Back then, the whole city was abuzz with rumors and insults. Although she managed to regain some ground, in the eyes of others, she was still seen as someone abandoned by Xu Chaozong and slinked out of the capital. Now that the couple is returning home, countless people are watching, both openly and secretly. She remembers all the sarcastic and slanderous gossip she heard at the banquet at the Duke's mansion that day!
Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard footsteps outside, and Yanbo rushed in.
"Young Madam, Shou'an Hall has sent word that they request your presence!"
"What is it?" You Tong straightened her clothes and came out of the kitchen. She saw a maid standing in the courtyard. The maid was the one who served tea to the old lady and was quite influential. Since this maid had come in person, it seemed that the matter was quite important. She did not intend to offend her elders, so she did not delay and followed Chuncao with her to Shou'an Hall.
...
The atmosphere inside Shou'an Hall was somewhat strange.
You Tong felt she hadn't done anything wrong, and since the maid who delivered the message hadn't leaked any information, she assumed something had happened in the manor.
To his surprise, upon entering the house, he was met with the old lady's furious expression.
The old man, nearing seventy, with a full head of white hair, sat in the room where the charcoal fire was so hot it made one almost sweat, yet he was still wrapped up tightly. He wore a light blue brocade robe with floral patterns, covered by a vest, and his warm hat was slightly askew. His face was long and drawn, and the wrinkles on his face seemed almost stretched straight.
Upon seeing her, he asked about what happened on the seventh day of the month.
You Tong, not understanding the situation, responded truthfully.
When the old lady heard that she was indeed sitting with Qin Liangyu, she immediately became angry.
"Who in Qizhou City doesn't know what kind of person the Second Young Master Qin is? I don't care how you caused trouble in the capital, but now that you've married into my Wei family, you should behave yourself! Aren't the things in the South Tower enough for you? Why do you have to go out and wander around? You can't even sit still for a meal, attracting all sorts of attention. Where does that leave the reputation of my Fu family! Do you know how many eyes are watching us? If you act like this, won't you become a laughing stock!"
The phrase "attracting bees and butterflies" pierced my ears like needles.
You Tong suddenly looked up, her gaze slightly narrowed.
"I did encounter Young Master Qin that day, but I did not overstep any boundaries, and I have no idea what you mean by attracting attention." She stood gracefully in the room, her voice slightly raised, neither humble nor arrogant. "I wonder who spread this rumor? Would you please ask her to come out and explain it to me in person, Madam?"
The old lady snorted coldly and remained silent.
Given her status and position, she was naturally very proud and unwilling to easily expose those who had reported her.
You Tong felt a headache.
Although there are many rules and regulations nowadays, women are not completely confined to their homes. They can go to Buddhist temples to burn incense, ride in carriages to stroll in the streets, or even go sightseeing, horseback riding, and hunting, which is not considered too outrageous. If a couple has a bad relationship, they can divorce and each remarry, which is also acceptable.
Therefore, when the shopkeeper used a screen to divide the room into small private rooms that day, You Tong didn't think much of it.
Who would have thought that Madam Fu would value this empty reputation so much?
As a member of the Fu family, You Tong had to be considerate of the household before the divorce. So she patiently curtsied to the old lady and said, "This time it was indeed my fault for not thinking things through properly. I will be more careful in the future and try not to show my face in public. But one thing at a time, there was no transgression in the slightest in the private room that day."
Then, he explained that the restaurant was full, and the manager had divided the spacious private room into two separate rooms using a screen.
The old lady simply wouldn't believe it.
"You don't need to fool me! Your father himself admitted to what happened in the capital that day. The Fu family risked the infamy of the entire capital to save face for the Wei family, and then entrusted Nanlou to you. Was there any mistreatment? You are still young and your mind is not yet settled. This time I will only teach you a lesson and will not investigate further. But the Fu family's reputation is related to the military prestige and morale. It must not be dishonored in the slightest. Such a thing must never happen again!"
She values her reputation more than anything in her life, and now that her sore spot has been hit, how can she let this go so easily?
They kept blaming her for this, blaming You Tong for giving others something to talk about. She really should have changed her bad habits when she joined the Wei family.
After listening for a moment, You Tong understood.
The reason I called her here today wasn't to clarify the facts; it was clearly the old lady using this opportunity to make a scene!
After spending several months together, she could tell that the old lady harbored a hidden dissatisfaction with her marriage. Therefore, even as an elder of high status, she couldn't help but show a cold and disdainful attitude when she saw her. Last time, when Fu Lanyin was unwell, she blamed her without even knowing the facts. Now, upon hearing a few unsubstantiated rumors, she was even more furious and rebuked her.
But on what basis?
If you really can't accept it, you should have stopped the marriage in the first place and looked for someone else.
