On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the Lu Family was alight with festivity, bustling with activity.
The reason was none other than the unexpected return of the Lu Family's rightful heir, presumed dead in battle at the border for five years.
Not only unharmed, but he had also achieved great military merit and was honored by Your Majesty as the General of the Northern Frontier, with a rank of third-grade official.
Standing at the doorway, Meng Qianqian quietly observed the man in silver armor within the flower hall.
Five years ago, she had married into the Lu Family following her grandfather's wishes. Yet, before she could even see her husband's face, he was summoned to war.
Soon after, word of his death at the hands of Beiliang soldiers reached them, claiming his remains were unrecoverable.
By the doorway stood another unfamiliar woman, someone Meng Qianqian had never seen within the residence before.
"So now you return… now you return! Do you have any idea how much your mother cried? Her eyes nearly went blind from mourning! If you were alive this whole time, why couldn't you send home a single letter? Do you even know what your mother has endured these past years? Did you ever think of that? Were you trying to kill me with worry?"
Lu Mother fiercely struck him in grief, her sobs uncontrollable.
Lu Lingxiao, filled with shame, replied, "I have caused you anguish, Mother. It is I who is unfilial!"
As he spoke, he immediately stepped back and knelt heavily before Lu Mother!
Meng Qianqian watched the man's broad, strong back without blinking.
As if sensing Meng Qianqian's gaze, Lu Lingxiao abruptly turned his head, his eyes flashing with sharp hostility and a cold gleam: "Who is there?"
Meng Qianqian froze.
Lu Lingxiao hesitated as well.
Lu Mother quickly wiped her tears, pulled Lu Lingxiao upright, and beckoned to Meng Qianqian: "Qianqian, come inside quickly."
Meng Qianqian stepped into the hall and positioned herself beside Lu Mother.
Lu Mother smiled as she took Meng Qianqian's hand: "Qianqian, do you know who he is?"
Meng Qianqian nodded: "My husband."
Softly, delicately, she uttered the word "husband," leaving Lu Lingxiao stunned once more, his aura of battlefield ferocity momentarily stilled!
"That's right, he's your husband."
Lu Mother's smile deepened as she turned to her son and said, "Qianqian has had a difficult few years as well. After you left, she lived as a widow for five years, never once considering remarriage. As it turns out, your death was false, and her waiting wasn't in vain. Now that you've returned, Qianqian has grown up… Qianqian, from now on, Lingxiao will reside in Haitang Courtyard. Does that suit you?"
Before Meng Qianqian could agree, Lu Lingxiao's expression changed, and he interjected: "Mother!"
Meng Qianqian tilted her head to look at Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao, feeling unsettled by her clear, unguarded gaze, looked away and addressed Lu Mother: "Mother, I need to speak with you."
"Speak."
Lu Mother said.
Lu Lingxiao paused for a moment, then called softly toward the doorway: "Wan'er."
Meng Qianqian's eyes widened as she saw the unfamiliar woman who had stood by the entrance earlier now walking inside.
The woman wore plain clothes, her hair adorned with a white jade hairpin, draped in a white cloak. Her slender frame and refined beauty exuded an air of fragile elegance that inspired pity.
She walked to Lu Lingxiao's side and stopped.
Lu Lingxiao said, "Mother, this is Wan'er. Wan'er, this is my mother."
The woman folded her hands together and bowed slightly in greeting.
Lu Mother was struck dumb.
Lu Lingxiao explained, "Wan'er cannot speak. I ask for your understanding, Mother."
"Ah… this… this…" Lu Mother struggled for a moment to collect herself.
Lu Lingxiao addressed Lu Mother earnestly: "Mother, Wan'er's father and brothers gave their lives to save me. Before they died, they entrusted Wan'er to me. With no family left, I couldn't leave Wan'er stranded at the border. I ask you, Mother, to accept Wan'er."
"If… if she has done you a great favor, then she shall be treated as an honored guest in our Lu Mansion, Miss Wan'er."
Lu Mother extended her hand to take Wan'er's hand.
Wan'er pulled her hand away and moved closer to Lu Lingxiao's side.
Lu Mother's expression darkened slightly.
Lu Lingxiao quickly explained, "Mother, Wan'er has been injured before."
Though Lu Mother was already feeling displeased, the joy of her son's return restrained her from expressing it outright.
With a sigh, she turned to Meng Qianqian and said, "Qianqian, you may return to Haitang Courtyard for now."
Meng Qianqian asked, "Should I come over for dinner?"
Lu Mother replied warmly, "Since your great-grandmother hasn't returned yet, just have dinner in your own courtyard tonight."
"Oh."
Meng Qianqian obediently left.
Watching her retreating figure, Lu Mother sighed deeply: "Back then, to bring fortune to your great-grandmother, Qianqian was married here at such a young age. She didn't know anyone in the household and must have cried secretly countless times… Miss Wan'er, I ask that you step out for a moment."
Wan'er looked at Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao spoke gently to her: "Go wait for me in the Warm Pavilion."
Reluctantly, Wan'er left.
With no others left in the room, Lu Mother's expression turned stern: "Qianqian has waited for you as a widow for five years. And yet, you bring back another woman the moment you return? Do you think this is fair to Qianqian? Let me warn you, she can stay as a guest, but never as one of the household—my acceptance has its limits!"
Lu Lingxiao's face darkened: "Mother!"
Lu Mother replied, "She is the daughter of your benefactor. Out of duty and reason, the Lu Family owes her a debt. You don't need to concern yourself with her; I will handle this matter personally."
Lu Lingxiao asked, "What do you intend to do, Mother?"
Lu Mother said, "I will take her in as my adopted daughter, prepare a suitable dowry, and let her marry elegantly under the name of a Lu Family daughter!"
Lu Lingxiao hesitated before responding gravely: "Mother, Wan'er is with child."
Lu Mother froze in shock.
That night.
Lu Lingxiao arrived at Haitang Courtyard.
Meng Qianqian had just finished bathing. She was sprawled on the bed, reading a book while nibbling on fried pastries, her pale legs swinging leisurely—utterly content.
"Ahem."
Lu Lingxiao cleared his throat at the doorway.
Meng Qianqian's petite figure trembled as she hurriedly shoved the book under her pillow and covered the tray of pastries with a silk cloth.
She then sat upright swiftly, adopting a serious demeanor entirely reminiscent of the proper young lady everyone assumed her to be.
"I'm coming in."
Lu Lingxiao said.
"Mm."
Meng Qianqian answered, stealing a quick glance at the pastries. "I wasn't snacking."
Her cheeks were puffed and greasy, a scene of guilty denial.
Lu Lingxiao had expected to find a sorrow-stricken young wife, yet here she was, utterly unaffected, with leisure to snack.
Lu Lingxiao suddenly felt an inexplicable mix of emotions.
He frowned as he walked to her bedside and sat down: "I'm here to talk about Wan'er. Once we're done, I'll leave."
Meng Qianqian's expression turned solemn.
This was more appropriate; her earlier indifference appeared more like an act.
Lu Lingxiao shook his head, resting his hands on his knees as he said, "Wan'er will stay in Lu Mansion from now on. I understand you disapprove. I can compensate you in other ways, but this matter is non-negotiable. If you can be sensible, I will treat you with the respect due to a proper wife—you will always remain the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu Family."
"Rest assured, Wan'er is straightforward and pure. She won't try to compete with you, nor does she care for hollow titles or status."
"I hope you'll coexist peacefully with Wan'er."