Upon hearing this, Xu Chaozong knew that this position was what the Fu family truly desired.
The Fu family already wields considerable military power in Yongning, making them a formidable force and a major headache. If they were to also seize control of the prime minister's office, they would become even more difficult to deal with. Xu Chaozong, who was inherently indecisive, was troubled and could only say that Fu Yu's proposal was excellent and that he would consider it and make arrangements.
Upon returning to the palace and reflecting on the matter, Xu Chaozong realized that while this was tantamount to inviting trouble, a firm rejection could lead to resentment and further complications from the Fu family, which he was currently powerless to handle. Last time, Fu Yu had helped him fend off the Prince of Ying's assassination attempt, and this time, he had planted agents in the palace to seize power. Xu Chaozong knew Fu Yu's sharp edge and knew he was currently unable to suppress him. Furthermore, he needed to focus most of his energy on the Imperial Guards, eliminating the immediate threat. Without the ability to control the court, the situation would inevitably become more chaotic, which was not what he desired.
It would be better to let the tigers and wolves in first, then stabilize the inner court and free up his hands to establish imperial authority with the help of Fu Deming, winning people's hearts with both kindness and severity. At that time, he can use other forces to restrain the Fu family. It is better than being helpless now.
After all, in the imperial court, everyone is vying for power and acting independently, so Fu Deming may not necessarily be able to dominate the court.
After much hesitation and deliberation, they finally decided to compromise for the time being.
The matter of Fu Deming becoming prime minister was thus settled. Xu Chaozong, fearing trouble among the surrounding military officers, dared not let Fu Yu return.
There was still much to be done when the imperial court ordered officials to be transferred, so Fu Yu was happy to stay in the capital to make arrangements and readily agreed.
...
The affairs of the court were dangerous and complicated, and You Tong couldn't help. She also missed the small courtyard in Qizhou. Once the dust settled, she wanted to go back.
Fu Yu was very reluctant to part with her, but he knew that there were undercurrents in the capital. Xu Chaozong was wary of her greed, and after Fu Deming entered the capital, there would be others eyeing her covetously. If You Tong stayed here, she would not be as safe and comfortable as she was in Qizhou. So he ordered Du He to escort her back to Qizhou and escort Fu Deming to the capital along the way.
You Tong left on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Because of the late emperor's death and the ongoing funeral arrangements, the restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the capital were deserted and desolate, and there was no festive atmosphere in the streets as the New Year approached.
You Tong felt relaxed and happy.
On this trip to the capital, she proceeded cautiously and with great anxiety, unsure whether she could persuade the Prince of Ying, her future uncertain, and she couldn't help but worry. Fortunately, things progressed smoothly. The Prince of Ying entered the palace, helping her to smooth things over with the government and giving her a push. The Xu family's reputation was ruined, Grand Tutor Xu died, and Xu Shu also received her retribution. The matter that had weighed on her mind for two years was finally settled and cleared up.
The Wei family no longer needed to worry about their reputation, and the downfall of the Xu family could be seen as giving an explanation to the desperate girl in the frozen lake.
She has done her best to accomplish what she could.
From now on, the past will fade away like smoke, and with the vast sky and clear waters, she will be greeted by delicious food and beautiful scenery.
And that person.
You Tong sat in the carriage, lifting the soft curtain at the back, and saw Fu Yu standing on horseback outside the city gate, his dark gold cloak fluttering in the wind. The twelfth lunar month was cold, but a rare sunny day brought warmth, and the lazy sunlight shone on the towering city walls, clearly illuminating the mottled paint and weathered marks. Flags fluttered on the walls, and guards were secretly dozing, while the valiant general standing below stood straight and tall, his demeanor dignified and composed, like a tiger standing among sheep, his imposing presence striking.
She couldn't help but smile, peeked out half her head, and waved goodbye to him.
Fu Yu didn't move, but tightened his grip on the reins, his gaze fixed on her delicate features, following her intently.
Only after she sat back down and lowered the carriage curtain, only after the carriage turned past the woods at the end of the official road, only after a sudden gust of cold wind rose and pedestrians scattered, did he come to his senses, turn his horse, and return to the city. Before leaving, he looked up at the city gate, which resembled a crouching behemoth, and a coldness gradually formed on his lips. Then he spurred his horse into the city, venturing into the dragon's den and tiger's lair that he had long coveted.
...
Compared to the quiet atmosphere of the capital, Qizhou City was obviously much more lively.
