Chapter 22 The Feast at Hongmen! My husband only recognizes me!
The green train, dragging its heavy rhythm, finally pulled into Beijing Railway Station.
The steam whistle let out a long, hoarse wail, announcing the end of the long journey.
The car door opened.
An air completely different from that of the northern frontier rushed in.
It wasn't a biting, icy wind, but rather a heavy, lingering smell mixed with coal smoke, human voices, and the sedimentation of some kind of power.
Su Wanqing followed Lu Zhanting off the train.
The moment her feet touched the solid ground of the platform, she finally felt the reality of arriving in the capital.
The sight before her made her momentarily lost in thought.
The platform was teeming with people, their diverse accents blending into a massive wave of sound. People in blue and gray overalls carried large bags and hurried along. Cadres in military uniforms, on the other hand, walked with steady steps, their eyes fixed straight ahead.
Bright red banners hung on the tall platform buildings in the distance, standing out against the gray sky.
This is the heart of the country.
Every brick and tile bears the dust of history and the majesty of power.
Su Wanqing gripped Lu Zhanting's hand tightly.
His palms were large and warm, but at this moment they were a little stiff.
Lu Zhanting didn't look at the surrounding scenery; his sharp gaze swept over the crowd at the exit.
From the moment he set foot on this land, his entire demeanor changed.
In the northern frontier, he was relaxed and in control.
Here, he was like a lion that had invaded someone else's territory, his muscles tense and his eyes filled with cold vigilance.
He felt the tension in Su Wanqing's hands, so he wrapped her small hands tightly in his own and whispered, "Don't be afraid, stay close to me."
The two carried only a military green canvas bag, which Lu Zhanting carried as they moved through the crowded streets, making them appear remarkably simple.
As soon as they reached the exit, a middle-aged man in a sharp gray Zhongshan suit came to greet them.
The man was around fifty years old, his hair was neatly combed, his face was expressionless, but his eyes revealed a shrewd scrutiny.
He walked straight up to Lu Zhanting, nodded slightly, and spoke in a calm tone, as if he were reporting on work.
"Young Master Zhan Ting, I have come to pick you up on the orders of the old master."
He used the formal "you" (您), but his posture showed absolutely no respect.
His gaze lingered on Lu Zhanting for a second before turning to Su Wanqing beside him.
It was an extremely rude scrutiny, from head to toe, as if assessing the quality of a piece of merchandise.
When his gaze fell on Su Wanqing's clean and tidy cotton coat, which was clearly made of ordinary fabric, the corner of his mouth turned down almost imperceptibly.
This subtle expression did not escape Su Wanqing's eyes.
Lu Zhanting's face instantly darkened.
He stepped forward, completely shielding Su Wanqing behind him, his voice devoid of any warmth.
"Uncle Fu, this is my wife, Su Wanqing."
His introduction was simple and direct, carrying a sense of declaration.
The man addressed as Uncle Fu then turned his gaze back to Su Wanqing, but the disdain in his eyes remained. He merely nodded perfunctorily as a greeting, not even uttering a single word as "Young Madam."
"The car is waiting outside," Uncle Fu said, turning around to lead the way, as if saying another word would be a waste.
From beginning to end, he made no attempt to help Lu Zhanting with his luggage, as if the canvas bag were something unclean.
A black sedan was parked in a special spot outside the station, its body gleaming, standing out starkly from the surrounding dusty environment.
Uncle Fu opened the back door and gestured for Lu Zhanting to enter.
Lu Zhanting let Su Wanqing get into the car first before getting in himself.
The car door closed, shutting out all the noise from outside.
The car's interior is spacious, and the leather seats exude an unfamiliar, privileged aura.
Uncle Fu sat in the passenger seat, and the driver started the car without saying a word.
The black sedan smoothly merged into the traffic.
Su Wanqing leaned against the window, watching the scene outside rushing past.
