Chapter 136 It's not good for a lone man and woman to be alone.

After Lü Ruhui left, Lü Ruxin cautiously touched her burning cheek. Seeing Liu Xiangze looking at her, she forced a smile and said, "Brother Liu, Mom and Dad are waiting for you. Let's go inside first."

After saying that, she said in a pleading tone, "Brother Liu, please don't tell our parents about my elder sister hitting me, so as not to upset them."

Liu Xiangze was silent for a moment, then said, "Your sister's temper has changed a lot recently. If she misunderstood you because of me, I apologize to you."

Lü Ruxin seemed surprised by his words. She forced a smile and said in a dry voice, "Brother Liu, this has nothing to do with you. It's just that my elder sister is making a mountain out of a molehill. We'll explain it later."

Unexpectedly, Liu Xiangze changed the subject and suddenly asked, "But even if your sister is angry, she wouldn't hit people randomly. What exactly did you say to her?"

Lu Ruxin probably didn't expect the person in front of her to pry into the matter. Her eyes flickered slightly: "It was something from the past."

She looked at Liu Xiangze with a hint of probing: "Just now, my elder sister mentioned our past engagement to me."

When she said "we," she was naturally referring to herself and Liu Xiangze.

Liu Xiangze paused: "If this could cause misunderstandings, it's best not to say it again."

"What?" Lü Ruxin asked, seemingly puzzled.

"Many years have passed since this incident. No matter what happened in the past, my wife will always be your sister."

Lu Ruxin suddenly clenched her fists. She didn't know what had happened; Liu Xiangze had suddenly changed his attitude.

"I understand. I won't mention it again in the future."

Liu Xiangze nodded and said to her, "You don't need to lead the way, I can go by myself."

Lu Ruxin's smile was starting to falter: "What does Brother Liu mean by this?"

"We should avoid any appearance of impropriety."

"But Brother Liu, didn't you say that the innocent are innocent? We have nothing to hide, so why should we be afraid of others misunderstanding us? Or did my elder sister say something to you?"

Liu Xiangze paused slightly before replying, "I just suddenly realized that what your sister said wasn't without reason."

However, his reasoning is not entirely correct.

A few days ago, he went to visit his mentor. In previous years, Lü Ruhui would accompany him, but she was not there this year. When his mentor's wife asked why, he told her the truth.

When asked about the reasons for his divorce from Lü Ruhui, he omitted the fact that Yu'an was injured and only mentioned that she had misunderstood that he was having an affair with someone else.

He always believed that it was just a chance encounter. Even if there was something in the past, so many years have passed, why should he make a fuss about it?

His teacher's wife, however, berated him severely, saying that he had wasted his time studying the classics.

Meeting with women in private was his mistake. When his wife found out, the best thing he should have done was explain things clearly, not accuse her of misunderstanding.

He thought the teacher would refute the teacher's wife, but the teacher told him meaningfully, "Your so-called honesty and innocence is just your own self-righteousness. People have mouths to speak. If you are honest, why don't you dare to speak clearly?"

As he was leaving, his wife said to him, "You are so tolerant of others, yet you are so harsh on your own wife. You think she is wrong, but aren't you wrong too?"

She also said that you will definitely regret your arrogance in the future.

Liu Xiangze didn't explain, nor did he say that the biggest problem in their divorce wasn't this. But he still took his teacher and his wife's words to heart.

In the main courtyard, Mother Lü was holding a broken bracelet and sighing. She was angry at her eldest daughter's previous rebellious remarks, but also regretted saying such harsh words.

At this moment, Liu Xiangze walked in and first greeted Lü's father and mother. Although his official rank was higher than Lü's father's, he still treated them with respect.

Such a good son-in-law, yet the eldest daughter is still not satisfied. Thinking of this, Father Lü was furious.

After Liu Xiangze sat down, he said directly, "Xiangze, I invited you here today to apologize to you."

"Father-in-law, you flatter me."

"It's because we didn't teach Ru Hui well that she did such a heinous thing, causing Yu An to get injured. I wonder if the child's injury has improved?"

