Yangning City was located in the prosperous Jiangnan area. The rich and famous were gathered here. The exquisite carriages at the bottom of the steps were so beautiful as though they were in a competition, dazzling all who saw it.
In comparison, the Lu family's carriage was inconspicuous.
Lu Mingzhu, Lu Yue, and Lu Qiao looked at the group of beautifully dressed madams and young ladies in front of them and could not help but feel envious.
Although their father was a magistrate, he was not as rich as the merchants.
They were at the age where they are very focused on outdoing others. When they were not comparing themselves against others, they felt that being the daughter of an official was very impressive. However, when they saw others wearing luxurious clothes and beautiful jewelry, they then envied the rich.
The three of them thought in unison, "When can they live such a luxurious life?"
There were many people offering incense and praying to Buddha today. The abbot was so busy that he could not see anyone in particular. Madam Liu and the others were brought to the old lady's residence by the novice monk.
"Greetings, Old Madam. The Master asked me to bring Old Madam back to the manor." Madam Liu said as she bowed to Old Madam.
The Old Madam sat cross-legged on the couch. She casually raised her eyelids and glanced at Madam Liu. "It must have been hard for you to come. If I don't return to the manor, wouldn't it be just as you and your daughter wanted? My son is devoted to you wholeheartedly. I can't control him even though I'm his mother. In that case, you guys can enjoy yourselves. You don't have to care about me."
Madam Liu's face alternated between green and white as she listened to the Old Madam's sarcastic words.
That old hag was really shameless.
She did not want her to go back of course, but that could only happen if the old lady washed her hands of all matters in the Lu family.
Madam Liu felt like vomiting, but the expression on her face became more and more respectful.
"Old Madam, you must be joking. I'm new to the family and don't know the rules yet. If there's anything I did not do right, I hope Old Madam can forgive me. I don't have to have an official status, I just want to be by the Master's side. I hope Old Madam can fulfill my wish."
Lu Mingzhu secretly hated her, but she had no choice but to lower her head and kowtow to Old Madam. "Grandmother, please fulfill my wish."
Seeing Madam Liu and her daughter bowing down, Concubine Fang felt a sense of satisfaction.
Ha, b*tch. She relied on the Master's love to lord over all in the family, but she could only tuck her tail between her legs in front of Old Madam.
The Old Madam twirled the prayer beads in her hand and looked at Madam Liu and Lu Mingzhu calmly. "Heh…"
What would that make me, if I do whatever you want?
The cold laugh from her made Madam Liu furious.
Seeing this, Concubine Fang immediately smiled and said, "Aiyo, what are the two of you doing? We're here to bring Old Madam back to the residence. Those who know would know that you came with sincerity to beg Old Madam to fulfill your wish. Those who don't know might think that you're here to coerce Old Madam. Hurry up and get up now."
Adding insult to injury. Disgusting.
"I wouldn't dare." Madam Liu's expression was so tense that she almost couldn't hold it in anymore. "It's said that the gods and Buddhas of Hua'an Temple are divine. It's my first time here, so I wish to pray to Buddha to bless the Old Madam with good health, Master with a smooth sailing life, and Imperial Concubine Zhen to remain in favor with the Emperor. Please allow me to do it, Old Madam."
The old woman was clearly trying to intimidate her. It would not be easy to persuade her to go back just because she said a few words.
The old lady responded lazily.
Madam Liu pulled Lu Mingzhu away.
Seeing that there was no more drama to watch, Concubine Fang hurriedly found an excuse to leave.
"A bunch of troublemakers."
Nanny Wen poured a cup of tea for Old Madam Wen and said with a smile, "You're so worrisome. With Old Madam watching over them, they won't be able to cause any trouble." That was in connection to how Concubine Fang dared to come along to see Madam Liu make a joke out of herself. "I'll pack up and prepare to return to the manor."
"Take your time." The old lady took a sip of tea and said slowly, "We'll go back tomorrow morning."
Since Madam Liu was here, she was not in a hurry.
If she used to dislike Madam Liu in the past, she now hates her.
A woman who could charm her son, Youping, to go against his mother for her, was not a good person.
Because of what had happened last night, Yun Zhe and Wu Yue felt uneasy, so they pulled Lu Xiang to pray to the Bodhisattva in the temple. Then, they ran to the wishing tree and placed a few fruits underneath the tree.
Lu Xiang looked at their nervous expressions and smiled helplessly. Nonetheless, she went with their arrangements happily.
She had lived two lives and knew Chu Jinyan's identity, but these two girls didn't. They even suspected that the other party was a fugitive for real. The bottom line is, they were just worried about her safety.
"I hope that Miss will be safe and not get into trouble."
"I hope that Miss will be safe and sound for the rest of her life."
Yun Zhe and Wu Yue were pious. Lu Xiang stood at the side and looked at them with a smile.
However, she knew very well that the nightmares that those people had brought her in her previous life had turned into troubles for her. In this life, they were firmly entangled with her. As long as her enemy was alive, her life would not go smoothly.
Suddenly, she heard quarreling. One of the voices was so familiar that Lu Xiang would never forget it even if she died.
"I came here first. Why should I give in to you?" The person who spoke was Lu Mingzhu. Although she could not see her expression, she could tell from her words that she was hopping mad.
"So what if you came first? God knows where this country girl came from. How dare you snatch from me?" An arrogant voice that was filled with disdain rang out.
"Miss, it seems to be Miss Mingzhu's voice," Yun Zhe said.
Lu Xiang brought Yun Zhe and Wu Yue to the place where the argument was taking place. At the side hall, Lu Mingzhu and a young girl dressed in fine clothes stood opposite each other. Lu Yue pulled Lu Qiao to the side and stood far away, determined not to get involved in this mess.
The girl looked to be about 14 or 15 years old. She had a small peach-shaped face, bright eyes, and slender eyebrows. She had an arrogant expression and was high and mighty. There were so many pearls on her head that it was almost too dazzling to see.
She was decked out in fine jewelry from head to toe. The jealousy in Lu Mingzhu's eyes made the girl opposite her even more smug.
In her eyes, the person in front of her was dressed like a pauper. Although her clothes were exquisite, they were far inferior to the Yun brocade she was wearing. She also had a pitifully small amount of jewelry. One look and she could tell that she was from a poor family. How dare she challenge her?
How could Lu Mingzhu tolerate the other party's disdainful gaze? She said angrily, "How dare you? I'm the daughter of the magistrate. Who do you think you are?" That girl was just from a rich family and reeked of money. How could she compare to an official's daughter?
"Lu Mingzhu!" Lu Xiang suddenly shouted.
Lu Mingzhu was so frightened by the roar that she shivered. When she turned around, she met Lu Xiang's sharp gaze. The words she wanted to curse immediately choked in her throat.
"What nonsense are you spouting in the temple? Hurry up and apologize to Miss Qin."
Lu Mingzhu did not recognize this girl, but Lu Xiang recognized Qin Shuyan, the youngest daughter of the Qin governor of Yangning City. She was the daughter of the first wife, and the Qin governor doted on her so much that she became unruly and willful.
"Apologize?" Lu Mingzhu raised her voice and looked at Lu Xiang in disbelief.
"On what grounds?" she thought.
Qin Shuyan looked at Lu Xiang with a faint smile. "Do you know me?"