Chapter 20

Cui Zhu noticed that her mistress had been in high spirits lately, her complexion rosy and radiant. Her fair skin made her cheeks glow like peach blossoms, delicate and lovely.

Still innocent and inexperienced, she didn’t understand the reason. But when Yao Jinyu visited Jiang Wanrou a few times, she covered her mouth and teased, “My, my, a woman truly thrives with a man’s… nourishment. Look at sister-in-law’s glow—Eldest Brother must be doting on you quite a bit.”

“Can’t even food shut your mouth?” Jiang Wanrou’s face flushed slightly in embarrassment as she recalled the nights… Ah, this kind of matter— she couldn’t discuss it in detail very well, but she was genuinely puzzled.

Because Lu Feng had been… very strange lately.

Contrary to Yao Jinyu’s assumptions, they hardly indulged in nightly revelries. Over the past several days, though they slept on the same bed, embracing and caressing, they rarely… truly together.

Of course, that didn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of lingering intimacy.

He adored her fair, supple, snow-white skin. His palms were large, rough with faint calluses, mapping every inch of her body. On the bright red mandarin duck quilt, their breaths tangled together.

Yet he rarely touches her.

Even when their bodies were already damp with sweat, he gritted his teeth and held back. Jiang Wanrou often stared at herself in the mirror, baffled. The beauty reflected back had skin like smooth cream, radiant and alluring. She was only twenty, far from fading into middle age.

She had even wondered if Lu Feng had… lost his ability. But judging by the way he pressed against her… that didn’t seem to be the case.

Lu Feng was not a man of ascetic restraint—quite the opposite. His appetite was voracious. With no other concubines in the rear courtyard, Jiang Wanrou had suffered plenty over the years. The ways between men and women were what they were, and she was long past the days of shy inexperience. Yet now, though they remained chaste these past few nights, her face burned and her mouth went dry all the same.

Many who met Lu Feng for the first time were often cowed by his aura of menace, too intimidated to take in his features properly. But in truth… he was devastatingly handsome.

His facial features were angular and well-defined, with a firm and smooth jawline, a straight nose, thin lips, and sharp eyebrows framing phoenix-like eyes. His eyelashes were long, and his ink-black pupils were deep and mesmerizing, a single glance sweeping by could stir one’s heart.

Jiang Wanrou, under his gaze, felt as though a lively little rabbit was hopping wildly in her chest, thumping incessantly.

It wasn’t until he picked up a piece of xuan paper and posed her into various positions for sketching that the little rabbit in Jiang Wanrou’s heart suddenly “plopped” and wilted.

All in all, apart from the occasional exasperating moments from the man, Jiang Wanrou felt quite content. His touch, his gaze, his kisses—they captivated her far more than the act itself.

There was even a hint of a fluttering heart.

Doctor Luo prepared a medicinal plaster for Lu Feng, which needed to be applied with heat for half an hour daily. Since Lu Feng disliked having others around, this task naturally fell to Jiang Wanrou. It wasn’t a heavy chore, just one that required constant attention to ensure the plaster stayed warm with a hot water bag when it cooled.

Once the plaster was applied, Lu Feng couldn’t move, and Jiang Wanrou had nothing to do either. The two couldn’t just sit there staring at each other. Half-reclining on the pear blossom couch, Lu Feng asked gently, ‘Have you ever read any books?’

The Lu family adhered to rigorous scholarly traditions, and Lu Feng, having received familial teachings from a young age, was immensely knowledgeable. Back in the day, if he had participated in the imperial examinations, he might have been a promising candidate for high-ranking office. He was usually occupied with official duties, but now he seized this opportunity to share some private words with his wife and grow closer to her.

He didn’t require her to possess exceptional talent— even something as simple as the Analects would suffice to alleviate his boredom.

Jiang Wanrou didn’t quite understand and truthfully replied, “I’ve read Lessons for Women and The Instructions for Women.”

Lu Feng fell silent. After clearing his throat, he said, “Let’s not talk about this. Bring the chessboard and pieces; let’s play a game together.”

Jiang Wanrou’s face turned red, and she lowered her head a bit awkwardly. “I don’t know how to play chess.”

Lu Feng rubbed his temples and said helplessly, “In my study, on the antique shelf to the left as you enter, there’s a Jiao Wei. Go ask Chang’an to bring it.”

Jiang Wanrou blinked her beautiful eyes, her thick lashes fluttering, and humbly asked, “Husband, what is a Jiao Wei?”

Lu Feng: “…”

This was the first time Commander Lu realized that his wife was completely unskilled in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting!

It wasn’t entirely unreasonable for him to be surprised. In this era, the saying “a woman’s lack of talent is a virtue” was no longer followed. Any respectable family, hoping to secure a good marriage for their daughters, would hire renowned tutors from a young age to teach them poetry, prose, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, ensuring they excelled in all. Back then, Jiang Wanxue had become famous in the capital with her Ode to the Splendor of Mountains and Rivers, which the emperor himself praised. His Majesty had even declared her deserving of the title of “talented woman.”

Thus, Jiang Wanxue cemented her reputation as the “most talented woman in the capital,” enjoying a period of unmatched prominence.

