Chapter 85

The next day.

The attendant from Fusheng Banzhan hurried to the Wen residence to find Nianxi. “Miss, the little boy from yesterday has come back. He claims that after eating our food, he suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. His family is demanding an explanation and refuses to leave.”

Nianxi, not wanting to worry her mother since her father and brother were at the courthouse, decided to head to the shop herself. “What about Cousin Mu?”

“Someone has been sent to the Marquis of Pingyang’s household.”

When Nianxi arrived, she saw a tall man and the little boy standing at the entrance of Fusheng Bnazhan, letting passing women glance curiously at them.

The tall man was dressed in an azure robe embroidered with cloud motifs. He carried himself with a refined and noble elegance. His facial features were exceptional, but what stood out most was his calm and dignified aura—serene and composed, as if he was equally at ease amidst the bustling marketplace or the grandeur of a palace.

His eyes were tranquil, peaceful, and profound. But the little boy standing beside him lacked the same composure. With a pout on his face and shifty eyes, he seemed to be holding back tears, ready to run away at any moment.

It was none other than the mischievous boy from the day before.

However, the boy couldn’t escape, as a large hand rested on his shoulder. The wide sleeve concealed the back of the hand, leaving only slender and elegant fingers exposed.

Nianxi secretly pondered, observing the situation; it didn’t seem like they were here to cause trouble. She stepped down from the carriage and approached the two individuals.

Upon seeing her, the boy first appeared delighted but then seemed ashamed, lowering his head again.

Although Nianxi was the host, she was still an unmarried woman and couldn’t speak rashly. The knowledgeable steward in the shop stepped forward and explained the situation thoroughly.

It turned out the tall gentleman was the boy’s father.

Nianxi invited them inside to talk.

The boy timidly spoke, no longer as arrogant as the day before in front of his father, “This is a ladies’ shop; my father is a man; he cannot enter.”

The father and son stopped walking, and both looked at Nianxi.

Nianxi felt nervous, observing the strikingly similar expressions of the two individuals, as though she had done something profoundly improper. She stammered slightly, saying, “No, it doesn’t matter.”

She led the two into the room she and her cousin Mu routinely used.

Firstly, the bustling street outside wasn’t a suitable place for a conversation; secondly, the room was on the first floor, accessible by a single passageway from the entrance, and it wouldn’t disturb the women in the inner chambers.

The three sat down.

Before Nianxi could speak, the man had already started, “My surname is Lu. I humbly apologize for the intrusion today, and I hope Miss Wen can forgive me.” He had a melodious voice, unhurried and gentle, like spring water cascading into a clear pool, exuding a sense of calm warmth: “This is my son, Lu Huai. After eating a bowl of iced food at your esteemed establishment yesterday, he returned home and suffered severe diarrhea and vomiting. This deeply troubled the elders in the family, so I have come to confirm the situation.”

Nianxi couldn’t help but glance at Lu Huai.

The latter was blushing furiously, unable to lift his head. With a soft “plop,” tears fell onto the table, though he dared not cry aloud, stubbornly refusing to speak.

At that moment, Nianxi fully understood—

Yesterday, her cousin clearly only gave him a bowl of almond cream. Where was the iced food?

This Lu boy had lied and was brought here by his father specifically to be embarrassed.

Although Nianxi had never raised children herself, seeing Lu Huai with his head lowered, continuously wiping his tears without daring to make a sound, she felt a twinge of sympathy. Meanwhile, the father maintained an unhurried demeanor and even had the leisure to sip tea.

For a moment, she did not speak.

Lu Wensheng, a seasoned official, almost immediately discerned Nianxi’s compassion. Calmly setting down his teacup, he exuded an elegance and tranquility, like a breeze under the moon. “Miss, may I ask if my son consumed iced food at your shop yesterday?”

“I didn’t eat it!”

Before Nianxi could reply, Lu Huai wiped his tears, raised his face to look at his father, and confessed, “I lied! Father, punish me! A man takes responsibility for his actions and should not trouble others!”

Though his words were filled with heroic resolve, his teary voice and intermittent sobbing hiccups only added a unique childlike charm.

“Your single lie caused the Old Madam to worry about you all night, exhausting herself and nearly harming others in the process. If not for confronting you in person today, you would still stubbornly refuse to admit it. Let me ask you, who taught you these crafty tricks?”

