Seeing that Rong Heng not only pondered seriously, but also pondered for a long time without giving an answer.
Zhu Jiayu finally realized that she didn't really want an answer. Because no matter what the answer was, it wouldn't change her opinion of Rong Heng.
Her eyes turned slightly cold, but she still smiled gently. She said, "Young Master Rong just said that I should accompany you. May I ask where you plan to go?"
She looked at Rong Heng with a calm and cold gaze. She exerted a great deal of effort to suppress her hatred for this man and tried her best to treat him as if he were no different from any other person, simply because she knew that he was suspicious by nature. If he were to discover her thoughts, she would probably be suppressed by him before she could even retaliate.
From the moment she was reborn, she painstakingly planned and schemed, not to end up like this.
Therefore, she not only could not avoid him, but also had to speak and interact with him normally, as if nothing had ever happened between them.
Rong Heng smiled gently, looked at the small boat on the lake in the distance, and asked Zhu Jiayu, "I happen to be in the mood for a boat trip on the lake today. Would Miss Zhu like to join me?"
Zhu Jiayu followed his gaze and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
She had already guessed it.
Rong Heng loved water, enjoyed fishing, watching fish, and sitting in a boat to watch the clouds, but his favorite activity was boating.
He said that every stream and every river has its own character, and only by traveling on them by boat can one truly understand them. Moreover, when one is on land, one always feels a sense of security, with smooth paths all around, and even if one is tired, it seems that one can stop and rest at any time. But on water, it is not the same. One only feels the vastness of the world and the long road ahead, which inspires a spirit of courage and motivates one to strive forward.
She lowered her eyelids, feeling ashamed that she remembered his affairs so well, but on the other hand, she felt a helpless sadness.
She and this man met when they were still young and insignificant. They went through thick and thin together, weathering storms and witnessing the clash of swords, until finally they reached the highest mountain together, second only to the emperor and above all others. They were like two close trees, whose branches stretched towards each other over the years, slowly intertwining and eventually becoming inseparable, becoming each other's very essence.
Although she has now shed her former body, everything that happened in the past is still etched into her very being, shaping her into the Zhu Jiayu she is today.
Her past with him is also a fate she cannot escape.
After a moment of silence, she rubbed her temples and said, "How about next time? I've been standing here in the wind for quite a while today. I didn't feel it then, but now I have a bit of a headache." She looked at Rong Heng, her bright eyes filled with embarrassment and apology. "I hope you won't have your enjoyment spoiled because of me."
Rong Heng looked down at her fair face and smiled slowly, "Since it's inconvenient for Miss Zhu, then let's do it next time. It was my oversight. The river breeze is a bit chilly; it's not appropriate for a young lady like you to stay on the boat for too long."
He maintained a gentle and refined demeanor. Even after being rejected by Zhu Jiayu, he still asked her if she had brought any attendants with her and if she needed him to send her back.
Zhu Jiayu naturally smiled and politely declined his offer.
...
Zhu Mansion.
Ms. Ji noticed that her husband seemed sullen all day. After hesitating to speak several times, she finally couldn't help but place a cup of warm tea in front of him and ask, "What happened? Why do you look so worried?"
She sighed, "If it's for the shop's profits, I've said I can go back to my parents' home to borrow money. My brother has always been kind to me since I was little, and he won't refuse if I ask now."
Qiu Weicha glanced at her, then took her hand: "I know you mean well, but... how can this be reasonable?"
The Qiu family isn't so poor they can't afford to eat, so how could they let the lady go back to her parents' home to ask for money?
He said with worry, "Actually, Ayu did give me a few suggestions about the shop, but I'm not sure whether to do it her way. But given the current situation of the Qiu family, it seems I have no choice but to go."
Hearing him say that, Madam Ji became curious.
Everyone said she had bad taste. Although she married into the Qiu family, she married the most useless one. The eldest and second masters both studied and became officials, but the third master she married went into business and didn't make any name for himself.
However, Madam Ji knew that her husband was also a very good person. He was steady in his actions and always considered the big picture. He never strayed from his wife and seemed to be able to handle anything. This was the first time she had ever seen her husband in such a predicament.
After understanding the whole story, she thought of the deceased old lady and came up with an idea. She patted Qiu Weicha's hand and said, "She is so smart, maybe she has other ways. Don't worry too much. I'll go ask her in a bit. After all, it might be easier for us to talk."
Qiu Weicha nodded: "That's all we can do."
Outside the door, unnoticed by the two, Qiu Songdao quietly came and quietly left.
After agreeing with Qiu Weicha, Madam Ji summoned a maid to guard Zhu Jiayu at the door. She had heard from the steward that Zhu Jiayu had gone out and didn't know when she would return. She thought it best to send someone to keep watch.
Unexpectedly, the person sent out returned immediately, saying that Miss Biao's carriage had already stopped in front of the mansion gate.
Madam Ji nodded, signaling her to leave. She then picked up a small plate inlaid with thin gold and jade, filled it with several exquisitely presented pastries, placed them in a hexagonal food box inlaid with mother-of-pearl and red lacquer, and delivered it to Zhu Jiayu.
At Chunshan Residence, Zhu Jiayu had just entered the house when a servant came to report that the Third Madam had arrived. She then instructed Lüzheng to invite her in and ordered tea to be served.
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