At dawn, the Duke’s wife reclined against a cushioned couch, one hand propping up her forehead. Her brows were tightly drawn, worry written all over her face.
“The Duke didn’t agree?” Granny Cai couldn’t help blurting out. “But Miss Shen is the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, beautiful beyond compare. Men who want to marry her could wear down the doorstep. How could she possibly be unworthy of the Heir?”
The Duke’s wife’s expression darkened. “I don’t think it’s the Duke who refused. It’s more likely the Heir himself.”
“Why would the Heir refuse?” Granny Cai asked, confused. “It’s a perfect match. Equal families, a marriage made in heaven.”
As she spoke, something suddenly occurred to her. Her face turned pale. “Could it be that he found out about something…”
“Nonsense!” The Duke’s wife straightened at once and snapped, “What kind of rubbish are you talking about?”
Granny Cai hurriedly slapped her own mouth. “This old servant misspoke. Please forgive me, Madam.”
The Duke’s wife shot her a sharp look and let out a cold snort. “If he doesn’t want to marry Lichu, maybe it’s because there’s someone else in his heart.”
Granny Cai froze. “Then… could it be…”
Just then, a maid’s voice sounded from outside. “Madam, Miss Song has come to pay her respects.”
The Duke’s wife’s face darkened even more.
Granny Cai’s expression shifted as well. She lowered her voice. “Could it be that the Heir has feelings for Miss Song…”
The Duke’s wife sneered. “That Song Qinghe, with her fox-like charms—do you think I can’t see through her? Being adopted by the Duke’s household still isn’t enough for her. She even dares to dream of becoming the Heir’s wife.”
“Bah!” Granny Cai spat. “As if she deserves it!”
The Duke’s wife snorted again and leaned back against the couch.
In the past, even if Lu Shiji had wanted to marry Song Qinghe, she wouldn’t have cared. A lone girl from a fallen family—no help at all, only a burden. She would have been glad to see Lu Shiji rot in the mud.
But now things were different.
Lu Shiji had risen to prominence. His position as Heir had been personally granted by the Emperor. He was the unquestioned future head of the Duke’s household.
Just thinking about it made her temples throb painfully again.
If only Lu Shiji had been a bit more ordinary, she wouldn’t have to worry like this.
How unfair heaven was. Both were sons of the Duke, yet Lu Shiji was heaven-sent—placing first in the imperial exams at seventeen, and now, at only twenty-two, already holding real power at court.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Young Master she had raised so carefully was already twelve, yet all he cared about was play, with not a trace of promise.
She took a deep breath and finally forced herself to calm down. A hard edge crept into her eyes. Since things had come to this, she would have to find another way.
The position of Heir’s wife had to be kept for A-Li.
Rubbing her forehead, she said with clear disgust, “Send her away.”
Some adopted daughter—she really thought she was a true member of the Lu family.
Granny Cai knew exactly who she meant. She answered softly and sent someone out to dismiss Song Qinghe.
When the Duke’s wife opened her eyes again, she gave another cold order. “Song Qinghe isn’t young anymore. Go pick a suitable family and marry her off.”
Granny Cai smiled knowingly. “This old servant understands.”
“As for the marriage between the Heir and A-Li, it’s only postponed for now. Don’t mention it to A-Li, lest she overthink things.”
Granny Cai hesitated. “And if Miss Shen asks about it…”
“Tell her the Heir is busy with court affairs, so the marriage talks must wait. It’s only a matter of time. I’ll make proper arrangements for her myself.”
Granny Cai nodded. “Yes.”
Suddenly, thunder roared and lightning split the sky. Wind and rain battered the night, icy gusts slipping through the cracks in the window. The candle flame flickered wildly.
“Shen Lichu—this is what you schemed so hard for, isn’t it?”
A large hand clamped around the back of her neck, forcing her into his chest. His burning fingers sent shivers through her whole body.
Terrified, she turned her head away. Tears streamed down her face as she pushed at him with all her strength, but the scorching body before her was like an immovable mountain.
A dark voice sounded above her head. “Why won’t you look at me?”
Lichu’s heart seized. The fingers clutching his clothes began to tremble as fear spread through her, pressing so hard she could barely breathe.
