Lu Zhenghai was a little speechless.
The topic shifted too quickly.
Could it be that Pei Muwan was interested in him and wanted to become his official wife?
Don't say it, it was truly possible.
Look, "immortal by the river" and "butterfly loves flowers" had completely captivated her... she was practically turning into a fangirl, losing all her aloofness in front of him.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhenghai's heart rate accelerated, and his heart felt hot.
Just based on appearance and temperament, Pei Muwan was completely the ceiling.
She also had a powerful background and was herself a Grandmaster Realm expert.
Lu Zhenghai was a vulgar man; if he could marry Pei Muwan, it would be like his ancestral grave was smoking green—why wouldn't he be willing?
Unfortunately... with Pei Muwan's appearance, status, and strength, it was impossible for her to become someone's concubine.
And he already had a principal wife.
Damn you, Jiang Chiyao, you're occupying the latrine but not doing your business!
"We can't divorce yet; I'll probably have to wait a few years." Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhenghai said seriously.
Of course, he didn't want to tell Pei Muwan the specific details of how Jiang Chiyao had tricked him into marriage.
He couldn't exactly say that because he was lustful, he had fallen in love with Jiang Chiyao at first sight and impulsively married her, only for her to continuously refuse to consummate the marriage, solely for the sake of the Lu Family Sword Tomb, could he?
That was too embarrassing!
Pei Muwan felt inexplicably sour inside. Wait a few years to divorce? Who was he trying to fool? Lu Zhenghai, you are just a deeply devoted idiot who is utterly bullied by his wife!
Young Master Lu's wife truly didn't know how lucky she was!
"Young Master Lu..."
"Call me Changqing."
"Changqing, I..."
"I understand everything, Mu Wan, just wait for me a few years."
Lu Zhenghai interrupted Pei Muwan and grabbed her small hand directly.
Pei Muwan was stunned.
How could Changqing be so rude?
Was a woman's hand something that could be grabbed casually?
"Mu Wan, let's have a few years of sweet romance first. After I divorce Jiang Chiyao, you can rightfully take your place as the main wife."
Lu Zhenghai held Pei Muwan's small hand, unable to resist playing with it, and said seriously while doing so.
Pei Muwan held her breath, the shame and anger on her face completely bursting forth. She immediately flung Lu Zhenghai's hand away: "Changqing... Young Master Lu, please respect yourself!"
Lu Zhenghai froze.
Holy crap, although the Great Yu Dynasty was ancient, was the separation between men and women this exaggerated?
She clearly said she liked him and even wanted to become his wife, yet they couldn't even hold hands?
Seeing Lu Zhenghai suddenly freeze, Pei Muwan couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
She thought: Changqing must have said those frivolous and presumptuous words, even touching my hand, on purpose, right? He just wants me to think he is a shallow person; he is slandering himself to prevent me from developing feelings or admiration for him. He truly loves his wife to the bone!
In Pei Muwan's view, a Literary Dao Genius who could write "immortal by the river" and "butterfly loves flowers" would absolutely not start touching people while speaking.
Changqing was definitely not that kind of vulgar person!
Hmph, Changqing, even your self-slander doesn't follow logic.
I, Pei Muwan, am not an idiot, how could I believe you?
She felt a little smug, realizing she could see right through him. This must be a form of Soul resonance, right?!
Thinking of this, Pei Muwan said with a hint of slyness: "Hmph, Changqing, if you truly want to marry me, why wait a few years? You can divorce Jiang Chiyao right now."
Let's see how you answer.
I'll expose you!
"I want to divorce right now too, but Jiang Chiyao doesn't agree, and I can't beat her."
Lu Zhenghai was forced into a corner and revealed a slightly less embarrassing piece of inside information.
As he spoke, he stared intently at Pei Muwan's face.
This face was truly damn beautiful!
He didn't dare imagine what it would feel like to have Pei Muwan pinned beneath him, tormenting her while looking at that Heavenly Immortal-like face? Invincible!
"If you can't beat her, the Grand Tutors Residence can help you, do you dare?" Pei Muwan blinked her beautiful eyes.
"Really?"
Lu Zhenghai grew excited; it wasn't impossible.
Earlier, when he heard Pei Muwan say that starting tonight, her Guardian Wet Nurse would follow him... his first thought was: could this Nanny beat Jiang Chiyao?
If she could, he would have the Guardian Wet Nurse suppress Jiang Chiyao and force Jiang Chiyao to divorce him.
However, after thinking it over carefully, the Guardian Wet Nurse and Jiang Chiyao were probably of similar strength—not enough!
But if the Grand Tutors Residence got involved, the Grand Tutors Residence could definitely produce powerful experts capable of crushing Jiang Chiyao.
"Alright, Changqing, stop performing. I know how deep your feelings are for your wife."
Pei Muwan chuckled, and after the chuckle came an indescribable sense of loss.
What if... she said what if.
If she were the one married to Lu Zhenghai, what kind of scene would that be? Surely they would be perfectly harmonious, right? The two of them occasionally admiring the moon, singing to the wine, discussing poetry... what kind of beauty would that be?
