novelraw Chapter 243 Picking You Up After get off work
Chapter 243 Picking You Up After get off work
The message was passed on.
The kitchen was bustling with activity as plates of fruit and pastries were prepared.
The maids rummaged through the storeroom and brought out lanterns and ribbons, red and yellow, which they unfurled in the sunlight.
Some people climbed ladders to hang lanterns, while others strung colorful ribbons between the pillars.
People were busy coming and going in the courtyard.
Su Wuli stood under the eaves, watching the lanterns being hung up, the colorful ribbons swaying gently in the wind.
A slight smile involuntarily crept onto my lips, and the weather didn't seem so cold anymore.
Some servants privately asked Chuhe why she suddenly wanted to do these things.
Chu He didn't answer, she just glanced at the person.
The man dared not ask any further questions.
The people in the manor are quick to act; the courtyard was transformed in less than an afternoon.
Lanterns hung from the eaves to the treetops, and colorful ribbons stretched from one end to the other.
Round tables were set up in the courtyard, with bowls and plates arranged neatly.
The kitchen brought over some snacks, which were arranged on the table in plates.
Su Wuli estimated that it was about time, and she straightened up, looking in the direction of the courtyard gate.
He looked away after a moment.
Chuhe came over with a pot of tea and poured her a cup.
She picked it up and took a sip; it was Yu Chen's favorite drink.
She put down her cup and glanced again in the direction of the courtyard gate.
He then turned and walked away, not very fast.
Her skirt swept across the bluestone pavement, making her seem somewhat anxious.
Chuhe followed her through several corridors until they reached the main gate.
The gatekeeper saw her and quickly bowed, "Miss."
Su Wuli nodded slightly and looked up at the long street outside the door.
After waiting for a while, I finally faintly heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from afar.
As the carriage turned in, Shadow Falcon saw her standing at the door and pulled on the reins to stop.
He then spoke up, "Your Highness, Miss Su has come out."
As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain was lifted.
Yu Chen saw her standing at the door, holding up her skirt in her hand.
Su Wuli ran to the carriage in a few steps and stood next to it.
Her face was a little red from the evening breeze.
She looked up at him, her fingers clutching the fabric of his sleeve.
Yu Chen lowered his eyes and asked, "Why did you come out?"
"I'm picking you up from get off work." Su Wuli pulled his sleeve down.
Yu Chen followed her lead and got off the carriage.
Unsleeving his sleeve, Yu Chen took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.
"The manor is lively today," Su Wuli said with a hint of joy.
He paused for a moment as she led him through the corridor.
Lanterns hung from the eaves to the treetops, swaying gently in the evening breeze.
The ribbons billowed in the wind.
Round tables filled the courtyard.
Maids and guards stood in various parts of the courtyard.
Some were carrying plates, while others were standing by the table.
I wish I could shrink myself into a ball.
Upon seeing Yu Chen, they all lowered their heads in unison, not daring to utter a sound.
Su Wuli squeezed his hand and said softly, "I've arranged seats for them over there."
She pointed to the table next to her, then looked down at the two people's clasped hands, "They're not sitting at the same table as us."
Su Wuli had no intention of challenging people's status in this era; she just wanted everyone to have a lively meal together.
Actually, at this moment, she was also feeling a little uneasy.
Yu Chen is the regent, second only to the emperor.
To ask him to eat with the servants in the mansion would be a transgression of class, something that would likely be objected to by those in positions of power.
"At banquets in our area, everyone sits down and eats together; it's very normal."
Her voice lowered slightly as she tentatively explained, "Just this once, let's make it a little more lively, okay?"
Su Wuli assured her, her eyes shining with hope.
Yu Chen remained silent for a moment, while the servants beside him stood trembling with fear.
They naturally dared not eat with their host family, but they also dared not disobey Su Wuli's words.
They'll probably lose their lives after tonight, and they'll just have to accept it.
"I said it's as you wish," the man's deep voice rang out. "Anything is fine with me."
Upon hearing this, Su Wuli looked up at him, the corners of her lips curving upwards slightly.
She quickly pulled him toward the main table.
As Yu Chen passed by, the servants who had been bowing their heads lowered them even further.
Shoulders hunched, someone held their breath.
A fallen leaf lay on the ground, which was turned over by the wind and made a very soft sound.
Someone was so startled that their shoulder jerked, but they quickly pushed it back down.
Su Wuli pulled him to sit down at the main table, and she sat down next to him.
Yu Chen glanced at the lanterns and ribbons filling the courtyard, then at the maids and guards standing cautiously.
"sit."
As soon as the words were spoken, the people glanced at each other and then quickly looked away.
Shadow Falcon sat down first.
At the table next to it.
His back was straight, and his hands were on his knees.
Feng Xi sat down, and the chair made a creaking sound as she sat down.
The creaking sound was particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.
Feng Xi paused for a moment, and A Qi and the others sat down.
Only after seeing Yingjun and Fengxi sit down did the others dare to slowly sit down as well.
The movements were very light and slow, as if afraid of making a sound.
Someone bumped their bowl and plate together, making a sound, and quickly straightened them.
As Su Wuli watched those people sit down, half of the weight that had been hanging over her heart lifted.
She released Yu Chen's hand, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured him a cup of tea.
She placed the cup in front of him. "Try it. This tea is said to be freshly arrived today."
"Hmm." Yu Chen picked up the glass and took a sip.
Su Wuli stared intently at his face, trying to glean something from his expression.
"You're not angry, are you?" she asked, leaning closer.
"What are you angry about?"
"I heard you don't like crowds, so I had them all come." She paused, "and hung lanterns and ribbons."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Chen turned to look at her.
As darkness fell, the light from the lanterns illuminated his profile, outlining a warm-colored edge.
Su Wuli waited for him to speak.
However, he only looked at her for two seconds, then reached out and pressed his hand on her brow, smoothing out the furrow that had unconsciously appeared on her forehead.
"I'll do whatever you say, whatever you say."
Upon hearing this, Su Wuli's brows relaxed.
She lifted her hand from her knee and placed it on the back of his hand, her fingers clenching between his.
He grabbed her hand from behind, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand.
"Alright." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the courtyard heard him. "Let's eat."
As soon as he finished speaking, the servants slowly raised their heads.
It took a while before someone picked up their chopsticks.
Someone whispered something, and the person next to them chimed in.
The sound was very soft, as if afraid of startling something.
But the noise gradually grew louder, and it slowly became lively.
The bowls and plates clattered together.
Su Wuli picked up her chopsticks, placed some food in his bowl, and put them down, only to find Yu Chen looking at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing much." He lowered his head, picked up his chopsticks, and put some food from his bowl into his mouth.
The atmosphere in the courtyard relaxed a bit, and the noise grew louder. Someone laughed, but it was quickly drowned out again.
Halfway through the banquet, Su Wuli put down her chopsticks and leaned close to Yu Chen's ear.
I'm going out for a bit.
Yu Chen glanced at her and nodded.
She stood up from the chair and turned to walk out of the courtyard.
He took a few steps, glanced back, then looked away and quickened his pace.