“Quick, hand me the reins. I want to gallop at full speed,” Qiao Yin urged from atop the horse.
Xie Yu’an snapped back to reality. Instead of giving her the reins, he led the horse forward at a gentle pace.
“Don’t rush. First, sit steady and practice your balance.”
Xie Yu’an’s tone made it hard to argue with anything he said, so Qiao Yin obediently remained seated on the horse.
As the two walked forward for a while, they happened to run into Yan Ruyu and Chu Wenjing.
Yan Ruyu looked at the horse that originally belonged to her and at Qiao Yin sitting on its back, feeling a pang of discomfort.
“Qiao Yin, Lu Shizi is sick. Chu Wenjing and I were just planning to visit him. Would you like to come along?” Yan Ruyu suddenly called out to Qiao Yin.
Chu Wenjing was taken aback: Wait? When did Yan Ruyu say she wanted to go back to see Lu Jinzhi?
Yan Ruyu watched Qiao Yin, expecting to see nervousness and embarrassment on her face. Instead, Qiao Yin’s previously upturned lips quickly drooped, and her expression darkened rapidly.
“If he’s sick, he’s sick. If he’s sick, call a doctor. Why ask me? It’s not too late to call me after he’s dead.”
Her tone was as if she were talking about something filthy and unlucky, eager to avoid it at all costs.
Yan Ruyu stood frozen in place.
Chu Wenjing’s mouth fell open again: No way? What did he just hear? Was Qiao Yin cursing Lu Jinzhi?
The same Qiao Yin who once wouldn’t hesitate to give her life for Lu Jinzhi was now wishing him dead.
Chu Wenjing looked up in disbelief, wanting to confirm what Qiao Yin meant, but she had already walked far away with Xie Yu’an.
This was bad, very bad.
Without caring what Yan Ruyu was thinking, Chu Wenjing hurriedly left the riding grounds and boarded his carriage.
“Quick, to the Duke’s residence.”
…
Duke’s Residence—
Madam Lu, the Duchess, learned that her son had not kept his appointment today and, assuming he was ill, came to Lu Jinzhi’s courtyard. There, she found Lu Jinzhi under the corridor, playing with birds, full of life and energy.
Madam Lu’s face darkened. “Why didn’t you go to the riding grounds today to accompany Ruyu for horseback riding and polo?”
Lu Jinzhi put down the birdcage, feeling somewhat impatient but not daring to show it.
“It’s always either horseback riding or poetry gatherings, the same things over and over. I’m a bit tired of it.”
“If you’re tired, then come up with something new! Just like how Qiao Yin used to try to please you, you need to find ways to win Yan Ruyu’s favor,” Madam Lu said sternly.
“I can’t bring myself to stoop to such servile behavior.”
The words slipped out of Lu Jinzhi’s mouth, and as soon as he said them, a sharp pang shot through his heart, leaving him uncomfortable. But the feeling passed in an instant.
“Whether you can or not, you must do it. The Prime Minister’s daughter is not someone a wild girl like Qiao Yin can compare to. In the entire capital, aside from the princess, the Prime Minister’s daughter holds the highest status and is the most beneficial to our Lu family. How important this is, do I need to repeat it to you?”
Lu Jinzhi remained silent. His mother was right. He was to inherit the Duke’s residence in the future, and his wife would be the mistress of the household, responsible for managing the livelihoods of hundreds of people in the residence and navigating the circles of the capital’s nobility. Not just anyone could handle such a role.
The Prime Minister’s daughter was the most suitable match for him in terms of status.
With the support of the Prime Minister’s family, his aunt and the Third Prince would also have a more stable position in the palace and the court.
These were things Qiao Yin could never achieve.Madam Lu saw his silence and felt she had been too harsh. She stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and gently reassured him, “Ruyu will be a good mistress. Once you marry her, you can bring Qiao Yin into the household. I don’t think she’ll mind.”
Lu Jinzhi suddenly brightened. “Mother agrees to let her enter the household?”
Madam Lu frowned and spoke honestly, “Although I don’t much like her shameless nature, given her genuine feelings for you over these years, I’m willing to give her a chance. Besides, your affair has become the talk of the town. If we don’t give her some resolution, people will say our Duke’s household lacks integrity.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Lu Jinzhi was overjoyed. Though he couldn’t give Qiao Yin the position of principal wife, once she entered the household, he was willing to shower her with affection, fulfilling her wish to stay by his side.
After mother and son spoke a while longer, Madam Lu rose to leave. Lu Jinzhi paced in the courtyard, pondering how to share this good news with Qiao Yin, when a cold laugh suddenly came from outside the gate.
“Thinking a mere concubine’s position can hook the daughter of a marquis’ household—you truly dare to dream!”
Lu Jinzhi looked up to see a slender young man standing outside the courtyard gate, travel-worn, his left hand hanging naturally and his right hand clenched and hidden in his sleeve.
Upon closer look, his features bore some resemblance to Lu Jinzhi’s.
Lu Jinzhi frowned in displeasure. “What business is it of yours?”
Lu Yizhi shrugged. “Qiao Yin may like you, but Jing’an Marquis is no pushover. If you want to use Qiao Yin to win over Jing’an Marquis, then humble yourselves and put in some effort. Trying to have it both ways—be careful you end up with nothing.”
With that, Lu Yizhi turned and left.
Lu Jinzhi’s face darkened with displeasure. He turned and summoned Zhuye, asking angrily, “When did he return?”
“Young Master? Eldest Young Master just returned from the south. I heard his business went very well this time—he discovered some remarkable mine, and the shop’s business multiplied several times over. The master is also very pleased,” Zhuye replied.
“Enough, enough.”
Lu Jinzhi didn’t want to hear more and turned to ask, “Did anyone from the Qiao family come today?”
Zhuye was taken aback, secretly pondering this sudden question. A bold guess flashed through his mind: Could it be that Young Master feigned illness today to avoid horseback riding just to wait for Qiao Yin to deliver tea?
He looked up at his master in astonishment and ventured, “Is Young Master waiting for Miss Qiao?”
Lu Jinzhi jumped as if pricked by a needle. “Nothing of the sort. I was merely asking. I’m going out. If anyone delivers anything, just keep it safe.”
With those words, Lu Jinzhi flicked his sleeves and headed toward the main gate. Just as he neared it, a servant from the gatehouse hurried over, holding a bone china jar.
“Young Master, a young lady outside delivered this jar, saying it’s a specially blended calming tea for you.”
Hearing this, Lu Jinzhi’s tightly pursed lips suddenly curved upward, and the tension in his brow instantly eased.
He had said it all along—Qiao Yin wouldn’t give up so easily.
Lu Jinzhi took the tea jar, a smug smile playing on his lips as he asked, “Where is she?”
The servant pointed outside the gate and replied respectfully, “She should still be outside, hasn’t left yet.”
Lu Jinzhi nodded, cradled the tea jar, and strode purposefully toward the gate…