She is clearly a delicate and gentle beauty, yet she can be shy and evasive, but she is also very stubborn, and it's unclear what she's so obstinate about.
Fu Yu raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his tone returning to calm.
"Such are the rules of this household. As the young mistress of Nanlou, you must be even more careful. Just like when I command the troops, I strictly abide by military regulations and have never broken them. Only by setting an example of integrity can I use military regulations to restrain others. Otherwise, if I break the rules, how can I expect others to follow them? If others break the rules, where will I get the confidence to punish them?"
You Tong understood this principle, of course.
The Fu family's success in commanding the military over the years is largely due to the strict discipline within the army.
It's understandable that a group of women in the inner quarters would be strictly managed if they wanted peace and quiet. Since Fu Yu said so, it seems he follows the strict household management system of the old lady, which includes distinctions between master and servant, and between men and women. However, the military is the most disciplined place in the world, and the Fu family's strict rules are rare elsewhere.
While she was slightly attracted to Fu Yu, she wasn't at the point where she was willing to trap herself for him.
Ultimately, it all comes down to different people having different ambitions and desires.
You Tong sighed, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "As the young mistress of Nanlou, I should indeed set an example, but I really dislike these rules. So, General—" she quietly changed her form of address, "I am not sure I can win people over with virtue in this position. If my husband divorces and remarries, he will surely find someone capable of taking on this important task. As for me, my temperament is too unrestrained, and I am afraid I am not fortunate enough to have that."
After she finished speaking, she bit her lip and peeked at his expression. Perhaps afraid that he would be angry, she pretended to close the window and walked a few steps away.
Fu Yu stood still, his eyes deep and his expression cold.
That night in the South Tower, she said she minded the cold treatment she received when she first entered the Fu family. After reflecting on it, he realized that his actions were inappropriate and apologized to her, promising to protect her in the future. He even readily agreed when she wanted to go out of the city to clear her mind, taking the time to bring her along.
Who knew she would still have this attitude!
With so many women in the Fu family—his mother, sister, aunt from the eldest branch of the family, and several cousins—they all lived very well in the mansion. And with Aunt Zhou looking after them both inside and outside the South Building, and him secretly supporting them, things had gone smoothly for the past six months without any major mishaps. She lived a life of luxury in the mansion, with such a well-equipped kitchen; what could possibly be unsatisfactory?
Yet, all they wanted to do was leave.
In the vast Qizhou, there were enough women who wanted to marry into the Fu family to form an army to fight in battle, yet she discarded them like worn-out shoes.
This woman, when she is gentle, her eyes are like spring water that can drown you; when she speaks sweetly and smiles, her demeanor is like that of a cunning fox that is lovable; but when she throws a tantrum and ignores him, she is so heartless and ruthless.
It was as if he, as a man, was insignificant in her heart.
Fu Yu felt as if a piece of cloth was blocking his chest, making him feel suffocated. He watched as she slowly closed the window, leaving only her back and the back of her head for him to see. His proud nature prevented him from saying any sweet words to coax her, nor could he bring himself to do what he had done before, using alcohol as an excuse to act like a rogue. Fu Yu felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath, so he simply turned around and left the house. He asked someone to fetch a horse, bow, and arrows, and rode alone into the dense forest to hunt.
When You Tong closed the window and turned around, the room was empty.
His footsteps had already faded into the distance, only his silhouette flashed past at the corner, while the servants waiting in the distance bowed respectfully to see him off.
Clearly, this man left in anger again.
You Tong shook her head, closed the doors and windows, and went to rest on the couch.
...
Fu Zhao and her siblings, along with Qin Taoyu, had a very fruitful hunting trip.
Hearing that Fu Yu had gone out, Fu Zhao didn't delay. He didn't even hand over the hunted animals to anyone to clean and prepare them. Then he went to play with Qin Taoyu and raced horses. Fu Lanyin was not as energetic as the young man. She played with great enthusiasm for half a day and was quite tired. Seeing You Tong strolling on the sandy bank, she walked slowly with her.
It was already late afternoon, thin clouds obscured the sun, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the weather was gradually cooling down.
