CHAPTER 483: CHAPTER 415 A GOOD DREAM OVERNIGHT_2

No wonder Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao were instructed to handle the arrangements together.

Shang Ruyi nodded and then said with a smile, "However, it’s been many years since I returned to Daxing City. I’d like to revisit the familiar places and buy some medicine on the way. I won’t go too far, so it’s not necessary to have guards follow."

"But—"

"In that case, you should come with us. With you and Tushere, there’s nothing to fear."

Her words were sincere and gentle, devoid of the domineering aura of a Young Madam, yet possessing a demeanor that was hard to refuse. Chang Wan, despite her worries, had to agree and added, "Then, Young Madam, let’s take a carriage there. I’ll have them prepare it."

Shang Ruyi nodded, "Alright."

Just then, Chang Wan turned and left. Tushere watched her back for a moment before softly saying, "Sigh, I really misjudged her in the past. She’s actually a good person."

Shang Ruyi laughed again, glanced at her, and said, "And you’re saying this now."

Tushere retorted angrily, "I was tricked by that Wo Xue, and now my stomach still hurts!"

"..."

Mentioning Wo Xue, Shang Ruyi’s expression turned somber again.

Among those who returned with them from Jiangdu Palace, Eunuch Yu had gone back to the Empress Dowager’s side in the palace, and Cheng Qiao and others had been incorporated under Yu Wenye’s command. The only one left was Wo Xue.

She had considered letting Wo Xue serve her again, but Tushere was the first to oppose it, and she also thought about the fact that the Duke Mansion wasn’t her domain. Moreover, Yu Wenquan, being a military man, valued loyalty above all. Once someone was disloyal, they were never used again. The best arrangement for Wo Xue was either detention or being sold; having her return was indeed not easy.

It seems this matter will have to be addressed later.

At this moment, Tushere asked, "By the way, Miss, you mentioned buying medicine earlier. What kind of medicine? Are you feeling unwell?"

Shang Ruyi shook her head and said, "Just some calming and soothing medicine."

"Calming and soothing?"

Although Tushere didn’t understand medicine, she understood those words. Upon thinking it over, she immediately realized and said with a mischievous smile, "Oh, it must be that these days with Miss, the young master hasn’t been sleeping well—"

Shang Ruyi blushed a little and pinched her.

Fortunately, Chang Wan returned at that moment, saying that the carriage was ready outside, and Shang Ruyi then led them out.

Even though it was revisiting old places, after ten years, many sights were not as they were in memory. As she thought about it, her memories were also blurry.

In the end, she could only barely recognize the wooden racks on both sides of the long street, still adorned with lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which hadn’t been taken down yet. When she was young, her father had brought her here to see the lanterns, lifted her high to take down the riddles hanging on the racks, and guided her with a smile to guess the answers.

Additionally, to gain the approval of her elders, her mother, as a lady of an official family, personally managed household affairs and took her out to buy groceries. At that time, she only felt it was an opportunity to play outside, running joyously everywhere, while her mother, sweating profusely, chased after her.

And more...

The more she looked, the blurrier Shang Ruyi’s vision became.

Even though ten years had passed, any grievance or irreparable regret had been soothed by her gentle uncle, her loving aunt, and her caring brother. Yet, a trace of indescribable sorrow remained in her heart.

Just then, a glimmer flashed across her vision.

That light, though fleeting, was like a ray of moonlight in the night, piercing the curtain of darkness and bringing her back to clarity. She hurriedly said, "Stop!"

The carriage stopped immediately.

Tushere and Chang Wan, who were following beside the carriage, quickly walked to the window. Tushere asked, "Miss, what’s the matter?"

Shang Ruyi leaned out and looked back, "Just now, that was—"

Chang Wan also glanced back and said, "That was a small pharmacy. Young Madam, weren’t we going to the largest Changsheng Pharmacy in the city to buy medicine?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi pondered with furrowed brows and said, "I’ll go check it out."

Tushere and Chang Wan exchanged glances and, having nothing to say, hurriedly helped her out of the carriage and accompanied her back a short distance to the small pharmacy. The entrance was narrow, frequented by poor commoners in simple clothing. Strangely, as they approached, they noticed a seemingly decent carriage leaving the entrance, with the pharmacy’s owner personally seeing it off with a smile.

Shang Ruyi walked over and said, "Boss."

The owner, a thin man in his thirties, wearing a washed-out long gown, seemed pleased after a business deal. Upon turning, he saw a well-dressed noble lady standing before him. Quickly, he nodded and bowed, flattering, "Madam, is there anything you wish to purchase?"

Shang Ruyi glanced at the carriage that had already gone far and asked, "What was that carriage just now?"

The owner smiled, "A patron of this humble shop."

"A patron? An old one?"

"Not really, looked unfamiliar, but they gave me a big order right away."

"A big order? What did they buy?"

The owner felt it was somewhat improper for a stranger to inquire about his business dealings on their first meeting but, seeing her opulent attire and accompanied by two beautiful maids, assumed her to be wealthy, and obligingly replied, "They bought some talc, magnolia bark, and atractylodes."

Talc, magnolia bark, and atractylodes...

Hearing these herbs, Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed slightly.

She asked again, "How much did they buy?"

The owner beamed with satisfaction, "My small store’s stock was low, and they bought it all."