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Chapter 64: Leaving

Lu Ke truly fell ill. While it was said to be due to the cold, it was more of a heart sickness.

His heart was anxious, with unbalanced liver fire and weak vitality. Coupled with the beating he received, the cold easily invaded his body. Without resolving his inner turmoil, his illness compounded.

His physical condition wasn’t too bad, but because of emotional unrest, his symptoms became more pronounced.

He forced himself to get up in the morning, but eventually collapsed back onto the bed.

He felt unwell the entire day, unable to take medicine or eat.

It wasn’t until the old matriarch returned home and confirmed that the Lin family had not annulled the engagement that he finally got up and had a few bites of porridge.

After the meal, the old matriarch sent someone in the afternoon to ask about his condition — he was already much better by then.

The servant relayed, “The old lady said that if Third Young Master is feeling better, he should come over to discuss matters about Fen’er.”

As soon as he heard Fen’er’s name, Lu Ke’s head began to throb.

On one hand, he felt guilty toward Fang’er, and on the other, he had lost affection for her because of the recent scandal.

He didn’t know how to face her or how to make amends.

But he had no choice — this was his own doing, and he had to bear the consequences no matter what.

Perhaps because the engagement hadn’t been broken, Lu Ke wasn’t feeling quite as hopeless or extreme at the moment.

He truly liked the bride his family had chosen. Besides the fact that Lin Xiaoyin was a “ladder to the clouds” (socially advantageous), her talent and beauty were also things Lu Ke admired.

Had he known earlier that he might one day marry a girl from the Lin family, Lu Ke would have kept himself pure to preserve a spotless reputation.

But who would’ve thought that far ahead back then?

He only thought that if he passed the imperial exam, he could secure a good marriage, gain the matriarch’s approval, and bring honor to his concubine-born mother.

But Lin Xiaoyin—he truly never expected to be able to reach so high.

After all, how could the old matriarch arrange for him to marry someone from a family even higher in status than his elder sister-in-law’s?

But the facts were laid before him: the old lady was far more generous than he had imagined.

Dressing himself neatly, Lu Ke headed straight to Wen Ruyu’s room.

Wen Ruyu explained in detail her visit to the Lin family that day and told him about the plan to have him take Fen’er as a concubine two years later.

She used a declarative tone, meaning Lu Ke had no right to object.

“You’re feeling better today. Remember to go back and write a letter of promise. Include a token of commitment and deliver it to Fen’er.”

Lu Ke replied respectfully, “Yes, Mother.”

He had thought Wen Ruyu’s visit to the Lin family was meant to slander him, but she genuinely just wanted to secure Fen’er’s future.

Since there was nothing more Wen Ruyu needed from him, she let him go.

Despite still being sore from the previous day’s beating, Lu Ke returned to write the promise letter and personally delivered it to Fen’er.

He heard that Fen’er was no longer bleeding and feigned concern for a few moments before returning to his room.

Though his injuries weren’t fully healed, his fever broke that very night.

Meanwhile, Qin Rong, who was staying with Wen Ruyu, ended up seriously ill for three days before her fever finally subsided.

Wen Ruyu had wanted to call a doctor, but was refused multiple times.

Only later did she realize that Chu Ying didn’t dare let a doctor take her pulse, likely for fear her true gender would be discovered.

Not afraid of dying from illness, but terrified of her secret being exposed.

She must’ve taken some of her own medicine, though likely not very effective, and survived the fever through sheer willpower.

After that, even Wen Ruyu couldn’t help but admire her tenacity — a real man in spirit.

Lu household was lively these past two days. Zhao Shu busied herself with wedding preparations.

With no daughter-in-law to chat with, Wen Ruyu felt a bit bored.

Before long, the day of the third son’s wedding arrived.

Wen Ruyu left the guest reception to her son and daughter-in-law. She herself sat quietly indoors, waiting for the auspicious hour to go out and welcome the bride.

Many guests arrived around noon. Wen Ruyu stepped out briefly to socialize and then returned to her room.

Qingluan and Hongyu, the two young ladies who were about to leave, took this chance to visit Wen Ruyu for a chat and to bid farewell.

While they were chatting, a maid came in and announced, “Qin Fu has arrived.”

Wen Ruyu was surprised and quickly had her brought in to rest.

Qin Fu was now five or six months pregnant, her belly clearly protruding, and she looked heavy on her feet.

Wen Ruyu thought she wouldn’t come, assuming Old Madam Xu would attend instead.

But it was Qin Fu who came alone.

Seeing her frail body and large belly, Wen Ruyu was surprised. “Why have you lost so much weight recently?”

Most pregnant women gain weight, but Qin Fu had clearly lost some.

Her face wasn’t gaunt, but noticeably thinner.

Qin Fu looked at Wen Ruyu with admiration for her elder. “I’ve had morning sickness since March, and even now at five months, I still feel nauseous. Only recently has it eased.”

Wen Ruyu quickly had someone help her sit and held her hand gently.

“With your condition, why did your husband and mother-in-law allow you to come?”