"It has improved somewhat."

"That's good. We wouldn't be at ease if the child got hurt because of Ruhui."

Liu Xiangze said politely, "Father-in-law, you don't need to worry about this."

He came today because he felt it was inappropriate for him to tell his wife's family about this matter through Lü Ruxin when he was extremely angry that day.

After speaking with him for a while, Lu's mother tentatively asked him if he and Lu Ruhui could reconcile, but he just smiled and did not answer.

Even with this attitude, Mr. and Mrs. Lü were overjoyed.

After leaving the Lü family, Liu Xiangze returned to his residence.

Since Lü Ruhui left, the mansion has become much quieter. He walked all the way to the study, opened the door, and found the room quiet and cold.

He sat at his desk and practiced calligraphy for a while, but his mind was still unsettled.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. He turned around abruptly and heard the butler's voice outside: "Master."

"Come in."

After the butler came in, he placed a bowl of soup in the corner of the desk.

Bringing him soup was Lü Ruhui's habit, and later everyone in the mansion knew about it.

In the past, when Lü Ruhui knew he was back, she would insist on bothering him even if he was busy in his study.

He also had to bring along the soups and broths she made. Once, a sweet soup spilled on his table, wetting the calligraphy copybook he had painstakingly found.

He was angry for a few days, but she eventually coaxed him back to his senses.

In the years before they got married, they always had disagreements and arguments, but it seemed like they always made up.

Looking back, Liu Xiangze realized that it seemed she would admit her mistake every time.

This time, she was clearly in the wrong, so why won't she admit it?

"Master?" The butler called out tentatively when he saw the man staring blankly at the soup bowl.

Liu Xiangze snapped out of his reverie and asked the steward, "How is Yu'an doing today?"

"Young Master is in good spirits today. He ate a bowl of rice at noon and played in the courtyard for a while." Then, as if remembering something, the butler added, "When you were away, your cousin-in-law came to visit Young Master, but she was turned away by this old servant because you were not there."

Liu Xiangze frowned slightly. Yu'an was a child he had adopted from his cousin's family, and his cousin's wife had agreed to it. This cousin's wife often came to their house, but in the past, Lü Ruhui treated her very badly and wouldn't allow Yu'an to have much contact with her. She even insisted that he talk to his cousin about it. He had no choice but to tell his cousin, and after that, this cousin's wife rarely came to their house anymore.

"Did she only come this once?" Liu Xiangze asked.

“There were three times, but you weren’t there each time.” The butler said somewhat awkwardly, “Once the young master found out, but the servants couldn’t stop them and let them meet and talk.”

In the past, Lu Ruhui naturally took care of the household chores, and he never paid much attention to them. He just felt that his cousin-in-law was inconsiderate. But after hearing about this matter again today, he had a different opinion.

"Do Yu'an and his sister-in-law have a good relationship?" he asked.

The butler hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully, "We are very close."

"Aside from meeting at the mansion, have they ever met privately?"

"Well... this old servant needs to ask the servants who attend to the young master."

"Then let's go ask." Although the butler didn't understand why the master would concern himself with such a trivial matter today, he still went to inquire.

The answer he received surprised him.

"You mean, my cousin-in-law often visits Yu'an where he's studying?"

"Yes, that's what the young master's servant said."

For some reason, Liu Xiangze suddenly recalled Lü Ruhui's question.

He trusts Yu'an, who was adopted from his cousin's family, so why doesn't he trust her?

Because Yu'an was someone he had raised himself, and the child was sensible and honest, so he never thought Yu'an would lie.

Also, because Lü Ruhui had a rather bad temper in the past, she wasn't very close to Yu'an.

Therefore, when things happened, he naturally sided with the weaker Yu'an.

But what if someone affects Yu'an?

"housekeeper."

"Master, what are your orders?"

"Find two people to keep an eye on my cousin-in-law, and don't stop her from meeting with Yu'an." Liu Xiangze looked at the housekeeper. "Write down whatever they say and tell me."

