Chapter 35: Father Must Not Be in Danger

Chapter 35: Father Must Not Be in Danger

Three days had passed, and Cheng Yian's period had ended. She used this free time to carefully sew a sachet for Lu Xusheng. The fabric was a plain blue silk, without any patterns, as she thought men probably didn't like overly flashy things.

Wait!

Remembering what Nanny Xu had said about Lu Xusheng's preferences, could it be that he actually liked colorful things?

Cheng Yian suddenly decided to test this theory.

So she found a piece of brocade fabric, cut out a piece with intricate patterns, and spent two days sewing another sachet for Lu Xusheng. On the fabric, she embroidered a few orchid leaves and a cunning rabbit. At first glance, the design was intricate and vibrant.

Cheng Yian hadn't embroidered for a long time, and this time, she rediscovered her past skills, feeling quite pleased with herself. She held it up, admiring it from all angles, unable to let it go.

Lu Xusheng returned late at night, his dark cloak covered in frost and dust from his journey. Nanny Li quickly helped him take off the cloak, and Lu Xusheng brushed off the snow before lifting the curtain and entering the east chamber. Cheng Yian had already instructed someone to prepare hot water for him to wash his hands and face. After he washed his face, she handed him a cup of tea.

"Why do you always come back so late?" Cheng Yian asked with concern.

Lu Xusheng sat down with her at the table and replied, "There's a lot to do as the year ends. I have to sign and stamp documents from various departments at the Military Governor's Office. I can't leave." He paused, then added, "Your brother is busier than I am."

Cheng Yiyan managed the national treasury, and every silver coin in the Great Jin Dynasty went through his hands. From November to March each year, he was the busiest person in the government offices, handling year-end accounts and the budget for the new year.

Cheng Yian was also concerned about her brother. "Did you see him today? How is he? Does he even have time to eat?"

Lu Xusheng smiled, "You're worrying too much. This isn't his first year as a minister. The Cheng family handles things very well. Your sister-in-law ensures he gets three meals a day, delivered on time. He won't go hungry."

Cheng Yian envied the marital bond between Cheng Yiyan and Lu Shi.

Nanny Li came in with the servants to prepare the table. Lu Xusheng glanced at the dishes for the day, which hadn't changed much. He wasn't particularly picky; he ate whatever was available, a habit developed from years of military life. But after seeing the list Cheng Yian had made, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.

Lu Xusheng silently finished the meal, then hesitated about whether to go to the study. Cheng Yian excitedly brought out two sachets from the inner room.

"Here, these are my apologies. Which one do you like? Pick one."

One was a plain blue sachet, elegant and understated, with a glossy fabric and no unnecessary decorations.

The other was a brocade sachet with intricate floral and bird designs, exquisitely crafted and very eye-catching.

Both were beautiful.

In terms of wearing, he preferred the first one, but for display, he liked the second one.

"Can't I have both?"

Cheng Yian shook her head, "No, you have to pick one." She had worked hard to make two, and she couldn't give both to him.

After some consideration, Lu Xusheng took the second one and held it in his hand.

Since he wasn't going to wear it anyway, he might as well choose the second one.

The little rabbit had a pair of innocent eyes, somewhat resembling Cheng Yian, which was quite endearing.

Cheng Yian was secretly shocked. He really did like vibrant things.

She glanced at her own attire—a plain apricot-colored robe, with no makeup. Unless she was going out, she didn't bother dressing up. Cheng Yian gave Lu Xusheng a few deep looks, seeing him in a new light.

Lu Xusheng was still thinking about the other sachet. "Are you really not going to give it to me?"

"Why do you need so many?" Cheng Yian muttered softly, placing the other one in a brocade box, intending to wear it herself later.

Though Lu Xusheng was somewhat disappointed, he didn't insist.

Shortly after, Xu Yi had someone inform Lu Xusheng that someone from the official district was looking for him. Lu Xusheng took the sachet and returned to his study. Cheng Yian reviewed the account books for a while before retiring.

She wasn't sure what time it was when she awoke, feeling his hands wandering restlessly over her body. Cheng Yian was awakened by him.

"Lu Xusheng, I was sleeping so well..."

He had already flipped her over and pinned her beneath him, his voice low, "I've waited for you for five days."

He had waited five days because of that kiss, and only today did he touch her.

Cheng Yian, remembering that kiss, was still a little upset. He had spoiled her mood, so why should she give in to him?

