Chapter 7: The Riverside Pavilion, Predicting Auspiciousness and Inauspiciousness

The pavilion, a place of borrowing.

Borrowing the scenery to form it, whether by the water's edge or beside the flowers, its design follows the terrain.

The Liuguang Riverside Pavilion is where the matriarch of the Lu family usually receives guests. It is situated in the Guanchi Garden of the Lu residence. Next to the pavilion is the Liuguang Pool, which meanders through the garden, hence its name.

The pavilion is built by the pool, with three sides facing the water, offering a perfect view of the Liuguang Pool's beauty. The small building is made of blue bricks and green tiles, with a hip-and-gable roof, its four corners raised, exuding an ancient and elegant scholarly atmosphere reminiscent of the gardens in Suzhou.

Lu Jing had toured many gardens in his previous life, and in the past three months, he would come here every ten days to pay respects to the matriarch and the first lady. Logically, he should have grown accustomed to the Liuguang Riverside Pavilion.

However, when he saw the beautiful scenery in the Liuguang Riverside Pavilion again, he was still impressed by the luxury of the Lu residence.

The Lu residence, with its halls of white jade and golden horses, relied on the blessings of their ancestors and was one of the most luxurious places on the ten-mile Changning Street.

Lu Jing entered the main hall of the pavilion and found that even though he had arrived an hour late as instructed by the matriarch, there were still two or three Lu family members of his generation sitting at the sandalwood tables, engrossed in their reading.

The matriarch of the Lu family was extremely strict in managing the household but had a great love for scholars.

She always hoped that the Lu family would produce a top scholar, so regardless of whether the Lu family members liked reading or not, they would always bring a classic when they came to pay respects to the matriarch.

—Except for Lu Jing.

It wasn't that Lu Jing was aloof.

Lu Jing deeply understood that because of his mother's drumming to appeal for justice, the matriarch, while not deeply hating him, certainly could not like him.

Even if he brought a hundred books, the matriarch would only think he was putting on an act and would form an impression of him as opportunistic and good at scheming.

Rather than that, it was better to come lightly, appearing carefree.

Moreover... reading requires calm and stability. In such a noisy environment, how could one concentrate on reading?

In the main hall of the pavilion, there were two rows of tables. Sitting at the front of the right row was a young man with neatly trimmed hair, eyebrows like ink, a face like peach petals, and eyes like autumn waves.

This young man wore a high hat and a silver headband, his smile as bright as the moon in mid-autumn, a man of talent.

Lu Qiong, the eldest son of the main branch of the Lu family, was Lu Jing's half-brother.

Sitting at the front of the left row was a young man with sharp eyebrows and cold eyes, his body straight and tall.

This young man was the eldest son of the second branch of the Lu family, Lu Feng, who had previously asked Lu Jing for Qingyue.

The Lu family had not yet fully divided, but the matriarch had long ago ordered the two branches to govern separately.

The head of the main branch was also the Lu clan patriarch, Lu Shenyan, who had already inherited the title, and was Lu Jing's biological father. Lu Shenyan had two sons and two daughters, with Lu Qiong being the second and Lu Jing the third.

The head of the second branch was named Lu Zhongshan, who had many children, and the eldest son was Lu Feng.

The head of the second branch was devoted to Buddhism, eating vegetarian food and praying daily, and the various affairs of the second branch were managed by Lady Zhu.

In the main hall of the pavilion, besides Lu Qiong and Lu Feng, there was also Lu Jing's cousin, Lu Yi, who was Lu Feng's younger sister.

Lu Yi was whispering to a stranger beside her.

This stranger was a young girl, dressed in red and wearing a light veil, her face obscured, but Lu Jing could see that she was looking at him curiously.

Lu Jing glanced at the girl.

"Could this be Nan Heyu?" Lu Jing speculated in his heart.

He then recalled the hints in Jin Kui's words and, considering the stranger present, became even more convinced of his guess.

Sitting at the head of the pavilion was naturally the matriarch of the Lu family, Lady Ning.

Beside her, speaking softly to Lady Ning, was Lu Qiong's mother, Lu Jing's legal mother, and the actual manager of the main branch of the Lu family after Lu Shenyan's demotion—Lady Zhong.

As Lu Jing entered the main hall, the matriarch was still resting with her eyes closed.

Lady Zhong's gaze, however, had already fallen on Lu Jing.

Lu Qiong, who had been nodding his head and occasionally glancing at the matriarch and Lady Zhong, immediately put down his book when he saw Lu Jing arrive, seemingly impatient.

He said to Lu Jing, "Why are you so late, Brother Jing? Coming to pay respects to the matriarch and mother, you make them wait for you?"

Lu Feng, hearing this, also turned his head to look at Lu Jing.

Lu Jing walked to the center of the main hall and slowly bowed. "Lu Jing pays respects to Grandmother and Mother."

Although Lady Zhong was not Lu Jing's biological mother, according to family rules, she was closer to him than his biological mother, and he must not be disrespectful. He usually called her "Mother."

After bowing to the two elders, Lu Jing stood up and greeted his two older brothers, Lu Qiong and Lu Feng.

Lu Feng waved his hand and continued to read.

Lu Qiong, however, showed more interest and said, "Brother Jing, you are quite bold, arriving late without first apologizing..."

