"Sister-in-law, you're joking, Wanwan is an understanding and good girl, of course, she understands that a young man's aspirations are vast." Xie Wanqing hadn't spoken yet when Madam Lu said:
"Ziyan has to take on the responsibility of the marquis mansion, he can't be caught up in romance. As women, we can't assist much, so we should manage household affairs well and not be a burden to him."
Xie Wanqing's eyelashes lowered, smiling without speaking.
She had heard these words countless times in the Lu Family, both in dreams and reality. Being spoiled and capricious at home by her parents and brothers, upon arriving at the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion, she unconsciously restrained herself.
She learned to be understanding, to always think of Lu Ziyuan, and subconsciously found excuses for his indifference.
He was just under too much pressure, his fathers, brothers, and uncles had all died in battle, and the Lu Family relied on him alone to uphold the house. She should care for him, understand him, love him.
How could she dare throw a tantrum and cause him more trouble?
In those dreams, it was like she was blinded by pig fat, no matter how aloof his attitude was or how he kept a mistress, she firmly believed that he cared for her, never wavering in her determination to marry him.
But now, with clarity of mind, she could sense the underlying message in these words.
Xie Wanqing came back to her senses, put down the pastry in her hand, steadied her mind, and was about to speak when she heard hurried footsteps, a servant rushed in.
Her heart tensed, it was an image that had appeared in her dreams.
—— Lu Ziyuan had returned.
As expected, the servant knelt hastily and reported: "Old Madam, the Young Master has returned!"
"Yan'er has returned?" Old Madam Lu stood up excitedly: "Quick, quick, where is he now?"
The servant was about to answer, but a tall figure already appeared at the courtyard entrance.
Dressed in dark riding gear, with a tight waist belt outlining a lean, strong figure, the entire person exuded a commanding presence like an unsheathed sword, noble and aloof, making one dare not look directly.
Only eighteen years old, yet he had already accomplished much for the Dynasty, because of the engagement with him, countless noble girls in the Capital congratulated Xie Wanqing on her good fortune.
Born in a blessed household, and being able to find such an ideal husband, who was also her childhood sweetheart, their love was true and deep.
Lu Ziyuan threw the horsewhip in his hand to a follower behind him and walked a few steps to Old Madam Lu, lifting his robe about to kneel to show respect, but Old Madam Lu quickly supported him, her voice trembling with concern: "You've finally returned, did the mission go smoothly? Did you get to the palace to report to the Holy Emperor?"
"Grandmother, rest assured, the bandits in Bianzhou have been subdued, I reported to the Holy Emperor before returning," Lu Ziyuan helped his grandmother to sit down, his glance swept over Xie Wanqing without any change, and he asked, "Is your health well, Grandmother?"
Xie Wanqing felt a chill in her heart from his look.
——Even the gaze was similar to the dream.
She stood there dazed, her mind elsewhere.
Until Madam Lu called her several times, pulling her hand, teasingly said, "Wanwan, what's wrong with you, you've been absent-minded today, you've waited so long for Yan'er, now he's back, and you're not speaking?"
"..." Xie Wanqing didn't want to ponder the deeper meaning of those words, she took a breath and looked up at the man watching her.
From his attire, the aloof attitude emanating from his entire being, to the earlier conversation, this scene identical to the dream made her hands beneath her sleeves tremble slightly.
Xie Wanqing pinched her palm tightly, forcing herself to remain calm and not lose composure.
Yet, she still clung to hope, following the memory of the dream, she managed a smile and asked: "Brother Yan, was it dangerous to suppress the bandits, were you injured?"
Perhaps her smile was too unattractive, unlike his calm demeanor in the dream, Lu Ziyuan's eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Everything went smoothly, I wasn't injured."
Hearing this, Xie Wanqing's heart sank, she paused, then picked up a packet of pastries beside her: "Have you had breakfast? Here's your favorite peanut crisps, they're still warm, would you like to try some?"
Lu Ziyuan looked at her without speaking, but still reached out and took a piece from the platter, putting it in his mouth and taking a bite.
Xie Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, perhaps the dream was fake after all.
——In the dream, he seemed not to have tasted the pastry.
As they exchanged a few rounds, the adults watching on showed satisfied expressions.
Old Madam Lu kindly patted Xie Wanqing's hand and smiled: "Since Yan'er is back today, Wanwan, stay for the family dinner."
"That's settled then," before Xie Wanqing had a chance to respond, Madam Lu said: "You've not seen each other for so long, surely you, as an engaged couple, have much to catch up on, no need to stay here, go take a walk in the back garden, and return when it's time to dine."
Lu Ziyuan went out first, and Xie Wanqing hesitated for a moment, following him.
The two walked one in front and one behind, neither bringing any attendants.
Under normal circumstances, she would be happily chirping around him, recounting the interesting things that happened around her during their months apart.
But now, under the grim influence of the dream, she had no mood to speak.
The Spring scenery at the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion was exquisite, the rose blossoms covered the walls. Xie Wanqing watched for a moment, suddenly hearing the person beside her say: "Did something difficult happen to you?"
Upon hearing, she subconsciously touched her face.
...Was her complexion so bad that even someone who usually paid her little attention noticed something was wrong?
Xie Wanqing took a breath, barely calming her mood, turned her head to look at the person beside her, was about to say something when she caught sight of a familiar and deeply etched figure in the corner of her eye.
She paused slightly, her eyes widening slowly.
Liu Manrou?
The concubine wife who bore Lu Ziyuan a son in the dream, appeared right before her!
The last shred of luck was cruelly broken, the dream was indeed true.
The girl's expression changed distinctly, Lu Ziyuan followed her gaze over and his eyes paused slightly.
Xie Wanqing trembled as she spoke: "Who is that girl?"
Her reaction seemed off, Lu Ziyuan frowned slightly: "What's wrong with you?"
"Lu Ziyuan, I ask you, who is she?" Xie Wanqing raised her hand pointing to the woman in the plain dress far away, seriously said: "You never liked maids serving by your side, where did this woman come from, what is her name, how do you plan to settle her, tell me everything."
Having achieved success at a young age, never had anyone dared to speak to him in such a questioning tone, let alone his usually gentle and considerate fiancée. Lu Ziyuan frowned even deeper, "Are you interrogating me?"
Interrogating?
Xie Wanqing took a deep breath, withdrawing her trembling finger, lifted her eyes to look at this young man who was now much taller than her.
...Or perhaps should say, this man.
He was tall and upright like a pine, with extremely handsome features, anyone would give him more than a cursory glance, yet the boy in her memories who would smile and coax her, when did he start having only coldness and impatience in his eyes for her?