Chapter 20

Lu Qi Huai, hearing the cry of pain, immediately came to his senses and quickly released his grip.

Children’s skin is delicate, and Lu Mi Zhi, being a young noble raised with great care, had a red ring around her wrist where Lu Qi Huai had held it earlier. The sight of it was rather alarming… Shen Wei, who had been sitting quietly on the soft couch, hadn’t noticed what had happened between the two. Only upon hearing Lu Mi Zhi cry out in pain did she look over in their direction.

Shen Wei wasn’t far away, so she clearly saw the red mark around Lu Mi Zhi’s wrist. Frowning, she stood up and walked over to her daughter, gently taking her hand to inspect it closely.

Before she could speak—

Lu Mi Zhi hurriedly spoke up, “Mother, it doesn’t hurt. Please don’t blame Brother.”

Fearing that Shen Wei might not believe her, Lu Mi Zhi quickly pressed her hand against the back of her wrist and added, “Look, it only looks scary, but it really doesn’t hurt.”

Lu Mi Zhi truly liked her older brother, Lu Qi Huai. She had never had a brother growing up, so having one now made her very happy. Although her brother rarely spoke to her, she still cherished him, just as she loved her mother… She knew that, aside from her grandmother and mother, no one else in the family liked her brother.

Though she was young, she often overheard the maids talk about him.

If it weren’t for her mother protecting him, she was sure her brother would have been driven out of the family by now… That’s why she was worried that her mother might be upset about this incident and no longer protect him in the future.

Shen Wei looked down at Lu Mi Zhi. Although her daughter was smiling, her delicate little face had her lips tightly pressed together, and there were even beads of sweat on her nose… Shen Wei could tell that Lu Mi Zhi was likely worried that she would blame Lu Qi Huai, which was why she was acting this way.

This silly child.

Shen Wei thought to herself but didn’t say anything more. She gently stroked Lu Mi Zhi’s face, then wiped the displeasure from her own expression and called for Yi Qin to come in. Once Yi Qin entered, Shen Wei instructed, “Take Miss Qi inside and apply pearl cream to her wrist and massage it for a while.”

Yiqin was also surprised when she saw the red mark on Lu Mizhi’s wrist, but just for a moment, she quickly returned to her usual calm demeanor.

She softly responded, then walked over to support Lu Mizhi, gently saying, “Seventh Miss, let me help you inside.”

Lu Mizhi, however, still wouldn’t move. She tilted her head, gazing longingly at Shen Wei… It was only when Shen Wei helplessly said, “Alright, I won’t punish your brother,” that Lu Mizhi finally smiled and, with Yiqin’s support, walked inside.

…

Once Yiqin helped Lu Mizhi into the inner room, the Bi Sha Cabinet, Shen Wei finally wiped the smile from her face and glanced at Lu Qihuai, who was standing in the room.

Lu Qihuai, noticing Shen Wei’s gaze, looked a bit lost, his handsome face filled with hesitation. He stuttered, “Mother, I…”

Shen Wei said nothing, just turned around and sat back down on the soft couch. The tea cup on the table had been brought in earlier by Moqi, and after some time, it had cooled to a warm temperature. Shen Wei did not drink it, simply holding it in her hands. After a while, she lifted her eyes and looked at Lu Qihuai.

She knew what he was thinking.

If he wanted to rise to power, the best way would be to get close to the most influential man in the court… But the timing and circumstances were not right.

For the upcoming imperial banquet, each household had limited invitations. Moreover, the Imperial Palace was divided into two sections, and Shen Wei could bring Lu Mizhi because of the favor from the Lady of Weiyang Palace. Bringing Lu Qihuai… It was not just about the importance of the officials in the other section of the palace, but with his current status, how could he enter without the imperial family’s approval?

Shen Wei lifted the tea lid and gently stirred the foam before speaking, “This time, the invitation to the banquet is from the Empress. Your grandmother is unwell, so I’ll take Mizhi to pay respects to the Empress.”

Lu Qihuai quickly cupped his hands and responded, “I understand, Mother. After all, the imperial palace is a place where someone like me would never be allowed to enter.” After a pause, he quickly added, “Earlier, I was just lost in thought, and that’s why I wasn’t careful… I’ve caused Seventh Sister to get hurt.”

“Since Mizhi says it’s nothing, there’s no need for you to worry about it…” Shen Wei replied, but then she paused for a moment and called out, “Xuan Yue.”

This was the first time Shen Wei addressed Lu Qihuai by his name.

Lu Qihuai was startled. He raised his head to look at Shen Wei, and after a while, he asked, “What is it, Mother?”

Shen Wei did not speak immediately. She just stared at him, observing his expression, which seemed as indifferent as usual. Finally, she said, “You are always clever; you should be able to tell that Mizhi truly cares for you.” She knew that Lu Qihuai had a cold nature, and no matter how he pretended to be kind and pure now, truly entering his heart was an exceedingly difficult task.

As for Lu Qihuai, Shen Wei did not have many expectations for him; she only hoped that she would not repeat the same tragic fate as her previous life.

But Lu Mizhi—

She truly wanted to carefully plan a good future for her. The young man in front of her would soon be at the center of the imperial court. With his help, even though Lu Mizhi was a concubine-born daughter, she would still have a bright future ahead.

Lu Qihuai, hearing this, slightly lowered his gaze, but after a moment, he raised his eyes to look at Shen Wei again. His face showed a warm smile, and his voice was gentle, “I know that Seventh Sister cares for me, and I also know that you care for me. Don’t worry, no matter what happens in the future, Seventh Sister will always be my sister.”

Lu Qihuai finished his words with a bow, then added, “Today, I have to go out, so I won’t keep Mother company.”

After saying this, he took a step back and, under Shen Wei’s gaze, turned and left through the curtain.

Shen Wei watched Lu Qihuai leave, and his earlier words lingered in her mind, leaving her with a strange feeling. Before she could reflect further, Lu Mizhi came out from the inner room.

Lu Mizhi first glanced around the room, then walked towards Shen Wei, asking, “Mother, where is Brother?”

Shen Wei placed her teacup back on the table and noticed that the red mark on Lu Mizhi’s wrist had mostly faded. She spoke, “Your brother had something to do and left.”

After saying this, she reached out and gently tapped Lu Mizhi’s forehead, pretending to be angry as she said, “Next time, don’t hold back when you’re in pain. Do you think I would punish you for no reason?”

Lu Mizhi’s face turned red at these words.

She gently tugged at Shen Wei’s sleeve and whispered, “Mother, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong… I just didn’t want you and Brother to grow apart.” After saying this, she looked at Shen Wei again and added, “Actually, Brother is quite pitiful. He has grown up away from home and barely saw Father. The servants and maids don’t like him. If you don’t like him, how pitiful he would be.”

As soon as she finished speaking—

Yiqin turned pale and hurried forward to speak, “Seventh Miss…”

Although still young, Lu Mizhi noticed the change in Yiqin’s tone and turned pale, looking at Shen Wei. Her lips trembled as she whispered, “Mother, I…”

Shen Wei smiled, watching her. She still had her hand on Lu Mizhi’s head and spoke in a soft tone, “Alright, don’t worry. I will treat him well from now on.”

Shen Wei: … Which of your eyes saw that I was sincere?

Lu Qi Huai: Both of them.