Chapter 23: Three-in-One

Chapter 23: Three-in-One

The heavy thud of official boots on the floor startled Jiang Wanrou, who was already sleeping restlessly. She rolled over, rubbing her bleary eyes and pulling back the bed curtain. "Cuizhu, —"

"Careful."

Lu Feng pressed her shoulder, his large palm resting on her forehead. His icy hand instantly chased away Jiang Wanrou's drowsiness.

She looked utterly bewildered. "Husband, you... why are you here?"

It was rare to see Lu Feng during the day, and Jiang Wanrou was still in shock, not fully processing the situation. Her long, dark hair flowed like seaweed behind her, her head tilted, and her beautiful eyes wide open, making her look soft and obedient.

Lu Feng's heart melted, and he gently patted her back in a comforting manner, asking softly, "Are you tired? Or are you feeling unwell?"

It was only because Jiang Wanrou usually performed her duties so well and meticulously that Lu Feng, upon catching her taking a break, didn't think to scold her but instead worried that she might be unwell.

He tucked her hand beneath the quilt and said, "I'll summon the physician to examine you."

It was late winter, and the room was heated with ample charcoal from the brazier, making Jiang Wanrou's cheeks flush red. She tugged at Lu Feng's sleeve, saying coyly, "Don't—"

"I'm just tired; I need to lie down for a bit."

Lu Feng had just returned from the cold outside, his clothes carrying a chill, like ice in the scorching summer heat. Jiang Wanrou instinctively snuggled closer to him.

She said, "Moreover, with grandmother's birthday nearing, if we summon a physician to Jinguang Courtyard, people will either accuse grandmother of being unkind, tormenting her granddaughter-in-law, or that I'm lazy and disrespectful to my elders. Neither would reflect well on us."

"Who dares to spread rumors?"

Lu Feng instinctively tightened his hold on her, preventing her from squirming.

He lowered his voice and said, "If anyone dares to gossip, I'll silence them. You don't need to worry."

Lu Feng couldn't understand why Jiang Wanrou cared so much about her reputation. His own reputation was far from stellar—some said he was cruel and tyrannical, others that he looked like the King of Hell. Yet, in his presence, they still bowed and addressed him as "Commander Lu."

Why fear those who fawn in your presence but scorn you behind your back?

Jiang Wanrou snorted. She rested against Lu Feng, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The closeness of their skin made her words and actions naturally more intimate.

She chided, "Oh, don't be so quick to talk about killing. We're not like you. For us women in the inner chambers, a good reputation is very useful when we go out. Moreover, a virtuous wife brings fewer troubles to her husband. If a wife's virtuous reputation spreads far and wide, it might even help her husband get promoted."

Lu Feng chuckled, pinching her delicate chin. "That won't be necessary, my lady."

If a man relied on his wife for promotion, in Lu Feng's eyes, that man was no better than a useless person. He sighed at his wife's naivety but felt a warmth in his heart knowing she cared so much for him.

Sensing his softening, Jiang Wanrou yawned and patted the bed beside her, saying, "Husband, the bed is warm now. Come in and sleep with me for a while."

She was really tired, really sleepy.

Lu Feng, who was always strict with himself and adhered to a routine of rising early and resting late, declined Jiang Wanrou's invitation. He studied her face for a moment, noting her fair complexion with a hint of red, and gently patted her back.

"Sleep."

Jiang Wanrou closed her half-lidded eyes and fell into a deep sleep once more. Perhaps it was because Lu Feng had scared away the demons and ghosts, but she no longer had nightmares. This time, she slept exceptionally soundly and peacefully.

...

Outside, following Lu Feng's orders, no one dared to disturb the lady's rest. By the time Jiang Wanrou woke up, it was already dusk. As soon as she was awake, Jintao came to report that the physician had been waiting for a long time.

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

She rubbed her temples in frustration as Jintao brought her tea to rinse her mouth, softly saying, "The master specifically instructed before he left, and I dare not disobey. Besides, you're not feeling well, so it's only right to see a physician."

Cuizhu nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, the master cares so much for you. Even if you don't think of yourself, you should consider the master and the young master."

