Chapter 15

The next morning.

After Shen Wei and Old Madam Xie exchanged their morning greetings, she was assisted by Mo Qi as they walked toward the shadow wall. The carriage had already been prepared there, with the first one being Shen Wei’s usual carriage. The second carriage, however, was something Old Madam Xie had arranged for her after learning that Shen Wei was going home. Shen Wei understood her intentions and naturally didn’t refuse.

At the moment, as Shen Wei was about to get into the carriage with Mo Qi’s help, a clear, melodious male voice came from behind her: “Mother.”

Lu Qi Huai? Shen Wei turned to look, and saw Lu Qi Huai standing a few steps away from the carriage. He was dressed in a dark-colored robe with a white jade belt at the waist, and dark boots beneath. His head was slightly lowered, and he stood there with his hands clasped. The morning sun had just risen, casting a light upon him. Though Shen Wei couldn’t fully see his face due to his posture, she could still sense a distinct, refined aura about him, different from before.

Shen Wei couldn’t help but think of the Lu Qi Huai from the latter part of the book. By that time, he had risen to the highest position in the court, dressed in black, looking down on the world. He was the embodiment of limitless, boundless grace.

The young man before her would eventually step by step reach the pinnacle of power…

And she, as someone who should have been a mere bystander, was uncertain whether she would be able to witness his glorious life, full of struggles and triumphs.

The shadow wall area was very quiet. The servants and maids had all lowered their heads. Lu Qi Huai, being ever so attentive, noticed Shen Wei’s gaze. He didn’t speak or straighten his posture. It was only when Mo Qi noticed Shen Wei’s distraction that she gently called out to her, “Madam.”

Hearing this, Shen Wei snapped back to her senses.

She looked at Lu Qi Huai, who gave a soft “Mm,” and then glanced at the horse behind him that was being led by a young servant. She asked, “Are you going out?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Qi Huai straightened up. With a gentle smile, he replied, “I had made an appointment with a few friends earlier, and I plan to meet with them today since the weather is clear and pleasant…” After this, he added, “Mother, are you going to Jiu Shi Alley? I happen to be going there as well. Allow me to escort you home first.”

Shen Wei didn’t refuse his words, and she nodded before being helped by Mo Qi into the carriage. The carriage was very spacious, not only beautifully decorated but also furnished with top-quality items. It had been specially crafted by a skilled artisan chosen by Lu Buwei when he was still around, specifically for the original Shen Wei. If not for the fear of breaking protocol, the carriage might have been on par with a royal one.

Let’s not discuss other matters; Lu Buwei had indeed gone to great lengths for the original Shen Wei.

Shen Wei thought about these things quietly, but her face remained unchanged. After being helped by Mo Qi onto the soft couch inside, they heard Lu Qihuai’s voice from outside, asking if she was feeling better.

Seeing her nod, Mo Qi responded to Lu Qihuai outside. Soon, the carriage started moving forward. It was unclear if it was the coachman’s skill or the comfort of the cushions, but Shen Wei didn’t feel any bumps as she sat on the soft couch.

The Rongguo Duke’s residence was quite a distance from the Shen family. After Shen Wei finished a cup of tea, about three-quarters of an hour had passed before Lu Qihuai’s voice finally came from outside, saying, “Mother, we’ve arrived.”

Hearing this, Shen Wei tightened her grip on the teacup. She said nothing, only calmly put it down. Mo Qi first lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out, then carefully extended a hand to help her down. Before she could step out of the carriage, she noticed a man in a dark blue Daoist robe walking briskly toward them from behind the Shen family’s vermilion gates.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with a handsome face that resembled the original Shen Wei’s to some extent.

However, his demeanor was calm, his brows and eyes sharp and elegant. Even as he walked briskly, his robes showed no sign of disorder.

From a distance, Shen Wei felt her heart skip a beat. Even the hand holding Mo Qi’s tightened. This was Shen Xifeng, the Marquis of Changxing, who was now the Minister of Personnel. He was the youngest minister in the history of Qingyun Kingdom.

Shen Xifeng was a character in the original book as well.

After Shen Wei’s father died in battle, and her mother followed him due to grief, only Shen Xifeng and the original Shen Wei were left. At that time, Shen Xifeng was only around ten years old. Though he was granted the title of Marquis of Changxing by the Emperor, who could understand the bitterness of that situation?

Back then, everyone thought the Shen family would fall into decline, but no one expected Shen Xifeng to be so capable. With his own efforts, he upheld the family’s position in Bianliang, and over the years, he had steadily risen in the imperial court.

Now in his thirties, no one in the Ministry of Personnel ever questioned his ability.

As a reader, Shen Wei would certainly admire Shen Xifeng.

