Chapter 116

No matter how clever Lu Huai was, he was still just a child. After holding back for a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “How did you figure it out?”

“Do you think we are fools?” Wang Muyi chuckled lightly and said nonchalantly, “Your father is not a hot commodity. Why would Nianxi have improper thoughts? Did you really need to test her?”

“You’ve become paranoid about guarding against stepmothers.”

When it came to his father, Lu Xiaoqi couldn’t tolerate it. With hands on his hips and an angry glare, he declared: “How is my dad not a hot commodity? Do you have any idea how many women adore him? The line could stretch from the royal palace to the city moat! He’s handsome, charismatic, and from a prestigious family. Why wouldn’t Nianxi like my dad?”

“In this capital, anyone who has seen my dad wouldn’t fail to love him!”

Wang Muyi was practically laughing from annoyance. “Ah, the delusion of self-importance—truly, it knows no age, only gender.”

“Your father? He’s old, not in good health, and has you, a little burden in tow,” she counted on her fingers, one by one, her frown deepening as she continued, “What exactly would Nianxi see in your father?”

Lu Xiaoqi was thoroughly infuriated. But being a proper gentleman, he couldn’t lay hands on a woman. His face flushed red, his neck thick with anger, as he loudly argued, “My dad isn’t even 30 yet. How is he old?”

Wang Muyi, unhurried as ever and showing no awareness of bullying a child, leisurely replied, “He’s at least 10 years older than Nianxi, right? And that’s not old?”

“Then how is he not healthy? My dad could hit the mark perfectly even at 100 paces!”

“You said it yourself—cold damage, coughing illness—what kind of good person gets sick? Look at that Lord Pei outside; even in the bitter winter, he’s wearing such thin clothes, yet he’s perfectly healthy.”

“I’m not a burden!”

“Aren’t you though~?” Wang Muyi clicked her tongue and said, “Whose child is as difficult as you? Your father remarrying means someone will take care of your household needs, and the Duke’s residence will finally have a proper mistress. Such a good thing, but you have to stir up trouble and make everyone uneasy.”

Lu Huai was speechless for the first time, his eyes reddening with anger.

But Wang Muyi wasn’t about to let him off easily. She continued stabbing where it hurt: “Even if it’s just your family that’s unsettled, that’d still be manageable. But you just had to come to my shop with your snarky attitude. What’s this about? You heard the Duke is unwell, and now you’re worried someone might go out of their way to show concern?”

“Take a good look outside. We’re far too busy for that sort of thing~”

As for Wang Muyi, after scolding the child, she felt completely refreshed. She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it.

That boy—she had disliked him for a long time. His mind was as full of twists and turns as a lotus root, yet he couldn’t hide it properly, seemingly eager for others to notice.

Why form brotherly ties?

Why didn’t he try to form them with her?

In the end, he was just too self-absorbed, thinking all the women in the world harbored improper thoughts about his father.

What was their Duke’s estate supposed to be—a paradise on earth? Or was Lu Wensheng’s body some divine relic that granted immortality with a touch?

It was only because Nianxi had a good temperament that she indulged Lu Xiaoqi so much.

Men—they all needed to be knocked down a peg, regardless of age. Only after a few blows could they recognize their place.

Lu Huai’s face had puffed up like a blowfish. But no matter how angry he got, no one paid attention to him.

That bad woman, Wang Muyi, didn’t even bother comforting him; she considered it good enough not to insult him further.

The gentle Nianxi hadn’t returned yet…

In truth, Lu Huai hadn’t intentionally set out to test Nianxi—he had his reasons.

A few days ago, the Empress spoke up for Fusheng Banzhan, which improved the shop’s business. Nianxi and the others believed it was his idea. But Lu Huai hadn’t thought of that strategy at all.

So, the only person who could have persuaded the Empress was his father. Come to think of it, his father had met Nianxi several times.

