Chapter 174: Little Nine Brings Her Brother Home

Chapter 174: Little Nine Brings Her Brother Home

After Lu Yuan left, he left behind Yang Ge Lao, who was surrounded by onlookers in the carriage, looking rather pathetic.

Half-dead with rage, Yang Ge Lao shouted, "I shall draft an impeachment against you... an impeachment!"

Qing Shuang rode her horse alongside the carriage and relayed Yang Ge Lao's roar to Lu Yuan, "Grand Commander, he says he will impeach you."

Nonchalantly, Lu Yuan replied, "Let him. In how many years have I not been impeached?"

Indeed, when others are unhappy, one finds pleasure.

Lu Yuan was in high spirits.

Today, the Lu family was marrying Lin Wan'er. Although the Lu family's status in the capital was not considered too high, Lin Wan'er was marrying as an adopted daughter of the Yao family, so it was still a grand affair.

Aside from skimping on Lin Wan'er's dowry, the Yao family had spared no expense on appearances.

The Yao family had prepared the bridal bed, found a child to sit on the bed, and even hired a reputable ten-complete Madame to ensure that the bride was attended to according to all rituals, from dressing her hair to applying her makeup.

The servants were well-trained and busy yet orderly.

Lin Wan'er should have been content.

However, she often thought of the lavish wedding Lu Yuan had given Meng Qianqian, which still remained a hot topic among the servants to this day.

She had no parents or family to rely on, but Meng Qianqian had a grandfather who adored her, two uncles who treated her like their own daughter, and even her maternal grandparents who, she heard, doted on her as well.

It was also from Lu Lingxiao's mouth that she learned how the Meng family had sent food and supplies to him when he was starving at the border.

No wonder the soldiers at the border were grateful to her, even personally carrying her wedding sedan chair.

For the first time, Lin Wan'er felt that being a merchant's daughter wasn't so bad after all.

"Miss, what are you thinking about?"

Lu Luo asked in a soft voice.

Lin Wan'er gestured: I'm an orphan, anyone can bully me.

Lu Luo froze for a moment, glancing at the people in the room. Luckily, they didn't understand sign language.

Lu Luo leaned closer to Lin Wan'er's ear and gently consoled her, "Madame, it's your wedding day. Don't dwell on gloomy thoughts."

Lu Luo was only bold enough to speak to Meng Qianqian that way. In front of the Yao family, she wouldn't dare to fart.

Seeing that Lin Wan'er was still a little glum, she understood that her young mistress was once again comparing herself to Meng Qianqian. She softly advised, "The higher you climb, the harder you fall. Back then, many people envied her grand wedding. Now, just as many are waiting to see her fall. I heard that Lu Yuan has not been attending court for many days, and rumors outside say that he has fallen out of favor. Lu Yuan has offended countless people in the capital, and once he loses power, countless people will wish for his death. Meng Qianqian might become a widow again very soon."

Hearing Lu Luo's words, Lin Wan'er finally felt better. She gestured, expressing that she was an orphan with a good fate, and although she envied Meng Qianqian, she didn't need to in the future because Meng Qianqian would only envy her instead.

Lin Wan'er sent Lu Luo to check if Lu Lingxiao had arrived yet. Lu Lingxiao had promised her that he would come early to fetch her.

However, after checking seven or eight times, Lu Luo still hadn't seen Lu Lingxiao.

Lu Lingxiao had left quite early, but perhaps he didn't know what was going on either. Every street was jammed.

It was only when he got closer that he realized all the officials blocking the roads were those who had just left the court, and they were all furious, with their carriage wheels neatly lined up by the roadside.

The curious crowd made the roads impassable. Not to mention the wedding sedan chair, even a child would have a hard time squeezing through.

It was only nearing dusk that Lu Lingxiao finally arrived at the Yao family.

By then, there was only one hour left to the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony. Originally, the bride's family would have deliberately delayed the groom's arrival to make things difficult for him, but they didn't have the luxury of time now. The Yao family hurriedly sent Lin Wan'er off in the wedding sedan chair.

The ones carrying Lin Wan'er's sedan chair were not Zhang Feihu and the other generals, but ordinary sedan chair carriers who, at most, had a little more strength than average people. There was no way they could walk faster.

After much difficulty, they finally arrived at the Lu family. The happy mother-in-law hurriedly urged the bride to get off the sedan chair.

Lin Wan'er didn't get to experience the groom's thoughtful and considerate side at all. She was simply led by the happy mother-in-law through the rituals of stepping over the brazier, straddling the saddle, and stepping on the tiles.

The first two rituals went smoothly, but when it came to stepping on the tiles, she stepped down, but the tiles didn't shatter.

Everyone was stunned.

What was going on?

It was bad luck for the tiles not to shatter.

"Bride, step again!" The happy mother-in-law reminded.

Lin Wan'er could only increase her strength and step down harder.

However, the tiles still didn't break.

"What's going on?" Lu Luo asked.

"Step, step!" The happy mother-in-law was anxious to death.

