Chapter 23: Return

The Fu'an Hall was bright with candles, and glass lamps were lined up in sequence, casting a soft, golden glow throughout the room. Lu Boling sat upright, lifted the teacup from the table, brushed the tea leaves with the lid, and took a sip.

He raised his eyes toward his wife. "Didn't you say she was very fond of Jiang Zhiyan?"

The Duchess was also puzzled. "My lord, you may not know, but Qiaoqiu saw it with her own eyes." Lady Fang said, glancing at the maid beside her.

Qiaoqiu chimed in, "Yes, my lord. The young master of the Jiang family visited the manor many times last month to see Miss Yanxi. I witnessed it myself; they were very harmonious, laughing and talking, and Miss Yanxi seemed to be quite fond of him as well."

The old madam laughed, "Perhaps she is young and thin-skinned, feeling shy."

Lady Fang smiled upon hearing this. "That is not impossible. She is still young, and it is perfectly natural for a young girl to be reserved. My lord, allow me to ask her again tomorrow..."

A flicker of something crossed Lu Boling's eyes, and he took another sip of tea. "The Jiang family is peaceful and uninvolved in the world's strifes; it is a good destination for her. Let her marry him."

Lady Fang nodded. "Very well."

Lu Boling rose, and Lady Fang followed. The man called for a maid to bring his outer garment and said to his wife, "I have some matters to attend to in the study. If you are tired, go to sleep early; do not wait up for me."

Lady Fang took the cloak from the maid and draped it over his shoulders, responding with concern, "My lord, do not overwork yourself. Take care of your health and return early..."

"Hmm..." Lu Boling replied, patted his wife’s hand, and turned to bow and bid his mother farewell.

After leaving Fu'an Hall, Lu Boling went straight to his study. More than an hour later, having finished his official duties, he stood up, opened the window, and gazed at the snow-covered scenery. His personal attendant, Yuan Shun, immediately brought a cloak and draped it over the Duke.

"Oh, Master, take care not to catch a cold."

Lu Boling had once been a military officer and was still in robust health. He raised a hand to decline. "It is fine." He then changed the subject. "Has the young master gone to sleep yet at this hour?"

Yuan Shun laughed, "It is likely too early for that."

Lu Boling hummed, then said, "Call him here."

Yuan Shun acknowledged the order and left. Lu Boling stood by the window; the Lu manor was brightly lit, and the cold wind occasionally shook the lanterns, causing the light to flicker. He stared at the snowy landscape, as if watching it, and yet his gaze seemed to pierce right through it.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, a knock sounded at the study door, accompanied by Lu Zhi’s deep, resonant voice.

"Father."

"Come in."

The study door opened, and a tall, imposing figure entered. Lu Zhi glanced at his father’s back and closed the door.

Lu Boling turned around at that moment and walked toward his son. As he approached, he patted his shoulder and smiled, "In another month, you will be leaving for your post in Yangzhou. How are your preparations? How is the handover proceeding?"

Lu Zhi’s eyes held a smile. "Thanks to your blessing, Father, everything is going well and quite smoothly."

Lu Boling said, "Smooth is good. Once you go, it may be a year or two before we see you again. Your mother and grandmother miss you; spend more time with them during these days."

Lu Zhi nodded. "I will."

Father and son stood facing each other. Lu Boling was not as tall as Lu Zhi. He looked up at his son’s stature and sighed, "How you have grown so tall in the blink of an eye!"

Lu Zhi smiled without speaking. Lu Boling changed the topic. "What do you think of the Heir of the Marquis of Jing'an?"

Lu Zhi’s voice remained calm, his brow slightly lowered, a faint smile on his thin lips. He said, neither too lightly nor too heavily, "He is very good."

Lu Boling continued, "I remember you two studied together for a time and were quite close in your youth. You should know his character best. Your Uncle Shen has only this one daughter, and the Lu family must choose a good match for her. What do you think of pairing him with Yanxi?"

Lu Zhi stood up straight. "That is excellent; they are a perfect match. Truly, a pair made in heaven."

Lu Boling laughed twice, patted his son’s shoulder again, and shifted the topic once more...

*********

Yanxi and her two maids were still shaken as they entered Taoxiang Pavilion and immediately locked the door. The two maids helped their young mistress directly into the bedroom. Yanxi clutched her chest, while Qinglian comforted her from the side.

After a long while, she finally calmed her heart. Taohong asked, "What did he say to you, Miss?"

Yanxi raised her eyes and glanced at her maid. Naturally, she did not say. In an instant, her face flushed hot again. Qinglian pushed Taohong and glared at her. Taohong suddenly realized and shut her mouth, going to pour a cup of water for her mistress.

Yanxi took it, warmed her hands, and drank slowly, her heart fluttering. Because she had promised Lu Zhi that thing, even a slight thought of it made her face burn with heat; she truly felt as if she could die of embarrassment.

After bathing, the young girl tucked herself into bed early. Because of this matter, she could not fall asleep, and she did not know how long she stayed awake.

The next day was peaceful. She did not go out, and no one called for her. Outside, the weather was freezing, and there were few people about. As time passed, night fell. Yanxi recited "Amitabha" countless times. Finally, she got out of bed with her bare feet, took a string of prayer beads, hid under the quilt, and fingered them for most of the night.

Whether it was because the Buddha had answered her prayers, she received good news the next morning.

Qinglian whispered in her ear, "Miss, the young master did not return last night. It is said he is very busy with official business."

Yanxi’s heart thumped upon hearing this. "Truly?"

Qinglian nodded. Yanxi recalled and asked, "Do you remember when we first returned to the Lu family, we heard a conversation between two cousins in the back garden? Did they say he sometimes does not return to the manor for five or six days at a time?"

Qinglian replied, "Yes."

