Chapter 16

The cold air filled her nostrils, and Jiang Wanrou’s cheeks suddenly flushed as certain memories surfaced.

“Ugh! Shameless.” She muttered under her breath, her gaze shimmering with allure, entirely unaware of the captivating charm she exuded at that moment.

It was New Year’s Eve, and the household had arranged a night banquet. Lu Feng hadn’t planned on doing much, but Jiang Wanrou’s enchanting demeanor at that moment was undeniably tempting. It was unusual—she could be bold and uninhibited in private, yet now, under his gaze, she was shy and unable to contain herself.

Lu Feng extended his large hand, lifting her chin and deliberately brushing her cheek slowly. His fingertips, roughened with calluses from wielding blades, sent a tingling sensation across Jiang Wanrou’s smooth, cream-like skin.

Jiang Wanrou’s heart raced like a startled rabbit. When she glanced up, she caught the teasing glint in his eyes. Her initial shyness quickly turned into indignation as she thought: I’m no naive maiden—why am I acting so coy?

She then wrapped her arms around Lu Feng’s shoulders, leaning close to his ear and whispering with a breath as soft as orchids, “Husband, I don’t think there’s enough time~”

Her voice trembled at the end, dripping with allure.

Suddenly, she felt something press against her abdomen. Startled, Jiang Wanrou froze for a moment before breaking into a mischievous smile, like a seductive spirit from a spider’s lair. She playfully stroked Lu Feng’s handsome face, then gracefully stepped back, adjusting the neckline of her begonia-patterned robe with poise. Casting him a sidelong glance, she said, “The banquet is about to start. We can’t keep Grandmother and the children waiting, can we, Husband?”

Lu Feng’s gaze was deep and unreadable, his expression as composed as ever. If not for the veins bulging on his forehead, Jiang Wanrou might have believed his calm facade.

She curtsied slightly, the movement accentuating her slender waist and full figure, and said softly, “I shall take my leave.”

As she walked along the flower-adorned corridor, the cold wind brushed against her cheeks, bringing her a moment of clarity. She began to regret teasing him earlier. With him following behind her, Jiang Wanrou didn’t dare to look back, but she could feel the weight of his deliberate footsteps.

…

No matter how chaotic the outside world was, the Lu family’s New Year banquet was lively and bustling.

Lu Feng sat at the head of the table with Jiang Wanrou by his side. Below them were the family matriarch, Lu Huaiyi, and the second and third branches of the family, filling the hall with a lively crowd. Lu Feng and Jiang Wanrou arrived late. While Lu Feng casually took his seat, Jiang Wanrou stood to raise a cup of wine and offer her apologies to everyone.

“Enough, eldest daughter-in-law, no need for such formalities. Sit down,” said the family matriarch.

The family matriarch was a kind and benevolent elderly woman with a full head of silver hair and a green jade forehead ornament, exuding an air of wealth and grace. According to tradition, the three granddaughters-in-law were expected to serve her meals. However, the matriarch waved her hand cheerfully and said, “It’s a joyful day; don’t bother with this old woman. Go take care of your husbands and children.”

She then took Jiang Wanrou’s hand with a sigh and remarked, “Eldest granddaughter-in-law, you’ve worked hard.”

Jiang Wanrou smiled softly, rolled up her sleeves, and served a bowl of red bean tangyuan for the matriarch. Though some claimed that the matriarch had grown muddle-headed with age, Jiang Wanrou believed she was wise and shrewd in her simplicity. When Jiang Wanrou first married into the family, her mother-in-law made things difficult for her. In the freezing winter, heavily pregnant, she was forced to stand and adhere to strict etiquette. It was the matriarch who repeatedly protected her during those tough times. Now, Jiang Wanrou visited Chunhui Hall daily to pay her respects—not just for appearances but out of genuine gratitude.

Marquis Ning’an household had its elder lady, and the Lu family had its matriarch. These two elderly women had both shown Jiang Wanrou kindness, making her feel that heaven hadn’t treated her unfairly.

When the matriarch declined Jiang Wanrou’s service, she returned to Lu Feng’s side. Following the tradition of previous years, she poured him a glass of wine and said, “This toast is for you, my husband. The first cup is to wish you good health and freedom from illness and misfortune.”

Lu Feng raised his eyes to look at her, and Jiang Wanrou felt a wave of panic, thinking he was still angry. Her arm was nearly sore from holding the cup aloft when Lu Feng finally took it and drank it in one gulp.

