They stood close together, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. She lowered her head and pressed herself against him, her posture graceful as she diligently mended the fabric. It was unclear what kind of fragrant bath she had used, but the scent emanating from her hair was delicate and pleasant.
Fu Yu couldn't help but take a light sniff.
The commotion did not escape You Tong's sensitive ears. Afraid of an awkward atmosphere, she braced herself and came up with a topic of conversation.
"If we hold a banquet on the sixteenth, it might be too abrupt and not convince others. I've heard that there's a prayer ceremony at Jintan Temple outside the city in two days. Every year, many officials and nobles go there, as well as commoners. Why don't we invite Prince Rui to go there first and spread the word? There are plenty of gossipy people in the capital. If word gets out, when Prince Rui holds the banquet, people will be more interested in finding out, and this will be much more effective."
As she finished speaking, her hands hastily sewed up the Chinese knot buttons like a spiderweb, then she took silver scissors and cut them off, looking up and asking, "What does my husband think?"
Fu Yu neither confirmed nor denied it, only jokingly saying, "You've certainly gone to great lengths."
“I have suffered a lot because of these false accusations. If I am going to clear my name, I should do it thoroughly and completely, even more so than when they throw mud at me.”
A beautiful young woman stood gracefully beside the red silk curtains, her eyebrows and eyes delicate and charming, her gaze naturally alluring, yet her words and expressions revealed a resolute determination to succeed. It inexplicably reminded one of that time at Shou'an Hall, when she stood like a bamboo shoot, neither arrogant nor sharp, neither humble nor timid, gentle on the outside but strong on the inside.
The rights and wrongs of Qizhou suddenly came to mind; he knew all the grievances she had suffered.
At the time, I had no interest in You Tong, so I didn't pay attention to these matters and left them to her to handle.
Now that my mind is increasingly bound and tied down, I feel heartache and guilt when I think back to that time.
Before she was married off to Qizhou, how unbearable must it have been for her to walk through the capital, burdened by the slander and gossip of the entire city? Being abandoned, betrayed, and schemed against, those verbal attacks and malicious taunts, falling on a fourteen-year-old girl, might not have been any easier to bear than the hail of bullets on the battlefield.
Fu Yu had spent ten years in the military, making resolute decisions and drawing blood from countless people. He had never known what it meant to be soft-hearted.
At this moment, looking at her slender yet frail figure, a strange feeling welled up in my heart.
His eyes gradually deepened, and when You Tong put down the basket and returned to the bedside to rest, he suddenly reached out and embraced her. It was an abrupt hug; he held her close to his chest, silent and gentle.
You Tong bumped into his arms without warning. His collar wasn't fastened yet, and her face pressed against his chest, her lips firmly kissing his skin. The broad yet not cold touch, carrying a burning heat, along with the man's strong breath, overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, almost drowning her.
Her mind went blank for a full two breaths before she realized that her actions were inappropriate.
A sudden heat surged across her face, as if she were being roasted by a fire, almost turning her face completely red.
You Tong escaped from his arms, her beautiful eyes staring at Fu Yu like a fawn, annoyed and puzzled.
The two stared at each other, the atmosphere a little awkward.
Fu Yu, a tough and unyielding general, had lived a proud and arrogant life for twenty years. He was indifferent to women, picky and demanding, and had never shown tenderness to anyone. He didn't understand what kind of crazy thing he had just done. He coughed and his cold and hard nature, which he had developed over the years, made it impossible for him to explain his complicated feelings. After looking at her for a moment, he looked at her hair and said, "It smells so good."
This reason comes out of nowhere.
You Tong felt that he was lying, but she couldn't figure out why he had suddenly acted strangely.
She had never experienced anything like this before, and felt the atmosphere was ambiguous and strange. Their eyes met, and she seemed to catch a glimpse of tenderness in Fu Yu's eyes. Her heart raced, unsure whether it was from panic or something else. In short, her mind was a jumbled mess, filled with Fu Yu's chest, his breath, his eyes, his figure… she couldn't think clearly!
You Tong stood there dumbfounded for a moment before angrily saying, "I'm going to sleep!"
Then, ignoring Fu Yu, she kicked off her pearl shoes, climbed onto the couch, crawled into the brocade quilt, wrapped herself in her half, and lay down facing inwards.
Fu Yu looked at the back of her head, which was clearly sulking, slowly fastened the buttons, then turned off the candle and lay down beside her.
She had a vague feeling that he might have offended her.
...
You Tong only noticed something was wrong the next morning.
Last night, she was so overwhelmed by Fu Yu's sudden embrace that she didn't dare to move after getting into bed, hiding her head like an ostrich.
Fortunately, Fu Yu realized that his behavior was inappropriate and did not make any further moves.
He slept peacefully through the night, and this morning he got up very early. He'd changed out of that damned, suggestive nightgown and tossed it on the bed; the hastily sewn spiderweb-like threads were quite conspicuous. You Tong, being the young mistress, wanted to tell Chuncao to take it to be mended, but before she could speak, a thought suddenly flashed through her still-clear mind—
How could the clasp on my pajamas have worn off?