"Enough, I say one thing, and you have ten thousand waiting. Quickly invite him in, and be polite about it."

Jiang Wanrou said helplessly, nearly forgetting Commander Lu Feng's unyielding temperament. Lu Feng spoke little, but his words were as firm as a mountain; others only needed to obey, with no right to refuse. She must have been too drowsy then, and his gentle demeanor made her think she could bargain.

Forget it, forget it. It's just a few doses of bitter medicine. She's been drinking them for so many years, a few more won't make a difference.

The elderly physician with graying temples tremblingly extended his hand, placing three fingers on Jiang Wanrou's fair wrist. After a moment, he said, "Please, Lady Lu, switch hands. I can't quite determine it at the moment."

Jiang Wanrou complied, switching arms. The physician stroked his beard in silence for a long time, making not only Jiang Wanrou uneasy but also her two maids visibly worried.

Cuizhu couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what exactly is wrong with Lady Lu? Please, say something."

The physician withdrew his hand and said to Jiang Wanrou, "Lady Lu, your pulse is... somewhat unusual. May I ask, does your household have a young man surnamed Luo?"

Jiang Wanrou nodded, "Indeed, there is."

"Could you please invite Mr. Luo here? I would like to consult with him before making any decisions."

"This..."

Jiang Wanrou looked troubled. Unlike the elderly physician, that Mr. Luo was a young man, and she usually only saw him when Lu Feng was present. Now that it was late, she had to be cautious about propriety.

The elderly physician, having served in the palace for many years, instantly understood Jiang Wanrou's concerns. His cloudy eyes examined the woman before him. She was exceedingly beautiful, with a high chignon, delicate eyebrows, radiant as the rising sun, and glowing like a lotus emerging from clear water. Since ancient times, such beauty often brought misfortune. For a woman, an overly stunning appearance was not always a blessing.

Lady Lu was indeed a prudent person.

He picked up his medicine box and bowed in farewell, saying, "It's late today. Tomorrow, I will bring two colleagues to examine you further."

"Lady Lu, rest assured, your health is fine. There's nothing seriously wrong."

The elderly physician spoke ambiguously, leaving Jiang Wanrou puzzled but she politely saw him off. Lu Feng, however, was not so patient. He happened to be in the palace at the time and, upon learning that the physician had examined her for so long without a conclusion, immediately frowned and said to the emperor, "It seems His Majesty's imperial physicians are a group of incompetents."

The poor elderly physician, summoned in the middle of the night by the emperor and the Commander for questioning, could no longer maintain his composure. Trembling, he said, "Lady Lu's pulse is still weak. I fear making a mistake and dare not make any definitive claims. I observed her pulse to be smooth and flowing, like rolling beads. If there's no doubt—"

"It must be a pregnancy pulse."

Early the next morning, five physicians from the imperial hospital arrived, along with the young Mr. Luo from the Lu residence, all gathered at Jinguang Courtyard. After each took her pulse, they stroked their beards in silence, their demeanor making Lady Lu uneasy, almost as if she were on the brink of death.

***

"Do not panic."

Lu Feng comforted her, holding her hand, his cold eyes lifting as he said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, have you reached a conclusion?"

The physicians exchanged glances, and finally, the youngest Mr. Luo spoke, "Commander, Lady Lu's pulse is undoubtedly that of a pregnancy."

A pregnancy pulse is usually detectable after three months. Jiang Wanrou's was too early, and since she hadn't borne children for many years, the physicians feared misdiagnosing and causing a scandal, hence their hesitation.

Lu Feng was prepared and not overly surprised. He calmly dismissed them and returned to look at the stunned Lady Lu.

"Madam, we are going to have a child."

He placed his hand on her flat, slender abdomen, gently caressing it, unable to imagine that such a delicate waist was now nurturing his child.

His, Lu Feng's, bloodline.

Jiang Wanrou seemed to come back to her senses, her hands covering his. She realized her recent irritability, mood swings, and loss of appetite might be signs of pregnancy.

It had been many years since she had Huai Yi, and she had never considered this possibility. Now, suddenly receiving this news, after the initial shock, she felt more joy than anything else.