Jiang Wanrou offered the second cup, saying, “The second toast is to wish you success in your career and the realization of your grand ambitions.”

Lu Feng graciously accepted.

“The third cup,” Jiang Wanrou said, her cheeks slightly flushed from the wine, “is to wish that our love remains unwavering and that we grow old together.”

This was a familiar tradition, repeated every year. Lu Feng rubbed the cup’s rim with his thumb before suddenly gripping her wrist. Though he didn’t use much force, Jiang Wanrou found herself unable to break free.

“As you wish,” he said. He drank the cup dry, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed, exuding a striking and sensual charm.

Jiang Wanrou’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze, broke free from his grasp, and stepped behind him.

“I’ll serve you dishes,” she said.

This kind of task wasn’t something she was expected to do. Usually, Jiang Wanrou would simply symbolically serve a couple of dishes, and Lu Feng would ask her to sit down, showing both her virtue as a wife and his generosity as a husband. This was also the case with the second and third households—Yao Jinyu didn’t even get the chance to pick up her chopsticks before the third master stopped her, and Zhou Ruotong sat down after pouring two cups of warm wine for the second master. However, at Lu Feng’s table, Jiang Wanrou stood until her feet were sore, still serving dishes to him.

Even the elderly matriarch, whose eyesight was failing, couldn’t bear it any longer and said, “Junchi, have your wife sit down. She’s been managing the household for everyone; she’s worn out.”

Junchi was Lu Feng’s courtesy name, bestowed upon him by the Emperor during his coming-of-age ceremony. For unknown reasons, Lu Feng didn’t like using it, and few people were aware of it.

Lu Feng glanced at Jiang Wanrou and asked indifferently, “Are you tired?”

All eyes turned to Jiang Wanrou. Though she felt secretly resentful, she smiled gently and virtuously, replying, “I’m not tired; serving my husband is my blessing.”

Lu Feng chuckled lightly and continued drinking. It wasn’t until he was surrounded by the men of the family for toasts that Jiang Wanrou was able to step away. She scanned the tables briefly and went to Lu Huaiyi’s seat, asking the servants to replace the dragon beard candy with a plate of crispy salted pastries.

She stroked Lu Huaiyi’s small face and spoke softly, “You’re still young. Eating too many sweets will make your teeth hurt. I’ll have someone make some for you tomorrow, okay?”

Lu Huaiyi obediently nodded, keeping one piece of pastry in his hand. Jiang Wanrou initially thought he was being greedy, but to her surprise, the boy held the dessert in his small hands and offered it to her, saying in his tender voice, “Mother, eat.”

He had noticed that his mother had been serving dishes for his father all evening without eating anything herself.

Jiang Wanrou’s heart melted, and the frustration Lu Feng had stirred in her instantly vanished. She swallowed the overly sweet dessert despite its richness, and later, during the meal, managed to grab a few bites between her tasks to fill her stomach. Not long after, her two sisters-in-law came to toast her.

The women drank fruit wine that was light and non-intoxicating; even Zhou Ruotong, who was known for her aloof demeanor, had consumed a full jug. Not wanting to spoil the lively atmosphere, Jiang Wanrou returned twice during the evening to change her clothes. The night deepened, and light snow began to fall outside, while the hall remained brightly lit and warmly filled with laughter and chatter. Second Master recited an impromptu poem, which Third Master graciously applauded with hearty laughter. The women whispered among themselves, and the silvery laughter of children rang out like bells.

Apart from a maid who nearly spilled wine on Lu Feng’s leg midway through the event, everything was perfect.

Given the festive occasion, Jiang Wanrou chose not to punish the maid. Moreover, Madam Zhou spoke up in the maid’s defense, implying she was inexperienced and asking the eldest sister-in-law to be lenient. Faced with such an appeal, Jiang Wanrou couldn’t bear to make a scene over the minor mishap and soon forgot about it entirely.

At this point, Jiang Wanrou had no reason to make a fuss. The small mishap was quickly forgotten. As the clock struck three times outside, signaling the end of the year’s banquet, the various family heads staggered back to their respective courtyards. Jiang Wanrou settled Lu Huaiyi in bed, stretched out her palm, and caught a falling snowflake.

“Another year has passed,” she murmured, sighing softly, “How wonderful.”

Though many words spoken today had been purely for appearances, there was one sentiment she truly meant: she genuinely wished for “many more days like this, many more years like tonight.”