Wide roads, rows of gray Soviet-style buildings, and a tide of bicycles. The poplar trees along the roadside have all shed their leaves, their bare trunks pointing to the sky, making the city appear even more solemn and dignified.
Occasionally, one can catch a glimpse of a corner of a palace with red walls and golden tiles in the distance, reflecting a faint light under the winter sun.
This city is so big that it inspires awe.
It's so cold.
That kind of coldness has nothing to do with temperature, but rather it comes from the very core of one's being—a sense of order and alienation that comes from the center of power.
"When we get home, no matter what they say, don't take it to heart," Lu Zhanting's voice rang in her ears, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe. "I'm here."
Su Wanqing turned her head, smiled at him, and said softly, "I know."
She didn't look at Uncle Fu in the front row, but she could feel that invisible, cold gaze constantly falling on them through the rearview mirror.
After driving for about half an hour, the car turned into a quiet alley.
The atmosphere here is completely different from the main street outside. High walls separate individual courtyards, with sentries standing at the entrances.
Those who can live here are either rich or noble.
Finally, the car stopped in front of a vermilion gate.
Two majestic stone lions crouch at the entrance, and the high threshold speaks volumes about the owner's status and position. No plaque hangs above the door, yet it inspires more awe than any signboard.
This is the Lu family's residence.
Looking at the tightly closed door, Su Wanqing thought to herself, "This really is a fortress."
Uncle Fu got out of the car, but instead of knocking on the main door, he walked to the small side door and whispered a few words inside.
Then they waited in the car.
Time ticked by, but the door remained closed.
Lu Zhanting's hands, resting on his knees, were clenched into fists, with veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
This is a show of force.
This forced him, the "eldest grandson" who had been away from home for a long time, to wait like an outsider at his own doorstep with his "unpresentable" wife.
Su Wanqing reached out and gently covered his fist.
Her hands were soft, with a comforting warmth.
Lu Zhanting's tense body relaxed slightly. He turned to look at her and saw that she was calm, with no panic or grievance in her eyes, only a clear and calm expression.
She was also observing and recording everything.
Ten minutes later, the side door finally creaked open.
Uncle Fu returned, opened the car door, and still had that expressionless look on his face: "Young Master Zhan Ting, the old lady wants you to come in."
He used "you all," a vague and dismissive word.
Lu Zhanting led Su Wanqing out of the car, carrying a canvas bag, and stepped across the threshold of the Lu family home.
Upon entering, one is greeted by a massive screen wall, beyond which lie layers of courtyards. With its covered walkways, carved beams, and painted rafters, every step feels weighty with history.
The servants in the courtyard came and went. When they saw them, they would only glance at them quickly, then immediately lower their heads and walk away in a hurry.
Those eyes held curiosity and sympathy, but more than anything, they held an unspoken distance and disdain.
No one here welcomes them.
Uncle Fu did not take them to see the elders, nor did he lead them to the main house. Instead, he led them through several courtyards until he reached a small courtyard in the northwest corner of the entire estate before stopping.
The courtyard looked like it had been uninhabited for a long time; the paint on the gate was peeling, and withered weeds grew in the corner of the wall, giving it a desolate and dilapidated feel.
"This is the Jing Si Courtyard." Uncle Fu pushed open the courtyard gate, and a musty smell of dust hit the door. "The old lady said that Young Master Zhan Ting has had a long journey, and this place is quiet and suitable for his rest. Dinner will be in the main hall at six o'clock. Please be on time."
Jing Si Yuan (Quiet Contemplation Institute), a name full of irony.
This treats them as people who have made mistakes, sending them here to reflect on their actions.
After saying that, Uncle Fu didn't even enter the courtyard before turning around and leaving, as if staying even a second longer would dirty his shoes.
Lu Zhanting stood at the courtyard gate, his face grim as he looked at the dilapidated scene. The murderous aura honed on the battlefield emanated from him, making the surrounding air feel heavy.
Su Wanqing tugged at his hand and went into the courtyard first.
