My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Setting out from Linjiang County, the six of them galloped forward. Pressed into Lu Youming’s embrace, Su Wanrou was tossed about by the horse’s gait until she was dizzy; the whistling wind made it hard to even catch her breath.

Beside them, four bailiffs accompanied them, shouting whenever they encountered people on the road: “Official business! Clear the way!”

Consequently, the journey was largely unimpeded, except for the state of ancient roads, which was truly beyond words. The official post road they traveled was considered “good,” though it was still bumpy and uneven. Once the dirt roads were soaked by rain, the ground became soggy, riddled with pits and deep ruts left by previous carts and horses.

“Husband, my legs hurt a bit.” Su Wanrou knit her brows. She could no longer endure the friction against her inner thighs and whispered to Lu Youming while leaning against her chest.

Lu Youming heard her through the howling wind. She squeezed the horse’s flanks and pulled the reins, slowing the beast to a halt. “What is it, Lord Lu?” the bailiff leading the way asked, wheeling his horse back.

“My wife is riding for the first time. I worry she cannot sustain it; let us rest for a while.” Lu Youming estimated they had been riding for about an hour.

The bailiff kept his eyes lowered, avoiding looking directly at Su Wanrou to ensure he didn’t offend an official’s family member. “I was inconsiderate. It would be better if the Lord takes the Madam for a short walk on the grass ahead.”

“Many thanks, Head Bailiff Zhao.” Lu Youming cupped her hands in gratitude and guided the horse toward the meadow.

“Don’t move, let me get down first.” Lu Youming made sure Su Wanrou was steady before dismounting herself, then reached up to help her down.

Having ridden for so long, Su Wanrou’s legs were both weak and sore. She leaned against Lu Youming with a furrowed brow. There weren’t many people on this post road, though occasionally someone would look at them with curiosity.

Sitting on the grass to rest, Su Wanrou let out a sigh of relief; her legs and waist simply couldn’t take any more. She had never learned to ride and being carried along for the first time was inevitably difficult to adjust to.

Su Wanrou took Lu Youming’s hand and urged her: “When we return to Jinling City, be extremely careful in all things. Do only what you are capable of, and do not be too stubborn or uncompromising.” Every disaster relief effort saw officials fall from power; Lu Youming was only a minor officer, and if she wasn’t careful, she would be used as a stepping stone by others.

Lu Youming understood this. “Mmhmm, I will listen to my Wife.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why?” Su Wanrou looked at her curiously.

Lu Youming shook her head. “I don’t understand the (ancient) officialdom very well. Listening to you is definitely the right choice.”

“Lord Lu, the rest is sufficient. We must continue our journey,” Head Bailiff Zhao called out as he led the horses over. They had rested for fifteen minutes, eaten a little, and drank some water. Looking at the sky, they really couldn’t delay any longer.

“How is it? Can you keep going?” Lu Youming asked Su Wanrou. “I can.” Su Wanrou was helped onto the horse, and Lu Youming used her long legs to vault into the saddle behind her.

“Let’s go then, Head Bailiff Zhao.” Lu Youming signaled, and Zhao led the way once more.

As they left the jurisdiction of Linjiang County and traveled further south, they began to see scattered victims of the disaster begging by the road. By nightfall, they reached a point thirty li outside Jinling City, stopped by a vast expanse of sludge.

Lu Youming frowned at the mud, which had partially dried under several days of sun. However, no one could guess how deep the silt was. If a horse became mired, it would be difficult for both rider and beast to escape.

“Let’s take the long way around,” Lu Youming said to Head Bailiff Zhao, looking toward the transformed hills in the distance. “There’s no other way,” Zhao replied helplessly. He had hoped to get them back today.

Lu Youming was fairly familiar with the surroundings of Jinling City. She led the group toward the small path near Apricot Blossom Village, hoping the village’s high elevation had kept the Headman and the villagers safe.

Under the orange glow of a stretching twilight, the horses galloped. Su Wanrou looked up at the brilliant sunset, a sense of desolation blooming in her heart. They had already seen over a dozen bodies sprawled in the silt outside the city walls—people swept away by the flood, left behind with no one to claim or bury them.

Su Wanrou knew her Uncle’s situation was likely grim. If he hadn’t spared the hands to clear these bodies, the situation inside the city must also be dire.

“Great disasters are always followed by great plagues. These bodies must be buried and cleared,” Lu Youming thought, suppressing her pity. If she hurried back, she might be able to help with the sanitation efforts. Post-disaster disinfection had to be thorough; otherwise, the bacteria would cause a new epidemic that would kill more people than the flood itself.

