Chapter 17 Husband and Wife

Ling Jingyan raised her eyebrows and smiled proudly: "Luoyang peony is famous all over the world. I have lived in the capital for many years and attended many flower-viewing banquets. I have seen many famous peonies and learned some techniques of planting peonies from the gardeners in the mansion. I have planted several rare varieties. Since cousin Shu is also good at this, I will definitely ask for advice in the future."

While asking for advice, her face showed a clear expression of competition.

Ling Jingshu wanted to refuse, but then she thought that she planned to go to the capital with her uncle's family, and she would have to deal with Ling Jingyan in the future.

"Since cousin Yan has such a refined interest, I can't refuse it. I can only accompany you." Ling Jingshu smiled slightly: "Please give me some advice, cousin Yan."

The attitude was humble, and the goodwill in the tone was implicit. It sounded very pleasant.

Ling Jingyan felt much better, and she didn't dislike Ling Jingshu so much: "Okay, I'll go find you tomorrow."

"Cousin Yan has come back from afar, she is a distinguished guest, how can I let you run around. I'll go find you tomorrow!" Ling Jingshu said with a smile.

Ling Jingyan nodded happily.

Ling Jingxian, who witnessed this scene: "..."

She deliberately instigated, hoping that Ling Jingshu would give Ling Jingyan a setback, so that she could vent her anger and have something exciting to watch. How could it become like this?

......

Everyone was very tired after the long journey. After the banquet, they went back to their rooms to rest.

Ling originally lived in Yonghe Hall, but it was not appropriate to live in Yonghe Hall after Lu An came. Let the servants move all the luggage to the guest room. Fortunately, the house was clean and tidy, the bedding was brand new, and it could be lived in at any time.

Lu An sat on the chair, and Lu Hong and Lu Qian stood side by side in front of Lu An.

Lu An's face was serious, and he asked: "Ah Hong, A Qian, are you used to living in the Ling family these days?"

Lu Hong was more in awe of his father than close to him, and he answered respectfully: "In reply to what father said, the Ling family treats people kindly and harmoniously, and takes good care of food, clothing, and daily life. It's not difficult for my son to live here."

Lu An hummed and looked at Lu Qian again.

Facing the young and weak young son, Lu An's expression softened a little: "Ah Qian, you have grown up so much, and this is the first time you have returned to your grandparents' home. They treat you well!"

Lu Qian lowered his head and answered: "My grandmother is very kind, my uncle and aunt are very concerned about me, and my cousins ​​are also very kind to me."

"Don't just play around and neglect your studies."

"I review my books every day and I haven't slacked off. Please rest assured, father."

The answer was quite standard, and there was nothing to complain about.

But Lu An frowned.

Lu Hong is the eldest son. He has always been strict with Lu Hong. It is inevitable that Lu Hong follows the rules and trembles in front of him. But Lu Qian is lively and arrogant, and he will flatter and please others. He has never been so well-behaved in front of him. Such a serious conversation inevitably makes the father and son seem estranged...

Lu Hong saw that Lu An looked unhappy, and he was secretly surprised. He subconsciously glanced at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian still lowered his head, and it was unclear what his expression was. But it was very different from his usual performance.

Lu An waited for a while, and seeing that Lu Qian was still half dead, he was a little angry, and his face suddenly sank, and his voice revealed a bit of displeasure: "Forget it, I am tired today, you two brothers go back to the room to rest first. If you have anything to say, wait until tomorrow."

The two brothers Lu Hong and Lu Qian took the order and left together.

After leaving the main hall and making sure that their conversation could not be heard by their father, Lu Hong asked in a low voice: "Second brother, what's wrong with you today? Why don't you answer your father when he talks to you?"

If it were any other day, Lu Qian would have used his coquettish skills to make his father happy.

It was already dark, and the wind lantern hanging under the corridor was flashing a dim and uncertain light.

Lu Qian's handsome face seemed to have melted into the darkness, and his expression was vague and indifferent: "Didn't I answer every question my father asked?"

Lu Hong was choked and speechless, and his handsome eyebrows wrinkled slightly, which made him look more handsome in the dim light.

Lu Qian looked at his tall and handsome brother, and his heart seemed to be blocked by something, and he became more and more depressed and uncomfortable. He said: "I'm sleepy, I'm going back to sleep first."

Then he turned and left.

Lu Hong: "..."

This Lu Qian has been acting strangely since he recovered from his illness on the boat that day. Occasionally, she would be sullen and quarrel with him. This time, she was inexplicably angry with her father again.

Perhaps it was because she was getting older and didn't want to be treated as a child anymore, so her temper became worse.

Lu Hong thought about it, smiled and shook his head, and went back to the room to rest.

......

