Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 138 - 139: A Night of Lilacs and Roses

Instinctively, she tried to withdraw her hand, but he held it even tighter.

In front of so many people, she blushed and whispered, "Lu Shifeng!"

A tingling sensation came from her fingertips; he had gently kissed her wound. The silvery light bathed his handsome profile, making him appear like an elegant wolf king carefully tending to his mate.

Lu Shixu and Du Shuxian’s expressions turned awkward. Without saying a word, the man had already shown them through his actions that Su Xingyu wasn’t just any servant but someone he cherished immensely in the palm of his hand. The expressions of others at the dinner table were equally off, as they were members of a traditional family. How could they ever dine together without a sense of decorum? Yet, Lu Shifeng, who was usually so reserved, displayed such an intimate gesture in public without any regard for others!

What charm did this girl named Su Xingyu possess that made him treasure her so much?

After the initial awkwardness, Du Shuxian was the first to express her anger: "This is outrageous!"

Su Xingyu blushed so deeply she wished she could hide in a hole. All around her, the stares felt like sharp blades targeting her. She whispered softly to Lu Shifeng, "You... you should let go of me..."

Only then did Lu Shifeng release his grip, instructing the servant to give her a band-aid for her wound.

Raising his sharp eyes, he looked at Uncle Lu Yong: "Uncle, Aunt is getting older and is busy with her own things every day. She can’t manage everything at the old house. Isn’t it careless to let Xingyu get injured at such an important dinner? When she returns, why don’t we have Xingyu take care of household affairs? It’ll be good for her to take on the responsibilities of the main branch sooner." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The others at the table gasped. No wonder you can’t afford to provoke the Crown Prince; he doesn’t speak much, but when he does, he cuts to the core! The most crucial thing in a family’s inner workings is the authority to manage the household; whoever holds this has numerous benefits—fortune, fame, and status come pouring in. How could the second branch willingly give up such advantages?

However, many who were not on good terms with the second branch couldn’t help but feel a secret delight—

See, this is what happens when you provoke someone’s wife and anger the person in power!

On the other side, Lu Yong, who had been sitting with a detached view, couldn’t maintain his smile: "Shifeng, my nephew, how can the fact that your wife cut her own hand be blamed on your aunt? The most important thing after bringing a new wife into the family is for her to bear a big, healthy boy for the Lu Family. Youngsters should focus on expanding the family lineage and not think about other trivial matters. Managing household affairs is too arduous. It’s better to leave it to your aunt. She’s a natural at it and can’t sit still."

Nearby, Du Shuxian was displeased. She had been discontent ever since Mrs. Lu handed over control of the household to the second son’s wife many years ago. She had repeatedly tried to reclaim it, only to be blocked by various excuses. Now, her son is asking the second branch for authority, but not for her—it’s for the newly arrived Su Xingyu?

Why her!

Du Shuxian interrupted unhappily: "Young ones are certainly too inexperienced to wield power, but isn’t that why I’m here? Second brother, hasn’t your wife been in charge long enough? How come she didn’t show up when Shifeng’s wife entered the family for the first time? Is her heart truly devoted to the Lu Family? Maybe all family affairs should be managed by me; I assure you I can do better."

"Enough." At the head of the table, the old master coldly uttered two words.

The two sides that were about to argue instantly became silent, and an eerie stillness enveloped the dining room.

"Shifeng’s wife has just entered the family, and the second brother is right, expanding the lineage is key," the old master’s voice rang through the dining room, "First daughter-in-law, take care of Shifeng’s wife first, and remember, your mother and I are waiting to welcome a great-grandchild."

"But..." Du Shuxian was unwilling to back down and wanted to say more.

But a cold glance from the old master made her shiver, leaving her no choice but to shut her mouth unwillingly.

Su Xingyu found the meal excruciating, an utter chaos of clashing interests, personalities, and talking points. Wasn’t anyone even bothering to pretend to be harmonious? She continued to focus inward, reminding herself she saw and heard nothing. She neither wanted to manage household affairs nor have a child with Lu Shifeng!

At this moment, she just wanted the dinner to end quickly.

Lu Shifeng by her side remained quiet as well, having no intention of having her take over household affairs immediately. She had just married into the family, and there were too many people she didn’t know; why trouble her with such responsibilities? Besides, taking over would mean dealing with the second branch directly. He hadn’t married her to send her into battle over power; those struggles were for him to handle.

Sooner or later, he would have the second branch respectfully hand over the household authority to her.

Until then...

Lu Shifeng glanced down at the girl feigning tranquility beside him; all she needed to do was obediently give him a son.

After dinner, everyone dispersed, returning to their rooms.

Su Xingyu was so tired she felt like she would collapse. The first thing she did upon returning to her room was head for a shower. The bathroom in the old house differed from the one in their villa, featuring a vintage, elegant style. As she opened the door, a pale green onsen pool came into view, with floating lilac petals and roses in it. The moonlight outside the intricate window frames added a dreamlike beauty to the scene.

She removed her clothes and was about to step into the pool when suddenly someone held her from behind.

"Lu Shifeng!" She recognized his breath.

He buried his face in her neck, kissing her swan-like, elegant nape.

She gasped in surprise, her breath unsteady: "What are you... doing?"

His slender fingers roamed over her smooth skin, his teeth nibbling along her neck: "To have a son."

Have... Have a son?!

Su Xingyu was shocked; was he taking the dinner’s joke seriously?

She wanted to cry but couldn’t, feebly trying to pry off Lu Shifeng’s restless hand: "This... this kind of thing should happen naturally... You... don’t do this, I’m really exhausted today..."

He turned her around, and under the moonlight, her fair body curved into an enticing silhouette. He gazed into her eyes, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Xingyu, we’ve been married for so long without a child, I want you to give me a son."

Her legs weakened, frightened, she tried to retreat: "I... I..."

"One son, then a daughter," he said as his hand caressed her somewhat panicked cheek, expressing his plan, "Whether they’re boys or girls, we’ll have as many as we can. Our family will prosper."

This time he truly frightened her, having as many as possible?!

What did he take her for!

"I don’t want this!" She opposed vehemently, "We’ve only been married for half a year, not having a child is completely normal! Lu Shifeng, you can’t do this! Let me rest! Ah—"

Her sorrowful scream was muffled by his lips.

He carried her into the pool, spreading her legs, submerging her smooth flower-like body amidst the lilacs and roses...