My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 3

As the saying goes, “Enemies meet on narrow roads.”*

Uncertain how much of their previous conversation had been overheard, Helan Ci stiffened, leaning against the door, her gaze darken as she looked at Lu Wu You. “What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t surprising for him to appear in the capital during the spring examination period, but his presence here was indeed puzzling.

Moreover, she had just suspected she saw him at her doorstep moments ago.

Upon hearing her words, Lu Wu You suddenly lifted his eyelashes, revealing slightly pale irises. His peach blossom eyes, with their gently upturned corners, sparkled with a tipsy brilliance, as if he were casting a subtle lure without uttering a word.

Moreover, he was smiling, his voice vibrating lightly, his breath shallow: “Miss Helan, shouldn’t I be the one to ask why you’re here?”

Helan Ci was worried that Li Ting wouldn’t be able to find her and might come back, so she dared not make a sound for the time being, pressing against the door latch and watching the other party more vigilantly, saying, “Just pretend you haven’t seen anything.”

Her words were soft and light, even when she spoke in a threatening manner, it was graceful and gentle, like a bubbling brook, quite pleasant to hear.

However, it was clear that this was ineffective at the moment.

The other party chuckled again, lowered their eyes, and casually picked up the teapot on the table, pouring two cups of tea with an air of nonchalance, “No need to be so tense, Miss Helan. Would you like a cup of tea to calm your nerves?”

Helan Ci dared not drink the tea, “No need.”

Lu Wuyou did not insist. With fingers as delicate as jade, they lightly sipped from the cup, their hand’s bone structure clear and slender, maintaining an elegant and courteous posture, as if he were drinking not the temple’s aged tea but rather an elixir of immortality.

At that moment, Helan Ci noticed that on the small square table in the room, besides the teapot and cups, there were also a few handkerchiefs and hairpins that clearly belonged to women. At the very edge, there was even a small note that looked identical to the one in Li Ting’s hand.

She suddenly recalled how this guy was quite popular with women in Qingzhou.

In the bustling capital, the local customs are even more open than those in Qingzhou. It seems that he is here to avoid those ladies who send flirtatious advances.

After coming to this realization, Helan Ci unexpectedly felt a twinge of sympathy for those women with poor judgment—because this guy is far from the gentle and romantic figure he appeared to be.

She still remembers that day at the back mountain of Jiangliu Academy in Qingzhou, watching a girl with a nervous expression hand him a handkerchief embroidered with green bamboo, shyly saying, “If the handkerchief become dirty, I… I will make a new one…”

He actually smiled gently as he accepted it, softly thanking her, his demeanor warm and elegant.

It almost made Helan Ci think she had stumbled upon a secret meeting between lovers.

Unexpectedly, as the girl walked away and Helan Ci intended to leave, she saw Lu Wuyou calmly take out a lighter and burn the embroidered handkerchief until it was completely gone, leaving no trace behind, as if he were destroying some incriminating evidence. The flickering flames cast a shadowy light on his face, making him appear utterly heartless, which left Helan Ci, who was hiding nearby to avoid being caught, in shock.

Lu Wuyou followed Helan Ci’s complex gaze and looked over at the pile of things, pausing for a moment before turning back to Helan Ci.

He curled the corners of his lips and said, “I will take care of these myself, so no one will misunderstand. However, Miss Helan, does this count as… the pot calling the kettle black**?”

Helan Ci immediately recalled his first words when they met.

She could almost be certain that he not only heard a bit of her conversation with Li Ting, but probably much more.

“Lu Wuyou,” she tried to soften her tone, “you might be misunderstanding. I’m not here for a secret meeting; today is purely an accident—I’m currently in hiding.”

Lu Wuyou stared at her for a moment and smiled, “Miss Helan, don’t worry, I won’t say a word—there’s no benefit for me in doing so.”

It was evident that he didn’t believe her at all.

Helan Ci replied, “Even if I were foolish, I wouldn’t arrange to meet him here at this moment.”

If someone caught her, it would be the end for her.

Lu Wuyou furrowed his brows, then slowly poured himself another cup of tea, the smile on his lips deepening, “How would I know?”

Helan Ci: “……？？？”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but burst, “Are you so pleased because the results of the imperial examination have been announced?”

