Chapter 17
After calming his emotions, Qiao Hezhi noticed that outside, the sky was already growing dark. He had no idea how things were going on Fang Yu's end.
He secretly regretted his actions, annoyed at why he had been so discourteous today, and annoyed that he had gone back on his decision after seeing Fang Yu, despite having already made up his mind. To be so unprincipled now... if things continued like this, then whatever Fang Yu coaxed him with in the future would surely become the truth.
He noticed how late it had gotten, yet there was still no sign of Fang Yu returning, nor had anyone been sent to deliver a message.
Today's incident had been too sudden, and he hadn't had time to carefully discern whether Fang Yu's words were true or false. He had just gone along with it and been settled in the room. The blame lay solely with his own excessive soft-heartedness.
Just as he was fretting, the door creaked open a crack. Siyu hurried in, a smile on her face. "Young Master, the Master requests your presence for the evening meal!"
Qiao Hezhi turned his head: "Invites me to eat? Where, is it Changshou Hall? Did Miss Cousin stay?"
"I heard she did stay, but the Master is asking you to go to the Bicang Small Pavilion."
"Go there..." Qiao Hezhi murmured to himself. The place where Fang Yu lived had a formal dining room for receiving guests. He had initially assumed that if Yin Rao'er stayed for dinner, the meal would simply be served in Changshou Hall for everyone to share. He had not expected Fang Yu to arrange the meal in his place instead. This clearly demonstrated how seriously Fang Yu was treating Yin Rao'er's visit.
His heart sank with disappointment, but he still stood up: "Let's go."
When they reached Bicang Small Pavilion, the servants actually led him straight into the room. The meal had already been set out in the sitting room connected to the bedroom.
"You're here?" Fang Yu saw him and finished washing his hands: "Come quickly and wash your hands first, then we'll eat."
Qiao Hezhi looked around, puzzled: "Why not in the main hall? And where are Mother and Miss Cousin?"
Fang Yu explained, "It's just the two of us, so there's no need to eat in the main hall. Besides, it's not as warm over there as it is here in the bedroom." He added, "Mother and Cousin are having their meal separately in Changshou Hall."
"Why are they..."
"It's been a long time since they've seen each other, let them talk. We won't disturb them." Fang Yu urged him: "Hurry, wash your hands and eat, I'm hungry."
Three dishes and a soup were set on the table: a simmered pork tripe, a plate of assorted cold cuts, a vegetable dish, and the soup was a tofu meatball soup.
The portions of each dish weren't large; Fang Yu had specifically instructed the kitchen. Originally, because Yin Rao'er was staying today, the groceries bought for the house were more abundant than usual, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat. But Fang Yu felt there was no need to use such good food for hospitality, so he had it sent according to the usual standard. He figured the two of them probably weren't in the mood to eat much anyway, and any leftovers would be a waste.
Moreover, he also believed that one shouldn't eat too heavily in the evening, especially at home where there wasn't much activity after eating to aid digestion. Therefore, he thought it was better to keep the dinner relatively light.
He noticed that Qiao Hezhi seemed in low spirits, as if he hadn't yet recovered from the afternoon's events, so he tried to make conversation.
"The food you sent to the academy today was excellent. While I was eating in the dining hall, it even attracted a fellow student who discussed it with me over the dishes."
Hearing this, Qiao Hezhi let Siyu wipe his hands and sat down on the stool in front of the table. His brow twitched slightly: "I hope they weren't making fun of me."
"Of course not," Fang Yu replied. "The student praised it extensively. In fact, if the portion hadn't been so generous, he would have finished it all by himself. He even asked me where I had found such a skilled cook."
Receiving this affirmation, Qiao Hezhi couldn't help but smile slightly: "Did you tell your friend, Master, that the cook was hired from Hufengjing?"
Fang Yu paused for a moment upon hearing this, then remembered that Qiao Hezhi was from the Qiao family of Yuncheng's Hufengjing. He laughed: "It's a pity the Qiao family of Hufengjing only raised one who is skilled at making soups and broths. Others may want to hire one, but they won't be able to find one."
Qiao Hezhi pursed his lips, his smile growing wider.
The two of them chatted about the food and drink as they ate, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious: "My mother is also good at cooking. Tomorrow I'll send a servant back early to inform her, so she can prepare some good food and wine."
"Really? But wouldn't that trouble your mother?"
"Of course not," Qiao Hezhi replied. "It had been a long time since I last tasted my mother's cooking. I knew that if we visited together, she would be delighted to cook for us herself, even if we arrived without any prior notice."
"Then it seems I'm in for another treat." Fang Yu shamelessly made plans: "Then tomorrow at noon, don't bother preparing a meal for me. I'll save some appetite to eat more in the evening."
Hearing this, Qiao Hezhi understood that Fang Yu's commitment to accompany him back to his parental home was now certain. He lowered his gaze, concealing the smile in his eyes, and replied, "As you wish, Master."
The two ate quietly. Qiao Hezhi's mood had eased, and he actually wanted to ask about the matters at Changshou Hall, but didn't know how to bring it up. Noting that Fang Yu was focused on his meal, Qiao Hezhi decided to simply concentrate on eating as well.
He had eaten very little after returning at noon, and following the trying events at Changshou Hall that afternoon, he realized he was genuinely quite hungry.
After the meal, the servants cleared the dishes and brought up two plates of fruit for after the meal. Fang Yu peeled two segments of pomelo, placed them on a small plate, and pushed it towards Qiao Hezhi. Only then did he bring up the afternoon's events: "You were wronged today. I've already had a talk with Mother. I believe she won't make things difficult for you like this in the future. If she does it again, you don't need to retreat excessively and endure it yourself. You can refute her, or you can tell me."
Upon hearing this, a warm current passed through Qiao Hezhi's heart. Fang Yu had already sided with him not just once or twice. Whatever stubbornness he had left earlier had long since disappeared after such reassurance, and he even felt somewhat guilty and self-blaming: "I was also very much in the wrong today. I will be more careful with my words and actions in the future."
"You are already very careful. There's no need to be like that. I just hope you can treat this place as your own home and not be so restrained."
Qiao Hezhi curled his fingers tightly: "Thank you for your consideration, Master."
Fang Yu laughed softly and patted Qiao Hezhi's head: "What are you thanking me for? It's my duty to protect you."
Qiao Hezhi looked deeply at Fang Yu. Even if he had a thousand words, he didn't know how to say them. Instead, they stuck in his throat, making him feel choked up and uncomfortable.
"Alright, I still need to go to the study to review my lessons a bit, so I won't idle around." Fang Yu stood up: "By the way, I remember you also like reading books. There are many books in the study. If you're bored and find the long night tedious and can't sleep, you can also go over and take a look?"
Qiao Hezhi stood up as well: "I... I can go in? I mean, would it disturb your studying, Master?"
"Of course not. If you want to go, then let's go."
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