Shang Ruyi suddenly snapped back to reality, looked up at Shen Shiyan, and hurriedly smiled, "I’m fine."
Yu took a sip of tea and suddenly remembered something. She smiled and said to Shang Ruyi, "By the way, I forgot to tell you something."
"Wuzheng is coming back soon."
Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened in surprise and joy, "Elder brother is coming back?"
The Wuzheng they were talking about was none other than Shang Ruyi’s cousin, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Shen—Shen Wuzheng.
Shen Wuzheng was three years older than Shang Ruyi. The two grew up together like siblings, nearly inseparable and as close as family.
After Shen Wuzheng turned eighteen, Shen Shiyan originally planned to secure a leisurely position for him at the court, but he refused the family arrangement and instead joined Confucianism, apprenticing under the great scholar Li Tong of Hedong.
Li Tong was known as the Ghost Valley Master of the current age, wealthy in knowledge and versed in both Buddhism and Taoism. He proposed the idea of unifying the three teachings, and although he never held an official position, his disciples were spread throughout the court, making him an invisible influencer in the political arena.
Shen Wuzheng had been learning under him for several years and hadn’t returned home.
When Shang Ruyi got married, although they sent him the news, due to the long distance and Li Tong’s strict teaching, they knew it would be difficult for Shen Wuzheng to make it back. As expected, Shang Ruyi had been married for over a month before his news arrived.
Yu said somewhat guiltily, "However, he seems very upset and even blamed us for arranging your marriage so quickly."
Shen Shiyan retorted unhappily, "He’s just a kid, what does he know."
Despite saying this, the expressions of the couple said otherwise.
In fact, although Shen Wuzheng was young, he was mature and steady by nature. When at home, he managed everything in an orderly manner. Unlike other noble sons who relied on their family’s protection, he had his own plans for the future. Compared to his lively mother and refined father, even though Shen Wuzheng wasn’t at home, he still held the authority of the head of the family.
Now, hearing that he was coming back, the couple felt both happy and worried.
Shang Ruyi’s feelings were mixed, and she just smiled and said, "Elder brother cares about me. If he knows I am well-married and doing well, he wouldn’t say anything more."
For some reason, as she said this, her voice inexplicably choked up a little.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Shen were lost in their emotions of worry and joy, so they didn’t notice.
Soon, the food and wine were served. The three of them drank and ate while chatting. Even though Shang Ruyi wasn’t feeling her best, she forced herself to smile and engage. By the end of the meal, everyone was happy.
When it was time to leave, Shang Ruyi told Tushere, "She’er, you first escort Uncle and Aunt back home."
Tushere was stunned, and Yu immediately asked, "Ruyi, aren’t you coming home with us?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "I still have some things to take care of."
Although the others didn’t understand, seeing her expression, they didn’t ask further. Thus, Tushere accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Shen downstairs and left in a carriage.
Once they all left, Shang Ruyi sat in her private room and took a deep breath.
Then she slowly got up and walked out.
Instead of going downstairs, she walked to the opposite private room where there were guests.
As she approached, she heard the sound of a woman sobbing inside. The sound was soft and delicate, carrying an indescribable tenderness that could evoke a protective instinct in anyone listening, even if unseen.
Yet Shang Ruyi felt a chill run through her whole body.
She reached out her hand, intending to lift the curtain at the entrance of that private room.