At his sickbed, he and Fu Yu made a promise to protect the Fu family and prevent Fu Zhao from risking his life to kill.
After that, Fu Zhao became the only male member of the Fu family who was unable to fight.
Fu Deqing would still teach him riding, archery, and horsemanship for self-defense, but in his spare time, he would mostly urge him to study. He wasn't as strict with Fu Zhao as he had been with the Fu brothers. Fu Zhao was initially happy to do so, finding studying indoors much easier than practicing martial arts under the scorching sun and bitter cold, and he also made many friends. Gradually, the young man's spirit grew, and the whole city praised the Fu family's sons as heroes, with Fu Yu's fame intimidating enemy troops. How could he not envy them?
However, Fu Deqing had already promised his wife that Fu Zhao could still make a difference in the future even if he wasn't in the military, so he refused.
Fu Zhao could only stand by the abyss and envy the fish.
He stood alone for most of the day, until thin clouds obscured the sun, and he slowly moved away. It took him several incense sticks' worth of time to come back to his senses.
"Let's go." The young man's complex expression had vanished, and he said, "Let's go into town for a meal."
You Tong looked at him, but in the end, she didn't say much, only silently keeping it in her heart.
...
After Fu Yu left, everything in the mansion returned to normal.
The only difference was that Shou'an Hall was much more lively than before. Every time You Tong went to pay her respects, she could see a smile on Old Madam Fu's usually stern face. It has to be said that Shen Yueyi was indeed better than her at winning people's favor. Her words were like honey, and every sentence touched the old lady's heart.
The old lady was delighted by the flattery, and the atmosphere during her daily greetings was no longer as somber as before.
Meanwhile, You Tong was quietly paving the way for his future.
When opening a restaurant and hot pot place, the chef is the most important person. Xia Sao alone is not enough, so we need to find another reliable and capable person and get them working together as soon as possible.
Although there are many cooks in the world, only a few are willing to delve into their craft. The cook Qin Liangyu mentioned could make tripe and tripe delicious, which shows that she had mastered the difficult part of cleaning it and was someone who put effort into making food. Qin Liangyu was quite surprised and couldn't forget her after hearing this. Now that she had some free time, she thought about inquiring about her whereabouts.
The best course of action is to ask Qin Liangyu directly about this matter.
That day, You Tong brought over a few dishes as usual, and it was unusually quiet—Shen Yueyi and her daughter were not there, nor were the eldest son's mother and daughter-in-law. According to Aunt Zhou, after Shen Feiqing took office and settled everything, he held a small banquet, and a group of people went to the banquet. Compared to the usual lively atmosphere, Shou'an Hall was unusually quiet.
When You Tong entered, she saw through the beaded curtain that Old Madam Fu was dozing off on the couch.
The head maidservant who served her was named Jin Ying. Seeing that Chun Cao was carrying a lacquered food box, she quickly took it from her and said with a smile, "The old lady has just rested. Young mistress, please sit for a while. I'll go make some tea." Just as she finished speaking, she heard the old lady inside ask, "Who is it?"
"It was the second young mistress of Nanlou who sent some food."
"Bring it in."
Jin Ying then invited You Tong inside.
Although the incident at Shou'an Hall had been unsightly, the old lady had toned it down considerably after Fu Deqing's persuasion. This time, upon returning from the capital, her attitude was noticeably different. When You Tong presented the gifts prepared in the capital, she exchanged polite words. You Tong knew that the various branches of the Fu family often sent food to Shou'an Hall as a token of their respect. Occasionally, when she remembered, she would have someone prepare an extra portion and send it over, as a way of repaying Fu Yu for his support in the capital, and also as a way of giving him face, to avoid making things too awkward and causing herself trouble.
At first, the old lady was indifferent and simply accepted the gift. Later, perhaps having tasted the bitterness of it, she would occasionally mention it.
When You Tong went in this time, her attitude was the same as usual. She glanced at it and asked, "What is it?"
"I made pigeon soup and taro, both stewed until very tender. Would you like to try some, Madam?"
It was late afternoon when the old lady smelled a faint aroma through the food box and said, "Try it."
