Ling Jingyan raised her eyebrows and said with a proud smile: “Luoyang peonies are famous all over the world. I have lived in the capital these years and have attended many flower-viewing feasts. I have also seen a lot of famous peonies, and I have learned a lot from the gardeners in the house. The art of planting peonies has produced a few pots of rare varieties. Since Shu tángmei is also proficient in this skill, it is imperative to ask for advice in the future.”

She said asking for advice, but her face was swaying with a higher expression.

Ling Jingshu wanted to refuse at first, but on second thought, she planned to go to the capital with her uncle’s family, and she would inevitably have to deal with Ling Jingyan in the future.

“Since Yan tángjiě is so elegant, it is inconvenient for me to refuse, so I can only accompany you with a brazen face.” Ling Jingshu smiled slightly: “I also ask Yan tángjiě to give me some advice.” 

She kept her attitude low, and the tone of her voice was full of goodwill. It was very pleasant to hear.

Ling Jingyan felt much better, and Ling Jingshu didn’t feel so uncomfortable anymore: “Okay, I’ll look for you tomorrow.”

“Yan tángjiě came back from a long way, she is a distinguished guest, there is no reason for you to come here. I will go tomorrow to find you!” Ling Jingshu said with a smile.

Ling Jingyan nodded happily.

Ling Jingxian who witnessed this scene: “…”

She deliberately instigated, hoping that Ling Jingshu would hit Ling Jingyan in the face, vent her sulking for her, and there would be drama to watch. How did it become like this?

…

Everyone was tired from the long journey. After the banquet was over, they went back to their rooms to rest.

Madam Ling was living in Yonghe Hall, but once Lu An came, it would be inappropriate to live in Yonghe Hall again. Let the servants move all the luggage to the guest room. Fortunately, the house was clean and the bedding was brand new, ready for occupancy at any time.

Lu An sat on the chair, Lu Hong and Lu Qian stood side by side, standing in front of Lu An.

Lu An’s face was serious, and he opened his mouth to ask: “Ah Hong, Ah Qian, are you still used to living in Ling’s house these days?”

Lu Hong was more in awe of this side of his father than being close to him and replied respectfully: “As far as father is concerned, everyone in the Ling family is kind and harmonious, and they take care of everything in terms of clothing, food, and daily life. The son is living without any problem.”

Lu An hummed and then looked at Lu Qian.

Facing the young and frail young son, Lu An’s expression softened a bit: “Ah Qian, this is the first time you have returned to your grandfather’s house after you have grown up so much. Are they treating you well?”

Lu Qian hung his head and replied: “Waìpó^[1]maternal grandmother is very kind, my uncles and aunts take very good care of me, and my cousin brothers and sisters ​​are also very kind to me.” “

“Don’t just play around and ruin your studies.”

“I read the book every day and I didn’t relax. I also ask my father to rest assured.”

The answer was quite satisfactory, and there was nothing to be picky about.

Lu An frowned.

Lu Hong was the eldest son, he had always been strict with Lu Hong, and it was inevitable for Lu Hong to follow the rules and tremble in front of him. But Lu Qian had a lively and arrogant personality, and he was good at flattering and being obedient. He had never behaved so well in front of him. Such a serious answer made the father and son feel unfamiliar…

Seeing Lu An’s expression was a little unhappy, Lu Hong was also secretly surprised and subconsciously glanced at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian still hung his head, so he was unable to see his expression clearly. But it was very different from the usual performance.

Lu An waited for a while, and seeing that Lu Qian was still half-dead, he felt a little annoyed, his face darkened immediately, and his voice revealed a bit of displeasure: “Forget it, I’m tired today, you two go back to the room first. Rest. If you have anything to say, we can talk about it tomorrow.” 

The two brothers Lu Hong and Lu Qian retreated together. After leaving the main hall, he was sure that his father would never hear their conversation, so Lu Hong opened his mouth and asked in a low voice: “Second brother, what happened to you today? Why are you refusing to talk to Father when he is talking to you?”

Qian was used to being coquettish and obedient and made their father happy by coaxing him.

It was already dark, and the wind lanterns hanging under the corridor were shining with a dim and uncertain light.

Lu Qian’s delicate face also seemed to melt into the darkness, his expression was vague and indifferent: “Didn’t I answer every question my Father asked?”

Lu Hong was choked speechless, and his handsome brows frowned slightly. Under the dim light, he looked even more handsome and beautiful.

Lu Qian looked at his elder brother who was tall, handsome, and unparalleled, and felt as if something was blocking him. He became more and more depressed, and said: “I’m sleepy, let’s go back to sleep first.”

Then he turned and left.

Lu Hong: “…”

This Lu Qian, since he recovered from his illness on the ship that day, has behaved strangely. Occasionally, he would quarrel with him with a cold face. This was a happy time, but he became angry with their father for no reason.

Probably because as he got older, he didn’t want to be treated like a child anymore, and his temper grew accordingly.

Lu Hong thought for a while, shook his head with a smile, and went back to the room to rest without mentioning it.