“I have servants with me. It’s only a short walk. It’s no trouble.” She forced a smile and added, “Besides, I haven’t left the house in a while.”

“I heard the new garden at your residence has been completed. I was hoping to visit and have a look.”

She was speaking pleasantly, but tears welled up in her eyes.

Wen Ruyu sat silently, watching as Qin Fu’s smile faded into a forced grin, and then she burst into tears.

Qingluan and Hongyu were confused by the sudden change.

Wen Ruyu furrowed her brow and gently stroked Qin Fu’s head, asking, “Child, what grievance have you suffered?”

Although she might simply be emotional because she missed her family, Wen Ruyu still probed, in case she was mistreated at the Xu family.

But Qin Fu only shook her head, saying, “Ever since I got pregnant, my emotions have been unstable. Please don’t laugh at me.”

Gradually calming down, she wiped her tears.

Though Qin Fu was gentle and unwilling to trouble others, her maid didn’t share that restraint.

“It’s all because of what the young master did yesterday.”

“Lian’er, don’t speak!” Qin Fu’s face showed embarrassment as she tried to stop the maid.

To her, airing marital discord was shameful.

“Speak. Why not?” Wen Ruyu recognized the maid — she had come from Qin Fu’s natal home.

With Wen Ruyu’s encouragement, the maid spilled everything.

“The other day, something happened at her family home, and the young master grew resentful, fearing it would hurt his career. The servants at home are all opportunistic — they ignore the young lady’s words. She couldn’t manage the household well, so all authority was taken away.

She endured their treatment without complaining, which only made it worse. Yesterday, even with a six-month belly, the young master still hit her.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in the maid’s eyes — evidence of how badly Qin Fu had been treated.

Qin Fu frowned. “He didn’t hit me. You’re exaggerating.”

She looked at Wen Ruyu’s expression and quickly added, “He just bumped into me by accident. Nothing serious. This girl tends to exaggerate.”

Seeing her embarrassment, Wen Ruyu didn’t push further to avoid making her feel worse.

Noticing how thin she had become, Wen Ruyu asked what she liked to eat so she could send some food over later.

Qin Fu replied, “I’m not picky. Lately, I’ve been craving fish, and the household prepares it often.”

Wen Ruyu nodded.

It seemed the Xu family didn’t lack in material support. What was missing was emotional care — perhaps even signs of physical abuse.

They chatted for a bit, and then the wedding ceremony began.

As the matriarch, Wen Ruyu had to receive the couple’s formal bows.

After much bustling, the newlyweds completed the rites.

The Lu household was more lively than New Year’s. The courtyard and newly built garden were filled with banquet tables.

Worried about Qin Fu’s condition, Wen Ruyu had her seated in a quieter area and ordered servants to tend to her carefully.

Qin Fu didn’t stay long due to her condition and appetite restrictions. She soon left.

Before leaving, she held Wen Ruyu’s hand and said, “With my condition, I can’t move around much. Please ask Sister-in-law to visit me often.”

Wen Ruyu nodded and saw her off with care.

Back at the banquet, Lu Ke was being toasted endlessly — flushed red from the wine but grinning ear to ear.

Wen Ruyu, fearing he’d be too drunk to consummate the marriage, had his brothers help block some of the toasts.

After much revelry, he was finally sent to the bridal chamber.

The next morning, when Wen Ruyu rose early to receive the couple’s tea, the house was still a mess from the celebration.

Lu Ke was clearly in high spirits, smiling as he served tea.

Lin Xiaoyin looked slightly nervous.

After sipping the tea, Wen Ruyu reassured her, “Our family doesn’t have many strict rules. If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to come every day to pay respects. Just drop by after meals when you’re free. We’re family now. If the third son ever bullies you, just come to me — I’ll stand up for you.”

Lin Xiaoyin finally relaxed a little and smiled. “Yes, Grandmother.”

As her mother had said, Lu Ke’s grandmother was a kind and reasonable mother-in-law.

“The new garden is ready. I’ll be moving there next month with Mingzhu. After that, the courtyard allocations will change, and we’ll have more household affairs to handle. Since you two just married, take this month to rest.”

Lin Xiaoyin replied obediently, “Yes.”

“Thank you, Grandmother,” Lu Ke added. He’d already forgotten the earlier beating from Wen Ruyu, having now married Lin Xiaoyin.

After receiving their tea, Wen Ruyu instructed them, “You should also visit your birth mother. I don’t need you here.”

Though Concubine Qian was just a concubine, she was still Lu Ke’s biological mother, and etiquette required a visit.

Only then did the couple leave.

After sending them off, Qingluan and Hongyu came to bid farewell — they were leaving that day.

Wen Ruyu had already tried to persuade them to stay earlier. Seeing they were firm in their decision, she didn’t press further.

As mentors to Lu Bainian and Lu Mingzhu, Wen Ruyu wanted to host a farewell banquet.

But they declined politely, saying there was no need for the trouble.

Seeing their distaste for grand gatherings, Wen Ruyu dropped the idea.

Before leaving, however, the two ladies said:

“Old Madam, may we speak to you in private?”

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