Chapter 38: Baoshui's Mischievous Plan
Chapter 38: Baoshui's Mischievous Plan
Meng Qianqian picked up the little one, and of course, she also picked up the little flower.
Baoshui's hair was too short to tie up, so Meng Qianqian pinned the little flower on her tiger-headed hat.
Baoshui eagerly pointed at the bronze mirror.
Amused, Meng Qianqian laughed and brought her over to look into it.
Baoshui, with her big, round eyes, stared transfixed at the little beauty in the mirror, utterly captivated by her own reflection!
Seeing the little one entranced by her own beauty, Meng Qianqian couldn't help but pinch her little cheeks fondly.
"How could your father have such an adorable daughter like you?"
"Madame Lu."
The wet nurse approached with Baoshui's dinner in hand.
Upon seeing that the bowl didn't contain milk, Baoshui immediately turned her head away, refusing to even glance at it!
The wet nurse looked troubled. Although Miss Baoshui was growing up, she couldn't subsist on milk alone and needed to start eating solid foods.
However, despite her greedy appetite for snacks, she was far from cooperative when it came to mealtimes, causing no end of worry for her caretakers.
Amused by her antics, Meng Qianqian said, "Don't you like eating meat? There's fish and meat in the bowl."
Baoshui's expression clearly showed her refusal.
Meng Qianqian understood.
The little one wanted to eat the rich and savory dishes served to adults, not the bland porridge meant for infants.
Meng Qianqian sat at the table with the little one in her arms, while the wet nurse followed with the meal.
Determined to avoid eating, Baoshui buried her head in Meng Qianqian's embrace.
Meng Qianqian gently coaxed, "Be a good girl, Zhaozhao, and take a taste."
Baoshui remained unmoving.
Meng Qianqian tried again, "Just take a taste. If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it."
Still, Baoshui didn't budge.
Meng Qianqian pulled out her secret weapon—a piece of soft candy wrapped in oiled paper from her purse. "Finish your meal, and this is yours."
Baoshui turned her head slightly in Meng Qianqian's arms, stealing a glance at the candy with her big eyes, and drool started to flow uncontrollably.
In the study.
Lu Yuan was perusing an ancient book on weaponry.
A servant reported that the Northern General was here to see him.
Lu Yuan continued reading until he finished the page before indifferently saying, "Let him in."
Lu Lingxiao had stood injured in the cold wind for half an hour before he was finally brought into the mansion.
He understood that the Grand Viceroy was trying to humiliate him, and he seethed with anger. However, his official position was lower than Lu Yuan's, so he could only endure it silently.
Lu Yuan sat in a grand official's chair adorned with carved dragons and phoenixes, his attire impeccable. The wide purple robe reflected a lustrous aura under the candlelight.
Lu Lingxiao, who had distinguished himself at the border, held the utmost contempt for these court officials who had never lifted a finger in battle, living pampered lives, oblivious to the struggles of the common folk, and indulging in extravagance day after day.
This was the case in the capital, where Lu Yuan held the higher position. But if they were at the border, Lu Lingxiao was confident he could teach this grand corrupt official a lesson with a single move.
"Greetings, Grand Viceroy."
Lu Lingxiao bowed respectfully.
Lu Yuan picked up the steaming teapot from the shelf and poured himself a cup of tea. With a smile that wasn't quite a smile, he said, "Is General Lu here to receive his punishment? Your injuries have healed so quickly."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Lu Lingxiao's face. He had wanted to accept the punishment and put the matter to rest. However, the last beating had been too severe, and showing up here was already pushing his limits. If he were to endure several dozen more strikes, he feared his martial arts skills would be ruined.
Suppressing his anger, he said, "I am here to beg the Grand Viceroy to show mercy."
Lu Yuan smiled. "Has General Lu been scared by the punishment?"
Lu Lingxiao took a deep breath to calm himself. "Once my injuries have fully healed, I will come to accept the punishment without fail, not a single stroke less. But I beg the Grand Viceroy, please do not take your anger out on my family. My wife and younger sister are innocent. If you have any grievances, direct them at me alone; they have nothing to do with this."
