Glory

"Father." Lu Guanyi bowed towards the upper seat.

Ye Yaming also bowed.

"Hmm." A dignified male voice sounded from above. From her peripheral vision, Ye Yaming saw him raise his hand.

Someone immediately stepped forward from the side, presenting a tea tray to Lu Guanyi. Another person placed a soft cushion before him.

Lu Guanyi took the tea tray, knelt on the cushion, and offered the tea to Lu Zhongyong: "Father, please have some tea."

Lu Zhongyong took the teacup, drank a sip, placed it on the small table, and raised his hand. The attendant nearby then took out a red envelope and handed it to Lu Zhongyong, who placed it on the tea tray.

"Thank you, Father." Lu Guanyi stood up and stepped aside.

Another tea tray was presented to Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming took the tea tray, walked to the cushion, and knelt down: "Father, please have some tea."

Lu Zhongyong took the tea, drank a sip, then placed a red envelope on the tea tray, saying: "Live well with Yi'er."

"Yes, Father." Ye Yaming replied.

After handing the tea tray to Bai Rui, she took the tray from Lve E's hands: "This is a small token of respect from your daughter-in-law."

Every woman who married into the family was expected to present a handmade needlework item to her husband's family. Ye Yaming's gift to Lu Zhongyong was an outer robe. It wasn't made by her, but by an embroiderer.

Lu Zhongyong said: "You're thoughtful."

A page nearby took the tray.

Only then did Ye Yaming stand up, taking the opportunity to glance at Lu Zhongyong.

With just that one look, she understood why Shi Shi had been willing to become a second wife to marry Lu Zhongyong.

Lu Zhongyong's appearance was eighty percent similar to Lu Guanyi's. If Lu Guanyi could make women pursue him recklessly, Lu Zhongyong must have been the same in his youth.

Though now over forty, he didn't look old, appearing as an extremely handsome mature man. Walking on the street, he might still make young girls fall for him.

Lu Guanyu, who had been sitting below Lu Zhongyong, had stood up before they entered.

Seeing that Ye Yaming had finished serving tea, the steward presented a tea tray to him. He took it and offered it to Lu Guanyi, saying: "Elder brother, please have some tea."

After Lu Guanyi accepted and drank the tea, he then offered it to Ye Yaming: "Elder sister-in-law, please have some tea."

While accepting the tea, Ye Yaming glanced at him and noticed that Lu Guanyu looked completely different from Lu Zhongyong and Lu Guanyi. The father and son had sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and three-dimensional features. Though Lu Guanyu wasn't bad-looking, compared to them, he appeared rather ordinary.

She also gifted Lu Guanyu an outer robe.

After successfully completing the tea ceremony, even the usually composed Ye Yaming couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"Sit, everyone sit." Lu Zhongyong said.

Lu Guanyi glanced at Ye Yaming, then went to sit in the lower seat on the other side of Lu Zhongyong. Ye Yaming walked to sit below him, perching on the edge of the chair.

Although the tea ceremony had gone smoothly, and Lu Guanyu appeared quiet and obedient with Lu Zhongyong present, who knew if someone might use her etiquette against her? What if rumors spread about her being undisciplined or improper during the tea ceremony?

Therefore, she wouldn't relax her etiquette in the slightest, giving no one any opportunity to criticize her.Lu Zhongyong said, "Although there is no war at the border, the commander cannot be away for too long. His Majesty has shown great favor by allowing me to return for your wedding. I plan to set off for the border shortly. Yì'er, I will take Yǔ'er with me to the frontier. Since you have received imperial grace to stay in the capital for the New Year, rest well for a while. You may proceed to the border after the New Year."

Hearing this, Lu Guanyu looked up and glanced at Lu Guanyi.

"Understood, Father," Lu Guanyi replied with a calm expression.

Lu Zhongyong stood up and walked toward the outside: "Yǔ'er, let's go."

Lu Guanyu acknowledged and followed him out.

Both father and son were dressed in martial attire, clearly having made preparations long ago, waiting only for the newlyweds to serve tea before departing.

"Father, I will see you off," Lu Guanyi called out, then glanced back at Ye Yaming, signaling for her to follow.

The main hall of the front courtyard was not far from the main gate. The young couple accompanied Lu Zhongyong and Lu Guanyu all the way to the entrance, watching as the two mounted their horses and rode off with a group of guards.

From beginning to end, Lu Zhongyong did not utter another word, while Lu Guanyu cast a deep look at Lu Guanyi before leaving, then followed Lu Zhongyong away decisively.

"Let's go," Lu Guanyi said, turning back inside.

Ye Yaming, followed closely by her maids, walked behind him. Lu An, the steward of the Xuanwu Marquis Household, and several servants also trailed behind.

After entering the main gate and approaching the central courtyard, Lu Guanyi suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze on Lu An and the others.

Lu An and the others immediately tensed up and halted.

Struggling to control his slightly trembling legs, Lu An stepped forward and bowed to Lu Guanyi: "Young Master, do you have any instructions?"

Lu Guanyi merely looked at him quietly without saying a word, then turned and walked toward the inner courtyard.

Only when he reached the corridor did he slow his pace, waiting for Ye Yaming to catch up. His expression softened as he asked her, "Would you like to take a sedan chair?"

Ye Yaming was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head: "No need."

Her long period of training had proven effective. Though she had felt sore all over when she first woke up, a bath had eased much of the discomfort. Besides, she was not so delicate—walking more would be beneficial for her health.

She glanced behind her.

Seeing this, Xia Momo and the others immediately stopped in their tracks.

Realizing she had something to say, Lu Guanyi walked a short distance ahead before asking, "Do you have something to tell me?"

Ye Yaming said, "Lu Guanyu's departure for the border may very well be a tactic of feigned retreat. If anything were to happen to Shi Shi at this time, public opinion would undoubtedly point to you. The Marquis, who originally favored you emotionally, might then shift his support to him. You must carefully consider this matter and plan thoroughly before taking action."

Lu Guanyi had understood what the other was thinking the moment he exchanged glances with Lu Guanyu.

Lu Guanyu truly lived up to being the son meticulously raised by Shi Shi. Though only sixteen, his cunning ran deep.

That profound look he gave was meant to convey to Lu Guanyi that while he had relinquished his claim to the Xuanwu Marquis Household, he had set a trap concerning Shi Shi. If Lu Guanyi dared to move against his mother, he would surely face retaliation. To act against her, he would have to be prepared to suffer significant losses himself.

In this way, he warned Lu Guanyi not to take action against his mother lightly.

This young man had quite the tactics.

He replied, "I know. I will handle this matter properly.""There's no rush to deal with the servants from the Marquis' estate. Let's wait until after I return from my home visit," Ye Yaming added. "If you have official matters to attend to, you may go ahead. I’ll go back and rest for a while."

Lu Guanyi nodded and said, "Very well. If anything comes up, have the maids instruct the servants in the estate. With Lu Guanyu gone, they no longer have their master to back them up and won’t dare cause any more trouble."

"Alright."

The two then parted ways. Lu Guanyi went to the study in the front courtyard, while Ye Yaming returned to the rear courtyard and lay down to catch up on sleep.

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