Chapter 15

Cui Zhu pouted and said, “Madam, you were sleeping so soundly—I couldn’t bear to wake you.”

To her, it was no big deal. Many people visited Madam, and it wasn’t feasible for her to meet everyone immediately. Waiting for a few hours was common. Besides, today was already New Year’s Eve—what proper person would choose such a time to pay a visit? It was quite improper.

If it weren’t for the fact that the visitor was Madam’s biological sister, she would have sent them away long ago, not even letting them step through the Lu family’s gates.

Jiang Wanrou, however, was genuinely surprised. She had assumed that Jiang Wanying would, at most, send someone to deliver a gift and wouldn’t come in person. Their relationship was somewhat complicated—not hostile, but Jiang Wanrou had always inexplicably disliked Jiang Wanying. On her part, Jiang Wanying had also seemed to avoid her, intentionally or otherwise. Ever since Jiang Wanrou had married into the Lu family, the two hadn’t seen each other in years.

When Jiang Wanrou saw Jiang Wanying in the flower hall, she was momentarily stunned and failed to recognize her.

“Madam Lu,” Jiang Wanying addressed her, pulling Jiang Wanrou back to reality. Adjusting the woven gold and colorful shawl draped around her arms, Jiang Wanrou nodded and replied, “It has been years. Madam Pei, I trust you’ve been well?”

Since Jiang Wanying had addressed her as “Madam Lu,” Jiang Wanrou saw no need to use a more familial term.

The two were unfamiliar with each other, but Jiang Wanrou was skilled in social graces, and Jiang Wanying, having spent years as a governor’s wife in Jiaozhou, was capable enough to keep the conversation going. The maid served tea and fruits while the two exchanged mild pleasantries.

After three cups of tea, Jiang Wanrou began contemplating how to politely send her guest away.

Her reasoning? Her Fifth Sister’s gaze was utterly bizarre!

It was hard to describe—a mixture of disdain with caution, caution blended with envy, envy tinted with suspicion, and suspicion shadowed by a hint of fear.

It was too complicated, leaving Jiang Wanrou with a mix of emotions. Over the years, she had encountered all sorts of people, many who flattered her to her face while secretly looking down on her. She had a broad mind—she never got angry and even enjoyed watching these people pretend to be cordial despite their disdain. But Jiang Wanying was different. There was something unsettling about her, like a venomous snake silently watching its prey. Though it hadn’t struck, it sent chills down Jiang Wanrou’s spine.

Just then, a young maid dressed in a brand-new jacket entered and whispered a few words in Jiang Wanrou’s ear.

Jiang Wanrou curled her lips into a faint, insincere smile and said to Jiang Wanying, “Madam Pei, what an unfortunate coincidence. The master has summoned me to join the family for a meal at Grandmother’s residence. With everyone gathered—old and young—it wouldn’t be right to make them wait for me.”

Her intent to send Jiang Wanying off was clear.

However, Jiang Wanying seemed oblivious to the subtle cue and replied, “Master Lu truly treats you well. I hear he’s the only nobleman in the capital whose rear courtyard is completely empty—without a single concubine.”

There was a hint of bitterness in her tone.

Jiang Wanrou chuckled softly, maintaining her dignified demeanor. “Madam Pei, you’ve misunderstood. It’s not that I’m overly jealous—it’s just that the master is busy with official duties and uninterested in romantic affairs.”

“If my master truly fancied someone, could I possibly stop him?”

This was Jiang Wanrou’s usual explanation when outsiders speculated about her. In the past, someone had tried to accuse her of jealousy—a violation of the traditional ‘seven grounds for expulsion.’ Jiang Wanrou would never allow such a charge to be placed on her, so she deftly shifted the narrative to Lu Feng.

After all, she couldn’t control him; if he didn’t seek out other women, what could she do—force them upon him?

Jiang Wanying suddenly smirked mysteriously and remarked, “Indeed. For such an esteemed man as Master Lu, he’ll surely have three palaces and six courtyards, as well as three wives and four concubines in the future. You might only have these good years left.”

Jiang Wanrou replied, “Oh?”

The odd pity in Jiang Wanying’s tone puzzled her. She couldn’t understand why she would need anyone’s sympathy. Even if Lu Feng inexplicably turned into someone like his third brother in the future, she wouldn’t be afraid. After all, she had Huaiyi, her official status, her connections, and her understanding of how to manage her household. If life with him became unbearable, the wealth she had accumulated over the years would still ensure her a prosperous life.

