Now that my feet are no longer bound by shackles, and after days of hard work, the hot pot restaurant is doing well, so I feel cheerful and relaxed.
After riding along the river for a while, crossing the stone arch bridge, and picking some maple leaves in the forest, it was already past noon.
She chose not the southern region popular with tourists, where there were no restaurants or taverns, only some farmhouses nestled against the mountains. The group went to one of the houses, gave some money, and asked to borrow a stove so they could cook a meal using local ingredients. The family, seeing the gleaming silver, readily agreed and helped kill a chicken and prepare vegetables.
Du Shuangxi loves cooking. When he was young, he would go with his father to the farm to pick vegetables and buy ingredients, picking them himself from the vegetable plots.
With nothing else to do, You Tong strolled around and saw a patch of white plums that looked exceptionally good. She decided to buy some to take home and enjoy. The family was happy to oblige, finding a bamboo basket and selecting the best plums for her. Since the carriage couldn't hold them all, they were placed in the back.
After finishing their meal, fearing it would be too late to return to the city, they retraced their steps and lingered among the trees and water at the foot of the mountain.
Unexpectedly, they ran into an acquaintance—Qin Liangyu.
...
Qin Liangyu came to Qiuming Mountain today, partly to enjoy the scenery and partly to search for medicinal herbs.
He never liked to be surrounded by a retinue when he went out, and he only took Qin Jiu with him. The two of them came out of the mountains and hunted two pheasants and rabbits along the way, and then headed towards where they tied their horses. But as soon as they crossed the arched bridge, they saw several women playing in the river, laughing and talking indistinctly. Qin Liangyu recognized the faces of two of them very well.
Surprised, I stopped to examine it more closely.
Although You Tong and Fu Yu had not made a big fuss about their divorce, the Fu family could no longer keep it a secret once the young mistress of Nanlou was gone, and the news gradually spread. When Qin Liangyu first met You Tong, she found her straightforward and charming personality, and her gluttonous manner when talking about food with her maid was quite amusing. When she saw her again before parting, she found her appearance even more beautiful and exceptionally charming.
Afterwards, she secluded herself at home for several months, then suddenly sought him out one day, only to inquire about Du Shuangxi's whereabouts. Her sincerity was truly touching. The beautiful woman standing smiling outside the football field on that sunny day also left a deep impression. Later, when Fu Deqing returned home seriously injured, she cared for him at his bedside. He frequently visited to check on his injuries, and they saw each other quite often. Because You Tong's medicinal meals were prepared according to his instructions, she understood them perfectly when he gave her advice.
At that time, she was Fu Yu's wife, and even if he admired her, he could not overstep the bounds in the slightest.
Who would have thought that the two of them would suddenly divorce and separate?
Now, Fu Yu is still a renowned and fierce general in the north. She has lost the glory of being the young mistress of Fu and has become a woman waiting to be married again.
A young woman, in the prime of her life, plays in the river, surrounded by lush reeds and shimmering water, reflecting the autumn colors of the surrounding mountains.
Qin Liangyu looked around for a moment, and when she saw that Du Shuangxi, with whom she had made friends through food, was also there, she couldn't help but walk over.
Chapter 84 Coincidence
The thatch by the riverbank was knee-high. Qin Liangyu and Qin Jiu walked against the wind, and Du Shuangxi was the first to see them.
While in Zizhou, Qin Liangyu stayed for two months, and most of her meals were taken to Du Shuangxi's place. Du Shuangxi, with limited capital, ran a small eatery and personally handled most of the work. Having seen her so many times, they naturally became quite familiar. This time, when Qin Liangyu sent someone to find her and bring her back to Qizhou, it was a great help.
Now that they had met by chance in the countryside, Du Shuangxi was naturally delighted. She tugged at You Tong's sleeve and reminded her, "Isn't that Young Master Qin the Second?"
Upon hearing this, You Tong looked over and saw Qin Liangyu walking slowly towards him, her demeanor elegant and graceful, her demeanor gentle and dignified.
Before the two of them could get up, he had already walked up to them and greeted them with a smile.
