The Lu Family lived in West Fourth Alley, a quiet neighborhood inhabited by scholarly families of moderate standing.
Since the generation of their great-great-grandfather, the Lu Family had been scholars, consistently possessing considerable assets. Over four or five generations of inheritance, they had accumulated substantial wealth.
Being able to own a six-courtyard mansion in the land-scarce Shangjing City was enough to prove the Lu Family’s status.
Capital officials had deep connections and extensive networks, which was precisely why the Su Family was eager to attach themselves to the Lu Family.
After entering through the side gate of Lu Mansion, Jin Tao and Can Yan kept glancing around curiously.
Su Lin had arranged for someone to take them and their luggage to a courtyard. From that moment on, they would reside in this place called Xiangfei Courtyard.
After wandering around for a while, Can Yan returned to Su Wan’s side, poured a cup of tea for her young lady, and said, “Young Lady, the courtyards in the north are really different from ours in the south.
In the south, everything is delicate and refined, with flowers and water features everywhere. In the north, they prefer to showcase grandeur, favoring bamboo and trees. There are flowers too, just not as many.”
Su Wan sipped her tea while conversing with Can Yan: “The northern climate is harsh, making it difficult for flowers to thrive. In truth, genuine northern gardens have their own unique beauty. However, the Lu Family’s courtyard is too small to be considered a proper garden, so its beauty isn’t readily apparent.”
Just then, Jin Tao also came in from outside, followed by two young maidservants.
Jin Tao instructed the maids to sweep the outer courtyard while she herself carried a purple clay pot.
When she lifted the lid, a fragrant aroma wafted from the pot.
Jin Tao smiled and said, “I went to the kitchen and saw the cook simmering shredded chicken congee, so I brought a pot over.”
The shredded chicken congee was fragrant, sticky, and savory—truly delicious.
Jin Tao blinked her eyes: “Young Lady, don’t you think the Lu Family’s courtyard isn’t even as large as our Su Mansion’s?
I originally thought the Eldest Young Lady went through so much trouble to marry into this family, assuming she was climbing some lofty branch. But it turns out it’s nothing more than this.”
A faint smile played on Su Wan’s lips: “Jin Tao, from now on, don’t say such things to others. This is the foot of the Son of Heaven. A large courtyard like this isn’t something ordinary families can afford.
Look at the furnishings in our room—they may seem unremarkable at first glance, but the materials are actually quite exquisite.
In the south, wealthy merchants are numerous, and they enjoy decorating their homes with gold and jade artifacts. Here in the north, officials are more common, and they emphasize understatement.”
Jin Tao nodded solemnly: “Young Lady, from now on, this servant will never speak carelessly again.”
She feared causing trouble for her young lady.
Su Wan gazed out the window at the courtyard.
In this Xiangfei Courtyard stood a jujube tree, likely quite old, with a thick and sturdy trunk. It stood quietly in the courtyard. After a few glances, she felt Jin Tao’s words weren’t entirely wrong.
At least one thing she said was correct: the Lu Family was indeed nothing more than this.
Therefore, Lu Guizhou could only serve as her stepping stone.
Although the Lu Family wasn’t as powerful as imagined, their status as a scholarly and official family wasn’t mere boasting—it was genuine.
Such people undoubtedly associated with other scions of official families. The Lu Family, like the Su Family, surely aspired to climb higher, so they would also go to great lengths to connect with families more powerful than themselves.Su Wan thought quietly for a moment, then said to Can Yan, “We’ve been here for quite a while now, and my sister still hasn’t introduced us to the elders of the Lu Family. As guests from afar, we can’t just arrive at someone’s home without showing some courtesy.
Go to the kitchen and arrange for some ingredients to make rice cakes. Later, I’ll personally cook some rice cakes.”
She then instructed Jin Tao, “Be clever and find a servant woman from the Lu Family to inquire about their situation. Find out how many female family members there are, how many younger generations, and if the elders have any dietary restrictions. Report back to me afterward.”
The three of them began to busy themselves.
As dusk fell, the various households of the Lu Family lit their lamps.
In the dim yet bright lamplight, Su Wan, accompanied by her two maidservants, arrived at the moon gate of Heyun Hall.
Two guard women stood at the gate. After receiving a tip, they led them to the main room.
Heyun Hall was the courtyard where Madam Zhou resided. It was spacious, with many flowers and plants in the yard.