She had indeed gained many benefits because of Lu Feng, but she wasn’t entirely reliant on him. She had prepared an exit strategy for herself. Her Fifth Sister, however, seemed to overestimate Lu Feng. Even Jiang Wanrou, who shared a pillow with him, often felt that the Lu household was like cooking oil over a raging fire. Lu Feng had orchestrated the confiscation of many families and even their extermination, earning countless enemies. While the Emperor trusted him now, even entrusting him with cases involving the imperial princes, what if the Emperor regretted it one day and decided to use Lu Feng as a scapegoat? Or what would happen if the next ruler ascended to the throne? What fate awaited Lu Feng, a high-ranking official of the former regime?

“When the cunning hare dies, the hounds are boiled.”

People said he “wielded power over the court and the populace” and that he was “favored in the Emperor’s heart,” but it was the first time someone referred to Lu Feng as “noble,” even joking about him having three palaces and six courtyards. Did they think he was the Emperor?

Jiang Wanrou smirked faintly, dismissively replying, “In that case, I’d better enjoy my good days while they last.”

Jiang Wanying seemed to realize she’d misspoken and quickly shifted the conversation to herself. As is typical among women, the topics revolved around clothes, jewelry, and household matters. Jiang Wanrou listened and gathered that Jiang Wanying’s married life was far from happy.

Purely her own doing.

She couldn’t understand how Jiang Wanying had managed to turn such a promising beginning into her current state.

Take that cousin, Ruan Zhen, for example. Jiang Wanying had known about her existence before getting married. Ruan Zhen shared a bond with Pei Zhang as cousins and was favored by Madam Pei. Jiang Wanying should have dealt with this before leaving the capital. As her elder cousin-in-law, Jiang Wanying could have arranged a good match for her—a promising young man and a generous dowry—to see her married off in style. Everyone would have been satisfied. Instead, she sent her to the remote countryside of Qingzhou. A man like Pei Zhang was a rarity even in the capital, let alone in secluded Qingzhou. No wonder Ruan Zhen had delayed her marriage for so long.

And now, after serving Madam Pei diligently for three years, Ruan Zhen had ended up labeled an old maid. Both logic and emotions dictated that Pei Zhang couldn’t simply ignore her situation. Jiang Wanying had created this trouble for herself, yet she constantly complained about “some random troublemaker.”

Frankly, it was… foolish.

Beyond this, Jiang Wanrou found herself most surprised that Jiang Wanying hadn’t managed to win Pei Zhang’s heart during their three years away from the capital. As the daughter of Marquis Ning’an, even as a daughter from the secondary line, her position had been superior to Pei Zhang—a penniless scholar at the time. Jiang Wanying wasn’t unattractive, and her marriage had been a step down for her. Pei Zhang’s nature was far gentler than Lu Feng’s. By any measure, three years should have been enough for them to grow close as a couple. If Pei Zhang truly cherished her, then neither cousins nor siblings would pose any threat.

And then there was Madam Pei. Jiang Wanying spent three leisurely years away with her husband—how could her mother-in-law possibly like her? She should have humbled herself when necessary because filial piety was paramount in this dynasty. For someone who raised a top scholar like Pei Zhang, Madam Pei was unlikely to be narrow-minded; over time, things could have improved. Even if Madam Pei had been unreasonable, Pei Zhang wasn’t foolish enough to stand by and watch his wife be mistreated under his mother’s authority. After all, as an official, how would it reflect on him if rumors spread that he couldn’t manage his household?

The list of grievances went on. Jiang Wanying seemed to have found a vent for all her frustrations and poured out her complaints. Jiang Wanrou listened with a complicated expression, feeling at a loss for words. When Jiang Wanying finally asked for a remedy to aid in conceiving, Jiang Wanrou genuinely felt that perhaps having no children wasn’t the root cause of her troubles.

Jiang Wanrou spoke slowly, “You and Master Pei are still young. I believe your most pressing matter right now is—”

But in her thoughts, she added: It’s Master Pei himself! Right now, you’re isolated in your household. The key is to focus on Master Pei, you fool!

As Jiang Wanrou carefully considered how to phrase her words, Jiang Wanying abruptly interrupted, “I need a child.”

She lowered her gaze, gently touched her abdomen, and resolutely declared, “As long as I have a child, everything will be fine.”

Jiang Wanrou thought silently: Fine? He’s neglecting you now, and he’ll neglect you and the child later, too.

