Even as she sat in the carriage, leaving the house, Shang Ruyi still felt a bit downhearted.
Tushere noticed her demeanor and gently asked, "Miss, are you upset because the young master can’t accompany you home today?"
Shang Ruyi immediately replied, "No, I’m not."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "It’s the Emperor’s decree from the palace; he couldn’t refuse, so why would I be upset?"
Despite her words, there wasn’t a hint of a smile on her face.
Seeing her melancholic expression, Tushere thought for a while and then smiled, saying, "If it weren’t for matters at the palace, the young master would definitely accompany Miss home. Everyone knows you two are inseparable, and many outside envy Miss for marrying such a perfect match."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned, "How would outsiders know?"
Tushere laughed, "The family loves to speak about it. Such a good marriage, who wouldn’t be delighted to see?"
As she spoke, she blushed and laughed, "Especially every morning when Wo Xue and I come to serve you, seeing you both so close..."
Shang Ruyi suddenly thought of waking up and seeing Yu Wenye beside her in the morning, looking different and alluring. Her face instantly flushed, and she reached out to pinch Tushere, "Stop talking!"
Tushere chuckled and covered her mouth.
Although still feeling a bit heavy-hearted, with Tushere’s teasing, Shang Ruyi felt a bit lighter. After a while, the carriage reached the market, where they bought some pastries to send to the Duke and other items for Mr. and Mrs. Shen, before heading to the Shen Mansion.
Along the way, the increasingly familiar scenery also lifted Shang Ruyi’s spirits, making her feel more joyful.
Until the carriage turned into the alley where she had lived for years, she could see, from a distance, a familiar figure at the Shen Mansion’s gate, eagerly looking out.
Shang Ruyi’s eyes warmed, and tears almost welled up as she immediately jumped off the carriage the moment it stopped, not even standing steady before being pulled into a familiar and warm embrace.
Her ear resounded with Yu’s tearful yet joyful voice.
With that, Shang Ruyi couldn’t hold back her tears, embracing Yu and crying together, as the servants rushed to comfort them. After a while, they calmed down. Yu still held her hands tightly, scrutinizing her up and down, "Let me see, has my Ruyi lost weight? Or become haggard?"
Shang Ruyi smiled through her tears, "Aunt, I’m fine."
At this moment, Shen Shiyan also came out from the mansion, seeing Shang Ruyi made him secretly delighted, though he awkwardly scolded Yu, "Look at you, crying at the gate, what does this look like!"
As the wife of an official, waiting for the younger generation at the gate and crying was indeed a bit inappropriate.
Yu knew her behavior wasn’t right, but she stubbornly replied, "So what, I adore my niece and am not afraid of others seeing it."
Shen Shiyan shook his head helplessly and then gazed at his long-missed niece, his eyes welling with tears, "Ruyi, you’re finally back."
As he spoke, he glanced behind her, revealing a trace of doubt.
Knowing he was puzzled by Yu Wenye’s absence, Shang Ruyi hurriedly explained today’s situation and added, "Second Brother said he would find another day to visit Aunt and Uncle specially."
Shen Shiyan nodded, "Official business is important."
He then muttered to himself, a little puzzled, "Today, what could the Emperor need from him?"