Zhimoyuan, in the main hall.
After Song Zhiyao left, Lu Yanzhi instructed Lan Xin, “Take the young miss out to play.”
Lan Xin walked to the bed and reached out to Lu Jianwei. “Young Miss, I’ll take you to play.”
Lu Jianwei still trusted Lan Xin and obediently got up, allowing herself to be carried. Yet her gaze couldn’t help but linger on the boxes at the head of the bed.
There were two boxes—identical, except for the notes attached on top.
One read “Shenshen”, the other “Weiwei”.
Lu Jianwei pointed at them.
Lan Xin hesitated slightly, instinctively glancing at Lu Yanzhi. Seeing that the general didn’t stop her, she picked up the box marked “Weiwei” and led Lu Jianwei out.
Only then did Lu Yanzhi turn to Lu Jienshen. “She is your mother. You shouldn’t treat her this way.”
Lu Jienshen pressed his lips together, a hint of resentment in his heart, but said nothing in response.
“I know she hurt you this time,” Lu Yanzhi said without elaborating, “In the future, if you don’t want it, I won’t let her see you again.”
The current emperor valued filial piety highly.
Lu Yanzhi’s words were also a lesson for Lu Jienshen.
“Yes, Father,” Lu Jienshen replied, opening his mouth and closing it, submitting.
Lu Yanzhi stepped forward, retrieving a jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it to Lu Jienshen. “A birthday gift.”
“Thank you, Father,” Lu Jienshen said, taking it with both hands and bowing his thanks.
Afterward, silence settled in the room. Father and son exchanged glances, the atmosphere heavy and awkward.
“You should rest.” Lu Yanzhi said, then turned and left.
His steps led him to the next room, Lu Jianwei’s.
It was quiet.
He saw Lu Jianwei had already opened the box, holding a small cloth lamb.
Though made of fabric, the lamb looked lifelike and extremely cute.
Lu Jianwei hugged it, her face lighting up with a bright smile, clearly delighted with the gift.
Both Lu Jienshen and Lu Jianwei were born in the Year of the Sheep—Song Zhiyao had clearly put thought into this.
“Weiwei.” Lu Yanzhi called softly from outside before entering, taking another jade pendant from his sleeve and giving it to her.
His voice was noticeably gentler. “Happy birthday.”
Lu Jianwei was timid and fearful of Lu Yanzhi, so Lan Xin delivered the pendant.
Lu Yanzhi, aware of his daughter’s nature, stepped back after handing over the gift. Yet once outside, he couldn’t resist a glance back.
The jade pendant lay aside; she hugged the lamb tightly, clearly loving it.
Soon, lunch was prepared.
Song Zhiyao had made a dish or two herself, though most were prepared by the kitchen staff.
Since Lu Jienshen’s health was weak, the meal was set in his room.
Four people sat down.
Lu Jienshen and Lu Jianwei sat close together, Song Zhiyao and Lu Yanzhi opposite, forming a triangular seating arrangement.
The family of four could be summed up in two words: unfamiliar.
The only one smiling was Song Zhiyao.
Seeing Lu Jianwei clutch the little lamb she had made last night, her smile brightened even more.
“Weiwei, if you like the lamb, Mother can make more for you, alright? Many, many of them.”
Lu Jianwei was momentarily dazzled by Song Zhiyao’s radiant smile, instinctively shrinking back in fear.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded slightly.
She opened her mouth but then closed it again.
For Song Zhiyao, this was enough. She could tell that Lu Jianwei didn’t reject her completely.
It brought her both joy and a pang of sorrow.
Joy, because there was progress in her relationship with her daughter; sorrow, because despite being hurt, her daughter was still willing to give her a chance.
Lu Jienshen noticed but remained silent, thinking of Lu Yanzhi’s words from earlier. He only observed Song Zhiyao warily.
He would protect his sister.
Seeing the opportunity, Song Zhiyao pressed on. “Besides lambs, I can make little bunnies, little pigs… I’ll make them all for you in the future, okay?”
Lu Jianwei tilted her head slightly, thought seriously, and shook it.
She hugged the lamb closer.
“Then only lambs for you,” Song Zhiyao softened her voice.
Lu Jianwei’s face brightened; her big eyes curved like crescent moons, her chubby cheeks irresistibly cute.
Lu Jienshen gently tugged her hand.
His little sister was so easy to trick.
Lu Yanzhi’s gaze fell on Song Zhiyao. Did she understand Weiwei’s feelings?
After speaking, Song Zhiyao turned to Lu Jienshen. “Shenshen, have you seen your gift? Do you like it?”
“I don’t like lambs at all!” Lu Jienshen blurted.
Song Zhiyao immediately realized he hadn’t looked at it—he had received a different gift.
Before she could respond, Lu Jianwei pouted, tugging her brother’s sleeve, urging him to notice the lamb in her arms.
