Chapter 9

However, just as Wei Yuntai was always cautious with her, Lu Minghua only lost her composure for a moment before regaining her calm. No matter why he said those words, it was definitely not out of genuine remorse.

In Wei Yuntai’s mind, Lu Minghua was a scheming, selfish liar. So, his apologies might be given to everyone—even a maid—but never to her.

“You overstate it, Heir,” Lu Minghua said with a smile, noticing Mama Li’s softened expression and not questioning further.

Unexpectedly, she didn’t argue back this time or show that inexplicable smile. Wei Yuntai paused and then smiled gently at her.

Lu Minghua’s eyelashes fluttered, and she seemed to avoid his gaze unintentionally.

This kind of smile, since their fallout, was the first. But why did she feel only indifference and fatigue upon finally receiving it when she had once desperately wanted this moment, even fighting to prove her innocence?

With these thoughts, Lu Minghua signaled Mama Li to leave and then spoke about what the shopkeeper had told her a few days ago.

“Now that we have some clues, the rest will trouble you, Heir,” she said, looking directly at Wei Yuntai without flinching.

Wei Yuntai was indeed taken aback. He hadn’t expected to hear news of the little monk from Lu Minghua’s mouth, but immediately, he became wary. Was this part of her pre-arranged scheme?

With this thought lingering and recalling his mother’s words from a few days ago, Wei Yuntai suppressed his doubts and distrust, nodded, and said, “Leave it to me.”

Seeing him agree so readily, without questioning or sneering, Lu Minghua felt a bit unaccustomed. She scrutinized Wei Yuntai, not understanding his sudden change in demeanor.

Noticing her expression, Wei Yuntai smiled slightly again but saw a flash of suspicion in her eyes, and his smile faltered.

‘But why are you so cold and guarded with Lu Minghua?’

His mother was right, but he didn’t understand why he felt this way towards Lu Minghua.

Soon, it was time for her to take her medicine.

As usual, Lu Minghua drank it all in one go, but when she put down the bowl and looked up, she saw Wei Yuntai handing her a cup of tea. Such considerate behavior had only been seen during their early days of marriage.

Various emotions crossed Lu Minghua’s mind as she took the cup of water, but she held it for a long time without drinking.

It wasn’t reluctance but an inexplicable resistance. It was as if silently questioning her: he can wrong you when he wants, treat you coldly when he wants, and now that he’s being kind, you must accept it?

She didn’t want to accept it.

Lu Minghua put the cup down and looked up at Wei Yuntai’s slightly smiling eyes, saying, “Thank you, Heir, but I don’t want to drink it right now.”

Wei Yuntai’s smile didn’t waver. “Then drink it later.”

Seeing no disappointment in his eyes, Lu Minghua lowered her gaze and tugged at the corners of her lips.

Since she woke up that day, Wei Yuntai had been acting strangely.

When they first moved back to Chunshan Courtyard, he was still somewhat cold, but in the past few days, he had gradually returned to the gentle and considerate manner he had during their early marriage—

Of course, this demeanor was only superficial. If Lu Minghua hadn’t truly experienced his gentleness, she might not have noticed the difference.

But she could tell. She vaguely sensed that Wei Yuntai was trying to improve their relationship. She was somewhat unwilling, but reason told her this was for the best, so she watched day by day. She occasionally thought that it might be acceptable if he could keep up this pretense.

In the morning, as Lu Minghua was getting ready, Wei Yuntai, already dressed in his blue official robes with an egret embroidered on the chest, lifted the curtain and entered. He looked even more handsome.

Behind her, Xiao Chun skillfully finished her hair. She was about to place a hairpin when Wei Yuntai came over, picked out a magnolia flower hairpin, and smiled, “How about this one?”

Lu Minghua felt indifferent about magnolia flowers, neither liking nor disliking them, so she nodded.

Lowering her eyes for a moment, she looked up and smiled softly at Wei Yuntai, “Thank you, Heir.”

Xiao Chun was about to take the hairpin, but Wei Yuntai stepped forward and placed it in her hair himself, saying, “It suits you perfectly.”

Lu Minghua smiled again.

After finishing her makeup, the aroma of food wafted in from outside, and they went out to eat together. At the table, Wei Yuntai picked up some of her favorite dishes with his chopsticks, his every move considerate.

Looking at the food in her bowl, Lu Minghua was silent for a moment. This was still during the sweet early days of their marriage when she had personally told Wei Yuntai her preferences.

She did love this dish, but thinking that it was Wei Yuntai who had picked it for her, she suddenly didn’t like it as much.

“Thank you, Heir,” Lu Minghua said, her face showing no emotion. She raised the corners of her mouth as if she were very happy and picked up some food for him in return. Over the years, she had also learned Wei Yuntai’s preferences, and the dishes she picked were all his favorites.

“There’s no need for formalities between us,” Wei Yuntai said with a slight smile. His gentle eyes mesmerized the maids watching.

Lu Minghua also smiled, “It’s just a thank you.”

