Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Fifth

Lin Yudie felt a pang of regret there, then turned her head as a lady approached Lu Bao'er; she wore a sapphire‑blue double‑collared upper jacket and a high‑waisted skirt of coral‑red with chrysanthemum pattern, a smile at the corner of her mouth and faint laugh lines at the eyes, and asked gently, "You are Mrs. Xie, aren't you?"

"Mrs. Zhao, there were many people just now, so I didn't have time to greet you," Lu Bao'er returned the courtesy and said.

For this banquet the matriarchs and senior ladies of each household had already been inquired about. The Zhao lady before us is the original wife of the Sixth‑rank Dali Si Director, who bore a son and a daughter—few in number, but both a flower and a fruit, considered extremely fortunate.

Her husband's official rank is higher than Xie Junling's, making her Lu Bao'er's senior lady; now she humbles herself to get close to Lu Bao'er, which slightly surprised the matriarch.

In fact, Mrs. Zhao spoke to Lu Bao'er merely out of curiosity that she caught Old Lady Su's eye. Mrs. Zhao may lack other skills, but she is keen at judging people; seeing Lu Bao'er conduct herself properly with Lin Yudie and not being a backstabber, she instantly felt a desire to be close.

"No problem! I wanted to talk to you earlier, but the crowd was thick and I couldn't find a moment." Mrs. Zhao mentioned the Gu residence earlier, and then she remembered Lu Bao'er.

Whether the sentiment is false or sincere, as long as they aren't causing trouble, Lu Bao'er will always return a smile.

Mrs. Zhao chatted with Lu Bao'er intermittently, ranging from poetry and songs to jewelry matching; Lu Bao'er, while modest, could answer a bit on each.

She wasn't seeking closeness because of the Zhao family's influence; it was a conversation like ordinary friends—neither fawning nor competitive, like a balanced game of chess. Mrs. Zhao seemed to feel a "meeting too late" sentiment, and after a few words, she and Lu Bao'er chatted as sisters.

There are rules for seating in the Flower Hall; Mrs. Zhao had to move to another table. She squeezed Lu Bao'er's hand and whispered, "Dear sister, in a few days I'll send you a note; come to the residence to visit."

"That would be wonderful." Lu Bao'er also liked Mrs. Zhao; perhaps the Zhao household was stable, with only two legitimate children and no scandalous concubines. Mrs. Zhao was about eight or nine years older than Lu Bao'er, yet remained very innocent and carefree.

Lin Yudie saw Lu Bao'er talking with Mrs. Zhao, felt disdain, pursed her lips, and thought, "She pretends to be aloof, but she's actually the most eager to ingratiate herself!"

Mrs. Zhao, after all, holds a position in the Dali Temple, a subordinate official, with connections in every department, ensuring smooth court pathways in the future. Hence, countless wives seek closeness with Mrs. Zhao; seeing her initiate conversation with Lu Bao'er, they couldn't help to glance over.

Lin Yudie, born into a merchant family, naturally learned to flatter the high and step on the low from a young age. Unable to hold back, she eagerly approached and said to Mrs. Zhao, "Mrs. Zhao, your attire looks beautiful; the sapphire blue suits your complexion best."

But upon seeing Lin Yudie, the smile on Mrs. Zhao's face faded instantly. She gave Lin Yudie an indifferent glance, nodded, and said nothing.

Lin Yudie's warm face met a cold shoulder, making her feel embarrassed. It was obvious Mrs. Zhao didn't want to deal with her! If she despised herself, why speak specially with Lu Bao'er? Lin Yudie couldn't figure it out, sulked and moved to another table to eat, her gaze at Lu Bao'er full of resentment.

Suddenly the object of jealousy, Lu Bao'er, was taking small bites of food. She was rather arrogant in Xie Fu; even when her posture was improper, the matriarch tolerated it, knowing she behaved properly outside, so she turned a blind eye.

Now as a guest in someone else's house, she is always restrained and doesn't eat much.

In fact, it's not Lu Bao'er being nervous; it's that the banquet dishes aren't as tasty as those made by the household cooks. Lu Bao'er doesn't even want to go out again!

Nonsense, those cooks came with the imperial grant of the residence, all trained in the palace, naturally superior to common ones. Moreover, the matriarch finds it odd why the Son of Heaven values Xie Junling so much; having just passed the imperial exams, he's either given a mansion or a position, clearly intended to be groomed as a pure minister, surrounded by the emperor's people. Yet despite his fondness for Xie Junling, after half a year at the Hanlin Academy there's been no news; not even a formal appointment, just occasional audience with the emperor. It shows the ruler's intentions are hard to read, and the subordinates can't fathom his calculations.

Night deepened, and a few cries of night crows outside unsettled people's hearts.

The women's seats were cleared, while the male guests continued drinking. Lu Bao'er knew Xie Junling was still at the front drinking and didn't want to dampen his spirits, so she planned to return to the residence herself. Yet as she reached the doorway, she saw a tall, graceful man beside the carriage—could it be Xie Junling?

Lu Bao'er stumbled over her words, unable to speak, and trembled as she called out, "Husband?"

Xie Junling had waited for about a quarter hour; now that Lu Bao'er arrived, he reached out to help her, "You should've put on a cloak; you shouldn't be freezing."

As soon as he finished speaking, he handed her a large winter cloak, wrapping her head to toe into a thick cocoon. Lu Bao'er's watery eyes flashed beneath the fur collar as she stared blankly at Xie Junling.

Xie Junling supported the petite lady's slender waist, led her onto the azure‑curtained carriage, and said, "I can't hold my liquor; I found an excuse to leave. Tomorrow I must return to the Hanlin Academy, and being drunk makes it hard to sleep."

"Oh." What Xie Junling said, Lu Bao'er believed.

Only the matriarch knows that the area has been unsettled lately, with rumors of bandits fleeing into Jingdu to cause trouble, and the authorities are dispatching people to capture them.

Inside the carriage, Xie Junling slipped a hollow gilded fire basket into Lu Bao'er's hands for warmth. She is most afraid of the cold; don't turn around and freeze in the middle of the night.

Xie Junling recalled her plaintive, delicate face complaining of a stomach ache, which made his heart ache, yet he couldn't scold or punish her. He knew that in winter one shouldn't crave a bowl of osmanthus honey ice after a hot meal, but she insisted, and the cook claimed that ice was a summer luxury, so refusing it in winter would be a waste.

All these twisted arguments are just because she wants to eat it herself. If she truly practiced frugality, why didn't she extinguish the hearth dragon to save coal? She even heats the inner chambers to perpetual spring, making a light spring shirt feel too hot.

Xie Junling let out a gentle sigh, prompting Lu Bao'er to lean in, and she asked, "Husband, what are you thinking?"

Xie Junling gave her a glance and said, "I'm thinking, next time you sneak an ice bowl, how should I punish you."

"…" Lu Bao'er frowned, silently blaming herself. She shouldn't have been so sharp‑tongued to ask so many questions! What was the point? She would just be reprimanded by Xie Junling.

Lu Bao'er thought, back then she was fooled by Xie Junling's handsome exterior, how could she have missed his countless black‑heartedness?