Fu Yu's lips twitched, and he nodded.
You Tong smiled, then shook her head.
“My husband knows better than I why the Fu, Wei, and Liang families arranged the marriage. I, You Tong, consider myself mediocre in talent and virtue, and rough in temperament. In terms of family background and social standing, I am not worthy of my husband. Moreover, I am naturally unruly and do not like to be restrained. I also do not have the ability to assist my husband. I am not suitable to be the young mistress of Nanlou. My husband did not truly marry me, and I dare not occupy this position. Today, perhaps I am forced by circumstances, but in the future, when my husband finds someone he likes, I should step down and give way, right?”
These words were unexpected, and Fu Yu's eyes darkened slightly.
You Tong couldn't back down, so she continued, "If I behave myself and my husband remembers even the slightest good I've done, he might grant me a divorce in the future. If I do something wrong and displease my husband, he can find someone to divorce me, and I won't utter a single complaint. I'm hiding in the South Tower, not going to my grandmother to fawn over her, because I'm thinking that when that day comes, I can leave cleanly and decisively, without any lingering."
At this point, she added self-deprecatingly, "On the other hand, Grandmother values reputation and honor above all else. How could she possibly allow someone with such a tarnished reputation as me to occupy the position of young mistress? If I were to be attentive and considerate, it would only make her angry. It would be better for me to behave myself and make her feel more at ease."
The voice was soft and gentle, but to Fu Yu's ears it sounded like a river with ice shards flowing in winter.
The slight smile on his face vanished completely, and even the warmth that had been rising from his eyes from the hot pot faded.
After You Tong finished speaking, she forced herself to look at his expression and saw that Fu Yu's expression was stern and his eyes were cold and deep. His tall and straight figure was like a cold sword that had been tempered, somewhat stiff. In just a moment, his posture remained almost unchanged, but that cold and indifferent aura returned, exuding a sense of aloofness under the dim light.
Clearly, these words have hit a nerve.
You Tong unconsciously clenched her fist. "My husband will definitely be displeased to hear these words. He has made great achievements in battle and is a peerless warrior. There are countless admirers in the world. I know that my talents and virtues are limited, and I often feel uneasy. It will put my mind at ease if I can explain things clearly as soon as possible."
The deathly silence made the laughter and chatter of the maids and servants outside as they cleared away the dishes for hot pot stand out clearly.
Just moments before, she had been smiling and dining with him around the stove, treating him with great hospitality.
Who would have thought that he would turn around and say such a thing?
This woman is really... heartless.
Fu Yu tossed the half-eaten orange back onto the plate and spoke in a cold, deep voice.
"So, from the day you married into this family, you were waiting to leave."
“I remember on our second night of marriage, my husband said that as long as I lived in this South Tower, I would be his young mistress. I suppose he wasn’t willing to marry me then, and didn’t intend to keep me here for long.” You Tong looked at his displeased face and felt a little guilty. She tentatively asked, “Does my husband not intend to divorce me?”
Having said all that, a clear line has already been drawn.
Fu Yu was proud and arrogant, and at the beginning of their marriage, he didn't treat her as his wife. His earlier statement was indeed true. Only after You Tong mentioned it did he recall the events of that day. Not only that, on their wedding day, he was also dismissive, too lazy to even lift her veil, unwilling to spend a moment longer with her. It wasn't until later, after several interactions, that he gradually changed his mind and unconsciously began to consider integrating her into the household.
But in this situation, how could I possibly swallow my pride and explain?
He can't go back on his word and say he changed his mind and thought it wouldn't be bad to make her his young mistress.
—Especially since she didn't seem to care about her status as the young mistress.
The conversation had progressed to a point where things had reached a stalemate.
After a moment of silence in the room, Fu Yu finally smirked and said arrogantly and nonchalantly, "Just what I wanted."
His expression seemed to be smiling, but it made You Tong feel uneasy, and she unconsciously took two steps back.
Seeing this, Fu Yu felt a tightness in his chest, a suffocating feeling that made even the warm charcoal brazier in the room feel stuffy. He had originally planned to sleep here tonight, and even felt a little greedy when caressing her soft skin, but now he had no such feelings. He suddenly turned around and walked towards the door.
Upon reaching the screen, he remembered something and turned to look at her.
"Aren't you afraid that after the divorce, the Wei family will be abandoned and used?"
Of course You Tong was afraid.
In fact, this is what she fears most about divorce.
If Fu Yu and his son were angered by this matter and wouldn't allow her to stay in Qizhou, she could at most grit her teeth and venture out to find another way to make a living. After all, the dowry, her possessions, and servants never truly belonged to her. But if the Fu family were to take their anger out on the Wei family, causing Wei Sidao to give her benefits only to receive nothing in return, she would inevitably feel guilty. However, having already spoken, she couldn't stay in the Fu family out of mere concern, delaying Fu Yu and ruining the rest of her life.
He then put on a smile and said with feigned confidence, "General, you are broad-minded and a man of your word. I believe you will act impartially and live up to the expectations of the Wei family."
Fu Yu didn't speak, stared at her for a moment, then turned and left the room.
