Chapter 26

“You are now the wife of the heir of the Marquis’ mansion,” Lu Chengsong said with a sigh, leisurely sipping his tea.

Lu Mingxi’s heart sank. Could it be…

“Qi’er will take the exam in September, but his studies are still lacking. Mingxi, what do you think should be done?” Lu Chengsong smiled at her and asked.

Lu Mingxi felt relieved and smiled, saying, “The heir has learned from a good teacher and has gained knowledge. I will ask him tonight and surely find a good teacher for my third brother.”

“Good, good, good, you are indeed my good daughter,” Lu Chengsong said happily, nodding in satisfaction.

He had once asked Lu Minghua, but his eldest daughter directly refused him without any room for negotiation. If she had agreed back then and found a good teacher for Qi’er, he might have already passed the imperial examination. He had thought that if she listened, he would give her the evidence of Lu Mingxi’s schemes against her. But since this daughter was so uncooperative, he couldn’t be blamed.

Lu Mingxi knew about this but didn’t care.

The Ningguo Marquis’ mansion held high status and power. Finding a teacher for her half-brother was relatively easy and would show the Marquis’ mansion’s regard for her. She couldn’t understand why Lu Minghua refused.

Father and daughter exchanged a smile, and Lu Mingxi’s gaze fell on the stack of letters she had given to Xiao Wu.

Lu Chengsong didn’t make it difficult for her and handed them to her directly.

“That’s not right, one letter is missing.” Lu Mingxi hurriedly flipped through the letters she had received, then looked up and stared at Lu Chengsong.

“Impossible, we only found these on that servant,” Lu Chengsong said, slightly surprised, sitting up straight and looking at her.

Carefully observing Lu Chengsong, Lu Mingxi couldn’t tell if he was telling the truth.

“That letter is crucial. If it can’t be found, don’t blame me for speaking out of turn,” she said softly, clutching the letters in her hand.

Lu Chengsong’s face darkened as he looked at Lu Mingxi.

Lu Mingxi remained calm. Now that she was married into the Ningguo Marquis’ mansion, what could her father do even if he was displeased?

“Fine, fine,” Lu Chengsong laughed angrily, then his expression changed, and he sneered, “Have you forgotten about Cui Zhi?”

“Cui Zhi?” Lu Mingxi was startled.

“What do you mean, Father?” she asked, trying to maintain her composure and not show any abnormality.

“Do you remember how you had Cui Zhi contact that young monk? Have you forgotten?” Lu Chengsong sat up straight again, looking down at Lu Mingxi.

Lu Mingxi’s face truly lost its color. She never expected that Lu Chengsong knew about this—

When did he find out?

Thinking about how she had successfully schemed against Lu Minghua and was feeling proud of herself, only to realize that someone had been silently watching everything from the shadows, Lu Mingxi felt a chill run through her body.

“It was my mistake earlier. Please don’t be angry, Father. I will definitely find a good teacher for Qi’er,” Lu Mingxi said softly, clutching her handkerchief tightly, unable to maintain her previous arrogance, and bowed her head slightly.

“I heard Grand Scholar Zhang from the Hanlin Academy is preparing to take on students. I think he would be a good choice,” Lu Chengsong said meaningfully.

“Grand Scholar Zhang?! That’s impossible,” Lu Mingxi immediately shook her head. Before Lu Chengsong could react, she continued, “Even if the heir values me, it’s not to the extent that he would ask Grand Scholar Zhang for Qi’er. If that were the case, it might strain our relationship and displease the Marquis and his wife. For the long term, Father, it’s better to choose someone else.”

Her reasoning was sound, and Lu Chengsong had only been testing her, intending to scare her a bit. Hearing her words, he deliberately pondered for a moment. Seeing Lu Mingxi’s slight unease and more respectful demeanor, he relented and chose an old Hanlin Academy scholar known for his excellent teaching.

This daughter still had many uses, and he couldn’t bear to discard her now.

Lu Mingxi’s hand in her sleeve clenched tightly. Her lowered eyes filled with suppressed resentment toward Lu Chengsong. When she left the study, her expression hadn’t fully recovered, and her smile was faint.