Although it was a time of national mourning, the emperor was far away, and Emperor Xiping had been ill and incompetent for a long time, leading to uprisings in various places. In the eyes of the people, he had earned the reputation of a tyrannical ruler. For the people of Qizhou, his death simply meant that the distant capital had a new emperor, and it did not affect them much.
Business on Lijing Street remained booming. As the New Year approached, carriages and horses from various prefectures mingled and bustled as they went to buy things.
You Tong glanced around and, without going to the hot pot restaurant, went to her residence on Pear Blossom Street. Grandma Xu greeted her with a smile. Inside, everything was fine. Aunt Xia had made a lot of pickles in her spare time and neatly arranged them on the kitchen cabinets. Steamed pastries were wafting in the steamer, their aroma enticing.
Inside the side room, Granny Xu had already led people to cut paper-cuts for the windows, make lanterns, and prepare some dried fruits and candied fruits.
You Tong looked around and was very happy. After having his luggage settled, he went into the kitchen and told Aunt Xia to prepare a pot and some vegetables and meat so that everyone could have hot pot when Du Shuangxi returned. They were all very happy. The next day, he went to the hot pot restaurant, looked at the recent accounts, listened to the reports from Xu Changqing and his brother, and then went back to his residence in the afternoon to spend New Year's Eve in peace.
After a busy few days at the beginning of the year, I took advantage of a break from Fu Lanyin's visit to offer my congratulations.
The young couple were well-matched in terms of social standing and fell in love in their youth. Their harmonious marriage is truly heartwarming.
Life passed uneventfully, and before long spring arrived with warm weather. Outside Qizhou City, tourists thronged. You Tong, freed from her former constraints, often took time to go out for spring outings, occasionally picking flowers to bring back. She would then press them into her books to dry before sending them with letters to Fu Yu. Most of the flowers were displayed in porcelain vases on long desks and cabinets, their fragrance pleasing to the eye every day.
The only thing that gave her a headache was Qin Liangyu.
Qin Liangyu was a gentle and refined woman with a beautiful appearance. Having studied medicine since childhood and witnessed the suffering of others, she was kind-hearted yet not pedantic. Knowing that medicine was a matter of life and death, she acted cautiously and thoroughly, unlike Xu Chaozong who was indecisive and prone to harming himself and others; she possessed a strong sense of resolve. Moreover, she was a talented poet with a pure and upright character. Despite her noble birth, she was not arrogant or haughty. On her own, she was truly a rare and virtuous woman, worthy of her name, "Gentle and Jade-like."
If you really had to find fault with him, it would probably be that he's a bit stubborn.
This stubbornness, when applied to medicine, allowed him to delve deeply into his studies. Even things others deemed impossible, he could calmly and painstakingly figure out, then, with his vast knowledge and exceptional talent, he would overcome many difficult challenges. It was also this stubbornness that made him stubbornly resist the nagging of relatives and friends, refusing to marry and have children casually. Instead, disregarding the dangers of the world, he frequently traveled to various places to study and seek out medicines, honing his skills.
You Tong admired Qin Liangyu's temperament, talent, and stubbornness.
But when this stubbornness is applied to her, it becomes a bit overwhelming.
Last year, when Qin Liangyu gifted him a jade pen with a touch of spring, You Tong sensed something amiss. Afterward, he deliberately avoided her, keeping Du Shuangxi by his side to exchange culinary skills. He thought the meaning was quite clear, and that with Qin Liangyu's intelligence and shrewdness, she would surely understand and then seek another beauty—given his background, character, and appearance, he had plenty of girls who wanted to marry him.
Who knew that this person would be so persistent, and no one knew what he saw in her. Even when Fu Yu shamelessly went to Wumei Mountain to cause trouble last time, he remained unmoved.
In December, You Tong returned to the capital on business. He hid in the deep mountains to study medicine and abstained from food. When You Tong returned to Qizhou, he visited Fu Lanyin at the Qin family in January. He happened to be seen by Qin Liangyu, and this guy suddenly realized something, as if his appetite had been whetted. He went to the hot pot restaurant every few days. After You Tong dodged him a few times, he simply got information from Du Shuangxi and found out where You Tong lived, and went straight to visit him.
In the sweltering heat of midsummer, amidst the chirping of cicadas in the tall willows, You Tong sat under a tree in the central courtyard, slowly perusing Fu Yu's letters.
When she heard the gatekeeper's report and saw that familiar face after leaving the hospital, she was almost speechless.
Qin Liangyu stood calmly outside the door, her light blue summer robe flowing like clouds and smoke. Beneath her jade crown, a gentle smile graced her eyes, and her figure was as majestic and graceful as a jade mountain, as upright and pleasing to the eye as a solitary pine. Seeing her surprised expression, he slightly cupped his hands, as if he had something important to discuss, and without speaking, he only glanced inside, as if asking why she didn't invite the guests in.