She looked around; although old, it was fairly clean. There was a pomegranate tree and a neglected little flowerbed in the yard.
"It's nice." She turned to Lu Zhanting and smiled, a smile that was especially warm in the winter sun. "It's quiet here, and no one will bother us."
Lu Zhanting looked at her, at her clear eyes that were untainted by humiliation and anger, and the raging anger in his heart miraculously subsided a little.
His Wanqing was stronger than he had imagined.
He carried his luggage into the house. The room was simply furnished with a bed, a table, and two chairs, all covered with a thin layer of dust. The bedding was new, but it smelled of mothballs that had been stored in the warehouse for a long time.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you." Lu Zhanting put down his bag, his voice hoarse.
“We’re husband and wife, there’s nothing to feel wronged about.” Su Wanqing walked to the window, opened it, and let the sunlight in. “At least, we still live together.”
Lu Zhanting's heart was struck hard by those words.
Yes, they weren't separated, which is the best outcome.
The two tidied up quickly. Su Wanqing took out the sheets she had brought from her bag and changed them, then wiped all the windows. In no time, the lifeless room became more lively.
Seeing that it was almost time, the two changed their clothes and prepared to go to the main hall for the banquet.
Su Wanqing knew that this was no ordinary family dinner.
This was a trap, a true, silent battlefield.
As they entered the brightly lit main hall, all eyes turned to them.
The long mahogany dining table was already full of people.
At the head of the table sat an elderly man, dressed in a dark-colored Tang suit, with a thin face and a dignified expression. He leaned on a dragon-headed cane, and although seated, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.
He is Lu Zhanting's grandfather, Lu Zhenguo, the head of the Lu family.
Beside him sat a well-dressed, well-maintained middle-aged woman with a kind smile on her face, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. This was Lu Zhanting's stepmother, Liu Yuzhen.
Beside Liu Yuzhen was her son, Lu Zhanwen. He was wearing a floral shirt and was looking at Su Wanqing with a playful, malicious gaze.
On the other side of the table sat a young woman.
She wore a well-fitting off-white dress, her long hair slightly curled, exuding elegance. When she saw Lu Zhanting enter, her eyes lit up, but then, as if realizing something, she gave a smile tinged with apology and helplessness.
She is Song Tingyu, the daughter of the Song family.
She sat there, posing as a "guest," yet acting like the hostess.
There was no one else in the entire dining room except them.
This was a meticulously planned trial.
"Oh, big brother's back." Lu Zhanwen said sarcastically, breaking the silence. "What a rare guest. This must be... sister-in-law, right? She looks so... simple and honest."
Liu Yuzhen immediately glared at him and scolded, "Zhanwen, how can you talk to your elder brother and sister-in-law like that? You have no manners."
She then turned to Su Wanqing, her smile becoming even gentler: "You must be Wanqing? Please sit down. You must have had a hard journey all the way from the northern frontier. It's freezing cold there; you must have suffered a lot as a young woman."
Her words sounded caring, but every single one reminded Su Wanqing that she and they were from different worlds.
Lu Zhanting pulled out a chair with a blank expression, gesturing for Su Wanqing to sit down, and then sat beside her. He ignored Liu Yuzhen and Lu Zhanwen, only looking at Lu Zhenguo in the main seat, and said in a deep voice, "Grandpa."
Lu Zhenguo slowly raised his eyelids, his cloudy yet unusually sharp eyes sweeping across Lu Zhanting's face, completely ignoring Su Wanqing beside him.
“You still know to come back.” Lu Zhenguo’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried immense weight. “You still know to call me Grandpa.”
The atmosphere in the dining room instantly plummeted to freezing point.
"Zhan Ting, don't make your grandfather angry." Song Tingyu spoke softly at this moment, as if trying to smooth things over. "Grandpa is just worried about you. This time... you were really too impulsive."
Her words, seemingly to exonerate Lu Zhanting, actually characterized his marriage to Su Wanqing as an "impulsive" mistake.
