Late at night, Lu Jiaxue was still awake, with Ye Yan reporting on the progress in Datong.
“The Imperial Guards directly arrested Zeng Yingkun, who didn’t resist. He has many allies in Shanxi, with over 70% of the military officials in Datong being his disciples or friends. The connections are extensive. As you instructed, we’ve placed these people in prison carts to be escorted back to the capital. However, you said to delay for two days, so we’re unsure where to arrange their stay…”
“There are several courtyards behind Daci Temple that I renovated to store weapons. Temporarily confine them there,” Lu Jiaxue said. “I’ll personally escort them in two days.”
Ye Yan bowed in acknowledgment. The oil lamp in the room flickered, its wick burning low and the light dimming.
No one dared to trim the lamp in the Governor’s study. Lu Jiaxue stared intently at a map before him, seemingly deep in thought, yet also appearing to think of nothing. They hardly dared to breathe, waiting silently for Lu Jiaxue’s next order.
He held the tiger tally in his hand, tapping it against the table edge.
This object, capable of commanding thousands of troops, was like a child’s toy in his hands.
The gentle tapping against the table edge made everyone’s hearts tighten with each sound.
“Oh, about Daci Temple… Last time I asked him to divine my fate, he was quite accurate,” Lu Jiaxue said, leaning back in his chair with eyes closed. “Tell him I’ll personally visit with some people another day. Let him prepare well.”
Ye Yan acknowledged again. Having followed Lu Jiaxue for years, he understood his master’s intentions perfectly.
Just then, a maid came to report something. Usually, servants from the inner quarters weren’t allowed in at this time. However, upon hearing who it was, Lu Jiaxue immediately allowed her entry. The maid bowed and said, “My Lord, that young lady is unwell… She seems to have been unable to sleep. When I asked her, she wouldn’t say anything. What should we do?”
“She’s not feeling well?”
Lu Jiaxue frowned, then said, “I’ll go with you to check on her.”
A servant immediately brought a grey squirrel fur cloak for him. Lu Jiaxue looked back hesitantly and said, “You may all withdraw now.” Then he strode out of the study.
Ye Yan and the deputy commander exchanged glances before leaving the study. Walking along the covered corridor, Ye Yan couldn’t help but ask, “I remember it’s been several years since anyone was by the Governor’s side… The last time was when someone tried to curry favor with Lord Lu by sending a slim Yangzhou courtesan who could play the konghou. She didn’t stay for more than a few months before being sent away.”
The deputy commander lowered his voice and said, “When the Governor carried her in wrapped in a cloak, I caught a glimpse. Truly, ten Yangzhou courtesans couldn’t compare to this one.”
Ye Yan drew in a sharp breath, “You’re exaggerating. Is she really that beautiful?”
The deputy commander smiled smugly and shook his head, “We’ve followed the Governor for decades. Even in his earlier years when he was surrounded by beauties, I’ve never seen him value anyone like this. Perhaps this one is truly different. Who knows, in a few months, we might have a Lady of the Marquis.”
Ye Yan also smiled, “I’d be happy if there were a Lady of the Marquis. Otherwise, with the Governor’s vast estate and no heir, he’d have to adopt a nephew from a collateral branch to inherit. Wouldn’t that be too generous to them?” Ye Yan felt that only the Governor’s bloodline was worthy of the title of Marquis of Ningyuan.
“But we’re just daydreaming. The Governor might just be seeking novelty,” the deputy commander said as they approached the moon gate and could see the screen wall. “If he wanted to take a wife, he should send matchmakers with betrothal gifts and marry her properly. Now that the Governor is keeping her hidden at home, she’s probably just a concubine.”
Their conversation faded as they walked away.
Luo Yining curled up on the bed, clutching her lower abdomen as if knives were twisting inside. Her body was covered in cold sweat, waves of nausea constantly surging.
The gynecological cold was an old ailment of hers. After a year of treatment, it had improved. But now, for some reason, it had flared up again. If she were at home, Qingpu would brew medicine for her, and Zhenzhu would prepare a hand warmer to warm her lower back. Her third brother would be especially attentive; he’d worry even if she had a slight headache or fever, treating her like a child. He’d assume she’d been disobedient, eaten something too cold, or fallen asleep in the study without a blanket. So when she fell ill, he’d frown and supervise her taking medicine and diet throughout her recovery.
People are most vulnerable when they’re sick. Luo Yining began to miss the Luo family intensely, especially Luo Shenyuan. She even missed the Duke of Ying’s mansion.
The Marquis of Ningyuan’s estate was no longer her home; all the familiar people and things had long since disappeared.
Perhaps due to the intense pain, Yining’s thoughts began to wander.
The maid had checked on her twice but was at a loss. She could only boil some hot water for her use and then hurry to inform Lu Jiaxue.
When Lu Jiaxue arrived, he handed his cloak to the attending maid and lifted the curtain to enter the bed chamber. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her into his arms. Her consciousness was hazy, and she didn’t know who was holding her. She only smelled a strange yet familiar scent enveloping her.
“Is it your lower abdomen that’s uncomfortable?” When the maid went to the study to inform him, she didn’t want to say too much in front of others. Being experienced, Lu Jiaxue understood Yining’s condition at a glance. He hadn’t expected her health to be so poor now; in her previous life, Luo Yining had never even had a headache or fever. He held her entire body in his arms, placing his hand on her lower abdomen to slowly warm it.
He rather enjoyed this feeling of taking care of her. It was different from before. In the past, Luo Yining had depended on him in her heart, so he had protected her as a wife. But now, Luo Yining’s mental state was incredibly strong. Only when she was sick and leaning in his arms would she not struggle.