As they took the shortcut through Apricot Blossom Village, Lu Youming breathed a sigh of relief seeing the village had not been submerged. She even saw familiar villagers working in the fields. This was life; people die, but others continue to live. Like two lines that never intersect, they would sigh and grieve, but ultimately move forward.

Before total darkness fell, they finally reached the city gates. The entrance was surrounded by circles of refugees. As they rode up, many people looked at their horses with bloodshot, desperate eyes. The four bailiffs’ faces darkened as they drew their blades; the people watching them quickly recoiled.

Lu Youming looked at the tightly shut gates. She knew they wouldn’t get in tonight—at least not through this gate.

“Leave this place,” Su Wanrou told Lu Youming weakly. “Mmhmm.” Lu Youming’s expression was grim as she pulled the reins, exchanged a glance with the bailiffs, and rode away. Some people stood up to see where they were going, but the speed of the horses soon carried them out of sight.

“That gate just now was for porridge distribution. They only open a small side door in the morning. The South Gate is guarded by soldiers; there won’t be refugees crowding it.” Su Wanrou explained why the area was so swarmed. They were all waiting for the daily ration.

“The Madam is correct. Imperial regulations state relief goes out the West Gate, while the South Gate is for soldiers to prevent riots,” Head Bailiff Zhao added.

They circled to the South Gate and found soldiers on guard; the gates were set to close in fifteen minutes. They rode up, and Lu Youming dismounted to speak with the officer. “I am the Sheriff of Qinghe County—”

Before she could finish, the officer interrupted, looking at her eagerly. “Are you the son-in-law of the Su family?”

“I am. On the horse is my wife,” Lu Youming replied.

The officer immediately bowed. “My respects, Miss. The Prefect has been asking for news of your whereabouts every single day.”

Relieved, they were escorted into Jinling City.

“Rou-er is back?” When Lady Shao Yang-shi heard the news from the servant, she was moved to tears. She had fallen ill from the moment she heard Su Wanrou had vanished into the flood. Now, the news acted as an instant cure; she threw off her blankets to go see her granddaughter.

Lu Youming reached up to lift Su Wanrou from the saddle. Su Wanrou’s lips were pressed tight and her face was pale; she had no strength left, and moving her legs made her wince even more. “You’ve worked hard. We’re almost there. I’ll carry you in,” Lu Youming said, wiping the sweat from the girl’s face.

Su Wanrou shook her head with a forced smile. “I’m fine. Let’s just go inside.”

The others were understanding. The officer, being perceptive, called for a carriage to take them the rest of the way. Once they were inside, the South Gate was shut. Although Jinling City had felt the effects of the flood, it had not been submerged, and the common people were living as usual.

Upon reaching the Shao estate, Lu Youming carefully carried Su Wanrou into the carriage and let the girl lean against her. She told the driver, “Please, go slowly.” Su Wanrou rested her head on Lu Youming’s chest, taking a deep breath. She could smell Lu Youming—a scent mixed with sweat, yet it wasn’t unpleasant at all.

“We’re almost home. Close your eyes and rest,” Lu Youming said.

“Okay.” Su Wanrou closed her eyes and fell asleep to the rhythmic clopping of hooves.

When they arrived at the Shao manor, they were immediately surrounded. Seeing her granddaughter carried in by Lu Youming, Lady Shao Yang-shi began to weep. “How could you have suffered so much?” The old lady sat by Su Wanrou while a doctor checked her pulse. After a moment, the doctor spoke: “Her health is mostly fine, she is simply exhausted. Also, she has injuries on her legs; remember to apply medicine to prevent infection. Keep her diet light for a few days.”

The doctor scribbled a prescription and handed it to Lu Youming. “Thank you, Doctor. How many times a day for the ointment? Does it need daily cleaning? Can it get wet?” Lu Youming asked meticulously.

“Twice a day, morning and evening. It needs cleaning. Whether it can get wet depends on the severity; if it’s just minor abrasions, washing with clean water is fine.” Lu Youming listened intently, and a servant took the prescription to fetch the medicine.

Su Wanrou’s aunt checked her injuries. Her inner thighs were rubbed raw and bloody from the riding. The sight brought the aunt to tears. “Our girl has suffered so much.” She used a cloth to wipe Su Wanrou’s face and hands to make her comfortable.

