68 Night Tour
◎ He really was raised by his aunt, and he's always trying to please people◎
The next day, the young couple returned to Minister Pei's residence to recognize their family. Around their waists hung a lustrous white jade pendant, the designs of mandarin ducks and lotus flowers echoing each other, making it clear at a glance that they were a pair.
Minister Pei and Madam Huang looked at the jade pendants, smiled at each other, and invited them to the seat of honor for tea. Chu Yufu respectfully offered tea to the two elders and called out, "Uncle, Aunt."
Minister Pei took the teacup and said "good" repeatedly. Madam Huang was even more delighted. She immediately took off a jade bracelet from her wrist, took Chu Yufu's hand, and put it on herself.
The family of Minister Pei was simple, with only two sons born to Madam Huang.
The eldest son, Pei Li, served in the Hanlin Academy and had long been engaged to the granddaughter of Censor Huang. However, due to the sudden death of her mother, which required a three-year mourning period, the wedding was postponed until next year. The second son, Pei Ming, was still a student at the Imperial Academy, a young man only a year older than Chu Junze.
Chu Yufu also greeted the two of them with a smile.
Pei Li smiled gently and nodded in return. Pei Ming, in turn, called out with a cheerful smile, "How are you, sister-in-law?"
At lunchtime, the family gathered together, the atmosphere particularly lively. After three rounds of drinks, the men discussed current affairs at court. Madam Huang then moved to Chu Yufu's side, held her hand affectionately, and spoke with concern.
"Is there anything missing in the mansion? Is Pei Yue treating you well? He has a stubborn temper. If there's anything he does that you don't like, don't tell him. Just come and tell your aunt. He was raised by me when he was less than ten years old. It's not an exaggeration to say he's my half-son. Now that you're married to him, your aunt will treat you like her own daughter."
Chu Yufu felt warm in her heart and smiled faintly: "Thank you for your concern, aunt. Everything is fine in the mansion. My husband treats me very well." As she spoke, her eyes involuntarily slid to the warm jade pendant at her waist, and her ears felt slightly hot.
Madam Huang finally released her hand, patted her chest, and breathed a long sigh of relief, pretending to be relieved. "That's good, that's good! You don't know, this child has always been too steady. I was really worried that he wouldn't be able to say a soft word. When a couple gets along, how can one person always coax the other? Auntie knows you have a soft temper, but you can't always put yourself in a difficult position. If there is anything wrong with him, you still have to say it."
At this point, Madam Huang paused. Ever since the horoscope match, she'd known about Chu Yufu's difficult situation within the Chu family. Thinking of this beautiful, flower-like girl, who had also lost her mother at such a young age, a touch of pity filled her gaze. These two children truly shared the same suffering.
Her tone became softer. "If you're really upset in the future, don't hold it in. Just come back to the mansion and find your aunt. I'll teach him a lesson for you! He's still willing to listen to me. Even if you have nothing to do and feel bored at home, just come and talk to me to cheer me up..."
Before she knew it, Mrs. Huang's conversation had shifted from how husbands and wives get along to how to pass the time at home. Chu Yufu listened attentively, smiling. After she spoke for a while, she considerately picked up the small celadon pot on the table and refilled her glass with iced plum drink.
About half a cup of tea later, Madam Huang took up her drink to moisten her throat, then suddenly remembered something: "Look at my memory! Madam Luo's house is holding a night party tomorrow. You should come with me."
It was essential to move around and get to know people in the official family circles of the capital. She had been inconspicuous in the Chu family before, and Mrs. Wu never brought her out to show her face. Now that she was married to the Pei family, Mrs. Huang would naturally look after her. Now, when she attended such gatherings, she would go as the general's wife, so as to build up some connections.
Chu Yufu was moved when she thought of this. Mrs. Huang was indeed kind-hearted. She treated Pei Yue as if he were her own son and cared about him deeply. Even she, her niece-in-law, received such love.
She quickly responded, "Yes, thank you, auntie."
They drank a lot of wine during lunch, so Minister Pei did not keep them for long, but just told them to go back and rest early.
