The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

After leaving the palace, He Xuran had lunch at the Grand Tutor's residence.

There is a courtyard prepared specifically for him here.

He was weary from his journey, having traveled for many days. Jiashan didn't try to talk to him, but instead sent someone to rest.

When He Xuran came out after a good night's sleep, it was getting late. Having rested well, he was much more awake.

He Xuran was just about to visit Jiashan.

The siblings hadn't spoken a word since they returned. But before they even entered the main courtyard, they could hear voices coming from inside.

"Is the Lu family really going to move the whole family back to the capital?"

It was a surprised voice from Jiashan.

It's no wonder she was surprised; the Gu family and the Lu family had a good relationship in earlier years.

Master Lu and Gu Fuju were of similar age and had served as officials in the imperial court together in their early years; they were both quite influential figures.

But a few years ago, that person took off his official robes, knelt outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in a plain white undergarment, with his ivory tablet placed neatly in front of him and Xuan Ce's official hat on his right, and asked to leave the palace.

"Your Majesty, I originally intended to repay Your Majesty's grace with utmost loyalty and dedication, but my talents are limited and my temperament is fickle, making me ill-suited to the times. I am filled with shame and unease whenever I think of this. I humbly beg Your Majesty's mercy to allow me to resign from my court post and return to my hometown to atone for my foolishness."

Without warning.

Everyone thought Lord Lu had gone mad.

Is it because Emperor Yingqian was determined to promote Yang Changzheng, whose abilities were far inferior to his own, and appointed him as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat that he became dissatisfied?

Gu Fuju's gaze lingered briefly on the archway outside the courtyard, pretending not to see He Xuran's clothes there: "Yes."

"But Lu Huaizhang should come first; the women in the family should stay in their hometown for the time being."

“Although he has a residence in the capital, he can’t make a big fuss about his whereabouts to avoid being watched. I intend to let him stay at the residence for a while.”

Jiashan was delighted and readily agreed.

"I will have a room prepared immediately."

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something.

"I remember that Lu family girl was quite lovely. I wonder if she's married? Xu Ran's marriage is still unsettled, and she knows her family background very well..."

He Xuran had a headache and couldn't listen anymore.

Turn around and leave, lest you be nagged again.

Jiashan was unaware that anyone had come. She wondered, "However, he left so decisively back then. Was he planning to return to officialdom or...?"

Gu Fuju said gently, "I have been corresponding with him all these years."

“You know Huai Zhang’s temperament; he would never leave in a fit of pique. In the past, the Emperor actually preferred him, but he was not greedy, had no ulterior motives, and was not easy to control.”

Those shameful and dirty deeds would never be done for Emperor Yingqian.

"He has been unsuccessful for a long time. He has served as an official in the court for many years, but he has always been clean and has a clear conscience, not because he wanted to display his talents."

It is pure – the official robes remain untainted, and the heart and soul originate from the people.

But after being in a high position for a long time, all you see is filth and corruption.

The Prince of Yan's residence was exiled.

The old master of the Lu family was beaten to death with sticks.

The Duke of Shunguo died of a cold.

……

Too much.

“After Brother Lu passed away, I went to see him off, and he left me with a message.”

Jiashan asked, "What did you say?"

Gu Fuju looked at his wife and said, word by word.

"The Great Jin Dynasty is doomed."

He was the one who called the person back.

At the same time, it was Wei Zhao who spoke first.

"The Lu family is also a prominent family. Lu Huaizhang's father was once a close associate of the late emperor. He probably has something that Wei Zhao wants."

Jiashan was suddenly jolted.

She knew better than anyone how unusually busy Gu Fuju had been these days.

"So, he came back because..."

She stood up, stammering, "Yes..."

Gu Fuju nodded: "It's just as you think."

He smiled and said, "It shouldn't be far off."

He gripped Jiashan's hand tightly: "Wait a little longer, it'll be soon."

At the Duke of Shun's residence, Wei Zhao, his brows furrowed, gripped his brush and wrote furiously, the wolf-hair brush hovering over the Xuan paper, his strokes flying, the ink barely dry.

"General."

Chi Yu relayed: "The Grand Tutor has sent word that Lu Huaizhang will arrive in the capital in three days."

Wei Zhao was not surprised. He did not look up and continued to process the letters.

Chi Yu paused for a moment.

"The Grand Tutor's intention is to have Lu Huaizhang stay overnight at the Gu family's residence."

Wei Zhao paused slightly as he held the pen.

He smirked and chuckled.

"Old fox."

He wanted to see Lu Huaizhang. Gu Fuju was clearly telling him to go to the Gu family to see him.

Wei Zhao put down his pen and rubbed his aching wrist.

Count the days.

A soft voice.

"Tell Rong Di that the various spies should take this opportunity to act."

The undercover agents under Wei Zhao's name were managed by Rong Di.

Most of them are openly distributed throughout the Great Jin Dynasty in the form of blacksmith shops. They are densely distributed near the borders, such as in Ze County. And these... are mostly remote areas severely affected by floods.

Nearby cities, such as the capital, Jiangnan, and other prosperous areas, don't require Wei Zhao's intervention. Gu Fuju and Ying Fuyan have powerful connections; they know what to do.

Chi Yu understood the meaning of those words and quickly replied respectfully.

"Yes."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Lan Garden.

Yu Tingwan lay on the pure gold rocking chair in the courtyard, her head covered with a white cloth embroidered with begonia flowers.

With her light breaths, the petals rose and fell gently along with the handkerchief.

The servants who passed by instinctively shuffled their feet, afraid of disturbing the young mistress's nap.

Tan Jiang carried the account book she had taken from Ning Su Chan over, and heard servants coming out from afar, so she lowered her voice and spoke.

"I think the young mistress is probably pregnant."

The old woman who was speaking was quite old; Tan Jiang recognized her—she was from the kitchen.

At this hour, it should be time to deliver candied fruits carved into the shapes of flowers and birds, and a sweet soup made with cheese and almonds.

The general and his wife were not particularly fond of food, so the kitchen staff had been struggling to find a place to put their skills to good use.

Since the lady returned home, the cooks have been very diligent. The food they send over is rarely the same.

Can we wait a bit?
Tan Jiang: ? ? ?

Is the lady pregnant?

What are you talking about?
Thinking no one was listening, the old woman lowered her voice and said to the person beside her, "I'm not lying to you, the lady's belly is already slightly protruding, it's probably less than three months. The masters are afraid of offending anyone, that's why they haven't told anyone."

Tan Jiang: ...

That's because the lady ate all the vegetables you brought at noon!
The old woman said, "Madam is still sleepy! Look, she's still asleep right now."

She gestured for the maid who had come to deliver dessert to turn around and look.

"Although the general is in poor health, the kitchen prepares nourishing dishes every day, so he can gradually recover. Look, the young mistress's hand is still resting on her lower abdomen, so it's definitely not wrong."

She was too full from eating and didn't want to walk to digest, so she just lay there, too lazy to move.

Tan Jiang: ...

The tonics you prepared have all ended up in the lady's stomach.

Whenever the kitchen prepares tonics for Wei Zhao, Yu Tingwan's share is always included.

At first, the couple each had their own bowl.

In the following days, Yu Tingwan got up very late, and her legs trembled when she climbed off the bed. From then on, she ate alone.

Tan Jiang didn't understand.

But the general is in good health and does not need any supplements.

It's hard to say about the lady.

People who are usually very strong and can climb mountains without getting tired or restless sometimes feel weak all over for some reason.

(End of this chapter)