"If you don't let me touch you, why should I let you touch me?"

Lu Xusheng's breath brushed against her forehead, "Perhaps it was on this day in our past life that we conceived."

Cheng Yian hesitated, recalling that in their past life, she had discovered her pregnancy around the 20th of the twelfth lunar month. The day her period was due didn't arrive, and the imperial physician confirmed her pregnancy. By then, the child was already growing, so it was indeed possible that she had conceived around this time.

During this hesitation, Lu Xusheng had already skillfully entered her, making Cheng Yian so furious that she pounded on him.

But her pounding was futile; he only became more mischievous, and Cheng Yian's voice was broken by his thrusts.

In the stillness of the night, every sound was particularly clear. Cheng Yian didn't dare to disturb the maids or the matron, so she stifled her voice. But the more she restrained herself, the more she seemed to resist yet yield, and Lu Xusheng's arousal only intensified. Cheng Yian surrendered early, but he wasn't finished yet. Eventually, he pinned her to a corner of the bed, watching her bury her face in the pillows like an ostrich, whimpering for mercy until he finally stopped.

Cheng Yian realized he was settling the score from that evening.

The Lu family's year-end rents had all been gathered, some stored in the warehouse on Drum Tower Street, and some in the storeroom behind the Lu residence. Cheng Yian divided the surplus livestock and grain into dozens of portions, allowing each Lu family household to take one. She had been busy with this for three consecutive days.

At the end of the month, it snowed for a long time, but finally, on the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky cleared.

Early in the morning, Cheng Yian, accompanied by her two sisters-in-law, presided over a meeting in the council hall, assigning the month's important tasks. She was busy until mid-morning when an unexpected guest arrived at the residence.

The visitor lifted her peach-red cloak, revealing a smiling face.

"An An..."

It was Zheng Ying, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Zheng Shanghe.

Cheng Yian was extremely surprised and hurried forward to greet her, taking her hand. "Why have you come? Oh, and I haven't congratulated you yet. Congratulations on becoming the Princess Ning."

A couple of days ago, Lu Xusheng had told her that the emperor had decreed Zheng Ying's betrothal to Prince Ning.

Zheng Ying, though shy, replied generously, "Thank you."

Cheng Yian wanted to take her inside for tea, but Zheng Ying shook her head.

"Don't bother. I'm here to take you to my place for a visit."

"What for?"

Seeing Cheng Yian's obvious surprise, Zheng Ying felt a bit embarrassed. She was a horse enthusiast, usually preferring to interact with horses rather than people, so she wasn't well-versed in social etiquette. Today, she remembered having invited Cheng Yian to admire her stables and impulsively came over.

Zheng Ying explained the reason, looking apologetically at Cheng Yian, "Was this too sudden?"

Cheng Yian, having been cooped up for quite some time, decided it was a good opportunity to go out and relax.

Immediately returning to Ningji Hall to change into travel attire, Cheng Yian went with Zheng Ying to Jiaozhong District.

Lu Duke's mansion was quite a distance from Jiaozhong District. Heading north past Xi'an Gate, following the eastern side of the imperial city, and passing Drum Tower Street, they finally arrived at the vicinity of Jiaozhong District.

Although Jiaozhong District was not far from the imperial city, it was located to the north of the imperial city, where the population was sparser. Here, the Zheng family occupied a large plot of land. However, Zheng Ying did not take Cheng Yian to the Zheng residence, as she did not want to waste time on social formalities. Instead, she directly took Cheng Yian to her stable.

Zheng Ying's stable was located in an empty courtyard to the north of the Zheng residence. Minister Zheng, indulging his daughter's passion, had purchased a courtyard to the north of the residence and converted it into a horse farm. Now, this courtyard belonged to Zheng Ying.

Zheng Ying spent half of her day here.

Within the horse farm, there was also a snow hut where Zheng Ying loved to bring a few friends to roast venison in winter.

First, she led Cheng Yian inside, served her tea, and then pointed to the distant stable, saying,

"My brother had someone bring two fine horses from Dayuan. Thinking of the favor I owe you and your husband for letting me have Little Red Hare, I want to gift you a horse as a return favor. You can choose one yourself, is that okay?"

A gentleman does not take what others hold dear.

Cheng Yian smiled and replied, "There's no need to gift me a horse. If you have time, just teach me how to ride later, and let me enjoy myself."

