Chapter 011: Ruyi Returns Home

In the back alley of the Ningguo Mansion, Yan Mama had just left the fragrant courtyard of Lady Ningguo and was about to lie down on the couch when Chunyan hurriedly came in. She whispered something in Yan Mama's ear.

Yan Mama sat up in surprise, "Are you telling the truth? That girl has really become the head maid of the Twilight Pavilion?"

"I wouldn't dare to lie to you. I made sure to find out the truth before coming to tell you," Chunyan carefully observed Yan Mama's expression.

After all, it was her idea to persuade Yan Mama to send that Zhao Ruyi to the Twilight Pavilion. She didn't expect that within such a short time, Zhao Ruyi had climbed up to the position of head maid.

"I've confirmed it. The young lord not only promoted her to head maid, but also rewarded her with exquisite silk and satin, and now she's even learning how to read," Chunyan said, feeling envious and resentful at the same time as a maid herself.

After hearing Chunyan's words, Yan Mama was stunned for a while and then burst into laughter.

"So, it turns out our young lord likes someone eloquent," Yan Mama seemed to have suddenly figured something out. "We used to think that the girl who accompanied the young lord for so many years was to his liking because she was reserved and reticent. Who would have thought that by a stroke of luck, he ended up with someone who can talk her way into a position of power!"

With a sly smile, Yan Mama twirled the gold ring on her finger. "It looks like we need to find a time to have a good talk with this Zhao Ruyi. Without us, she wouldn't be where she is today!"

Chunyan quickly chimed in, "Please rest assured, Mama. I will keep a close watch on Zhao Ruyi."

Yan Mama rewarded her with a plate of pastries, "You are indeed clever. It was not in vain that I personally brought you by my side to mentor."

Meanwhile, Zhao Ruyi was feeling rather unhappy.

Although the Shu brocade bestowed by the young lord was slightly yellowed and moldy, after washing and drying the fabric, it could still be used. Her parents had never worn such fine fabric, so she wanted to make new clothes for them.

However, since Abao was punished and she had to start learning how to read, she found herself running out of time. She could only work on the clothes after the young lord had gone to bed, which left her with insufficient sleep. Additionally, the summer heat made her prone to drowsiness, and she found herself yawning frequently while at work during the day and dozing off while practicing calligraphy.

Song Wujie had noticed this and became displeased. When he had taught Abao how to read, she had shown the same behavior.

"If you don't want to learn, then don't learn," Song Wujie said without even looking up.

Startled by these words while half asleep, Zhao Ruyi accidentally spilled ink from her brush onto the paper, creating a large blot.

This completely woke her up.

Not only did she have to start anew due to the ink blot, but she also sensed the young lord's impatience.

She didn't know how to justify herself, so she could only kneel in front of him with a look of distress and plead for his forgiveness.

Seeing Zhao Ruyi's pitiful expression, Song Wujie became even more annoyed. "What does she mean? Does she feel wronged?"

Tianfu, who was present, couldn't help but speak up for Zhao Ruyi. "Young Lord, this is not entirely Zhao Ruyi's fault. According to my mother, she has been staying up late and lacks energy during the day because of her late nights..."

Upon hearing Tianfu's explanation, Zhao Ruyi gave him a meaningful look. However, Tianfu spilled everything without holding back.

"Zhao Ruyi! Is what he said true?" After learning that Zhao Ruyi hadn't slept well due to making clothes for her family, Song Wujie's expression softened. "Making clothes for her family isn't something to be ashamed of. You don't need to hide your sewing activities anymore. And working late at night and straining your eyes is not allowed anymore."

With the young lord's permission, Zhao Ruyi took out the half-finished clothes she had made, only to realize that the fabric Abao had given her earlier was moldy.

Although Song Wujie was still angry, he couldn't punish Abao twice for the same offense. Therefore, he suggested to Zhao Ruyi, "Go to the warehouse and pick out two better pieces of fabric. Don't tell anyone that I gave them to you."

Knowing her limits, Zhao Ruyi gently scolded Song Wujie, "Young Lord, please don't give me any more rewards. I've been working on these two pieces of fabric for over a month. If you give me more fabric, I'll have to sew clothes every day."

Though Zhao Ruyi was just joking, Song Wujie didn't press further, and thus, she quickly finished making the new clothes for her parents. She then took the clothes and the silver she had saved and happily returned home, deciding to walk instead of taking a carriage to save money.

Zhao Ruyi's home was in the outer city, three or four miles away from the West Straight Gate.

Therefore, it took her nearly an hour to walk home, and the hot weather had turned the sun her originally fair skin a deep red.

Zhao Qinshi felt sorry for her when she saw her.

"Why did you come back at this time?" Zhao Qinshi quickly fetched water for Ruyi to freshen up, and brought a large pot of tea for her to drink.

As the Ghost Festival was approaching, Zhao Qinshi went to the incense and candle shop in the back street to pick up some paper mache figures. As a result, the whole house was filled with colorful paper and some already completed paper figures.

Zhao Lao, who had lost a leg to save his life, naturally could no longer work as a carter. Now he could only stay at home every day, helping Zhao Qinshi make paper figures and do some odd jobs.

"Did you suffer any grievances in the mansion?" Zhao Lao had been observing Ruyi's expression all along. "The Duke's mansion has strict rules. If you feel wronged, we can come back."

Zhao Lao was originally a widower, as his first wife died giving birth. He had never thought of remarrying.

But unexpectedly, the Duke appointed the beautiful and graceful Qinshi to be his wife, even though he was old enough to be her father.

He knew that Qinshi must have suffered by being with him.

So he discussed with Qinshi and they decided to present themselves as a married couple to the outside world, but privately they could have a father-daughter relationship.

Qinshi said that he was also a man with a hard life, so they might as well live together like this.

So, when Zhao Lao was in his forties, he finally had a daughter like Ruyi, and he and Zhao Qinshi naturally cherished this daughter very much.