Chapter 16: Wife and Concubine
Chapter 16: Wife and Concubine
In the prefect's mansion, under the cover of a moonless, windy night, a small figure stealthily crawled out of a basket and sneaked into the small kitchen.
Seizing the opportunity when no one was around, she grabbed a large chicken leg!
However, when Baoshi returned to her room with the chicken leg, she was horrified to discover that her basket was gone!
And so was her cheap father!
"Boo-hoo!"
Baoshi was beside herself!
...
With Baoshi absent, there was no reason for Grand Preceptor Lu to remain at the Hall of Crab Apples.
He casually tossed aside the conversation manual he had been perusing onto the bedside table and stood up nonchalantly.
His tall and slender frame blocked the faint candlelight behind him, and his sharp, handsome face was shrouded in darkness, his narrow phoenix eyes piercing through the night.
Meng Qianqian asked calmly, "Will you be coming back later?"
If he didn't, she would go to sleep.
Grand Preceptor Lu chuckled and looked down at her, "Coming and going, the night will turn to day. Do you think I have that much free time?"
Meng Qianqian blinked nonchalantly as she looked at the conversation manual he had flipped through.
Grand Preceptor Lu bent his noble waist, and an overwhelming sense of oppression and masculine aura filled the air.
His fingers, cold as ice, pinched her chin as he smiled mockingly, "Or do you want everyone to see me leaving your chamber? I don't mind, but I wonder how the Lu family will treat you then."
Meng Qianqian gazed calmly at the most ruthless and treacherous high-ranking official of the dynasty, "Wealth and honor are sought amidst danger. If I can gain the protection of the Grand Preceptor, what does it matter if I offend the Lu family?"
Lu Yuan curved his lips in a smile, his eyes glinting with sharp killing intent, "I will not protect any woman, even if you have great merits. Your life and death are of no concern to me."
"Remember this, I have never been a good person."
It wasn't until he left that Meng Qianqian released the silver needle she had been clutching tightly in her hand.
Her entire back was drenched in cold sweat.
She had long heard that this great villain was unpredictable and ruthless, and it was only because of Xiao Zhaozhao's presence these past few days that he had restrained his killing intent, giving her the false impression that he might not be as terrible as rumored.
Moreover, the fact that he had agreed to the transaction so readily had further reinforced this misconception.
She had been too hasty.
How could she, a mere merchant's daughter, suddenly climb so high and latch onto a branch that even the Lu family couldn't reach?
He had brought Baoshi to see her because he wanted to humor Baoshi, not because he was truly controlled by a little infant.
This Grand Preceptor, who struck fear into the hearts of people wherever he went, had no soft spots, no attachments, and no emotions.
When Meng Qianqian woke up, everything in the room had been restored to its original state. She didn't know how the Embroidered Uniform Guard had managed to move such large items in and out without making a sound, but it wasn't something she needed to worry about.
Maid Li brought in a basin of hot water and hung up the bed curtains. Seeing Meng Qianqian's slightly pale face, she asked, "Miss, did you have another nightmare?"
Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "No, I stayed up late looking at the accounts, and didn't sleep well."
Maid Li admonished her, "You just recovered from a cold a few days ago. Be careful not to overwork yourself."
Meng Qianqian nodded, "I understand, Maid Li."
Maid Li brought over some clothes, "Miss, you used to dislike it when I nagged."
Meng Qianqian said, "I was young and foolish back then, but I always knew that you were doing it for my own good."
Maid Li smiled, "Of course."
The young miss had always been sensible, and even though she was doted on, she hadn't been spoiled. It was only after she fell into the water that her temperament had become more open and carefree.
"Miss!" Banshu entered with a food box in hand, "This servant just came from the kitchen, and they said that the old madam lost her temper!"
It was within Meng Qianqian's expectations that the old madam would lose her temper. However, she had thought that the old madam would at least be able to hold on for a few more days, but she hadn't expected her to be so impatient.
To be fair, it was also because Meng Qianqian had taken such good care of the old madam these past few years in the mansion that the old madam had become accustomed to having her way, and now that she no longer had someone to fund her, she couldn't sit still.
