Chapter 62: Mother

Chapter 62: Mother

As Cheng Yian stepped out of the Cheng family's main gate, she saw Qiu Qing sitting on the carriage shaft with his head bowed and looking ashamed.

Looking at Ru Lan beside the carriage, her face was puffed up with anger.

Cheng Yian blinked, feeling puzzled.

Earlier, with so many people around, Ru Lan hadn't followed her inside and had stayed in the side room with the other members of the Lu family. Now that the matron had come out to relay a message, Ru Lan and the others were preparing to leave with her.

The rain had stopped, and the ground was covered with a layer of water. The matron escorted Cheng Yian to the carriage, and Cheng Yian glared at Ru Lan.

"Did you scold Qiu Qing?"

Ru Lan replied with great displeasure, "Of course! It's his fault for not being more cautious and bringing more people to the He family, almost causing you trouble."

Cheng Yian looked at Qiu Qing, who was already blushing. The burly man seemed utterly ashamed.

"Young Mistress, Miss Ru Lan is right to scold me."

Cheng Yian laughed, "If she scolds you like this often in the future, will you still be okay with it?"

Qiu Qing chuckled, scratching the back of his head and revealing a mouthful of white teeth, "I'm just afraid Young Mistress won't have the heart to let her?"

Cheng Yian glanced at Ru Lan, who, embarrassed, stomped her feet and ran to the carriage behind.

Cheng Yian then got into the carriage, and Qiu Qing turned the horse's head towards the Lu residence. Cheng Yian, feeling exhausted, gradually fell asleep to the sound of the rolling wheels. At some point, the carriage seemed to pause briefly before moving again. Cheng Yian stirred, and suddenly a shadow loomed over her, followed by a torrent of kisses.

Before Cheng Yian could open her eyes, his tongue easily pried open her lips and delved inside. She instinctively pressed against his chest, her shoulder blades shrinking back. Lu Xusheng, longing for her, firmly grasped the back of her head and kissed her deeply.

Cheng Yian, trapped against his burning chest, struggled to breathe. Her entire mouth seemed to be held captive by his, played with, and teased.

Gradually, the long-missed coolness dominated her senses, and her body softened. Her arms involuntarily wrapped around his neck, clinging to him. Perhaps due to the intensity, his breathing became too rapid to keep up, and he suddenly slowed down. Cheng Yian, however, pressed herself against him, unwilling to let him pull away.

Seeing this, Lu Xusheng seemed to be ignited by a thunderous fire, pulling her body tightly against his, fitting her perfectly. The two of them went back and forth, their kisses wandering from her lips to her earlobe and further down. Cheng Yian's thoughts seemed to be swallowed by a giant wave until a scorching lick across her chest brought her back to reality. She suddenly realized they were in a carriage, with servants following outside, and she hurriedly pushed him away.

"Don't..."

Since she had been resting earlier, the carriage was not lit. Cheng Yian couldn't see him clearly but felt a pair of hawk-like eyes staring at her sharply and resentfully, as if blaming her for ruining his moment, as if he wanted to devour her.

Cheng Yian, both amused and exasperated, tried to soothe him, "You're the Duke of the State, don't you care about your dignity?" She reached out in the darkness to straighten his collar.

Lu Xusheng took a deep breath, slowly calming down.

Hearing the commotion inside stop, Qiu Qing turned the carriage around and headed back to the small gate of the Lu residence.

Cheng Yian asked him, "What exactly happened in Jiangnan? What about that assassin? Were you hurt? Tell me everything quickly."

Lu Xusheng didn't listen to a single word, his face cold as he scooped her up horizontally, holding her in his arms. He frowned as he felt her weight, "You've lost weight?"

Cheng Yian had no time to discuss whether she had lost weight or not, slapping his hand, "Put me down, let's talk properly!"

Lu Xusheng ignored her, carrying her out of the carriage. His handsome face was as dark as water, startling the servants along the way, who dared not make a sound. Ru Lan, however, was quick on her feet, rushing ahead to Ningji Hall to instruct Nanny Li to prepare water.