The soft laughter in the courtyard froze the moment the curtain fell, only gradually returning after Fu Yu left.
Standing alone in the room, You Tong relaxed her tense nerves and realized that her palms were sweaty. She pondered for a moment but still couldn't understand the hidden meaning in Fu Yu's last words—this man's temperament was unpredictable, and he was indeed...not easy to get along with.
...
Because Fu Yu left in anger, You Tong was afraid of provoking him again, so she could only put aside the matter of Qin Liangyu for the time being, planning to find out where the cook came from after the storm had passed.
Fortunately, the words were made clear, which, although angering Fu Yu, also saved him from many future worries.
Such things require a break before they can be established. If things remain ambiguous and unclear, Fu Yu will be embarrassed, and she will be in a difficult position. The old lady disdains her tarnished reputation and is unlikely to accept her easily, which will only create unnecessary trouble. Now that they are speaking frankly, even if there is temporary displeasure, they both know what's going on. In the future, she will remain in the shadows, while the Fu family keeps a close eye on things and finds Fu Yu another suitable match. This way, everyone will be happy.
You Tong couldn't sleep until midnight that night, tossing and turning, weighing the matter over and over, and felt that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
The next day, he woke up as if nothing had happened.
Because Fu Yu was always busy, he often left the manor late at night to train troops or to deal with urgent matters. This time, his sudden departure alone did not seem unusual to others, and the atmosphere in the South Tower remained harmonious and peaceful. Only when Zhou Gu went to the Two Books Pavilion did she inadvertently learn that Fu Yu had not been traveling far recently and had been staying in the study at night, which surprised her slightly.
She had thought that after that hot pot dinner, the general's attitude towards his young mistress would change considerably. After all these years, Fu Yu had rarely shown patience with women, and he had never before served food to a woman or indulged in food himself.
However, these were not matters for her to concern herself with, so she could only keep them to herself.
A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was New Year's Eve.
This is a joyous day for the whole family to reunite, but for the Fu family, the word "reunion" has been a luxury for decades.
Swords, spears, bows, and horses are the most ruthless weapons; the slightest negligence can cost lives. The Fu family, holding a large army, bears the responsibility of guarding the borders and protecting several prefectures under Yongning's command, and cannot afford to relax for even a moment. In this world, from royalty and nobility to commoners and people from all walks of life, everyone hopes for a lively reunion during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
But behind this moment of peace, someone must ultimately protect it.
Since joining the army, Fu Yu has spent most of his time in the military camp, and the number of years he has spent at home can be counted on one hand.
In his early years, when he was still training and unable to command independently, he would join the soldiers in patrolling the border under the moonlit desert during festivals, without exception. Only in recent years, after gaining military power and being required to stay in Qizhou to train cavalry and handle military affairs, has he been able to spend a little more time in the government office.
Even so, on New Year's Eve, Fu Deqing and his brother, along with Fu Yu, did not dare to idly enjoy themselves at home. After paying respects to their ancestors, they went separately to the military camp to reward the soldiers and boost morale. The eldest son's brothers were also at the border and had not yet returned, so when they had their reunion dinner that evening, only the old lady with the female relatives, plus Fu Zhao, who was not involved in military affairs, and the eldest son's young grandson, were present.
Compared to their usual wealth and luxury, the Fu family's home tonight, amidst the city's bustling activity, felt strangely desolate.
You Tong saw this and couldn't help but sigh.
Fortunately, Fu Lanyin and her brother, along with the young grandson, could amuse everyone. The group sat together to eat and drink. Around midnight, the old lady couldn't hold on any longer and didn't say anything about staying up to welcome the new year. She simply told everyone to disperse and rest.
You Tong drank a few cups of wine and her face flushed slightly. She followed Shen Shi out after the old lady went into the warm pavilion.
After leaving Shou'an Hall, the eldest daughter-in-law and her husband went to the east courtyard, while Fu Zhao returned to Xieyangzhai. She and Fu Lanyin walked together, heading west.
As the old year drew to a close, the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard outside the mansion, a sign of the people celebrating joyfully.
Inside the mansion, although bright lanterns hung high, it still felt desolate and cold.
Fu Lanyin, her head buried in the thick, soft, warm hood, walked absentmindedly. Suddenly, as if noticing something, she peeked out and looked into the distance, a smile spreading across her face. "Second Brother and the others are back!"
You Tong didn't notice anything unusual and followed her gaze.
The night was pitch black, with only lanterns illuminating the shadows of the crisscrossing corridors.
In the cold, desolate night wind, someone came riding on the wind. In the dim light, one could sense their magnanimity and noble character.
Before You Tong could react, Fu Lanyin grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go to Xiyangzhai together!" With that, she took You Tong's arm and ran straight towards Fu Yu.
Chapter 27 Drunkenness
Fu Yu originally planned to go to Shou'an Hall.
He rewarded the troops that night, riding his horse to several military camps before turning back home late at night. Upon entering the city, although the shops on both sides were closed, the houses along the way were brightly lit, and the sounds of children playing, drinking games, and firecrackers filled the air—a rare sight of liveliness throughout the year.
