Chapter 34

Chapter 34

On this point, Lu Jingrong spoke with remarkable candor, yet it was also his heartfelt truth.

Though he had inherited two family lines, making the household appear somewhat chaotic, over the years, he had skillfully managed to balance both sides, navigating complex relationships with ease. He respectfully empowered his principal wife to manage the family estate while charming and coaxing Fang Shi into bearing his children. During the Lu family’s most arduous times, he single-handedly bore the heavy burden of the entire marquis household, securing both sons and daughters, and enduring immense hardship to reach this day of peace and prosperity—a feat that was far from easy.

Moreover, it was evident that the Lu family’s standing at court was rapidly rising, his eldest son’s official career was smooth, and the family’s future prosperity was clearly within sight. Given his modest background, achieving this much was already a source of personal pride and a legacy he felt did not disgrace his ancestors.

"Do you know where you fall short compared to me? It’s in the art of handling women…"

Lu Jingrong took a sip of tea, speaking with a self-satisfied air.

Lu Suian, however, lowered his gaze and remained silent.

Seeing that his eldest son offered no encouragement, Lu Jingrong knew his son disagreed with him on this point. He gave a faint, dismissive smile, then, after a moment, shook his head and said, "Never mind, never mind. On this matter, it seems I can only discuss it with Jing’er. But—"

Here, Lu Jingrong adopted a weighty tone and continued, "As a father, I must still advise you. Although official duties are important, you must not neglect your domestic life. Last time, your wife suffered injustice; you should make it up to her more. After such an incident, if you don’t properly comfort her and are never home, a rift will inevitably grow over time. As the saying goes, if you can’t keep your own house in order, how can you manage the world? If the household is unstable, it’s difficult to achieve much in your career—"

Lu Jingrong usually did not interfere in his three sons’ marital affairs. However, last time, his daughter-in-law, Lady Shen, had distinguished herself at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, earning the favor of the Emperor and Empress, which also pleased him greatly.

A family often rises and falls together. A good marriage and a good daughter-in-law can often outweigh countless carefully laid plans and efforts.

Sometimes, going through great hardships is not as effective as simply gaining imperial favor.

Thus, Lu Jingrong advised earnestly.

Lu Suian listened to his father’s lecturing but thought back to the night they had parted on bad terms.

He did not wish to discuss such private matters with his elders.

Seeing his eldest son avert his eyes and remain silent, Lu Jingrong knew he had not taken it to heart. He could not help but glare at his son and added, "Do you know where Lady Shen is today?"

Lu Jingrong raised his eyebrows abruptly as he asked.

At this, Lu Suian finally lifted his gaze and looked toward him.

If Lady Shen was not in the residence, where was she?

Lu Jingrong shook his head and said, "She has returned to the Shen family’s old residence."

He then detailed how Lady Shen’s adoptive parents had arrived in the capital, how she had visited them yesterday, and how she had not returned overnight.

As he spoke, he observed his son’s expression. Seeing his reaction, it was clear he was completely unaware of it. Lu Jingrong shook his head gently and said, "Lady Shen has no one to lean on. In the past, if she felt wronged, she likely had no one to turn to. But now it’s different. Her adoptive parents are here. If she doesn’t tell you, she can still go back to her family and confide in them."

Lu Jingrong assumed that Lady Shen’s overnight absence was due to her going home to voice grievances. He could not help but advise his son, "After all, they are the parents who raised her. By reason and sentiment, you should pay them a visit."

This was the real reason Lu Jingrong had called his son back today—to send him to the Shen residence to bring her back.

After hearing Lu Jingrong’s words, Lu Suian remained silent for a long time.

He knew nothing about Lady Shen’s adoptive parents arriving in the capital. Although he had been away in the south for over a month and was busy with official duties, he had spent the entire day with Lady Shen upon his return to the capital. Yet, she had not breathed a word about it to him.

Had she simply forgotten?

Or did she not regard him as her husband at all?

Or perhaps she no longer cared?

