Chapter 4: Upon visiting, he couldn't see any merit in his own daughter. ...

Ruan Yu slept soundly for what seemed like forever. When she opened her eyes, it was already broad daylight. She was momentarily disoriented upon waking, but then she sat bolt upright!

She overslept! She should have served tea to her mother-in-law today!

Ruan Yu's first reaction was to look around, but there was no one there. She had gone straight to sleep after Chao Lu left last night, and didn't know if he had come back...

Hearing the sounds from inside the tent, Xuan Niang and Qing Guo entered.

"Has the Khatun woken up?"

Ruan Yu hurriedly asked, "What time is it!"

"Khwarazm, do not worry, it is only morning, there is still time."

Ruan Yu breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Qingguo brought over toiletries with a smile, while Xuanniang immediately went to check the bedding.

Seeing that the bedding was neatly arranged and there were no marks on her daughter's neck or arms, Xuan Niang felt a chill in her heart and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

Ruan Yu sat at the table as they fiddled with things. While washing up, Ruan Yu whispered, "Where is the Fourth Prince...?"

Qingguo innocently replied, "They went to practice."

"I mean, did you see him go out of the tent this morning?"

Qingguo paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "What are you saying, Khatun? Of course Your Highness came from the tent. This servant even bowed to you."

Ruan Yu: "..."

Okay, Chaolu went back last night and must have seen her sleeping soundly.

Qingguo was still a little unfamiliar with the hairstyle of the grassland, so she asked Jin'er to serve her. After Ruanyu finished washing up, Xuanniang sent them to bring breakfast.

Xuan Niang had overheard Ruan Yu's question to Qing Guo, and now that no one was around, she quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Khatun...last night...didn't you and His Highness get together?"

Ruan Yu's expression stiffened slightly. She knew she couldn't hide it from Xuan Niang, so she nodded truthfully: "He didn't want to consummate the marriage with me and even went out halfway through."

Xuan Niang gasped.

Ruan Yu: "It's nothing, Xuan Niang. We were strangers to begin with. Besides, if Chang'an dislikes this marriage, can't the other person be unhappy about it?"

"That's true, but my young lady is so beautiful, I feel it's beneath you..."

Ruan Yu gave a self-deprecating smile. From the moment she learned about her background, she had never had any expectations for her future husband. Therefore, she had long since lost any beautiful fantasies about the wedding night. Since she was already a person who was married off for political reasons, there was nothing to feel wronged about.

"Xuan Niang, be optimistic. I'm not feeling well, let's talk about it later."

Xuan Niang: "That's true... Miss has lost quite a bit of weight these past two months. Once you've had some rest, you'll definitely look even better than you do now."

Ruan Yu looked at herself in the mirror without saying a word. After a moment, Qingguo brought her clothes and breakfast and whispered, "Khatun, the Fourth Prince has returned."

Ruan Yu quickly waved her hand to signal them to leave, and didn't even bother to eat breakfast.

The curtain was lifted, and Chao Lu walked in.

Having just finished training, the man was only wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, which still revealed his deep collarbone and strong forearms. Ruan Yu did not dare to look at him for long, and simply stood up and bowed: "Good morning, Your Highness."

Chao Lu glanced at her and gave a faint "hmm".

"You don't need breakfast. After washing up, come with me to my mother's place. My older sister will prepare it there."

Ruan Yu quickly agreed, and the man walked past her to the bathroom.

Xuan Niang was right next to her and saw the whole scene. The old woman from Chang'an glanced at the four Taiji speechlessly, then stepped forward and whispered, "Khatun, let me redo your makeup. The grassland makeup doesn't suit you."

The people here must have eye problems; they simply can't see how good their own daughters are.

