Chapter 27, First Release on Jinjiang 027 (Updated) Chao Lu: Being stroked...

Ruan Yu took a nap, and when she opened her eyes again, it was almost 9 a.m.

She still felt like her body was about to fall apart, but she was better than in the morning. Ruan Yu managed to sit up and then called Xuan Niang and Qing Guo in.

Xuan Niang and the others had been waiting outside for a while, and they quickly came in.

"Khedun?"

Ruan Yu: "Pour me a bowl of tea first." She was still very thirsty.

Qingguo quickly turned around and brought over a bowl of tea, serving it to Ruan Yu as she slowly drank it.

"Khwarazm, Great Khatun is going too far! How can you be in such pain! Are you sick?"

Qingguo felt very sorry for Ruan Yu, noticing that Ruan Yu's brows were furrowed.

Ruan Yu: "...I'm not sick."

Qingguo was too young to understand, but Xuanniang saw things clearly and said with a smile, "Go to the small kitchen and ask them to bring in breakfast."

Qingguo responded with an "eh" and stepped back. Xuanniang then walked to Ruan Yu's side and sized her up several times.

Ruan Yu was a little embarrassed: "Xuan Niang, please don't look at me like that..."

Xuan Niang smiled and said, "Alright, this servant wouldn't dare. Does the Lady feel uncomfortable anywhere...?"

She asked cautiously. Judging from the situation last night, it seemed likely to work out, but she also felt sorry for her young lady and was afraid that His Highness might not know the importance of things.

Ruan Yu: "It's alright, just my back aches and I feel tired all over..."

As for the rest...

I don't know what kind of medicine Chaolu got for her, but after soaking her feet and applying the medicine, her feet stopped hurting. And Xuanniang's ointment... I'm so grateful for that ointment...

Xuan Niang also saw the porcelain box containing the ointment. When she realized that the box was empty, she looked at her in surprise. Ruan Yu bit her lip and looked away.

"Breakfast has been served!" Qingguo walked in from outside the tent at this moment. Xuanniang hid the porcelain bottle in her sleeve: "Kardun, please wash up and have your meal first."

Ruan Yu nodded: "I'll wash up first, I still need to pay my respects to my mother-in-law later."

Mrs. Qiu and Hela had been wanting to ask about yesterday's events in person, and now that they saw her, Hela quickly stepped forward and took her hand: "You've finally arrived! Are you feeling better?"

Ruan Yu: "...Much better."

"Please sit down!"

Madam Qiu also excused her from the formalities and told everyone to sit down quickly.

"I heard about what happened yesterday. I was planning to go see you tonight, but Chaolu said you were resting and that you should get some rest. I thought that made sense, so I didn't go."

Ruan Yu: "..."

Good thing, take a good rest.

"Thank you for your concern, Mother-in-law. It's nothing now."

"Your foot is better too?"

"Yes, I have no problem walking."

Madam Qiu: "Then you should rest for two more days and not go out during these two days. As for Da Hadun's side..."

Madam Qiu's face darkened: "Chao Lu has already taught Batu a lesson, but your mother-in-law will give you an explanation for this matter sooner or later."

Ruan Yu was somewhat surprised: "Batu is?"

Hela: "He's the one in charge of making clothes and shoes for the Ministry of Ceremonies! He must have been instigated to tamper with them!"

Ruan Yu pondered for a moment.

"Actually, this is a minor matter. It was my oversight that I didn't understand the sizing here on the grasslands. Others made the same sizes and it didn't seem to be a problem. If we were to make a big fuss about it, I'd be worried..."

Madam Qiu: "Good child, I understand what you're saying. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It's just that you've been wronged."

Ruan Yusong sighed and shook his head.

"But then again, your performance yesterday really impressed me, and the people of the Chaha tribe think so too. The Khan sent a reward early this morning. When you feel better tomorrow, go with Chaolu to express your gratitude."

