Chapter 98

“Xiaoqi…” Jiang Yuan was stunned by the aura of this little man. It took her half a day to recover her senses. “Why are you here?”

On the second day of her marriage to Han Gaojie, she entered the palace to express her gratitude. In Empress Lu’s Changle Palace, she was left with an unforgettable impression of Lu Huai.

That day, Empress Lu had also invited Miss Shu from the Left Censorate Mansion into the palace to enjoy the chrysanthemums.

Lu Huai somehow conjured up a snake and, with an innocent expression, waved to Miss Shu. “Sister Shu, I have something interesting to show you.”

In terms of appearance, Lu Huai was very charming and endearing. His complexion was fair, and he was as beautiful as a young boy serving under the Goddess of Mercy, possessing an overwhelming allure.

Miss Shu, unsuspecting, leaned closer to take a look. Suddenly, the hall echoed with Miss Shu’s screams.

Genuine screams.

Jiang Yuan witnessed a small green snake coiled around Miss Shu’s right arm. Miss Shu was terrified, completely forgetting her manners. She screamed and jumped around, startling everyone in the hall.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoqi stood to the side with a face full of grievance. “I thought Sister Shu would like my little green friend.”

At first, Jiang Yuan watched the spectacle unfold with amusement. But to her dismay, Miss Shu, in her panic, flung the snake away—only for it to land on Jiang Yuan herself!

The one screaming had become her.

Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t as lucky as Miss Shu. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t shake the snake off. In the end, it was a bold little eunuch who finally removed the snake from her back.

That night, Jiang Yuan had nightmares the entire night.

Yet, Han Gaojie, that man, showed no understanding of her suffering and even blamed her for losing her composure in front of the Empress. No one understood more deeply than Jiang Yuan just how twisted and terrifying Lu Huai was beneath his smiling face. So, upon seeing him, she couldn’t help but start trembling uncontrollably, especially now that she was pregnant. She absolutely couldn’t afford to be tormented by Lu Huai.

“I thought you were some family’s aunt, but it turns out it’s you,” Lu Huai tilted his head, his innocent face full of curiosity. “Who were you just stopping from leaving? My Sister Wen?”

“No, no, it’s not.”

Since marrying into the Princess Residence, Jiang Yuan had learned her lesson many times and no longer acted impulsively like a sheltered maiden. She shook her head repeatedly. “It’s me. I’m leaving. Just saying goodbye to your Sister Wen.”

Lu Huai grinned mischievously. “What a pity I didn’t bring Little Green along. It likes you the most, Cousin. Next time, I’ll bring it to see you.”

Just the thought of that cold, slippery thing crawling on her sent Jiang Yuan into a panic, scaring her out of her wits. She didn’t care about appearances anymore and hurriedly slid her way out the door. “No, no need! I’ll leave now and won’t ever come back.”

The group of young ladies she had brought with her also followed closely behind, leaving in embarrassment.

As the saying goes, a wicked person has their own way of being dealt with.

Nianxi gave Lu Huai a thumbs up, praising him, “Impressive.”

Hero Lu humbly nodded. “Not at all, not at all.”

“Who’s Little Green?” Wang Muyi was the most curious about this. Jiang Yuan was nearly scared to death just now.

“It’s a little green snake I raise. It’s adorable. Do you want to play with it?”

Wang Muyi immediately shivered. She feared those boneless, creepy creatures the most. “No need.”

Lu Huai, still a child, showed a bit of smugness and asked Nianxi, “Are you afraid?”

Most young ladies would be terrified of such things. However, this little rascal couldn’t be humored; he needed to be put in his place. So Nianxi, without changing her expression, said, “How old is Little Green? What species is it? What does it eat daily?”

This question stumped Hero Lu. He didn’t actually love raising the snake; he only kept it to scare off the young ladies with ambitions of becoming his stepmother. Who would know a snake’s age or hobbies?

Somewhat doubtful, he asked, “You’re really not afraid?”

This time, Nianxi went along with him. “A little bit.”

