Chapter 13 – Farewell

Wen Hui put the vase on the kang bed. It was beautiful no matter how she looked at it.

Jin Zhen and Yin Si were talking in the room. After a while, Jin Zhen exclaimed, “It’s decided?” Then, she happily chanted, “Amitabha, Amitabha.” Of course, Yin Si told her about what happened in the inner hall.

After chanting, Jin Zhen hurriedly got up, lifted the curtain, and poked her head in, saying, “Don’t roll around on the kang bed and wrinkle your clothes! If it’s decided, they’ll probably call you over later.”

Wen Hui blushed and said, “I know.” Madam Wen had told her what to say and do a few days ago, and she remembered it all.

Jin Zhen smiled and let the curtain fall.

Wen Hui listened to the two maids talking in the next room.

Jin Zhen said, “I’m not going with Miss, are you?”

Yin Si said, “How would I know? It’s up to Master and Madam Wen.”

Both Jin Zhen and Yin Xian were older than Wen Hui. Jin Zhen was older and had already been promised to a military family in the fortress, preparing to marry in a year.

Yin Xian was at the right age, and Madam Wen’s arrangements determined whether she would accompany Wen Hui or stay married.

Jin Zhen said, “We should have some new people in our household…”

Halfway through her words, she shut her mouth again. The Wen family had been a little tight on money in the past two years. Although there was no explicit frugality, the servants were aware of it. But this wasn’t something they could or should worry about.

The maids’ voices were faint and couldn’t reach Wen Hui’s ears.

She leaned on the kang bed and looked at the plum branches with her face in her hands, recalling Lu Rui asking her, “Do you think it’s beautiful?” At that time, he had a smile on his face. So this was the reason.

Wen Hui felt her cheeks heat up again. Not just her cheeks, but the warmth spread to her ears, neck, and heart.

She covered her hot cheeks and looked at the thin plum branches that emitted a faint fragrance. She bit her lips and smiled silently.

Sure enough, after a stick of incense, Huang Mama came to call her personally.

Jin Zhen and Yin Si helped smooth her clothes and repeatedly reminded her, “Don’t panic!”

It was better not to mention it, but mentioning it made her nervous. She only calmed down after walking with Huang Mama for a while. Obediently and quietly, like a real lady described in books, she entered the inner hall to meet the marriage that fate had arranged for her.

Lord Lu had already found someone to check their birth charts and there was no issue at all. Madam Lu delayed it for two or three days, but since she could not get her son’s support and was unable to go against her husband’s orders, she reluctantly formalized the marriage with the Wen family.

Wen Baihu’s guess was right, there was indeed a betrothal gift in Madam Lu’s chest.

However, Madam Lu explained, “This was all so rushed. we may not complete everything before the new year. We can only proceed with a preliminary engagement for now.”

The preliminary engagement is the promise, while the formal engagement is the commitment.

Originally, as Master Lu intended, Lady Lu was supposed to bring Lu Rui along, and both families would meet, finalizing both stages before the new year.

But due to the Wen family claiming they needed time to prepare for an elder’s memorial service, things were delayed until the year’s end, leaving only enough time for the preliminary engagement.

The Wen family knew that they were in the wrong, they responded with polite smiles, “No problem at all. We’ll have more time to prepare next year.”

Madam Lu sighed.

The Wen family only assumed she sighed about the tight schedule, but in truth, she regretted that, after rejecting so many noble daughters, her son was marrying the daughter of a mere Baihu.

The Wen family accepted the preliminary betrothal gift and summoned Wen Hui, whom Lady Lu personally put on a hairpin on Wen Hui’s hair.

The hairpin was adorned with a pearl the size of a lotus seed, bright and radiant, bringing a glow to Wen Hui’s face. Shy, the girl lowered her head, her usual playfulness now softened into a demure sweetness that surprised everyone.

Madam Lu consoled herself, ‘At least she was born beautiful. In the future, her child will also be good-looking.’

Thus, Wen Hui of the Wen family was officially betrothed to Lu Jiayan of the Lu family in Yuhang.

This was Wen Hui’s second engagement, and for the first time, she understood shyness. Over the next few days, she hid away, avoiding everyone.

Madam Yang even came over to tease her, “I hear someone has grown elegant, even nurturing plum branches. I just came to check if my big vase is still safe.”

