“But many of your father’s subordinates were originally followers of Shi Kun, weren’t they? It would be easy for Lu Guanyu to win them over, yet you’ve never served in that army,” said Ye Yaming.

The court situation and border faction circumstances were things Lu Guanyi had never explained to her in detail, and she had originally planned to pretend she knew nothing about them.

But she worried about Lu Guanyi’s safety and didn’t want to continue pretending to be ignorant. Two heads are better than one; she hoped Lu Guanyi would discuss things with her. Even if not for discussion, at least telling her his thoughts and decisions would spare her from anxiety.

As Lu Guanyi had just said, husband and wife are one, sharing fortune and misfortune. Lu Guanyi’s honor and disgrace concerned her honor and disgrace. She couldn’t be kept in the dark about everything.

Her words made Lu Guanyi’s eyes brighten once more.

With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he said softly to her, “People always pursue benefits and avoid harm. Back then, those people followed Shi Kun because he was the heir to Duke Wei. Now they know there’s no future following Lu Guanyu, so why would they follow him? So regarding this issue, you needn’t worry.”

“Besides, I suspect my father has his intentions with this arrangement.”

At this point, he paused, narrowed his eyes, and spoke in an extremely low voice: “With Lu Guanyu going to the border, Madam Shi will have no time to care about other matters. Madam Shi still owes my mother a life. My father, considering their marital relationship, doesn’t want to deal with her himself, but he doesn’t oppose me seeking justice for my mother.”

Ye Yaming was somewhat shocked: “Did your father tell you this?”

Lu Guanyi shook his head: “It’s what I gathered from reading between the lines.”

Ye Yaming: “…”

When it came to ruthlessness, Lu Zhongyong was truly merciless. But it was also normal, as “the merciful cannot command an army” – if he were soft-hearted, he wouldn’t have reached his current position.

“Some things I shouldn’t say. But doing it this way, although you’ll avenge your mother’s murder, you’ll also bear the suspicion from above and the contempt of the world.”

Lu Zhongyong was a crafty man. If he were to act against Madam Shi, certain people would surely go before the Emperor to instigate trouble, saying Lu Zhongyong didn’t value marital feelings—after all, even a day of marriage creates a hundred days of affection, not to mention he was raised by Duke Wei. At that time, the Emperor would feel he was cold and unsentimental, and would be reluctant to entrust such great military power to such a person.

Lu Zhongyong wouldn’t act himself but hinted for Lu Guanyi to act, ostensibly to avenge his mother’s murder, but in reality transferring all the negative consequences onto Lu Guanyi.

But they were father and son, and these thoughts weren’t appropriate for her to express. Moreover, if Lu Zhongyong prospered, so would Lu Guanyi. This principle was understood by Lu Guanyu, and naturally by her and Lu Guanyi as well.

This was probably why Lu Guanyi, despite knowing his father’s thoughts, still followed his intentions.

She said, “Do what you want to do, don’t worry about me. I will handle things on my end, so you won’t have to worry about your back.”

Lu Guanyi stopped walking and looked down at her emotionally: “Ming’er, thank you. In this world, apart from my grandparents, only you stand by my side, thinking of me in everything. Being able to marry you is my lifelong fortune.”

Ye Yaming saw the deep affection contained in his eyes and was also deeply moved.

She smiled at him: “Husband and wife are one. Having married you, naturally, only when you do well can I do well.”

Lu Guanyi vigorously suppressed the urge to kiss her and held her hand as they continued walking.

“Do you know why my grandfather gave me the name ‘Guanyi’?”

Ye Yaming felt a stirring in her heart: “Does it mean not to participate in court disputes?”

Lu Guanyi looked down at her and smiled: “That’s right.”

Although as descendants of military officials, we must protect the country. But the Great Jin is strong, and even without me, not a bit of territory would be lost. But the turmoil of the court, I’ve deeply experienced since I was old enough to remember. And wasn’t my mother’s life also strangled for this power struggle? Had she married an ordinary commoner, she could have lived peacefully all her life.”

“So my grandfather hoped I would only observe the chess game, not become a chess piece, staying away from disputes.”

“My father now holds military power, but the situation is not optimistic, as if walking on thin ice. There are colleagues secretly scheming to seize power and suspicion from above. The situation with Great Jin is also complex, and war could break out at any time. Seeing him like this, I’m not interested in that position.”

“If one day I return from the border, having removed my armor, to be just a country squire, would you think I lack ambition?” At this point, he looked down at her.

Ye Yaming looked back at him, suddenly feeling that the man before her became increasingly agreeable.

Not everyone caught in the whirlpool of power could so clearly recognize the crisis around them. Lu Guanyi’s ability to step out of the illusion and see through everything was truly rare.

“I wouldn’t think you lack ambition; I would only think it’s my good fortune,” Ye Yaming said seriously.

She gazed at Lu Guanyi: “I never sought glory and wealth, only peace and joy.”

At this point, she smiled calmly: “Having married you, perhaps you won’t believe these words of mine, thinking I’m just coaxing you. But there’s still plenty of time, and you’ll have the opportunity to understand.”

“I believe you,” Lu Guanyi said firmly.

Although he had lived only twenty years, the bitterness, joys, sorrows, and human warmth and coldness he had experienced in these twenty years were more than what others experienced in forty years. He prided himself on his discernment.

If Ye Yaming coveted wealth and status, her attitude when they first met would not have been so calm; when he said he wanted to get engaged to her, she would have shown excitement rather than contemplation. He felt that if it weren’t for the Emperor granting the marriage, perhaps when he went to discuss this marriage with her, she might have needed to consider it carefully, and would not have decided to marry him so easily.

Ye Yaming didn’t marry him for the title of Marquis Xuanwu’s heir.

Ye Yaming didn’t take his words seriously.

It didn’t matter whether he believed or not. If nothing unexpected happened, she would have a long time with him. Let time prove everything.

“But if you retire from the military, what about your father’s army?” Ye Yaming asked.

Lu Guanyi smiled bitterly: “So, although I have this intention, it may have to wait until after I take over the border military authority. Perhaps a few years, perhaps more than a decade.”

Ye Yaming nodded: “All right.”

As they spoke, the two unwittingly arrived at the front courtyard, and Ye Yaming noticed there were more servants here.

“Young Master, Young Mistress,” people bowed in greeting along the way.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed as a steward hurriedly walked out of the main house and said to Lu Guanyi and Ye Yaming: “Young Master, Young Mistress, the Marquis requests your presence.”

Lu Guanyi strode across the threshold.

Although the main door was extremely large, able to accommodate two people walking side by side, Ye Yaming still lagged a step behind, waiting for Lu Guanyi to enter before lifting her skirt and stepping into the main house.

After entering, she strictly observed etiquette, standing half a step behind Lu Guanyi, lowering her head and eyes, not looking up. However, she could feel several gazes in the room falling upon her.