In this ever-changing world, the bond of blood and flesh remains unbreakable. In this world, she only had Auntie Li and Huai Yi. Huai Yi's health was poor, so whether this child was a brother or a sister, it would be her concern and someone to look after Huai Yi in the future. She had taken that bitter medicine for years without any sign of pregnancy. She had almost given up hope, never expecting to receive such joyful news at this time.

"It seems I was mistaken to blame that medicine. As Cuizhu said, good medicine tastes bitter."

Jiang Wanrou smiled gently, "It's been years since I last gave birth. I should seek advice from my sisters-in-law to avoid any superstitions."

Back then, she was young, her body not fully developed, burdened with worries, pressured by her mother-in-law, and troubled by assassins. Giving birth to Huai Yi was so arduous that it nearly cost her half her life. Now, everything was better, and this child would surely be born healthy and strong.

She would never let herself fall into the same predicament as before. She wanted both mother and child to be safe.

Lu Feng's eyes flickered slightly. Just as Jiang Wanrou had not expected the origin of that decoction, Lu Feng had not anticipated his wife's duplicity. The old physician who had prescribed the medicine said it was originally a tonic, nourishing yin and blood, greatly beneficial for women, but it made it difficult for them to conceive, perhaps one in ten thousand.

Lu Feng sighed inwardly, realizing they were that 'one' in ten thousand. Was this fate's design? The timing of this child's arrival was perfect, just as he was about to overthrow Prince Gong.

Lu Feng was a man of strict tradition at heart, believing that more children meant more blessings, and he could certainly afford them. Back then, he had first lost his horse and broken his leg, then his family was targeted by assassins, and her childbirth had been so difficult. He thought they should wait a bit longer, until he had more leverage and she had matured enough to bear healthy children.

She was beautiful, and the child she bore would surely be handsome and lovely. There was no rush.

Lu Feng was also a man of great patience. This wait lasted five years, and sometimes even he was surprised. During these years, he had only been with one woman, showing no interest in others, let alone letting them bear his descendants.

Perhaps it was because his wife was a gem, making all others seem like mere commoners in his eyes.

...

Both had their secrets, but they shared the same anticipation for the little life about to arrive. Jiang Wanrou was heavily protected, her tasks delegated to Lady Zhou and Yao. She only made decisions and gave orders. Cuizhu was even afraid of tiring her by pouring water, so she mostly lay down listening to operas, and no one dared to criticize her.

The emperor was delighted, forgetting his previous displeasure with Jiang Wanrou, clapping his hands and laughing, "Jun Chi, your wife is a good one. Reward her! Reward her generously!" Later, because the pregnancy was still early, fearing it might disturb the child, he held back but still sent a eunuch to the Lu residence with words of praise.

The matriarch was also overjoyed. The mansion had not heard such joyful news for a long time, and now both the third and first wives were pregnant. The old lady couldn't stop smiling. At her birthday celebration, everything was perfect except for the somewhat displeased expression of Lady Zhou Ruotong from the second branch.

After the Spring Festival and the matriarch's birthday, the mansion suddenly quieted down. Jiang Wanrou had not yet experienced any morning sickness and, while she still had energy, she selected midwives, wet nurses, and physicians specializing in gynecology in advance. She not only chose carefully but also brought their entire families to the mansion. The Lu residence had ample space, and she held their vulnerabilities firmly in her grasp. Even if someone was bribed to do something, they would have to think twice.

Similarly, the Lu residence was not short of money. Jiang Wanrou offered rewards several times higher than ordinary families. With such a combination of kindness and authority, the midwives and wet nurses were all subservient to Jiang Wanrou, not daring to take advantage of her youthful appearance.

These actions did not escape the emperor, who was always keeping an eye on the Lu residence. If before it was because of the child, now the emperor truly had a new respect for Jiang Wanrou herself. His harem had three thousand beauties, many of whom had conceived, but only those who could give birth and raise the child were truly capable.

The emperor was a military man who had seized power, risking his life in battles, enjoying wine and women, and when the empire was unified, countless envoys from vassal states sent princesses for marriage alliances. This founding emperor, with his illustrious achievements, was quite unrestrained in his private life. The palace concubines had long seen through the emperor's indifference, striving to bear his sons, but some were sabotaged and could not conceive, some miscarried early, some died in childbirth, and some, after finally giving birth, succumbed to a cold and died.

