Even after hearing this, Madam Xue still felt uneasy.
Madam Xue knew all too well the circumstances surrounding the marriage between the two families.
Although she came from a humble background, she understood the importance of empathy. If she were in Wei Mianfeng's shoes, even with a reason, she would find it difficult to accept a wife with a bad reputation. And the women of the Fu family were not to be trifled with. Their daughters, pampered in the household, would suffer as daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law.
In the past few months, whenever Xue thought about You Tong's situation after getting married, she would toss and turn in bed, filled with worry.
After dismissing her attendants, she asked softly, "Besides my husband, who else is there?"
“My sister-in-law is very kind. It’s just that—” You Tong paused, then said truthfully, “the old lady seems a little dissatisfied.”
Hearing this, Madam Xue became even more worried and asked, "Did she make things difficult for you?"
“It’s not that I’ve made things difficult. I haven’t deliberately caused any trouble or tripped up them in the past few months. It’s just that they seem dissatisfied with this marriage, and they tend to be critical of small things. Mother, when I agreed to the marriage, I asked you why, but you and Father never told me. I was very unsure of what to do.” You Tong gently raised her eyes to meet Xue Shi’s eyes and slowly said, “Now, can you tell me?”
“It’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s that I don’t know either.” Madam Xue sighed. “Your father kept it a secret so well that even your grandmother might not know.”
As he spoke, he frowned, his expression a mixture of helplessness and tenderness.
You Tong observed her expression and found it to be genuine.
Based on her memories of the past decade and her observations before her marriage, You Tong could tell that Madam Xue's status in the household was not high. The original owner, despite being a prospective royal daughter-in-law, rarely listened attentively to her teachings, which spoke volumes. Furthermore, Wei Sidao was extremely opinionated and wouldn't discuss outside matters with the women. When he was negotiating marriage with the Fu family, he personally received them, while Madam Xue only helped prepare the dowry.
This matter must be of utmost importance, and Wei Sidao, fearing that his wife and daughter might not keep a secret, dared not reveal even the slightest detail.
You Tong had a vague guess in her mind, but she dared not believe it.
Xue advised, "Actually, the Fu family, being of such a high social standing, is very selective and demanding. It's not easy for them to arrange a marriage for you. Back then, it was the talk of the town, and your father was almost unable to go out and face anyone, let alone find a good family for you. The Fu family's proposal of marriage at that time was truly a relief for us. They didn't want to tell you because they wanted to temper your temperament and prevent you from becoming as arrogant and frivolous as before."
You Tong grunted in response.
Wei Sidao's idea was probably that adversity breeds talent, and he was pushing his daughter a little harder.
You Tong couldn't imagine whether the original owner of this body would have truly become more mature and stable after being tempered alone in her husband's family. But Wei Sidao was stubborn and headstrong, making the decision to marry her without her knowledge, which was really a bit of a trap.
However, since the Xue family was unaware of the situation, You Tong's guess could only be confirmed by Wei Sidao.
So he changed the subject and asked about the recent situation in the capital.
It is said that after Xu Chaozong married Xu Shu, the two families visited each other very frequently. Because Grand Tutor Xu had thoroughly understood Emperor Xiping's temperament, Xu Chaozong, under his guidance, did several things to please Emperor Xiping, and gradually began to rival the Prince of Ying, who was favored by Emperor Xiping.
In the past few months, Xu Shu, assuming the identity of Princess Rui, has been riding high.
The former Grand Tutor's residence, though favored by the emperor and quite prestigious, lacked significant power due to the limited abilities of his nephew. Now, with the marriage to Prince Rui's residence, their noble lineage has gained the prestigious status of being gilded by the imperial family, making them even more powerful. Even Xu Miao's status has soared, making her quite influential among the noble ladies of the capital. Her occasional flamboyant actions have drawn the secret ridicule of many.
It is said that the Xu family intends to find her a good marriage, so that she can marry into a noble family and become a young mistress.
—If that's the case, the Xu family's influence in the capital will be even stronger.
However, with Emperor Xiping now ill and his two sons vying for the throne, the Xu family has become involved, and things are said to be far from peaceful as before. For example, Consort Zhao, the mother of Prince Ying, has quite a few complaints about the Xu family.
After hearing this, You Tong remained silent in thought.
Fearing that she might still be naive, Madam Xue gently advised, "As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Although Prince Rui is a good man, he has seen through things after this incident. There are too many troubles in the capital. Serving the Empress and the Consort every day in the palace is not necessarily easy. It's better for you to marry far away so that you can be more at ease."
If the original owner of this body had said this, he would definitely have disagreed.
After all, being able to marry into the royal family is an extremely rare opportunity.
You Tong agreed wholeheartedly and nodded, saying, "Mother is right."
"That's good. I think Xiuping, though cold and aloof, treats you quite well."
"Is there?"
