Chapter 58

When Qihuan brought lotus seed cakes and lotus seed soup from the small kitchen, Shen Wei had already taken an afternoon nap.

At this moment, she was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, where Shui Bi was serving her, tying her hair into a simple bun. While handing Shui Bi a simple jade hairpin, she instructed Qihuan, “Send some to the old madam and the seventh young lady. When you deliver it, remind the servant by the seventh young lady’s side that the lotus seed soup is cooling, and it’s made with ice, so it shouldn’t be consumed in excess.”

Qihuan, hearing this, quickly responded, “Yes,” and after she left, Shen Wei turned to Shui Bi and asked, “Are the Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Lady still at home?”

The Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Lady referred to the two children of the third house. After Lu Bu Wei passed away, the two children had been sent to their maternal grandparents’ house and rarely returned… It was only after Lu Buhu had fallen ill recently that the children were brought back.

Shui Bi, hearing her question, respectfully replied, “This morning, the Wei family sent someone to take them, saying that the Wei family’s old lady has been ill again and is asking to see her two grandchildren…”

After saying this, she finished inserting the hairpin and continued, “The lady of the third house is really a strange person. Even though the Wei family’s old lady loves her grandchildren, how could she truly send her own children to be raised by their maternal grandparents? Although the third master’s illness is indeed a serious matter, doesn’t she feel any pain in sending such small children away?”

Shen Wei listened but did not respond. She simply gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror.

Any mother would surely find it hard to part with her own flesh and blood to be raised by someone else. But Wei Sangrou understood that, given the current situation, keeping her children at home would only make things more difficult. It was better to send them away to prevent any unnecessary attention.

She sighed at the thought.

Shui Bi didn’t know what was troubling her and was about to ask when Shen Wei spoke, “Have the small kitchen prepare another batch of cakes. I’ll go visit her and also see how my third brother is doing.”

With these instructions, Shui Bi didn’t say more, responding with a respectful “Yes” before stepping outside to make the arrangements. When the items were brought in, Shui Bi helped Shen Wei walk toward the third house.

The third house wasn’t far from the main house. After passing through a winding corridor, they reached a small path that led to the house. As Shen Wei looked at the plaque with the words “Penglai Studio” on it, she recalled that the last time she came here, it was during Lu Bu Wei’s illness, and it was nighttime, so she hadn’t noticed much. Now, looking around, the surroundings, though seemingly simple and relaxed, were actually very lively and charming.

She looked around, noticing how every tree and plant seemed carefully pruned, adding a peaceful touch to the scorching summer heat.

However—

Shen Wei looked at the door and wondered why there was not even a servant guarding it?

Shui Bi also noticed this, and not only was there no guard at the door, but the courtyard was unusually quiet. Seeing that Shen Wei did not speak, she continued to support her and walk inside.

Once they entered the courtyard, Shen Wei saw two people sitting beneath a towering tree. It was Wei Sangrou and Lu Bu Wei. They were painting under the tree, with no servants around them. From a distance, they looked like an immortal couple.

Upon seeing them, Shen Wei stopped in her tracks. Shui Bi wanted to speak but was stopped by Shen Wei’s gesture. This scene was too beautiful to disturb, and since Shen Wei had no urgent business today, she thought it would be best to quietly leave. However, just as she made a move to retreat, Lu Bu Wei looked up.

Lu Bu Wei looked at Shen Wei’s figure and was momentarily stunned.

However, it was only for a brief moment. He immediately released his hold on Wang Shi’s hand, then raised his hand in greeting to Shen Wei, calling out, “Elder sister-in-law.”

Wang Shi, hearing his voice, was also surprised. She lifted her head and saw Shen Wei standing not far away. Likely recalling the scene earlier when she and Lu Bu Wei were seen together, Wang Shi couldn’t help but blush. After placing her painting brush in the ink wash basin, she also greeted Shen Wei with a polite nod, calling out gently, “Elder sister-in-law has arrived.”

Since the two had already seen her, Shen Wei felt it would be impolite to leave, so she walked over to them again. Seeing the blush on Wang Shi’s face, she smiled and said, “I had someone gather some lotus flowers and seeds today. Knowing that third younger sister likes lotus seed cakes, I brought extra to share with you…” After finishing her words, Shuibi placed the items on a stone table beside them. Shen Wei then looked toward Lu Bu Wei and asked, “How is third younger brother’s health now?”

“Thank you for your concern, elder sister-in-law,” Lu Bu Wei replied with his usual gentle smile. “It’s just an old ailment, it looks bad but passes quickly…”

His voice was calm, and apart from the slightly sickly look on his face, there was no other sign of distress. After his words, he added, “Elder sister-in-law and Sang Rou can chat here for a while. I’ll have someone prepare some tea for you.” He then performed a small bow before turning to head inside.

Once Lu Bu Wei entered the house, Wang Shi shifted her gaze back to Shen Wei. Although the blush on her face remained, her tone had returned to normal. She led Shen Wei to the stone table and, after the servant brought the tea, she personally brewed a cup and smiled as she handed it over. “Elder sister-in-law, please have some tea.”

The shade from the tree above kept the sun off, and with a gentle breeze, the area was refreshingly cool.

Shen Wei sat across from Wang Shi, taking the tea and thanking her. The tea didn’t resemble regular tea leaves but appeared to be brewed from dried flowers from the past. It seemed to have honey and ice added, and the taste of flowers and honey was particularly refreshing in the summer, quenching her thirst.

