Just two words, hoarse, completely unlike his usual calm and self-contained voice, rather it seemed as if he was suppressing something. As he spoke, a hot breath sprayed onto Shang Ruyi’s face, making the skin on her neck crawl with goosebumps.
At this moment, even if she were more foolish, she knew she shouldn’t move recklessly.
Yu Wenye took a deep breath, burying his face into her shoulder hollow, feeling her body tremble slightly, and spoke in a muffled voice near her ear, "Someone’s coming."
Shang Ruyi’s breathing immediately hitched.
Sure enough, footsteps sounded from outside the door, halting quietly at the entrance, seemingly listening for sounds inside, then a gentle knock on the door followed—
"Young master? Young madam? It’s time to get up."
Shang Ruyi’s breath hitched again.
Then, she heard Yu Wenye’s muffled voice say, "Come in."
The door creaked open, a few maids walked in, although they kept their heads down, the room was brightly lit, the two intertwining shadows within the semi-transparent bed curtains could vaguely be seen. The maids immediately blushed, bowing their heads even lower.
Shang Ruyi could only feel her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
However, her chest was cold.
At this point, even if she was obtuse, she understood that this was a display by Yu Wenye as a newlywed husband, not for her to see, but using her, for everyone else’s observation.
Upon realizing this, her entire body turned cold, and seemingly sensing the chill emanating from her body, Yu Wenye, pressing on her, frowned slightly and lifted his face, looking down at her.
Their posture was intimately close.
Their gazes remarkably calm.
Though not a word was spoken, their calm eyes were enough to convey everything. Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and, using the strength she gathered after calming down, slowly pushed him away and sat up.
Only upon sitting up did she realize her clothes were disheveled, the collar slipping to one shoulder, revealing a sharp collarbone.
It was just now, when Yu Wenye’s doing.
She silently tidied her clothes, then sat up and drew back the curtains.
The maids didn’t dare to look at her, only speaking softly, "Young madam, the Duke and Madam are already waiting over there."
On the first day of marriage, the new daughter-in-law is supposed to serve tea to the parents-in-law. Clearly, they had woken up late, which was why the maids came over to call. Hence, Shang Ruyi immediately straightened her clothes, got out of bed, and walked over to let the maids assist her with washing up.
After finishing her preparations, Shang Ruyi looked back to see Yu Wenye still sitting on the bed, leisurely, after all, today it was only the new bride who needed to serve tea.
She said softly, "I’ll go over first."
Yu Wenye looked up at her, not speaking, but getting up and stepping in front of her.
He lowered his head to scrutinize her, suddenly reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, then speaking in a low voice, "I’ll come over in a while."
Shang Ruyi didn’t speak, just nodded and turned to leave.
The maids joyously followed behind her, the youngest smiling and saying, "Young madam, the second young master always gets up early to go to the barracks, he doesn’t even eat at home, he’s so consistent. This is the first time we’ve seen him stay home."
Shang Ruyi glanced back at her, "Is that so?"
The other maids also smiled and echoed, "Yes, Young master and Young madam are just so loving, it makes us happy to watch."
Shang Ruyi didn’t say anything, just gave a faint smile, raised her head and continued to walk forward.
Soon, they arrived at the main hall.
Upon entering, she saw the two elders already seated at the front. Duke Sheng, Yu Wenquan, still looked radiant and full of smiles, while Madam Guan, sitting next to him, appeared ill but in good spirits. Behind her stood a servant woman in her forties, who nodded cautiously when she saw Shang Ruyi enter.
Shang Ruyi walked to the center of the hall, bowing her head and softly said, "Father, Mother, your daughter-in-law has come to serve you tea."
Aunt Hui directed someone to place a cushion before her, Shang Ruyi immediately went forward to kneel down, offering two cups of fragrant tea to the elders, "Father, have tea, Mother, have tea."
The couple received the teacups, each taking a sip.
After drinking the tea, Yu Wenquan immediately retrieved a red envelope from his sleeve and slipped it into Shang Ruyi’s hand, smiling, "Ruyi, from now on, you and Ye’er must live well together, and I will cherish you as my daughter."
After saying this, she paused, as next, Madam Guan was supposed to give her a meeting gift.
However, Guan Yunmu, sitting next to her, remained silent.
The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward, even Yu Wenquan turned his head and inquired with a smile, "Madam, where’s the meeting gift you prepared for our daughter-in-law?"
Guan Yunmu covered her mouth and coughed lightly a couple of times before smiling, "I left in a hurry today and forgot to bring it."