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Chapter 166: A Thorough Beating
Chapter 166: A Thorough Beating
Xun Yu stared intently at Lu Yuan, and seeing the sincerity in his eyes, his expression softened. "It's best that you think that way. Everything my father does is for the Great Zhou dynasty. In his heart, you are his most beloved adoptive son, and he would never let any harm come to you."
Lu Yuan nodded with a smile. "My adoptive father has shown me immense grace. Lu Yuan will always be loyal to him and devote himself wholly."
Xun Yu patted him on the shoulder. "I will convey your loyalty to my father. By the way, Lu Yuan, what really happened that night? Why did the Grand Emperor easily let you off the hook? My father and I were planning to plead for you in the court, hoping to exchange your military merits for your safety."
Having once served in the Prime Minister's residence, Lu Yuan knew that this was not a secret.
He had been Xun Yu's attendant in the past, and although they had parted ways, Xun Yu had never given up on trying to persuade him to return to the right path.
Therefore, it would not only dispel suspicion but also earn Xun Yu praise as a "true gentleman, valuing friendship and righteousness" if he exchanged his military merits for Lu Yuan's safety.
"It was quite an unexpected event," Lu Yuan began, and proceeded to recount the whole story of Lady Lu's visit to the mountain without embellishment or concealment.
It was only natural for Cen, as his confidant, to be aware of his whereabouts when he went to the temple.
And as for Meng Qianqian, she was his wife, so it was reasonable for her to look for him after he spent the night away from home.
Lady Lu, being of advanced age, had her moments of lucidity and confusion. It was understandable that she mistook herself for Lady Meng, and with the wedding guests as witnesses, it was only right for her to look for the two missing children.
Xun Yu was shocked after hearing the whole story. "So she just brought you all down the mountain like that?"
Lu Yuan nodded. "The Grand Emperor holds the elderly in high regard and would not cause them any difficulty. Moreover, Lady Lu is the widow of General Lu, who contributed greatly to the founding of the dynasty. Even if she were an ordinary elderly woman, he would not have made things difficult for her."
That was just how it was, and no matter how astonished Xun Yu was, he could only believe it for the time being.
He looked at Lu Yuan, who seemed somewhat fatigued, and asked, "Hasn't Lady Lu's erratic behavior caused you any trouble?"
Lu Yuan corrected him. "Lady Lu is not erratic; she just has trouble remembering things."
"Isn't that the same thing?" Xun Yu thought for a moment before continuing, "But then again, is Lady Lu of the Lu family going to stay at your residence permanently?"
Lu Yuan sighed. "Qianqian endured much during her five years in the Lu family, and Lady Lu showered her with great affection. It is only right for Qianqian to show filial piety to her now."
Xun Yu frowned. "That's a bit unfair to you. Don't the Lus care? Are they just going to let their family's matriarch stay at your residence?"
Lu Yuan hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Just then, a commotion broke out outside.
Lu Yuan turned to Cen and said, "Go and see what's happening."
"Yes," Cen replied and hurried off. Soon, he returned, his face filled with worry. "It's bad news, Your Excellency. The Lu family has come to take the matriarch back, but she refuses to leave and a quarrel has broken out."
Lu Yuan asked, "Where's my wife?"
Cen replied anxiously, "The mistress went along as she was worried that the matriarch might be agitated. Given the mistress' relationship with the Lu family, they might blame the ducal residence for any mishap, no matter how minor."
Xun Yu stood up. "Let's go and see. I want to find out who dares to create a ruckus in the ducal residence."
Lu Yuan sighed. "Brother San, it's not necessary. I can handle this myself. I don't want to drag you into this."
Xun Yu patted him on the shoulder again. "Don't talk nonsense. You and I are brothers. As your brother, I can't just stand by when someone is causing you trouble. Rest assured, I know how to handle this."
"Brother San—" Lu Yuan tried to dissuade him, but Xun Yu had already walked away without looking back.
The visitors from the Lu family that day were Lu's mother, Second Madam Lu, and the elderly matron, Wu Mama.
