She should know better?
But this was her birthday, which only came once a year!
Tears pattered down, and Jiang Fuyue sobbed softly.
Pei Qing'an's cold treatment made all her expectations fall through. She hadn't said a word, yet he actually said that about her...
Seeing Pei Qing'an's figure gradually moving away, the Countess of Pingning glared at her coldly.
"Qing'an has already left. How much longer are you going to keep up this act?"
The tears gradually dried, and Jiang Fuyue stiffened all over.
"Mother, when have I ever acted? Look at the birthday gift Qing'an gave me..."
The Countess of Pingning interrupted her directly, a mocking look on her face. "As a woman, can't I see through your little thoughts?"
"Qing'an is a heroic man. It's a great blessing for you that he even bothered to pick out a birthday gift for you. Yet you're still not satisfied!"
With just a few words, the Countess of Pingning left her speechless.
"Not only are you ungrateful, but you also dared to show Qing'an a cold shoulder. Didn't you learn 'husband as the head of the wife' before you got married?!"
Jiang Fuyue's lips opened and closed, trying to defend herself but unable to utter a single word.
She simply couldn't and didn't dare to refute the Countess of Pingning.
Seeing her like this, the Countess of Pingning questioned her in a cold voice. "Jiang, what are you being so melodramatic about?!"
Tears rolled down continuously from the corners of Jiang Fuyue's eyes like broken beads.
In two lifetimes, this was the first time her birthday had been treated like this.
Disappointment, grievance, shame, and annoyance... All these emotions mixed together, making her heart ache with a dense sourness.
The more she was like this, the angrier the Countess of Pingning became.
"Who are you trying to show your fake grievance to!"
"Nanny Liu! Take Madam Jiang to the courtyard and let her stand for an hour to reflect on her behavior!"
"Yes!"
Just like last time, Jiang Fuyue was forcibly dragged out of the dining hall by Nanny Liu.
The midday sun was scorching hot. Jiang Fuyue hadn't had lunch, and after standing for just a moment, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Chunhua and Qiuyue stepped forward to wipe the sweat off for her, but were stopped mercilessly by Nanny Liu.
"Madam is doing this for Madam Jiang's own good. Don't act recklessly!"
The two maids were silenced by this and didn't dare to move.
Although her body was burning hot, Jiang Fuyue's heart felt as if it was soaked in an ice - cold pool, with a biting chill.
She could only keep comforting herself: Her birthday this year was bad, but Jiang Fuying's would be even worse!
Anyway, at least Qing'an had prepared a birthday gift for her.
And the Young Master Lu next door was simply an unenlightened playboy!
In her previous life, whenever it was her birthday while he was alive, he would come empty - handed and not prepare a single gift for her!
So she firmly believed that Jiang Fuying, who had met this playboy, definitely wouldn't receive a birthday gift either!
Jiang Fuying was unaware of her so - called "firm belief".
She only knew that Young Master Lu had pulled her to a completely "strange" dining hall without explanation.
What first caught her eye was a riot of colors made up of colorful silk and flowers.
Her autumn - like eyes moved gradually, and then she saw the birthday wishes written on the red silk.
"Happy Birthday!"
Jiang Fuying was a bit overwhelmed: Were all these surprises prepared for her?
Seeing her staring blankly at a certain place, Lu Huaizhou thought she was afraid of facing the other two branches of the family. So he slightly stepped forward and whispered.
"This lunch is a family dinner. Only Mother and Sister are here."
Jiang Fuying stood there, stunned in surprise.
According to the rules of noble families, the whole family should gather together for a birthday. If the second and third branches weren't here, wouldn't it invite criticism?
She didn't want them to be gossiped about because of her birthday.
Lu Huaizhou saw through her concern. He raised his handsome eyebrows and comforted her. "Don't worry. They don't have the nerve. I guarantee they won't dare to say a word."
Hearing this, Jiang Fuying felt a bit apologetic. "Young Master, I..."
Lu Huaizhou didn't give her a chance to continue. He suddenly took her hand and shouted into the dining hall.
"Mother, Sister, we're here!"
His big hand wrapped around hers tightly. The warmth of his palm spread through her hand and throughout her body.
In an instant, Jiang Fuying blushed, and even the tips of her ears turned slightly red.
She had never been held by a man before. This strange feeling made her tremble all over, and she instinctively wanted to break free.
But just then, Madam Lu and Lu Qingyu walked out of the dining hall.
When they saw them, the hand holding hers tightened.
Jiang Fuying was startled for a moment, then quickly understood his meaning: Young Master Lu wanted her to act more like a loving couple.
He had helped her so many times, and she should repay him.
So she gave a faint smile and curtsied. "Mother, Third Sister, please forgive us. My husband and I are late."
Although she said the word "husband" softly, it carried a special kind of intimacy.
Hearing this and seeing them walking hand in hand lovingly, Madam Lu was delighted.
Her son and daughter - in - law had such a good relationship!
Lu Qingyu also covered her lips and giggled.
Before the wedding, her brother often said that their marriage was arranged and he would never fall for his wife. But now it seemed that he was the one who was willing.
Under the two pairs of burning gazes, Jiang Fuying shyly lowered her head, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her palm.
Lu Huaizhou keenly noticed her unease. He cleared his throat. "Ahem, surprise."
Madam Lu and Lu Qingyu suddenly came to their senses.
They almost forgot the main thing!
Madam Lu quickly took out a letter from the table and handed it to her. "Fuying, this is the birthday blessing your father - in - law sent you."
Lu Qingyu also picked up the wooden box on the table and said with a smile. "Sister - in - law, this is the birthday gift Father prepared for you."
Surprise flashed across her autumn - like eyes.
Her father - in - law? Wasn't that the Duke of Zhennan far away in the southern border?
The southern border was extremely far from the capital, and communication was inconvenient. It would take half a month for a letter or item to be sent there and back.
She had only been married into the Duke of Zhennan's mansion for less than a month, yet the Duke of Zhennan had specially...
Seeing her look of disbelief, Lu Qingyu quietly glanced at Lu Huaizhou and revealed the secret for her.
"Sister - in - law doesn't know. Half a month ago, Brother sent a letter to Father by carrier pigeon."
Caught in the act, Lu Huaizhou turned his head away and pretended to be stern. "Qingyu, don't talk nonsense."
In front of her family, Lu Qingyu was extremely lively.
She pouted and whispered. "Brother is so strange. He clearly started preparing this surprise for Sister - in - law a long time ago, but doesn't allow others to say it..."
Hearing this, Jiang Fuying looked at the man beside her in shock. "Husband, you..."
Lu Huaizhou trembled all over, quickly turned back, leaned slightly, took the letter from her hand, and opened it for her.
"Madam, quickly see what birthday blessing Father sent you."
The letter paper unfolded as his voice faded.
Jiang Fuying immediately saw a few bold lines of words.
"Fuying, happy birthday."
"If Huaizhou dares to bully or betray you, I'll break his legs. I won't show any mercy!"
At the end of the letter, there was a small line of words.
"Fuying, we are all your family."