Chapter 7: A Toast to My Wife

Madam Lin was incensed. "Zhaolan, what are you laughing at?"

"In reply to Mother, Zhaolan is just happy at the thought of being able to drink the tea of respect from Concubine Li soon," Su Qingwan said, neither servile nor overbearing.

Li Xueying was provoked. "Bah! You, the daughter of a merchant, a person of lowly status, are you even worthy of drinking my tea?"

Lu Shaoqing did not want to lose the connection to the Earl of Anping’s estate, so he said indifferently, "Lady Li, your mother is right. You and Lady Xie are equal in status; both are Feng'er's wives. The marriage contract is already signed, so stop making a scene."

"Lord Lu, I am determined to leave today. Do you dare to stop me?" Li Xueying was arrogant and domineering, showing no fear of Lu Shaoqing, a fifth-rank official. "If you have any issues, go find my father and mother to discuss them."

Madam Zhang said, "Eldest Miss Li, when it comes down to it, this marriage is just a misunderstanding. You cannot blame our Lu family. Even if the marriage doesn't work out, the friendship remains. Please, do not hold a grudge against us."

Madam Zhang’s words awakened Lu Shaoqing and Madam Lin. Li Xueying was ruthless; if the imperial decree hadn't arrived yesterday, she would have beaten Zhaolan to death on the spot. Now that the marriage had fallen through and become a laughingstock, she would surely be humiliated and seek revenge.

Lu Feng was no fool either. He hurriedly took Li Xueying’s hand and said affectionately, "Xueying, no matter what outsiders think, we were married according to the three letters and six etiquettes. You are my wife, not a concubine. Zhaolan will never be above you in this household. You can just stay in Fanghua Garden; you and she will live on opposite sides and stay out of each other's way. The whole city knows we are married. If you return to the Li family... the Li family might not even want you back."

"Don't try to sow discord. My father has always doted on me; why wouldn't he want me back?"

Madam Lin was also beginning to panic. She inwardly blamed Li Xueying for being a fool—how could a daughter of an Earl’s house have no foresight? A woman living in a deep courtyard had the protection of her husband; what was she afraid of?

Lu Feng was also anxious. He lowered his voice and said, "From now on, Zhaolan and I will be husband and wife in name only. My heart belongs only to you. I will never step foot in Zhaolan's room. A hundred days of kindness follow one day as husband and wife; please, for the sake of our affection, don't be so heartless."

"Lu Feng, stop trying to deceive me with your flowery words. You are simply unwilling to let go of that imperial decree and the iron certificate that protects your entire clan. I am the legitimate eldest daughter of an Earl’s house; I will never be a concubine for anyone. Don't you dare try to debase me like this." If she had been willing to be an equal wife, why would she have gone to the trouble of setting a trap to kill Xie Zhaolan? Now that she was being thwarted by an impostor holding an imperial decree, she was at her wit's end. Li Xueying had never suffered such a loss; how could she swallow this insult?

Lu Feng blushed at her words, filled with shame and anger. He liked Li Xueying—he liked her background and her beauty. Although she was a bit spoiled, she was also cute. Now, however, he felt her temperament was too fierce, not as gentle and kind as Xie Zhaolan’s.

Just then, the butler came to report that the Earl’s mansion had sent people to bring Li Xueying home, along with a squad of personal guards. The carriage was already waiting outside, and Nanny Zhang, who served the Countess, had entered without waiting to be announced, accompanied by two maids.

Nanny Zhang said loudly, "His Lordship says that since the marriage is a misunderstanding, the Li family will naturally go to the official matchmaker to annul the contract. The legitimate daughter of the Li family will never be a concubine for anyone. Young Miss, the Countess is waiting for you to come home."

The Lu family’s expressions were extremely ugly. An old servant from the Countess’s side could act so arrogantly in the Lu household without even waiting to be announced, let alone the attitude of the Earl’s mansion itself.

They all knew clearly that if Li Xueying returned to the Li family, she would surely retaliate against the Lu family. The Earl’s mansion held real power, while the Lu family’s foundations were too shallow. They feared they wouldn't be able to dodge the overt attacks and covert arrows. They had to bind Li Xueying to the Lu family’s ship to avoid the Earl’s mansion’s wrath.