Lu Yuan had no intention of admitting anything. He completely ignored Lu Lingxiao's pleas.
Desperate, Lu Lingxiao said, "Grand Viceroy, my wife and sister are women of the inner quarters. They never leave the house and have no possible connection to the assassins. Please, I beg you to release them!"
Lu Yuan gave a cold laugh. "What if I don't want to?"
Lu Lingxiao clenched his fists, barely stopping himself from saying something irreversible.
Lu Yuan sneered, "What is there to fear? Are you afraid of me? The Lu family? Or perhaps that wet-behind-the-ears emperor?"
Arrogant!
Lu Lingxiao's heart trembled, and his fists clenched so tightly they made a creaking sound.
"Grand Viceroy!"
The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard took a step forward and bowed.
Holding the same rank as Lu Lingxiao, he didn't need to bow to him. But Lu Lingxiao had earned his merits on the border, while this man held power in the imperial court as the Grand Viceroy's confidant. Here in the capital, he was more influential than Lu Lingxiao.
"General Lu is also here."
He gave a slight bow.
Lu Lingxiao returned the gesture.
"Is the interrogation over?" Lu Yuan asked nonchalantly.
"Yes," the commander replied, glancing at Lu Lingxiao. His meaning was clear—it wasn't convenient to discuss the matter in front of Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Yuan smiled. "Is it related to Madam Lu or Miss Lu?"
"With Madam Lu..." The commander's eyes shifted between the Grand Viceroy and Lu Lingxiao.
What the hell!
Are they related or not?!
Give me a hint, sir!
Lu Lingxiao said sternly, "I am willing to stake my life to guarantee..."
"It's unrelated!" The commander interrupted Lu Lingxiao. "It has nothing to do with Madam Lu. She was with the wet nurse, sending Young Miss Lu back to the meditation room. However, Miss Lu was acting suspiciously, lurking outside the courtyard as if she was spying on the Grand Viceroy's movements!"
Lu Lingxiao's expression changed.
Lu Yuan smiled. "What was General Lu saying just now?"
"I am willing to stake my life... to guarantee my sister's innocence."
Lu Lingxiao had already given up all hope.
Lu Yuan chuckled. "Since General Lu has vouched for her, I won't pursue your sister's suspicious behavior in the temple any further."
Lu Lingxiao was taken aback, looking at Lu Yuan in disbelief. He had felt that this grand corrupt official had no intention of letting them go easily. Why had he suddenly changed his mind?
Was he overthinking things?
Regardless, he had to get his sister out of here first. Delay would only bring more trouble!
Lu Lingxiao bowed. "Thank you, Grand Viceroy..."
Lu Yuan's smile deepened. "General Lu, don't get too happy too soon. I said I won't pursue her suspicious behavior in the temple, but I didn't say you could take her back."
Lu Lingxiao frowned. "What do you mean, Grand Viceroy?"
Inside the room, Baoshui wailed loudly.
"Hey, stop crying! It's just a piece of candy that I took from you. I'll buy you another one! One, two, is that not enough? Then three! No, five!"
"Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!"
Baoshui cried as she wriggled her bottom to scoot away.
Every time she moved, Dan'er chased after her.
In their pursuit, they crashed into the cabinet of curios.
Bang!
An antique vase fell from the cabinet and shattered!
Dan'er's eyes and hands moved quickly as she lifted Baoshui high, preventing the little one from being cut by the shards.
Meng Qianqian had just returned from the bathroom and entered the room to see the vase in pieces on the floor. She asked, "Who broke this?"
The big and the small pointed at Lu Linglong in unison, their expressions extremely serious!
"Her!"
"Waaah!"
Lu Linglong, who had just woken up and was already blamed for something: "...!!!"
After a quarter of an hour, Cen, the estate manager, appeared in Lu Yuan's study carrying a tray of broken porcelain. He addressed Lu Lingxiao politely.
"General Lu, Miss Lu not only scared Young Miss Lu into crying but also broke her beloved antique vase. Please compensate for the loss, General Lu."
Lu Lingxiao asked, "How much?"
Cen smiled. "Not much, just ten thousand taels."
Lu Lingxiao's body shook with shock!
(End of Chapter)
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