Chapter 26 Going Out
The next day, Mantou got up early and packed the vegetables she was going to sell that day.
Aman was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. The usual simple porridge and side dishes were transformed into something special by her.
After breakfast, the two prepared to go to the market.
Mantou carried a basket on his back, while Aman only took a purse.
There weren't many people at the market today, and Aman was worried that he wouldn't be able to sell his vegetables, so he only prepared one basket.
Fu Yunxiu watched the two leave, his wheelchair standing under the moon gate, the small courtyard behind him so empty and desolate.
Aman's desire to have Fu Yunxiu go out with her resurfaced.
So what if I sell vegetables? I'm not stealing or robbing, what's shameful about it?
Ah Man hesitated for a long time, but finally spoke up, "Young master, why don't you come with us?"
"Aman!" Mantou was terrified. Hadn't she been told not to bring this up again?
Mantou's tone was full of admonition, but Aman ignored it. "I think the weather is nice today. Why don't you go for a walk? It's not good to stay cooped up at home all the time!"
"Aman, are you crazy?" Mantou couldn't help but step forward and pull her aside, signaling her to shut up. "Stop talking."
Mantou didn't even dare to lift his head; he could hardly imagine how unpleasant the young master's expression must be.
I still remember when the young master's legs had just become unable to walk, the master mentioned that he should go out for a walk, and the young master got so angry that he smashed the whole house.
From that time on, the people in the mansion stopped mentioning it.
I never expected Aman to bring up something I shouldn't have, even though I had already warned her.
Mantou felt a little resentful towards Aman, not because she was afraid of being implicated, but mainly because she was afraid that the young master would get sick from the anger.
Doctor Cheng said that the young master needs to maintain a cheerful mood at all times to reduce his pain. Isn't Ah Man deliberately making a joke of the young master's health?
Just as Mantou had guessed, Fu Yunxiu's expression was indeed not very good.
Ever since his legs became crippled and he was confined to a wheelchair, he has been very resistant to going out. Even when he does go out, he travels by horse-drawn carriage.
He hated seeing the cold mockery and silent pity in other people's eyes.
The people in the manor knew his temperament, and gradually stopped mentioning letting him leave. Later, when he moved into Wutong Garden, Mantou knew his character and never brought it up again. Even when Doctor Cheng came for his routine check-up, he would come in person.
He hadn't heard the word "go out" in a long time.
Fu Yunxiu looked up and met Aman's smiling face.
He knew Aman meant no harm, but he still couldn't help but turn cold.
However, Aman seemed oblivious to Fu Yunxiu's obvious displeasure. She flung the steamed bun's hand away, took two steps forward, and continued, "We haven't prepared many dishes today. We'll be back before noon, it won't be long. So, young master, let's go together!"
The hope in Aman's eyes was obvious, as always when she needed something from Fu Yunxiu, with a hint of flattery.
If it were anything else, Fu Yunxiu might have actually agreed, but in this matter, there is no room for negotiation.
"No need." Fu Yunxiu's tone was very cold and hard. After saying that, he turned his wheelchair and prepared to go back to his room.
But Aman had no intention of giving up. Sensing his intentions, she took the initiative and grabbed the wheels of the wheelchair, rendering Fu Yunxiu unable to move. "Young Master, just go. Going out for a walk will lift your spirits."
When you're in a good mood, you get better.
Aman leaned closer, her long, curled eyelashes almost visible, and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Young Master, you're not... afraid... to go out, are you?"
Aman could draw out the word "fear" in her sweet voice, and her big, watery eyes were as clear as mountain streams, making Fu Yunxiu feel embarrassed as if he had been seen through. He subconsciously wanted to look away, but he was unwilling to give up.
He looked at Aman coldly, feigning composure, and said in a low voice, "Provocation won't work on me."
So you should just give up.
Fu Yunxiu had prepared himself for Aman to return empty-handed, after all, he had made his point so clear. But to his surprise, Aman smiled immediately after hearing his words, "In that case, let's go."
What?
Before Fu Yunxiu could react, Aman had already turned the wheelchair around and pushed Fu Yunxiu toward the door.
Fu Yunxiu was startled and subconsciously ordered, "Aman, stop."
Fu Yunxiu never expected that Aman would dare to defy his orders so boldly. For the first time, panic appeared on his usually calm face.
