Chapter 74 His Compensation

Chapter 74 His Assurance

Lu Feng tightened his grip on her hand and shut the door behind them. The creaking sound of the door closing made Jiang Wanrou's heart tremble.

She widened her eyes and looked up at him, "Husband, what are you implying? Do you suspect me..."

"I trust you."

Lu Feng said in a deep voice, "I've said it before, I will always trust you."

Jiang Wanying had once caused a scene at the Duke's residence, spreading rumors to tarnish her reputation. Back then, when she asked Lu Feng, he had said the same thing.

He was naturally suspicious, and Jiang Wanrou had been pleased to hear it at the time, but she hadn't taken it to heart. She wasn't foolish enough to believe a man's empty words, and only intended to be more cautious in her speech and actions in the future, to avoid giving anyone a reason to gossip.

Yesterday, amidst the crowd talking about "Turkic," Jiang Wanrou hadn't expected that Lu Feng would notice her, let alone that he would... truly believe her.

She swore on her life that she had never harbored any improper thoughts, but the situation at the time... was indeed easily misunderstood.

Jiang Wanrou's heart was in a whirl. She moved her lips several times but couldn't find the words to speak.

At this moment, Jiang Wanrou felt an inexplicable sense of shame. Outsiders described Lu Feng as ruthless and cold-hearted, but she, his closest companion, had also underestimated him.

***

It was a fortunate misunderstanding. Lu Feng's heart was broad, but not so broad as to allow others to covet his wife. That wasn't the mark of a saint, but of a coward.

But he was also not a hot-headed fool. Lu Feng had his own principles when it came to handling matters.

Just as he had repeatedly rejected Pei Zhang's memorial for tax reduction in Luoyun Town, it wasn't because of any personal grudge between them. In fact, he privately agreed with the memorial, as Pei Zhang's proposal was well-written and thoroughly researched. But the law was the law, and he chose to follow it.

In matters of governance, he was clear-sighted and sharp-minded. He knew that since Jiang Wanrou had married him, she had been filial to his elders, managed the household, adhered to the rules of propriety, and devoted herself entirely to him and their three children. She had never acted improperly, nor had she harbored any disloyal thoughts.

Thieves desire treasures, but one cannot blame the treasure for being too dazzling. Lu Feng's anger was directed at the covetous thieves, not at Jiang Wanrou. Of course, a man's possessiveness played its part, and Jiang Wanrou had suffered a bit as a result.

To this day, Jiang Wanrou still naively believed that Lu Feng's intensity last night was because she had applied an extra layer of rouge.

...

Jiang Wanrou lowered her eyes and murmured, "I am innocent; my heart and eyes are filled with you. My devotion to you is as pure as gold."

She pondered for a moment and decided not to dwell on the matter. Since Lu Feng had said he believed her, there was no need to explain further. Should she say she was grateful to Pei Zhang for helping her out of a tight spot? But why had Pei Zhang helped her? She didn't know either. The more she explained, the more complicated it became. Better to let it go.

Lu Feng's expression softened slightly, "I know."

It was precisely because he knew her heart that he didn't care about the rest. But Pei Zhang's repeated actions had completely exhausted Lu Feng's patience. He lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable, and Jiang Wanrou couldn't guess his thoughts, but she knew he wasn't pleased.

Jiang Wanrou suddenly curled her fingers and scratched his palm, looking at him with pleading eyes.

Lu Feng's eyes flickered, and he changed the subject, "The mansion has seamstresses. You don't need to do such menial work in the future."

The clothes he was wearing had been sent over from Jinguang Courtyard two days ago, and the boots were also made by her. She enjoyed doing needlework for him, but Lu Feng, holding her soft and delicate hands, could never understand this hobby of hers.

Though he didn't enjoy listening to operas or reading novels either, they were at least pastimes for idle moments, and he didn't stop her. She practiced dancing daily, which was against the rules, but behind closed doors, it was a way to stay fit and occasionally added some spice to their marital life. Only he knew how supple her body was.

However, there was one thing: since she had married into the family, she had been fixated on making clothes, shoes, and socks for him. Lu Feng didn't lack for clothes—whether in the Duke's mansion or the Prince's mansion, there were plenty of seamstresses. There was no need for her to lower herself to such tasks.

At this mention, Jiang Wanrou felt even more guilty and didn't dare to respond. She had come with great determination, ready to confront him, but before she could even speak, she found herself shrinking under his gaze.

She hesitated, but Lu Feng's sharp eyes bore into her, and he asked directly, "What is it that's making you so hesitant?"

"There's something wrong with that medicine!"

After some thought, Jiang Wanrou still felt wronged and decided to demand an explanation today.

She blurted out, "Today, the bowl of contraceptive soup you sent—I had the medical officer check it. The ingredients matched exactly with the prescription you brought from the palace!"

"What's the meaning of this? I demand an explanation, husband."

The medicine was so bitter, and she didn't even like sweet foods, yet she had been taking it for five years! As she spoke, Jiang Wanrou straightened her posture, feeling her confidence surge again.

She wasn't just making baseless claims; she had kept the medicine residue as proof, leaving no room for denial.

She was fully prepared for a battle of wits with Lu Feng, but to her surprise, after a moment of silence, Lu Feng openly admitted, "The previous prescription was indeed a contraceptive soup."

In the side room, there was a narrow couch for resting. Lu Feng picked up Jiang Wanrou, who was wrapped in a fluffy white fox fur cloak, resembling a snowball. Lu Feng's tall frame made her seem not at all bulky in his arms.

He explained softly, "Back then, I had too many enemies. Another pregnancy might have drawn unwanted attention."

