Chapter 62 Two more days until the heartless man returns home
In late spring of March, the grass grows tall and the orioles fly, and various flowers bloom on the trees.
Dongrou counted the hours on her fingers every day, extremely anxious, wishing time would pass faster.
Lu Zhaoruo, however, would rise by the window every morning and practice calligraphy on bamboo paper in the sunlight. In the evening, she would lean against the window and read books. Her calm expression was as clear and cool as raindrops hitting celadon, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of spring outside the window.
"Why aren't you in a hurry, my wife?"
Dongrou couldn't help but ask.
Lu Zhaoruo looked at the winter plum blossoms outside the window. They had lost their proud spirit in the cold winter, but still carried a bit of stubborn coldness. The few remaining plum blossoms on the branches trembled slightly in the warm wind. The edges of the petals had turned withered brown, but they stubbornly refused to wither.
Just like myself...
A faint smile played on her lips: "What's the rush? They're the ones who should be in a hurry."
Looking at her wife, Dongrou noticed that after more than two months of recuperation, her complexion had become even more radiant and jade-like, her skin as white as snow, with a delicate blush, as pure and elegant as a newly blooming pear blossom. Her almond-shaped eyes were clear and cool, and in the flow of her gaze, she revealed a deep and unfathomable tranquility.
Her dark blue hair was as smooth as satin, and when it was loosely tied up, it made her neck look even longer and whiter, like frost and snow. She exuded a serene beauty that was untouched by the world, like a secluded orchid in a valley, elegant and otherworldly.
Dong Rou was stunned for a moment.
She thought to herself, if that heartless man saw her like this, he would probably pop his eyes out.
Lu Zhaoruo turned around and asked, "Have the three sets of spring clothes you asked me to prepare the other day been ready?"
Dong Rou quickly snapped out of her daze and smiled, "It will be ready tomorrow."
The next day.
The three spring outfits that Dongrou brought were laid out on a brocade lining, all of which were the most fashionable styles this year.
Lu Zhaoruo glanced at the three sets of spring clothes in front of her.
The first outfit was a peach-pink lotus-patterned jacket; the second outfit was a pale yellow camellia gauze dress; the third outfit was a light purple jacket with subtle patterns...
She used to always dress simply.
In a few days, it will be the "auspicious day" for Shen Rongzhi to bring his new bride home, so naturally he should dress more festively.
She chose the first set.
Dongrou held the clothes and smiled, "The day after tomorrow, when that heartless man returns with his accomplices, we'll make sure they see that our wife is not only not sick, but is even more energetic and beautiful than before."
Lu Zhaoruo suddenly remembered herself in her previous life, who had toiled for the Shen family for half her life, and by the age of forty-five, she was already emaciated and had a full head of white hair.
And the way Shen Rongzhi looked at her...
That look of disgust was as if it were looking at an old, worn-out object.
She remembers it clearly to this day.
On Zhang's side, things were already going very smoothly.
She not only bought several brand-new outfits for herself and Shen Qingshu, but also took care of everything inside and outside the house, ordering the servants to clean the courtyard spotless.
In another courtyard, she personally supervised the maids in arranging everything, and all the furnishings were exquisite, as if she were preparing for some grand celebration.
They're practically hanging up red lanterns...
Zhang Shi stroked her newly tailored silk skirt, her eyes and brows brimming with undisguised joy, and said to Shen Qingshu, "We've finally made it through! In just two days, the whole family will be reunited. At that time, we'll have a respectable reputation, fine silks and satins, an endless supply of servants, and even our grandchildren's future will be secured."
Then he suddenly lowered his voice and said, "I have already made arrangements with the sales office, and I will bring my granddaughter back that day."
Shen Qingshu subconsciously glanced towards the west courtyard.
Zhang understood and sneered, "Lü'er came to report this morning that he can't even take his medicine anymore and is in a daze all day."
"Don't die on the day Rong-ge'er returns home."
Shen Qingshu frowned.
