Chapter 11: Lu Xusheng, Let’s Divorce

Chapter 11: Lu Xusheng, Let's Divorce

In the afternoon, clouds gathered, and by evening, a light drizzle began to fall.

The carriage creaked as it rolled over the cobblestone road.

As dusk fell, the carriage arrived at the Lu residence. Cheng Yian stepped out and glanced up at the Lu residence standing in the mist, feeling somewhat disoriented. For a moment, it felt as if everything had settled, resolving her previous uncertainties.

Ru Hui came to the door to greet her, and together with Ru Lan, they helped her out of the carriage and into the house.

Cheng Yian had only asked Ru Lan to inform Lu Xusheng to pick her up from the Cheng residence in the evening, not really intending to report the matter to the authorities. Lu Xusheng, having finished his duties at the government office, rode his horse to the Cheng residence, only to be told halfway that Cheng Yian had already returned, so he turned back home.

Upon entering Ningji Hall, he quickly brushed off the mist from his clothes, removed his official robe, and handed it to Nanny Li. Then he hurried into the inner room, entering the east chamber, where he saw Cheng Yian silently sitting behind a long table, wiping her tears.

Lu Xusheng's brows immediately furrowed. "What's wrong? Who upset you?" His tone was harsh, as if he was ready to confront whoever had caused her distress.

Cheng Yian met his intense gaze, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation. She stood up and greeted him, shaking her head.

"It's nothing..." Her voice was still low.

Lu Xusheng washed his hands, took the tea offered by Ru Hui, and then sent everyone out to the corridor. He pulled up an embroidered stool and sat down solemnly beside her. "Why hide it from me?"

They were both reborn, after all.

Cheng Yian didn't intend to hide it from him and told him the important parts.

Lu Xusheng was genuinely surprised. He silently stared at her for a while, noticing the redness around her eyes, indicating she had been crying for a long time. He struggled to find the right words to comfort her.

"It's not that bad... just a change in paternity. Don't be so upset."

Cheng Yian shook her head, lowering her gaze. "I'm not sad for myself. I'm heartbroken for my mother."

Lu Xusheng was taken aback. After thinking it through, he also felt indignant on behalf of his mother-in-law. "The Cheng family is truly despicable."

The custom of shared inheritance had existed since ancient times. Initially, it involved two or three families sharing one son, who would inherit both families' lineages. This son would marry two wives, both considered equal, and the children would belong to their respective families. Over time, different variations emerged depending on the family's circumstances. Cheng Yian's parents' situation was one such variation, but it was an outdated and flawed custom, only still practiced by ancient families like the Cheng family. Newer aristocratic families like the Lu family had long abandoned such practices.

"In the Lu family, it would just be a matter of adoption," Lu Xusheng paused, "It's unjust to your mother."

Remembering his own childless past life and seeing Cheng Yian's red eyes, he pondered, "If we don't have children in the future, we don't even need to adopt. We can just live together as companions." It would be better than raising an ungrateful child who could squander the family fortune. It would be nice to live comfortably in old age.

Having experienced death once, his outlook had transformed. He had let go of many things.

Before he could finish, the person across from him suddenly looked at him seriously.

"Lu Xusheng, let's divorce."

Lu Xusheng's expression immediately darkened, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head. The flickering light reflected in his deep, dark eyes, and the corners of his eyes tightened.

Cheng Yian, seeing his furious expression, knew he was deeply upset and quickly explained.

"Listen to me, this matter will come out sooner or later," she said. In her past life, shortly after this, her grandmother fell seriously ill and revealed the truth in her delirium, which was overheard by Miao Shi, causing a huge scandal.

"Although it may be legally acceptable, it still goes against common sense. When the time comes, there will be gossip and pointing fingers everywhere. The Lu family will be thrust into the spotlight. I'm not afraid—I've been through it before—but you're different. You don't need to get involved in this mess."

"As for me," Cheng Yian spread her hands, "I've already made up my mind. I'll use this incident to sever ties with the Cheng family. I'll establish my own household, move to Suzhou or Nanjing, buy a house, grow flowers, start a business, and live a peaceful life."

Previously, she had been reluctant to let go of her family ties, but now that the truth had come to light, Cheng Yian felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Lu Xusheng patiently listened to every word she said, feeling a sharp pang in his heart. His gaze turned icy as he stared at her, "What if I don’t agree?"

"Why wouldn’t you agree to that?" Cheng Yian was puzzled. "If I leave, you can happily marry your cousin. This way, your reputation stays intact, your mother gets what she wants, and everyone’s happy."

