Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The dishes at Riverbank Residence were more lavish than usual that evening. Previously, Shen Anning typically had four dishes and two soups, but tonight, several extra dishes were added, filling the entire table.

This was the first time the couple had dined together since Shen Anning had that dream.

Logically, with the return of the heir, a tall and imposing figure, Riverbank Residence should have been livelier than before. However, the opposite was true. "No talking during meals or in bed" was a habit Lu Suian had upheld for many years.

Lu Suian was not a petty or calculative person. Since Lady Shen had taken the initiative to reconcile, he naturally accepted the invitation and returned to Riverbank Residence for dinner that night.

Regarding the incident from that evening, since Lady Shen had already come to her senses, Lu Suian intended to let the matter rest.

At that moment, after casting a glance over the lavish spread on the table, his calm eyes studied it for a moment before he slowly picked up his chopsticks and brought the food to his mouth. Almost instantly, he could tell it was not his wife's cooking.

He suddenly recalled Sun Miao’s words from earlier today and realized it had indeed been a very long time since he had tasted Lady Shen’s cooking.

With this thought, his gaze swept across the dining table, and he noticed that the sweet potato congee Lady Shen used to frequently prepare for him had long disappeared without a trace.

Though simple and not particularly refined, that congee, consistently prepared by Lady Shen over the past six months, had almost entirely alleviated his stomach troubles.

Suppressing his thoughts, Lu Suian continued eating calmly.

Since waking from the dream that day, Shen Anning had not set foot in the kitchen again. The daily meals were mostly entrusted to Xiong Si-niang. Over the past month, Shen Anning had discreetly promoted Xiong Si-niang to assistant manager in the kitchen. Her influence there had surpassed even that of Aunt Kong, and with greater authority came more choices, resulting in a greater variety of dishes each day.

Shen Anning no longer needed to bother to choose dishes.

Over the month, Xiong Si-niang had gradually figured out Shen Anning’s preferences, saving Shen Anning a great deal of effort.

The couple ate in silence.

"This stir-fried chicken tongues is quite delicious."

Suddenly, Shen Anning surprisingly took the initiative to praise one of the dishes.

Lu Suian looked up. The dish was visibly spicy, and he preferred mild flavors. However, seeing his wife’s praise, he raised his chopsticks to try it. Unexpectedly, the next moment, Shen Anning pointed at the dish and said to the maid behind her, "Take this away and share it among yourselves."

Xiao Tao, who enjoyed strongly flavored food, was delighted and took the hint, as Shen Anning would order one or two strongly flavored dishes for her every day.

Lu Suian’s chopsticks hovered mid-air: "..."

Lu Suian narrowed his eyes and glanced at Shen Anning.

After the meal, as the table was cleared, Lu Suian paused for a moment before making his way into the inner chamber again. Since Shen Anning had invited him, it was only natural for him to stay the night.

Lu Suian looked around the unfamiliar bedroom, his gaze eventually settling on the canopy bed. That night, they had parted on bad terms, but today, both tacitly agreed not to bring up the incident.

After all, couples shouldn’t hold grudges overnight.

His eyes swept around the room several more times.

The room had completely changed—not just in furnishings but a complete transformation.

These changes had occurred during his southward journey.

What could cause someone’s temperament and preferences to change so drastically overnight?

Over the past six months of marriage, Lady Shen had shown no abnormalities, except for the Luo family’s visit and her falling ill before his southward journey.

The Luo family?

Her illness?

Lu Suian pondered for a long time until the wick of the candle on the candlestick suddenly flickered, interrupting his thoughts.

He withdrew his gaze, collected himself, and cleared his mind. Moments later, he walked to the desk by the window and found the picture book he hadn’t finished reading last time still lying there quietly. He sat down and began flipping through it. Just as he settled into his seat, Shen Anning quietly followed him in. Though she was holding a teacup, she did not offer it to him personally. Instead, she stood by the Baixian table in the distance, watching him silently for a long, long time before finally smiling slightly and saying, "Heir, I am quite tired today and will not be attending to you tonight."

As she spoke, Shen Anning even wore a faint smile, trying her best to keep her tone calm and natural.

Yet, Lu Suian instantly detected her intention of asking him to leave.

For a moment, he laughed in disbelief. A feeling of being toyed with surged within him.

What did she mean by this?

She was the one who invited him? She was the one seeking reconciliation?

And then?

She was the one driving him away! She was the one tearing down the facade!

What was she doing? Playing games? Offering a sweet date only to slap him afterward?

Did he care about this one meal?

