Glory

Ye Yaming sighed, "I actually don't enjoy social engagements. Forcing smiles and exchanging pleasantries is mentally exhausting. But one can't be too eccentric, otherwise when trouble comes, no one will speak well of you—instead, they might push you down from behind."

She took Lu Guanyi's hand and spoke in a very soft voice, "We will inevitably clash with Shi Shi and her son, as well as the Chu siblings. When that time comes, which way public opinion leans will depend on how well we've built our connections in the capital. So no matter how tired we are, we must gather our strength during this period to earn a good reputation."

Lu Guanyi clasped her hand in return, drew her into his embrace, and took a deep breath. "Thank you."

The busy days passed swiftly, and soon the Lantern Festival arrived quietly. Lu Guanyi's departure for the border was imminent.

Like other wives, Ye Yaming personally packed his luggage, urging him to take care of his health and stay safe.

Finally, she set down what she was holding and sat facing Lu Guanyi with a serious expression. "Although your father's actions will be concealed from Lu Guanyu, when Duke Wei's household falls yet your father remains unscathed—even absorbing all of Duke Wei's military forces—Lu Guanyu is no fool. He will surely realize this. Even if he doesn't, Shi Shi will remind him."

When Shi Shi returned to her hometown after the separation, it was Lu Guanyu who escorted her back. Before leaving for the border, he went to see her again.

Someone like Shi Shi would rather betray the world than let the world betray her. She would never allow Lu Zhongyong and Lu Guanyi to live peacefully. The only leverage she can exert from the outside is through Lu Guanyu.

"Shi Shi has her motives, and Lu Guanyu has his. His own official career is hopeless; the only person he can rely on for life is your father. If anything happens to your father and you inherit the title, his life will become difficult."

"So I believe he will vent all his resentment on you. If something unfortunate befalls you, he becomes your father's only remaining son. Regardless of how your father feels about him, he would hesitate to kill his own flesh and blood. This scenario offers Lu Guanyu only advantages, no drawbacks."

"I know you're aware of all this, but I still want to remind you: you must, must be extremely cautious around Lu Guanyu. Avoid undertaking the same missions as him if possible, and stay vigilant about those around you—be mindful of what you eat and drink."

Seeing the worry on Ye Yaming's face, Lu Guanyi reached out with his large hand, soothingly stroked her cheek, and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful," his deep voice carried tenderness. "If he remains inactive, so be it. But if he makes any move against me, I'll make sure my father knows."

His father hadn't spent much time with him, nor with Lu Guanyu. But he knew how much his father despised Lu Guanyu—a child forced upon him—compared to himself, who was born out of expectation.

However, even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its own cubs. No matter how much his father loathed Lu Guanyu, he couldn't harm a son who hadn't yet committed any wrongdoing. The reason his father took Lu Guanyu to the border last time was simply to prevent him from staying in the capital and ruining his eldest son's marriage arrangements or disturbing his newlywed bliss.

If Lu Guanyu remains inactive during this border deployment, that would be the end of it. But if he dares to make a move, what awaits him won't just be retaliation from his elder brother, but also the thunderous wrath of their father."My only concern is that if Lu Guanyu takes action and gets punished by Father, Shi Shi won't be able to do anything to me but will retaliate against you." Lu Guanyi's voice was filled with worry.

"I have the same concern here. If she doesn't move, fine. But once she makes a move, no matter who acts, I'll break their hands and dig out Shi Shi's roots completely." Ye Yaming's words carried an imposing tone.

They looked at each other, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

They both had confidence in each other's capabilities.

Ye Yaming wasn't just packing luggage for Lu Guanyi - she was packing for herself too.

Tomorrow they would leave the capital together, parting ways at the crossroads outside the city, one heading north, the other south.

Although it was only mid-January and not yet tea-making season, Ye Yaming planned to return to Lin'an first, rest there for a while, then go up the mountain to make tea.

While Lu Guanyi was bathing, Xia Momo asked Ye Yaming with concern: "Miss, are you really not going to consult a Herbalist or tell the Young Master?"

Ye Yaming touched her stomach and shook her head: "Don't let anyone know about this, not even Bai Rui or Lve E. It's not that I don't trust them, but I worry their private conversations might be overheard."

Currently, Xia Momo managed her chamber affairs, with undergarments washed personally by Xia Momo. Her menstrual cycle had always been on the tenth of each month, extremely regular. But now it was already the sixteenth of the first month, and her period still hadn't come.

Both she and Lu Guanyi were healthy, and as an affectionate couple, it would be normal if she had conceived on their wedding night.

But Lu Guanyi would be stationed at the border for years to come, with little time to return. She didn't want to discover a pregnancy just over a month into their marriage, affecting their newlywed life. She cherished these three months together.

So initially she had taken contraceptive measures during ovulation, trying to avoid pregnancy in the first two months. It wasn't until the beginning of last month that she stopped precautions.

She didn't know if Lu Guanyi would encounter dangers at the border, nor how their relationship would develop in the future. Regardless, she wanted to conceive a child now - both as a precaution and to have the child come during their most loving time.

"As for the Young Master..." she pondered for a long time before whispering, "I'll tell him tonight."

"But if you really are pregnant, with tomorrow's long journey by carriage, then returning to make tea in the mountains... The first three months require great care. If anything happens, how would you explain it to the Young Master and the Marquis household?" Xia Momo fretted anxiously.

"With the Young Master gone, staying in the capital isn't safe for me," Ye Yaming said. "The carriage has been modified, we'll travel slowly and arrange a comfortable itinerary - it'll be fine. As for going to Lin'an, I'll be careful when going up the mountain then, not overexerting myself. Don't worry."

She looked at Xia Momo: "Momo, I know what I'm doing."

Meeting her confident gaze, Xia Momo felt relieved and nodded.

Her young mistress always had this "everything under control" composure that made people feel inexplicably reassured.

When Lu Guanyi emerged from the bath, Xia Momo withdrew.

"Ming'er..." Thinking that this border deployment meant he wouldn't return until at least the New Year, Lu Guanyi felt he was already missing her even before their separation.

Tonight he wanted to love her desperately, to melt Ye Yaming into his heart and take her with him.

A pair of soft hands pressed against his chest."Ah Yi..." Ye Yaming gazed at the handsome face before her in the candlelight, tracing the contours of his features with her eyes. "My monthly cycle hasn't come this month. It's possible... I might be with child."