There were too many. The emperor's focus was on the nation and its people, the harem was merely his pastime. He couldn't spend every day in the harem settling the tears and disputes of a few women. After all, someone would always manage to give birth. These women lived in luxury, not engaging in productive work. If they couldn't even protect their own children, they didn't deserve to be mothers of royal heirs.

The emperor reluctantly acknowledged Jiang Wanrou. Though she was jealous, her methods were impressive. The eldest son was sickly, but she had raised him safely to five years old. Jun Chi's child under her care would surely grow up healthy.

In his life, he had no regrets towards heaven and earth, only towards Jun Chi. If he could see Jun Chi's descendants flourish, he could rest in peace after his death.

...

With the emperor's covert protection and her own caution, Jiang Wanrou's pregnancy passed the first three months smoothly. When her belly began to show, she started experiencing morning sickness. Vomiting day and night, after another month of this ordeal, Jiang Wanrou took the physician's medicine to stabilize the pregnancy and finally could sleep peacefully. Then she suddenly felt something was wrong.

She put down the account book and asked, "How is Huai Yi? I haven't seen him much lately. Has he been eating well?"

When Jiang Wanrou first learned she was pregnant again, Lu Huaiyi appeared happy, but a trace of disappointment was not lost on Jiang Wanrou, his mother. As she was worrying, Lu Feng called him to the study. After a secret conversation that lasted a whole morning, Lu Huaiyi emerged with a determined look on his small face.

He carefully hugged Jiang Wanrou's waist and said in a tender voice, "Mother, I am the eldest brother. I will definitely protect my younger brother and sister."

It seemed all resentment was gone, making Jiang Wanrou's heart even softer. Her Huai Yi had always been a sensible and good child.

The baby in her womb was still just a fetus, how could it compare to her eldest son who had been by her side day and night? She did not neglect Huai Yi despite this. It was just that in the past month, she had been too preoccupied with her own discomfort, unable to eat or sleep well, vomiting to the point of losing her clarity of mind. She had passed all her duties to her two sisters-in-law, and only now was she beginning to recover.

Cuizhu and Jintao each brought a small stool and sat on either side of Jiang Wanrou, massaging her swollen calves. Cuizhu replied, "Madam, rest assured, the young master is doing well. The master holds him in high regard and personally mentors him."

"This morning, I saw Doctor Chang'an take the young master to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau again."

Lu Feng always kept his public and private lives strictly separate, and bringing Lu Huaiyi along was a last resort. Earlier in the year, the case against Prince Gong had been concluded, involving nearly a thousand people in confiscations and exiles. Apart from the case of the former Chief Grand Secretary Hu Liangyu, this was the second largest case of the dynasty. The emperor had acted swiftly, closing the case and sealing the documents for the New Year, leaving everyone unprepared.

After the New Year, troubles piled up one after another—people beating drums to appeal for justice, lodging complaints to the emperor, and writing blood letters from prison. Prince Gong, though under house arrest, was still kicking. As long as he lived, there was always a chance for a comeback, and his followers were clamoring to overturn the verdict. If it were just that, it would be manageable by ignoring them. The real issue was that so many people were involved, and there were indeed one or two cases of wrongful convictions.

For example, the governor of Qingzhou, known for his integrity, had turned the impoverished Qingzhou into a thriving and scenic region. Yet, just because he attended two banquets hosted by Prince Gong and offended a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Justice with his blunt words, he was labeled as a conspirator of Prince Gong, stripped of his official position, and reduced to a commoner, with his descendants barred from the imperial examinations for three generations.

Where there was one, there would be more. The emperor was livid and ordered a thorough investigation to weed out those involved in factionalism and corruption, but also to ensure that honest officials like the governor of Qingzhou were not wronged! This put the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court in a difficult position, with no days off for several weeks. As the chief judge of the case, Lu Feng's key testimonies all came from the Forbidden Dragon Bureau. To speed up the case, torture was used extensively, and his workload grew even heavier.

