Chapter 100: Lu Yuan's Background
Chapter 100: Lu Yuan's Background
Meng Qianqian was stunned.
She had contemplated numerous possible connections between Lu Yuan and Consort Li, but she never expected Consort Li to be his aunt.
After all, the Emperor addressed Lu Yuan as 'Shangfu', which clearly indicated a generational gap. Furthermore, she had never heard that Consort Li had an older sister; Consort Li had several brothers and sisters, though.
Seemingly having guessed Meng Qianqian's doubts, Lu Yuan explained expressionlessly, "My mother isn't from the Yao family. Not many people know about the connection between me and Consort Li, and even the Emperor is unaware."
"I see."
This explained why Lu Yuan, among so many princes, specifically supported Consort Li's son.
"But I still don't understand. If your mother is Consort Li's older sister, why isn't she a daughter of the Yao family?"
Consort Li's surname was Yao, and she was the eldest of the Yao family.
"Different fathers, same mother," Lu Yuan replied.
Meng Qianqian understood and didn't probe further.
Wind and Water Hutong.
Nanny Wan was feeding the fish in the courtyard. She fed them seven or eight times a day, and the koi were so well-fed that they were starting to resemble fat-headed fish.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the half-open courtyard gate.
"Who is it? Is it Manager Cen?" Nanny Wan asked.
Ever since Miss and she had moved here, no one besides Manager Cen and Wang Eunuch had visited.
Not hearing a response, Nanny Wan put down the fish food and walked over to open the gate. She was momentarily taken aback upon seeing a strikingly handsome young man with white hair.
He appeared old because of his white hair, but his face was exceptionally handsome and youthful.
The man in black and white hair smiled politely and said, "Hello, Madam. I apologize for disturbing you. I've just moved in next door, and I encountered some misfortune last night, losing all my possessions. May I... borrow two catties of grain from you?"
Nanny Wan left.
The man in black and white hair sighed softly, "So it seems my luck hasn't improved much?"
He couldn't very well go and ask the old lady from last night for grain; that would be embarrassing.
Just as he was about to leave, a heavy bag of grain dropped in front of him.
Nanny Wan patted her hands to get rid of the rice dust and asked generously, "Will this be enough?"
The man in black and white hair stared blankly at the sack on the ground. "I... only wanted to borrow two catties."
Nanny Wan waved her hand dismissively. "Two catties won't be enough to eat. Don't be shy! Our Miss instructed us to get along well with the neighbors!"
This was the first neighbor to visit, so she had to be hospitable!
The man in black and white hair said awkwardly, "Then, please convey my thanks to your Miss."
"Don't mention it!" Nanny Wan said. "By the way, what's your name, young master?"
The man in black and white hair smiled and pointed to the west. "I live... next door."
The house to the east was occupied, while the one to the west was vacant.
Nanny Wan nodded in understanding. "I see! Feel free to come over if you need anything else. My surname is Wan. Young master, please don't mind calling me Nanny Wan. May I ask your surname?"
"Ji," he replied.
Nanny Wan's smile froze. "Chicken?"
After Meng Qianqian returned from the library, Nanny Wan told her about the new neighbor next door. "He's quite pitiful. I lent him a bag of rice, but he couldn't carry it, so I helped him bring it over. His house is empty, how sad. Well, who with money would live here anyway?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she realized her mistake and quickly hit her mouth. "I didn't mean Miss! I meant... Oh dear, why can't I explain myself clearly?"
Meng Qianqian laughed. "It's fine. I did buy this house because it was cheap."
"It's said to be a haunted house, but ever since she moved in, she's slept soundly every night."
Nanny Wan spoke from the heart, "This old servant quite likes it here, too. It's peaceful, and if you want some excitement, it's just outside the hutong. Besides, what's so scary about ghosts? Those people from the Lu family were the real monsters! It's a blessing that Miss left; otherwise, they would have gnawed her to the bone!"
In the afternoon, the Wang family's steward paid a visit and delivered an invitation to Meng Qianqian. The day after tomorrow, there would be a lantern festival on the long street, and Lady Wang invited her to join her for a boat ride on the lake. They could admire the flower lanterns on the shore and also take the opportunity to watch the Flower Appreciation Banquet on the lake.
"What is the Flower Appreciation Banquet?" Meng Qianqian asked.
The Wang family's steward smiled and replied, "It's the annual selection of the Flower Queen from Wan Hua Lou. In previous years, it was hosted at Wan Hua Lou, but this year it will be held on Lake Bihu. The competition will take place on a painted boat, open for all to see."
Although the flower and moon business was a place of entertainment, the selection of the courtesan leader was not simple. In addition to appearance, figure, and demeanor, there would also be competitions in poetry, song, and the arts.
The more renowned the flower and moon, the more stringent the selection of the flower monarch, and the more fascinating it would be.
"The main attraction is the flower lanterns," the Wang family's steward said with a smile. It wouldn't do to say that they were going to watch the flower fairies; it wouldn't sound good if word got out.
"Miss Meng, rest assured. Not only will my lady and you be going, but Lady Zhou and several other ladies have also agreed to join us for the boat ride."
Who says only men like to watch the courtesans' performances? Women enjoy it too! In the past, women weren't allowed in the pleasure quarters, but now that it's on the lake, how could they not go and take a look?
Meng Qianqian smiled, "Please tell the lady that I will definitely be there on time the day after tomorrow."
She didn't care much about the boat ride, but since the Flower Appreciation Banquet was hosted by Wan Hua Lou, she was eager to find an opportunity to investigate the place.
When Li Mama learned that Lady Wang had invited Meng Qianqian to the boat ride, she was so happy that she immediately brought out all the jewelry from the warehouse, wishing that Meng Qianqian could wear them all during the outing.
Meng Qianqian was both amused and touched, "Mama, it's too much. My neck will hurt."
Li Mama also picked out a large stack for Tan'er, "Tan'er can wear these!"
"I don't want to wear them!"
Tan'er didn't like piling on jewelry either. She usually wore her hair in two buns, secured with a headband.
Meng Qianqian said, "Mama, I didn't bring out this much jewelry even when I went to the palace."
Li Mama said, "How can that be the same? Miss has been in the capital for five years, spending her time as a widow in the Lu family, never making friends or going out. Now, Miss can finally be like those other young ladies."
She wished she could make up for the five years of normal life that Miss had missed out on.
Soon, the day of the boat ride arrived, and Lady Wang personally came to Wind and Water Hutong to pick up Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian was quite surprised.
Lady Wang hastily explained, "Did I overstep? We originally planned to meet at the lake, but I was worried that you might not find the place..."
Meng Qianqian smiled, "I was just about to ask for directions. Your timing is impeccable, Lady Wang. Please don't stand on ceremony with me, and I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Lady Wang loved straightforward people; it wasn't that she didn't know how to be subtle, but it could be tiring with too many people involved.
She took Meng Qianqian's hand, "Good! From now on, neither of us should stand on ceremony!"
Meng Qianqian and her maid, Tan'er, boarded Lady Wang's carriage.
Since she planned to "smuggle" herself onto Wan Hua Lou's painted boat that night, Meng Qianqian only brought Tan'er along.
During the carriage ride, Meng Qianqian took Lady Wang's pulse. The pulse was smooth, and the stagnant liver qi had improved significantly.
Lady Wang playfully scolded her, "I'm already fine, Meng Xiao Jiu!"
Meng Qianqian, whose alias had been exposed: "..."
Qianqian, how embarrassing!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
