"Ahem." Jiang Fuying cleared her throat awkwardly. "Your Highness, there's no need for this. I was just joking."
However, Lu Huaizhou didn't feel any less tense at her words.
The flush on Miss Jiang's face made him intuit that there must be something else behind this!
"But you..."
"Your Highness, I'm really grateful that you've taken on this reputation of being 'henpecked' for the normal operation of Yuejiao Pavilion." Jiang Fuying straightened her expression and looked at him seriously. "If Your Highness needs it, I'm willing to come forward to clear your name."
Having served as the mistress of the family for a full ten years in her previous life, she had already understood the minds of these men.
There were few men in the world who were willing to take on the title of "henpecked" for no reason. Prince Lu had done so out of necessity. He had helped her many times, and she should repay his kindness.
Unexpectedly, Lu Huaizhou shook his head repeatedly without hesitation and flatly refused. "No, no, no. Please don't. I think it's just perfect like this."
He winked at her and gave her a rather strange look.
Jiang Fuying didn't understand his meaning.
But Lu Huaizhou was already overjoyed in his heart.
Who said the reputation of being henpecked was bad? It was wonderful!
In this way, everyone in the capital would know that he was a married man!
When he walked on the street, no more ignorant women would throw themselves at him, causing his wife to misunderstand him!
More importantly, with this reputation as a shield, his wife would be at ease, and he would be even more satisfied!
Watching him grinning stupidly, Jiang Fuying didn't understand but respected his choice.
She thought it might be one of Prince Lu's unknown preferences.
...
In the East Courtyard of the Pingning Marquis Mansion.
Seeing Yuehua's belly getting bigger day by day and Pei Qing'an guarding her every day, Jiang Fuyue was so angry that she was fuming.
She could hardly remember how many consecutive days Qing'an had slept in the study or with Yuehua and ignored her.
Since Yuehua announced her pregnancy, it was rare that the mistress of the Pingning Marquis Mansion didn't torture her much. Instead, she focused all her attention on instructing the servants to take care of the "grandson" in Yuehua's belly. But Jiang Fuyue couldn't be happy at all.
The concubine had given birth to the eldest son before her and was highly regarded by Qing'an. How could she have a good life in the Pingning Marquis Mansion in the future?
At present, it was impossible for her to make Qing'an change his mind on her own.
So she thought of her beloved father and mother.
Her father was a high - ranking official, a minister of the court, and was deeply favored by the emperor. As long as her father and mother stepped in to put pressure on him, there must be room for change!
"Chunhua, Qiuyue, quickly prepare the carriage. I'm going back to the mansion to see my father and mother!"
At the Minister Jiang's Mansion.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Jiang Fuyue covered her lips with a handkerchief and got out of the carriage sadly.
An Shi, who was standing at the door in person, felt extremely heart - broken. "Yuer, what's wrong with you? Don't scare your mother!"
"Mother!" Jiang Fuyue threw herself into An Shi's arms and sobbed softly. "The concubine is pregnant before me and is almost stepping on my head to act high - handedly. You and Father must make the decision for me!"
"Don't be afraid. Your mother and father are here." An Shi gently patted her on the back and whispered. "Tell your mother quickly what has happened since you got married there."
"Actually, it's just some trivial matters. My mother - in - law is hard to serve. She sets rules for me every day and tortures me. And Qing'an accidentally fell for that fox - like woman..."
Jiang Fuyue omitted some parts of what had happened recently and only told the parts that were beneficial to her and made her seem the most aggrieved.
At first, Minister Jiang and Lady An could listen calmly, but later, their faces became gloomy and their fists were clenched tightly.
An Shi cried and pulled her into her arms, soothing her repeatedly. "Yuer, you've suffered so much! Your mother and father have always held you in our hands and raised you like a precious pearl. How could you marry into such a family..."
Minister Jiang was extremely angry. "This is outrageous! I'm the current Minister of Rites. How dare that mere heir of the Pingning Marquis not take my daughter seriously!"
The Pingning Marquis Mansion got its title thanks to the grace of the Grand Concubine and couldn't be compared with him, a powerful minister deeply favored by the emperor.
A hint of joy flashed in Jiang Fuyue's eyes.
She knew that her father and mother loved her!
"Thud!"
After kneeling so many times in the Pingning Marquis Mansion, she knelt smoothly.
"Father, Mother, Yuer has an unreasonable request!"
"I beg you two to persuade Qing'an. Qing'an is a scholar. He must be able to listen to your advice!"
Minister Jiang and An Shi exchanged a look and saw the determination in each other's eyes:
Persuade? If Pei Qing'an dared to treat Yuer badly, they would step in to put pressure on him!
"Yuer, you don't need to worry about this. Your mother and I know what to do." Minister Jiang waved his hand. "After lunch, we'll go to the Pingning Marquis Mansion with you. It's a good opportunity to meet the mistress of the mansion and our son - in - law."
Jiang Fuyue was overjoyed. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother!"
The three of them had a harmonious lunch and then rushed straight to the Pingning Marquis Mansion.
Mo Ling rushed to report. "Your Highness, the Princess and your in - laws have returned to the mansion. They also said they want to see you!"
Pei Qing'an, who was painting and flirting with Yuehua, suddenly stopped.
"Who did you say is here?" he asked in disbelief.
"Your in - laws. They're in the main hall now. The Princess is accompanying them. Nanny Liu sent a message specifically asking you to go quickly."
The painting brush in his hand suddenly slipped and hit the rice paper, spreading a large stain.
Pei Qing'an looked a bit flustered. He immediately stood up. "Okay, I'll go right away."
Yuehua chased after him for several steps. "Your Highness, the calligraphy you promised me..."
"Let's talk about it when I come back!"
On the way to the main hall, Pei Qing'an walked quickly.
He knew that Jiang Fuyue was in love with him, and he was never afraid that she would alienate him because of this.
But Minister Jiang was different.
Minister Jiang was not only his father - in - law but also a favorite of the emperor. A few words from him could affect his official career.
If he wanted to be promoted further from the position of academician of the Hanlin Academy, he must rely on Minister Jiang's support.
In the main hall of the Pingning Marquis Mansion.
When Pei Qing'an rushed there in a hurry, he happened to see the mistress of the Pingning Marquis Mansion smiling obsequiously. "Brother - in - law, Sister - in - law, you're being too polite. We're all family. Naturally, I love Fuyue as my own daughter. How could I bear to see her suffer?"
Pei Qing'an unconsciously tightened his fist and looked deeply at Jiang Fuyue, who was sitting on one side in silence.
He had told her to serve his mother well. Was this how she watched his mother humble herself?
Seeing him come, the mistress of the Pingning Marquis Mansion quickly greeted him. "Qing'an, you came just in time. Come and pay your respects quickly."
Pei Qing'an suppressed his anger, walked up to them, bowed and saluted. "Your humble son - in - law pays respects to Father - in - law and Mother - in - law."
Minister Jiang dodged his salute to the side and glanced at him coldly. "Humph! I can't bear the salute from you, Academician Pei!"
"Academician Pei's wings are hardened. He has a bright future and looks down on my daughter!"