You Tong secretly rubbed his forehead, hid the letter back in his sleeve, and asked him to go to the hall in the courtyard.
She felt it was necessary to have a serious talk with him.
Chapter 102 Reporting the News
The courtyard was shaded by trees, and the old locust tree behind the house was lush and verdant, its canopy covering the hall and shielding it from the summer heat.
You Tong invited Qin Liangyu into the hall for tea, and ordered Yu Zan to fetch a pot of refreshing plum juice, along with four kinds of pastries: jade bean cake, osmanthus sugar steamed chestnut flour cake, mandarin duck rolls, and golden milk pastry, which were placed on the table. Although she and Qin Liangyu had known each other for a long time, in the past, when they met, Qin Jiu or Du Shuangxi were either with her. Those two knew Qin Liangyu very well and could guess her thoughts without saying much. In comparison, she did not have that ability.
He then picked up a pastry and ate it slowly, saying, "Young Master Qin, is there something you need that you've come to visit so suddenly?"
Qin Liangyu shook her head, then nodded, downed the plum juice in her cup in one gulp, her eyes showing approval, and then took out an invitation.
You Tong reached out and took a look, then smiled.
—It was an invitation for her to go sightseeing at Jiming Mountain outside the city.
Jiming Mountain is over a hundred li from Qizhou City. It is said to be a place of extraordinary beauty, with lush forests and tall bamboos, a favorite destination for scholars and literati. A waterfall in the mountain is like a silver river hanging upside down, flanked by steep cliffs. If one visits under the moonlight, one can see the moonlight reflected in the cold pool, with sprays of water splashing onto the jade-like walls, creating a truly enchanting scene. You Tong had heard Fu Lanyin mention it and had longed to go there, but ultimately dared not venture alone into the mountains at night to search for the waterfall under the moonlight, so she never set off.
Seeing this invitation now, it would be a lie to say I wasn't pleasantly surprised.
If Qin Liangyu didn't have that intention, she would be happy to take Du Shuangxi along.
You Tong looked at the invitation twice before gently placing it on the table. "I've heard Lan Yin mention the scenery of Jiming Mountain; it's truly enchanting. However, I've been preoccupied with too many trivial matters at the shop lately, so I'm afraid I can only disappoint Young Master Qin." As she spoke, she seemingly casually got up, took two steps inside, and stopped in front of a screen.
The screen stood against the wall, with a sandalwood carved base. A winding path led up to it, through deep mountains and sparse forests, with thatched cottages and bamboo fences, a beautiful and bright scene.
Qin Liangyu unconsciously got up and followed, examining the screen.
You Tong then said, “This screen is beautiful and the brushwork is exquisite. Even though I am in the study, when I look at it in my spare time, it feels like I am in a landscape.” Seeing Qin Liangyu nod in agreement, he added, “It was a gift from General Fu, transported from the capital, a long way away.”
These words came out of nowhere, and Qin Liangyu was taken aback, looking at You Tong with considerable surprise.
Some things are understood without being spoken of, and even if they are never explicitly stated, both of them are fully aware of them.
The last time Qin Liangyu encountered Fu Yu at the hot pot restaurant, and when she saw him suddenly appear at Wumei Mountain, she knew that this General Fu, who was renowned throughout the border regions, had not forgotten his ex-wife. But so what? Qin Liangyu had traveled extensively over the years, and although she could not speak, her intuition about people was quite sharp. Although You Tong and Fu Yu had been husband and wife, they were not compatible. One was a fierce, arrogant, and ruthless general, full of strategies and ambitious plans; the other was a gentle, unassuming woman who loved the scenery and pursued the simple pleasures of life. They seemed completely incompatible.
In contrast, what You Tong sought coincided with his own.
Moreover, the beauty is graceful and elegant, surpassing all others in Qizhou; how could one not be moved?
Qin Liangyu looked at her, unable to say anything, so she simply walked quickly to the table.
There were writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table. He picked up a brush and quickly began writing on the paper—
"They've already divorced."
You Tong nodded, "We did divorce, but there were many twists and turns in the process; it wasn't that we really didn't get along."
“What he seeks is completely different from what you seek.” After writing this, Qin Liangyu saw You Tong pause in surprise, and then wrote, “The mundane world, mountains, rivers, forests and springs.” After a pause, she wrote, “Strategies and tactics, heroes vying for supremacy.” Then, quite dissatisfied, she drew two vertical strokes between the two lines to show that the two were not on the same path and were far apart.
