After a moment's thought, I attributed the reason for Sang Ruoying's change in attitude towards me to: I am weak.
The mistress said he would lend a helping hand to the vulnerable, so it's normal that he would feel sympathy and pity for me, since I was sickly and frail in his eyes.
Actually, I've never considered myself a sickly person, because deep down I'm someone who loves life, I yearn for the vast world, and I yearn for freedom.
The next day
I treated the mistress's instructions as a daily task, and after delivering the meal, I wanted to leave immediately. However, Lord Sang brought over a box of books on carving techniques and a fine piece of jade, which was uncarved.
Sang Ruoying really generous; she only sent a few meals and then gave such a big gift in return...
I looked at his subordinate and said slowly in a gentle voice, "Please thank Lord Sang for the books he provided. As for the jade, I cannot accept such a gift without having done so; you can take it back."
The man scratched the back of his head, looking quite embarrassed. "I'm sorry, young master, but the master said that if you want to return it to him, you should go and return it yourself..."
I sighed, waved for them to leave, and told them to go back and report.
What is Sang Ruoying to? Is she serious? Why is the one being pursued more enthusiastic than the one pursuing her?
This is completely unconventional!
I sat in the carriage, staring at a box full of blue books, and fell silent. Suddenly, I felt a surge of frustration. This body couldn't even pretend to torture people; the slightest exertion made my throat taste rusty.
"Young Master, are you feeling unwell?"
Dongzhu walked to the carriage window, looking in with concern.
I quickly pulled the curtain down and said in a cold voice, "It's nothing."
Someone like Sang Ruoying probably couldn't withstand being pressured... The sooner I break down, the less my conscience will bother me.
A few days later, I began to reciprocate. Since he gave me a large piece of jade, I returned the favor with a jade pendant that I had personally carved, so that he could feel my burning "love." With such an obvious way of confessing my feelings, Sang Ruoying probably couldn't handle it.
On his day off, Sang Ruoying, who had just received a jade pendant at the Sang residence, suddenly coughed violently and almost couldn't stand up straight.
His capable subordinates were also somewhat dazed, after all, they had only ever seen this young master of the Marquis's mansion, who dared to Sang Ruoying!
People outside are saying that Sang Ruoying is an unlucky fellow, and only the dying young master of the Marquis's mansion is interested in him.
In reality, it wouldn't be difficult for Sang Ruoying, who comes from a powerful and influential family, to start a family; it's just that few people are willing to do so. However, over the years, Sang Ruoying has said that being in a relationship would only hinder his career advancement, and having children would become his weakness!
Therefore, Lord Sang has managed to delay marriage to this day through his efforts.
The subordinates felt a mix of emotions. They thought that if their boss had someone who understood their needs, he wouldn't be so strict with them!
As Sang Ruoying's bodyguard, Sang Wu whispered, "Master, this young master is giving you a token of your love. It's probably made from the jade you gave him..."
Upon hearing this, Sang Ruoying's face gradually flushed slightly. He didn't reply to his subordinate, but reached out and took out the jade pendant to examine it carefully. On one side of the pendant, the fish was lifelike, as if it were about to leap out of the surface; on the other side, the jade pendant was like a clear spring, warm and smooth as water, with a faint soft light.
It's a simple yet elegant jade pendant, perfect for him.
He took off the white jade pendant he was wearing and replaced it with the one given to him by the young master.
Sang Wu thought Sang Ruoying would send the order back, but... their master was actually, actually so happy!
"Sir, have you accepted this token?"
"Didn't he say it was hand-carved, one of a kind?" Sang Ruoying seemed unaware of the significance of the token of love.
Sang Wu wanted to say, "Sir, are you selling yourself because of a jade pendant?!"
The next day at court, the fact that Sang Ruoying changed the jade pendant she had worn for many years was eventually noticed by sharp-eyed people. After court, the officials whispered behind her back that she was really showing off, and that it must have been a gift from her sweetheart.
We were almost at the main gate when finally someone dared to ask.
Surprisingly, Sang Ruoying didn't say "What's it to you?" Instead, he coldly replied, "This was made by the young master of the Marquis's mansion, and he carved it stroke by stroke."
His voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was just loud enough for the Marquis, who was not far away, to hear.
The Marquis's face showed displeasure. He glared at him and then turned and left.
The official who had just questioned him was also surprised. Sang Ruoying, a man who was usually aloof and refused to accept gifts, had now surprisingly accepted one, and even knowing that the young master had taken a liking to him, he still accepted the gift. The meaning behind this was self-evident.
Some even prayed in their hearts that this wouldn't happen. The Sang family was already extremely arrogant in the court, and if Sang Ruoying became the Marquis's son-in-law... that would be terrible!
As Sang Ruoying watched the Marquis's departing figure, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly. He hadn't intentionally provoked the Marquis; he simply found the reaction extremely amusing.
Back at the Ministry of Revenue, Sang Ruoying sat at his desk, toying with the jade pendant in his hand, his thoughts drifting far away. He recalled the first time he met that young master; the man was sickly, yet when they spoke, he seemed like a carefree and even slightly provocative young master.
After all, he was a young master who had lived a secluded life in a secluded courtyard; he should have been reluctant to interact with others. He hadn't expected that each meeting would increase his interest. It was as if the other man possessed an intriguing soul, his eyes always so bright...
Now, he's even starting to look forward to the young master's appearance. Although the young master comes to the Ministry of Revenue's gate every day, he never gets to see him...
at the same time
I was shocked that Sang Ruoying actually accepted my jade pendant!! She really accepted it!!
This seemingly gentle exchange of gifts was actually a way of forcing Sang Ruoying agree to further interactions with me. I've always felt that someone like Sang Ruoying, whose every step is a smooth road to success, would never accept my feelings.
I held my head in my hands, my eyes vacant, feeling a bit broken inside.
Sang Ruoying rejected me the first time we met! Her eyes didn't even look like she liked me. How come she changed her mind now?! That's so fast!
We've only met a few times in total. Aren't people supposed to be conservative in ancient times?
In conservative ancient times, accepting a gift from someone you liked was practically equivalent to a secret engagement!
The news of me and Sang Ruoying exchanging gifts spread far and wide, infuriating Sang Ruoying Chancellor Sang, who openly clashed with the Marquis in court.
After the court session, Chancellor Sang looked at the Marquis and sneered, "If it weren't for your youngest son, our Ruoying wouldn't have taken this path!"
" Chancellor Sang, even without our Zhou'er, your eldest son wouldn't have gotten married."
Chancellor Sang: "..."
"As parents, it's best not to interfere too much in your children's lives; it's pointless anyway, don't you think? Chancellor Sang."
As everyone knows, Sang Ruoying is not only a troublemaker in the imperial court, but also a stubborn person at home who doesn't listen to anyone.