Lu Wensheng’s expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t lose his temper. Even his final words were spoken with a smile, but the anger and disappointment in his eyes were unmistakable.

Lu Huai was momentarily stunned. Unable to maintain his “manly” composure, he began to sob, “I don’t want Miss Shu to become my stepmother. She doesn’t like me. When no one’s around, she only lets the maids accompany me, but when others are present, she pretends to be close to me.” He cried pitifully, his words disjointed, “But Grandmother likes her and insists she plays with me every day. Even you like her! I had no choice but to take drastic measures against myself.”

As he cried, he didn’t forget to complain, “She took me out and couldn’t even keep an eye on a five-year-old like me. Maybe she wanted me to be kidnapped, so I wouldn’t hold onto my position as the eldest legitimate son!”

Children speak without restraint, and Nianxi, caught off guard by these private revelations, felt a bit awkward. However, leaving at this moment would seem even more deliberate. She tried her best to minimize her presence, keeping her gaze fixed on the teacup’s patterns as if deeply interested.

“Father, I was wrong,” Lu Huai sobbed. “I shouldn’t have recklessly joked with my health or falsely accused others.”

Seeing his father’s deep gaze, Lu Huai panicked. He got up from the rosewood chair, tightly hugged his father’s waist, and looked up at him.

“If Miss Shu enters our home, she will definitely bully, insult, and beat me. Father, I’m scared…” His words sounded pitiful, but from Nianxi’s angle, she could see a bubble of snot forming on Lu Huai’s nose. The next moment, without hesitation, he wiped it on his father’s azure robe.

Nianxi averted her gaze but unintentionally locked eyes with Lu Wensheng. Seeing the hint of amusement in his eyes, she was momentarily stunned—clearly, Lu Huai’s little tricks hadn’t escaped his father’s notice.

“The weak-willed lack wisdom, and the untrustworthy fail in their actions,” Lu Wensheng softened his tone, lowered his head, and patiently guided his young son in his gentle yet clear voice, “A gentleman builds virtue; do not repeat your mistake.”

Lu Huai responded respectfully, “Understood, Xiaoqi will remember.”

At this moment, Lu Wensheng turned to nod at Nianxi, saying, “My child has been mischievous and caused trouble today. I will visit another day to offer my apologies in person.”

Lu Huai, showing newfound humility, added, “It’s all Xiaoqi’s fault—I almost tarnished the reputation of Sister’s shop. Please don’t hold it against me, Sister.”

Naturally, Nianxi politely declined to accept his apology.

That gentleman, Lord Lu, was a polite and well-mannered individual. Since everything had been explained, he immediately stood up to bid farewell. Lu Huai trailed slowly behind him, dragging his feet. Just as they were leaving, he tugged his small hand on his father’s sleeve.

“Grandmother worked hard for me last night. I want to buy some almond pudding for her. The almond pudding from this shop is sweet but not overly so—it’s very delicious. Grandmother would surely be pleased. Father, I want to take it back as a token of respect for her.”

Under his father’s gaze, his voice grew softer and softer. Clearly, he wanted to eat it himself, but considering his young age, it was impressive that he could come up with such an irresistible excuse.

Nianxi found it amusing and couldn’t help but glance at Lord Lu.

Lu Wensheng lowered his gaze without making any comment. Only when Lu Huai began to feel uneasy, he finally asked, “Do you want to eat it?”

“…Yes, I do.” Lu Huai lowered his head again. “Father, I’m sorry. I was being clever again. I shouldn’t have used Grandmother as an excuse.”

“Grandmother said that as she has grown older, eating overly sweet things makes her teeth sore. Yesterday, when I ate the almond pudding, I thought of Grandmother. I truly wish to bring her here to try it someday.”

A child who can promptly correct themselves and shows filial piety is always clever and open-hearted.

Lu Wensheng patted Xiaoqi’s head and smiled slightly. He then turned to Nianxi and said, “Pardon me, besides the almond pudding, what other signature snacks or drinks does your shop have? Please prepare two servings of each for us to take away.”

Nianxi agreed.

This shop mainly caters to ladies, so after finishing his request, he chooses not to linger any longer and leaves with Lu Huai.