Lu Xusheng’s eyes flashed with anger. "I won’t marry her. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but you."

Cheng Yian was stunned. Her wide, clear eyes stared at him for a long moment before she murmured, "You sound so sure, like you can’t live without me. Could it be that if I don’t marry you, you won’t survive? We’re not there yet, are we?"

It wasn’t that extreme. Lu Xusheng could live without anyone. He rubbed his brow, "Cheng Yian, my relationship with my cousin isn’t as good as you think. We don’t see eye to eye."

"Do you ever get along with anyone?" Cheng Yian interjected sharply.

Lu Xusheng couldn’t help but be both annoyed and amused by her, finding it amusing that she still had the mood to joke.

"Anyway, we are the most suitable for each other."

"I don’t believe you can truly endure a lifetime of loneliness without a man. Since you need a man, can you find anyone more suitable than me?"

Feelings can grow over time.

Lu Xusheng began to analyze with her, "Don’t be afraid. The things you worry about aren’t a problem for me. If that day ever comes, I will stand in front of you and not let anyone say a single word against you."

"Cheng Yian, without me, you might be freer, but there are also risks. A woman on her own might not be safe. With me," Lu Xusheng patted his chest, "you can do as you please."

He used the phrase "do as you please."

Those four words were incredibly tempting.

In her past life, Cheng Yian was trapped by family responsibilities, societal norms, and traditional virtues, living like a caged bird, never living freely. In this life, all she wished for was to live as she pleased.

In reality, it was Lu Xusheng who was taking the risk, not her. Could her situation be worse than it is now?

The decision was made in an instant. After understanding, Cheng Yian smiled at him with curved eyes, "You won’t regret it, will you?"

Lu Xusheng retorted, "Do I look like someone who would regret?"

And so, it was decided.

The two of them decided to live together.

They exchanged a smile.

Lu Xusheng breathed a sigh of relief, and Cheng Yian felt settled.

They glanced at each other again.

The mood shifted instantly.

What it truly meant to be husband and wife was self-evident.

Cheng Yian twisted her hands together, slowly shifting her gaze, her eyes landing on the account book on the table.

This was Lu Xusheng’s little treasury.

Her gaze drifted back, "Can I spend as I like?"

Lu Xusheng was speechless, "Of course."

Cheng Yian then shifted her position and began to seriously flip through the account book,

"We still need to buy a place."

Lu Xusheng was about to drink tea but put the cup down upon hearing this, "Isn't this place enough for you?"

Cheng Yian glared at him, "I don't have a family home anymore. If you ever get angry with me, I need somewhere to go."

Lu Xusheng's face darkened, "Have I ever gotten angry with you?"

Cheng Yian pouted, "Of course you have. In your past life, your silence meant you were angry."

When Lu Xusheng didn't speak, it was truly frightening. His eyes were dark and sharp, as if they could pierce through one's heart.

Cheng Yian was most afraid of his silence in her past life.

Lu Xusheng rubbed his forehead, "Then I'll talk more in this life."

Cheng Yian took advantage of the situation, "Don't impose rules on me, don't restrict me."

"How could I?" Lu Xusheng thought about how poorly he must have performed as a husband in his past life to make Cheng Yian so distrustful of him,

"As long as you don't keep me out of bed, I'll agree to anything." His gaze was direct.

The mood shifted quickly.

Cheng Yian's face slightly reddened, and she pursed her lips without saying a word.

After a while, they had dinner. Lu Xusheng went to the study to work, while Cheng Yian walked around the courtyard to aid digestion.

The rain gradually stopped, the dark clouds receded, and a crescent moon appeared in the sky.

Cheng Yian looked at the thin moonlight, remembering her mother who died at the Xiangshan Temple outside the city. She called for Nanny Li and instructed,

"Prepare some incense money and pack our things. Send someone to Xiangshan Temple. In a couple of days, I will go to Xiangshan Temple to perform a memorial service for my mother."

Nanny Li acknowledged.

The day's events had drained Cheng Yian's energy. After walking off her meal, she returned to the courtyard to bathe and change, then went to bed early on the canopy bed, pulling out a storybook she had read the day before to continue reading.

When Lu Xusheng returned, it was already late at night.

The rain and mist outside the window had cleared, the air was fresh, and the lanterns outside the corridor gently illuminated the night, making the evening breeze seem gentle and graceful.

Lu Xusheng came in and first glanced at the canopy bed. Her small face, no bigger than a palm, was nestled in the bedding, intently reading a storybook. Her skin was snow-white and translucent, and her eyes were soft.

