Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 131 - 132: The Matriarch’s Summons

For over ten minutes, it felt as long as a hundred years.

She never expected Lu Shifeng, a man of few words, to have such a talkative mother. Right there in front of the Lu Family cousins, she berated Su Xingyu for over ten minutes. Su Xingyu could only pretend she heard nothing, silently reciting camera aperture indices and various reference values in her mind... gradually losing herself, forgetting both self and surroundings.

When Lu Shifeng reentered the main hall, this was the scene he witnessed.

His young wife was dressed in a simple Eastern-style satin blouse, a layered blooming light red camellia pinned to her chest, its crystal clear sheen highlighting her jade-white face, her head slightly lowered in a quiet and captivating demeanor. Meanwhile, his mother angrily scolded her, using the most unpleasant words, implying she was too lowly to deserve their noble Lu Family.

Surrounding them, several cousins led by the second uncle’s son, Lu Shixu, were watching the drama unfold with entertained expressions.

Fury blazed within Lu Shifeng’s heart as he took a few strides forward, shielding Su Xingyu behind him, and stared directly at his mother: "I’m the one who married Xingyu, and I’m the one who brought her back home. If there’s anything, direct it at me."

Du Shuxian didn’t expect his sudden intervention, her anger causing her to reel back; "Well... you, you! I’ve really raised a good son! Lu Shifeng, you increasingly disregard your mother as you grow up. Have you forgotten how I painstakingly raised you back then?"

Lu Shifeng subtly furrowed his brows, speaking in a somewhat stiff manner, "I haven’t forgotten."

"You haven’t forgotten, yet you’re defending an outsider!" Du Shuxian’s brows sharpened, shouting again, "Divorce this vile woman! Do you hear me?"

"I haven’t forgotten how you sent me to be raised by grandfather," Lu Shifeng’s voice was cold, like a mountain assaulted by frigid wind, "nor have I forgotten that when I needed your advice, you told me that a man should rely on himself. So, who I marry and whether to divorce or not, that’s my business. You don’t need to worry about it."

"You ungrateful son!" Du Shuxian was red with rage, her entire body trembling.

Su Xingyu looked up at Lu Shifeng in astonishment. His tall figure stood protectively in front of her, an unscalable icy mountain to others, but to her, the best shield against any terrifying storm.

He actually confronted his mother publicly for her sake.

She extended her small hand, gently tugging at his sleeve. She didn’t want the mother and son to argue in front of so many people, even if it was for her sake. Family ties run deep—each blade cuts into oneself.

Lu Shifeng glanced down at her, his previously icy eyes now showing a trace of tenderness.

He understood her intent.

His young wife truly was considerate.

Even the logic that his mother, a woman born and raised in a wealthy family, couldn’t comprehend, his young wife probably understood the moment she stepped into the old residence—the relationships here are intricate, requiring one to speak and act with caution.

He reversed his hand to hold hers, his voice gentle: "Grandmother has awakened and expressed a desire to see you."

She was already aware that the camellia had caused trouble, and tightened her heart slightly, asking, "Is grandmother very upset?"

Lu Shifeng tightened his grip on her hand: "I’ll handle everything." He hadn’t been in the main hall earlier and had never heard of any taboo regarding camellias. He was a man constantly busy with official affairs, who had no time to focus on trivial matters. If he’d known the camellia would provoke such a reaction from his grandmother, he’d never have let her wear that brooch.

The old lady had just woken up, insisting repeatedly that she wanted to see Su Xingyu, but he didn’t know why.

But he knew one thing: Xingyu was his wife, no matter what happened, he would protect her. His stable, dry palm transferred strength to her, calming her racing heart. She took deep breaths and, alongside him, moved towards the inner quarters.

Du Shuxian watched their retreating figures with an unpleasant expression but was powerless to stop them—

Who dared to defy the old lady’s summons? They must be tired of living!

But, wait...

Just wait, hmph, offending the old lady, what good outcome could there be? More than ten years ago, she personally saw a gardener mistakenly plant camellias in the Lu Family garden, and the old master was so furious he directly cut off their livelihood!

If this time it results in trouble with the old lady, that vile girl might not die, but she’ll be severely punished!

Du Shuxian watched the two departing, laughing maliciously—once that vile girl gets into trouble, she could continue selecting a noble daughter-in-law for Shifeng!

In the main hall, other young men and women harbor similar thoughts.

Lu Shixu was the most proactive, rushing over to inquire from Du Shuxian: "Aunt, what’s the matter with the camellia you mentioned, is grandma summoning Sister-in-law to reprimand her? I’ve never seen grandma so furious in my life."

"Yes, yes, Aunt, what exactly happened?" Several young masters and missus gathered around.

Du Shuxian rediscovered the feeling of being the center of attention, her anger from earlier finally easing, revealing a reserved and arrogant smile: "You all might not know this, but your grandmother will definitely severely punish that vile girl. And also, Shixu, don’t call her sister-in-law; she’s someone who’s about to be kicked out and doesn’t deserve the title!"

"Oh..." Lu Shixu prolonged his response.

But internally, he calculated that for many years, cousin Shifeng’s actions were always impeccable; he was the old master’s most outstanding grandchild and the predetermined heir. Yet now, having married a woman of common origins and protecting her despite such a significant blunder, surely the old master would be displeased?

If the old master starts viewing Lu Shifeng unfavorably, then the position of heir...

Hehe...

Lu Shixu couldn’t suppress his smile, so he simply walked towards the inner quarters, eager to uncover the truth.

Only Du Shuxian remained unaware of everyone’s calculations, still chasing after Lu Shixu with earnest exhortations: "Shixu, you must properly speak to your cousin about this! Also, help me persuade your grandpa and grandma, ask them to ensure Shifeng divorces that troublesome girl!"

...

Inner quarters.

Mrs. Lu’s bedroom.

The bedroom, carved from purple sandalwood, was infused with a faint fragrance, a unique scent blending the freshness of forest leaves, ancient furniture, and fresh fruits, elegant, mysterious, yet soothing.

The room was silent.

Mrs. Lu lay weakly in bed, the old master tightly holding her hand, standing by her side. Several family doctors and servants stood at a distance, hands by their sides, not daring to breathe in the oppressive atmosphere.