When he got back late at night, Jiang Wanrou was already out cold. He asked the maids about her daily habits and diet, aware that this pregnancy was hard on her. After checking on her, he headed to the study to sleep. Commander Lu, swamped all day, returned to the study and immediately spotted Lu Huaiyi's messy handwriting, making his brow twitch in annoyance.

Learning was like rowing against the current; if you didn't move forward, you would fall behind. After just a few days without supervision, Lu Huaiyi's progress had regressed significantly.

There was no other way; Lu Feng had to take him under his personal guidance. He had a desk placed next to his own and ordered Doctor Chang'an to escort him daily. After keeping a close eye on him for a few days, his handwriting began to improve.

Jiang Wanrou, unaware of the specifics, asked in bewilderment, "Why bring Huai Yi to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau? He heads to court before dawn. Huai Yi is only five; how can he endure such a routine?"

Jiang Wanrou was getting more and more cranky. Her pregnancy was uncomfortable, and the account books were frustrating her. After just a month of not managing affairs, the household had started to fall into disarray. The storeroom was missing items every month, and she couldn't even bring herself to address it.

With five months left until her delivery, she would need the help of her two sisters-in-law. She couldn't just neglect things when she was unwell and then start blaming others when she felt better. That wasn't the right way to handle things. Even if Lady Zhou and Yao couldn't cause any trouble under her watch, the second and third masters were Lu Feng's own brothers. With Lu Feng's temperament, he would never suggest dividing the family. In the future, as sisters-in-law, they would see each other often, and it would be best to maintain a harmonious relationship for everyone's peace of mind.

"Could it be thieves?" she muttered to herself.

Lady Zhou and Yao were managing affairs, but the key to the storeroom had always been in her hands, and the accounts never matched. If it were thieves, the missing items weren't particularly valuable—just things like silk, satin, and cosmetics, all items for women.

Cuizhu, massaging her calves, laughed, "That's simple. Madam, have you forgotten what our master does? Just ask the officials from the Forbidden Dragon Bureau to handle it. No matter what ghosts or goblins are at play, they won't be able to hide."

"Nonsense."

Hearing Cuizhu's naive words, Jiang Wanrou couldn't help but smile. It wasn't appropriate to bring men into the inner quarters. As the head of the Lu household, she should handle domestic matters discreetly. Making a fuss outside would only make it seem like she couldn't manage her household properly.

Well, nothing too valuable was missing. She would investigate further once she felt better.

Jiang Wanrou's temper these days came and went quickly, her thoughts fleeting. The harsh winter had quietly passed, and she looked out the window at the vibrant spring scenery, with red flowers and tender willows, full of life.

Suddenly, she said, "Let's go out for a walk, to clear our minds."

This walk led them to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau.

***

No matter how much Jintao and Cuizhu tried to stop her or pleaded with her, Jiang Wanrou only said, "I miss Huai Yi."

She also wanted to discuss with Lu Feng about having Huai Yi study at home. He was only five; being dragged around like this every day, not eating or sleeping well, would stunt his growth.

Jiang Wanrou hadn't realized it herself, but with Lu Feng often away from home, she was carrying a precious child, and everyone around her was pampering her, catering to her every whim. Unconsciously, her temper had become more demanding.

In the past, she would have listened to advice, but now, with her big belly, she was walking into the Forbidden Dragon Bureau, greeted by the overwhelming smell of blood. She felt like vomiting.

Jintao supported her carefully, saying, "Madam, maybe we should go back? The new forsythia flowers in the courtyard are blooming beautifully, or we could listen to another opera? You said you enjoyed the 'Ma Gu Presents Longevity' performance at the old lady's birthday last time."

"No, let's go in."

Jiang Wanrou frowned, putting down the handkerchief she had been using to cover her nose. The carriage ride had made her dizzy, and she had come all this way; she couldn't just leave now. She had come out to clear her mind, not to suffer in a carriage.

Jintao and Cuizhu exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

The two trusted maids had secretly discussed earlier that the mistress's temperament had undergone some subtle changes recently. Jintao had been with Jiang Wanrou since Jiang Wanrou was pregnant with Lu Huaiyi. Back then, the mistress was as gentle as dough, smiling at everyone and never uttering a word of complaint.

