Chapter 14: Comparisons

Although the matriarch had anticipated these developments when Lu Shuyao was promoted, she still felt quite displeased.

She had approached Lu’s father about it, but he replied, “Liuniang has worked hard all these years at the estate; what harm is there in giving her a little more?”

Lu’s father was also annoyed by the matriarch’s excessive control, and after that conversation, he became even more liberal in sending gifts to the Jade Serenity Courtyard.

The old lady found out about this and summoned the matriarch for some comforting words: “When the water rises, the boat rises with it. Shuyao has been honored by Baolin, so naturally Liuniang will be proud for a few days; just let her be.”

In the end, it was clear that Lu’s father’s behavior was being indulged.

“If you don’t want Liuniang to overshadow you forever, you’d better find a better match for Yue Rong,” the old lady said, frowning. “Marrying into the Xie family is tantamount to lowering oneself.”

Her words were harsh, but not without reason.

The Xie family had been in decline for decades; apart from the former glories they could boast of, there was little else to commend them.

But Lu Yue Rong was a well-known young lady in the capital, and finding a marriage better than the Xies was a simple matter.

“But Yue Rong refuses to marry anyone but Xie Liwen! Besides, the wedding date has already been set; it wouldn’t do to go back on it now,” the matriarch hesitated.

“To hold on to such pride, do you want your daughter to spend the rest of her life with an unremarkable man? The girls from the second branch all marry well. Look at Lin Ge’er from the second branch—thanks to her brother-in-law’s connections, she secured her current position.”

“Your third son isn’t a scholar. Are you really going to let him follow Xie Liwen’s path and become a soldier?”

After returning from the old lady, the matriarch wore a gloomy expression.

Upon hearing from a maid that Lu’s father had gone to the Jade Serenity Courtyard again, she was so furious she smashed several porcelain cups.

“Go, summon the eldest daughter-in-law.”

Lu Yue Rong never expected that even though the wedding date had been set, her mother would now retract her consent to marry into the Xie family.

“Mother, who has been influencing you this time?” Lu Yue Rong asked coldly.

The matriarch was easily swayed by others’ opinions.

“I’m not listening to anyone—I’m just standing up for you!”

Lu Yue Rong stepped forward, “Mother, Xie Lang will only get better. Trust me.”

The matriarch felt both bitter and helpless.

After Lu Yue Rong spoke at length, she reluctantly nodded.

Lu Yue Rong knew the matriarch wasn’t fully convinced.

She returned to Qingfeng Courtyard and urged Binglian to quickly book a top room at the most famous Fengge Tavern in the capital, while sending word to the Xie residence inviting Xie Liwen.

A banquet at Fengge Tavern was costly, and Xie Liwen hadn’t dined there in a long time.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford it; each meal there was just painfully extravagant.

He made a point of dressing up carefully, looking far more presentable than usual.

As he stepped outside, he ran into the eldest brother of the Xie family, who frowned upon seeing his unusual attire and scolded him, “The wedding is near; stay away from Red Smoke Alley!”

Xie Liwen chuckled, “Today I’m not going to Red Smoke Alley to see Zhen Wan. It’s Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law who invited me to Fengge Tavern.”

“You’d better be careful. That Ming family girl is a convicted slave. Even if you want to bring her in, it should be after you marry and have children.” The brother couldn’t resist lecturing him.

Xie Liwen dared not argue and quickly made excuses to escape before his brother could continue.

At Fengge Tavern, Lu Yue Rong was already waiting.

As he pushed open the door, he saw her seated by the window, her hair as black as satin cascading down her back, her figure slender and graceful, bearing a dignified posture.

“Eldest daughter-in-law,” Xie Liwen greeted formally, leaving his servant to stand guard outside.

Hearing his voice, Lu Yue Rong turned her head, her delicate brows gently knit, a trace of melancholy in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Liwen lowered his voice, softening it with tenderness.

“Xie Lang,” Lu Yue Rong called out, “my mother… she seems to no longer want me to marry you.”

Xie Liwen’s heart, once filled with joy, suddenly sank, and his voice grew flustered. “Ah? How could that be? Have we, the Xie family, done something wrong?”

Seeing his anxious demeanor, Lu Yue Rong felt the warmth of being cared for.

“No,” she lowered her head, silent for a long moment. “You know, I sought this marriage. So my heart is all for you.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Liwen stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Yes, of course I know.”

Lu Yue Rong rested her head against his shoulder. “I don’t know what to do now. Why don’t you think of a solution?”

Xie Liwen half carried her to the table. “Eat first; I can’t have you thinking on an empty stomach. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.”

In truth, upon hearing the news, he already had an idea.

Since Lu Yue Rong was so devoted to him, it would be best to make things irreversible, so the Lu family couldn’t back out.

Yet, this plan was quite unscrupulous.

No matter how much Lu Yue Rong liked him, she was still just a young woman awaiting marriage; hearing such a scheme might truly make her regret the engagement.

So he decided to take it slowly.

During the meal, Xie Liwen paid special attention to Lu Yue Rong.

Noticing she had chosen two egg dumplings, he shifted the dish closer to her.

Lu Yue Rong blushed, touched by his attentiveness.

In the previous life at the palace banquet, it was just such care from Xie Liwen, newly honored as Protector General, that had won Lu Shuyao’s heart.

“What are you looking at?” Xie Liwen gently patted Lu Yue Rong’s head. “Eat quickly.”

“Aren’t you eating, Xie Lang?” Feeling his focused gaze, Lu Yue Rong couldn’t help but feel shy.

Whether in the past life or this one, it was the first time a man had looked at her with such intent.

“You look beautiful today, Yue Rong,” he sighed softly.

Lu Yue Rong had dressed up especially for their meeting, and hearing this made her slightly embarrassed. She teased, “All for you.”

“You’re a feast for the eyes; seeing you makes me lose my appetite,” Xie Liwen’s voice dropped to a low murmur.

Lu Yue Rong thought his words were a bit much but felt pleased nonetheless.

Suddenly recalling Lu Shuyao, she asked, “How do I compare to your second younger sister?”

Xie Liwen was momentarily stunned, unable to maintain his composure. “Why mention her?”

It was too much of a mood killer.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly chilled. Lu Yue Rong put down her chopsticks. “I may be beautiful, but in your heart, am I not as dear as your second younger sister?”

“Right now, there’s only you in my heart.” Xie Liwen grabbed her hand and gently turned her to face him.

“Xie Lang, between me and your second sister, who do you prefer?” Lu Yue Rong returned his grasp and looked up at him.

Xie Liwen said nothing, but after a long, deep gaze, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her.

Lu Yue Rong was caught entirely off guard, clutching his hand tightly.