Chapter 3

At noon, Jiang Rou and Lu Yun’an had lunch together. Jiang Rou was a bit picky eater, eating more of what she liked and less of what she didn’t. For example, she didn’t like vegetables, and she barely touched them during the meal.

Lu Yun’an didn’t like vegetables either.

Two picky eaters, and a lot of vegetables were left after the meal.

After lunch, Jiang Rou lay down on the couch again, feeling a little full.

Lu Yun’an had never interacted with other young ladies like this. The young ladies he had met before were not like this.

He stared at Jiang Rou for a while, then accurately found a spot on the couch where he could lie down.

Jiang Rou rested for a while and then got up. She wanted to go out to the courtyard to sunbathe for a while. The weather was just right.

There was a large rocking chair in the courtyard, with a soft cushion on it. Jiang Rou loved it. The rocking chair was quite big, and she looked especially slender and petite sitting in it.

Lu Yun’an came out and passed by Jiang Rou. He walked to the door, then turned his head and looked back. Jiang Rou was already using a fan to shield her face from the sun.

When he went outside, he was stopped by his attendant.

The attendant said cautiously, “Madam said that you can’t go anywhere until Second Madam returns home.”

Lu Yun’an: “…”

Back in the courtyard, Lu Yun’an saw Jiang Rou laughing merrily.

Lu Yun’an: “You know?”

Jiang Rou nodded. “Yes,  Mother’s Sun Mommy told me.”

Lu Yun’an: “You know, you didn’t even tell me!”

Jiang Rou sat in the rocking chair, using her fan to shield herself from the sun. “You wanted to go out, and you didn’t tell me either. Yesterday you said you would listen to me, and today you want to go out without telling me.”

Alright, alright, he had married an ancestor, an ancestor!

Jiang Rou: “Husband, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Lu Yun’an squeezed in and sat on the rocking chair next to Jiang Rou. Thankfully, the rocking chair was big enough for both of them.

Lu Yun’an said perfunctorily, “Next time I go out, I’ll tell you.”

Jiang Rou: “Then I’ll tell you. Sun Mammy also said that if you bully me, I should go find Mother, and she’ll stand up for me.”

Lu Yun’an: “Ancestor, stop it, my head hurts!”

Jiang Rou: “Oh.”

She half-lay down. “Rock me.”

Lu Yun’an was enjoying the sun. He asked, “Rock what?”

Jiang Rou: “The rocking chair.”

In the evening, a gentle breeze blew, and the setting sun cast its golden rays.

Jiang Rou wanted to go out and explore the Marquis Mansion. She had only taken a quick look this morning, and now it was the perfect time for a leisurely stroll.

She pulled Lu Yun’an along with her. She would squat by the pond to watch the carp, then bend down to admire a peony.

Lu Yun’an was not interested and just stood there with his fan.

By the time they returned, it was already dark.

Jiang Rou started to fuss again.

Jiang Rou: “I miss my brother.”

She genuinely missed Jiang Cheng. She had been excited before the wedding, but now she regretted it.

It was all the elder branch’s fault. If it wasn’t for them, she would still be in her own house in the Jiang residence.

It wasn’t fun in her own house either. The Jiang family hadn’t split yet, and she had to follow all the rules after returning to the capital. Her grandmother was also biased.

Jiang Rou felt more and more wronged. “Wuwuwu.”

Lu Yun’an was helpless. He closed the doors and windows, afraid that the maidservants outside would see.

Lu Yun’an: “We’ll be returning home tomorrow, and you’ll be able to see your brother then.”

Jiang Rou: “I’ll see my brother tomorrow when we return home, but I still won’t be able to see him after that.”

Lu Yun’an: “Have your brother come and stay here!”

Jiang Rou: “My brother has to study.”

Lu Yun’an paced back and forth. He knew how to provide good food, drink, and entertainment, but he really didn’t know how to coax a young lady.

