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Chapter 185: Lu Yuan's Family Arrives
Chapter 185: Lu Yuan's Family Arrives
Meng Qianqian had another question in her mind: Who had revealed the true identity of Prince Chu to the Crown Prince all those years ago?
Could it have been Prime Minister Xun?
The plague in the palace had spread on a small scale, mainly concentrated in the Retired Emperor's Zhuang He Pavilion.
Since the Retired Emperor had never summoned any of his concubines after returning to the palace, the ladies of the harem had escaped a calamity.
Princess Wanping and Zongzheng Xi were not infected, but the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince caught the plague and barely survived.
Meng Qianqian had entered the palace in May, and after treating the last plague patient, it was already the hot summer month of June.
"I'll be able to go home soon and won't have to stay in the palace, accompanying this old fool of mine anymore," the Retired Emperor said, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, placing a white Go stone on the board.
Meng Qianqian placed a black stone, "Being able to serve Your Majesty is a blessing for Xiao Jiu."
The Retired Emperor said, "Everyone says so, but no one truly thinks so. I don't want to play anymore. Go and call Fu Dequan over; I'll play with him."
Meng Qianqian sighed solemnly, thinking, He always makes excuses when he's about to lose.
Lu Yuan came to Zhuang He Pavilion to pick up Meng Qianqian after the morning court session.
Meng Qianqian packed her belongings and went to bid farewell to the Retired Emperor.
Fu Gonggong smiled as he exited the room and said to Meng Qianqian, "His Majesty has retired for the day. These words are not for a servant like me to say, lest I offend Lady Lu's status."
Meng Qianqian replied, "Fu Gonggong, you are a senior servant close to His Majesty, and I respect you as an elder."
Fu Gonggong was flattered, "Lady Lu, you're too kind! I just wanted to say that you've worked hard these days, busy with treating His Majesty and us servants. You don't despise us for our lowly status, and saving one life is like saving the world..."
Meng Qianqian spoke seriously, "All creatures have spirits, and all lives are equal in importance."
Fu Gonggong looked at Meng Qianqian with emotion and personally escorted her out of Zhuang He Pavilion.
Meng Qianqian had become noticeably thinner during this time, partly due to overwork and partly because of the scorching heat, which affected her appetite.
Lu Yuan had also lost some weight.
This month had been challenging for everyone.
Additionally, Meng Qianqian wondered if it was because they hadn't spent quality time together in a long while or because of that bet and the kiss that followed, but when they met again, both felt awkward.
"Where are Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan?" Meng Qianqian asked.
They're being bystanders, enjoying the juicy gossip of the palace, which is even more plentiful and intriguing than that of the Lu family.
Lu Yuan replied without showing any emotion, "No need to wait for them; they'll return on their own soon."
The two walked side by side.
Meng Qianqian asked again, "I wonder how the Grandmother and Bao Shu are doing."
Lu Yuan replied, "Manager Cen said that everything is fine."
Lu Yuan hadn't returned home this month, staying in the palace to prevent the spread of the plague.
Meng Qianqian smiled, "That's good."
Then, there was silence.
Meng Qianqian secretly felt annoyed. Why did their conversation turn out like this?
Had they always been this awkward? It seemed like something had changed between them since that night.
"We're here. Get on the carriage," Lu Yuan reminded her.
She had been walking with her head down, deep in thought. If he didn't remind her, she might bump her head like he had done before.
Meng Qianqian responded with an 'oh' and climbed into the carriage.
As soon as she sat down, she remembered something and immediately jumped out, saying to Lu Yuan, "Grand Commander Lu, please."
That's right. They were in a fake engagement, and she was his assistant.
Meng Qianqian breathed a sigh of relief, no longer feeling embarrassed.
Lu Yuan gave her a sidelong glance and boarded the carriage with a cold expression.
Meng Qianqian muttered, "Is it that serious? I just momentarily forgot my position, and now you're angry?"
The palace wasn't a place for casual conversations. Meng Qianqian hadn't had the chance to tell Lu Yuan about her conversation with the Retired Emperor that night.
She had intended to tell him in the carriage, but his cold demeanor made her wonder what she had done to upset him again.
