Chapter 79: Zhouqiao Night Market We Are Just an Ordinary Couple
After parting with Master Chu, Chu Yufu left the small garden and headed to Cishou Hall, where she chatted with Grandmother Wei for a while and then had lunch together. After a short rest, the sun was already setting. She called Lanzhu and leisurely headed towards Chaolu Pavilion, ready to visit Aunt Bai.
As autumn approached, the osmanthus trees in the mansion blossomed, filling the air with a sweet, invigorating fragrance. Master and servant strolled through the courtyard, unknowingly arriving at the gate of Bamboo and Jade Courtyard. The familiar gate was tightly closed, a thin layer of dust coating the door.
Lan Zhu stepped forward, took out a handkerchief and wrapped the dusty copper ring, then pushed hard. The wooden door creaked open and the two of them walked in, one in front and one behind.
After only a few months of vacancy, the small courtyard already seemed desolate and desolate. Weeds were creeping through the cracks between the bricks, and moss had grown on the corners of the walls. The porch was empty, no longer filled with clothes drying outside.
When she first lived here, she'd found it quiet and secluded. Now that she'd gotten used to Anle Garden, the Bamboo Jade Courtyard seemed dim and cramped. If Chu Yufu were to live here again, she'd probably have a hard time getting used to it.
She couldn't help but shake her head slightly, and sighed softly: "It's really easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it's difficult to go from luxury to frugality."
This made no sense, but Lanzhu understood what she meant. She walked closer to the side room, opened the window, looked out, and agreed, "That's right! The side room in Anle Garden is much brighter, and the bed is wider. When I slept here before, I was afraid of falling when I turned over at night."
Chu Yufu stretched out her hand, brushed the cold pillars under the corridor with her fingertips, and turned to go out: "Okay, let's go."
"Hey." Lan Zhu responded and followed.
The master and servant stepped out of the courtyard gate, and with a snap, the gate closed again, as if sealing the past days into the wooden door.
They didn't look back and walked briskly towards Chaolu Pavilion.
When I saw Aunt Bai again, her belly was slightly bulging, revealing a rounded curve. It was only visible now because she was wearing thin clothes. I'm afraid it would be harder to notice if she wrapped herself in more layers when the weather got colder.
She was wearing a light green jacquard dress, her face was fair and translucent, and her eyes were filled with tranquility. At first glance, it was hard to tell her exact age.
Chu Yufu followed her into the inner room and joked with a smile: "My aunt is pregnant now, and she looks younger and more beautiful than before."
Aunt Bai touched her cheek shyly, and her sleeves slipped down, revealing a pair of brand new gold-plated carved bracelets.
"I used to be too thin, with no flesh on my cheeks, so I looked a bit gaunt. Now I have a nicer meal, and I don't have to stay up late embroidering to make ends meet. I just eat and sleep every day. In just a few months, I've actually gained some weight."
Chu Yufu couldn't help but curiously ask, "From what Auntie said, are you really enjoying your life lately? And hasn't your stepmother caused any trouble?"
Aunt Bai hesitated for a moment before whispering, "I'm pregnant, and Master keeps ignoring her. Naturally, she's unhappy. But now that the Old Madam is in charge, she's afraid to act rashly, fearing she'll cause trouble again and Master might actually consider divorcing her. She's just being a bit harsh with me, but I'll just ignore it and not take it to heart."
Chu Yufu nodded. "That's how it should be. Just ignore everything she says and don't get angry or it will hurt the fetus. If you're really wronged, just tell Daddy and Grandma. They will definitely be on your side."
Aunt Bai smiled, but her eyes involuntarily drifted towards the direction of Hefeng Garden. A hint of worry lingered in her voice, "Yes, things are indeed quite stable at the moment... but I still can't let go of the future."
She paused, her voice lowering. "These days, preparations have been underway for the eldest daughter's wedding ceremony, and the master's attitude towards Wu seems to have softened slightly... You know the master. If the eldest daughter establishes herself firmly in the mansion, he won't continue to ignore Wu for the sake of her reputation. If Wu really makes a comeback and takes back the keys to the household, I'm afraid life will be difficult again."
Hearing this, Chu Yufu snorted softly, picked up the teacup beside her, blew away the foam, took a sip, and said in a light tone: "Auntie, please relax. If Wu wants to rely on my eldest sister to make a comeback, I'm afraid she is miscalculating."
Since the opening of Bixu Pavilion, except for the first two days when it was a bit quiet, it has been almost always full. After the ladies finished their baths, they always liked to gather on the second floor to rest and chat.
The gossip they talked about was nothing more than gossip about the families of the past and present. Which young man was engaged to which girl, which master had taken in a beautiful concubine, which wife had returned home in anger, and which wife had offended another family. This small second floor had become one of the most well-informed places in the capital for the officials' families.
Chu Yufu would go to the second floor to sit in her spare time, and she could always hear a lot of fresh and interesting "secrets".
By chance, she heard such a story: Ren Yu, the second son of the Changping Marquis's mansion, fell in love with a pipa-playing prostitute in the Wuhua Tower. He had secretly redeemed her and settled her outside, waiting to bring her into the mansion after the wedding.