He had heard that Jiang Rou was a gentle and docile young lady, so he had agreed to marry her.

After marriage… who was the attendant who went to inquire about Jiang Rou?

Jiang Rou: “Wuwuwu.”

Lu Yun’an: “Do you think I should become your son-in-law, ancestor?”

Jiang Rou: “Your parents won’t agree.”

If they did agree, Jiang Rou would actually be quite happy if Lu Yun’an became her son-in-law. Before they were engaged, her mother had considered finding a son-in-law for her.

Jiang Rou looked at Lu Yun’an pitifully, like a little rabbit.

Lu Yun’an: “Then what should we do? You can’t become my son-in-law, and your brother can’t come and stay here!”

Jiang Rou: “Why are you yelling at me?”

Lu Yun’an: “I’m yelling at you? Where did I yell?”

Jiang Rou: “Just now.”

Lu Yun’an: “…”

He tried to speak softly. “If you keep crying, I’ll ignore you. I’ll just climb over the wall and leave.”

Jiang Rou: “You’d rather yell at me than ignore me. Wuwuwu.”

Lu Yun’an continued to pace around the room.

Jinyue asked Jiang Rou if she wanted dinner, and Lu Yun’an felt like he had heard a divine voice.

Jiang Rou: “I don’t want to eat.”

She didn’t want to eat?

Lu Yun’an remembered that yesterday, when Jiang Rou said she wanted to eat snacks, he didn’t go out to buy them for her. Then she said she missed her brother. It was because she was dissatisfied with something.

What was she dissatisfied with?

He carefully recalled what had happened. He hadn’t even had enough time to lie down before Jiang Rou dragged him out to explore the mansion. He had accompanied her, and then she was unhappy when they returned?

Lu Yun’an: “What did I do wrong?”

Jiang Rou shook her head. “Nothing, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Lu Yun’an: “If I didn’t do anything wrong, why are you unhappy?”

Jiang Rou: “I’m not unhappy.”

The two of them were at an impasse for almost half an hour. Jiang Rou sat on the couch without saying anything.

Lu Yun’an’s stomach rumbled. He reached out to take a pastry from the table on the couch. Jiang Rou looked at him, looking pitiful.

Lu Yun’an: “…”

He couldn’t eat, he really couldn’t. It would be strange if he could eat with her looking at him like that.

Jiang Rou: “Husband, are you hungry? If you’re hungry, let’s have dinner.”

Lu Yun’an opened his mouth. “No, I’m not hungry.”

Jiang Rou: “Husband, are you really not hungry?”

Lu Yun’an: “Yes, yes, I’m not hungry.”

The couple acted as if they were arguing. Lu Yun’an started to recall the details of their day together.

Lu Yun’an: “Next time you want me to go out with you, you don’t have to drag me.”

Jiang Rou didn’t say anything.

Lu Yun’an: “I’ll fan you when you’re playing?”

Jiang Rou still didn’t say anything.

Lu Yun’an: “Next time we go out, I’ll play with you?”

Jiang Rou looked up at Lu Yun’an. Now he finally knew what was going on.

Lu Yun’an: “Next time, next time we go out, I promise I’ll play with you!”

Next time, what next time? After Jiang Rou returned home, he was going to go out and play by himself.

Jiang Rou: “I want to eat.”

Lu Yun’an: “Wait!”

He opened the door and looked at the maidservants outside. He paused. Why did he feel like he was doing a servant’s job?

There were always people in the Marquis Mansion’s kitchen. Since Jiang Rou and Lu Yun’an wanted to eat, Jinyue told Jinju to take some people to the kitchen

Seeing Jiang Rou looking so wronged, Jinju hesitated to speak. Jinyue kicked her, and they both went out.

Jinju: “It seems like the young lady cried.”

Jinyue: “It’s all a strategy.”

Jinju nodded, seeming to understand, but also not quite. “It’s all a strategy.”

