Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 115
Chang’an had two consecutive heavy snowfalls, frost formed on the ground, and the weather turned suddenly cold, but the relationship between Lu Yan and Shen Wenqi, the father-in-law and son-in-law, was warming up at a speed visible to the naked eye.
In Shen Wenqi’s opinion, although Lu Yan was not the son-in-law he was satisfied with from the bottom of his heart, he had to admit that Lu Yan of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion was indeed a leader in the capital in terms of family background, talent and appearance. The reason why he deliberately distanced himself from him a while ago was simply out of his selfish desire as a father.
The road of life was long, and no one knows how much of Lu Yan’s current passion will be left in the future after being polished by time.
Shen Wenqi only hoped that many years later, when Lu Yan recalled this moment, he would still remember that Shen Zhen was the one he had tried so hard to marry. After all, men understand men best, and only when they have spent so much effort to get someone would they know how to cherish them.
As long as Lu Yan could love her more, he would have no other requests.
Lu Yan naturally understood what Shen Wenqi was thinking. Not to mention that Shen Wenqi only gave him two warnings, even if he was deliberately making things difficult for him, he would still accept it. After all, he knew more about what he had done to his daughters than anyone else.
Since then, Lu Yan visited occasionally, and his manners were very formal. Apart from discussing official business, he also played chess with Shen Wenqi. He never set foot in the inner courtyard, nor climbed over the high wall of the Shen Mansion again.
Of course, right now, it’s impossible to climb over even if he wanted to.
Lu Yan counted the days with his fingers. He hardly saw her since the marriage was arranged.
He originally wanted to take Shen Zhen out for a day on his birthday, but when he thought about the coming of all nations at the end of the year and the Xu family, he no longer had the desire to do so.
Lu Yan rubbed his temple and whispered, “Is there any movement over at the court of state ceremonial?”
Yang Zong whispered, “Lord Xu’s supervision is very strict, and our people cannot get in.”
Lu Yan frowned slightly and turned the ring on his hand.
The grand ceremonies of the Jin Dynasty, sacrifices, imperial lectures, memorials to the emperor, guests, the presentation of spring tributes, the transmission of imperial decrees, auspicious rites, as well as foreign visitors and tributes from various countries were all managed by the court of state ceremonial.
The capital city now was completely different from the capital city in his dreams. If he wants to know what Empress Xu was planning now, he must place someone in the court of state ceremonial.
However, the person in charge of the court of state ceremonial was Xu Xiang’s younger brother, Xu Kanglin.
After a long silence, Lu Yan said, “We can only start with Lord Qiu.”
This Deputy Chief Qiu was named Qiu Shaoqing. Although he was a member of Prince Wei’s faction known to all the court, he had a weakness, which was the most common and most misleading weakness of men – as long as he sees a beautiful woman, he will not be able to move his feet.
It was said that Madam Qiu looked like a man, with a beard and a rough voice. She could lift Qiu Shaoqing with one hand. Whenever Qiu Shaoqing saw her, his heart would tremble. But Madam Qiu was the youngest daughter of Duke of Lu[mfn](As in Lu State)[/mfn], so even though Qiu Shaoqing hated her in his heart, he still called her “madam” and “darling” on the surface, and gave birth to a child.
If a man goes out of one’s way to curry favour at home, then he will naturally have affairs outside. Qiu Shaoqing’s requirements for choosing a “confidant” outside were straightforward: white skin, thin waist, perky buttocks, and nice voice, the better. As long as she was the opposite of Madam Qiu, it’s fine.
Lu Yan tapped the table with his index finger and said, “Find two thin-waisted Hu[mfn](non-Han nationalities living in the north and west in ancient times; introduced from the northern and western nationalities or from abroad) [/mfn]girls and send them to Chengyuan. Remember not to let them enter Lanyue Pavilion. Invite Lord Qiu to Chengyuan tomorrow.”
Yang Zong said: “I understand, I will go tonight.”
Lu Yan said: “You go immediately.”
Yang Zong paused and glanced at Lu Yan.
Lu Yan frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”
Yang Zong said, “My Lord, you are engaged. It is daytime now. If you bring Hu girls to your villa now and someone sees you… it will not be a good idea.”
Lu Yan glanced at him and said dignifiedly, “It’s okay.”
Yang Zong’s mouth twitched, and he said, “Then I’ll go right away.”
Seeing Yang Zong was about to reach the door, Lu Yan suddenly said, “You’d better go at night.”
Yang Zong turned his back to him and curled his lips, saying respectfully, “Yes.”
——
Time flew by and it was twenty fifth of the tenth month. Shen Zhen clearly remembered that today was Lu Yan’s birthday. Since it was his birthday, a birthday gift must be given.
But what to give was a difficult question for Shen Zhen.
