Chapter 9

In the Tingyu Pavilion, the tea on the table beside Lady Lu had already cooled, and the fruits placed nearby had not been touched.

She held a string of prayer beads in her hand, closed her eyes, and sat still, motionless.

Yingchun stood to one side, recounting the day’s lecture and observations. It was the first day of Miss Lu’s schooling, and as a mother, Lady Lu had arranged for Yingchun to be there, partly to ensure her safety and partly to find out what the teacher was teaching.

Yingchun did not dare to hide anything and recounted all the content of the lecture. When she mentioned the first story, Lady Lu frowned slightly and said, "Why does this Mr. Feng always tell stories? Why doesn’t he teach the many classics in the Four Books for Women?"

She was just making a casual comment, but it seemed she was somewhat dissatisfied with Mr. Hao Feng’s teaching methods.

Yingchun continued to the second story, and Lady Lu’s mind was stirred. She couldn’t help but say, "This is strange. Household matters—could it be that he, a teacher, is trying to give me some hints through you?"

Yingchun said calmly, "I think that’s exactly his intention."

Lady Lu laughed, a bit taken aback, and said, "He’s a man who doesn’t focus on his job, truly boring." She sighed and added, "He just came into the household and already knows the ins and outs of the Lu family. The outside may look bright, but the warmth and cold are known only to oneself."

Yingchun’s face remained stiff as she said, "Actually, I think the stories he tells are not without reason."

Lady Lu smiled wryly and said, "I know what to do. This teacher is different from others; let’s see how it goes. Anyway, Yaner’s studies are just for entertainment. As long as she doesn’t break any rules, it’s fine."

With that, Lady Lu showed signs of fatigue, looking like she wanted to rest. Yingchun said, "Rest well, my lady. I will take my leave."

Just then, a maid came in and said, "Master has arrived."

"Oh," Lady Lu still seemed indifferent, as if nothing could stir her heart. She then complained, "He only comes to go through the motions. Later, he will probably go to that fox’s room again."

Yingchun said, "My lady, actually..."

Lady Lu pressed her hand down and said, "I know what to do; you don’t need to worry."

Lord Lu Feng, the Yongchang Marquis, was a handsome man, though his skin was slightly dark. He wore ordinary casual clothes, but his steps were swift, and he exuded a certain authority.

He stepped into the flower hall in the back courtyard and saw Lady Lu. His expression changed slightly, showing a hint of guilt.

Lady Lu smiled and stood up, stepping forward and saying, "Has my lord just returned from the Northern Camp? Oh... the journey must have been tiring. Your duties are indeed busy, but your health is also important."

Lord Lu Feng was taken aback because Lady Lu had often been cold to him in the past, a silent protest he was well aware of. He didn’t think much of it, but he didn’t expect her to be so proactive today. He hurriedly said, "The rebels have taken Shandong, and the vanguard has reached the north of the river. At such a time, there’s no time for anything else. The defense of the riverbank is of utmost importance, so I’ve been quite busy lately."

Lady Lu nodded, understandingly, and said, "But when you’re out, especially in the camp, you should take care of yourself. You can’t let the rebels wear you out. My lord, please sit. I’ll bring some tea. Manager Wang recently brought some Wuyi tea, which is said to refresh the mind. My lord should drink more to relieve fatigue."

She smiled, and there was a certain charm in her smile. She personally brewed a pot of tea and carefully poured a cup for Lord Lu Feng.

Lord Lu Feng held the teacup, feeling a bit dazed. Today’s Lady Lu was very different, her concern was too obvious, making him feel a bit at a loss. He quickly drank the tea.

Lady Lu asked, "When did my lord return?"

Lord Lu Feng’s face turned red. He had returned early in the morning, but it was now noon, and he had spent the morning in Ling’er’s room.

Seeing him at a loss for words, Lady Lu was very understanding and said, "I suppose you went to Sister Ling’er’s room again. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with that. We’re all one family."

Lord Lu Feng felt ashamed and said, "I have neglected my lady, it’s my fault."