It just happened the day before yesterday.
Chu Jinhe has always had a high opinion of herself and was very arrogant. She failed to marry into the Duke's Mansion as she wished, and had to settle for Ren Yu. She must have been feeling a little unwilling.
It would be fine if Ren Yu were to linger in prostitutes, but if she were to marry him and discover that she was actually sharing a husband with a prostitute, wouldn't Chu Jinhe be furious? By then, she would be busy taking care of herself, so how could she have the energy to care about her mother's situation in the Chu Mansion?
Of course, if she were a shrewd and resourceful woman, she might be able to resolve this matter quietly and secure her position in the Earl's Mansion. However, if she were a shrewd and resourceful woman, she would not choose a man like this based solely on family background.
For some things, you can almost predict the ending just by looking at the beginning.
Seeing her so confident, Aunt Bai couldn't help but be curious: "How did you know?"
Chu Yu didn't bother to explain all this, and just smiled and comforted: "Don't worry, Auntie, I have my reasons."
After sitting for a while, Chu Linglan learned that her second sister had arrived, so she came over from the west wing and chatted with her for a while.
The sun gradually slanted, and the sky gradually dimmed. A maid came in to report that the second uncle had arrived and was waiting for the second young lady in the hall. Chu Yufu stood up to say goodbye, but Aunt Bai and Chu Linglan insisted on seeing her out.
The group chatted and laughed as they found Pei Yue in the flower hall, then walked towards the main gate. Only after passing the flower hall did Aunt Bai and her daughter stop and watch Chu Yufu get on the carriage.
The man who had been silent all the way raised his hand naturally from behind Chu Yufu where she couldn't see him, and protected her from behind. He didn't withdraw his hand until she got into the car.
The carriage slowly drove away. Chu Yufu lifted the green cloth curtain and waved goodbye to the two people in front of the courtyard gate with a smile.
Chu Linglan held her mother's arm and looked at the carriage as it drove away, a hint of envy in her eyes: "My second brother-in-law is so kind to my second sister. I see that my second sister seems to be smiling more recently than before."
Aunt Bai looked sideways at her and said, "Your second sister used to love to laugh, too. She always had that smiling face."
"It's different," Chu Linglan shook her head and thought about what to say.
"I can't really put it into words. I just feel like Second Sister's smile used to be polite and courteous, a habitual gentleness. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes weren't. They were always heavy, filled with worry. But now it's different. I feel like Second Sister is much more relaxed and cheerful. That smile shines through her eyes, sparkling, more genuine and happier than before."
Aunt Bai thought carefully, but couldn't tell the difference between her daughter's "smiling eyes" and her daughter's "smiling eyes." In the end, she just thought it was the sensitive feelings of a young girl. She raised her hand and touched her daughter's cheek lovingly.
"Mother doesn't expect you to marry into a prestigious family in the future. As long as the other party treats you sincerely, it's the best marriage. Your husband doesn't have to be a scholar with profound knowledge. As long as he has good character and can cherish and protect you like your second brother-in-law does, Mother will be satisfied."
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There is an arch bridge in the capital city, called Zhouqiao, which spans the back half of the Imperial River.
After crossing Zhou Bridge and walking south, you will reach the night market street. Starting from Zhou Bridge and ending at Longjin Bridge, the long street is full of fireworks and there are food stalls everywhere.
Chu Yufu had heard about the Zhouqiao Night Market a long time ago, but she had never found the time to go. The carriage passed through alleys filled with the fragrance of flowers, passed by restaurants with flags fluttering, and finally arrived at the destination.
At this moment, the sky was getting dark and dusk was falling. The whole long street was lit up by countless lanterns, and the orange-yellow halo formed a whole.
Accompanied by bursts of rich aroma, strong shouts rang out.
"Fried ginkgo nuts, fried chestnuts! Fried Yubei goose pears and cherries—"
"Fried fish, lamb feet, and hot bone soup, all for fifteen cents—!"
"Date cakes, custard cakes, lotus seed and apricot blossom drink, jade ice liquor, take a look, take a look!"
Hearing the shouting, Chu Yufu couldn't help but lift the curtain and look out.
People were coming and going on the long street, lanterns were swaying gently in the evening breeze, fires were blazing in the restaurants and stalls on both sides, smoke was rising and drifting into the dark blue night sky.
The lights and the smell of fireworks reflected in the shimmering waters of the Imperial River, shattering into a stream of flowing light. Take a deep breath, and the aroma of food fills your lungs.
This lively and bustling atmosphere of the city is completely different from the excitement of the Lantern Festival night.
She clung to the window frame and turned her head, her dark eyes sparkling in the light. "Let the driver stop here! Let's get off and take a leisurely stroll, eating while we walk, okay?"
Pei Yue nodded and solemnly ordered the driver to stop. He was the first to swiftly jump off the carriage, then turned around and steadily reached out to support Chu Yufu as she leaned out.
Right in front of where the carriage stopped was a steaming mutton soup stall.