"Aman." Fu Yunxiu shouted coldly, his voice so deep that it sent chills down one's spine, but Aman paid no attention, as if she couldn't hear him.
"..."
Mantou was completely dumbfounded by the scene.
Has Ah Man taken the wrong medicine or been possessed by some evil spirit? How dare he be so bold?
Seeing that the two were about to leave, Mantou quickly took a few steps to catch up.
To make it easier for Fu Yunxiu to come and go, a steep ramp was built at the threshold of both the front and back gates of Wutong Garden. It had never been used before, but now it has benefited Aman.
Thus, Aman pushed Fu Yunxiu out the door without any hindrance.
It was still early, and there were hardly any people in the alley, except for an uncle watering the flowers and plants in front of his door.
Even so, Fu Yunxiu's good upbringing prevented him from losing his composure in front of outsiders.
So when he saw the person, he immediately sat up straight. Apart from his frighteningly dark face, it was really impossible to tell anything about him.
This is exactly the effect Aman wanted.
After locking the door, Mantou hurriedly caught up with them, only to find this bizarrely harmonious scene.
Aman pushed the young master, casually greeting passersby on the street, while the young master just sat quietly, occasionally nodding slightly when someone greeted him.
what happened?
Judging from the young master's expression, has he resigned himself to his fate and let Aman push him out?
Mantou quickened his pace to catch up with Aman, nudged her with his elbow, and looked at her with his eyes to ask what was going on.
Aman shook his head without speaking, his eyes indicating that he would talk to him later.
As they reached the corner, the three of them were drawn to the lively scene ahead.
That was the back gate of the Marquis's residence. At this time, it was the time when the Marquis's residence was preparing breakfast. People were coming and going, delivering vegetables, meat, flowers, and firewood, making it as lively as a market.
In comparison, Wutongyuan is really too quiet.
Seeing that Fu Yunxiu was watching, Aman slowly stopped walking.
After a long silence, Fu Yunxiu finally withdrew his gaze and said, "Let's go!"
The wooden wheels rolled over the bluestone path, making a creaking sound like a grotesque melody, crisp yet grating.
The three of them walked in silence for a long time before Aman broke the silence, "Does the young master wish to return to the Marquis's residence?"
"Heh!" Fu Yunxiu chuckled, it was unclear whether he was mocking Aman or himself.
What's so great about the Marquis's mansion? Since his father's death, his only remaining attachment to it has vanished.
Aman naturally knew that her question was ridiculous. To put it bluntly, the young master's current situation was that of an abandoned son of the Marquis's mansion. The first wife was completely devoted to the third young master, while the second wife wished the young master dead. Only the second young master, whom she had never met, had an unclear attitude towards the young master.
But he is the second wife's biological son, and he is bound to be of one mind with her.
So there's really nothing to miss about that Marquis's mansion, which explains why the young master chose to move to Wutong Garden.
However, the fleeting sadness in the young master's eyes just now made her think that he might still have some obsession with the Marquis's mansion.
Seeing that Fu Yunxiu was unwilling to talk anymore, Aman also remained silent. After turning the corner, they reached the main road in just a few steps.
The roadside was lined with merchants, and many people were carrying loads of food and hawking their wares along the street. Although it wasn't as bustling as a market day, there were still quite a few people.
Fu Yunxiu's relaxed heart suddenly tensed up.
He even had an urge to immediately have Aman take him back.
Ah Man noticed all of these subtle changes, especially when she saw the veins bulging on Fu Yunxiu's hand as he gripped the wheelchair handle.
“Young Master, you don’t need to be so nervous.” Aman leaned down slightly and whispered in a voice that only Fu Yunxiu could hear, “Most of the people here are just trying to make a living and support their families. Other people’s lives don’t really attract them much.”
Changqing Street is not considered a bustling area in Yongzhou. Most of the people coming and going to do business here are ordinary people who are struggling to make ends meet. They have no time to meddle in other people's business.
Moreover, Fu Yunxiu's attire alone reveals his extraordinary background. Even if he is disabled, such a person is someone they can only look up to but never reach. What is there to mock or look down on?
It has to be said that Aman had a firm grasp on Fu Yunxiu's mind. After hearing what he said, Fu Yunxiu began to take the pedestrians on the street seriously. He found that whether they were merchants or pedestrians, everyone was in a hurry and no one paid any attention to him.