When Chao Lu came out, Ruan Yu had already changed her clothes and redone her makeup. Her skin was already fair, so there was no need to use that thick layer of powder anymore. She washed it all off and only applied a soft face cream, a light dusting of powder, and a touch of rouge under her eyes and on the tip of her nose. After drawing her eyebrows, Xuan Niang added a Gesang flower to her forehead and used a lighter shade of lip rouge. Only then did she nod in satisfaction: "This is more like your style, Miss."

Although Ruan Yu felt it was unnecessary, considering that the person she was to meet today was also a woman from the Central Plains, she went along with her. A sound came from behind her, and without looking at herself in the mirror, she stood up and said, "Your Highness, I'm ready."

Chao Lu had also changed his clothes. The young man looked quite dashing. His eyes and brows were usually expressionless, but when he subconsciously glanced at Ruan Yu, he was slightly taken aback this time.

Xuan Niang, standing to the side, had a sharp eye and couldn't help but feel a little smug.

The momentary daze was fleeting; the man quickly averted his gaze: "Yes, let's go."

The two stood side by side and walked out together.

The thick curtains were lifted, and the servants outside bowed in unison: "Greetings, Fourth Prince and Fourth Duke."

Chao Lu didn't look to the side and strode straight ahead.

Ruan Yu followed him, trying her best to straighten her body as well.

The Chaha tribe was a powerful force on the grasslands, and several of the Khan's sons had built tents near the Golden Tent. However, Chaolu's place clearly lacked the opulent grandeur of the distant Grand Taiji. Everywhere here, there was a sense of... everyday life.

Stables, sheepfolds, and even cattle sheds are nearby, and the animals are leisurely swishing their tails and chewing on fresh fodder.

The grassland tribes did not have the strict hierarchy of the palace. The Khan's women were all called Khatun, but because they came from different tribes, they were usually given a prefix. However, because Chaolu's mother was Han Chinese, she was always called Lady Qiu. Ruan Yu heard from Xuan Niang that Lady Qiu's surname was Wei, but she could not find out anything else.

"Mother."

When Chao Lu stood outside Lady Qiu's tent with Ruan Yu, he whispered "Mother."

Ruan Yu was somewhat surprised and glanced at him sideways; this was the term used in the Central Plains.

he……

"Come in."

A woman's voice came from inside the tent, and Ruan Yu quickly went in with Chao Lu.

As soon as Ruan Yu lifted the curtain and stepped inside, she smelled a faint sandalwood scent. Looking around, she saw that all the furniture was in the style of the Central Plains.

Unlike the grasslands where people sit on the ground, here, Madam Qiu was sitting at a table, with Hela standing beside her, silently giving Ruan Yu an encouraging look.

"My son brought his new bride to visit and inquire after his mother's well-being."

Chao Lu bowed.

Ruan Yu immediately and respectfully kowtowed to her mother-in-law. She had already memorized the etiquette and procedures and dared not make a mistake.

"Daughter-in-law Ruan Yu, offer tea to your mother-in-law..."

She raised the cup above her head with both hands, and Wei finally looked up, scrutinizing the woman in front of her.

After a moment, Madam Wei took the teacup and said, "Get up."

Ruan Yu breathed a sigh of relief, and Xuan Niang quickly stepped forward to help her up.

Wei took a sip of tea and then set it aside.

She scrutinized Ruan Yu for almost the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before finally smiling: "She is indeed a striking figure; the rumors are true."

"Mother-in-law is too kind..."

"Please sit down and have breakfast together."

"yes……"

Only then did Ruan Yu finally raise his head to look at this mysterious lady from the Central Plains. Although the years had left their mark on her face, it was not hard to tell that she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.

She glanced at it briefly before looking away, then sat down properly. Fortunately, the tables and chairs were in the style of the Central Plains, which made Ruan Yu feel much more relaxed.

“You must be having a hard time adjusting since you’re new here,” said Madam Wei.

Ruan Yu quickly lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes, Mother-in-law, there are some, but it's alright, I'm getting used to it."

Madam Wei smiled and said, "Our place is different from other places. You don't need to be so reserved. Just do what you did at home."

