After lunch, the reluctant Ling Jingshu, after all, had to lead the Lu family brothers to Peony Garden.

Madam Ling watched the youngsters go away, with a smile in her eyes: “Sister Shu is really beautiful and outstanding, much better than me back then.”

Lu Hong was a young man who met a beautiful girl with a beautiful face like Ling Jingshu. No wonder he was moved… 

The old lady Ling was so shrewd, she had already seen some clues and laughed softly: “From what I see, Ah Hong seems to be particularly fond of Sister Shu. Take care.” 

The mother and daughter talked together, and there was nothing to hide.

Madam Ling’s eyes flashed, and she said with a smile: “If Ah Hong has the heart, he will come and tell me. It would be a good thing if he can get closer.”

With the status of the Lu family, if Ling Jingshu marries into the Lu family, it was really a good marriage for the parents and grandchildren.

Old Lady Ling thought for a moment and said: “The marriage of children is a life-long matter. You can’t decide on this matter alone. When my son-in-law comes, you can discuss it with him in private.”

Madam Ling nodded with a smile.

When mentioning the son-in-law, Old Madam Ling inevitably babbled a few words: “Ah Hui, you have been married to Lu’s family for so many years and have never been back. Every year when you send home letters, you always choose nice and pleasant words. I don’t worry about it, and there is nothing else. Now there are only two of us, mother and daughter, so don’t hide it. How does my son-in-law treat you?”

Madam Ling’s smile paused, and there was a bit of bitterness in her tone: “Master is the patriarch of the Lu family. There are a lot of affairs in the house. After serving as the governor of Jizhou, there are more entertainment and less time to come back to the inner house. Moreover, the master also has many concubines, so naturally, doesn’t come to my room on normal days…”

Words although it was euphemistic, how could Old Lady Ling fail to understand the meaning?

The Old Lady Ling quickly darkened her face and said through gritted teeth: “This Lu An was sincere when he proposed to marry you that day. Why did he treat you like this when he returned home after marrying you?”

Ling’s smiled wryly, and her voice became more and more obscure: “In the end, it’s my fault, no one else’s fault.” 

Back then, Lu An came to Dingzhou because of a business and came to pay a visit to Ling’s house. When she saw him, she fell in love with Lu An secretly. Later, when the Lu family came to propose marriage, Old Lady Ling thought that the Lu family was too far away and wanted to reject the marriage, but she insisted on marrying Lu An. Old Madam Ling couldn’t hold her back, so she nodded and accepted the marriage.

When they were newly married, she and Lu Ann also had a sweet love for several years. As time passed, Lu An’s greedy and lustful nature was revealed. Concubines were brought into the mansion one after another, and there were countless dramas in official circles.

Madam Ling was not yet thirty, but she had long since become a thing of the past and was neglected.

This time, Lu An came to Dingzhou to celebrate his mother-in-law’s birthday, it was because of his brother-in-law who worked in the Ministry of Industry.

Madam Ling was too ashamed to say the last sentence. Pulling herself together, she smiled and said, “Mother, you don’t have to worry about me. No matter what, I am the main wife married through a matchmaker. Those Yingying and Yanyan^[1]concubines and bedmates of husband in the mansion are just for fun, so don’t worry about it at all.”

Old Lady Ling looked at the daughter with a strong smile, distressed and angry, and her voice was slightly choked: “Ah Hui, I have really suffered for you all these years. I hate that Dingzhou is too far away from Jizhou. Mother wants to go to Lu’s house to become your backup, but this old bone can’t stand up to all the troubles. This time when my son-in-law comes to the door, even if I have to give up my old face, I have to ask clearly…” 

Before the words were finished, Ling’s face turned pale. It was already dark, and quickly interrupted the old lady Ling: “Mother, don’t worry about these things.” 

The old lady Ling was choked, and her face was a little ugly: “Are you afraid that if I say these things, Lu An will not be happy?” 

Madam Ling’s awe and fear towards Lu An were evident.

Madam Ling didn’t say a word, it was a tacit agreement.

Old Lady Ling was filled with anger, and said bitterly: “Are you going to live your life like this? There are so many Yingying and Yanyan around him. If they are favored and give birth to a son and daughter, you will not be happy. Won’t life be more difficult then?”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” A trace of bitterness flashed in Ling’s eyes: “I am the wife of the head of the Lu family, and no one can surpass me. Those concubines just want to have a son and a daughter, It also depends on whether they have that blessing.” 

The words were sinister, savoring them carefully, which made people feel chills.

Lu An had only two sons, Lu Hong, and Lu Qian, and the rest of the concubines have also been pregnant before, but most of them miscarried due to various “accidents” within a few months. Some lucky ones gave birth to children, but they also died young. There were only two shu daughters who were growing up safely. Naturally, they were not a threat to Madam Ling who had a son.

After hearing these words, Madam Ling felt relieved: “It’s good that you know the seriousness.”

As long as you can’t have a son, it doesn’t matter if you have more concubines.

“This time when I came back to my natal home, I only brought Ah Hong and Ah Qian back. The two shu daughters are not yet ten years old, so I didn’t bring them with me because of the long distance. The master didn’t say anything.” Ling’s expression returned to normal. She smiled lightly: “In the master’s heart, Ah Hong and Ah Qian are much heavier than those two shu daughters.”