You Tong rarely comes out, and seeing that Fu Yu has disappeared without a trace, she doesn't wait for her. Seeing that Fu Lanyin is interested in taking a boat trip on the lake, the two sisters-in-law ask for a boat and go boating to relax. Yunhu Lake is quite large, with a few small islands scattered in the middle, each only the size of two or three houses. Some of them are decorated with lake stones, while others have pavilions and terraces. The vegetation on the islets is lush and rustling in the wind.
Looking up, the sky is high and the clouds are deep, with dark mountains and clear waters. A lone boat floats on the water, feeling carefree and at ease.
The Yunhu Hunting Grounds are under the jurisdiction of the government, frequented by dignitaries, and also house wild game for hunting. To prevent any mishaps by these dignitaries, soldiers in plain clothes regularly patrol the area. The man serving You Tong and Fu Lanyin, though plain-looking, rowed the boat quite steadily. You Tong sat at the bow with her knees drawn up, a pot of sweet and refreshing fruit wine beside her, chatting idly with Fu Lanyin, feeling quite content.
—If one could come to cruise the lake at night, facing the starry sky, and sleep on a painted boat, one would be deeply immersed in the experience.
The saying goes, "When drunk, one is unaware that the sky is reflected in the water; a boat full of sweet dreams presses down on the Milky Way." You Tong has long yearned for this.
The two wandered aimlessly across the lake. As evening approached, they disembarked at the southwest corner and rode back to their inn. Fu Zhao and Qin Taoyu had already returned, but Fu Yu and Qin Liangyu were nowhere to be seen. It was said that Qin Liangyu had been summoned by the hunting ground manager and couldn't get away, while Fu Yu was tied up with military affairs and his whereabouts were often elusive, so no one knew where he was.
Fu Zhao got hungry from playing and, hearing that the game he had hunted had been prepared, ordered an iron rack to be set up to roast the game, while a bonfire was lit nearby for their amusement.
All the cooking utensils and seasonings were readily available, raw meat was laid out on the table, and bamboo-handled iron skewers for roasting wild game were neatly stacked next to it.
Fu Zhao had practiced martial arts since childhood, and although he hadn't been in the army for the past few years, his skills hadn't diminished. He took a knife and chopped the rabbit and venison into small pieces, then stuck them onto skewers. Fu Lanyin, having recovered from resting on the boat, didn't want the servants in the hunting grounds to cause trouble, so she busied herself fetching plates and dishes to the side. Qin Taoyu, on the other hand, squatted by the campfire, busy adding charcoal and firewood, his handsome and refined face smeared with soot.
The sons and daughters of noble families, who usually never lift a finger, were in high spirits and not at all hesitant at this moment.
You Tong was happy to have some free time, so he took charge of grilling the wild game. When the first skewer was cooked, he gave it to Qin Taoyu.
Qin Taoyu was too embarrassed to accept it, so he called Fu Zhao to try it.
Fu Zhao was busy wielding the knife and preparing the skewers. The satisfaction of cooking for himself was even greater than the taste of the grilled meat. Without even glancing at it, he simply waved the gleaming knife and said, "Give it to my sister!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Taoyu indeed handed the steaming hot meat skewers to Fu Lanyin, saying, "You try them first."
As dusk settled and the light dimmed, Fu Lanyin squatted by the campfire, her face glowing red in the firelight.
Beneath her wispy bangs, fine beads of sweat seemed to have formed between her brows from the heat. She glanced at Qin Taoyu, his handsome features and gentle smile striking her face as he proudly presented the meat skewers. She smiled and looked at You Tong, noticing her sister-in-law sitting beside her, engrossed in grilling the meat and seemingly oblivious to the commotion, before reaching out to take the skewers.
"Be careful, it's hot," Qin Taoyu warned.
Fu Lanyin nodded, took a bite, and found the meat tender and delicious, sizzling with oil, filling her mouth with fragrance.
"It's delicious." As she spoke, she looked up and saw Qin Taoyu, seemingly lost in thought, quickly avert his gaze the instant she looked up. His profile was like jade, and the tips of his ears were slightly red. Then he suddenly got up and ran to Fu Zhao's side to help, only to be teased by Fu Zhao, "How hot must that fire be to make your face so red? Tsk!"
The sound carried on the wind. Fu Lanyin lowered her head and pursed her lips, while You Tong smiled knowingly.