In contrast, Lu Chengsong’s mood was excellent, and he was in high spirits all day.

*

“Finally, this day has come.” Since the incident with Prince Changping, Lu Minghua had been keeping an eye on the movements of the Wen’an Earl’s Mansion. The next day, she received a letter and, after reading it confidently, smiled lightly.

She didn’t know what Lu Mingxi had agreed to with Lu Chengsong, but it was likely related to his son.

Lu Minghua carefully tore the note into pieces and threw it into the wastebasket, thinking leisurely. She wondered when Lu Mingxi would realize that Lu Chengsong’s desires were endless. As long as she agreed this time, she would never have peace in the future.

She didn’t know when Lu Mingxi would figure it out.

On the way back from the Earl’s Mansion, she was quite unsettled. It wasn’t until she entered the Marquis’ mansion and the servants greeted her, calling her ‘Young Madam,’ that she snapped back to reality. She realized that with her current status, Lu Chengsong wouldn’t easily ruin her marriage with Wei Yuntai. The one who most wanted them to stay together for a long time was probably him. But now, thinking about it, it was too late. She regretted letting Lu Chengsong scare her. She should have handled it better and made him beg her instead.

Having made up her mind, Lu Mingxi still couldn’t help but feel a moment of panic when she saw Wei Yuntai.

Wei Yuntai treated her with utmost care, but she still remembered his coldness towards Lu Minghua. She couldn’t imagine how he would treat her if he knew the truth, and she couldn’t accept such an outcome.

Her thoughts churned. Lu Mingxi initially wanted to feign compliance but feared angering Lu Chengsong and provoking his ruthlessness. After much deliberation, it wasn’t until after their evening together, while leaning in Wei Yuntai’s arms and feeling his gentle comfort, that she sighed softly.

Wei Yuntai asked gently, “I’ve felt you have something on your mind tonight. What’s wrong?”

Lu Mingxi hesitated as if finding it difficult to speak. Only after Wei Yuntai’s repeated inquiries did she mention her father’s request that she find a teacher for her younger brother.

Wei Yuntai’s expression relaxed as if he were not taking it seriously. After hearing Lu Mingxi’s choice of teacher, he pondered for a moment, seeming troubled.

That scholar was indeed renowned, having taught many students over the years. Many in the capital wanted to send their children to him, and even if he went, it might not be successful. But seeing Lu Mingxi’s anxious and troubled expression, he couldn’t say anything.

He knew his father-in-law’s nature, always scheming. In the past few years, he had often hinted at things that Wei Yuntai had always brushed off. He hadn’t expected him to now seek out Mingxi.

Looking at Lu Mingxi in his arms, a thought struck him.

If he sought out Mingxi, he must have also sought out Lu Minghua in the past. Yet, he had never heard of such things from Lu Minghua.

Thinking this, Wei Yuntai felt a complex mix of emotions.

How did she face Lu Chengsong, her biological father, back then? And yet, Lu Mingxi…

Various thoughts churned in his mind, but he suddenly heard soft sobbing and immediately focused, seeing Lu Mingxi in tears.

Lu Mingxi didn’t dare to look up, fearing her eyes would reveal her resentment—

It was just a scholar, yet Wei Yuntai found it so difficult. She bit her lip and said guiltily, “Yuntai, am I causing you trouble?”

Wei Yuntai felt pity and comforted her for a while before finally agreeing.

Lu Mingxi felt relieved and a bit smug. The next day, seeing Wei Yuntai somewhat silent, she sensed something was wrong.

“Yuntai,” she said anxiously, tugging at his sleeve, her eyes filled with confusion.

Seeing this, Wei Yuntai sighed inwardly. His mother was right; Lu Mingxi wasn’t suitable for the main wife, but…

Ultimately, it was his choice. He didn’t think much, holding Lu Mingxi’s hand, and said gently, “Mingxi, you are now the wife of the heir of the Marquis’ mansion. Everything should benefit the Marquis’ mansion.”

