Chapter 16. Chapter 16. Not caring about dignity.
Shi Mi turned to look at him, thinking he should praise him for being teachable, so quickly learning to use the puppeteer's methods to solve his problems. With the puppeteer as a substitute, the two women themselves would probably be left to rot in the wilderness.
Therefore, one should not get stuck on trivial matters, but rather, like those two pairs of fathers and daughters, understand how to distinguish between advantages and disadvantages. There are plenty of men with two legs in the world, and the beauty of Luoyang is not mine to possess. Chasing after someone is not a good deal. Just look at Lu Min's face, and you'll know he's not someone to be trifled with.
Fortunately, I hold leverage over him, which gives me value, and that's why I deserve to live by his side. For now, I don't need to worry about my safety. I'm quite at ease knowing my way around. Thinking of the two women's attire, I touched my own temples and said with interest, "I'll try out some dangerous makeup myself sometime."
She was about to be dressed up beautifully, so she needed to prepare clothes and jewelry. She turned her gaze to him, "Grand Tutor, what do you think of those two young ladies' attire?"
Lu Min may not appreciate women who don't meet his standards, but he has a balanced view of aesthetics. He nodded slightly and said it was acceptable.
Shimi smiled and said, "Then tell me, if I dressed up like that, wouldn't I look good too?"
He looked her over and said, "If you like, you can give it a try."
Of course, he was meticulous and not oblivious. Without needing many hints from her, he immediately instructed the officials to prepare the young lady's complete outfit for dressing up.
Shi Mi was quite satisfied, thinking, "Dealing with rich people is so convenient."
Lu Min carefully gathered the album he was going to take back to Zhongdu and casually remarked, "That mansion in Lirenfang must have been quite a find to furnish."
Shimi waved his shawl and said, "Buying that property emptied our savings, so we live very frugally and can only drink chicken soup every day."
Her ideas are always different from others; what is the connection between inspirational quotes and financial hardship?
Lu Min had no intention of showing her any mercy. "Isn't it because Ran Dian only knows how to make chicken soup?"
Those who lack culinary skills find it difficult to deny the truth. When Yanren learns new things, she usually teaches them step-by-step; since their minds are blank, how could they possibly complain that the inspirational quotes are unoriginal?
"Alright, let's not continue this topic." She then asked him, "When are we going back to Chong'an City? Are you going to stay in Shangdu?"
Lu Min said, "Everything that needed to be dealt with has been dealt with. There is still a major situation to be overseen in Zhongdu. We will set off first thing tomorrow morning."
So she had a whole day to try out her new look. Shi Mi was quite appreciative, "It's because the Grand Tutor is considerate of me that we didn't rush to leave today. Look at you, you're becoming more and more tender as a husband. Once we're married, we'll definitely make our lives better."
Who wouldn't like such an open and honest woman? But Lu Min silently fixed his gaze on the scroll in his hand. He thought most women were used to expressing themselves in a subtle way, but he was wrong. Not all women are the same.
Silence means consent; the marriage is a done deal and no one can change it.
The news that the futures of the two young ladies, Bu Guo and Yu Hu, had been thwarted quickly reached the ears of the Lu family. The Grand Tutor was from the Lu clan of Laoyin, a powerful and influential family with many members serving as officials in the court. While the Lu clan's roots were in Laoyin Pass, its influence flourished in the capital, a distant land. Even the clan elders, after retiring from their posts, did not return to their ancestral home but remained under the emperor's nose, overseeing the words and actions of their descendants.
The highest-ranking and most promising young man had secretly pledged his life to another—a momentous event. While Shimi waited for the officials to prepare everything, three elders of the Lu family arrived at Shanhefang.
The two clan elders and Lu Min's stepmother were all people of status, yet they were not arrogant. Upon entering, Lu Fengjun looked at Lu Min with a kind expression and asked, "Yue Lin, how have you been lately?"
Even the high-ranking Grand Tutor lowered his posture in front of his elders, rising to say, "There has been some improvement, thank you for your concern, Mother." As he spoke, he gestured for the elders to take their seats.