Jin Ying then opened the food box and took out a small bowl. The pigeon meat was tender and stewed with a fragrant aroma. Although the taro was common, the ingredients were of excellent quality. It was stewed until soft and glutinous, and the thick soup at the bottom of the bowl was also very delicious. The soup had seeped into the taro. She took a corner with a silver spoon, dipped it in the soup, and it melted in her mouth. The taste was irresistible.
The old lady tasted it and casually asked how it was made.
You Tong then explained it to her.
Having been married into the Fu family for half a year, she had gotten a good feel for the old lady's character—in her younger days she was virtuous, kind, and abstemious; now that she was old, although she enjoyed wealth and luxury, she didn't even burn incense in her house, nor did she crave anything. This stuff was something she would only taste, and even if it were made into fine wine, it wouldn't tempt the old lady.
You Tong wasn't naive enough to try and win her over with food, but knocking on her door with food was certainly an option.
After explaining how to cook the dish, seeing that the old lady had also stopped eating, he casually mentioned that she wanted to go out of the mansion for a while and wondered if that was possible.
Unlike before, the old lady did not immediately show impatience. Instead, she asked in a seemingly amicable manner, "There are plenty of gardens in the mansion for you to stroll around, and you can leave your shopping to the steward or purchasing agent. What are you going out for?"
"I'd like to pick out a few things and relax a bit," You Tong replied respectfully, not daring to mention that she wanted to see outsiders.
The old lady said slowly, "If you want to relax, there's a viewing tower in the manor, and your Wangyun Tower is also quite nice. The most important thing for the men of our Fu family who fight on the battlefield is to keep the household stable and not cause any trouble. It's not appropriate for you to go out alone. Let's wait a bit. When your aunt is less busy and has some free time, we'll go out together and stay at the villa outside the city for a couple of days. When she comes tomorrow, I'll mention it to her."
When she said this, she no longer had the cold and critical attitude she had shown before, but there was no hint of willingness to negotiate in her cloudy eyes.
You Tong hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Grandmother."
Madam Fu nodded in satisfaction and turned to drink her tea.
You Tong maintained her smile, but after leaving Shou'an Hall, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Fu Yu had said that night that if she wanted to leave the manor, she could take more people with her and just inform Shou'an Hall. Now that she was in the Fu family, she should follow local customs. If Fu Yu wanted her to bring more people, she would comply. She could even invite Aunt Zhou and the stewards and servants whom Fu Yu trusted from the Two Book Pavilions. As for avoiding suspicion, with everyone watching, she didn't need to worry about what others might say; at most, it would be a bit of a hassle.
However, Fu Yu had underestimated the challenges posed by the old lady.
Not to mention the old lady's dislike for her, even if she could use sweet words to coax her to be happy like Shen Yueyi, she might not be able to get permission.
For example, even though Fu Lanyin is the direct granddaughter of the Fu family, she is still restrained by the old lady. Except when she is accompanied by an elder to a banquet, she must obtain the old lady's permission before going out with a group of people. Even so, she is not allowed to go out with a entourage two out of three times. In fact, she is not as free as You Tong was when she was in the capital. At least back then, the Wei family did not restrict her movements. As long as she did not cause trouble, she was usually allowed to leave the mansion at will.
Fortunately, Fu Lanyin was fearless. When she was really frustrated, she dragged Fu Zhao along to sneak out. At most, she would be scolded when she came back, and Fu Zhao would help her plead for her and withstand the old lady's displeasure.
Fu Deqing had tried to persuade the old lady not to be so strict about this matter, but to no avail.
Madam Fu doesn't interfere in matters outside the home, but she refuses to back down when it comes to matters within the household.
Having managed the household affairs for decades, she had her principles, and she never said anything inappropriate when the old man was still alive.
Because all the men in the family were away fighting in the war, the old lady had single-handedly shouldered the household affairs for many years, raising her children and grandchildren, which was truly not easy. Fu Deqing couldn't be too forceful. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade her, he could only secretly indulge her and tacitly allow Fu Lanyin to go out using his name.
You Tong wasn't so lucky.