Now that they are married, she lives in the south building and comes to pay her respects every day despite the cold wind. She is never late or leaves early, and she never interrupts or offends anyone; she is very well-behaved. Who would have thought that if she is even slightly negligent, she would be scolded and reprimanded without even being given a chance to explain herself?
If we back down even slightly this time, wouldn't we be indulging them even more in the future?
You Tong's expression gradually turned cold. When the old lady finished speaking, she slowly raised her head.
"It's inconvenient to find someone to confront and verify, and you won't let me defend myself. Are you trying to force me to admit that I have committed a moral transgression?"
...
Inside the room, the words were heated, while outside the curtain, Fu Lanyin looked anxious.
She saw You Tong walking this way with a maid from Shou'an Hall, felt something was wrong, and that's why she followed.
To everyone's surprise, upon arriving at Shou'an Hall, they heard this angry shouting and rebuking.
He asked the maid and learned that only the old lady, Madam Shen, and You Tong were in the room, and no one knew the reason. He became even more worried.
She knew the old lady's prejudice against You Tong, and since things had escalated to this point, she wouldn't let it go easily. However, she was a junior, and even if she barged in, she might not be able to help; it would only make the old lady think she had been bewitched by You Tong, further fueling the old lady's anger.
After thinking for a moment, he lifted his foot and jogged towards Xieyangzhai.
Fortunately, Fu Zhao did not go out this morning. Fu Lanyin caught him and used both threats and inducements to urge him to go to the training ground to find Fu Yu.
On the training ground, horses galloped, their iron hooves thundering, kicking up mud and debris from the frozen ground. More than a thousand cavalrymen, their armor impeccable and their swords and spears gleaming, practiced slashing, thrusting, dodging, parrying, and blocking on horseback. Guided by command flags, they moved in formation, rolling and tumbling like dragons and snakes, training with great fervor.
Fu Yu rode his black steed, weaving through the ranks of soldiers, a longbow at his arm and a heavy sword at his waist.
Ever since that night when he had a passionate dream in the South Tower, he had been deliberately avoiding You Tong and had not set foot in the South Tower for days.
Even while staying at the Two Books Pavilion, he would occasionally recall that enchanting dream, and the way You Tong had brought him delicious food that day. Fu Yu had remained aloof from women for years, maintaining his pride, but that dream had tormented him, making him restless and irritable. So he decided to divide his cavalry into several groups and personally lead them in training, from archery and long-distance raids to encirclement and siege warfare.
This is the third wave today. From dawn until now, there hasn't been a moment's rest.
Fu Zhao braved the cold wind and sped all the way. When he arrived at the training ground, the training was almost over.
After the training was over, Fu Yu told the soldiers to rest. As they walked toward him, he jumped off the platform.
"Second Brother!"
Fu Yu's stern and harsh expression softened slightly when he saw him. "Why are you here?"
"Go get reinforcements, my sister sent me."
"What's up?"
"They said Second Sister-in-law ran into trouble at Shou'an Hall, and Grandmother is very angry, though I don't know why. My sister wants you to go there when you have time, just show your face." Fu Zhao knew her second brother's personality—he was focused on military affairs, decisive and efficient, and too lazy to ask about matters of the inner quarters. Afraid of being blamed, she quickly added, "I'm just running errands to deliver the message, so please don't be angry with me."
It's that woman again...
Suddenly, the graceful figure appeared before Fu Yu's eyes, her gentle eyebrows and soft words clearly visible.
His days of hiding had all come to naught; the woman's face and demeanor seemed etched in his heart, impossible to erase. Fu Yu felt a sense of helplessness and frowned. However, since it involved Shou'an Hall, there was probably something serious going on. He had left the manor in the middle of the night to train his troops, and planned to go back to rest for a while, so it wouldn't hurt to check on things along the way.
He then gestured towards the distance, telling Wei Tianze to watch over this area when he arrived.
He then strode out of the training ground and rode back to the city.
...
Inside Shou'an Hall, the atmosphere was as frozen and tense as a snowy landscape.
You Tong's retort was like throwing a firecracker into a bonfire, infuriating Old Madam Fu. However, she also realized that such a rambling rebuke would give others something to gossip about and lower her status. So she toned it down a bit, ordered Su Ruolan to come out and testify, and also called Chuncao and Muxiang in for questioning.
Unfortunately, Muxiang's mother fell ill yesterday and had not yet returned from her leave. People were sent to look for her at home, but they could not find her for a while.
The remaining maid, Chuncao, was Youtong's dowry maid. How could the old lady believe her words?
After an hour of back and forth, there was still no result.
The room was filled with the thick smell of charcoal, making everyone sweat. You Tong didn't know who was maliciously slandering and spreading rumors, but when she saw Su Ruolan, she understood and calmed down. The old lady came in furious and reprimanded You Tong for a long time, but she couldn't get You Tong to admit her mistake. How could she back down now?
