Chapter 88: No Lantern, No Moonlight, No Worries

Chapter 88: No Lantern, No Moonlight, No Worries

Lu Mingchao's worry turned to joy as she chewed on a piece of steamed cake soaked in fish soup, her smile bright and carefree. "It seems that Jinmao genuinely dotes on Jinyu."

Yunniang's expression was odd. She put down her spoon and said softly, "Chaochao, the truth is, Jinmao and Jinyu have never gotten along."

Lu Mingchao: ...

Yunniang continued, "Old Lady Feng twice arranged for sons-in-law to marry into the family. Jinmao's father stole the family seal and travel permits, then abandoned his wife and children to run off with a widow from Dahe Village."

"Left alone with her child, Old Lady Feng thought the family still needed a man to maintain the family's stability, so she brought in another son-in-law, and that's how Jinyu came to be."

"Jinmao and Jinyu have always been at odds since they were children, constantly clashing over trivial matters."

"Old Lady Feng favored Jinyu, her late-born daughter, and often sided with her. It wasn't until Jinmao married, became a father, and found work at the town's escort agency due to his strong build that he stopped coming home frequently. Only then did the Feng family finally settle down."

"I really didn't expect Jinmao to support Jinyu."

"Old Lady Feng spent the whole afternoon shouting at Jinmao, one moment saying he had a black heart and couldn't stand to see Jinyu happy, the next saying he was just like his deadbeat father, an ungrateful wretch."

Lu Mingchao drank the last of the fish soup in her bowl and frowned, "What kind of influence has the Old Scholar cast on Old Lady Feng?"

Since Old Lady Feng is so fond of the Old Scholar, why not arrange for another son-in-law?

Practice makes perfect.

Yunniang lightly tapped Lu Mingchao's forehead, half-scolding, half-resigned, "Old Lady Feng is also afraid that with all this commotion, Jinyu might really end up unable to find a husband."

"The Old Scholar is, after all, some kind of option."

Lu Mingchao furrowed her brows.

An option?

A true home is where the heart finds peace and comfort.

It's not about settling for someone unworthy just to get by—that's like jumping into a fire pit!

"Mother, Jinyu knows what she wants," Lu Mingchao said softly.

What Feng Jinyu wants is for her alone to decide.

"No matter how Jinyu and her brother got along in the past, in this matter, he stood firmly by her side. This ensured she wasn't left isolated and helpless."

Yunniang neither agreed nor disagreed. After a few more words, she collected the bowls and left.

As night fell, the candles reflecting on the snow went out, and silence enveloped the surroundings.

After Xie Yan settled the children back in their rooms, Lu Mingchao lazily wrapped herself up like a cocoon, swaying gently.

Hearing the noise, Lu Mingchao looked up and saw Xie Yan taking off his outer robe and hanging it on the clothes rack. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across him.

The light softened his sharp, handsome features, adding warmth.

The shadows hid his youthful vigor, giving him a new, jade-like quality of quiet strength.

He was undeniably striking.

Lu Mingchao openly gazed at him, her mind suddenly recalling Xie Yan's fierce, sword-like intensity.

Thanks to his striking good looks, Xie Yan's every expression and demeanor was captivating.

She had to admit that her blissful marriage to Xie Yan was partly driven by her shallow infatuation with his looks.

In the winter snow, everything was still.

Only the wind gently tapped against the doors and windows, its soft sounds failing to disturb the peaceful dreams.

In the utter darkness, Lu Mingchao felt the warmth of the person beside her and suddenly remembered the saying, "As long as two hearts are in harmony, what does it matter if there is no light or moon?"

Hmm, it suited the moment perfectly.

...

Changhe County.

Sun Zhiye, reeking of alcohol and perfume, patiently saw off the connections Magistrate Xu had introduced, one by one, into their carriages.

As the carriages rolled away, the long street was swallowed by the deep night.

Only the lantern in the servant boy's hand swayed in the breeze, casting a faint glow.

He couldn’t see far, barely making out the ground beneath his feet.

Hmm, he should be able to see clearly.

He had to see clearly!

As the alcohol took hold, Sun Zhiye felt stifled and tugged at his collar, loosening the buttons. His well-tailored robe hung loose, shedding its usual formality for a more casual look.

"Young master, it’s cold tonight. Please wear the white cloak."

The servant boy held a soft, thick white cloak draped over his arm.

Sun Zhiye merely glanced sideways, his expression faint.

The servant boy quickly bowed his head, holding the lantern respectfully and following in silence.

The wind tousled Sun Zhiye’s hair, but he paid it no mind, making no effort to fix it.

As the banquet at Magistrate Xu’s Lake Pavilion was winding down, Magistrate Xu had someone lead him to the study and introduced him to some old connections.

They weren’t from the wealthiest or noblest families, but each held some standing.

After exchanging pleasantries and following Magistrate Xu’s cue, he hosted a banquet at Fuxiang Tower, drinking with others. With alcohol loosening tongues, it was easier to forge deeper connections.

He couldn’t recall how much he drank or if his smile ever faltered. But he knew the Sun family’s business would soon expand into several counties.

As long as there was profit, it was worth it.

He didn’t want to be stuck in tiny Changhe County; he aimed to climb the ladder of success through business.

Late at night.

Cold wind.

Empty streets.

Sun Zhiye walked for the time it took half an incense stick to burn, letting the alcohol wear off in the wind, before stepping into the waiting carriage by the roadside.

The servant boy followed closely behind, hanging the lantern in front of the carriage.

"Eldest Son, are we heading back to the Sun residence?"

Sun Zhiye had set up his own place outside a while ago, all for some peace and quiet.

"Let's go back to the Sun residence."

He left the banquet early, leaving a sharp servant boy behind to keep an eye on his mother, hoping she'd stay out of trouble.

Some things still needed to be made clear.

Lu Mingchao isn't someone to make an enemy of; it's better to stay on her good side.

As Sun Zhiye stepped into the Fuguang Courtyard, he spotted the person he'd left with his mother pacing anxiously under the eaves.

Fuguang, where the sun embodies yang virtue and the moon yin spirit. It balances light in the east and shadow in the west.

Ye, which means light, shining and magnificent.

He'd written this himself when he reached adulthood.

At this moment, Sun Zhiye had tied his hair and straightened his robe, looking every bit the dignified gentleman, pure as jade and noble as an orchid.

"Eldest Son."

The person under the eaves hurried forward as soon as he saw Sun Zhiye.

"Calm down, let's talk inside." Sun Zhiye's expression remained unchanged as he pushed open the study door and walked straight in.

As expected, his mother had stirred up trouble again.

Sun Zhiye sat up straight, exhausted.

"What happened?"

The servant boy bowed his head and dutifully explained what had happened at the plum blossom banquet—how someone had fallen into the water.

Sun Zhiye snapped his head up, disbelief flashing in his eyes. His hands clenched inside his sleeves, veins popping on the back of his hands. He shut his eyes, clenched his jaw, and fought to keep his cool.

Great job. Just great!

What on earth made his mother think falling into the water would get back at Lu Mingchao?

And Xu Qingxing! Trying to hide it just made it worse, and their clever plan blew up in their faces!

Sun Zhiye took a deep breath, furrowed his brow, and said firmly, "Got it. You can go."

"I want her under my control."