Lady Lu shook her head and smiled, saying, "My lord hasn’t done anything wrong, and neither has Sister Ling’er. I am old and can no longer serve my lord. Sister Ling’er is willing to help, and I am grateful."

This...

Lord Lu Feng felt like he was going crazy. Lady Lu’s change in attitude was too fast, how could it have happened so suddenly...

At this moment, Lady Lu said, "I heard that Sister Hongling sprained her ankle. Oh, I feel bad about it. It was that ignorant maid who insisted on taking Sister Hongling to the back garden to admire the plum blossoms. But since the maid is from Sister Hongling’s room, I can’t blame her. I’ve had some folk remedies prepared, and I’ll have my lord take some medicine over later."

"My lady..." Lord Lu Feng felt overwhelmed and was at a loss for what to do.

Lady Lu said calmly, "Is my lord wondering why I’ve become so understanding? I’ve been reading the Four Books for Women recently. Many of the words in them are quite reasonable. I thought, my lord works hard every day, and as his wife, how can I be a hindrance? If my lord comes home and the household is still in a mess, wouldn’t that make my lord unhappy? As for Ling’er, I’ve let it go. If she can serve my lord well, I am happy for it."

Lord Lu Feng felt greatly comforted. After a short while, Lady Lu excused herself, saying she was tired and went to rest. Lord Lu Feng drank some tea, feeling refreshed, and returned to his concubine Ling’er’s Fragrant Pavilion. Just as he reached the door, he heard Ling’er scold, "What medicine? What good intentions does Zhou have? This medicine is probably meant to poison me. Take it back, take it back. I dare not take her medicine."

Ling’er, favored and spoiled, had become quite arrogant in the household. Lord Lu Feng immediately understood that Lady Lu had indeed sent the medicine, but Ling’er didn’t appreciate it.

He quickly went in and glanced at the flustered head steward, then said calmly, "Put the medicine down and leave."

The head steward nodded and left.

In the room, only Lord Lu Feng and his beautiful concubine Ling’er remained. Seeing Lord Lu Feng return, Ling’er’s eyes welled up with tears, and she almost immediately threw herself into his arms, saying, "I am so pitiful. Spraining my ankle is one thing, but Lady Lu has to add insult to injury. What is she thinking? Does she want me dead?"

Lady Lu’s words earlier had made Lord Lu Feng feel warm, and now seeing Ling’er’s tantrum, he felt a bit annoyed. However, he had always been fond of this beautiful concubine and didn’t lose his temper. He quickly caught her hand and said, "It’s her good intention. She heard you sprained your ankle and sent the medicine."

If at this moment, Lord Lu Feng had followed Ling’er’s complaints or comforted her, the matter would have been over. Ling’er wouldn’t have been so presumptuous. But seeing Lord Lu Feng defend Lady Lu, she became jealous and coldly said, "What good intentions could she have? My lord, who is she? My lord might be in the dark, but I know. Look at her calm demeanor every day; she hates me so much. The stone in the back garden might have been placed there by her..." She cried and said pitifully, "My lord, when you’re not here..."

Lord Lu Feng loved Ling’er very much, and he usually brushed off such complaints. However, Lady Lu was his first wife, and they had been together for over twenty years. Lady Lu’s proper words earlier were still fresh in his mind, so he couldn’t help but say, "Don’t be unreasonable..."

"Unreasonable, I am unreasonable!" The spoiled Ling’er refused to back down, as if stung by a bee. She said fiercely, "How am I unreasonable? It’s my lord who has changed his heart..."

Lord Lu Feng was also angry. Thinking of Lady Lu’s concern for Ling’er and Ling’er’s aggressive attitude, he, as a regional governor, finally lost his temper and shouted, "Fine, let’s say I have changed my heart..." He then let go of Ling’er’s hand and stormed out.

"My lord... My lord..." Ling’er cried out in despair.

Lord Lu Feng ignored her. He originally wanted to go to Lady Lu’s room, but his face turned red, and he felt even more guilty towards Lady Lu. He instructed a servant, "Go, tidy up the study. I will sleep there tonight."

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