Lu Huai had been troubled for days. He didn’t want to lose Nianxi as his sworn sister. That’s why he came up with a way that wouldn’t damage their relationship. He had often heard the Old Madam scolding his second aunt, so he mimicked her approach. If it were another young lady, he would have teased her unceremoniously.

Little did he know, even so, he would still be met with Wang Muyi’s rebuke. Not only did she criticize him, but she also made his father seem worthless by association.

Thinking of this, Hero Lu’s eyes began to blur with tears. This was an outrage!

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Pei Jian, who had just been watering flowers in the corridor moments ago, kept trying to control his emotions with reason, reminding himself that impulsive people lose first. The next moment, he threw down the watering can and strode out of the house.

Even a sage couldn’t tolerate it.

After all, she was his wife. How could he allow someone else to covet her?

But when he finally stood in front of Nianxi, he didn’t dare to act rashly. Carefully, he used an excuse he had thought of along the way, “Your father… is Uncle doing well? Was he startled by yesterday’s incident?”

Nianxi gazed at him leisurely and asked back, “What do you think?”

After all, he was there yesterday, and her father had even accompanied him to the medical clinic. Nianxi was too familiar with Pei Jian’s little schemes, the deliberate thoughts he left open for her to see. So she smoothly asked: “How is the injury on your arm?”

“My right arm still feels slightly uncomfortable when watering flowers.”

Even a single word of concern from Nianxi made Pei Jian very content. Worried about going too far, he quickly added, “But it’s much better now.”

Nianxi nodded gently, her expression warm. “What do you need from me?”

“The scoundrel who bullied Uncle in a previous life—I’ve already thought of a strategy. His father, Zhang Hongzhe, has served as a Vice Minister of Revenue for many years, with numerous acts of corruption and malpractice on his record. The Censorate oversees all officials, and I will start gathering evidence. In just a few days, I can bring this father and son to justice…”

Pei Jian subtly added details about his recent actions into the conversation while Nianxi listened quietly, gradually breaking into a smile.

The Pei Jian before her increasingly resembled the Pei Prime Minister from her memories—confident, composed, and adept in handling situations.

The difference lay in her own mindset. She no longer harbored resentment or tormented herself. Her heart was constantly filled with satisfaction and inner peace. She would never again be swayed entirely by a person, an incident, or even a single remark to the point of losing control.

“Why… are you smiling?” Pei Jian was momentarily dazzled by her radiant smile, struggling to find his words. Though he didn’t fully understand why Nianxi was smiling, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted, sharing in her joy. The originally cool and aloof aura he carried softened into something warm and approachable with that genuine, heartfelt smile.

Nianxi thought that perhaps one day, she and Pei Jian could truly become familiar old friends. Those passionate loves and hatreds were irretrievable, but they could always find a harmonious way to coexist.

“It’s nothing,” Nianxi said with a faint smile, shaking her head. “Still, I must thank you for what you’re doing for my father.”

“Then… may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?” Pei Jian lowered his gaze slightly, looking into her captivating almond-shaped eyes, and carefully asked, “About Zhou Yanli—his feelings for you… I can’t believe you haven’t noticed.”

Nianxi immediately dropped her smile, her tone turning displeased. “What does that have to do with you?”

Pei Jian had anticipated her dislike of these questions, so he omitted anything relating to their past lives and tentatively replied, “So, do you have…”

Nianxi stared at him directly. “This is your real reason for seeing me today, isn’t it?”

Pei Jian paused briefly but didn’t press further. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then forget it.”

Then he dragged Wen Qingheng into the situation to take the blame, saying, “It was your brother who specifically came to talk to me about the matter between you and him.”

“Not interested.”

“Huh?” Pei Jian was momentarily stunned and didn’t react for a moment. After a brief pause, he finally understood what she meant. But before he could feel happy, he heard Nianxi continue: “I don’t like either of you.”

Her tone was calm, but the words cut straight to the heart.