Cheng Yian was furious. Although it was late at night and there were no outsiders around, and the servants wouldn't dare to look, she still cared about her dignity and whispered, "Put me down."

Lu Xusheng remained unmoved.

Cheng Yian had no choice but to bury her face in his chest.

"Are you going to answer me?"

Her muffled voice came from his chest, brushing his ear like a feather.

Lu Xusheng's gaze darkened as he entered Ningji Hall, making a beeline for the bathroom and unceremoniously tossing her inside.

Once inside, Cheng Yian came alive, leaping from his arms and glaring at him fiercely.

"Still not talking? If you don't say anything, get out." She stood by the bathtub, hand on her hip, the warm steam making her look like a celestial being.

Lu Xusheng stepped back, leisurely shedding his official robe, his intense gaze never leaving her as he softly asked, "Why have you lost weight?"

"First, tell me about the assassin," Cheng Yian insisted, her eyes wide, refusing to budge.

Lu Xusheng, now in just his undergarments, nodded slowly. "It's been taken care of." He lied to keep Cheng Yian from worrying. Deep down, he was still the kind of man who didn't want his woman to worry about him.

Relieved, Cheng Yian scrutinized him. "Were you hurt?"

Lu Xusheng looked at her, a teasing smile on his lips. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

Cheng Yian blushed, swatting him in frustration.

Lu Xusheng actually stripped, and though Cheng Yian's face turned red, she carefully inspected him as if he were her own. "You've got two new scars."

Not too deep, probably nothing to worry about.

Afterward, they bathed in turns and left the bathroom.

Cheng Yian had eaten a bit at the Cheng family dinner and asked Lu Xusheng, "Have you eaten yet?"

"I had some with His Majesty at the palace." But right now, he had something else on his mind.

It was nearly midnight, and Cheng Yian was worn out, so she headed to bed. The summer bed had been swapped for a canopy bed, open on all sides for coolness but still draped with thin curtains for privacy.

Cheng Yian lay down first, but when she turned, she saw Lu Xusheng closing the curtains.

When Lu Xusheng wasn't home, Cheng Yian left the curtains open; if they were closed, the breeze couldn't get in, and it would get too hot.

"Why are you closing the curtains?" she asked.

Lu Xusheng, busy with the task, shot back, "What do you think?"

Cheng Yian was at a loss, sitting up helplessly, coaxing him softly, "Lu Xusheng, first, my elder sister had an incident today, so I'm not in the mood. Second, you've returned safely, and I have to go to Ping'an Temple tomorrow to fulfill a vow. Tonight, we can't indulge."

As she spoke, Lu Xusheng had already finished with the curtains and slipped inside.

Without a word, he pulled her into his arms.

"Cheng Yian, how long has it been since we last saw each other? Count it out."

His strength was immense, his body solid, and she was like a lamb in his arms, unable to resist.

Cheng Yian was pressed into the pillows, blinking as she thought.

Lu Xusheng had already blurted out the answer, "Exactly three months and a half." He paused, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Do you think I want to?"

"There's no need to rush today. I made a promise to Buddha, don't make me break it."

To prevent Lu Xusheng from causing trouble, she simply turned her body away, but he turned her back, his lips pressing against hers as he whispered, "Do you know what the people of Jiangnan call me?"

"Hmm?"

"They secretly call me Lu Yanluo. You might as well believe in me instead of Buddha. Make a wish to me, and see if it works." Knowing she liked kisses, he was quite mischievous in teasing her.

Cheng Yian was really annoyed with him, her hands and feet pushing against his chest and abdomen.

"What about your military order?" She tried to divert his attention.

Lu Xusheng paused, immediately let go of her, got up and stepped out of the bed, first looked around the east chamber, and asked Nanny Li outside the door,

"Where is the box I asked Xu Yi to bring?"