Moreover, even if someone notices his disability, they only glance at him briefly, as if he were just watching someone eat or drink, as ordinary and natural as seeing someone eat or drink.
So, am I really being too sensitive?
Fu Yunxiu disagreed, because he had indeed seen others show pity, but also mockery and so on.
Even so, Fu Yunxiu's resistance changed slightly, and his expression was no longer cold.
At this moment, Aman's mind was entirely on Fu Yunxiu, and she naturally noticed his change.
He became even more certain that he had made the right bet.
In fact, she had already sensed the young master's wavering when she asked him at Wutong Garden; otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to push him out the door even if she had ten times the courage.
As Mantou said, the young master had been crippled in the leg since childhood. It would be unbearable for anyone to lose such a promising young man overnight.
Therefore, his sensitivity and suspicion during his youth caused him to shut himself in his shell, resisting contact with outsiders and even more so the outside world.
Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, the boy from back then has grown up and, after experiencing many changes, his mindset has also changed.
He just got used to being inside the tortoise shell, and without anyone reminding him, he forgot to come out.
Aman saw his wavering and his concerns.
The reason why concerns are concerns is ultimately due to fear.
So she made a decision that went against her status, forcefully pushing Fu Yunxiu out even when he said he didn't want to.
As she had said before, a man like the young master should not be confined to the small world of Wutong Garden. Even if he is really going to die soon, he should not spend his life in cold loneliness.
Now, Fu Yunxiu has become accustomed to the probing looks from others, making Aman realize that her guess was correct.
Aman pushed Fu Yunxiu forward. The closer they got to the market, the more pedestrians they saw, and naturally, they attracted a lot of curious glances.
Although Fu Yunxiu was still a little nervous, his hands, which were clenched tightly under the blanket, remained clenched, he maintained a calm demeanor. Aman was pleased, but other worries arose within her.
When we arrive at the market, what should we do with the young master?
We can't really let the young master let them sell vegetables together!
For a man of such noble character as the young master, the noisy and chaotic marketplace was a desecration.
Moreover, Mantou is right. After all, the young master is the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion. If he is recognized...
After racking her brains, Aman finally came up with a plan and said leisurely, "Young master, how about we let Mantou accompany you for a walk later?"
To speak in hushed tones, Aman pressed herself against Fu Yunxiu, her warm breath brushing against his neck. Fu Yunxiu instinctively moved away from her. "Why?"
“The market will be crowded later, and I’m afraid the young master will be recognized,” Aman said honestly.
Upon hearing this, Fu Yunxiu frowned slightly. "Didn't you insist on making me go out? Isn't it a bit too late to think about this now?"
From his tone, it was clear that he had some reservations about Aman's boldness, but it was just a few reservations.
Aman naturally knew that the young master was not angry with her because of this, so she didn't respond and continued to think of a solution, "How about I go and buy the young master a veiled hat to wear!"
The veil can both cover the face and shield from the sun, which is a double benefit.
Otherwise, if people really found out that the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion had fallen so low as to sell vegetables to make a living, wouldn't that be a laughing stock?
However, Fu Yunxiu shook his head, "No need."
His tone was so firm that even Aman was a little taken aback, and she subconsciously asked, "Why?"
Judging from your personality, young master, you probably don't like being gossiped about!
“Because no one will recognize me,” Fu Yunxiu said.
Since being poisoned at the age of ten, the eldest son of the Marquis's family, Fu Yunxiu, has been bedridden for a long time and has rarely appeared in front of outsiders.
After the fire at Wutongyuan when he was twenty, his mobility was forever tied to a wheelchair.
The world only knows that Fu Yunxiu, the eldest son of the Marquis's family, is exceptionally talented and highly regarded, and that he suffers from many illnesses and is disabled, but few have actually seen his face. Therefore, Fu Yunxiu considers Aman's concerns completely irrelevant.
Because nobody knows him at all.
Seeing that Fu Yunxiu didn't seem to be lying, Aman turned to look at Mantou, and Mantou nodded in agreement.
In recent years, apart from Old Chen, the young master has hardly met any outsiders.
Since the young master didn't mind, Aman naturally had nothing to say. She nodded and continued pushing him toward the market.
Mantou walked behind the two with a basket on his back, looking at the harmonious couple and marveling at their beauty.
The young master actually went out like that, and didn't hold Aman's earlier recklessness against him at all.