This pregnancy seemed even smoother than the last one, so why was she acting so delicate now?

Compared to the clever Cuizhu, Jintao was quiet and reserved, but she was very intelligent. After the mistress complained about the bitterness and overturned the prenatal tonic several times, Jintao suddenly realized that carrying a child for ten months was bound to be difficult.

But back then, the mistress couldn't and didn't dare to say so.

Now, everyone catered to the mistress. If she didn't want to eat something, no one dared to insist. If she found the prenatal tonic too bitter and spilled it, the physician had to pretend not to notice and secretly adjust the prescription to make it more palatable for her.

Others envied the mistress's prestige and status, but they only saw the surface. Jintao, who had been with her all along, knew how difficult it had been for her. All the respect she received was well-deserved.

The mistress was usually kind and gentle to everyone. Now that she was pregnant, shouldn't they indulge her a bit?

Jintao didn't press further. Instead, she took out a piece of dried citrus peel from her pocket to help Jiang Wanrou feel better. Unfortunately, she had arrived at an inopportune time. Despite all the effort, she didn't get to see her son, Lu Huaiyi.

Lu Feng was in a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Justice, and Jiang Wanrou didn't wish to disturb him. Lu Huaiyi had been practicing his calligraphy diligently but accidentally chipped the corner of his inkstone. Lu Feng had ordered him to rectify the mistake he had made.

So, Lu Huaiyi took two guards and went out to purchase a new inkstone.

Jiang Wanrou was speechless.

The stench of blood in the Forbidden Dragon Bureau was too strong. Jiang Wanrou felt dizzy and nauseous after staying there for a while. Cuizhu, fearing that the negative energy might affect her and the unborn child, managed to coax her to leave after much persuasion. However, they encountered a confrontation at the entrance.

A maid wearing a green vest was trying to enter but was stopped by the sword-bearing guards at the door. The two sides were in a standoff.

It shouldn't have concerned Jiang Wanrou, but the maid, driven to desperation, shouted, "My master is Commander Lu's family! I've been here before. Open your eyes and take a good look!"

Jiang Wanrou immediately stopped in her tracks.

She turned around and carefully examined the maid. The maid was well-dressed, but Jiang Wanrou didn't recognize her.

The Lu residence had hundreds of maids. Every new maid, whether working in the outer courtyard or serving in the inner chambers, had to pass by Jiang Wanrou, the mistress of the house. She had a good memory and could recognize everyone in the household, even if she couldn't recall every name.

She asked, "Who are you?"

The maid glanced at Jiang Wanrou, seeing her plump beauty and luxurious attire, and assumed she was a noblewoman from some prestigious family. She took a step back and said resentfully, "Madam, these people are looking down on me. Please help me. Once I see Commander Lu, I will surely repay you generously."

"Commander Lu?"

Jiang Wanrou chuckled, "Which Commander Lu?"

A hint of pride appeared on the maid's face, "In this place, how many Commander Lus could there be? My master is the Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Bureau, Lu Feng, Commander Lu."

She didn't recognize Jiang Wanrou, but the guards at the door weren't blind. They quickly clasped their hands and said, "Madam, please forgive us. We will immediately throw this nonsense-spouting woman out—"

"No need for the trouble. I just want to ask this Miss a few questions."

Because what the maid said was so bizarre, Jiang Wanrou wasn't angry but rather intrigued. She asked, "You said your master is Commander Lu? Are you from the Lu residence in Dingkang Hutong, the residence of Duke Lu?"

"What Dingkang Hutong? I'm from the south of the city—"

The green-clad maid suddenly covered her mouth, mumbled a few vague words, and then said in a low voice, "Anyway, it's not Dingkang Hutong."

Jiang Wanrou gently stroked her swollen belly and said softly, "Then it really is..."

"This is strange. You say your mistress is Commander Lu's family member, but as far as I know, Lady Lu and the eldest son of the Lu family both reside at the Lu Duke's mansion in Dingkang Hutong."

"Who is your mistress? Could she be Commander Lu's... concubine kept outside the house?"

