Chapter 45

Chapter 45

An eerie silence descended upon the corridor.

The three figures stood in a peculiar formation, creating an unsettling tableau.

After what felt like an eternity—

Unexpectedly, it wasn't Shen Anning or Lu Suian who broke the silence, but—

"Lord Lu, I trust you've been well!"

It was Prince Ning who spoke first.

His narrow eyes flickered from Shen Anning to Lu Suian, as if sensing the strange tension in the air. After a moment's thought, a faint smile played on his lips as he said, "It just so happened that I encountered Lady Lu here today. Coincidentally, my mother has been feeling unwell, and as luck would have it, Lady Lu possesses some medical knowledge. So, by a fortunate twist of fate, I asked her to examine my mother for a moment. I trust you wouldn't mind, Lord Lu?"

Prince Ning offered this explanation with an air of goodwill.

Yet, five "coincidences" strung together seemed anything but coincidental.

Shen Anning glanced at Prince Ning upon hearing this, then pressed her lips together and turned her gaze to Lu Suian. Lu Suian, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, let out a soft chuckle and replied with remarkable composure, "It is an honor for my humble wife to be of service to Your Highness and the Dowager Consort. It is also an honor for me, Lu Suian."

As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Anning with a faint smile and abruptly beckoned her over.

Shen Anning hesitated for a moment, but recalling her previous experience at the Shen family gate, she compliantly approached.

Lu Suian turned to her and said, "I was unaware my wife possessed such capabilities."

Before Shen Anning could respond, a playful smile curled his lips as he addressed Prince Ning, "In truth, if I may say so, the good fortune I enjoy today is largely thanks to Your Highness's benevolence."

Lu Suian gazed steadily at Prince Ning, his calm eyes concealing a sharp, hidden glint.

At these words, Prince Ning's expression tightened slightly. The smile on his face faded, and a flicker of unease passed through his narrow, fox-like eyes. After a moment, he replied indifferently, "It's good that Lord Lu is aware."

The two locked eyes, their exchange appearing cordial on the surface, but beneath the calm, hidden currents swirled—known only to them.

Just then, Prince Ning closed his folding fan, letting the curtain at the doorway fall back into place as he made to escort his guests out. But Lu Suian suddenly spoke up, his eyes fixed on Prince Ning's profile as he turned away. "By the way, Prince Ning," Lu Suian said, raising an eyebrow, "a murder occurred in the East Market today. To avoid disturbing Your Highness and the Dowager Consort, it would be best for you to return to your residence early."

As he spoke, Lu Suian watched Prince Ning intently, his calm eyes resembling a deep, ancient pool—serene, unreadable, and seemingly bottomless.

Prince Ning paused mid-step, sensing the sharpness in the other's tone. Without flinching, he met Lu Suian's gaze with a smile, then narrowed his eyes and said, "No matter. No one would dare commit a crime within the August Pavilion!"

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely!"

……

"What's wrong? Having regrets?"

After the Lu couple departed, Prince Ning returned to his seat. He casually tossed a jade cup into the air, caught it, and repeated the motion, his movements conveying an air of distraction.

His gaze, however, lingered on the prescription left on the table.

Dowager Consort Dong followed his line of sight to the still-damp prescription. After a moment, she smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Regretting something?"

Prince Ning snapped out of his thoughts and handed the prescription to a maid behind him. "Have Physician Fang take a look. If there are no issues, use this prescription for future medicine."

He then turned to Dowager Consort Dong and said with a smile, "How could I? I just find it amusing. That Lady Lu is quite interesting, and Lord Lu is equally intriguing—"

As he spoke the latter part, Prince Ning narrowed his eyes slightly. A sharp, dark glint flashed in his typically lazy, fox-like eyes, revealing a cold, calculating edge.

Dowager Consort Dong, curious, remarked, "The Lu family's eldest son serves at the Court of Judicial Review, doesn't he?"

Prince Ning replied without hesitation, "Sixth Rank Judicial Reviewer."

Dowager Consort Dong chuckled. "A lowly sixth-rank official. Why does he warrant your special attention?"

Prince Ning clenched the jade cup in his hand, a playful smile curling his lips. "A mere sixth-rank official is hardly worth my notice. What intrigues me is that during the palace examination, Lu Suian originally ranked among the top three candidates. But because the Huo family viewed him with suspicion and disdain, they sought to strip him of his title on the spot. However, Huo Guang intervened. After glancing at his exam paper, Huo Guang reserved the last spot in the top three for him, ensuring he kept his scholar status. What interests me is this: Huo Guang knew perfectly well that the Lu family would never support him. So why—"

Prince Ning paused, his smile deepening. "Why did he make an exception to keep him?"