After exchanging greetings, Qin Liangyu noticed You Tong's carriage waiting by the river. She was slightly surprised to see a full basket of white cabbage behind the carriage and gestured to Qin Jiu. Qin Jiu then bowed and said, "The best scenery of Qiuming Mountain is downstream; it's crowded with tourists there, but not many come here. You two young ladies came to Qiuming Mountain just for this basket of vegetables?"
"Beautiful scenery pleases the mind, and delicious food fills the stomach; both are indispensable. Is Young Master Qin here for a leisurely stroll in the mountains?"
"Half for sightseeing and half for searching for medicinal herbs; there are plenty of good things in the mountains at this time of year," Qin Jiu answered on behalf of the group.
Although Qin Liangyu came from a noble and scholarly family and had been pampered since childhood, she was troubled by muteness in her youth and studied medicine under a famous doctor. This made her approachable and easy-going. With her sleeves fluttering slightly and her feet still covered in mud, she went over to examine the basket closely and played with the fresh vegetable leaves.
You Tong then smiled and said, "Early spring leeks, late autumn cabbages. Would Young Master Qin like to try some?"
Qin Liangyu's eyes brightened slightly. Qin Jiu glanced at his expression and understood his meaning. He said, "Back in Zizhou, even a rough man like me remembers Miss Du's amazing skills. Although the dishes were common, they tasted much better than the delicacies in our manor. Now that we've moved to Qizhou, I wonder if we'll still have that kind of good fortune?"
Du Shuangxi laughed and said, "Of course there is. It's just a matter of spending less time in the kitchen."
As he spoke, he looked at You Tong.
How could You Tong refuse?
She was able to find Du Shuangxi, who shared similar interests, entirely thanks to Qin Liangyu's help. Come to think of it, she hadn't properly thanked her yet, given the Fu family's strict rules. Given Qin Liangyu's family background and character, she assumed Qin already knew about her divorce from Fu Yu and wouldn't spread it around, so she smiled and said, "Since Sister Du has gone to so much trouble, I should oblige. My humble abode is simple and not suitable for entertaining guests. If Young Master Qin has any culinary desires, why not go to Kyoto Hot Pot on Lijing Street? Let me know in advance; if Sister Du cooks it, I can also enjoy it."
"Kyoto-style hot pot?" Qin Jiu and Qin Liangyu looked at each other in surprise. "That's..."
Seeing You Tong nod, Qin Liangyu's surprise deepened, and after a moment, she slowly smiled again.
When he first heard that You Tong and Fu Yu were divorcing, he was naturally surprised. After all, the Fu family was a prestigious family in Qizhou, and countless people would do anything to marry into it. Although Fu Yu had a reputation for being cold and ruthless, his iron-fisted demeanor also captivated many. Divorce is different from being abandoned; it was a matter of mutual agreement between the couple—her willingness to leave the Fu family, such a golden den of gold, was bound to be unexpected.
Qin Liangyu originally thought that after leaving the Fu family, she would probably return to the capital and, like ordinary noble ladies, rely on the protection of her parents and brothers to find a suitable family and continue to live a life of luxury as before.
Who knew that instead of leaving, she opened a restaurant in Qizhou?
Look at her expression; it is graceful and carefree, relaxed and at ease. There is not a trace of resentment, but rather a sense of joy and freedom—she looks much better than when I saw her at the Fu family's house.
Qin Liangyu looked at her in surprise, and after a moment realized that she had been a bit rude, so she coughed lightly and gestured with her eyes.
Qin Jiu suppressed a laugh, "In that case, my young master will shamelessly bother you from now on."
“Alright, I’ll sweep the path and wait for you.” You Tong found the master and servant pair quite interesting.
...
Of the basket of white cabbage I picked from the foot of Qiuming Mountain, I used half for cooking and the rest to make spicy white cabbage and pickle it.
White cabbage is inexpensive and easy to store. In the cold winter when fresh vegetables are scarce, white cabbage, which can be stir-fried or braised and is snow-white and tender, is especially popular. However, nowadays, it is mostly stir-fried, braised, poached, or stewed, and some families pickle it to make sauerkraut. Spicy white cabbage is rarely seen.
