106. Boundless Devotion to My Beloved Wife, Lu Nanqing

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At the Shen residence, in the garden.
"Nanqing!"
Lu Jin quickly turned around and saw his eldest brother, Shen Yancheng, accompanied by a man and a woman, approaching the main table. The man was none other than Dantai Ming.
"Ziyu, when did you arrive?" Lu Jin greeted joyfully, rising to meet him.
"Nanqing arrived earlier while reciting 'Phoenix Seeks Phoenix' in the pavilion, but I didn’t dare to disturb such a distinguished couple, fearing I might interrupt your refined enjoyment," Dantai Ming said with a smile.
"Brother Dantai, you jest. I knew you were coming but hadn’t seen you until now. It’s my fault for being inattentive," Shen Yanxi followed and apologized to Dantai Ming.
"Second Miss Yan, you are too kind. The deep affection between the two of you truly makes this humble brother envious," Dantai Ming sincerely admired. As a scion of a noble family, he naturally knew how to address others appropriately; here, he respectfully called Shen Yanxi ‘Second Miss.’
Having interacted with Lu Jin several times, Dantai Ming found him truly extraordinary. After all, Dantai Ming couldn’t think of anyone else in Daliang who could pull off such an event tonight. It seemed to transcend conventional social norms without causing discomfort—in fact, it elicited admiration. What woman present wouldn’t envy such a devoted man?
"And who might this be?" Lu Jin naturally noticed the woman beside Dantai Ming as they spoke about the couple.
The woman was slender, about 1.65 meters tall, dressed in a white ruqun with a light gray cloak over it—simple yet elegant. Her face was delicately shaped, with soft, refined features; her willow-like eyebrows arched gently, giving her a graceful and tender beauty. Her eyes sparkled like stars, bright and clear, with a straight nose and full lips—truly a classical beauty. Her understated elegance combined with a faint scholarly aura left a deep impression on Lu Jin.
"I am Dantai Yue from Jinling. It is an honor to meet Young Master Lu and Second Miss," Dantai Yue bowed politely to Lu Jin and his wife.
"She is my biological younger sister," Dantai Ming added.
"Miss Dantai, welcome. Please, have a seat," Lu Jin promptly invited them to join. As descendants of a prominent family, they were already acquainted with the elders of the Shen household.
"By the way, Ziyu, let me introduce you to my younger brother, Wu You, also known as Wu Youran, from Wujiang," Lu Jin said quickly, noticing Dantai Ming’s glance toward Wu You.
Dantai Ming was momentarily taken aback. What an exquisite young lady. What was going on with Nanqing, calling a woman his brother? Yet no one present seemed surprised. Dantai Ming’s curiosity was brief.
Wu You also rose quickly to greet Dantai Ming and Dantai Yue. After some polite exchanges, they all settled down to chat about family matters.
"Jin’er, do you have any poems to recite?" Zhou Manyun asked, knowing that her son-in-law was truly talented in poetry and unable to contain her anticipation.
"Mother’s command is my command," Lu Jin replied easily—after all, he was just copying.
He rose and approached the table where Shen Yanxi was thoughtfully grinding ink. Several young people gathered around.
"The Lan River’s tides equal the sea’s level, the bright moon rises with the tide. Rippling waves stretch thousands of miles—where in autumn waters is there no moonlight?" Lu Jin had to alter a few words in the opening line, adjusting the season to make the poem fit better by referencing the nearby Lan River, making the entire poem flow more naturally.
...
"Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In what year did the river moon first shine on a person? Life goes on endlessly generation after generation, yet the river moon appears year after year just the same."
Lu Jin recited almost without pause, leaving everyone stunned—his recital was more extravagant than drinking water and seemed like a long poem.
...

