Chapter 25. My First Wife.

Upon hearing the summons, Ran Dian and the other two quickly gathered in the courtyard. Yan Dian said, "I've locked all the doors. When are we leaving? Shall we leave now?"

She threatened to return to Lirenfang after only a few words of disagreement, leaving the Grand Tutor, who had never dealt with marital conflicts before, at a loss for what to do.

She ultimately held the power of life and death in her hands, and he couldn't let her leave no matter what. He tried to stop her, reaching out to grab her, but only managed to touch the hem of her dress. She was unceremoniously dismissive, flicking her sleeve and saying, "Don't touch me! You pinched me so hard just now, it hurt, and I'm very angry now."

Lu Min was naturally proud and arrogant, and had never bowed his head to anyone in his life. Even the emperor himself had to speak to him with deference, let alone a mere young lady!

"Don't go" or "You can't go"—those three simple words were incredibly difficult for him to utter. To beg for his life, to grovel and plead, could he really abandon the dignity of being human?

But then he thought again, a true man can bend and stretch, there's no need to argue with her now. He was about to back down, but before he could even speak, she suddenly produced something in her hand—the same iron box from before.

"Grand Tutor, don't stop me." She raised an eyebrow and said, "If you stop me again, this treasure will be lost."

His face turned pale instantly, and the hand that was reaching out to her slowly clenched into a fist. He stepped aside and said, "Go back to Lirenfang and calm down. I'll come to pick you up soon."

Shi Mi, being a man of few words who disliked dragging things out, resolutely said, "Since we don't trust each other, it's better to part amicably. If the Puppeteer still wants you to live, he will send someone else to prolong your life. As for me, I will never see you again. Just consider me your deceased wife."

She led three puppeteers and turned to walk out of the solitary building. On the way, she met an official from the Imperial Household Department who had come to deliver the evening meal.

Upon seeing this, the official broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly asked, "It's getting dark, where is Your Majesty going?"

Shi Mi was very particular about his manners in front of others, and said in a pleasant tone, "I need to go back to my parents' home. Please arrange a carriage for me, Officer."

In the setting sun, Lu Min walked slowly with his sleeves hanging down. Seeing the official looking at him with a puzzled expression, he tried his best to suppress his emotions and nodded.

The official dared not delay and quickly carried out the new lady's instructions. Soon, a beautiful carriage stopped at the foot of the steps. The male attendant was truly a savage; he fiercely stepped forward, took the whip, and without a word, forced the driver to get off.

Shimi led Ran Dian and Yan Dian into the carriage and slammed the door shut. The carriage sped out of Jiuzhang Prefecture, and amidst the jolting, Ran Dian asked Shimi, "Do you really want to divorce the Grand Tutor?"

Shi Mi's voice trembled from the jolting, and he could barely sit still. He clung tightly to the side of the carriage with both hands and said angrily, "If you give me too many smiles, I'll spoil me. If you don't give me some strong medicine, you'll treat me like a pushover."

Yan Dian said, "He's so fierce even when he needs something from someone; it's the opposite of what you'd expect from a celestial being."

On another note, Shimi actually considered divorce. "I've met those generals' wives at today's banquet, at least I'm somewhat familiar with them. If I divorce Lu Min now, they'll all be eager to get my attention if they want to find out the inside story..." Unable to bear the jolting any longer, she pushed open the car door and called to Ali Dao, "No one's chasing us, drive more steadily, my brain is about to explode from all the shaking."

Ali Dao gave a wooden "Oh." He had been driving the carriage at breakneck speed to match her anger. Now that they were out of Jiuzhang Prefecture, and she said to slow down, he pulled on the reins.

The car finally came to a stop, and Shimi slumped back into her seat. Ran Dian sat down next to her and said, "Just bear with it a little longer. You finally got married, and no one else will marry you but him."

Shi Mi rolled her eyes and said, "Nonsense! A woman as talented and beautiful as me would have men lining up all the way to Baiyujing to marry me." After making this boast, she suddenly felt melancholy and muttered to herself, "If the Yu Dynasty were still around, I could choose any man in the world. It's all that villain Lu Min's fault for ruining my good marriage. I will never forgive him!"

Her past was something the Yan people neither understood nor cared to understand; they believed whatever she said anyway. Most importantly, her eventual marriage to that villain was truly tragic, deserving their condolences.

Everyone offered her a few words of comfort, adding insult to injury. But Yan Dian was preoccupied with one thing: "Those twenty-six boxes are still in Jiuzhang Prefecture, filled with our brothers and sisters."