It was an indescribable feeling, like a comfort deep in the heart after a lifetime of military service. Lu Xusheng's lips curved slightly, and he went to the bathroom to bathe.

The sound of splashing water was more distinct than usual.

Cheng Yian slowly put away the storybook, let down one side of the curtain, leaving half open, and moved to the inner side of the bed.

After a while, the water sounds ceased,

and footsteps approached, growing heavier as they came closer.

As if glancing toward the bed, Cheng Yian quickly averted her gaze, lifting her hand to brush the long hair hanging behind her shoulder. From the corner of her eye, she saw him holding the pillow towel from that day, approaching the bed without needing an invitation, as smoothly and naturally as an old married couple.

Once the light was extinguished, the room plunged into darkness. The bed dipped slightly, and the familiar yet unfamiliar cool scent, mixed with the fragrance of soap, filled the entire canopy bed with its intensity.

His presence was, as always, overwhelming.

Cheng Yian silently looked up at the canopy, lying down with her hand beneath her head.

"Will you always sleep on the inside from now on?" Lu Xusheng moved onto the bed to discuss with her.

Cheng Yian retorted, "Do you expect me to serve you?"

In the past, the wife slept on the outside and the husband on the inside, making it convenient for the wife to serve the husband.

He let out a light chuckle in the darkness,

"Yes, let me serve you instead."

Cheng Yian curled her lips, slowly bending one knee.

Immediately, the remaining half of the curtain was also pressed into the bed by him, and he lay down as well. The air stopped flowing, and the breathing inside the canopy became heavier.

Suddenly, it was very quiet.

Cheng Yian remembered her wedding night in her past life.

Nervous, shy, and expectant, she obediently lay in the bedding waiting for him to come over.

Lu Xusheng, of course, did not hesitate, and it went smoothly, but it was too painful. She had never known it could be so painful, and later she almost passively endured it. Lu Xusheng seemed to sense her unbearable pain and hastily finished.

It took several days for her to slowly adapt.

Although Lu Xusheng was usually quiet, in this matter, he was not one to be gentle. He was used to control, not knowing what gentleness was. The pain was intense, and it could also be deadly. Over time, he could demand it every night, and she began to feel overwhelmed.

What was even more infuriating was that he was cold and indifferent to her during the day, but at night, he could be endlessly intimate with her in bed.

Isn't that maddening?

Fan Yulin was different; he cared about her feelings and would even try to please her. If she didn't like it, he could stop.

Lost in thought for a moment, Cheng Yian realized she wasn't covered by the bedding, her abdomen feeling cold. She quickly pulled the blanket over herself, easily covering her body.

She noticed Lu Xusheng wasn't covered, "Aren't you covering yourself?"

She vaguely recalled that in their past life, they never shared the same bedding, each had their own. From the beginning of this life, they slept in separate beds. Lu Xusheng hadn't brought his bedding over, and now there was only one bedding on the bed.

After a moment, Lu Xusheng's voice came, "I'm not cold."

"Should I go get the bedding?"

"No need."

Cheng Yian couldn't monopolize the bedding, so she moved towards him, snuggling her entire body into the bedding.

Lu Xusheng had excellent night vision, clearly seeing her clumsy movements. He laughed.

Cheng Yian, annoyed, rolled her eyes in his direction, "What are you laughing at?"

Not expecting a response, Lu Xusheng remained silent.

Before long, Cheng Yian was curled up in the bedding, and he asked her, "Are you cold?"

"It's okay."

Which meant she was a little cold.

Lu Xusheng turned to face her, lifted a corner of the bedding, and moved closer to her.

Cheng Yian could feel a wave of intense warmth pressing against her, and she quietly inhaled.

It felt strange.

Even on their wedding night in her previous life, she hadn't felt like this.

How to put it? It was careful.

In her past life, they hadn't hesitated like this; it had gone smoothly.

But now, Lu Xusheng behind her didn't move.

She could even sense that he was deliberately avoiding touching her there.

Cheng Yian tilted her head back slightly, her gaze directly meeting his dark eyes.

Lu Xusheng propped his head up with one hand, gazing at her.

Cheng Yian wanted to ask why he hadn't started yet. Lu Xusheng seemed to sense her confusion, lowered his hand, and lay down fully. His long arm slowly wrapped around her waist, resting on her lower abdomen, holding her.

His broad palm, covered with calluses, created a slight itch, but it remained still.

It didn't move up or down.

He simply held her like that for a while.

Suddenly, Cheng Yian understood.

After finally reuniting, they were both being very cautious, afraid that too much force would disrupt this delicate balance.