Chapter 38 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City) 038 (Updated) A Trip to Liangzhou...
Not many people know that Chao Lu likes sweets.
When they were little, it was Hela who first discovered her younger brother's hobby. Later, when her mother found out, she would find him some maltose or honey from the Central Plains, because there was no sugarcane on the grasslands and very few sugar beets, so the sugar raw materials were not as abundant as in the Central Plains.
As Chaolu grew older, he felt that it wasn't something to be proud of for a boy to like sweets.
They gradually stopped showing it in front of outsiders.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't like it.
But today, Chaolu has discovered that there are things even more interesting than eating candy—
He enjoyed it immensely and never tired of it.
As dawn broke, the morning light streamed in through the window. The canopy beds in the Central Plains all had curtains, which swayed slightly in the breeze blowing in, revealing a beautiful view underneath—
Ruan Yu lay on the inside, her long black hair spread out on the pillow, fast asleep.
The man beside her had woken up at some point. He was propped up on his side, silently watching her. She didn't know how long he had been watching, but his eyes were filled with tenderness as he remained motionless.
Ruan Yu slowly opened her eyes only when she heard footsteps and the voices of servants outside.
As soon as she woke up, she realized that Chao Lu was holding her hand. He not only rubbed it back and forth, but also pinched her fingertips from time to time, giving her a tingling sensation.
Memories of last night flooded back into her mind, the dampness still lingering on her skin. Ruan Yu's eyes widened suddenly, she quickly pulled her hand back, then shrank back into the covers, watching the person in front of her warily.
Caught off guard, Chao Lu paused for a moment, then met Ruan Yu's eyes, which still held a hint of anger.
He coughed lightly: "Are you hungry? Shall I go and get some food?"
As soon as she opened her eyes, Ruan Yu wasn't concerned about eating. She remained silent like a turtle hiding in its shell, and reached for Lu's blankets, saying, "Didn't I tell you not to cover yourself like this..."
"Get out." Ruan Yu wanted to bite his hand; she didn't want to hear him speak at all, not even a little bit!
Ruan Yu had made up his mind that once he returned to the grasslands, he would find all his miscellaneous books—
Chao Lu admitted last night that he learned it from there.
Then we burned it all down!
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything..." Chao Lu sighed, but he was clearly in a good mood, with the corners of his lips turned up, perhaps savoring the moment.
"Get out..." Ruan Yu repeated.
Chao Lu: "Where am I going? We're just having fun outside, I don't need to train."
Ruan Yu: "...Go buy me some xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), I want to eat those."
Chao Lu: "..."
"There are also glutinous rice cakes, rice puddings, and cheese. I bought them at the morning market; I haven't had them in a long time."
Chao Lu gave her a few deep looks. Although he knew she was doing it on purpose, men are always easier to talk to after they've had their fill.
“Okay…I’ll go buy it for you.” Chao Lu got up and lifted the bed curtains.
He looked at the gauze several times and suddenly thought it was pretty good. He decided to install one in his own home to add some fun.
Ruan Yu turned over, still feeling a bit tired. After shooing the people away, she felt much better and wanted to lie down for a while longer.
When Chaolu was there, the difference in their body sizes made their fit together so perfectly that it made her legs weak.
...
Afu was lifted up by Chaolu, and the two went to the market together.
Afu rubbed his eyes: "Master, what do you want to buy?"
"Just go to the morning market and buy whatever you see, like xiaolongbao, cheese curds, glutinous rice cakes, etc., because she wants to eat them."
Afu gasped, "Doesn't the inn have these things?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a cold look in Chaolu's eyes. Knowing that he had spoken out of turn, Afu silently took back what he wanted to say and hurriedly squeezed into the market.
Chao Lu was in a good mood and followed slowly behind.
He needs to find something else good, like the sugar figurine from last night.
The Central Plains have their advantages too!
There are more fun things here than on the grassland!
Ruan Yu slept for a little while longer before slowly getting up.
Having finally made it to Liangzhou, it wouldn't be right to spend all my time at the post station.
Xuanniang and Qingguo entered quickly, Qingguo's steps were very cheerful: "Miss, did you sleep well last night!"
