Since marrying into the Fu family, You Tong has been confined to the mansion. Having seen so much of this scenery, she has become increasingly enamored with the mountains and ancient pagodas outside the walls.
Chuncao, who was often by his side, could guess some of his thoughts and sighed, "If only I could go out for a while."
“Yes. If it’s like this from a pavilion, I really don’t know what it would be like from a mountaintop…” You Tong clicked her tongue and looked into the distance, her gaze falling on the mountaintop bathed in the glow of the sunset. The magnificent sunset in her memory had not faded at all.
The magnificent landscape has remained unchanged since ancient times, and the sunset over the green hills is even more captivating.
She patted the vermilion railing beside her and sighed softly, "A cage, an old cage."
"What?" Chuncao didn't understand.
You Tong smiled but did not answer. After a moment of distraction, she said, "It's alright. There will be plenty of time after we leave the Fu family."
Chuncao understood what she meant and couldn't help but smile. "That's right, the young mistress has just arrived here and must follow the rules. Once she's more familiar with the place, if she has the chance to stay outside the city for a few days, she'll be able to feast her eyes on the sights!"
“A few days is not enough,” You Tong smiled. “We need to be free and unrestrained, able to come and go as we please.”
“That would be difficult!” Chuncao shook her head. “Don’t you even consider the general’s temper?”
"Him..." You Tong pictured Fu Yu's face. His features were chiseled and handsome, tall and slender, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes. Years of leading troops in battle had given him a decisive and valiant air that few could match. In terms of physique and appearance alone, he was truly one in a million, and his extraordinary temperament was unparalleled. Unfortunately, he was too cold and arrogant, always wearing a stern face, seemingly looking down on everyone.
You Tong hummed softly, and when she got excited, she raised her hand to gesture.
“Look, this face—” she casually sketched its outline in the air, “this look, this temper, colder than the winter weather. He’s so boring, if he knew I’m always thinking about going out and having fun, he might not be happy.”
"Muxiang and the others said that when the general is angry, no one dares to look him in the eye!"
"Eyes can kill, so of course you have to avoid them."
Chuncao was worried, "What should I do?"
"Just bear with it for now." You Tong's smile was subtle.
If it were a peaceful and prosperous era, she could harden her heart and leave the Fu family to find another way to make a living. But she remembered clearly what the journey was like when she got married—the government was corrupt, bandits were rampant, and even murder cases in public could be glossed over. If she were to recklessly go out and make her way in the world, it would be tantamount to asking for trouble. You Tong had no intention of making things difficult for herself.
In comparison, Qizhou, under the jurisdiction of the Fu family, was prosperous and stable, making it a good place to settle down.
However, they had only been married a short time, and with countless eyes watching, Fu Yu, concerned about his reputation, could not possibly let her leave the manor.
We must be patient and wait, which will give us a good chance to get a feel for the situation in Qizhou City.
While she was making her own plans, her heart had already soared beyond the mansion's walls. Below the pavilion, Fu Yu paused for a moment, overhearing most of the intermittent laughter. Seeing a bronze mirror embedded in the corner wall beside the stairs, used for adjusting one's attire, he paused slightly, glancing at the blurry figure in the mirror. Black robes and boots, a golden crown and jade belt—his posture was dignified and imposing.
—Is it boring?
Fu Yu shook his head and climbed onto the balcony.
The stairs, having been used for a long time, inevitably creaked slightly when climbing them. The two people who were laughing and joking heard the noise and looked over at the same time. The purple-gold crown that bound his hair swayed, revealing a strong and stern face. His eyes, beneath his finely shaped eyebrows, were sharp and piercing. His black cloak was adorned with gold, and a ring of black, glossy fur around the collar added to his noble bearing.
Fu Yu's gaze was reserved, and his demeanor was composed as he ascended the tower, as if he were carrying Mount Hua.
Chuncao hadn't expected this man to return so suddenly, so she abruptly stopped smiling and quickly bowed, "This servant greets the General."
You Tong was also surprised and paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "Husband."
Her expression was composed, her eyes open and honest, as if she had completely forgotten her earlier jest. Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, her complexion was radiant and her spirit vibrant. However, upon closer inspection, when their eyes met, one sensed a lack of confidence in her, a hint of evasiveness as if she had done something wrong. It had been over half a month since they last met, and she seemed to be living a comfortable life, indulging in fine wines and possessing a rosy complexion, even having the leisure to enjoy the scenery and joke around.
However, the view from the beauty leaning against the railing is quite nice.
Fu Yu's lips twitched, and he took out a letter from his sleeve. "Your letter from home."