Lu Suian narrowed his eyes. Combined with what had happened that night, he could not quite describe the feeling in his heart at that moment.

Seeing this, Lu Jingrong shook his head and said, "You, my son, will likely face many hardships in the future."

With that, he summoned Lu Suian’s attendant, Chang Li, into the room and scolded him, "The Young Master is busy with official duties, and it’s normal for him to forget things when he’s occupied. But you numbskulls, with your heads filled with mush, don’t you know to remind him? No matter how busy the Young Master is with his duties, how can they compare to the importance of an heir? If there’s no sign of pregnancy in your lady’s belly within six months, I’ll hold you responsible!"

Lu Jingrong berated Chang Li mercilessly.

Chang Li looked hapless, nearly weeping.

How was it his responsibility if Lady Shen showed no signs of pregnancy? Why would he be held accountable?

Thus, as soon as they left the study, without waiting for Lu Suian’s instructions, Chang Li hurriedly had the carriage hitched and cautiously urged, "Young Master, it’s getting late. Shall we take the carriage to fetch Lady Shen now, or go on horseback?"

Chang Li offered two standard and perfect options.

Lu Suian: "…"

...

That day, Lu Suian arrived at the Shen family’s old residence before sunset.

However, as soon as the carriage stopped, Lu Suian did not immediately step out. Instead, he lifted the curtain and gazed calmly at the modest, tranquil old residence.

This was his first visit since his marriage.

The last time he had come was on his wedding day to escort his bride.

The scene before him overlapped with the blurred memories of his childhood. He vaguely remembered a gentle and beautiful woman holding the hand of a four- or five-year-old child standing by the gate, smiling as she looked at them. She was heavily pregnant, bracing her lower back with effort as she waved gently to him and said, "An-ge, you’re here to see your little sister?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the little boy beside her instantly puffed up like a furious kitten, glaring at him with hostility and saying, "She’s my sister, my sister—"

He shielded the woman and her belly behind him, refusing to let Lu Suian see.

Lu Suian’s gaze grew distant, and he froze for a moment. When he looked again, the entrance was empty, with no one in sight.

He sat quietly for a while, then collected himself and was about to step out of the carriage when the two large doors of the residence swung open. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed from the courtyard.

Lu Suian looked up in the direction of the noise.

He saw a group of people approaching from a distance.

At the forefront were two women, walking arm in arm, chatting and laughing.

Behind them, a tall man in white robes teasingly flicked one of the women on the head with a fan. The woman, quick and spirited, glared back and kicked at him. The man laughed effortlessly as he dodged, and the two engaged in a playful scuffle for a while.

When they finally settled down, the man’s amorous eyes, still brimming with laughter, turned to gaze at the other woman’s back.

His gaze was lingering and tender, yet audacious and overt.

He lingered a step behind the woman, who remained unaware of his gaze, chatting casually with the person beside her.

Suddenly, the man behind her reached out and carefully brushed off a fallen leaf from her hair.

The woman seemed to sense something and turned her head slightly.

Their eyes met.

At that moment, Lu Suian’s eyes slightly narrowed from inside the carriage.

Because the woman was none other than his wife, Shen Anning.

And the man was actually the hostile child who once flaunted his arrogance years ago—

Pei Yujin, the eldest son of the Pei family.

Watching the two of them gazing at each other, unaware of others, appearing like a perfect pair, Lu Suian’s lips pressed into a tight line.

…

When Shen Anning turned her head with a faint smile, she caught sight of the tall, commanding presence outside the gate and stiffened abruptly in surprise.

Why was Lu Suian here?

She hadn’t expected to see Lu Suian at this time or place, and a flicker of astonishment crossed her face as she instinctively halted her steps.

Noticing Shen Anning pausing inside the gate, the rest of the group followed her gaze toward the majestic figure standing before the carriage.