She took a few more sips.

Seeing that Shen Wei liked it, Wang Shi smiled and said, “If you like it, I’ll bring some back for you when you return.”

Shen Wei smiled in response and thanked her again. After placing the teacup on the table, she wiped her lips with a handkerchief and then asked, “Is third younger brother really fine now?” Although Lu Bu Wei had said he was fine earlier, the way his condition had always been so severe when it occurred made it hard for people not to worry.

Hearing her question, Wang Shi paused for a moment as she held the teacup, but soon smiled again, saying, “It’s the same as before. The weather is nice today, so I let him come out and enjoy the sunlight. It’s a good day for it…” As she spoke, she noticed the concern still on Shen Wei’s face and added, “Don’t worry, elder sister-in-law. When he first got ill, I was always afraid that he wouldn’t wake up, but after so many years, I’ve learned not to fear anymore.”

As she said this, her gaze drifted to a window, where Lu Bu Wei’s figure could be faintly seen standing at a desk.

She continued, “In this life, being able to be his wife, even though it hasn’t been many years, I really don’t feel regretful.”

She knew others often thought her foolish—letting go of a bright future to marry Lu Bu Wei and live a life full of anxiety. But they didn’t understand her; how could they know that she was truly happy?

Wang Shi thought, if she hadn’t married Lu Bu Wei, she would likely have had a good marriage with someone else, lived a comfortable life, raised children, taken care of the household, and perhaps entertained other noble ladies. If she hadn’t met Lu Bu Wei, such a life would have been fine, and she could have done well.

But meeting him…

She didn’t want that kind of life anymore.

She would rather be with him, counting the days, than live a life of mediocrity.

As these thoughts passed through Wang Shi’s mind, a deeper smile appeared on her face.

Shen Wei listened quietly as Wang Shi spoke, noticing the calmness in her expression and tone. She couldn’t help but admire her strength. However, thinking of how such a perfect couple could not grow old together, she felt a deep sense of regret. She gently traced the pattern on her teacup with her finger and asked, “Is third younger brother’s illness truly beyond cure?”

After all, weren’t there legends of great doctors like Hua Tuo and Bian Que in ancient times? Perhaps there were still miraculous healers today?

Wang Shi, hearing this, paused and then refilled Shen Wei’s cup. She replied, “A few years ago, Imperial Physician Li mentioned a doctor named Du, who could cure all diseases. But after searching for so many years, there’s still no sign of him. I think it was just to comfort me.”

In her early years, Wang Shi had hoped to find this miraculous doctor, but after waiting year after year without news, she had finally come to accept it.

At this moment, she paused her thoughts and returned to her normal demeanor.

Seeing her expression, Shen Wei didn’t press further. After all, with the resources of the Duke of Rong’s household, they must have already searched extensively. She sighed inwardly, and the two women continued talking. As the sun began to set, Shen Wei stood up to leave. Before she left, she looked at Wang Shi’s face and spoke again, “Wang’er and Xian’er have grown up now. You should bring them back.”

After saying this, Shen Wei saw Wang Shi’s eyelashes tremble and gently patted her hand. “They are not only your children, but also the heirs of the Lu family. No one would dare harm them. Besides, children always wish to stay close to their parents.”

Even if the maternal family is great…

How could it compare to being with one’s own parents?

Wei Shi felt the hand resting on the back of her hand. Although it was soft and fragile, it seemed to possess immense strength. She looked up at Shen Wei again. Seeing her face calm and gentle, the words she had initially wanted to say were swallowed back down. She didn’t say anything, only nodded to her, then silently watched Shen Wei walk out.

Once Shen Wei left the courtyard—

Wei Shi’s hand was taken again, and she looked to the side at Lu Bu Wei’s face, and a smile returned to her own.

Lu Bu Wei looked at her and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing…”

Once she said this, Wei Shi relayed the conversation she had with Shen Wei earlier. When she finished, she added, “I feel like Eldest Sister-in-law has changed a lot.” Although she hadn’t interacted much with Shen Wei in the past, the things Shen Wei said earlier, especially the implied meaning in her words, didn’t seem like something Eldest Sister-in-law would say.

Lu Bu Wei’s expression didn’t change, but a hint of thought passed through his eyes. However, after a brief moment, he gently replied, “Don’t think too much.”

Wei Shi smiled and nodded in agreement, allowing Lu Bu Wei to hold her hand as they walked inside. Yet, she still said, “What about Wang’er and Xian’er…” When she mentioned these two names, recalling the reluctance in their eyes when they left today, her voice faltered a little.

Just like Shen Wei said—

Children can’t bear to part with their parents, and how could she truly bear to part with them? But as long as the position in the family hasn’t been settled, the turmoil won’t stop.

Lu Bu Wei noticed her unusual mood. He gently patted her hand and, seeing her gaze, softened his voice, saying, “Let’s wait and see for a while longer.” As he said this, he couldn’t help but think of that mysterious young man in the black robes.

—-

By the time Shen Wei returned to Taoran Studio, it was already getting late.

Outside, Qiu Huan was leading the maids to prepare the meal, while Shen Wei was being assisted with freshening up and washing her face. Just as she finished wiping her hands with a handkerchief, a cheerful little maid came in, lifting the curtain, and reported, “Madam, the eldest son has returned.”