The Lu Family's family banquet was not as rigid as those of many great clans.
Perhaps because it was the grandfather's generation dining with the grandchildren, with no parental generation present, or perhaps because there were two mischievous little granddaughters, the atmosphere was exceedingly relaxed. Dinner proceeded amid soft laughter and cheerful conversation.
When they had nearly finished the dishes, Old Master Lu waited until everyone had rinsed their mouths before sitting upright and giving a light cough.
Ye Zhen knew that the real business was coming.
"Well, everything in the manor has been going smoothly lately. Zitong's pregnancy is stable, and Chi's cultivation has broken through once more.
"Also, Kun's two concubines are both with child. It can be said that happy events have come one after another."
The moment Old Master Lu spoke, everyone's gazes fell upon Ye Zhen and Lü Qingzhu.
Of the Lu Manor's three little households, only Ye Zhen and Lü Qingzhu had yet to show any signs of progress.
Before attending the family banquet, Ye Zhen had known this would happen. He simply had not expected Old Master Lu to bring it up so solemnly.
Under the curious or expectant gazes of the crowd, even with Ye Zhen's composure, he found it a little hard to bear—let alone Lü Qingzhu.
Ding Chi was alright, but Lü Kun, his conveniently acquired brother-in-law, smugly shook his head and winked at Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen had spent nearly half a year in Lu Manor by now and was fairly familiar with Lü Kun.
The boy had many of the habits common to noble-born youths, quite a few of them, but he had not reached the point of being a wastrel. Old Master Lu's discipline had always been rather strict.
As Lü Kun winked at Ye Zhen now,