The man with graying temples but a jet-black head was Lu Min's cousin. He smiled and said, "You look much better, and you're more capable and well-proportioned. Tomorrow is the day for ancestor worship, so you must make time for it. After all, it's been four years since you last kowtowed before our ancestors. Showing your face this time will be a way to give them some recognition."
Lu Min refused decisively, "The Zhongdu Divine Way needs to be revised, and time is very tight. I have to go back first thing tomorrow morning."
Another man with eyebrows as long as an old man's was the head of the Lu family. He smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. The imperial order is more important. There are many men in the clan, so let them do it."
Lu Fengjun's somewhat critical gaze finally turned to Shimi, and he tilted his head to ask Lu Min, "Is this the lady you are going to marry? Where is she from? What does my father do for a living? How many people are in your family? Where do you currently live?"
This long string of questions would require a lot of Shi Mi's mental effort. Unable to piece it together, she turned to Lu Min and said, "Go ahead."
What do you think? The elders of the Lu family unanimously agreed that this young lady was not very polite.
Shi Mi felt some sympathy for Lu Min, who, despite rising to the position of Grand Tutor, still couldn't escape the pressure from his relatives. Even getting married required a joint trial by three courts.
However, Lu Min remained calm and told them as before: "The young lady is Uncle's adopted daughter from his early years. I reunited with her in Zhongdu and we made a marriage agreement."
The three elders were immediately taken aback. Lu Fengjun exclaimed in a low voice, "Second Uncle's adopted daughter? I've never heard of him having any adopted daughter."
Lu Min said with certainty, "He's always been kept outside; his family doesn't know about it."
The more they talked, the more unpredictable it became, leaving all three of them bewildered. Lu Fengjun said, "Your aunt doesn't know either? An adopted daughter isn't something shameful, why keep it a secret from the family?"
It is clear that the claim of adopting a daughter is questionable, and there must be a greater mystery behind it.
Lu Min insisted that she was an adopted daughter. "My uncle is gone and can't clear the girl's name, but I know what happened. Don't the three elders trust me?"
So there's no way to verify the truth now, and they can say whatever they want. Lu Fengjun was somewhat displeased, but he concealed it well and said slowly, "If it weren't for this relationship, I would be happy to see the engagement happen. But with this relationship, things become more complicated. Let's discuss it some more. Are you going home today? Your brother happens to be here too. The two of you brothers can meet and hear your brother's opinion."
Lu Min said there was no need. "I saw my brother at the High Council today. He's been busy lately, so let's not trouble him. Besides, I'm old enough to make my own decisions about marriage. I'll be marrying a bride in Zhongdu soon. If you all don't mind the long journey, you're welcome to come to Zhongdu to witness the wedding."
The three elders all felt that he had gone too far. The clan chief said earnestly, "Although you are not young and hold a high position, you are still a member of the Lu family. Your mother and brothers are still alive, so you still have to ask for their opinion."
Lu Min smiled and looked at Lu Fengjun, "I originally wanted to take some time to go back and visit my mother, but it just so happens that she came, saving me the trouble of making the trip."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade her, Lu Fengjun decided to reason with the young lady, "Marriage is no child's play. A young lady's marriage must be carefully arranged. We must not rush things. After all, Yue Lin's status is extraordinary. For his reputation and for the young lady's dignity, why don't we discuss it further next time we go to the capital? This will give me some time to prepare."
Unfortunately, Shimi was an irrational person who wouldn't listen to reason. "I'm willing to follow him around alone, why would I care about appearances?"
He spoke very well, leaving the Lu family speechless in one breath, and also drawing Lu Min's sharp, piercing gaze.
That's how it is; there's no need for so much fuss. Her goal was never to be a devoted wife and mother. The Grand Tutor's reputation was related to her, but in the long run, it wasn't that important. Getting married—why would it ruin her reputation?
The conservative elder seemed to be in a state of panic, and Lu Fengjun stammered to the clan leader, "Look, what... what should we do?"
The clan chief was disheartened. "Leaping Scales! Grand Tutor!"
The woman, determined to resolve the matter with a single sentence, said, "I don't want a betrothal gift; I can be carried away in a sedan chair. It's just that I'm hopelessly in love with my cousin. Anyway, the deed is done, and the elders shouldn't teach him to start something and then abandon it."
