Chapter 134: Initial Display of Affection (Part 2)

  Rong Hua waited on Xue Mingrui to wash and dress, took off the cloud-patterned boots, and was just about to reach out to help Xue Mingrui take off his socks.

  "It's all right, let the maid come in and attend to me"

  Xue Mingrui had never let her serve him by washing his feet with her own hands before.

  Ronghua's hand paused slightly, but she didn't call the maid in. "Does Master Hou know the young master of Changning?" As she spoke, she casually slipped off her socks.

  Those boots weren't the ones she wore this morning, although they had the same cloud pattern, there were some differences, she could tell at a glance, and the socks on her feet didn't have the lace she embroidered herself, and the pants inside were also changed.

  My foot is swollen, like it's been soaked in water.

  Xue Mingrui said: "I've met him before, but we didn't have a deep conversation."

  Ronghua turned around and let Yaya bring hot water, then let Jinxiu fetch various medicinal powders for external injuries.

  Jinxiu took out the medicine from the cabinet. She didn't know what use Ronghua had for it and wanted to ask, but Ronghua shook her head.

  Jinxiu immediately understood and handed over the thing, then closed the sliding door and walked out.

  "Master Hou and Madam, how was your evening at home? Do you want the kitchen staff to wait a bit longer?"

  Jinxiu thought for a moment, "It seems like it's no longer needed."

  "Then I'll let those who are not involved rest."

  Jinxiu nodded, and Chunyao busied herself with making arrangements.

  Chun Yao walked away, Jin Xiu thought of tonight's night shift and hurried forward, "Sister, who is arranged for the night shift tonight?"

  Chun Yao said: "Originally, it was Hongying's turn, but I thought about it and you must be tired from following the lady back today. Tonight, I'll stay in the house and you can rest. If anything is needed in the house later, I will naturally serve."

  Jinxiu nodded, "That's good, when sister comes back, I'll leave." After finishing speaking, Chunyao went out the door, Jinxiu went to find Hongying, Hongyu and others.

  Jinxiu entered the door, Hongying and Hongyu were both in the small house doing chores, when they saw Jinxiu, the two of them hurriedly stood up.

  Hongying said: "Has Master Hou and his wife rested?"

  Jinxiu nodded, "Take a break."

  Hongyu was about to speak when she was pulled back by Hongying.

  Jinxiu said, "Tonight, let Chunyao sister stay in the house and keep watch."

  Hongying and Hongyu both responded, packed up their things and went to the house on Luting.

  Hongying and Hongyu walked far away, Hongyu suddenly pulled Hongying, "What did that old woman just say to sister? I've never seen that old woman before, which courtyard is she from?"

  Hongying said: "Nothing much, just likes my needlework and asks me about some patterns."

  Hong Yu smiled and said: "In that case, sister should call me over, let me see what she likes."

  Hongying smiled and said, "You're also asking about this?"

  Hong Yu's smile disappeared from her face, and her eyebrows sank. "So sister was behind my back." She said, shaking off the handkerchief, quickly taking a few steps to walk past Hong Ying's side.

  Hongying's face stiffened and she hurriedly chased after her, "Good sister, why don't you believe me?"

  Hong Yu sneered, "Once we enter the mansion, everyone will go their separate ways. You're really a good sister. If you say I wronged you, then call that woman over to testify against me. I also have better tricks to teach her."

  Hongying was suddenly speechless.

  ……

  Rong Hua sent everyone in the house away and brought up the medicine again.

  Xue Mingrui took a look at those medicine bottles, she had already figured out his habits and knew that he didn't like having too many servants around him, and some things he was even more unwilling to let others do for him.

  Xue Mingrui chose the medicine and prepared to apply it himself, but was intercepted by Rong Hua.

  "Master Hou's foot will probably need to rest for a few days before it heals."

  But didn't ask him for his reason.

  "It's already entered flood season now."

  Rong Hua was startled and slightly raised her head, "Has Your Majesty assigned another task to Lord Hou?"

  Xue Mingrui's long eyes narrowed, "The defense around the capital has been questioned by someone early on, and I just received an investigation order."

  Whether it's Su Xiyao's case or this time's river dike defense, every single one of them is not a good thing to do. "If we go on like this, our feet will get soaked..."

  Originally walked a lot every day, and also soaked in water. Ronghua applied medicine powder to the broken skin on Xue Mingrui's feet.

  "Even if Master Hou wants to personally inquire, it should be fine even if he stands a bit further away occasionally." He can always find ways to satisfy those above.

  "In recent years, there has been less rainfall, and the river embankments in the capital have also become lax. If it's true what the Imperial Observatory said, this year's rainfall will be several times more than usual, and the river embankments may make mistakes."

  It won't be just a matter of being guilty or not, the people around the riverbank will suffer.

  Xue Mingrui said lightly: "Originally wanted to let Zhuang Qīnwáng handle it, but Zhuang Qīnwáng is ill."

  This Heqi Wangye's illness is so timely. As a result, all of these will be missed, just like the case of Su Xiyao last time, the Holy One appointed Zhuang Qinqing, but the one who actually handled it was Xue Mingrui, and in the end, regardless of good or bad, the crime name did not fall on Zhuang Qinqing's head.

  "What is Master Hou going to do now? Is it still possible to make amends?" This hot potato, Xue Mingrui should not want to get rid of it, otherwise he would not have taken it on in the first place.

  Xue Mingrui looked at Rong Hua.

  Her lower jaw was slightly raised, and her earlobe was so delicate under the lamp light, this weak woman was even stronger than many of his staff.

