Chapter 278 She is Mine
The air inside the Rebirth Hall of Puzhao Temple is filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
Jiang Zhi and Shen Ci'an stood side by side and lit three incense sticks in front of Feng Lanzhen's memorial tablet.
"Mother-in-law, rest assured, your son-in-law will take good care of Miss and ensure her peace and happiness for the rest of her life," he said respectfully.
Jiang Zhi offered up the Buddhist scriptures she had copied herself and carefully wiped the memorial tablet with a clean cloth.
"Mother, your daughter is so unfilial for taking so long to come see you. I was unable to come from Yaocheng before. You will understand, won't you?"
Jiang Zhi's voice was very soft, "My daughter also went to Xuzhou to see her maternal grandmother and uncle and aunt. Her maternal grandmother is quite old, but she is still in good health, so you don't need to worry. Her uncle and aunt are also very good to her."
"And Cousin Shaoyuan and Feng Yuan, they are also doing well, everyone is doing well."
"Mother," Jiang Zhi said softly, holding the memorial tablet, her face filled with sorrow, "Your daughter misses you."
Seeing the tears welling up in Jiang Zhi's eyes, Shen Ci'an felt as if his heart was stuffed with cotton.
He held Jiang Zhi's cool hand and transferred his body heat to her, saying, "Miss, your mother-in-law will be uneasy if she knows this in the afterlife."
He wiped away her tears and held her in his arms. "Don't cry. You're not fully recovered yet, so it's not good for you to get emotional."
"Okay." Jiang Zhi felt much better after crying for a while and put the memorial tablet back.
Just then, a series of firm and powerful footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the Rebirth Hall.
To prevent anyone from disturbing her deceased mother, Jiang Zhi had already donated enough money for incense oil, and only her mother's memorial tablet was enshrined in the shrine.
With her and Shen Ci'an here, who else would come here?
Soon, a tall and handsome figure stepped in from outside, the shadows dissipated, revealing a face that Jiang Zhi knew all too well.
"Lord Lu?" Jiang Zhi exclaimed in surprise.
Lu Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Shen Ci'an's arm that was still around Jiang Zhi, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
Shen Ci'an stepped forward, his aura, seasoned in the court, exuding a cool and composed authority. "What brings Lord Lu here?"
Lu Yuan looked at the hand on Jiang Zhi's shoulder and found it extremely offensive, but given the special nature of the place, he dared not act rashly and simply said coldly, "Naturally, we've come to pay respects to our elders."
"Elders?" Shen Ci'an's eyes were dark, and the corners of his lips were slightly upturned. "There is only one memorial tablet for my mother-in-law in the Hall of Rebirth. How could there be any elders for Lord Lu?"
“Azhi’s mother is naturally my elder,” Lu Yuan said in a languid voice, his pupils barely concealing a hint of impatience. “Since we are going up the mountain today, it is only right that we come to pay our respects.”
After saying that, he ignored Shen Ci'an's ugly expression, stepped forward, took the incense sticks placed on the table, lit them, and knelt down in front of the memorial tablet with his back straight and his posture respectful.
"I am Lu Yuan, and I am fortunate to have been cultivated by His Majesty and given the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Although I do not wield absolute power in the court, I am capable of protecting the safety of those around me. Please rest assured, Madam, I will not let you down."
He solemnly kowtowed, then stood up and inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner.
Shen Ci'an clenched his other hand at his side, struggling to breathe.
In the past, it was one thing for Lu Yuan to do some underhanded things behind my back, but now he actually dared to openly worship the young lady's mother in front of me.
What kind of status does Lu Yuan have that he deserves to kowtow and offer incense to his mother-in-law?
"Lord Lu, are you not afraid of angering the deceased by disregarding etiquette?" Shen Ci'an said sternly. "The origin of this incense is unknown. My mother-in-law cannot accept it. Please take it back."
"I have already identified myself, how could my origins be unclear?" Lu Yuan scoffed. "Lord Shen, for your own selfish desires, are you going to prevent Madam Jiang from even receiving offerings from the younger generation?"
Shen Ci'an's clear eyes were burning with anger. "You're just spouting nonsense. What exactly do you want by deliberately disturbing the peace of the deceased?"
Lu Yuan didn't even glance at him, but stared at Jiang Zhi and asked, "Has Madam Shen finished her memorial service today?"
He was implying something.
Jiang Zhi was also startled by Lu Yuan's sudden arrival, but fearing that Shen Ci'an would find out that she had originally arranged to meet Lu Yuan at Qifeng Tower, she dared not ask any questions. "Does Lord Lu have something to say?"
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, looking at this person who had stood him up and acted as if nothing had happened, and felt a surge of anger.
"Once the ceremony is over, I would like to ask Lady Shen to come down the mountain with me. The case of the Prince of Xiang still needs to be discussed in detail."
Although Jiang Zhi knew that Lu Yuan would not give up easily, she was prepared to coax him later.
But no one expected that Lu Yuan would rush up the mountain and capture her right in front of Shen Ci'an.
Shen Ci'an said coldly, "What kind of people does the Northern Garrison Command employ? Every time there's a case, my wife has to step in. It seems I should speak to His Majesty and ask him to reduce the expenses of the Northern Garrison Command."
Lu Yuan sneered, "Since when have the affairs of my Northern Garrison Command required Lord Shen's intervention?"
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Jiang Zhi could only say, "I'm sorry, Lord Lu, I really have something to attend to today. Let's discuss it another day."
"Is there anything else you need?"
Jiang Zhi paused for a moment, "This is a matter between Lord Shen and me, Lord Lu need not interfere."
Lu Yuan almost laughed out of anger.
He came up the mountain in person to invite her, and she still wants to stay here with Shen Ci'an?
Does she even remember what she promised me yesterday?
At this moment, Qingxing came in to report, "Madam, the vegetarian lunch is ready. Would you like to eat now?"
"Alright, serve the meal." Jiang Zhi was just worried about not having a chance to let the matter drop, so she naturally nodded in agreement.
Shen Ci'an raised an eyebrow at Lu Yuan, his intention to drive him away quite clearly.
Lu Yuan, however, seemed not to notice. "I'm also quite hungry. Would you mind if I had another pair of chopsticks?"
"I mind." Shen Ci'an gritted her teeth.
"It's alright, as long as I don't mind."
A small room was set up next to the Rebirth Hall, which was specially used for nobles to rest. At this time, it was being used as a place for meals.
Jiang Zhi saw Shen Ci'an and Lu Yuan sit down facing each other.
One was aloof and distant, the other sharp and melancholic, yet neither of them spoke. Even after the maids finished serving the vegetarian meal and left, they remained motionless.
Jiang Zhi washed her hands with Qing Xing's help. "You two chat first. I have something to do downstairs for a bit, I'll be right back."
She winked at Qingxing, who then went to prepare.
After Jiang Zhi left, only Shen Ci'an and Lu Yuan remained in the small room.
"Lu Yuan, did you consider her safety when you did this?" Shen Ci'an's eyes were cold and icy. "You're making her involved in your case, as if her injuries aren't bad enough?"
Lu Yuan also lost his composure in front of Jiang Zhi, saying, "What happens between me and A-Zhi is none of your business."
“You can certainly disregard her safety and act as you please,” Shen Ci’an’s breath seemed to carry icy shards, “but as her husband, her safety with me must be my top priority.”
"Don't try to intimidate me with your status," Lu Yuan said with a sinister glint in his eyes. "She's mine. Where were you when I saved her from the brink of death time and time again?"
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