Chapter 2: The Lady is Not Just a Pretty Face…

Chapter 2: The Lady is Not Just a Pretty Face...

"If Lady Cui is here to dredge up these old, stale matters, then please leave."

Seeing the clear displeasure on Jiang Wanrou's face, Lady Cui got the message: it seemed that this beautiful wife of Commander Lu Feng still harbored resentment over the past.

Indeed, such a scandal had caused quite a stir in the capital back then. Lady Jiang had faced cold shoulders in social circles until Commander Lu Feng took charge of the Forbidden Dragon Bureau and silenced a few tongues to intimidate others, ensuring no one dared to gossip about it anymore.

Lady Cui exhaled lightly, confidently saying, "Madam, do not worry, just hear me out."

Feeling that she held enough leverage, Lady Cui wiped the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, tidied her hair, and straightened her sleeves. Restoring her usual composure, she slowly began:

"Recently, my household caught a foolish and thieving woman from the kitchen who, taking advantage of the steward's inattention, often stole silver-grade charcoal to sell for money."

"Such a thief deserved a harsh punishment, but in her desperation to survive, she spilled many scandalous secrets about her former master, and with such vivid detail that I immediately sent someone to investigate..."

Lady Cui glanced sideways at Jiang Wanrou: "Would you believe it? That thief was actually kicked out of the Marquis of Ning'an's household! Not too long ago, exactly five years."

Jiang Wanrou's dark lashes trembled slightly as she twisted the embroidered handkerchief in her hands.

Lady Cui, observing her expression, continued: "According to the thief's confession, she was exceptionally skilled at making pear blossom pastries, which earned her the master's favor, allowing her to serve in the small kitchen. But five years ago, she was involved in a huge scandal and was expelled."

This "huge scandal," Jiang Wanrou certainly knew, as did everyone in the capital. The Marquis's illegitimate daughter had climbed into her sister's fiancé's bed and was caught in broad daylight, shaming both families.

Since it happened on the day of the Marquis's elderly lady's birthday, attended by many distinguished nobles, the scandal quickly spread throughout the capital, becoming a topic of gossip. Lu Feng, being a man, was at most labeled a 'youthful libertine.' Jiang Wanrou, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. A woman who lost her chastity in public, and to her sister's fiancé at that... if Lu Feng had not taken her, she would have had no way out.

Recalling this disgraceful past, Jiang Wanrou still seemed shaken. She grabbed a teacup and took a gulp, the bitter taste of the tea filling her mouth.

After a while, she said, "Send that thief to me."

Lady Cui was overjoyed and quickly asked, "What about my husband's matter..."

"He who eats the emperor's food should serve the emperor. I understand this principle."

Before Lady Cui's face could fully light up with joy, Jiang Wanrou calmly added, "But let me be clear, even the ladies of the inner palace do not interfere in politics. We women of the inner household, after all, have little influence in such matters. I can try, but in the end... we do our part and leave the rest to fate."

Lady Cui's hopes, which had just soared, now came crashing down, her face caught between a smile and a grimace, looking quite comical.

After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "As long as Madam is willing to put in a good word, this old sister will be content."

Jiang Wanrou neither acknowledged her thanks nor the self-proclaimed sisterhood. She lowered her eyes, adjusted her colorful shawl, and stood up.

Cuizhu gently warned, "Madam, be careful," and hurried forward to support her arm. Lady Cui also quickly stood up, seemingly with more to say, but was gently dismissed by Jiang Wanrou. Surrounded by her entourage, Jiang Wanrou returned to the Jin Guang Courtyard, sent everyone away, and sat alone by the window, lost in deep thought for what seemed like an eternity.

"Madam, the sweet soup from the kitchen has arrived. Please taste it and see if it's to your liking."

Cuizhu brought a delicate white porcelain bowl to Jiang Wanrou. Seeing her lack of interest, she couldn't help but advise, "Madam, you should eat a little. You run the household every day, and aside from anything else, I hope you take care of yourself so you can give the young master a little brother."

Jiang Wanrou paused, another layer of worry added to her heart.

Lu Feng served the emperor, his hands drenched in blood. To put it bluntly, he was involved in grave-robbing activities. In his earlier years, when his power was not yet firmly established, enemies seeking revenge dared not target him directly and instead turned to the women of his household. She had survived three assassination attempts while pregnant, though none succeeded, the constant fear and anxiety caused her to give birth prematurely at nine months. Huai Yi was born with congenital weaknesses, and the imperial physicians predicted he would not live long.

Fortunately, the Lu family's wealth allowed them to nourish him with rare and expensive medicines, and he managed to survive to the age of five. However, his health remained extremely poor, and he was constantly on medication. The servants dared not say it aloud, but in their hearts, they believed the frail young master would not live long. Cuizhu, as a close confidante, often subtly hinted, urging Jiang Wanrou to seize the opportunity to have another child.

Cuizhu said, "The imperial physician said your health is robust, and the master is in his prime. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have another young master?"

Jiang Wanrou, in her twenties, had been examined by imperial physicians, renowned doctors, and even wandering healers, all of whom declared her pulse steady and her complexion radiant, like a peach blossom. Yet, her womb seemed uncooperative. After giving birth to Huai Yi, there had been no further news. Later, Lu Feng brought a medicinal soup from the palace, which she drank in full after every intimate encounter, without fail, yet with little effect.

"Enough, let fate decide," Jiang Wanrou put down the porcelain bowl, absentmindedly saying.

When she gave birth to Huai Yi, she urgently needed a child to secure her position in the mansion. Now, with no mother-in-law to pressure her, Lu Feng seemed to have no strong obsession with having more children. Not only did he not blame her, but he also unusually comforted her with gentle words, gradually easing her mind.

Raising Huai Yi had already drained her energy, and she feared she didn't have the strength to raise another child.