"Nonsense! My mistress is not a concubine!"

The green-clad maid blushed deeply but stammered without making any clear point, only saying, "My mistress is of noble birth, just currently in a difficult situation. Please help me once, and I will remember your kindness and repay you."

Jiang Wanrou retorted, "I don't even know your mistress's name, why should I help you?"

The maid's face turned red with shame and anger, "Madam, you are of noble status, why bother with a mere servant like me?"

"I've never seen such a brazen servant before."

Jiang Wanrou's eyes turned cold. This maid kept saying "I" and dared to claim she was Lu Feng's wife without even recognizing her. She didn't believe Lu Feng would keep a concubine behind her back; he was domineering and decisive. If he really liked someone, he would bring her into the house directly, why keep her outside?

She was nothing but a scheming maid with hidden intentions.

Jiang Wanrou usually wouldn't get angry over such trivial matters, but now that she was pregnant, her temper was more volatile. She looked at the guard beside her and said coldly, "This woman is trying to curry favor with her wild claims, she should be arrested and interrogated thoroughly, in case she's some kind of assassin."

"As you command."

...

The maid was petite yet crafty. The guard didn't expect a weak woman to bite his arm. In a fit of rage, he struck her, causing her to scream loudly, with blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

The ruckus quickly drew attention from within.

"Are you trying to get yourselves killed! The officials are discussing important matters inside!"

A tall, black-clad guard came over cursing. Jiang Wanrou saw him and smiled, it was an acquaintance.

"Chang'an, you're quite the hero."

Jiang Wanrou said with a half-smile, watching Chang'an's expression, she slowly said, "The world never ceases to amaze. This maid doesn't even know who I am, yet she claims her mistress is Lu Feng's wife. Chang'an, don't you find that amusing?"

Chang'an glanced at the dazed green-clad maid, then at his mistress, and remained silent.

Jiang Wanrou's expression darkened. Cuizhu and Jintao were watching her closely, worried she might lose her temper, but instead of getting angry, Jiang Wanrou laughed and said to Chang'an, "I arrived just in time today, just in time to meet this babbling maid. Let's go together to see my husband and see if this maid has mistaken someone, and I might have wronged her."

...

After a moment of silence, Chang'an clasped his hands and said, "Madam."

"Commander is currently in a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court, he won't be available for some time, it might not be convenient—"

"There's no inconvenience at all."

Jiang Wanrou interrupted him, she stroked her noticeably protruding belly and said lightly, "He is my husband, it's only natural to wait for him. Don't you think so, Chang'an?"

Her pregnancy was highly valued, even the emperor sent people to check on her daily. Chang'an dared not show any disrespect and respectfully led her to a side room to rest.

***

Meanwhile, Lu Huaiyi was buying inkstones at the nearby Moxiang Pavilion.

Lu Feng had only left him with one sentence, telling him to solve it himself, and gave him nothing else. As the eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Huaiyi's daily needs were all taken care of by Jiang Wanrou, but she wouldn't actively give him money.

Fortunately, the young masters and ladies of the Lu family received a monthly allowance from the family funds. Jiang Wanrou, as the head of the household, didn't give extra but also didn't withhold her own son's allowance. He usually didn't need money, and over the years, he had amassed over a thousand taels.

Lu Huaiyi had asked the guards, and the price of an inkstone ranged from five to ten taels. With a hundred-tael banknote in hand, he confidently set out to select an inkstone.

His daily needs for food, clothing, and other essentials were all taken care of by his mother, so he rarely had the experience of choosing things by himself or paying for them. Everything felt quite new and exciting to him. With a serious expression, he picked and chose, asking about the texture, the craftsmanship, and how quickly the ink would flow... He looked like a little adult, and at first glance, it seemed quite impressive.

The shopkeeper saw that this young customer looked like a celestial child, with an extraordinary demeanor at such a young age and dressed in luxurious clothes. It was clear that he was a young master from a noble family. Their shop thrived on the money of such young masters!

Under the shopkeeper's eager recommendations, Lu Huaiyi finally settled on three inkstones. One was made of Duan stone, with a warm and smooth color, as smooth as a mirror. Another was a She inkstone, with a hard and smooth texture and fine grain. The last one was made of clay, though it looked simple and unadorned, its texture was fine, and the ink would not dry out easily.

