The Cold Minister’s Obsession: Chasing His Wife - Chapter 6

Fei Jiu was taken aback. Young Master Yu rose before dawn every day, practiced martial arts in the morning, studied calligraphy in the afternoon, and recited lessons in the evening. Even the clan tutor praised him for his respect and courtesy, noting that despite his young age, he could recite the Analects and The Art of War backward—a promising talent indeed.

So how had he become “a man who knows no propriety” in his master’s eyes?

The more Fei Jiu thought about it, the stranger it seemed. No, actually, things had been odd for the past few months. A task that should have taken a month to complete in Lingnan was rushed through day and night and finished in just half a month before his master hurried back to the capital.

Upon returning, after reporting on his mission, he had gone straight to Anning Marquis Manor.

Fei Jiu hadn’t realized his master was the type to be so attached to home.

And today was even stranger—he had been pacing around before dawn and had even spoken to a woman earlier. No matter what, Fei Jiu decided he must write to Fei Shi tonight to ask if their master had been afflicted by some unclean evil spirit.

Though he didn’t believe in ghosts, his master’s behavior was indeed far from his usual self.

“If the etiquette instructor isn’t in the duty courtyard within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Fei Shi will take your place as my attendant.”

Before the words had even faded, Fei Jiu was already gone.

Hua Qingyue had barely made it to Ning Sui County Princess’s courtyard when she was informed that the etiquette instructor had gone to the duty courtyard—apparently to teach some young master proper manners.

Her heart leapt with joy, though her face showed only regret.

“What a shame. It seems I’ll have to wait until Young Master Lu has finished his lessons before I can learn. Please convey to Her Highness that in the meantime, I will observe and study diligently, practicing all the proper gestures of etiquette to ensure I bring no disgrace to Anning Marquis Manor.”

“Miss Hua, Her Highness just instructed me to take you directly to the duty courtyard,” a maid said, stepping out from the inner room.

Hua Qingyue blinked. “The duty courtyard?”

The maid nodded. “Yes, Young Master Yu of the duty courtyard.”

As far as she knew, only Lu Yan lived in the duty courtyard.

Seeing her confusion, the maid kindly added, “The eldest branch has only one grandson—Young Master Yu. The eldest young master has high hopes for him. You may follow along and learn but be careful not to disturb him.”

Lu Yan’s son?

She wanted to smack herself. Knowing the instructor wasn’t available, she should have just gone back—why had she said those unnecessary words?

Now she was paying for it.

No, more like reaping what she’d sown.

Back in Yangzhou, she had asked someone to investigate the Lu family. The report had stated that Lu Yan was neither married nor had children. Now, out of nowhere, a son had appeared. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the child’s mother—what a life she must have had, entangled with such a man.

Halfway there, she patted her cheeks. Better worry about herself first.

Resigned, she followed the maid back to the duty courtyard. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw a young boy standing properly in place.

Noticing her arrival, the boy bowed respectfully. “You must be Aunt Qingyue. It’s our first meeting—Lu Yu greets you.”

Lu Yu—no older than six.

Hua Qingyue observed the polite, precocious child before her and felt an odd sense of familiarity, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

But soon, she realized where that familiarity came from.

Every gesture, every movement—it was unmistakably identical to Lu Yan’s.

Looking at the boy, Hua Qingyue decided today’s almanac must have been inauspicious. She shouldn’t have left the house. Otherwise, how could she have run into that man twice in just one morning?

“Father, rest assured, Hengshi will study etiquette diligently and not disappoint you.”

“Mm.” A cold reply, followed by, “You two learn first. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask the instructing matron.”

After a pause, his tone deepened, “Or you can come ask me. I’ll be in the study.”

Lu Yu smiled. “Yes, Father.”

“Mm.”

Lu Yan finished indifferently, his gaze sweeping over Hua Qingyue, who stood with her head bowed in silence.

Qingyue stood nervously beside Lu Yu, her head lowered and her entire body tense as she counted ants on the ground, silently willing this man to finish his instructions and leave quickly.

But she was hoping in vain. Even without looking up, she could feel the scorching gaze fixed upon her from above.

Then, those icy words came,

“And you—my stance remains the same. Now that you’ve entered the manor, you represent Anning Marquis Manor. Every move you make must be carefully considered.”

Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat. Back at Liangyuan Women’s Academy, she had studied etiquette postures with the utmost diligence, even earning praise from her instructors for her precision. Yet in this man’s eyes, she was nothing but a crude and ill-mannered person.

And she couldn’t refute him in the slightest.

She took a deep breath and replied obediently,

“Yes, Eldest Brother. You need not worry.”

At her words, the man above her said nothing more. The pair of black boots lingered before her for a moment before finally departing.

Only after he left did Qingyue exhale heavily.

She was naturally intelligent, grasping the nuances of things with just a little guidance. The instructing matron, accustomed to high society, first tested them sternly on the proper etiquette for different occasions. To her surprise, not only could both handle it effortlessly, but their every movement was impeccable.