Jiang Wanrou, though a daughter of the Jiang family, was raised as a concubine’s child, and her education was far less refined compared to that of the legitimate daughters. Even so, Lu Feng had not anticipated it to be this deficient. Known for his ruthless reputation now, many had forgotten that before he became disabled, the eldest son of the Lu family was an exceptional scholar—a true prodigy in classical studies, literature, and calligraphy, effortlessly eloquent and skilled.

Jiang Wanrou was not dim-witted and quickly grasped Lu Feng’s implications, a light blush blooming across her fair face.

“Husband, I…I have embarrassed you.”

It wasn’t her fault, really. Under the oppressive reign of Madam Qin, the mistress of the household, survival was a daily struggle, and even basic nourishment and clothing were luxuries. If not for concerns over ruining the family’s reputation, Madam Qin would have likely refused to even teach them the simplest of characters, let alone provide instruction in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Those miserable past experiences were secrets Jiang Wanrou had never shared with Lu Feng. Now, with Jiang Wanxue fallen from grace, she would never reveal them—it would appear as though she were taking advantage of the situation, making herself seem petty and cruel.

The Lu family’s strict traditions ensured a disciplined upbringing. Lu Feng, raised in the outer courtyard from a young age, remained unacquainted with the intricate affairs of the inner household. He couldn’t comprehend the hardships Jiang Wanrou faced in her youth and merely assumed his wife had been rebellious and unwilling to study.

“Forget it.”

Seeing her embarrassed expression, Lu Feng offered a faint smile. “I misunderstood.”

She was, after all, a woman—she wouldn’t be taking the imperial examinations, so what good would reading countless books do? She managed the household meticulously and raised Huaiyi well, and that was more than enough.

“Chang’an.” Lu Feng lightly tapped the window lattice twice and spoke a few words outside. Moments later, a servant in green robes lifted the curtain and entered, presenting a round redwood tube with both hands before bowing and retreating.

Jiang Wanrou glared at him, somewhat annoyed, and said, “Husband, how could you call someone in without warning me in advance?”

When Lu Feng finished applying the ointment to his legs, it was almost time to retire for the night. She was now dressed only in her inner garments, with her long, jet-black hair cascading down her back. How could she allow outsiders to see her in such disheveled attire?

“Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare.”

Lu Feng found it amusing. Did she think he, the commander, was made of paper? Even if he weren’t present, who would dare take even one extra glance at Lu Feng’s woman? Anyone foolish enough would be better off without their eyes.

He picked up the cylindrical container, shaking it lightly in his hand. Under Jiang Wanrou’s curious gaze, he took out the three dice inside.

“You should at least know how to play this. If not, it’s fine—I’ll teach you.”

The sand in the hourglass trickled slowly, time passing leisurely. There had to be something to do. In his mind, Lu Feng had already labeled Jiang Wanrou as “playful in youth” and “lacking in learning.” These dice were originally meant for Lu Huaiyi, but he figured they could serve as a temporary amusement for her instead.

Lu Feng demonstrated a few rounds first. Jiang Wanrou bit her lip in frustration and said, “Isn’t it just guessing big or small? This is way too simple!”

It was as though he was treating her like a three-year-old child.

“Simple?” Lu Feng raised an eyebrow. “Do you know how many people have been ruined by the word ‘simple’ that you just used? Among them were heirs of noble families and members of prestigious clans.”

Isn’t it just guessing big or small? Simple. Isn’t it just ten taels of silver? Not even worth a meal. Isn’t it just a hundred taels? Just a painting. Isn’t it just a thousand taels? Consider it buying a piece of jade…

Lu Feng had once been young and reckless himself, indulging in taverns and gambling dens. He had witnessed firsthand how noble gentlemen, once the picture of grace and elegance, ended up drowning in debt and utterly ruined. He was determined not to let his son meet such a fate. Rather than let Lu Huaiyi be led astray by some dubious friends in the future, he figured it would be better for his father to teach him directly.

At that moment, Jiang Wanrou was still unaware of the dangers hidden in these seemingly ordinary dice. Uninterested, she said, “Fine, since you’ve asked, I won’t spoil your mood.”

Lu Feng asked her, “What are you planning to wager as the stake?”

“There’s a stake involved?”

Jiang Wanrou instantly grew excited. She ran out energetically and returned with an exquisite sandalwood lacquered jewelry box. She opened it, revealing an array of dazzling golden hairpins, jade bracelets, pearls, and gemstones—so plentiful and brilliant they were almost blinding.

She proudly tilted her chin and said, “Can these serve as stakes? Each piece is worth a fortune.”

Most of these jewels and ornaments had been bestowed by the palace, gifted by others, or purchased using Lu Feng’s salary. When she married, her dowry had been filled with items that were more for show than practical use.

Regardless of how she acquired them, they were hers now.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Jiang Wanrou’s mind, and she turned her gaze toward Lu Feng. “Since I’m offering a stake, shouldn’t you follow suit, husband?”

Before Lu Feng could respond, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, “I don’t want anything else—just…”

After hearing her request, Lu Feng smiled faintly and said, “Alright.”

…

To skip over Jiang Wanrou nearly gambling away her inner garments, in the days that followed, Cui Zhu often saw her mistress shaking a cylindrical container, and her brows furrowed in deep thought. While Jiang Wanrou practiced her gambling skills diligently, Lu Feng wasn’t idle either. While handling official duties, he managed to find Ying’er after two months of effort.