Chapter 16

Leave the Lu family?

Shen Wei was stunned upon hearing these words. She had considered leaving the Lu family before. Every day and night since arriving in this world, she had thought about it… The Lu family’s large estate was not beyond her ability to manage; she had survived through many workplace battles with hidden enemies in her past life.

But now, she was truly tired.

If she could—

She would really like to leave the Lu family, leave Bianliang, and go to a place where no one knew her. There, she could just be Shen Wei, just be herself, not the lofty and distant wife of a Duke from the Rong Guo Gong’s estate.

Shen Wei believed that even if she left the Lu family, she would still live well.

She had gained many things, and surviving in this era was not difficult.

She could earn her own money, buy a house, buy maids, and live a leisurely life. If she ever got bored, she could ride in a carriage and travel around to see the sights. Since she had come to this era, she naturally wanted to explore what life was like in a time so different from the 21st century.

But if it meant going back to the Shen family after leaving the Lu family, she would rather stay at the Lu family.

At least in the Lu family, no one would question her identity. But if she went back to the Shen family, facing Shen Xifeng every day—no matter how skilled she was at pretending, she couldn’t be sure if she would slip up in front of him.

If one day—

Shen Xifeng found out she was not the original body’s soul, with his temperament, she feared he might kill her on the spot.

Thinking of this, Shen Wei hid the confusion on her face. She lowered her eyes and softly said, “Brother, I don’t want to leave the Lu family.” In fact, in the original book, Shen Xifeng had mentioned several times asking the original body to leave the Lu family, but each time it was rejected. The original body had once told Shen Xifeng, “I was born to the Lu family, and even if I die, I will be a ghost of the Lu family.”

“If I just leave the Lu family, what would others think of me?” Shen Wei paused slightly after speaking, then lifted her face to look at Shen Xifeng, followed by another sentence, “Brother, I won’t leave the Lu family.”

Shen Xifeng heard these words and opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but upon seeing Shen Wei’s expression, he finally kept his thoughts to himself. In fact, he had already guessed it—how could Sui Sui agree to leave the Lu family with her temperament? She loved Lu Buwei so much, she would probably still want to carry the title of “Lady Lu Buwei” even in death.

He sighed gently, his hand that had been resting on her head now ruffling her hair again. He then said in a soft voice, “Alright, I won’t force you. But whenever you change your mind, just come and tell your brother… Sui Sui, you are my only sister. I only wish for you to be happy.”

Shen Wei looked at Shen Xifeng’s gentleness, but her heart felt heavy.

Facing Shen Xifeng’s unguarded sincerity, she always felt like a thief. But in the end, she didn’t say anything, only nodding her head in acknowledgment of his words.

Seeing this, Shen Xifeng didn’t say anything further, and the two continued walking forward.

After a short while, a clear and joyful voice came from around the corner of the corridor, “Aunt!”

Shen Wei turned her head and saw a small child running toward them. The child appeared to be about five or six years old, with delicate features, and was the only son of Shen Xifeng and Chu Fuyun—Shen Chunting.

Shen Chunting ran very quickly, and within moments, he was standing in front of Shen Wei and Shen Xifeng. He reached out to take Shen Wei’s hand, tilting his head back slightly, and said, “Aunt, you haven’t come to see me for a long time.” Despite his young age, there was a spiritual aura in his expression, though his speech still carried a hint of childish playfulness, which made him look quite endearing.

Shen Wei, who liked children, felt even more affection for him when she saw his appearance.

She allowed Shen Chunting to hold her hand, then crouched down in front of him, placing one hand gently on his head and rubbing it softly. She spoke kindly, “Aunt was sick for a while, that’s why I couldn’t come to see you.”

As she spoke, her face smiled gently, her voice soft and warm.

Since the original body could not have children, she treated all the little ones in her family very well, especially her brother’s son. No one would think it strange for her to act this way.

Shen Chunting, upon hearing this, immediately showed a look of concern on his small face.

He reached out to touch Shen Wei’s forehead with a serious expression, as though he were a little adult. After noticing that Shen Wei’s forehead was not warm, he sighed in relief and then said, “Mother said this time of year is most likely to cause colds. Auntie must take care of herself, or I’ll be worried.”

When he said this, his small face was serious, and his tone was solemn, which made others smile. Even Shen Xifeng, who had been in a bad mood earlier, smiled when he saw the pair of them.

While they were talking, Chu Fuyun arrived.