You Tong, however, remembered that taste—
After marinating, it becomes sour, spicy, crunchy, and sweet. It's great for chopping up and making cold dishes, cooking noodles, or eating with rice.
Life here was peaceful and uneventful. After a couple of days, several carriages rumbled to the door. The man leading the group was dressed in plain clothes but was quite capable—he was one of Fu Yu's guards, who had accompanied him on the way to the capital. The carriages were filled with all sorts of things she had bought, and there were even some more items than she had listed.
You Tong ordered his men to move the items to the back room first, and then added some more according to market price for the guard.
The guard initially refused to accept the gifts, saying that the general had only instructed him to deliver them and that he dared not make the decision on his own.
Having no other choice, You Tong went back into the house, found a brocade box, stuffed the silver notes inside, and said it was a thank-you gift, asking him to pass it on to Fu Yu.
Since it was her gift of gratitude, the guard had no choice but to accept it reluctantly, and then present it to Fu Yu when he returned from his journey.
As autumn drew to a close and the air grew cold, the two libraries remained unchanged. A broken sword stood coldly at the entrance, and the furnishings inside were simple. After returning from the capital, Fu Yu had also inspected other places before heading to Qizhou at the end of the month. Upon arriving at his residence, he first went to Xieyangzhai to exchange information with Fu Deqing, explaining the current situation in the capital, the defenses of the fortresses he had inspected, and discussing several military matters. After having dinner, he returned to his study, his shoulders dusty from the journey.
Upon arriving at the Two Books Pavilion, the servants had nothing else to report, but the guards presented the brocade box.
Fu Yu went inside and opened the box. Inside were silver notes and a note that read, "I have not received any reward without merit. Thank you, General."
The content is extremely concise, with neat and beautiful small regular script, displaying an elegant and refined style.
He held the note in his hand, toying with it for a moment. Then, his lips twitched slightly, and he instructed the servants to prepare water for his bath. He then put the note back, closed the brocade box, and placed it in his desk drawer. After washing away the dust of his journey and changing into some casual clothes, he decided to leave the mansion with the gifts he had picked up along the way and the letter Wei Sidao had given him, as it was already late and he had nothing else to do.
In the past, when I was traveling far from home, what I longed for was the fireworks of Nanlou.
Now, that quiet and tidy little courtyard is quite fond of people.
I rode out and arrived at Pear Blossom Street, where the gates were tightly closed and the courtyards were quiet.
Having witnessed the previous incident, the gatekeeper recognized Fu Yu. When Fu Yu inquired about the master, the gatekeeper said that You Tong had gone outside and had not yet returned.
Upon hearing this, Fu Yu turned his horse around and headed straight for Lijing Street. Although he hadn't been in Qizhou recently, news from You Tong's side still kept reaching him, including things like the opening of her hot pot restaurant on Lijing Street.
...
It was quite late, and the lights on Lijing Street were dim, with a chilly night wind blowing.
During the day, the shops were bustling with customers, but by this time many shops had already closed and their doors were boarded up. Fu Yu rode over, the horse's hooves clattering on the bluestone street. Following the directions he had received, he found the gilded plaque at the corner, with lanterns hanging at the door and outside the windows, illuminating the surroundings.
Peering through the open doorway, one could see that there were still guests inside. Candlelight shone through the windows of the second-floor attic, perhaps indicating that someone was dining with their female relatives. Manager Xu, whom I had seen before at You Tong Courtyard, stood behind the counter. The waiters, dressed neatly and cleanly, were either serving dishes or attending to guests at the tables, doing their jobs with great professionalism.
He had eaten hot pot a few times when he was in Nanlou, and the smell of it felt quite familiar.
When Fu Yu read what You Tong had written before, he thought it was complicated and trivial, and that a sixteen-year-old girl like her probably couldn't manage it. Who knew that in the blink of an eye, this hot pot restaurant would actually open on the street. Although it was not as magnificent and grand as other places, it was not short of customers.
Fu Yu sat upright on his horse, surveyed the restaurant, and was about to dismount when he suddenly saw a familiar figure.
A dozen or so steps away, someone hurried over, dressed in brocade robes and jade belt, with an exceptionally elegant demeanor.