He didn't even dare to imagine how difficult his future would be if he were the one who forcefully pushed the young master out today.
It seems that Aman really does have some skills.
When the three arrived at the stall, Aunt Zhu was already there. When she saw Aman pushing another man over, her gossipy nature was aroused. Unfortunately, Aman was busy setting up the stall, so she couldn't go up and ask. She could only hold back.
Aman took out a felt cloth and spread it on the ground, then took out some bok choy and laid it out on top. She then began assigning tasks; she herself was responsible for selling and packaging, Mantou was responsible for weighing, and as for collecting money…
Aman took out the old woman's money from her sleeve and handed it to Fu Yunxiu, saying loudly, "The job of collecting money is now yours, young master."
Fu Yunxiu looked at the purse that Aman handed him, raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, but didn't say anything. Mantou, on the other hand, got excited, "Aman, what are you doing?"
It was already outrageous enough to make the young master go out to sell vegetables, but now she actually made him do chores.
As Mantou spoke, he reached for the purse that Aman had placed in her hand, but Fu Yunxiu snatched it away first.
"good."
"..." A nonchalant reply, however, caused the steamed bun to crumble completely.
Today's repeated shocks left him somewhat dazed.
Is this still the young master he grew up with? How come he seems to have never recognized him before?
"Hmph!" Aman raised an eyebrow at him smugly, then turned back to her own business.
Mantou looked at what Aman had placed there, then at Fu Yunxiu, and could only sigh in the end.
That's enough.
After the three of them settled in, Zhao Hu arrived late, pulling a cart. He greeted Aman and Mantou from afar, but when he got closer, he realized that there was someone else next to Aman.
"Why did it take you so long to arrive?" Aunt Zhu asked.
"My dad fell and hurt his leg while chopping firewood on the mountain yesterday, so I was making tofu by myself, which made me a little slower," Zhao Hu said.
"How badly was your father injured?"
"It's nothing, I just twisted my ankle, and it's a little swollen."
Zhao Hu unloaded the cart and finally had a chance to talk to Aman.
Who is this?
“This is my young master,” Aman introduced. “Young master, this is Brother Zhao Hu, whom I often tell you about.”
Fu Yunxiu naturally recognized Zhao Hu. He recognized him from the moment Zhao Hu spoke to Mantou from afar; he was the one who had been talking to Aman in the backyard that day.
Fu Yunxiu sized up Zhao Hu. He was a decent-looking man with regular features, broad shoulders, and a strong build.
Zhao Hu met Fu Yunxiu's gaze and nodded slightly. "I am Aman's friend. May I ask your honorable surname, sir?"
Ah Man?
They called each other so intimately.
She was, after all, a young woman who had never left her maiden home; they met by chance, yet he directly called her by her maiden name.
Fu Yunxiu frowned slightly, immediately losing some goodwill towards this person, and said in a detached tone, "No need for formalities, my surname is Fu."
Fu?
This surname reminded Zhao Hu of the Cheng'an Marquis's mansion, whose surname was Fu, and coincidentally, the eldest son of that man, Fu, was also disabled.
But then I thought again, Young Master Fu is the eldest son of the Marquis's family. Even if he is disabled, the people in the Marquis's family are still very precious.
He had been to the courtyard where this young master Fu lived. Although he hadn't been to the front yard, he could tell that it wasn't a luxurious residence.
It's probably just a coincidence that they share the same surname.
Sensing the distance in the other person's tone, Zhao Hu didn't want to talk to him anymore. He simply nodded and greeted him before returning to his stall.
The market day had just ended, and there weren't many people buying vegetables; they were scattered around, and many just looked without buying anything.
Aman wasn't in a hurry. He sat on the curb and kept asking Fu Yunxiu if he was thirsty or hot.
Having just eaten breakfast and with the sun only recently risen, Fu Yunxiu was neither thirsty nor hot. He hadn't been out in a long time, and had never been to a place like a market before, so this was a novel experience and not too boring.
Of course, it would have been better if there hadn't been those pairs of eyes staring at him from the stalls in front of him.
This was the third time he had made eye contact with the person opposite him.
Although he could tell that the women meant no harm, the probing look in their eyes made him uncomfortable.
But since they were so far away, even if they were just looking at him, he couldn't say anything.
Fu Yunxiu frowned slightly and looked away with displeasure.
Aman was close to him and kept a close eye on him, so she immediately noticed that something was wrong.
