Chapter 734: Chapter 696: Lowering One’s Head (25th Update)

Old Mrs. Lu was already seated at the head and smiled when she saw Mrs. Xiao Liu entering, "You child, when you left that day, it was in such a rush, but you at least came to say goodbye. Why didn’t you let anyone know when you came back, so I could send someone to pick you up?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu asked, "Who was the old lady planning to send to pick me up?"

Old Mrs. Lu had not expected her to ask further, her mouth momentarily blocked, "Naturally, Brother Bin. He made you upset, and I let him apologize to you."

Saying this, she gave a signal to Rongrong, "Quickly go invite the young master."

Rongrong responded and left.

Mrs. Xiao Liu originally wanted to stop her, but after some thought, she swallowed her words.

Under the old lady’s indication, she sat on the nearby round-back chair quietly, waiting for Lu Yanbin’s arrival.

...

These days, Lu Yanbin handled affairs in Mrs. Xiao Liu’s Furong Courtyard.

When Rongrong came over, he was still verifying the accounts, "Young Master, the old lady has sent me to invite you over."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yanbin looked up, "Why is she asking me to go over again without any reason?"

Could it be another problem with the accounts?

Lu Yanbin felt a sense of irritation; if there was another mistake, he would start suspecting that the old lady was deliberately finding fault with him.

"The young madam has returned," Rongrong said.

Lu Yanbin’s hands froze on the abacus, "What?"

"The young madam has indeed returned," Rongrong happily replied, "She is currently in the old lady’s room!"

Lu Yanbin closed the ledger, smiled smugly, "I knew it."

That woman was just relying on Sister Wan’s support to act tough for a few days. Once that temper passed, wouldn’t she return obediently to eat the Lu family’s food and be the Lu family’s daughter-in-law?

Thinking this, Lu Yanbin stepped out of Furong Courtyard, following Rongrong to the old lady’s room.

Upon entering, he saw Mrs. Xiao Liu sitting on the round-back chair, wearing a fitted water-red jacket, the bright color making her complexion even worse.

"Old lady," Lu Yanbin bowed and saluted.

"Brother Bin is here? Sit, sit down quickly."

Evidently, because of Mrs. Xiao Liu’s voluntary return to the mansion, the old lady was in a good mood, her lips often carrying a smile.

Seeing Mrs. Xiao Liu’s face devoid of emotion, the old lady restrained herself somewhat, then dismissed Rongrong and the servants.

Lu Yanbin looked at Mrs. Xiao Liu with a half-smile, "Has the young madam had enough fun outside? Finally willing to come home?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu completely ignored him, treating him as air.

Lu Yanbin sulkily snorted through his nose.

The old lady at the head spoke, "Yesterday there were many people; the two of you must have had some words you couldn’t say. Today, it’s just the two of you in front of me; Brother Bin, quickly apologize to Shu. You haven’t been married for long; how could there be such a deep hatred? Each takes a step back, wouldn’t the days ahead still carry on? Falling out over a small matter, won’t it be awkward to see each other day in and day out?"

To avoid infuriating Lu Yanbin, the old lady intentionally avoided mentioning Su Dai, only substituting it with "small matter."

Lu Yanbin cooperated fully, stood up, and bowed to Mrs. Xiao Liu, "That day, I was momentarily angry and didn’t control myself, ending up hitting the young madam. Today, in front of the old lady, I apologize. Don’t take it to heart. From now on, let’s live in peace, shall we?"

His expression was sincere, his tone earnest.

If Mrs. Xiao Liu hadn’t personally experienced those years of being neglected by him, she would have been moved to tears.

Listening to Lu Yanbin saying those hypocritical words to please the old lady, Mrs. Xiao Liu’s heart felt no ripple.

Seeing her unmoved, the old lady said, "If you find any fault with him, just bring it up in front of me, and I’ll have him change it all. Even if you want the stars in the sky, I’ll have him fetch them for you."

Just as Mrs. Xiao Liu was about to say she didn’t want stars, only a divorce, Lu Yanbin spoke first, "The stars in the sky are beyond my reach, but I can have Nan help fetch them for her."

Saying this, he raised his eyebrows at Mrs. Xiao Liu, "I heard he signed up for the grace examination this year, ought to be a sure thing, right? Next year, when he enters the capital, bring him to the mansion to prepare."

The Nan he spoke of was Mrs. Xiao Liu’s own brother, Liu Nan. Due to his outstanding talent, he was jokingly called "Wenquxing Descends" by neighbors.