When Madam Ling came in, seeing Lu An’s gloomy face, her heart skipped a beat. Thinking that Lu An was still unhappy about what Old Madam Ling said just now, she said in a low voice with a smile on her face: “The things my Mother said today are definitely not aimed at the master. Master, please don’t take it to heart.”

It was okay as long as Madam Ling didn’t mention it, but as soon as she mentioned the situation just now, Lu An’s suppressed anger welled up in his heart, and he looked at Ling sarcastically: “If you didn’t chatter in front of my mother-in-law, how would my mother-in-law know that you were wronged at Lu’s house?” 

A trace of panic flashed in Ling’s eyes, and her tone became softer: “The master has always treated this concubine very well. I am in charge of the inner house, and I am well-clothed and well-fed on weekdays. There is no grievance. What my mother said was just out of pity for her daughter. There is no other meaning. Please don’t worry too much, master.”

She stretched out her hand, and it was hard to hit a smiling face.

Lu An snorted softly at Ling’s flattery and laughter and didn’t say anything else.

Ling suppressed the grievances in her heart, and then softly talked about Lu Hong’s matter: “…the concubine led Ah Hong and Ah Qian to live in the mansion for a few days, and both of them are very comfortable in the Ling house. Especially Ah Hong, who gets along very well with his cousin brothers ​​and sisters from the Ling family.”

When she mentioned the word sister, she paused intentionally or unintentionally.

How perceptive Lu An was, he immediately understood what she meant, and looked up: “You mean, Ah Hong fell in love with a granddaughter of the Ling family?”

A beautiful girl’s face quickly flashed in his mind.

“Is it Ling Jingshu?” Lu An was clearly asking, but his tone was very certain.

Even he, who hanged around beauties all over the world, was amazed at the first sight, let alone a young boy who was in his youth.

“The Master is really aware of the details, the concubine is talking about sister Shu.”

Seeing that Lu An was interested in this topic, Madam Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly took up the conversation with a smile: “I can’t definitely say that Ah Hong is in love with Sister Shu. However, Ah Hong is always careful about her. Today, he took the initiative to follow Sister Shu to the garden. Speaking of which, Ah Hong is also sixteen this year. It is time to think about his life-long affairs.”

Lu An’s expression remained unchanged, and he did not comment.

However, Madam Ling understood his temper very well. If he disapproved, his face would have been sullen. At this moment, he still listened to her patiently, obviously, his mind was also moved.

Lu Hong was the son of his original spouse, he was extremely talented and intelligent and had earned the reputation of a scholar at a young age. The future was limitless. Lu An seemed to favor the youngest son Lu Qian, but the eldest son was the most important thing in his heart.

Madam Ling had been in the family for so many years and had been trying her best to win Lu Hong over. It’s just that the effect was not significant. Lu Hong treated Lu Qian kindly, but his treatment of her as a stepmother was lukewarm. If this marriage can be facilitated, and Lu Hong marries her niece, he will naturally get closer to her in the future.

When Ling Jingshu became her daughter-in-law, she would also be in the same space as her aunt who now was her mother-in-law.

The more Ling thought about it, the more she felt that this was a good idea, and she continued: “I didn’t mention this matter to Ah Hong, but I just thought about it secretly. This time, for my mother’s birthday, the master will also stay at Ling’s house for a while, so why not pay more attention to sister Shu? If you think this marriage is feasible, I will mention it to my mother again.”

Lu An pondered for a while and said slowly: “Ah Hong is the eldest son of our Lu family, and the role of the patriarch in the future will be his. His wife will also be the clan wife of our Lu family in the future. We must choose a wife who is dignified, gentle, and with a virtuous temperament. Sister Shu is indeed born with great beauty, but I don’t know what her temperament is. For the time being, don’t be in a hurry to make a marriage. These days, you should pay more attention to sister Shu in private.”

After a pause, he continued: “If there is a chance, I will personally take a look at her character and knowledge.”

That is to say, preliminary approval of the marriage was made.

Ling’s spirit perked up, and she hurriedly responded with a smile.

…

Ling carefully waited on Lu An to wash up and go to bed.

Lu An was exhausted from traveling all the way. He should have had an early rest, but for some reason today, he was particularly excited. After tossing Madam Ling twice, he calmed down.

Ling’s whole body was limp and lazy, and she snuggled up to Lu An’s side with great contentment.

It had been a long time since such intimacy.

Ever since Lu An brought the slender and charming Aunt Liu^[2]a concubine into the mansion, Aunt Liu has become Lu An’s new favorite. In the past year, Lu An spent most of his days resting in Aunt Liu’s house. He came to the main room for a few days, and that too to see her son, but he didn’t stay in her room overnight.

Although she, the wife who had fallen out of favor, was still in charge of the inner house, her prestige was not as good as before.

She was full of bitterness in her heart, and she only showed a little of it in front of Old Madam Ling.

Unexpectedly, this time when she went back to her mother’s house, she encountered such an opportunity. She must seize this good opportunity and try her best to facilitate this marriage.

It was not enough for a woman to have both talent and virtue, the most important thing was to have a beautiful face.

Wasn’t Lu Hong already fascinated by Ling Jingshu’s beauty?

Madam Ling, who was full of imagination, didn’t know that her husband with his eyes closed beside her pillow was also thinking about the same person.