She was walking slowly and turned the corner of the long corridor. As she saw the group ahead, a warm smile appeared on her face. As she approached, she overheard Shen Chunting’s remark, and her smile deepened. She half-teased him, saying, “So now you can talk about your aunt? In the past, when I told you not to open the window or move the blanket at night, why didn’t you listen?”

As soon as Chu Fuyun said this, Shen Chunting, who had been holding a serious face, suddenly turned red. He turned his head to look at Chu Fuyun and after a long pause, shyly called out, “Mother.”

Seeing this, Shen Wei couldn’t help but smile.

She took her hand off Shen Chunting’s head, straightened up, and greeted Chu Fuyun with a customary gesture, calling her, “Sister-in-law.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Fuyun smiled and returned the greeting. Then she gently said, “The weather outside is still cold. Your health isn’t well, so come inside quickly…” After a pause, she added, “Your brother knew you were coming today, so early this morning he had the servants prepare a lot of food, including your favorite hot pot. I had the kitchen stew it for several hours, so the soup is just right.”

The Shen family was not like the Lu family, who valued formalities. Shen Wei could tell that Chu Fuyun’s words were sincere, and a smile spread across her face. She responded with a smile, and they all walked into the house together.

—-

After lunch—

Shen Wei played with Shen Chunting for a while. Around the time of the afternoon, Mo Qi came in to tell her, “It’s time to leave.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Wei didn’t speak. She simply put down the puzzle in her hands. If not for the fear of Shen Xifeng discovering her true identity, she would have found staying at the Shen family quite comfortable. She liked everyone there, from Shen Chunting to Chu Fuyun, and even Shen Xifeng.

She had no siblings and had never experienced such familial warmth before.

But… some things were never hers to take, and from the beginning, she shouldn’t have been greedy.

Thinking this, Shen Wei subdued the turmoil in her heart. With Mo Qi’s help, she stood up and, addressing the group, said, “It’s cold outside, Brother, Sister-in-law, there’s no need to see me off.”

Shen Xifeng sighed upon hearing this. Naturally, he was reluctant to let “Sui Sui” leave, but he didn’t ask her to stay. He merely stood up and walked toward Shen Wei. When he was near, he said, “Sui Sui, remember, no matter what the world thinks of you, you are the one I will protect with my life.”

After saying this, he almost reached out to pat her head but withdrew his hand when he saw the people in the room. He added, “If you feel wronged, come back home. I will always protect you.”

Shen Wei didn’t say anything in response. She just nodded at him.

Then she bowed respectfully to both Shen Xifeng and Chu Fuyun. After saying goodbye to the reluctant Shen Chunting, she let Mo Qi help her walk out. The sky outside had already darkened; the days in early spring were always short.

Shen Wei turned back for one last look as she boarded the carriage.

Under the long corridor—

Shen Xifeng and Chu Fuyun were still standing there.

Shen Wei had good eyesight, and even though they were some distance away, she could clearly see their expressions. She didn’t say anything, just waved them goodbye, and then pulled the curtain to enter the carriage.

As the carriage moved further away, Chu Fuyun turned to look at Shen Xifeng. She could tell from his expression what he was thinking. She reached out and took his hand, softly saying, “Don’t worry, Sui Sui has grown up. She knows what she wants.”Shen Xifeng continued to watch the carriage leave. After it turned the corner and was no longer visible, he finally spoke, “I’d rather she never grow up.” But he only said this once. When he noticed Chu Fuyun looking at him, he quickly turned away.

He gently squeezed her hand and said softly, “It’s cold outside. Let’s go inside.”

Chu Fuyun, still wearing a gentle smile, responded with a soft hum and allowed him to lead her inside.

—-

Inside the carriage.

Mo Qi glanced at Shen Wei, who had been quiet since getting in. She poured some fresh tea for her and asked gently, “Is something on your mind, Madam?”

Shen Wei accepted the tea but didn’t say anything. She just lowered her eyes and watched the tea swirl gently in the cup. She had been thinking about a question for a while. Since Shen Xifeng cared so much for the original person, why did he allow her to die alone in that temple?

Before she could think it through, the sound of urgent horse hooves reached her ears.

At that moment, the wind blew the carriage curtain open, and Shen Wei glanced out, seeing a woman in red riding a fierce horse. The woman was cracking a whip and passing by the carriage. Perhaps it was the vitality of the woman that added a bit of light to the dim surroundings. Shen Wei watched her fleeting figure and asked, “Who is that?”

—-

Author’s note: If one day—
If Brother Shen finds out that Sister Shen is not the original body’s soul (chin resting on hand), what kind of situation would that be?