He tilted his chin up and commanded, "Wrap these up."

He had the air of a true noble young master.

The shopkeeper beamed with joy, his chubby fingers clattering on the abacus. He looked up and smiled, "That will be seven hundred and sixty-eight taels. For you, young master, I'll round it down to seven hundred and sixty taels."

Lu Huaiyi was stunned.

His eyes widened in disbelief, "Are these inkstones made of gold?"

His monthly allowance was just thirty taels!

Lu Huaiyi had been raised in luxury. His health was poor, and a single bowl of medicine he took daily cost hundreds of taels. He had never experienced the hardships of life. But recently, after spending time with Lu Feng and occasionally glancing at the case files on his father's desk, he learned that ten taels could buy a servant, that people would fight tooth and nail for a few dozen taels, that a few hundred taels could turn brothers into enemies, and that a thousand taels could buy several lives.

These three inkstones were decent, but compared to the ones on his father's desk or in his study, they were far from matching in quality. How could they be worth over seven hundred taels?

The shopkeeper chuckled, "If the young master is short on funds for now, our shop can put it on credit. You can take them first and pay later."

The shop was situated on the busiest street in the capital, and the shopkeeper had a sharp eye. The silk the young master wore and the jade pendant at his waist were worth well over seven hundred taels. He wasn't worried about him defaulting.

Lu Huaiyi lowered his head, pondered for a moment, then pushed the items away, declaring, "The price of these items is outrageous."

"I don't want them anymore."

Now it was the shopkeeper's turn to be stunned.

The items at the Ink Fragrance Pavilion weren't cheap, but the location was excellent, attracting noble lords and masters. The crumbs from their fingers were enough to keep the shop afloat. Even though the prices were high, the nobles valued their reputation and wouldn't openly complain.

Seeing that the boy was young, the shopkeeper licked his lips and suddenly felt the urge to deceive him. "Young master, it's only a little over seven hundred taels. Take another look at the color of these inkstones—"

"Enough, that's enough. Shopkeeper Qin, don't try to deceive a child."

A soft voice came from behind. Lu Huaiyi turned around and saw a tall, slender man, younger than his father, with a handsome and elegant appearance and an extraordinary demeanor.

The man stepped forward, glanced at the three inkstones, and said coolly, "Two stone inkstones and one clay inkstone, with mediocre craftsmanship and material. Sixty taels at most. Shopkeeper Qin, you shouldn't be too greedy in business."

The shopkeeper seemed to recognize him and stammered without saying a word. The man took what he wanted and said to Lu Huaiyi, "Go two streets ahead, turn left, and you'll find a shop without a name. The prices are fair, and the quality is good."

Lu Huaiyi finally realized he had been overcharged. He approached the man, bowed respectfully, and said in a youthful voice, "Thank you, sir, for speaking up for me."

With his rosy lips and pearly teeth, the little boy looked like a miniature adult, and his bowing posture was very graceful. It was clear that he had been well-educated.

Pei Zhang smiled and couldn't help but say a few more words, "You're still young and haven't yet grasped the dangers of the world. Next time you go out, make sure to stay close to your elders."

So you won't be deceived.

But Lu Huaiyi shook his head and replied earnestly, "Sir, you are mistaken. My father said that a fledgling must experience storms before it can soar. I need to experience things firsthand so that I can learn and not fall for tricks next time."

"You're quite an interesting child."

Pei Zhang had taken a liking to this charming child. He bent down and said gently, "Your father is right. What's your name? You're so young, yet so wise."

Lu Huaiyi said, "My surname is Lu, and my given name is Huaiyi."

"Lu?"

Pei Zhang frowned slightly and asked, "The surname Lu is not very common in the capital. Who is your father?"

"My father... is also surnamed Lu."

Lu Huaiyi hesitated. Given Lu Feng's prestigious yet sensitive status, and being his sole heir, he rarely disclosed his family background. However, the man before him had a kind expression and had just come to his aid. He bent down to speak to him.

He whispered, "My father is Lu Feng."