Chapter 12

Taoran Studio.

Lu Mi Zhi and Shen Wei sat together on a soft couch, each holding an embroidery frame, both focused on their stitching.

Mo Qi, who was standing to the side, noticed Shen Wei’s embroidery frame and, while refilling her tea, couldn’t help but smile lightly. “Madam, you’re still the same as before. I remember when the Duke asked you to make him a pouch, you worked tirelessly for several days, but in the end, you couldn’t finish it in time to give it to him.”

Shen Wei couldn’t help but blush upon hearing this.

She was never good at embroidery. Back when she was studying, cross-stitch had been all the rage, and she had tried to learn it for a few days. But eventually, she couldn’t keep up and gave it up. Luckily, the original owner didn’t know how to do it either, or she would have been caught today.

She glanced over at Lu Mi Zhi, who, though still young, sat with perfect posture. Even her hand holding the embroidery needle was steady. The embroidery on the frame was just a simple design of dragonflies and butterflies, but they looked so lifelike as if they were real.

Shen Wei felt a sense of defeat in her heart. She hadn’t expected that even a five-year-old child could do better than her.

Noticing Shen Wei’s gaze and the slight change in her expression, Lu Mi Zhi tilted her head and gently comforted her, “Father always says, ‘Every person has their strengths.’ Mother just isn’t good at embroidery…” She added sweetly, “Once I finish my embroidery, I’ll make a pouch for you.”

Hearing this, Shen Wei smiled and set down the embroidery frame. She reached out and gently rubbed Lu Mi Zhi’s face, saying, “You’re so considerate, Zhi’er.” Although her relatives’ children were adorable, their tempers weren’t great, and seeing Lu Mi Zhi, who was so sweet, really melted her heart.

Lu Mi Zhi froze for a moment at Shen Wei’s gesture, her face turning slightly red. After a while, she softly said, “Mother, you’re a little different from before.”

In noble families, etiquette was highly emphasized. Even at Lu Mi Zhi’s young age, she was taught by a governess on how to sit, stand, and speak properly. Although Shen Wei had always liked her, she had never been this close with her before.

Shen Wei, of course, noticed her own actions. She was usually good at maintaining composure, but she had forgotten herself in front of Lu Mi Zhi. Before she could say anything, Lu Mi Zhi spoke again, “But I like Mother this way.”

Lu Mi Zhi, with her innate dimples, smiled up at Shen Wei with genuine affection. She looked at her mother with happiness. She had always been close to her mother, but she had felt somewhat intimidated. However, these past few days of spending time with Shen Wei had made her feel much more at ease.

She thought for a moment, then added, “I really do like it.”

Shen Wei chuckled softly upon hearing this. She didn’t say anything but simply smiled and gently patted Lu Mi Zhi’s head.

Mo Qi, who had been observing the scene, also smiled, though a sense of wistfulness arose in her heart. Madam loved children so much. If only she had a son or daughter of her own, it would have been wonderful. Unfortunately, the Duke was no longer alive. She turned away to wipe her eyes before composing herself. Just as she had calmed her emotions, someone outside quietly announced, “The young master has come to pay his respects to Madam.”

Shen Wei, hearing this, raised her gaze.

She withdrew her hand from Lu Mi Zhi’s head and sat up straight on the couch. “Let him in,” she said.

Mo Qi softly acknowledged and called out in reply. In a moment, the brocade curtain was lifted.

Lu Qi Huai entered, draped in a dark cloak. Underneath, he wore a deep blue round-collared robe, the hem embroidered with golden and silver threads depicting cranes and other motifs. He wore a white jade belt with jade pendants and a pouch, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown. The entire appearance highlighted his handsome, refined features, and his demeanor was elegant and composed.

He usually didn’t dress up much and tended to seem reserved in front of others. Despite his striking appearance, his presence often went unnoticed.

But today, dressed like this, with his cloak giving off a cold, elegant vibe, he entered with calm grace and natural poise. He truly looked like a handsome young nobleman. Even Mo Qi, usually composed, couldn’t help but stare for a moment. After a brief pause, she smiled and stepped forward to help him remove his cloak, saying warmly, “Young master should dress like this from now on.”

Lu Qi Huai, upon hearing this, had a slight blush appear on his previously clean and elegant face. He looked at Shen Wei while softly saying, “I actually feel less at ease than before.”

When Lu Mi Zhi saw him coming, she immediately got off the bed. She greeted him according to the proper etiquette and then came over to hold his hand, saying, “Brother, you look good like this. Even better than second brother and third brother.”

She had always envied others with brothers, and now that she had one of her own, she was naturally happy. Even though she and Lu Qi Huai hadn’t grown up together, Lu Mi Zhi didn’t feel any distance between them.

Lu Qi Huai looked at the hand held by Lu Mi Zhi and felt slightly uncomfortable, but this discomfort only lasted for a brief moment before he regained his composure.

This brief change didn’t go unnoticed by anyone, except Shen Wei, who sat on the bed and looked at the pair of them, the older and younger, and for once said something unusual: “You should dress like this from now on.” Though it was a bit too eye-catching, considering Lu Qi Huai’s future achievements, he was a dragon hiding in the pool, and one day he would rise to the surface.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qi Huai didn’t say anything further.

He lightly responded with “Yes,” and then bowed to Shen Wei again.

