Chapter 10
Ning Shiyu slightly raised his chin, guessing that the Empress had not taken his life because he had not gone to the capital this time.
They then resorted to another tactic: trying to seize his family's assets.
Ning Shiyu's lips curled into a cold sneer, the smile not reaching his eyes, "Thank you for informing me, sir. I understand."
Just then, the two were interrupted by the sound of a piano.
After a long while, Ning Shiyu smiled faintly and said, "I didn't expect that there would be such a master of the zither in Lord Ouyang's residence."
"That's really rare."
Ouyang Yi replied, "Your Highness is too kind. It was my fourth brother who told me this to amuse himself."
Ning Shiyu fiddled with the tea lid, listening intently. After the piece ended, he praised, "Your younger brother's sentiment is truly subtle. I'm afraid it's not for amusement, but rather because he has met someone he admires."
"It's so captivating that it's impossible not to be enchanted."
Ouyang Yi didn't understand these lyrics and music, so he smiled awkwardly and gave up.
Fu'er, who was in the pavilion, was initially just asking out of curiosity, not expecting Ouyang You to actually play the piano.
Later, without realizing it, I became immersed in Ouyang You's ethereal yet slightly melancholic music.
It struck a chord with Fu'er.
This made Fu'er's eyes well up with tears without her realizing it.
"Fourth Master, you played so well, it almost made me cry."
Seeing that Fu'er understood his feelings, Ouyang You said excitedly, "I have finally found a kindred spirit."
"Miss Fu'er, could you come and listen to my music often?"
Fu'er knew that he was in poor health and was always alone, rarely leaving the mansion.
A feeling of compassion arose in my heart.
Thinking of the old lady's care for her, she nodded in agreement.
"Alright, when I have time, Fu'er will definitely come to listen to Fourth Master play the zither."
"But next time, could you please choose something more cheerful?"
Ouyang You was delighted to hear that she had agreed.
I wanted to accompany Fu'er for a walk in the backyard, but unfortunately, his health wouldn't allow it, and he immediately started coughing.
The servant who was taking care of him hurriedly helped him back to his courtyard.
After the birthday banquet at noon, Ning Shiyu left the Ouyang residence with Fu'er.
On the carriage, Fu'er, on a whim, brought up the piece that Ouyang You had played that day.
Ning Shiyu glanced coldly at Fu'er, "You said that piece of music today was specially played for you by Ouyang You?"
Fu'er felt a tightness in her chest under his gaze and nodded blankly.
After receiving confirmation, Ning Shiyu immediately snatched the pastries from Fu'er's side and said in a cold voice, "From now on, you are not allowed to come to the Ouyang residence without my permission."
"Young master, the old lady has been kind to me, I cannot refuse..."
Ning Shiyu interrupted, "Do you know what that piece of music means? How dare you listen to it so carelessly?"
Fu'er was inexplicably scolded by Ning Shiyu, so she snorted coldly and turned her back to him, ignoring him.
Ning Shiyu was exceptionally busy during the year-end period, but that didn't stop him from gathering with friends.
He not only hosted several gatherings at his Langfeng Garden, but also accepted invitations from friends.
These days, he has been accompanied by Yun You, who has always been his favorite.
Everyone teased him, saying that he had found someone he liked and could now put aside the maid who had always served him.
Ning Shiyu simply laughed it off and did not respond.
Back at the mansion that evening, Yunyou wanted to help Ning Shiyu take off his cloak.
He subtly dodged away, saying, "You've been out of the manor with me all day; you must be tired. Go back and rest."
"You don't need to come and serve me tonight."
Yun You's smile froze instantly, her eyes reddening slightly. "Young Master, what have I done wrong?"
Ning Shiyu frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure rising in his eyes.
He didn't have the habit of trying to coax girls, and said calmly, "Don't overthink it, you're fine."
"I've been busy sightseeing these past few days, which has delayed some business matters."
"Tonight, I want to check the shop's accounts."
"You should go back first."
Yun You then revealed a faint smile and left his study.
Before resting, Zhuang Xing, as instructed, specially delivered an exquisite box to Yun You.
When Caiwei opened it, it revealed a ruby headdress.
He said with delight, "Miss, look how much the young master cares for you."
“Just two days ago, you stopped in front of the shop and looked at it, and he remembered it.”
Yunyou carefully took out her earrings, hairpins, and hair ornaments.
With a gentle look in her eyes and a shy smile, she said, "Young master is so thoughtful."