The two of them finished their breakfast quietly, with Wei Yuntai not noticing that Lu Minghua had never touched the food he had served her.

Silently, their relationship seemed to return to its original state.

The servants at Chunshan Courtyard were delighted. Harmony between the masters meant they didn’t have to be so cautious, which was truly good news.

Days passed leisurely, and this continued for over ten days.

Wei Yuntai returned to the main room, and Mama Li began preparing nourishing soups for Lu Minghua. Drinking the soup, Lu Minghua quietly held her abdomen. She understood Mama Li’s thoughts: a child would be her support in the latter half of her life—

But did she really want to pretend that nothing had happened and live as a superficially loving couple with Wei Yuntai?

Asking herself honestly, was she willing?

She was not.

Lu Minghua answered herself, and at night, she and Wei Yuntai still slept separately, clearly divided.

Wei Yuntai never forced anyone. After being rejected once, he didn’t try again. But Lu Minghua wasn’t sure if she could continue living like this if it went on for a long time.

She didn’t know.

Fortunately, she didn’t need to know. One day, Wei Yuntai returned, excitedly telling her that someone had found traces of the little monk.

On the same day, someone from the Earl of Wen’an’s residence hurriedly came, and the servant delivering the message knelt weakly in the hall.

“Second Miss is seriously ill. Madam asked me to call you back to see her.”

His breathless words were clear in the room, and with Wei Yuntai’s sudden change in expression, the facade of warmth they had maintained was instantly torn apart. As the teacup was placed on the table, Lu Minghua glanced sideways and noticed a few drops had spilled. This was almost unheard of for the usually composed and steady Wei Yuntai. She couldn’t help but smile again.

It was as if a long-accumulated storm had suddenly erupted. After a moment of panic, Lu Minghua mainly felt relieved.

This day had finally come.

After a moment of distraction, Wei Yuntai immediately looked at Lu Minghua, his usually gentle and smiling eyes showing a hint of panic.

“Lu…”

“Heir, this is a serious matter. I need to go back. Will you come with me?” Lu Minghua interrupted him. Even in his rare moment of losing composure, Wei Yuntai’s reaction drew the attention of the servants in the room.

“Alright, let’s go,” Wei Yuntai said, standing up first.

“We should inform Mother first,” Lu Minghua added calmly as she stood up.

“I’ll go right away,” Wei Yuntai said, instinctively following Lu Minghua’s suggestion.

Watching his back, Lu Minghua’s lips twitched slightly, and she followed him.

They informed Madam Sun together and hurriedly boarded the carriage back to the Earl of Wen’an’s residence.

Throughout the journey, Wei Yuntai was distracted, anxiously watching the road ahead, without the gentle smile he had worn in recent days.

Lu Minghua sat beside him, watching indifferently, then suddenly lowered her eyes and smiled.

“Mingxi is seriously ill, and you find it amusing?” Wei Yuntai, full of anxiety and unable to vent, turned to her, his eyes cold and his voice low.

“Look at this situation. I, as her sister, am not worried at all, but you, as her brother-in-law, are burning with anxiety. Isn’t that laughable?” Lu Minghua said softly, looking at him. Her words, gentle and calm, made Wei Yuntai pause.

“It shouldn’t be like this,” Wei Yuntai said, suppressing his anger and looking at Lu Minghua.

She understood his meaning and continued to smile, saying, “I told you it wasn’t me.”

Wei Yuntai didn’t believe her, never had. He turned away, not wanting to look at her anymore.

The gentleness and consideration from before vanished like flowers in water, like the moon in a mirror.

Indeed, it was never real.

“Thank you for your care these days, Heir,” Lu Minghua said with a smile.

Wei Yuntai thought she was mocking him, but when he looked up, he saw she seemed genuinely sincere.

Lu Minghua was sincere. If not for Wei Yuntai’s behavior in recent days, she wouldn’t have seen her own heart clearly and moved past the past that had trapped her.

Forget it. Why should she indulge in wishful thinking?

A gust of wind blew, lifting the carriage curtain. The leaves in the courtyard of a roadside house had all fallen, the dry yellow leaves swirling in the wind before slowly settling down, adding to the desolation.

The sky was dark, branches swayed, and the air was filled with a chill.

A storm was coming.

As soon as they entered the Lu residence, the head steward hurriedly welcomed them, saying that the master had instructed them not to delay and to go directly to Sixian Courtyard.

Wei Yuntai immediately thanked him, stepped forward, and suddenly turned back to look at Lu Minghua. The steward was surprised, not understanding why the usually composed heir was in such a hurry today, but he didn’t think much of it and watched them leave.

As soon as they entered Sixian Courtyard, they saw Madam Qin hurrying out from the back courtyard, her eyes red, dabbing at the corners with a handkerchief, full of sorrow. “The doctor said Mingxi’s illness is due to emotional distress, a heart ailment. Now, she can’t even take her medicine. You should go see her.”

Though she said “you,” her gaze was entirely on Wei Yuntai as she spoke.