Chapter Nine: The Snare

  In the Listening Rain Pavilion, the tea on the table next to Mrs. Lu had gone cold, and the melons and fruits placed beside it remained untouched.

  She twirled a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, closed her eyes and sat quietly, motionless.

  Ying Chun stood on one side, recounting what she had heard in today's class. On the first day of school for Miss Lu, as her mother, Ying Chun's intention was twofold: on the one hand, she wanted to put her mind at ease knowing that her daughter was there; on the other hand, she naturally wanted to know what the teacher was saying.

  Welcoming spring, I dare not deceive you. The content of the lesson was all said, and when it came to the first story, Mrs. Lu slightly frowned and said: "Why does Mr. Feng always tell stories? There are so many allusions in the Four Books for Women, why don't you talk about them?"

  She just casually commented, but seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Hao Feng Lou's teaching level.

  Spring continued to speak until the second story, Mrs. Lu's mind moved and said: "This is strange, family affairs, he is a master who wants to borrow you to teach me?"

  Spring's faint voice said: "I think this Mr. Feng is just that kind of person."

  Mrs. Lu was speechless and lost her smile, saying: "He's a man who doesn't work diligently and is really uninteresting." After speaking, she sighed and said: "He just entered the mansion and already knows the internal affairs of the Lu family; it's all superficial on the outside, but he knows the cold and warmth himself."

  Chun's face was still stiff, and she said, "Actually, I think what he said makes sense too."

  Mrs. Lu snorted, "I have my own measure of things. This gentleman is somewhat different from others, let's take another look. Anyway, Yan'er reading books is just to alleviate boredom, as long as she doesn't break any rules, it's no big deal."

  After speaking, Mrs. Lu showed a tired look, as if she wanted to take a nap, Ying Chun said: "Madam, you can rest well, I'll retire now."

  Just then, a maid came in and said: "The master has arrived."

  "Oh." Mrs. Lu remained calm and unruffled, as if nothing could disturb her mind. She then muttered a few complaints: "You've come just to go through the motions, anyway. Later on, you'll probably still sneak into that fox spirit's room."

  "Madam, actually..."

  Mrs. Lu patted her hand and said, "I know what to do, don't worry."

  Yongchang Bo Lu Fengsheng was born with a dignified appearance, only his skin was slightly darker, wearing an ordinary casual clothes, but he walked like the wind, and had a bit of majesty in his glance.

  He stepped into the flower hall in the backyard and saw Mrs. Lu, his expression slightly stunned, showing a few points of guilt.

  Madam Lu smiled and got up, walking forward to say: "Master has just returned from the Northern Garrison? Ah...the hardships of traveling by boat and carriage are indeed tiring for you. While official duties are busy, one's own body is also important."

  Lu Feng was taken aback, as in the past, Mrs. Lu had always been cold towards him, and he knew it was a silent protest, so he didn't mind. But unexpectedly today, she was so proactive in showing concern, he hastily said: "The rebels have already taken Shandong, the vanguard has arrived at Jiangbei, at this time, how can we care about other things? The defense of the riverbank is the most important, so recently it will be busier."

  Madam Lu nodded sympathetically, "However, when one is away from home, especially in the army camp, one must consider not only oneself but also others. It's not possible for officials and soldiers to harm their own bodies just because there are thieves around. Sir, please sit down for a moment, I'll go pour some tea. Wang, the steward, has recently brought back some Wu Yi tea, which is said to be refreshing and invigorating. Sir, please drink more of it, it can help relieve fatigue."

  She smiled slightly, with a few points of charm, and personally went to brew a pot of tea. She carefully poured a cup for Lu Feng.

  Lu Feng held the tea cup, momentarily stunned. Today's Mrs. Lu was very different, her caring intentions were too obvious, to the point where he was at a loss for what to do, and hastily drank the tea.

  "Madam Lu asked: 'When did the old master return?'"

  Lu Feng's face turned red, he had returned early in the morning, but now it was noon, and naturally a whole morning had been spent in Ling'er's room.

  Madam Lu saw that he was tongue-tied and instead said with great understanding: "I suppose you've been to Ling'er's room again, actually it doesn't matter, we're all family."

  Lu Feng said with embarrassment: "I'm late, madam, it's my fault."

  Madam Lu shook her head and smiled, saying: "The master is not wrong, and Ling'er is also not wrong. I am old and can no longer serve the master. Ling'er is willing to take my place, and I should be thanking her instead."

