May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Wen Yuanshu shook her head: "I just feel that I've been married into the family for two years, but I've never been to the Marquis's study before. It's just something new and interesting."

“I see,” Pei Zeyu’s smile was somewhat forced. “It’s just a study, there’s nothing to see. Yuan Shu, let’s sit down and rest for a while.”

Wen Yuanshu's eyes flickered slightly, and she roughly understood what was going on.

Fearing she might alert the enemy, Wen Yuanshu said, "It's getting late, I should go back."

Pei Zeyu seemed relieved: "Then I'll take you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Marquis."

Pei Zeyu saw Wen Yuanshu out of the study, repeatedly telling her to be careful on the way, being very considerate in his words.

Wen Yuanshu turned and left, heading straight back to the main courtyard.

"Madam, the mechanism is probably near the desk."

While Wen Yuanshu was walking around the study, Chunhua was also keeping a close eye on Pei Zeyu's expression. She knew very well what he had seen that made him tense.

Wen Yuanshu nodded, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "My Chunhua has such a good eye."

Chunhua chuckled twice.

The master and servant entered the main hall and saw a figure sitting there casually, holding a cup of tea.

Wen Yuanshu was startled and subconsciously turned her head to look outside.

“No one noticed me coming.” Lu Chengyuan’s fingers traced the surface of the teacup.

Wen Yuanshu breathed a sigh of relief, told Chunhua to close the door, and then went over: "Why did you come over?"

Lu Chengyuan coughed awkwardly: "Didn't I say that day that I would come to see you often? Miss Wen, you really have a bad memory."

Privately, he was unwilling to address Wen Yuanshu as Lady Hou.

Wen Yuanshu also remembered: "I thought you were just saying it casually."

Lu Chengyuan took a sip of tea and changed the subject, saying, "You're really virtuous, bringing soup to someone so late at night. Does that person appreciate your kindness?"

"Anyway, it's all gone." She didn't care whether she appreciated it or not.

Lu Chengyuan scoffed, "What kind of soup is it? Does it smell that good? Did you make it yourself?"

His tone was inexplicably sarcastic, which made Wen Yuanshu glance at him: "Mother Zheng made this, Cistanche and Black Chicken Soup. Would Commander Lu like some? There's still some in the pot."

Lu Chengyuan's lips twitched.

Cistanche deserticola and black-boned chicken soup...

“…Never mind,” Lu Chengyuan puffed out his chest, “This commander is in good health and doesn’t need to drink this nonsense.”

Wen Yuanshu chuckled, her gaze falling on the teacup in his hand, her expression hardening slightly: "This teacup..."

It looks like she just casually put it on the table before she left?

Lu Chengyuan took another sip: "What, am I not even allowed to have a cup of tea, even though I'm a guest?"

Wen Yuanshu pursed her lips.

That's it.

Wen Yuanshu looked Lu Chengyuan up and down for a moment, then suddenly said, "By the way, there's something I want to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chengyuan raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"

"You've seen a lot. If you were to set up a hidden compartment in a study, where would you usually put the mechanism?"

"This..." Lu Chengyuan pondered for a moment, "For hidden compartments, mechanisms are usually concealed with small ornaments. If you're being cautious, you might set them under a desk. If it's a dark room, mechanisms are mostly concealed with larger objects or ornaments."

"Why are you asking this? Want to play around with a hidden compartment? How about I have someone come over and make one for you tomorrow?"

With Lu Chengyuan's words, Wen Yuanshu became even more certain of her thoughts: "No need."

Lu Chengyuan gave her a strange look: "Wen Yuanshu, you're keeping more and more secrets these days, even from me."

"Is it strange that I'm keeping this from you?" Wen Yuanshu glanced at him.

Lu Chengyuan laughed in exasperation.

What a heartless little thing, turning on you after using you.

He tilted his head back and drank the tea in the cup, then placed the cup back on the table and tapped the side of the cup twice with his finger: "Thirsty."

Wen Yuanshu pursed her lips: "How about I get you a different teacup?"

"Just use this."

Picking up the teacup again, Lu Chengyuan's smile deepened, finding the tea extremely fragrant and sweet, refreshing and delightful.

-

Having made up her mind, Wen Yuanshu asked Chunhua to go over in person to tell Baitong the news, and also told Baitong not to act rashly and to wait for her news.