Zheng Ying didn't say much, pulling her towards the stable. Cheng Yian noticed that as soon as Zheng Ying entered the stable, her eyes lit up. She could instantly tell if a horse was in good spirits and would patiently coax sick horses to drink water and take medicine. She was truly a unique girl.

After calming the horses, they each chose a horse and galloped around the horse farm with Cheng Yian. Recalling Cheng Yian's clumsy polo skills from last time, Zheng Ying couldn't help but teach her a few tricks. Just as they were having fun, they saw from a distance the steward leading two people in.

The first person, wearing a jade crown and royal robes, was Zheng Ying's newly betrothed, Prince Ning. The other, dressed in a long black robe, standing tall with hands behind his back, was Lu Xusheng.

Upon seeing Prince Ning, Zheng Ying was so startled she nearly fell off her horse.

Cheng Yian quickly dismounted and helped the unsteady Zheng Ying down. The tall black horse blocked Prince Ning's view, and Zheng Ying looked at Cheng Yian with a pleading expression, "An An, what should I do?"

Cheng Yian was taken aback by her nervousness, "Aren't you engaged? You'll be husband and wife soon, no need to be so formal."

Usually quite bold, why was she so flustered upon seeing Prince Ning?

Zheng Ying's knees were weak with nervousness, slowly walking around the horse's belly, shyly curtsying towards Prince Ning,

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ning, greetings, Duke of the State." She kept her head down, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.

Lu Xusheng shared a glance with Cheng Yian, who then understood he had accompanied Prince Ning here, and she bowed to Prince Ning.

Prince Ning, initially composed, grew somewhat awkward upon seeing Zheng Ying's face as red as a monkey's bottom.

"Ahem, the weather is nice today. Passing by, I remembered my Little Red Hare is also here, so I thought I'd take a look."

Cheng Yian understood this was Prince Ning's excuse and glanced at Zheng Ying.

Zheng Ying believed him, "Then allow this humble girl to lead Your Highness to see Little Red Hare."

Prince Ning: "....."

Lu Xusheng rubbed his brow, resolved to help Prince Ning, and said expressionlessly to Cheng Yian,

"I was busy today and originally had no time to pick up my wife. But then, Prince Ning dragged me here on a detour."

Zheng Ying: "......"

Only a fool wouldn't get it now.

She was even more embarrassed, feeling completely out of place.

Cheng Yian saw her standing still and gently nudged her, "Miss Zheng, don't leave His Highness standing in the cold wind."

Zheng Ying came back to her senses and stammered, gesturing towards the snow-covered hut, "Please, Your Highness and General Lu, come in for some tea."

Prince Ning gave a sharp look at Lu Xusheng and, with his hands clasped behind his back, entered the courtyard.

Zheng Ying first led the two to their seats, then winked at Cheng Yian, signaling her to follow to the tea room.

Cheng Yian stood up and accompanied Zheng Ying to the next room. Zheng Ying's expression fell as she hugged Cheng Yian's arm,

"What am I going to do? I'm so nervous... I can't even look at him."

Cheng Yian teased her, "What will you do after you're married? Won't you look at him then? No matter how high His Highness's status is, he's still your husband. Just treat him like an ordinary man."

Zheng Ying, on impulse, asked, "How was it when you first met General Lu? Were you as nervous as I am?"

Cheng Yian and Lu Xusheng first met on their wedding night, drank the ceremonial wine, and then consummated their marriage.

It was straight to the point.

"Well, we hadn't met before the wedding."

After realizing this, Zheng Ying's face turned even redder.

She covered her face, too embarrassed to go out.

Cheng Yian had no choice but to whisper in her ear,

"Just treat him like your favorite horse in the stable, talk to him the same way, and slowly, it will become natural."

Cheng Yian had just seen how Zheng Ying treated the horses in the stable as friends, and her earnest manner was quite endearing.

Zheng Ying looked at her anxiously, "Is that really going to work?"

"Yes, look at me and Lu Xusheng. We hadn't met before the wedding, and we got along just fine."

Zheng Ying glanced at Cheng Yian's radiant face and pouted, "If I were as pretty as you, I wouldn't feel so unsure of myself."

Zheng Ying had a few freckles on her cheeks and was often teased as a child, which made her shy away from people and spend her time with horses.

