Snow was falling outside the window. Although it was warm inside, Song Wenjing still looked disapproving when he saw Rong Shu coming out of the bathroom with wet hair and wearing only thin clothes.
Why are you dressed like that?
The slightly reproachful words made Rong Shu stop in her tracks.
She looked down at herself.
Thinking she was the only one in the room, she didn’t wear her nightgown properly, just tied it in a knot. Now it was a little loose at the chest, and her undergarments were showing.
Rong Shu loosened her grip on her hair and pulled her nightgown back up.
“I thought I was the only one here.”
She was just telling the truth, and she wasn’t acting like this in front of outsiders, so what was he so unhappy about?
Song Wenjing quickly realized that she must have misunderstood.
He rarely explained, but he did, saying, “I was worried you’d catch a cold.”
Rong Shu continued to clutch the handkerchief wrapped around her hair, and responded to him indifferently, “Mm.”
She had just pulled up her nightgown and loosened her handkerchief when her damp hair soaked her back, making it uncomfortable to stick to her skin.
She was waiting for Song Wenjing to say what he wanted to say, and after he left, she was going to change her nightgown.
“Is there anything wrong, Third Master?”
Upon hearing this, Song Wenjing’s eyes suddenly became somewhat mysterious.
His presence here at this time is obviously to be going to bed.
Why did he feel like she was implying he wasn’t welcome?
He felt he was overthinking things.
Rong Shu had been actively pursuing him just a few days ago, and tonight she even brought him a late-night snack. Besides, they’ve always been like this, so why would she reject him?
He then asked about something else: “Is the injury on your shoulder all healed?”
He hadn’t slept in his room for the past few days, only asking Mei Yun if she had applied the medicine properly, but he hadn’t gone to check on her himself.
Rong Shu looked up at him and saw that he seemed concerned.
A thought struck her, and she softened her voice, “It’s all better now.”
The ointment Song Wenjing gave her was indeed very effective, and she recovered completely in just four or five days.
Because of his concern, Rong Shu suddenly realized that she should seize this opportunity.
Just like I was thinking while I was taking a shower.
Who cares what he thinks? Keep him here, let him be with her…
She tightened her grip on her hair, avoiding his eyes, and finally chose to ask him indirectly, “Third Master, would you like to take a bath? I’ll have someone bring in some hot water.”
There are two cubicles in the study area, one for resting and the other for washing up.
If Song Wenjing didn’t stay in the main room, he would usually wash up there.
Upon hearing Rong Shu’s question, Song Wenjing realized that he had been overthinking things.
Her question clearly indicated that she wanted him to stay.
He glanced at her hair, which was still wrapped in a handkerchief, and said, “You go ahead with your work, I’ll do it myself.”
This means we’re staying.
Rong Shu understood, so she nodded and sat down on the chaise lounge.
Song Wenjing glanced at her and then got up and left.
Rong Shu took a dry towel and continued to dry her hair. She was used to having Mei Yun serve her, but Mei Yun had caught a cold today, so she sent her home to rest early.
Although she had servants around her since she was a child, in the two years after her father passed away, the family could not afford to hire servants. After dismissing them, she only kept a nanny and Mei Yun.
The nanny took care of Jiang’s mother, while Mei Yun took care of her younger siblings.
She did many things herself during those two years, so she didn’t feel the need for someone to be around all the time.
After wringing out her hair, she took out clean pajamas from the closet and changed into them.
She turned her head and saw the small box on the dressing table, wondering whether she should light that incense again.
This incense is nice, but it’s such a hassle…
Logically speaking, since they haven’t shared a bed these past few days, even without this incense, Song Wenjing would still want it today, right?
She felt that was the case, but she was still quite shaken by the events that had lasted until midnight on those two nights.
She put on her nightgown and went to bed.
Song Wenjing arrived shortly after. Seeing that Rong Shu had already lain down, he got onto the bed and pulled up her blanket.