Shen Wei nodded at him and said as usual, “Sit…” Once everyone sat down and Mo Qi brought in tea, Shen Wei first glanced at Lu Qi Huai’s condition before asking, “Are you fully recovered?”

Lu Qi Huai smiled and replied, “Thank you, mother, for your concern. I have fully recovered…” As he said this, he looked at the embroidery frame on the table.

Shen Wei noticed his gaze and, for the first time, seemed slightly uncomfortable. She quickly moved the embroidery frame back into the basket, then returned to her usual calm demeanor, saying, “Since you’re recovered, tomorrow we’ll go to Xishan Temple. You’ve been here for some time now and should offer incense to your father.”

When Lu Bu Wei passed away, the original body was bedridden with illness, and the Lu family was in disarray, so no one had the time to care for Lu Qi Huai.

Now that everything was settled—

As a son, it was his duty to offer incense for his father.

Lu Qi Huai noticed Shen Wei’s previous actions. Although it was a fleeting moment, he caught a glimpse of what was on the table. His fingers curled slightly, feeling a bit pleased, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply replied, “Yes.”

—-

The next morning—

The carriages were already prepared at the screen wall. In addition to Lu Qi Huai and Shen Wei, there were several carriages for the accompanying maids and servants.

Xishan Temple was located to the west of Bianliang City. It was usually reserved for high-ranking officials and nobles. Since the Lu family had sent an invitation some time ago, today the temple was not receiving other guests. The temple’s doorman monk guided them forward, stopping in front of a small Buddha hall and saying, “Master, this is it.”

Shen Wei didn’t speak, just looking at the closed door.

Lu Bu Wei had spent his life fighting on the battlefield, with blood on his hands. Madam Xie, fearing that he might not find peace after death, had not only placed his memorial tablet in the family shrine but also spent a large sum of money to set up a Buddha hall in Xishan Temple for him. This hall was dedicated to his tablet and a perpetual lamp, with monks chanting scriptures daily to help him rest in peace.

“Madam…”

Mo Qi softly called out to her, and when she nodded, he stepped forward to open the door. Shen Wei and Lu Qi Huai walked in.

The Buddha hall was not large but well-equipped, with two rows of perpetual lamps lit on either side. On the incense table, besides Lu Bu Wei’s tablet, there were incense burners and fruits. The air in the small hall was filled with the scent of aged sandalwood incense, creating a sense of peace.

Shen Wei looked at the words on the tablet and felt a slight pause in her heart.

She placed a hand on her chest, her well-maintained willow leaf-shaped brows knitting slightly. She knew this must be the emotional residue left by the original body. Although the original body deeply resented Lu Bu Wei, how could there be hatred without love?

Lu Qi Huai stood beside Shen Wei and, seeing her in this state, asked with concern, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Mo Qi, hearing this, also looked over. Seeing Shen Wei’s pale face, he asked urgently, “Madam, are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Wei heard their words but only waved her hand. After a moment of sharp discomfort, she replied calmly, “I’m fine. Just offering incense.”

The first incense stick was to be lit by Lu Qi Huai, as the eldest son. After he did so, Shen Wei looked at the tablet and said, “I want to be alone for a while. You two go ahead.”

Mo Qi hesitated, having seen Shen Wei’s strange expression earlier. He feared something might happen if she was left alone, but Lu Qi Huai, having already bowed to her, said, “Yes.”

Mo Qi, biting his lip, reluctantly replied, “If you need anything, call out. I’ll be outside.”

Shen Wei nodded. Once they left, she remained still.

The sharp discomfort had already dissipated. Looking at the tablet before her, her expression was calm, with no extra emotion. She was not the original body and had no feelings for Lu Bu Wei. At that moment, she was simply acting as an outsider, offering incense for someone else.

Shen Wei took three sticks of incense from the incense holder, lit them with the candle flame, and placed them in the incense burner.

During this process, her expression didn’t change, but her gaze remained fixed on the tablet. Looking at the whole book, Lu Bu Wei only appeared a few times, mostly in the original body’s memories or others’ recounting. Even so, this man was worthy of respect.

He had fought bravely on the battlefield, protecting the people of the border regions.

Had it not been for Lu Bu Wei’s courage in battle, the kingdom of Qingyun would have struggled to maintain its current peace. Such a man, so young, dying in the flames of war, truly seemed like a loss.

But if Lu Bu Wei were to be watching from the heavens—

If he knew that the person he had cared for all his life had followed him after his death, and in such a manner, what kind of feelings would he have? Shen Wei thought of this and couldn’t quite pinpoint what she felt. She only lowered her brows, bowed three times to the person, and then stood up to leave.

—-

After lunch.

Shen Wei usually took a nap in the afternoon, but today, after tossing and turning for a while, she couldn’t fall asleep. Eventually, she called for Mo Qi, intending to take a walk outside. West Mountain Temple was located at the top of the mountain, with layers of green peaks in the distance. At this time, the monks were either practicing their afternoon prayers or napping, so there weren’t many people around.

Mo Qi knew that Shen Wei was in a bad mood, so she tried to cheer her up by talking about amusing things along the way.

Shen Wei didn’t stop her. However, when they passed a plum garden, she paused. It was already the first month of the year, yet the red plums were still blooming beautifully. She stepped forward to walk toward it, but as soon as she took a few steps, someone grabbed her foot, followed by an extremely weak male voice.

“Help, help me.”