It was then that Prince Ning remembered the name: Lu Suian.

"Another thing that still puzzles me to this day: Huo Guang was assassinated just before his sudden death. It's said that assassination cost him half his life; otherwise, the Wei clan would never have regained its glory. Yet, no one has ever come forward to claim the immense credit for eliminating Great Yu's greatest remnant—"

A sharp, dark glint flashed in Prince Ning's eyes.

Dowager Consort Dong looked astonished. "You're saying it was… him?"

Prince Ning didn't answer directly but smiled faintly. "I don't know."

He seemed both amused and bored by the thought.

After a moment, he turned to Dowager Consort Dong and said, "How about I accompany you for a mountain climb tomorrow, Mother?"

At this, the flesh on Dowager Consort Dong's face shook with delight.

……

Meanwhile, after leaving the August Pavilion, the smile on Lu Suian's face vanished instantly.

"Don't you have anything to say to your husband, madam?"

Lu Suian fixed his gaze on Shen Anning. The warmth in his hawk-like eyes had disappeared, replaced by their true nature—cold and piercing, much like the look he had given Prince Ning earlier.

Suppressing his anger, he questioned her word by word.

Shen Anning had intended to explain, but when she looked up and met his sharp, piercing glare, she suddenly didn't want to speak.

She met his gaze calmly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I'd like to walk around the lantern festival a bit longer. Lord Lu, you may return first."

Her casual, lighthearted words unleashed a surge of fury within him. Lu Suian's breath hitched, and he gritted his teeth so hard it seemed they might shatter.

In less than half a month, she had drawn the attention of Pei Yujin and now Prince Ning. She was certainly popular. Their marriage wasn't even dissolved yet, and she was already eagerly seeking her next match?

She was still Shen of the Lu family—her name forever preceded by the Lu family name!

One was a childhood betrothal that nearly took place, the other a match almost arranged a year ago. Among millions of men in the capital, why did it have to be these two? How could there be so many coincidences?

What skillful maneuvering!

Moreover, securing a reservation at the August Pavilion was incredibly difficult. Even the Lu family had to book months in advance. How did she manage to get a seat—and right next to Prince Ning, no less?

Lu Suian never believed in coincidences.

These coincidences, briefly connected in his mind, allowed him to figure out the whole story.

Yet she acted completely unbazed, truly remarkable composure.

Had he not already known what was really going on, he might have believed her unaffected facade.

For a moment, he wanted to drop all pretenses and confront her directly: did she truly intend to seek a divorce?

But all his anger dissipated the instant his gaze fell upon Shen's face. Forcing his emotions down, he simply stared coldly at her for a long while before finally saying, his face tight, "A murder has occurred in the East Market, done in a particularly vicious way. It's unsafe outside today. Let's return to the estate."

With that, he shot a cold glance at Chang Li, whose scared figure immediately hurried to prepare the carriage without delay.

Seeing this, Bai Tao tugged anxiously at Shen Anning's sleeve and urged, "My lady, please say something! We just accidentally bumped into Prince Ning by chance—what is there that cannot be explained?"

But Shen Anning, her expression unmoved, was uncharacteristically stubborn. Turning her back to the person behind her, she replied, "Prince Ning already said what needed saying. What more is there to add?"

If he trusted her, he would believe her even without explanation; if he did not, nothing she said would change his mind.

Just then, the carriage arrived. Without waiting for Shen Anning, Lu Suian lifted the curtain and got in first.

Shen Anning stood still for a moment before following him into the carriage.

Inside, both Lu Suian and Shen Anning wore expressionless faces, sitting in silence as the atmosphere turned icy.

Their silent, cold attitude unsettled Gui Geer, who sat in the corner nearest the door. He glanced furtively at Shen Anning, then quickly at Lu Suian, immediately lowering his head when their eyes met.

He looked completely anxious.

Worried that Gui Geer, being new to such tension, might be scared, Shen Anning took a soft breath and patted the seat beside her, speaking gently, "Hu Zi, come sit next to your elder sister."

But Hu Zi darted a glance and stammered, "I… I'll go drive the carriage upfront."

With that, he slipped out like an eel and climbed onto the driver's seat.

Shen Anning: "…"

At this point, Shen Anning couldn't even bother pretending. She closed her eyes and lay back on the soft couch, just giving up completely.

Seeing this, Lu Suian's face grew even darker. After a long pause, he raised a hand to rub his temples.