Before going to sleep, Jinyue showed Jiang Rou the list of gifts for her return home. Jiang Rou opened it and felt a little sleepy just looking at the words.

She didn’t look at it carefully, but she thought there were quite a lot of gifts.

After bathing, Jiang Rou went to bed.

Just like yesterday, they slept in the same bed. Maybe because they were husband and wife, Jiang Rou didn’t feel anything wrong or awkward about sleeping in the same bed with Lu Yun’an, and neither did Lu Yun’an.

Jiang Rou: “We’re returning home tomorrow.”

He would be free after accompanying Jiang Rou back home tomorrow. Lu Yun’an hummed in agreement. “We’re returning home tomorrow.”

Jiang Rou: “Husband.”

She called him “Husband” so sweetly, but Lu Yun’an thought about the times she had called him “Husband” recently, it seemed like it was either because she wanted something good to eat or because she wanted to eat snacks.

That couldn’t be right. Jiang Rou had eaten too much in the evening and had walked around her courtyard for a while.

Lu Yun’an started to think again. He used to think about eating, drinking, and having fun. Since he was going to marry Jiang Rou, he occasionally thought about the marriage. After marrying her, from yesterday until now, his mind had been filled with Jiang Rou, this ancestor!

Jiang Rou: “I can’t sleep.”

Lu Yun’an: “Then don’t sleep?”

They got out of bed again. Jiang Rou was sleeping inside, and when she got out and stepped on the bed, she suddenly heard Lu Yun’an shout, “Ancestor!”

Jiang Rou looked over in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Lu Yun’an’s temples throbbed. He gestured for Jiang Rou to look at her feet. She looked down, even more confused.

Lu Yun’an looked at the foot between his legs, white and delicate, with a round and smooth feel. He opened his mouth but didn’t make a sound.

Jiang Rou: “What’s wrong? Say something.”

Lu Yun’an: “Go slow.”

He slowly moved up, and only after Jiang Rou got off the bed did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Jiang Rou slipped on her shoes and ran to the couch. She reached out and pushed open the window. A slightly cool breeze blew in, bringing with it a sense of freshness. She felt comfortable.

Lu Yun’an sat down opposite her. Jiang Rou cupped her face in her hands, her clear eyes looking at Lu Yun’an. When she saw him sit down, she blinked.

Lu Yun’an: “What’s wrong again?”

Jiang Rou: “I want to eat the braised meat from yesterday.”

The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds. Lu Yun’an said, “The stall is run by a couple.”

Jiang Rou nodded.

Lu Yun’an: “They don’t just run the stall. They only set up shop a few days a month.”

Jiang Rou: “Then what should I do if I want to eat it?”

Lu Yun’an: “Next time they set up shop, I’ll definitely buy it for you.”

Jiang Rou nodded, not forgetting to praise him. “You’re so good, Husband.”

Lu Yun’an almost laughed until he fell off his chair.

Jiang Rou: “What’s wrong with you?”

Lu Yun’an: “Hahaha, hahahahaha!”

Jinyue and Jinju heard the commotion outside. They looked at each other.

Jinju: “Why is the young master laughing so happily?”

Jinyue: “Of course he’s happy when he’s with our young lady!”

Hearing this, Jinju nodded. Yes, that’s right. Of course he’s happy when he’s with their young lady. Their young lady is so adorable!

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng was out shopping.

He had been out shopping all morning, buying a lot of delicious and fun things for Jiang Rou. He couldn’t sleep in the evening, so he came out again.

The couple who ran the braised meat stall saw that this young master looked like he had money, so they quickly took some braised meat for him to try.

Jiang Cheng: “Not bad. Pack all of these, these, and I want the lotus root and soybeans too.”

The stall owner said, “Young master, is this for your wife’s late-night snack?”

Jiang Cheng: “No, it’s for my sister. She’s returning home tomorrow, so I’ll buy her some snacks.”

The stall owner: “What a good brother!”