The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

The next morning.

As previously agreed upon with Jiang Guo'er and Pei Yan, Xue Lingyi hosted a banquet for several noble ladies in the capital under the guise of appreciating "Chengxintang colored paper".

The meal included freshly brewed pine needle tea, steamed ghee, and several kinds of delicate fruits.

The girls gathered around the colorful stationery on the table, commenting and chatting happily, creating a lively atmosphere.

Halfway through the banquet, Xue Lingyi, using the excuse that the pomegranate flowers in the garden were in bloom and that she wanted to ask Wang Yan how to paint pomegranates, led her through the covered walkway to the Lanyue Pavilion in the back garden.

Jiang Guo'er had already arrived at the pavilion and prepared flower tea.

Wang Yan was the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites.

Minister Wang was the oldest among the Six Ministries, and the Wang family was a distinguished and prestigious family.

She has a cheerful personality and is naturally fond of smiling. She was wearing a soft silver lily dress in begonia red.

As soon as he sat down, he instructed his personal maid to wait outside the pavilion.

"Madam Pei, Aunt Jiang," Wang Yan took a sip of tea, her eyes sparkling, and couldn't help but lean forward, "Have you heard about what happened last night?"

Jiang Guo'er blinked, looking curious. "Which one are you referring to, Miss Wang?"

"Lu Bingde!" Wang Yan slammed her hand on the stone table.

"I heard that a thief broke into the Lu residence last night. He was stuffed in a sack, his ribs and legs were broken, and he was thrown into a swill bucket!"

"He was pulled out of the manor by a servant in the middle of the night, and he stank so badly... everyone around him vomited."

"Speaking of the Lu family, they are usually hypocritical, narrow-minded, and sanctimonious. Now, it's truly a blessing from heaven, and everyone is delighted!"

Jiang Guo'er blinked repeatedly as she listened.

Yesterday, Gou Liuzhi was just brought to Brother Lu's mansion, and last night Lu Bingde was punished. What a coincidence!

Could it be... that the Prime Minister sent someone to do it?

She lowered her eyes and couldn't help but smile, feeling as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

Xue Lingyi chimed in for a few words, then changed the subject.

"The capital has been in turmoil lately, making it impossible for people to live in peace. But no matter how chaotic things are outside, we still have to live our lives."

She looked up at Wang Yan.

"Has the Lu family given a definite answer regarding the wedding date between Miss Wang and Lord Lu?"

Mentioning Lu Yunzheng immediately dampened Wang Yan's earlier elation.

She unconsciously pinched the handkerchief, her lips pursed.

"What are you talking about? He keeps making excuses every few days, saying he's busy with work one day, and then saying his elders at home aren't feeling well the next."

"If I keep waiting like this, I'll practically turn into an old maid!"

Jiang Guo'er and Xue Lingyi exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.

"Miss Wang, please forgive my bluntness, but Lord Lu spends all his time handling cases at the Censorate, and he has countless murder cases on his hands. He's quite ruthless."

"A woman as delicate as Miss Wang would likely suffer mistreatment if she married him."

Wang Yan didn't reply, but just gripped the handkerchief tighter.

"Who says otherwise?" Xue Lingyi looked worried and pulled out a piece of colored paper from her sleeve, under which was a scroll.

She pushed the reel in front of Wang Yan.

"I shouldn't be interfering in your life, but we hit it off immediately, and I really don't want to keep you waiting indefinitely."

"There are so many fine young men in the capital, young lady, you don't necessarily have to tie your heart to one place. Why not... take a look at the scenery around you?"

Wang Yan unfolded the scroll with suspicion.

The man in the painting is dressed in a blue robe, with handsome features, holding a scroll and standing under the bamboo shadows.

He was indeed handsome and refined, with a graceful and elegant demeanor.

"Who is this?"

"Xie Yuan, the younger brother of the Minister of Works," Xue Lingyi said. "He just returned to the capital from out of town a few days ago... He's a few years older than you."

"What a handsome young man!" Wang Yan exclaimed.

Jiang Guo'er quickly took out a thin book of poems and handed it to her.

"This young master Xie is not only handsome, but also exceptionally talented. Look at this poem, young lady, it exudes a free and easy spirit."

