The meal was finished peacefully.
As if it were a rare moment of enjoying the family gathering, after the meal, Yu Wenquan wanted to drink tea, and naturally, everyone kept him company.
After chatting for a while, Guan Yunmu smiled and said, "Master, it’s getting late. Let the young couple go back early. Staying up with you so late, wouldn’t they be annoyed?"
Yu Wenquan laughed heartily, saying, "Yes, yes, I was being muddle-headed."
Shang Ruyi softly said, "Father and Mother, please don’t tease."
Yu Wenye also stood up and said, "Father and Mother, I will take my leave first."
Yu Wenquan pointed at him and said, "Don’t make your wife suffer. If you leave her behind like today again, I won’t agree to it."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi quickly said, "Father is joking, Yu—"
She hesitated at this point, glancing at Yu Wenye. Although they had settled everything, they hadn’t even agreed on the most basic terms of address. Calling him ’Young Master Yu Wen’ in front of the family would surely expose them, wouldn’t it?
In a moment of desperation, she blurted out, "Second Brother treats me very well."
Yu Wenye glanced at her.
Yu Wenquan laughed and said, "That’s good, you young couple should respect and love each other, don’t throw tantrums. If he bullies you, just come and complain to me, I’ll stand up for you."
Shang Ruyi smiled awkwardly, "Yes."
Yu Wenye softly said to her, "Let’s go."
Thus, the two left the dining hall, and everyone else returned to their own rooms.
Returning to the room, the lights were bright. As soon as they entered, the maid Wo Xue approached, handing them moistened towels to wash their hands. Then, she presented them with warm tea.
This Wo Xue was the youngest and the smartest of the maids who served them during their morning routines. In families like theirs, after a woman gets married, aside from her personal maid, the in-laws often assign someone to take care of the newlyweds’ daily needs. Because she was sent by Aunt Hui, Tushere was quite wary of her, but this girl was diligent and efficient, hard to find fault in her work.
After everything was finished, Wo Xue smiled and asked, "Young Master, Young Madam, is there anything else you wish to instruct?"
Yu Wenye waved his hand, "You may leave."
Wo Xue curtsied, then exited the room, also closing the door behind her.
As soon as the door closed, the tenderness on Yu Wenye’s face seemed shut outside as well, and the atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.
Shang Ruyi understood—the act was over.
They had to return to their true selves.
For some reason, just moments ago at the dinner table, facing the parents-in-law and the unruly younger brother-in-law, Shang Ruyi handled everything with care without feeling too tense. But at this moment, with only the two of them in the room and Yu Wenye saying nothing, it instead made her feel unbearably heavy in heart.
The feeling was as though her heartbeat might stop the very next moment.
Instinctively, Shang Ruyi walked to the corner of the room to the candelabra, picked up a hairpin, and trimmed the wick. The flickering candlelight reflected in her somewhat tense eyes.
Just then, Yu Wenye’s voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"Why did you just call me that?"
Shang Ruyi’s heart truly skipped a beat.
She turned around and saw Yu Wenye walking towards her. Suddenly, a mountain-like oppressive feeling overwhelmed her. Just as Shang Ruyi began to feel nervous, Yu Wenye’s eyes suddenly sharpened. He lunged forward and grabbed her hand.
Shang Ruyi let out a soft cry and suddenly fell into his embrace.