Fu Yu recognized that face; it was Qin Liangyu. He could tell from her gaze that she was heading straight for the hot pot restaurant.
Are you eating hot pot alone?
Fu Yu frowned, but did not rush to dismount.
Qin Liangyu, unaware that he was being watched, arrived at the entrance of the hot pot restaurant, took out a long, slender box, looked at it, and then went inside. Manager Xu seemed to know him quite well; when he saw other customers, he simply instructed the waiters to greet them, but when he saw Qin Liangyu, he hurriedly went to greet him personally and led him upstairs.
It was late at night, and everyone else had finished their meals, when he arrived with gifts. What a coincidence!
Fu Yu's eyes darkened slightly.
Chapter 85 Sour
The shop rented by You Tong was quite spacious. The storefront facing the street was used to entertain guests. Entering through a small door at the corner, the first floor was the kitchen and storeroom, while the second floor was where You Tong handled miscellaneous matters. Inside, there were tables, chairs, and desks, all simple, tidy, and quite spacious. On the desk against the wall, the lamp was bright, and You Tong was slowly reviewing the account books while eating candied fruit and dried fruit.
Du Shuangxi and her men cleaned the kitchen. When they came upstairs and saw that she was still alone in the room, she asked, "Hasn't Young Master Qin arrived yet?"
"No." You Tong looked up, rubbed her neck, and glanced at the deepening night outside. She casually said, "Something must have happened that kept me waiting."
Before he could finish speaking, there was a light knock on the door facing the street.
There are two doors in this house. The one that connects to the kitchen is not strictly guarded, but the one facing the street is often locked from the inside to prevent unauthorized entry, in case someone carelessly barges in and causes trouble.
Du Shuangxi and You Tong exchanged a glance and asked, "Who?"
"Boss, it's me. Our guests have arrived," came Manager Xu's voice from outside.
There was no need to ask who the guests were; Du Shuangxi's face lit up with joy. Seeing You Tong nod, he opened the door. Sure enough, there were two figures outside: Xu Changqing with Qin Liangyu. The young nobleman, in the prime of his life, wore a light blue round-necked long robe, a jade pendant at his waist, and a brocade belt that accentuated his slender figure. He bowed towards the house, then turned back to give a polite nod to Manager Xu before stepping inside.
You Tong also closed his book and stood up, smiling, "I thought you had something to attend to and would have to reschedule."
Qin Liangyu shook her head and made a gesture of apology.
He had spent quite a bit of time with Du Shuangxi when he was in Zizhou. Du Shuangxi had taken note of this distinguished guest and had roughly learned the meaning of some of the gestures. He smiled and poured tea, saying, "You must have been delayed by the patient? Fortunately, there are still people in the kitchen. If it were two incense sticks later, the master would have locked up and left, and we would have had to reschedule." As he spoke, he handed him the tea and then went to attend to his work.
The room was brightly lit. Qin Liangyu sat down in the chair with practiced ease, and seeing some cracked walnuts, she slowly peeled and ate them.
Since their chance encounter at Qiuming Mountain, he had frequently visited, either sending Qin Jiu to order food or finding interesting ingredients for Du Shuangxi, arranging a time to taste them. After many visits, You Tong no longer felt obliged to be polite, simply asking him to sit for a moment while she cooked, finishing reading the remaining pages of the account book.
Before I could even sit back down, there was another knock on the door.
You Tong was surprised and asked who it was. The reply from outside was brief: "It's me."
The voice was deep and familiar. You Tong was startled for a moment, then quickly went to open the door. Sure enough, she saw Fu Yu standing outside. The corridor was dimly lit, with lantern light shining a few steps away. He was dressed in a long, autumn-brown robe, tall and dignified, and his deep eyes looked over, as dark as the night sky.
When You Tong saw Fu Lanyin yesterday, she heard that Fu Yu was very busy inspecting military affairs. Who knew that in the blink of an eye, the busy General Fu would suddenly appear in front of her as if he had descended from the sky? She stared blankly, forgetting to invite him in. Fu Yu was not in a hurry and put the back of his hand on her forehead.
"No fever," he muttered to himself, his tone mocking. "Why does he look like he's gone mad from the fever?"