Chapter 2: The Lu Family

Three Days Later

Early morning, the distant mountains stretched endlessly, bamboo groves lush and verdant, white clouds drifting lazily, and a few birds flying together.

Outside the Bamboo Garden's gate, three carriages—one large and two smaller—were parked, all lavishly adorned. The foremost carriage especially caught the attention of passersby, who occasionally paused, whispering admiringly in small groups.

Several sword-bearing bodyguards chatted amiably.

The courtyard gates were wide open, with servants and maids bustling about, carrying various items.

After a short while, a middle-aged woman stepped out from the courtyard, smiling. She wore a satin gown of jade green embroidered with a necklace motif. Her hair was neatly coiffed, and though she appeared to be in her forties or fifties, a small black mole above her lip lent her an air of dignity and composure. Accompanied by two tea-serving maids, she approached the bodyguards.

“The belongings will soon be packed. The journey ahead will be arduous for you all. I believe we will depart shortly. Please have some tea first, gentlemen.”

With that, she turned and handed tea cups to each of them.

“Thank you, Nurse Song,” they replied in unison, accepting the cups.

The leader, surnamed Zheng, politely returned her greeting and engaged in conversation.

“This trip back to Chang’an will take at least half a month. It’s early autumn now, and the further north we go, the colder it becomes. Nurse, your foresight in preparation is appreciated.”

“Yes,” Nurse Song replied with a smile, about to say more, but suddenly Zheng’s eyes froze. The man, usually composed, showed a rare flicker of unease.

Not only he but several others nearby shared the same reaction. The atmosphere instantly grew tense and silent, all eyes turning toward a single point.

The woman paused briefly but then understood. Her smile faded as she lowered her gaze and slowly turned away.

Sure enough, beneath the vermilion gate bathed in the morning sun, two maids and a young servant supported a girl as she emerged.

The girl’s slender waist and delicate frame, her hair as dark as ink, and her frail appearance, draped in a pure white cloak that seemed to blur her form like mist and smoke, revealed only a pair of clear, bright eyes. Even with much of her face concealed, she bewitched onlookers as if stealing their very souls.

Nurse Song’s lips twitched with disdain.

******

At the carriage, Ah Tai was the first to arrive and bent down, allowing the young lady to step onto his back.

Qinglian and Taohong steadied Yan Xi, helping her up gently.

The girl’s delicate feet touched the carriage floor, her beautiful eyes sweeping over the interior—silky pillows and blankets were all in place.

She picked up a soft blanket and called softly to Ah Tai, who was just standing up.

“Take this. Sitting outside, be careful not to catch a chill. Ah Tai, remember to keep warm.”

“Thank you, Miss. You must take good care of yourself as well,” the young servant replied warmly with a smile.

Qinglian and Taohong exchanged caring glances and reminded Ah Tai a few more times.

The journey ahead would take several days. Though the three women would remain inside the carriage, Ah Tai was still a man.

The Shen family now consisted of only these four. Over the years, they had come to rely on each other deeply.

With everything prepared, the carriage slowly set off. Yan Xi gently lifted the curtain and gazed outside.

---

The sky was a deep blue, the grass lush and dripping with dew, all nature serene. Yet, her heart was uneasy, uncertain if she was truly leaving behind a dream, unaware of what the future held...

******

The carriage wheels rumbled and grew uneven.

Inside another carriage, a maid dangling her legs spoke to Nurse Song with a smile about the earlier scene.

“Miss Shen truly is a national beauty. Even as a child, she was stunning, but now, she’s even more so. Did you see how those bodyguards looked at her just now? They seemed utterly mesmerized!”

Nurse Song’s eyes flashed with contempt. After a long pause, she spoke slowly.

“Being beautiful means little if one is ill-fated. Such noble origins, yet fallen to this state—what is there to say? Once, the Shen family was illustrious, closely allied with the late Prince Sheng. Had things followed the expected course, she would likely have married the prince’s only son, becoming a revered princess. But who could have foreseen that both the prince and her father would die young, fallen in battle?”

“...What prospects does she have now? Her marriage is uncertain—how could she marry into a high family? Even if her father was blameless, her uncle’s disgrace has forever shamed the Shen family. No one would want to marry the niece of a disgraced traitor.”