There were many reasons, including his high position and power, with only one frail son to deter envy; and how difficult her first childbirth was, so he wanted her to recover for a couple more years.

Originally, Lu Feng had planned that by the time Huai Yi was two or three, he would have fully controlled the Forbidden Dragon Bureau, and her body would be ready for another child. But he had grown used to that life—no matter how late he returned, there was always a lamp waiting, and he was enchanted by her warmth and gentle words. Lu Feng thought, let's wait a little longer.

If Jiang Wanrou hadn't defied him and secretly poured out the medicine, they probably wouldn't have the twins now. Lu Feng sighed softly, his large hand brushing aside the heavy cloak to gently caress her belly.

He murmured, "It's fate."

Jiang Wanrou remembered the times she had poured out the medicine and realized, so that's how it was—this wasn't fate.

Lu Feng's explanation slightly eased her anger, but her face still showed indignation as she said, "Then why did you hide it from me? You could have just told me; I'm not unreasonable."

Lu Feng gently pinched her soft cheeks, a hint of apology in his voice, "I didn't handle this matter properly."

When he first decided on the medicine, she was merely his wife in name, the mother of his eldest son, and the capable mistress of the house. The husband's word was law, and his decisions were not to be questioned.

In other words, the 'wife's' thoughts didn't matter.

Later, as he grew more attached to her, it became even harder to mention it.

Lu Feng came from a noble background, with a decisive and autocratic nature. Only the emperor could overrule him. Who would dare to question him? Now, in this small side room, he lowered his head and admitted "I didn't handle it properly" to his wife, which was the most he could do.

This was the first time he expressed "apology," and it was to his own wife. Lu Feng's face showed a slight discomfort, though his usual cold expression made it hard to notice.

He pursed his thin lips and asked, "Rou'er, is there anything you desire?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Wanrou was stunned. Why the sudden change of topic?

She replied honestly, "No."

Even as a princess consort, and before that as the wife of a duke, all the things she liked and wanted had already been collected. With constant gifts from the palace, her tastes had become more discerning, and ordinary treasures no longer caught her eye.

Lu Feng asked again, "Do you have any regrets?"

Jiang Wanrou thought for a while and shook her head, "None."

Only then did she realize that Lu Feng felt guilty and wanted to compensate her!

Jiang Wanrou felt she was truly spineless. She had started off strong, but after being countered by him, her confidence had waned by thirty percent. Then, after hearing his explanation, she felt pity and sympathy for his situation, and finally, she was soothed by his soft words. She had been so angry just moments ago!

But since there was compensation, why not take it? Jiang Wanrou quickly changed her tone, "Yes, yes, yes, let me think!"

Her mind raced, and suddenly, Jiang Wanrou had a flash of inspiration. She looked up at him, "As for something I fancy, how about you give me your calligraphy?"

Lu Feng smiled, "That's simple. Which one do you want?"

A blush rose on Jiang Wanrou's cheeks, and she stammered, "It's the ones you drew... at night... before."

During her pregnancy, she couldn't attend to him, so he undressed her and posed her in various positions for his sketches. It was utterly mortifying.

Lu Feng paused for a moment, then gently touched her temple, "Pick something else."

It wasn't that he was unwilling to give them to her. As the head of the largest spy network in the Qi Dynasty, he knew well that walls have ears. With so many odd and skilled people around, no matter how well something was hidden, someone would eventually find it.

At the time, he had only found her reactions amusing and wanted to toy with her. Once, when Jiang Wanrou had asked him about it, he had firmly replied, "You won't find them."

He was a cautious man, used to tying up all loose ends and leaving no traces. They had long since been turned to ashes.

Jiang Wanrou, frustrated, pinched his waist, leaving bruises, but he still wouldn't budge. She had no choice but to make another demand, "You mustn't yell at me in the future."

Lu Feng sighed helplessly, "When have I ever yelled at you?"

He had given her all his patience, but she had become increasingly spoiled, throwing fits at the slightest inconvenience. Where was the virtuous and gentle woman she once was?

Jiang Wanrou pouted, "And you mustn't yell at Huai Yi either. Or Huai Ling and Mingzhu. You can't yell at any of them."

Lu Feng replied, "Pick something else."

Jade must be carved to become valuable. If children were raised the way she wanted, they would surely be spoiled.

This wouldn't do, that wouldn't do. Suddenly, Jiang Wanrou had an idea, "Since that's the case, then... let's just owe it for now!"

"A promise once made cannot be taken back. I'll tell you what I want when I think of it later."

Lu Feng, worn down by her persistence, rubbed his temples and sighed, "Alright, it's all up to you."

...

Jiang Wanrou left in a huff but returned satisfied. Even her trusted maid, Cuizhu, was puzzled and cautiously asked, "My lady, what should we do with these medicine dregs?"

Jiang Wanrou waved her hand dismissively, "Throw them away."

She had come to terms with it. The bitter medicine had already been consumed, and rather than dwelling on the past, it was better to look to the future. Before leaving, she had deliberately tugged on Lu Feng's sleeve and reminded him seriously, "Lu Feng, you must remember, you owe me a promise."

Lu Feng was a man of his word. Within the bounds of his tolerance, this promise was akin to a "get out of jail free card." She would keep it, as it might prove useful in the future!

Lu Feng said he trusted her, and Jiang Wanrou thought the matter was over, gradually putting it out of her mind. The next day, at the morning court session, thanks to Lu Feng's strong recommendation, Minister Pei was once again appointed as the Qi Dynasty's envoy, sent thousands of miles away to the Turkic lands to escort Chen Fu.

Jiang Wanrou deliberately avoided the matter, and by the time she learned of it, it was already deep winter, and the weather had grown even colder.