Old Lady Ling frowned. Her brows relaxed, and there was a smile on her face again: “I’m relieved if you can figure it out.” 

After a pause, she urged: “Lu An is in his prime, and he is indiscreet about sex. It’s a matter of method. However, you can’t let it go. Pick some beautiful and reliable maids from around you to open your face^[2]it means that people will think better of her and send them to him. Even if they are favored, they can be your help.”

Ling nodded: “I can handle these little things, Mother doesn’t have to worry about me.”

How could it be possible not to worry?

Old Madam Ling sighed secretly. She had just one daughter who was brought up holding her like a jewel in her palm. After being married to the Lu family for so many years, life was so unsatisfactory!

Originally, it was just a joke about Lu Hong and Ling Jingshu, but now that she thought about it if Ling Jingshu can marry into Lu’s family, she can also help Madam Ling a little bit. It was a good thing that can kill two birds with one stone.

…

Ling Jingshu took Ling Xiao’s hand and entered the peony garden.

Four gazes fell on her back, which made her feel like thorns were being pricked on her back.

Ling Jingshu frowned invisibly, and a trace of strangeness and vigilance suddenly surged in her heart.

Lu Hong still fell in love with her at first sight just like in his previous life and paid attention to her everywhere… She was disgusted in her heart, but she didn’t think it was strange. But Lu Qian’s hospitality towards her was a bit abnormal.

Even if Lu Qian had strange thoughts about her, it should be a few years later. The current Lu Qian was just a twelve-year-old boy. He was not as tall as her, and he was still a child in her eyes…

A vague idea flashed through her mind, and before she had time to think about it, she was greeted by Lu Qian’s slightly excited voice Interrupted: “Shu tángjiě, this peony has green buds, will the peony that blooms also be green?”

Compared to Lu Qian’s joyful surprise, Ling Jingshu seemed less interested, and responded casually: ” This peony is called Bean Green, and the flowers it blooms are indeed rare green.”

There were many varieties of peonies in different colors. The green peony was undoubtedly a rare treasure.

Lu Qian didn’t mind Ling Jingshu’s indifference at all and smiled happily: “The peony flowering period is coming soon. My Mother said that I will live in Dingzhou for a few months before leaving. It seems that I can feast my eyes.”

Pointing to another peony, he asked, “Shu tángjiě, that one has blue buds. I don’t know what kind it is?”

“That one is called Lantian Jade.” Speaking of her favorite peony, Ling Jingshu’s face was filled with a smile. Her expression softened a bit, without the indifference of repelling others: “I cultivated it last year. When the flowers bloom, the red pistils and blue flowers that look very delicate.”

When looking at the peony she liked most, the corners of her eyes and the brows revealed a trace of tenderness.

Lu Qian looked at Ling Jingshu like this, and the joy and comfort in his heart almost overflowed from his chest. Just as he was about to say something, Lu Hong’s voice rang in his ears: Shu tángmei, the one with purple buds must be Gejinzi!”

Hearing Lu Hong’s voice, the smile in Ling Jingshu’s eyes instantly disappeared without a trace, and answered yes briefly.

Anyone who had eyes can see the disgust and impatience in Ling Jingshu’s eyes.

Lu Hong smiled for a while, feeling as if his heart was blocked by something, feeling extremely stuffy and uncomfortable.

What did he say or do wrong? Why does Shu tángmei hate him so much? She didn’t even want to cover up the slightest bit and just showed it so plainly on her face…

Ling Xiao couldn’t see Lu Hong’s sad expression clearly, and Lu Qian intentionally or unintentionally  also ignored Lu Hong’s ugly face, rushed to Ling Jingshu said with a smile: “Shu tángjiě can grow so many famous peonies, it’s really amazing.”

Ling Jingshu’s attitude towards Lu Qian was quite gentle, and she smiled lightly when she heard this: “That’s not amazing, but I have nothing to do and I like peonies, I just spent a little more thought.”

She hated everyone in the Lu family, and she hated Lu Qian to a lesser extent.

After marrying into Lu’s family that year, she and Lu Hong were very affectionate. She loved the house and Wu^[3]It means that since she loved her husband she loved anyone associated with him/his family., liked Lu Qian, her Xiǎoshū^[4]husband’s younger brother. Lu Qian was also very close to his Sǎozi^[5]elder brother’s wife.

At that time, she didn’t care too much.

In her eyes, he was just a lively, cute, and willful child.

She doesn’t know when he started to have unreasonable thoughts about her. Looking at her more and more earnestly, he would suddenly come to her room when Lu Hong was away, pestering her and talking nonsense, and refusing to leave.

When she sensed his thoughts, she was both shocked and ludicrous. She dared not tell others about this kind of thing, even in front of her husband. She secretly could only keep away from Lu Qian.

Lu Qian was weak since he was a child, and Madam Ling doted on him in every possible way. As long as it was what he wanted, even if it was a star in the sky, she would like to pick it up with her own hands. This also cultivated Lu Qian’s capricious temper, and he must get what he likes for himself.

This abnormal feeling that should not exist, not only did not become cold because of her alienation but became more intense.