Maintaining decorum, Jiang Wanrou held back her true thoughts. It was just a prescription, after all; she didn’t feel the need to withhold it.

She called Cui Zhu to fetch the prescription and reminded Jiang Wanying, “The matter of having children depends on fate. This is no miraculous cure—look at me. I’ve taken it for years, and there’s still been no result.”

Jiang Wanying didn’t seem to register her words and responded joyfully, “Thank you, Sixth Sister. Having something to try is better than nothing—it gives me hope.”

And now she was “Sixth Sister,” huh? Jiang Wanrou could only sigh inwardly at her Fifth Sister’s shifting attitude.

Before Jiang Wanrou’s patience could run out, a young maid arrived to urge them again. Jiang Wanying, having obtained the prescription, didn’t wish to linger either. After exchanging a few polite formalities, they were about to conclude the visit when Lu Feng unexpectedly appeared.

“Lu Huaiyi is looking for his mother,” he said coolly.

Today, Lu Feng wore a dark purple robe with gold embroidery, adorned with fine jade buttons on the collar and cuffs. With his qilin-patterned jade belt and sharp features—sword-like eyebrows, phoenix-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, and thin lips—even the scar on his forehead didn’t detract from his noble and handsome appearance; rather, it added a touch of dangerous charm.

With a loud “crack,” the cup in Jiang Wanying’s hand shattered as she let out a startled cry, “Your leg—”

Though her voice was soft, it didn’t escape the trained ears of Lu Feng. He furrowed his brows and looked at Jiang Wanrou’s guest.

Jiang Wanrou hadn’t anticipated this turn of events and quickly tried to smooth things over, “Peace and prosperity! Peace and prosperity! Fifth Sister, weren’t you in a hurry to leave? I still have matters to attend to, so I won’t be able to see you off.”

On such an auspicious day, she wanted to avoid any mishaps. Lu Feng’s usual slow gait made it hard to detect his limp, but Jiang Wanying, as if in a daze, kept staring at his leg. His expression grew darker, and he asked coldly, “Which family are you from?”

Lu Feng had little patience for propriety. In the past, when someone spoke ill of Jiang Wanrou behind her back, he personally cut out a few tongues and delivered them to their husbands. His reputation for brutality was not unfounded.

Still, considering that this woman was Jiang Wanrou’s guest, he restrained himself from causing a scene.

“I… no… I’m Jiang—no, I’m from the Pei family,” Jiang Wanying stammered, clearly flustered. It wasn’t until she mentioned Pei Zhang’s name that she regained a bit of composure.

“I am Pei Zhang’s wife,” she clarified.

Pei Zhang?

Lu Feng’s gaze flickered. That scholar had a streak of courage, but who would have thought he married such an ill-mannered woman?

His expression darkened as he sat boldly in the main seat, sipping his tea without speaking.

Jiang Wanrou, seemingly oblivious to his grim demeanor, pushed a plate of pear blossom pastries toward him and said gently, “Today’s tea is bitter ding tea. Have some pastries to balance the flavor.”

Lu Feng remained silent, but Jiang Wanying noticed the slight furrow of his brow when he bit into the pastries. Yet he finished the entire plate.

Lowering her head, Jiang Wanying softly said, “I’ve already intruded long enough. I shall take my leave. I’ve heard that Master Lu is skilled in calligraphy and painting. My husband has a treasured set of pigments—excellent vermilion, azurite, and gamboge.”

“My husband admires Master Lu greatly. Please accept this gift as a token of respect.”

After she left, Jiang Wanrou asked curiously, “Since when are you skilled in calligraphy and painting?”

Lu Feng, who had honed his skills in the military and never participated in the imperial examination due to his leg injury, wasn’t known for such arts. It wasn’t until she married him that Jiang Wanrou learned about the Lu family’s extensive library and Lu Feng’s vast knowledge.

Calligraphy and painting weren’t Lu Feng’s claim to fame; rather, the Second Master of the Lu family was renowned for his cultured pursuits.

Perhaps Jiang Wanying had been misinformed. So she thought, until Lu Feng silently fixed his gaze on her. The intensity of his stare unsettled Jiang Wanrou, and then, unexpectedly, he let out a mocking laugh—a rogue and mischievous sound, utterly at odds with his usual stern demeanor.

“You didn’t know?” he asked.

He stepped closer, leaned in, and stared directly into her eyes. “Did you really not know?”