After listening, Fu Deqing remained silent for a long time.
After a long silence, he said, "Your uncle and cousins are both here. I'll handle things on the eldest branch's side. Wei Tianze is, after all, your deputy general and has considerable prestige in the army. It's not advisable to act too hastily and cause too much of a commotion. The investigation has progressed to this point, with all the witnesses present, and the mastermind can't escape. You've been working hard all day, go and rest. We'll take care of the rest tomorrow. Are there people keeping an eye on Wei Tianze?"
"Yes," Fu Yu answered succinctly, his face almost expressionless.
Fu Deqing looked at him and sighed.
Killing enemies and generals on the battlefield may seem dangerous, but it is actually not difficult because the distinction between friend and foe is clear; one only needs to fight with all one's might.
But the internal affairs are complex and multifaceted.
As for Shen Shi, it was only out of consideration for Fu Deming that they had to consider her. There had been some friction before, and the father and son had already seen through her true nature. Wei Tianze, however, was completely different. Over the years, Fu Yu had been training in the army, and Wei Tianze had been like his right-hand man, always by his side. They had a camaraderie in the army. Because of his experience and straightforward personality, he was also a friend of Fu Yu. Even if he was not as trusted as Du He, he was someone Fu Yu was willing to risk his life to save in times of crisis on the battlefield.
His secret betrayal was like a sharp blade piercing Fu Yu's back.
Fu Deqing felt a pang of sympathy and patted his son on the shoulder.
Fu Yu was exhausted after a long day, so he didn't linger any longer. He got up to say goodbye, his tall and imposing figure and cold, dignified demeanor as usual, but he looked rather lonely and tired.
We walked in silence until we reached the South Building, which was brightly lit inside, under the dark moonlight.
Dinner time had long passed, but the aroma of food still wafted through the courtyard, and people were bustling about in the kitchen as usual.
Stepping inside, the lampstand illuminated the room like daytime.
You Tong sat on the chaise longue, her black hair cascading over her shoulders, her posture gentle and graceful.
Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw Fu Yu walking in alone. His expression wasn't gloomy, and he stood by the curtain, unlike his usual imposing and cold demeanor. She could roughly guess the reason, so she stood up on one leg, smiled gently, and said softly, "Have you eaten, my husband? There's food prepared in the kitchen, all your favorites."
"Not yet." Fu Yu said in a muffled voice, pacing over. "How's your ankle?"
"After applying the ointment and repeating it several times, it's much better now."
Her voice was gentle, her features beautiful, and her eyes were clear in the candlelight, revealing concern. She seemed to sense his emotions, not mentioning a word about the day's events, but simply reaching out to brush the dust from his shoulders. Because he had difficulty walking, she called out for food and water—exhausted from traveling and fighting, and after all the effort he had put into military and political affairs, all he needed was a delicious meal and a warm bed.
Fu Yu's gaze lingered on her face, then he suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing her against his chest.
With her in the South Tower, this is my home.
Chapter 72 Gratitude
Dinner was very lavish, featuring crispy on the outside and tender on the inside spiced smoked fish, soft and delicious braised lion's head meatballs, home-style minced meat and eggplant, cold tofu skin salad, stir-fried bamboo shoots and several seasonal vegetables, served with crispy layered pancakes and mushroom soup, which suited Fu Yu's taste very well.
He had been working hard all day, and had only eaten a quick bite at noon. He didn't eat anything in the evening either, but his face brightened slightly when he saw the table full of delicious food.
After the meal, the gloom caused by Shen's troubles and Wei Tianze's betrayal dissipated considerably. His somber expression softened, and Fu Yu helped the ailing You Tong to a side room to sit down. While the maids and servants were preparing water and making the bed, he called Du Shuangxi over and inquired in detail about the portrait.
Du Shuangxi stayed at the Fu family's residence for several months and got along very well with You Tong. She had already decided to follow him around.
Seeing that Fu Yu asked the question with such seriousness, and You Tong's expression became slightly solemn, she truthfully reported the matter of the portrait.
Fu Yu then asked, "Is there anything else regarding that Ms. Chu?"
Du Shuangxi couldn't figure out what he wanted to ask, so she looked at You Tong.
You Tong then reminded her, "For example, whether she was favored in the past, or whether she had children."
"According to the servants' private gossip, she was very favored when she first entered the manor, but that was almost twenty years ago, when the Prince of Xiping had just received his title." Although Du Shuangxi worked in the Prince of Xiping's manor, she paid little attention to the affairs of the inner quarters. After thinking for a moment, she recalled what she had heard back then and continued, "Her background was quite good. I heard she was the daughter of the county magistrate. She was originally engaged, but the Prince of Xiping forcibly married her and made her a concubine as soon as she entered the manor. She gave birth to a son within two years, but the child died when he was four or five years old. After that, she never had any more children."
You Tong glanced at Fu Yu, noticing his slightly tense expression, and then asked, "How does Wei Jian treat her?"
