When the banquet ended, Madam Wei knew they would visit the Lu Residence later, so she did not keep them long.
Though she had lived here for sixteen years, now married, Shen Youran looked out the carriage window, watching the Shen Residence plaque grow smaller and smaller.
Remembering her father’s comforting words at the banquet, she pursed her lips.
Father was so unassertive; why didn’t he just say to bring her back now if he wasn’t satisfied?
The marriage swap was also known to the Lu family in advance.
Compared to Shen Tingyu’s worry for Third Daughter, Ning Shi, as their mother, cared more about the eldest daughter.
Facing the two sons-in-law of the Pei family, the Lu Residence also prepared a lavish banquet.
Lu Zhun was Shen Yunshu’s stepfather and half father-in-law to Pei Huaian.
Since he had only recently arrived in Jingcheng and needed political connections, he looked favorably on Pei Yuanji, recently transferred back from Lingzhou and about to enter the Shumi Yuan.
Ning Shi saw her husband drinking cheerfully with Pei Yuanji, the refined and elegant eldest son of Pei family, then glanced at the careless and inconspicuous seventh son, Pei Huaian, feeling upset that her carefully raised eldest daughter had married such a playboy.
She covered her emotions and endured until halfway through the banquet, then feigned dizziness and asked the two daughters to escort her back to rest.
Shen Youran had finished eating early and was happily accompanying her sister to the backyard to talk privately, so she put down her chopsticks and left the banquet with her sister and mother.
Before coming to the Lu Residence, Shen Youran worried about an awkward encounter with Lu Yi, but he hadn’t appeared today.
The banquet only had a few older Lu family children and her biological brother Lu Nian.
Lu Nian was young and restless, so after eating for a while, the maids took him away to play.
“Mother, why didn’t we see brother at the banquet?”
Shen Youran was about to ask why Lu Yi didn’t show up when her sister beat her to it.
Right, Lu Yi was her stepson, so the sister naturally had a closer relationship with him.
“He was recently punished with a cane and is still recuperating in his room.”
“Was the injury severe?”
“Yes, he injured his muscles and bones. The doctor said he needs to rest for at least three months. Otherwise, he could have escorted you to your marriage day. He knows some martial arts. If he had been there that day, maybe the bride mix-up wouldn’t have happened…”
Ning Shi lamented.
Shen Yunshu sneered inwardly.
Injured muscles and bones?
Resting?
She didn’t believe a word.
She guessed he was using the injury as a cover to secretly gather people to sabotage her marriage.
If it weren’t for him, neither she nor Third Sister would have ended up like this.
However, Shen Youran was puzzled hearing this.
“Lu Yi was caned? When did that happen?”
It was a family scandal, so the Lu family had tried to cover it up.
Shen Yunshu hadn’t told her either.
“A month before your wedding, he got drunk in a tavern and caused trouble…”
Ning Shi vaguely explained, not wanting to say too much about a scandal involving harassing a lady.
“I see…”
If Lu Yi was recovering from caning at home, then maybe he wasn’t involved in the bride kidnapping.
Or perhaps his injury wasn’t that serious, and he was already moving about, secretly acting.
Shen Youran was eager to know the truth.
After all, Pei Huaijin had used this matter to make her think she had caused the trouble herself, forcing the marriage swap.
If it wasn’t Lu Yi’s doing, then she was not the root of the problem and didn’t need to feel guilty.
To find out, Shen Youran wanted to visit Lu Yi to see how serious his injuries were.
So, after sitting briefly in her mother’s room, she found an excuse to leave.
Ning Shi was pleased with Pei Huaijin.
Though the third daughter had married him by mistake, it was still a good match.
Ning Shi had little advice for her except worrying that Pei Huaijin, now twenty-one, might want children soon, so she asked Third Daughter to discuss delaying childbirth by a couple of years.
As for the eldest daughter, Ning Shi had more to say.
“You’re still pure and unmarried. Why force yourself to marry Pei Huaian? I’ve heard he’s ignorant and aimless. Seeing him today, he really is a spoilt boy who knows nothing, both immature and irresponsible. What do you see in him?”
“Mother, compared to Pei Huaijin, he is indeed less mature and steady. But he’s kind-hearted and has no bad habits—just a big playful streak. He’s young. If he studies hard in the future, he won’t be worse than Pei Huaijin…”
Ning Shi was unconvinced.
“His father is a wealthy merchant with mountains of gold and silver. How could he have ambition?”
“Mother, you’re biased against him, so you don’t see his strengths. Before marrying into the Pei Residence, I spent a month with him at the villa. I know what kind of person he is. Though he looks frivolous, he’s actually pure. He seems immature but knows shame and propriety and is well-mannered. He’s just young and not so worldly…”
“No matter how much you praise him, he’s not right for you. You’re cultured and wise; you shouldn’t marry such a man…”
“Mother, marrying him means I don’t have to serve in-laws or manage the household. Life will be comfortable. But Third Sister, as the main branch’s eldest daughter-in-law, will face many restrictions and hardships. I see it and worry.”
The mother and daughter talked a while longer about Shen Youran’s situation.
Ning Shi saw her eldest daughter’s determination and could not change her mind, so she let her be.