Ruan Yu readily agreed, and the three chatted for a while in Madam Qiu's tent before Haila and Ruan Yu came out together.

“Today should be a bit easier. Shall I take you back to rest?” Hela said with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, sister."

The two chatted and laughed as they headed toward Ruan Yu's tent, but unexpectedly, they encountered Chao Lu, who also seemed to have just returned, as soon as they arrived.

Ruan Yu and Haila were both taken aback.

Hela: What are you doing here?

Chaolu stepped forward: "Sister, this is my household tent."

"I know, what I mean is, what time is it?" Hela was a little confused. Chaolu should be either at the racecourse or in the Golden Tent at this time, so how could...

Chaolu glanced at Ruan Yu, pursed his lips, and said, "Father Khan gave me something, so I'm bringing it back."

Ruan Yu asked, "Shall we go and express our gratitude now?"

"No need. I told you you caught a cold, rest for a couple of days before you go."

Ruan Yu: "..."

She looked away, avoiding Chao Lu's somewhat intense gaze. Hela smiled and said, "Alright, then I won't disturb your lunch."

Ruan Yu hurriedly said, "Sister, please eat with us here." "No, Buhe is still here. I have to go back to take care of him. By the way, An'an, do you have time to make some of those milk cakes again? Buhe really likes them."

Ruan Yu smiled and said, "Of course, no problem."

After Hela left, Chaolu strode over and stood in front of her: "Why did you walk away by yourself? Didn't I tell you to ride in a sedan chair?"

He wouldn't have mentioned it if he hadn't brought it up, but the mention of it made Ruan Yu a little angry. What sedan chair... There are so many people on the grassland. If she had to be carried to walk even a few steps, that would be incredibly embarrassing!

Ruan Yu ignored him and walked straight into the tent, with Chao Lu quickly following her in.

Ruan Yu sat down in front of the couch, and Chao Lu immediately leaned over: "Does your foot not hurt anymore?"

Ruan Yu shook her head: "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Then..." Chao Lu moved a little closer to her, his gaze lingering on her neck and chest: "Are you still feeling tired?"

Ruan Yu glared at him.

"Don't ask anymore."

Seeing that she was still angry, Chaolu had no choice but to shut up.

"Well, I was just worried about you. I took some time out at noon to come back and keep you company. I told you I wanted to have lunch with you."

Ruan Yu: "Didn't you come back to deliver something?"

"Do I need to deliver it myself?" Chao Lu asked rhetorically, staring at her as if blaming her for not understanding his good intentions.

Ruan Yu responded with an "oh".

"Let me check my feet."

Seeing that she was ignoring him, Chao Lu couldn't muster any anger. Last night... he admitted that he had been a bit reckless, but he wasn't a saint; he was a normal man! And he had already restrained himself considerably!

It's a little embarrassing for him to come up to me now, but she's his woman after all.

"No need..." Ruan Yu immediately pulled her foot back, "It really doesn't hurt anymore."

"I'll believe it after I see it."

As he spoke, Chaolu grabbed her ankle. Ruan Yu was already leaning against the couch, and with a sudden pull, her feet were placed on Chaolu's lap.

Chao Lu took off her shoes and socks and leaned in to take a closer look. Ruan Yu felt a little awkward about it and soon wanted to pull her feet back: "See, it's really okay now."

Chao Lu refused to let go: "Let it rest a little longer, take a good rest these next few days." His large hand caressed Ruan Yu's instep as if he were touching some beloved treasure. His face was expressionless, but he was thinking of the feeling of his hand on her feet last night.

Everyone says women are wonderful, but he didn't know why before. Now, no one knows better than him. Every part of her is soft and smooth; once you're on top of her, you can't bear to leave.

Before Chaolu could even experience it properly, Afu suddenly walked in: "Your Highness! The Khan's things have all arrived, this servant—"

Before he could finish speaking, Afu's eyes widened. Although Chaolu had immediately blocked Ruan Yu's path, he still managed to see the Khatun's leg resting on the prince's lap...