She even guided his hand to touch it.
Understanding his sister, Lu Jienshen quickly said, “I like it, I like the lamb.”
Only then did Lu Jianwei smile.
Song Zhiyao couldn’t help but chuckle, only to earn a scolding glare from Lu Jienshen.
The ice between them melted slightly, even bringing a faint warmth to the air.
Lu Yanzhi watched closely, his gaze lingering on Song Zhiyao, eyes probing.
Lunch ended quickly.
Song Zhiyao looked at Lu Jianwei. “Weiwei, Mother knows more stories about little lambs. Do you want to hear them?”
Lu Jianwei hesitated, instinctively glancing at Lu Jienshen.
“Don’t listen to her, sister. I’ll tell you,” he exclaimed.
Although he had restrained himself earlier, inspired by Lu Yanzhi’s words, the five-year-old’s patience had its limits.
Seeing Song Zhiyao pushing further, he couldn’t hold back.
Lu Jianwei immediately understood her brother’s stance and shook her head firmly at Song Zhiyao.
Song Zhiyao was unperturbed, smiling. “Then next time, I’ll tell you, Weiwei.”
After lunch, Lu Jienshen took his medicine.
The two little ones were ready for their nap.
Lu Jianwei refused to leave Lu Jienshen’s side, staying close.
Song Zhiyao and Lu Yanzhi had to step out, leaving only the siblings in the room.
Lu Jianwei hugged her lamb, leaning against her brother, letting out a yawn.
“Sleep, sister. I’ll be here,” Lu Jienshen patted her back, settling her comfortably.
Lu Jianwei soon fell asleep.
But Lu Jienshen’s gaze fell to the boxes at the head of the bed.
Inside… another little lamb?
Song Zhiyao and Lu Yanzhi left Zhimoyuan.
Song Zhiyao looked at him. “Lu Yanzhi, rest assured—I’ve truly changed.”
Lu Yanzhi said nothing.
“You don’t believe me now, that’s fine. Time will prove everything.”
“No time.” Lu Yanzhi’s voice was icy, ruthlessly shattering her hope. “After today, you cannot see them again.”
Song Zhiyao naturally resisted. “Lu Yanzhi, just give me one last chance…”
Lu Yanzhi’s cold gaze met hers. “Not every time someone falls into an icy lake can they be rescued in time.”
He didn’t trust Song Zhiyao.
He was busy; he didn’t have time to keep watch over her.
Song Zhiyao’s mouth tasted bitter.
Seeing him about to leave, she hurriedly added, “I noticed you’re unfamiliar with Shenshen, and Weiwei is afraid of you too. I can help you get along better.”
Being responsible for his children, Lu Yanzhi would care about their relationships.
As expected, he paused, eyes fixed on Song Zhiyao, scrutinizing her.
Song Zhiyao met his gaze without fear.
“No need,” Lu Yanzhi said coldly.
Then he turned and left.
Song Zhiyao: “…”
Impossible to reason with.
Today was Lu Jienshen and Lu Jianwei’s birthday, and Madam Lu had prepared a family feast.
The feast was set in the main courtyard.
Song Zhiyao calculated the time and intended to pick up the two little ones from Zhimoyuan.
But upon arrival, she discovered that Madam Lu had already brought them to the main courtyard.
Song Zhiyao immediately turned and headed to the main hall.
Having just regained consciousness, she had never met Madam Lu and felt understandably nervous.
The Song and Lu families were long-standing friends. Madam Lu and her mother were close as handkerchief friends, once very fond of her.
After Lu Jinyu fled his wedding, Madam Lu had felt apologetic toward her, almost indulgent.
Song Zhiyao didn’t dare imagine what Madam Lu would think now, after all she had done in recent years.
With a complex heart, she arrived at the main hall.
She walked forward, head down, and suddenly bumped into a wall.
“Bang!” Her forehead hit it with a dull thud.
She rubbed her forehead, certain this was a path…
Her eyes met Lu Yanzhi’s, and she realized she had walked straight into his back.
Song Zhiyao instinctively stepped back.
Perhaps a stone underfoot caused her to lose balance, and she toppled straight backward.
Lu Yanzhi instinctively reached to steady her but, thinking better of it, withdrew his hand.
Panicked, Song Zhiyao clutched his belt.
The pull sent him leaning toward her.
They were about to collapse onto each other, but Lu Yanzhi stabilized himself quickly, gripping Song Zhiyao’s waist with one hand.
His arm, strong and powerful, encircled her slender waist.
Song Zhiyao was pulled firmly into his chest; her nose brushed his hard chest, a sting rising, tears welling in her eyes.
Both regained their balance.
Lu Yanzhi released her, glancing down to see her aggrieved and pitiful expression.
He lowered his gaze, fists subtly clenched beneath his sleeves.
His touch… could make her feel so wronged?