After grilling several skewers for everyone to try, the sky grew increasingly dark. You Tong had stormed off to Fu Yu in the afternoon, assuming he was busy and would return for dinner. However, after waiting for a long time without seeing him, she felt a little uneasy. As the venison in her hand was grilled to about 70% done, she looked up again, surveying the deep night, her gaze suddenly stopping—
The lake water was a deep blue at night, like a huge gemstone embedded there. There was no one on the sandbar, but suddenly a dark figure appeared and was strode towards this side.
Despite the considerable distance, she couldn't see the person's face clearly, but she was certain in her heart that it was Fu Yu.
With a slight thought in mind, she waited until the meat in her hand was cooked, then placed it casually on a white porcelain plate next to her without giving it to anyone.
...
Fu Yu left the building in the afternoon, feeling truly stifled.
He learned martial arts and studied military strategy from a young age. With the martial prowess of his grandfather and father before him, and his elder brother and cousins also accomplished, he was naturally proud and ambitious. As a child, he was competitive and focused almost entirely on the right path. While other boys were running around bullying girls, he was practicing martial arts with heavy swords. While other teenagers were experiencing the first stirrings of love and trying to win a girl's heart, he had already been training on the battlefield for several years and could lead soldiers much older than himself on patrols and kill enemies on his own.
Twenty years passed in this way, and having dealt with rough and boorish men every day, I learned early on to keep my emotions hidden due to my status and position.
In the past, when someone angered him, he would either retaliate on the spot to intimidate them, or suppress his anger temporarily and deal with them all at once when the time was right. His cold and ruthless approach made people dare not underestimate him, much less dare to challenge his sharp edge.
But this tactic obviously doesn't work on You Tong.
She was only sixteen, a delicate young wife, several years younger than him. How could he possibly put on a fierce face and throw a tantrum?
Moreover, although You Tong turned her back on him ruthlessly, she still took good care of the seriously injured Fu Deqing and was kind to her younger siblings. She did not wrong him in the slightest.
With nowhere to vent his frustration, and knowing that staying there would only make things worse, he decided to ride into the dense forest to hunt.
With his unparalleled archery skills, the wild game in the dense forest was no match for him. Throughout the afternoon, he shot countless rabbits and birds. The supervisor of the hunting grounds dared not interfere, but watched silently. Only after Fu Yu moved to a different spot did he send someone to pick out the game he had shot. Finally, when Fu Yu rode out on horseback, the supervisor went forward to greet him and respectfully asked for his instructions.
The game from this hunting grounds is not only used for hunting, but is also often delivered to several well-known restaurants in Qizhou City.
Fu Yu ordered them to handle the matter themselves, only picking out a few rare items, which he had prepared and sent to the Fu family's South Building.
After that, he went to the lake as usual.
From afar, one could see Fu Zhao busily wielding his knife and drawing lots, Qin Taoyu running around like a rabbit, while Fu Lanyin and You Tong sat facing each other by the campfire.
As night fell, the sky was covered with thin clouds, obscuring the stars and moon, making the surroundings exceptionally dark.
In the pitch-black night, places with firelight appear exceptionally bright.
You Tong stood with her back to him, her black hair styled in a bun, adorned with simple pearl hairpins, her back view slender and graceful. As he drew closer, he could see her profile; in the firelight, she shone brightly. Perhaps hearing his footsteps, she raised her head, her eyes calm and serene, seemingly unconcerned about his return. She simply picked up a porcelain plate from the side and rose with a smile, saying, "Freshly roasted venison, would the general like to try some?"
The venison was indeed freshly roasted, steaming hot and incredibly fragrant.
When you bite into it, the taste is just right.
Fu Yu ate one skewer, then felt hungry and decided to eat the two skewers that were grilled next to him as well.
You Tong didn't stop him, but asked him what he wanted to eat. Then she went to grill with Fu Lanyin, but never asked him where he went in the afternoon.
They seemed indifferent.
Fu Yu found the rabbit meat delicious, but seeing her nonchalant attitude only made him feel more annoyed, so he just took a big bite of it.
...
In the east courtyard of the Fu family, Madam Shen looked at Shen Yueyi wiping away tears in front of her and felt a sense of annoyance.
