The Cold Minister’s Obsession: Chasing His Wife - Chapter 15

“Then what else would I be doing?”

His words were cold and indifferent. Hua Qingyue didn’t know where he had gotten so angry, venting his frustration on her first thing in the morning. But she had no right to refuse. Taking a deep breath, she asked,

“Whatever posture Elder Brother prefers, Qingyue will assume it. Will that do?”

To avoid further torment, she was desperate to appease his anger.

A shadow flickered in Lu Yan’s eyes, his voice low. “Then stand.”

Without another word, Hua Qingyue stood up again, letting him continue painting.

Standing opposite him, her nose tingled with suppressed emotion. If her parents were still alive and saw her now, so humbly submitting to another’s whims, she wondered if they would feel she had disgraced the Hua family. Before she could dwell on it further, her almond-shaped eyes welled with tears, her dark, curled lashes trembling incessantly.

The man painting suddenly looked up at her.

His jaw tightened slightly before he resumed his brushwork.

But after only a few strokes, he threw down the brush. “Too ugly. I won’t paint anymore.”

Hua Qingyue scoffed inwardly. It was clearly his own lack of skill—yet he blamed her appearance. Since childhood, the word “ugly” had never been associated with her, and no one had ever described her as such.

Still, as long as he stopped tormenting her, ugly was fine.

His expression cold and stern, he stood and walked inside.

Hua Qingyue exhaled in relief.

That bastard was finally tired.

But her relief lasted less than a moment before she heard him say, “Come inside. Grind ink.”

She bit her lip. Was he treating her like a servant now?

Glancing at the sky, she still needed to deliver the belt to Spring Rain Pavilion. Who knew when he would finally let her go?

She couldn’t figure out what she had done to offend him, but she didn’t dare defy him either, so she followed.

After all, Lu Third Young Master rarely spent much time in the estate. If she didn’t seize this chance, she would miss the opportunity Old Madam Lu had given her.

Nearby, Fei Jiu shuddered as he watched the man and woman in the courtyard, his face a picture of astonishment. He couldn’t wait to write to Fei Shi and tell him that their master was, in fact, a normal man—and that they might soon have a mistress.

Once inside, Hua Qingyue picked up the inkstick on the desk and began grinding it slowly.

Lu Yan sat at the desk, handling official documents. She focused on rotating her wrist, neither speaking nor seeking unnecessary conversation.

An hour later.

Rubbing her slightly sore wrist, Hua Qingyue glanced discreetly at the man at the main seat. He was annotating something, with two stacks of documents beside him. The completed ones he placed on the right, while the left still held a sizable pile waiting to be reviewed. It didn’t seem like he would finish anytime soon.

She wondered if Lu Third Young Master had already left the estate—and how much longer she would have to endure this before his anger subsided.

Hua Qingyue let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Lu Yan, seated at the desk, was tall and imposing. Even while sitting, he wasn’t much shorter than the standing Hua Qingyue. His sharp profile was striking, his thin lips pressed tightly together, exuding the commanding aura of a man of authority.

His hearing was keen, and though the sigh was faint, he caught it clearly. Frowning, he remarked meaningfully, “Already tired?”

Hua Qingyue nodded almost immediately. She truly was exhausted. If this continued, her hands would be too sore to practice calligraphy anytime soon.

Lu Yan’s frown deepened.

She silently prayed in her heart, hoping she could leave soon. Next time she visited the temple, she would definitely burn more incense sticks.

Perhaps her prayers were truly heard by the deities above, for not long after, Lu Yan indeed said, “That’s enough for today. You may go back.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Hua Qingyue immediately replied cheerfully, “Yes, Eldest Brother. Qingyue will take her leave now.”

With that, she respectfully withdrew, and in the blink of an eye, she had already left the courtyard.

Seeing how swiftly she responded, clearly unwilling to stay in his presence, Lu Yan couldn’t help but frown, an inexplicable irritation rising in his heart.

As soon as she stepped out, Tao Xi whispered something in her ear, and Hua Qingyue’s face instantly brightened with joy. “Let’s go, we’re heading back to Qingzhu Courtyard.”

–

By the lotus pond.

“Third Brother, why didn’t you attend the poetry gathering today?” Lu Heng asked curiously.

Lu Li gazed in the direction of Qingzhu Courtyard and replied slowly, “How could any poetry gathering compare to the beauty of our Lu family’s lotus pond?”

As he spoke, his eyes drifted into the distance, and he murmured, “Besides, didn’t Grandmother instruct us to take good care of Qingyue? When our elders speak, how dare we juniors disobey?”

Lu Heng followed Lu Li’s gaze in confusion and was momentarily stunned. “Is that… Miss Hua?”

“What ‘Miss Hua’? Call her Qingyemei (younger sister Qingyue).”

Lu Heng nodded.

Lu Li strode forward to greet Hua Qingyue. “Qingyemei, this is Lu Heng, the fourth son of the second branch.”

From afar, Hua Qingyue had already noticed this person. True to the rumors, he exuded an air of noble dignity.

She was the same age as Lu Zhining, only a few months older, so it was only natural to address Lu Heng as an elder brother. She curtsied gracefully. “Qingyue greets Fourth Brother.”

Lu Heng’s gaze lingered on her face, and realizing his impropriety, he feigned a light cough. “Qingyemei, there’s no need for such formality. Since you’ve entered the Lu household, you’re now our dear younger sister. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Lu Heng was renowned for his gentle and refined demeanor, but he was still a young man. Though they addressed each other as siblings, there was no actual blood relation. He tugged at Lu Li’s sleeve and said hesitantly, “Third Brother, isn’t that, right?”

“Indeed, indeed. Our fourth brother is the most helpful in the Lu household. If you ever face any difficulties in the residence, just come to him—don’t stand on ceremony.”

Hua Qingyue curtsied again. “Thank you, Fourth Brother. I hope you won’t find me bothersome in the future.”

“How could I? Qingyemei, feel free to come to me anytime.” He glanced at Lu Li and added, “Or you can seek out Third Brother too.”

Watching the two exchange words so warmly, Lu Li felt a pang of discomfort. “Qingyemei, have you ever seen the night scenery of the capital?”

Hua Qingyue shook her head. In truth, she had long heard about the capital’s breathtaking nightscape, illuminated by endless lights, and had yearned to see it. However, having just arrived at the Hua residence, she didn’t want to trouble Old Madam Lu with such a presumptuous request, so she had let it go.

Moreover, she had been busy learning etiquette and manners from Lu Yan. Each day was a struggle just to keep up—how could she spare a thought for such things?

Now, hearing Lu Li mention it, her face lit up with longing.

“Lu Heng, how about we take Qingyemei to see it tonight?”

“Of course! Qingyemei has never been to the capital—it’s only right we show her around. Why not gather the other young ones in the residence tonight and make an outing of it?”