Chapter 280: Chapter 261: An Urge to Break Her
Yu Wenye has left, leaving Shang Ruyi alone lying on the bed, in a state of confusion for quite some time.
It is impossible to choose both sides, nor can you have everything — this is what he left for himself. He clearly knows what he wants and also sees her hesitation and struggle so clearly.
But what about him? How clearly does he see things?
Just as Shang Ruyi’s mind was in turmoil, Tushere entered again, and she sat by the bedside with a heart full of pity, whispering, "You were fine when you went out yesterday. How did you change so much after coming back? Miss, how did you sleep last night? How did you end up with a fever?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked at her for a while and softly said, "I’m hungry, get me something to eat."
Unexpectedly, she took the initiative to ask for food, which delighted Tushere. She hurriedly brought some meals from the kitchen, including porridge and small dishes prepared especially for the sick. Shang Ruyi, indeed tormented by the low fever and lacking appetite, still forced herself to eat some.
Indeed, food is the best medicine; once a bit fuller, she also felt more spirited.
She looked outside and asked, "What hour is it?"
Tushere replied, "It’s almost noon."
Shang Ruyi said, "Go, bring the clothes for me to wear."
Tushere exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, you’re still ill. Why don’t you stay in bed and recover properly? What do you need to get up for? You can just order us, servants."
Shang Ruyi said, "You quickly dress me; I have my reasons, lest someone comes and it looks improper."
"..."
Tushere was a bit surprised at who would be coming today, but as Shang Ruyi ordered, she had to comply. She, along with Wo Xue, took a lot of effort to dress the weakened Shang Ruyi and help her freshen up.
Just as noon arrived, indeed, someone came to report that the Duke had sent someone back.
Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.
Yu Wenye was indeed right.
She thought about it and still first instructed Tushere and Wo Xue to go to Yu Wencheng’s room to pack a few pieces of luggage, then barely managed to support her sick body to the parlor, where she indeed saw Xue Daotong, Yu Wenquan’s long-term follower. He was a weathered mid-aged man in his thirties, with simple attire and a lean appearance. Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, he immediately stood up and saluted, "Greetings, Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi said, "Uncle Xue, did father have any instructions with your return to the Eastern Capital this time?"
Xue Daotong said, "I am under orders to escort the third young master to Taiyuan."
"..."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
She almost had to suspect whether Yu Wenye had foresight, or perhaps, this was an agreement between father and son before they parted; otherwise, how could he guess so accurately?
Shang Ruyi said, "Father suddenly fetching my third brother over, is there anything urgent?"
Xue Daotong hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "The Duke encountered some unexpected events on the road. He really cannot feel at ease about matters in the Eastern Capital, so he thought, it’s better to fetch the third young master over. He is the youngest, and the Duke worries he might cause trouble."
These words were spoken very vaguely.
But combined with what Yu Wenye said before leaving, Shang Ruyi already understood.
She softly said, "If that’s the case, then there’s no time to lose. I’ve already had someone pack my third brother’s luggage. Once the items are ready, you can depart. Uncle Xue, please join me in finding my third brother."
Xue Daotong said, "Thank you, Young Madam."
He followed Shang Ruyi as she walked inward, but unexpectedly, they arrived at the locked woodshed entrance, and he was shocked: "This—"
Shang Ruyi softly said, "Third brother was disobedient; we, as older siblings, disciplined him."
"I see..."
Xue Daotong found it inappropriate to say more; fortunately, the key to the woodshed was also brought over. Shang Ruyi ordered the woodshed opened, and Yu Wencheng was released.
Although he had been confined inside for a night, the child’s expression of resentment and stubbornness did not diminish at all. When he came out, he gave Shang Ruyi a cold glance, deliberately saying coldly, "Second sister-in-law, didn’t you say you’d lock me up for three days? Why let me out today?"
Shang Ruyi calmly said, "Third brother, father sent someone to fetch you to Taiyuan. Be careful on the road. Once in Taiyuan, you must be obedient and do not worry father anymore."
Yu Wencheng was initially impatient, but upon hearing that Yu Wenquan wanted him to go to Taiyuan, he immediately became joyful. Xue Daotong said, "Third young master, the carriage is waiting outside. Would you like to change clothes before going, or—"
"I’m leaving now; I can’t stay another day here."
Yu Wencheng snorted coldly and swaggered out.
Watching his back, Shang Ruyi sighed softly. Seeing Xue Daotong also about to turn and leave, she stopped him, took the letter Yu Wenye left, and handed it to him, saying, "Uncle Xue, this is a letter my second brother asked me to give you. Please deliver it to father."
Xue Daotong took it and put it away, saying, "Yes, I will deliver it."
