Chapter 142

Lu Wensheng arrived to take Lu Huai back to their residence.

Since Father Wen was absent, Lu Wensheng first paid his respects to Madam Li, apologizing repeatedly for the intrusion during the festive season and mentioning that Xiaoqi had been troubling their household. He had always been a person of refined grace, as radiant as the moon. Even as the younger brother of Empress Lu, his own elegance and charm remained undiminished.

Madam Li smiled and said, “Xiaoqi and Nian’er are together. I’ll have someone call them over.”

At this moment, Zhou Yanli stood up and said, “Uncle, please wait. I’ll go to the inner courtyard to fetch Xiaoqi.”

Calling Lu Wensheng “Uncle” emphasized the elder’s high status in the family hierarchy. By mentioning his trip to the inner courtyard, Zhou Yanli subtly highlighted his closeness with Nianxi.

Lu Wensheng acknowledged with a polite nod, appearing not to notice the implied undertone in Zhou Yanli’s words. His demeanor remained calm and gentle, exuding an understated elegance.

Madam Li sighed to herself, realizing that Yanli was still a bit too young.

When Nianxi appeared, she was dressed in a casual yet exquisite Haitianxia ruqun. Her complexion was as delicate as jade, and her freshness was akin to the tender sprouts of a newly grown narcissus. She held the hand of a chubby little boy wrapped snugly in layers. As she lifted the curtain, he called out— “Father!”

Lu Wensheng shifted his gaze from Nianxi, responding warmly, “It’s Little New Year today. We should return home a little earlier.”

Zhou Yanli followed behind. Although Nianxi may not have noticed, Zhou Yanli caught the look in Lu Wensheng’s eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

Lu Huai let go of Nianxi’s hand and, with proper decorum, bowed to Madam Li. “Madam, my father and I will be returning home now. We’ve intruded for too long. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Elderly women could never help but love Lu Xiaoqi, and Madam Li was no exception. Her smile grew even more gentle and affectionate. “If you’d like to visit, you’re welcome anytime.”

Lu Huai obediently replied, “As you command!”

Nianxi personally escorted the father and son out of the residence.

In the corridor, she held Xiaoqi’s hand as she followed behind him. The air carried a faint scent of spring hidden in the snow, a fragrance that lingered faintly from his sleeves.

Since the Empress’s birthday banquet, Nianxi hadn’t formally thanked Lu Wensheng. Back then, he had helped her out of a difficult situation—it was an act of kindness and compassion.

When they reached the carriage, Lu Huai, being quick-witted, climbed up first. The curtain closed, leaving only Nianxi and Lu Wensheng standing beside the carriage. He stood tall and steady, and when he lowered his eyes to look at her, his gaze was particularly profound. At that moment, his eyes held a hint of a smile, concealing all his thoughts, leaving only a warm and gentle concern.

“It’s getting late, and it’s cold outside. Head back inside,” he said.

Nianxi bowed respectfully to him. “I want to thank you, my lord, for helping me out the other day.”

Often, words are the most hollow form of expression. For a maiden of marriageable age, to extend gratitude to a man of high status and power—even one extra word could be overstepping bounds.

Nianxi’s gratitude was entirely genuine.

From Lu Wensheng’s perspective, the girl before him had a small, delicate face, round and bright almond eyes, and dark, glistening pupils. She looked like a young creature needing protection under one’s wings, shielded from the wind and rain.

“Nianxi, I really didn’t do much to help you.” He paused briefly and then added, “On the contrary, you’ve endured many grievances. It’s I who should apologize to you.”

Nianxi was momentarily stunned by his words.

After saying this, Lu Wensheng took two steps back, not giving Nianxi a chance to respond, and allowed the attendant to help him into the carriage.

At this moment, Lu Huai lifted the carriage curtain and waved goodbye to Nianxi.

The carriage began to move. After traveling a short distance, Lu Wensheng looked back and saw Nianxi’s slender figure still standing under the corridor. He continued to watch her until the carriage turned into another alley, then finally lowered the curtain.

…

Pei Jian also witnessed the earlier scene.

Lu Wensheng and Nianxi stood at the door, speaking very closely. He couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Even after the carriage had gone far and Nianxi had yet to return indoors, this would have been the perfect opportunity for him to approach her.

Yet, he felt hesitant, unsure, and didn’t dare step forward.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but miss the person he was when he had just been reborn. Back then, he would have confronted her without hesitation, venting his anger furiously. Like a madman, he would analyze the pros and cons with her and force her to let go. But now, even asking a question had become difficult. He was cowardly and timid, afraid of hearing an answer.

As he was about to leave, Nianxi noticed Pei Jian in the distance. He was dressed in a sky-blue brocade robe, with a jade crown tied on his head, giving him a refined and handsome appearance. However, his complexion wasn’t great, and he looked weaker than usual. He seemed lost in thought and didn’t realize she was watching him.

Nianxi didn’t want to disturb him either, so she turned on her own and prepared to head back.

“Nianxi—” Pei Jian suddenly called out, stopping her. He walked toward her, forcing a smile, his voice raspier than usual: “Nianxi, back then, were you afraid?”

What should he ask? It was always when he wasn’t there that he failed to protect her. All the words lodged in his throat eventually turned into a simple, ordinary expression of concern.

When facing King Jing, were you afraid?

Nianxi nodded and then shook her head. “I’m not afraid anymore.”

Pei Jian was taken aback.

A long time ago, when Pei Jian had just started his official career, he often worked all day without eating, which gradually led to stomach problems. Sometimes, when his stomach acted up, he would collapse right from his desk. Nianxi learned that there was a famous doctor in a small town outside the city who was highly skilled in treating digestive ailments. She went out of her way to seek medicine for him. However, her carriage broke down halfway, and for his sake, she walked all the way to the town and brought back the medicine.

He went to the town to fetch her. Worried and anxious, he traveled through a stretch of sparsely populated road from the city to the town. Although he wanted to scold her, his heart softened the moment he saw her. With a hoarse voice, he could only ask gently, “Were you scared back then?”

Nianxi, as she is now, first nodded and then shook her head, saying, “I’m not scared anymore.”

At that time, in the humble inn of the small town, he held her on his lap, hugged her tightly, and said seriously, “Don’t ever do something so foolish again.”

Nianxi obediently leaned against his chest, stretched out her soft arms to embrace him, and murmured in a low voice to comfort him, “Husband, you don’t need to be afraid either. I will care for you and cherish you, compensating for both the love from your departed mother and father.”

Qin Lang and the others never understood what he loved about Nianxi. They didn’t know what he and Nianxi had been through together. Nor did they know how deeply he had failed such a sincere heart.

“You and Lu Wensheng… Nianxi, do you like him?”