Seeing the time was late and knowing the banquet in the front courtyard was nearly over, Shen Yunshu said goodbye to her mother.
Not long after leaving her mother’s courtyard, a maid came looking for her.
“Miss, your husband is drunk and resting in the guest room. He’s been shouting to see you…”
“Which guest room?”
“I’ll take you there.”
Shen Yunshu didn’t think much and followed her away.
Meanwhile, Shen Youran sulked as she left Lu Yi’s courtyard, catching sight of her sister’s figure.
She called to her, but the distance was too far, and her sister didn’t hear.
Her figure vanished behind a courtyard wall.
Hmm?
Why isn’t sister going to the front courtyard?
Where is she going?
Shen Youran followed.
She wanted to bring her sister along to Lu Yi’s courtyard.
Earlier, she had tried to visit Lu Yi alone, but the maids guarding his room refused to let her in, saying he was resting and couldn’t be disturbed.
She wanted to force her way in but was stopped.
Without her sister’s company, they wouldn’t let her enter.
If her sister came along, they might let her in.
As Shen Youran walked toward where her sister disappeared, she suddenly saw a familiar figure swaying nearby.
“Pei Huaian?”
She called to him and stood waiting.
He soon approached.
As he came closer, Shen Youran smelled strong alcohol on him.
“How much did you drink?”
Pei Huaian was tipsy but smiled cheerfully.
“Not much. Big brother drank a lot. That Lu fellow is really good at persuading people to drink.”
“Then what are you doing in the backyard?”
“I needed to go to the bathroom but got lost on the way back.”
“You said you didn’t drink much, and yet you’re already drunk enough to lose your way…”
“There are very few servants in the Lu Residence. I’ve been here a while and couldn’t find anyone to ask.”
“Luckily, you found me. I’ll take you back.”
“Okay.”
Pei Huaian staggered behind her.
Suddenly, she remembered, “Where’s your sister? Why are you alone?”
She pointed.
“I saw her go that way…”
“The front courtyard banquet must be ending soon. Let’s call your sister, and the three of us can go back together.”
“Hmm… alright.”
Shen Youran had planned to escort Pei Huaian back to the front courtyard and then return to find her sister to visit Lu Yi.
Now with Pei Huaian tagging along, the three of them might be harder to stop.
Turning around, she led Pei Huaian toward where her sister had disappeared.
Although she had been to the Lu Residence many times, she mostly stayed in her mother’s courtyard and wasn’t very familiar with the Lu family layout.
When she reached the place where her sister had vanished, she saw no one outside except a half-open side room door and walked over.
Just stepping inside, a heavy sweet fragrance filled the room, suffusing it with scent for who knew how long.
But she didn’t have time to analyze the smell because she saw someone unexpected.
Lu Yi, who was supposed to be resting in his room, was here.
Surprised, she stepped toward him but suddenly felt a sharp pain underfoot.
Looking down, she saw broken shards of porcelain scattered on the floor.
She had stepped on one sharp shard that pierced through her shoe sole.
Pei Huaian beside her also stepped on a shard and screamed, hopping on one foot.
He sat crookedly on a stool, checking his foot.
How were there broken porcelain shards here?
Judging by the patterns on the shards, it had been a white-glazed vase decorated with plum blossoms.
Lu Yi sat among the shards, holding the back of his head, breathing heavily, looking very pained.
Shen Youran carefully avoided the other shards and tiptoed over.
Previously, she only suspected this Lu family elder brother to be the mastermind behind the bride kidnapping, but seeing him here, able to move about, meant the incident…
Was it really him?
“Was it you? Didn’t you do it?”
Shen Youran demanded.
But he looked innocent and looked up at her.
“Third Sister, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Since Pei Huaian was there too, Shen Youran didn’t want to say it outright but couldn’t hold back.
Gritting her teeth, she said, “I know it was you, you did it!”
“Oh? Do you have proof?” he teased.
She had no proof, but she had strength.
Not one to hold back, she raised her hand and slapped that mocking face.
Lu Yi had just been hit on the head with a vase by Shen Yunshu and was still sore.
Now, receiving a slap from Shen Youran made him both angry and embarrassed.
Shen Yunshu escaped fast, but now Shen Youran came willingly, reminding him of a way to get back at Shen Yunshu.
Seeing Shen Youran’s hand about to fall again, Lu Yi’s eyes flashed cold.
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down.
In front of Pei Huaian, Lu Yi feigned affection, looking heartbroken.
“Although I don’t know what you’re saying, since you say it was me, then it was me. Who told me I like you so much?”
“You- you’re talking nonsense! Let go of me!”
Shen Youran’s shoe sole was still pierced by the shard.
She could only stand on tiptoe, but being pulled, she became unsteady, almost falling into his arms.
Gritting her teeth, she stepped firmly, the pain making her gasp, but also steadying herself enough to break free.
“Are you hurt?”
He finally noticed, struggling to stand.
“Stay here. I’ll get you some medicine…”
“I don’t want your filthy medicine!”
Though furious, Shen Youran didn’t forget her purpose.
“Where’s my sister? Have you seen her?”
Lu Yi smiled meaningfully at the door.
“Don’t worry. If I see her, I’ll send her here to find you…”
With that, he closed the door.