  When he spoke out about this matter, many people advised him to find a way to get rid of the hot potato as soon as possible. It's hard to tell what he's thinking in his heart. The situation he had finally opened up over the years couldn't be abandoned like this. According to the above meaning, even if he gave up now, he couldn't retreat completely, but only became a loser earlier.

  After all, someone has to take over this matter and try to make up for it as much as possible to minimize losses.

  "I can only hope the rain won't be too heavy." Xue Mingrui replied, looking at Rong Hua.

  She should be able to understand what he means by his words. This errand, from now on, will have more bad consequences than good ones. The severe relationships involved can also be guessed.

  Rong Hua lowered her head and applied the medicine. After washing her hands, she said, "I'll make a few more pairs of boots for Master Hou. I'll try to make the soles thicker."

  She didn't even try to persuade him and just accepted his choice like this.

  It's not blind obedience, but understanding his intention.

  Ronghua got into bed and found that Xue Mingrui didn't take a book to read, her heart couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

  "Are you asking me about Chang Ning Bo Shizi?"

  Rong Hua nodded, but was afraid Xue Mingrui would misunderstand, and just wanted to explain.

  "I don't know about anything else, but after the last autumn festival, there was a rumor that the new jinshi Xuan slept with flowers and lodged with willows, and his behavior was not proper. He was even involved in a dispute over the flower queen with the son of Changning Bo, although no evidence was found afterwards..."

  Ronghua has already understood the meaning of this sentence.

  Even if there is no evidence, this matter is probably also a done deal.

  Xue Mingrui stretched out his hand and gently tweaked Ronghua's temple hair.

  Ronghua's face involuntarily turned red, thinking of Xue Mingrui's intentions, but for some reason she became more flustered than usual, especially when she saw Xue Mingrui's bright eyes, her chest felt hot and she couldn't catch her breath.

  "How did you notice that I changed my boots at a glance? This pair of boots was also brought by the servant and exchanged with my previous one."

  His hand was on her waist, and he was smiling as he spoke with her.

  "The floral pattern on Master Hou's morning attire was embroidered by me."

  Xue Mingrui smiled slightly, "I put those boots in the yamen."

  Rong Hua raised her head, was Xue Mingrui explaining to her? The boots she embroidered were not casually thrown away by him.

  Thinking of him checking the defense today and still rushing to the Tao's house, his heart warmed up.

  His fingers gently lifted her small clothes, the action seemed to be even gentler than before. Rong Hua slightly tilted her head and accidentally touched his lips.

  Unexpected softness.

  His long hands slipped gently into her fingers, and beneath his tough exterior was a tenderness that matched hers.

  Long hair entwines, temples rub against each other.

  His fingers gently closed in, for the first time making her feel a moment of emptiness in her heart, and she couldn't help but also clench his hand, suddenly thinking of the past.

  She sets up a chessboard under the tree, petals fall into a white porcelain cup, like a flat boat with a light sail.

  She looked at that cup of tea.

  Pure, sweet, and endless.

  It can't help but bring a smile to one's face.

  She didn't know at the time, but it was actually her happiest moment.

  Only after a long time has passed, then nostalgia sets in again.

  That delicate, unbridled feeling, she had almost forgotten it.

  ……

  Although I'm a bit tired, this sleep was exceptionally good.

  When he woke up in the morning, Xue Mingrui had not gotten out of bed yet.

  Chun Yao had already been lightly knocking on the door outside.

  "Master Hou, it's getting late, you should get up."

  Ronghua's face involuntarily turned red, this was the first time she had been called by someone below her, and she quickly got up to put on her clothes.

  "No rush, no need to go to work this morning, just head straight to the yamen later."

  It's hard to get two days off a month, but still have to deal with work matters.

  "Last time you asked me about farm work." Xue Mingrui paused for a moment, "Have you found anyone suitable?"

  Ronghua smiled and said, "I didn't know that there was someone in the inner chamber who was proficient in these things, but they just couldn't be used."

  Xue Mingrui nodded, "Every year, the imperial court will issue some trial seeds, but eight out of ten are difficult to bear fruit."

  Rong Hua's eyes lit up involuntarily upon hearing this.

  "Is it that after receiving the seeds and selecting a trial field, the imperial court will give some silver money as land subsidy?"

  Xue Mingrui said: "Maybe some trial fields will be selected recently."

  Ronghua smiled and said, "I'll go ask clearly."

  After sending Xue Mingrui out of the door, Rong Hua reminded him again, "Be careful outside, Master Hou."

  Xue Mingrui mounted his horse, and a follower came up to say: "Young Madam has brought clean clothes, boots, and rain gear."

  Xue Mingrui looked at those things, and a faint smile involuntarily floated up from the corner of his mouth.

  ……

  Ronghua went to pay respects to Old Lady and Mrs. Xue and came back.

  Jinxiu stepped forward and said: "Gao Jinrui is outside wanting to see the madam."

  It's finally here.

  Ronghua nodded and let the maids pull a thin silk screen, then let Gao Jinrui come in.

  Gao Jinrui entered the house, immediately knelt down and paid respects to Rong Hua, then didn't dare lift his head, respectfully saying: "I heard that Young Madam wants to select people to go to the Zhuangzi."

  Rong Hua said: "I just talked about it with your family last time."

  "She doesn't understand these things," Gao Jinrui said immediately. "As long as the young mistress instructs us, our whole family will certainly follow the young mistress's arrangements."

  Promised flesh.

  Not exactly soup