At that moment, the butler’s voice came from outside. “Madam, someone from the Jingzhao Residence has arrived. They’ve requested that Second Young Master and Miss Lin accompany them.”
Madam Lu’s gaze fell on Lu Jinyu and Lin Guanguan. She nodded directly, “Go.”
Lu Jinyu and Lin Guanguan rose and left.
Lu Yanzhi followed them, and Song Zhiyao quickly said, “Mother, husband, I’ll come too.”
Madam Lu nodded.
Song Zhiyao quickly caught up with Lu Yanzhi, her voice light. “Lu Yanzhi, thank you for trusting me and Shenshen and Weiwei.”
If even Lu Yanzhi, their biological father, doubted Shenshen and Weiwei’s bloodline, it would be catastrophic for the children.
Lu Yanzhi’s steps didn’t falter. “It’s not a matter of trusting you, and there’s no need to thank me.”
He simply believed that Shenshen and Weiwei were his children, and as their father, it was his duty to protect them. He wouldn’t allow them to be stained by rumors. This was his responsibility—no thanks required.
“It’s alright,” Song Zhiyao said. “By trusting Shenshen and Weiwei, you’re trusting me too.”
Lu Yanzhi remained silent.
He ignored her.
The atmosphere between them was light, but compared to their ease, Lu Jinyu and Lin Guanguan remained awkwardly silent.
Lin Guanguan cast small, hesitant glances at Lu Jinyu along the way, seeking reassurance, but Lu Jinyu strode ahead quickly, not even looking at her.
It wasn’t until they boarded the carriage that Lin Guanguan finally spoke. “Brother Jinyu… are you going to ignore me from now on?”
Her voice trembled with hurt, her eyes red and round like a little rabbit’s.
In the past, no matter what she did, a look like this would soften Lu Jinyu’s heart, and he would immediately give in.
Now, Lu Jinyu remained unmoved.
Tears fell instantly. Lin Guanguan threw herself into his arms. “Brother Jinyu, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong.”
“But I never imagined the consequences would be so severe. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just wanted to stand up for you and Yan’er, and give Song Zhiyao a lesson.”
“Brother Jinyu, please don’t be angry with me, okay?”
Her hands wrapped around his waist, tilting her head up to look at him.
Lu Jinyu pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but unsure how.
Seeing this, Lin Guanguan’s tears spilled in heavy drops. “Brother Jinyu, when we get to the Jingzhao Residence, I’ll step forward and admit everything was my fault.”
Lu Jinyu frowned and looked at her.
Lin Guanguan continued, “I thought the Lu family would be more lenient with you, but I didn’t expect them to show no mercy. If that’s the case, I can’t let you take the blame for me.”
“I’m lowly born; the Lu family has never valued me. I can’t stay by your side or Yan’er’s forever. You must promise me, take good care of Yan’er, okay?”
“And if someday you marry another… don’t ever wrong Yan’er.”
“What nonsense?” Lu Jinyu cut her off. “Marry another? No one but you will I ever marry.”
He sighed softly, pulling Lin Guanguan into his arms. “Guanguan, I know you’ve followed me all this time without status, and I’ve made you suffer for it.”
“Since I’ve already admitted everything to Mother and my brother, I won’t drag you into it again.”
“You mustn’t do anything foolish. Neither Yan’er nor I can be without you.”
Lin Guanguan cried, then laughed through her tears, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Brother Jinyu, I love you!”
Lu Jinyu glared. “There are people outside.”
She ignored him and kissed him several more times, finally saying, “Brother Jinyu, I’m sorry. I did wrong.”
Lu Jinyu, already roused by her kisses, held her head and deepened the kiss. “Since you know you were wrong, you can make it up to me properly.”
…
When the carriage arrived at the Jingzhao Residence, Song Zhiyao immediately noticed the redness of their lips as Lu Jinyu and Lin Guanguan stepped down.
Their faces were flushed.
Although Song Zhiyao didn’t know much about these matters, she understood enough to feel speechless.
They were both hopelessly infatuated.
In the courtroom, Lu Yanzhi’s people presented evidence, and Lu Jinyu admitted to everything.
All eyes turned to Lu Jinyu, disdainful and sharp as knives, making him feel utterly ashamed.
The Jingzhao Residence quickly delivered its judgment: thirty lashes for Lu Jinyu.
During the punishment, Lin Guanguan watched, crying so hard her tears streaked like pear blossoms, needing Lu Jinyu’s comfort.
Song Zhiyao couldn’t bear it and turned away.
Lu Yanzhi left before her.
As Song Zhiyao exited the Jingzhao Residence, she spotted Lu Yanzhi ahead. Approaching, she saw another person standing before him—a woman.
The woman wore green, clearly well-dressed, with slightly darker skin and a bold, spirited presence. She clearly wasn’t one of the pampered noble ladies of the capital.