If Fu Yu were here, she could still use the excuse that she had already discussed it with him. Now that her husband is gone, she doesn't have Fu Deqing protecting her. If she were to be truly audacious and sneak out like Fu Lanyin, she would inevitably face resentment from Shou'an Hall once they found out. At that time, the rules were strict, and since she had made the mistake first, she wouldn't even have a chance to explain.
The old lady rejected it, which was expected, but still disappointing.
You Tong muttered to herself for a while, then went to Wangyun Tower to watch the sunset.
In the distance, towering mountains rise, and floating clouds are tinged with gold. Beyond the houses and pavilions of the Fu family, there is a vast landscape of mountains and rivers.
All rivers flow into the sea, and all paths lead to the same destination. If a face-to-face meeting doesn't work, then another idea must be found. She's been eyeing that cook for far too long; how could she possibly give up so easily because of these few rules? It's just a bit of a hassle, though. The old lady can restrain her, but can she control everyone else?
Thinking this way, he suddenly understood, and immediately hummed a tune as he descended the Wangyun Tower and headed to the small kitchen.
Chapter 53 Help
The small kitchen in the south building had been meticulously prepared, with all sorts of cooking utensils and seasonings readily available. For the past six months, Aunt Xia had been busy, following You Tong's instructions to make several kinds of meat sauces and flavorful sesame oils, which she neatly arranged in porcelain jars in a shady wooden cabinet. Even if one was too lazy to cook, a bowl of noodles and vegetables, mixed with a couple of spoonfuls of sauce, would be a delicious and satisfying meal.
When You Tong went in, Aunt Xia was busy preparing dinner.
Steamed pastries and minced meat tofu were placed in the bamboo steamer near the door, while the aroma of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish wafted from the pot, ready to tempt the appetite once the hot gravy was poured over it. Next to it were freshly cooked sweet and sour meatballs and mutton soup with chestnuts. The meatballs were soft and delicious, and the mutton was diced and simmered with sauce and bean flour to make a soup. Taking a spoonful, the soup was thick and fragrant, and the meat was tender. It was not only delicious but also nourishing.
You Tong smiled and looked around before asking, "Sister Xia, do you still have tripe?"
"I told them they'd send more the day after tomorrow. How would you like to cook it, young mistress?" Aunt Xia said, deftly taking the fish out of the pot.
"Just make do with it, I'll teach you later."
Seeing that the dishes were almost ready, You Tong left the kitchen, went back to wash her hands, and waited for dinner.
The fragrance lingered on my teeth and cheeks, leaving me completely satisfied.
The tripe arrived on time the next morning, and You Tong instructed Xia Sao to put chopped scallions, ginger, star anise, and other seasonings into a pot to simmer and bring out the flavor. She then ladled half a basin of the broth to cool before adding the finely shredded tripe to the pot. This ingredient is delicate, and overcooking it would affect the texture. Xia Sao had little experience with this and didn't dare to make decisions on her own. When she heard You Tong's instructions, she quickly scooped it out and placed it in a soup bowl beside her.
Once cooled, take it out and mix it with salt, vinegar, light soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings. Then sprinkle some finely chopped chili peppers on top for a fresh and vibrant color.
So they packed two plates, one for their own consumption and the other in a food box, which Chuncao carried into the house.
There was no one else in the room. You Tong told her to close the door and went into the inner room before asking, "Was yesterday's message sent out?"
"It's been handed over, and the person who used it is reliable." Chuncao, her confidante, knew Youtong's situation in the mansion, and hesitated, "After what happened on Shuanggui Street last time, I'm still scared. Does the young mistress really want to go to the restaurant to see him? Even if we have nothing to hide, if others find out, I'm afraid..."
“Who said I was going?” You Tong raised an eyebrow.
“Then this dish…” Chuncao looked at the food box, her face showing confusion.
"Why don't you go out and buy groceries, and rest at that restaurant?" You Tong called her closer and whispered a few instructions. "Got it?"
"That's easy, just a few questions. But what if he doesn't come?"
It all depends on how passionate Qin Liangyu is about food.
Although You Tong was 90% certain, she didn't dare to make a guarantee, and only said, "Let's give it a try."