The Fu family held a prominent position in Qizhou. Although they were not as extravagant as the royal family, their living quarters were all of the highest quality, and no one dared to neglect them.
Especially considering Fu Yu's character and status, who would dare to slight him?
This nightgown was made and delivered by Aunt Zhou herself. Aunt Zhou is very meticulous. If it really had any flaws, why would it be delivered to Fu Yu? All the other buttons are intact. Only the two that are half broken and have loose threads are damaged. Fu Yu doesn't tear the nightgown while sleeping. How could it have worn the threads off?
After thinking it over and over, You Tong felt that Fu Yu had deliberately broken the button.
Thinking back to how he deliberately bared his chest and swaggered around in front of her last night, You Tong became even more certain.
Just like that night when he used alcohol to cover his face and trapped her on the bed, he was teasing her!
The guess became clearer and clearer, and You Tong gritted her teeth.
Is it fun to play pranks on people in the middle of the night?
She puffed out her cheeks, glared at the nightgown for a while, and then angrily threw it onto the couch.
Since it was deliberately torn, I'll just make do with it and not bother to fix it!
Chapter 41 Building Momentum
Although Fu Yu can be so cunning at times that it's hard to guard against him, he's generally reliable in his work.
You Tong had not forgotten his plan to invite Xu Chaozong and his wife to Jintan Temple. The next day, he ordered Du He to deliver a message to Prince Rui's residence, inviting them to meet at the temple gate.
Not long after, Xu Chaozong replied, saying that he would bring Xu Shu along to pray for blessings.
Jintan Temple is not far away. It can be reached by carriage in about half an hour from Anhua Gate on the south side.
The capital city boasts numerous famous temples and ancient monasteries, and Jintan Temple is no exception. Inside, a ginkgo tree is said to be a thousand years old. Its trunk, as thick as several people could encircle, is cracked and aged, its branches and leaves growing lush and verdant, its canopy reaching the sky, its branches almost touching the ground. Every late autumn, the ginkgo leaves turn a brilliant golden color, appearing from a distance like a mountain of gold.
As autumn deepens, yellow leaves carpet the open space in front of the palace, resembling a golden altar, a scene of breathtaking beauty, hence the name.
The elders all say that this ginkgo tree is quite efficacious; whether one is royalty or a commoner, those who sincerely make a wish often have their wishes fulfilled. Because the temple is not too far from the city, many noble families and merchants from both inside and outside the capital also like to come here to burn incense and make wishes. The temple is very popular, with a high-ranking monk presiding over it, and every year on the twelfth day of the first lunar month, a blessing ceremony is held, which is very lively.
It was common knowledge that the temple was crowded with people that day.
You Tong was afraid of being burdened by too many servants, so she didn't bring any maids and only traveled with Fu Yu, planning to return to the city as soon as possible after making some preparations.
Xue was not a devout Buddhist, and knowing that Jintan Temple would be packed with people on this day, she did not go with them.
The couple traveled swiftly in a horse-drawn carriage and arrived at Jintan Temple, where, as expected, a huge crowd had gathered.
You Tong stood on the carriage shaft, gazing into the distance. At the foot of the mountain, he saw a continuous stretch of temples. Jinzhao Temple, thanks to its thriving incense offerings, had expanded year after year. Amidst the withered white trees, several golden halls gleamed brightly. On the several roads leading to the mountain gate, there were either commoners who had gotten up early and come in groups, or officials and their families who had driven in carriages or on horseback. The crowds were dense, all surging into the temple.
Such occasions are crowded and noisy, which You Tong didn't particularly like.
But today, she came specifically for this reason—the Xu family had stirred up a storm in the city with their underhanded tactics, relying on sheer numbers and gossip. This time, the people gathered at Jintan Temple were numerous and diverse, ranging from royalty to commoners, all sincerely coming to worship Buddha. Any slight disturbance inside would easily spread and spark all sorts of discussions.
These discussions can then serve as a prelude to the banquet on the sixteenth.
You Tong looked around, got off the carriage, and followed Fu Yu inside. When they arrived at the mountain gate, they followed the presiding monk into the tea room.
...
Inside the tea room, the charcoal fire was warm, and the water in the copper kettle had already boiled.
Outside, the crowds were bustling and somewhat crowded, but inside the teahouse, it was quite quiet. Xu Chaozong and Xu Shu sat side by side behind a simple, low table, with the abbot sitting beside them. An old monk skilled in tea ceremony brought out tea leaves, intending to brew some for their guests. Because there was a large bronze incense burner at the mountain gate, many people burned incense and worshipped before entering the mountain. The sandalwood incense was very strong, and it drifted in on the wind, passing through the cracks in the doors and windows, reaching their noses in wisps. Although it contained the smell of worldly life, it was quite calming.
The abbot greeted him with a smile and clasped his hands together.
Fu Yu was probably influenced by his mother's devotion to Buddhism, so he was quite polite to the monks. When he saw that the abbot had a kind face, he returned the greeting.
Then Xu Chaozong said, "There are Buddhist temples all over the world, and they probably hold some kind of Dharma assembly during festivals. General Fu has been in Qizhou for a long time. I wonder what the situation is like there?"