Cheng Yian didn't mention that in her past life, Lu Xusheng had still divorced her, "I liked you the moment I saw you. Besides, if His Highness wasn't interested, why would he come all this way to see you?"

This boosted Zheng Ying's confidence a little.

Finally, she took a deep breath, poured the tea, and personally served it to Prince Ning.

Lu Xusheng had already made his excuses and left, and Cheng Yian didn't follow him in. The couple stood in a corner of the hallway, giving Prince Ning and Zheng Ying a chance to talk.

Their attendants and maids were all waiting, maintaining proper decorum.

Prince Ning took the tea and, seeing that Zheng Ying still didn't dare to look at him, frowned slightly.

The atmosphere in the snow-covered hut froze momentarily.

To dispel the awkwardness, they both suddenly spoke at the same time,

"Has Little Red Rabbit been behaving well lately?"

"Has Your Highness eaten lunch yet?"

This unspoken understanding subtly bridged the distance between them. Zheng Ying finally allowed herself to glance at him, her gaze calm and serene, taking in his strikingly handsome features. Feeling she didn't measure up to him, she quickly lowered her head again.

Prince Ning quickly replied, "I haven't eaten yet."

Hearing this, Zheng Ying, as if she had finally found an excuse to escape the awkward situation, said, "I will go prepare something for Your Highness..." Without waiting for his response, she quickly left the snow hut.

Prince Ning watched her retreating figure, silently holding back his words.

After glancing around and waiting for almost half an hour, Prince Ning finally saw Zheng Ying hurriedly carrying a tray of dishes—three dishes, a soup, and a dessert, steaming hot, as if just out of the kitchen.

Shyly, Zheng Ying set the tray on the table next to Prince Ning,

"Your Highness, please go ahead and eat."

Though Prince Ning was no longer hungry, he couldn't turn down his fiancée's offer.

"Alright."

As a member of the royal family, Prince Ning had been raised in luxury since childhood, his every move exuded elegance.

Zheng Ying waited on him, watching as he tasted each dish, and couldn't help but ask, "Does it please Your Highness?"

Prince Ning nodded, "Very good." After a pause, he suddenly realized something and looked up at Zheng Ying,

"Did you cook this yourself?"

Zheng Ying chuckled, her face warming, "Yes, since Your Highness came personally, I didn't know how else to serve you..." As she spoke, a blush spread to her ears.

Prince Ning felt a stir in his heart, and he quietly watched her without speaking.

Honestly, Zheng Ying wasn't his type, but for the sake of his greater plans, he had accepted his father's arrangement. Today, following his father's command, he had come specifically to visit her, and he found Zheng Ying more sincere than he had imagined.

Having grown up in the royal city, he was used to living behind a mask; Zheng Ying's purity was rare.

Prince Ning suddenly felt a glimmer of anticipation for their married life.

The sounds from inside reached Lu Xusheng's ears, and his sharp eyes turned towards Cheng Yian beside him.

Prince Ning, meeting his fiancée alone for the first time, was treated to a meal she had personally cooked.

And what about him? He had been waiting for days, and Cheng Yian's promised menu was still nowhere to be seen.

Cheng Yian, catching her husband's dissatisfied and questioning look, was momentarily confused,

"What's wrong?"

Lu Xusheng smiled faintly, "Has my wife forgotten something?"

"What?"

"That menu?"

Cheng Yian blinked, taking a while to realize what Lu Xusheng was referring to.

"You saw it?"

"Yes."

"Do you want it?"

"Oh?"

"If you had made the long trip to visit me before we got married, I would have cooked for you every day."

Lu Xusheng: "...."

Well, he shouldn't expect Cheng Yian to cook for him in this lifetime.

Seeing his aggrieved expression, Cheng Yian smiled slightly.

The Zheng residence was not far from the Cheng residence. The Cheng family had planned to deliver a batch of newly made furs to the Lu family today, but upon hearing that Cheng Yian was here, Matron Han came directly to the stable outside the Zheng residence and stood in front of the carriage, eagerly bowing to Cheng Yian.

"Madam, the Matriarch heard that you are here and invites you back to the Cheng residence for a casual meal. If you wish, you can stay at the residence. If not, the young master will escort you back in the evening."

Cheng Yian looked up at Lu Xusheng, "Are you coming along?"

Lu Xusheng had already thoroughly offended his father-in-law and shook his head, saying, "I won't go. I have business in the official district. I'll come to pick you up later."

