Chapter 50: I Will Always Believe You

Chapter 50: I Will Always Believe You

At these words, Jiang Wanrou bashfully averted her gaze, her eyes fixed on the tassels of the bed curtains, biting her lip in silence.

They had already been intimate once before. Her pale, soft skin glistened with a faint sheen of sweat, her cloud-like black hair spread out behind her. Her skin was like jade, the corners of her eyes red, like a bewitching temptress from a tale.

When she didn’t respond as he’d hoped, Lu Feng silently savored her softness and scent. Suddenly, Jiang Wanrou gasped in pain, feeling a sharp sting.

She whined plaintively, "Husband, be gentler, there’s nothing left."

She had been very tired lately. After finishing her postpartum recovery, she had managed household affairs with ease, but at night, she was nearly worn out. The man had been holding back for so long, and now that he had indulged, she’d barely been able to get out of bed for days.

Lu Feng had no shame, having brought a large box of items from the palace. Items like warming jade, sheepskin sheaths, sheep eye rings, and aphrodisiac incense... A single glance made her flush with embarrassment, and she personally stuffed them under the bed.

She had always thought Lu Feng was a serious and upright man, but who would’ve guessed he could be so unrestrained when he let loose! He used to be silent, but now he was using all sorts of things on her, his raspy voice murmuring in her ear, "Does it feel good?"

If she didn’t respond, he would keep teasing her. It left Jiang Wanrou wishing she could vanish on the spot. The items from the palace were indeed effective. Lu Feng, a man of brute strength, actually managed to stir something in her.

It was a mix of pain and pleasure. She couldn’t control herself, and since she had just given birth, her milk would occasionally leak. At such times, Lu Feng would chuckle softly, calling her his precious, liquid treasure.

Lu Feng squeezed hard, squeezing out every last drop. He leaned close to Jiang Wanrou’s neck and demanded, "Is that all for today?"

Jiang Wanrou was torn between amusement and exasperation. She comforted him like a child, her soft hands caressing his broad back.

"I fed the children today, so naturally there’s less."

Lu Feng’s tone was dissatisfied, "Let the wet nurses handle feeding the children. The Lu family can easily cover their wages."

Jiang Wanrou, still basking in the afterglow, chuckled softly and scolded, "You’re utterly shameless."

"As a father, you’re competing with your children for food. People would mock you if they found out."

Lu Feng said matter-of-factly, "You’re mine."

Her body, her heart, they all belonged to him, Lu Feng. All that talk of "past lives" was nonsense!

Today, Jiang Wanying’s words had unsettled Lu Feng, which was why Jiang Wanrou felt especially tense tonight.

Jiang Wanrou went along with him, softly coaxing, "Yes, yes, it’s all yours. No one’s competing with you, why are you so fierce?"

After giving birth again, even Jiang Wanrou herself hadn’t noticed how much her mindset had broadened. She radiated a calm, tolerant, and serene aura.

It was a gentle yet resilient warmth that Lu Feng deeply immersed himself in.

Lu Feng abruptly asked, "Today, did you see Pei Zhang in the garden?"

Jiang Wanrou was taken aback, not knowing what Jiang Wanying had said after she left, making Lu Feng so suspicious.

She replied casually, "Lord Pei got lost in the garden, and I happened to run into him. We exchanged a few words."

"Husband, is there something wrong?"

Lu Feng fell silent.

His wife was open and honest, diligently managing the full-month celebration for their children. He really shouldn’t be suspicious.

He never believed in nonsense like "reincarnation" or "past lives."

But today, Jiang Wanying’s words had planted a thorn in his heart, aching and impossible to dislodge.

His wife was innocent, and while Pei Zhang getting lost in the garden today was still a matter of doubt, judging by his past behavior, he was indeed a proper gentleman.

Lu Feng was filled with pent-up anger but didn't know where to vent it. Born into a duke's family, he rarely felt such frustration.

He could only direct his anger towards that nonsensical madwoman and settle the score with her later.

Noticing Lu Feng's prolonged silence, Jiang Wanrou gently stroked his back with her soft hands and asked softly, "Did my fifth sister accuse me falsely again today? Do you believe her over me?"

"I trust you."

Lu Feng said in a deep voice, grabbing her restless little hand and pressing it against the pillow.

He looked into her bright eyes and said, "I will always trust you."

Lu Feng's expression was unusually serious at this moment.

Jiang Wanrou giggled and said, "Look at you, I was just joking. Let me go."

Lu Feng's gaze glanced over her hands, his tone ambiguous, "You're growing your nails now?"

During her pregnancy, Jiang Wanrou had trimmed her long nails for practicality. Now that their two children were born, she deliberately wore long nail guards to grow her nails.

There were two reasons. First, her figure was fuller, not conforming to the popular ideal of 'delicate and slender' beauty, and her hands were slightly more 'plump' than those of ordinary women. Growing long nails made her hands look more slender and elegant.

Second, it was to display her status. Women from common households, occupied with chores and farm work, rarely had the chance to grow long nails. Noblewomen loved to keep long nails to showcase their prestigious status.

Her husband was the most powerful official in the dynasty, second only to the emperor himself! Jiang Wanrou couldn't afford to appear shabby every day, lest people think the Lu Duke's mansion had fallen into decline.

In addition to these reasons, Jiang Wanrou herself adored various dazzling and ornate nail guards. The sharp, gilded nail guards rustled the silk as she walked gracefully, radiating elegance.

These subtle feminine concerns were unknown to Lu Feng, but in bed, these long nails had another use.

He chuckled, releasing her hand, and asked, "Do you like it like this?"

His back was scratched all over, something she wouldn't have dared before.

