On the first day of the twelfth month, the Lu Family decorated the house with lanterns and festivity, busy with activity.
The reason was simple: the Lu Family's firstborn, who had been presumed dead at the border for five years, had returned.
Not only unharmed, but he had also achieved remarkable military success and was appointed General of the Northern Frontier, holding the Third Rank by Your Majesty.
Meng Qianqian stood at the doorway, quietly observing the man clad in silver armor inside the flower hall.
Five years ago, she married into the Lu Family following her grandfather's orders, and hadn't even seen her husband's face before he was dispatched to war by royal decree.
Not long after, they received the tragic news that her husband had been killed in a chaotic battle with the Beiliang army, his remains unrecovered.
Another unfamiliar woman stood by the door; Meng Qianqian had never seen her in the mansion before.
"You could bear to return... you could bear to return! Do you know how much your mother cried, almost going blind? Now that you are well... why didn't you send a letter home... have you ever thought what it was like for your mother all these years... have you thought about it? Are you trying to worry your mother to death?"
Lu's mother hit him with her hand, crying bitterly.
Lu Lingxiao said, with shame, "I made you worry, Mother. It was unfilial of your son!"
As he spoke, he immediately stepped back and knelt heavily before Lu's mother!
Meng Qianqian watched the man's broad, muscular back without blinking.
Feeling Meng Qianqian's gaze, Lu Lingxiao suddenly turned his head, a sharp glint and a murderous aura flashing in his eyes: "Who are you?"
Meng Qianqian was taken aback.
Lu Lingxiao was taken aback too.
Lu's mother quickly wiped away her tears, pulled Lu Lingxiao up, and beckoned to Meng Qianqian: "Qianqian, come in quickly."
Meng Qianqian stepped inside, standing beside Lu's mother.
Lu's mother smiled, taking Meng Qianqian's hand: "Qianqian, do you know who he is?"
Meng Qianqian nodded: "Husband."
The soft, tender utterance of "husband" made Lu Lingxiao pause again, his aura of war and murder suddenly stalled!
"That's right, he is your husband."
Lu's mother's smile deepened, turning her head to her son: "Qianqian has had it tough these years too. After you left, she remained a widow for five years and never considered remarrying. Fortunately, your death was a ruse, and Qianqian's wait was not in vain. You're back, and Qianqian has grown... Qianqian, from now on Lingxiao will live in Haitang Courtyard, is that okay with you?"
Before Meng Qianqian could say yes, Lu Lingxiao's expression changed, and he spoke first: "Mother!"
Meng Qianqian tilted her head to look at Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao felt somewhat uneasy being looked at with such a clear gaze, so he diverted his eyes and said to Lu's mother: "Mother, I have something to tell you."
"Speak."
Lu's mother said.
Lu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment, then softly called to the outside: "Wan'er."
Meng Qianqian widened her eyes, seeing the unfamiliar woman who had stood at the door with her now walking in.
The woman wore a simple outfit, a white jade hairpin on her head, a white cloak draped over her shoulders, her figure slender, her appearance graceful and pitiful.
She walked to Lu Lingxiao's side and stopped.
Lu Lingxiao said: "Mother, this is Wan'er. Wan'er, this is my mother."
The woman folded her hands and slightly bent in a salute.
Lu's mother was speechless.
Lu Lingxiao said: "Wan'er cannot speak. Please forgive her, Mother."
"Ah... this... this..." Lu's mother was taken aback for a moment.
Lu Lingxiao solemnly said to Lu's mother: "Mother, Wan'er's father and brothers died saving your son. Before dying, they entrusted Wan'er to me. Waner has no family left. Your son cannot leave her at the border, hoping Mother will accept Wan'er."
"Since she is indebted to you, then she is also a distinguished guest of the Lu Mansion, Miss Wan'er."
Lu's mother reached out to take the woman's hand.
The woman avoided her hand, leaning closer to Lu Lingxiao's side.
Lu's mother's face slightly darkened.
Lu Lingxiao hurriedly explained: "Mother, Wan'er is injured."
Lu's mother was somewhat displeased, but the joy of her son's return was still present, and she couldn't bear to embarrass her son too much.
She sighed and said to Meng Qianqian: "Qianqian, you should return to Haitang Courtyard."
Meng Qianqian asked: "Should I come over for dinner?"
Lu's mother gently said: "Your great-grandmother hasn't returned, so tonight have dinner in your own courtyard."
"Oh."
Meng Qianqian obediently left.
Lu's mother watched her back, letting out a long sigh: "Back then, to bring joy to your great-grandmother, Qianqian married over at such a young age. She didn't know anyone here and cried secretly many times... Miss Wan'er, please excuse us."
The woman looked at Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao gently said to her: "Go wait for me in the Warm Pavilion."
Reluctantly, the woman left.
With no one else in the room, Lu's mother's expression instantly turned serious: "Qianqian remained a widow for you for five years, and now you've brought a woman back from the border. Are you being fair to Qianqian? I warn you, being a guest is fine, but accepting her is absolutely out of the question!"
Lu Lingxiao's expression changed: "Mother!"
Lu's mother said: "She is the daughter of your benefactor, and emotionally and morally, our Lu Family owes her a debt. Her affairs are not your concern, I will take care of her myself."
Lu Lingxiao asked: "What does Mother plan to do?"
Lu's mother said: "I will take her as an adopted daughter and provide her with a respectable dowry, allowing her to marry with the status of a daughter of the Lu Family!"
Lu Lingxiao pondered for a moment, then seriously said: "Mother, Wan'er is pregnant."
Lu's mother was stunned.
That night.
Lu Lingxiao came to Haitang Courtyard.
Meng Qianqian had just bathed and was lying on the bed, reading a book while eating fried pastries, her fair little legs swinging leisurely, feeling very comfortable.
"Ahem."
Lu Lingxiao cleared his throat at the door.
Meng Qianqian's small body shivered, quickly stuffing the book under her pillow and covering the pastry tray with silk cloth.
Then she quickly sat up, looking serious, appearing just like a proper lady.
"I'm coming in."
Lu Lingxiao said.
"Hmm."
Meng Qianqian replied, not forgetting to glance at the pastries, "I wasn't sneaking food."
Her cheeks were puffed up, her mouth greasy, clearly revealing her secret.
Lu Lingxiao had expected to see a heartbroken little wife, but instead, she seemed not in the least upset and was still in the mood for eating.
Lu Lingxiao suddenly felt an indescribable feeling.
He frowned, sitting on the bedside: "I came over to talk about Wan'er. I'll leave after discussing it."
Meng Qianqian's face darkened.
This seemed more reasonable; that previous indifference was probably an act.
Lu Lingxiao shook his head, placing his hands on his knees, saying: "Wan'er will be living in the Lu Family from now on. I know you are unhappy. I can compensate you in other ways, but this matter is non-negotiable. If you understand this, I will treat you with the respect of a legitimate wife. You will always be the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu Family."
"Rest assured, Wan'er has a pure heart and will not fight with you out of jealousy or care about meaningless titles."
"I hope you can get along well with Wan'er."