Su Wan was intentionally seducing him.
But Lu Guizhou had no idea.
As the legitimate son of his family, born into wealth and luxury, he had never known hardship since birth. The most difficult thing in his life was studying, but fortunately, he was diligent enough to pass the imperial examinations and earn an official title.
Just like his birth, his official career also faced no obstacles.
Such a young master, having never experienced suffering or adversity, naturally had no need for cunning schemes. He was a relatively simple man.
Su Wan, with her sharp eyes honed from years in the entertainment industry, could see at a glance that Lu Guizhou was a good man. For someone like him to be paired with Su Lin was a pure waste.
How could she bear to watch a man with a conscience and no scheming heart like Lu Guizhou spend his life in polite harmony with Su Lin until old age?
If Lu Guizhou’s father had held a higher official position and his family background had been more influential, she would have been determined to secure this good man for herself.
Unfortunately, his power and influence were insufficient. He was only fit to be Su Wan’s pastime. Seducing him was merely to provoke Su Lin and, in the process, break his heart.
A heartbroken man, with deliberate guidance, could easily turn into a scoundrel.
Su Wan wanted to personally mold Lu Guizhou into a scoundrel, entangled with Su Lin for a lifetime.
“Lin Niang, what nonsense are you talking about? Wan Niang has been on the boat for so long and isn’t feeling well. She nearly tripped just now, and I merely reached out to steady her.”
Lu Guizhou’s face flushed instantly.
It was he who had first harbored those inappropriate thoughts about Wan Niang, so Su Lin’s scolding felt as though it were directed at him. He felt guilty.
In front of Lu Guizhou, Su Lin had always pretended to be virtuous, gentle, kind, and innocent. It was only because she was overwhelmed with anger that she lost her temper and shouted just now.
She forced a smile and said, “The ferry is crowded and full of prying eyes. I was just worried that someone might have seen what happened earlier and would spread exaggerated rumors about you, my husband.”
Lu Guizhou’s expression softened slightly, and he smiled. “It’s fine. I am Wan Niang’s brother-in-law, her elder. Helping her occasionally is only natural.”
“Yes, yes, you are Wan Niang’s brother-in-law.”
Su Lin deliberately repeated it, emphasizing his identity as her brother-in-law, hinting that he should not overstep his bounds.
Nanny Liu, standing nearby, glanced at Su Lin with concern. Having served the Eldest Young Lady for many years, she knew that Su Lin had been competitive and jealous since childhood.
After marrying into the Lu Family and having a husband like Lu Guizhou, the two were quite affectionate, and Su Lin had developed a possessive streak.
What was to be done? Madam Su had sent Su Wan here precisely to seduce Lu Guizhou, hoping she would conceive a child to help Su Lin secure her position.
But judging by Su Lin’s behavior today, consumed by jealousy, how could she possibly allow Su Wan to seduce her own husband?
“Second Madam, the wind is strong at the ferry. Miss Wan has had a long and tiring journey. Let’s not just stand here. We should hurry back to the residence and arrange for Miss Wan to rest.”
When others were present, Nanny Liu addressed Su Lin as Second Madam. She stepped forward with a smile to remind Su Lin.
Only then did Su Lin snap out of her jealous fit. She quickly grabbed Su Wan’s sleeve, putting on an affectionate demeanor.
“The last time I saw Wan Niang was before my wedding, when I walked out of the house in my wedding dress. You were crying like a fountain, saying you couldn’t bear to see me leave.””Now that we sisters are reunited, I’ve already arranged a courtyard room for you. Settle in comfortably, and if you wish to go anywhere, just tell your elder sister directly.”
When Su Lin got married, Su Wan had clearly been sent off to the countryside long before. All that talk of seeing her off and crying her eyes out was merely Su Lin deliberately reminding her, warning her not to cause trouble, lest she expose her shameful secret.
Su Wan wasn’t afraid of her revealing the scandal. If her affair before marriage were exposed, it wouldn’t just disgrace her—it would shame the entire Su family, including Su Lin.
She didn’t believe Su Lin would dare to expose her disgrace.
Su Wan halted her steps, looking at Su Lin with a worried expression. “Elder sister, I brought some nourishing ginseng medicine from home. Once I’m settled, I’ll personally stew it for you. You should drink more medicine to nourish your spirit.”
Su Lin was puzzled. “My spirits are perfectly fine. I don’t need any nourishment.”
Su Wan then turned to Lu Guizhou. “Brother-in-law, in your daily interactions with elder sister, have you noticed anything unusual about her mental state?”
Su Lin’s face darkened, her voice icy. “Su Wan, what do you mean by this? The first time you see your elder sister, you’re already hoping she’s not in her right mind. What are you scheming?”
Lu Guizhou was equally confused and looked at Su Wan, waiting for her explanation.
