Chapter 743: Chapter 705: The Gathering of Three Concubines (Part 1)

Lu Yanbin had been recuperating in the family temple for more than half a month before he showed improvement.

During this half month, Mrs. Xiao Liu took care of him diligently every day.

More than once, Lu Yanbin said to her, "Shuyuan, will you forgive me?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu would then smile and reply, "I’ll go home with you."

On the day they returned to the city, the two sat in the carriage, and Lu Yanbin held her in his arms.

Mrs. Xiao Liu did not resist either, resting her cheek against his chest. From above her head, Lu Yanbin’s voice came again, "Shuyuan, are you still angry with me?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu looked up at him, her lips curved into a smile, "Young master, I will never run away from home again. I’ll stay at the Lu Family, won’t go anywhere."

She smiled beautifully, perhaps it was the first time he had seen her smile so brightly in his memory.

But there was no soul.

In her eyes, the previous anticipation and the uncontainable infatuation for him could no longer be seen.

Clearly, he had her in his arms; clearly, she couldn’t escape again. Yet it seemed as if there were ten thousand miles separating them.

Lu Yanbin’s heart felt as if it had been stung by a bee, a slight pain spreading throughout his body.

"Shuyuan..."

"Hmm?"

"Shuyuan..."

He called her name over and over, and she patiently responded each time.

With each response, he felt the distance being pushed further away.

She was no longer the Shu who, despite being ignored for three years, still held expectations for him in her heart.

The sense of powerlessness, of grasping a person but not their heart, the feeling of defeat and remorse, made Lu Yanbin break down.

His embrace around her arms grew tighter, "Shuyuan, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry..."

Mrs. Xiao Liu took out a handkerchief, gently dabbing the corner of his eyes, her voice soft and light, "Young master, we’re home."

——

Mrs. Xiao Liu was personally brought back by Lu Yanbin. After hearing about it, Wen Wan felt uneasy, fearing he might maltreat his wife again, so she went to see them once.

The result was unexpected.

Mrs. Xiao Liu seemed more virtuous than before.

Wen Wan saw the two sitting together at the writing desk, managing accounts, a very loving and harmonious scene, yet something felt off.

On her way back, she thought it over carefully, it was the feeling Mrs. Xiao Liu gave that was off.

After coming back from the family temple, she seemed more devoted to serving Lu Yanbin and was more adept at managing the Duke Mansion’s affairs.

Yet, her eyes no longer held anticipation, no longer shone brightly.

Mrs. Xiao Liu now seemed only to be fulfilling the duties of a wife, in return for the Duke Mansion’s protection, in return for decades of stable life.

Because she knew her own family’s status was low, if she proposed a divorce, not from the elder master or madam down to Lu Pingzhou would agree, and if she acted unreasonably, all she could receive was a divorce letter.

Once divorced, she could not return to her family and would only have the choice of death or becoming a nun.

She once told Wen Wan that she didn’t want to become a nun, nor did she want to die young.

So out of fear of death, she chose to return with Lu Yanbin.

But returning does not mean forgiving.

This realization made Wen Wan’s heart tighten.

Could it be that the greatest sorrow is when the heart dies, as they say, manifesting in people like Mrs. Xiao Liu?

——

Recently, Wen Wan received an invitation, coming from Chief Minister Yang’s residence.

The handwriting was beautiful, in delicate regular script with floral designs, stating that in a few days, it would be the birthday of Miss Yang Xueru, and inviting Princess Yong’an to attend.

Wen Wan looked at the invitation and felt a strong sense of irony.

If she remembered correctly, last year the Yang Family, in revenge against Song Wei, colluded with Su Yi to plant an ill-intentioned nanny in Song Mansion.

Although it didn’t succeed in the end, this matter quite bothered Wen Wan.

She hadn’t expected that just over half a year later, the Yang Family would have forgotten the incident and proactively sent an invitation to the Song Family.

Regardless of whether Yang Xueru knew about Nanny Qin’s matter or not, Wen Wan held a resistant attitude towards their family’s invitation.

However, she didn’t make a decision immediately, but discussed it with Song Wei that night.

Song Wei asked if she had any bad premonitions.

Wen Wan said no.

"Then it might be because the other party is interested in your status," Song Wei speculated. "After all, more than half of the Capital now knows that you are favored by the Emperor and are the cousin of the Crown Prince. If she can win your favor, it would be a great benefit to her."

Wen Wan said, "So my husband thinks I should attend her birthday banquet?"

Song Wei nodded.

Wen Wan’s tone was sullen, "But I’m concerned about Chief Minister Yang’s underhanded dealings against you. I’m afraid I’ll end up wanting to scold someone when I visit their house."

Song Wei chuckled, glanced at her, "Just treat it as an ordinary banquet, no need to overthink."

Wen Wan agreed verbally, but still felt uncomfortable inside.