Lu Mingxi understood Wei Yuntai’s meaning. These matters were trivial for the Marquis’ mansion. Since she had become the wife of the heir, these were things she should have. But she wouldn’t argue with Wei Yuntai and obediently agreed.

Seeing her so compliant, Wei Yuntai regretted his earlier harsh tone and comforted her before heading to the office.

After sending him off, Lu Mingxi sat down, attended by the servants, but her expression was not good.

When Lu Minghua got married, a month later, the Marquis’ wife handed over some household affairs to her. But now, when it was her turn, the Marquis’ wife exempted her from paying respects, showing her displeasure openly.

Now, she was the wife of the heir, but outside this Spring Mountain Courtyard, even the steward who was respectful to Lu Minghua didn’t take her seriously.

How outrageous!

She gritted her teeth and looked towards Yining Courtyard, thinking of a plan.

*

At the villa, Mama Li couldn’t stop smiling as she talked about the Marquis’ mansion.

“It’s a pity we couldn’t see Lu Mingxi’s face at that moment,” she said, feeling a bit regretful. They all knew the Marquis’ wife’s arrogance, which used to anger them. But now that Lu Mingxi had to endure it, she felt satisfied.

Lu Minghua also smiled, lazily propping her cheek and looking at the music score in her hand, casually saying, “There will be many more days like this in the future.”

Hearing this, Mama Li was even happier.

“Serves her right,” she said emphatically, stealing glances at Lu Minghua. Seeing her relaxed expression, Mama Li felt even more pleased.

From childhood to adulthood, Lu Mingxi had almost become a knot in her young lady’s heart. Now, she constantly thought about how poorly Lu Mingxi was doing, hoping it would help Lu Minghua let go of this knot.

Such a person wasn’t worth it.

“By the way, Miss, Steward Zhao next door told me this morning that he has found suitable people. He sent a message, and they should arrive in a few days.”

“Mama, make the arrangements,” Lu Minghua nodded, still engrossed in her music score. She had put down the pipa for too long over the years. Her finger techniques were rusty, and she had forgotten many music scores. Now that she wanted to pick it up again, she needed to practice more.

“Miss!” Mama Li said helplessly, raising her voice.

Lu Minghua looked up in confusion.

“Miss, you’ve been looking at that since yesterday. You should take a break, or it will strain your eyes.”

“Mama, I’ve only been looking at it for an hour. It’s not as exaggerated as you say,” Lu Minghua laughed.

“An hour isn’t long?” Mama Li glared.

Feeling her eyes indeed a bit dry, Lu Minghua had to put down the music score and said with a smile, “Alright, alright, I won’t look at it anymore. Mama, please relax your expression, or you’ll scare the little maids again.”

With her stern face, Mama Li could scare people with just a look.

“They’re just timid,” Mama Li muttered. She knew she wasn’t good-looking, but those little maids were indeed too timid. Her young lady had never been afraid.

Lu Minghua stood up, lazily stretching her waist, and said, “I’ll listen to you and go for a walk.”

Mama Li immediately nodded and hurriedly lifted the curtain.

Lu Minghua chuckled and stepped outside.

In mid-March, the hills and fields were lush with grass and flowers in full bloom. Lu Minghua gazed into the distance. Although she had seen it many times, seeing it again still made her feel that all the complexities and disturbances in her heart had been cleared away, leaving only a sense of vastness and tranquility.

“Mama, let’s fly a kite,” Lu Minghua said.

The day after she lost her kite, Mama Li bought several fine kites from the capital, but she wasn’t interested and left them.

Today, in a good mood, she wanted to play again.

Mama Li quickly found one, and Lu Minghua spent half an hour in the garden, finally getting the kite to fly into the sky.

Next door, Yan Yuanhua was reading a military book. Hearing the laughter and cheers from the other side, he looked up and saw a swallow kite swaying in the wind, finally soaring high.

The kite swayed, and only looking at it, he could almost imagine Lu Minghua smiling and tugging at the string.

“It seems like she’s in a good mood,” Yan Yuanhua said lazily, leaning against the pillar, his fingers tapping on his knee, and smiling relaxed.