"It was I who asked Lu Jing to come later," the matriarch said without opening her eyes. Lady Zhong then spoke softly, "In the past few days, I heard that Lu Jing has been studying hard, so I thought I would have him come later to test his knowledge."

Lu Qiong immediately shrank his head and pretended to read, fearing that the "test of knowledge" would fall on him.

Lu Jing's long hair fell, and his expression remained unchanged.

He stood in the center of the main hall, with everyone's gaze focused on him.

Including the red-clothed girl with the light veil.

The red-clothed girl's eyes sparkled, thinking, "Lu Jing is quite composed, and he seems even more steady today than when he was reading yesterday..."

The girl sitting in the main hall of the pavilion was not the Nan Heyu that Lu Jing had guessed.

It was Shengzi, who had spoken with Lu Yi the day before.

Not only Shengzi, but Lady Zhong also felt that Lu Jing's demeanor had changed significantly in the few days since she last saw him.

At this moment, Lu Jing stood in the center of the main hall, his body straight, his arms hanging naturally, and he did not avoid Lady Zhong's gaze but met it naturally.

It was as if he were a diligent and earnest scholar, unaffected by external distractions.

"This is surprising," Lady Zhong thought, but her expression remained unchanged.

Lu Jing did not know that the "diligent and hardworking" destiny not only enhanced his visualization and learning.

Because of this destiny, his demeanor and others' impressions of him had subtly changed.

"You have been studying hard for a long time and must have gained a deep understanding of Confucian classics. I want to test your knowledge today, Lu Jing. What do you think?"

Lady Zhong spoke softly, her long skirt swaying slightly in the breeze, her demeanor noble.

"The daughter of the Nan Gong family has come personally, probably to see me, to judge my character... like buying a horse, examining its legs and temperament. I suppose the daughter of the Nan Gong family is still hesitant about whether to 'welcome' me into her family?"

Thinking this, Lu Jing felt a surge of anger.

In the Great Fuxia, marriages were always arranged by parents and matchmakers.

But in Lu Jing's case, the Nan Gong family had proposed, and the matriarch and Lady Zhong had already agreed.

The marriage contract had been sent twice, and even Lu Jing's life contract had been handed over to the household registry office and recorded in the Nan family's external register six months ago.

By now, they should have been married long ago.

But now, the Nan family had repeatedly postponed the wedding, and Nan Heyu even wanted to come and see him personally before making a decision... This was too ironic.

It wasn't that Lu Jing wanted to go to the Nan family to live off them, but the attitude of the Nan family...

Made Lu Jing somewhat angry.

"The Nan Gong family proposed first, but Nan Heyu has repeatedly broken the agreement, showing a lack of integrity. Qingyue always hoped I could enter the Nan family and live a life of wealth...

But is it so easy to be a wealthy man?"

These few things alone made Lu Jing have no good feelings toward Nan Heyu.

"Now that I have the Great Ming King visualization, entering the Nan family is not my only path. Since Nan Heyu has repeatedly looked down on me and is unwilling to fulfill the agreement, I will grant her wish."

Lu Jing's thoughts raced, and he did not look at the red-clothed girl, remaining silent, seemingly afraid of being tested.

Seeing Lu Jing's reaction, Lady Zhong frowned and sighed, "A son of a boatwoman, still not up to par."

She cleared her throat, "Lu Jing, I have read the Doctrine of the Mean and believe it to be the way of life, knowing that being impartial and upright is called the Doctrine of the Mean. As a woman, my understanding of Confucian classics is limited. Do you have a deeper understanding?"

Since the incident eight years ago, Lady Zhong had deeply disliked Lu Jing but did not want to be known as a jealous woman or one who could not tolerate a concubine's son. She had never physically abused Lu Jing.

But in a large family, differential treatment alone could wear down a young man's spirit.

For the past eight years, Lady Zhong had used her authority to make life difficult for Lu Jing and his mother.

But at this moment, Lady Zhong did not give Lu Jing a difficult question but asked a very low-threshold, highly inclusive subjective question.

"Perhaps she hopes I will answer well and impress Nan Heyu, so I can leave the Lu family sooner and not be a burden to the Lu family."

Lu Jing chuckled inwardly.

He was about to pretend to be ignorant and speechless, fulfilling Nan Heyu's wish and strengthening her resolve to break the engagement.

Suddenly, a series of messages exploded in his mind!

"A gentleman is a vessel, and his edge should be sharp."

"Lady Zhong is testing you. You have the following options:"

"Inauspicious: Stammer and stutter, making a fool of yourself after eight or nine years of study."

"Benefit: Gain the 'Hiding Talent (Red)' destiny, obtaining a red opportunity."

"Disadvantage: Be disliked by several people and punished by the matriarch."

"Auspicious: Express your thoughts fully, striving for excellence within your ability, leaving everyone speechless at your performance."

"Benefit: Gain the favor of several people, obtain the 'Research (Red)' destiny, and a white opportunity."

"Disadvantage: Be disliked by Lady Zhong and the matriarch."

"Great Inauspicious: Refuse to answer, and when Lady Zhong questions you, angrily denounce her past cruelty."

"Benefit: Gain the 'Orphan (Yellow)' destiny, obtaining a yellow opportunity."

"Disadvantage: Great inauspicious, possibly leading to death."

In an instant, the auspicious and inauspicious signs were clearly imprinted in Lu Jing's mind.

Stunned, Lu Jing began to quickly consider his next move.