The Cold Minister’s Obsession: Chasing His Wife - Chapter 4

“This is Qingyue, who just arrived today. I mentioned her to you before. From now on, you all must take good care of her.” The old madam beckoned to Hua Qingyue, “Qingyue, come greet your eldest brother.”

“Qingyue?” Old Madam Lu called again.

By the third call, Hua Qingyue, lost in her own thoughts, startled and finally snapped back to reality.

“Come greet your eldest brother.”

Hua Qingyue involuntarily took a few steps forward, mustering all her strength to suppress the panic within her. With a trembling voice, she said, “Qingyue greets Eldest Brother.”

Those present were unfazed by Hua Qingyue’s reaction. Lu Yan had been on the battlefield, and no young lady in the capital would dare cross his path without avoiding him.

Initially, it hadn’t been like this. Lu Yan was young and had military achievements to his name, not to mention being the heir of Anning Marquis Manor. Apart from rumors of an engagement with his cousin, he had no concubines in his household nor any flirtatious women around him. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was highly sought after.

The young ladies of the capital went to great lengths to catch his attention, each vying to become the future mistress of Anning Marquis Manor.

Among them, the prime minister’s legitimate daughter was the most fervent. Whether it was arranging chance encounters along his route or waiting at the taverns he frequented, she exhausted every means possible yet never managed to appear before him.

Later, someone suggested an underhanded method.

Logically, most men wouldn’t refuse such a charming woman coming to them, but Lu Yan was different.

He immediately ordered his subordinates to lock her up in the prison of the Ministry of Justice.

The next day at court, in front of the emperor and all the officials, he accused the prime minister, as the head of the officials, of failing to educate his daughter properly. If he couldn’t even control his own daughter, he was surely too old and weak to bear the responsibilities of his position.

At these words, the prime minister flushed with shame and indignation, immediately submitting a request to retire and return to his hometown.

From then on, no one dared approach this iron-blooded commander.

Moreover, Hua Qingyue, who came from a small place, was naturally afraid of him.

She curtsied, but the person beside her didn’t tell her to rise, and Hua Qingyue didn’t dare move.

The standoff lasted for a moment, and just as Hua Qingyue felt she was about to collapse, she heard him speak coldly with a stern face:

“Since Grandmother said to look after you, and you call me Eldest Brother, I must say a few words. For example, when performing a curtsy, your body should stand straight, hands clasped with the right hand on top, placed at the left side of your waist. Bend slightly at the knees to show grace.”

Was he implying she lacked grace?

But she had practiced this posture hundreds of times—there was no way she could have made a mistake. Yet she didn’t dare argue, only wishing to leave quickly and stay far away from him.

Those present stifled their laughter at his words.

Hua Qingyue’s face stiffened further in discomfort when she heard him speak again, his tone indifferent, “Coincidentally, my mother has a few maids who are about to retire in the coming days. You can learn properly from them to avoid embarrassing Anning Marquis Manor in the future.”

Ning Sui County Princess initially frowned slightly. She knew her son well—since when did he care about such matters? But hearing his last remark, she realized it was for the sake of Anning Marquis Manor’s reputation. She was also aware of the old madam’s intentions; it was indeed necessary to teach her properly, so she agreed to the arrangement.

Hua Qingyue lowered her head, her eyes already brimming with tears. Biting her lip to keep them from falling, she replied awkwardly, “Yes, thank you, Eldest Brother.”

“Exactly, learn some manners. I’ve wanted to say that since the moment I first saw her. Only Eldest Brother could do it,” Lu Zhining mocked, finally feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Her eldest brother had always been disdainful of outsiders. His active reprimand today must mean he couldn’t stand her behavior—she would have a hard time from now on.

Lu Yan turned, his piercing gaze fixed on Lu Zhining.

Having just heard Hua Qingyue being punished, Lu Zhining had momentarily forgotten herself in triumph, completely overlooking his usual severity. Now, under his cold stare, she stiffened and burrowed into Wu Shi’s embrace, muttering softly, “Eldest Brother, I’ll shut up.”

Lu Zhining was famously bold and unrestrained among the noble ladies of the capital, but she feared the renowned Commander of the Imperial Guard—Lu Yan. Whenever she saw him, she became the most timid quail in the crowd.

“Copy the ‘Heart-Calming Chant’ one hundred times. If you dare to lord, it over others again, it’ll be a thousand. And if you have someone else, do it for you, you’ll be sent to the estate outside the city to reflect on your mistakes. Only return when your attitude has improved.”

Lu Zhining frowned, about to protest, but she dared not say a word and buried her head even deeper.