“...Only the Duke has been merciful, perhaps out of old friendship, taking her in. But years pass, and time erodes all feelings. That faint kindness has likely vanished. She remains an outsider; who would truly care for her? That’s why I wanted to return quickly. Long journeys breed many fears. The Lu family is noble—who knows if they will remember us there?”

The maid nodded eagerly. “Nurse, you’re right. I dread being stuck in that remote place forever, unable to return.”

Nurse Song chuckled softly, glancing toward a wooden chest nearby, her smile growing more genuine.

She had not served that ill-fated girl in vain.

******

Her vision was hazy, but the voice beside her remained clear.

“Where are you running to, hmm?”

The deep voice seemed to whisper right next to her.

Strong arms, firm and muscular, still warm as they gripped her waist, sending waves of heat coursing through her.

Yan Xi’s body burned as she jolted awake once more.

“Miss?”

The carriage rolled forward, the sounds of wind, rain, and horses’ hooves filling her ears.

Qinglian pulled the blanket covering her a little higher.

“Miss, what’s wrong? Another nightmare? Your face is so flushed.”

Yan Xi remained trapped in the dream’s linger, her waist still tingling from the imagined touch, unable to speak for a while before finally calming down.

“Mm...” she nodded, admitting the truth but, as always, said no more.

“What did you dream about, Miss?” Qinglian asked curiously, not for the first time.

But Yan Xi had never confided in anyone, not now.

Taohong, who had just awakened, brought her a water pouch, twisted it open, and handed it to her.

“Miss, drink some water to calm your nerves.”

Yan Xi accepted it; the blush on her cheeks lingered as her delicate lips parted slightly.

---

“How far have we come?”

They had left Suzhou over ten days ago.

Qinglian replied, “When we set off this morning, Lord Zheng said we’d reach Huainan tonight and that in just over ten days, we’d arrive in the capital region.”

Yan Xi clenched the water pouch tightly, her long lashes trembling as she spoke softly, “Do you know if there are any bullies nearby?”

“Bullies?”

Hearing this, Qinglian and Taohong both paused, then burst into laughter.

Qinglian patted her head reassuringly. “What is Miss thinking about? Where would there be bullies? Even if there were, we’re not afraid. Lord Zheng and his men are personally sent by the Duke. They’re no ordinary guards—they will surely protect you.”

Taohong giggled, covering her mouth. “Miss, did you dream someone was trying to kidnap you to be their mistress?”

Yan Xi slowly turned her clear eyes toward Taohong but gave no answer.

Qinglian’s smile faded as she saw the genuine fear in her mistress’s eyes. She spoke firmly, “Don’t say such things.”

Then she gently comforted her. “Dreams are just dreams, Miss. They’re not real. Don’t worry. I see Lord Zheng and his men treating you well. They don’t rush the journey; they’d rather travel an extra few dozen miles than let you suffer any hardship. Aside from their kindness, I’m sure the Duke has given them strict orders. The Duke cares for you deeply. Do you remember when we first came to the Lu family? The Duke said he would adopt you as his foster daughter and treat you like his own...”

Yan Xi remembered very well.

But back then, she had just lost her father and could call no one else ‘father.’

Perhaps because of this, Uncle Lu only mentioned it once, likely wary of reopening her wounds, and never spoke of it again.

Later, she had her accident and was sent south to recover.

Though no one from the Lu family had visited her in six years, she knew they had spent plenty of silver on her behalf.

In truth, she was content and grateful.

Moreover, even in her childhood, when the Shen family and her father were still around, she was never truly close to Uncle Lu.

The one she was familiar with was... Prince Sheng...

The carriage jolted suddenly, snapping Yan Xi from her reverie.

Qinglian and Taohong steadied her.

Travel was tiring, and Yan Xi no longer dwelled on her thoughts. Supported by her maids, she lay down on the fragrant pillow.

Before drifting back to sleep, there was only one thought in her mind: to reach the capital quickly, to return to the Lu family.

Only by truly arriving at the Lu estate could she finally settle her heart.

The carriage traveled day and night for more than ten days, finally arriving in the capital region at the beginning of October.

The heavy stone that had weighed on Yan Xi’s heart along the journey was finally lifted, especially upon entering the imperial city. In an instant, she felt much lighter.

She drew back the curtain to gaze upon the bustling streets filled with flowing rivers and dragon-like patterns, a wave of familiarity flooding her heart, bringing genuine joy.

On the afternoon of October sixth, she finally entered the Ningguo Duke’s mansion...