Chapter 541: From Now On, Ning

In the warm pavilion, the silver‑thread charcoal flames flickered, heating the air to a cozy warmth, while a faint scent of winter plum lingered at the tip of the nose.

Lu Ning inhaled deeply; the lingering hesitation in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a clear‑cut resolve.

She lifted her gaze to meet Pei Suiwan's eyes, which now shone like light‑tempered stars, without a hint of doubt.

"These days, thanks to the Duke's mansion's care, sister, you have treated my three siblings so generously, arranging everything for us…" Her voice was clear and earnest, each word full of sincerity, and her slightly forward‑leaning posture underscored her genuine attitude.

She paused, then continued: "Every single matter is a tremendous kindness; if my younger sister were to refuse without understanding, that would be heartless!"

Pei Suiwan was briefly startled, then blinked, a faint curve appearing at the corner of her mouth, and, with a hint of excitement, asked, "So, Ning'er has agreed?"

Lu Ning nodded heavily, her cheeks flushing with a faint pink from excitement and shyness; though her voice was soft, it was unmistakably firm: "Mm."

That affirmation, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly brightened Pei Suiwan's mood.

Her smile grew even brighter, like blooming peach blossoms in spring—radiant yet unpretentious—and she clapped repeatedly, saying, "Good, wonderful!"

The atmosphere in the warm pavilion instantly became livelier, and even the dancing flames seemed a bit more cheerful.

But at that moment, Lu Ning's smile gradually faded, and a trace of difficulty clouded her brows.

She lowered her eyes, watching the hands clasped before her.

Her fingertips curled slightly.

Clearly she was weighing something over in her mind.

After a moment of silence, she slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes carrying a hint of anxiety and hope, and whispered, "It's just… sister has one small request, I wonder if I should say it…"

Pei Suiwan, seeing this, kept a gentle smile, lightly patting Lu Ning's cool hand back; the warmth of her fingertips conveyed comfort as she said, "Ning'er, there's no one else here; feel free to speak whatever you wish!"

"Any difficulty or wish, speak it and sister will surely help you resolve it…"

Pei Suiwan knew in her heart that since Lu Ning had already agreed, the request would not be excessive…

The winter‑plum fragrance in the warm pavilion mingled with the gentle warm smoke of the silver‑thread charcoal, and the flames cast tiny shadows on Lu Ning's slightly drooping eyelashes.

She pursed her slightly dry lips, and her fingertips subtly clenched beneath her sleeve.

The brows that had relaxed when she accepted the marriage now twisted with a faint knot.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Ning slowly raised her eyes, a trace of unease and anxiety in them, her voice a little lower than before, tinged with unmistakable difficulty: "Sister knows that I have little savings left…"

"Ah Ming and Ah Jing have only just entered service; though we are grateful for the Duke's and the Prince's generosity, the occasional gifts are still insufficient for the dowry, so…"

She stopped mid‑sentence.

A faint pink flushed her cheeks, both embarrassed and helpless.

She lowered her gaze to the ground, unwilling to meet Pei Suiwan's eyes again.

Only that unspoken difficulty filled her entire face.

After all, these are the He Dong Pei Clan and the Jing Zhao Du Clan; if the betrothal gifts lack the customary silver, word will spread, becoming a laughingstock and causing the in‑laws to look down on them…

These formalities must be fulfilled.

Hearing this, Pei Suiwan was first stunned, then her smile deepened, and she let out a "pfft" laugh.

She extended a fingertip, lightly tapping Lu Ning's hand back, her tone tinged with feigned scolding affection: "Ning'er, saying that, aren't you being distant?"

As soon as the words fell, she smiled gently, the joy in her eyes like spring sunshine, dispelling the room's slight stagnation, and loudly promised, "The dowries for the two younger brothers shall be provided by our Duke's mansion!"

"Just rest assured; sister and the Duke will handle everything!"

The Duke's mansion lacks nothing in gold and silver…

Moreover, these two marriages were personally arranged by Pei Suiwan; failing to arrange them properly would be a blow to her own face.

Throwing away people from the Duke of Wei's mansion?

Lu Ning, hearing this, suddenly lifted her head, eyes full of surprise, quickly rose, adjusted her collar, and deeply bowed to Pei Suiwan, the movement full of solemnity and gratitude: "Ning'er, on behalf of Ah Ming and Ah Jing, thanks to the Duke and sister!"

Pei Suiwan, seeing her like that, her smile deepening, raised her hand to signal her to stand: "And the dowry for you, that certainly won't be lacking!"

"When the time comes, you can handle it yourself!"

Anyway, whether I spend it myself or supplement my brothers, there will be no interference…

Even if there's any shortage, the Duke's mansion will also pitch in!

These words thundered in Lu Ning's ears like a sudden lightning strike, leaving her rooted, eyes wide with astonishment, as if she could not believe what she heard.

After a moment, she came to herself, hurriedly waved her hand, cheeks flushed bright red, a bit flustered and embarrassed, and said, "Sister, no! This is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Please, sister, withdraw the order; Ning'er truly cannot accept!"

Lu Ning never imagined that the woman before her could be so kind to her…

Pei Suiwan smiled sweetly, the corners of her eyes slightly lifted, with a confident certainty, and in a gentle yet firm tone said, "You are to marry into our Duke's mansion; how could we let you suffer humiliation?"