Wu Shi seethed inwardly but didn’t dare voice her anger. Her daughter was at the prime age for marriage arrangements—how could she leave the capital now? Yet she couldn’t defy his orders either, so she could only hold Lu Zhining tighter.

The room fell silent. Hua Qingyue remained in her respectful bow, not daring to move, her heart uneasy, fearing he might say something he shouldn’t.

But after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he only exchanged pleasantries with Old Madam Lu, his gaze never returning to her.

At least he hadn’t said anything—nothing that would shatter her heart.

Of course, he also hadn’t told her to rise.

Holding the bowing posture was agonizing. In just this short while, her legs had already begun to ache, and her feet felt as if countless needles were pricking them. Hua Qingyue clenched her jaw, wanting to remind him if she could stand now.

But he had just publicly reprimanded her for her improper and ungraceful bow.

If she spoke up, what would the elders of Anning Marquis Manor think of her? Especially Old Madam Lu—what if she also deemed her ungraceful and rejected the marriage? Who could she turn to then?

Who was there to turn to?

Weighing the consequences, Hua Qingyue gritted her teeth and endured, hoping this scoundrel would glance her way.

After another long while, it was Old Madam Lu who finally eased her discomfort. “Qingyue, rise and take a seat. In a few days, you’ll come to understand that your eldest brother is the strictest with his younger siblings. But it’s all for your own good.”

“Madam, I understand. Eldest Brother only means well for us.”

Only when Lu Yan saw her slowly rise did he shift his gaze away. He cupped his hands toward Old Madam Lu and said, “Grandmother, I still have matters to attend to in my courtyard. I shall take my leave.”

“Go ahead. The lotus seed candies made recently in the manor have already been sent to your quarters. Have some and rest well.”

With that, he strode out. The moment he left, everyone in the room exhaled heavily in relief.

Old Madam Lu then chatted with Hua Qingyue for a while. In truth, she had been observing her since her arrival—this girl had a steady temperament and a pleasing appearance.

Taking advantage of Old Madam Lu’s tea break, Hua Qingyue tried hard to recall the figure from that night and compare it with Lu Yan.

Could she have mistaken him for someone else?

Perhaps they just looked alike. After all, this man appeared courteous and restrained, completely different from the rogue who had nearly taken half her life with his bedchamber antics.

Enough. The months of mental torment had been sufficient. Hua Qingyue didn’t want to dwell on it further. At least he hadn’t said anything today—this hurdle was cleared.

Later, she could simply inquire about his schedule to find out the truth.

For now, this obstacle was overcome. She would take things one step at a time.

She temporarily set aside the matter of Lu Yan.

Old Madam Lu, seemingly tireless after her tea, probed into every detail—what books she had read, what she had studied, whether she was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and how much she knew of poetry and verse.

Since her trip to the capital was originally intended to secure Lu Third Young Master, Hua Qingyue naturally tailored her answers to his preferences, boasting of her talents without reservation.

By the end, Old Madam Lu nodded in satisfaction.

“Arrogant and boastful—she claims to be good at everything. Why is she even here seeking charity?” Lu Zhining muttered with a sneer.

From a distance, Wu Shi remained expressionless and did not respond.

Old Madam Lu turned to Wu Shi. “This Qing girl is lovely, well-mannered, and educated. I’ve taken quite a liking to her. I recall there’s an empty courtyard beside the third branch’s residence. Have it cleaned and prepared for Qing girl to move in.”

At these words, everyone in the room understood—Old Madam Lu was determined to marry her to Lu Li.

Though the matter had been mentioned before, this marriage had been arranged when they were children. Over a decade had passed without any contact between the families. Had it not been for Lu Yan recently mentioning that Lu Li needed someone to keep him in check, even Old Madam Lu might have forgotten about this betrothal. The others had certainly paid it no mind.

But now that the girl had arrived at their doorstep, they could no longer ignore it.

The Anning Marquis Manor was bound to witness quite the spectacle in the days to come.

While some rejoiced, others lamented. Among them, the second madam was secretly overjoyed. The second and third branches had been locked in a silent rivalry. Now, with the third branch marrying a merchant’s daughter, she would have nothing to compete with.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t suppress her grin. “I remember that courtyard is indeed vacant. It’s at the end of the lotus pond, with a beautiful view—perfect for a young lady like Qingyue.”

Wu Shi’s expression darkened further. Unable to hold back, she finally spoke,

“Mother, I fear this is inappropriate. Li’er will be taking the imperial examinations after the new year. Having such a beauty living nearby might distract him. Perhaps we should choose another location.”