Shang Ruyi added, "Please be careful on the way."
Xue Daotong nodded.
He did not intend to stay further, wanting to leave immediately after taking Yu Wencheng, but thought about it and turned back to Shang Ruyi, saying, "Young Madam, the Duke also asked me to convey a message. He said—if Young Madam is willing, this time, you may join us in going to Taiyuan."
"..."
Shang Ruyi’s brow slightly moved.
These words were also spoken by Yu Wenye before he left.
The father and son... truly father and son.
Shang Ruyi said, "If I leave, what about Second Brother?"
Xue Daotong chuckled softly and said, "Well, the Duke didn’t specify. However, the Second Young Master is different from others."
The implication was that those who were taken away needed protection, but Yu Wenye did not need protection.
Shang Ruyi’s eyebrows gradually furrowed.
Seeing her somewhat conflicted and struggling expression, Xue Daotong thought for a moment and then smiled, saying, "Young Madam, if I may. Every decision the Duke makes is well-considered; since he wants to take you and the Third Young Master away, it’s naturally for your well-being. The Eastern Capital City is a place of troubles, and soon it will likely be a place of conflict and danger. Staying here is not advisable."
"..."
Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled slightly.
The Eastern Capital... a place of troubles, a place of conflict and danger.
These words sounded less like a summary and more like a prediction.
So —
Xue Daotong sincerely said, "Young Madam, the Duke is still considering your well-being; do not let down the care and protection from your elders."
Shang Ruyi lowered her head in thought for a moment, then looked up and smiled at him, saying, "I understand."
|
Today’s morning meeting lasted more than three hours, and by the time it was over, it was almost noon.
The good weather of the past few days seemed to have exhausted Heaven’s goodwill; today, thick clouds began to accumulate above, and a bitter wind was ravaging the streets. This blood-scented weather made Yu Wenye’s expression even colder. From the time the meeting ended to when he boarded his carriage and returned to the Yuwen Mansion, his expression hardly changed.
However, when he stepped down from the carriage, an unexpected cold wind took away the last bit of warmth from his body.
Looking up at the main gate, his gaze turned completely icy.
He quickly entered the house, and the gatekeeper reported that the Duke had sent someone back today, but he didn’t get a chance to meet them before they left. Yu Wenye barely listened, giving a quick nod before continuing inside.
He always knew what he needed to do; the coming and going of people around him did not affect his plans.
And what he needed to do now was —
Just as he strode back into the room and pushed the door open, an unexpected warmth, filled with the scent of medicine and a familiar fragrance, hit him head-on, making his whole body go rigid, as if struck by a heavy blow.
He was dumbfounded.
Yet before his eyes was a room full of tranquility.
There were two braziers in the room, one in the center and one by the bed, warming the room more than usual when he was home. The medicinal scent in the air came from an empty bowl on a small table by the bedside, with the last remnants of a dark medicinal liquid that obviously tasted bad, hence some being left at the bottom, and no one insisting it be finished.
Most importantly, amidst the strong smell of medicine was that pleasant fragrance that still touched his heart.
It came from the person sitting by the bed.
She wore snow-white pajamas, as pure as untouched snow, but her cheeks, tormented by a low fever, were flushed with an unhealthy red, even around her eyes. Yet, because of the fever, her eyes were particularly bright, even showing a glistening moistness when she looked up at him.
Yu Wenye’s breath caught in his throat.
The next moment, he strode in, bringing the cold air to the bedside all at once.
The chill from him hit her, causing her to shiver slightly, and she emitted a weak, soft cough.
Yu Wenye’s brows tightened as he grabbed her arm, "Why are you still here?"
"Cough, cough, cough cough."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t answer him, coughing repeatedly until she could hardly sit upright, nearly tumbling off the bed. Yu Wenye hurriedly embraced her.
Whether it was being suddenly held or for some other reason, Shang Ruyi’s coughs suddenly stopped, and she tremulously looked up with teary eyes from the coughing, gazing at him.
Yu Wenye’s arms stiffened slightly.
Holding her, he realized how fragile her body truly was.
Like she could break with a gentle snap.
At that moment, he felt an inexplicable relief, grateful that last night... he hadn’t embraced her.
Even though, throughout the entire night, it felt like he was struggling in an unwilling blaze, exhausting his spirit and patience, looking at her slender body now, he thought if he really did — he might have hurt her.
Yet even now, inhaling her enticing fragrance, observing her cheeks flushed red due to coughing, he felt an even stronger urge to break her.
Yu Wenye took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil inside, and gently laid her down, pushing her further onto the bed.
On his face, however, was an unshakeable darkness and unmistakable anger.
He said, "Why didn’t you leave?"