Upon hearing this, even Ali Dao, who was driving the carriage, turned around and said, "What should we do? Let's turn back the way we came and move all the boxes."

Shi Mi said there was no rush. "Lu Min is very shrewd and won't let anyone touch our things. Let's go back to Li Ren Fang first, and after I find out the truth, Lu Min will humbly take me back."

Holding the leverage gave them confidence. The Yan people, who were full of worry just a moment ago, were overjoyed the next.

Ran Dian also expressed his bewilderment at the disappearance of the Grand Princess, saying, "Falling from such a height, she should have been covered in bruises, but not a single speck of flesh was splattered. Maybe it was a ghost that jumped down."

So Lu Min's suspicions were correct. Even Yanren, who came from a mysterious background, thought he had seen a ghost, which is definitely strange.

Logically, the Puppeteer should be the prime suspect. If he wanted to, he could easily make the puppet disintegrate in mid-air, shattering into pieces before it even landed. But she knew in her heart that the Puppeteer had nothing to do with this. If it wasn't the Puppeteer, then who was it?

There's no need to be confined by limited thinking. There are other ways to make someone completely disappear. For example, there are certain poisons or medicines that are no longer passed down through generations. Take, for instance, the "flute bone" poison that Lu Min was afflicted with. This rare poison has long been extinct on the market, but it can still be found in unknown places.

"Beneath the Deer Sea in the Never-Sleeping City lies a deep canal, within which a ghost market is held on the first and fifteenth of each month." Shi Mi said, pondering as he spoke. "There are many strange people and objects in the ghost market. Perhaps we can go and explore to see if there is a way to instantly reduce a person to ashes."

Yan Dian said, "That's right. Madam Jie is in charge of Nevernight City. She must have some connections to find out about this method."

Shi Mi was immediately filled with fighting spirit, "Then we'll follow that line, dig out the truth behind it all, and slap it squarely in Lu Min's face. Just thinking about it makes me feel so good!"

In the end, how did it get twisted into wanting to prove something to him? The line of thinking is wrong, let's revise it.

Finding out the truth wasn't for Lu Min's sake, but rather to investigate whether there were truly capable people behind the scenes she didn't know about. If such a medicine really existed, wouldn't getting her hands on it be like adding wings to a tiger? The large stove in Lirenfang could be demolished; after all, burning corpses in the courtyard so frequently was really unfair to the neighbors.

Ali drove the carriage and rushed into the inner ward just before the gates closed. The mansion stood quietly in the darkness; he hadn't seen it for three days and actually missed it a little.

Ran Dian and Yan Dian busied themselves lighting the lanterns, while Shi Mi felt somewhat dejected; she hadn't eaten yet. The biggest mistake of returning was having to make do with Ran Dian's cooking again, and all the chickens she could kill had been eaten the day before her wedding. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt; what was she going to do?

She paced helplessly in the yard. So, marriage is like finding your own destiny among thousands of people. If even someone like her, who was just going through the motions, was like this, then a woman who held onto hope and genuinely wanted to live a good life would probably be even more disappointed.

As for Lu Min, they'd inevitably run into each other sooner or later, and they'd become a miserable couple. But if they didn't see each other, even eating would become a problem, which was indeed troublesome. And that thousand taels of gold—she'd forgotten to take it with her when she left… The more she thought about it, the more she regretted her impulsive actions. If only she had waited until tomorrow.

Ran Dian stood in the corner of the room, holding a spatula. "Ami, the crabapple blossoms have sprouted new bamboo shoots. I'll break them off and stir-fry them for you."

Shimi's mind suddenly went blank. "Crabapple buds are edible? Aren't goji berry buds the ones that are edible?"

That means we've reached a dead end. Yan Dian said, "Why don't we go to sleep early? We won't be hungry if we're asleep."

That's a good idea. Let's go to bed early tonight and have Ali Dao go to Jiuzhang Prefecture tomorrow morning to bring back all the useful things. We also need to stock up on more wine, food, rice, and flour. And we should find a way to send Ran Dian and Yan Dian to learn cooking.

Of the four of them, someone has to be able to cook proper meals; otherwise, if they go back to their parents' home, they won't even be able to eat properly.

After a long sigh, she decided to go back to her room to find a bed, but as soon as she took a step, she heard someone knocking on the door.

Could it be Lu Min? He arrived so quickly? Or is there an uninvited guest visiting?

