Chapter 33: He Really Married Lu Mingchao

Chapter 33: He Really Married Lu Mingchao

Yunniang glanced at Lu Yao discontentedly and said, "Next year, you'll be taking the autumn exams, and I hope you won't let your hard work go to waste."

Gu Zhen's eyes lit up like stars, a gentle smile curling her lips. "Second Young Master Lu will surely achieve his heart's desire."

Lu Yao furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Gu Zhen sighed softly, beautiful but cold. Enough, enough, some things are meant to be admired from afar, not meddled with.

Otherwise, she feared she might walk the same path as Lu Mingchao had before, giving warmth but receiving only coldness in return.

Let the past be a lesson to us.

Gu Zhen composed herself, said her goodbyes once more, and climbed into the carriage using the small stool.

Ah Qiu stood beside the carriage, head down, nervously picking at her fingers. She had upset Miss; would she still be allowed to sit inside the carriage with her?

"Ah Qiu."

Gu Zhen's voice was like music to Ah Qiu's ears.

Ah Qiu nimbly climbed into the carriage, kneeling on the carpet, her voice trembling as she said, "Miss, I truly know I was wrong."

Gu Zhen lazily lifted her eyelids and looked down at Ah Qiu. "Do I come across as someone who’s forgetful and easily swayed?"

"I called you up because I disdain to use such methods to torment you."

The clatter of hooves filled the air as the wind tugged at the carriage curtain. Gu Zhen waved to the Lu family one last time, then closed the window, shielding herself from the harsh wind and the exceptionally handsome face outside.

Those peaceful days were likely over for good.

Neither the overly dramatic and tearful Lu Minghui nor her slow-witted brother, who always seemed to cause trouble, made things any easier.

As night descended, the sky was softly dotted with twinkling stars.

Xie Yan cleaned up the mess in the courtyard before pushing open the door and stepping inside.

He saw Mingchao holding Jingyi, sleeping soundly.

The soft, warm light illuminated the room. The wedding dress shone brightly, its freshness and elegance reminiscent of tender green willow branches in early spring, and its brilliance rivaled that of the rising sun.

"Father."

Ru'an looked up and whispered.

Xie Yan bent down and carried Ru'an in his arms, gently rubbing Ru'an's head, his steps light as he left the room without disturbing the mother and daughter on the bed.

"Father, if I don’t call her 'mother,' will she think I’m being rude or immature?"

Ru'an's small head rested on Xie Yan's shoulder as he asked cautiously.

"Do you dislike her?" Xie Yan asked patiently.

Ru'an shook his head. "I don’t dislike her."

"She smiles a lot and looks nice when she smiles. She makes cute little hair buns for Sanbao, doesn’t mind cleaning up Sanbao’s drool, gently puts Sanbao to bed, and even gives me treats."

"Sanbao really likes her."

"But, I can't call her 'mother.' Every time I muster the courage to speak, the words get stuck in my throat."

Xie Yan’s eyes brimmed with sympathy.

Ru'an wasn’t as resilient and sharp as Huaiqian, nor as cheerful and carefree as Jingyi. She was rather shy and fearful.

However, this couldn't be blamed on Ru'an.

It was only by chance that he learned of the torments Ru'an had endured while following his second sister-in-law.

"Ru'an, take your time."

"One day, when you naturally call her 'Mom,' you might suddenly realize that all your memories of what a mother should be have already become her."

"Old memories will eventually be replaced by new experiences."

"The pain from the past will be healed by gentle moments."

"You just need to open your heart to accept her, accept her kindness to you, and allow yourself to respond to her kindness."

Xie Ru'an blinked, seeming to understand but not fully.

Fidgeting with her fingers, she hesitated, "But if I don’t call her 'Mom,' will it hurt her reputation?"

"Brother Huzi said that it's hard to be a stepmother."

Xie Yan smiled, "So Ru'an needs to adjust quickly."

"You're quite thoughtful for your age."

"Don’t worry, Dad and I are here for you."

Xie Ru'an nodded heavily.

As the night deepened, Lu Mingchao finally woke up, feeling bewildered by the darkness outside the window.

Why is it so dark out!

She had only planned to take a quick nap, but ended up sleeping until who knows what time.

She might have even slept through her wedding night.

"Mother, you're finally awake." A soft voice came from her arms, "Mother, I can't hold it in anymore, I need to pee."

Lu Mingchao lowered her head, and by the dim candlelight, she saw Jingyi's flushed face, smiled lightly with a bit of apology and embarrassment, and quickly got up to put shoes on Jingyi.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

Jingyi tilted her little head, "You smell so nice, I didn’t want to wake you."

Lu Mingchao: …

Perhaps the noise had spread outside, and the door was pushed open. Xie Yan, still wearing his wedding clothes, brightened the candle.

"Mingchao, let me do it."

"It’s cold out there, looks like the temperature’s dropping."

Xie Yan deftly bundled Xie Jingyi up in a thick coat and placed a hat on her head.

Xie Jingyi looked like a plump, cuddly ball.

Lu Mingchao didn't insist either, watching Xie Yan carry Xie Jingyi out of the room.

The wind howled, slamming against the windows, making the candlelight flicker.

After a short while, Xie Jingyi's soft plea came drifting in with the wind, "Daddy, can I sleep with Mommy every night from now on?"

"Dad doesn't think that's a good idea."

"But..."

"There are no 'buts' about it."

"Humph, then I'll ask Mommy. Mommy likes me a lot."

As soon as they returned to the room, still held in Xie Yan's arms, Xie Jingyi stretched out her hands towards Lu Mingchao, "Mommy, can I have a hug?"

Xie Yan held Xie Jingyi down. "Let’s warm you up first."

Xie Jingyi reluctantly agreed.

Lu Mingchao asked, "What time is it?"

"What about Huaiqian and Ru'an?"

"Are they asleep?"

Xie Yan nodded. "It's past ten o'clock."

Lu Mingchao was momentarily confused about what time that was and had to mentally go through the list in her mind.

"If I told you I’m not really a heavy sleeper, would you believe me?"

Xie Yan chuckled, his eyes sparkling with bright laughter, much brighter than the flickering candlelight.

"I believe you."

His voice was low and full of indulgence, soft yet captivating.

Lu Mingchao felt a wave of embarrassment, suddenly feeling awkward all over.

Xie Jingyi climbed down from Xie Yan's arms, wobbling slightly, and muttered, "No more cold air, Sanbao is warm, Sanbao is warm."

"Mommy, Sanbao is really warm now—come feel!"

Xie Jingyi leaned against Lu Mingchao obediently and dependently, and before long, her eyelids grew heavy again.

Children, they sleep a lot.

Lu Mingchao tucked Xie Jingyi in carefully, then sat down in the chair next to Xie Yan.

"You’ve done a great job raising the kids."

"I used to hear that when you go into the mountains, it takes you ten days to half a month to return. I thought the three children were left to their own devices."

By the candlelight, Lu Mingchao's expression was soft beyond words.

Xie Yan felt his heart thumping wildly. He really had married Lu Mingchao.

That girl who shone brightly.

Xie Yan's eyes curved in a smile, his voice like aged wine. "When I go into the mountains, I ask Granny Qi to help look after them."

They acted like an old married couple.