After finishing the drawing, as if that wasn't enough to relieve his boredom, he wrote, "He's not suitable."
The brushstrokes on the paper were subtle and profound, revealing insights that far exceeded You Tong's expectations.
She looked at the gap and the two towering lines separating them, and instead of finding it jarring, she smiled.
When they first got married, You Tong also felt that she and Fu Yu were not a good match.
It's like two people on different paths being forcibly tied together; she goes left, he goes right, unable to walk together in harmony.
But feelings aren't entirely governed by reason. People with similar interests can be friends, even confidants if things get a little sentimental, but they might not be suited to be spouses. Besides, someone else has already gotten there first, quietly infiltrating her heart, and there's no way to get rid of them—
When he held her hand, intimidating Xu Chaozong and his wife; when he shamelessly tore off the clasp; when he, despite his youthful vigor, still restrained himself and respected her; when he let her push him back to the two-book pavilion, his smile containing hidden doting affection; when he, though clearly displeased, still agreed to a divorce and defended her in front of the Fu family; when he traveled thousands of miles, braving the bitter cold, to catch up with her…
You Tong did not regret leaving the Fu family, but she still felt that every moment she spent with Fu Yu was deeply imprinted in her heart and worth cherishing.
If you follow Qin Liangyu, your life will be completely different. Amidst the vast mountains and rivers, the simple joys of life are truly delightful.
But when I think of Fu Yu's expression, his embrace and kisses, and those eyes that could almost devour all reason, my chest aches faintly, a hundred times more painful than when I cruelly divorced him.
You Tong paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "General Fu is indeed full of military strategy and has devoted most of his energy to military affairs, but he is also made of flesh and blood. His thoughts and desires are not necessarily all about political strategies." She paused again and said seriously, "You are not a fish, how can you know the fish's joy? I know how to proceed in the future, and I have thought it through carefully. Young Master is of exceptional talent and doesn't need to waste his energy on me and cause unnecessary delays."
His words and expression, though lacking in sharpness, were resolute.
Outside the courtyard, cicadas chirped incessantly; inside, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Qin Liangyu's hand, holding the pen, froze. After a long while, she picked up another piece of paper and hesitantly wrote: "It has to be him?"
You Tong smiled and remained silent.
Qin Liangyu, however, could guess the answer from her expression. The expectation in his eyes gradually faded. He put down his pen and grasped the paper. His fingers tightened, crumpling the paper into a ball, ink stains appearing on his slender fingers. He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and silent, but his lips formed three words, "Sorry to bother you."
Then he raised his sleeves, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and took his leave.
You Tong saw him off, but when she returned to the courtyard, a waiter from the restaurant rushed over, saying that something had happened at the restaurant and Manager Xu wanted her to come over. She quickly ordered someone to prepare a carriage, went inside to change her clothes, and headed straight for Lijing Street.
They went there and stayed until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
After Yu Zan and the others left, she and two newly bought maids tidied up the dishes in the hall. Seeing that the writing brushes and ink on the desk had been rearranged, she put them back in their proper places. Being young, she had rarely served You Tong with writing brushes and ink before, unlike Chun Cao and Yan Bo who could read and write. Seeing a piece of paper lying crookedly with writing on it, she didn't know what was written on it, so she casually tucked it into a book to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.
You Tong returned late at night, rested from exhaustion, and then busied herself with trivial matters, forgetting about the incident altogether.
...
The sweltering summer days passed quickly amidst the deafening chirping of cicadas; the heat of July faded, and the autumn air deepened.
The life-or-death struggles in the capital were a thousand miles apart, and even when Fu Yu occasionally mentioned them, You Tong felt terrified. But for the people of Qizhou City, the chaos and oppressive government were too far removed. After Fu Deming was transferred to the capital, Fu Deqing held military and political power, and the officials below still dared not break the rules. The government was efficient and the weather was good. Except for merchants and镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) who faced considerable difficulties after leaving Yongning, most people still lived in peace and stability. The hot pot restaurant on Lijing Street had been open for almost a year and was making a good profit.
On the Double Ninth Festival, people throughout the city wear dogwood and drink chrysanthemum wine, taking advantage of the clear skies and gentle breezes to climb mountains and relax.
You Tong was no exception.
When I got up in the early morning, I saw the faint light of dawn and the bright rosy clouds outside. Knowing that the weather was fine, I chose a riding outfit and, after breakfast, went out of the city with Du Shuangxi for a stroll. By evening, we rode back into the city, but instead of returning to our lodgings, we went to a hot pot restaurant on Lijing Street.