Lu Suian, with his broad shoulders and tall, commanding stature, wore his official robe today, the embroidered birds and beasts on his mandarin square vivid and lifelike, exuding a masculine and imposing aura. As the setting sun cast a crimson glow, he stood with his hands behind his back, bathed in the evening light, his eyes sharp and cold like frosty stars—both dignified and carrying an intimidating presence.

The entire group couldn’t help but stop in their tracks as well.

The two of them locked eyes across the gate.

This was also their first meeting since their unpleasant falling-out that night.

A tense silence fell for a moment.

It was Shen Anning who broke the silence first, stepping over the threshold and walking forward calmly as she asked, “My lord, what brings you here?”

Shen Anning carried herself as if nothing were amiss, as though the disagreement that night had never happened.

In her past life, Shen Anning rarely ventured beyond the inner quarters; her attention and steps always followed Lu Suian. Thus, it was always her waiting for him or following him—never had he sought her out proactively.

Moreover, he was often occupied with official duties at the Dali Temple (Court of Judicial Review), staying away for weeks or even months, rarely returning easily. So, his sudden appearance here made Shen Anning assume something was wrong at the estate.

But what could possibly happen at the estate now?

Was Fang Shi making trouble again?

Or… was Lu Anran scheming again?

Shen Anning lowered her gaze, pondering the reason for Lu Suian’s sudden appearance.

However, Lu Suian did not answer Shen Anning’s question immediately. Instead, he slowly stepped forward, positioning himself beside her, then cast a sharp gaze over the crowd, finally settling on the jade-white figure among them. With a calm expression, he asked, “Why is Young Master Pei here?”

Lu Suian’s composure was unshaken; he was often expressionless and seldom revealed his feelings.

Even now, there was no trace of anything unusual to be detected.

Yet, the edge in his voice beneath his calm tone seemed even more intense than usual.

Was Lu Suian here today because of Pei Yujin?

That was Shen Anning’s first thought.

Could some case have involved Pei Yujin?

She vaguely recalled that in her past life, the Pei family had never been embroiled in any major cases.

Lu Suian’s sudden visit even led Shen Anning to momentarily think he was here on official business, without a moment’s thought that he might have come for her.

However, men undoubtedly understand men.

The sharpness and scrutiny in his eyes did not escape Pei Yujin’s notice. Instead of taking offense, Pei Yujin wore a faint, amused smile at the corner of his mouth. Meeting Lu Suian’s gaze with ease, he replied, “My younger sister and Madam Lu hit it off wonderfully at the palace banquet last time. Upon learning that Madam Lu was here today, she insisted on coming to visit. As for me—”

Pei Yujin chuckled, swaying his fan leisurely as he continued, “Firstly, it’s been a long time since I last paid respects to my teacher. Secondly, while escorting my sister, I also took the opportunity to drop by and see Sister Ning.”

Pei Yujin spoke with a hint of a smirk.

But his words were startling, to say the least. The term “Sister Ning” was like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day—successfully causing both of them to change their expressions.

One was Shen Anning.

What nonsense was this Pei guy rambling about?

They weren’t close enough for such familiarity—what right did he have to call her “sister”? How ambiguous and inappropriate.

Shen Anning only knew that in her past life, Mrs. Pei had been close to her birth mother, but she was unaware that their two families had nearly become in-laws. This matter was never mentioned in her past life, and in this life, they hadn’t deepened their ties enough for her to know.

Though she wasn’t familiar with Pei Yujin, having only interacted with him a couple of times, she had formed a preliminary impression of him: he was the type to stir up trouble without concern for the consequences. Shen Anning didn’t flatter herself enough to believe that he had genuinely taken a liking to her, a married woman.

So, she shot an angry glare at him, silently warning him.

As for the other person, it was naturally Lu Suian himself.

There probably wasn’t a man in this world who could tolerate another man eyeing and teasing his wife.

And so brazenly at that!

Although Lu Suian didn’t have deep feelings for Shen Anning, she was his wife—his woman.

The provocation and disrespect in Pei Yujin’s words instantly made the cold light in Lu Suian’s eyes sharpen like poisonous arrows, shooting forth abruptly.