Ruan Yu was somewhat surprised by her mother-in-law's friendliness, and she also noticed that the breakfast prepared today was in accordance with Han Chinese customs, consisting of congee and steamed buns. Ruan Yu was even more grateful.

Only after Wei picked up her chopsticks did the others begin to eat.

Haila sat opposite Ruan Yu and Chao Lu, glancing at them from time to time, as did Wei Shi.

"Chao Lu, Xiao Yu is three years younger than you, you should take better care of her."

"yes."

After hearing this, the man hesitated for a moment, then picked up a steamed bun and placed it in front of Ruan Yu.

That was the biggest one on the plate, bigger than Ruan Yu's fist.

She choked for a moment.

Lady Wei then asked, "Did you have a courtesy name in Chang'an?"

Ruan Yu replied softly, "Mother will choose the name An'an."

“An’an…” Madam Wei’s expression softened considerably.

"Great, I'll call you that from now on."

After a few words, Ruan Yu's nervousness had vanished, and she gave a sweet smile: "Mother, call me whatever you like."

Since Chaolu calls her mother, it's perfectly fine for her to follow suit.

Madam Wei was slightly taken aback, and also revealed a kind smile.

Chao Lu raised his eyes, glanced at Ruan Yu, his expression unreadable.

After breakfast, Wei glanced at her daughter, and Hela immediately understood, getting up to fetch a box.

Wei said, “According to the custom in our Central Plains, I have prepared this for you. Please accept it.”

Ruan Yu quickly stood up and took it with both hands.

"You're quite cautious, child." Madam Wei opened the box directly. Inside was a gold hairpin with a bright rose at the top and a glittering gemstone at the stamen.

"Come here, let me put it on you."

Ruan Yuzhao did it.

"It suits you very well."

Ruan Yu reached out and gently touched it: "Thank you, Mother..."

"Chao Lu, what do you think?"

The man had been standing there like a wooden statue, without saying a word, until now, when he turned his head slightly and casually said, "Beautiful."

Ruan Yu was certain that he hadn't seen it at all.

Madam Wei shook her head helplessly, "Alright, you can go back now. I need to go and pray to Buddha."

Chao Lu: "Yes."

Ruan Yu hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "Mother, when I was in Chang'an with you, we often worshipped Buddha. If you don't mind, may I come and bother you often in the future?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the three people in the tent were stunned for a moment. Just as Chao Lu was about to say something, Madam Wei nodded: "Alright."

This left Chao Lu stunned.

Hela subtly gave him a wink, pursed her thin lips at Lu, and led Ruan Yu out.

-

Why did you make that request just now?

Once outside the tent, after taking only a few steps, the man stopped, turned around, and questioned him, his tone clearly somewhat harsh.

Ruan Yu was somewhat taken aback: "Your Highness, is there something wrong? I was just thinking of fulfilling my duty as a daughter-in-law and spending more time with my mother-in-law..."

Chaolu stared at her for a long time, his jawline taut.

Hela walked over: "Chaolu, aren't you going to the Golden Tent? What are you standing there for?"

Chao Lu suddenly turned around and strode away.

Ruan Yu was genuinely bewildered, unsure why he was unhappy. Haila gently took his hand and said, "It's not his fault. Just now... I was startled too. Actually, Mother hasn't interacted much with people these past few years, especially when she's worshipping Buddha. She wouldn't even let me and Chaolu in, so we were all surprised that she agreed to meet you today. Perhaps it's because you and Mother are both from the Central Plains..."

Ruan Yu roughly understood...

Ruan Yu: "Sister, I really didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to keep my mother-in-law company."

Hela laughed and said, "Of course I know. Chaolu didn't mean to talk to you like that just now. He's just like that, stubborn as a mule. He'll apologize to you in a little while."

Ruan Yu forced an ugly smile.

A note from the author:

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In the past: "Apologize? Even a dog wouldn't—"

Later: "I am a dog"