  This...

  Lu Feng felt like he was going crazy, his wife's thoughts had changed so quickly, how could she suddenly...

  At this time, Mrs. Lu said: "I heard that Honglian's ankle was sprained. Alas, my heart is not feeling well either. It's all because of that foolish maid who insisted on taking Honglian to the back garden to admire the plum blossoms. Although this maid is from Honglian's room, I don't dare blame her. However, I've ordered someone to find some folk remedies; I don't know if they'll be effective. Later, Master will bring some medicine over."

  "Madam......" Lu Feng felt a bit too flustered and for a moment was at a loss.

  "Is the master thinking that I've become so understanding? It's hard to say how it started, but a few days ago, wasn't I looking for a tutor for Yan'er? I had some free time and read some books on women's virtues, and many of the things written in them made sense. So I thought, Master is tired from running around outside every day, and as his wife, how can I not support him? When Master comes back, if the household is still in disarray with family troubles, wouldn't that be a bother to him? As for Ling'er, I've come to accept her too - she's good at serving Master, which makes me happy."

  Lu Feng felt relieved and sat for a moment. Mrs. Lu excused herself, saying she was tired, and went to take a nap without mentioning anything else. After drinking some tea, Lu Feng felt refreshed and clear-headed, so he returned to his concubine Ling'er's Fragrant Pavilion. As soon as he arrived at the door, he heard Ling'er scolding: "What medicine? What medicine is this? Does Zhou Shi think she can trick me with good intentions? Is this medicine meant to poison me? Take it back, take it back! I don't dare eat her medicine."

  This young master relied on his pampering and arrogance, in the mansion he was already very overbearing, Lu Feng listened and suddenly understood, it turned out that Madam had indeed sent medicine, but Ling Er seemed to be ungrateful.

  He hastily went in, took a look at the helpless steward, and calmly said: "Put down the medicine and go out."

  The butler nodded and took his leave.

  Inside the house, only Lu Feng and Mei Zhen Ling'er were left. As soon as Ling'er saw Lu Feng return, she burst into tears and almost fell into his arms, saying: "This humble concubine is really pitiful, spraining her ankle is nothing, but Madam still wants to add insult to injury, what kind of heart does she have? Does she want this humble concubine to die before she's satisfied?"

  Just now, the conversation with Mrs. Lu made Lu Feng feel warm all over, and now seeing Ling'er making a fuss, he couldn't help but feel a little displeased. However, he had always doted on this beautiful concubine, so he didn't lose his temper, and quickly grabbed her soft wrist, saying: "This is her kind intention, she knows you sprained your foot, that's why she sent medicine over."

  If it were at this time, Lu Feng followed Ling'er and scolded a few words, or comforted Ling'er a few times, the matter would have passed, and Ling'er wouldn't be so unaware of progress. However, seeing Lu Feng maintain his wife like this, he suddenly knocked over the vinegar jar, coldly smiling: "What good intentions could she have, Master? What kind of person is she? Maybe Master is being fooled, but I know, just look at her calm and collected appearance every day, who knows how much she resents me... it's possible that the stone in the backyard was put there by her orders..." After speaking, she cried again, saying: "Master, when you weren't around..."

  Lu Feng adored this spirit, and most of the time he would just humor her with such nonsense. However, Madam Lu was his legitimate wife after all, and they had been together for over twenty years. So when she said those words, they still lingered in his ears, and he couldn't help but say: "Don't be ridiculous..."

  "What nonsense, you're the one who's being unreasonable!" The spoiled Ling'er naturally refused to comply, as if stung by a bee, and said angrily: "How am I being unreasonable? Is it that Master has changed his mind..."

  Lu Feng was also furious, thinking of his wife's concern for Ling'er just now, and Ling'er being so aggressive. He was also a guardian of the town, and at this time, he lost face and scolded: "Fine, let's assume I've changed my mind..." After speaking, he released Ling'er's wrist and turned to leave with a flick of his sleeve.

  "Master... Master..." Ling'er shouted behind him with a broken heart.

  Lu Feng didn't even bother to respond, originally intending to choose a path to go to Mrs. Lu's room, but his old face couldn't help but turn red, and he felt even more guilty towards Mrs. Lu, so he instructed a family member: "Go, tidy up the study, Master will sleep there tonight."