My Wife is a Frustrating Genius!!! - Chapter 19

After breakfast, with her mind now fully awake, Cheng Yi followed Lu Jiahe to a clothing shop on the street.

Although she wasn’t someone who cared much about dressing up, today she was going to meet Lu Jiahe’s friends. No matter what, she had to maintain some dignity for the other party. Moreover, there would be many influential figures at the poetry gathering. If she could connect with a few like-minded people, it would undoubtedly benefit her future business.

The two browsed the shop for quite some time and eventually each picked out an outfit in matching colors to wear to the gathering.

Since it was still early, Lu Jiahe took Cheng Yi to a nearby teahouse to drink tea and listen to opera, hoping to pass the long hours more quickly.

“Do you often come to places like this?” Cheng Yi asked as she watched Lu Jiahe lead her effortlessly into a private room. She couldn’t help but wonder if the other person frequently spent her free time here.

Hearing this, Lu Jiahe thought Cheng Yi had misunderstood again and quickly shook her head. “I’ve only been here once or twice, and always with Jiang Huai and the others.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything. Look how flustered you are.” Cheng Yi found her panicked expression amusing and couldn’t help but squint and laugh.

Lu Jiahe had no idea Cheng Yi was holding back laughter. Frowning, she explained seriously, “In the past, I usually studied at home or at the academy. Jiang Huai and the others were afraid I’d study myself into a stupor, so occasionally they’d invite a few close friends here to listen to opera and relax.”

“Are there any special services here?” For some reason, Cheng Yi suddenly associated the place with certain unspeakable modern establishments. Seeing Lu Jiahe’s innocent demeanor, she genuinely worried that someone might try to lead her astray.

“Special services? Isn’t this a place for listening to opera?” Lu Jiahe looked utterly confused.

“Well, it’s just~” Cheng Yi pursed her lips, searching for the right words. “I mean, besides listening to opera, what else can you do here?”

Lu Jiahe frowned, still puzzled. “I don’t know. Every time I came, I left right after the opera.”

Seeing that Lu Jiahe didn’t seem to be lying, Cheng Yi felt relieved. She had been half afraid that once she agreed to marry into the Lu family, Lu Jiahe might reveal some hidden, cunning nature.

After listening to the opera and enjoying some tea and snacks, the two returned to the Lu residence. They changed into their newly bought clothes, freshened up, and headed to the poetry gathering.

It had been a long time since Lu Jiahe had participated in such social events. Ever since the incident that prompted her to “run away from home” under the pretense of studying abroad, she had made few friends. She rarely stayed in one place for more than a few days before moving on with Guo’er and Lu An, leaving no chance to form close ties.

Jiang Huai, who had learned that Lu Jiahe would be bringing her spouse, had been waiting at the entrance of the Shuxiangzhai Teahouse since early morning.

After meeting Cheng Yi the day before, Jiang Huai had already spread the word among his close friends that Lu Jiahe’s family had arranged a fiery-tempered wife for him. He wanted to make sure that no one made any jokes that might cross Cheng Yi’s boundaries, lest his poor friend suffer the consequences.

“Third Brother.”

“Master Jiang.”

After Lu Jiahe and Cheng Yi stepped down from the carriage, they saw Jiang Huai standing alone at the teahouse entrance, looking around.

Hearing their voices, he turned his head. Upon seeing them, he hurried over. “Little brother, sister-in-law!”

“Third Brother, why are you standing at the door? Didn’t you go in to compose poetry with Big Brother and the others?” Lu Jiahe asked, glancing at the people coming and going, smiling and greeting anyone familiar.

“Ah! I was waiting for you and sister-in-law. It’s been so long since you last joined us. Lately, many refined scholars have come to Bianjing and joined our circle. If we happen to meet them inside, I’ll introduce them to you.” As he spoke, Jiang Huai led the two into the restaurant.

Cheng Yi looked around, puzzled. Why aren’t these poetry gatherings held in quiet, scenic places like in the novels I’ve read? Instead, they picked a spot with such extravagant, tacky decor. Is this really what passes for taste in this era?

Jiang Huai led them up to the second-floor terrace, where several chairs were arranged. A group of scholars sat there, composing poetry.

“Big Brother, look who’s here!” Jiang Huai called out cheerfully, leading Lu Jiahe and Cheng Yi forward.

“Oh! Little brother! It’s been so long since we last saw you!” A man dressed in bright yellow brocade stood and walked over, patting Lu Jiahe on the shoulder. “And this must be sister-in-law?” He turned his gaze to Cheng Yi.

Lu Jiahe took Cheng Yi’s hand and stood, cupping his hands in salute. “Big Brother, this is my fiancée.”