In terms of value, that man has seen everything. In terms of affection, when they lived together, she made all kinds of clothes for him.
Shen Zhen thought about it for more than half a month, but still couldn’t figure out what to give him.
In the end she decided to go to the street to pick one.
Shen Zhen looked from the cloth shop to the bookstore, shaking her head and sighing. She decided to be moderate and give a jade pendant as a gift.
The jade shop in the West Market was full of dazzling items. Shen Zhen picked for a long time before she chose a jade pendant made of mutton-fat white jade. She gently stroked the patterns on it, and the shopkeeper exclaimed, “Miss, you have good taste. This is the treasure of my shop.”
Shen Zhen glanced at the shopkeeper.
Seeing that she was young and had clear eyes, the shopkeeper continued to flatter her, “We sell jade, but also for a jade to find a person is a kind of fate, the other day there was a woman who also fell in love with this piece of jade, I didn’t even tell her the price.”
Shen Zhen said silently in her heart: It’s a pity that when she was a child, she thought she had the best vision in the world and could touch the treasure of the town shop wherever she went. It wasn’t until she started working that she realized that these compliments couldn’t be trusted.
Shen Zhen asked directly: “How much?”
The shopkeeper was quite sincere, so he said, “One hundred coins. Madam, trust me, it’s definitely worth it.”
Shen Zhen touched her purse and stretched out her hand to pay. With her status, she could no longer bargain with others.
The shopkeeper smiled like a flower, “Miss is really lucky.”
Qingxi said, “The carriage is ready. When are you going to go over there, young lady?”
Shen Zhen looked at the sky and said, “Let’s wait a little longer.”
It was winter now and there are not many banquets. It was not easy for her to meet Lu Yan openly. After thinking about it, she thought it is best to put the things in Chengyuan. It is also her intention. Anyway, Tangyue and Moyue will tell him.
The winter solstice was approaching, and the sky gradually turned dark blue in the evening.
The carriage slowly moved towards the north of the city, circling several times before stopping in a deep alley. Shen Zhen bent down and got off the carriage, turned back and said to Qingxi: “Wait for me here, I’ll come after I put my things down.”
Qingxi said: “Miss, be careful.”
Shen Zhen did not go through the main gate, but entered through the small gate. She had lived in this courtyard for more than half a year, and was familiar with every corner. She would not get lost even if she closed her eyes.
She walked along the winding path and came to the bamboo garden on the north side. As soon as she stepped onto the small bridge over the pond, she felt something was wrong. Why was there the sound of stringed instruments here?
Faintly, there was also a woman’s gentle laughter.
She hesitated for a moment and paused. A very familiar voice came from behind her, “Miss Shen?”
Shen Zhen turned around and whispered, “Tang Yue?”
Tang Yue took a few quick steps and said with a smile, “Why are you here, young lady?” When Tang Yue heard that Miss Shen and the heir apparent were getting engaged, she covered her mouth and stomped her feet in the yard, and even shed two lines of tears.
Shen Zhen pinched her sleeves and said, “Today is his birthday. I’m going to Lanyue Pavilion to keep his present there.”
Tang Yue smiled and said, “What a coincidence, the heir apparent also said he would come over in a while.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhen asked in confusion: “Why is he coming here?”
At this moment, two foreign girls ran out of the bamboo garden. Their facial features were charming and exotic. Although it was already late autumn, the two girls still exposed their waists, which were very thin.
Shen Zhen’s beautiful eyes widened, and she suddenly remembered Zhang momo’s words, “When a lady looks at your husband you can’t just look at his appearance. You should know how many people have lived their whole lives knowing their face but not their heart. If he looks serious at home, who knows, he might have a mistress outside…”
Did momo really hit the nail on the head?
Lord Lu actually has a mistress again, but… they are going to get married soon?
If she hadn’t come here rashly today, she might have been kept in the dark forever.
Shen Zhen bit her lip. Yes, if a man like him wanted to hide something from her, how could she know?
The little girl’s mind was in a mess.
The road ahead suddenly split in two.
Should she pretend to be stupid and go back, or stay and wait for him to come?
Her little heart was pounding, and she didn’t know what to choose for a moment, and her fingertips were trembling slightly.
Tang Yue looked at the two Hu girls not far away, and suddenly realized something, and hurriedly said: “Miss, please don’t misunderstand, these two were sent by the heir apparent yesterday.”
Shen Zhen glanced at her.
Yesterday, today, and a few days ago, was there any difference?
While she was hesitating, a carriage stopped at the main gate of Chengyuan, carrying Lord Qiu from the court of state ceremonial and Lord Lu from Jingzhao Prefecture.
They had arrived.
When I read Lu Yan said to deliver the girls to his place, I knew this was going to happen 🤣 How will Lu Yan explain this.