Early in the morning, she sent someone to pawn the gold and silver jewelry stored in the warehouse, but those pieces were of poor quality and outdated designs, fetching only a meager sum.
The elderly madam then tried to get some silver from the second wife, but she made excuses, claiming she had none and quickly feigning illness.
The old madam was so angry that she reportedly broke several dishes.
"Serves her right!" Half-Summer exclaimed in satisfaction.
Maid Li hurriedly shushed her, "Keep your voice down, be careful someone hears you!"
Half-Summer playfully replied, "I know, Maid Li!"
Meng Qianqian took a sip of tea, "She's making such a fuss over just two shops. If we reclaim more in the future, won't it take a toll on my grandmother's health?"
Half-Summer didn't understand, but Maid Li's eyes lit up, "Miss..."
Meng Qianqian smiled, "Maid Li, we can settle this account slowly, there's no rush."
After breakfast, Meng Qianqian set out with Half-Summer.
Everyone in the Lu family knew that the Old Madam loved storybooks, and she only approved of the ones personally selected by Meng Qianqian every once in a while.
It had been a month and a half since her last visit to the bookstore.
"Miss, why are there so many officers on the streets?"
"It's probably because the Lunar New Year is approaching, so they're patrolling."
Such a display was likely due to the two Northern Liang spies who had escaped from the Wan Hua Tower and were still at large.
It was no surprise, given their ability to flee from the Jinyiwei.
"Mrs. Lu, are you here to pick storybooks for the Old Madam again?"
The shop assistant greeted Meng Qianqian with a smile and ushered her inside.
Meng Qianqian asked, "Are there any new storybooks?"
The shop assistant replied with a smile, "Yes! With the spring examinations approaching, many candidates have come to the capital to take the exams early, so we have a lot more storybooks in stock!"
Half-Summer wondered, "Why are these candidates writing storybooks instead of focusing on preparing for the exams? Even the Lu family's young masters, who study at the Guozijian, don't have time to come home!"
The shop assistant politely explained, "Miss Half-Summer, you may not be aware, but some candidates come from impoverished backgrounds and have to resort to earning a living. They write storybooks to earn their keep and travel expenses."
Half-Summer understood, "Oh, I see."
Meng Qianqian selected five books and asked Half-Summer to pay for them.
"Miss, are we heading back to the Lu family now?"
"No, we're going to East Street."
She was going to collect the rents from the two shops on East Street.
East Street was not far from here; they just had to walk through an alley and turn a corner to get there.
So, Meng Qianqian and Half-Summer walked there.
To avoid being recognized, both of them wore veils.
As soon as they reached the first shop, Half-Summer hugged her mistress's arm and pointed inside, "Miss, look, it's Miss Lin!"
This shop sold spices, rouge, and cosmetics.
Lin Wan'er, accompanied by Lu Linluo, was carefully selecting from several boxes of high-quality rouge. Although Lin Wan'er also wore a veil, those familiar with her could easily recognize her.
Half-Summer huffed, "A fox spirit, putting on rouge even when she's pregnant! Miss, do we still want to go in?"
Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "Why not? I'm the main wife; if anyone should hide, it's her."
Half-Summer puffed out her chest proudly, "That's right!"
The two of them entered the shop.
"Mrs. Lu?"
An excited female voice called out from behind them.
Meng Qianqian paused slightly, about to turn and see who it was and if they were calling her, when a lady in her thirties, dressed in luxurious clothing and adorned with jewels, walked past her and patted Lin Wan'er's shoulder.
Lin Wan'er turned around.
Smiling, Wang Fu Ren said, "I knew it was you. We met at the provincial governor's banquet last time. I'm from the Wang family, do you remember me?"
At that moment, several other ladies who were with her also entered the shop.
One of them looked at Lin Wan'er and asked, "Mrs. Wang, who is this?"
Mrs. Wang grabbed Lin Wan'er's hand and introduced her to the other ladies, "She is the wife of the General who guards the northern border, Mrs. Lu!"
(End of Chapter)
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