Lu Zhanting glanced at her coldly without saying a word.
"Let's eat." Lu Zhenguo coldly uttered three words, picked up his chopsticks, but didn't move.
The servants began serving dishes, one exquisite dish after another was brought to the table, but no one had the heart to taste them.
“Wanqing grew up in the countryside, so she probably hasn’t seen so many dishes before.” Liu Yuzhen “thoughtfully” put a piece of bird’s nest on Su Wanqing’s plate. “Eat more to nourish your body. Look how thin you are, Zhan Ting hasn’t taken good care of you.”
This statement is a double entendre, both belittling Su Wanqing's background and criticizing Lu Zhanting for dereliction of duty.
Su Wanqing finally spoke.
Her voice was soft but clear: "Thank you, Auntie. When I was in the countryside, my family was poor, and I really never ate anything this good."
"But my parents taught me that I should respect my elders first when eating. I didn't dare to eat before my grandfather had even started eating."
Her words were neither humble nor arrogant; she acknowledged her background while subtly shifting the question back to the people at the table by invoking filial piety, implying that they didn't know the proper etiquette.
Liu Yuzhen's smile froze.
Lu Zhenguo's eyes flickered, and for the first time, he looked directly at Su Wanqing.
"Hmph, you certainly have a sharp tongue." He snorted coldly, finally picking up his chopsticks. "Eat!"
At this command, everyone began to pick up their chopsticks.
The meal was unpalatable, filled with a silent confrontation.
After dinner, the servants cleared away the dishes and replaced them with hot tea.
Lu Zhenguo put down his teacup and issued his final ultimatum.
He continued to look at Lu Zhanting, his tone devoid of any emotion: "I'll give you two choices. First, break up with this woman immediately and get your marriage certificate with Tingyu tomorrow. I'll pretend this never happened."
A hint of shyness and pride flashed across Song Tingyu's face.
"Secondly," Lu Zhenguo's voice suddenly turned cold, "if you remain obstinate, then get out of the Lu family. From this day forward, I, Lu Zhenguo, have no grandson like you!"
Everyone held their breath.
Su Wanqing's heart was in her throat.
Lu Zhanting slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the light.
He didn't look at his grandfather or Song Tingyu, but turned around and looked intently at Su Wanqing.
Then, in front of everyone, he spoke clearly and resolutely, word by word:
"In my life, Lu Zhanting has only one wife."
"Her name is Su Wanqing."
"It was true in the past, it is true now, and it will be true in the future."
These words resounded loudly in the deathly silent main hall.
Song Tingyu's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Liu Yuzhen and Lu Zhanwen's faces were filled with shock.
"Insolence!" Lu Zhenguo slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. The dragon-headed cane in his hand struck the ground heavily with a dull thud, striking everyone's heart.
"Are you going to betray your entire family for a country woman?!" The old man trembled with rage.
“I did not betray the family.” Lu Zhanting met his grandfather’s angry gaze with his back straight. “I was just protecting my wife.”
"Fine...fine...fine!" Lu Zhenguo laughed in fury. "What a fine grandson of mine! Guards!"
Two guards in military uniforms rushed in from outside.
"Lock him in the ancestral hall!" Lu Zhenguo shouted hoarsely, pointing his cane at Lu Zhanting. "He's not allowed to come out without my order! I want to see just how tough he really is!"
The guards stepped forward expressionlessly and grabbed Lu Zhanting's arms on either side.
Lu Zhanting did not resist.
Before he was taken away, he looked back at Su Wanqing.
In those eyes, there was no fear, no regret, only deep apology and a reassuring promise.
Su Wanqing looked at him, gently shook her head, and mouthed to him: I'm fine.
The door slammed shut behind Lu Zhanting.
In the main hall, only Su Wanqing remained, facing the menacing Lu family members all by herself.
The silent battlefield has finally begun, its bloody curtain drawn.
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