Aliang was considered quite tall among the youths, but when placed next to Ji Xiaoyuan, with his muscular build and long legs, he still seemed rather short. He looked up at Ji Xiaoyuan, "My mother and the others were discussing this early in the morning. They even said... it seems they want to visit your home to see Sister-in-law."
"Visit?" Ji Xiaoyuan’s demeanor immediately turned icy, and he started walking down the mountain, "I must take my leave first."
"Xiaoyuan brother, wait for me, I’ll come down the mountain with you!" Aliang stopped caring about picking herbs and immediately ran after Ji Xiaoyuan, "Don’t leave me behind!"
Worried about Su Zhiruan, Ji Xiaoyuan quickened his pace down the mountain, with Aliang nearly running to keep up.
By the time they reached his doorstep, Ji Xiaoyuan’s face had turned completely cold.
Just as he had said, there were quite a few people crowded at his doorstep.
Out of breath, Aliang saw the crowd and then Ji Xiaoyuan’s expression, and felt that things were bad.
"Xiaoyuan is back!" someone exclaimed upon seeing Ji Xiaoyuan.
"Brother Xiaoyuan, did you really get married?" Other women in the village who had hoped to marry Ji Xiaoyuan asked with tearful eyes filled with heartbreak.
"We haven’t seen your wife for such a long time, why not let us see her today?"
Everyone was discussing animatedly, curiosity showing on their faces.
"What is all this?" Ji Xiaoyuan walked into the crowd, emitting a cold aura and his expression indifferent, yet he exuded an inexplicable pressure, "My wife is seriously injured and resting. Whoever dares to disturb her, I, Ji, am not one to be trifled with."
Having spoken thus, the villagers felt embarrassed and gradually dispersed.
Aliang peeked at Ji Xiaoyuan’s face, cautious, "Xiaoyuan brother, are you angry?"
"What I said is true, she is indeed resting," Ji Xiaoyuan opened the door, seeing that everyone had left and not avoiding Aliang, he said indifferently, "I wouldn’t get angry over such a trivial matter."
"Do you want to come in?" Ji Xiaoyuan looked at him.
Aliang, being carefree, thought Ji Xiaoyuan was genuinely inviting him, so he immediately grinned, "Really? Alright!"
"These..." Aliang casually took off his basket, holding it in front of him and scratching his head sheepishly, "It’s a shame I didn’t get much today. I’ll give these to Sister-in-law. There’s a herb that replenishes blood and qi, I remember. Xiaoyuan brother, you take these."
After saying that, he grinned sheepishly and handed over the basket eagerly.
Ji Xiaoyuan understood him and knew this was just a foolish boy, so since he was alone, he might as well invite him in.
"Come in, then close the door," Ji Xiaoyuan instructed him, and then left the basket in the yard and entered the outer room.
Su Zhiruan had a relatively boring morning.
After Ji Xiaoyuan left, she took another nap and upon waking, began flipping through storybooks.
In this era, customs were quite open, and it was common for stories to involve the palace. For instance, the book she was reading was about a Noble Consort and the Emperor.
Before she had finished one book, she heard noises and knocking at the front door, with people loudly asking if anyone was there.
The soundproofing of ancient houses was poor, and Su Zhiruan could clearly hear the commotion outside. But since she couldn’t move her legs and the door was locked, she pretended no one was home and continued reading.
She knew Ji Xiaoyuan had returned, so when she heard footsteps, Su Zhiruan put down her book.
"You’re finally back," Su Zhiruan said, looking towards the door, her voice reaching Ji Xiaoyuan’s ears.
Upon hearing her voice, Ji Xiaoyuan didn’t hesitate and opened the door.
He saw the young girl lying on her side, her eyes faintly red, with storybooks piled beside her, her eyes appearing plaintive and indignant.
"I... am late on my return."
In a moment, Ji Xiaoyuan experienced an unprecedented surge of emotions. The feelings arose without warning, yet they made him feel complicated.
"They were at the door all along," Su Zhiruan lowered her eyes, her voice softening, "and kept knocking. I was so scared."
"Don’t be afraid, they won’t come again." Ji Xiaoyuan walked over, stacked the storybooks and put them aside on the cupboard, then extended his hand towards her, "Shall I help you up?"
"Okay." Su Zhiruan nodded and leaned into his hand for support.
Ji Xiaoyuan helped her sit up, allowing her to lean against the cushion.