“You can’t hide anything from your eyes.” Madam Xue smiled, pursing her lips. She had been worried that You Tong, with her tarnished reputation, would be looked down upon and treated poorly by the Fu family. But after secretly observing the couple last night, her anxiety eased slightly—although Fu Yu was aloof and rarely spoke, he frequently glanced at You Tong during the meal, which seemed to be a habit, not something he did intentionally.
On the contrary, You Tong kept her head down, staring at the food on the table, or talking to her, and didn't look at Fu Yu much.
Seeing that You Tong seemed unconvinced, Madam Xue didn't say much more, only admonishing, "I can't say much about the Fu family. But Xiu Ping's current abilities are earned through military merit, not just family background, and unlike Prince Rui, he doesn't rely on marriage to find a way out. In that respect alone, he's much better. You're getting married now, so you should be sensible. You can't let the past hold you back from the person in front of you. You have to move on from what's past."
That's a strange statement.
You Tong paused for a moment before understanding what Xue Shi meant.
She slowly widened her eyes, looking at Madam Xue's earnest and persuasive expression, and couldn't help but laugh.
"My mother thought I was still thinking about Xu Chaozong."
"You child!" Madam Xue said helplessly, "I was afraid that you were too honest and wouldn't be able to get over that hurdle. You would only be thinking about the past and wouldn't see the good qualities of the person in front of you, thus wasting your time."
You Tong waved her hand with amusement, "He's a husband, and I'm a wife, what can't we overcome? Don't worry!"
As she spoke, she smiled sweetly, her features beautiful.
Madam Xue knew her daughter's nature well; she couldn't keep secrets. Seeing her daughter's open and cheerful expression, she felt somewhat relieved.
You Tong chuckled inwardly—politicians really are all excellent actors. Fu Yu, a seasoned warrior, handled military affairs in Qizhou with ease, commanding respect and fear. This was due to his genuine ability, as well as the cold, stern mask he had cultivated over many years as a deputy military commander. Here, without even exchanging a few words, he had managed to leave Xue Shi with the impression that she cared about him, simply through a glance. Truly impressive.
...
After returning from Qingyu Pavilion, You Tong first chose the clothes and jewelry to wear to the palace the next day.
Fu Yu had an old acquaintance in the capital. He went out in the afternoon and didn't return until evening. When he entered the house, he saw You Tong sitting by the lamp, slowly sewing a sachet. Her skills were not very proficient, and she worked quite slowly with her needlework. Strands of hair fell down her temples, half-concealing her earlobes, and from the side, she looked charming and graceful.
Seeing him enter the room, You Tong put down her needlework and stood up.
"General." Lately, she had been calling him that in private, and poured him a glass of water as she did so.
Fu Yu took one, sipped it to moisten his throat, glanced at the sachet with its slightly coarse stitches, and said, "You can make this too?"
"I know a little, but I didn't get to use it when I was at the South Tower. I've chosen the clothes I'll wear to the palace tomorrow. General, please take a look, is it alright?" As he spoke, he brought over the clothes. They were the dark colors that Fu Yu usually wore, but the material was top-quality brocade. The hem of the robe was woven with fine and intricate patterns in gold thread, making it dignified and majestic.
Fu Yu was quite satisfied and casually flipped through it, saying, "Not bad."
He took two steps inside, then suddenly stopped and said, "It's been a long time since I've worn this. I wonder how big or small it is."
"Try it on and you'll know. Shall I call someone in to serve you?"
As soon as the question was asked, Fu Yu's expression became somewhat strange. His eyes, deep and clear, no longer held the cold indifference he displayed when leading troops in Qizhou, but instead held a hint of amusement. Seeing her holding the clothes with a look of astonishment, he said helplessly, "Having left Nanlou, you've forgotten your place?" As he spoke, he took off his outer robe and threw it aside, then opened his arms, looking as if he were waiting to be served.
You Tong was stunned for a moment before she understood.
Since we've agreed to be a harmonious couple, we can only accept our fate now.
She then took his outer garment and helped him put it on, and then tied his brocade sash.
Fu Yu was born with long legs, and after more than a decade of training in archery and horsemanship, his legs became even longer, stronger, and more pleasing to the eye. His broad, sturdy shoulders led down to his bulging, firm chest, which made his undergarment appear stiff. His shoulders were broad but his waist was narrow, and the brocade belt made him look even more lean and powerful. One wondered what kind of waist and abdomen were hidden beneath this thin garment.
As soon as You Tong thought of this, an image floated into her mind—
It was late last night when she woke up thirsty. Without calling for anyone, she got out of bed to get some water. When she returned and climbed onto the bed, Fu Yu, perhaps feeling hot, pushed the quilt up to his waist, leaving his originally conservative cross-collar nightgown open, revealing his bare chest. In the dim candlelight, his features were stern, and his demeanor was truly stunning.
At this moment, You Tong was tying the brocade sash, almost wrapping her arms around his waist.