She gestured for Ali to open the door, and Ran Dian and Yan Dian stood beside her. The pins behind her ears could be easily removed with a flick of the wrist, enough to handle any difficult problem.

As expected, a hem of a robe draped in green drifted in. It was indeed Lu Min, who had arrived so quickly and even changed his clothes in time.

Shi Mi narrowed his eyes. "I just stepped inside and you arrived right after. Looks like you're feeling exhausted."

Therefore, a proper delay was beneficial, accelerating the process of the Grand Tutor admitting his mistakes. However, his arrival was too fast, disrupting her plans. Now that he was taking her back, how could she possibly find out the whole story?

Lu Min, on the other hand, was clearly not good at bowing to people, but he knew how to accurately control people's hearts. The problems that Shi Mi was worried about were easily solved as soon as he arrived.

The officials, accompanied by their attendants, carried food boxes into the courtyard one after another. A sumptuous meal was laid out on the table, and the officials said all sorts of nice things to the lady, “Your Majesty, you see, the lord is worried about you. Although he is busy with official duties, he still remembered that you have not eaten dinner. He ordered us to prepare your favorite dishes and personally bring them to you.”

Shimi looked unappreciative and said, "I'm not hungry. I can't sleep if I eat too much at night."

The young woman became enraged, and ordinary methods were ineffective in curing her. However, the time she spent running back to Lirenfang gave Lu Min ample opportunity to reflect. Regardless of whether the headless case was the work of the puppeteer, given his current situation, he was not yet at fault for turning against them.

He is the one who wields power, yet also the victim of fate. He cannot do without the help of the puppeteer, and even though he is still full of doubts, he can only tolerate it, for his foundation is not yet stable and he cannot withstand difficulties.

He had always harbored a great curiosity about the woman before him. He couldn't figure out her background, nor did he yet understand her relationship with the puppeteer. All he could do now was to appease her, though it wouldn't be easy, he would still try his best.

“If you go hungry at night, you won’t sleep well.” He softened his tone, his voice carrying a hint of appeasement. He gestured for those around him to leave, then turned and sat down at the table, saying gently, “I’ve been busy in the council hall all day without a drop of water, and I’m quite exhausted now. If you don’t mind, young lady, sit down and have dinner with us. We can talk while we eat.”

The three puppeteers standing nearby, having spent the past two days accompanying the Grand Tutor, knew they should disappear immediately when he intended to be alone with Ami. But today was different. If they left now, little Ami would likely be no match for the Grand Tutor. After all, Ami was only a half-puppet; while she had an advantage in terms of "survival," her ability to protect herself was negligible. They didn't know the Grand Tutor's skill level and weren't afraid. They stood upright on either side of Ami like two generals, ready to probe his abilities at his command.

One person sat there, while four others stared at him menacingly—their attitude was far from friendly. Lu Min raised his eyes and said to the three puppeteers, "Ami and I are already husband and wife. It's not appropriate for outsiders to be present when husband and wife are talking. If you stay, I will be very unhappy. If you are not afraid of troubling the puppeteers to repair your limbs, you can try it at the risk of your lives."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, even with a slight smile on his lips, but the more he did so, the more unfathomable he seemed.

Ran Dian and the others, who were initially quite resolute, suddenly realized that even as Yanren, they should know how to cherish their lives. So they changed their minds instantly. Ali Dao said, "I'll go outside and patrol to see if anyone is eavesdropping on the walls."

Yan Dian said, "I'm going to feed the fish... Ami, you only have three fish left..."

They've all left, and Ran Dian can't find a suitable excuse. Luckily, she's quick-witted and says, "I'll go start a fire and boil water for you to bathe."

The two of them were left alone in the hall. Shimi felt there was no need to continue the stalemate, so he put away his shawl and sat down opposite them.

“I was too hasty and presumptuous today, questioning you without any evidence. It was my fault.” As he spoke, he pushed the cup toward her. “I offer you a cup of tea instead of wine. Please forgive my rudeness.”

They apologized, even if it wasn't sincere, but it's still necessary to maintain a semblance of peace.

Shimi picked up the cup with obvious disdain, saying, "I hate drinking water. You don't even add sugar. It's so insincere."

In any case, it's considered accepted, and there should still be room for negotiation. Lu Min said, "As long as the Grand Princess's whereabouts remain unknown, I will not have peace of mind. Once this matter is resolved, I will invite you for drinks, young lady." He paused and then asked her, "After dinner, will you come back with me?"

Shimi said no, “I haven’t lived at home for a long time. I’ll stay for two days. You can go back by yourself.”

