The three brothers were talking, and Lu Nianfu had intended to excuse herself, but Situ Yan stopped her, saying, "We're all family, why avoid each other?"
Ouyang Wen chimed in, "Exactly, sister-in-law. If you come to my manor for meals in the future, Jiao Jiao won't need to stand on ceremony either."
So Lu Nianfu sat down.
Situ Yan picked a piece of pork rib for her and casually asked his two friends, "Alright, what brings you to see me today?"
Ouyang Wen retorted, "Can't I just come for a meal without a reason? We haven't seen each other in so long, can't brothers catch up?"
"Spare me, you just want to inquire about the situation in Beijiang, no need to beat around the bush with me."
Ouyang Wen was not embarrassed when exposed. He put down his wine cup and said with displeasure, "Knowing but not saying makes for good friends. Beijiang is land my ancestors protected with their lives, what's wrong with me caring about it?"
Situ Yan replied, "We've temporarily blunted their edge, but the war will likely continue. This time, Beijiang not only contacted the Southern Barbarians and the Huige, but even the Wokou were informed. It's clear they had long prepared. Although there were some unexpected incidents during the process, the flames of war that have been ignited cannot be easily extinguished."
They still hadn't avenged the grudge from over ten years ago.
Ouyang Wen lowered his head to drink, his expression murky.
Situ Yan said, "Still thinking about guarding the border? That's unlikely. Old Madam Feng will definitely be the first to disagree, and Father Emperor won't easily let you take such a risk."
He had been known as a wastrel for years, and his martial arts weren't particularly strong. Honestly, if he hadn't known how diligently Ouyang had studied military strategy in the academy, he wouldn't have felt at ease sending him to guard the border.
Ouyang Wen, however, said, "Even if they agree, I can't. I haven't gotten my wife yet."
Ji Jin tilted his head and asked, "You'll go once you have her?"
Ouyang Wen pondered for a moment and then laughed, "My martial arts are not good, so I won't rush to embarrass my grandfather. I'll have more children later and let them go guard."
The three of them: ...
It was a good idea, but it was unclear if Cheng Jiao Jiao would agree.
Ji Jin poured wine and naturally shifted the topic.
They ate and drank with laughter and banter for over half an hour before the two guests wisely took their leave. However, Lu Nianfu couldn't shake the feeling that Ji Jin had looked at Situ Yan several times, as if he had something to say.
Situ Yan was slightly tipsy. Fueled by alcohol, he dragged Lu Nianfu into a night of revelry.
Lu Nianfu felt her reputation was ruined and had no idea how the servants in the manor would look at her. It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that she remembered an important matter: "A Yan, did you find a wife for Third Young Master?"
At that moment, Situ Yan had just coaxed their son to sleep. The little fellow, won over by being lifted high, had grown fond of his father in just one day. He eagerly opened his arms for Situ Yan whenever he saw him, showing immense enthusiasm.
Situ Yan coughed a couple of times, "Heh heh, it was a matter of urgency. That little girl is my savior. She was living alone at the bottom of the valley and seemed so pitiful. She insisted I marry her and take her out of the valley, saying she didn't even mind being a concubine. I couldn't possibly bring her to the manor, you would have torn me apart."
"But you shouldn't have tricked Third Young Master."
"Where did I trick him? Have you seen Mo Sang? She's so beautiful, a successor of the Wugu sect, and her medical skills are impeccable. Cheng Beizheng got a great deal, didn't he?"
"Don't forget how huge that蛊 snake is. How could you not mention how terrifying it is? No matter how beautiful a wife is, no one wants to be forced into marriage."
Situ Yan was taken aback and displeased, "She actually scared you with a snake?"
"Not exactly. She just wanted to go home with Third Young Master, and he was unwilling, so..."
Situ Yan imagined the scene and couldn't help but laugh again. He wasn't the only one scared by a snake: "By the way, when is Mo Sang coming to the capital? How long has she been staying at the Cheng manor?"
"Less than two months."
"Have they gotten married?"
"No, Miss Mo opened a Wugu medical clinic, and it's doing extremely well. She seems very busy." Lu Nianfu was a bit puzzled: "With Miss Mo's looks and skills, what kind of man couldn't she marry? Why is she still lingering with Third Young Master? However, I've visited a few times, and Third Young Master seems to be enjoying it. That clinic opens late every night, and he often goes over to accompany her."
Putting aside the somewhat strange beginning, she felt that the two of them had a good chance.