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly saw the bathtub behind the screen.
"Hey, didn't the waiter clean up last night?"
Ruan Yu changed the subject: "Help me change my clothes, we're going out today."
Qingguo withdrew her gaze and hurried over.
While combing her hair, Qingguo asked, "Should I wear yesterday's hairstyle again today?"
Ruan Yu: "...a woman's hairstyle."
Ruan Yu didn't want to recall what happened last night, and she especially didn't want to mention the jealous look on that person's face as he pinned her against the headboard.
"Alright, let's go shopping today and buy the girl two new outfits!"
Buying clothes was secondary; Ruan Yu was still thinking about the important matter. She glanced at Xuan Niang, who quickly said, "Don't worry, Miss, I've already inquired about everything."
Ruan Yu nodded.
After washing up, Ruan Yu took Qingguo and Xuanniang out for some fresh air, and decided to go find Haila.
They were at the very end of the second-to-last floor, at the corner. Just as Ruan Yu was about to step out the door, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from upstairs—
"Young master, please slow down."
Ruan Yu then deliberately slowed down her pace.
Even though Chaolu had gone out, she was still wary of the unfamiliar environment and deliberately waited until the person came downstairs before turning out of her room.
As she reached the top of the stairs, the figure had just entered the lobby.
Ruan Yu saw a man in her line of sight who seemed somewhat familiar, but soon, the figure walked straight through the hall, reached the door, and got into the carriage.
Qingguo saw it too and muttered, "It seems like there's quite a commotion outside? Who lives upstairs?"
Ruan Yu shook her head: "I don't know, there's no need to ask."
Just as Pei Du boarded the carriage, his servant Shuang Nian suddenly said, "My lord, I'm so sorry, I forgot your token. I'll go get it right away."
Pei Du nodded: "As soon as possible."
Shuangnian ran in, and just as he passed the stairs, he brushed past Ruan Yu and the other two. He paused, turned around in surprise, but another person cut in front of him. In the blink of an eye, Ruan Yu's figure had already disappeared.
strangeness……
He thought he saw the figure of the third young lady of the Ruan family.
That can't be...
Shuangnian was in a hurry and didn't look at it for long before running upstairs.
Ruan Yu went to Haila's room, estimating that Chaolu would be back soon.
Hela and Buhe happened to be leaving the house at the same time, so the two of them went to the lobby together.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived, they saw Chaolu and Afu. When Chaolu saw Ruan Yu, he immediately quickened his pace.
"Why did you come out?"
Chao Lu stopped in front of Ruan Yu, who smiled and said, "The room needs tidying up, so I came out for some fresh air."
Chao Lu raised his chin: "I've bought everything you wanted to eat."
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "Sister, let's have breakfast first."
Hela glanced at Chaolu, smiled without saying a word, and sat down with Ruan Yu.
The lobby was bustling with people having breakfast.
"What do you want to do today?" Chaolu wasn't very familiar with the area and didn't know where she wanted to go.
Ruan Yu hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "I want to write a letter to my mother and younger brother and send it to the post station, is that alright...?"
Chao Lu was stunned for a moment.
He suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked, "Where's the letter? Is it finished?"
"It's finished writing..."
Chao Lu: "Then why are you asking me?"
Ruan Yu: "..."
We should still ask.
"Give it to me, I'll mail it to you." Chao Lu reached out his hand.
Just as Ruan Yugang was about to say something, Yang Chong and Has walked in from outside.
Chao Lu frowned slightly. The fact that the two of them would appear together meant...
Has stepped forward and whispered something in Chaolu's ear, causing Chaolu to frown.
Are you sure?
"Absolutely true."
Ruan Yu hurriedly asked, "Is there something urgent...?"
Chao Lu's expression was not good.
Chao Lu pursed his lips and looked at her.
"Yu Yu, I have urgent business to attend to outside the city today. It will take about three hours. Do you want to come with me or wait for me here?"
Ruan Yu's heart skipped a beat; something urgent had indeed happened...
"Can I stay in the city? I won't wander around..."