Her expression softened considerably, and she only made minor corrections to their sitting and kneeling postures.

Watching them, the matron mused silently—they weren’t nearly as lacking as she’d been led to believe.

In fact, this was exactly what she reported to Lu Yan.

“Young Master, both Yu-gongzi and Miss Hua perform their greetings and etiquette flawlessly, with perfect precision.”

Only then did Lu Yan’s gaze withdraw from under the eaves. His tone was indifferent. “Is that so? To me, they still fall far short.”

The matron hesitated briefly before replying, “There is still room for improvement, but the young master is still young, and Miss Hua is exceptionally bright. I’m sure it won’t be long before they master the intricacies of propriety.”

–

Spring Rain Pavilion, Third Branch

“Mother, are we just going to stand by and let that woman live in Qingzhu Courtyard?” Lu Zhining stormed in, displeased.

Wu Shi reclined on the daybed, resting with her eyes closed as several maids attended to her, carefully painting her nails. She didn’t even open her eyes at her daughter’s arrival.

Last night, she had lain awake worrying about how to deal with that little wretch, only falling asleep in the early hours. Lige was her life—if he were to marry a merchant’s daughter, his future would be ruined.

And so would the Third Branch.

Seeing Wu Shi show no urgency, Lu Zhining raised her voice sharply.

“Mother, I heard she’s already learning etiquette with the First Branch! Although Grandmother hasn’t said it outright, anyone with eyes can see she’s meant for Third Brother!”

Wu Shi sighed at her daughter’s inability to conceal her emotions.

When Zhining was young, Wu Shi had sent her to Chaohui Hall for a year or two to win Old Madam Lu’s favor. But when she returned, no matter how Wu Shi tried to refine her, her temperament remained nothing like her own.

In contrast, that Hua family girl showed no change in expression despite multiple rounds of testing yesterday. It seems driving her out quietly will require more effort.

Seeing Wu Shi remain silent, Lu Zhining said anxiously, “What about Third Brother’s future? With such a lowly sister-in-law, how could Mother and I ever hold our heads high at social gatherings again?”

Her words struck a nerve with Wu Shi.

“Enough,” Wu Shi dismissed the maids impatiently. Soon, only mother and daughter remained in the room.

“Didn’t you have several new outfits made recently?”

“Yes,” Lu Zhining pouted. “Mother surely doesn’t mean to give them to her?”

Though unnamed, both knew who “her” referred to. Wu Shi nodded, “Precisely. Weren’t you complaining those colors were too bright for Young Master Huan’s taste?”

“I may dislike them, but they’re mine!” Lu Zhining protested. “I’d rather give them to servants than to her!”

Ignoring her daughter’s resistance, Wu Shi continued:

“Not just clothes. Select some jewelry you don’t wear often and have them delivered too.”

“Mother!” Lu Zhining was furious. She’d come seeking help to expel that woman, not to send her gifts!

Were they supposed to enshrine her now? Was she worthy?

Wu Shi studied her guileless daughter and snorted lightly:

“Your grandmother values reputation above all—she can’t bear the slightest criticism. Moreover, the Hua family has done her a kindness. Yesterday I used your third brother’s imperial exams as leverage, yet she still insisted on installing that little hussy in Qingzhu Courtyard.”

“So, we cannot oppose her openly. Our only recourse is to work on that Hua girl. Zhining, follow my instructions—she’ll leave voluntarily soon enough.”

Having mingled with noble daughters in the capital, Lu Zhining was no stranger to household intrigues. Wu Shi’s hint was enough. “Mother, you mean to…?”

“Some things needn’t be spoken aloud. Just prepare the clothes and jewelry for delivery.”

Seeing Wu Shi’s confident expression, Lu Zhining happily returned to gather the items.

Meanwhile, Hua Qingyue massaged her sore arm while Tao Xi applied warm towels to her swollen knees.

“Miss, that instructing matron is downright cruel! Making you stand so long under the eaves, then kneel for hours. They’re bullying you because you’re alone here!”

“It’s nothing. The matron came from the palace—naturally she’s strict. The discomfort will pass in a few days.”

Qingyue pressed her lips together. What was this pain compared to the torment from Huo Shi and her son in Liangyuan?

With her brother now protected by martial arts tutors, Huo Shi couldn’t reach him. Once she settled here, the siblings could reunite soon.

Tao Xi’s eyes reddened as she tended to Qingyue’s knees. “Shouldn’t we tell the Old Madam? At least wait until you’ve adjusted before resuming lessons!”

“No.”

Hua Qingyue shook her head disapprovingly, her voice calm as she said, “You mustn’t speak like this again. We’re living under someone else’s roof now. The old madam took us in out of respect for the Hua family elders. If we trouble her with every little thing, wouldn’t we just be making things difficult for her?”

She only wished to smoothly conclude the marriage arrangement, preferably without drawing anyone’s attention. Changing the subject, she asked, “By the way, have you found out about the matter we discussed this morning?”