Loyang Jin

Ling Jingyan raised her eyebrows and smiled proudly: "Luoyang peonies are famous all over the world. I have lived in the capital over the years and have attended many flower-viewing banquets. I have also seen a lot of famous peonies and learned some from the gardeners in the house. I have grown several rare varieties of peonies, and since my cousin Shu is also good at it, I will definitely ask her for advice in the future.”

He was asking for advice, but his face showed a clear expression of competition.

Ling Jingshu wanted to refuse, but then she thought about it. She planned to go to the capital with her uncle's family, and she would have to deal with Ling Jingyan in the future.

"Since Cousin Yan is so elegant, I can't refuse, so I can only accompany you shamelessly." Ling Jingshu smiled slightly: "Please give me some advice, Cousin Yan."

His attitude was low, and the good intentions in his tone were not revealed. It sounds very pleasant to the ear.

Ling Jingyan felt much better, and Ling Jingshu didn't look so unpleasant anymore: "Okay, I'll go find you tomorrow."

"Cousin Yan has come back from a long way and is an honored guest. There is no reason for you to come here. I'd better go find you tomorrow!" Ling Jingshu said with a smile.

Ling Jingyan nodded happily.

Ling Jingxian, who witnessed this scene: "..."

She deliberately provoked her, hoping that Ling Jingshu would give Ling Jingyan a chance and vent her sullen words, so that there would be fun to watch. How could it become like this?

...

Everyone was tired after traveling long distances. After the banquet, they went back to their rooms to rest.

The Ling family originally lived in the Yonghe Hall, but once Lu An came, it was no longer suitable to live in the Yonghe Hall. Ask the servants to move all the luggage to the guest room. Fortunately, the house is clean and tidy, the bedding is brand new, and it is ready to be occupied at any time.

Lu An sat on the chair, and Lu Hong and Lu Qian stood side by side in front of Lu An.

Lu An looked serious and opened his mouth to ask: "Ahong, Aqian, are you still used to living in the Ling family these days?"

Lu Hong was more in awe than close to this father, and replied respectfully: "To tell you what my father is saying, the Ling family treats everyone kindly and harmoniously, and takes good care of food, clothing, and daily life. There is nothing strange about my son living here."

Lu An hummed and looked at Lu Qian again.

Facing his young and frail son, Lu An's expression softened a bit: "A Qian, this is your first time to return to your grandfather's house when you have grown up. Are they treating you well?"

Lu Qian lowered his head and replied: "My grandmother is very kind, my uncle and aunt are very caring to me, and my cousins ​​are also very kind to me."

"Don't just play around and waste your studies."

"I review my books every day and haven't let up. Please rest assured, father."

The answer was quite satisfactory, nothing to fault.

Lu An frowned.

Lu Hong is the eldest son, and he has always been strict with Lu Hong. It is inevitable that Lu Hong will behave and tremble in front of him. But Lu Qian had a lively and arrogant temperament and was good at pleasing others. He had never been so well-behaved in front of him. Such a serious reply can't help but make the father and son seem estranged...

Seeing that Lu An looked a little unhappy, Lu Hong was secretly surprised and glanced at Lu Qian subconsciously.

Lu Qian still lowered his head, unable to see clearly what his expression was. But it was very different from his usual performance.

Lu An waited for a moment, and saw that Lu Qian still looked half-dead. He felt a little annoyed, and his face suddenly darkened, with a hint of displeasure in his voice: "Well, I'm tired today, you two brothers go back to the house first." Rest. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

Brothers Lu Hong and Lu Qian retreated together.

After leaving the main hall, making sure that his father could not hear the conversation between the two, Lu Hongcai asked in a low voice: "Second brother, what happened to you today? Why don't you pay attention to your father when he is talking to you?"

In the past, Lu Qian would have used his coquettish skills to make his father happy.

It was already dark, and the wind lanterns hanging under the cloister were shining dimly.

Lu Qian's delicate face seemed to have melted into the gloom, with a vague and indifferent expression: "Didn't I answer every question my father asked?"

Lu Hong was choked and speechless, and his handsome brows wrinkled slightly. Under the dim light, he looked even more handsome and handsome.

Lu Qian looked at his tall and handsome brother. His heart seemed to be blocked by something. He became more and more depressed and uncomfortable. He said, "I'm sleepy. Let's go back to sleep."

Then he turned around and left.

Lu Hong: "..."

This Lu Qian, ever since he recovered from an illness on the ship, has behaved a little strangely. Occasionally, I would quarrel with him with a cold face, but this time it was better, and I got angry with my father again for no reason.

Probably because I'm getting older and don't want to be treated like a child anymore, my temper has also gotten better.

Lu Hong thought for a while, shook his head with a smile, and went back to the house to rest.

...

When Mrs. Ling came in, she saw Lu An's gloomy face, and her heart skipped a beat. Thinking that Lu An was still unhappy about what Mrs. Ling said just now, he said humbly and with a smiling face: "What mother said today was definitely not meant to be directed at the master. Please don't take it to heart."