Ruan Yu was only going to stay in Liangzhou for two days, and he really didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Chao Lu thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, but Yang Chong has to go with you. Also, I have arranged for twenty people to protect you in secret. Don't be afraid, as long as you don't run around."
Ruan Yu glanced at Yang Chong: "I won't. Besides, I still have my elder sister."
Chao Lu stood up: "Then let's go."
Ruan Yu wanted to ask what had happened, but seeing that Has seemed a little anxious, she swallowed her question.
Hela was also a little surprised: "Then you should go quickly, Chaolu. An'an and I will just stroll around the city. Nothing will happen."
Chao Lu gave Ruan Yu a deep look and nodded in agreement.
Afterwards, he rode away with Has and others.
Ruan Yu watched until the person disappeared from sight.
Yang Chong said, "Madam, shall I escort you to the post station now?"
Ruan Yu thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Sister, will you come with me?"
Hela: "Of course, let's go, and we'll also take a stroll around Liangzhou City."
Ruan Yu felt a little embarrassed to have Hela accompany her, but it was good for the two of them to travel together and have someone to look after them.
The post station and government office in Liangzhou Prefecture were not far apart, but they were a bit far from where they were. Ruan Yu and Haila strolled slowly toward that location as they walked.
When they passed by some shops, the two of them would go in and take a look.
“I remember my mother bringing me here once when I was very young, but I don’t remember much about it now,” Hela said with a smile.
"But my mother also has a deep affection for the Central Plains. She said before that if she had the chance, she would definitely take me back to see her hometown."
Since the topic had come up, Ruan Yu casually asked, "What is your mother's hometown...?"
“My mother said she was from Yangzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan.”
Ruan Yu's heart skipped a beat.
Yangzhou Prefecture...
Jiangnan Wei family.
These words immediately popped into Ruan Yu's mind. Could it really be...?
"Hey, there's a fabric shop up ahead, let's go in and take a look!" Hela suddenly grabbed her, interrupting Ruan Yu's train of thought. Ruan Yu snapped out of her reverie and went in with her.
The fabric shop had quite a few ready-made clothes, and Ruan Yu remembered what she had said—that she should pick out two sets for Chao Lu as well.
Hela was mainly buying for Buch, but since they were already there, Turing would definitely have to be included as well.
Only Ruan Yu herself had her eye on a pomegranate-red padded jacket, but the color was a bit too bright…
Hela also came over and said with a smile, "This color suits you, you'll definitely look great in it!"
Ruan Yu smiled and reached out to touch the fabric: "Then... let's wrap it up."
Ruan Yu and Haila strolled around the fabric shop for quite a while and came out with a lot of purchases.
Then, the two headed straight for the post station and the government office.
The letter was given to Yang Chong, who could then send it from the post station.
Ruan Yu found a small teahouse near the government office, intending to sit down and rest, and also to let Xuan Niang and the others inquire about it.
Just as they stepped into the teahouse, a little beggar at the entrance suddenly crept over and, as he passed Hela, suddenly reached out and tugged at her.
One of Hela's guards suddenly turned around!
"You, stop right there!"
He shouted and chased after it.
Hela and Ruan Yu were startled. Hela reached out and touched her pocket: "Hey, where's my purse?"
"You audacious thief! Stop right there!"
Yang Chong went to the post station at this time. The guard was a grassland man. He glared at the guard and grabbed the little beggar in a few steps.
"You thief, don't you have any eyes? Hand it over, you scoundrel!"
Hela and Ruan Yu rushed over, "Batu, what's going on?"
Before Hela could utter a word, the little beggar's eyes widened: "A grassland person?"
He suddenly clutched his stomach: "Ouch, ouch—the barbarians of the grasslands are attacking me!"
After saying that, he lay down on the ground and started rolling around.
The little beggar caused quite a commotion, and everyone around came to see what was happening.
Pei Du's carriage had just heard the sound at the entrance of the government office and looked over.
Who is making a commotion?
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Author's Note: I actually intended to write "[The next morning]", but you all saw through me. Okay, okay, I'll add a little more; use your imagination. [Laughing and crying with facepalm]
I was a bit busy today, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to post an extra update, sob sob. I'll try my best.
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