Wang Yan took the poetry collection and flipped through a few pages.

Although she wasn't an expert in poetry, she could still tell that the choice of words and phrases was truly remarkable.

only……

She put down the poetry collection, and her brows furrowed again.

"Young Master Xie is certainly a good man, but I've dreamed of marrying Lu Yunzheng since I was a child."

"He was tall and imposing, and although he was a bit of a rogue, he was never ambiguous when it came to serious matters, and he was also righteous and had lofty aspirations."

"Which of those young masters in the capital who only know how to talk a good game can compare to him?"

Wang Yan suddenly stopped talking.

Her bright, expressive eyes swept over Xue Lingyi and Jiang Guo'er's faces before she suddenly sat up straight.

"Madam Pei, Aunt Jiang. You both specially led me to the pavilion today and showed me Young Master Xie's portrait and poetry collection..."

"What exactly do you want? We're all women, so just say it directly. I don't like beating around the bush."

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Xue Lingyi took a deep breath and glanced at Jiang Guo'er.

Jiang Guo'er nodded gently.

Since things have come to this point, I can only tell the truth.

Xue Lingyi put down her teacup, her expression becoming much more serious.

"Miss Wang, what we are about to say must be said in this pavilion and must not be heard by anyone else."

"This concerns Lord Lu's reputation and the young lady's lifelong happiness. I can no longer keep this a secret for him."

Wang Yan was taken aback by her expression and unconsciously clenched her fists.

"What...what happened to him? Is he keeping someone else on the side?!"

"No." Xue Lingyi was silent for a moment before whispering, "He... doesn't like women."

Wang Yan was stunned for a full three breaths before she reacted and exclaimed in surprise, "He's gay?!"

Jiang Guo'er raised her hand and gestured for her to be quiet.

Xue Lingyi took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and began to tell the story with great emotion.

"Miss, you may not know this, but he and the young master Murong from the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion grew up together since childhood. This relationship... has long surpassed the bond between brothers."

Jiang Guo'er stood to the side with her head down and her lips tightly pursed.

A sharp pain shot through her heart when she mentioned her deceased brother.

"Lord Lu has secretly loved Young Master Murong for many years. But not only did Young Master Murong get married, but later..."

When Xue Lingyi spoke of her sorrow, her voice trembled slightly.

"The old friends are gone, but Lord Lu is still trapped in the past, unable to accept anyone else in his heart."

Wang Yan was completely stunned.

Xue Lingyi continued to add fuel to the fire.

"He was afraid that if he told you the truth, you would be heartbroken. But if he married you like this, wouldn't he be ruining your life?"

"He was tormented by inner turmoil and had no other choice but to seek help from the Prime Minister and me, hoping we could find a solution that satisfied both sides..."

The pavilion was so quiet that the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Wang Yan sat motionless for a long time without saying a word.

She sat blankly on the stone bench, recalling Lu Yunzheng's avoidance and indifference towards her over the years.

There was also the unusual tension he showed when Murong Sheng was mentioned.

At that time, she thought he was just a loyal and affectionate person.

It turned out to be the case.

So that's how it is.

After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly sniffed.

Her eyes gradually reddened, and tears fell onto the handkerchief she was clutching, leaving a small wet patch.

Jiang Guo'er and Xue Lingyi were immediately at a loss.

Jiang Guo'er quickly comforted her, "Miss Wang, don't be too sad. There are plenty of good men in the world..."

"I'm not crying for myself." Wang Yan picked up a handkerchief and wiped her tears haphazardly, but she became more and more angry as she spoke.

"I think Lu Yunzheng is too stupid!"

Jiang Guo'er and Xue Lingyi were both stunned.

Wang Yan's eyes were red, and her nose was red with anger.

"He loved someone for so many years, watched helplessly as that person got married, and then watched helplessly as that person passed away. He said nothing, and carried everything alone."

"Does he think he's made of stone? He doesn't even cry out in pain?"

As she spoke, tears began to fall again.

"If you had told me sooner, would I have been clinging to him like this?"

"Although I like him, I wouldn't spend my whole life trapping someone whose heart isn't with me at all."