The carriage rumbled away from the Shangshu Mansion. Pei Yue, who had been walking steadily in the mansion just now, seemed to have lost his composure as soon as he got on the carriage. He first leaned over and rested his head on Chu Yufu's shoulder, then slowly slid down, finally resting his head on her legs, looking drunk.
Chu Yufu had no choice but to hold his shoulders carefully, fearing that he would slip. But when the carriage stopped steadily in front of her house, she was about to call the servant to help him, but she saw the man who was resting his head on her legs suddenly sit up straight, straighten his clothes, and get off the carriage as usual.
Chu Yufu glared at the man's back and stomped her legs, which were numb from the pillow, angrily.
-
The so-called "night party", as the name suggests, is a garden party in the garden where people take advantage of the coolness of the summer night to enjoy the moon, stars, chat, catch fireflies, and enjoy singing and dancing. It is specially designed to avoid the scorching heat of the day.
The host this time was once again Mrs. Luo, from the family of the Minister of Rites. Even Mrs. Huang praised Mrs. Luo for her ingenuity; the banquets she organized always had a touch more elegance and novelty than others.
The next evening, the setting sun burned away the clouds in the sky, tinting it with a dim yellow. Chu Yufu had already finished dressing and was looking at herself in the mirror as Lan Zhu put the finishing touches on her.
The two pieces of soft smoke silk in her hands were one smoke purple and the other apricot yellow.
She used the smoky purple color to make a casual outfit, without any decoration, just to make it light and comfortable to wear.
For the apricot yellow piece, I asked the embroiderer to cut a short jacket and a pleated skirt for it.
Today, she wore her apricot-yellow soft-smoked silk short jacket, paired with a light, flowing, aquamarine, floor-length gauze skirt. She looked exceptionally cool and graceful, as if carrying the chill of a summer night. Her hair was neatly tied into a single spiral bun, pinned diagonally with the delicate pink tourmaline hibiscus hairpin.
By the time she had finished packing, the last ray of sunset had quietly set behind the eaves, and the summer heat in the air had finally dissipated a little.
Yesterday, she and Madam Huang had agreed to meet in front of the Luo family residence. When she arrived, Madam Huang had just arrived, and they both disembarked from the carriage at the same time. They chatted and laughed as they entered the Luo residence together.
Although the garden of Luo Mansion is not as large as that of Duke Xin's Mansion, it is well-maintained with winding paths, lush vegetation, and a unique elegance.
By now, the sky had already turned a deep blue. Warm orange lanterns had been hung early in the morning throughout the garden, casting soft light on clusters of blossoming peonies and roses, highlighting the petals with even greater beauty. The rich fragrance of the flowers drifted on the night breeze, blending with the sounds of laughter emanating from the pavilions and waterside terraces. The small garden felt both tranquil and bustling.
Chu Yufu saw it for the first time and couldn't help but look around curiously.
Passing through a moon-shaped door, they found themselves in a pavilion surrounded by several elegantly dressed women. Madam Huang pointed her fan at the plump woman in the main seat and whispered, "That's Madam Luo." Then, in gentle whispers, she revealed the identities of the other ladies in the pavilion.
As they were talking, Mrs. Luo, with her sharp eyes, had already spotted Mrs. Huang. She immediately stood up and greeted her with a smile on her face, "Mrs. Huang is finally here!" Her eyes then fell on the young woman beside her, a flash of surprise in her eyes. She asked with a smile, "I suppose this must be your new niece-in-law?"
Madam Huang smiled and nodded, "That's right. I thought she would be bored at home, so I brought her here to join in the fun. Fu'er, come meet Madam Luo."
Chu Yufu stepped forward, smiled softly, bowed, and said in a clear voice, "Mrs. Luo, how are you?"
Mrs. Luo praised them repeatedly and enthusiastically ushered them into the pavilion. Chu Yufu followed Mrs. Huang's instructions and greeted each of the ladies present. After a few pleasantries, Mrs. Huang said considerately to Chu Yufu, "Let's talk for a while. Fu'er, go stroll around the garden by yourself."