It's okay that Mrs. Ling didn't mention it. As soon as she mentioned the situation just now, Lu An's suppressed anger surged into his heart and he looked at Mrs. Ling sarcastically: "If you hadn't been chattering in front of your mother-in-law, how would your mother-in-law know that you were suffering in the Lu family?" Feeling wronged?”

A trace of panic flashed in Mrs. Ling's eyes, and her tone became softer: "My master has always treated me very well. I am in charge of the inner house, and I live in fine clothes and fine food, so there is nothing wrong with me. My mother said this just out of pity for her daughter. I don’t mean anything else, please don’t worry about it.”

Don’t reach out to hit the smiling person.

Ling was so flattering, Lu An snorted and said nothing more.

Mrs. Ling suppressed the grievance in her heart and whispered about Lu Hong: "...I have led Ah Hong and Ah Qian to live in the house for a few days. The two of them stayed at Ling's house. They all adapt well. Especially Ahong, he gets along very well with the cousins ​​and sisters of the Ling family.”

When I mentioned the word "sister", I paused intentionally or unintentionally.

Lu An was so keen that he immediately heard the implication of her words and looked up: "You mean, A Hong has fallen in love with the granddaughter of the Ling family?"

An incomparably beautiful girl's face quickly flashed through her mind.

"Is it Ling Jingshu?" Lu An was clearly asking, but his tone was very sure.

Even he, who was wandering around the flowers and flowers everywhere, felt amazed at the first sight, let alone a young boy who was just beginning to have a love interest.

"Sure enough, I know everything clearly. I am talking about Sister Shu."

Seeing that Lu An was interested in this topic, Mrs. Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief and took over the conversation with a smile: "Ah Hong doesn't like Sister Shu, and it's hard to tell who this concubine is. However, Ah Hong pays attention to her in every way. . Today I took the initiative to follow Sister Shu to the garden. Speaking of which, it’s time for A-Hong to think about life-long matters.”

Lu An looked unmoved and did not comment.

However, Mrs. Ling knew his temper very well. If he had disapproved, he would have darkened his face. At this time, he still had the patience to listen to what she said, and he was obviously interested in her.

Lu Hong is the direct descendant of his original wife. He is extremely talented and intelligent, and has gained the reputation of being a scholar at a young age. The future is limitless. Lu An seemed to favor his youngest son Lu Qian, but the eldest son was the most important in his heart.

The Ling family has been in the family for so many years, and they have been trying their best to win over Lu Hong. But the effect is not significant. Lu Hong was quite affectionate towards Lu Qian, but he was lukewarm towards her stepmother. If this marriage can be facilitated and Lu Hong marries his niece, he will naturally be more close to her in the future.

Now that Ling Jingshu has become a daughter-in-law, she will also be united with her as her mother-in-law and aunt.

The more Ling thought about it, the more she thought it was a good idea, and continued: "I didn't mention this to A Hong, I just thought about it secretly. This time for my mother's birthday, I will also stay at Ling's house for a while, so I might as well Pay more attention to Sister Shu. If you think this marriage is feasible, I will mention it to my mother."

Lu An pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Ahong is the eldest son of our Lu family. He will definitely be the head of the family in the future. His wife will also be the wife of our Lu family in the future. She must be Choose a wife with a dignified, gentle and virtuous temperament. Sister Shu is indeed a good-looking woman, but I don’t know what her temperament is. There is no need to rush into making a marriage decision. Please pay more attention to Sister Shu in private these days.”

After a pause, he added: "If I have the opportunity, I will personally take a look at her character and knowledge."

In this way, it is a preliminary approval of this marriage.

Mrs. Ling perked up and agreed with a smile.

...

Mrs. Ling carefully waited on Lu An to wash up and go to sleep.

Lu An was tired from traveling all the way and should have rested early, but for some reason today, he was particularly interested. After tossing Ling for two times, he finally calmed down.

Ling's whole body was sore and limp, and she nestled against Lu An's side with great contentment.

This kind of intimacy has not happened for a long time.

Ever since Lu An accepted Aunt Liu, who had a slender waist and was particularly charming, into the house, Aunt Liu had become Lu An's new favorite. Over the past year, Lu An spent most of the day resting in Aunt Liu's house. Very few people came to the main house. They came here occasionally to see her son, but they did not stay overnight in her house.

Although she, the head wife who had fallen out of favor, was still in charge of the inner house, her prestige was not as good as before.

She held back a lot of bitterness in her heart and only showed two or three points in front of Mrs. Ling.

Unexpectedly, when I returned to my parents' home this time, I would encounter such an opportunity. She must seize this good opportunity and try her best to facilitate this marriage.

It doesn't matter that a woman has both talent and virtue, but having a stunning face is the most important thing.

Wasn't Lu Hong already fascinated by Ling Jingshu?

Mrs. Ling, who was imagining things, didn't know that her husband, who had his eyes closed beside the pillow, was also thinking about the same person.

...