Chapter 38

With one tiny bare foot, she ran all the way to the Weeping Flower Door.

In truth, she didn't care about others labeling her as an omen of ill fortune, nor did she mind her grandmother's disdain or her father's indifference. All she needed was her mother.

Could she, just once, be allowed to go back with her?

She would stay in the Qingheng Courtyard, nowhere else.

But Shen had already vanished without a trace.

The howling northern wind left her surrounded by an endless expanse of white, as if she were the only person left in the world.

Hugging her crescent moon pillow, Rong Shu faced the direction Shen had gone, her voice trembling with childish sobs as she stubbornly called out,

"Mother must come back to see Zhaozhao! Mother can't forget Zhaozhao!"

...

When Rong Shu awoke, her nose was congested, and her throat felt sore. She wasn't sure if it was from catching a chill during the night or the remnants of that dream.

Dreams have a way of intensifying one's emotions to their limits.

She was certain that when her mother left back then, she wasn't as heartbroken as she was in those dreams.

Her mother would come to Yangzhou to accompany her every year, staying for two full months.

Uncle treated her kindly too. In the summer, he would take her to pluck lotus pods, and in the winter, they would roll in the snow together. Though they were officially uncle and niece, their relationship was no different from that of a father and daughter.

During her days in Yangzhou, aside from the absence of her mother, there was nothing unpleasant about her life.

Rong Shu pondered for a moment, perhaps it was because she couldn't let go of her mother in her previous life that all her repressed emotions poured out in her dreams.

Influenced by those emotions, she felt a bit dazed upon waking up. She decided to hold onto Yue'er's pillow and sit on the bed to clear her mind. Halfway through, something suddenly occurred to her, and she glanced to her right.

Sure enough, Gu Changjin had also woken up at some point, sitting on the bed leaning against a large cushion with his jet-black hair cascading down his shoulder, his features calm and refined.

As Rong Shu looked over, he met her gaze.

Staring into his unwavering eyes, Rong Shu spoke softly with a slight hoarseness, "Did I talk in my sleep last night?"

Chapter 18

Outside, the day was already bright, and Zhang Mama's voice intermittently drifted in from the veranda.

Rong Shu felt reassured and smiled. "That's good. My lord will be going to the study soon. I'll ask Mama and the others to come in now so as not to delay your affairs." With that, she called out through the window.

Zhang Mama and the other two women entered the room in succession. One fetched water, another wrung out a cloth, and after they had finished helping Rong Shu freshen up, she asked Gu Changjin if he wanted Chang Ji and Doctor Sun to come in and assist him to the study.

Gu Changjin lifted his gaze to meet hers. "There's no need to call them in. They can wait outside later."

This implied that he didn't want them to enter the room.

Rong Shu pondered for a moment before going over to support him herself. "Let this servant help my lord out of the room."

She wore a soft gauze shirt embroidered with winding orchids and a golden-threaded, red silk skirt. As she moved, it was as if liquid gold was floating on her skin, with a subtle fragrance filling the air.

Gu Changjin had intended to decline her offer, but for some reason, the memory of her whispered words in the middle of the night made him unusually hesitant.

In that moment of hesitation, Rong Shu's hand had already reached out, gently and firmly supporting his elbow through the layers of clothing.

The young maiden's fingers were as slender as freshly peeled scallions, yet they offered assistance without revealing any sign of fragility.

Yesterday, when she supported his shoulder, it was the same. Despite her delicate limbs giving the impression of frailty, swaying gracefully like a willow in the breeze, the strength in her hands never wavered.

The man's words of refusal became utterly frozen on his tongue.

Simultaneously, as she drew near, his steady heart began to uncontrollably thump wildly once more.

His composure far exceeded that of ordinary men; his expression remained as steady as a mountain, and his cold, tranquil eyes showed not the slightest ripple, as if that unruly heart didn't belong to him at all.

Just as he was about to exit the room, Gu Changjin seemed to recall something, slowing his steps. Without looking at Rong Shu, he lowered his gaze and slightly tilted his head, saying, "On the day you paid your respects to your parents, you were unable to spend much time with them due to my circumstances. If you miss them, feel free to visit without worrying about me. Doctor Sun will be taking care of me here."

Rong Shu had already discussed her plan to return to the marquis residence with Ying Que and the others, even deciding on the day. She hadn't expected, however, that Gu Changjin would bring it up before she did.

The corners of her lips curved deeper as she replied, "I shall wait until my lord's health improves and he can resume his duties at the Ministry of Punishments before I return to the marquis residence to see Mother and Father." It wouldn't be more than four or five days, after all.

Gu Changjin fell silent for a moment before nodding gently.

For nearly an hour, Sun Daoping and Chang Ji had been waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Gu Changjin finally emerge, they hurried forward, one on each side, to support him.

As Sun Daoping helped Gu Changjin, he chided gently, "They say haste makes waste, especially when it comes to healing. Even if you're eager to attend to official duties, you shouldn't push yourself like this. Well, well, the people are fortunate to have a magistrate like you. I'll just have to put in more effort."

The trio walked slowly to the study amidst Sun Daoping's incessant chatter.

The study was already in order, with all important documents safely hidden away by Chang Ji the previous day.

In truth, Sun Daoping was an innocent soul. To Chang Ji, the young man was a naive and earnest medic who focused solely on his craft. There was no need to be overly cautious around him.

However, their master was always cautious in his actions, meticulous regardless of the situation or location.

That was why they had taken the time to tidy up.

After administering the acupuncture as usual, Sun Daoping left promptly for the small kitchen.

Once she was gone, Gu Changjin got out of bed, donned his robe, and walked to the desk. He instructed Chang Ji, "Prepare the ink. Later, you will personally deliver a letter to Shiiun. He went to Yang State Prefecture to investigate Rong Shu's background not long ago and might still be there."

Before leaving, Sun Daoping had repeatedly warned Gu Changjin not to leave his bed.

Chang Ji recalled the young lad's earnest expression, as if he wanted to carve "not allowed to stay overnight" on his forehead, and couldn't help but suggest, "If the letter isn't urgent, Your Highness might as well write it in two days."

Gu Changjin didn't even lift his gaze as he replied, "This is an urgent message. It needs to be delivered to Yangzhou as swiftly as possible through the postal service."

Upon hearing this, Chang Ji understood that the task Shiiun was entrusted with must be of great importance. Thus, he ceased his persuasion and promptly went forward to grind the ink.