"She dares!"
Zhang clenched her handkerchief tightly. "If you're going to die, then die now. If you insist on getting in my way..."
She suddenly smiled sinisterly, "I will have to go and 'visit' her myself, and personally...feed her a bowl of ginseng soup."
...
Dongrou told Lu Zhaoruo about Zhang's instructions to the servants to sweep and clean the gate, as well as to arrange another courtyard.
Lu Zhaoruo was bowing her head before her desk, carefully sketching patterns on bamboo paper that were indistinct to others...
Hearing Dong Rou's words, the pen paused slightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "Let her be happy for another two or three days."
Dongrou said, "That's right! When that heartless man comes back with his accomplices and finds out that the so-called reward was fake and that the wife's 'consumption' was also fake, we'll see if she can still keep up that happy look on her face!"
As he spoke, he leaned closer to the table and saw some winding lines drawn on the paper, occasionally dotted with small red dots. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What is this you're drawing, madam?"
Lu Zhaoruo did not answer, but said, "Go and prepare my gray squirrel cloak. I need to go out at 11:45 PM."
Dongrou nodded and brought over the gray squirrel cloak.
Lu Zhaoru tore the bamboo paper to shreds and threw it away. She then took out a piece of green paper and redrawn the winding coastline and scattered islands and reefs on it. She marked three groups of reefs with vermilion and connected them with silver lines to form a secret shipping route...
Dongrou asked in confusion, "Why did you abandon the painting just now, my lady?"
Lu Zhaoruo: "That was just a draft."
Once the last stroke of ink had dried completely, she took out a piece of white wax and gently heated it over the candlelight.
Under the candlelight, the entire nautical chart seemed to come alive, with surging waves and reefs, and overlapping light and shadow.
At the second quarter of Hai hour, the night was deep and still.
Lu Zhaoruo, wrapped in a gray squirrel cloak, quietly slipped out through the side gate of the Shen residence.
She went to the dock to find Banling; he should be on patrol at this time.
On the day Shen Rongzhi returned home, she needed to use Ban Ling's official position to carry out her duties.
However, it is ultimately inappropriate to ask repeatedly like this.
Therefore, based on her memories from her previous life, she knew that Commander Xiao and Ban Ling only managed to wipe out the Japanese pirates in Linhai two years later, and Ban Ling even broke his leg in that battle...
The naval victory report clearly stated the three hideouts of the Japanese pirates.
At that time, she was waiting for Shen Rongzhi and paid special attention to such news.
Now reborn, I remember it clearly.
Later, she traveled the seas as a merchant and became very familiar with the Linhai route. She visited those three Japanese pirate strongholds again and again, firstly to search for Shen Rongzhi's whereabouts, and secondly, to speculate whether these places might be Shen Rongzhi's burial ground...
So, what she just drew were the three places where the Japanese pirates of Linhai were hiding!
The night was deep, and only a few plain white lanterns swayed in the wind on the dock.
Lu Zhaoruo pulled her gray squirrel cloak tighter and glanced at the empty dock. She didn't see Banling, but instead saw a solitary figure standing at the end.
His robes fluttered in the sea breeze, and the token at his waist gleamed coldly.
It was Xiao Yeming.
The general had always been indifferent to her, never even glancing at her directly.
She turned around quietly.
"Madam Lu".
A deep voice, carried by the sea breeze, came chasing after her, forcing her to stop and turn around.
Under the moonlight, Xiao Yeming's face was sharp and sculpted.
When their eyes met, they looked away as if they had been electrocuted.
Lu Zhaoruo frowned. Did she look that scary?
She curtsied and said, "This humble servant greets Commander Xiao."
Xiao Yeming: "It's past 11 PM. Does Madam Lu have business here?"
Lu Zhaoruo: "I am here to see the deputy commander of the squad."
"Looking for someone at 9 PM?"
Xiao Yeming's voice deepened, "Madam Lu and General Ban seem to have a very close relationship."
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