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"The slanting moon sinks deep into the sea mist, endless roads stretch from Jieshi to Xiaoxiang. No one knows how many have returned by moonlight, the falling moon stirs emotions among the trees along the river."
When the poem concluded, the room fell into complete silence. Could this Lu Nanqing be a reincarnation of the immortal poet? The vivid scenes, the profound imagery, and the grand scope far surpassed contemporary poetry.
"Husband, add an inscription," Shen Yanxi, always sharp, already thought of framing it while others were still in awe.
"Autumn river, flowers, and moonlit night; Jiangzhou’s Lu Nanqing; Mid-Autumn, the twenty-fifth year of Taihe, in reflection." A few lines of small script appeared elegantly. Changing spring to autumn wasn’t quite perfect, but it was the best choice.
Everyone else was speechless. Dantai Yue had heard her brother speak of Lu Nanqing’s brilliance these past days and thought it exaggerated. But tonight, seeing him in person, she was truly amazed. Was there really such a man in the world?
Seeing Shen Yanxi unwilling to let go, Zhou Manyun grew anxious, "Xi’er, let go. This was written by my son for me."
But Shen Yanxi refused, "Of course my husband wrote it for me. Husband, write one for my mother as well."
Zhou Manyun: (ꐦಠ ಠ) What kind of daughter have I raised? And what do you mean by 'just write one casually'?
Others were shocked too; the mother and daughter almost quarreled over a poem. But it was understandable—if the situation allowed, they would have wanted to snatch it up. This was a treasure to be passed down through generations!
Lu Jin looked at his wife, reluctant to make her give it up. He had carefully chosen this poem, after all, at his mother-in-law’s request; suitable poems were few.
"Mother, don’t worry. I’ll write another one," Lu Jin said and didn’t wait for a reply before taking another sheet of paper to compose a new poem.
Shen Yanxi protested again, not out of stinginess, but because she couldn’t bear to let her husband’s poetry slip away. Zhou Manyun was nearly moved to tears, and only Lu Jin’s gentle counsel calmed her down.
Lu Jin wrote a few more pieces on the spot, giving them to Dantai Ming and sister, and other close relatives.
"Sis, I’ll write you a special one, something none of them have," Lu Jin said, noticing Shen Yanyun standing silently by the side, watching quietly. Though outwardly enchanting, Shen Yanyun seemed somewhat sorrowful, which made Lu Jin feel sympathetic.
"Hmm? What are you going to write for sister?" Shen Yanxi, who was admiring the calligraphy, perked up. Could it be that Lu Jin was interested in her sister?
"You can’t look. Didn’t I forbid you from watching while I was writing? I’m afraid you’ll snatch it," Lu Jin was glad for his own prudence. It wasn’t that he intended to write anything improper, but he didn’t want to expose anyone’s wounds before so many people.
"Alright," Shen Yanxi trusted her husband, after all—he was a man even she couldn’t fully handle.
With a few swift strokes, Lu Jin completed the poem, adding punctuation for easy reading since he had written a modern-style free verse.
"I wrote a free poem for sister—no rhythmic rules or formal constraints, just freedom. I hope sister likes it," Lu Jin handed the poem to Shen Yanyun, also encouraging her not to shut herself away and just be free.
The Shen family began to understand Lu Jin better; they didn’t think he would act inappropriately with his sister-in-law in front of everyone, and they roughly guessed his intentions.
"Thank you, Nanqing. I will cherish it," Shen Yanyun said but didn’t open it. She was a little afraid to look, her thoughts tangled.
Lu Jing said nothing more; his intention was conveyed.
"Son-in-law, this 'Autumn River Flowers and Moonlit Night' is undoubtedly the crowning piece of the evening. Xi’er, arrange for it to be sung and shared so the talented youths of Jiangzhou can witness your husband’s skill," the matriarch praised the poem highly.
Beside her, Zhou Manyun gritted her teeth—those were supposed to be hers.

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Shen Yanxi was eager as well and immediately arranged for responses to be sung aloud, bringing the gathering to its peak. Who was this son-in-law of the Shen family? How had no one heard of him before?
But Lu Jin paid no mind; it was time for the main event of the evening.
"Grandmother, since my meeting with Xi’er, I have never presented her with any gifts. Tonight, I wish to seize this opportunity to give her a special present. I hope grandmother will permit it," Lu Jin stepped forward, having rushed to prepare.
People nearby coughed blood silently—wasn’t that already a gift? A rendition of ‘Phoenix Seeks Phoenix’ and now such exquisite poetry. Lu Jin was truly doting beyond measure!
Shen Yanxi’s eyes sparkled; she had long known her husband was painting her and had postponed their private time until tonight. Being as clever as she was, she had already guessed, but hadn’t expected to wait this long.
"Oh, son-in-law, such thoughtfulness brings me great joy. Let everyone present witness your heartfelt gift," the wise matriarch said, fully aware of Lu Jin’s intent. Since the occasion was public, the more witnesses, the better.
In no time, Yuan Fang and Little Bai carried in a large easel covered with cloth, concealing the contents within.
Lu Jin didn’t make a grand announcement, deeming it too ostentatious and foolish. He merely expressed his intention, leaving the rest to be arranged.
As the easel was set, relatives and friends crowded around, eager to see the truth. Only Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi stood before it. Shen Yanxi was trembling with excitement. She knew it was a painting, but what kind of work could it be that her husband valued so highly? What breathtaking masterpiece awaited?
"Madam, please unveil the curtain yourself!" Lu Jin’s excitement matched hers; this was the first time such a realistic portrait would be revealed in this world.
Shen Yanxi did not hesitate; after all, it was her husband’s carefully arranged gift. Her eager hands grasped the cloth.
With a swift “ripping” sound, a collective gasp rose from the crowd, then silence fell.
Being closer, Shen Yanxi didn’t see clearly at first. She stepped back after pulling down the cloth—and was utterly stunned by the image!
On a canvas nearly four feet tall, Shen Yanxi appeared dignified and elegant, a noble aura radiating from her brow. Most strikingly, the painting was as lifelike as if she stood right there before them.
"Heavens, how can a portrait be this real?" someone finally reacted.
Though the evening lighting was dimmer than daylight, it didn’t lessen the shock of the technique. Every detail was vivid—each strand of hair, every button clearly visible. This was no mere painting; it was a mirror, no, better than a mirror.
Shen Yanxi, tears brimming, approached the painting, her fingers tracing the image. Her husband had painstakingly rendered every stroke with affection. What merit did she have to deserve such love?
The men present were amazed; the women envious. The Shen daughter was truly blessed!
Shen Yanxi could no longer hold back or care for appearances; she turned and threw herself into Lu Jin’s embrace.
"My husband!"