Aman, with her keen eyesight, quickly discerned the source of Fu Yunxiu's displeasure.
It must be those three women not far away, who were clearly trying to hide something, their eyes constantly darting towards the young master while pretending to browse jewelry at the stall. Especially the woman in the pink dress, whose eyes seemed glued to the young master.
As a woman myself, Aman could tell from her excited expression that she had no bad intentions.
Even so, it would be bad if it caused trouble for others.
Aman thought for a moment, then raised his arm and waved to the three women, "Hey girls over there, do you want to buy my vegetables? Come over here and take a closer look."
Aman's original intention was to make those women understand that their behavior was disturbing others, so that they would restrain themselves. However, whether the woman in pink was naturally straightforward or just a bit dim-witted, she didn't understand the implied meaning and actually walked over here.
The two women in blue standing nearby couldn't hold him back.
The woman in pink approached, her gaze falling on Fu Yunxiu before quickly looking away. A blush rose on her face as she pointed to the vegetables in front of Aman and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "How much did you buy these vegetables?"
He spoke to Aman, but his eyes were fixed on Fu Yunxiu, his intentions quite clear.
Aman knew that her young master would never talk to her, and since the other party was a guest, she couldn't be rude, so she could only reply, "Four coins a pound, please pick whatever you like."
Aman greeted her with a smile, but the woman in pink ignored her.
At this moment, she was completely captivated by Fu Yunxiu.
From a distance, one could only notice the person's noble air; but now that they're closer, their face is even more captivating.
How could a man look like this? With sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a nose like a hanging gall bladder, his slightly pale complexion gave him a perfect balance between pretty and handsome. He exuded a gentle, scholarly air, yet also a touch of aloofness, like a pure and cold fairy from the heavens.
The woman in pink was mesmerized. The two women in blue beside her, though not as exaggerated, were no less so. Seeing that her young master's brows were so furrowed that they could almost trap a fly, Aman quickly spoke up to divert their attention, "I picked these bok choy this morning. Look, they're still fresh."
Aman waved a green vegetable in front of the three of them, and they finally snapped out of their daze and felt a little embarrassed.
The taller woman in blue pinched the woman in pink, signaling her to be more discreet. Under Aman's clearly meaningful gaze, the three of them haphazardly picked out some vegetables and handed them to Aman to weigh.
"Eight coins in total, pay here."
Aman pointed at Fu Yunxiu, and the three of them turned to meet those cold eyes. They immediately felt a little dizzy. The woman in pink scrambled to take out her money, saying, "I'll pay, I'll pay."
With a slightly enthusiastic payment, Fu Yunxiu's thin lips pursed into a straight line as he swiftly accepted the two five-coin change handed to him by the woman in pink. "Here's your change."
Having come this far, the three of them naturally had no reason to linger there any longer, and could only leave the stall with great reluctance, glancing back at each step.
They hadn't gone far when the woman in pink suddenly exclaimed, "Ahhh...he's really so handsome!"
"His voice is very pleasant too," said the woman in blue, who was rather slender. "I just don't know which family's young master he is."
"It shouldn't be, whose young master would be out selling vegetables?" said the other woman in blue, who was also the more rational of the three.
The three of them were speaking quite loudly, and Aman and the other two, with their sharp ears and eyes, naturally heard everything clearly.
Seeing Fu Yunxiu looking over, Aman winked at him, "Did you hear that, young master? He's praising you."
As for the woman in the yellow dress, Aman subconsciously ignored her.
It must be said that those women had good taste; the young master was indeed very handsome.
Fu Yunxiu didn't speak, but turned his head away under Aman's teasing gaze, his expression unchanged, though his slightly reddened ear tips betrayed him.
From childhood to adulthood, Fu Yunxiu received very few compliments.
His father valued him highly and considered him the young master of the Marquis's mansion. Therefore, no matter how well he did, in his eyes he was just a qualified young master.
As for her mother, before Fu Yunting was born, her mind was entirely on her father and her struggles with her aunt. After Fu Yunting was born, she focused all her attention on her younger brother.
His excellence was, to some extent, a stumbling block for his younger brother, so aside from criticizing him for being immature, he was never praised.
For some reason, Fu Yunxiu felt a pang of sadness.
So, Ah Man must have figured something out, which is why she did it on purpose!
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Author's Note: Young Master Fu, you're overthinking it!
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