"..."
Lu Zhenghai was speechless.
Damn it!
He finally realized that Pei Muwan deeply misunderstood him, believing his devotion to Jiang Chiyao was profound and that he was unwilling to divorce.
For causing this misunderstanding, "immortal by the river" and "butterfly loves flowers" deserved great credit!
Lu Zhenghai had a flash of inspiration: "Mu Wan, I invite you to be a guest at my house. How about going tomorrow?"
If he let Pei Muwan see his interaction style with Jiang Chiyao in person, she would understand.
Pei Muwan shook her head, a hint of grievance flashing across her exquisite face:
"You don't need to force me to personally witness your expression of love for your wife to warn me; your poetry has already told me over and over again."
"If you absolutely must think I harbor some indecent thoughts toward you..."
"Then, worst case, we never meet again!"
... Speaking up to this point, sadness welled up in her heart, and she actually stood up, her beautiful eyes turning red.
She wanted to be his confidante.
She admired him!
But if she made things difficult for him, she could leave... "Mu Wan, let's not talk about this topic anymore. The moonlight is nice tonight, let's admire the moon!"
Lu Zhenghai, helpless, stepped forward and gently pulled her small hand toward the windowsill.
Pei Muwan was extremely embarrassed and annoyed: "Changqing, you... Although I know true literary talents are often unrestrained, you can't just casually hold a girl's hand; I haven't been married yet!"
Even if you are slandering yourself, trying to make me misunderstand you as a shallow person, you can't go too far. The two Maidservants are still here.
"Mu Wan, I like you." Lu Zhenghai was furious and decided to use a strong tactic.
Don't you damn think I'm a deeply devoted person who only loves Jiang Chiyao?
What about now?
I just confessed to you!
Hasn't the devoted lover persona completely collapsed?
Furthermore, Lu Zhenghai deliberately fixed his eyes, which could look deeply affectionate even when looking at a dog, onto her.
Pei Muwan admitted it.
In this instant, her heart rate accelerated.
His eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, an affection so fervent it could burn a person alive... She lost the battle after only meeting his gaze for one or two breaths.
However, the next moment, Pei Muwan suddenly thought of something, her expression changed, and her voice became cold: "Changqing, I have my pride. I will not be anyone's substitute!"
Lu Zhenghai wanted to kill someone.
Holy crap, Mu Wan, are you this stubborn? Are you this good at overthinking? I just confessed to you, and you still don't believe me?
Pei Muwan simply felt that the way Lu Zhenghai looked at her with such deep affection, as if he had loved her for a long time, was impossible; she hadn't interacted with him many times.
He was probably drunk and feeling melancholic, seeing her as if she were Jiang Chiyao.
I am Pei Muwan, one of the twin beauties of the imperial city, the Goddess of Calligraphy and Painting, the Grand Tutor's only legitimate granddaughter... Even though I immensely admire Lu Zhenghai, even if that admiration might someday turn into affection.
But I absolutely will not be someone else's substitute. I am me, I am Pei Muwan!
"Mu Wan, with your appearance, it's more likely others are your substitutes. I say responsibly, you are more beautiful than Jiang Chiyao."
Lu Zhenghai spoke almost word by word, truly having been provoked.
Pei Muwan lowered her head, feeling inexplicably drunk and dizzy.
Only the phrase "you are more beautiful than Jiang Chiyao" kept resounding in her mind.
"Mu Wan..." Seeing her remain silent, Lu Zhenghai thought she was shy, believing he had succeeded. He was a little excited and called her several times.
After dozens of breaths, Pei Muwan slowly raised her head, her exquisite face filled with an expression of intense heartache: "Changqing, you are too kind!"
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Since Lu Zhenghai was so devoted to Jiang Chiyao, in his eyes, Jiang Chiyao must be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Yet, in front of her, he said she was more beautiful than Jiang Chiyao.
He must have seen that she was upset, with red eyes, and was deliberately saying such insincere words to comfort her.
Jiang Chiyao, you deserve to die!!!
How could you bear to hurt such a gentle, kind, and devoted man?
"Alright, let's admire the moon. Look how big and bright the moon is tonight."
Lu Zhenghai was completely defeated.
He was tired. Let the world burn.
Following the direction Lu Zhenghai pointed, Pei Muwan looked out the window. Above the Luoshui River, a full moon hung in the sky.
Moonlight scattered down, and most of the Imperial Dynasty was faintly visible; it wasn't completely dark.
Lu Zhenghai did not release her hand, holding onto it so domineeringly.
Since words were useless, he would use actions to prove it. He admitted that he truly desired Pei Muwan too much.
A young man in his twenties, full of vigor, those who understand, understand!
"The moonlight is so beautiful!"
Pei Muwan leaned by the window, murmuring to herself.
Lu Zhenghai was being scheming; not only was he holding her small hand, but he was also standing right behind her, extremely close, almost feeling like he was embracing her waist.
The faint fragrance on Pei Muwan's body was truly damn intoxicating.