Chapter 68: Picking Wild Vegetables (V)

The next morning, when Shen Liniang slowly opened her eyes, she found that her husband, Li Kuo, was no longer by her side. In a hurry, she got dressed and went inside to look for him. Scanning the room, she saw no sign of him, and she grew extremely anxious. It was not until she turned behind the screen and saw the young man’s tall figure by the wooden door that her tense nerves relaxed slightly.
“Sir!”
Her delicate hands ran through Li Kuo’s hair as she said softly, “Why did you get up so early? You haven’t eaten or drunk anything all night—you must be hungry. I’ll prepare breakfast for you right away.”
The previous day, Shen Liniang had shared intimacy with Li Kuo for the first time, leaving her exhausted and weak. But as a lady’s wife, it would be unacceptable to wake up later than her husband.
“Ah, wait.”
Li Kuo shook his head and called out to her. The previous day, driven by passion, he had engaged in intimacy with her. Since she was already his concubine, it wouldn’t have mattered under normal circumstances. But it was his wedding night with A Tian, who was clearly still upset. If she found out he had gone to Shen Liniang’s room, she might become jealous.
“Come with me to see Mother first.”
There was no other choice but to take things one step at a time. After all, he had married such a willful girl. In the whole world, which wife would lock her husband out on their wedding night?
She was also upset—perhaps her anger would subside in a few days. The young man shook his head, trying to comfort himself like that.
“You’re right, Sir. I’ll get ready and follow you right away.”
Shen Liniang nodded and went to tidy herself up.
It wasn’t long before the two arrived at Li Lusi’s bedroom. Li Lusi was chatting with Du Jingtian when she saw them enter and waved them over, saying, “Kuo is here.”
Li Kuo stepped forward and knelt down, saying, “Mother, I come to pay my respects to you.”
How could Li Lusi, who cherished her only son so much, allow him to suffer?
“Get up quickly. Come here so Mother can take a good look at you.”
Li Kuo stood up and smiled, saying, “I’m still the same as before. Can marriage really change one’s appearance?”
“Sly talker!”
Gently tapping his nose, Li Lusi said affectionately, “My son is finally married. Look, his complexion looks much healthier now.”
Seeing Shen Liniang beside the young man, Li Lusi understood Du Jingtian’s resentment.
Sigh, how could a mother even bring up such matters?

“Kuo, yesterday was the day of your wedding with Jing Tian. Instead of staying in the room with your wife, where are you running off to?” After thinking for a moment, Lady Li Lu still spoke up. Leaving aside other things, if her son couldn’t handle matters properly, there would be trouble in the household later on. She had initially agreed to let Li Lu take Shen Liniang as a concubine only because she thought Shen had more experience and could offer advice to her son in his official career. Who would have thought she would end up overshadowing him? Though these words were meant for Li Kuo, how could Shen Liniang not understand what was implied? Seeing Du Jing Tian’s angry expression, Liniang understood everything. “Mother, it was Ah Tian yesterday, she…” “What about her? She’s your legal wife. She was just joking with you, and you acted so rashly. What am I supposed to say?” At this moment, Lady Li Lu changed her attitude and began to scold her son sternly. In her view, the legal wife was the one her son should respect the most. As for concubines, they were like clothes—useful for a while and then discardable. But with Shen Liniang present, she couldn’t say things too bluntly. Realizing whatever he said now would be wrong, Li Kuo nodded and said, “Son knows his mistake.” “Jing Tian, come here too.” Lady Li Lu turned and waved at Du Jing Tian, speaking kindly. “Oh.” Du Jing Tian replied reluctantly and stepped forward. “Jing Tian, I know you’re a good girl. Kuo can be stubborn sometimes. In the future, please help me keep an eye on him.” Lady Li Lu patted Du Jing Tian’s shoulder and gave her careful instructions. “Mother!” Miss Du immediately felt aggrieved. What did it mean to “keep an eye on him”? He already had another woman in his heart—how could she keep a watch on him? What made things worse was that her father had told her to act like a proper wife. Did that mean pushing her husband toward another woman? Last night, she had only tried to tease him, but he left like a child. “I know you’re upset.” Lady Li Lu glanced at Li Kuo. “This insensitive man can’t even tell what his own wife is thinking. Also, your subordinates are too disrespectful—spying outside your wedding room. You should discipline them properly; otherwise, the entire military camp will be in disarray.” Coming from a noble family, Lady Li Lu valued hierarchy and rules above everything else. Just as there were laws in the state and rules in the military, if such behavior happened under her father’s command, those subordinates would have been severely punished. “Mother, they’re just that way—it’s not a big deal.”

Li Kuo didn’t want to dwell on this issue and quickly changed the subject: “By the way, Mother. I heard recently that the osmanthus flowers outside the southern part of the city have bloomed. Shall I send someone to take you out of the city to enjoy them? I remember you liking the scent of osmanthus the most.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Li Lu tapped Li Kuo’s head and said, “Stop changing the subject. What’s the point of talking about flowers? Isn’t it better for you two to live together harmoniously? As long as you get married soon and give me a chubby grandson, I’ll be truly happy!”
“Mother!”
Du Jingtian tugged at Lady Li Lu’s arm, her face flushed with shyness.
“What’s there to be shy about? Every woman will face this eventually. Listen to your mother—only by having children can a woman keep her husband!”
Straightening the stray hairs by Du Jingtian’s temple, Lady Li Lu shook her head with a wry smile.
“Alright, alright. I won’t say more. You won’t listen if I keep talking. Go and do your own things. I want some time alone.”
Lady Li Lu waved her hand, signaling that everyone could leave; she wanted some quiet time for herself.
The three bowed to Lady Li Lu again before stepping back out of the room.
“Li Niang, stay. I have something to say to you!”
Lady Li Lu’s voice suddenly rose, startling Shen Li Niang.