That day, after dropping Gui Geer off at the Shen family's old residence, the two passed by their own home without entering and headed straight back to the Marquis's estate.

Upon returning, Lu Suian stepped out of the carriage and went directly to his study.

Throughout the entire process, neither spoke another word to the other.

This was the first cold war between them since their marriage—and in both this life and the last.

Lu Suian had always been emotionally stable, seldom showing joy or anger, his face nearly unreadable. This was the first time Shen Anning had seen him like this. Even during the previous incident at the Shen family home, though slightly displeased, he had maintained patience and composure.

Now, for the first time, his cold demeanor was so pronounced that even the gatekeepers noticed something unusual.

Meanwhile, Shen Anning returned directly to Chuanze Residence upon arriving at the estate. Her expression was neutral—not as cheerful as when she had left, but without any visible emotion. She entered her bedroom as soon as she reached her courtyard and said, "I'm tired from today's activities. I'll rest for a while."

Yet, such an emotionless demeanor on a major festival day was inherently unusual.

Coupled with the fact that she had left in high spirits, and seeing Bai Tao and Bai Lu looking worried, Chun Qi immediately pulled them aside and asked, "What happened? Everything was fine when you left. How did it become…"

Bai Tao shrugged and said, "Don't even ask. We accidentally ran into Prince Ning at the August Pavilion today, and the Heir saw it."

Though brief, her words carried significant weight. Chun Qi repeated, "Prince Ning?"

The name sounded familiar—she seemed to have faintly heard it during her time at Qinyuan, though she couldn't quite recall.

Having drunk heavily the previous night and exhausted herself throughout the day, Shen Anning felt a throbbing pain in her temples.

Securing the Crane Tower and establishing a partnership with Prince Ning should have been cause for celebration, worthy of a toast upon returning home. Unfortunately, luck had not been on her side, and all joy had evaporated. After returning, Shen Anning fell asleep almost immediately and woke only at dusk. Feeling hungry, she called for dinner.

As she rose, she noticed a large robe displayed on the garment rack behind the screen. The rack, taller than a person, usually held three or four sets of Shen Anning's outfits for the next day. Now, however, it held only one item: Lu Suian's official robe. Dark green in color, with sleeves fully extended, the expansive robe occupied the entire rack, nearly surpassing the screen in height and width. At a glance, it seemed larger than the brocade quilt on the bed.

It dominated the room so imposingly that it was impossible to ignore.

At first glance, it almost seemed as though the robe's owner were standing there.

She had been too tired to notice when she first entered the room, but now the sight gave her pause.

Lu Suian's official robe had previously been kept in his study, stretched out on a rack that occupied half a wall behind his desk. It had always been a striking presence, and Shen Anning had often paused to admire it, thinking how imposing and dignified it looked on him.

Now, unbeknownst to her, the robe had found its way into her chamber.

She recalled Lu Suian's words from that morning: "I will move in tonight and henceforth stay in the main chamber."

Shen Anning stood stunned. As she circled the screen, she noticed a large nanmu box placed beside her jewelry case on the dressing table. Inside were various tools—knives, daggers, and other items—Lu Suian's shaving implements and teeth-cleaning tools.

Looking around further, she saw books and scrolls on the previously empty desk, and the bookshelf behind it now filled with bamboo slips, parchment scrolls, and other austere ornaments. In one corner hung a nearly person-height bow—the finest Xuanyuan bow, crafted from Yan cattle horn and Jingmi strings. It hung there silently, majestic and cold, much like its owner.

These were but a fraction of the items from Lu Suian's study, yet their presence in her elegant, warm bedroom injected an air of severity.

When Chun Qi entered and saw Shen Anning staring at the bow, she hurriedly smiled and said, "This was delivered early this morning by the Heir's orders."

She glanced cautiously at Shen Anning and added, "The Heir said he would stay here tonight. Since it's dinnertime, would my lady like to send someone to invite the Heir to dine?"

Chun Qi was subtly attempting to reconcile them.

But Shen Anning withdrew her gaze from the bow and replied calmly, "No need. A murder occurred in the East Market today. The Heir is likely too busy."

She used Lu Suian's earlier excuse to dismiss Chun Qi.

Chun Qi, however, persisted, "But the Heir hasn't left the estate. A single murder case should be handled by the local authorities—it shouldn't require the intervention of the Supreme Court, should it?"

She couldn't resist urging once more.

This time, Shen Anning did not respond. Instead, she walked to the octagonal table, surveyed the changes in the room, and recalled Lu Suian's starkly different behavior compared to their previous life. Suddenly, she asked, "While I was drunk yesterday, did I say anything foolish?"