Chapter 40 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City) 040 (Updated) Let the cold wind blow...

Silence returned to the room. Ruan Yu stared in astonishment at the door; Chao Lu was nowhere to be seen. Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly, making it hard to breathe…

Xuan Niang and Qing Guo had been outside for a while and had heard the commotion. They were on tenterhooks, and as soon as the Fourth Prince left, they immediately went into the room.

"Madam, you and the young master..."

Ruan Yu couldn't quite describe her feelings. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "He must have seen Pei Du and learned something."

At this moment, she realized what was happening and guessed why Chaolu was angry.

But she had absolutely no connection with them!

Not to mention that the two were not familiar with each other, even if there were some unclear rumors in Chang'an, Pei never actually came to propose marriage. What does that mean?

Ruan Yu was also furious. What right did Chao Lu have to say such things about her?

Not only was she angry, but she also felt a little wronged. Ruan Yu suddenly turned around and walked towards the inner room: "Never mind him, whatever."

Xuanniang and Qingguo exchanged a glance, wanting to say something, but silently swallowed their words. Xuanniang and Qingguo whispered a few words of advice, and Qingguo nodded: "Auntie, go ahead. I'll stay here and watch over Madam."

Xuan Niang nodded, turned around and went out the door.

Hela arrived shortly after.

"An'an, are you asleep?"

Ruan Yu was sitting in the inner room feeling stifled, and only slowly sat up when she heard Hela's voice.

Hela already knew what had happened, but she didn't say anything. She walked in with a gentle smile, and Buhe was there too.

"aunt!"

Buhe, who was affectionate with her, ran over and shook the rattle drum in his hand: "Auntie, look! This is what my mother just bought for me. She said it's called a rattle drum!"

Ruan Yu patted his head: "Yes, does Buhe like it?"

"I love it! Auntie, look! Shaking like this will make all your worries disappear!"

Ruan Yu's lips slowly curved into a smile as Hela sat down beside her.

Without asking or mentioning anything about Chao Lu, he simply stayed with her for a while, and Ruan Yu's mood gradually improved. By this time, it was completely dark, almost 9 PM.

Chaolu stormed out of the inn in a huff, not knowing where to go, so he simply rode his horse around the city aimlessly.

Has went to run errands, leaving Yang Chong and Turing to accompany him.

Turing gazed at his fourth brother's retreating figure and said, "Is this the trouble of marriage? I've never seen my fourth brother like this before."

Yang Chong was not yet married and didn't know what to say, so he simply remained silent.

Turing asked curiously, "What did that person say to Fourth Brother that made him so angry?"

Yang Chong shook his head, "Your Highness and that man didn't allow anyone to enter during their conversation, but..."

He could probably guess some of it.

"But what?"

"nothing."

Yang Chong thought of what he had found out, and then glanced at the prince in front of him. He suddenly remembered the day when the Khatun had just married into the family. The prince was also riding a horse alone on the grassland. But the prince now was probably in a different state of mind than he was then.

Chao Lu went for a stroll in the suburbs, sobered up considerably, and then disappeared at the end of the road.

“The Central Plains is so small, with high walls everywhere, like a cage… What’s so good about it!” Chao Lu muttered to himself as he looked at the city walls.

Yang Chong rode forward and advised, "Your Highness, it's late, let's go back."

"I won't reply."

Chaolu stared intently at a tree outside the city wall, as if trying to make it bloom.

Yang Chong: "Your Highness, actually... Lord Pei didn't have any agreement with the Marquis's Mansion... Isn't it a bit of a waste for you to hold a grudge against your wife over this?"

Chao Lu suddenly turned around and stared at him.

"You found out?"

Yang Chong lowered his eyes. "I've found out some things."

Chao Lu snorted.

Do you know what he told me?

Yang Chong shook his head.

"He—" Chao Lu suddenly felt a surge of anger, raised his hand and punched the tree trunk in front of him. The branches rustled and a few withered leaves fell down.

One "peace and safety" on the left, another "peace and safety" on the right.

What a fourth-rank official! He's nothing but a cunning and despicable villain.

Chaolu still didn't tell Yang Chong these details. He wouldn't tell anyone about this conversation, but because of this, he had nowhere to vent his anger.

He was drunk and angry just now, and he seemed a bit of a jerk.

But now you want him to go back and bow his head...

Chao Lu snorted again, quickly mounted his horse once more, and prepared to ride around Liangzhou City one more time!

Yang Chong and Turing exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly at the same time.

...

Hela stayed with Ruan Yu until almost midnight, but Chao Lu still hadn't returned, and Hela's expression turned somewhat grim.

Ruan Yu had recovered by now and smiled at her: "Sister, you should go back and rest first, I'm fine."

Hela couldn't help but say, "This Chaolu... An'an, don't worry, if you've been wronged, your older sister will definitely get justice for you."

Ruan Yu had calmed down and felt much better thanks to Hela's company. She smiled gently and nodded.

Hela told her to get some rest and then went out.

"Go find Chaolu. He's a grown man, what's with his temper!"

As soon as she stepped out, she gave Batu a direct order. Batu agreed and went out immediately, but just as he reached the door, he ran into Chaolu.

Batu immediately took a step back and bowed.

Hela saw the person and immediately walked over quickly, pulling the person behind her.

"What are you doing? What are you arguing with your wife about so late at night?" Hela was clearly a little angry as well.

Chao Lu stubbornly said, "...Sister, don't worry about it."

Hela was so angry that she slapped him hard: "You think you're all grown up now and I can't control you?! Let me tell you, your wife is popular, and if you dare to bully her, not only will your mother not forgive you, but I won't either!"