The steward concealed his surprise and nodded, replying, "This old servant has remembered."

Then, he said somewhat hesitantly, "Do you think that Madam has been wronged?"

Liu Xiangze's face darkened: "It has nothing to do with her. I just don't want to be deceived."

Lu Ruhui had no idea what had happened after she left.

She took the Yushan Stove back to the shop. Since she hadn't stayed at the Lü family's house for long, she hadn't even had a meal, so she returned much earlier than usual.

When she had some free time in the afternoon, Chen Hui asked her if she had talked things out with her parents. She just smiled and said that there were still some misunderstandings, so the two of them didn't talk about this unpleasant topic anymore.

As darkness fell, Lü Ruhui fell ill again, but fortunately Chen Hui stayed by her side the whole time.

This time, she didn't lie on the cold floor.

Chen Hui brought warm bedding from home and lit a charcoal brazier.

Miss Ji brought over a few more books, saying that she had nothing to do while lying down and asked Hui Niang to read to her, so Chen Hui began to read to her.

Every time Chen Hui read a passage of the story, she would exchange a few words with her about the plot. Although she could only respond with blinks, she felt very involved.

Warm candlelight shone through the windows on the second floor of the antique shop. Ah Chan glanced at it before closing the shop door.

After she closed the door, she walked towards the backyard. She had only taken a few steps when she looked up and saw someone standing in the yard.

The moonlight tonight is like a ribbon, and the person stands quietly in the moonlight, his handsome face clearly discernible.

"It's so late, what brings Lord Bai here? Doesn't Lord Bai know that it's not appropriate for a man and woman to be alone together so late at night?" Achan glanced at him, her tone extremely unfriendly.

During this time, Achan had always suspected that Huiniang was just trying to coax her that day.

Bai Xiuming doesn't like her at all! Neither does she!

Bai Xiuming walked towards her, stopped in front of her, and explained in a low voice, "I went on a long trip recently and just got back today."

"Is that so?" Achan's gaze swept over him seemingly casually. "Lord Bai is so busy, you should go back to your residence and rest early."

"Before returning to the manor, I have something to say to you."

"I don't want to hear it." Ah Chan snorted softly and walked past him.

"You really won't listen?"

“I won’t listen!” A-Chan replied decisively. Did she look like someone who was easy to talk to?

"Alright then." Bai Xiuming's voice carried obvious regret. "Then I'll have to admire the dragon carp leaping over the Dragon Gate in my mansion all by myself."

Achan instantly withdrew her steps and retreated from a few steps away to stand directly in front of Bai Xiuming.

"Leaping over the Dragon Gate? Is it the Dragon Gate I know?" Achan's eyes sparkled, clearly showing her great interest in the topic.

"Yes, it's a pity you're not interested, so let's forget about it." Bai Xiuming looked regretful.

"Who said that? I'm very interested." Achan immediately retracted her previous statement. She had never seen a carp leap over the Dragon Gate before. Wouldn't a carp that jumped over the Dragon Gate taste even better?

"Isn't this inappropriate?" Bai Xiuming pretended to be hesitant. "It's the middle of the night, and it's not good for a man and a woman to be alone together."

"What a waste of your life!" Achan's eyes widened.

A smile appeared in Bai Xiuming's eyes. He finally stopped teasing her and extended his hand to her: "Would I have the honor of inviting you to my residence for a chat?"

She raised her chin slightly and said critically, "What girl? Everyone else calls me Ah Chan, why don't you call me that?"

"Achan," Bai Xiuming called her name softly, with utmost tenderness.

Achan's cheeks flushed, her eyes darting around: "I heard you."

"Will Achan be willing to return to the manor with me?" Bai Xiuming asked.

Achan placed her small hand in his palm, and Bai Xiuming closed his hand, enveloping her soft little hand in his palm.

In the moonlight, you could still faintly hear Achan's voice.

"After you finish watching the Dragon Gate Jumping, you have to bring me back, otherwise Hui Niang will worry."

"good."

"I want to choose the fattest dragon carp to take home."

"You can have whichever one you want."