Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 227 Did my father ever make any effort for me?
Shen Qingzhou is very capable, and Lu Jia is not weak either. Shen Zhui wanted to keep it to himself, but he couldn't!
On the very day the imperial decree of marriage was issued, Shen Zhui was stunned by this sudden bad news—no, by this joyous news!
Shen Qingzhou deceived Lu Jia, but not only did she not blame him, the two of them continued to get along!
That would have been fine, but since their families were political enemies, Shen Zhui had calculated that this marriage would never work out. However, not only did they succeed, but they were also betrothed!
God knows how his heart has been churning with anger and frustration these past few days. It's already unfortunate enough that he has a weirdo as his older brother, but now he has to add a sister-in-law who throws bricks at people and defends her own at the slightest disagreement. He's just too miserable!
"What did you say?" Shen Bo turned his whole body around. "You mean they know each other?"

After being asked that, Shen Zhui could no longer hold back his words.
He spilled the beans: "That's right! Not only do they know each other, but my brother has long been completely subservient to Miss Lu! My brother acts all high and mighty in front of us and others, but in front of Miss Lu—you wouldn't believe it! He's actually willingly acting as her housekeeper! Can you believe it? He's the aloof and otherworldly Young Master Shen in everyone's eyes! He usually looks down on me, but when he looks at Miss Lu? His eyes are practically overflowing with affection! I've seen people who show favoritism, but I've never seen anyone show it like this! You…"

"How did they meet?" Shen Bo stood up.

Shen Zhui took a step back: "I don't know, you'll have to ask him!"

He took two steps back, and when he reached the threshold, he had already stepped out with one foot while holding onto it: "I suddenly remembered that the master has assigned me a lot of homework. I will move to Baiyun Temple for the next few days and come back after I finish it!"

After saying that, he dashed out the door and scurried away.

Inside the room, Shen Bo was already shocked. After standing still for a moment, he quickly walked out, heading in the direction of Bibo Pavilion.

Shen Qingzhou had just returned and had dinner with Lu Jia at the Xie family home. They chatted for a while, and Shen asked about Xie Yi's recent progress before slowly returning to his residence.

He had just taken off his robe when Shen Bo came in. Startled, he instinctively put the robe back on.

Shen Bo waved Song En and the others away, then asked Shen Qingzhou, "Have you seen that girl from the Lu family?"

Shen Qingzhou stopped abruptly. "Whether I've seen you before or not, what does it matter?"

Shen Bo said, "So, you've seen them before!"

Shen Qingzhou remained silent, continuing to remove his official robes and place them aside. "Today I went to the yamen and saw my father-in-law. Guess what he said to me?"

Shen Bo glanced at him: "Is he making things difficult for you?"

"With my sickly appearance, do I really need the Minister himself to make things difficult for me?"

Shen Bo paused, his gaze shifting to his muscular physique after removing his outer robe.

The last time I saw him dressed so scantily was probably when he was a child.

Over the years, my impression of my son has always been that he was frail and weak. Even when he was dressed neatly, he always seemed a bit thin and weak. I never expected that he would have such a strong and fit physique in private.

"You mean he thinks you're too weak?" Shen Bo's gaze returned to his face.

The fact that Mr. Lu judges people by their appearance is nothing but a hollow reputation.

Although this boy is despicable, he is still refined. It would be a waste to pair him with that rough girl from the Lu family who grew up in the countryside.

Just as he sighed at this thought, he suddenly raised his head again: "That girl is said to have grown up in Tanzhou Prefecture before returning to the manor. You spent most of last year in Tanzhou. Could it be that you met around that time?!"

Shen Qingzhou's casual gaze suddenly sharpened: "How did you know I went to Tanzhou?"

Shen Bo glanced at him, shut his mouth, and turned to leave.

This made Shen Qingzhou's gaze fixed on his back, and he hadn't come to his senses until Song En walked in with a letter.

"Sir, is this a suitable way to write a letter to Mr. Chong?"

...After Jiang was sent to a Taoist temple before the New Year, the Lu family had a quiet and comfortable New Year. Of course, this may only apply to Lu Jia.

Aside from New Year's Eve, Lu Jie spent the rest of his time socializing, and Lu Jia only ate two or three meals with him in total.

However, Yang Bonong and Mu Shi were both spending the New Year at their residence, and Qiu Niang and her son had also been invited to stay for a few days. For the rest of the year, Lu Jia had to represent the Lu family to visit several close relatives and friends to offer New Year's greetings.

In this way, she gained some "worldly experience." Compared to her previous life when she lived under the control of the Jiang family in her maternal home, and after marriage, when she was almost completely controlled by the Yan family in the inner quarters, she had gained a lot of information about the court and the upper echelons of society by going out and about a few times.

Lu Ying fell ill after Jiang was imprisoned.

At first, I just didn't want to eat or drink, and then I caught a cold. I coughed for about ten days, and even after getting a prescription, it kept getting worse every day.

On the day the imperial decree of marriage was issued, the house was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and cries of congratulations filled the air, but Lu Ying remained in a deep sleep. In the days leading up to the New Year, the sounds of firecrackers and drums filled the air, and she was finally able to sit up, but she still had no appetite.

The wet nurse and maid who were taking care of her were worried: "If the young lady doesn't eat anymore, her health will deteriorate."

Lu Ying remained silent as usual. She turned her head, took her medicine, and fell asleep with her right cheek against the wall.

Lu Jia had come a few times, but it was always unfortunate; either she was still asleep or had just fallen asleep.

Once the Lantern Festival was over, the yamen resumed its roll call. The day after the roll call, the Shen family actually sent Yi Cheng, an advisor to Grand Commandant Shen, to discuss the date for the three matchmakers and six rites.

When the Shen family arrived, they made quite a grand entrance, with twenty or thirty people in total. The noise from the outer courtyard and the bustling chatter of servants coming and going in the inner courtyard spread the word to Zhaoyang Pavilion.

Lu Ying put down the medicine bowl: "What happened?"

The wet nurse said, "The Shen family has come to discuss marrying the eldest daughter."

Lu Ying's lips trembled. "The Shen family?"

The wet nurse said with great regret, "The eldest young lady has been betrothed to the Shen family."

Lu Ying's gaze shifted to her face: "Father married me off to Yan Qu, but married my sister off to the Shen family?"

The wet nurse quickly replied, "It was suggested by Grand Secretary Yan. I heard that the young lady is going there to infiltrate the Shen family and gather information."

"That's still better than going to the Yan family, isn't it?"

Lu Ying got off the ground, slipped on her shoes, and walked to the door. The noise from the other side of the wall became clearer, with congratulations ringing out incessantly.

She bit her lower lip: "The Shen family is holding such a grand event? Father must have made some efforts as well."
"I'll be going to the Yan family in a little over a month. I wonder if my father has done anything for me?"

The wet nurse was speechless.

Lu Ying looked down at her feet, then looked up again: "Where is Mother?"

"Master, you sent Madam to a Taoist temple to recuperate before the New Year."