You Tong accepted the gift with surprise. Seeing Yan Bo approaching from a distance, she guessed that dinner was ready but had not yet been opened. She asked, "Has my husband eaten?"
"not yet."
You Tong casually invited, "The kitchen has prepared a few dishes, why don't you come over and try them?"
...
Fu Yu had tasted the food she sent last time and felt that he hadn't had enough. This time, he happened to come across it and naturally enjoyed it to the fullest.
After the meal, Chuncao led the others to clear the dishes. Fu Yu didn't return to his study but strolled to the side room and casually picked up a book to read. You Tong didn't disturb him and went for a walk in the courtyard to digest her food. Since Fu Yu was occupying the side room, she had to take Yanbo and the others to air-dry their clothes. Fortunately, the winter days were short, and by the time they finished airing the clothes, it was almost dusk, so they prepared hot water for a bath.
Fu Yu was efficient and came out quickly.
You Tong was meticulous and enjoyed a comfortable soak for a while. She only left the inner room after Yan Bo helped her dry her hair until it was half dry.
The room was brightly lit, with curtains hanging down. Fu Yu sat at the table, intently turning the pages of a book.
You Tong waited on the couch for a while, but seeing that Fu Yu had no intention of chatting with her and that the couple were only superficially harmonious and had no intention of staying together for long, she was too lazy to put on a well-behaved act and wait for him, so she simply went to sleep.
After Fu Yu finished reading a volume of historical stories, he went to the bedside and found that she was already fast asleep.
Perhaps because of the heat from the charcoal brazier, she slept with the brocade quilt loosely covering her, unaware that half of her shoulder was exposed. The buttons of her nightgown had come undone at some point, revealing a glimpse of spring beneath: her delicate collarbone, her skin as white as fine porcelain, and with a slight shift of the gaze, one could see the undulations of the nightgown, revealing a soft, alluring glow.
Fu Yu hadn't noticed it before, but now, taking a closer look by candlelight, he found that the graceful silhouette was quite captivating.
If it weren't for the fact that she still had feelings for Xu Chaozong, that good-for-nothing, he would have been willing to take a few more glances at her.
Fu Yu hesitated for a moment, then bent down to cover him up, his eyes involuntarily glancing inside before extinguishing the candles and lying down, lifting half of the quilt.
In the dimly lit bed curtains, only her long, even breaths could be heard.
The faint, intermittent fragrance I had once smelled at Shou'an Hall wafted to my nose again. Along with the glimpse of enchanting spring scenery I had just caught, it flickered before my eyes, stirring up restless thoughts.
Fu Yu lay there for a while, unable to calm his mind, so he simply turned over and slept with his back to her.
That night, he had a dream.
An absurd yet enchanting dream.
Author's Note: Oh my gosh~ →＿→
I was so sleepy last night, I set the wrong time!
Chapter 19 Spring Dream
In my dreams, it's still the Wangyun Tower on the north slope.
As dusk settled and the wind rustled the treetops, the servants and maids of the South Tower were nowhere to be seen; only You Tong stood leaning against the railing.
She was still dressed as she had been at dusk, her hair loosely draped over her shoulders, but her attire was as it had been on her wedding night: light makeup, delicately drawn eyebrows, soft, red lips, and bright, sparkling eyes. She was dressed in very light clothing, as if she had taken off her outer garment, leaving only a light red nightgown that outlined her figure, her fragrant shoulders half-exposed, swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Fu Yu didn't know why he was looking for her, so she went upstairs alone.
She looked delighted and walked over gracefully, calling him "husband." For some reason, she slipped and fell into his arms.
Fu Yu naturally reached out and caught it. Through a layer of nightgown, he felt the soft, warm fragrance in his arms, a touch that was both unfamiliar and real.
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, she leaned against his arm, smiling and nestled close, her features as beautiful as a painting.
For twenty years, Fu Yu had remained aloof from women, all because of his pride and arrogance. He couldn't be bothered to look at women he didn't find attractive, and before bed, his mind was filled with military affairs and battles, leaving him with no romantic thoughts. But now, that self-restraint had vanished without a trace. Knowing that she was his wife, with whom he shared a bed, all that remained in his mind and heart was her scent and fragrance.
Seeing You Tong looking at him with a smile, Fu Yu lowered his head to smell the fragrance on her neck.
She seemed to try to dodge, but she couldn't escape his control and could only let him do as he pleased. Before he could kiss her soft lips, the person in his arms suddenly struggled.
She was calling a name.