Nanny Li knew the young couple was reunited today and there would be some commotion, so she personally kept watch,

hearing the voice, she stood outside and replied,

"Second Master, it's on the third shelf of the display rack."

Lu Xusheng found it, lit a lamp, and brought it in to show Cheng Yian.

Fortunately, it had rained, and the night was quite cool. The couple sat on the bed, not feeling the heat at all. Lu Xusheng opened the box and handed Cheng Yian a stack of documents and deeds,

"Your bank is all set, Mingzhu is the manager, and I've also left some people to oversee it. The bank was established at the end of January, and today marks exactly three months of trial operation. We've lent out thirty thousand taels and taken in eighteen thousand taels. Take it easy, the amount I promised will definitely be there."

This was indeed a money-making treasure.

Cheng Yian held the deeds, unable to let them go, carefully flipping through them, all registered under her name, including the archived deeds of the mortgaged shops, showing that Mingzhu was very reliable.

Lu Xusheng chuckled at her greedy expression, reached out to take them back, stuffed them into the box, placed it on the dressing table outside, blew out the lamp, and returned to bed. By this time, Cheng Yian had tightly wrapped herself in the thin blanket, not giving him any opportunity.

Lu Xusheng laughed in frustration, "Cheng Yian, are you really going to fulfill your vow, or are you playing hard to get with me?"

Cheng Yian wrapped herself tightly and whispered,

"Wait until tomorrow, after I come back, I'll do whatever you want, alright?"

Lu Xusheng had no choice but to agree, "Alright."

Hearing him lie down obediently, Cheng Yian threw off the blanket because it was too hot.

Lu Xusheng was like a furnace; as soon as he returned, ice was placed in the room. Cheng Yian worried about getting a chill on her stomach, so she draped some blanket over her abdomen and handed the other end to him, "Do you want some? Even though you're young, you still need to take care of yourself."

Don't be strong for just a few years and then falter.

Lu Xusheng seemed to guess her thoughts, moved closer, and let her drape the blanket over him.

There was only a small gap between them, "Don't come any closer."

"Can't I even hold you?"

"I'm afraid you'll be uncomfortable."

Lu Xusheng stayed silent.

Cheng Yian noticed his prolonged stillness and remembered how this man had been out in the wind and rain, her heart aching for him. She turned around and hugged his waist, "Lu Xusheng, please don't go on long trips anymore. I worry about you."

"Did you miss me at all?" She believed that a single kiss would make him remember her.

Cheng Yian was tempted to ask if he had been as affectionate with Wang Yunyi, but she held back and simply said, "I did."

Her tone was clearly dismissive.

Lu Xusheng let out a soft snort.

Noticing his displeasure, Cheng Yian asked, "And you? Did you miss me?"

"Of course I did."

Cheng Yian was skeptical.

Lu Xusheng hugged her, "Let's get some sleep."

Facing him, his scent enveloped her with every breath, so Cheng Yian turned around.

This way, her back was against his chest—close, but not too close, not pressed tightly.

Although Lu Xusheng had promised not to touch her, his body had a mind of its own.

"An An, are you there?" His helpless voice came through.

Cheng Yian was already yawning, "Hmm?"

"How about we fulfill the vow in a few days?"

Lu Xusheng inched closer, making his intentions clear.

Cheng Yian was jolted awake by his movement, "You..."

Lu Xusheng's tone was indescribably melancholic, "I can't control it..."

"I can't sleep."

Cheng Yian: "....."

A fleeting thought of compromise crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. Today bleeding into tomorrow, and tomorrow into the next—when would it end? She didn't want the Buddha to deem her untrustworthy and stop listening to her wishes.

Cheng Yian gritted her teeth, "How did you get through all those days in Jiangnan?"

Lu Xusheng said, "Every day was consumed with handling the powerful local factions. No time to think about these things..."

He instantly regretted his words.

Cheng Yian clicked her tongue in disapproval, "And who was it that just claimed to miss me?"