"It's lively too, but it can't compare to the capital."
Fu Yu sat down, and just then the old monk handed him a cup of freshly brewed tea, which he brought to his nose and sniffed.
The abbot then smiled and took over the conversation, saying, "In my younger days, I traveled to many places and even visited Qizhou, so I know a little about the situation there."
Seeing that Fu Yu looked over and seemed somewhat interested, she continued speaking.
He entered the Buddhist order at a young age, becoming a disciple of a high-ranking monk in the capital. For the next thirty years, he traveled extensively, enduring much hardship, but leaving his mark on Buddhist temples across the land. Moreover, he possessed a remarkable memory, not only mastering Buddhist scriptures but also being intimately familiar with local customs, traditions, and Buddhist teachings. He spoke of Qizhou with remarkable clarity. The two high-ranking monks from Qizhou mentioned were people whom the Tian family had frequently visited during the Tian family's lifetime, and Fu Yu vaguely remembered them.
The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the sound of Buddhist chanting drifted in from afar. A casual chat was enough to calm one's mind and spirit.
You Tong could guess Xu Chaozong's intention in arranging this matter, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, she did not say anything more.
After the tea was brewed, everyone got up and went out, heading towards the main hall.
It was nearly noon, and the Dharma assembly was in full swing, with crowds of people coming to offer incense outside.
Not wanting to put on airs as the Prince Rui, Xu Chaozong had his guards in ordinary clothes clear the way, while he and Xu Shu followed behind.
Such a display was certainly different from others, and with the abbot accompanying them, it was even more eye-catching. Among the crowd were commoners who did not recognize the emperor, as well as female officials and their wives who had seen Prince Rui before and recognized him and Xu Shu. They were all surprised to see Prince Rui and his wife arrive at the ceremony incognito, and when they saw another couple accompanying them, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
—Isn't that woman with such beautiful features and dressed in fine clothes Wei Youtong, whose fame had spread throughout the capital?
The man beside her was cold and stern, with a tough and imposing aura. He hadn't shown his face much in the capital, but he seemed to be the legendary God of War, Fu Yu!
How did these four people, entangled in a web of grudges and affections, end up together?
The women of the officials' families whispered in surprise. Those nearby heard this but dared not interrupt. Instead, they turned away and inquired with their acquaintances. By the time You Tong and his three companions had made their way from the main hall to the innermost Guanyin Hall, the news had spread throughout Jintan Temple.
It is said that Prince Rui and his wife accompanied Wei Youtong on their pilgrimage, and their conversation was very amicable.
It is said that Wei Youtong was accompanied by Fu Yu, a fierce general who was famous throughout the border region.
Among the pilgrims, those who saw the four in person were all astonished, doubting they had mistaken them for someone else. Those who hadn't seen them, upon hearing the rumors, shook their heads in disbelief—back then, the whole city was abuzz with the story of Wei Youtong being abandoned by Prince Rui, harboring deep resentment towards Xu Shu, and relentlessly pursuing her with suicidal intentions; this matter had already spread throughout the capital. With such deep-seated hatred, how could these three be pilgrimageing together?
Not to mention that Fu Yuwei is a man of great renown, how could he possibly get along well with his wife's former lover?
Prince Rui and his wife seemed quite enthusiastic?
Immediately, all sorts of speculations arose, and discussions were rife.
...
In the bamboo grove behind Guanyin Hall, You Tong sat in a green bamboo chair, gazing at the scenery in the distance.
After offering incense all the way from the Mahavira Hall to the Guanyin Hall, her mission was considered complete. She could easily guess the surprise, discussion, and speculation outside. Everyone's curiosity had been piqued, and they were eagerly waiting to hear royal secrets. What they said at the banquet held at Prince Rui's residence would be twice as effective, more powerful than a thunderclap from a clear sky.
She was a little tired from walking and planned to rest for a while before heading back to the city.
The abbot instructed a young monk to bring over some vegetarian food. When the food box was opened, it contained glutinous rice dumplings, which were fragrant and translucent.
She was about to take a bite when she suddenly felt something was off. Her heart pounded in panic, and she instinctively looked up. She saw something rushing towards her like a gust of wind in the distance. Two or three dark, blurry dots quickly became clear, like deadly cold arrows. That glimpse almost terrified her. The strings in You Tong's head tightened instantly, and blood rushed to her head. Without thinking, she lunged towards Fu Yu.
Fu Yu sat firmly, without even blinking, and quickly reached out to put his arm around her waist, protecting her behind him.
From within the wide, black sleeves of his robe, a dagger forged from fine iron slid out, making two sharp clangs as it deflected a sudden, hidden arrow.
Then came the sound of metal breaking through bamboo, accompanied by Xu Chaozong's cry of pain.
The hidden arrow came incredibly fast. Fu Yu was sitting opposite Xu Chaozong, with You Tong on his left and the abbot on his right. He swung his dagger, but it seemed he only had time to deflect the arrow that was about to hit him. Xu Chaozong was alone with Xu Shu. Perhaps she was startled by the sudden attack, as she sat there with her eyes wide open, frozen in place, even forgetting to dodge.