Mrs. Xiao Liu thought of her unaccomplished father and timid mother, of the entire family’s hope resting on Liu Nan, and if Liu Nan couldn’t pass, as long as the Duke Mansion lent some support, he might secure an official position in the court, establish a foothold in the capital.

She hesitated.

The word "divorce" was stuck in her throat, unable to come out again.

Though she carried the title "Old Mrs. Lu’s niece," in fact, she was but a distant branch with weak blood ties, a twist in kinship.

Her father had achieved little in his life, leaving scant for his son. All the glory and wealth had to be fought for by Liu Nan himself.

Liu Nan did have some talent, but compared to the noble sons in the capital, he was far behind.

Mrs. Xiao Liu was always worried, what if he couldn’t pass the exams? Would he also be a failure like her father?

But if, he couldn’t pass yet had a fallback and someone to support him, all her current worries would be unnecessary.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Xiao Liu resignedly lowered her gaze, "The account books from the young master’s hands, please have them sent to my room later!"

This statement indirectly indicated she would no longer fuss over the previous matters, wouldn’t cause trouble again, and would continue managing the household.

The old lady nodded with satisfaction, "That’s right, husbands and wives inevitably have little quarrels; each taking a step back would solve it. Is there any deep hatred that can’t be forgiven?"

She specially looked pointedly at Lu Yanbin, "Especially you, do not ever lay hands on others again. Whichever hand hits her, I’ll have someone break that hand of yours, got it?"

"The old lady’s teachings make sense, grandson remembers." Lu Yanbin finished speaking, went to Mrs. Xiao Liu, extended his hand, "The young madam has just returned, you must be tired, go and rest."

Mrs. Xiao Liu pursed her lips, glanced at the happily smiling old lady, and had no choice but to place her hand in Lu Yanbin’s.

Lu Yanbin held her and helped her stand up, the two of them walking out of the old lady’s courtyard hand in hand, returning to Furong Courtyard.

Lu Yanbin dismissed the servants, directly pushed Mrs. Xiao Liu onto the bed, and reached to pull her clothes.

Mrs. Xiao Liu turned pale with fright, crossing her arms and turning her eyes away, speaking weakly, "I’m not feeling well, it’s not suitable for intimacy, besides, it’s broad daylight; I hope the young master will exercise restraint."

Lu Yanbin stared at her intensely, "Am I usually too indulgent with you, to the point where you’ve learned not only to run away but also to talk back to me everywhere, Liu Shuyuan, you’ve really grown bolder!"

Mrs. Xiao Liu sat up straight, stiffly pulling her collar back, repeating once more, "I really don’t feel well."

Lu Yanbin sneered coldly, "Yesterday at the restaurant, you made all sorts of excuses for not being able to drink wine or tea, and even hearing louder words from me made you uncomfortable. Now you say it again today. Are you truly unwell? It’s pure disgust! The Song family didn’t get you a doctor, so I’ll get one. Hong Xiang, go get the household doctor! Today, I want to see what unspeakable illness you’ve gotten!"

His every word was like a cold knife, slicing through her heart. Mrs. Xiao Liu withdrew her arms, looking like her soul had been drained.

Weak, in pain, yet she had to live, for her parents, and also for Liu Nan.

"Young Madam, the household doctor is here."

Hong Xiang’s voice came from outside.

Mrs. Xiao Liu’s thoughts were pulled back, seeing the household doctor entering, her back stiffened as if waiting for fate’s judgment.

"Please check on the young madam, see what’s causing her discomfort," Lu Yanbin instructed, sitting heavily in the opposite chair, eyes filled with nearly cruel coldness.

"Young madam, please move to the table." The household doctor respectfully said.

Mrs. Xiao Liu moved like a walking corpse to the table and sat down, extending her wrist.

The household doctor was about to take her pulse when Rongrong suddenly rushed in, "The old lady has heatstroke, come with me quickly."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao Liu relaxed a bit.

Lu Yanbin’s eyes narrowed sharply, "The old lady has heatstroke?"

"Yes," Rongrong replied, "She’s feeling quite uncomfortable at the moment."

After speaking, she began urging the household doctor again.

Mrs. Xiao Liu, not wanting to be alone with Lu Yanbin in the same room, stood up with her, "I’ll go and take a look!"

Lu Yanbin heard this, and his gaze fell on her face, "Aren’t you unwell?"

"Just unwell, not unable to walk," Mrs. Xiao Liu said, "Visiting the old lady doesn’t interfere."