Madam Zhou was the mistress of Lu Mansion and the birth mother of Lu Guizhou. She had a long face, slightly dark skin, was under fifty years old, and was somewhat plump.
Upon seeing Su Wan, Madam Zhou’s eyes revealed a hint of a smile.
“Lin Niang has already sent a servant woman to my room to tell me about you. She said you’ve just recovered from a serious illness and wanted to come to Shangjing City to relax, so she arranged for you to stay in Xiangfei Courtyard.
Is Xiangfei Courtyard comfortable enough? Are the maidservants sufficient?”
Su Wan obediently bowed to Madam Zhou.
“Thank you for your concern, Madam. Xiangfei Courtyard has everything, and the maidservants are more than enough.”
She personally brought over a plate of rice cakes.
The white ones were pure glutinous rice cakes, and the black ones were purple rice cakes.
The pastries had just come out of the oven, still steaming with a fragrant aroma.
Madam Zhou took a bite and praised her, “Hmm, the pastries from the south are indeed different from ours in the north. They taste delicate.”
Su Wan shared some amusing childhood stories with Madam Zhou to help pass the time.
After chatting for a while, there was a commotion by the door.
A round-faced maidservant walked in and reported to Madam Zhou, “Madam, the Second Young Master and Third Young Miss have arrived.”
Madam Zhou’s face lit up with joy. She stood up, but before she could step over the threshold, a young girl rushed into her arms, her voice tinged with tears, “Mother, please save your daughter.”
Madam Zhou pulled her daughter back to her seat, caressing her hair as if she were a treasure.
Lu Guizhou had originally been standing outside the door, intending to leave after escorting his sister. However, when he caught sight of the graceful figure inside the room, he involuntarily stepped forward and walked toward Su Wan.
“Wan Mei, you’re here too?”
His voice was filled with surprise.
Su Wan’s bright, clear eyes held a trace of aloofness as she looked at Lu Guizhou.
“Brother-in-law, I’ve come all this way to disturb your Lu Mansion to apologize to Madam.”
The term “brother-in-law” sent a chill through Lu Guizhou’s heart.
Observing her expression, it was also cold and indifferent, as if the tender and charming “brother-in-law” at the ferry had been nothing but a dream.
Lu Guizhou silently sat down on the other side.
“Mother, what smells so good here?”
The tearful Third Young Miss of the Lu Family looked up, casually picked up a rice cake, and ate it in two bites before reaching for another.
Madam Zhou scolded her, “In front of guests, how can you have no manners at all? You’ve already come of age; you’re no longer a child.”
Lu Jiayu was about to cry again when Madam Zhou pointed at Su Wan and introduced, “This is your Elder Sister Wan. Aren’t you going to greet her? The rice cakes you’re eating were made by her personally. Look at her skill—you should learn a thing or two.”Lu Jiayu looked up at Su Wan.
Su Wan’s attire was always simple and elegant. Today she wore only a plain cyan ruqun, her hair tied in a low, somewhat loose bun that hung at the back of her head, without a single hairpin or ornament.
Her face was even more pristine, with no trace of makeup, yet her cherry lips held a hint of natural red, as if born that way.
Her eyes and brows carried a gentle smile, her affectionate demeanor making Lu Jiayu feel as if she had seen a celestial being at first glance.
“Mother, where did this little fairy come from? She is far more beautiful than Han Qingqian.”
Then, turning to Madam Zhou, she tearfully complained, “Mother, I don’t want to go on any more blind dates. I don’t want to be mocked. They all laugh at me for being dark, saying no one would marry me. I don’t want to attend those flashy banquets just to be ridiculed.”
Su Wan’s lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, a rare hint of delight appearing on her face.
She had caught a very important piece of information.
Lu Jiayu, the legitimate daughter of the Lu Family, Lu Guizhou’s younger sister, had just come of age, was unmarried, and was currently going on blind dates everywhere.
As the legitimate daughter of the Lu Family, her suitors would certainly be of higher status than the Lu Family. The banquets Lu Jiayu attended were precisely the best occasions to meet noble young men.
This was the opportunity Su Wan was seeking.
To catch a golden turtle and marry into a prestigious family, one first needed the chance to encounter such a golden turtle.
This Lu Jiayu was someone she urgently needed to win over at the moment.