Afu immediately lowered his head, secretly lamenting his misfortune.

Ruan Yu immediately withdrew her leg, and Chao Lu's face darkened: "Don't you have any manners?!"

"This servant knows his mistake. This servant thought the Khatun hadn't returned... This servant takes his leave..."

After Afu left, Ruan Yu glanced at his expression and asked, "Why are you being so fierce?"

Chao Lu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her again. Ruan Yu had already hidden her feet, so he wouldn't see them anymore.

Chaolu felt a bit annoyed at being interrupted, but he didn't continue. He coughed lightly and jumped up: "Father Khan sent a lot of things, all for you. Would you like to take a look?"

"It's probably gold, jade, and animal hides again. Let's put them away."

Chaolu glanced back at her: "Winter is coming, and we're about to go on our last hunt. Animal hides can be tanned into leather coats and warm boots, which are good things."

Ruan Yu: "I know, I didn't say it was bad. I will express my gratitude to Father Khan another day."

Chaolu walked over again, grinned, and said, "What I mean is, how about I give you that snow wolf cloak too?"

Ruan Yu glanced at her in surprise: "Isn't that the only one on the grassland? Your Highness is willing to part with it?"

Chaolu: "That's the pelt of a female wolf, and it's white. It's not suitable for me to wear, and it's a waste to leave it there. I might as well give it to you."

Ruan Yu looked at him with a half-smile: "Alright, thank you for your generosity, Your Highness."

Chao Lu's lips curled up quickly: "It's alright, as long as you like it."

Ruan Yu smiled and lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

Before long, Xuan Niang and the others brought lunch. The two got up and ate together. At the table, Ruan Yu couldn't help but ask about Batu.

Chao Lu's eyes darkened slightly: "I gave him a little lesson, and he didn't hurt anyone. But for the next few days, he'll probably hide in his hole like a rat and refuse to come out."

Ruan Yu took a bite of the tender mutton. "So what about the hunting you mentioned? When was it?"

"This is the last hunt before White Day, a tradition after Zulu, about five days later."

How long will it take?

"I went back in seven or eight days and then stayed home to hibernate."

Ruan Yu thought for a moment: "Should the men go, or should we go together?"

Chao Lu gave her a deep look: "You want to go?"

"I was just asking."

Chaolu: "The Khatun can go, just like Second Sister-in-law does, but Third Sister-in-law doesn't go. If you want to go, I can take you."

Ruan Yu: "I've never been there, so I don't know if it's fun."

Chao Lu smiled and said, "It's fun. We can ride horses and hunt, see the edge of the grasslands and the mountains and forests, and even take a trip around Liangzhou."

For some unknown reason, Ruan Yu's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked up at Chao Lu: "Then I want to go."

Chao Lu refused to agree immediately: "Let's see. You're delicate, I'm afraid you can't handle it."

Ruan Yu: "...You just said you could take me with you!"

Chao Lu narrowed his eyes and looked at her for a while: "But you have to learn to ride a horse or a camel. I can't take you with me whenever I want. Besides, we're setting up camp outside, which is not comparable to the environment of the mansion."

These words surprised Ruan Yu. Indeed... she had thought things through a bit too simply.

Seeing her like this, Chaolu thought she was having second thoughts, so he said, "If you want to go out and play, after the hunt, I will take you to Yunqi Town. It is a very prosperous place with frequent trade with the Han people, and it is not too far from Liangzhou."

Ruan Yu was indeed intrigued. After thinking for a moment, she picked up a piece of meat from Chao Lu's plate and brought it to his lips, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Chaolu leaned forward to receive it, and felt a sense of comfort wash over him from head to toe.

They were so happy that they almost forgot themselves.

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Author's Note: I'll post another update early this morning. See you tomorrow! [rose emoji]