After a hard morning's work, Shu Yao stopped weeding, let out a long sigh, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and then dragged her tired body back into the house.
Although the house was not large, with only a wooden bed, a small tea table, two chairs, and a simple wooden shelf for clothes, it almost filled all the space, but she kept it clean and tidy, with bright windows and spotless furniture.
When she was free, she built a side room next to the main house as a kitchen. There used to be a stove there, which was used to cook medicine for the injured assassins in the organization. Now it was used for cooking. But she never had high requirements for food. She would just occasionally knead some dough and make some dumplings, cook a small pot of them haphazardly, or steam some rice with pickles, as long as it filled her stomach.
She leaned the sickle against the wall, poured a large cup of water into the teapot, and drank it all in one gulp, finally relieving her thirst and heat a little. Suddenly remembering that she hadn't gone to fetch water that day, she put down the teacup, picked up the empty bucket and carrying pole, and headed to the stream to fetch water. But as she passed the water vat in the yard, her body suddenly stiffened, and she slowly lowered her head, only to find that it was already full of water.
Was she so exhausted that she forgot she had already carried water?
No, she remembered clearly that the water tank was empty after she fetched water to wash up last night, but because it was too dark outside, she thought she would fetch water again this morning. But she had been busy in the yard until now and had completely forgotten about fetching water. How come the water tank is full again now?
A bad feeling rose in her heart. She looked around in confusion, then stood at a distance to check the rooftops and treetops, but found nothing unusual. Could it have rained after she fell asleep last night?
Completely baffled, she could only put down her carrying pole and empty bucket, filled with deep doubt, and go to prepare lunch for herself.
Having not lit a fire for a long time, she had almost forgotten the skill. It took her several attempts to finally get it going. Then she washed a tomato, chopped it into chunks, found an egg, beat it, and poured it into the oil pan to make a simple tomato and egg stir-fry. For her main dish, she used the leftover broth to stir-fry a bowl of rice. That was her complete meal.
She was really hungry, so she sat down at the low table in the courtyard and ate slowly. Although the food was not as exquisite and plentiful as any of the meals she had eaten at the Huo mansion, she found it exceptionally delicious.
As she was enjoying the "delicious food" she had made, a tall figure hid in the shadows on the roof, watching her with a gaze that was both intense and tender.
This girl is incredibly stubborn... He personally bought everything she needed, practically emptying the general store. He even had people bring all the clothes and things she was used to wearing and using in the mansion, fearing she might get cold or hungry. But she threw them all away without hesitation, leaving nothing behind. When Xu Chang returned to report this, he was so angry that he fell ill and couldn't get out of bed.
Yes! He fell ill from anger... This was the second time he had been unconscious since his desperate search for her after she ran away from home. He was unconscious for five whole days, only recovering slightly yesterday. Upon waking, he rushed to see her, thinking that even just a glimpse from afar would be enough. He found her tanned and thinner, but full of energy, no longer the listless and dejected woman she had been when she left the Huo residence a few days prior.
Seeing that the water tank was empty, he forced himself to go to the stream and fetch a few buckets while she was sleeping, despite his weakness. Xu Chang wanted to help, but he pushed him away, saying that he could take care of his woman himself.
She sat on the roof all night, and in the morning, I saw that she hadn't even eaten breakfast. She was busy in the yard under the scorching sun, and it wasn't until almost noon that she finally ate a bite of this shoddy food.
Countless times, he impulsively wanted to appear before her regardless of everything, kneel down and beg for her forgiveness, and hold her tightly in his arms, never letting go again.
But... he has already lost this right.
Huo Jingsha, the invincible commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who is always ready to fight any danger and difficulty, is now a coward who can't muster the slightest courage to appear in front of the woman he loves.
He was afraid—afraid to see the hatred in her eyes and her distant, indifferent attitude. But he was even more afraid that his momentary soft-heartedness would endanger her life, and all his previous efforts would be in vain.
Huo Jingsha's eyes turned sorrowful. Everyone thought he was fickle and heartless, abandoning his wife. But who truly understood that he was the one who should have been abandoned? However, because he deeply loved Shu Yao, he was willing to bear this infamy as long as she could live well.
Every time he recalls her resolute words, his heart aches as if cut by a knife, his hands and feet turn as cold as if he were in an icy abyss, and he loses all will to live. Everyone says that You Shuyao has met the wrong person, but who can truly understand the bitterness in his heart?
Huo Jingsha clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. His eyes became increasingly sore and burning, and he dared not even breathe too loudly. He was afraid... afraid of disturbing her while she was having dinner in the courtyard, afraid that she would discover him and he would never be able to secretly see her again.
Why is she so stubbornly refusing to accept his kindness? She returned the money and threw away the things; is she really determined to cut ties with him completely? But all of that is what she deserves. Even if all the gold and jewels in the Huo family were brought to her, he would still feel it's not enough.
Huo Jingsha was in a state of turmoil and could only watch helplessly as the emaciated woman finished her simple meal, washed the dishes in the cold sink, and then buried herself in hard work in the small garden with a sickle and hoe.
Why doesn't she go and rest? When she was at the Huo residence, she always had the habit of taking a nap. She would have the maid open the window under the bed so she could sleep comfortably in the warm breeze. When she woke up, she would drink a refreshing cup of iced tea. He loved the way she enjoyed herself.
Now... now...
Huo Jingsha stared blankly at Shu Yao's retreating figure for a long, long time...
"My lord?" Xu Chang, who had been hiding in the shadows, could no longer help but show himself and said anxiously, "You have just recovered from a serious illness and it is not suitable for you to be in the sun for a long time. Besides, you did not sleep at all last night. Why don't you go back to your residence and rest first?"
“Xu Chang, Yao’er hasn’t rested yet. What right do I have to go back and enjoy myself? Since I can’t work with her, isn’t it good that I’m here watching over her and keeping her company?” Huo Jingsha asked in a low, sad voice, her throat tight.
"My lord?" Xu Chang felt a pang of pity.
"I don't dare to ask for too much. I'm content as long as I can protect her from the shadows and see her all the time," he said softly.
The magistrate's humble words silenced Xu Chang's attempts at consolation. When had their once-powerful Commander Huo ever appeared so dejected and lacking in ambition?
"Go back now. I'll be away for the next few days, so I'll trouble you and Xu Chang to handle some official business for me," he instructed in a low voice.
"But sir..." It's fine to substitute for a few days, but I'm afraid that if it goes on for too long, it will get back to the Emperor and things will get complicated.
"I know what I'm doing."
"Uh...yes." Xu Chang glanced at Huo Jingsha again before silently bowing and leaping off the roof to leave.
Hopefully, the master and young mistress will soon find happiness after their hardships...
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