"At first it was very good, but later... it is said that she was not favored and even lost her position as a concubine, just like an ordinary concubine. The Prince of Xiping had many women around him, most of whom were favored for a few months before being neglected, or were given to others, or were sent away with some money. Not many of them stayed in the mansion. This one is strange. She is neither favored nor leaves the mansion. She has lived in that remote courtyard for twenty years and has never been summoned by the Prince of Xiping, but her daily necessities have never been lacking."
Fu Yu then said, "She never goes out either?"
Du Shuangxi shook her head and said, "During the years I was on duty, she never went out. If it weren't for the older women talking about it, no one would know that she was still in the Prince's mansion."
That's right!
Fu Yu's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
The Fu family had previously investigated the background of the Prince of Xiping, but because he had so many women around him, they hadn't paid attention to Madam Chu. Wei Tianze's past had been completely erased, so they had no way to investigate before and could only harbor doubts. Now, they finally had a clue.
He then asked some questions about the Chu family and instructed Du Shuangxi not to mention it to anyone else.
Du Shuangxi obeyed and respectfully withdrew.
...
The room was brightly lit; it was already past midnight, and the night was quiet.
You Tong was terrified during the day, nearly losing his life to an iron arrow. Thinking about Shen's intentions, he was truly alarmed.
During the meal, she didn't say much to avoid disturbing Fu Yu's appetite. Now, seeing that he no longer had the gloomy and tired look he had when he first returned, she said, "Later this afternoon, when my husband wasn't here, Lan Yin came here and asked me why I didn't attend the banquet. Because my aunt's behavior was strange, I was afraid there was something else going on, so I didn't dare to mention it for the time being. I just said that I sprained my ankle while admiring the scenery. Does my husband think... that's appropriate?"
"This matter shouldn't be publicized." Fu Yu put his arm around her shoulder and helped her up, his eyes showing approval. "Don't rush to tell Lan Yin and Grandmother."
“Okay.” You Tong nodded, and because she was afraid that her right foot would hurt when it hit the ground, she relied on Fu Yu as a crutch and hopped forward on one foot.
She jumped twice, but he easily picked her up and carried her horizontally.
This was much simpler, so You Tong didn't struggle. She simply asked, "Chuncao and the others haven't returned yet. Is this a difficult situation?"
Seeing the worry in her eyes, Fu Yu realized that his expression had been too heavy just now, so he smiled to comfort her.
"I've got a lead, it's not too difficult. They're witnesses, I'll return them to you tomorrow night."
That's good. Just now, seeing his bitter and resentful look, I thought the sky was about to fall.
You Tong smiled, her arm wrapped around Fu Yu's neck, and casually rubbed his brow with her fingertips. "It's not troublesome, we can deal with it slowly. Everything has a reason. Once we find out the truth and understand the cause, we'll be able to let it go. Husband is so busy, it's rare for you to have a break. Let's put the outside matters aside for now."
This was a tactful attempt to persuade Wei Tianze to secretly betray them.
When Fu Yu met her eyes, he felt that this woman seemed to have a very intelligent mind, as if she could read minds.
He simply smiled and said, "I can distinguish between personal matters and official business, don't worry. Sit down—"
You Tong sat down obediently.
Fu Yu sat down beside her, picked up her injured foot, removed the stockings, and lifted her trouser leg to examine the injury. Her foot was beautiful, slender and delicate, with rounded, pink toenails. It felt soft and supple in his hands; if it weren't for her injury, he would have almost wanted to rub and play with it. Her ankle was wrapped in layers of gauze, making it a little swollen, with traces of dried ointment remaining at the edges.
"Isn't it time to change the medication?" he asked.
You Tong then pointed to the ointment on the bedside table, "We'll change it later. Husband, go take a bath and rest."
"No rush." Fu Yu removed the gauze, looked at the bruising on her ankle that had not yet subsided, and frowned, saying, "The doctor's technique is not good." As he spoke, he saw a copper basin of warm water prepared next to him, wrung it out, wiped away the traces of the plaster, took some fresh plaster, applied it to his palm, rubbed it evenly, and gently placed it on her ankle.
His touch was very light, his palm was warm, and he remained motionless on her ankle.
The ointment seemed to dissolve into warm water, slowly seeping into the skin.
You Tong stiffened a little, but didn't say anything to stop him. She sat obediently with her knees drawn up, letting him apply the medicine—after all, she had taken good care of him when he was injured, so now that it was the other way around, she felt perfectly justified in accepting it.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation for a moment, but gradually felt something was wrong. Fu Yu's hands were not only touching her ankles, but were slowly moving up her calves. She suddenly realized what was happening. Watching Fu Yu finish applying the ointment and wrapping the gauze, she quickly pulled her feet back and said with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, my husband."
She quickly pulled her foot back, as if afraid he would grab it and bully her, hiding it under the hem of her skirt, only her toes showing.
Fu Yu, feeling mischievous, quickly reached out and grabbed it, raising an eyebrow slightly and giving it a gentle pinch.
His palms, still scalding hot from rubbing the medicine, felt fine on the injured area, but burned intensely when they touched the soles of her feet. His calloused fingertips caressed her soles, carrying a strange emotion. You Tong instinctively tightened her toes, trying to pull them back. Unfortunately, her ankle was injured, and she couldn't.