If she was unwilling, why put on such a two-faced act? Who was forcing her?

For a brief moment, Lu Suian found the situation utterly absurd.

His expression instantly darkened. Sitting upright in the armchair by the window, he coldly stared at Lady Shen in the distance. In his memory, this was the first time in over six months of marriage that Lady Shen had so blatantly dismissed him to his face. Previously, she had at least used illness as an excuse, but today, she couldn’t even bother to find a reason?

That night at the palace banquet, so many things had happened. Her impulsive defiance in a fit of anger—fine, there was a reason for it. He was magnanimous and wouldn’t argue with a woman.

But today?

What was the reason this time?

How many times was this? The fourth or fifth?

Lu Suian was almost losing count.

He had married to have children, to settle down and continue the family line, not to endure this endless turmoil every day!

A cold displeasure flashed in Lu Suian’s eyes.

He fixed his gaze on her and said calmly, "It’s fine. Soak in the bath later to relieve your fatigue and turn in early."

The implication was that there would be no intimacy that night.

He hadn't come just for that sort of thing.

Just then, Chang Li timely reported from outside, "Heir, I have brought your documents and all your belongings."

Lu Suian had the habit of working at night, though usually in his study. Today, after the Marquis had scolded Chang Li harshly, Chang Li had a sudden realization. As soon as they returned to the residence, he gathered and organized all of the heir’s belongings from the study and delivered them there.

Lu Suian narrowed his eyes, his gaze locked on Shen Anning.

Yet, after a moment of silence, Shen Anning did not relent. Instead, she insisted further, "Today, I am menstruating. The blood is impure and inauspicious. It would be best if the heir did not come into contact with it."

Shen Anning knew that the main hall of Dali Temple enshrined a Buddha statue, and bloodshed was considered an ill omen for them in that place.

Although Lu Suian did not believe in such superstitions, since Shen Anning had spoken to this extent, even with his cultivated demeanor, he could not help but shoot to his feet, his eyes fixed coldly on her as he said word for word, "Then have a good rest tonight, madam."

With that, Lu Suian, his face stern, finally stormed off once more.

As soon as Lu Suian left, Bai Tao rushed over, looking both worried and confused. "Everything seemed fine today. Why did you drive him away again, madam?"

It was rare for the young master to be so attentive and considerate.

Even Bai Tao had noticed his initiative and unusual thoughtfulness.

How did things go wrong again so quickly?

Shen Anning just shrugged and said, "The young master is busy with official duties. How could I disturb his path to promotion?"

She spoke with indifference.

In truth, she knew she shouldn't act this way. The current Lu Suian was not yet the one who would later have affairs—at least not now. Her repeated coldness and rejections would gradually breed impatience and disgust in him. But just a little longer, just a little longer... Shen Anning clung to an escapist mentality, taking each day as it came.

She would delay for as long as possible.

Having been reborn, she only wished to live according to her own desires, no longer willing to compromise herself for his sake.

As soon as Lu Suian left, Shen Anning soaked in a comfortable bath and drifted off happily to sleep.

She fell asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.

Meanwhile, as Lu Suian stepped out of the main courtyard, a drizzle began to fall.

His heart was filled with an indescribable chill and pent-up frustration.

The damp weather only added to the inexplicable irritation welling inside him.

He disliked troublesome people and troublesome matters. Initially, he had indeed felt displeasure toward Shen Anning, this wife who had seemingly dropped from the sky. But she had been understanding, considerate, and gentle—her demeanor left no room for criticism. Over time, he had gradually grown accustomed to having her as his wife.

Yet, overnight, where had the understanding wife who kept the bigger picture in mind gone?

This cold, distant, and even somewhat picky and critical Shen Anning before him bore no resemblance to the gentle and virtuous woman she once was.

Lu Suian asked himself—hadn’t he been exceptionally caring today? He had vaguely sensed some issues arising between them and had tried his best to mend things. But what good does it do for one person to try alone?

Lu Suian truly could not understand what had gone wrong.

He had already addressed his birth mother’s neglect and devised a strategy to deal with his adopted sister’s impertinence. She had accepted each matter willingly. So why, why was she still being unreasonable and making waves?

His wife’s coldness and lack of propriety left Lu Suian feeling disheartened and vexed.

It wasn’t as if he couldn’t live without her!

"Young master, please slow down. I'll fetch an umbrella for you."

Seeing Lu Suian’s dark expression, Chang Li felt uneasy.

What terrible luck had befallen him today? Not only had he been scolded fiercely by the Marquis during the day, but he also had to put up with this ordeal at night.

