Clearly, he hadn’t gripped her so tightly that she couldn’t breathe just a moment ago. Yet at this moment, Shang Ruyi felt as if her entire body had relaxed, though this relaxation wasn’t particularly comfortable. Instead, it made her feel weak all over, as if she might collapse right in front of him at any moment.
But she certainly couldn’t collapse.
At least, not now, or it would be too humiliating.
Thinking this, Shang Ruyi composed herself and nodded to the girl, offering a dignified smile befitting a Young Madam of the Yuwen Family: "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going first."
After speaking, she turned around, intending to walk out.
As she reached the door, Yu Wenye’s deep voice sounded behind her—
Though she didn’t want to stop, at this moment, it seemed she had involuntarily listened to him.
Shang Ruyi stopped and turned to look at him.
Yu Wenye’s expression remained coldly stern, as if even being thus "caught" did not stir any emotional waves within him. He calmly looked at Shang Ruyi and after a while, said, "You, go home early."
Shang Ruyi laughed: "That’s something I should say to you, Second—"
She paused, taking another glance at the girl.
After thinking it over, she still said: "Second Brother."
Saying this, she turned and parted the bead curtain, her steps heavy as she walked away.
Her chest felt somewhat tight, Shang Ruyi held back the turbid breath that was difficult to release, until she descended the stairs and exited the Tinghe Building’s main entrance. Facing the bustling, endless stream of people, she finally sighed deeply.
But, it did not bring much comfort.
She turned back to glance at the upstairs, where the window of the elegant room on the second floor had already closed. Probably her appearance made them more vigilant, preventing others from seeing them. Only then did Shang Ruyi smile, but turning her head again, she realized the trouble was her own.
She had already had Tushere accompany her uncle and aunt home, and the carriage had left. What was she to do now?
Here was far from the Shen Mansion, much further from the Yuwen Mansion.
No choice, she could only walk to the street, hoping to find a temporary carriage rental to send her back.
And so, she set off on that road.
As she walked, she reflected on everything that just happened, then recalled all that had transpired in recent days. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and only after extracting herself from the chaos did she survey her surroundings, realizing she seemed to be lost, arriving at some unknown stone bridge head.
More helplessly, the heavens seemed to defy the mood, for a light rain began to fall.
Her clothes were already thin, and soon were partially drenched by the fine rain. As the cold wind blew, she shivered all over, unable to hold back a bitter smile, murmuring: "Truly, when it rains it pours."
Just then, a carriage emerged from the curtain of rain.
Shang Ruyi stepped back two paces towards the roadside, intending to give way. Yet unexpectedly, the carriage drove directly to her front and halted.
A pair of exquisite silk shoes appeared before her eyes.
The silk shoes had a white silk base, silver threads woven through, adorned with pearls, jade rings, and even delicate pigeon feathers, so luxuriously crafted like something only Immortals would wear in the celestial palace. But now, they walked upon rain-dampened cobblestones, in just two or three steps, they’d gotten dirty.
Then, those feet stopped in front of her.
An umbrella was also opened above her head.
Shang Ruyi furrowed her brow slightly and raised her head, only to see a young gentleman in blue holding the umbrella, smiling at her.