He put it on himself as soon as he finished speaking.
Caiwei looked at the beauty in the bronze mirror; her skin was as white as snow, and with the ruby earrings adorning her, she was even more beautiful.
They couldn't help but stare in admiration. "Miss, you are so beautiful. No wonder the young master dotes on you so much."
"Once you enter the Ning residence, what role will Fu'er play?"
Upon hearing Fu'er's name, Yun You turned her gaze away from the bronze mirror.
Recalling the answer Caiwei had given her that day, she realized that she was already sixteen and still unmarried.
I still felt somewhat uneasy.
An idea flashed through her mind, "Caiwei, let's light the incense that Fu'er sent last time tonight."
Caiwei couldn't figure out what she was thinking. It was obvious that Yunyou didn't like the incense Fu'er made, saying it was too bland.
“Fu’er has brought it several times, but the young lady has not wanted to use it. I think it takes up too much space in the curio cabinet.”
"It was given away immediately."
Upon hearing that her maid had touched her things without her permission, Yun You said with displeasure, "When did I say I didn't like it? You're just guessing."
"Go ask Fu'er for some more."
"This will not be repeated."
Caiwei thought Yunyou was easy to talk to because of her good nature, but today Yunyou was acting like a master.
She dared not act rashly again, saying, "This servant knows her mistake and will go and do it right away."
As the year draws to a close, in addition to her accounting duties, Fu'er also has to help Granny Yu with other tasks in the household.
Fortunately, during this period, Ning Shiyu did not ask her to serve at Wenxuan Pavilion at night anymore.
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, all the accounts had been almost settled.
Uncle Hong observed that everyone had indeed been working very hard these past few days.
He then allowed the accountant to rest for half a day.
Fu'er was also happy, as it would be a good opportunity to sleep in.
She didn't even want to eat breakfast. In her half-asleep state, she heard Xiang'er calling out anxiously, "Sister Fu'er, wake up quickly! Young Master wants you to go to Wenxuan Pavilion."
Hearing Xiang'er's anxious tone, Fu'er didn't dare to dawdle.
Upon entering the flower hall, one sees Ning Shiyu sitting in the main seat with a livid face.
The person sitting in the rose chair at the next seat was Yun You, who was wearing a veil and sobbing softly.
Just as Fu'er was about to ask a question, Ning Shiyu, who was in the main seat, shouted sternly, "Kneel down."
Fu'er trembled with fright when she saw Ning Shiyu speak so sternly for the first time in a long time.
His knees slammed hard onto the ground.
“I told you before that the fragrance of your incense is inconsistent and cannot be given to others.”
"Why won't you listen? Yunyou burned your incense and now she has a rash on her face."
"If there's a next time, I'll make sure you can never make incense again."
Fu'er's favorite thing to do was to make spices.
When she was learning from Granny Yu in the past, Ning Shiyu did indeed forbid her from using it on others.
The method of making incense was taught to Granny Yu by Ning Shiyu's mother.
Fu'er pestered her for a long time, and only after Ning Shiyu agreed did Granny Yu dare to teach Fu'er.
Hearing Ning Shiyu's stern tone, Fu'er panicked and wanted to defend herself but couldn't utter a single word.
"My mind has been getting increasingly muddled lately. I'm kneeling here to reflect on my actions."
Ning Shiyu looked at Fu'er with icy eyes.
But when it came to Yun You, his expression was gentle.
"Don't worry, Dr. Wu will be here shortly."
"Go back and get some rest first."
After saying that, Ning Shiyu strode out of the flower hall without even glancing at Fu'er kneeling on the ground.
Yun You cried with tears streaming down her face, but after Ning Shiyu comforted her, a faint smile appeared on her face.
After he left, the gentleness in Yunyou's eyes vanished.
His gaze darkened instantly, and his expression toward Fu'er became full of hostility.
Everyone in Ningzhai knows that Fu'er's incense can be used for smoking.
She had just explained the situation to Ning Shiyu, and every word she said implied that Fu'er intended to harm her.
Unexpectedly, Ning Shiyu didn't mention it at all, only saying that the incense was bad, without saying anything about Fu'er's intention to harm people.
This test has made her even more certain that she wants to continue to be favored by Ning Shiyu.
They must drive Fu'er away.
Before leaving, she couldn't help but 'blame herself', saying, "Sister Fu'er, it's all my fault for dragging you down with me."
Fu'er's confused mind then remembered that Caiwei had come to ask her for spices last night.
