CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: SEEKING PEACE OF MIND

Early next morning, Lu Chengfeng got up. Despite being careful to avoid waking Luo Suyi, she eventually awoke.

Luo Suyi instinctively wrapped her hands around his arm, murmuring, "Husband, don’t leave."

Lu Chengfeng’s heart softened instantly, "Silly woman, I’m just going to complete a sect task, not leaving forever."

Luo Suyi then cleared her dazed state, gathered herself, and silently got up. She picked a fitting dark blue tight outfit from the cabinet, found a belt with iron lion buckles, and tied it on him, then squatted down to put boots on him.

Once everything was ready, she personally attended to him by washing his face, drying his hands, and combing his hair, topping it with a discreet yet sturdy copper crown.

Looking at the handsome man in the mirror, thinking of the night’s passion and his robust body, her face involuntarily blushed, but suddenly she recalled that soon another woman would join their household, feeling rather uneasy.

But with her husband about to go out and face unknown risks, how could she trouble him with petty grievances now?

Luo Suyi lowered her gaze gently, saying softly, "Husband, let me serve you breakfast."

Lu Chengfeng, knowing she was worried, held her hand and said, "Alright."

Today’s breakfast was thoughtfully prepared by Luo Suyi in advance, consisting of beef pancakes, pigeon soup, accompanied by several small dishes, very considerate.

After Lu Chengfeng finished eating, when the maid cleared the table, Luo Suyi then took an outer robe matching the outfit’s color for her husband to wear.

Then she handed the sword to Lu Chengfeng with both hands, "Lord, I shall wait for your return."

From waking until now, though she hadn’t spoken a word of concern, every little gesture showed her care and reluctance.

Lu Chengfeng took the sword with his left hand and suddenly pulled the woman into his arms with his right, bending down to kiss her tender lips fiercely, only stopping when Luo Suyi was breathless.

"My lady, I’m tough as nails, you just wait at home obediently, I’ll pamper you well when I return."

Luo Suyi took deep breaths to calm down, finally smiling, "I’ll be waiting for you to shine gloriously, my lord!"

"You little minx, let’s see how I handle you upon my return." Lu Chengfeng bantered with a laugh, then left with his sword, "I’ll be back soon, don’t dwell on it."

Luo Suyi watched his departing figure in a daze until he disappeared from sight, before slumping into the chair, her eyes already red, tears brimming.

"Dear heavens, please keep my husband safe and sound."

...

Lu Chengfeng descended the mountain, but did not head towards the Enchanted Swamp, instead first visiting the Ministry of Affairs.

Fearing to waste time, he used his lightweight technique along the way, hastening quickly to the destination.

Though dawn was just breaking, the Ministry of Affairs was busier than yesterday, disciples coming and going, loudly preparing various supplies.

Cai Zhang came out, also sweating profusely, evidently having been busy since early morning.

"Junior brother, are there any updates from that side?" Lu Chengfeng asked directly upon meeting.

Cai Zhang replied, "After parting brother yesterday, I took the task from the steward, went to Houde Square, and entrusted the message and token to be delivered."

"But Lady Qiutong sent her maidservant saying that, as the beast tide has just arrived, he, a true inheritance who just entered the Inner Peak, doesn’t know if he can survive, yet he’s already planning to take a concubine, truly blinded by lust."

At this point, his tone became somewhat hesitant and faltering, afraid to continue.

Lu Chengfeng said, "Junior brother, you don’t need to hold back, just tell me what was said truthfully."

Recalling being scolded by that sharp-tongued maid yesterday, Cai Zhang couldn’t help but show a pained expression, "Brother, don’t get angry when I tell you, that maidservant of Lady Qiutong really has a sharp tongue and gave me quite a verbal thrashing."

"She said that brother in the beast tide may not survive, and if something happens, wouldn’t it make his lady be a widow once again, and outsiders gossip that her lady curses her husband? Wouldn’t this ruin a girl’s reputation?"

"Even if not dead, crippled or blind, how would life be afterwards? If sincere, wait until this disaster passes and send a proper matchmaker to negotiate, rather than bully people with no status."

Lu Chengfeng was also speechless, but what she said was not without reason. After all, being a widow for twenty years draws much gossip, her considerations naturally more intricate.

Just that the beast tide’s end is unknown, and he always sensed a crisis, believing that Azure Dragon Peak’s Elder Xiao wouldn’t easily let it rest.

This beast tide causes chaos, even if some died amidst it, investigating becomes difficult.

Those harboring ill intentions might seize this opportunity to act.

How could Lu Chengfeng just sit idly.

After a brief thought, he suddenly spoke, "Junior brother, I know the Ministry of Affairs is busy these days, but this matter is crucial for me, please help me again."

While speaking, Lu Chengfeng bowed solemnly.

The gesture startled Cai Zhang, who quickly stepped forward with both hands to lift him up, "Brother, what are you doing? If brother commands, I would certainly not refuse."

"But..." he showed a troubled expression, "It’s not easy to talk to the steward, especially with the beast tide affairs today, everyone is incredibly busy, he might not give me face!"

Lu Chengfeng said, "Then I’ll personally seek a favor, just trouble you to pass a message for me, that Lu Chengfeng sincerely wishes to marry, not daring to disrespect."

"Willing to offer one thousand taels of silver as bridal price, seeking Lady Qiutong to consent to be concubine. If successful, will cherish and love her within the household."

"If any incident occurs during the beast tide, the silver will be a token of acquaintance, gifted to her."

"If after the beast tide she changes her mind for whatever reason, the silver still belongs to her, no need to move to my place, nor would I announce, treating it as if it never happened."

Cai Zhang listened, dumbfounded, "Brother, what do you seek with this?"

Lu Chengfeng said, "I only seek that Lady Qiutong agrees to be my concubine now, if she sends a letter or a keepsake, it counts as forming this marriage."

"Everything else awaits after the beast tide, whether her changing mind or proposing conditions, I can agree."

"Just consider crossing for joy before the disaster, for peace of mind."

"But this final point, you absolutely mustn’t tell Lady Qiutong, for fear of angering her and breaking this marriage."

Seeing this, Cai Zhang could only agree, saying, "In that case, I’ll go again, brother, you come with me to see the steward, with your reputation, he shouldn’t refuse."

Lu Chengfeng nodded, saying, "That’d be good, come, we’ll go together to see him."