Lu Xusheng rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Unable to bear it any longer, he simply hugged her waist tighter, making himself more comfortable, "Then let's just hug and sleep tonight. If it can do it, so can I."

This was the first time Cheng Yian had seen him so shameless.

She was so angry she wanted to move.

Lu Xusheng winced in pain and quickly lifted his leg to press down on her knees, "Don't mess around."

As soon as these words were spoken, he had already seized the opportunity.

So cunning.

Cheng Yian inhaled sharply, both embarrassed and annoyed.

The two of them huddled close, Cheng Yian's eyes softened, her breathing grew warmer, and she thought to herself, might as well accept her fate.

But after a while, he remained motionless, and Cheng Yian was nearly driven mad.

"What exactly do you want? Just tell me what you want, I still need to sleep!"

From behind came Lu Xusheng's hoarse voice, "You're holding on too tightly." He couldn't move.

Cheng Yian looked up at the sky, her cheeks burning, wishing she could disappear.

Needless to say, the night was anything but peaceful. The next morning, Cheng Yian mustered her energy to accompany Lu Xusheng to pay respects to the second mistress and the old lady. No matter what Lu Xusheng said on the way, she paid him no mind.

Lu Xusheng let out an awkward laugh.

The second mistress watched them enter Mingxi Hall, one shy, the other in high spirits, like newlyweds presenting tea, which was quite amusing. For the first time, the second mistress saw such a lively expression on her son's face, clearly showing his true feelings for Cheng Yian.

When Lu Xusheng had gone missing some time ago, the second mistress had been anxious for days, kneeling before the Buddha every day to pray for his safe return. Upon learning of his safe return, all her previous complaints disappeared.

"Now there's nothing else, just settle down and start a family, and I'll be satisfied."

Elders are like this, urging marriage at a certain age, and then pushing for grandchildren after marriage.

Lu Xusheng nodded in agreement.

After having breakfast with the second mistress, they went to greet the old lady. As summer approached, the old lady's health improved, and she began to accept her eldest son's downfall, gradually willing to receive guests. Now, the entire household relied on Lu Xusheng, so naturally, they treated the couple with warmth.

In the end, it all came down to one thing.

"You have achievements, no worries about food and clothing, just focus on starting a family."

This reminded Cheng Yian of the pressure she felt in her previous life when her in-laws urged her to have children.

Lu Xusheng, however, spoke bluntly.

"Grandmother, we'll have children eventually. I've just returned, there's no rush."

The old lady, being experienced, understood his implication.

She glared at her grandson, "Alright, go and get back to work."

Lu Xusheng then went to the palace. As the assistant director of the military office, he was in charge of military equipment for various households. He had someone investigate the crossbow incident involving the He family. The Marquis of He was in distress; in fact, he had privately disposed of the batch of military equipment the previous night. Unfortunately, Cheng Mingyu's men were stationed outside the He residence and caught them red-handed. As soon as Lu Xusheng reported it, the censorate took the opportunity to impeach, and the He family lost their marquisate, with He Kangzheng also being dismissed from his position.

Back to Cheng Yian, although they had broken their vow the previous night, she convinced herself that the Buddha was generous and would not hold it against them, still planning to go to Ping'an Temple to make her offering.

In the morning, she managed household affairs at the residence, rested at noon, and then set off for Ping'an Temple with full spirits.

Today was a lucky day, as a master had come to Ping'an Temple to discuss scriptures, making the temple extremely lively.

Cheng Yian first went to the Buddha to make her offering. Fearing the Buddha's wrath over the previous night's events, she copied an additional scripture. By the time she finished, it was already dark, with the evening glow filling the sky.

In front of Ping'an Temple, there was a pond for releasing life, where nearby children gathered, laughing and throwing coins, their laughter like silver bells ringing everywhere.

With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, the incense at Ping'an Temple was even more abundant. Even as night fell, travelers continued to come and go.

Across from the temple gate lay a broad open area where dozens of lanterns were hung, with numerous small vendors gathered beneath them, making it a famous night market in the vicinity.

