Chapter 28 He Became Enchanted with Painting Her Once More

Chapter 28 He Became Enchanted with Painting Her Once More

"Huh?"

Jiang Wanrou suddenly widened her beautiful eyes, incredulously saying, "Honey, what did you just say? I didn't catch that, could you... repeat that?"

"I can read the play scripts to you."

Lu Feng's expression was grave, as if dealing with some important state affair, "In return, you need to get up and walk around now."

Jiang Wanrou eyed him suspiciously, hesitantly asking, "Then, then I want to hear... 'The Moon-Worshiping Pavilion'."

She mustered her courage and said, "I finished the first three acts last time, could you read the fourth act to me, please?"

"Alright."

Lu Feng's expression didn't change as he held out his hand to her, "Come."

Jiang Wanrou's hands were like soft white jade, smooth as butter, looking especially delicate in Lu Feng's large, tanned hand.

Lu Feng held her waist gently, walking slowly through the courtyard's pavilions and waterside structures, where koi fish swam, their tails swaying and creating ripples.

Jiang Wanrou smiled, "Honey, look, these fish have such round bellies, they're so cute."

Lu Feng's strong arm supported her from behind, making Jiang Wanrou feel especially safe. Usually, even with railings by the waterside, she seldom walked near the water alone, fearing a slip and a fall. She was always cautious, and now with her big belly, any accident could be fatal for both her and the baby, so she couldn't afford to be careless.

Lu Feng followed her gaze, seeing only a few small fish, nothing out of the ordinary.

He said, "If you like them, I can get some more."

Jiang Wanrou smiled, "No need, too much of a good thing is bad. The pond is perfect for these fish; adding more would overcrowd it."

Lu Feng naturally took over the conversation, "We can widen the pond a little, that should work."

"Widen it? Honey, you must be joking."

Jiang Wanrou couldn't help but chuckle, patiently explaining to him, "There's a saying that pulling one hair moves the whole body. The pond and the courtyard's layout are interconnected. If we change the pond, what about the courtyard?"

Lu Feng scanned the area, nodding in deep agreement, "Your courtyard is indeed a bit small."

He said, "After the baby is born, we can break through the side wall, expand it front and back, and you'll live more comfortably."

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

They say a woman's heart is as deep as the ocean, but sometimes a man's thoughts are equally hard to fathom.

She sighed softly, deciding not to argue with Lu Feng about this now. She pointed to a light blue koi in the pond, changing the subject, "Honey, do you know what that is?"

Lu Feng looked puzzled but still replied, "A fish."

"It's called 'Light Yellow'."

Jiang Wanrou said softly, "Look, its back is blue, its scales are white, its belly and fins are red, but it's called 'Light Yellow', isn't that interesting?"

"And that one, it's a Tancho koi."

Jiang Wanrou, with her swollen legs and big belly, walked slowly, her tone unconsciously softening as she spoke.

"Its body is white, but it has a red pattern on its head, like a red-crowned crane, very beautiful."

"The one in the stone crevice is a Koi fish, look, it's swimming over..."

Jiang Wanrou spoke slowly. Since she had become adept at managing the household, she had increasingly more leisure time and began to arrange her living space. Every day, she woke up to this small plot of land, and she had to make it comfortable for herself, right? Now, every plant and tree in Jinguang Courtyard bore her touch.

As she spoke, Commander Lu listened silently by her side, which Jiang Wanrou found surprising. Since she married him, with the man handling external affairs and the woman managing the household, he never brought outside matters into the home. Whenever she wanted to discuss something with him, he would simply say, "You decide."

He left early and returned late every day. Looking back, it seemed their closeness was confined to the bedroom.

This time, she was pregnant and unable to engage in marital relations, and his leg needed medicinal ointment. Sitting and chatting together, there was a bit more warmth than before. But he knew so much; she couldn't beat him at chess, the military books he read were only half-understood by her, and when he spoke of vast mountains and seas, of lonely smoke in the desert, she could only gape in amazement.

Although he never looked down on her, she felt a slight sense of loss, as if she were a bit inferior in front of Commander Lu.

Now she discovered that even the knowledgeable Commander Lu had things he didn't understand, even if it was just a few insignificant fish in the pond, it boosted her confidence.

She wasn't entirely without merit, nor did she need to belittle herself.

Jiang Wanrou spoke happily, walking two more rounds than usual. Exhausted from walking, she sat on a chair by the swing and joked, "I walked a lot today, husband, you only read me one act tonight, I'm at a loss."

She was just joking, but his agreement to read her a play had already surprised her greatly. She couldn't imagine someone like him, with his stern face and thin lips, reciting lines like "May all loving couples never part, let us two reunite soon."

She found it funny and felt a tinge of anticipation.

Gently stroking her belly, she thought: Such days might be hard to come by in the future, thanks to you, let's stir him up once.

Jiang Wanrou wasn't one to trouble herself. Now she had shed her ornate hairpins and luxurious clothes, wearing loose but comfortable skirts, her thick black hair simply tied with a wooden hairpin behind her ear. The evening sun cast a golden glow on her profile, making her seem radiant.

Commander Lu stared at her, momentarily entranced.

He remembered the missionaries from afar who presented so-called "Madonna" paintings, which were extremely lifelike but indecently exposed, utterly improper.

The missionaries swore that it was the "Holy Mother," with "maternal and divine light intertwined," but the Emperor angrily dismissed it as nonsense, punishing them with thirty lashes for disrespect and expelling them from the capital.

