Chapter 74: Love-Struck

Chapter 74: Love-Struck [A term referring to someone who is overly focused on romantic feelings, often acting in a childlike or whimsical manner.]

"It's good to have you back. Did you encounter any danger on the way?" Mr. Yu gently patted Yu Lanyi's back.

"No, Zheng Shanci hired bodyguards from the escort agency to bring us back," Yu Lanyi mumbled. When he reached Mr. Yu, he felt like he had turned back into a young, unmarried man, just wanting to act spoiled in Mr. Yu's arms.

"Let me get a good look at you. Have you lost weight or gained weight?" Mr. Yu straightened Yu Lanyi and looked him over. "You look well, but the long journey has left you tired. You must be exhausted, my child." Mr. Yu smiled, holding Yu Lanyi's hand and patting it.

The warm touch and gentle, concerned voice made Yu Lanyi want to cry again.

"Dad, Dad," Yu Lanyi clung to Mr. Yu, refusing to budge.

"You're a grown man now, still acting so spoiled. Aren't you embarrassed?" Mr. Yu said lightly, though his eyes were filled with laughter as he gently patted his youngest son, enjoying the affection.

"Dad is the best in the world," Yu Lanyi insisted, not letting go.

"What about your father, your brother, and your husband?" Mr. Yu couldn't stop smiling, stroking his youngest son's head. "You little rascal, always knowing how to charm me."

"Aren't you tired from the long journey? Go take a nap in your room. When you wake up, come have lunch. I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes." Mr. Yu led Yu Lanyi to his room.

Yu Lanyi hesitated, "My room isn't very cozy to sleep in."

After all, he had moved everything out, and now it was bare.

"I've added some new furnishings for you. See if you like them?" Mr. Yu, seeing Yu Lanyi's expression, knew what he was thinking and felt both amused and exasperated.

When Yu Lanyi entered his room and saw the new furniture and bed, he cheered and flopped onto the soft bedding, feeling how comfortable it was.

"Dad, you're so good to me! You're the best in the Great Yan Dynasty."

Mr. Yu didn't know how many times he had smiled today. He simply said, "Go to sleep now, no more sweet talk."

Yu Lanyi was indeed tired. He hugged his pillow and nodded, "I'll come keep you company once I wake up."

Mr. Yu left Yu Lanyi's room and instructed the kitchen to prepare some of Yu Lanyi's favorite snacks. "Make sure they're fresh from the oven. If he hasn't woken up yet, keep them warm."

"Yes, Mr. Yu."

Nanny Cao smiled, "Now that the second young master is back, Mr. Yu will be busy. The second young master looks well, and his temperament hasn't changed much. He hasn't complained about his husband to you, so it seems he's been doing well after marriage."

Mr. Yu sat in his chair, lost in thought. Lan Yi hadn't said anything to complain, but he still needed to ask. This child has always been straightforward; if he had been wronged, he would surely say so.

"Shan Ci has a good temperament. I'll ask Lan Yi more once he's rested." Mr. Yu couldn't relax when it came to his youngest son. After all, Lan Yi was naive and might not even realize if he was being taken advantage of.

When Yu Lanyi woke up, he reached out to touch the side, only to find it empty.

Right, he was back, and Zheng Shanci wasn't by his side. If only Zheng Shanci had come back with him.

Yu Lanyi sighed, put on his shoes, and went searching for Mr. Yu.

"Dad!" He called out, searching for his father after waking up.

"Second Young Master, Mr. Yu is in the garden admiring the flowers," a maid informed him.

Yu Lanyi acknowledged her and went to the pavilion in the garden where he saw Mr. Yu. Mr. Yu waved at him, "Come sit here. The sun is perfect, and the view is lovely."

Yu Lanyi went over and sat on the stone bench, looking at the flowers and chatting with Mr. Yu. They hadn't been talking long before a maid called them to lunch.

"Let's go eat first. We can talk more later."

The dining table was filled with Yu Lanyi's favorite dishes, some of which could only be found in the capital. After tasting them, Yu Lanyi looked thoroughly satisfied.

"By the way, your elder brother is engaged, but the wedding will only take place after the New Year. You will soon have a sister-in-law," Mr. Yu chuckled.