“Survival after a great disaster brings great fortune,” Lady Shao Yang-shi murmured, hands pressed together in prayer. Her son, Shao Yun, was still waiting outside the courtyard for news.

“But Mother, look at our grandson-in-law. He is so attentive. He asked every detail about Rou-er’s medicine,” the aunt noted, looking at Lu Youming with approval.

“He is a good child. He risked his life to bring Rou-er back to me. From now on, she is a true member of our Shao family.” Lady Shao was deeply grateful and proud of her own judgment in approving the marriage. She stood up, took Lu Youming’s hand, and said through tears, “Zijin, I thank you. Truly, I thank you.”

Everyone began comforting Lady Shao. The aunt explained, “Mother has been ill since you two vanished. Hearing you were back… hey, the illness vanished!”

After the chaos settled, Lu Youming finally had a chance to sit. Before she could even change her clothes, she was called away by Shao Jiechuan.

“Zijin, it is good that you are back.” Shao Jiechuan patted her shoulder, a hint of joy appearing on his tired face. This was the first good news he’d had in days.

“I apologize for causing Uncle worry. It was our fault… but my Wife has suffered greatly today.” Lu Youming felt guilty. Had she known, she wouldn’t have rushed so hard; after all, there wasn’t much she could do immediately. But Su Wanrou had been worried about the elders and insisted on riding to save time.

“It is enough that you are both back. I heard from the Qinghe Magistrate that you were attacked by rebels and that they pushed Wanrou into the flood. You jumped in without a second thought.” Shao Jiechuan looked at the child, whose clothes were crumpled but whose back remained straight, moved beyond words. He didn’t say more but patted Lu Youming’s shoulder firmly. “Rest well for one day. The day after tomorrow, you will lead the relief grain back to Qinghe.”

“Out of the six counties in the prefecture, four were submerged. Only the people of Qinghe are mostly still alive,” Shao Jiechuan rubbed his aching head. “The Magistrate there is organizing silt removal to prevent plague. I’ve diverted grain from elsewhere to stabilize the situation for now. The Imperial relief team is almost here. Go back and do your job well; perhaps this will earn you a promotion.”

Lu Youming felt a warmth in her heart. Even if she was benefiting from her connection to Su Wanrou, Shao Jiechuan was truly looking out for her future. “Great Uncle, when my Wife and I returned, we saw bodies in the silt. In this heat, I worry about a plague.”

Shao Jiechuan paused. “I have already made arrangements. People will handle them tomorrow, burning them on the spot to prevent sickness.”

Their conversation was cut short by an advisor. “Lord, the vanguard of the Imperial relief team has entered the city!”

Shao Jiechuan grabbed his official cap, his face lit with joy. “Zijin, go back and rest.”

“Yes, Uncle.” Lu Youming returned to Su Wanrou’s Lanzhi Courtyard. Once there, she relaxed. Entering the room, she found Su Wanrou awake and changed into her own clothes.

“Wife, are you okay?” Lu Youming hurried to her side, relieved to see her color returning.

“I’m much better. Shouldn’t you change first?” Su Wanrou looked at the dust-covered Lu Youming, a pang of bitterness hitting her. Why didn’t anyone tell her to change? Lu Youming had protected her and brought her home, yet everyone had prioritized Su Wanrou and ignored her protector.

Su Wanrou’s eyes reddened. She took Lu Youming’s hand. “Lower your head a bit.”

Lu Youming obeyed. Su Wanrou whispered into her ear: “I have prepared suitable clothes for you, including… inner garments. Go bathe now.”

Lu Youming’s eyes widened. Su Wanrou, seeing her stunned look, tucked a stray hair behind her ear in embarrassment. The shy gesture was incredibly endearing. Seeing Lu Youming staring so blankly, Su Wanrou grew flustered. “Go bathe already!” she cried, trying to shoo her out.

Lu Youming gave a low, muffled laugh, her eyes sparkling. She opened her arms and, ignoring the dirt on her clothes, hugged Su Wanrou tightly. “Thank you, Wife,” she whispered.

Her voice was clear and melodic, like mountain water splashing over stone. Su Wanrou hugged her back. She had always thought Lu Youming’s voice was beautiful, though the girl usually lowered it to sound more masculine. This was her true voice.

“From now on, when it’s just the two of us, use your real voice,” Su Wanrou stroked the top of Lu Youming’s head. “Don’t make things so hard for yourself in front of me.”

Lu Youming looked deeply into Su Wanrou’s eyes and finally replied, “Okay.”