When Chu Qing arrived with the items, she saw Lu Shi blocking the doorway and approached him with confusion, asking, "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, and the young madam still showed no sign of waking. How long would he have to wait?
"Miss Chu Qing, are you going inside?"
Seeing the basin of hot water in Chu Qing's hands, he presumed she was going in and asked.
"Yes, the young madam is still asleep. If you have anything to tell her, Lord Lu, I can take it in for you."
Given the young madam's habits, she likely wouldn't wake until well past noon. Worried about delaying Lord Lu's important matters, Chu Qing offered to relay the message.
"No need... I must tell the young madam about this myself. I'll continue waiting here. You may go about your business."
This was a matter of great importance that could not be entrusted to anyone else. He had to report it to the young madam personally. Even if it meant waiting all day, he would wait.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Chu Qing did not insist. If he wanted to wait, then let him wait.
"Then Lord Lu, please wait. I'll go in now."
With that, Chu Qing walked in, leaving Lu Shi to continue his wait alone.
After Chu Qing entered the room and set down the basin, Feng Jin, who was still fast asleep on the bed, slowly stirred.
"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 immediately eased.
"Young madam, would you like to sleep a little longer, or should we get you ready now?"
"Let's get ready first."
Feng Jin slowly stood up and, with a drowsy demeanor, sat before the vanity. She allowed Chu Qing's skilled hands to comb her hair and apply makeup.
"Young madam, do you think you'd like to wear this butterfly hairpin today?"
Feng Jin glanced at it casually and thought it was acceptable. She nodded faintly, "This one then."
After she was ready, Chu Qing tidied the vanity. She then remembered Lu Shi still standing alone outside and spoke to Feng Jin, "Young madam, when I came in this morning, I saw Lord Lu standing outside the courtyard. He said he had something he needed to tell you personally."
Feng Jin paused, her hand that was fiddling with her nails freezing. What important matter could Lu Shi have to tell her? He could just tell Ling Mo Han directly; why bother telling her? It seemed like a waste of effort.
"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 the same spot, not moving at all.
"Young madam, Lord Lu is still outside. Shall we let him in?"
The weather was quite cold outside, and Chu Qing felt chilled after just walking around. Lord Lu had been standing here for nearly two hours. If he continued like this, wouldn't he freeze?
Following Chu Qing's gaze, Feng Jin indeed saw Lu Shi standing there foolishly, shivering slightly from the cold.
"He's really quite steadfast, just standing there without moving."
Looking at Lu Shi, Feng Jin couldn't help but praise him. She wouldn't have stood there foolishly for so long.
"Young madam, Lord Lu has been outside for so long and hasn't left. He must have something very important to discuss. Should we let him in?"
"No. Let him stand outside a little longer. If he still doesn't leave, then have him come in."
She wanted to see how long Lu Shi could persist. Just how important could this matter be that he resorted to a 'bitter trick' like this? It was truly taxing for him.
Feng Jin poured a cup of tea and took a slow sip, quietly observing what Lu Shi would do next.
A盏茶 (a cup of tea's worth of time) passed, and Lu Shi remained in his 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 showed no signs of leaving.
She had initially thought it was a rumor, but seeing it with her own eyes, he was indeed standing there foolishly.
Worried that Lu Shi would catch a chill, Cai Qing was about to pull him back, "What are you doing standing here? Go back quickly."
Lu Shi's heart was set on his mission. He would not leave until he achieved his goal. He stood his ground stubbornly and refused to move, saying, "I have something to ask of the young madam. You should go back; don't worry about me."
"You... you are truly dense! The young madam hasn't even woken up yet. Can't you go back and see her later?"
She couldn't imagine what urgent matter it was that made him stand there for so long.
"I cannot leave. You should go back first."
He had already stood for so long. If he gave up and went back now, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain? He absolutely could not leave.
Cai Qing was so exasperated by his unreasonable stubbornness that she was fuming. How could he be so difficult to reason with?
"Fine. Since you won't leave, I'll stay here with you."
Since she couldn't convince him, she decided she might as well stand there. She wanted to see what it was that made Lu Shi so persistent.
"Young madam, Sister Cai Qing has also come and is standing with Lord Lu."
Chu Qing had been keeping an eye on Lu Shi's situation. Seeing the change, she quickly reported to Feng Jin.
"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 get worried. She had thought Sister Cai Qing's arrival would make Lord Lu leave, but instead, she had joined him.
"It's fine. The sun will be out soon. Let them both bask in the sun outside; it will warm them up."
Seeing that the sun was rising, Feng Jin figured they wouldn't freeze. She let them bask in the sun, also so that everyone in the manor could see the loving affection between these two.
"Chu Qing, what do you think Lu Shi is here for?"
"Your servant does not know." Chu Qing shook her head. Suddenly, she remembered Cai Qing's unusual behavior last night and continued, "Young madam, last night I saw Sister Cai Qing wearing a very beautiful emerald bracelet..."