She widened her almond-shaped eyes and said, "Your hands still have ointment on them and haven't washed them off yet!"
"Oh?" Fu Yu's voice was deep, a smile hidden in his profound eyes.
Her cheeks flushed, and his eyes were deep; they both knew what thoughts were stirring within them.
Fu Yu didn't expose her, but just stared at her, kneading her toes with his hands, his gaze gradually darkening and becoming meaningful.
You Tong's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, so she reached out and pushed his chest, "Go wash your hands!"
Fu Yu remained motionless, his voice laced with laughter, "I applied medicine to your wound and saved your life, and this is how you repay me?"
"Then why did I encounter danger?" You Tong curled her lips, arguing stubbornly, "My good deeds and bad deeds cancel each other out, we're even." Although she was being defiant, she was still grateful to him for appearing in time and rescuing her from a hail of iron arrows, so she knelt up and kissed him on the forehead, "Satisfied?"
Her lips were soft and tender, her breath gentle, like a goose feather brushing against my heart.
Fu Yu's gaze fell on her lips. "Not satisfied yet."
You Tong chuckled and snorted, not daring to play with fire, so she retreated back to the corner and said, "Go on, I'm so sleepy."
The injured party should be respected. Since she refused, he couldn't force her, otherwise he would be driven away in anger like before, and all his previous efforts would be in vain.
Fu Yu just smiled, got up and went to the inner room to wash his hands and take a bath. Because the water temperature was just right, he was delayed for a while.
When I came out again, she was asleep, her breathing deep and even.
The fright she suffered during the day left You Tong on edge. Although she lay down for a while after returning home in the afternoon, she couldn't fall asleep at all. Her tense nerves relaxed after Fu Yu returned, and the worries of the day turned into fatigue. After snuggling into the warm and soft quilt, she fell asleep in no time.
Fu Yu didn't disturb her. He turned off the candles and lay down, still holding her in his arms.
...
The next morning, as dawn broke, Fu Yu got up and left the South Building, looking refreshed.
After finishing up the backlog of work from the past two days at the Two Books Pavilion, the morning sun was just rising outside. Back in the South Building, You Tong had just gotten up and was doing her hair in front of the mirror—because she had sprained her ankle yesterday, she couldn't walk due to her leg injury, so she could skip the morning visit to Shou'an Hall to pay her respects and took the opportunity to sleep in.
Aunt Xia prepared breakfast and set out delicate side dishes. The couple ate together, while she stayed at the mansion to recover from her injuries, and Fu Yu went out to run errands.
Before departing, knowing that Du He had not yet returned from Qingzhou, he ordered his guards to go to Wei Tianze's residence, saying that Fu Deqing had summoned him to the Donglin training ground outside the city. He then changed into his close-fitting clothes, hung his sword, and rode out of the city. Arriving at the manor from the previous day, he inquired about the events of the previous night. Sure enough, the lame man's mouth was as tight as iron; he refused to utter a single word.
Fu Yu glanced at it but didn't send it to that secret cell where only death row inmates were held. He just ordered someone to keep an eye on it and wait until Chen San was tired and sleepy and couldn't stay awake any longer before interrogating him there.
Then they turned their horses around and headed straight for the Donglin training ground.
When they arrived, Wei Tianze was indeed there, alone on horseback, standing in the empty training ground, his shadow stretched long by the rising sun.
Fu Yu had known him for a long time and was used to Wei Tianze's dashing and spirited demeanor. At a glance, he could tell that Wei Tianze was in poor spirits today and must have not slept well last night.
As old memories and the case resurfaced in his mind, Fu Yu slowed his horse slightly and frowned slightly.
In the morning breeze and rising sun, Wei Tianze immediately gazed into the distance, a faint dark circle under his eyes.
He hadn't slept a wink last night, tossing and turning all night, unable to fall asleep—after realizing Chen San had left a trace, he was certain the assassination attempt had failed. Years of lurking, meticulous planning, and yet the plan had been foiled; even with his extensive experience, Wei Tianze still felt a pang of panic. After finishing his business and returning to his lodgings, pretending nothing was amiss, Wei Tianze finally realized he seemed to be being watched.
It's unclear when they started spying on him; they were extremely well hidden. If he hadn't been with the Fu family for years and was well-versed in this kind of thing, he would have been almost completely unaware.
Wei Tianze knew perfectly well what this meant.
The attempt to silence him failed, alerting the enemy instead. Presumably, Wei Youtong realized the crux of the matter, which is why the Fu family sent people to keep an eye on him.
At this point, given the Fu family's extensive network both inside and outside Qizhou, escape was impossible for him; his only option was to find a way to deal with the situation.
Wei Tianze went through everything. It was impossible for Chen San to have made a mistake; Shen Shi was blinded by greed and wouldn't give up halfway. Even if Shen Shi changed her mind, the two guards who went out of the city with her wouldn't be a match for the assassin. Originally, everything was foolproof, but the Fu family traced it back to Chen San, which meant the assassin must have already been caught.