Cheng Yian then followed the matron from the Cheng family back to the Cheng residence.

Cheng Yiqiao and Lu Shi personally greeted Cheng Yian at the entrance.

"Is Second Brother not at home? I heard from Lu Xusheng that he's been very busy lately."

Lu Shi sighed, "He hasn't been back for two weeks."

"What about Father? Is he not here either?"

Before she finished speaking, she saw a man standing in the corridor waiting for her, wrapped in a black fox fur cloak. He stood tall, his eyes clear and smiling as he gazed at her.

"An An."

In private, he called her Ping Ping, but in public, he called her An An like everyone else.

"Father..." Although she hadn't returned to the Cheng family for some time, Cheng Mingyu still sent her treats every few days. Seeing him now, Cheng Yian felt a growing closeness to him.

Cheng Mingyu could sense his youngest daughter's growing attachment to him and gestured for her to come inside.

The Matriarch, as usual, hugged her tightly, "Ping girl, you're so heartless. It's been a whole month since you last came back."

Cheng Yian defended herself, "Others don't return to their parents' home for a year or more after marriage. I've been coming back quite often. If I come too frequently, I'm afraid you'll get tired of me."

The Matriarch glared at her, "Would I get tired of you? Even if you were to divorce and return home now, I'm sure your father would set off firecrackers to celebrate."

Times were different now. In the past, Cheng Yian was in the South Mansion, and with the emperor forcing the marriage, Cheng Mingyu had no choice but to arrange her marriage to Lu Xusheng. Now that the girl had been recognized, there were no more worries, and he was truly concerned she might suffer in her husband's family.

Take Cheng Yiqiao for example. In other families, a twenty-year-old girl would have been pressured to marry long ago, but in Cheng Mingyu's case, as long as Cheng Yiqiao didn't want to marry, he wouldn't push her.

Hearing this, Cheng Yian glanced at Cheng Mingyu, who was calmly accepting the tea handed to him by Cheng Yiqiao, showing no signs of denial.

Cheng Yian chuckled, "Then if I really leave the Lu family, don't you dare say anything, old lady."

The Matriarch laughed and brought up another matter.

"Ping Ping, come back home and stay for a while."

A female servant was serving tea to Cheng Yian, who held it in her hand but didn't drink, asking the old lady, "Stay for a while?"

The Matriarch pointed at Cheng Mingyu and Cheng Yian, saying,

"In about twenty-odd days, we will return to our ancestral home to pay respects to our ancestors. Your father, as the clan leader, must be present. It looks like we'll be spending the New Year in Hongnong. Coincidentally, today's court meeting decided that your father will be sent on a southern tour by imperial order to oversee the land measurement for the court. Your father estimates that he might not return for half a year. He plans to wrap up his duties at the Censorate before the New Year and will head directly from Hongnong to Jiangnan early next year. With such a long separation, your father is worried and wants you to come back and stay..."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yian felt as if she had been rooted to the spot, her mind buzzing with a thousand thoughts.

In her past life, her father also went to Jiangnan after the New Year and did not return until late July when he heard about her troubles at the Lu family. He rushed back to handle Miao Shi and her daughter. She would always remember the scene of Fan Yulin kneeling before him, begging to marry her. She heard his harsh coughing behind the bead curtain. At the time, she didn't know why, but now she thinks it might have been due to the grief and hardship he endured on the journey, or the exhaustion from his efforts in Jiangnan, or perhaps both.

In any case, a year after she married and moved to Yizhou, her father died.

After his death, the Cheng family started to fall apart.

Later, when the crown prince rebelled and the Northern Qi cavalry swept south, the Cheng family suffered a catastrophic disaster.

To save the Cheng family, the first step is to ensure nothing happens to her father.

Going to Jiangnan to measure land would put him at odds with thousands of powerful families, and the dangers are immeasurable.

Her father must have suffered there, wrecking his health, which led to his later illness.

In this life, she is fine, so her father won't have to worry.

Thus, the only real danger is this southern tour.

No, she must find a way to prevent her father from going south.

As this thought arose, Cheng Yian's chest heaved with emotion, and she accidentally dropped the teacup she was holding.

The teacup shattered on the ground, soaking a large section of the carpet. Everyone stared at Cheng Yian in shock.

"An An, what's the matter?"

Cheng Mingyu looked at his daughter's pale face, his expression serious.