At first, the Second and Third Lady were extremely reluctant to leave. They had failed to achieve their goals and had instead made fools of themselves.
However, they were no match for Cai Pu and Cai Zhi, the two strong maids. The maids, disregarding the ladies' dignity, were about to drag them out.
Just as the two ladies were about to scold Mrs. Jiang, they were met with a pair of deep, displeased eyes.
The Second and Third Lady felt as if the world had darkened before their eyes.
Inside, Mrs. Jiang showed them no mercy. Outside, Lu Huaizhou was glaring at them menacingly. For a moment, they almost thought they had been set up by this couple.
Even so, they still stubbornly retorted, "Humph! We'll leave! Is that what you want?"
Jiang Fuying personally saw them off, "Forgive me for not seeing you off further."
But as soon as she turned around, she was caught in a pair of bottomless eyes.
"My lord, you're back..."
"Yes."
After a pause, he added, "I know you have your own plans. In the future, you don't need to hold back for my sake when dealing with them."
He had just returned to the courtyard and saw her facing the Second and Third Lady alone. He had intended to step in and protect her, but just as he reached the door, he heard them persuading her to get a divorce.
Somehow, he stopped in his tracks, curious to hear her thoughts.
After all, they were a couple bound together by chance. If she disliked him or couldn't accept him, he would respect her wishes and find a way to divorce her as soon as possible.
But he never expected...
Lu Huaizhou strode into the room and stopped a short distance away from her. He said seriously, "Miss Jiang, thank you for defending me just now."
Jiang Fuying was stunned for a moment.
Both because he had seen through her plan and because of his words.
She admitted that at first, she had planned to play along with the Second and Third Branch.
The Duke of Zhennan had been guarding the southern border for years. Lady Lu and Lu Qingyu were gentle in nature. Lu Huaizhou's elder sister had married far away in the south of the Yangtze River three years ago. On the surface, Lu Huaizhou was a dissolute playboy, and the First Branch was in a weak position. The Second and Third Branch had almost taken control of the family business and internal affairs of the Duke of Zhennan's Mansion.
If she wanted to gain a foothold in the Duke of Zhennan's Mansion, she had to proceed slowly.
But today's incident made her realize a truth: when tolerance becomes unbearable, there's no need to endure any longer.
The Second and Third Branch had never had good intentions. Maintaining a superficial harmony was meaningless!
So she had unhesitatingly torn off the last veil of falsehood and openly defended him.
"My lord, you shouldn't underestimate yourself," she said with a smile on her lips, as if explaining and consoling him at the same time. "Now that you're my husband, I should naturally defend your reputation."
"Moreover, my lord is far superior to that one next door. A thousand times, ten thousand times better," Jiang Fuying said sincerely.
In her opinion, that shameless Pei Qing'an was just a good-for-nothing. He wasn't even worthy of tying Lu Huaizhou's shoes!
Hearing this, Lu Huaizhou stood there, stunned.
Hearing it by chance and hearing it specifically said to him were two completely different things.
The fierce flame in his heart burned even more vigorously, reaching the top of his head.
Since childhood, he had been labeled a "playboy" and was constantly compared to Pei Qing'an.
They all said that in terms of talent, character, and even in making friends and judging people, he was no match for Pei Qing'an.
Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, Jiang Fuying waved her hand in front of his eyes.
"My lord? My lord!"
Lu Huaizhou suddenly came back to his senses. "What did Miss Jiang want to say..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the answer with his own eyes.
She raised her clenched fists and gave him a thumbs up with each hand.
"My lord, you're far superior to him."
It was just a simple sentence, but to Lu Huaizhou, it was like thousands of colorful fireworks exploding in his mind.
The feeling of being recognized wasn't so bad after all?
Just then, Nanny Hu came to report, "My lord, my lady, the First Lady invites you two to the dining hall for dinner."
Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Fuying exchanged a tacit look.
In front of Nanny Hu, one stepped forward while the other quickly got up and hooked her arm around his. They said in unison,
"Husband, let's go for dinner."
"Madam, let's go."
...
In contrast to the harmonious atmosphere here, the Pingning Marquis Mansion next door seemed rather lifeless.
Jiang Fuyue returned home full of anger. But as soon as she stepped into the mansion, she was stopped by the nanny beside the Pingning Marquis's wife.
"Lady of the Marquis, the lady wants to see you."
Jiang Fuyue's face immediately changed.
The Pingning Marquis's wife didn't really want to see her.
She was clearly going to set rules for her again!
"Nanny, I'm not feeling well today..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she was accused of a serious crime, "Is the Lady of the Marquis trying to be unfilial?"
The word "filial piety" reminded her of her promise to Qing'an that day.
She had promised Qing'an that she would serve his mother well.
Jiang Fuyue hesitated for a moment. After all, the rules set by the Pingning Marquis's wife wouldn't last long. She could endure it.
But how could it be so easy to endure such deliberately torturous rules?
Jiang Fuyue was tortured for two whole hours before the Pingning Marquis's wife finally let her go. With a magnanimous air, she said, "Qing'an has a hard time as an official. Go back and serve him well."
The anger in her heart grew even stronger. Jiang Fuyue angrily closed the door of her bedroom and sulked alone.
When Pei Qing'an returned, he saw her looking delicate and resentful.
"Qing'an, mother made me stand for two hours today. There's a blister on my foot. Come and take a look."
Pei Qing'an frowned tightly.
"Are you complaining about mother to me and accusing her of being harsh to you?"
Caught red - handed, Jiang Fuyue felt extremely guilty. She quickly grabbed his sleeve and explained, "Qing'an, I'm not. I just want you to comfort me. I..."
Pei Qing'an coldly shook off her hand. "You're already my wife. You should be magnanimous and virtuous. You shouldn't act like a spoiled child anymore."
"I still have official business to attend to. I'll sleep in the study tonight. You can do as you please."
With these words, he walked away without looking back.
Jiang Fuyue stood there, angry and annoyed but helpless.
If she went against Qing'an's wishes and made him dislike her, wouldn't she be further away from winning his heart?
Her personal maid, Qiuyue, comforted her, "Miss, I think the young master might be too tired recently. Think about how good and caring he used to be to you?"
These words woke Jiang Fuyue up.
She suddenly remembered the past.
Whether it was their ten - year secret love in the previous life or their interactions before marriage in this life, Pei Qing'an had always been extremely considerate.
When she casually mentioned that she wanted the pastries from Yunsu Pavilion in the west of the city, Pei Qing'an was willing to cross half of the capital for her. He would wait in line for half an hour and personally deliver the pastries to her.
When she had severe abdominal pain during her menstrual period, Pei Qing'an would put aside all his official business and tirelessly find a famous gynecologist for her.
Even when she wanted to eat fresh lychees in the hot summer, Pei Qing'an would go to great lengths to have them specially transported from Lingnan for her...
Such examples were countless.
"Miss, after the young master finishes this busy period, he will surely compensate you doubly," Qiuyue said.
Jiang Fuyue's anger dissipated a lot. She nodded in agreement, "You're right. Qing'an has always been very considerate. After he's done with his work, he will surely be even better to me."
Every moment of harmony between her and Qing'an must be like a sharp knife stabbing into Jiang Fuying's heart. She must envy her for being able to marry such a wonderful man while she herself was stuck with a playboy!