Chuncao obeyed and left. Two hours later, she hurriedly returned, her eyes filled with surprise and joy. She followed Youtong into the inner room and said, "Young Madam was right. Young Master Qin really did come. He tasted the cold tofu skin and said it was delicious. Judging from his appearance, he is just like our Third Miss, very interested in food."
This was naturally gratifying. You Tong nodded, "And the answer I wanted?"
Mentioning this, Chuncao's face fell slightly. "I asked as instructed by the young mistress. Young Master Qin said he didn't know the young mistress's purpose in seeking that person and couldn't easily reveal other people's affairs. Even if he couldn't eat this cold tripe salad in the future, he wouldn't make an exception. If the young mistress is open-minded, she would probably be willing to talk to him face to face so he can consider it." She pouted and said in a low voice, "That person seems gentle, but he's actually very stubborn. I have no way to deal with him."
From this perspective, it seems that Qin Liangyu was not unwilling to reveal anything; she was simply being cautious because she couldn't figure out Qin Liangyu's intentions.
You Tong patted her with a smile, "Never mind. He's a doctor, he goes in and out of the inner quarters a lot, it's only natural that he keeps quiet."
But wanting to talk in person... wouldn't that be putting her in a difficult position?
...
Before You Tong could even think of a solution, an unexpected joy came her way the next day when she went to Shou'an Hall. It was the season when willows swayed along the banks and swallows carried mud in their beaks. In the Qin family garden, which was quite famous in Qizhou, more than a hundred magnolias of different shapes and colors were blooming in succession. The old lady of the Qin family was in a good mood and wanted to invite a few close female relatives to gather together and enjoy the spring scenery.
The Qin family had produced several renowned scholars and enjoyed considerable prestige in Qizhou. Qin Liangyu's medical skills were of great help to them.
Having accepted the invitation, how could Madam Fu refuse?
She brought up the matter while everyone was paying their respects, saying that she was unwell and should not travel too far, and then asked Madam Shen to take the women with her to the banquet.
This was like a windfall, and You Tong was overjoyed.
On the day of the banquet, he would bring along the recipe for cold tofu skin salad that he had written beforehand, and then leave the mansion to attend the banquet.
The eldest son's three daughters-in-law were present. The eldest daughter-in-law, Zhou, was widowed and accompanied by her beloved grandson, Fu Zhang. She was temporarily away from home due to some matters at her maternal family's residence the other day. The second daughter-in-law was nine months pregnant and awaiting delivery. Finally, there was Shen with her third daughter-in-law, Zhao, along with Shen Yueyi and her daughter, and You Tong and her sister-in-law, Fu Lanyin. As for Fu Hui's wife, Han, who had died in battle, she had moved to a temple after her husband's death and was practically a nun, never getting involved in such matters.
The group left the mansion. Madam Shen and Madam Mei each rode in a carriage, Madam Shen Yueyi and Madam Zhao rode together, and You Tong and Fu Lanyin rode in another carriage.
Upon arrival, the Qin family had invited many people, all of whom were prominent figures in Qizhou and frequent visitors. You Tong followed beside Madam Shen, politely greeting them. Because of her outstanding appearance and dignified demeanor in front of the guests, she received many compliments.
After the banquet, everyone enjoyed the flowers.
Today was not a day off for the government office, so the men in charge of the Qin family were not present, and there were not many male guests either. They were mostly young men who often visited the Qin brothers, and Fu Zhao was also there. The young men were full of energy and high spirits. Since there was a private football field outside the garden used by the Qin family, they suddenly had the idea to ask Miss Qin to come over and invite a few girls who were interested in playing football to join them, as it would be more lively with more people.
The atmosphere in Qizhou City is similar to that in the capital. People as strict as Madam Fu are extremely rare. It is not unusual for young men and women to go on outings to enjoy flowers, play football, or play chess together.
After Miss Qin finished speaking, others echoed her, and Fu Lanyin was also eager to try.
Shen had no say in her affairs, and since other families didn't restrict their daughters, she smiled and agreed.
The idle young women went over to watch the excitement in twos and threes, and You Tong was also pulled over by Fu Lanyin.