“Hahaha, I heard about it from Jiang Huai yesterday. Who would’ve thought that after your travels, you’d bring back a sister-in-law?” The man laughed and motioned for them to sit. “But the more I look at your fiancée, the more familiar she seems.”

Leaning closer, Lu Jiahe quietly introduced him to Cheng Yi. “This is our eldest brother, Tan Siyuan.”

Cheng Yi nodded slightly in greeting. “Yes, that’s right. I’ve been living in Bianjing all along, and the engagement was settled only after Jiahe returned.”

“I thought so! No wonder you look familiar, I must’ve seen you around the city before.” Tan Siyuan chuckled. “By the way, sister-in-law, you might not know this, but our little brother used to be the most popular among the ladies in our group. Many refined young women were eager to compose poetry with him.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Cheng Yi forced a smile and shot Lu Jiahe a sideways glance. “Then I suppose they must have been drawn to Jiahe’s gentle nature.”

The others had been quietly observing Cheng Yi’s reaction. Seeing the faint sharpness in her eyes, they silently confirmed what Jiang Huai had said the day before.

“Lord Lu?”

A soft, clear woman’s voice suddenly rang out from the edge of the terrace, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Lord Lu.” A woman dressed in snow-white brocade, accompanied by a maid, approached with a bright smile. “I never expected to run into you here.”

Lu Jiahe and Cheng Yi both turned. Cheng Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the newcomer, feeling a sudden sense of danger, as if someone was about to snatch away her prized possession.

“Miss Liu, I didn’t expect to see you here today.” Out of courtesy, Lu Jiahe rose and cupped his hands politely.

“I heard you would be here, so I came specifically to find you,” the woman replied, her gaze lingering on Lu Jiahe. But when she noticed the woman sitting beside him…

“Mr. Lu, who might this be?”

“Hmm? Oh.” Lu Jiahe glanced at Cheng Yi before replying, “This is my fiancée.”

Cheng Yi’s large eyes had been fixed on the woman the whole time. After hearing the introduction, she noticed that instead of embarrassment or surprise, the woman’s expression carried a trace of melancholy.

“Hello, Miss Liu,” Cheng Yi said, convinced the woman had come to compete for her spot. Rising to her feet, she linked her arm possessively through Lu Jiahe’s.

Sure enough, the woman’s gaze followed the motion of Cheng Yi’s hand.

“Hello, my name is Liu Yalan. Jiahe and I are good friends,” she said softly, masking her disappointment with a polite smile.

Cheng Yi nodded slightly in response before pulling Lu Jiahe back into their seats.

The others nearby exchanged looks but kept silent. In the end, it was Jiang Huai who broke the awkward tension, steering the topic back to poetry.

The rest of the gathering proceeded smoothly. Many acquaintances of Lu Jiahe and his friends came over to greet them and took the chance to get to know Cheng Yi as well.

Cheng Yi hadn’t come for nothing, she managed to befriend a few young women she could chat with, engaging in lively conversation.

When the gathering ended, Tan Siyuan and Jiang Huai had initially planned to take Lu Jiahe elsewhere to catch up. But seeing how obediently he behaved around his fiancée, they thought better of it. Instead, they made plans to meet privately another day.

By the time Cheng Yi and Lu Jiahe returned home, it was already late. As soon as she entered the Lu residence, Cheng Yi hurried to her room to write down her plans for opening a shop. Unaccustomed to writing with a brush, she soon carried her paper and ink to Lu Jiahe’s room, asking him to write for her.

Lu Jiahe, who had already gone to bed, was roused by Cheng Yi’s “forceful persuasion.” Sitting in his inner garments on a round-backed chair, he meticulously wrote down everything she dictated.

“Why not open the shop in a busier part of the city instead of near the city gate?” Lu Jiahe asked, studying the plan with a puzzled look. He couldn’t make sense of her unusual ideas.

Cheng Yi shot him a glance. “You just don’t get it, do you? Scholars’ money is the easiest to earn.”

“Scholars?” Lu Jiahe frowned. “They’d go to taverns in the city center. Who would go all the way to a shop near the gate?”

“My goal isn’t to have them dine or drink there,” Cheng Yi replied matter-of-factly. “I want to earn money from their midday meals.”

“Midday meals?” Lu Jiahe tilted his head, thinking it over. “But the academy has a dining hall. Many students bring their own lunches from home.”

Cheng Yi didn’t have the patience to explain further. “Are you running this shop, or am I? If I tell you to write, then write. If you’re that worried, I’ll leave tomorrow and return the Lu family’s money.”