Lu Feng couldn't forget the shocking words she had uttered when she was drunk, and for a while, he even fell into a subtle self-doubt. Now that he was scratched, he wasn't angry but rather felt a hint of pride.

Being so lost in passion, she must have been thoroughly enjoying it.

Jiang Wanrou didn't entirely grasp Lu Feng's meaning, but the man's intensely aggressive dark eyes couldn't deceive her. She twisted her waist, wrapping her arms around Lu Feng's neck.

"This time, I'll take the lead."

"As you wish. Just don't complain later that you're too tired."

...

The light gradually faded, and the bright moonlight filtered through the half-open window, casting a silvery glow on the floor. The night was deep.

Jiang Wanrou slept deeply, and when she awoke, it was already the hour of Chen, and there was no trace of the man's warmth by the bed.

***

Lu Feng had left early.

He had to be on duty at the hour of Mao, often rising before the break of dawn. She would suppress her sleepiness to help him dress and wash his face, then go back to sleep.

Later, when she was pregnant again, Lu Feng wouldn't let her do it, and she was too tired, so she just slept. Now that the two children were born, he seemed to have gotten used to it and no longer disturbed her.

Jiang Wanrou dressed with mixed emotions, with no intention of reminding Lu Feng. Just like the token he had left with her before heading south, he didn’t ask for it back, whether he forgot or had other plans.

She feigned ignorance, and it remained in her possession.

...

Jiang Wanrou first looked in on her two children, then called Huai Yi to join her for breakfast. As autumn arrived, the household needed to prepare warmer clothes for everyone. Jiang Wanrou took charge again, generously providing an extra set for each person.

Her approach to managing the household was straightforward. Having experienced hardship herself, she understood that people simply wanted to be well-fed, well-clothed, and have a little extra money. She never hesitated to raise their monthly wages as an incentive, while also establishing clear and detailed household rules, using strict punishments to deter misconduct. By balancing kindness with authority, she established a well-ordered household that ran like clockwork.

Even her two newborns remained calm and quiet around her. Yesterday, Jiang Wanying had made a scene, but Lu Feng told her not to worry, so she didn’t even bother to glance her way. The only person troubling her now was Zhou Miaoyin.

Jintao had just returned from the Marquis of Ning’s estate. During yesterday’s full-month celebration at the Lu residence, only the Marquis of Ning had attended from her maternal family, remaining in the front courtyard reserved for male guests. Jiang Wanrou hadn’t even seen him. Among the women from the Marquis’s household, Madame Qin had pleaded illness and didn’t attend, while Aunt Li’s health had improved, she still refused to come, only sending two longevity locks.

Jiang Wanrou understood that Aunt Li feared stirring up gossip. For more than a decade, Aunt Li had felt burdened by her background, keeping a low profile and shunning public appearances.

Unable to convince her, Jiang Wanrou sent Jintao to deliver portraits of the children and a message that she would bring her grandchildren to visit when she had time.

Jintao curtsied and responded, "Aunt Li said she is doing well and doesn’t want you to trouble yourself."

Jiang Wanrou waved her hand in understanding, offering no further comment. Jintao, ever perceptive, noticed her mood.

Jintao reassured her, "Aunt Li has your best interests at heart."

"I know, that’s just how she is."

Jiang Wanrou wasn’t concerned about Aunt Li. The Marquis of Ning was a defected official from the previous dynasty, having endured the corrupt reign of the former emperor and the turmoil of Prince Chen’s rebellion. Yet, he still retained his noble title. Her father knew how to adapt.

As long as Lu Feng remained in power and she was the mistress of the Lu residence, Aunt Li’s life in the Marquis’s household would not be difficult.

Jiang Wanrou sighed, "I’m concerned about that Miss Zhou."

She rubbed her temples and asked, "How has she been recently?"

Jintao thought for a moment and replied honestly, "She’s been very well-behaved."

Jiang Wanrou ordered Zhou Miaoyin to be brought to her.

From childbirth to her postpartum recovery, this Miss Zhou had been a thorn in her side. The secret was too shocking, and she still hadn’t dared to bring it up with Lu Feng.

But the Forbidden Dragon Bureau’s spies were everywhere. A drunken comment from a border general could end up on the emperor’s desk the next day. How could anything happening in their household escape the notice of Lu Feng, their master?

Yesterday, she had accidentally encountered Pei Zhang in the garden, with no one else around. She believed Lord Pei wouldn’t shout about it, but by evening, Lu Feng knew everything.

When Zhou Miaoyin was captured, even Lu Feng’s men were used. For an entire month, he hadn’t asked about her, and she hadn’t volunteered any information.

Lu Feng said he would always trust her.

A man’s words in bed couldn’t be taken seriously, but when he said it, his expression was so focused, so sincere, that she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

Lu Feng disdained lying, but she knew that in that moment, he was sincere.

How should she respond to such a heavy burden of sincerity?

The matter was too significant, so even with Jintao, Jiang Wanrou didn’t share much. Zhou Miaoyin had been well cared for recently. Just fifteen years old, she seemed to have grown taller. This time, when she met Jiang Wanrou, she was no longer as defiant as before, slightly bowing and softly saying, "Greetings, Madam."

Jintao waited outside. After about an hour, Jiang Wanrou’s voice came from within, instructing Jintao, "Escort Miss Zhou back properly. Do not be rude."

In the evening, Lu Feng returned as usual, heading straight to the Jin Guang Courtyard. He lifted the curtain, and under the soft light, Jiang Wanrou sat with her hair down, a sewing basket on her lap, making knee pads.

Hearing the movement, she looked up, a smile spreading across her lips, "You’re back, husband."

"Perfect, there’s something I’m unsure about..."

"There’s something..."

They spoke at the same time, both pausing in surprise.