When Chu Qing came with things, she saw Lu Shi blocking the doorway. With confusion, she stepped forward and asked, "Lord Lu, what are you doing standing here so early in the morning?"
Instead of following the young general, he came to the young madam's door. What was going on?
"I have something to discuss with the young madam..." He had been standing here for almost an hour. Why was the young madam still showing no signs of stirring? How much longer would he have to wait?
"Miss Chu Qing, are you going in?"
Seeing the basin of hot water in Chu Qing's hand, he assumed she was going in as well and asked.
"Yes, the young madam might not wake up at this hour. If Lord Lu has anything to convey to the young madam, I can take it in for you first."
According to the young madam's habits, she was unlikely to get up before noon. Fearing she would delay Lord Lu's important business, she offered to deliver his message.
"No need... I must tell the young madam this matter personally. I will continue waiting here. Please go about your business."
Such important matters could never be entrusted to others. He had to report to the young madam himself. Even if he had to wait all day, he would wait today.
Seeing his persistent attitude, Chu Qing didn't insist. Since he wanted to wait there, let him wait.
"Then Lord Lu, please wait. I'm going in first."
After saying that, Chu Qing stepped directly inside, leaving Lu Shi alone to continue waiting.
After Chu Qing entered the room and put down the basin, Feng Jin, who was still fast asleep on the bed, slowly woke up.
"Young madam, you're awake."
Seeing Feng Jin awake, Chu Qing poured a cup of water and handed it to her as usual.
Feng Jin took the cup and took a sip, the dryness in her mouth considerably relieved.
"Young madam, would you like to sleep a little longer, or shall we get you ready now?"
"Let's get ready first."
Feng Jin slowly stood up and, full of sleepiness, sat before the dressing table, letting Chu Qing's nimble hands help her with her hair and makeup.
"Young madam, do you think you'll wear this butterfly hairpin today?"
Casually glancing at it and finding it acceptable, Feng Jin nodded faintly, "This one it is."
After getting ready, Chu Qing tidied up the dressing table. Thinking of Lu Shi still standing alone outside, she spoke to Feng Jin, "Young madam, when I came this morning, I saw Lord Lu standing outside the courtyard. He said he had something to tell you personally."
Feng Jin's hand, which was fiddling with her nails, paused slightly. What important matter could Lu Shi have to tell her? He could directly tell Ling Mo Han, couldn't he? Why bother telling her? It was completely unnecessary.
"Go and see if he's still outside?"
"Yes, young madam."
Chu Qing walked to the window and peeked out. As expected, Lu Shi was still standing steadily in place, not having moved an inch.
"Young madam, Lord Lu is still standing outside. Should we let him in?"
The weather outside was quite cold, and even after a short walk, she felt chilled to the bone. Lord Lu had been standing here for nearly two hours. If he continued to stand, wouldn't he freeze?
Following Chu Qing's gaze, she indeed saw Lu Shi standing there foolishly, shivering from the cold.
"He's truly persistent, just standing there without even moving."
Looking at Lu Shi's appearance, Feng Jin couldn't help but praise him. She wouldn't stand there so foolishly for so long.
"Young madam, since Lord Lu has been outside for so long and hasn't left, he must have something truly important. Do you think we should let Lord Lu in?"
"No, let him stand outside for a while longer. If he still doesn't leave, then have someone let him in."
She wanted to see how long Lu Shi could last and just how important the matter was that he resorted to such a feigned hardship. It truly was quite an effort for him.
Feng Jin poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and quietly watched what moves Lu Shi would make next.
A quarter of an hour passed, and Lu Shi remained in his original spot. However, Cai Qing hurried over.
"What are you doing standing here? It's freezing. Hurry back."
She had heard from others that Lu Shi had been standing by the young madam's courtyard since dawn and had no intention of leaving.
She thought it was a rumor, but seeing him with her own eyes, he was truly standing there foolishly.
Worried that Lu Shi would damage his health by freezing, Cai Qing was about to pull him back. "What are you doing standing here? Hurry back."
Lu Shi's heart was stubborn. He would not leave until his matter was resolved. He insisted on standing there, refusing to move no matter what. "I have something to ask of the young madam. You go back first, don't mind me."
"You... you are truly thick-headed. The young madam hasn't woken up yet. Can't you go back first and see the young madam later?"
She really didn't know what important matter it was that made him stand there for so long.
"I can't leave. You hurry back."
He had already stood for so long. If he gave up and went back now, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain? No matter what, he wouldn't leave.
Cai Qing was filled with anger at his unreasonable demeanor. How could he be so uncommunicative?
"Fine, since you won't leave, I'll stand here with you."
Since she couldn't reason with him, she might as well stand there too. She wanted to see what Lu Shi was trying to do that made him so persistent.
"Young madam, Sister Cai Qing has also come and is standing with Lord Lu."
Chu Qing had been watching Lu Shi's situation and quickly reported to Feng Jin when she saw the situation change.
"I see."
"Young madam, why don't you let them in? It's so cold outside. Don't let Sister Cai Qing freeze."
Chu Qing was starting to worry. She had thought Sister Cai Qing's arrival would make Lord Lu leave, but instead, she joined him.
"It's alright. The sun will be out soon. Let them both bask in the sun outside and warm up their bodies."
Seeing that the sun had already risen, she knew they wouldn't freeze. She let them bask properly, and so that everyone in the mansion could see how deeply in love the two of them were.
"Chu Qing, what do you think Lu Shi came here for?"
"This servant does not know." Chu Qing shook her head. Then, she suddenly remembered Cai Qing's unusual behavior last night and continued, "Young madam, last night I did see Sister Cai Qing wearing a very beautiful emerald bracelet on her hand..."