Chapter 158 Gone Again

"I'm not curious." Yu Huatang looked at him. "That's perfect. Sir, take them all back later." After saying that, she was about to go towards the room, as if she was going to pack them up for him immediately.

He held her back and said, "No, I won't take it back. It contains things I've wanted to tell you recently, as well as some jewelry, including bracelets and necklaces. I ordered them from Qizhen Pavilion. I don't think you'll wear them, so I just have fantasies about them."

After saying that, he went to her room again and saw the clothes that had been delivered, still unopened. He came out and said, "Those clothes don't cost much. You can wear them. If you really don't want them, just throw them away or give them to others. They are all made to your size."

Yu Huatang looked at him silently for a long time, and finally said, "It's getting dark, Lord Zhao, please go back quickly, sir..." Before she finished speaking, she saw that he was holding a copy of "Luoyang Lantern Record" written by Xu Jingzhi, the inheritor of Luoyang Palace Lantern.

"Xu Jingzhi's. It took me some effort to find it."

She stared at the pages of his open book. The white paper was made of fine rice paper and the surface was coated with a layer of oil wax to prevent insects and ants. The words on it were elegant and lively, and very beautiful.

"This book was originally collected by someone else, and I later used some connections to get it. Do you like it?"

Yu Huatang stared at him, pursed her lips tightly, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but in the end she didn't say anything.

He said, "You're not going to give me money, are you? Or take it back and copy it yourself and then give it back to me?"

He handed it over. "Even if we're not divorced, ordinary friends can give these. Take it. It's just a small favor."

Yu Huatang took it. She had indeed thought so, but she also felt it was unnecessary. "Thank you."

Seeing that she accepted it, he smiled and said, "You're welcome. We still have some friendship."

She didn't know what to say, so he looked at her for a few seconds, took a few steps back and said, "I'm going back first. I'll come see you tomorrow."

When Yu Huatang saw him leave, she held the book in her hand for a long time, and finally went back to the room and opened the page.

On the second day, he asked Xiaolu to order the meals, and the same thing happened on the third day.

After the well was cleaned, he said, "Want to go for a walk?"

She said, “No.”

He then said, "Today is my birthday, can't you just spend some time with me?"

Yu Huatang then remembered that today was indeed his birthday. When she was in the capital, she would get up early on this day and make noodles for him, but she didn't know how much he ate, or whether he ate at all.

She looked at him sternly and said, "We are not related, so it is not appropriate. And I have no intention of celebrating your birthday."

"It's okay... I knew you would say that." He was not annoyed, but still looked at her calmly, as if he had accepted her attitude for a long time.

Yu Huatang said, "My Lord, you'd better leave quickly. If you keep standing in front of my house, people will gossip about you."

"I know. I'm leaving tomorrow. That's why I wanted to come see you today. And those people also know that it's me who wants to marry you. Your requirements are high and I can't meet them yet, so they won't talk about it."

Yu Huatang ignored him and turned to walk into the house. Zhao Yan followed behind and said pitifully, "I'm really leaving tomorrow. Are you really not going to stay with me today?"

Yu Huatang still didn't say anything, turned around, opened the door and went in.

Seeing this, he stopped, picked up the broom beside him and swept up the fallen leaves.

At this time, Yu Huatang came out of the room, looked at him for a long time, and suddenly asked, "Why did you come back? Why did you say you wanted to marry me? Is it because of what happened last time?"

He paused and looked at her. She continued, "I can tell you clearly that what happened last time is nothing. Since I have chosen my own path, a woman's reputation and chastity are no longer important to me. Even if I hadn't been drunk that day and we had sex, I would still do the same."

Zhao Yan looked at her quietly and said, "I know, but I don't mean to force you. Just like you said, I have chosen my own path. Marrying a wife, having children, getting promoted and making money are what people in the world pursue, and these are all simple for me. But if a person's life is just to live up to what others see, then it is lived in vain. I won't be like that. If I want to marry, I will marry the one I love, and I will not compromise for the sake of family honor or official career. Admittedly, you can't accept me now, but I will wait until the day you can accept me. Although I am lonely, I will not feel lonely when I think you are the same."

Yu Huatang didn't want to say anything more to him, so she turned around to close the door and said, "I'm going to the shop now, you can go now."

Zhao Yan put down the broom and looked at her. "Okay, I'll be leaving soon too. I'll still write to you when I return to the capital. The Ministry of Works needs to repair the imperial mausoleum right now, so I can't leave for the time being. I'll come see you next time I have time."

"If you need anything, just tell me. I'll bring it back from the capital for you. I won't deliver it to you when you go to the shop later."

After Yu Huatang locked the door, he walked out. As he left the courtyard, he said coldly, "Goodbye, I won't see you off."

Zhao Yan watched her leave quietly until her figure disappeared. Then he looked up at the osmanthus tree beside him. The osmanthus flowers were blooming again this year, and the fragrance was still there. He said to himself, "I will come back soon."

By then, I should be able to make osmanthus flowers into osmanthus cake. I wonder if she would be willing to make it.

The next day, Zhao Yan really left.

Yu Huatang continued to live his life as usual. Xiaolu came a few more times, saying that he was there to help with cleaning, and later said that the young master's letter should be arriving soon.

Ten days later, Xiaolu came over and said that it might be his young master who delayed her, so Miss Yu should not be sad.

Yu Huatang ignored him. She had nothing to be sad about.

Another month passed, and Zhao Yan appeared again, but this time he came directly to the shop.

He had changed a lot; he was darker and thinner, and even his expression didn't seem as charming as before. His clothes were wrinkled and stained, probably because he had been traveling all day without rest.

When he saw her, he immediately dismounted from his horse, walked up to her and said, "Miss Yu, could you please go to the capital?"

Yu Huatang was puzzled. He looked a little anxious and motioned her to come over and talk.

He said, "My mother was poisoned, and I asked the people from the Medicine Valley for help, but they have a rule that they must have a rare item before they can help."

Yu Huatang was stunned for a moment, thinking of her former mother-in-law, Madam Zhao.

She was a very cultured elder. Even though she disliked her very much, she still did not make things difficult for her. She was just indifferent to her.

She used to think that this mother-in-law was a good person, but later she found out that she just felt that she was unworthy and naturally did not want to talk to her much. Even when she was framed and her second sister-in-law and fourth brother's wife gave her a cold look, Mrs. Zhao still did not say anything. Later she realized that this was contempt.