Chapter 53: Let Caiwei Serve You First

Lu Huaijin did not answer. He merely bowed slightly. "Father, the hour is late, and I must attend the early court session tomorrow. With numerous affairs pressing upon me, I need to make preparations in advance, so I must take my leave now."

His father looked at him and sighed. "The marriage bestowed by the Empress Dowager is no trivial matter. It concerns the stability of the imperial court and the dignity of the Lu family. You must act with utmost caution and ensure no mishaps occur."

"Father may rest assured. Your son understands the stakes involved and will handle it appropriately."

Back in his chambers, his father sat on the edge of the bed, his brow deeply furrowed, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Throughout the night, he tossed and turned, a creeping chill settling in his heart.

He suddenly realized that this son of his had already ascended to the pinnacle of power. As the Senior Grand Secretary, standing beneath the Emperor alone yet above tens of thousands, his mind was unfathomably deep, full of calculations, and his methods were chillingly ruthless.

Presently, not only did he firmly control the civil officials in the court, but he even intended to have his adopted son seize military power.

If this were truly the case, with both civil and military authority in his grasp, then this realm...

His father did not dare to think further, a shiver running down his spine.

That same night, Su Yao was plagued by endless nightmares.

Lu Huaijin could feel the person in his arms trembling continuously. With a heart full of anguish, he pressed his face close to hers and gently patted her back.

"Yao'er, do not be afraid."

Caught within the grip of her nightmare, Su Yao continued to frown and shed tears.

Lu Huaijin could only hold her tighter in his embrace.

When Su Yao woke up, the sky was already bright. The space beside her was empty; Lu Huaijin had long since departed.

She felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally drained.

Hearing the commotion, Chuntao hurried inside, softly waited upon her to rise, and said, "My lady, My Lord specially invited Imperial Physician Shi to pulse-check your health today."

Su Yao instinctively touched her belly, her expression complex as she uttered a faint "Oh."

"Has anything happened at the First Madam's side?" Su Yao hesitated for a moment, unable to suppress her worry as she asked. Mentioning Lu Huaijin's mother filled her eyes with terror; she genuinely feared her.

Chuntao shook her head and replied truthfully, "I have heard no rumors whatsoever. My lady need not worry."

Then, she added in a comforting whisper, "My lady, be not afraid. My Lord will protect you."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao furrowed her brow, sighing inwardly at the girl's foolishness, truly believing she was a treasured gem in Lu Huaijin's heart.

Yet she knew the truth herself: she was merely relying on her child for status. What would happen after she gave birth?

She naturally remembered what Zhao Zhifu had said—if she bore a child... it would be taken away to be raised by the mistress of the house.

By then, she wouldn't even be able to see her own child, and the child wouldn't even be allowed to call her mother.

...

Although Lu Huaijin's mother had not come to trouble Su Yao over the past few days, she had long since secretly sent someone to bring her niece from their hometown.

A few days later, in the Ci'an Courtyard.

Lu Huaijin returned home from the court session, and the moment he stepped through the gates, he was hurriedly summoned by a servant to the parlor.

He had not expected Su Yao to be there as well.

If his mother could truly accept Su Yao, that would certainly be for the best.

Lu Huaijin's mother sat regally in the primary seat of the parlor. Seeing her son enter, she spoke, "Huaijin, you have returned."

"Mother."

Lu Huaijin gave a slight bow, his expression calm. His gaze swept across the room, finally coming to rest on Su Yao.

Seeing her head lowered so that her expression was obscured, Lu Huaijin felt a pang of anxiety. What had his mother said to Su Yao before his arrival? Had she been wronged again?

"Caiwei, come and greet your cousin. You haven't seen each other in many years, have you?" The mother turned to the young woman beside her with a beaming smile.

Only then did Lu Huaijin notice another woman standing by his mother.

The young woman stepped forward, her face slightly flushed, and executed a respectful bow. "Caiwei greets Cousin."

With a placid expression, Lu Huaijin gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before turning his gaze back to Su Yao.

"Your cousin is already eighteen this year. She has blossomed into a graceful young lady, and your maternal aunt wishes for us to become even closer through marriage."

"When did Cousin arrive in the capital?" Lu Huaijin diverted the topic.

"She arrived just today."

Arriving in the capital merely today, yet already contemplating a matrimonial alliance—it was evident this had been arranged long ago.

Feigning ignorance of his mother's intentions, Lu Huaijin countered, "Does Mother mean to have me find a good match for her?"

"What nonsense are you uttering? Caiwei is my own flesh and blood, my niece. How could I rest easy if she married someone else? I shall have people properly instruct and groom her over these next few days, and in a few days time, she will be brought into your courtyard."

Lu Huaijin's expression darkened. He had previously instructed his mother not to interfere in the affairs of his inner courtyard, yet now she was attempting to force another woman upon him.

"Does Mother mean to make your own niece a concubine?"

At these words, the mother's expression froze.

In prominent households, the status of a concubine was humble—mere playthings rather than legitimate mistresses. While the mother professed to cherish her niece, she was only offering her the status of a concubine, which was truly laughable.

"As for your principal wife, isn't the Empress Dowager going to bestow a marriage upon you? How could I—"

"Mother said it herself, the Empress Dowager is also looking over potential matches for your son. Since your son has yet to take a principal wife, how can he take a concubine first? Wouldn't that make us a laughingstock?"

The mother's expression turned even uglier. These were the exact words she had used against Su Yao days ago; now, her son had thrown them all right back at her.

"Having someone else to know your warmth and cold is the only way a mother can rest easy. Before long, once your father and I finish drinking your wedding wine, we will be returning to our hometown. Caiwei is a child I watched grow up; having her take care of you gives me peace of mind. Since Su Yao is pregnant and unable to serve you, it is only fitting that Caiwei attends to you first."

As she spoke, the mother looked toward Su Yao. "What is your opinion?"

Su Yao raised her head, her gaze tranquil, and said in a gentle voice, "Everything shall be as the First Madam decides."

Lu Huaijin laughed.

This was the result of his mother pondering for days before hastily summoning someone from their hometown by fast courier.

Now that Su Yao was carrying an heir, it was the prime opportunity to stuff someone into his household, thereby suppressing Su Yao's current prominence in her son's heart.

Lu Huaijin slowly spoke, "Mother worries too much. Your son is currently consumed by official duties and has dedicated his mind entirely to court affairs; I have no thoughts of taking concubines at present."

With that, he took Su Yao by the hand and made to walk out.

"Lu Huaijin, halt!"

Seeing her son's brazen behavior, fury rose in the mother's heart. She slammed up from her seat and shouted.

Su Yao paused, but Lu Huaijin gripped her hand tighter and pulled her forward.

The more his mother called out, the faster he walked.

"He has truly rebelled! Now that his wings have hardened, he doesn't even listen to my words anymore."

Trembling with rage, the mother flopped back into her chair, gasping heavily for breath while muttering incessantly.

She never imagined that her once-obedient son would openly defy her commands time and again, all for the sake of a mere woman.

"Aunt, do not be angry. If Cousin does not care for Caiwei, Caiwei will return to her hometown right now."

The young girl spoke softly and gently, actively soothing the mother's breath.

The mother took her hand.

"Do not listen to him! This matter is for me to decide! Follow the嬷嬷 (nannies/instructors) and study diligently these next few days, and create more opportunities to grow close to him. You needn't worry about the rest; leave everything to your aunt. Your aunt will never let you be wronged."