Lu Luo glared at her, "Are you blind? Can't you see that my young mistress is pregnant? Who will take responsibility if you cause a miscarriage?"

It would have been fine if she hadn't mentioned it. Now that it was out in the open, Lin Wan'er felt even more embarrassed.

The bride was already greatly pregnant, and it was already very inappropriate. Now that it was publicly announced, wasn't she just being shamed?

"Oh dear, could it be that the ancestors of the Lu family refuse to let the new bride enter their home?"

Tan'er, with her hands folded across her chest, stepped forward proudly from the crowd of onlookers.

Lu Luo's face darkened as she recognized her. "You? How dare you show up here? The Lu family didn't send any invitations to the Governor's mansion! You have some nerve!"

Her eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Meng Qianqian and Xi Que, who were also standing among the spectators.

Xi Que was Old Madam's maid.

Xi Que spoke up sternly, "Governor Lu and his wife are esteemed guests of Old Madam. She has instructed that we accord them the highest respect as guests of the Governor's mansion."

Old Madam was standing up for the couple, and she would not tolerate anyone bullying either Meng Qianqian or her great-grandson-in-law.

Tan'er stuck her tongue out at Lu Luo in triumph. "Whatever."

Lu Luo was furious!

What made it worse was that the onlookers started gossiping about the bride.

"Your master got herself pregnant and has the nerve to call others shameless. Who's really shameless here?"

"I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if the ancestors of the Lu family were indeed protesting and refusing to let her enter their home."

"Look at her belly. It's probably been eight months since General Lu conceived that child, even before their divorce."

"So, she was his concubine?"

Just then, the sound of gongs and drums ceased.

The guests' whispers and gossip filled Lin Wan'er's ears, and she clutched the red silk in her hand tightly.

Meng Qianqian, now that you're married, why are you still haunting me?!

At that moment, she desperately wished for Lu Lingxiao to stand up for her, but he was staring at Meng Qianqian, his face filled with disbelief.

"You brought me here just to see this?" Meng Qianqian asked Tan'er.

Tan'er nodded.

Meng Qianqian continued, "Was this your doing?"

Tan'er giggled and whispered in Meng Qianqian's ear, "I swapped the tiles, but I just wanted to test her martial arts skills. Looks like she doesn't have any."

Seeing that the bride couldn't break the tiles, Xi Po pulled at the red silk in Lin Wan'er's hand and gestured to Lu Lingxiao, "Step on it!"

Lu Lingxiao snapped out of his daze and stepped on the tiles to break them for Lin Wan'er.

When he looked up again, Meng Qianqian's figure had disappeared from the crowd.

Only Tan'er was hopping around excitedly, saying, "Let's go! It's time for the bride and groom to pay their respects!"

Meng Qianqian didn't go to watch them pay their respects. To her, the Lu family was already in the past, and how Lu Lingxiao lived his life no longer concerned her.

Instead, she was more concerned about Lin Wan'er because she intended to use her to expose the traitor within the Twelve Guards.

On the other side, Lu Yuan sat in a pavilion in the front yard, leisurely sipping his tea.

Qing Shuang had wandered around and returned with all the latest gossip.

Lu Yuan asked casually, "Have all the guests arrived?"

He wanted to wait for everyone to arrive before making an appearance, leaving no one unattended.

"They have," replied Qing Shuang.

Lu Yuan said indifferently, "What have they been saying?"

Qing Shuang hesitated.

Lu Yuan scoffed, "You don't have to say it. I can guess that they're all unpleasant remarks. This bunch is so boring. Even though I'm not at the court, they still think about me constantly. Their love for me runs deep!"

Qing Shuang's expression turned uncomfortable.

Lu Yuan put down his teacup. "Ignore those who curse at me for now. Which ones were cursing Meng Qianqian?"

Qing Shuang: "No one was cursing her. All the curses were directed at you."

Lu Yuan: "..."

-

Meng Qianqian made her way to the pavilion to find Lu Yuan, intending to join him at the banquet. However, as she passed by a small garden, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

"Chenlong?"

She paused in her steps.

Even though he was wearing a conical hat that covered half his face, she recognized him instantly from his stature and demeanor.

How did he end up here at the Lu family's estate?

He sat down in the pavilion at the end of the small garden, appearing completely at ease.

There were quite a few pavilions in the Lu family's estate, and this one in the small garden was the most serene. Usually, no snacks were placed in the pavilion, but since there were many guests today—half of them Lu family guests and the other half Yao family guests—it would have been impolite not to offer any refreshments.

Thus, the stone table was laid out with tea and snacks.

Chenlong reached for a snack, about to pop it into his mouth.

Meng Qianqian quickly spoke up, "Don't eat that!"

Chenlong's eyes turned cold, and a chilling killing intent washed over Meng Qianqian.

Clearly, he had recognized her voice and realized that she was the one he had encountered that night in Fengshui Hutong.

Meng Qianqian's breath hitched.

Her beloved older brother was now looking at her with such unfamiliar eyes.

She desperately wanted to tell him that she was Xiao Jiu.