Rong Shu didn’t make a move. Apart from the previous two times when she took the initiative to seduce him, she had always let him do as he pleased.
Song Wenjing examined her shoulder closely; the skin that had been scalded red had returned to its former radiant whiteness.
He smiled and said, “It really is good.”
Rong Shu blinked. He was looking at her injury again. Shouldn’t she do it?
Song Wenjing indeed pulled up her nightgown, covered her with the blanket, and then lay down beside her.
Rong Shu gritted her teeth, regretting that she should have lit the incense earlier.
He now looks like he’s really going to fall asleep, clearly indicating that he doesn’t want to be with her.
Without that fragrance in the air today, she really wouldn’t be able to take the initiative!
I even feel a little uncomfortable right now.
She was torn between her inner thoughts and even considered not getting up to light the incense.
But if she didn’t order it just now, what will she say if Song Wenjing asks her about it?
After Song Wenjing lay down, he thought that the injury on his back should no longer have left any marks.
Although it doesn’t hurt, if Rong Shu sees any marks, and she asks about them, I’ll have to find a way to deal with it.
During the few days I spent in the study, I rarely saw her except for meals, so I didn’t think about it in that way.
But with a beautiful woman by his side, and at an age where he’d already tasted the sweetness of love, he couldn’t help but think back to the two times Rong Shu had taken the initiative.
After a long while, Rong Shu almost fell asleep in her turmoil, only to be startled awake by a large hand suddenly reaching into the blankets.
Then he pulled her into his arms…
As the winter solstice approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder.
People in Jiangzhou attach great importance to the Winter Solstice.
Not only do they worship their ancestors, but they also sweep the tombs. Because the weather is cold at this time of year, wealthy families also have the custom of giving alms.
As the wealthiest family in Jiangzhou, the Song family, as usual, arranged to distribute porridge and cotton-padded clothes this year.
At this time last year, Shen Ying had not yet entered the family, and Rong Shu had only recently entered as well. The eldest couple were also living in another city, so all the matters from last year were left to Qin Mingxiang and Gu Zhen to handle.
The two of them also thought it should be like this this year.
They’ve been married into the Song family for a few years now, and they’re quite adept at handling these kinds of matters.
For Gu Zhen, whose shop had been taken back, such an opportunity was truly rare.
Therefore, when Madam Xie summoned them to the East Courtyard, Gu Zhen was the first to arrive. After arriving, she poured tea and water for her mother-in-law, showing great consideration.
But Xie said, “Winter came early to the north this year. The eldest son sent a message saying that there may be disasters in some places. We should prepare more cotton clothes this year.”
She glanced around at her daughters-in-law; the second and fourth daughters-in-law both looked eager to try.
Only Rong Shu remained calm and composed.
Thinking back to the things Rong Shu had recently helped her with, Xie Shi had a better understanding of the situation.
“I’ll leave the cotton-padded coat to the third son’s wife. Make sure she does it properly. If she doesn’t understand anything, she can ask me again.”
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Zhen suddenly looked at Rong Shu, her eyes gradually filled with jealousy.
She has been in charge of distributing cotton-padded clothes for three consecutive years. Why should this incompetent person be allowed to take over?
Gu Zhen was resentful and barely listened to Xie Shi’s other arrangements.
Until Qin Mingxiang nudged her with her elbow.
Gu Zhencai noticed Xie’s displeased gaze.
Recently, Xie has increasingly felt that her fourth son’s wife is too stupid and foolish.
This kind of stupidity isn’t about doing bad things secretly, but rather about thinking you’re clever and always doing things that people find disgusting.
Knowing it’s wrong, they still insist on doing it, treating everyone else like fools.
Mrs. Xie is getting on in years, and with the recent cold weather, she’s been finding it hard to keep up with her energy levels.
She rubbed her temples and said, “The fourth son’s wife has had Mingxiang Garden cleaned up. In a few more days, the eldest son’s family should be back.”