Just as the stalemate was at hand, a greeting suddenly came from outside—
"General!" The voices, some high and some low, all rang out in unison.
As the voice faded, the curtain was lifted, and a tall, imposing figure entered from behind the screen. His armor was dark and gleaming, exuding a chilling aura, and the sword at his waist remained drawn, radiating a cold and dignified presence. He maintained his usual solemn and indifferent demeanor, his brows and eyes sharp and unreadable. Upon entering the room, he first looked at the old lady and Madam Shen in the center, then glanced at the kneeling maid, before his gaze settled on You Tong.
—After that inexplicable erotic dream that night, he tried to avoid it for several days, but they inevitably met again.
The author has something to say: In this lifetime, when we meet on a narrow path, there is no escaping it.
You can't escape the wife you married!
Tomorrow will be a long, paid chapter. Writing is hard work, and I'm almost bald! I hope you ladies will support the official version! See you tomorrow!
Chapter 23 Goodwill
The atmosphere in the room changed slightly after Fu Yu strolled in.
You Tong was at home, dressed in a cream-colored brocade robe embroidered with gold peonies, her long skirt trailing behind her and her sash fluttering. However, the gentle smile that usually graced her delicate eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes was gone. Her hands were clasped in front of her. When she saw him, she seemed surprised, her beautiful eyes widening slightly. She greeted him softly, "Husband."
The beautiful woman before him overlapped with the graceful figure in his dream, and Fu Yu's gaze paused slightly.
He wasn't in a hurry to ask what was going on. He took the cloak, tossed it to Fu Zhao who had followed him in, and then bowed to his elder, saying, "After training the troops, I returned home and heard about the commotion here, so I came to see what was happening. It's cold in winter, and I should be resting and recuperating. I wonder why Grandmother is so angry?"
Madam Fu was surprised that he would come, and she also looked surprised.
Her initial anger and dissatisfaction had largely subsided after the series of events. Now, she sat upright on the daybed, still displaying the dignified bearing of a silver-haired old matriarch. She glanced at You Tong and Chun Cao kneeling beside her, gestured for Fu Yu to sit down, and then ordered Su Ruolan to explain the reason.
Su Ruolan knelt on the ground and recounted the events of the previous day with embellishments—
If her previous accusations were merely a test, this current confrontation reveals that she is now driven by a desire for revenge.
Having worked at Shou'an Hall for quite some time, she knew the old lady's temperament best: internally weak but internally fiery, easily irritable and easily angered in her old age, and increasingly arrogant in matters concerning the inner quarters. Since things had escalated to this point, she would summon You Tong to her side for a reprimand, and then be angered by You Tong's retort. She would find someone to testify, and even for the sake of Shou'an Hall's dignity and reputation, the old lady would solidify the accusation and teach You Tong a lesson, so that everyone would know the proper order of respect.
Unfortunately, this matter was ambiguous and unclear, and the Fu family would never ask outsiders.
Yu Chuncao is You Tong's maid, so her words can't be trusted. She has already bribed Jin Deng, and she has also asked a familiar old woman to stop Mu Xiang from going home tonight.
At this moment, they were locked in a standoff in the hall, each sticking to their own version of events, depending on the attitudes of the old lady and Fu Yu.
And Fu Yu...
For a tall, imposing man to have his wife cheat on him and cuckold him is tantamount to a humiliation that would make anyone feel ashamed and angry. Not to mention that Fu Yu is an outstanding individual, proud and arrogant, and no one in or outside Qizhou dares to insult or provoke him. If even a little suspicion is aroused, given his pride, he would never dare to question or investigate a woman of insignificance.
With a notorious reputation for acting recklessly out of love, Wei Youtong couldn't explain herself no matter how hard she tried.
By then, even if he doesn't face punishment, it's a foregone conclusion that Wei Youtong will be completely ostracized and disliked.
Once today's matter is settled, Mu Xiang will have plenty of ways to keep quiet.
Su Ruolan made up her mind to teach You Tong a lesson so she could vent her anger, which emboldened her even more.
After embellishing the story, he continued, "There are so many restaurants on Shuanggui Street. If one is full, just go to another. Why did you insist on squeezing in with the crowd, young mistress? And you came out looking all rosy-cheeked. As the old lady just said, one shouldn't adjust one's shoes in a melon patch or straighten one's hat under a plum tree. Since you're here, young mistress should be careful to avoid suspicion at all times. How could you do such a frivolous thing and damage the general's dignity and reputation!"
That bloody spittle is designed to ignite anger.
Fu Yu's face was very ugly, but he didn't say anything and just looked at You Tong.