“Father.” Lu Guanyi bowed respectfully.

Ye Yaming also bowed.

“Mm.” A dignified male voice sounded from the seat of honor. From the corner of her eye, Ye Yaming saw him raise his hand slightly.

Someone stepped forward and handed a tea tray to Lu Guanyi. Another person placed a soft cushion before him.

Lu Guanyi took the tea tray, knelt on the cushion, and presented the tea to Lu Zhongyong: “Father, please have some tea.”

Lu Zhongyong took the teacup, drank a sip, and placed it on the small table. He lifted his hand slightly, and the person beside him took out a red envelope, handed it to Lu Zhongyong, who then placed it on the tea tray.

“Thank you, Father.” Lu Guanyi stood up and stepped aside.

Another tea tray was handed to Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming took the tray, walked to the cushion, and knelt: “Father, please have some tea.”

Lu Zhongyong took the tea and drank a sip, then placed a red envelope on the tea tray and said: “Live well with Yi’er.”

“Yes, Father.” Ye Yaming agreed.

Handing the tea tray to Bai Rui, she then took a tray from Lu’E’s hands: “This is a small token of respect from your daughter-in-law.”

When a woman married into a family, she was expected to give each family member an item of needlework made by herself. Ye Yaming had given Lu Zhongyong an outer garment. This was not made by her, of course, but by an embroiderer.

Lu Zhongyong said: “Thoughtful of you.”

A servant beside him took the tray.

Ye Yaming then stood up and took the opportunity to glance at Lu Zhongyong.

With just that glance, she understood why Madam Shi had been willing to become a second wife just to marry Lu Zhongyong.

Lu Zhongyong’s appearance was eighty percent similar to Lu Guanyi’s. If Lu Guanyi could attract various young ladies to pursue him regardless of consequences, Lu Zhongyong must have been the same in his day.

Though he was now over forty, he showed no signs of age, appearing to be an extremely handsome mature man. Walking on the street, he might still capture the hearts of young maidens.

Lu Guanyu, who had been sitting below Lu Zhongyong, had already stood up before they entered.

Now, seeing that Ye Yaming had finished serving tea, the steward’s tea tray was presented to him. He took the tray and presented it to Lu Guanyi, saying: “Elder Brother, please have some tea.”

After Lu Guanyi took and drank the tea, he offered it to Ye Yaming: “Elder Sister-in-law, please have some tea.”

As Ye Yaming took the tea, she glanced at him and discovered that Lu Guanyu looked nothing like Lu Zhongyong and Lu Guanyi. Father and son had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, with defined facial features. Although Lu Guanyu was not bad-looking, compared to them, he appeared quite ordinary.

She also gave Lu Guanyu an outer garment.

Having completed the tea ceremony, even the normally composed Ye Yaming couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

“Sit, all of you, please sit,” said Lu Zhongyong.

Lu Guanyi glanced at Ye Yaming, then walked to the other side below Lu Zhongyong and sat down. Ye Yaming walked to the seat below him and perched on the edge of the chair.

Although the tea ceremony had gone smoothly, and with Lu Zhongyong present, Lu Guanyu appeared quiet and obedient, who knew if someone might make an issue of her etiquette, spreading rumors throughout the city that she was undisciplined and improper during the tea ceremony?

Therefore, she would not relax her etiquette in the slightest, giving no one any opportunity to criticize her.

Lu Zhongyong said, “Although there is no war at the border, the commander cannot be away for too long. My return to attend your wedding is already a great favor from His Majesty. In a while, I plan to set off back to the border. Yi’er, since you have received imperial favor to remain in the capital for the New Year, rest well for a time. After the New Year, come to the border.”

Hearing these words, Lu Guanyu raised his head and glanced at Lu Guanyi.

“Yes, Father,” Lu Guanyi replied calmly.

Lu Zhongyong stood up and walked towards the exit: “Yu’er, let’s go.”

Lu Guanyu agreed and followed him out.

Both father and son were dressed in combat attire, clearly having prepared early, just waiting for the newlyweds to serve tea before departing.

“Father, let me see you off,” Lu Guanyi called out, then turned back to look at Ye Yaming, indicating for her to follow.

The main room of the front courtyard was not far from the main gate. The young couple accompanied Lu Zhongyong and Lu Guanyu to the main gate, watching as the two mounted their horses and rode away with a group of soldiers.

Throughout, Lu Zhongyong hadn’t said another word, while Lu Guanyu, before leaving, gave Lu Guanyi a deep look, then decisively departed with Lu Zhongyong.

“Let’s go,” Lu Guanyi turned and walked inward.

Ye Yaming led her maids and followed closely behind. The steward of Marquis Xuanwu’s mansion, Lu An, and several servants also followed behind.

After entering the main gate and approaching the main courtyard, Lu Guanyi suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze on Lu An and the others.

Lu An and his companions immediately tensed up and stopped in their tracks.

Lu An struggled to control his trembling legs, stepped forward, and bowed to Lu Guanyi: “Young Master, do you have any instructions?”

Lu Guanyi merely looked at him silently without speaking, then turned and walked toward the inner courtyard.

Only when they reached the corridor did he slow his pace, waiting for Ye Yaming to catch up. His expression softened as he asked her: “Would you like to take a sedan chair?”

Ye Yaming was momentarily stunned, then shook her head: “No need.”

The exercise all this time had been effective. When she first got up in the morning, her body felt sore all over, but after a bath, she felt much better. Besides, she wasn’t that delicate, and walking was good for her health.

She glanced behind her.

Seeing this, Madam Xia and the others immediately stopped.

Lu Guanyi understood she had something to say and walked a bit further before asking: “Do you have something to say?”

Ye Yaming said: “Lu Guanyu’s departure for the border seems to have an air of ‘letting the fish off the hook to catch it later.’ If something were to happen to Madam Shi now, the blame would point to you. The Marquis, who emotionally favored you, might then shift his favor toward him. You need to consider this matter carefully and plan well before taking action.”

From the earlier exchange of glances with Lu Guanyu, Lu Guanyi already knew what the other was thinking.

Lu Guanyu, worthy of being a son carefully raised by Madam Shi, though only sixteen years old, already had deep scheming abilities.

That deep look he had given just now was telling Lu Guanyi that while he was giving up Marquis Xuanwu’s mansion, he had laid plans with Madam Shi. If Lu Guanyi dared to harm his mother, he would certainly face retaliation. If he wanted to harm his mother, he should be prepared to suffer great losses even in victory.

He was thus warning Lu Guanyi not to easily move against his mother.

This young man had quite some skills.

Lu Guanyi said: “I understand. I will handle this matter properly.”

“There’s no rush to deal with the household servants, let’s discuss it after I visit my parents,” Ye Yaming added. “If you have official business to attend to, please go. I’ll go back and rest a bit.”

Lu Guanyi nodded: “Alright, if you need anything, have your maids instruct the household servants. With Lu Guanyu gone, they have no master to back them up, so they won’t dare to cause trouble.”

“Good.”

The two parted ways, with Lu Guanyi going to the study in the front courtyard, while Ye Yaming returned to the back courtyard to lie down and catch up on sleep.