Chapter 106: Wang Liuli, the Young Mistress of the Lu Family

In the crimson clouds to the west, the setting sun cast an orange-red glow, lingering as if reluctant to sink below the horizon. A round, bright moon emerged from the clouds, gazing across the sky at the slanting sun. This rare and beautiful scene of the sun and moon shining together seemed to offer a divine blessing upon this marriage.

The guests at the Lu household were far fewer than those at the Wang estate during the day, and in terms of status and rank, they were worlds apart. Yet, the atmosphere here was even more festive and boisterous. The poorer people were, the more sincere their interactions, for they had little to lose.

The old imperial physician, wearing a beaming smile, entertained his former colleagues from the Imperial Medical Academy. Aunt Xilin, with her wealth of experience, put the female guests at ease with effortless grace. Hu Yun was busy drinking with old acquaintances from the Changfeng Escort Agency, the carriage firm, and the West Market brokerage. A noisy group of young people, including Hu Xiaoyun and Guo Yan, carried on with their revelry, with the notable exception of the reticent little monk, Wuhua.

"To think," Wang Shiyi, Wang Liuli’s personal guard, said, already a bit tipsy as he postured like a worldly veteran before the young men at the table, "when the Young Master Lu cast his fishing line, it didn't land in the water, but caught our half-drowned future master on the bank instead. It just goes to show, you really have to believe that some unions are fated by the heavens."

"And then?" asked the stout Cheng Changmu, who, despite his noble background, had no airs and had quickly blended in with the group. His eyes were wide with curiosity.

Wang Shiyi recounted the past entanglements between Lu Liaoliao and Lu Jiu with a flourish of pride. "Our future master is capable enough and cunning enough, right? And yet, in the end, he still couldn't escape from Young Master Jiu's grasp."

"Pah!" Zhou Liuzi retorted, unconvinced. "It was your young lady who ended up marrying my young master. Who listens to whom is hard to say."

"I don't mean to look down on your master, but when it comes to being clever, few can compare to my Young Master Jiu. Besides, everyone who knows him knows his wife wears the trousers in that house."

Wang Shiyi’s words hit the mark, leaving Zhou Liuzi speechless. He simply picked up his wine and downed it in silence.

Lu Liaoliao and Wang Liuli, having finished toasting the old gentlemen from the Medical Academy, were walking toward this very table. Lu Liaoliao, trailing behind his bride with a listless expression, happened to overhear the discussion. He puffed out his chest, stepped ahead of Wang Liuli, and smiled as if he had heard nothing at all.

"Brother Xiaoyun! You’re not getting any younger. When will you bring home a wife to make Old Man Hu happy? Look at him—he’s been glaring at you off and on, and he doesn't look too pleased."

"Hehe!" Hu Xiaoyun scratched his head and grinned foolishly. "The girls he likes from the neighborhood aren't pretty at all, so I’m not interested."

"Brother Xiaoyun has high standards, I see. How about I help you find someone suitable?" Wang Liuli said, raising her glass with a smile.

"That would be great! I thank you in advance, sister-in-law." Hu Xiaoyun beamed, his favor for this new sister-in-law growing instantly.

"Fatty Cheng, you’re something else. Sending one gift and then attending the wedding banquets on both sides? Are you trying to eat your way back to your gift’s value?" Lu Liaoliao began to tease Cheng Changmu.

"Hehe!" Cheng Changmu laughed, glancing at Wang Liuli. "Liaoliao-ge, can you still compare yourself to the past? Even if I came to eat your food every day, I wouldn't be able to eat away a single hair on your head."

Lu Liaoliao was momentarily annoyed, but Wang Liuli smiled calmly. "If your Cheng family’s jade shop needs high-quality jade in the future, just come to me."

"Many thanks for the favor, sister-in-law." Cheng Changmu raised his cup to toast her, his round face beaming.

"Not bad, not bad. You’ve made great progress lately, actually winning a few times against that little fellow Bai Liangqi." Lu Liaoliao patted Li Sheng on the shoulder, looking very pleased.

"If you become a great general soon, my merchant association might have need of your influence," Wang Liuli added, raising her cup.

Li Sheng was so excited his face turned red; he downed his drink in one gulp. "I will live up to your kind words, sister-in-law. I will certainly work hard."

"Chen Lizhen," Lu Liaoliao said, turning to the friend he had met during the matchmaking trial, "if you leave Chang'an to join the army, I have a sworn brother, Li Huaiguang, the son of the General of Shuofang. I can write a letter of recommendation for you."

"What a coincidence," Wang Liuli said, watching Chen Lizhen intently. "I have a relative who serves as Deputy Jiedushi in the Shuofang Army, in charge of logistics. If you don't mind, I can also provide a recommendation for you."

"In that case, Chen Lizhen thanks you, sister-in-law!" Chen Lizhen bowed, looking deeply moved.

Lu Liaoliao sighed inwardly, walked over to Guo Yan, and patted his shoulder, not wanting to say anything more.

"Winter is coming soon. My Wang family has several hundred sets of old clothes and bedding. Send someone to collect them another day so those little beggars have something to keep them warm."

As soon as Wang Liuli finished speaking, Guo Yan bowed in gratitude. "You have the heart of a Bodhisattva, sister-in-law. I thank you on behalf of those poor children."

Lu Liaoliao slapped Hu Laoda on the head as he continued to gnaw on a bone. "It’s been over a year and you still can't recognize five hundred characters! All you know is how to eat!"