Wen Hui was embarrassed and retorted, “If it’s broken, I’ll compensate you!”

Madam Yang scoffed, “You still dare to say that? Where are the shoes you promised? I haven’t seen a pair until now.”

Wen Hui snorted, “I’ve been busy. I’ll make them for you once the guests leave.”

Madam Yang laughed, “There are no guests. I only saw our family.”

Embarrassed, Wen Hui threw herself on the bed, pulled a pillow over her head, and said,, “I won’t talk to you anymore!”

Madam Yang hurriedly pulled the pillow away, “Don’t mess up your hair! It’s not good to see people. “

Wen Hui closed her eyes, “I’m not seeing anyone.”

She was acting just like the plump, spoiled child she had been in her younger years.

Yang Shi had watched her grow up, from a chubby little girl to a graceful young lady and would be married off in two years. Wen Hui was not like her, whose house was in another hundred households nearby and could go back and forth easily by horse. After Wen Hui got married in the future, she did not know when she would be able to see Wen Hui again. This thought softened Yang Shi’s heart, and she gently nudged her, saying, “What if your future mother-in-law called for you, would you ignore her too?”

Wen Hui snorted, “The engagement was only just made. Why would Madam Lu call me for no reason? She’s from a scholarly family and knows proper manners.”

Madam Yang could not stop laughing and poked her forehead, “You’re not even married yet, you’re already taking their side.”

Madam Yang leaned in and whispered, “Your future mother-in-law doesn’t need to see you. It’s just that they’re leaving tomorrow. Mother thought it was best to find an opportunity to meet Young Master Lu. Lord Lu is posted in Jiangzhou and Young Master Lu studies in Yuhang. Both places are far away, so there won’t be many opportunities. It’s better to get to know each other while they’re still around than to meet as strangers later.”

Wen Hui sat up with a wide eye, “Isn’t that improper?!”

Madam Yang was amused and hit her on the head, “It’s nothing improper! The engagement is public knowledge now!” She scolded her, “You’re too straightforward!”

Madam Yang was worried when this simple-minded girl married far away her maternal family would not be able to support her if anything happened. She did not know if Wen Hui could handle it on her own.

Wen Hui protected her hair, and pouted “First you say one thing, then you say another. I don’t know what’s right anymore.”

Even so, though she avoided seeing anyone for two days and took her meals in her room, she couldn’t avoid bidding farewell the next day. In the end, she still met him.

The snow that had just melted, began to fall again. Madam Yang sent someone to call Wen Hui, “Young Miss, please attend to Madam Lu and Young Master Lu’s farewell dinner.”

Accompanied by Yin Xian, Wen Hui set out. Along the way, she spotted Lu Rui, wrapped in a cloak and holding a hand warmer as he stood in the corridor admiring the snow. Occasionally, the wind would blow, and the fine snowflakes swirled around. The silver light sparkled, making him look like a celestial being.

Wen Hui stopped in her tracks and watched him. Lu Rui suddenly turned his head and smiled brightly, “Miss Hui.”

The painting seemed to come to life.

Wen Hui stepped forward into the painting, “Brother Jiayan.”

Lu Rui smiled, “Just call me Jiayan.”

Lu Rui was always capable of making Wen Hui blush with just one sentence.

He looked calm and composed, yet Wen Hui was sure he was a bit mischievous underneath. How could someone so proper always manage to make her heart race?

However, Wen Hui could not resist his expectant gaze. That smile-filled look left her no place to hide. Finally, Wen Hui softly called out, “Jiayan.”

As soon as she said that, Wen Hui suddenly felt as if she had shed her shell and finally grown up. The familiar sky, earth, and people she saw every day all felt somehow different.

Lu Rui looked at the graceful young lady in front of him and smiled with satisfaction. He handed her his hand warmer, “Why didn’t you bring a warmer? Take it.”

Wen Hui smiled, “I’m not cold.” She pushed it back.

Lu Rui looked at her closely. She indeed didn’t seem affected by the cold, and he couldn’t help but think how northern girls were different from southern ones. He asked, “Why did you come here so early? We’re still packing up in the courtyard, and my mother is talking to uncle and aunt in the main hall. I was planning to head over in a bit.”