Fu Yu couldn't hear clearly, but for some reason, she was certain that she was calling Xu Chaozong.
The springtime feeling that had been surfacing vanished instantly upon hearing this thought. Fu Yu abruptly opened his eyes, feeling his chest pounding and his body burning as if scorched by flames. Even his throat was slightly dry. The lingering dream in his mind, the sensation of holding a beauty in his arms, was unforgettable, making him restless and agitated.
Fu Yu stared blankly for a moment, then couldn't help but catch his breath and thought of getting up to drink tea.
Only when he moved did he realize that his arm had been grabbed by You Tong at some point. Her palm was soft and warm, holding him tightly.
When she noticed him move, she gripped him even tighter, like a drowning person clutching a lifeline.
Fu Yu didn't shake her off. By the light of the moon shining through the frost, he saw her brows furrow slightly and she hummed something softly in her throat.
His tense demeanor was completely different from his daytime appearance.
Fu Yu didn't need to think much to guess the reason—it was said that Wei Youtong had been unconscious for several days and nights after falling into the water, and almost didn't survive, which showed how severely she had been injured in the drowning. After all, she was just a young girl, and having experienced such a life-or-death situation, she must have been extremely frightened. For that Xu Chaozong, she was really... foolish.
Fu Yu rarely paid attention to women, and thought it was really ridiculous to be so desperate for love.
And yet, he, who shared a bed with her, had such an absurd dream for no reason.
—This is insane!
He doesn't want to touch a woman he marries just to be a decoration, and who already has someone else in her heart.
Fu Yu felt a surge of annoyance. He glanced at her collarbone and chest, which were half covered by brocade, removed her hand, and got out of bed to pour himself some water.
...
When You Tong woke up the next morning, Fu Yu was nowhere to be found.
When Chuncao was called over to ask, she learned that he had woken up early and was practicing his sword on the north slope.
"She's really diligent." You Tong rubbed her temples, not in a hurry to get dressed, but first went to the low rosewood cabinet beside the bed, took out the letter Fu Yu had brought back yesterday, and read it carefully again—
The letter was brief, saying that everyone at home was well and there was no need to worry, and instructing her to be careful in her words and actions at the Fu family and not to act recklessly as before. The Fu family was renowned throughout Qizhou, with extremely strict rules, which You Tong must have already experienced, and she must have many doubts in her heart. However, he could not tell her the reasons for this at the moment. General Fu and his son were both reasonable people, and he told her to be sure to keep to her place, not to be arrogant or discouraged, and that once she had tempered her temperament, many things would become clear.
She pondered it while taking a bath last night, and now, looking at it again, she was certain of Wei Sidao's implication.
This marriage is a secret deal, that's a done deal.
When You Tong first entered the Fu family and found herself in such a neglected situation, she was also dissatisfied. She felt that Wei Sidao refused to reveal the truth, leaving her completely confused when she married into the family. She was forced to keep a low profile, which was really a bit of a trap.
Looking back now, it's clear that Old Man Wei had his reasons.
The marriage between the two families is undoubtedly a matter of great importance, as each has its own agenda. Given the original owner's arrogant nature, even if she could keep the secret, she might not be able to remain calm and obedient or restrain her arrogance once she learned that the Fu family needed something from the Wei family. Wei Sidao couldn't control his daughter, so he could only keep it a secret, hoping that his daughter would be unaware of the situation and act with restraint.
This caused her great distress, as she was completely clueless and had no idea where to begin.
Fortunately, she made it through. The attitudes of the Fu family elders, sisters-in-law, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law towards her are now quite clear.
Fu Yu's attitude towards her also changed from initial disdain to a more patient one. When Fu Lanyin was unwell, he listened to the old lady's criticism but did not immediately blame her, showing that he had heeded her advice and trusted her to some extent. It also shows that in his eyes, while the old lady deserved respect, she was not someone he would blindly obey.
You Tong pondered to herself, then quickly washed up. Fu Yu also returned after finishing his sword practice.
Breakfast was already prepared. Chuncao and Yanbo served the bowls and chopsticks. Youtong watched Fu Yu finish eating and then put down the delicious soup dumpling.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with my husband," she said.
Fu Yu, having eaten and drunk his fill, was in a fairly good mood. "What?"
“Cooking in the small kitchen requires not only skill but also the selection of ingredients. Previously, others did it for me, and some things were not clearly explained. I am thinking of going out of the manor in the next couple of days to take a look myself. I wonder if my husband would mind?”
"Go check on the ingredients?"
"Hmm." You Tong said matter-of-factly, "One should never be too picky about food, so of course I have to choose what I like."