But now, as the original’s self, she was a little scared. With Shen Xifeng’s abilities, it was only a matter of time before he discovered her true identity.

By the time Shen Xifeng reached her side, his usually composed expression revealed an unmistakable joy. However, upon seeing Lu Qihuai standing next to the carriage, his face darkened, but he didn’t acknowledge anyone’s greetings. He stepped forward and helped Shen Wei down from the carriage.

Once Shen Wei stood firmly, he asked, “Why did he come with you?”

Shen Xifeng’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone present to hear. The people bowed their heads, but couldn’t help thinking, “The Marquis really doesn’t give the eldest young master any face. His displeasure was plainly obvious.”

Shen Wei couldn’t help but feel helpless. She looked at this handsome man, who was like an immortal, and realized that Shen Xifeng was always calm in the face of any matter—except when it came to the original Shen Wei. If the body’s death had not brought Lu Buwei’s corpse back from the frontier, and if he had remembered the past relationship between the Shen and Lu families, he might have already caused a stir at the Lu family and demanded an explanation.

Now, seeing Lu Qihuai, he obviously didn’t try to hide his displeasure.

Lu Qihuai, of course, also heard Shen Xifeng’s words. His face remained unchanged as he gave his usual greeting and gently said to Shen Wei, “Mother, I’ll take my leave now.”

Before Shen Wei could respond—

Shen Xifeng directly took her by the arm and led her inside.

Mo Qi watched the scene and sighed. She looked at Lu Qihuai, still standing alone, and gently tried to comfort him, “Young master, don’t take it to heart. The Marquis has watched the madam grow up since childhood. He…”

She wanted to comfort him, but the words wouldn’t come. After a while, it was Lu Qihuai who spoke gently, “Don’t worry. I’m not upset. After all, my existence does cause the Marquis some displeasure.”

And then he added, “Since mother has arrived safely, I should leave now.”

With that, Lu Qihuai mounted his horse, and within moments, he and his horse disappeared into the Ninth History Lane.

Mo Qi watched him leave but said no more. She instructed the servants to bring in the items they had brought from the Lu family.

—-

At the Shen family residence.

After walking a few steps, Shen Xifeng noticed that Shen Wei was lagging behind.

He slowed his pace, waiting for her to catch up. Once she had, he looked at her closely before speaking, “Sui Sui, is there anyone from the Lu family bullying you?”

“You’re worrying too much, brother. Mother treats me very well, and as for the others…” Shen Wei paused for a moment before looking at Shen Xifeng and saying, “With you here, who would dare disrespect me?”

Shen Wei deliberately mimicked the original’s tone. As expected, after hearing her, Shen Xifeng relaxed his furrowed brow and nodded. “You’re right. You are my Shen Xifeng’s sister. Who would dare disrespect you?”

But then—

Shen Xifeng’s tone changed, and he asked, “What about that little bastard? Has he ever been disrespectful to you?” He furrowed his brow again. “I heard from your sister-in-law that you treat that little bastard well. Sui Sui, if you don’t like him, don’t force yourself. Even if the Lu family treats him like a precious gem, you don’t have to make yourself uncomfortable.

“Brother just hopes that you can be happy.”

Shen Wei looked at the genuine concern on the face of the man before her, and her heart suddenly felt a bit heavy. In these past days, she had already adapted to the identity of the original body and had gotten used to this era and environment. No matter who she faced, she could remain composed… But now, facing Shen Xifeng, she felt a pang of guilt.

What would happen if this man were to find out—

That his sister had already disappeared from this world? What would he do then?

Shen Xifeng, not hearing Shen Wei speak and seeing her lost in thought, couldn’t help but sigh again.

He placed his hand gently on Shen Wei’s head, rubbing it lightly, just like when she was a child. His voice was low and serious as he said, “If I had known Lu Buwei was such a scoundrel, I would never have let you marry him.” His sister should have lived a joyful life, yet now she had to endure this.

Shen Xifeng thought for a moment and added, “Sui Sui, if you’re unhappy, leave the Lu family. Your brother will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

He had been thinking about this for a long time. Rather than letting his sister stay in the Lu family alone, it was better to bring her home and care for her himself. He didn’t care about the rumors or public opinion; all he wanted was for Sui Sui to live happily and freely. If she found someone she liked in the future and remarried, that would be fine; if not, he would take care of her for her entire life.

The more Shen Xifeng thought about it, the more he felt that this idea was perfect. His hand remained on Shen Wei’s head as he asked again, “Sui Sui, would you be willing?”

Lu Bu Wei: Am I a scoundrel?

Lu Qi Huai: Am I a little beast?

Shen Xifeng: A big pig’s trotter has no right to speak. Come on, sister, I’ll take you to remarry!

Shen Wei: …

Lu Qi Huai: Heh.