Chapter 807

Yan Qiushui's gaze was gentle, she calmly looked at Shen Lu, "I may not have mentioned these words before, but they truly are my sister's heartfelt words."

Shen Lu's mouth opened slightly, her brows showing hard-to-conceal surprise, "Sis, how could you…… actually, these things we can figure out, for example we could earn more silver now, then when we're old hire some servants to attend to our daily needs."

"Aren't there plenty of people in the capital who do just that? With children nowhere nearby, eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, and all daily living relying on servants—we could do the same."

Yan Qiushui gave a faint smile, "Xiao Lu, so you actually only verbally promised the Miss, is that right?"

"... Yes!" Shen Lu admitted openly and honestly.

"I dare not disobey the Miss's words, but the Miss also listens to the master now. Although the master is overbearing outside, he acts with reason and treats us servants very well; as long as we voice our unwillingness, he will certainly not force us, and then we can leave and live our own lives."

Yan Qiushui fell silent, not speaking for a long while.

Looking at her gentle yet calm eyes, Shen Lu suddenly felt a bit flustered, "Sis, are you angry with me? I mean no harm; I just feel this is a true major life matter, we should think it over seriously."

"Xiao Lu, your words aren't wrong, but the one who should seriously consider this is you!" Yan Qiushui said.

"You just said we'd rely on servants when we're old, but do you really think there are loyal, honest servants who would treat two lonely old widows as their mistresses? People's hearts in this world couldn't be that pure."

"You said you've seen such situations in the capital, and they indeed exist; I've seen them too. But Xiao Lu, having no children and children not being by your side are two different matters."

Shen Lu forced a smile at the corner of her mouth, her eyes full of desolate self-mockery, "So sister has always thought this way; I was being sentimental… I overthought it, I understand now."

"Xiao Lu, you……" Yan Qiushui looked at Shen Lu like that, her heart feeling urgent.

Shen Lu raised her hand to stop Yan Qiushui, "Sister, you don't need to persuade me anymore; I understand your thoughts, I see your concerns, and they are indeed reasonable."

"But I…… I truly cannot accept men. This isn't something that can be changed by understanding certain principles or considering practical matters; I really can't do it."

"Tonight, for the Miss and for sister, I'll grit my teeth and give it a try. But when I wake up tomorrow, I'll ask the master to let me leave. Sis, you now know my reason; please explain a thing or two to the Miss on my behalf."

"Xiao Lu, perhaps this is an illness……" Yan Qiushui suddenly didn't know what to say.

Shen Lu's single statement that she cannot accept men blocked all her arguments.

Shen Lu gave a self-mocking smile, stretched her arms with a yawn, "Sis, I've actually always felt this is an illness; I secretly consulted many doctors, but medicine had no effect—whenever I think of it I still feel awful all over, and in severe cases I even genuinely feel nauseous and vomit."

"Actually, I'd also like to be a normal person, not wanting to live in the palace at all, yet I became a palace maid. I very much wish to marry the same man as sister, then spend this lifetime together without contention, working side by side during the day and lying next to each other at night—just thinking about it makes me happy."

"Back then, after secretly taking a few doses of medicine, I would go to the pleasure quarters to ask those girls how they serve men, to verify whether my condition had improved. Unfortunately, each time it left me feeling awful all over, though I heard plenty of gossip."

Hearing this, Yan Qiushui felt a wave of distress; she firmly rubbed Shen Lu's silky smooth hair, "I never imagined you had suffered so much in secret; looking like this, what do you say you should do from now on?"

Shen Lu forced a light smile, "From now on, however I can live, that's how I'll live—I'll treat myself like a gust of wind, stopping wherever it blows. In short, while I'm still young and able to run, I want to see and walk more, striving to make my life not wasted."

"Xiao Lu, you should stay!" Yan Qiushui urged earnestly.

"The master is tolerant, and the Miss is reasonable; if you tell them these things, the master and Miss will certainly not make things difficult for you, and at least you'll have a place to go. When we're young we'll do a bit more, and when we're old the master and Miss will surely not mistreat us."

Shen Lu smiled brightly, "Got it, sis, I'll give it serious thought."

"How is that serious consideration? You've clearly made up your mind." Yan Qiushui let out a light sigh; the psychological weight surged into her eyes, filling them with pity for this sworn sister of a different surname.

Having been together for so many years, Yan Qiushui knows very well what kind of person Shen Lu is.

Often, just a glance from Shen Lu lets Yan Qiushui know what she's planning.

Shen Lu laughed and said, "Sis, I'm telling the truth, I really will give it serious thought."

"If you dare lie to me, I'll go tell the master and Miss right this instant!" Yan Qiushui invoked Chen Wuji and Qin Zhanhong.

She had to think of some way; she couldn't let Shen Lu wander alone outside.

Shen Lu hastily grabbed Yan Qiushui's hand, "Really, absolutely more true than gold; let me think it over, I will definitely very seriously consider it."

"You should think about it now!" Yan Qiushui put on the airs of the elder sister, speaking with a stern face.

Shen Lu raised her hand, "Think, I'll think about it right now."

……

The night grew darker.

Having finished his official duties, Chen Wuji shook his slightly dazed head and entered the room.

He pushed the door open, and a sheet of red light came rushing at him.

He stood frozen on the spot, his face full of astonishment as he looked at the room's arrangement.

Red candles, red curtains, red quilts, and two women sitting on the bedside wearing red veils.

Whose bridal chamber is this?

Chen Wuji was truly dazed.

Huo Sanniang, Qin Zhanhong, Xiao Yuji, Shen Youwei, Xue Hongdou, Lu Wanwan, and Zhang Xiuer—none missing—all stood neatly to the side.

With everyone present, who are those two on the bed?!

The veils covered too completely; just by their silhouettes, Chen Wuji couldn't make out anything.

Could it be that Qin Zhanhong and Xiao Yuji, those two troublemakers, finding the house not lively enough, went out somewhere to pick two concubines for him?

This scene made Chen Wuji instantly feel as if he had time-traveled again.

The wedding chambers he had visited before were roughly like this.

The only difference is that normally there wouldn't really be two people sitting on the bed; they would stand side by side, all wearing red veils.

"Who can tell me what's going on?" Chen Wuji asked warily.