Perhaps realizing that most of the guests present were from the Lu family due to the banquet, Chenlong withdrew his gaze and continued eating the snack.

"You really shouldn't eat that!" Meng Qianqian hurried into the pavilion.

Having lived in the Lu family for five years, she knew their snacks well. Chenlong was holding a rose-shaped pastry, which contained peach flesh for added texture.

And her brother was allergic to peaches.

Chenlong ignored her.

Meng Qianqian couldn't directly reveal that she knew his weakness, nor could she lie about the snacks being poisoned. Whether or not they were poisoned, Chenlong would know better than her.

She could only steel herself and say seriously, "I... I'm serious! These snacks aren't clean. They've been licked by a child!"

Seeing Chenlong looking at her with indifference, she lowered her head and said, "Really, my child licked them."

Baozhu, who had just been carried into the small garden by Banxia, suddenly felt a weight on his back. "...!!!"

As expected, Chenlong put down the snacks.

Meng Qianqian took out a packet of fried fruit wrapped in oil paper from her purse and held it out to Chenlong, "These are clean."

Chenlong looked at her coldly.

"I'm not lying, really." Meng Qianqian ate one herself, "It's crispy, sweet, and spicy. It's delicious!"

Chenlong didn't move.

Meng Qianqian glanced at the sword tassels drooping on his shoulders in the wind and asked, though she already knew the answer, "Who made the sword tassels for you? You always carry them with you, so the person must be very important to you, right?"

That's right, this important person was none other than—me, her sister!

Meng Qianqian wore an expression that clearly said, 'Hurry up and praise me!'

Even though she knew that any praise he gave would be for the former Xiao Jiu, not for who she was now.

Chenlong stood up and walked away.

Meng Qianqian said, "Why are you leaving?"

Chenlong: "You're annoying."

"Xiao Jiu, can't you let Father rest for a while?"

"Are you saying I'm annoying?"

"Father didn't mean it like that..."

"Hmph, I'll go find Brother!"

The little bean, full of anger, stormed off.

"Brother, brother! Xiao Jiu wants to talk to you for an entire day! I have a whole basketful of things to say!"

"Alright."

"Brother, you're not allowed to find me annoying."

"Brother dotes on you so much that he doesn't have time to find you annoying. Brother will listen to whatever Xiao Jiu says."

"Then I'll start talking!"

"Mm."

The young man affectionately rubbed her head.

She kept on talking and talking until she fell asleep sweetly in his arms.

The brother who would never find her annoying had just told her that she was annoying.

Meng Qianqian clenched her fists.

A brother who doesn't cherish his sister... deserves a beating!

Meng Qianqian's eyes narrowed, and she stepped onto a stone bench, leaping high into the air.

Her target was the heavy sword on his back.

The last time they hadn't had a proper spar, and this time, she wanted to see how much her brother had improved over the years!

She might not be a match for the other Twelve Guards, but unfortunately for her brother, she had just remembered the weakness in his technique.

Meng Qianqian curled her lips into a smirk and lunged for the heavy sword on his back.

You can't dodge this because I learned this move from you.

Indeed, Chenlong didn't dodge.

In fact, he didn't even try to.

He only felt a surge of killing intent from behind, and just as he was about to strike back, he heard a loud bang above him, followed by the disappearance of the killing intent.

Meng Qianqian had used too much force and jumped too high, crashing into the roof of the pavilion.

Meng Qianqian stuck to the roof for three breaths before crashing down in front of Chenlong with a loud crash, face-first into the ground.

She tremblingly raised a hand, "He-help... help me up."

Chenlong: "..."

A quarter of an hour later.

In the pavilion, Meng Qianqian's hands were wrapped in thick bandages, resembling two large rice dumplings.

Her forehead was bruised, her eyes were red, and her nose was sour as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"I just wanted to treat you to some fried fruit... but you're ungrateful... and you said I'm annoying... Waaah... Now look what happened... I'm all bruised... Are you people from the Princess's Manor going to bully us commoners like this...?"

Chenlong had just revealed his identity as a guard from the Princess's Manor to prove that he wasn't a scoundrel.

Chenlong frowned, "I didn't expect you to suddenly rush at me like that."

Meng Qianqian wailed even louder, "You're dodging me... and you still have the nerve to blame me...?"

Chenlong's temples throbbed, "You didn't break any bones."

Meng Qianqian pouted, looking hurt, "But my hands are swollen... Do you think I'm trying to extort money from you... Oh my... This is so unfair... Waaah..."

Chenlong was at his wits' end, "If you don't stop crying, I'll kill you!"

Meng Qianqian imitated the acting skills she had learned from the Old Madam, "Go ahead, kill me! If you kill me, you would have touched me! Then we'll be in an irretrievable situation!"

"It was you who asked me to pull you up!"

"I asked you to marry me, will you marry me or not?"

"You—"

Meng Qianqian sniffed, "There is a way to clear both of our names."

Chenlong: "What way?"

Meng Qianqian blinked, "You can be my brother."

A 4,000-character long chapter, let's count this as three chapters for today! I've been diligent today, so please give me some praise!

(End of Chapter)

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