Hu Laoda knew Lu Liaoliao was taking out his frustrations from being bested by the bride on him. He quietly put down the bone and looked at Wang Liuli with extreme grievance.

"Eat as much as you want. Even if you want to eat meat every day, the Lu household can afford it. But from now on, you must learn more characters. My husband wants you to learn to read for your own good."

Wang Liuli glared at Lu Liaoliao, then, not minding the grease, picked up a large platter of meat and placed it directly in front of Hu Laoda.

"Zhou Liuzi, you are the person my husband trusts most. I won’t say much, but when you decide to marry Liu Yiyi, I will help you redeem her from her service."

With that single sentence, Wang Liuli caused Zhou Liuzi to blush deeply and lower his head, too shy to meet anyone's eyes.

"Pfft," Wang Shiyi couldn't help but laugh.

"Wang Shiyi! Remember this: there is no longer a Lu Jiu or a Young Master Jiu in this world. Standing before you is the Young Mistress of the Lu family, Wang Liuli of the Lu clan. Starting tomorrow, you will spend half a month cleaning the stables." Wang Liuli’s face went cold, and Wang Shiyi’s laughter died instantly.

On the veranda, Bai Liangqi and Zheng Hui, unable to join the main banquet, sat on the railing with large bowls in their hands.

"Sigh!" Bai Liangqi groaned repeatedly. "Junior brother, the days ahead will be difficult. This Mistress Wang isn't as easygoing as Mistress Xiaoqi. She not only allows us to play but used to give us many snacks. Tell me, why did Master have to marry such a terrifying woman?"

*Smack!* Bai Liangqi, not noticing his master approaching, received a sharp blow to the head.

"Terrifying? What’s so terrifying about her? Could she possibly be more terrifying than me?"

Bai Liangqi made a face at Lu Liaoliao and scurried away. Zheng Hui, however, bowed respectfully to Lu Liaoliao before departing.

"Wang Liuli! What exactly is your game?" Lu Liaoliao demanded, pointing an angry finger at Wang Liuli inside the bridal chamber. "At the banquet, you had to one-up me at every turn. Are you just showing off your family background?"

"It means nothing. I only wanted your brothers and friends to know that my marrying you, Lu Liaoliao, means I can help you in many ways."

Wang Liuli’s expression didn't change despite his anger. She answered calmly, then turned to call out to Qing’er in the outer room. "Qing’er, I’m hungry. Go prepare some food for us."

Qing’er acknowledged and left.

"Lu Jiu, oh Lu Jiu! I suddenly realize that this matchmaking trial of yours was never a selection; it was a trap specifically designed for me, Lu Liaoliao." Lu Liaoliao stared at her intensely.

"Lu Liaoliao, let me remind you again. There is no Lu Jiu in this world anymore; there is only your wife, Wang Liuli. Yes, that's right. The matchmaking trial was something I begged my father to hold, and the target was indeed you." Wang Liuli looked calm, showing none of the usual shyness of a bride.

"Why?" Lu Liaoliao felt a complex mix of emotions.

"Most men in this world are as dull as pigs. Only you, Lu Liaoliao, are barely worthy of me. But you are too cunning and your ways too erratic; you are always hard to pin down. When I attended your master’s wedding in Luoyang, his new wife, Mistress Zong Yue-niang, told me personally that catching a man is simple: just marry him. So, after I returned, I began to plan."

Having achieved her goal, Wang Liuli smiled with satisfaction, like a child who had finally obtained a cherished prize.

Lu Liaoliao clutched his forehead in agony. "I never imagined, never in my wildest dreams, that I, Lu Liaoliao, was the unluckiest man in the world."

After drinking the wedding wine and eating, they bathed in water prepared by Qing’er. In the room lit by red candles, Wang Liuli, now in different attire, diligently arranged the bedding. As she knelt on the bed to spread a snow-white silk cloth, she inadvertently revealed a glimpse of her white skin, nearly causing Lu Liaoliao to have a nosebleed.

"Hehe! You're a grown woman and you still wear open-crotch pants? I never knew you had such strange habits, Wang Liuli." Lu Liaoliao, his throat dry, let out a hollow laugh.

"My mother made this for me specifically. Every bride wears this on their wedding night. What’s so strange about that?"

Wang Liuli’s face flushed red, but she maintained a forced composure as she smoothed the silk cloth.

The mention of her mother touched a hidden wound in Lu Liaoliao’s heart. He stared blankly at his beautiful bride for a long time, unable to speak.

Lying on the bed and covering herself with the scarlet quilt, Wang Liuli looked shy, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And now... I don't know what to do next."

Lu Liaoliao snapped out of his trance, stunned for a moment. His mind raced. He lay down beside her and said mysteriously, "Liuli, look, we are both exceptionally clever people, right? If our children aren't as smart, it would be a bit embarrassing."

Wang Liuli frowned and thought about it. It seemed to make sense. She turned to look at him with concern. "Do you have a good idea?"

Lu Liaoliao swallowed hard. "I possess a secret technique from the Ghost Valley. As long as we follow its methods, our descendants will naturally be blessed with extraordinary talent."

Wang Liuli thought for a moment and nodded firmly.

"Hahaha!" Lu Liaoliao laughed triumphantly in his heart. He had never found anyone to test the Dongxuanzi secret manual on, and now, he would finally get his wish with the devilishly clever Wang Liuli.