Su Wan spoke with deep concern. “Elder sister, I wasn’t at the manor when you got married. I was unwell at the time and went to the countryside to recuperate. I didn’t see you off at your wedding. Yet just now, you mentioned seeing me off and crying like a tearful mess. Could it be that elder sister’s memory is failing, or perhaps these are just your own imaginings?”
Neither Su Lin nor Nanny Liu had anticipated that Su Wan would directly admit to having been in the countryside to recuperate.
Su Lin was immediately provoked and retorted sharply, “You know very well why you went to the countryside to recuperate.”
As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Su Wan’s abdomen, her eyes filled with warning.
Su Wan was precisely targeting this vulnerability of Su Lin’s.
She turned to Lu Guizhou. “Brother-in-law, you heard it too. Elder sister has now openly admitted that I was in the countryside recuperating at that time.”
Lu Guizhou frowned and looked at Su Lin. “Lin Niang, your memory has indeed worsened. It’s only been two years, yet you’ve already misremembered. You really should nourish your mind properly.”
Su Lin felt a surge of stifled anger in her chest, clenching her fists tightly.
She had merely spoken a few casual words to emphasize their sisterly closeness. Su Wan should have just gone along with it and responded politely.
But Su Wan had openly contradicted her.
If Lu Lang weren’t present, she would have gladly slapped Su Wan twice right then and there.
Nanny Liu tugged at her sleeve, smiling as she tried to smooth things over. “Since Second Madam married into the Lu Family, she has been busy managing all the household affairs, truly exhausting herself. It’s only natural for her memory to slip occasionally.
The wind outside is strong. Let’s hurry into the carriage.”
After saying this, she gave Su Lin a meaningful look.
Su Lin then stiffly lifted the carriage curtain with an air of magnanimity, motioning for Su Wan to enter first.
“Wan Niang, you’re delicate and precious. Two years ago, you even lost a piece of flesh from your belly. You mustn’t be exposed to the wind. Go inside quickly.”
Lu Guizhou had already mounted his horse, reins in hand, and hadn’t yet ridden off. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but ask, “Lost a piece of flesh from your belly? Younger sister Wan, what happened to you?”
Su Lin shot Su Wan a triumphant sidelong glance. Hmph, so sharp-tongued and cunning. After fornicating and conceiving a bastard child, she still dared to play tricks in front of her. She’d better watch out—if pushed too far, she’d expose this disgraceful secret.
Jin Tao and Can Yan listened, their hearts pounding with fear.Ever since they boarded the ferry and caught sight of the Eldest Young Lady, they had sensed the storm brewing.
The two sisters’ words were laced with daggers aimed at each other, and even the dullest among them could perceive it, growing increasingly worried for their own young lady.
Su Wan remained composed. After settling into the carriage, she spoke calmly, “Back then, I had a craving for rice cakes and ate too many, which made my belly quite plump. Later, I slimmed down again. My sister was just praising my dedication to losing weight.”
Her words dispelled Lu Guizhou’s confusion. Recalling the slender waist he could have encircled with just two hands earlier, his thoughts began to wander once more. Shaking his head, he flicked the horsewhip and rode ahead.
Once Lu Guizhou was far away and no outsiders remained, Su Lin no longer needed to maintain her facade. She let out a cold snort and demanded sharply, “Su Wan, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Su Wan smiled, gently stroking her smooth, dark hair. “I’m here on Grandmother’s orders to help my sister bear a child.”
As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Su Lin’s belly and sighed with implication. “My body, as both my sister and Grandmother know, is capable of bearing children. On the other hand, my sister’s body appears quite healthy to me, so why is it that you cannot conceive?”
Su Lin was so enraged that she raised her hand to strike, but Can Yan moved swiftly, rushing into the carriage and taking the slap in Su Wan’s stead.
“Sister, don’t be angry. If you harm your health, you’ll need to spend even more effort recuperating later, making it even harder to conceive.”
Su Wan deliberately chose each word like a dagger aimed straight at Su Lin’s heart.
“If my sister cannot bear a child, the Lu Family will eventually find an excuse to divorce you. After all, my brother-in-law is the Lu Family’s legitimate son and their only male heir.”
Su Lin suppressed her fury, weighed her options for a moment, and let out another cold laugh. “Indeed, if my sister can bear children, then have as many as you like. After all, any child you bear will be raised under my name.”
Su Wan seized the opportunity to mock her. “It’s still too early to talk about bearing children. Whether I can conceive at all depends entirely on my sister’s arrangements. After all, climbing into my sister’s husband’s bed might not be so easy.”
Hearing this, a flicker of sorrow passed through Su Lin’s eyes. She truly adored her Lu Lang. After their marriage, he had mostly stayed in her room. Two years had passed—why couldn’t she conceive? To the point where she had to invite Su Wan to climb into her husband’s bed!
She had to personally send her most despised sister into the bed of her beloved Lu Lang… At this thought, she closed her eyes, her chest heaving violently, betraying the turmoil within her.