At that moment, Lu Huai was even more convinced that Nianxi was “one of his people.” He still remembered how, when his father dragged him to confront her earlier, Nianxi had not betrayed him. Lu Huai always kept this favor in mind.

Nianxi glanced behind him. “Why are you out here alone again?”

“I have been ordered to leave the palace,” declared Lu Huai proudly.

Nianxi, of course, didn’t believe him, but seeing that he had attendants with him, she let go of her doubts.

Since Lu Huai had just helped her, Nianxi asked, “What do you feel like having today?”

“Almond custard, sandalwood-flavored water, osmanthus syrup water, rose pastries, cloud cakes…”

Hearing this, Wang Muyi laughed, “You certainly know how to order, but can you finish all that?”

“If not, I’ll pack it to go.”

A few days ago, the Empress had heard from the Old Madam that he had upset his stomach, so she had specifically summoned him to the palace to scold him, forbidding him from risking his health again. However, the Empress also reassured him that she would never allow someone like Miss Shu, with improper intentions, to become his stepmother.

Lu Huai knew better than anyone that the Empress cared for him. So today, he came to Fusheng Banzhan to buy some treats he enjoyed and bring them to honor the Empress. But these were his personal matters, and Lu Huai was unwilling to elaborate. He changed the subject, “Last time I came here, it was bustling with guests. Why is it so quiet today?”

Nianxi calmly replied, “Maybe it’s because of the cold weather, and no one wants to go out.”

Lu Huai’s eyes gleamed as he thumped his little chest dramatically. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this!”

Brimming with confidence, Little Hero Lu spoke with grandeur. Nianxi didn’t believe that a child like him could come up with a solution, but she humored him with a few words of praise.

“I think you’re quite impressive.” While waiting for the tea and snacks, Lu Huai patted Nianxi on the arm. Being so short, that was as far as he could reach. “Why don’t we form a bond? From now on, if anyone dares bully you, just invoke the name of your Seventh Brother. How does that sound?”

Actually, Gu Ci had been gone for quite a while, and Nianxi always thought she had adjusted well. She continued to live seriously, but occasionally—just occasionally—she would unintentionally lift her head and look out the window. However, the tall and elegant figure that used to stand at the street corner, smiling and waving to her, would never appear again. Her family and sisters cared deeply for her, including Pei Jian, who was nervously worried about her feeling sad. But now, Nianxi had matured enough; she was no longer the young girl who would be distressed and sorrowful because of a single sentence from Xu Wanxin. Love and relationships were a part of her life, but not her entirety.

It wasn’t until this moment that Xiaoqi’s innocent words amused her, and she suddenly realized she hadn’t been truly happy in the past few days. The carefully constructed façade almost fooled even herself.

“Alright,” Nianxi responded cheerfully. “How do we swear an oath of brotherhood? With a blood pledge?”

“No, no need for that.” Lu Huai, delighted to be treated as an adult, became more enthusiastic. “When there are outsiders, I’ll call you Sister Wen. When it’s just us, you can call me Brother Qi.”

Nianxi, holding back a laugh, agreed.

On her way back home, her mood had already improved significantly. Her father and brothers were at home. During this recent period, her family had been trying different ways to accompany her. Even Father Wen no longer went out for social engagements. Every day, the family of four would sit down together for meals.

This capital city, while vast, was not that big. Back when Nianxi and Gu Ci were close, many people noticed it. There were also many, like Jiang Yuan, who openly or secretly slandered Nianxi.

These rumors, the family was only afraid they would reach Nianxi’s ears and make her even more heartbroken, so they had been extra cautious with her these past few days.

That day, however, the atmosphere at home was relaxed. From the veranda came the sound of laughter.

As Nianxi walked inside, she saw a young boy dressed in a silver-gray robe sitting properly in the hall. With refined eyebrows and ink-black eyes, his expression was captivating and full of charm, like snow and jade from the mountains—graceful and radiant. He seemed like a natural work of art, surrounded by a soft glow.

The boy’s delicate features appeared even more strikingly beautiful when he saw her. “Sister, it’s been more than half a year since we last met. Don’t you recognize me?” he said.