Chapter 35: Difficulty in Guarding Against Schemes

  Having teased the not-so-eloquent Master Fu, Su Ying felt relieved and sat in front of the mirror to comb her hair. Fu Ye Yang sat behind her, his eyes falling on the white jade pendant hanging from the lacquer rack, his expression slightly embarrassed. He had indeed been a bit reckless yesterday, reciting that poem. Seeing Su Ying looking at him from the mirror, Master Fu raised his hand, clenched his fist and cleared his throat to cover up the slight awkwardness and embarrassment: "You worked hard yesterday."

  The person in the mirror also glanced at Bai Yuxi, with a sideways glance of her sparkling eyes, and scolded him with an impolite tone: "Not hardworking, Master is usually very reserved after getting drunk, but today he's more talkative than usual."

  Su Yingyue said so, Fu Yiyang was really embarrassed, and had to find something to say: "Yesterday I chatted with my two uncles and we had a great time, I didn't realize it but I ended up drinking a few more cups."

  Su Ying smiled with pursed lips: "My second brother has a large capacity for wine, usually likes to advise others to drink, and is prone to getting drunk. Every time he gets drunk, he loves to recite poetry and compose couplets. Whoever tries to persuade him will be pulled along by him to compose poetry together. If they can't come up with anything, he won't let them leave."

  If this could also be considered consolation, Fu Yiyang's heart felt a little more balanced, and he coughed to bring the corners of his mouth back down.

  This subtle mood was maintained until the breakfast was served, and the maid who set the table, whether intentionally or unintentionally, placed a dish of green bean cake in front of Fu Yiyang. He glanced at Su Ying, whose expression remained unchanged. He pursed his lips, first picking up a tofu skin bun to savor slowly.

  Su Ying suppressed her smile, put on a dignified and gentle expression, looked at the plate of green bean cake, frowned: "How can you serve such a sweet dish so early in the morning, it's a bit too much."

  Lü Huì's eyes widened in surprise, she didn't know what kind of trick Sū Yǐng was up to, but she also didn't dare to interrupt rashly.

  "It's okay," Fu Yiyang naturally picked up a piece of green bean cake and took a bite, holding the principle of not wasting food, quickly finishing the rest, and showing a reluctant expression that could be swallowed, with a serious face making the serving girls doubt that the old master really didn't like sweets. He also handed a piece to Su Ying, "You can try it."

  Su Ying was almost deceived by Fu Da's straightforward and honest words, she picked up the green bean cake with her chopsticks, savored it carefully and smiled: "This green bean cake is indeed well-made, sweet but not greasy, fragrant and soft."

  Fu Yiyang was stunned.

  Fortunately, during this period of time, he neither drank porridge nor ate snacks.

  Fu Houye felt that he was being overly cautious, and his gaze caught the cunning in Su Ying's eyes, as well as the raised corners of her mouth that were not hidden by her veil. When had his normally elegant and gentle wife ever had such a cunning and lively side?

  That strange feeling in his heart dissipated the awkwardness, Fu Yeyang rubbed his nose and returned to his usual calm and stern demeanor.

  Seeing this, Su Ying was disappointed that she couldn't see him change his face, and the old master who got drunk was still more lovely. Unbeknownst to her, all the changes in her expression were captured by Fu Ye's eyes, which were always on her, and a faint smile slipped into his dark eyes.

  "Yesterday you said you wanted to replace the paper windows in the main courtyard with glass, have you thought it through?" Fu Yeyang was in a good mood and started talking more, even during meals they no longer followed the rule of not speaking while eating, making mealtime feel like a compulsory task. "Since you like that glass lamp, ask the housekeeper to buy a pair of good ones too, and put them in the room to brighten it up."

  When did she say she liked that glass lamp? At that time, I just thought the glass lamp was very modern. Moreover, can't you not be so overbearing? Didn't she say not to replace the glass window for now?! Ugh... Just then, Su Ying felt Lord Fu's leg suddenly appear under the table and lean towards her, making Su Ying feel like she was going to collapse.

  She said how out of the blue she mentioned glass lamps, and remembered last night when this man got drunk and turned into a bit of a beast, doing that thing... it was actually more passionate than usual, those ambiguous images lingering in her mind, making her feel like her legs were burning hot, scalded to the point of shrinking away, her pale face quickly flushing red, her face red as she silently cursed him, damn the aftereffects of getting drunk!

  Su Ying's sudden blush attracted Lu Xi's puzzled gaze, and the mistress of the Hou Mansion coughed lightly and tried to compose her face: "I remember the old master's kindness, so let's not change the main courtyard for now. Once I've thought it through, I'll definitely tell the old master at the first opportunity."

  Sounds like there's some resentment and anger in his tone.

  Fu Yiyang also stopped teasing her, nodded in agreement, and that was a very serious matter.

  Compared with the harmony of the big house, the second house is more lively.

  The Second Master Fu Xueyang has one aunt and several concubines. Even though Madame Chen had found an excuse to drive out a few of the concubines recently, she couldn't stop Fu Xueyang from constantly adding new ones. Especially his new favorite, Amber, whom Madame Chen hated with a passion, especially after Amber intercepted her sedan chair halfway yesterday, leaving Madame Chen who hadn't been favored for several days seething with anger.