Yanxi’s heart beat even faster, like a dying person desperately clinging to life—put it off for one day, live for one more day. That night, she repeated her tactic, reciting "Amitabha" for half the night. The next day, she received news that the man had not returned, just as she had wished.

Then the third day, and the fourth, were the same.

On the morning of the fifth day, the Duchess, Lady Fang, summoned her. Yanxi went to Yihe Hall. When she arrived, Lady Fang was trimming two pots of violets with a maid. She was dressed in fine silk, wrapped in a white fox fur, her lips like vermilion, her face smiling. Her every gesture was elegant, and one could not tell she was past forty. Seeing Yanxi enter, she called out with a smile:

"Yanxi, come here..."

The young girl smiled, walked over to the bonsai, and gazed at it with her shimmering, autumn-like eyes. The flowers were beautiful, not much different from the colorful blooms outside in summer; looking at them, it felt as if spring had returned to the earth.

"It is truly beautiful!"

Lady Fang laughed, "I will have someone send two pots to your room in a couple of days."

Yanxi curtsied, "Thank you, Aunt Lu."

Lady Fang repeated, "Aunt?"

Yanxi raised her eyes, her small face slightly flushed. Lady Fang touched her hand. "There is no rush, though you will have to adapt in time. What day is it today?"

The maid Qiaoqiu replied, "My lady, it is the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month."

Lady Fang turned back to look at Yanxi. "There are only twenty-some days left..."

Yanxi nodded slightly, the smile on her small face not fading. Lady Fang took her hand and led her to sit on the low couch. As they walked, the lady said, "I called you here today because we received a formal proposal from the Jiang family this morning. Your Uncle Lu has been back for a few days but hasn't responded to the Jiang family yet; they are likely getting anxious. After that day, I discussed it with your Uncle Lu. Do you have someone else in your heart?"

"No."

Yanxi answered quickly. Firstly, she truly did not; secondly, a young girl is always shy about such things.

Lady Fang smiled, "If not, then it is all the more reason." She then told her of Lu Boling's decision from a few days prior.

"You are still young and have little experience. Since there is no one else in your heart, do not refuse this matter again. The Jiang family is a scholarly lineage, a clear stream among the noble families. Although they have declined somewhat in recent years, a centipede dies but never falls; their house remains prominent. Your Uncle Lu and your father were friends who shared life and death. The Prince of Sheng has great favor toward the Lu family. No matter how you look at it, your Uncle Lu and I will not harm you. Just marry Jiang Zhiyan. As for a husband, you will understand when you are older. Finding someone attentive, who loves you more than you love him, is what brings happiness to us women. Do not refuse this again; your Uncle Lu has already decided for you."

"Aunt Lu..."

Yanxi’s lips parted, quite anxious, her eyes bright and watery, and she felt a sense of urgency. But reflecting that the matter had nothing to do with her—and that the scoundrel Lu Zhi shouldn't be able to blame her—she didn't say what she was thinking and only asked, "It is... already decided?"

Lady Fang nodded. "The proposal arrived very early, just this morning. When your uncle went to court, the Marquis of Jing'an was already waiting outside the gate. He likely traveled in the carriage with your Uncle Lu and discussed it on the way. It is clear the parents-in-law are very fond of you, too. This marriage is perfect."

Yanxi slightly clenched her soft hands. Before she could say anything, footsteps were heard outside.

"My lady, the Duchess of Xian and the Marchioness of Pingyang have arrived."

Lady Fang replied, "Let them in." She then patted Yanxi’s hand. "Go on."

Yanxi stood up, curtsied slowly, and took her leave. After exiting Yihe Hall, Taohong whispered, "Miss, this... what should we do?"

Yanxi thought for a moment and replied, "He will know as soon as he asks; it is Uncle Lu’s idea."

Qinglian said, "How on earth does he intend to take you away..."

Yanxi did not know, nor did she have time to ponder it deeply, when a joyful shout came from afar.

"Ranran!!!"

Her heart gave a thump, as she had become all too familiar with that voice and the pet name recently. The young girl looked up and saw a young gentleman in the distance—dignified, handsome, and graceful. When he saw her, his face lit up with joy. It was none other than Jiang Zhiyan.

The next moment, Jiang Zhiyan ran toward her!

Yanxi saw clearly that he was still favoring his left foot, though it was largely fine; he had likely not fully recovered. Jiang Zhiyan seemed as if he wanted to fly over. In no time, he reached her, beaming.

"Ranran! Ranran, long time no see! I—I missed you so much! Did you, did you hear..."

Yanxi’s thoughts were in utter chaos, but she naturally knew what he was talking about.

"Yes, I heard."

The young girl answered, her gaze falling on his left foot. "Are you already recovered?"

As Yanxi had just seen, Jiang Zhiyan was not fully recovered, but he could not wait a single moment. He had missed her until he was nearly mad, especially with such happy news today; he wanted to see her immediately. At this moment, he didn't care about his leg; seeing his beloved, everything was fine.

"I'm fine, I'm fine! Yanxi, do not worry; there is not a single problem left!"

Yanxi’s voice was like the humming of a mosquito, "Next time, be careful..."

Her heart was in a mess; this instruction made her feel guilty, and she didn't even know what her state of mind should be.

However, just at this moment, before she could say a few more words to Jiang Zhiyan, she raised her eyes and shifted her gaze. Someone not far away suddenly entered her vision.

Tall and imposing, dressed in black, with only a golden crown binding his hair, his face was dazzlingly handsome. But his gaze and his signal were even more piercing to her.

The man stood with his hands behind his back, his face cold, without a trace of a smile. Those deep eyes narrowed as they fixed on her, and his head moved slightly, gesturing toward the direction of her sleeping quarters...

In that instant, from head to toe, the young girl’s entire body burned with scorching heat...