She described it vividly, then lowered her head and pretended to wipe away her tears.
Lu Min no longer wanted to speak. He rested one hand on the incense table, the sharp edges pressing painfully against his forearm, but he seemed not to feel it.
Lu Fengjun stood up and said in a trembling voice, "Since that's the case... we shouldn't interfere too much. Yue Lin has been in officialdom for many years, surely he can manage his own personal affairs." As he spoke, he bowed slightly to the clan leader, "I'm sorry to have troubled you today, Uncle, for making this trip for nothing."
The clan chief laughed and said, "It's alright. It's been a long time since we've seen our clan's Qilin child. Coming to see him will put our minds at ease."
They were all well-mannered people, and they didn't fall out over a disagreement. They came with a smile and left with a smile. Shimi stood at the door to see them off, and only after their carriages had gone far away did he sincerely admire them: "A noble family is indeed a noble family. Even when they met someone like me, they were able to restrain themselves from losing their composure."
Lu Min glanced at her. "So even you know you're absurd."
"No, not at all." Shi Mi said confidently, "I said that on purpose. And look how effective it was, I drove them all away with just a few words."
Lu Min nodded, a simple gesture that contained countless complex meanings.
Shimi doesn't pay much attention to other people's feelings; he just feels it's unnecessary to waste too much time dealing with trivial family matters.
The supplies purchased by the official arrived, along with two maids skilled in elaborate makeup. She followed them in with great interest, and it took her almost half an hour to come out. With arched eyebrows, jet-black lips, and a face painted with both dimples and slanted red, she looked decadent and sinister, her entire face exuding an eerie beauty.
When the item was presented to Lu Min, even the Grand Tutor, who was used to grand occasions, couldn't help but feel a little startled. He looked embarrassed, as if he dared not look at it. Shi Mi leaned closer and said, "I will dress like this on the wedding day."
Lu Min covered his eyes, unsure whether it was a headache or eye pain.
The astute asked, "What's wrong? Is it not good-looking?"
He seemed to muster his courage before glancing at her sideways, saying, "If you have to dress like this, don't draw that red slit in your hair. It looks like you've been slashed, which is unlucky."
Ultimately, it's because she's not suited to this kind of makeup. Dangerous makeup is meant to convey sorrow and grief, but she always wears a forced smile, as if she's wearing a mask.
Shimi touched her wildly styled hair, gradually losing interest. Getting dressed took a long time; even though the hairdresser was extremely careful, she was still pulled so roughly that her scalp felt tight.
Fortunately, she hadn't shaved her eyebrows, so there was still room for maneuver. She went back to wash her face with her sleeves hanging down, and when she came out to meet people again, she looked normal.
It's best not to change people and things that you find agreeable. Because of the unpredictable situation in the court, Lu Min preferred things to be as simple as possible when he wasn't involved in politics. This time, as he looked her over, a hint of relief appeared on his face. "Let it be like this," he said, "at least it won't scare anyone."
Shi Mi thought he had no taste, "A woman should be versatile, changing her outfit occasionally to make herself happy."
As long as she's happy, that's all that matters. The things prepared for her are piled up there, including five or six sets of luxurious dresses.
We're heading back to Chong'an City tomorrow morning. I told them to pack our bags, load them onto the cart, and take him with us. Then I asked, "Will we pass through Nevernight City again on our way back?"
Lu Min was reading a book, his gaze never leaving the pages, and said in a leisurely voice, "The young lady seems to be very interested in the Never-Sleeping City. She has already visited the Ten-Mile Lantian, and going there again would only be to see the beauties in the restaurants."
The expert offered a more insightful explanation: "Go and see if the real culprit behind the death of the Marquis of Nevernight has been caught, and whether his widow is capable of shouldering the burden."
His fingers twirled a corner of the paper, the pages turning with a crisp sound. "Jie Duyan's wife is no ordinary person. Everyone thinks she is just a woman content with her home, but in fact, she is the real Marquis of Never Night."
A note from the author:
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200 small red envelopes~
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