Presumably, because of Xue Rui's reputation, the Residence of Concubines didn't dare to raise the price. Yu Shu spent two hundred taels of silver to obtain Bai Ran's indenture. After that, she got a servant girl to serve tea, a guard to watch the door, and a servant woman to sweep the floor and cook.
When it was almost noon, Xue Rui intended to return to the Forgotten Opportunity Tower with Yu Shu. When he saw that Jing Chen and Shui Yun intended to continue following them, he invited them as well. The two of them didn't stand on ceremony and accepted his invitation.
This time, four people were taken away. Except for the housekeeper who was going to be sent to Aunt Cui, the other three were going to be taken home. Yu Shu thought about it and asked Xue Rui to ask for a carriage from the Supply House to send Bai Ran and others to Zhao Hui's house.
After sending them away, Yu Shu looked at the remaining housekeeper and said to Xue Rui: "Eldest brother, I want to go to my mother's place. You and Jing Chen go to Wangji Lou and wait for me. Let Old Chui send me."
Xue Rui looked at her and turned to Jing Chen: "Daozi, do you still remember where Wangji Lou is?"
Jing Chen nodded his head. He had been to that restaurant several times and knew the way.
Xue Rui said: "Then you and Miss Shui go first. I will accompany Shu. Let's meet in Wangji Lou later."
After that, he didn't wait for Jing Chen to have any different opinion. He pointed to his carriage and let Yu Shu get on it first. Yu Shu hesitated for a moment and then got on the carriage. After thinking for a moment, she opened the curtain and said to Jing Chen who was standing on the side of the road: "See you later."
Xue Rui also got on the carriage. The maidservant was arranged to sit next to the coachman Lao Chui. The carriage started to move slowly. Jing Chen watched as the carriage disappeared around the corner. Only then did he hear Shui Yun calling him.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, let's get in the car too. It's a little cold outside." Shui Yun tugged at Jing Chen's sleeves. The weather in the morning was fine, but now it had turned cloudy. The cold wind at the intersection blew, making her face turn red.
Jing Chen turned his head and saw her shrinking her neck. He remembered that she had just recovered from her illness, so he stopped thinking. He hurriedly let her into the car.
***
When they arrived at the corner of Aunt Cui's house in the east of the city, Yu Shu asked Xue Rui to wait outside in the car and led the servant woman who was cooking to the small courtyard.
Aunt Cui had just escaped from the Ji family for a few days when she realized that the Ji family hadn't sent anyone to catch her. Now that he was safe and sound, his sharp tongue came back. When he saw Yu Shu, he didn't have anything good to say. He scolded her for being unfilial and blamed her for making him suffer.
Yu Shu knew that this woman was snobbish. The Dayan examination hasn't been released yet, so she didn't have any achievements. He didn't expect Concubine Cui to treat him well for the time being. He left Concubine Cui behind and left with a few pieces of silver. He didn't even mention to Concubine Cui that Yu Xiaoxiu had been pushed off his horse and was bedridden.
Returning to the carriage, as soon as Yu Shu sat down, she heard Xue Rui ask: "How is your mother? Is she used to living here?"
Because the two met in Yiyang city. Xue Rui was very clear about the situation of Yu Shu's family. He knew that they weren't close, but no matter what, she was still Yu Shu and her brother's biological mother. He still needed to show his concern.
"What's there to not be used to? She eats well, sleeps well, and no one hits or scolds her. Compared to the Ji family's woodshed, it's much more comfortable." Yu Shu lightly ridiculed.
Hearing this, Xue Rui cleverly changed the topic, "Is Xiaoxiu feeling better today? Is his head still dizzy?"
When Yu Xiaoxiu was mentioned, Yu Shu's face brightened up and she said: "Much better, but he doesn't have much energy. He needs to recuperate for a while before he can regain his strength. "
Xue Rui nodded and took note of this. The two continued to talk about the banquet at the princess' residence the day after tomorrow.
