https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-103-Qianqian-and-Baoshu-s-Seamless-Cooperation/12582566/
Chapter 102: Grand Commander, Can I Hitch a Ride?
Chapter 102: Grand Commander, Can I Hitch a Ride?
With her own marriage plans thwarted, Lu Linglong desperately wanted Meng Qianqian to be even less desirable, as if only then could she regain a sense of superiority.
Zhou Nanyin was baffled by her words and scoffed in ridicule, "Have you taken leave of your senses? It's clear that your brother was the one who failed to uphold his marital vows, leading to Meng Qianqian severing ties with him. The authorities confiscated your family's property to compensate for her dowry, and the entire capital city witnessed it! Yet, here you are, slandering Meng Qianqian. Do you truly believe people will fall for your lies again?"
Just how skilled was the Lu family at twisting the truth?
Initially, it was Lu Lingxiao who brought home a concubine from the border, yet they dared to spin the story as if Meng Qianqian was narrow-minded and unable to accept a second wife.
Meng Qianqian had depleted her dowry to support the Lu family for five years, but according to the Lu family, it was they who had raised Meng Qianqian, only for her to turn into an ungrateful wretch.
More recently, when Meng Qianqian cut ties with Lu Lingxiao, the Lu family spread the word that it was they who had rejected Meng Qianqian.
However, ever since Zhang Feihu publicly exposed the Lu family's last shred of decency, everyone finally saw through their deceitful nature.
The Lu family's matriarchs were all masters of deception, but who would believe their lies now?
Lu Linglong fumed with rage, "What I'm saying is true! If you don't believe me, ask her if she wasn't already involved with other men before going to the border!"
Meng Qianqian retorted, "Who have I been involved with?"
Lu Linglong asserted, "Grand Commander! You can't deny that you knew him before going to the border!"
Zhou Nanyin retorted impatiently, "So what if she did? It's the thoughts that count, and if they're impure, everything else will seem tainted!"
Lu Linglong pointed at her and sputtered, "You... you..."
Zhou Nanyin glared at her and said, "Me what? At your age, you should be able to speak clearly! Next time, get your tongue straight before you speak!"
After all, Lu Linglong was the only daughter of the Lu family, and she usually associated with graceful and refined young ladies. Regardless of their inner thoughts, it was impolite to openly break ties with her.
Unless, of course, they were dealing with Zhou Nanyin.
Lu Linglong was on the verge of tears from anger.
At this moment, Meng Qianqian felt even more grateful for Madam Wang's thoughtful arrangement. The ladies she had invited today, both the mother and the daughter, not only came from a prestigious background but also shared similar temperaments with her.
Meng Qianqian turned to Zhou Nanyin and said, "Nanyin, let's go admire the lanterns."
"As you wish, Sister Meng!" Zhou Nanyin immediately ignored Lu Linglong and linked her arm with Meng Qianqian's. "By the way, Sister Wang is also quite entertaining. When she returns to the capital, I'll introduce you to her."
"Alright," Meng Qianqian smiled.
The two walked past Lu Linglong without so much as a glance in her direction.
Lu Linglong was furious, "Meng Qianqian, no one wants you! No one wants you!"
Zhou Nanyin felt like punching someone, but Meng Qianqian gently held her hand and said, "A dog may bite, but we don't have to bite back."
"Sister Meng is right!"
Zhou Nanyin calmed down and turned to Lu Linglong with a challenging smile, "Instead of worrying about others, you should focus on yourself. I heard that all the matchmakers who visited your family ran away! It seems the one who can't get married is you! Hmph!"
Lu Linglong's weakness had been struck, and she could no longer contain her anger. She lunged at Zhou Nanyin.
Zhou Nanyin didn't sense the impending danger.
Meng Qianqian glanced at the shadows on the ground and reached out to pull Zhou Nanyin to her side, holding her waist and pulling her into an embrace.
Lu Linglong's lunge missed its target, and she stumbled a few steps before colliding with the railing.
The painted boat suddenly shook, causing the unsteady Lu Linglong to lose her balance and fall into the icy lake.
Zhou Nanyin was held in Meng Qianqian's embrace, her back facing the railing.
Her heart was pounding.
Sister Meng is hugging me! Oh, my, I'm so embarrassed!
"Sister... Sister Meng?"