Chu Yufu had the same idea. Just now, at the gate of the Luo Mansion, she saw the carriage from the Mingxuan Marquis Mansion and the carriage with the Fang family lantern hanging on it. She was planning to go look for Cousin Lu and Fang Ying. Now, after hearing what Madam Huang said, she got up and left the pavilion.
She lifted her skirt and walked along the path lined with lush flowers and trees. On the way, she asked the maid who served tea and snacks twice, and finally saw a figure in an open pavilion facing the water.
Not only Fang Ying, but also Xie Ruoruo, Wu Yueyun, and Zhao Hanyun were all there, but cousin Lu was missing.
When the people in the open pavilion heard footsteps, they turned around and saw that it was Chu Yufu. They greeted her with a smile and called her over.
“Come on, come on!”
"What took you so long to find this place? I saw two carriages with lanterns bearing the Chinese character Pei, and I knew it was you!"
"Happy wedding! I haven't seen you for a few days, and you look thinner. Doesn't your general give you food?"
This caused everyone to giggle.
The last time they met at Yanchunlou, the prescription Chu Yufu prescribed for them was very effective. Later, they made several small gatherings, ate and drank together, and also came for follow-up consultations and revised prescriptions.
Chu Yufu refused to accept a consultation fee, so they rushed to cover the cost of the banquet, or picked out some exquisite small jewelry, or embroidered handkerchiefs as gifts. After a while, they had already become very familiar with each other and spoke without restraint.
As for Zhao Hanyun, needless to say, when he was treating the old lady at the Marquis of Mingxuan Mansion, the two of them met almost every few days.
Chu Yufu smiled as she walked into the open pavilion and sat down next to Wu Yueyun. She reached out and gently nudged her, saying, "Sister Yueyun, you're talking nonsense! How am I thin? I've been eating and sleeping all day, and yet I feel like I've gained weight." Then she turned her gaze to Zhao Hanyun and asked, "Why isn't my cousin here? How could she resist coming to such a lively event?"
Lu Jiaan got married two days earlier than her and is now a member of the Mingxuan Marquis Mansion. He should have come with Zhao Hanyun.
Zhao Hanyun took a sip of tea, shook her head helplessly, and smiled, "She had already picked out her clothes and jewelry a day in advance and was very excited to come. But she wanted to stay cool at noon and insisted on eating two iced melons cooled in well water, which caused her stomach upset. My brother was worried, so he detained her in the mansion to rest."
"Puff..." Xie Ruoruo covered her lips with her round fan, unable to help but laugh, "What's this, An An? She was greedy for a moment of pleasure, but tragically missed the night out. She really picked up sesame seeds and lost watermelons!"
Chu Yufu couldn't help but smile.
The laughter died down for a moment. Fang Ying turned sideways, pulled out a figure from behind her, and pushed it to the table: "Yu Fu, it's a good thing you're here today. This is my sister Fang Fei."
Her tone was filled with heartache. "Fei'er has had severe abdominal pain since her period recently. She can't even eat and feels very weak. You are a good doctor, could you help take a look at what's wrong with her?"
Only then did Chu Yufu notice that there had been a slender girl hiding behind Fang Ying. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Fang Ying's, though her figure was thinner. It was dark, and she had huddled in the shadows behind her sister, remaining silent. She hadn't noticed.
"Okay." Chu Yufu nodded with a smile, "Come on, stretch out your hand."
"Thank you, Sister Chu." The little girl shyly stepped forward to express her gratitude, extending her hand.
Chu Yufu reached out to take her pulse, closed her eyes and was about to check carefully when she heard a strange female voice coming from behind her.
"Oh! You really are raised by a concubine. You're so adoring and fawning that you can't hide it even if you're wearing the mistress's coat! You've only been married for a few days, and you're already here treating patients like a barefoot doctor, not even a bit ashamed. Is that what your mother taught you?"
【Author’s words】
Sorry guys, I'm a little late today, damn procrastination.
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