"This banquet was ordered by His Majesty. There will definitely be many guests that day. How about I go to Aunt Huei's house to pick you up first and then we can go together?" Xue Rui suggested.
"Okay. Then I'll wait for you at home the day after tomorrow. "Yu Shu was happy to have Xue Rui as her companion. It was better than being alone.
While they were talking, the carriage passed from the east to the north of the city and stopped in front of the backyard of Wangji Restaurant.
***
The four of them sat at a table and had lunch. Originally, Xue Rui said that he would take them to a nearby theater to watch shadow puppets. However, it seemed that Shui Yun had eaten something and was not feeling well. So, Jing Chen had to take her away first.
Yu Shu sent them to the door of the backyard. Shui Yun got into the carriage first while Jing Chen stood outside. Before leaving, he finally had a chance to speak to Yu Shu: "Xiaoyu, you don't know where the princess' residence is. I'll send someone to pick you up the day after tomorrow."
Previously, Yu Shu and Xue Rui had agreed to go together. So, she shook her head and smiled: "No need to trouble yourself. I'll go with Xue Dage."
Hearing this, Jing Chen subconsciously frowned. He looked at Xue Rui who was standing behind Yu Shu. Seeing the two of them overlapping each other, he didn't know why his heart felt a little empty.
"We're going back."
"En."
As Yu Shu watched Jing Chen's carriage leave, she couldn't help but inwardly let out a sigh of relief. She didn't know when it started, but she couldn't be as relaxed as she used to be when facing Jing Chen.
Xue Rui saw her every move. He was well aware of it, but he didn't point it out. He didn't explain it. He was waiting for Yu Shu to look down on their relationship and wait for the best time to make a move again.
"Let's go in. Since we're here, I'll check the account." She turned around and said to Xue Rui. The two of them went back to the restaurant one after another.
Xue Rui clasped his hands behind his back and slowly followed her to the second floor.
***
Xue Rui planned to have dinner with Yu Shu and then send her back. But in the middle of the afternoon, his subordinates came to Wangji Restaurant in a hurry. Xue Rui was not a person who would forget his private affairs. He immediately greeted Yu Shu and went back to the Supreme Court with his subordinates. Of course, he didn't forget to ask Lao Cui to send Yu Shu back.
After reading the account book, Yu Shu planned to go home. But as soon as she went out, she bumped into the waiter Gui Liu.
"Miss, someone sent a letter to you." Gui Liu took out a yellow envelope and handed it to Yu Shu.
Yu Shu took it and opened it. She asked curiously: "Who is looking for me?"
Gui Liu shook his head: "Didn't say. It's a maid. She asked me to give it to you."
Yu Shu's mind lit up and she knew what was going on. She opened the letter again and saw that it was indeed Xia Mingming's handwriting. There was nothing fancy about the content. It seemed that Xia Mingming also knew that she was a 'rough person'. 'Ashu, see Xinjia. We agreed to meet at the end of the month. I've been waiting bitterly, but I've been waiting for so long.
"Ah." After reading the letter, Yu Shu patted her head. Things were so messy these days that she forgot about the meeting with Xia Mingming.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Xia Mingming and Ji Xingxuan had caused a ruckus at the Wang Ji Tower and were caught by her. It had been half a month since then, and the two of them had been communicating through letters, but they hadn't met in private once.
She heard from Xue Rui that Xia Mingming was going to be the Ninth Prince's wife. She was worried about her. She had to see Xia Mingming in person first.
"Where is the person who sent the letter?" Yu Shu looked up and asked.
Gui Liu said: "He left the letter and left."
Yu Shu nodded and folded the letter. She put it in her arms: "Go and ask Old Chui to send me home."
Gui Liu replied with an 'eh'. Not long after, he came back with a red food box.
"What is this?" Yu Shu asked as she locked the door.
Gui Liu smiled: "Young Master asked the kitchen to stew it when he came this afternoon. He said that he wanted to bring it back for Young Master to eat."
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