Forget it. He probably already knew.
Half a shichen later, the carriage arrived at the Governor's Mansion.
As soon as Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan alighted, Nurse Li and Ban Xia approached, one holding mugwort and the other carrying a basin.
Nurse Li dipped the mugwort in Ban Xia's basin and began to exorcise evil spirits from Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan, chanting, "Expel evil and disasters, bring good fortune and wealth, a year of blessings, and all worries will vanish!"
The two were sprinkled with mugwort water.
Nurse Li nodded in satisfaction and waved towards the mansion.
Wu Ge'er came out carrying a brazier and said with a smile, "Miss, Gugong, please step over the brazier!"
Lu Yuan gestured for Meng Qianqian to go first.
Meng Qianqian readily complied.
After they stepped over the brazier, Nurse Li took out two protection talismans she had obtained from the temple.
Ban Xia put down the basin and tied one talisman around Meng Qianqian's waist.
When she was about to tie the other one, Meng Qianqian said, "Let me do it."
She personally fastened the talisman onto Lu Yuan.
"Nurse Li, are we all done?"
Tan'er was getting impatient inside.
Nurse Li smiled and said, "All done."
"Hehe, Sister!"
Tan'er, like a little swallow, rushed into Meng Qianqian's embrace. She wrapped her arms around Meng Qianqian's waist and pressed her head against her chest, "Sister, you've gotten thinner!"
Meng Qianqian curved her lips and patted Tan'er's head, "Let me see, has Tan'er grown taller?"
Tan'er immediately straightened up proudly, "I've grown taller!"
Ban Xia held up her thumb and index finger, showing a tiny gap, "You've only grown this much!"
Tan'er hugged herself, "But I did grow!"
Nurse Li sighed, "Alright, you two can argue later. It's so hot, let's get the Miss and Gugong inside first."
The group headed towards the main courtyard.
"Is it the Miss and Gugong?"
Hearing footsteps outside, Nurse Wan hurriedly dropped the half-washed clothes and rushed out in small steps, "Oh my! I was saying what? I've been waiting for them all day, and finally, they're back!"
She excitedly bowed to the two, "Miss, Gugong, you've finally returned! The hot water is ready, and the meal is prepared. Do you want to bathe first or eat first?"
Lu Yuan's expression was slightly dazed.
Meng Qianqian gently tugged at his sleeve, "Nurse Wan is asking for your decision."
Lu Yuan nodded, "Are you hungry?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "Not very hungry, how about you?"
"Then let's bathe first," Lu Yuan said.
Since leaving the Governor's Mansion, which was as cold as a haunted house, the mansion had gradually become more like a home, with more and more people eagerly awaiting his return.
After bathing and changing, the two hurried to Tinglan Courtyard to meet the Grandmother and Bao Shu.
The sun was setting in the west.
It was time to close the city gates.
Suddenly, a group of people dressed in foreign attire arrived at the city gates on horseback, their whips cracking in the air.
The guarding bodyguards stopped them, "The gates are about to close. If you want to enter the city, come back tomorrow."
The leader of the group presented a token.
"The Governor's Mansion?" The bodyguard was startled.
The token was genuine, but their clothing and appearance were clearly not from the Central Plains.
The bodyguard composed himself and said bravely, "Please show your tokens and pass documents."
The man handed over the tokens and documents.
The bodyguard took a glance, "Miaojiang? Who are you to the Grand Marshal Lu?"
Since it involved the Grand Marshal Lu, he had to be cautious.
"It's none of your business! Keep talking, and I'll cut you down!"
"Alright, don't be so fierce. We're here as guests, not to eat people," a woman's gentle voice came from the carriage.
All the bodyguards held their breath. What kind of woman had such a sweet and captivating voice?
The woman, hidden behind the beaded curtain, smiled at the bodyguard, "We are relatives of Grand Marshal Lu."
The bodyguard took a quick glance and quickly lowered his gaze. He took a deep breath and said, "Grand Marshal Lu... has no family."
"Oh?" The woman's smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower, "Then please inform him that his birth mother is waiting for him at the city gates."
(End of Chapter)
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