Lu Jiaxue felt that her feet were still ice-cold, so he simply turned and lay on the bed, holding her entirely in his arms.
Yining, in her unclear state of mind, felt the warmth of his large hand and murmured, “Third Brother…”
Lu Jiaxue’s large palm slowly clenched into a fist, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. If he didn’t know that Luo Shenyuan was her brother and marrying her was a temporary measure, he would have killed Luo Shenyuan.
With this thought, he couldn’t help but lower his head to gently kiss the corner of her mouth.
His wife had now returned.
His withered heart gradually became moistened, softening slightly.
Luo Shenyuan sent people to escort Madam Yang back, instructing her not to let any news of this matter leak out.
Madam Yang understood; this had been agreed upon with Xie Yun earlier.
Xie Yun stood at the side of the door to Luo Shenyuan’s study. This was her first time coming to the Luo residence. In his study, he kept two large turtles, which were well-cared for. The big turtles swam back and forth, eating small fish and shrimp, or resting under the rockery. They moved slowly, their shells smooth and shiny. Because they wouldn’t be eaten, they lived quite contentedly.
Xie Yun felt that Luo Shenyuan was the type of person who was quite indifferent to emotions. He didn’t seem like someone who would have the leisure to raise turtles.
The first time she saw Luo Shenyuan, she didn’t think there was anything special about him. He stood silently beside Mr. Sun. At that time, others told her that Sun Congwan was also known as a talented lady, which she greatly disdained. Sun Congwan, that delicate young lady from a sheltered family, could be called talented just for being able to recite a few sour poems.
So she intentionally used riddles to challenge Sun Congwan, but he stood up and easily resolved the situation for her. His responses were brilliant, his demeanor composed, as if she were just an unreasonable child.
At that time, Xie Yun was still not convinced and said sarcastically, “Uncle Sun, is this speaker a relative of yours?”
Mr. Sun smiled and told her, “Didn’t you always want to see the young top scholar? He is the one.”
Xie Yun pulled herself back from her thoughts and hesitated at the door for a moment before saying, “The people who took her probably weren’t bandits. Did you offend some powerful official, which led to her being captured? I know you care for this sister of yours, and you must be anxious now that she’s been taken. If there’s anything you need help with, you can come to me…”
He leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, as if he hadn’t heard.
Xie Yun couldn’t help but call out loudly, “Luo Shenyuan!”
Luo Shenyuan then opened his eyes, looked at her once, and closed them again, “Why haven’t you left yet?”
In his hand, he held what Madam Yang had given him – one of the earrings Yining had been wearing when she left. He had told Yining before that if she ever found herself in a dire situation, leaving one earring would mean her life was not in danger. He hadn’t expected her to remember. Did she believe that going with Lu Jiaxue meant her life wasn’t in danger? In reality, it was just to keep him from worrying.
Luo Shenyuan’s rationality told him with extreme clarity that he was calmly assessing the situation.
“Do you need my help…” Xie Yun repeated in a gentler tone.
Luo Shenyuan shook his head, “You should go back.”
He put on a cloak and walked out, saying, “Inform the Duke of Ying’s mansion that I need to see the Duke.”
He should tell Wei Ling about this matter. He was Yining’s father and held military power.
But Wei Ling was no match for Lu Jiaxue. Luo Shenyuan told him just to have some backup support. If something happened, Wei Ling could also respond to emergencies.
Lu Jiaxue had first lured him away with one matter, and probably to continue attracting his attention, there would be more and more officials accusing him of misconduct. However, he wasn’t worried about the officials; the Emperor trusted and valued him greatly. Without solid evidence, no matter how much the officials criticized, it wouldn’t matter. Moreover, he already had a plan to deal with it.
A man hates nothing more than having his wife taken away. What would he do to her after snatching Luo Yining away…
Luo Shenyuan’s face remained calm, but the emotions churning inside him grew more intense. He almost crushed Yining’s earring in his palm. The person he had protected so well had been taken away by someone else. Her fate was unknown.
This pretense of being a brother, he could no longer maintain. He wanted to be her true husband, and he absolutely couldn’t let anyone else touch her.
When he turned back, his face showed undisguised coldness: “Send a message to that person, tell him I’ll go see him tomorrow.”
He had rarely seen this person lately.
Every time they met, there was inevitably a clash of wits and a battle of intelligence.
There were few in the world who could match him. There were many geniuses, but Luo Shenyuan had entered the world, so he had to cultivate a skill of effortless mastery. This person, however, was an unworldly genius, living in seclusion in the mountains. It was necessary to meet him now.
Luo Yining was tormented by pain until nearly dawn before falling asleep. But she woke up soon after, her body stiff, as she realized she was in someone else’s arms.
It was probably almost daybreak outside; a dim white light filtered through the window paper. The luxurious furnishings of the room were vaguely visible, and she could even hear the sound of old women boiling water outside and the swishing of brooms as maids swept. Apart from this, there wasn’t even the sound of talking.
A large hand was placed on her lower abdomen, gently massaging, the palm slightly warm.
“Awake,” he said. When he spoke, his lips always lightly touched her skin, sending a shiver through her with a rush of hot breath. His arm encircled her, pulling her to face him, but she shrank back.
Noticing her avoidance, he laughed and said, “What’s wrong? After so many years of not waking up in your husband’s arms, are you afraid?”
Yining gazed at the whitening daylight filtering into the room. For her, this scene was indeed something she hadn’t seen in countless years.
“You are not my husband,” Luo Yining heard herself say.