When Ling came in, she saw Lu An's gloomy face, and her heart skipped a beat. Thinking that Lu An was still unhappy about what Mrs. Ling had just said, she smiled humbly and said, "Mother's words today were definitely not directed at the master. The master must not take it to heart."

It would have been better if Ling didn't mention it. As soon as she mentioned the situation just now, Lu An's suppressed anger surged in her heart, and she looked at Ling sarcastically: "If you hadn't been nagging in front of your mother-in-law, how would your mother-in-law know that you were wronged in the Lu family?"

A trace of panic flashed across Ling's eyes, and her tone softened: "The master has always treated me very well. I am in charge of the inner house, and I have a luxurious life. How can I feel wronged? Mother said this only out of pity for her daughter, and there is no other meaning. Please don't take it too seriously, master."

Don't hit a smiling person.

Seeing Ling's flattering smile, Lu An snorted and said nothing more.

Ling suppressed her grievances and whispered about Lu Hong: "...I have brought Ah Hong and Ah Qian to live in the mansion for a few days. They are very comfortable staying in the Ling family. Especially Ah Hong, she gets along very well with the cousins ​​and sisters of the Ling family."

When it comes to the word "sisters", she paused intentionally or unintentionally.

Lu An was so perceptive that he immediately heard her implication and looked up: "Do you mean that Ah Hong has fallen in love with the granddaughter of the Ling family?"

A beautiful girl's face flashed through his mind quickly.

"Is it Ling Jingshu?" Lu An was clearly asking, but his tone was very sure.

Even he, who was always in love with women, was amazed at the sight of her, let alone a young boy who was just beginning to fall in love.

"Master is indeed very perceptive. I am talking about Sister Shu."

Seeing that Lu An was interested in this topic, Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly took over the conversation with a smile: "Whether Ah Hong likes Sister Shu or not, I can't say. However, Ah Hong pays attention to her everywhere. Today, he took the initiative to follow Sister Shu to the garden. Speaking of which, Ah Hong is sixteen this year. It's time to consider his lifelong affairs."

Lu An's expression did not move, and he did not comment.

However, Ling knew his temper very well. If he did not agree, he would have frowned long ago. At this time, he still had the patience to listen to her, which obviously moved her mind.

Lu Hong was the original wife's legitimate son, with extraordinary talent and intelligence. He had the title of a scholar at a young age. His future is limitless. Lu An seems to favor the youngest son Lu Qian, but the one he values ​​most is the eldest son.

Ling has been married for so many years and has been trying her best to win over Lu Hong. But the effect is not obvious. Lu Hong treats Lu Qian quite well, but is lukewarm to her as a stepmother. If this marriage can be facilitated, Lu Hong will marry his niece, and he will naturally be closer to her in the future.

Ling Jingshu will become a daughter-in-law and will be of the same mind as her mother-in-law and aunt.

The more Ling thought about it, the more she felt that this was a good idea. She continued, "I haven't mentioned this to Ahong, but I've been thinking about it secretly. The master will stay at the Ling family for a while on my mother's birthday this time. You might as well pay more attention to Shujie'er. If you think this marriage is feasible, I'll mention it to my mother."

Lu An pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Ahong is the eldest son of our Lu family. He will definitely be the head of the family in the future. His wife will also be the wife of our Lu family in the future. We must choose a wife with a dignified, gentle and virtuous temperament. Shujie'er is indeed good-looking, but I don't know what her temperament is like. There's no need to rush to decide on a marriage. These days, you should pay more attention to Shujie'er in private."

After a pause, she said, "If there is a chance, I will personally see her character and knowledge."

This means that she has initially agreed to this marriage.

Ling was refreshed and hurriedly agreed with a smile.

......

Ling carefully helped Lu An wash and sleep.

Luan was exhausted from all the traveling and should have rested early, but for some reason today, she was particularly interested. She had to torment Ling twice before she calmed down.

Ling felt sore and lazy all over, and she nestled beside Luan with great satisfaction.

Such intimacy had not happened for a long time.

Since Luan took the slender and charming Concubine Liu into the mansion, Concubine Liu became Luan's new favorite. In the past year, Luan spent most of her time in Concubine Liu's room. She rarely came to the main house, and occasionally came to see her son, but did not stay in her room.

Although she was still in charge of the inner house, her prestige was not as good as before as the main wife who had lost her favor.

She was full of bitterness in her heart, but she only showed it a little in front of Old Lady Ling.

Unexpectedly, she encountered such an opportunity when she returned to her parents' home this time. She must seize this good opportunity and try her best to promote this marriage.

What does it matter if a woman is both talented and virtuous? What matters most is that she has a stunning face.

Wasn't Lu Hong already obsessed with Ling Jingshu?

Ling was lost in her thoughts, not knowing that her husband, who was lying beside her with his eyes closed, was also thinking about the same person.

......