——

On the day of Yang Xueru’s birthday, Wen Wan only brought along Yun Cai and Linglong, wearing a pleated skirt in goose yellow bordered with fine muslin, with a beige palace sash around her waist, fastening the skirt tightly. In the morning’s slight chill, she added a long wash-flower brocade jacket on top, her heavy black hair styled into a casual cloud bun, adorned with peridot butterfly hair ornaments.

She was already the mother of two children, yet wearing such playful colors did not seem incongruous.

When she arrived at the Yang Mansion, it was Yang Xueru herself who came to greet her.

She had heard of this Commandery Princess who was much favored by the current Emperor, but today was the first time seeing her. As Wen Wan alighted from the carriage, even with Yang Xueru’s beauty, a hint of awe flashed in her eyes.

This Commandery Princess was quite different from what she imagined.

The maid beside her softly reminded her, and Yang Xueru immediately composed herself, greeted with a smile, and curtsied, "This minister’s daughter greets the Commandery Princess."

Wen Wan looked over the girl before her, about fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed festively as the birthday girl in a silver vermilion moon-bright skirt. Her makeup and accessories were meticulously arranged, exuding a sense of dignified elegance.

This was Zhao Xi’s future Crown Prince Consort.

Wen Wan had seen her once at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, but at that time, she was too far away to see clearly. Now observing closely, she was indeed beautiful, though her character remained unknown.

But since she was personally chosen by the Emperor Uncle as the Crown Prince Consort, she must possess some outstanding qualities.

Collecting her thoughts, Wen Wan smiled slightly, "No need for formalities, Third Miss."

Yang Xueru then said with a smile, "When my mother told me that she sent a post to the Commandery Princess, she mentioned that the Commandery Princess receives numerous posts daily and might not have time to attend my birthday banquet. I didn’t have much hope, but I am honored that the Commandery Princess still graced us with her presence."

Wen Wan listened, her eyes narrowing slightly.

This girl was interesting, setting a trap right from the start.

Why would someone so busy attend an unfamiliar girl’s birthday banquet? Naturally, it was because Yang Xueru was the Crown Prince’s fiancée, destined to be family.

Her husband guessed rightly; Yang Xueru wanted to get close and gain favor.

Having seen through this, Wen Wan chose not to expose it, nor did she comply as expected, merely smiling faintly, "My husband and your grandfather serve in court together. He often tells me how Chief Minister Yang takes good care of him. This is a rare opportunity, so he insisted I come and interact, Third Miss. Happy birthday!"

Yang Xueru didn’t expect Wen Wan to respond this way. She was surprised but still maintained a smile, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."

At this moment, two other young ladies entered the Hanging Flower Gate, accompanied by their maids one after the other.

Yang Xueru heard the commotion, turned around, and smiled even more warmly, "Two sisters, please come inside quickly."

Wen Wan turned her head, the girl at the front wore a light purple robe and skirt with Ruyi cloud patterns, holding a fan embroidered with banana leaves, possessing tapered peach blossom eyes that slightly slanted upwards, carrying a natural charm. Hearing Yang Xueru’s address, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The girl behind wore an aegean green water pattern short jacket, her features not as bright and refined as those of Yang Xueru and the girl in purple, but carried a clear and aloof temperament.

Her demeanor seemed innate, making her appear genuine rather than contrived.

Wen Wan had seen these two before; the former was the Crown Prince’s concubine-to-be, Qi Xuan from the Empress Qi’s family, the latter also a concubine-to-be, Dong Han, daughter of the Crown Prince’s Tutor.

An event where three consorts gathered.

As soon as the two concubine-to-bes appeared, Yang Xueru assumed the main wife’s demeanor, addressing them as sisters, apparently irking Qi Xuan.

As for Dong Han, she hadn’t shown any obvious expression yet.

Wen Wan thought, now this should be interesting.

As the two approached, Yang Xueru introduced, "This is Princess Yong’an, who managed to honor me with her presence despite being busy. It is truly an honor, sisters, come and greet her."

The two curtsied simultaneously, "Great peace, Commandery Princess."

Yang Xueru was about to introduce Qi Xuan and Dong Han to Wen Wan.

Wen Wan, unwilling to be used as Yang Xueru’s tool, interrupted in advance, "I know you two, the Crown Prince’s concubine-to-bes personally acknowledged by the Empress at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. You are Miss Qi, and you are Miss Dong, right?"

Qi Xuan was surprised the Commandery Princess remembered her, her face showing undisguised joy.

Dong Han, on the other hand, smiled politely.

Yang Xueru, contrasted by their reactions, felt her finely crafted smile stiffen slightly. She had flattered for such a long time without Wen Wan acknowledging her title as the Crown Prince Consort, yet she paid special attention to two virtually unknown maids, making it challenging to maintain a pleasant expression.

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