The image flashed before her eyes, stirring her heart. Warm breath touched her nose above her head; Fu Yu lowered his head to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her back. She was almost pressed against his chest, so close she could almost hear his pounding heartbeat. His strong, heroic aura suddenly intensified, impossible to ignore.
For some reason, You Tong felt a little flustered and uneasy. She tried her best to calm herself down and helped him tie the knot.
Fu Yu stood firm, his eyes darkening further. Only after she straightened up did he ask, "How is it?"
"The general is a man of great stature, and this outfit suits his imposing presence perfectly."
That's not right.
"Huh?" You Tong didn't understand.
Fu Yu stared at her, his eyes unfathomable, and said, "You should call me husband."
You Tong smiled and said, "I will be careful in front of outsiders."
"I'm afraid you'll slip up if you're not careful." Fu Yu persisted, placing his hand on her shoulder with a firm but not too strong touch, but with a hint of force in his voice, "Say it first."
The room fell silent for a moment. You Tong opened her eyes wide and looked at him in confusion.
She used this name at the beginning of her marriage and often called him that when others were present, without finding it awkward.
But at this moment, being stared at by him and called "husband," I just felt...
You Tong paused for a moment, as if summoning her courage, before whispering, "Husband?" Her voice trailed off slightly, carrying a hint of inquiry, but her tone was incredibly gentle, like a feather softly brushing against her ear and reaching her heart.
Fu Yu smiled and hummed in agreement. His Adam's apple bobbed, and a smile appeared on his face.
This title sounds much better than "General"!
Chapter 33 Entering the Palace
In the early years of Emperor Wenchang's reign, to facilitate visits to the palace by close friends, he bestowed a mansion upon the Wei family, which is where they live today.
The mansion was not far from the capital. You Tong and Fu Yu took a carriage and arrived in the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn.
The palace was majestic, the pavilions solemn. At the palace gate, Xia Quan, who was ordered to greet them, had been waiting for a long time. Because he hadn't changed into his spring clothes yet, he had been standing for so long that he had broken out in a light sweat from the early spring sun. However, such a rare opportunity to lazily bask in the sun was not in a hurry, so he leaned against the base of the city wall and waited patiently.
Upon seeing the carriage, he greeted them with a smile and respectfully led the two inside.
"General Fu is brave and skilled in battle. He led a cavalry force to wipe out tens of thousands of Tatar soldiers. This old servant has heard about it and everyone praises the general's bravery and decisiveness." Xia Quan, who often served Emperor Xiping, had a greasy face. When he smiled, his plump face was without a single wrinkle, only flattery. "His Majesty also often praises him, saying that the Fu family is full of loyal and brave men, and the old general's name is known throughout the border. Now, like father, like son, they are all pillars of the country."
Fu Yu strode forward, his voice neither warm nor cold, and said with a slight turn of his body, "You flatter me, Father-in-law."
Compared to the polite responses others receive after being complimented, this attitude is already considered cold.
Xia Quan dared not argue, and followed closely behind, saying, "Last year the Emperor was ill, but hearing the general's report of victory in battle was more effective than any medicine, and his spirits improved a lot. Although the Emperor's health is still not good, he still specially opened the Linde Hall to summon the general there."
This means to value someone highly and regard them with special respect.
After all, in the months that followed, Emperor Xiping had been bedridden and, apart from attending court once every three to five days, usually summoned his ministers outside his bedchamber, which was not as solemn as the Linde Hall.
Fu Yu maintained the same attitude, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."
Xia Quan smiled, having finished his praise, and not knowing how to respond, he simply said, "General, Madam, this way please."
Linde Hall, located in the outer court, was where several emperors handled state affairs and received important officials. Although You Tong often entered the palace as a child, she had never been here before. The imperial guards were strict, the palace was majestic, and the gold bricks paving the floor and the white jade railings bore mottled rain stains, standing through countless seasons. She felt a sense of awe for this place, folding her hands in front of her, trying her best to stay close to Fu Yu, her back straight, her eyes fixed straight ahead.
In the distance, on the jade steps in front of the Linde Hall, Prince Rui, Xu Chaozong, stood facing the wind, dressed in brocade robes with noble bearing.
...
Xu Chaozong learned about Emperor Xiping's summons of Fu Yu and his wife from his mother, Consort Ling.
The emperor was quite fond of women and had many concubines around him, but he had few children. He had several princesses, but only three sons.
The eldest son of the Empress, the Crown Prince, died several years ago, leaving only Prince Rui and Prince Ying, both sons of the Imperial Concubine. Prince Rui was greatly favored by Emperor Wenchang, while Prince Ying was also favored by Emperor Xiping. Both had their strengths, but neither was particularly outstanding, and they seemed to be evenly matched. Emperor Xiping observed for several years but still could not decide on a Crown Prince.
Previously, Xu Chaozong married Xu Shu because he had his eye on Xu Taifu, who was highly respected by the emperor, and wanted to add a bargaining chip.