“Don’t—!”
She screamed in terror and jolted awake.
The door flew open at once. Chunxing and Granny Zhao rushed in.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
Lichu lay in bed, both hands clenched tightly around the brocade quilt. Her face was deathly pale as she stared at the two scented sachets hanging from the bed curtains above her.
“Miss, was it a nightmare?” Granny Zhao hurried to soothe her, gently patting her as she wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. It was just a dream.”
Lichu finally came back to herself, her face still pale. She murmured, “I had such a terrifying dream.”
Granny Zhao held her close and coaxed her softly. “Don’t be scared, Miss. It was only a dream. Once you wake up, it’s over.”
Lichu’s throat felt dry and rough. “But that dream… it felt so real.”
So real that she could almost still feel the lingering heat of that man’s body in her palm.
“What did you dream about?” Granny Zhao asked.
“I dreamed about…”
Lichu faltered, suddenly unable to go on.
How could she say it out loud—that she had dreamed of a man?
She had been too frightened to look at his face, but she was certain of one thing. He was a stranger.
Because she had never known a man so frightening.
Seeing that she didn’t want to speak, Granny Zhao didn’t press her. She only continued to comfort her. “Dreams are usually the opposite of reality. Maybe dreaming like this means something good is coming.”
Lichu finally relaxed. She loosened her tightly clenched hand and nodded. “Mm.”
Granny Zhao smiled. “Just a few days ago, I was saying our Miss has grown up. Who would have thought a dream could still scare you this badly?”
Only then did Lichu feel a bit embarrassed. She immediately sat up straight, pulling away from Granny Zhao’s arms. “I wasn’t scared! It was just a dream. Do you think I’d really take it seriously?”
“Yes, yes, our Miss is the bravest of all,” Granny Zhao replied with a smile.
Chunxing came in carrying a basin of hot water. She wrung out a cloth and started to wipe Lichu’s face.
Not wanting to be treated like a child, Lichu took the cloth herself and wiped her face.
“I wonder if Cousin will come back today.”
Chunxing said, “The Heir is busy with court affairs. I heard he’s been handling case reviews these past few days and staying at the offices. He must be working very hard.”
Lichu sighed. “Cousin works for the country and the people, rising early and resting late. He really is a kind and upright person.”
For Lu Shiji, living this life over again made everything much easier.
Including this investigation of the rebel faction. He knew their weaknesses inside out. In just a few days, he had pried open their mouths one by one.
The progress was twice as smooth as in his previous life.
“My lord, this is the list we’ve just obtained from the interrogations,” an official said. Lu Shiji glanced at it briefly.
These rebels were former officials of the previous dynasty, trying to restore the old regime. The scale was large, and suppressing them was never easy. The real problem was that there were collaborators hidden among the current court officials.
This list had a few more names than in his previous life, but it didn’t matter. If anything, it only made his path smoother.
He picked up his brush and wrote a memorial, then handed it to a subordinate. “Send this to the palace together with the rebels’ confessions.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After the officials withdrew, Qingsong hurried in. “Heir, someone from the residence came to ask whether you’ll be returning home today.”
Lu Shiji was still flipping through the case files and didn’t even look up.
He hadn’t returned home for three days straight. These past few days, the rebel case had him tied down, and he truly was busy.
“I’m not going back.”
Qingsong answered, “Yes.”
Lu Shiji stared at the files in front of him, a vague irritation rising for no clear reason.
The same cases, the same documents. Everything was familiar, almost effortless, even more so than in his previous life.
And yet, he still felt restless.
His fingers paused on the wolf-hair brush as he suddenly asked, “What day is it today?”
Qingsong froze for a moment, then quickly replied, “The tenth.”
The tenth day of the fifth month.
Lu Shiji repeated the date silently to himself, his eyes darkening.
Qingsong waited for a while longer, but when no further orders came, he scratched his head. “Then I’ll go give them an answer…”
Lu Shiji stared at the documents in silence for a long moment before finally setting down his brush. “Forget it. The case is mostly wrapped up anyway. Prepare the carriage. We’re going back to the residence.”
“Huh? Yes!”