Having said that, she reached out and lightly patted Lu Ning's hand back, the warmth of her fingertips adding a touch of thoughtfulness: "Besides, now that you are in Chang'an, you should have some silver on hand for peace of mind…"

"From now on, whether you wish to provide your brothers with items or indulge your own desires, you can do so at will, without having to ask anyone; that is the proper way!"

These words were like a gentle spring rain, softly soaking Lu Ning's heart.

A myriad of feelings swirled inside; the earlier refusal had long vanished, leaving only deep gratitude.

She adjusted her collar, then deeply bowed to Pei Suiwan, her posture respectful and sincere: "Thank you, sister, for your understanding, and thank the Duke for his heartfelt intention!"

"Ning'er…"

"There's nothing I can repay!"

"Sit down quickly, no need to be restrained!" Pei Suiwan laughed, pulling Lu Ning's wrist and helping her back to her seat, speaking affectionately, "We're family; such formality feels out of place."

Lu Ning obediently nodded, replying softly, "Mm."

Then she slowly sat back, but the excitement and gratitude inside could no longer be restrained; her eyes instantly reddened.

A line of clear tears unexpectedly welled from the corner of her eye, sliding down her luminous cheek like pearls broken from a string.

Pei Suiwan, seeing this, gently reached out to wipe Lu Ning's tear tracks, teasing, "Look at you, why are you still shedding tears?"

"In this state, if the servants saw it, they'd say I, as sister, have bullied you?"

"Not at all!" Lu Ning hurriedly shook her head, but the tears flowed even more fiercely.

She turned her hand back to grasp the hand Pei Suiwan used to wipe her tears, pressing her palm gently, her eyes full of determination and sincere honesty, and said word for word: "From now on, Ning'er will look only to Sister Pei Suiwan for guidance; whenever Sister gives any order, Ning'er will never refuse, even unto death!"

Pei Suiwan looked at the still‑wet tear marks on Lu Ning's face, her eyes filled with softness.

Her fingertips lightly brushed Lu Ning's cheek, the touch delicate and cool, the gesture truly caring.

"Ning'er, rest assured, our State Duke Mansion has never had any harsh rules," her voice was soft as cotton, "Sister is not the type who deliberately makes things difficult, nor will she force you and your sisters to abide by those meaningless rules, rest assured!"

Women who enter the State Duke Mansion, if they are obedient, naturally get along harmoniously, and may even receive extra favor…

If one likes to stir up trouble, there are ways to deal with them!

After all, in the mansions of great aristocratic families, there are plenty of ways for people to vanish from the world…

"Mm‑hmm!"

Lu Ning nodded heavily, her eyes flashing with steadfast light, her tone sincere and earnest: "Ah Ming and Ah Jing will also forever be loyal to the Duke and the Crown Prince, dedicating themselves fully to the State Duke Mansion!"

The words "Crown Prince" were enunciated with great emphasis.

Lu Ning obviously knew what Pei Suiwan cared about, and knew exactly how to speak to her heart…

"Fine."

This sincere declaration pleased Pei Suiwan greatly; the smile on her pretty face grew even warmer, like a spring breeze over a lake, she lightly nodded and said slowly: "Sister knows Ning'er's talent, bright and perceptive, steady and meticulous in her work; in the future, the household affairs will be many and tangled, so we will need Ning'er to take on more!"

Hearing this, Lu Ning immediately straightened her back, her expression resolute, without any hesitation: "That is certainly proper!"

"Being able to ease Sister's worries and serve the State Duke Mansion is Ning'er's blessing!"

Having said that, with a serious face and steadfast eyes, she swore: "As long as it is something Sister orders, I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly to completing it, never daring a single hint of slackness!"

Pei Suiwan's smile gradually faded, she thought briefly, her tone carrying a few profound implications: "Ning'er, the upheaval in your family, Sister has heard your husband mention, and also knows the promise your husband gave you…"

Before she finished, Lu Ning's expression instantly became complicated; the earlier certainty and sincerity faded largely, replaced by full hesitation and unease.

She lowered her gaze, staring at her clasped hands, fingertips trembling slightly, softly calling: "Sister…"

Her heart already roiled with turbulent waves, subconsciously thinking that Pei Suiwan's mention now was to make her abandon thoughts of revenge…

Pei Suiwan read her reaction fully, understood, gave a faint smile, breaking the room's stillness: "What Sister wants to say is, do not rush revenge; everything requires the right timing!"

Shifting tone, her eyes instantly became solemn and firm, her voice resonant: "Your grievance is the grievance of our State Duke Mansion!"

"When the time comes, when the Great Zhou's southern campaign horn sounds, we will let Ah Ming be the vanguard, leading the Iron Cavalry to storm Jiankang, flattening the enemy, avenging your Lu family!"

These words, like sweet rain, extinguished Lu Ning's unease; she lifted her head abruptly, eyes full of incredulous delight and excitement, her tense body instantly relaxed, letting out a long sigh, nodding repeatedly: "Sister, I understand, I understand!"

"All these years we have waited, and it's not too much to lose these few days…"

Seeing this, Pei Suiwan's face showed a satisfied smile, she slowly stood and extended her right hand toward Lu Ning, palm up, full of sincerity and expectation: "Then from now on we must work together, jointly assisting the husband!"

Lu Ning's heart surged, she quickly stood without hesitation, placing her hand firmly onto Pei Suiwan's hand; the moment their palms met, it seemed to convey each other's resolve.

Her gaze steadfast, she replied word for word: "Fine!"

"From now on, Ning'er will be of one mind and heart with Sister!"