Chapter 37

Lu Bao'er also encountered such a scene for the first time; they and the other ladies held their breath waiting, daring not to speak. When Cheng Lingyan left, everyone relaxed the atmosphere as if waking from a dream; it was only to make a show, the group stayed less than an hour, then dispersed.

Old Lady Su, fearing Lu Bao'er might overthink, squeezed their hand reluctantly before they left and said, "Cheng Lingyan is a bit too arrogant; such a temperament might not be tolerated by all of Jingdu, so I gave her a reprimand, not because of you, so don't read too much into it."

"Ah, I understand. Please relax, Old Lady, the wind is strong outside; Miss Qiuju, remember to give Old Lady a cloak. Then I'll return to the residence; next time if you have time, I'll come again to disturb you." Lu Bao'er whispered, and was helped onto the sedan chair by the old matron.

Old Lady Su could not endure the cold; Zhao matron sent servants to bring a sedan chair, invited Old Lady Su to ascend, and they returned to the courtyard via the side passage.

After today's events, Lu Bao'er felt uneasy. They recalled the glances of the ladies at the venison banquet. Everyone was sizing them up, some flattering, some suspicious.

Afraid they had caused trouble, Lu Bao'er tucked their hands into their sleeves, fiddling with a warm, gold‑inlaid little ball inside the cuff.

The old matron also noticed the discomfort and soothed Lu Bao'er: "This matter is not the ladies' fault; your conduct and demeanor are proper, it has nothing to do with you."

Lu Bao'er lightly bit their lip and said, "But Old Lady, for my sake you bruised Miss Cheng's face; how will others think of me? Will they think I'm conceited, hard to get along with? If they whisper by their husband's ear, could it harm my husband?"

The old matron chuckled: "It's just a farce; others will only say Miss Cheng is arrogant, daring to insult even ladies of rank. Speaking of which, she's merely a common lady, her wealth comes from her family's talent, while you, madam, are a seventh‑rank young lady!"

"What right does she have to speak? Moreover, the Lord of Qingping County likes you and protects you; that's your blessing. Outsiders fear the power of the Qingping Lord and the Fu Mansion, so they wouldn't dare trouble you; they might even come to flatter you!"

Hearing that, Lu Bao'er found some sense in it and stopped overthinking.

The old matron truly lived up to being a palace official; her judgments were accurate. In the following days, countless ladies sent petitions to her doorstep, nearly overwhelming Lu Bao'er, but they claimed illness at home and barely escaped disaster. Of course, that's a story for later.

At night, Xie Junling saw Lu Bao'er's complexion was off and asked, "What's wrong? You look uneasy."

Lu Bao'er fidgeted for a while, recounting the day's events. Xie Junling chuckled dumbly, shook their head, and said, "So that's the whole story! Usually I see you brandishing claws, daring, yet in front of others you're cautious and timid like a mouse."

That "mouse" remark was just teasing Lu Bao'er; they, upon hearing it, immediately scowled, baring their teeth: "Husband, why would you insult me?!"

"Could I have misspoken?"

"Hmph, of course you misspoke!" Lu Bao'er's almond eyes rolled, they said, "I was clearly careful in the residence, diligently serving you!"

"Serving me? That's truly the greatest joke under heaven!" Xie Junling, after circling, found Lu Bao'er already in the bath, having changed clothes in the bedding, and said, "Clearly you first washed yourself, rested on the couch; you aren't like other ladies who serve husbands with bathing and dressing. Look at those ladies, aren't they all gentle, serving tea and water to their husbands?"

Xie Junling said this deliberately to tease the sharp‑tongued Lu Bao'er; they had no desire for the girl to bring them tea, and with their frail frame, even lifting a teacup would make their arms ache.

Lu Bao'er refused to concede; they boasted themselves as the second most virtuous beauty in Jingdu, and no one dared to claim the second.

So they climbed out of the fortress‑like embroidered gold‑brocade quilt, knelt to the bedside, and reached out to yank the silk sash of Xie Junling's robe.

Xie Junling startled, their voice trembling, asked, "What are you doing?"

Lu Bao'er looked up, puzzled, and said, "Didn't you say I wouldn't become a wife? Then I'm loosening your clothes and untie your sash to serve you on the couch, is that not allowed?"

Candlelight flickered; Xie Junling looked down to see Lu Bao'er's innocent face. They stared blankly at them, and this naïve gaze made Xie Junling inexplicably feel guilty. The girl was truly simple, unaware that such actions could stir desire.

He was indeed a charming man, yet now he feared misreading the situation, letting Lu Bao'er see his awkwardness. Xie Junling lowered their lashes, masking their restless heart. After a while, they clasped Lu Bao'er's wrist and calmly said, "No need for the lady to trouble herself; I still need to go to the washroom, I'll change my clothes myself."

Lu Bao'er, as if fearing being pulled into the washroom to help them, laughed awkwardly, "That task of scrubbing the husband is beyond my skill. The capable bear the burden; husband, you've worked hard."

Xie Junling helplessly pressed a hand to their forehead, thinking, Lu Bao'er really loves to speak recklessly, using whatever comes to mind.

As Xie Junling stepped out of the room, a servant held a lantern to light their way; their heart was a swirl of emotions, constantly recalling Lu Bao'er's recent visits to the residence.

In two years the Imperial Academy's grand exam will arrive; if they rank high, gaining the emperor's favor, they could be promoted, perhaps entering the Imperial Library and vying for the position of close minister to the Son of Heaven. If they miss the chance, they might spend their life confined to the academy, or even be relegated to a minor post in a distant county.

They aspired to rise, to make a name, and must stand out in this exam. They knew that colleagues with connections had already sought out exam questions or essays; unlike them, Xie Junling was clean, relying solely on their own talent and luck.

They needed a respectable position so that Lu Bao'er could hold their head high when out. They exhaled a breath of foul air; after bathing, Xie Junling put on a middle‑length garment, then slipped on a half‑worn gray fox‑skin cloak and returned home.

Xie Junling originally wanted to talk with Lu Bao'er, but seeing them with their head tilted, already asleep, they couldn't help but smile. They thought, "I am gentle and virtuous; which household has a wife who falls asleep before the husband even reaches the couch, taking up most of the bed?"

It's just that Xie Junling's good nature prevented them from quarreling with them; otherwise, Lu Bao'er in another's home would surely be neglected by their husband.

After a moment, Xie Junling still lifted Lu Bao'er by the waist, moved them a bit onto the sleeping couch, carefully tucked the blanket over them, then blew out the lamp.

The once eventful winter night instantly became pitch‑black and silent. The days were good, the winter fine; all turmoil ceased.

---------- Aside ----------

Number 16 is now on the shelf and will start charging! The story won't be a million words long, so the short piece relies on everyone's subscription to keep the lights warm, QAQ

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