“Ah… not yet,” Lu Wuyou replied, shaking his teacup, the tea swirling into a murky mix. He furrowed his brow, looking a bit embarrassed as he spoke softly, “But it should be just a few days away.”

The mottled light and shadow in the room cast upon the youthful, ethereal face of the man, as clean and clear as a pond.

His brows and eyes were equally gentle, with a gaze that was bright and clear, shimmering like water, and his thick eyelashes even hinted at a touch of innocence. The whole person seemed as if washed by a clear spring, surrounded by a mist of moisture, dressed in a scholar’s white robe, making anyone who looked at him feel he was a gentle and harmless young man, deceptively charming.

If one didn’t know him well, they might truly think he was being modest.

Helan Ci’s gaze was unfriendly: “I advise Lu Wuyou to do more good deeds and speak less ill before the results are announced.”

Lu Wuyou raised his long eyelashes and smiled: “But it’s not me who’s having bad luck now.”

Helan Ci: “…?”

Before Helan Ci could retort, she suddenly heard footsteps outside, and then it seemed she could vaguely hear Li Ting’s voice.

Helan Ci immediately tensed up.

The door bolt could be secured, but locking the door now would only raise suspicion. Hesitating, she glanced at Lu Wu You, then spoke in a very low voice, “It’s time for you to do some good deeds.”

Lu Wu You’s peach blossom eyes curved slightly as he blinked, “Forgive my ignorance.”

Helan Ci was at a loss for words: “Don’t pretend to be clueless. If you don’t want to be dragged into this mess with me, you should know what to do right now.”

After saying that, she quickly gone to the inside.

This was a guest room in Jueyue Temple meant for people to rest, and the furnishings were very simple. There weren’t many places to hide, and from the sounds outside, it seemed Li Ting was already knocking on the door. Helan Ci didn’t think too much about it and quickly hid inside the bed curtain.

It wasn’t that she had much confidence in Lu Wuyou’s character; it’s that she is certain Lu Wuyou absolutely does not want to be implicated in such matters.

A moment later, there was a knock at the door.

Li Ting knocked twice and, losing patience, pushed the door open. Breathing heavily, his voice still tinged with suppressed anger, he asked, “Did you just see a girl? A… extremely beautiful girl in white?”

Lu Wuyou’s voice replied, “Hmm… of course I saw her.”

Li Ting immediately pressed, “Where is she?”

In Helan Ci’s mind, there was a buzzing sound, and her heart suddenly raced.

She tightly gripped the bed railing, her heart racing, and thought that if she were discovered, she would have to tell Li Ting that she had come to secretly meet Lu Wu You!

Meanwhile, Lu Wu You continued, “She suddenly burst in, and seeing her panic, I asked if she wanted a cup of tea to calm her nerves. Who would have thought she would dart out like a startled bird? I couldn’t even stop her.” His voice was clear and pleasant, neither hurried nor slow. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to search the room.”

Li Ting was skeptical, “Really?”

As he spoke, his footsteps grew closer.

Lu Wu You’s tone was casual, “I wonder what your relationship is with that young lady?”

Li Ting coughed lightly, vaguely saying, “She is… my younger sister.”

His footsteps grew closer to the bed curtain, and Helan Ci held her breath, her knuckles tightening to the point of turning white, her heart nearly in her throat.

Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “So that’s how it is. Coincidentally, I wanted to ask the name of that young lady. I didn’t have the chance to inquire after that fleeting glance. May I trouble you for her name?” His voice held no trace of tension; instead, it seemed he wished for her to linger a little longer.

However, Li Ting’s footsteps suddenly stopped.

Helan Ci was bewildered by his sudden halt. What on earth was he doing there?

Cold sweat was almost trickling down her forehead.

At that moment, Li Ting suddenly turned around and said, “…I was in a hurry to find her, so I will be leaving.”

It wasn’t until Li Ting’s footsteps completely disappeared that Helan Ci finally caught her breath.

She half-knelt in the bed curtain, feeling her calves go numb. Just as she leaned to the side, she heard two soft knocks on the bedpost.

Helan Ci instantly sat up straight again.

“He’s gone, come out.”

Lu Wuyou’s warm and polite voice rang out coolly.