But the wedding lasted only three days, and yet it felt like a long time.

Lu Min didn't nitpick the flaws in her words. He hadn't dealt with other women, but he knew her well. When she's going against you, never try to correct her. The only thing you can do is negotiate with her, saying, "We're still newlyweds. If you stay here, it will attract criticism."

Remain unmoved by temptation. "Marital discord is common. As long as you refrain from seeking new love, everyone in the capital will praise your purity, which will add another good reputation to your name."

She refused to return to Jiuzhang Prefecture, which displeased Lu Min. However, he could not deal with her as he had dealt with those useless people in the past, which gave him an unprecedented sense of frustration.

His hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, clenched slightly. The candlelight on the table flickered in his eyes. He couldn't kill her; he could only reason with her. "Your insistence on staying in Lirenfang must have its reasons. But I ask you to understand one thing: before marriage, you were the daughter of unknown origin in this Lu family. After marriage, you are Lu Min's wife. You can no longer act as freely as you did before marriage."

Shimi said he knew, "I will be careful in every step and will not cause trouble for the Grand Tutor."

She was completely unyielding, making things very difficult. He frowned and asked, "Is the young lady determined to be stubborn to the end? Even if I come to pick her up in person, I can't change your mind?"

Shi Mi chuckled, "You came to pick me up yourself, it doesn't seem like such a big deal..." But that seemed a bit too blunt, so she quickly tried to smooth things over, waving her hand, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not being difficult with you. The Grand Princess's body still hasn't been found, and I'm curious too, not just you. Especially since you're trying to pin the blame on Yan Shi... oh no, you have reasonable suspicion, but I can't let Yan Shi take the blame unjustly. So I'm investigating the case. You investigate yours, I'll investigate mine, we'll do both at the same time, so neither will interfere with the other, and I can strive to become the Grand Tutor's capable assistant!"

Lu Min looked at her, his patience nearly exhausted, and laughed, "Ami, I've said it many times: it's good for a couple to be of one mind, but they also need to consider their own circumstances. Everyone pursues status, but it can also be like a cage that restricts your words and actions. You've come to investigate the case, but where do you even begin? Thousands of military officers and guards throughout the city have failed to find a trace of him. I don't believe that you and three puppeteers can uncover any truth."

She underestimated him; she had no intention of using such a clumsy method. The fact that the body wasn't found within a hundred feet of the sacred site meant it was impossible for him to find it. Searching inch by inch further was merely to offer the Marquis of Jihu some psychological comfort.

She didn't answer, nor did she change her mind, which made him feel increasingly angry.

"Why are you so stubborn?" he said, distressed. "The master craftsman didn't want you to marry me just so you could cause me trouble!"

She laughed, "You're the one who started this trouble, and you're also the one who wants to calm things down. You don't believe me when I vehemently deny it, and you won't allow me to prove my innocence... The Grand Tutor is much more difficult to deal with than I imagined."

Finally, even the last trace of a smile vanished from his eyes. He stood up, his posture and gaze icy, and turned back to say, "I've survived to this day thanks to the help of the Puppeteer. I was practically given a second chance at life, and I was prepared for the day I'd be cut off from them, but I didn't expect it to come so soon. News of the Puppeteer in Zhongdu has already reached Shangdu, and I've tried my best to suppress it, but you don't seem to appreciate it. You do indeed hold my life in your hands, but don't forget, without my protection, Shangdu will stop at nothing to force you to reveal your true colors."

He threw down a harsh threat and prepared to leave. Shimi didn't stop him because she knew he wouldn't go far.

"Is the Grand Tutor so unforgiving?" she said with a smile. "Why don't we discuss this further and come up with a compromise?"

He turned to look at her; she smiled in the candlelight, an expression that never seemed to faze him, and the more nonchalant she appeared, the more it fueled his anger.

His face was ashen. "In my opinion, there's nothing to discuss."

Her smile widened. "Then you can stay here tonight."

He said there was no need, "I'm very busy. I have to meet with the chief accountant in the evening to check the expenses incurred in the religious rites."

Shi Mi couldn't help but sigh: "His official schedule is too full, leaving him no free time. This is not good."

He probably wanted to show his determination to bring peace and prosperity to the country; his profile looked cold and hard.

Before he could even speak, he suddenly collapsed. Luckily, Shi Mi caught him with quick reflexes and, supporting his heavy body, smiled broadly. "See? I told you to give yourself some space. What good was being so stubborn before? In the end, you still helplessly fell into my arms."