Before her niece from her maternal family came to Qizhou, she hadn't thought much about it. But ever since Shen Yueyi entered the Fu family and gradually won over Old Madam Fu, her mind started to wander. Seeing that her niece was willing to get close to the old lady and subtly inquire about the South Tower, she got the idea and helped add fuel to the fire, getting the old lady to keep her in Shou'an Hall so she could keep her company at all times.
Having lived in the Fu family for a long time, she knew that You Tong was not favored by the old lady and that sooner or later, she would move out of the mansion like Han Shi, whom Fu Hui married.
Judging from the old lady's fondness, one might even speculate that she harbors the intention of replacing Wei Shi with Shen Yueyi.
This was undoubtedly a welcome development for the Shen family.
The Shen family was not of high social standing, and compared to the Fu family, they were several levels below. She was able to marry Fu Deming entirely by luck, and she was able to gain a foothold in the Fu family by being gentle and considerate, and by using sweet words to please the old lady. As her three sons grew up, her position became more secure, and she gradually tightened her grip on the power in the inner quarters.
Her younger brother, Shen Feiqing, also relied on the Fu family's promotion to enter the prestigious Ministry of Personnel and was later assigned to a lucrative post in Qizhou.
Shen is the eldest sister. She took care of her younger brother a lot when he was young, and even now, she often helps him and plans for his future.
If Shen Yueyi could stay in the Fu family, it would undoubtedly be another boost for the Shen family. And with her niece joining the second branch of the family, she wouldn't have to worry about anyone trying to seize control of the household affairs. Therefore, when Madam Mei and Shen Yueyi inquired, she tacitly agreed, and even helped to find out the old lady's attitude when Madam Mei was about to ask her.
Who knew that at the time, Madam Fu did not express her opinion, but only said those strange things to Shen Yueyi alone.
At that time, Madam Shen thought that the old man was blind and had not seen through Shen Yueyi's thoughts, so she did not take it to heart. She even subtly reminded him when the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were alone.
Who would have thought that on that day at Shou'an Hall, the old lady would actually ask You Tong to help with the banquet arrangements.
That arrangement was like a wake-up call for the Shen family.
Was having Madam Wei help manage the household affairs a deliberate trap set by the old lady, or was it an indication that she wanted to keep Madam Wei in the Fu family?
Unable to fathom it, Madam Shen, upon leaving Shou'an Hall this evening, used the pretext that Shen Yueyi knew the old lady's preferences and asked her to help choose patterns, to take her niece to her room in the east courtyard. Unlike Shou'an Hall, this place was filled with her people, so there was no need to be too discreet. After entering the room and closing the door, Madam Shen asked her niece about her situation at Shou'an Hall.
To everyone's surprise, Shen Yueyi's eyes welled up with tears as soon as the matter was brought up.
“Auntie knows what’s on my mind. Even if I lived two more lifetimes, I might not be able to meet someone like General Fu again. So, a while ago, I was willing to risk everything to curry favor with the old lady, all for my sake and for the sake of the Shen family.”
“I know.” Madam Shen held her hand and said gently, “If this succeeds, our Shen family will have a place in Qizhou. After all…”
She sighed, not daring to elaborate.
In the past, Fu Deming was the eldest son, and after the old master's death in battle, military and political power would have been in the hands of the eldest branch of the family. Later, the position of military governor would have fallen into the hands of her son, Shen Feiqing, who would then be the military governor's uncle. With her in charge, their situation would naturally be secure. However, Fu Deming was injured in the leg and unable to lead troops, while Fu Yu from the second branch was too outstanding, easily overshadowing his cousins. As a result, military power fell entirely into the hands of the second branch's father and son.
The Fu family's power was entirely supported by military authority, something the Shen family was well aware of.
The Fu brothers are harmonious now, but what about their children and grandchildren?
The position of Jiedushi will definitely fall into Fu Yu's hands.
When the Fu family has many descendants, Fu Yu will have his uncles and relatives to take care of him. What is Shen Feiqing?
She couldn't interfere in matters outside the home; her sons' abilities were undeniable, and Fu Deming had clearly stated long ago that military power should be held by the capable, so she dared not interfere or hope that her son would replace Fu Yu. However, matters within the inner quarters were decided by the old lady, and if possible, she still wanted to keep her niece, thus achieving the best of both worlds.