The Marquis' Wife
The Murong Xianting faction

"How was Lu Xiang's first day of work? Are there many people who don't like you?". Adelia sees her husband coming home late on his first day of work and it makes her worry if her husband is bullied at work. 

"Not good nor bad. There are some who avoid me because of the problem with the third prince and some are just plain ordinary. But it seems like division head Yang is not so friendly to me". Lu Xiang sighed in relief. The examination of so many files makes him have to overtime on his first day of work.

"Why? Is he scolding you?".

Lu Xiang shook his head and told him about his first experience in government. He thought that because it was likely that division head Yang was the one who supported the third prince or the fourth prince so wanted to suppress him on his first day of work as a warning or learning if he refused the offer of the one who could not at reject.

Adelia was silent for a moment and hugged Lu Xiang trying to comfort as well as encourage, this was better than supporting a prince who did not appreciate his subordinates despite having contributed greatly, he said, this was evident from Murong Xianting's haughty perspective and punishing people who were not in line with him.

Lu Xiang smiled happily to see his wife worrying, he was actually not frustrated by what happened to him because he knew it was only temporary, if he continued to contribute to the kingdom then his current position would definitely change and turn around however he accepted happily Adelia's embrace.

"Where's Baobao?".

Adelia's lips immediately turned upward hearing her son's name. "He was playing with Lu Cheng and Lu Shan, he could now crawl Lu Xiang".

"really?!". Lu Xiang's eyes grew bigger, he regretted missing his son's first moment.

Adelia nodded proudly.

Lu Xiang immediately went to the residence of his two younger siblings and heard Lu Shan's laughing and babbling voice.

"Baobao, come here". Lu Shan spread out his hands while encouraging and supporting his nephew.

Baobao, who is 7 months old, has begun to learn to crawl, he looks focused at Lu Shan while moving his hands and feet.

"Look at Lu Cheng!! Baobao listen!". Lu Shan was so happy as he hugged Baobao who managed to crawl towards him.

The more mature Lu Cheng could not cheer up with a childish face like his sister but he also wanted Baobao to crawl on him.

"Baobao came to Uncle Cheng, uncle will give you sweet milk". He slightly opened his hands, he looked at his nephew with a hopeful look.

"The Che.." 

!!!

Baobao's muttering made Lu Cheng and Lu Shan stare in disbelief, both of them staring at each other. "Did Baobao call you Lu Cheng?".

"Looks yes. Baobao, try calling again. I'm uncle Cheng".

"The..."

"Haha. Baobao called my name!!. He called my name". Lu Cheng forgot his adult demeanor and laughed off happily.

Lu Shan looked at Baobao seriously and then came to his nephew. "Baobao. Call me too, I'm Uncle Shan. Try saying Shan!".

"A.s.."

"Not Ca but Shan".

"A.s.."

"Not Ca Baobao, but Shan, shaann~".

 "Sa..?".

"Yes!! Shan's! I'm Uncle Shan, try calling again?"

"Sa!".

"Baobao is a smart boy. Uncle is so proud of you, try calling once more? Call uncle Shan".

"Pig!!" Baobao's focus was immediately distracted by Lu Xiang, he raised his two small, filled hands towards his father, acting out clearly that he wanted to be embraced.

"Oh, father's son can crawl. You're so great Baobao".

Baobao chuckled happily, though he did not understand what his father was saying but he knew that his father was praising him.

Lu Xiang showered his son with kisses on the forehead, cheeks and nose making Baobao more happy, he then put his son on the floor and took a few steps back before stretching out his hands.

"Let's show dad your achievements today".

Baobao began to crawl quickly while smiling happily before laughing in Lu Xiang's arms. Adelia who looked back with a smile at the harmony of her family, her smile slightly disappeared given that the problem of refusing the offer of the third prince would make her husband's career life did not go well. She hoped that something would happen in the third prince and his subordinates so that the man would not have time to take care of her husband's affairs.

Although it sounded selfish yet she still wished so for the sake of her husband's composure, that was all she could do besides comfort and encourage Lu Xiang, she said, she knew exactly as a woman she could not do anything because of the way the world works that is not in favor of women.

&&&

Lu Xiang's days were passed busy, not only on the first day he was given a very time-consuming task but on the next day and the next division head Yang continued to stuff him with various tasks.

Lu Xiang finally decided to lower the level of effectiveness of his work under the pretext of not being so understanding with the files he handled and still learning so he did not want to 'hash' in completing it.

That reason managed to silence division head Yang, although annoyed and disapproved but he could not say anything because the effectiveness of Lu Xiang's work was indeed better and faster than his other subordinates.

"Lu Xiang, you've been with us for almost 2 weeks. Why haven't you invited us for a drink? Don't you want to socialize with us who have lower class positions than you?". A man who was several years older than Lu Xiang but the appearance of his thick and long beard made him look almost 40 years old was trying to provoke Lu Xiang.

The man's name was Su Shangwei, though, he was a subordinate who was in the group of Yang division heads so often chattered with the intention of insulting Lu Xiang but the male's calm reaction instead made him look unlearned and it made him even more disliked Jinshi was a family of farmers who were suddenly first-rate higher than him.

The eyes of the other colleagues shone and looked at Lu Xiang, waiting for an answer from the man. Lu Xiang simply smiled casually then placed his task paper today onto the table, revealing that he still had a job.

"I actually want to treat you to wine but you know for yourself, my job today can't make me go home soon, sorry colleague Su".

Su Shangwei's smile froze for a moment, he couldn't refute Lu Xiang's words as it would offend his superior yet he also didn't want to lose to the man, either, he finally snorted cynically and said that it was just Lu Xiang's excuse then shook his sleeves and left.

"I'm sorry I couldn't treat you. If you want to drink without me, I'll pay for the drink. Once I have time I will definitely take you guys for a drink. How's it?".

Some Jinshi looked at each other then nodded in agreement, after which their attitude became more friendly and willing to talk Lu Xiang about what happened in the other divisions or what happened in the capital.

On the other hand, Murong Xianming turning the wine glass enjoyed a unique taste on his tongue.

"Did my third brother make a move?".

The man wearing all-black clothes and covering half his face appeared suddenly, he was Jun, the first number shadow warrior who had always protected the crown prince.

"As you predicted the prince. The third prince sent a letter to his grandfather, ordering that the palace attack plan be put forward".

"Heh~, as expected by my sister, what about our preparations?".

"All the preparations have been done with the prince mature".

Murong Xianming poured the wine back into his glass and drank it but his movements stopped when he remembered something. "A few more days are the Queen Mother's birthday, make sure that there are not the slightest problems with the event that will take place later".

"Good prince!".

The Emperor ordered ministers and officials of 5th and above to attend the Queen Mother's 72nd birthday and after the order was spread many reactions from officials and the local community.

Large events such as birthdays will usually be used by aristrokat families and scholars who can present as a matchmaking event for their daughters, both for the Emperor, princes and men from the upper class who are not married through the competition show skills that must be possessed by noble women such as calligraphy, embroidery, and other, music and paintings so that the Queen Mother's birthday party is very much awaited by the girls who can attend the party.