The Daily Life Of Mei Furen Doting On Her Husband - Chapter 62

Some old and famous pastry shops in the city had set up sheds by the river. They provided the materials and invited onlookers to participate in a rice dumpling wrapping competition. Those who could wrap the most rice dumplings within a fixed time would win prizes and take their rice dumplings home. In addition to making rice dumplings, there were also people making mugwort cakes. A large group of capable women rolled up their sleeves and joined the competition. Their husbands and children watched from the sidelines, clapping in encouragement. In the end, the women on the field raced against time to wrap rice dumplings and make cakes, while the husbands off the field danced with joy. The participants and the audience alike compared themselves, which made the onlookers laugh and cheer.

The sun was shining, and the atmosphere was lively. Mei Zhuyu didn’t usually enjoy noisy environments, but that day felt different. Watching Wu Zhen and others clapping and cheering, Mei Zhuyu unconsciously smiled.

He suddenly realized that there was nothing wrong with such excitement.

The two of them continued walking, and when Wu Zhen felt hungry, they bought some mugwort cakes and a few rice dumplings of different flavors from a small shop set up by the roadside; they were all green in color and looked very appetizing.

There were also people selling fruit juice and fresh fruits on the roadside. Wu Zhen saw someone selling cherries from a shoulder pole. They were juicy and fresh, so she bought some as well.

When they returned home after a day of wandering, they asked the kitchen to make cherry yogurt with the cherries. The pitted cherries were mixed with cheese and sweet syrup, then stirred. After being slightly chilled, the mixture became sweet, sour, delicious, and refreshing. On the evening of the Dragon Boat Festival, bathing in orchid-flower fermented water to wash away the sweat and then enjoying a bowl of cherry yogurt was truly delightful.

That year’s Dragon Boat Festival passed without any regrets.

After living for twenty-three years, Mei Zhuyu finally realized how lively and interesting the prosperous festivals in this world could be—all thanks to Wu Zhen.

“Minister Mei, didn’t you just marry the famous Miss Wu in Chang’an? Why don’t you look happy at all? Are you not satisfied with your life?”

Cui Shouyuan, who was also a minister in the Ministry of Justice, suddenly approached Mei Zhuyu and asked in a familiar tone. Mei Zhuyu had always been a loner, and no one usually disturbed his lunch at the Ministry of Justice. Unexpectedly, that day someone decided to be an uninvited guest.

Mei Zhuyu glanced at Cui Shouyuan. He had never spoken to him before, but Cui Shouyuan was much more popular in the Ministry of Justice. Cui Shouyuan liked to invite people to brothels and music halls. He was generous, open-minded, and treated people like brothers. Mei Zhuyu didn’t have much contact with him, so he merely nodded coldly and left.

Who would have thought that Cui Shouyuan would follow him persistently? 

“Second Young Master, we agreed to go to Madam Cai’s place on Pingkang Street tonight. Do you want to come with us?”

Mei Zhuyu shook his head. “Thanks for the invitation, but I won’t go.”

Cui Shouyuan sighed, “I’m not saying anything bad about you, Second Young Master, but your wife is an unruly girl who visits brothels and music halls more often than I do. Don’t you have any thoughts on this? I know that although she’s married to you, she lives in Duke Yu’s Mansion and has never stayed at your house. It’s obvious that her heart isn’t with you. Everyone knows Miss Wu’s temper. I can understand your depression, but men should be more generous. This little unhappiness is nothing. I sympathize with you, and I think we could be close friends, so I came to invite you…”

Cui Shouyuan spoke eloquently, but Mei Zhuyu didn’t respond. When he finally stopped talking, Mei Zhuyu said, “Don’t bother me here. Go back to your own place.”

Mei Zhuyu’s direct response left Cui Shouyuan stunned for a moment. When he finally processed what was said, his expression turned sour. He stood up, slapped the table, and stormed off, muttering under his breath, “I thought he was silent and upright, but it seems he’s just an ungrateful person who thinks he can be arrogant just because he married into Duke Yu’s Mansion. Bah.”

Mei Zhuyu ignored him and continued with his work. Ever since his marriage to Wu Zhen, rumors had been swirling. After the wedding, the gossip intensified. Some said he was trying to curry favor with the rich and powerful by marrying an unmarried woman; others claimed he was confused, choosing the wrong person and ruining his life. Some believed he couldn’t control his wife, lacking dignity as a man. While some ridiculed him openly, others did so behind his back. Mei Zhuyu was fully aware of it all but remained unfazed.

Wu Zhen knew him well. What others said or saw didn’t influence him. He didn’t care about other people’s opinions, but there were always those self-righteous individuals eager to mock his perceived mistakes.

Thinking of Wu Zhen, Mei Zhuyu paused and glanced out the window at the lush greenery. He hadn’t seen Wu Zhen in several days. A few days after the Dragon Boat Festival, Wu Zhen returned to Duke Yu’s Mansion and hadn’t reappeared.

In the days surrounding the Dragon Boat Festival, Wu Zhen had been by his side. In just a few days, he had almost become accustomed to her constant presence. After Wu Zhen returned to Duke Yu’s Mansion, for the first time, he found his house desolate and quiet. It was a place he was used to, yet her absence made it feel empty.

Before being with Wu Zhen, he never imagined he would grow unaccustomed to solitude and silence.

On his way back from his shift, Mei Zhuyu overheard Cui Shouyuan chatting with two other Ministry of Justice officials. Cui Shouyuan’s tone was full of disdain and sarcasm, “What’s the use of a man like Mei? He can’t even control a woman. I know Miss Wu has been in the Pearl House these days. Have you ever heard of a woman having fun outside while her husband doesn’t care? Mei Zhuyu is useless. He just doesn’t dare to control her, so he swallows his anger.”

Mei Zhuyu didn’t listen further or take those words to heart. He simply let them go. He was planning to return home and draw talismans, something he hadn’t practiced in a while. With nothing else to do, it seemed like a good way to clear his mind.

However, Wu Zhen wasn’t as tolerant. That same night, Cui Shouyuan had an appointment to visit a brothel on Pingkang Street. After drinking too much, he started complaining loudly and badmouthing Mei Zhuyu. Wu Zhen happened to be nearby and overheard everything.

“Don’t be fooled by Mei Zhuyu’s indifferent appearance at the Ministry of Justice. He might be fuming in private. What man can tolerate his woman having affairs outside? But he has nothing to counter Duke Yu’s Mansion except for his son-in-law status. He has no choice but to swallow his anger and pretend to be magnanimous and indifferent.”

“Look at him—he usually disdains going along with us. But didn’t he marry Wu Zhen for the power of Duke Yu’s Mansion? Don’t tell me he isn’t more ambitious than those of us who are simple-minded. As long as he tolerates Wu Zhen’s affairs, he’ll get promoted and make a fortune. That’s not something ordinary people can do…”