Yu Lanyi was somewhat happy. His elder brother was already twenty-five and still unmarried, but now he was finally getting married. Emperor Wuming, who was about the same age as his brother, already had two princes. Even without comparing to the emperor, other noble youths usually married and had children by the age of twenty-one. Yu Lanyi had thought his brother might end up alone.

He eagerly inquired, "Who is it?"

He wanted to see what kind of person his brother had chosen.

Mr. Yu smiled and said, "It's An Geer from Marquis Anxin's household."

Yu Lanyi: "Wasn't he already engaged?"

"He called off the engagement with Heir Zhang. Heir Zhang was caught fooling around with a servant, which delayed An Geer, a good child. He didn't fancy any of the portraits sent by Changxing, but he took a liking to An Geer."

"As long as big brother is happy, that's all that matters," Yu Lanyi thought of An Geer's dignified and virtuous demeanor. An Geer was indeed a noble lady from a prestigious family, worthy of his elder brother.

"Now that both of you are settled, I can rest easy. When Shan Ci returns to the capital, everything will be fine," Mr. Yu said, holding Yu Lanyi's hand and smiling, feeling relieved.

It didn't matter that the second son-in-law was of low status, as long as he treated Yu Lanyi well. With the Marquis of Changyang and Changxing backing the family, and An Geer's good reputation and upbringing from Marquis Anxin's household, they would be able to manage the household well. After all, An Geer would be the future head of the family, and they had to be careful.

The Marquis of Changyang was the main lineage, with some collateral branches. Every year during the New Year ancestral worship, there was a lot of work to be done. With help from others, Mr. Yu was also happy.

"Alright, let's go to the Golden Robe Pavilion to buy you some new clothes," Mr. Yu said, taking some silver notes and bringing Yu Lanyi to buy clothes.

Yu Lanyi's eyes sparkled with excitement. Shopping for clothes with his father meant he wouldn't have to dip into his own pocket, saving him a lot. He was really a thrifty and dependable young man.

He quickly clung to Mr. Yu and followed him out.

Mr. Yu went out with a smile. When they arrived at the Golden Robe Pavilion, Yu Lanyi was overwhelmed by the array of clothes and quickly went to find something suitable. Mr. Yu also spotted a few familiar ladies, who seemed a bit taken aback to see Yu Lanyi.

"Mr. Yu, has Lan Yi returned from outside?"

"Yes, he just came back. I brought him out for a stroll. It's been ages since I last saw him after he got married."

The incident with Yu Lanyi had happened a long time ago. Besides, when he and Zheng Shanci were caught together, their clothes were still neatly arranged, unlike Heir Zhang and a servant who were caught in bed together, naked and entangled. The Zhang family had been utterly humiliated in the capital.

"We'll head out after picking up some clothes. Feel free to browse at your leisure."

After the ladies left the Golden Robe Pavilion, they started talking about Yu Lanyi.

"Yu Lanyi married a humble Jinshi, which is quite disappointing. We'll have to wait and see how this humble Jinshi fares in the future, or else he'll just be a useless person relying on his wife's family."

"Since the incident with Yu Lanyi, I've made sure my sons and daughters always go out with attendants. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel comfortable."

"This is just the tip of the iceberg. There's more to come in the future."

After the ladies finished talking, they went their separate ways. The news of Yu Lanyi's return from a small place spread in their circle. Some were curious to see how Yu Lanyi was living his life. If they had to move to such a remote place and live with a humble Jinshi, they would be heartbroken and wouldn't bother with their appearance, becoming worn out.

Yu Lanyi gleefully picked out three outfits.

"Why not buy a few more?" Mr. Yu, sitting nearby drinking tea, was somewhat surprised to see Yu Lanyi only picking three sets.

"I... I also want to pick a few sets of clothes for Zheng Shanci," Yu Lanyi said shyly, tugging at the golden tassels. He muttered, "He doesn't have many good clothes, and he doesn't care much about these things. I want to buy them for him. Clothes make the man, and I don't want him to be looked down upon because of his clothes."

Mr. Yu was truly surprised this time. Yu Lanyi could actually think so much about Zheng Shanci.

"Father, Zheng Shanci hasn't neglected his duties as an official, and he hasn't been idle. He's been working hard," Yu Lanyi bit his lip, his eyes sparkling, his expression radiant.

"He's a good man. He's a county magistrate, but I don't think he's inferior to anyone. It's just... when his term ends, the family will still need to help him more."