Hearing this, Wen Hui immediately knew this was Madam Yang’s doing. Madam Yang must have found out that Lu Rui was admiring the snow in the courtyard, Madam Lu was in the main hall, and the servants were busy. It was the perfect chance for the two of them to meet.

She asked, “Are you leaving right after this?”

“Yes.” Lu Rui replied, “It was rude of us to leave in such a hurry. But we need to be back in time for the new year. Time is a little tight.”

The one who put the Lu family in a time tight was Wen Hui herself.

She did not regret the trip to Changsha Prefecture, but she felt guilty for all the trouble it caused Lu Rui. She said softly, “Then be careful on the road. It’s the end of the year, it’s not the safest time to travel…”

As the saying goes, rich or poor, everyone goes home for New Year. Wen Hui had heard her father and brothers mention the frequent robberies near year-end. Lady Lu and Lu Rui seemed refined and delicate, and she couldn’t help but worry.

“Uncle and eldest brother will personally send us to the port in Jinan, so don’t worry,”

After Lu Rui finished speaking, he saw Wen Hui’s eyes sparkle, clearly showing, “I want to go too.” Lu Rui found her expression amusing.

Wen Hui indeed wanted to go along.

Though a girl, she’d inherited her mother’s physique. Madam Wen had long sighed that among her children, Yue Ya’er was the most suitable to practice martial arts. Though young, she was already skilled enough to beat grown soldiers in sparring. She loved to run and play and had nerves of steel.

However, Madam Lu and Lu Rui were her future mother-in-law and fiancé, so she could only think about it and honestly, “That’s good. Stay safe on the road.”

Lu Rui almost laughed but held back. After parting today, he did not know when they would see each other again. She looked lovely in the snow. If he teased her into running off embarrassed, that would truly be a pity.

He lowered his head slightly and pressed his fist against his nose to hold back his amusement. He asked seriously, “What do you usually do at home?”

Since Lu Rui and his mother arrived, although Wen Hui had seen him a few times, they only had one brief conversation alone. Now, thanks to Madam Yang, they had another chance to chat privately.

With Lu Rui standing there, handsome as jade against the snowy backdrop, Wen Hui forgot her mother’s rehearsed answers about “needlework and assisting her sister-in-law with household matters.” Instead, she told the truth. “Every day, I practice in the morning and evening, go horseback riding, and, when we have free time, Father and Mother take us hunting…”

Lu Rui was surprised, “Auntie goes hunting too?”

Realizing she hadn’t followed her mother’s instructions, Wen Hui thought it too late to cover up. Besides, she never liked the pretenses her mother taught her anyway. So she went on, “In our family, my mother’s kung fu is the best.”

Lu Rui: “Eh?”

To see such a polished gentleman like Lu Rui show such wide-eyed shock was amusing.

Wen Hui no longer pretended to be a lady. She felt completely at ease. The nerves she usually felt around Lu Rui vanished. She laughed, “It’s true. My mother’s from the Zhen family of Tingkou, known for their spear skills. She’s amazing with her silver spear. My father also learned the Zhen family spear techniques from her.”

Lu Rui asked, “You said you practice morning and evening. is that kung fu too?”

“Yes.” Wen Hui said, “Brothers and I all learn from my mother.”

Lu Rui thought to himself that his mother hadn’t been entirely misleading; Wen Hui truly was well-versed in martial arts.

Wen Hui had been practicing kung fu since she was young and never thought anything of it. Yet her mother’s strict instructions to avoid mentioning it had dampened her spirits. After days of pretending, Wen Hui now felt a surge of pride as she shared her real life with Lu Rui. She thought if he enjoyed listening, she’d tell him more. There was so much to say about it, she could go on for days.

However, Lu Rui’s interest was limited.

He liked her graceful demeanor and her bright, expressive eyes. However, he was not very interested in her ability in martial arts. Though not disapproving like his mother, he couldn’t say he liked it either.

After all, he was a scholar at heart, believing in the supremacy of literary pursuits.

He could calmly accept his father-in-law and brothers-in-law were martial men since their careers were in military posts. He could also laugh when he heard his mother-in-law was highly skilled in martial arts. It sounded like an anecdote from other people, and it was quite amusing.

But only Wen Hui, his future wife, the person who was going to be his equal and spend the rest of his life with him, had different expectations from him.

With a gentle smile, he asked, “What kind of books do you usually read?”

Wen Hui froze slightly.