This kind of liveliness was completely different from the military camp when he was stationed on the border in previous years.
He was usually calm and composed, and disliked noise. As he walked through the city filled with the atmosphere of family reunion, he found himself longing for the scene of warmth and light, with candles and lamps casting shadows. After entering the mansion, he first went to Xieyangzhai, but seeing that Fu Deqing had not yet returned, he went straight to his grandmother's residence. Unexpectedly, he ran into You Tong and Fu Lanyin on the way.
This was the first time the couple had met since You Tong said she was waiting to leave that night.
The night breeze made the lanterns sway wildly in the corridor. You Tong wore an ivory-white cloak embroidered with blooming daphne branches, the colorful threads interspersed with silver threads, shimmering faintly in the lantern light. It was New Year's Eve, and she had dressed up specially. Her eyebrows were lightly drawn, her lips were adorned with a touch of rouge, her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were flushed with the effects of wine, like a light touch of rouge. Against the backdrop of her bright and beautiful clothes, her appearance was radiant.
Fu Yu noticed this and paused for a moment, scrutinizing the features.
Fu Lanyin had already arrived and greeted her with a smile, "Second Brother, you're finally back!"
"General." You Tong also bowed with a smile, neither overly enthusiastic nor overly indifferent.
In front of his sister, Fu Yu didn't say much, only nodded and asked, "Have they all dispersed from Shou'an Hall?"
"Grandmother isn't feeling well and went to bed early, so we shouldn't disturb her. Second brother, it's rare for you to stay at the manor for the New Year, so let's all go to Xieyangzhai and wait for Father to return so we can stay up together to welcome the New Year, okay?" Fu Lanyin looked like a parched person suddenly receiving rain, her eyes full of anticipation. "Third brother sneaked out a couple of days ago and bought a lot of New Year's goods, including dried fruits and candied fruits, so let's take advantage of him!"
You Tong smiled and asked, "Is that all?"
"How much can be sold at the market? It's just that much."
“There are also many pastries and a few cold dishes in the South Building, all ready-made. If you really want to…” She wasn’t quite sure what Fu Yu was thinking, so she glanced at him and said, “If you really plan to go to Xiyangzhai to stay up for the New Year, you can take the cold dishes and pastries with you.”
"Wonderful! The pastries from my second sister-in-law's place are the best!"
Seeing her so happy, You Tong couldn't help but smile too. When she looked up, she saw Fu Yu looking at her.
"Are you going too?" he asked.
Without hesitation, You Tong replied, "Since it's New Year's Eve, why shouldn't I go?"
After she finished speaking, she belatedly realized the implication of Fu Yu's words and secretly shook her head and chuckled—she did indeed intend to live a quiet life in seclusion, avoiding trouble within the inner quarters, and waiting for the right opportunity to leave later. However, that didn't mean she would completely distance herself from the situation or sever all ties. Fu Lanyin treated her well, and Fu Deqing was also kind and generous, unlike the old lady who harbored prejudice and dissatisfaction.
With Madam Tian gone and Fu Hui having died young, his widow has been living in the temple for many years and rarely returns home. It is rare for the father and son to be together. If they wanted to have a happy reunion, why would she deliberately cause trouble for others?
Seeing that Fu Yu did not answer, he asked again, "Then should I have someone send it over?"
“Okay.” Fu Yu was a little surprised.
Fu Lanyin was overjoyed and immediately urged Chuncao, "Sister Chuncao, hurry up and get more of these, don't keep anything for yourself."
"Don't worry, Miss." Seeing You Tong nod, Chuncao didn't delay any longer and hurried back to the South Tower.
The remaining group then turned and headed towards Xiyangzhai.
Fu Lanyin already had a deep affection for You Tong. In their usual private interactions, they would occasionally tease and joke with each other. Now, seeing her second brother present, she took a playful approach and said she would go and urge Fu Zhao to greet the guests first. With a few hops and skips, she ran ahead. The maids and servants around her also hurriedly followed, leaving no room for anyone else.
You Tong was not used to being surrounded by people when she went out, so only Chuncao accompanied her, along with a servant carrying a lantern. Now that Chuncao was gone, the servant, who respected Fu Yu, just kept her head down and carried the lantern in front of her, leaving her all alone.
The couple walked side by side, neither of them saying much.
You Tong drank some wine during dinner, and the cold wind made her feel slightly tipsy, her head feeling a little lightheaded.
The night breeze made the lanterns sway slightly. She buried her head in her hood, and the wind blew her hair, occasionally catching her eye. As the new moon approached, the sky was as thick as ink, and without the bright moonlight, the shadows of the surrounding trees were dark. When the lanterns swayed in the wind, their light was blocked by the pillars, and the ground beneath her feet was sometimes bright and sometimes dark.
As she reached the corner and descended the steps, You Tong didn't see clearly enough. Her toes missed a step, and she swayed, nearly falling forward.
Suddenly, Fu Yu reached out and firmly grasped her arm, gently pulling her back.
In her panic, You Tong was dragged and bumped into him. After regaining her footing, her face flushed slightly in the night breeze. "Thank you, General."