During the time when the matriarch was away, the elderly madam and Second Madam Lu had enjoyed a carefree life. They could divide the benefits allocated to the matriarch by the Internal Affairs Office, and they didn't have to worry about the matriarch suddenly losing her temper and taking it out on them.
If it weren't for Lu's mother reminding them, they would still be immersed in their blissful lives, unaware that today was the day the Internal Affairs Office would send someone to deliver the matriarch's allowance.
The two women hurried to bring the matriarch back to receive her allowance, and then they would send her back to be taken care of by "that girl"!
"Grandmother, you've been away for quite some time. It's time to return home," Second Madam Lu gently coaxed.
The matriarch glared at her, hands on her hips. "Who are you, ugly woman? I don't know you."
Second Madam Lu was furious. "Grandmother!"
Wu Mama stepped forward, holding a box of pastries. "Matriarch, I bought your favorite sweets—"
The matriarch waved her hands in fear and backed away. "Oh no! Old witch! Old witch!"
She ran behind Meng Qianqian and hid. "Qianqian, hit her!"
Wu Mama was stunned.
Who's the older one here?
Wu Mama had witnessed Meng Qianqian's skills before, and she was afraid that Meng Qianqian would really slap her to death. Holding the box of pastries, she took a few steps back. "Second... Second Madam, sweets won't work..."
Second Madam Lu was seething with anger but couldn't say anything. She turned to Lu's mother, her last hope. "Eldest Sister-in-law, you're the only one who can take the matriarch away from that girl. Please say something!"
Lu's mother replied nonchalantly, "I'm afraid I can't do that."
Second Madam Lu, on the verge of losing her temper, said, "Can't you at least ask that girl to let the matriarch go?"
Lu's mother said, "She's no longer my daughter-in-law. How can I give orders to the ducal residence's mistress?"
Second Madam Lu was so angry that she almost flipped the table. "You won't do this, and you won't do that. Then why did you come along?"
Lu's mother replied indifferently, "I said I wouldn't come, but you insisted on bringing me here."
Second Madam Lu recalled the First Master's instructions. Now that the Grand Emperor had returned to the palace, if he inquired about Lady Lu and the Lu family couldn't produce her, they would likely be punished.
Whether it was for the salary or to avoid punishment, Second Madam Lu had to take Lady Lu back today.
She quickly devised a plan and started shouting at the front gate, claiming that the Duchess's residence was holding Lady Lu captive and deceiving a senile old lady to sever ties with the Lu family.
"She's so heartless! She has already severed ties with Lingxiao, yet she treats the Lu family like this? Even if the Lu family wronged her in the past, that's all water under the bridge. The Lu family has compensated her, yet she bullies a confused old lady. Her actions are despicable!"
With her dramatic display of crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang herself, she successfully attracted many onlookers.
"Who dares to cause a ruckus here?"
Xun Yu emerged from the main door with a solemn expression.
Second Madam Lu was taken aback.
She had never met Xun Yu before, and since he had come out from the Duchess's residence, he was probably one of the Duchess's aides.
The reason she didn't guess that he was a minister was that it was currently the time for the morning court session and handling official business in the various government offices. Even Lu Lingxiao was either training in the military camp or studying. At this hour, who would be wandering around aimlessly?
With this thought in mind, Second Madam Lu became bolder. "Who are you?"
From Second Madam Lu's attitude, Xun Yu could sense her disrespect, and since she didn't know who he was, it showed that her disrespect was directed at the Duchess's residence.
His expression turned cold. "Nowadays, who dares to not put the Duchess's residence in their eyes?"
Second Madam Lu felt a twinge of guilt.
The news of Lu Yuan feigning illness to avoid attending court had already spread throughout the city, and her eldest brother had also mentioned that Lu Yuan's good days were coming to an end. Otherwise, where would she get the courage to come to the Duchess's residence to demand someone's release?
