When she encountered the wind carrying raindrops, she couldn't help but shiver.
Granny Xu, being thoughtful, worried that the mountain temple would be even colder, so she quickly added some silver charcoal to the purple-gold hand warmer and took it out, placing it in You Tong's arms. You Tong, craving the warmth, hugged the hand warmer wrapped in brocade tightly. Looking up, she saw Su Ruolan walking out, holding an umbrella. Upon seeing You Tong, Su Ruolan gave a perfunctory bow, then said to Aunt Zhou, "The old lady asked me to do some needlework the other day. It was cold this morning, and I was afraid she might need it, so I rushed over to deliver it."
After saying that, he showed the bundle in his arms to Aunt Zhou.
Aunt Zhou glanced at her but said nothing more, while You Tong couldn't help but glance at her twice.
Previously, when Fu Yu was away, Su Ruolan, though constantly stirring up trouble, had maintained a respectable appearance. But today, upon closer inspection, she was quite different. Though not dressed in bright pink or green, her clothes were brand new, of excellent quality and tailored. She wore fine powder on her face, lipstick on her lips, and delicately drawn eyebrows, giving her a rather beautiful appearance.
She really did dress up specially.
You Tong glanced at it briefly, then shrank into her cloak as if seeking shelter from the cold. After leaving the South Building, she hurried towards Shou'an Hall as usual.
As she rounded the corner of the covered walkway, she suddenly stopped, looked at the man standing with his hands behind his back under the walkway, and hesitated before asking, "Husband?"
The man, who had his back to him, seemed to be awakened by the sound. He turned around indifferently and his gaze fell on her.
...
Fu Yu returned home late last night.
The military governor of Yongning governs several prefectures. With the world in turmoil, the Fu family must not only guard the borders but also be wary of other armies eyeing their territory. Therefore, they are particularly attentive to military affairs. During his recent inspection tour, he visited all the key passes and beacon towers, personally checking every detail. He not only encouraged the soldiers but also sternly reprimanded them, ordering them to remain vigilant and not to be complacent in the slightest.
The round trip took a lot of time, and by the time the inspection was completed, it was already the end of the month.
He rushed back day and night, and entered the mansion late last night. He rested in the study. This morning, after leaving the house, he remembered that he had married a wife and placed her in the south building. Too lazy to go back, he waited for her here, pondering military affairs while listening to the rain.
The word "husband" that was uttered was gentle and melodious.
Turning around, I saw the beauty standing under the eaves, wearing a feather-silk cloak embroidered with roses, her hands hidden in her sleeves, and a gardenia sash could be vaguely seen around her waist. Her black hair was tied in a Lingxu bun, adorned with a plain palace flower as thin as a cicada's wing, and a pearl hairpin dangled to her ears, below which were pearl earrings with an inner radiance.
The corridors and pavilions were all shrouded in the autumn rain. In the hazy morning light, her features, like distant mountains shrouded in mist, exuded a soft and languid charm. When she looked at him, her face showed surprise. Her appearance was alluring and beautiful, but her eyes held a restrained and profound depth, just as the word "husband" had struck his ears and eyes, inexplicably reminding him of tender memories from the past.
Having spent too much time with rough and boisterous men, Fu Yu was slightly taken aback when he woke up from a long night's dream and was unexpectedly enveloped in the gentle autumn rain.
...
All things considered, You Tong had seen Fu Yu very few times.
He only caught a fleeting glimpse of her on their wedding night before returning to his study. He spent the following night in the South Tower, and then went out of the city to patrol the border, disappearing for two months. In their few encounters, Fu Yu left her with the impression of being aloof and cold, yet possessing a tall and spirited appearance, with bright and intelligent eyes, and a valiant and dignified bearing.
At this moment, he stood under the rain-shrouded corridor, his dark blue round-necked robe looking dashing, but his face appeared much more haggard.
Those eyes remained as deep as ever, no longer aloof and arrogant as before, but like stars and the moon concealing their brilliance, unfathomable.
Even though he was famous throughout the country and invincible, he must have been hiding his sadness on the anniversary of his mother's death.
Their eyes met, and they paused for a moment before casually looking away. As Fu Yu approached, You Tong hugged the hand warmer tightly and followed beside him. This time, Fu Yu didn't walk fast, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Although he didn't spare her any glance, it was as if he was trying to keep up with her pace.
You Tong made conversation, "My husband came home late last night, didn't he?"
"Hmm." Fu Yu responded, glancing at her sideways. "It's cold, why are you dressed so lightly?"
“There’s fleece inside, so you won’t be cold.” You Tong suddenly remembered something. “When I was packing up the trunks with Aunt Zhou, we found some nice satin. I was thinking that the weather was getting colder, so I made two winter clothes for my husband. I’ve already had them sent to Liangshu Pavilion. If my husband has time, he might as well try them on. If any don’t fit, we can alter them as soon as possible.”
Fu Yu nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."
The awkwardness between the couple after a long separation melted away, and You Tong didn't say anything more.
Taking the opportunity to turn around and talk to Chuncao, he glanced at Su Ruolan and saw that she looked quite disappointed. Although her brand-new clothes could outline her figure, they were made too thin to avoid looking bulky, and the cold wind made her face shiver. It seemed that although she had her own thoughts, she did not dare to be presumptuous in front of Fu Yu and try to interrupt to gain his attention.