A chill swept over Shang Ruyi, and she slowly opened her eyes.
She was still trapped in a somewhat groggy dream, lying quietly for a while before looking up at the window. It was still dark night outside, but she could already hear the sounds of servants moving around. She got up, put on clothes, and walked over to push open the window. Immediately, a gust of wind mixed with icy rain and snow blew against her face.
It rarely rains during winter in Luoyang, but when it does, the rain mixed with snowflakes is even colder than just snow. Moreover, the damp cold seeps into the bones like invisible needles. No wonder even in her dream, she felt the bone-chilling cold.
Shang Ruyi shivered silently, reaching to adjust her clothes around her body.
Immediately, Tushere, passing by, saw her and hurriedly came in, saying, "Miss, why are you opening the window without dressing properly? It’s snowing outside. What if you catch a cold?"
While saying this, she took out an outer garment and draped it over Shang Ruyi.
Shang Ruyi didn’t move, letting her fuss over her. It was only after her clothes were properly worn that she asked, "What time is it?"
Shang Ruyi was silent for a moment, then looked at the sky outside and murmured, "I wonder if he’s gone to bed yet."
Tushere paused but immediately guessed, "Miss, are you referring to Sir?"
"Isn’t 7 AM the time when everyone’s just waking up?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, giving a bitter smile. Tushere thought about it further and seemed to understand. She didn’t say much but softly comforted a few words, then ordered the kitchen to quickly bring breakfast.
Before long, the kitchen staff came and set up the meal. Shang Ruyi walked over and saw a large bowl of rice soup cooked with chicken bone broth, a plate of milk cakes, and various side dishes—all laid out on the table.
Shang Ruyi immediately frowned, "Why so much? Didn’t I say that these days I only want to drink a little plain porridge?"
Tushere said, "I instructed them to prepare it."
"What are you thinking?"
"Miss, your wound hasn’t healed yet, and you’ve been exhausted for so many days. Now that you’re back, you haven’t rested well. If you don’t eat something good, how can your body bear it?"
"Yesterday, I checked. Although Miss’s wound has crusted over, it hasn’t healed completely yet."
Shang Ruyi was somewhat displeased with her making decisions on her own, but since the food was already here, she couldn’t say much and quietly sat down to eat.
Tushere added from the side, "The kitchen staff went to the market today and saw fresh venison, so they specially bought some to cook. Miss, you should eat more at noon."
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a stir in her heart.
She pondered for a moment, then softly said, "I won’t have any, no need to bring it to me."
Tushere exclaimed in surprise, "Why? Miss, you usually don’t eat lamb, and every winter at home, we eat venison to nourish ourselves. Why not this time?"
Shang Ruyi glared at her, "Mind your own business!"
After saying that, she paid her no further mind and focused on eating.
However, the delicious broth and soft rice were indeed more appetizing than tasteless plain porridge. Without realizing it, she finished a bowl and, still not content, took a piece of milk cake, feeling full and warm, with a bit more color on her face.
While tidying up the dishes, Tushere righteously said, "Didn’t I say that eating something good helps maintain good health?"
Shang Ruyi glared at her but couldn’t help laughing.
After laughing, she couldn’t help but think about Yu Wenye’s instruction to stay still with her family these days, to avoid attracting trouble. It was also to keep her out of those cases and to soothe her emotions, allowing her to heal at home. The source of this content ɪs novel⚑fire.net
But he tells me to stay idle, can I really afford to?
But how could I act otherwise?
She pondered for a while, then looked up at the silver-threaded drizzle and snow outside. She got up and rummaged through chests and cupboards, taking out two thick coats and several sets of undergarments, folding them neatly on the bed, and tied them into a bundle.
Because it was colder than usual today, Wo Xue and Chang Wan prepared a brazier for her. Just after putting it down, Shang Ruyi called out, "Chang Wan, go to the Ministry of Justice and hand over this bundle of clothes to Young Master."
Chang Wan was momentarily stunned.
After a moment, she recovered, "Young Madam, are you asking, asking me to go?"
Shang Ruyi nodded and handed her a package of silver, saying, "They might not allow you to see him. If you can, that’s good, but if not, spend some silver to get them to take the clothes inside. In this weather, he cannot be without clean clothes in the Ministry of Justice."
Chang Wan seemed incredulous and, after confirming multiple times that Shang Ruyi was not joking, carefully accepted the bundle.
Shang Ruyi said, "Have someone prepare a carriage, and go quickly and return swiftly."
Chang Wan gave her a complex look before turning to leave. Just as she reached the door, Shang Ruyi called her back, thought for a moment, and said, "When you go, don’t say much to anyone."
Chang Wan immediately replied, "I understand."
After saying that, she turned and went down.
As she left, Tushere, who had been wearing a puzzled expression and hesitating to speak, immediately approached Shang Ruyi, "Miss, why, why would you let her go?"
Shang Ruyi glanced at her with a half-smile, "Would you rather go?"
Tushere said, "It’s better for me to go than her!"
Shang Ruyi chuckled helplessly and shook her head, then seriously said, "In this household, anyone can go, but you must not."
Tushere looked puzzled, "Why?"
Shang Ruyi said, "This time, the Great General returned safely thanks to Jiang Kesong and others. But this matter can’t be made public, much less scrutinized. Otherwise, it could be seized upon by those with ulterior motives. And you, you were the messenger who passed information to them when they left the city. If the Ministry of Justice finds a clue from you, things could get more complicated."
"That’s why I’ve instructed everyone in the household not to leave the premises these days, especially you."
Tushere suddenly understood.
But she immediately said, "But Miss, it’s better for you to go than her. Don’t you want Sir to know you care about him?"
Shang Ruyi smiled faintly, "I don’t need to rush this time."
Tushere hesitated, unable to understand her words, and in the next moment, Shang Ruyi’s smile gradually faded. Her expression became solemn as she looked outside at the ominous sky, saying, "Besides, I’m waiting at home for someone."
"Waiting for someone? Who?"
As soon as her words fell, a young servant rushed in with a look of panic, saying, "Young Madam, something happened outside."
Shang Ruyi asked, "What is it?"
The young servant said, "Two carriages almost collided outside our mansion!"