  This morning, Wang's aunt wore a silver-red embroidered jacket with golden flowers all over it, and appeared in front of her with a charming smile. She greeted Chen's wife, sat down beside her, smoothed out her hair, and said lightly: "I suppose this amber sister is not feeling well, that's why she came late."

  Something's wrong with her! Obviously it is... Aunt Wang's words poured oil on the fire of Mrs. Chen's anger, and she glared at Aunt Wang with a handkerchief, saying disdainfully: "A slave is just a slave, without any rules at all."

  The queen consort slightly hooked up the corner of her mouth and said, "After all, it was the madam who personally taught you, this little bit of etiquette wouldn't be something you don't understand. Looking at the old master not having sent someone to deliver a message yet, I suppose he's been delayed."

  Madam Chen's face turned even uglier, just then Xiao Yatou rushed in to report: "The master has arrived."

  Mrs. Chen's face slightly cleared, but when she saw Amber following closely behind Fu Xueyang, she gritted her teeth and quickly walked over to welcome Fu Xueyang in, giving Amber a fierce glare before forcing a smile for Fu Xueyang: "Is Master still satisfied with Amber's service?"

  Fu Xueyang was satisfied, and the gaze that fell on Amber's body revealed a hint of flirtation: "How did I not discover such a wonderful person in front of my wife before?"

  Madam Chen grasped her handkerchief and instructed the maid in front of her: "Go get that Suzhou brocade the old lady gave me earlier and give it to Xu as a reward." She turned to Fu Xueyang, becoming gentle and endearing again: "Elder cousin, are you hungry?"

  Fu Xueyang was very satisfied with Madame Chen's demeanor, and his gaze also shifted from Yu Ye to Madame Chen. Madame Chen felt a little more at ease, but the next moment, Yu Ye furrowed her delicate eyebrows, revealing a section of her neck, and bowed slightly towards Madame Chen: "I..." She bit her teeth in time, and Fu Xueyang was stunned by her elegant appearance, his footsteps also came to a halt.

  Amber bit her mouth, her drooping eyelashes trembling slightly, and she raised her head to glance at Fu Xueyang with a hint of annoyance, then didn't look again. She spoke softly and gently to Madame Chen: "The slave thanks the madam for her gift." The word 'slave' came out more smoothly this time.

  Without waiting for Madame Chen to respond, Fu Xueyang started being affectionate: "What's the big deal? That's what you deserve. I think the hairpin on your head is a bit plain too. I'll have someone send you a set of ruby and gold headdress later."

  Wang Yiniang could no longer pretend to be calm and collected, her face pale and cold as she gazed at the blush on her cheeks, tears welling up in her eyes like amber about to fall. She felt particularly displeased, it seemed she had underestimated this person!

  As for Mrs. Chen, she was so angry that her lungs were about to burst, and the two of them were slapping her in the face! Looking at Amber's gaze, it was as if she wanted to bite off a piece of flesh, Amber naturally also sensed it, she was triumphant in her heart, but her body was swaying, and she tilted her head towards Mrs. Chen, without straightening up, instead, she bent her knees again and paid respects to Mrs. Chen.

  This made her slender waist and beautiful shoulders even more striking, and she had only casually tied a slanted bun on her head, without any hairpins or flowers, just a white pearl pin, and another red hair ribbon, which seemed to be carelessly done, revealing a few hints of laziness and randomness, very clever. Fu Xiyang stared with wide eyes, and her voice trembled: "Slave pays respects to madam."

  Madam Chen was so angry with Amber that she could hardly bear it, and she deliberately made things difficult for her. But Fu Xueyang was still watching from the side, so at this time, she could only let the vinegar river flow in her heart, while on the surface, she had to show off her virtuous side.

  Just then, Amber's body swayed and almost fell over, her weak body seemingly unable to withstand such movements. Fu Xiyang, who had been staring at her, immediately looked displeased, glared at Mrs. Chen, and personally walked over to help Amber up.

  Right under the eyes of Mrs. Chen and everyone in the room, Second Master grasped the beauty's soft wrist and pinched it, seeing the tears in Jade's eyes made him heartbroken: "You have a weak body, from now on you don't need to be so polite."

  Madam Chen's face was burning, her body trembling with rage. Fu Xueyang's words were like a slap in the face in front of everyone, and now she couldn't wait for Amber to die immediately. Madam Chen did not erupt on the spot, nor did she quarrel loudly like last time, but instead endured it with difficulty, lowering her eyes, the malice in her eyes almost materializing into substance.

  Aunt Wang covered her mouth with a handkerchief and sneered, thinking she was clever just now, but actually being muddled.

  The two old men stirred up a pool of muddy water, giving Amber enough hatred value, and he himself didn't even notice the stormy weather between his wives. If eye daggers could kill people, I estimate that this house would have been flooded with blood long ago.

  Amber hung her head, and didn't take the dagger Chen's wife flew at her seriously. She was pleased in her heart, she had seen that Chen's wife, this legitimate wife, was stupid enough to fall for such a small trick, so it wasn't her fault.