"Oh, my lord, the master doesn't say it, but... that medicine is being brewed in the small kitchen every day. This morning, Pediatrician Chang'an specifically instructed that the Jinguang Courtyard should be lit tonight."

Jiang Wanrou lived in the Jinguang Courtyard. As the master of the mansion, Lu Feng had his own quarters, the Molin Courtyard, which was the largest and had the best feng shui in the mansion. When they first got married, Lu Feng rarely visited the Jinguang Courtyard. But at some point, he started spending more and more time there. Gradually, it became three days, five days, ten days... Now, he stayed in the Jinguang Courtyard for more than twenty days a month. The rest of the time, he was either at the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Punishments, handling official duties, and when he returned to the mansion, he would head straight to Jiang Wanrou's quarters, leaving his own Molin Courtyard neglected.

Regardless of the internal dynamics, to outsiders, their marriage appeared deeply harmonious.

Jiang Wanrou dabbed the corners of her mouth with a silk handkerchief, then lowered her eyes after a moment. "The roads are slippery in the cold, have the maids sweep the snow clean and prepare some hot water."

"Yes!"

Cuizhu responded cheerfully, her nimble hands quickly removing the pearl and gold hairpins, letting her smooth, satin-like black hair cascade down, making her skin appear as if it were glowing. Cuizhu gently tied up her hair, lowered the jade-hooked bed curtains, and softly said, "Madam, rest a bit longer. I'll keep watch outside."

Although this was not in line with etiquette, the old matriarch in Chunhui Hall no longer dealt with mundane matters, the harsh mother-in-law was confined to the Buddhist hall, and the willful sister-in-law had married far away to the frontier. The Lu Mansion was now solely supported by Lu Feng, and the sisters-in-law dared not challenge Jiang Wanrou. She was now the undisputed lady of the house. Who would dare to criticize her?

Compared to when she first entered the mansion, pregnant and having to follow the rules in front of her mother-in-law, things were much better now.

One must learn to be content.

Jiang Wanrou repeated this mantra to herself as she slowly closed her eyes.

Lu Feng had always been trustworthy; if he said he would return, he would. But today, for some reason, he still hadn't returned even after midnight.

***

When it was time for the shift change, Cuizhu bowed and went to rest, replaced by another personal maid, Jintao. Jintao replaced the incense burner in the room and softly said, "Madam, rest for a while. When the master returns, I will serve you."

"No, I'll wait for him."

Jiang Wanrou's eyes were bloodshot from staying up, but she still shook her head. She got up and went to the copper basin, testing the water temperature with her hand, and instructed, "The water is cold, add some hot water."

Not only was the water cold, but the midnight snack on the table had also cooled. Lu Feng returned at different times, but ever since he once added a dish in the evening, Jiang Wanrou had prepared a midnight snack for him. It wasn't much—three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, a pot of wine, and a soup. If he was hungry when he returned, he would eat; if not, the dishes would be removed and given to the night watch maids and guards.

Even though Lu Feng didn't touch the food nine out of ten times, she never forgot to prepare it, and the food was always hot when he returned.

Jintao added hot water and asked, "Madam, is the food still warm?"

Jintao had two considerations: first, at this hour, if the master hadn't returned, he was most likely attending a banquet outside. Second, it was already past midnight, and if the master returned and ate this midnight snack, he would only have three hours of sleep before dawn. Today, he definitely wouldn't touch the food.

In that case, why bother?

Jiang Wanrou replied without changing her expression, "It's warm."

"By the way, how is the belt I asked you to make a few days ago?"

Jintao was startled and lowered her head guiltily, "Madam, I've finished the base, but... but time was tight, and I didn't have time to add the trim."

Jintao was skilled in embroidery, and Jiang Wanrou often asked her to make small items like sachets. This time, Jiang Wanrou hadn't specified a deadline for the belt, so Jintao hadn't rushed to finish it. As Jintao was feeling remorseful, a gentle voice came from above, "It's fine. I have some free time now, give it to me."

Jintao immediately felt relieved and quickly brought the half-finished belt along with the needle and thread, still apologizing, "I was wrong, Madam. Please punish me."

Jiang Wanrou chuckled softly, her voice as soothing as a gentle stream in the quiet night, "It's just a small matter, why are you so worried? You're older than Cuizhu, why are you so timid?"

Jintao pursed her lips and lowered her head, not daring to respond.

Now, she and Cuizhu were both senior maids in the Jinguang Courtyard. In fact, Cuizhu had arrived a year later than her. When the madam first entered the mansion, it was she and another maid named Jinju who served her. At that time, the madam was weak, and no one in the mansion liked her, even the maids dared to bully her. Jinju had often been disrespectful, and now the grass on her grave was already two feet high.

Of course, it had nothing to do with the mistress; it was Jinju's own fault for trying to climb too high. In Jintao's memory, although the mistress had a face that could spell disaster, her temperament was extremely gentle and kind. She never scolded or punished the servants without reason and even increased their monthly allowances. Now, everyone in the Lu household feels grateful for the mistress's kindness. By the mistress's side, Jintao watched as those who had once treated the mistress poorly met their downfall one by one. The mistress neither fought nor contended, yet she thrived more and more.

Jintao was not quick-witted, but in a sudden moment, she felt that the mistress was not just a pretty face, nor as weak and easy to bully as she appeared.

Having realized this, she became increasingly silent, serving Jiang Wanrou with even more dedication, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

...

Both mistress and servant harbored their own thoughts and fell silent. After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, steady footsteps were heard, and the tall, stern silhouette of a man appeared outside the door.

"My husband has returned."

Jiang Wanrou bit off the golden thread in her hand and placed the sewing basket on the most conspicuous table by the entrance. With a charming smile, she opened the door.