Chapter 33: An Exorbitant Demand-Forçada a ser concubina? Virei as costas e pulei o muro — o poderoso ministro de rosto frio se arrependeu amargamente.(Bolo de nozes)

Lu Yunzhu sneered, "Look at you. A daughter of a disgraced official, low-born and base—that would be enough on its own, but you actually go about dallying with men. I daresay you lost your virtue long ago. If Young Master Su were to find out you were second-hand goods, how do you think he would react then?"

Jiang You'an gripped her palms tightly, forcing herself to remain calm. "Sister Yunzhu, what nonsense are you spouting? 'Dallying'? That is something that has never happened."

Lu Yunzhu let out a sharp scoff. "Jiang You'an, stop playing the innocent. That day before the Princess of Xian, I only denied the affair between you and Lu Xuanheng because I was forced by Lady Zhao’s intimidation, but you and I both know the truth. You and Lu Xuanheng have been in league for a long time. You are nothing but a shameless slut!"

"Lu Yunzhu, keep your mouth clean, or don't blame me for being unkind."

"And what will you do? Let me tell you, you had best be polite to me now, or one day when I have nothing better to do, I will tell the Su family all about your sordid affairs!"

Jiang You'an’s gaze turned sharp. She stared intensely at the defiant Lu Yunzhu, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Fine, go ahead and tell them. I would like to see whether Su Mingxiu believes you or me. Your own scandalous affair with Shen Heping at the Su family banquet is still fresh in everyone’s memory. Do you really think someone with such a filthy reputation as yours has any credibility?"

Thinking of that incident still filled Lu Yunzhu with bitter resentment. She tilted her chin up arrogantly. "Even if they don't believe every word I say, it will be enough to plant a seed of doubt in their hearts. Do you really think you can completely cover up the filth you’ve done?"

Jiang You'an replied unhurriedly, "Lu Yunzhu, if I were you, I would just wait quietly to be married off. Why do you think Grandmother Lu and Lady Zhao agreed to my marriage with Su Mingxiu? It is because the Lu family wishes to curry favor with the Su family. My marriage from the Lu household brings benefits to them. If you cause trouble, do you think they won't blame you?"

Lu Yunzhu’s brow furrowed. Jiang You'an patted her shoulder and said, "You are about to be married yourself. If you make your relationship with your family this strained, can you really count on your maiden family to back you up in the future?"

Lu Yunzhu fell silent. Jiang You'an walked away, her expression blank.

Qiulan trotted to catch up with Jiang You'an, then glanced back at Lu Yunzhu, who stood dazed in place. "Miss, could those words really scare her off? What if she actually goes to the Su family and starts spouting nonsense..."

Jiang You'an said, "She doesn't have much of a brain; she’s just a fool who is easily incited. She took those words to heart, so she won't act rashly now. As long as we don't provoke her, she won't go."

...

In recent days, it was said that refugees gathering on the outskirts of the capital were increasing, and several disturbances had already broken out. Lu Xuanheng had been so busy with these matters that he had no time to come and annoy Jiang You'an.

Jiang You'an was happy for the peace. After bathing that evening, she took out the painting Su Mingxiu had made for her to admire.

Her fingers traced the lines lightly, a soft smile lingering on her face.

Although she had initially intended to marry Su Mingxiu just to secure a pillar of support, it now seemed that Su Mingxiu had given her his genuine heart.

He had never looked down on her, never disdained her background, and had even promised to give her the greatest dignity. To receive such sincere affection—how incredibly fortunate she was.

When the day came for them to marry, living in harmony as husband and wife, walking hand in hand through life—it would surely be a beautiful existence.

As Jiang You'an daydreamed about her future with Su Mingxiu, the door was suddenly knocked upon several times.

"It's me."

Lu Xuanheng’s voice drifted in from outside.

Jiang You'an hurriedly tucked the painting away and called out, "I am exhausted; I am going to sleep."

"Open the door."

It was a tone that brooked no refusal.

Jiang You'an frowned, forced to walk over and open the door against her will.

As soon as the door opened, Lu Xuanheng swept in like a hurricane, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Why so slow? What were you doing behind my back?"

Lu Xuanheng kissed the skin behind her ear, his voice low and raspy.

It was meant to be flirtatious, but Jiang You'an felt genuinely guilty.

She asked him deliberately, "Why are you back so late again?"

"I was patrolling the west side of the city." Lu Xuanheng swept Jiang You'an up into his arms and carried her to the bed. "Refugees from the north are flooding toward the capital. The Emperor has tasked me with settling them and strengthening the security around the city to prevent mass unrest. I will be very busy for some time to come. If I finish early, I will return, but if it gets too late, I will stay at the military camp."

Jiang You'an thought to herself that the Su family would soon come to propose marriage. If Lu Xuanheng were at the manor then, it would be difficult to handle. It would be best if he were away for a while.

She caught his roving hand and said with feigned concern, "The Lu manor is in the east, and you have to go to the west every day. Wouldn't the back-and-forth be too exhausting? Why not just stay at the military camp?"

Lu Xuanheng, believing she was worried about him, said with pleasure, "It is of no consequence."

"It is still too far. Two hours of riding back and forth—don't tire yourself out. Just focus on your duties and give the Emperor a satisfactory result."

Lu Xuanheng felt her words were indeed reasonable and agreed. "If anything happens while I am away, have someone send word to me."

Jiang You'an nodded.

With the talk concluded, Lu Xuanheng grew impatient to attend to other "proper business."

He reached out to loosen Jiang You'an’s sash, but she stopped him.

"I am not feeling well today."

Lu Xuanheng raised an eyebrow. "Is it still your monthly time? Let me see."

"Oh, I just don't feel well, I'm very tired."

Jiang You'an gripped her sash tightly.

Lu Xuanheng did not know what kind of fuss she was making, but the thought that he would not see her for days made him restless.

"Give me your hand."

Jiang You'an did not know what he intended, but she extended her thin, pale hand.

Lu Xuanheng leaned over her, one hand braced beside her, the other wrapping around her hand and placing it beneath him.

By the time Jiang You'an realized what he was doing, it was already too late.

Listening to Lu Xuanheng’s low, ragged breathing, she squeezed her eyes shut, her small face flushed crimson.

Lu Xuanheng held her in his arms, his hands never ceasing. When it was finally over, Jiang You'an’s red lips were slightly parted as she caught her breath, her hand too sore to lift. She felt that this had been even more exhausting.

Fortunately, the next day, after Lu Xuanheng left, he did not return all day, and that evening he stayed at the military camp.

The day for the Su family to propose was drawing ever closer. Jiang You'an counted the days on her fingers, her heart filled with anticipation.

However, before the Su family arrived, Daoist Chongxu sought her out first.

Thinking something had gone wrong with Madame Su, she hurried to the Xuanzhen Temple.

To her surprise, he had only come to ask for money.

Jiang You'an let out a sigh of relief, then said somewhat displeased, "Daoist, we agreed that the final payment would be made only after the matter was settled."

Daoist Chongxu clicked his tongue. "Madame Su already believes my words, and the proposal is imminent. Does that not count as the matter being settled?"