Gaining confidence, Li Xueying shook off Lu Feng, walked up to Su Qingwan, and said coldly, "I know you are not Xie Zhaolan. I will find your fox's tail and make you wish you were dead!"

She flicked her sleeves, turned, and walked away.

"Wait..." Su Qingwan’s expression was gentle as she called out to her. She stood up and said calmly, "Li Xueying, you are carrying my husband's child. If you return to the Li family like this, what will happen to the child? He is the flesh and blood of the Lu family."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Xueying’s face turned deathly pale, and she swayed, nearly collapsing. Fortunately, the maid beside her caught her. The Lu family members were also stunned. Li Xueying screamed, "Xie Zhaolan, stop spouting nonsense! Lu Feng and I are innocent; where would a child come from?"

Having relations before marriage, especially during the period of mourning for a wife, would cost her her life if rumors spread.

"Mother, if Li Xueying is truly pregnant, that is your eldest grandchild. Can you bear to lose it?" Su Qingwan diverted the disaster, implying to Li Xueying that it was Madam Lin who had revealed her pregnancy.

Li Xueying was indeed deceived and pointed at Madam Lin. "Was it you who told her?"

Madam Lin was anxious and flustered. She wanted to defend herself but didn't know where to start. Then, a thought occurred to her: if there was a child, Li Xueying could stay in the Lu family and wouldn't be able to return to the Earl’s mansion. They would be tied to the same ship.

"You are indeed with child, Xueying. Do not let a moment of anger harm the affection between you and Feng'er, or harm the child." Madam Lin simply confirmed the matter.

Compared to reputation, life was more important. Besides, this was a family matter; if they closed the doors to resolve it, it wouldn't spread, and the Lu family’s reputation wouldn't be damaged.

Nanny Zhang pulled Li Xueying aside and lowered her voice, "Young Miss, are you truly pregnant?"

Li Xueying’s face was pale, her hands and feet cold. Nanny Zhang understood everything. She whispered something to the maid beside her, and the maid hurried away.

"I am not pregnant! How dare you slander me? Nanny Zhang, let's go!" In her panic, Li Xueying grabbed Nanny Zhang, wanting to leave.

Su Qingwan said loudly, "Whether you are pregnant or not, a doctor will know with one examination. My maid is somewhat skilled in medicine; how about she takes your pulse?"

Lüzhu bowed. "I am willing to serve the Eldest Miss Li."

"You dare!" Li Xueying’s face changed drastically, her guilt evident. "Lu Feng, are you a mute? Say something! Do you still want your reputation?"

Lu Feng’s face turned red with embarrassment, which was undoubtedly an admission of the matter. Li Xueying was so angry she slapped him. "You scoundrel, are you trying to kill me?"

Madam Lin felt sorry for her son being slapped and stood up. "Xueying, if you are pregnant, it is not Feng'er's fault alone. It takes two to tango. Now that the rice is cooked, stop making a scene."

"I finally understand. So you Lu family members are all in the same nest, conspiring to plot against me?" Li Xueying was trembling with rage. She didn't want to tangle with them anymore, but she secretly vowed that she would repay today's humiliation tenfold in the future.

Just as Li Xueying was about to leave, Madam Zhang said, "Come to think of it, none of us knew Zhaolan was still alive. If Li Xueying is truly pregnant, Brother Feng had relations with you while observing mourning for his wife. If this gets out, Brother Feng will likely be pointed at and cursed, and the censorate will attack him with their pens. Both the Lu and Li families' reputations will be damaged, and no one will have a good life."

Lu Shaoqing had already sent people to guard the courtyard gate. He glared at Lu Feng, hating his lack of resolve. After all, Lu Feng was his most prized eldest son, who had passed the imperial examination at a young age with a bright future. Lu Shaoqing would never allow such a thing to spread and cause a scandal. He said in a deep voice, "Everyone in this hall today is family. No one will speak of this outside. Whoever dares to spread a single word, I will show no mercy!"