That's enough.
Lu Mingxiu took the opportunity to keep Feng Yi behind so that he could figure things out before leaving.
“Father-in-law, the matter I mentioned last time about finding a master for my two younger brothers is making progress.” He needed to offer a small reward, since he still needed An Yuanliang’s help with something. “However, Master Fu is running a martial arts academy in Xishan, so my two younger brothers will probably have to stay there for a while.”
Many of the military examination graduates in this dynasty were Fu Ping's disciples.
An Yuanliang originally didn't want to send his sons too far away, since he wasn't expecting them to take the martial arts exams, but just to improve their physical fitness. However, he asked Lu Mingxiu for help, and Lu Mingxiu found a first-rate teacher. If he refused, it would seem like he was ungrateful, and he probably wouldn't be able to ask Lu Mingxiu for help again in the future.
Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, he thanked her and agreed.
"I'll send someone to contact them first, then I'll send someone to the manor to deliver the message." Lu Mingxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
An Yuanliang naturally expressed his gratitude with profuse thanks.
It was secondary that his two sons had become successful; it seemed that his son-in-law, the Marquis of Pingyuan, was quite respectful to him, much better than he had imagined. An Yuanliang couldn't help but feel smug.
Lu Mingxiu merely chuckled inwardly, showing no sign of it on his face.
******
By the time everyone had left the Marquis's residence, the matter had been kept completely secret, and even An Ran was unaware of what had happened.
It wasn't until she got into the carriage that she realized Lu Mingxiu seemed a little off.
In the past, when the two were alone in the car, Lu Mingxiu always liked to tease her by touching her inappropriately. Seeing her blushing, Lu Mingxiu would become even more wicked and provoke her. Sometimes, when he angered An Ran, he would lower himself and say nice things to coax her.
Today, however, Lu Mingxiu held her in his arms, speaking much less than usual, appearing somewhat silent.
This reminded An Ran of when she wasn't familiar with Lu Mingxiu, and she was still somewhat afraid of the taciturn and cold-faced Marquis Lu.
When did she stop being afraid of him?
Perhaps it was from the first time he tamed the frightened carriage and took her hand; or perhaps it was when he rescued her at Princess Yunyang's residence...
An Ran stared at Lu Mingxiu with her big, round eyes. Although the silent Marquis Lu looked somewhat intimidating, An Ran, who had already figured out his temperament, was not afraid at all.
"My lord, what happened today?" An Ran asked in a low voice.
Lu Mingxiu suddenly smiled and said softly, "You figured it out."
He knew the rumors were false, but hearing people slander Jiu Niang like that still angered him. Even though he had dealt with those people, and Zhao Shi and An Yuanliang had promised to find the masterminds and show them no mercy, Lu Mingxiu was still displeased.
Ironically, what he hated most was that he wasn't by Jiu Niang's side during her most difficult times.
“Ninth Sister, I should have met you sooner.” Lu Mingxiu grasped An Ran’s hand and said with some emotion, “It’s still a bit late.”
An Ran blinked.
“Even if it were any earlier, you couldn’t marry me,” An Ran said playfully. “I’m not your child bride, how could I marry someone so young?”
An Ran thought to herself, "Isn't it enough that I married him so early?"
Lu Mingxiu couldn't help but smile.
The more time they spent together, the more relaxed Anran became in his presence, speaking more freely and without hesitation. This was something he was happy to see; he loved his cheerful, playful, and affectionate wife.
If he had made up his mind sooner, none of these unpleasant things would have happened.
She deserves better, and he wants to give her the best.
"So, Lord Marquis, you're still avoiding the question and not telling me the truth." An Ran wasn't evaded by Lu Mingxiu and went straight to the point: "What happened at the Marquis's residence?"
This matter could not be kept from An Ran, so Lu Mingxiu nodded and only said that he had heard someone deliberately gossiping.
"I have already handed the person over to my father-in-law and mother-in-law." Seeing that An Ran's face was somewhat gloomy, Lu Mingxiu hurriedly said, "Ninth Sister, don't worry, I will definitely make sure that the person who did this tastes the bitter fruit."
An Ran did not doubt the authenticity of Lord Lu's guarantee.
What could be worse than the rumors that were flying around her in the capital a while back? This is nothing compared to the bigger picture. Besides, people can say whatever they want, and she can't control them anyway, so she simply ignored them.
"My lord, I'm not angry, really." An Ran smiled slightly, her eyes calm and content.
"They're only saying that because they're jealous of me! If I really get angry, wouldn't that be playing right into their hands?"
Chapter 148
The two returned to the Pingyuan Marquis's residence as dusk was falling.
Since the Emperor had ordered Lu Mingxiu to return to his residence to "reflect on his mistakes," he naturally wouldn't assign him any other tasks. Therefore, he didn't return to his study but went directly back to the main courtyard with An Ran.
The couple walked side by side to the corridor, and there Nian-ge'er's small figure appeared behind the curtain.
He rushed into An Ran's arms like a cannonball. An Ran almost lost her balance, but Lu Mingxiu helped her from behind to keep them steady.
"Mother, why did you only come back now!" Nian Ge'er looked at An Ran with affection, raised his little face, and said with some grievance, "You said you would come back sooner to play cat's cradle with me, but I waited and waited, and it was already dark."
Today, the Chen family came to propose marriage, and Anran was afraid of a chaotic situation, especially since Nian-ge'er's arm injury had just healed, and she didn't want him to be bumped into. Therefore, Anran left him at home, asking Qingmei and Qingxing to look after him. Now that Qingping had left the Marquis's mansion, it seemed that no one could harm him anymore.
"It's my fault for not keeping my promise to Nian-ge'er. How about I play with you tonight?" Anran gently picked up Nian-ge'er and coaxed him softly.
Nian-ge'er regretted his words as soon as they were spoken. He shouldn't have complained to his mother; he should have been a sensible child so that his mother would like him. These days, his mother had been too good to him, and he had become somewhat arrogant and unruly.
He nervously tugged at An Ran's skirt, afraid that she would ignore him.
To his surprise, An Ran not only didn't get angry, but instead coaxed him gently.
"Mother—" Nian Ge'er blinked, looking at An Ran with a mixture of surprise and pity. "Aren't you angry with me?"