TPGA - 59

Chapter 59: Sharing an Umbrella

At this rate, it wouldn’t just be impossible to return to the governor’s mansion before nightfall—it might even stretch into the late hours of the night. She dreaded the rumors that might arise.

Thinking this, she steeled herself and stepped out into the rain. However, the rain didn’t fall on her as expected. Surprised, she looked up to see an oil-paper umbrella shielding her. The person holding the umbrella was none other than…

Upon recognizing who it was, Yunyi quickly bent her knees in a respectful bow. “Greetings, Second Young Master!”

Li Shimin smiled faintly and said, “Since we’re not in the mansion now, there’s no need for formalities. Rise.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master,” Yunyi said as she straightened up. Puzzled, she asked, “Why is the Second Young Master here?”

“I’ve been investigating the assassin in the mansion for so many days—it was suffocating. I came out to clear my mind, and unexpectedly, I happened to run into you… and…” Li Shimin furrowed his thick brows. “His name is Du Ruhui, correct?”

Yunyi looked at him in surprise. “Did the Second Young Master see everything?”

Li Shimin shifted the umbrella slightly toward Yunyi. “I saw it by chance. When I was about to leave, I remembered that you didn’t seem to have an umbrella, so I came back to check. Sure enough, here you were.”

Inwardly, Yunyi sneered. What a convenient coincidence! She suspected he had been secretly observing her every move all along. Thankfully, she hadn’t acted impulsively at the Du residence; otherwise, he might have noticed something amiss.

After walking for a while, Li Shimin asked, “Did something unpleasant happen between you two? I saw you leave, and afterward, he stood in the rain for a long time. Later, he even got into an argument with someone.”

Yunyi fell silent for a moment before replying, “Ruhui and I grew up together like childhood friends. He’s a good person and has always treated me well. Before I entered the mansion to work, he expressed his desire to marry me. But… his mother disapproved, thinking my father and I are of low status and unworthy of their family. She told me to stay away from her son.”

Li Shimin glanced at her sympathetically. “Can you really let go?”

Yunyi gazed at her reflection in his eyes and softly replied, “Whether I can or cannot, what difference does it make? Some things can’t be changed just because of ‘unwillingness.’ Hesitation only leads to chaos.”

Li Shimin studied her deeply. “I always thought you were gentle and mild-mannered. I never expected you to have such strength. Just for this, many men fall short of you.”

Yunyi lowered her gaze. “The Second Young Master jests. Who is truly strong by nature? Strength is often forced upon us. If marrying into the Du family meant suffering alone, I might endure it. But Father… he has worked hard his entire life. I can’t bear to see him suffer more because of me.”

Li Shimin nodded slightly. “It’s commendable that you have such filial piety. By the way, how is your father’s health?”

“My father is still quite robust. And with the pearls and jade pendant you rewarded me, he won’t have to work as hard in the future.”

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow. “It’s a pity you don’t have any news about the assassin. Otherwise, the reward would have been much greater.”

Yunyi quickly waved her hands. “Second Young Master, after the incident, Yunyi truly hasn’t contacted me. Please believe me—I know nothing, nor am I involved in any conspiracy.”

Li Shimin chuckled lightly. “I know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have released you. I was just speaking casually earlier. Don’t overthink it. The rain is getting heavier. Let’s hurry back.”

Yunyi was about to agree when she noticed that the left side of his robe was soaked because the umbrella hadn’t fully covered him. She quickly said, “Second Young Master, let me hold the umbrella.”

Li Shimin noticed her glance and smiled warmly. “It’s fine. Let’s go.” Seeing his response, Yunyi could only follow him as they made their way to the governor’s mansion.

Meanwhile, Ji Rong and Chunxiu were struggling through the heavy rain, each holding oil-paper-wrapped medical books in one hand and an umbrella in the other. Their skirts and shoes were already drenched.

Chunxiu muttered complaints as she walked. “This wretched weather—why did it choose to rain right when we’re heading back? At least we brought umbrellas. Otherwise, who knows how soaked we’d be? My feet are almost numb from the cold. I hope I don’t get frostbite.”

Ji Rong wasn’t faring much better, but her calm demeanor kept her from complaining. She simply said, “Let’s hurry. We’re almost there. Once we return to the mansion, we’ll heat some water to soak our feet. That should help.” Then, she added cautiously, “Be careful not to let the rain seep into the oil paper. These books are one-of-a-kind. If they get damaged, we won’t be able to find replacements.”

“I know,” Chunxiu said, clutching the medical books tightly. After walking a bit further, they finally spotted the silhouette of the governor’s mansion through the pouring rain. Just as Chunxiu prepared to quicken her pace, two figures entered ahead of them. As they shook off their umbrellas, Chunxiu caught a glimpse of their profiles and exclaimed in surprise, “Sister, look! Isn’t that Second Young Master and Meixue? Why are they returning to the mansion together?”

Ji Rong squinted and confirmed it was indeed Li Shimin and Meixue. A flicker of coldness passed through her eyes as she coolly remarked, “Perhaps they coincidentally met and returned together.”

Chunxiu frowned jealously. “What do you mean ‘coincidentally’? How could such a thing happen? Why don’t we ever run into Second Young Master?”

“Maybe it’s just her luck,” Ji Rong said, wiping the rainwater from her face. “Enough of this. Let’s hurry inside. It’s almost dark.”

Chunxiu agreed and followed her back to the music quarters. Zhang Shi was waiting outside their room, holding a small parcel. Seeing them return, she smiled and took the umbrellas from their hands. “Sisters, you’ve finally returned. I’ve been waiting for a while.”

Ji Rong opened the door and walked in. After placing the heavy medical books on the table with Chunxiu, she said with a smile, “It’s rare to visit home, so we ended up chatting longer than expected. Unfortunately, it started raining when we left, but thankfully, it’s not too late. Otherwise, we’d have faced Master Lin’s scolding. By the way, why did you wait for us specifically?”

Zhang Shi smiled. “Nothing important. I just brought some snacks from home for you both to try.” As she spoke, she curiously eyed the two packages on the table. “What are these? They look quite heavy.”

Chunxiu wiped the rainwater from her clothes and casually replied, “They’re medical books Ji Rong brought from home. They’re for…”

“They’re for passing the time,” Ji Rong interjected. “Ever since the incident with the assassin, we haven’t practiced dancing for a long time. Sitting in the room all day is boring, so I brought some medical books to read for entertainment.” As she spoke, she discreetly glared at Chunxiu when Zhang Shi wasn’t looking. Chunxiu realized her near slip-up and lowered her head apologetically.

After Zhang Shi unwrapped the oilpaper, she found stacks of medical books inside. Some were already yellowed with age. She had heard from Chunxiu that Ji Rong’s family had been physicians for generations, though they had fallen into decline by her father’s generation. Smiling, Zhang Shi said, “Even so, you didn’t need to bring so many. People might think Sister plans to become a female doctor.”