Cheng Yian didn’t often go to night markets, but since she happened upon one today, she decided to take a look.

Matrons and maidservants encircled her protectively, and guards followed closely.

One of the stalls was filled with porcelain figurines, exquisitely crafted into pairs of frolicking children, resembling lucky dolls. Cheng Yian found them beautiful and bought a pair.

Nearby vendors, seeing her impressive entourage, recognized her as a young madam from a wealthy family and eagerly called out to her.

The scattered lantern light danced across her cheeks, and Cheng Yian, like a colorful butterfly, looked left and right, somewhat overwhelmed.

Ru Lan noticed a little girl’s flower wreath was particularly charming and bought it to place on Cheng Yian's hair bun. The little girl, thrilled with the silver, ran excitedly to a woman,

"Mom, mom, I earned some silver, quickly take me to buy some sugar-coated haws."

The woman took the silver from her daughter’s hand and tucked it back into her palm, then took out a piece of silver from her own pocket, "Silly girl, keep your money. If you want sugar-coated haws, mom will buy them for you."

The little girl was so happy that she tugged at her mother’s sleeve, pulling her down. The woman, understanding her daughter’s wish, bent down and brought her face close. The little girl gave her a loud kiss.

"I love you, Mommy..."

Cheng Yian’s heart suddenly twinged.

She stared, unable to tear her eyes away.

At that moment, a soft yet unfamiliar voice cut through the bustling crowd.

"Ping Ping..."

Ping Ping?

This was her childhood nickname, known only to her two grandmothers and her father. No one else would call her that.

It must be a case of mistaken identity.

Cheng Yian took off the flower wreath and placed it back on Ru Lan's head.

"Here, you wear it."

Her gaze couldn’t help but follow the mother and daughter, who had already headed off to buy sugar-coated haws.

As a child, watching her sisters cuddle in their mothers’ arms, how could she not envy them.

Ru Lan, seeing her gaze, thought she was craving, "Young Madam, should I get you a stick?"

Cheng Yian withdrew her gaze and smiled at her, "Get two sticks, one for each of us," then remembering the entourage, corrected herself, "No, get one for everyone."

The matron beside her chuckled, "Madam, you enjoy it yourself. At our age, sweets make our teeth fall out."

Cheng Yian turned to respond, but then noticed a figure standing not far behind her in the lantern light.

How to describe those eyes? So beautiful, as if filled with the misty rain of the south, anyone who met her gaze would be spellbound.

Their eyes, as if fated, locked across the crowd.

Cheng Yian’s almond eyes, clear and bright, gazed at her, initially thinking it was a casual glance, but her gaze seemed fixed on her, brimming with emotions—endless longing, unspoken grievances, and an inescapable guilt.

Cheng Yian's heart instinctively clenched, and she couldn't help but walk towards her.

Against the crowd, she reached her side, three steps away, clearly seeing her wearing a light green thin jacket, her slender and graceful figure as beautiful as a gentle spring breeze. What was even more striking was the profound sense of recognition her facial features evoked.

"Ping Ping..." A sharp pain welled up from deep within her heart, slowly forming soft tears, glistening in Xia Fu's eyes.

A strange woman calling her Ping Ping, how could that be?

Her childhood nickname was unknown to others.

Cheng Yian's mind felt muddled, as if stuffed with paste, leaving her both stunned and shocked. She felt a thought racing wildly in her mind, on the verge of bursting out.

Xia Fu took a deep breath, her voice choked with emotion but still smiling, reaching out to her tenderly, "My child..."

It was this voice that struck Cheng Yian's mind like a hammer, making her understand.

Could this strange woman before her be her birth mother?

Was she still alive?

Cheng Yian suspected she was dreaming, tears flooding out like a breached dam, and even the soft figure before her seemed to shatter and sway in her vision.

She was so afraid this was a dream.

Her feet felt as heavy as lead, unable to take a step, and she murmured,

"Who are you?"