Chao Lu: "..."

"I didn't bully her."

Hela knew her brother's character and knew he couldn't possibly be a scoundrel like Chasu.

"You can't drink and argue with your wife late at night, and you can't slam the door and leave."

Chao Lu stood to the side, his lips pursed, like a stone statue.

Ruan Yu slapped him hard again: "Did you hear me!"

"I heard you...!" Chao Lu said in a muffled voice.

Hela snorted, "Go back to your room."

Chao Lu turned and left.

Hela and their room were on the first floor. Ruan Yu couldn't possibly have missed the commotion outside. She didn't get up, but silently sat on the edge of the bed. After a short while, footsteps came from the doorway.

Chao Lu walked to the door and then stopped.

Ruan Yu could see the figure at the door, but she didn't say anything. After waiting for a while, Chao Lu came in.

The room was dark, with no lights on, and the figure blocking out the moonlight as it entered.

He only went to the outer room, did not go in, and stood motionless by the table.

After a while, he took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

"The information Yang Chong gathered about the Marquis of Chang'an's residence is all here. Take a look for yourself."

The man's voice was somewhat stiff, which startled Ruan Yu.

"Go to sleep early. We'll take a carriage back early tomorrow morning. The people from the Halian tribe followed us into Liangzhou Prefecture. It's not safe here."

Chao Lu only said these two sentences, and then prepared to leave.

Ruan Yu suddenly stood up, took two steps forward, bit her lip, and asked, "Where are you going?"

Chao Lu paused, his steps faltering.

He didn't say anything.

"It's freezing cold, what if you catch a cold if you go out?" Ruan Yu asked again.

“I’ll stay right at the door, I’m not going anywhere,” Chao Lu said in a low voice.

Ruan Yu took two more steps forward.

"Come in and sleep. If you catch a cold tomorrow, I won't be able to explain it to my sister."

Chao Lu suddenly gave a sarcastic smirk, "She won't blame you. Besides, why would she blame you? I'm not Buhe."

Ruan Yu: "...Then consider it my self-blame, okay?"

Chao Lu fell silent again.

He paused for a moment, then turned and walked to the window seat in the outer room, leaned against it, and crossed his arms over his chest.

The meaning is clear: he'll be here tonight.

Ruan Yu's gaze shifted to the table, where a letter raft stood.

The envelope looked a little wrinkled, not like a new one. She hesitated for a moment, then went over and opened it.

Chao Lu glanced over from the corner of his eye, but his lips were tightly pursed.

Since he had promised her last time, he arranged for someone to go the next day. However, the grasslands and Chang'an are too far apart, and unlike some people who travel thousands of miles, he was naturally a step late.

Ruan Yu looked down at herself for a long time in the moonlight, her eyes slightly warm.

The different handwriting likely represents a compilation of messages from many people.

He truly took his previous words to heart.

Ruan Yu put away the letter and looked at Chao Lu, but the other party had already closed his eyes.

She thought for a long time before finally speaking, "Before my true identity was revealed in Chang'an, I was just a concubine's daughter in a marquis's household. The Pei family of Hedong is a prestigious family, and his marriage is a major family matter. There was absolutely no possibility between us. Besides, my situation later became so awkward..."

Ruan Yu calmed herself down and continued, "I don't know what he said to you, but I've never met him privately before. It's all just rumors and gossip. I think Lord Pei thinks the same way. I've come all the way here to marry you, and I have no ulterior motives. Heaven and earth can bear witness."

After Ruan Yu finished speaking, she took another deep breath: "It's getting late, let's rest."

Chaolu closed her eyes and seemed unresponsive, but in fact, her ears perked up the moment she uttered her first sentence.

He knew everything else, but when he heard the phrase "Lord Pei probably thinks so too," he suddenly felt depressed again.

hehe.

How did she know what that person was thinking?

In any case, from his perspective, Pei's intentions were not like that.

Of course, I couldn't say this to her.

How could he possibly let that person get away with it?

Chaolu swallowed again and lay down on the window couch, too lazy to even cover himself with a blanket.

Letting the cold wind blow is good; it can help cool down the anger in my heart.

...

The next morning, Chaolu was awakened by the chirping of birds outside his window.

He instinctively reached out to his side.

In the past, I could always touch a warm, soft, and fragrant lump, but today I touched nothing at all.

Chao Lu sat up abruptly, almost falling off the window seat.

The window seat was very narrow, and he was a tall and strong man who couldn't sleep comfortably in the first place. When he suddenly sat up, he made a loud noise.

Chao Lu froze, only then realizing that he was covered by a thin quilt. He immediately looked towards the bed, but found it empty.

Chao Lu's heart tightened, and he suddenly jumped up from the ground and strode after him.

The door slammed shut, and Ruan Yu and Haila, who were standing at the top of the stairs outside, looked over at the same time.

Ruan Yu paused, then looked him up and down.

Hela couldn't bear to look at her brother and frowned.

A gust of wind blew by again, and Chao Lu suddenly coughed and turned away abruptly.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Ruan Yu's eyes, while Hela smiled and said, "How can someone so big be so frail?"

Chao Lu's ear tips were a little red. He was having trouble adjusting to the climate in the Central Plains. He was coughing and had a headache.

He glanced at Ruan Yu out of the corner of his eye, and saw that she was also looking at him, her gaze probably showing some concern.

Chaolu's throat seemed to itch even more, and he coughed twice more violently.

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Author's Note: Sorry I'm late. I recently got a big project, and I've been working overtime a lot. Updates might not be on a regular schedule. I'll post as soon as I finish writing. Thanks for your understanding!