Qin Yuehan reached out to take the cosmetics from Jiang Hongshi, a hint of shyness flashing in his peach blossom eyes.
Jiang Lan stood nearby, watching the interaction between the two men with great interest.
“Father, let’s eat first.” Seeing that Qin Yuehan had put away the items, Jiang Lan spoke quickly, fearing Jiang Hongshi would continue chattering incessantly.
Though Jiang Hongshi noticed Jiang Lan’s attitude, he didn’t persist with the topic.
After all, as a father, it wasn’t appropriate for him to discuss certain private matters in front of his daughter.
He understood the principle that grown daughters should maintain some distance from their fathers.
The large dining table was filled with various soups and dishes. While drinking his nourishing soup, Qin Yuehan listened to the casual conversation between Jiang Hongshi and Jiang Lan.
Although he had been married into the Jiang family for some time, this was the first meal where he felt truly at ease.
Despite their ongoing chatter, Jiang Lan consistently noticed his movements and would even pick up foods he liked to place in his bowl.
Meanwhile, Jiang Hongshi, who usually enjoyed finding fault with him, remained unusually silent.
Qin Yuehan quietly ate his meal while listening to Jiang Lan and Jiang Hongshi’s conversation.
“Lan’er, seeing you two like this, Father plans to return to the countryside,” Jiang Hongshi spoke up.
His words came somewhat abruptly. Jiang Lan was taken aback, her eyes filled with confusion when she looked up.
“Your mother isn’t in good health, and she’s stubborn by nature. I’ve stayed in Lingdu City for too long and miss her. Now that I see you two getting along well, Father feels reassured and plans to stay in the countryside for some time,” Jiang Hongshi explained in a calm tone, clearly having considered this for a while.
Jiang Lan didn’t respond immediately. She simply looked intently at Jiang Hongshi, noticing the composed expression between his brows, and understood he genuinely wanted to return to their rural hometown.
“Alright, then go back,” Jiang Lan said, a gentle smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
Seeing Jiang Lan’s response, the weight in Jiang Hongshi’s heart gradually lifted.
His Number One Scholar daughter had always been full of ideas. He had remained here solely because Jiang Lan said that as a Number One Scholar who married the Left Prime Minister’s son,
while her parents still toiled in rural fields, people would point fingers and accuse her of filial impiety.
Because of Jiang Lan’s words, his wife had angrily cursed Jiang Lan for being hypocritical, causing the mother and daughter to completely fall out.
Eventually, unable to stop worrying about Jiang Lan, he hardened his heart and left his wife alone in their hometown.
Following Jiang Lan to Lingdu City, he learned to apply rouge and powder, pretending to be a noble master of the household, though it never felt right to him.
Sitting nearby, Qin Yuehan’s breathing grew slightly shallower upon hearing this. Though young, he understood what Jiang Hongshi’s departure meant for him.
In this female-dominated world, where men marry into their wives’ families, respect their parents-in-law, and cultivate virtue, men often had to wait half their lives to gain household authority.
Though Qin Yuehan was honored as the Left Prime Minister’s son, when Jiang Lan caught a chill at night, he as her husband had to kneel for a long time in the courtyard.
He had been kneeling for Jiang Hongshi as the father-in-law. Now that Jiang Hongshi was returning to the countryside, he would become the first male master of this vast Jiang residence.
“Why does Father want to return to the countryside? Have I done something wrong?” Qin Yuehan stood up and knelt beside Jiang Hongshi’s legs, his voice filled with alarm.
Qin Yuehan’s action startled Jiang Lan. Across the wooden table, she could only see the top of his lowered head, his thick, dark hair giving off an air of grievance.
While Jiang Lan was taken aback, Jiang Hongshi remained completely unfazed.
As a man, he naturally understood the impact his words after the meal would have on Qin Yuehan as a husband.
Yet, Jiang Hongshi remained silent, merely watching him.
Jiang Lan grew anxious watching from the side but dared not openly defy Jiang Hongshi. Instead, she stood up, took a few steps, and knelt beside Qin Yuehan.
At this, Jiang Hongshi broke his silence. “Why are both of you kneeling? Yuehan, help your wife up. I’m returning to take care of your mother. You’ve always done well—don’t overthink it.”
As soon as Jiang Hongshi finished speaking, Jiang Lan helped Qin Yuehan to his feet. Both stood obediently, ready to listen.
Seeing Jiang Lan subconsciously shielding Qin Yuehan with her body, a flicker of amusement passed through Jiang Hongshi’s eyes.
Now, he could leave with peace of mind.
After the three chatted a while longer, Jiang Lan left the estate first and headed to her workplace.
Seeing Jiang Lan depart and noticing Jiang Hongshi still looking as if he had something to say, Qin Yuehan felt an unexpected pang of reluctance.
Startled by his own thoughts, he realized with surprise that he had grown dependent on a woman, even seeking comfort from her.
Jiang Lan left the estate and strolled through the streets of Lingdu City. As she watched the quaint streets filled with bustling vendors and laborers—all women—she felt an indescribable unease.
But this feeling soon vanished, for someone blocked her path.
“Well, if it isn’t Jiang Lan, the wife of Qin Xianggong?” the woman said, her voice dripping with malice.