Rong Shu took a nap after lunch. She was exhausted from last night and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Before going to sleep, she thought that even if Song Wenjing stayed here again tonight, she was determined not to light the incense.
If this continues for two consecutive days, she won’t be able to conceive and will be exhausted.
She slept soundly through the night.
When I woke up, it was almost dusk.
The winter sun is short, and Rong Shu only remembered after getting up that Song Wenjing was home today, so she had to ask someone to prepare dinner.
Mei Yun heard the commotion and came over, telling her not to bother.
“A message came from the East Courtyard, saying that the old lady wants us to have dinner there tonight.”
Rong Shu then remembered that she had also eaten at her mother-in-law’s house during the first snow last year.
She glanced at the sky outside and realized it was getting late, so she got up to wash and dress.
After everything was settled, she asked Mei Yun to check where Song Wenjing was.
Normally, she would have gone there by herself.
But she remembered this day in her past life.
Song Wenjing was not home that day and did not return until nearly dusk.
At that time, Xie also invited them to have a meal in the east courtyard.
Song Wenjing was studying in his study. She had originally planned to go to the East Courtyard with him.
Changshun, who was guarding outside the door, said that Third Master had given orders that no one was allowed to disturb him.
So she went to the East Courtyard alone.
Not long after, Song Wenjing arrived. At that time, Xie was getting impatient with her because she hadn’t lit the Lanwu incense.
Seeing them separate made him even angrier.
Afterwards, Song Wenjing left in a hurry, seemingly due to some urgent matter.
She was lectured by Xie for a long time by herself.
This time, not to mention the kind words Xie had spoken to her these past few days, she had no intention of leaving him.
If she wants to stay in the Song family for a long time, she still needs to travel with this man to at least pretend that they are a harmonious couple.
Sure enough, Mei Yun came over from the study and said that Third Master was busy with something and no one was allowed to disturb him.
Rong Shu glanced at the sky; it was still early.
“Have someone keep an eye out. Let me know when Third Master comes out.”
Mei Yun agreed and left.
Rong Shu simply rummaged through the few bolts of fabric that had been hidden at the bottom of the trunk, thinking that Jiang Yu had passed the preliminary examination, so she would make him a winter coat as a congratulatory gift.
She spread the cloth out on the table, picked up a piece of lime and began to draw lines, then pressed down a little, thinking that her younger brother must have grown taller since she hadn’t seen him for so long.
Just as I was about to start drawing again, Mei Yun came in from outside the door.
“Madam, Changshun has come over and said that Third Master is asking if you are ready. If you are, we can go together.”
Rong Shu put down the lime block, rolled up the fabric and placed it on the soft couch, straightened her clothes and went out.
Song Wenjing happened to walk over from the study.
As the tall, slender figure drew closer, Rong Shu glanced at him once before looking away.
How can someone be so elegant?
Before long, Song Wenjing stopped just a step away from her.
He looked down at Rong Shu as if she was avoiding him, his handsome brows furrowing slightly.
Why is she so different from last night?
She was the one who initiated the relationship with him last night…
He sighed inwardly, lifted his foot and walked towards the courtyard gate, but still said, “Let’s go.”
Rong Shu followed him out of the courtyard gate and they went to the east courtyard together.
The two remained silent the entire way, with Changshun and Meiyun following behind.
The thin layer of snow on the ground had long been trampled and made a bit dirty.
Until the cobblestone path in the garden, which is rarely walked by servants, it looks white and has a certain artistic charm.
Rong Shu had no interest in appreciating the scenery; her entire focus was on the road beneath her feet.
The soles of her shoes were fine for normal walking, but they became a bit slippery on the snow-covered pebbles.
She kept her head down and moved carefully, not noticing that Song Wenjing had already walked quite a distance away.
Song Wenjing was lost in thought, and only after he had walked a while did he realize that the person beside him was gone.
He turned around and looked back. Rong Shu probably felt his gaze and looked up at him.
He glanced at her feet and realized that the road was a bit slippery.
Just as I was about to go over and help her, I saw her grit her teeth and quickly walk over.
Just as he was about to stop her, Rong Shu had already jogged over.
But just as he expected, a few steps away from him, she slipped and almost fell.
Fortunately, he was not far away and managed to help her up in time.
Rong Shu clung to his shoulders, her ears turning red, whether from the cold or from being so close to him, she couldn’t tell.
She quickly pulled away from his embrace and whispered, “Thank you, Third Master.”
Although her voice was soft, her tone and movements were distant.
Song Wenjing assumed that she was just embarrassed because she was in front of the servants.
He didn’t say anything at the time, but took her hand and continued walking forward.
Rong Shu never expected him to hold her hand like that.
This is the first time I’ve been led by the hand by him…
His hands were much bigger than hers, and they could hold her tightly.
It was cold today, but his hands were warm, and that warmth traveled through her hands straight to her heart, disturbing her peace of mind.
Rong Shu pursed her lips, and it took her a while to force herself to be more awake.
They were heading to the east courtyard. If she fell here, she would have to go back to change her clothes, which would delay their journey.
He held her hand to avoid any accidents.
Thinking about it this way, I actually felt a little more relaxed.
…
The two of them went to the East Courtyard together.
When Granny Zeng saw them coming from outside the door, she smiled and welcomed them into the flower hall where they would have their meal later.
The flower hall is separated by curtains, and men and women will dine at separate tables later.
Rong Shu came in and found that Shen Ying had already arrived.
Shen Ying called her softly, “Third Sister-in-law.”
Rong Shu nodded in agreement and sat down in a chair two seats away from her.
Neither of them took the initiative to speak.
Shen Ying had just suffered a loss the day before yesterday, so he didn’t dare to act recklessly here now.
But she wasn’t so obedient. Before long, she asked her maid to make her some jujube tea and also asked someone to bring her jujube cake.
She later complained that the tea wasn’t flavorful enough and asked someone to change it for her.
A moment later she said the chair was uncomfortable and asked someone to bring her a cushion to lean on.
The maids dared not neglect their duties, bustling about as they watched the lively scene unfold.
Rong Shu sat quietly, as if she couldn’t see her movements.
Qin Mingxiang arrived, followed by Gu Zhen, whose eyes were red.
Both of them came from the direction of the main house. Rong Shu guessed that Gu Zhen must have just been reprimanded.
She remembered that when the manor distributed reward money this time, the fourth branch only received a few copper coins.
Then, tonight, one of the maids from the fourth household, needing money for her father’s medical treatment, slept with Song Wenqing…
After greeting them, Rong Shu picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea.
Separated by a curtain, everyone except Song Wenping, who was going to the ancestral temple, had already arrived.
You can faintly hear some conversations.
After Madam Xie arrived, a family banquet began.
Rong Shu observed that Gu Zhen was always cautious and timid, and even though she would usually exchange a few words with Qin Mingxiang, she remained silent today.
It’s easy to imagine how severely Xie scolded him.
Madam Xie was actually very forgiving, and there was no rule in the Song family that one should not speak while eating. However, the women’s side of the dinner table was unusually quiet tonight.
Near the end, Xie’s head maid, Yunxiang, rushed in from outside and whispered something in Xie’s ear.
Rong Shu was close by and vaguely heard the words “Madam Liu” and “suicide attempt”.
Then, Madam Xie put down her chopsticks and said in a deep voice, “Have someone wait in the front yard.”