Xun Yu's gaze swept over the Lu family members and the surrounding onlookers as he said solemnly, "Lu Yuan is my friend, and I won't allow anyone to bully him."
"Who are you?" a young man in the crowd asked.
Before Xun Yu could answer, Second Madam Lu arrogantly spoke up, "I don't care who you are to Lu Yuan. You'd better release the matriarch immediately!"
The matriarch hid behind Meng Qianqian, exclaiming, "Qianqian."
Meng Qianqian protected her, reassuringly saying, "It's alright, Grandmother."
Xun Yu's peripheral vision caught sight of the two of them as he said to Second Madam Lu, "The matriarch is old and forgetful. She doesn't even remember who she is. She's staying at the Duchess's residence because someone here treats her well. I suspect that the reason she doesn't want to leave is that you're not filial to her."
"What nonsense are you spouting? How could we possibly be disrespectful to the matriarch? Who are you, popping up out of nowhere? Do you have any right to speak here? Mind your own business and scram!"
The fact that she had been making a scene at the door for so long without anyone driving her away indicated that Lu Yuan's influence had truly waned, and he no longer dared to offend anyone.
With this realization, Second Madam Lu became even bolder. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to charge inside.
Xun Yu blocked her path.
Without another word, Second Madam Lu pushed Xun Yu. Of course, Xun Yu wouldn't retaliate against a woman in public, but he had his manservant.
"How dare you push my young master! Do you want to live?" the manservant exclaimed, slapping Second Madam Lu across the face.
The matriarch was startled and began spinning in circles. "Ah! Hitting a woman! Hitting a woman! Someone from the Second Branch is being beaten!"
The matriarch picked up a stick and joined the fray.
It was unclear who she intended to hit, but when she swung the stick, Second Madam Lu was unharmed, the manservant was unscathed, and instead, Xun Yu, who was standing to the side, was struck!
"Yah! Don't you dare bully someone from the Second Branch!"
This time, the matriarch was truly aiming at the manservant.
Xun Yu didn't have time to stop her, so he could only quickly step back, ending up behind the matriarch, to avoid being accidentally injured again.
The matriarch raised the stick high.
Bang!
The stick viciously struck Xun Yu's forehead.
With two consecutive blows, Xun Yu's head was left bruised and swollen.
This scene left not only the manservant but also Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan stunned. The matriarch's movements were too swift. Those two loud thwacks made them wince in pain on Xun Yu's behalf.
"Grandmother," Meng Qianqian said, grabbing the matriarch's stick just before the third strike could land.
Lu Yuan also steadied the disheveled Xun Yu. "Third... Xun, my friend, why did you take the blow for your servant? Let me help you inside."
"No... it's fine..." Xun Yu mumbled, eager to leave.
With the support of his manservant, Xun Yu climbed into the carriage.
Cen, the estate manager, dispersed the crowd. "Everyone, please disperse."
Upon hearing Lu Yuan address Xun Yu as 'Xun, my friend', Second Madam Lu was so frightened that she fled the scene.
Meng Qianqian looked firmly at the matriarch. "Grandmother."
The matriarch, like a child who had been caught red-handed, winked slyly. "What?"
Meng Qianqian asked, "Do you know who you hit?"
The matriarch asked, "Who?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "The Chancellor's son."
The matriarch fell silent.
At that moment, a carriage arrived at the door, and Fu Gonggong, the eunuch, opened the curtain and stepped out.
Upon seeing the matriarch, he smiled brightly. "Matriarch, I just went to the Lu family to deliver your salary, but you weren't there!"
The matriarch quietly sidled up to Fu Gonggong and stealthily slipped the stick into his hand. Then, waving her arms, she ran off, shouting,
"Little Fuzi beat up the Chancellor's son!"
Fu Gonggong, who had suddenly been saddled with a huge blame: "......!!!"
Xun Yu complained to his father: Wuwuwu, the matriarch hit me!
The matriarch complained to the Grand Emperor: Aoaoao, Xun Yu bullied me!
This was also a short, chubby chapter!
(End of Chapter)
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