A large iron pot sits on a wood-burning stove, its milky, rich mutton broth bubbling away, sending plumes of white steam rising. The rich mutton flavor, mingled with the pungent aroma of pepper, assaults the nose, making one's mouth water.
As soon as Chu Yufu stood firm on the bluestone pavement, she grabbed Pei Yue's hand and pulled him towards the stall with great interest, asking loudly, "Shopkeeper, how much is the mutton soup?"
The stall owner, a nimble middle-aged man, picked up a large spoon, scooped up a ladle of boiling hot soup, and poured it into the air in a bright arc. He said in a loud voice, "Please come in, sir! A bowl of clear soup is 13 cents, and a bowl with meat is 20 cents! We use fresh lamb slaughtered this morning, so it's guaranteed to be delicious!"
"Give me a bowl with meat!" Chu Yufu replied with a smile.
Pei Yue raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her: "One bowl?"
Chu Yufu pulled him over to sit on a simple stool and explained, "One bowl is enough! Let's share it. Look at this street, it seems endless. How many delicious foods are waiting for us? What if we get full at the first place we come to?"
After she finished speaking, her eyes fell on the man's pale lips and she asked suspiciously, "... Could it be that my husband dislikes me and doesn't want to share a bowl with me?"
After being married for several months, they have done more intimate things countless times and exchanged saliva countless times. Do they still mind eating from the same bowl of soup?
Pei Yue was both amused and confused by her look.
As they spent more time together, he began to see more clearly the true face of his young wife. To outsiders, she was a dignified, gentle, and well-mannered lady; but in front of him, she was a bit temperamental, fond of eating and being lazy, and her mind would occasionally pop up some strange and bizarre ideas.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly, almost imperceptibly, with a hint of indulgence: "Of course I don't mind. I'll do as my wife says."
The small mutton soup stall was filled with diners and the noise was loud.
A young couple sat at a low table next to them. The man, wearing a washed-out linen shorts, looked like a shop assistant. The woman, in a simple coarse cloth skirt, ordered a bowl of mutton soup with meat and each held a golden-brown oil cake. They ate the cakes, their heads touching, whispering to each other, smiles on their faces.
Looking at them, Chu Yufu vaguely remembered her college days.
To make ends meet, she worked part-time as a waitress at a spicy hot pot restaurant near the school gate. The food was delicious and plentiful, so students frequented it. She'd always see couples ordering a spicy hot pot, huddled together, each feeding the other, each picking up a bite, chatting and laughing, all in a tizzy.
She was not envious, but this similar scene brought back some distant memories.
Pei Yue saw her eyes fixed on the fried cakes in the couple's hands, and thought she wanted to eat some too, so he stood up and walked to the stall, bought a crispy and fragrant fried cake, and stuffed it into her hand.
Just at this moment, the stall owner came over with a big bowl of steaming mutton soup, and the rich aroma filled the air.
Chu Yufu looked at the warm fried pancake in her hand, then lowered her head to look at the emerald green onions on the milky white soup in front of her, and unconsciously moved her stool closer to Pei Yue.
She took a bite of the crispy pancake, squinted her eyes in satisfaction, then leaned closer to Pei Yue and said with a soft smile: "Husband, look at us now, don't we look like an ordinary couple?"
Pei Yue tilted his head slightly, and under the warm yellow lantern light, he saw a little biscuit crumbs on her fair cheek. He naturally reached out his fingers and gently brushed them away for her. A barely perceptible smile lingered in his deep voice: "We are just an ordinary couple."
Chu Yufu scooped up a spoonful of boiling mutton soup, blew on it carefully, and drank it comfortably. The warmth instantly spread from her throat to every part of her body. She shook her head contentedly and jokingly said with a hint of mischief, "Ordinary couples don't take concubines easily."
In this era, any man with some power and wealth would have three wives and four concubines. Her father, Master Chu, had two concubines, the Duke of Xin also had a concubine named Chun, and even Minister Pei was said to have had a concubine in his early years.
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard the deep voice of the man beside her:
"There will be no concubines."
Huh? What?
Chu Yufu didn't react for a moment, the spoon in her hand hanging in mid-air. She was stunned for two seconds, then raised her head in a daze, and looked straight into the man's deep and focused peach blossom eyes.
I saw him lower his eyelids slightly, his eyes calm and serious, and he repeated clearly, word by word: "You are enough for me, why do I need to take a concubine?"
Chu Yufu felt the clamor of voices, the shouts of vendors, and the clatter of pots and pans all around her recede like a tide, leaving the world in silence. Only her heart, beating wildly and without rhythm, pounded in her chest, its resounding thud nearly piercing her eardrums.
A heat suddenly rushed from the neck to the cheek.
For the first time in her life, she felt a little flustered. She hurriedly lowered her head, cleared her throat to cover it up, picked up the spoon and unconsciously stirred the soup in the bowl, trying to change the subject:
"Oh, right! I almost forgot to tell you something important... Well, my father came to me today and said that Minister Hu of the Ministry of Works has resigned due to illness, and now this position is vacant."
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