"Are you alright?"
Meng Qianqian asked softly, her voice calm and reassuring.
Zhou Nanyin's ears turned slightly red, "Yes, I'm fine... Thank you, Sister Meng..."
She had been turned around in Meng Qianqian's embrace and had seen Lu Linglong lunging at her.
It was fortunate that Sister Meng acted in time, or she would have been in deep trouble.
Meng Qianqian let go of her.
Zhou Nanyin turned to find trouble with Lu Linglong, but she was nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, people on the shore gradually noticed that Lu Linglong had fallen into the water. However, not many were skilled swimmers, and with everyone dressed in thick clothing at the end of February, it was too dangerous to jump into the water to save her.
"Help... Help..."
Lu Linglong struggled desperately.
Meng Qianqian had no intention of saving her.
Zhou Nanyin covered her mouth and exclaimed, "What do we do? I... I can't swim..."
She felt that Meng Qianqian probably couldn't swim either. She looked up at Tan'er on the second floor, "Tan'er, can you swim?"
Tan'er sat on the railing, swinging her legs leisurely, and took a hearty bite of the sugar gourd, "Nope!"
The boatman also noticed and came over with a pole to fish her out, but he couldn't quite reach her.
Just then, a man dived into the water and pulled Lu Linglong to safety.
Lu Linglong had nearly drowned, and her whole body had turned purple. The man hurriedly pressed on her chest to help her expel the water from her lungs.
As Lu Linglong opened her eyes, she saw a man clad in patched clothing, seemingly about to take advantage of her.
She raised her hand and slapped him hard!
The sound of the slap echoed, stunning not only the man but also the onlooking crowd!
A sympathetic merchant exclaimed, "Miss! He was just trying to save you! If not for him, you would have perished!"
"Yes, we can all testify! It was he who pulled you out of the water!"
"In our village, we also save drowning people in this manner!"
"Linglong?"
Lu Lingxiao's voice suddenly rang out.
Lu Linglong's eyes turned red from the injustice, "Big brother!"
Lu Lingxiao pushed through the crowd and draped his outer robe over Lu Linglong, "What happened?"
Lu Linglong sobbed uncontrollably, "Waaahhh... Big brother..."
Lin Wan'er followed behind Lu Lingxiao, and seeing this scene, she too was startled.
The kind-hearted merchant recounted how Lu Linglong had been rescued, but as for why she had fallen into the water, no one had witnessed it.
A woman's virtue and reputation were of utmost importance, and even though it was a matter of life and death, the fact that Lu Linglong had come into physical contact with a man in broad daylight meant that her purity was now tarnished. With this, her chances of marrying into a good family were ruined.
Unless, of course, her savior was willing to marry her.
But he was dressed in rags and looked rather pathetic. It would be better for her to just die than marry him!
Lu Lingxiao asked the man, "What's your name?"
The man replied, "Gao... Gao..."
Hearing his slurred speech, Lu Linglong cried even louder.
Meng Qianqian had not anticipated that things would take this turn, and not wanting to encounter Lu Lingxiao, she led Zhou Nanyin upstairs.
Lu Lingxiao seemed to sense something and turned towards the painted boat, only to catch a glimpse of fluttering sleeves.
For the Lu family, this was a catastrophic event, further damaging their already precarious reputation. However, for the ladies, it was merely an accident that had nothing to do with them.
After all, one reaps what one sows, and Lu Linglong had brought this upon herself.
The Flower Appreciation Banquet was about to begin, and the painted boat sailed towards the center of the lake.
Madame Zhou said, "It would be nice if we could board the boat and watch."
Madame Wang shook her head, "Invitations to the Flower Appreciation Banquet at Wan Hua Tower are hard to come by. We don't have that kind of status, so we should be content with just watching from a distance."
Madame Lin suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, there are boats docked all around, we can't get through!"
Zhou Nanyin sounded disappointed, "Ah? Can't we see it anymore?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a gorgeously decorated painted boat sailed by majestically.
Their boat was already quite large, but compared to this one, it suddenly seemed much smaller.
Suddenly, Meng Qianqian parted the beaded curtain and leaned out, addressing a certain individual who was leisurely sipping tea on the adjacent boat, "Grand Commander, can I hitch a ride?"
How could he refuse such a request?
(End of Chapter)
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