Only then Helan Ci carefully lifted the bed curtain, and Lu Wu You was standing sideways, his tall and slender figure upright. His clear, water-like brows and eyes were slightly lowered, making him look surprisingly like a courteous and well-mannered gentleman.

“Uh…”

Helan Ci hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Lu Wu You heard the sound, his gaze shifted, the corners of his eyes slightly raised, and his peach blossom eyes, which could stir up waves, glanced over.

Helan Ci instinctively wore a wary expression.

Seeing her like this, Lu Wu You seemed to realize something. He turned slightly, leaning his upper body a bit while maintaining his distance, lowering his posture slightly.

Helan Ci quickly moved half a step back, her gaze sharp.

Lu Wu You supported himself with one hand on the bedpost, maintaining this position, the corners of his lips curling into a smile. His voice was gentle, light as a whisper: “Miss Helan, rest assured—I have no interest in you whatsoever.”

Helan Ci was taken aback.

But it was only for a moment; her face blossomed into a smile, charming and graceful: “How wise, I too—if all the men in the capital were to die, still wouldn’t have any interest in you.”

Lu Wuyou chuckled lightly, released his grip, and stepped back.

“He just left the courtyard; you should go now.” As he spoke, Lu Wuyou pushed open the door. “Go straight out of the courtyard, walk about ten steps to the right, then go straight for about thirty steps, and you’ll see a peach grove. Turn left and walk another forty steps, and you’ll reach the ladies’ resting area.” He paused, “Forgive me for not seeing you off further, Miss Helan, but remember to wear your veil.”

Helan Ci hesitated and asked, “Are you sure that is the right path?”

How long has he been in the capital?

Lu Wu You replied, “Not sure.”

Helan Ci: “…?”

Lu Wu You smiled lightly, “If not this way, Miss Helan can choose a path you like. As for where it leads, that depends on luck.”

Helan Ci rubbed her calf, waiting for the numbness to fade, then rolled off the bed and said, “You come with me.”

Lu Wuyou: “……?”

Helan Ci Yan: “I’ll wear a veil hat, you walk in front of me, and I’ll pretend I don’t know you.”

Lu Wuyou rarely fell silent for a moment, then said: “I’ve made myself quite clear.”

Helan Ci Yan: “If you encounter Cao Shizi, help me stop him for a moment.”

Lu Wuyou fell silent again for a while, then seemed to smile without really smiling as he said: “Why should I do that? Offending Duke Cao’s son would be a loss for me.”

Helan Ci slowly raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze filled with a celestial light that seemed untouched by the mundane world, as if the shimmering waves had transformed into countless stars. Under the gaze of those eyes, almost no man could utter a word of refusal.

Lu Wuyou: “Allow me to refuse.”

Helan Ci: “…”

She steadied herself and said, “… If I am caught by him, I will honestly tell him that I was just hidden in the bed curtains of this room.” She emphasized the word “bed curtains.” “Since I will offend him no matter what, at least you can not offend me.”

Lu Wuyou replied honestly: “Haven’t I already offended you?”

Helan Ci gently coaxed: “You can still make amends.”

Lu Wuyou laughed, his smile as vibrant as spring flowers, his shoulders slightly trembling: “Well, if we delay any longer, it really won’t do… Miss Helan, forgive my boldness, may I ask a question?”

Helan Ci adjusted her dress, donned her veil hat, and walked out: “What question?”

Lu Wuyou walked alongside her and casually said, “If you really put some thought into it, you might not be unable to marry into the Cao family. With things turned out this way, I truly find it a bit strange. Miss Helan, which family do you actually want to marry into?”

Helan Ci replied without a second thought, “Anyway, It won’t be you, so why ask so much?”

Lu Wu You laughed wickedly, “I just wanted to express my sympathy in advance for that unfortunate brother.”

1. 冤家路窄 (yuān jiā lù zhǎi)
   idiom. enemies are bound to meet head-on on a narrow road, one cannot avoid one’s enemies in this small world.
2. The original text was:
   五十步笑百步 (wǔ shí bù xiào bǎi bù)
   idiom. in the middle of a battle, those who retreat 50 paces laugh at those who retreat 100 paces. In essence, this idiom highlights the irony of someone pointing out a flaw in another when they themselves share the same flaw.