The young master seldom lost his temper and, unlike other masters, did not mistreat his subordinates. In truth, he was relatively easy to serve. But when he was difficult, no one could withstand the imposing, authoritative aura he exuded even without showing anger.

Chang Li said miserably, seizing the chance to make a quick escape and distance himself from the volatile situation.

But unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the Young Master had already strode away, leaving him in the dust.

The rain was light, not even heavy enough to warrant an umbrella. Yet by the time Lu Sui'an returned to his study, his hair and robes had gathered a slight dampness.

Just as he was about to step into the courtyard, he overheard two page boys guarding the study door chatting and laughing: "Hey, do you think the master will come back tonight?"

The other replied, "Probably not. Brother Chang Li has already delivered all the Young Master’s belongings. He’ll likely stay at the mistress’s quarters tonight."

The first one, however, winked and said, "I’m not so sure. When have you ever seen the master go to the mistress's quarters so often? Only twice in the past six months. I bet he’ll come back here as he always does tonight."

The other tilted his chin up and said, "Bet it is! If he hadn't gotten involved in that matter, fine. But once he has, who could easily let go? I bet the Young Master will stay at the mistress’s tonight."

He chuckled as he spoke.

The first one thought he had an edge and said, "Hey, haven’t you noticed? It’s been a while since the mistress has come to the study. In the past, whenever the master was here, she’d come every few days, sending a steady stream of soups and delicacies. Even we never missed out and benefited from it. But this time, not only has the mistress been absent for a long time, but not even a maid has been sent over. Could it be that something’s happened between the mistress and the Young Master—"

He speculated quietly.

The other immediately regretted his words and said, "True, but logically speaking, it was originally the mistress who wasn’t worthy of our Young Master. So how come now it seems like the mistress is the one who’s had a change of heart—"

He muttered under his breath.

As he spoke, the first attendant suddenly looked terrified, his face drained of color, as if he'd seen a vengeful ghost.

The second one immediately stopped talking and turned around abruptly. In the fading light, he saw a tall, dark figure standing motionless in the drizzling rain.

Clad in black official robes, the man’s sharp eyes seemed frozen with icy coldness. He stood there expressionless, his face gloomy and drenched, exuding an aura of murderous intensity, like a vengeful spirit returned from hell, as if to claim a life.

When their eyes fell on his face, it seemed even more terrifying than a ghost.

"Y-Young Master..."

The attendant shook like a leaf, his legs giving way as he collapsed to his knees.

"I spoke out of turn, I deserve to die! Please forgive me, Young Master... spare my life!"

The two were relatively new, and the Young Master was hardly ever at the residence, so this was the first time they had seen such an expression on their master’s face.

Terrified out of their wits, they prostrated themselves on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy.

On the other side, Lu Sui'an stood there, his entire being radiating coldness, his face as if frozen in perpetual frost. For a moment, his chest heaved violently, as though he were forcibly suppressing the fury burning in his heart.

After a long while, he gritted out through clenched teeth, "Ten lashes each! Throw them out of the estate!"

With that, Lu Sui'an stepped past them expressionlessly and entered his study.

Once he was gone, the two attendants collapsed to the ground, their faces ashen.

Even Chang Li, who had followed, couldn’t help but shudder at the sight. Shaking his head in fear, he said to them, "You two... you’re practically asking for death!"

Outside, the sound of lashes and suppressed cries of pain echoed repeatedly.

Inside, Lu Sui'an was still boiling with rage.

All over the troubles at the Shen family's doorstep!

For Ms. Shen's capricious summoning and dismissal today!

For the page boy's teasing scrutiny of the couple!

And even more for the humiliated rage of having their marital issues exposed by outsiders!

So, Ms. Shen's distance and coldness toward him were not his imagination—even Sun Miao from the distant Dali Temple and the page boy in his study had all become aware of it? Perhaps there were many others as well?

"When have you ever seen the master visit that side so often? Only twice in the past six months!"

Hearing the truth from someone else’s mouth made it all the more jarring when it reached his own ears.

"Have you noticed that the mistress hasn’t come to our study for quite some time?"

"Originally, it was the mistress who was unworthy of our young master, but now it seems as though the mistress has grown cold instead—"

Each word landed like a thunderclap, reverberating in his mind.

Until the final phrases circled repeatedly in his thoughts.

The mistress has grown cold…

Grown cold…

Lu Suian mulled over these words again and again, his emotions unsettled for what felt like an eternity, unable to calm down.

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Author's Words:

Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!