Now he suddenly felt that the Emperor might have misjudged those blue-eyed fellows.

He reached out to touch her hair, saying, "Tonight, I'll paint another picture of you."

***

Jiang Wanrou felt like she had shot herself in the foot. Commander Lu, this man, truly had the ability to recite romantic plays with such solemnity that Wang Ruilan seemed not to be marrying Jiang Shilong but rather swearing brotherhood, turning a good play into something utterly dull.

He had also gotten into painting her.

Previously, they had gambled on bedroom games, whether playing dice or chess. If she could win once, he would return a painting to her. Now, not only had she not gotten any back, but he also had her pose in many embarrassing positions.

What embarrassed Jiang Wanrou the most was the way he looked at her—intense, not just with simple desire, but mixed with awe, admiration, and infatuation, making her heart flutter and unable to meet his eyes.

Sometimes she wondered; after marriage, her figure had filled out, and with daily bird's nest supplements, she was never the 'slender' beauty of the era. Now, heavily pregnant, no matter how divine, she couldn't look that beautiful. Was she some fox spirit reincarnated to make him so infatuated?

...

In any case, apart from some troubles not worth mentioning to outsiders, Jiang Wanrou's life was quite pleasant. Last time she worried that Huai Yi might be led astray, but her son ended up spending the whole day at the bookshop, though she didn't know how he ran into Pei Zhang.

Jiang Wanrou felt a mix of emotions. Despite her conflicts with Jiang Wanying, Pei Zhang's talents were indeed impeccable. You are the company you keep; she also wanted Huai Yi to get closer to Pei Zhang and absorb some of that "scholarly aura."

Huai Yi was growing up and had his own thoughts. She couldn't ask him directly, so she brought it up casually with Commander Lu.

Commander Lu was surprised: "You can have conflicts with people?"

Jiang Wanrou was speechless.

Fortunately, Commander Lu didn't have the leisure to delve into the reasons. He comforted her, "Pei Zhang... won't be bothered by domestic matters, rest assured."

He had planted many spies around Lu Huaiyi and had long been aware of Lu Huaiyi's acquaintance with Pei Zhang. Lu Feng had noticed that Lu Huaiyi's handwriting had become increasingly elegant and free-flowing.

Apart from being strict with Lu Huaiyi in his studies, Lu Feng was quite lenient in other aspects, only keeping a close eye on him without intervening.

Regardless of Pei Zhang's intentions, Lu Feng remembered this favor and repaid it during a morning court session one day.

In the Golden Luan Hall, a group of civil and military officials stood in two rows, holding their ceremonial tablets, debating fiercely over who should be sent to suppress bandits in Jiangnan.

The emperor's reign had been peaceful for over twenty years, except for the occasional harassment by Turkic nomads at the borders every winter. Without significant achievements, ordinary officials could only hope for promotion by waiting for their superiors to retire and fiercely competing with their colleagues for the opportunity.

Finally, there was a case of Jiangnan water bandits that caught the emperor's attention. Was it really about suppressing bandits? No, it was a clear political achievement! Moreover, Jiangnan was prosperous, and various ministries in the court wanted to get a piece of the action, all submitting memorials expressing their willingness to tour the south on the emperor's behalf, even at the risk of their lives.

The Forbidden Dragon Bureau had recently been wrapping up the case of Prince Gong, which had nothing to do with Lu Feng. When he heard the name "Pei Zhang," he paused briefly and stepped forward, saying:

"I believe Minister Pei is skilled in strategy and decisive judgment, making him suitable for this important task."

Because of the unique nature of Lu Feng's position, he rarely spoke. When he did, it usually meant trouble for someone, and the officials hoped he would remain silent. This was the first time Lu Feng had recommended someone, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"Oh? Does Minister Lu also think Minister Pei is capable?"

The emperor asked with interest. In public, he rarely called Lu Feng by his courtesy name, only addressing him as "Minister."

Lu Feng lowered his eyebrows and said calmly, "The governor of Qingzhou was able to be exonerated, and Minister Pei deserves the most credit."

"Hmm, if you hadn't mentioned it, I might have forgotten about this matter."

The emperor rubbed his temples, his voice somewhat tired, "I have yet to reward Minister Pei, which is my oversight."

Pei Zhang immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I am here to assist Your Majesty and do not seek personal credit."

The emperor posed several more questions to Pei Zhang, who answered each with ease. The subsequent matters proceeded smoothly. The emperor promptly issued an order, appointing Pei Zhang as the Imperial Inspector, granting him the Imperial Edict Sword, and entrusting him with the task of touring the south on behalf of the emperor to mitigate the flood disaster, rectify governance, and pacify the people.

Pei Zhang had risen from Jiaozhou to the capital in just three years, entering the powerful Ministry of Personnel. Now, barely settled into his role as Vice Minister, he was named Imperial Inspector, rising so swiftly that the court officials left seething with envy.

"Commander Lu, please wait."

Pei Zhang managed to break free from the flood of congratulations from his colleagues and caught up to Lu Feng, clasping his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Commander Lu, for your kind words on my behalf earlier."

"No need for modesty," Lu Feng replied indifferently. "Lord Pei's abilities caught His Majesty's attention. Your eloquence and quick wit in the hall were your own doing, not my merit."

Pei Zhang smiled, refraining from further self-deprecation. He said, "Commander Lu, are you heading to the Forbidden Dragon Bureau? I happen to be going the same way. Shall we go together?"

Lu Feng arched an eyebrow, his piercing gaze lingering on Pei Zhang for a moment.

"Please," he said.