That night, they went on until very late. By the time they returned home and settled down to rest, it was almost the second watch. However, perhaps because of the alcohol, Shang Ruyi slept very soundly and was still asleep when the day broke the next morning.
Until someone gently pushed her.
Lingering in the warmth and tenderness of her dreams, Shang Ruyi groggily opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at the person in front of her.
After a moment, she showed a slight smile.
But the next moment, she suddenly realized everything in front of her was not a dream, and her eyes immediately widened.
The one gently pushing her was none other than Yu Wenye, lying beside her!
He was dressed in a thin white long robe. Whether it was his lying on his side position or some other reason, the collar was slightly askew, revealing a patch of honey-colored skin. His loose long hair partly draped over his shoulder and partly messily tucked inside his clothes, giving off a lazy yet seductive vibe.
Shang Ruyi felt her breath catch.
She had never seen Yu Wenye before.
He was clearly supposed to sleep on the couch by the window, yet somehow ended up on the bed next to her, and not only that, one of her hands was even resting on his neck.
Shang Ruyi felt like she’d been pricked by a needle, nearly leaping out of bed. Just as she was about to say something, Yu Wenye pulled her back and pressed her down onto the bed.
He looked as composed as ever, with a familiar sternness.
"Didn’t you ask me to wake you first?"
Shang Ruyi was still a bit confused, feeling that the hand on her shoulder was so warm it was almost burning, making her whole body a little dazed.
After a while, she gradually calmed down.
Indeed, she had mentioned that if they were to act as a close couple again for appearances, he should remind her first.
Shang Ruyi couldn’t stop blushing, "Even so, you—you should have woken me up before getting into bed."
Yu Wenye glanced at her.
After a moment, he said lightly, "Alright."
Shang Ruyi had thought he would be annoyed at her fussing, but unexpectedly, he agreed so easily, making her feel like she was overreacting.
Even more embarrassed.
However, she didn’t have much time to dwell on her feelings, as Tushere and Wo Xue came over to help the two of them get up and wash.
Because both had some drinks last night, Aunt Hui specifically instructed the maids to come over later than usual, but it was already quite late, almost the third quarter of the morning. While Yu Wenye appeared unaffected, Shang Ruyi felt off and didn’t look at him even once during washing and changing.
It wasn’t until they both sat at the table and finished breakfast that she finally managed to calm herself down.
She put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and then asked, "What are you doing today?"
Yu Wenye replied, "Weren’t you planning to buy some things for your father and mother?"
Yu Wenye said, "I’ll accompany you, and we can also get some for Uncle Shen and them. Today, I’ll go with you to visit Shen Mansion."
Upon hearing this, a smile immediately appeared on Shang Ruyi’s face, "Okay."
But just as she finished speaking, she saw the steward hurriedly walking in from outside and stood at the door addressing them, "Young Master, Young Madam."
Yu Wenye asked, "What is it?"
The steward nervously said, "A messenger from the palace has arrived."