She had heard Xiang'er mention before that she shouldn't send incense to the woman in Wenchun Garden, as she didn't like it.
I heard that he even asked Caiwei to do favors for other maids.
Last night, after she had settled down to rest, Caiwei came specifically to ask for it.
Something bad happened today.
The incense she gave to others was all fine.
Even their own precious masters can use it.
The problem only arose with Yunyou.
This was too much of a coincidence. No matter how much she had placed her hopes on Yunyou and poured her heart out to him, she now understood the reason.
However, she has always been easygoing, and was only disappointed and sad for a moment.
After the others left the flower hall one after another, she was left alone in the room.
I skipped breakfast, and now my stomach is growling with hunger.
Seeing that no one was around, Fu'er quickly grabbed two pieces of pastry from the incense table next to her to tide her over.
Seeing how angry her master was, she guessed that she wouldn't be allowed to get up anytime soon.
Otherwise, she could have asked her cousin, Cui Cui.
While she was lost in thought, the plate of pastries was quickly emptied.
When Zhuang wakes up, he will definitely find out.
Fu'er was terrified, knowing that Zhuang Xing had always disliked her, so she simply hid the plate in her bosom as well.
They'll deny everything.
Ning Shiyu was truly enraged this time, and made Fu'er kneel for a full two hours.
Fu'er dragged her aching legs and went to find her cousin Cui Cui.
Yu Cuicui became pregnant, and Master Wan allowed her to move to the main courtyard.
She looks radiant with joy.
Fu'er was genuinely happy for her.
Before, when she wanted to become Master Wan's concubine, everyone around her objected, but now she seems to have no worries about food and clothing.
Fu'er felt that she should learn more from her.
Upon hearing Fu'er recount her perplexing experience, You Cuicui said with absolute certainty, "This new lover is deliberately trying to harm you, yet you still consider her a good person."
"Never trust her again in the future."
Even if she is pregnant, she will not genuinely help you become Ning Shiyu's woman.
"This time you absolutely have to listen to me. If you want to sleep with your master, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Fu'er was completely inept at these things and became worried.
"I can't. My master is currently spoiling Yunyou and won't give me a chance at all."
Yu Cuicui saw her cowardly appearance and resented her for being so clueless.
He pulled Fu'er to his side, looked her up and down, and a look of envy flashed in his eyes.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that your master dislikes you."
"If she hadn't been fed well every day, how could she have developed such a complexion and a well-proportioned figure?"
“You’re not even sixteen yet, and your chest is already this full.”
"What a waste of such a beautiful face and body."
"Come closer, I'll tell you some methods."
Time flies, and it's New Year's Eve.
Fu'er's family sat together in a lively atmosphere.
Fish and meat that we usually can't bear to eat are all served on the table.
Since Fu'er gave her a good talking-to last time, her brother and sister-in-law have changed a lot.
Her older sister has also finished her postpartum confinement period and has plenty of breast milk, which has made Le Ge'er chubby and healthy.
Everyone happily talked about what had happened that year.
Fireworks and firecrackers were going off non-stop outside.
After taking two bites, Fu'er put down her chopsticks and left the yard.
Her family knew she had gone to watch firecrackers again, but they only gave her a few words of advice and then fell silent.
*
In contrast, the Ning residence was much quieter.
Many years ago, General Ning and the Eldest Princess met on this very day.
Since then, the household has never celebrated a New Year's Eve again.
The servants of the mansion all returned home.
Only a few people remained, including Granny Yu who had come from Chang'an with Ning Shiyu.
Yunyou also sensed the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere.
To break the somber atmosphere, Yunyou personally cooked a variety of dishes from Chang'an.
I've been busy all day.
They rushed to Wenxuan Pavilion carrying a food box.
The study and bedroom were empty, and Ning Shiyu was nowhere to be found.
She picked up the food box and went to Granny Yu's room to inquire about Ning Shiyu's whereabouts.
Granny Yu sighed, "Miss, you are so kind. Our master is only here on New Year's Day."
"You should bring up Wenchun Garden again and use it slowly."
Undeterred, Yunyou persisted in asking, "Does Granny know where the young master has gone?"
Granny Yu shook her head and said, "I don't know."
Yunyou was not satisfied and took Caiwei with her to leave the mansion to search for her.
Granny Yu kindly reminded her, "Miss, don't bother. I've taken care of the young master for many years, and he's never willing to reveal a single thing to me."
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