The family matriarch was kind and gracious, her son was obedient and lovable. The second and third masters held her in high regard as their young sister-in-law, her sisters-in-law were harmonious, and her husband… Although he could be difficult at times, he never hesitated to uphold her dignity when it mattered. If things could remain this way—mutual respect and cordiality—she would be content.

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulders as a thick mink cloak was draped over her. Lu Feng frowned and said, “Why are you standing here foolishly? Aren’t you cold?”

Jiang Wanrou shook her head and said softly, “I’m not cold.”

She stretched out her palm towards Lu Feng, her eyes sparkling brightly, “Look, snow.”

Lu Feng stared at her empty palm, then looked up at her face before asking suddenly, “What was the yield from the estate this year?”

Jiang Wanrou answered confidently, “25,732 taels.”

He then asked, “What is Huaiyi’s birthday?”

“August 8th,” she replied.

Finally, he asked, “Who am I?”

“You?” Jiang Wanrou gazed at him and said, “You’re Lu Feng, my husband.”

Lu Feng’s expression softened slightly. Jiang Wanrou continued teasingly, “And you’re someone who’s always bullying me—at night, during the day, bullying only me. You’re so bad!”

Lu Feng: “…”

Turning to Cui Zhu, who was holding an eight-sided lantern, he ordered, “Prepare a bowl of sober-up soup for Madam.”

She was indeed drunk.

Jiang Wanrou widened her beautiful eyes and declared, “I’m not drunk—I’m completely sober. If you don’t believe me… ask me again!”

Lu Feng didn’t bother engaging further.

Cui Zhu, trying to pacify her, said hurriedly, “Yes, yes, you’re not drunk, Madam. I’ll go make you a bowl of bird’s nest soup. Please go rest.”

Cuizhu, as Jiang Wanrou’s close maid, knew her mistress was indeed drunk. Her drunkenness was peculiar—her appearance seemed normal, her speech was clear, and she could even calculate sums on an abacus without error. However, every now and then, she would say something completely bizarre—words Jiang Wanrou would never normally utter.

Jiang Wanrou snorted coldly, “Hah! Trying to fool me? Don’t think you can pass off sober-up soup as bird’s nest soup.”

Cui Zhu: “…”

Another characteristic of her drunkenness was her sharp clarity of mind and her childlike mannerisms. Simply put, she was difficult to deceive.

Cui Zhu thought she would have to coax Madam further, but Lu Feng lost patience and simply scooped her up in his strong arms. Jiang Wanrou struggled briefly but couldn’t break free.

Despite his leg condition, Lu Feng walked steadily, Jiang Wanrou’s legs swaying gently in the crook of his arm as she tilted her head to look at his chiseled jawline.

She repeated, “Lu Feng, see? I recognize you. I’m not drunk.”

Lu Feng replied, “Mm, you’re not drunk.”

“I really am not drunk.”

“You really are not drunk.”

Jiang Wanrou: “…”

She pouted, “I hate you.”

Lu Feng: “Noted.”

Jiang Wanrou added, “You made me serve dishes but didn’t let me eat. I hate you so much!”

Lu Feng: “Mm.”

“You’re not just hateful but shameless! Improper! If I find those things, I’ll burn them all!”

Lu Feng remained unfazed. “You won’t find them.”

Jiang Wanrou’s legs kicked more vigorously. “I will find them!”

“Oh.”

Lu Feng didn’t bother arguing with a drunk, though he found Jiang Wanrou particularly amusing at the moment. Normally composed and reserved, she was now spilling truths under the influence of alcohol.

Back in the bedroom, he removed his outer robe and placed Jiang Wanrou on the bed, loosening her collar. Jiang Wanrou, wary, dodged him and retreated. “What are you trying to do?”

Lu Feng replied, “Just taking off your outer garment to make you more comfortable.”

She was drunk, and he had no other intentions.

“Hah, you’re lying to me.”

With her flushed cheeks, Jiang Wanrou looked triumphant and declared, “You’re definitely trying to trick me into taking off my clothes for that thing. I won’t fall for it!”

She clutched her collar like a virtuous maiden defending her honor against a tyrant. Lu Feng sighed and asked, “So unwilling?”

Even though she had been quite straightforward earlier.

“Of course I’m unwilling!” Jiang Wanrou replied, her voice full of grievance.

She then accused him, “It hurts, it hurts so much. You’re terrible at this, you scoundrel!”

Lu Feng’s previously composed expression darkened instantly.