Her gaze swept over Song Zhiyao with contempt. “Brother Lu, I investigated these rumors. There is some truth to them.”
“You’ve been away at war these past few years, and that lady of the Song family was indeed very attentive to Lu Jinyu…”
“Miss Qin,” Lu Yanzhi’s cold, warning tone stopped her. “You’ve gone too far.”
Miss Qin bit her lip, a hint of hurt in her eyes. “Brother Lu, I just wanted to speak up for you. You deserve better. That lady of the Song family…”
“Qin Yu,” Lu Yanzhi said directly, his displeasure sharper. “My wife is not open to debate.”
His words were harsh. With Song Zhiyao standing beside him, Qin Yu stomped angrily and turned to leave.
Song Zhiyao stepped forward, looking at Lu Yanzhi. “What you just said… that could really hurt someone’s feelings.”
Lu Yanzhi glanced at her and walked away.
Song Zhiyao hurried after him. “Lu Yanzhi, no matter what, thank you for speaking up for me.”
It was obvious Qin Yu had intentions toward Lu Yanzhi, but he clearly had no interest.
“You are Shenshen and Weiwei’s mother,” he said.
Moreover, having been away at war while Song Zhiyao endured pregnancy and childbirth alone was exhausting. For that alone, he would not treat her too harshly.
Song Zhiyao smiled. “Alright, then I’ll go thank Shenshen and Weiwei.”
Lu Yanzhi said nothing further, and the couple boarded the carriage.
He then instructed, “Stop on the next street ahead. I have official business.”
Song Zhiyao frowned. “Then why are you taking this carriage?”
Lu Yanzhi hesitated, then explained, “The rumors have spread widely. Many people are watching.”
Song Zhiyao understood. “So… you’re putting on a show?”
By acting as a harmonious couple, there would be fewer doubts about Shenshen and Weiwei’s bloodline.
Lu Yanzhi could not deny it.
Song Zhiyao smiled. “That’s not enough.”
Lu Yanzhi frowned.
“Lu Yanzhi, do you have any free days coming up?” she asked.
He thought for a moment. “The day after tomorrow.”
“Good,” Song Zhiyao nodded. “Leave it to me.”
As they spoke, the carriage was approaching its stop when the sound of galloping hooves came from behind, followed by a shout.
“General! There’s trouble at Zhi Mo Academy!”
Both their expressions changed instantly. They drew back the carriage curtains and leapt down.
The carriage was too slow.
Cang Feng dismounted swiftly. Lu Yanzhi leapt onto his horse, ready to depart, when a hand reached out.
“Pull me up.”
It was Song Zhiyao.
Seeing the urgency on her face, Lu Yanzhi pulled her up.
She straddled in front of him. Lu Yanzhi realized it might be a mistake, but it was too late—the situation at Zhi Mo Academy was urgent.
He pressed his legs against the horse, and it shot forward toward the Lu residence.
The speed, combined with his lack of recent riding, caused Song Zhiyao to instinctively lean back, colliding with his chest.
He held the reins with one hand, and instinctively grasped her waist with the other to steady her.
Having practiced the six arts of the gentleman, Song Zhiyao quickly regained her balance. “I’m fine.”
Lu Yanzhi relaxed his grip.
Her hair blew across his cheek and neck, soft and fragrant, tickling him.
Though his mind was focused on their children and not on anything romantic, his senses betrayed him.
He thought: next time, I cannot ride with Song Zhiyao.
Fortunately, they soon returned to the Lu residence.
After dismounting, they rushed toward Zhi Mo Academy and learned what had happened: Lu Yan had barged in while Lu Jianshen was asleep after taking medicine.
The house was empty, and Lu Yan not only attacked Lu Jianwei but smashed many things in Lu Jianshen’s room.
Lu Jianshen woke and gave Lu Yan a severe beating.
Lu Yan was punished, but Lu Jianwei had been terrified.
Song Zhiyao’s eyes turned red with anger. By the time they reached Zhi Mo Academy, Madam Lu had already arrived.
She and Lu Jianshen were in Lu Jianwei’s room.
Lu Jianshen stood at the bedside, voice full of guilt. “Weiwei, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Please come out, okay?”
Madam Lu could only watch anxiously, then said, “You finally came. Go see Weiwei.”
Following their gaze, Song Zhiyao saw only the wardrobe in the room.
The doors were tightly closed, and nothing moved inside.
But judging from Lu Jianshen and Madam Lu’s reactions, Song Zhiyao quickly realized that Lu Jianwei was hiding inside.
Madam Lu whispered to Song Zhiyao and Lu Yanzhi, “Weiwei was so frightened, she hid in the wardrobe. She hasn’t done this in a long time.”
Song Zhiyao’s heart ached, and her eyes reddened. She stepped forward softly. “Weiwei, Mother is here. Come out and see me, okay?”