After the meal, the general returned to his study.
"Xu Yunchuan, are you very familiar with that maid Ziling?" Qi Jingxuan knew this, but he asked tentatively.
“We grew up together at the horse farm with the concubine and the other two, so we are naturally familiar with each other.”
"Oh, we will be going out soon to quell the riots. This is my own personal money. You should find a way to give it to them. It's not easy to survive in this backyard during the cold winter." Qi Jingxuan knew that Ruan Yumu's body would become extremely cold in winter. If he didn't take care of his body, with the backyard so lively, he probably wouldn't survive this winter.
"Have someone tailor a few more outfits and send them to Yunxiang Tower. Also, have the jewelry store send her some jewelry; Yunxiang Tower is far too simple. Send some decorative items as well." Qi Jingxuan wasn't just sending these to Ruan Yumu, but also to make life a little easier for Ziling by his side. He understood that while favor was important in the inner court, it shouldn't be excessive.
"Xu Yunchuan, how long have you been with me?"
“I have been by your side since the Battle of Linchang. At that time, the general saw that I was skilled in archery and horsemanship and that I took down the enemy's deputy general with a single arrow. Since then, I have stayed by your side for more than three years.”
"I have been studying military strategy books all day long, and I feel anxious and uneasy."
"General, with your ever-victorious army, how could you be uneasy? Our Jiang Dynasty is rich in resources, and our soldiers' bravery strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies. What is there to worry about?"
"It's nothing." Qi Jingxuan couldn't very well tell Xu Yunchuan that he was Ruan Yumu and that he had never been to the battlefield before. Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it. He had grown up on the horse farm since he was a child, and he was skilled in riding, archery, and martial arts. What was there to be afraid of?
"His Majesty has sent us out this time. We will do our best to fight quickly and decisively. Winter provisions are not as plentiful as in spring, and the northern lands are even more impoverished."
"General, there is no need to worry. Once we reach the battlefield, we can discuss the matter with the strategist and others."
After the general left, Ruan Yumu was pressed to the ground by Jiang Meng and received the needle injection again.
Ruan Yumu was taken back to Yunxiang Tower, completely exhausted, her forehead beaded with sweat from the pain. Ziling waited at Yunxiang Tower for half a day before seeing the concubine return, and anxiously rushed forward to support her.
"Girl, have they made things difficult for you again? What did they do to you?" Zi Ling asked anxiously.
Ruan Yumu shook his head. "No, it's just a minor injury, nothing serious. I was fined a month's salary." For someone like him who had spent years in the military, it was nothing. At this moment, the physical pain couldn't mask the pain in his heart. He didn't know why the usually docile Jiang Mengyi had two faces.
"It's good that you're alright. As for the money, the general secretly sent you quite a bit, Madam. The most important thing is that you're healthy."
Ruan Yumu nodded, leaned on Ziling, and slowly walked into the house.
There was no charcoal left in the house, but fortunately the general delivered some in time. Ruan and Mu wanted Ziling to add more.
“Girl, you should save some, otherwise how will you get through this winter? Have you forgotten how you almost died of illness last winter when there was no charcoal? If you really can’t stand it, add some more. It’s not even the dead of winter yet.”
Ruan Yu Mu frowned. How come she didn't know that life was so difficult when she was a lady? Her mother had never mentioned it? "The Generals sent some over. This will last until next month. After the New Year, they will definitely send more."
Zi Ling shook her head. “Miss, why do you think like this now? The people in this mansion are treacherous, and now that the new princess is in charge, your life won’t be any easier than before. You’re not exactly out of favor, but if the general speaks well of you, no one will give us a hard time anymore. I’ll make some more embroidery these next few days; it’ll be good to sell some.”
As a general who once led armies into battle in the winter, I never imagined that her life in the mansion would be like this, with even charcoal being rationed, and winter clothes and bedding only being available by selling embroidery.
Otherwise, they would have frozen to death countless times over.
It will be several years before Ruan and Mu fully understand that the living environment in these backyards is much more difficult than that outside.
Her thoughts drifted away, and she lay on the bed, where the warmth of the charcoal fire lulled her into a deep sleep.
She didn't know how long she slept, and when she woke up, it was already the next morning. When she woke up again, it was already the next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and her stomach was rumbling. Ruan Yu Mu looked up and saw Zi Ling already around the stove, doing embroidery.
"Miss, you're awake? You didn't eat anything last night. I'll take these and reheat them. If that's not enough, I'll go to the kitchen and make you something to eat. The food the kitchen sent last night was alright. I saw you were fast asleep, so I didn't disturb you. I'll go heat it up for you right away."
There was still firewood in the courtyard, and a few days ago the master and servant started cooking for themselves. The kitchen staff was really skimping on food; how could Ruan Yumu survive on those nutritionally deficient leftovers every day?
Without thinking much, Ruan Yumu picked up a steamed bun and started eating it; she was really hungry.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
