Upon hearing these words, both mother and daughter sitting across from each other were momentarily stunned.
Leng Yaoda slightly furrowed her brows. Having died once, she cherished her life all the more. How could she possibly have any fondness for someone who would soon cause her death? Unable to restrain herself, she spoke faster than she could think.
Moreover, as a former reader of the story, she knew that Lu Zhiyou… was ill, afflicted with a hidden ailment that could not be cured, which was why he had become psychologically twisted.
Zhao Yujin, however, was unaware of the young girl’s thoughts. She remembered that Yaoyao used to be quite attached to both of them, especially Lu Zhiyou, who was older and more gentle and refined. Her daughter had always been closer to him.
After pondering for a while, Zhao Yujin still couldn’t understand why Leng Yaoda would say such a thing. She asked again, “Has Brother Zhiyou done something recently to upset my Yaoyao?”
Leng Yaoda pursed her lips and shook her head. “No… it’s just that I really don’t like Brother Zhiyou…”
“Does Yaoyao perhaps have someone else she fancies?”
The girl wanted to take the opportunity to mention Lu Shixiu’s name, but the matter was still far from settled. If she mentioned it to her mother prematurely, it might not be appropriate.
After rolling the words around in her mouth and swallowing them back, she shook her head again. “No, Mother, don’t worry. It’s just that, for now, I only have a childhood friendship with him and no feelings of admiration. That’s why I feel this way.”
Hearing this, Zhao Yujin felt somewhat relieved. The woman smiled and gently patted the back of her daughter’s hand twice. “Yaoyao, you’re still young, and the two of you have been too familiar with each other since childhood. It’s normal to suddenly feel uneasy.”
Leng Yaoda nodded absentmindedly. Seeing her like this, Zhao Yujin spoke again, determined to shock her.
“Yaoyao, you don’t know this, but just before you arrived at the front hall, Brother Zhiyou personally told me. He said that he didn’t know from what age he began to admire and cherish you deeply.”
Leng Yaoda choked on her own saliva, coughing so violently that she disregarded all decorum.
Zhao Yujin watched as the girl coughed until her face turned red, thinking she had caught a chill. She was about to ask a maid to bring some cough-suppressing pills when Leng Yaoda gradually calmed down and stopped her.
“No… no need. Your daughter was just startled. It’s nothing.”
After speaking, the girl sat up straight, showing no trace of her earlier dishevelment, though her cheeks were still slightly flushed.
This poisonous husband!
“Poisonous husband” was the nickname Leng Yaoda had given Lu Zhiyou while reading the book.
Although he was one of the original male leads, with exquisite and handsome features and exceptional intelligence, his ruthlessness and twisted psychology divided the book’s fans.
First, there were those who loved his dark, corrupted, and obsessive character, believing that only such a persona was compelling. It also created a stark contrast with others, and the process of his eventual submission and redemption would be more interesting.
Then there were those like Leng Yaoda, who looked beyond appearances to the essence. In the original story, her character was also forced into a marriage with him by an Imperial Edict.
In the book, Leng Yaoda was merely a cannon fodder supporting female character, somewhat spoiled and willful, but by no means malicious.
Given this, in her view, Lu Zhiyou was purely a poisonous husband.
Although it is said that “no man is a gentleman without a touch of poison,” targeting an ordinary Noble Lady was something she disliked, even despised.
While reading the book, she had at most frowned and vented her frustrations verbally. Now, experiencing it firsthand, the girl felt even more depressed and bitter.
Not wanting to say more, and with time pressing as she now had to rely on herself to change her fate, she listlessly acted coquettishly toward Zhao Yujin. “Mother, Yaoyao didn’t sleep well during her afternoon nap. I’d like to return to my room and rest for a while now.”Her words carried a charming naivety that softened Zhao Yujin’s heart, and he quickly instructed Yingzhu and Baoyu to help her back.
As she reached the doorway, Leng Yaoda turned back and said softly, “I won’t be joining Father, Mother, and my brothers for dinner tonight. I’m craving something light today, so I’ll have the small kitchen in my courtyard prepare a separate meal.”
She was the most cherished in the household, and Zhao Yujin had never denied her requests. After sweetly expressing her gratitude, Leng Yaoda returned to the rear courtyard with her maids.
At this moment, the “poisonous husband” Leng Yaoda had spoken of, Lu Zhiyou, was in his study within Jing Garden.
The young man seemed to have a great fondness for learning; even with less than half an hour until dinner, he would pull a classic text from the bookshelf to read carefully.
Hearing a knock at the door, he stood up and walked over to open it.
“Elder Brother,” Lu Shixiu greeted him calmly from outside.
Lu Zhiyou nodded. “Come in.”
The young man entered and placed a book on the table, speaking softly, “I’ve finished reading the book I borrowed from you earlier. I remembered today and came to return it.”
Lu Zhiyou glanced at it from his seat and chuckled lightly. “It’s fine. Between brothers, why be so formal? If you like something, just take it.”
Could Yaoyao be given to him as well?
Lu Shixiu felt a bitter ache in his heart but merely shook his head. “No need. Elder Brother enjoys collecting rare literary editions the most. I’ll stick to reading poetry and the classics.”
After speaking, he turned to leave but couldn’t help pausing and glancing back at Lu Zhiyou.
Noticing his younger brother’s gaze, Lu Zhiyou looked up and raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Is there something else?”
Lu Shixiu inwardly smiled bitterly but showed no sign on his face. “Nothing… I just wanted to wish you and Yaoyao a harmonious marriage, sweeter than honey.”
Lu Zhiyou was slightly taken aback and couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s still early. The wedding isn’t until early June. You can send your blessings then.”
Lu Shixiu smiled along, as if afraid his exceptionally perceptive elder brother might notice something, and quickly left the room, returning to his own Shuo Garden.
After Lu Shixiu departed, Lu Zhiyou’s usually cheerful eyes darkened slightly. Without a word, he casually tucked the returned book back onto the bookshelf.
Leng Yaoda returned to her Pear Water Residence, rubbing her temples with a deep frown.
Yingzhu helped her remove her outer robe and change into more comfortable casual attire, assuming Leng Yaoda was nervous about her upcoming marriage, and gently comforted her.
“Miss, don’t overthink it. The Lu family has always held you in high regard, and with your close relationship with Elder Young Master Lu, your future days are sure to be smooth sailing.”
Knowing Yingzhu meant well, Leng Yaoda offered a perfunctory smile and waved her hand. “It’s fine. You and Baoyu go ahead and have the small kitchen prepare the meal.”
“Yes,” the two replied in unison before exiting the room.
Gazing at the exquisitely decorated yet somewhat empty room, Leng Yaoda rose and sat before the mirror, lowering her eyes to play with a white jade hairpin adorned with cloud patterns.
In truth, she had already devised a plan not long ago, but it was far too risky, so she was still pondering its feasibility.
The entire story revolved around two individuals: aside from the black-hearted, obsessive, and twisted Lu Zhiyou, the other was the current emperor, a ruler with an iron fist, Shen Jinxiao.
The personalities and dispositions of these two were worlds apart, yet they managed to barely achieve a “happy ending” solely due to the author’s skillful hand.Shen Jinxiao was the embodiment of justice—upright, brave, and resolute, punishing evil and promoting good. Moreover, on the fifteenth and the last day of each month, he would personally leave the palace to observe the people’s conditions.
Today was the thirteenth.
Thus, Leng Yaoda decided to seek out Shen Jinxiao herself, planning to find a way to approach him.