Chapter 413: Teaching the Second Miss a Lesson
Chapter 413: Teaching the Second Miss a Lesson
As the two argued over a bowl of medicine, a report from a palace guard was heard from outside, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort and the Marquis seek an audience."
Lu Zhaoyan looked towards Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan showed no intention of getting up to avoid the situation and continued to lie on Lu Zhaoyan's wicker chair, unbothered.
Lu Zhaoyan, being a meticulous person, said nothing upon seeing this.
A certain treacherous minister, with a flick of his hand, pulled the folding screen, blocking himself from view.
Lu Zhaoyan sighed, "Come in."
The palace guard stepped aside.
The study door was closed.
The guard did not open the door for Dou Qingyi but stood by his duty to guard the Crown Prince, leaving other matters aside.
Dou Qingyi stood at the door, holding a food box in one hand and adjusting her wide sleeves with the other.
Her maid stepped forward and opened the study door for her.
Dou Qingyi took graceful steps, and her flowing skirt gently brushed past the threshold, instantly illuminating the room.
Marquis Jian followed his mother into the room, his dignified appearance and majestic demeanor catching everyone's attention.
Dou Qingyi noticed the unfolded folding screen.
Ever since his appointment, the Crown Prince's duties had increased. Every day, memorandums from the palace arrived, allowing the Crown Prince to assist the Emperor and also honing his skills in handling state affairs.
The diligent Crown Prince often stayed in the study until late at night, taking breaks on the wicker chair when tired.
Dou Qingyi understood the situation and, with a graceful bow, said, "Your Highness."
Marquis Jian also bowed respectfully, his attitude both humble and reverent, "Your son pays his respects to his father."
Lu Zhaoyan nodded.
Dou Qingyi said, "Qingyi has prepared a ginseng chicken soup for you. Please try it."
"That's very thoughtful of you," Lu Zhaoyan said gently. "These matters can be handled by the kitchen. You shouldn't trouble yourself so much."
Dou Qingyi smiled softly, "Being able to show a little consideration for Your Highness is my blessing."
As she spoke, she placed the soup on the table, "Qingyi will serve you a bowl, Your Highness."
Lu Zhaoyan said, "I'll have it later."
Dou Qingyi closed the food box and smiled, "That's fine. It's just out of the pot and might be a bit hot."
As if remembering something, she asked, "By the way, Your Highness, I heard that Duke Ming has returned to the Imperial City and is staying in our mansion. He also brought a brother for Qi'er."
The matter had caused quite a stir, and the news had already spread throughout the mansion. It wasn't surprising that she was aware of it.
Lu Zhaoyan paused and said gently, "He's the son of an old friend."
Dou Qingyi smiled understandingly and asked, "Is he here for the Crown Prince's wedding banquet? Is he a guest? I wonder... where is he staying?"
"He's..."
Lu Zhaoyan hesitated, unsure of how to arrange Lu Yuan's stay.
From behind the folding screen, the sound of someone turning over was heard, exuding impatience.
Lu Zhaoyan sighed helplessly, "He has his own place to stay."
Dou Qingyi smiled, "Qi'er just arrived in the Imperial City and doesn't have many friends. If that young master doesn't mind, why don't we invite him to stay in the mansion and keep Qi'er company?"
Lu Qi quickly said, "Yes, Father, let him stay in my courtyard."
Dou Qingyi said, "Your Highness, Mr. Wen comes daily to teach Qi'er. If that young master is interested, he can study with Qi'er under Mr. Wen's guidance."
Mr. Wen was a renowned scholar and artist in the southwest. When Emperor Liang ascended the throne, he had invited Mr. Wen to serve in the court, but Mr. Wen politely declined.
However, due to certain reasons, Mr. Wen needed to stay in the Imperial City temporarily. He settled for the next best option and agreed to teach Lu Qi at the Crown Prince's mansion.
Lu Zhaoyan glanced at the folding screen, which was as quiet as a chicken. For some reason, he felt that if that young man went to Lu Qi's courtyard for lessons, it would infuriate Lu Qi's teacher.
"No need," he said. "I have my own arrangements."
"Yes."
Dou Qingyi didn't say more.
After that, Lu Zhaoyan tested Lu Qi's knowledge.
Lu Qi had mastered everything taught by his teacher that day.
Lu Zhaoyan nodded in satisfaction.
Dou Qingyi watched the Crown Prince praise Lu Qi, her eyes filled with joy.
After leaving the Crown Prince's courtyard, Lu Qi asked Dou Qingyi, "Mother, who is that person? Is he the son of Father's old friend? Was he in the study just now? Why didn't Father let him meet us?"
Dou Qingyi said, "Whether he's the son of an old friend or your father's flesh and blood doesn't matter, and whether he meets us or not is also unimportant. You only need to remember that you are your father's only son, the guardian dragon of your imperial grandfather, and you bear the fate of Great Liang on your shoulders. Even if your father has ten or eight sons outside, no one can replace your position."
"But I've never been behind Father's folding screen."
Lu Qi said worriedly, "I'll go to Father's study."
He only went to Lu Zhaoyan's study to be tested on his lessons and nothing else.
He was always well-behaved, observing all the proper etiquette, and dared not make any mistakes.
"He's not someone you should meet."
Action:
Dou Qingyi patted her son's shoulder, brushing off a fallen leaf. "Even if we take a step back, what if he is another son of your father? So what? You are the future ruler of Daliang, and the entire kingdom will be yours. What's there to fear from a few of your father's illegitimate children? You are about to marry Liuying, so don't worry about other matters. There are others who will make plans for you. Moreover, didn't your father say that he won't keep him in the Crown Prince's Mansion? A person who can't even enter the Crown Prince's Mansion, how much importance can he have in your father's heart?"
Lu Qi nodded, tucking her words into his heart. "I understand, Mother."
Study Room.
After mother and son left, Lu Zhaoyan opened a memorial and said, "Take your medicine. I'll have Jiefeng send you back."
Jiefeng, the skilled bodyguard who always stood guard at the door.
Lu Yuan didn't respond.
Lu Zhaoyan walked around the folding screen and saw that Lu Yuan had already tilted his head and fallen asleep.
This time, it wasn't an act; he was genuinely sleeping soundly.
The journey had indeed been tiring, and even though Lu Zhaoyan was putting on an act, he was truly asleep.
Lu Zhaoyan glanced at the medicine bowl on the table.
It was untouched.
Lu Zhaoyan sighed, "Stubborn."
Jiefeng asked at the door, "Your Highness, do you want to send him off?"
Lu Zhaoyan looked at the sleeping Lu Yuan, "Forget it, let's wait until he wakes up before sending him off."
Jiefeng asked, "Should I report this to you?"
Lu Zhaoyan furrowed his brows, "Hmm?"
Jiefeng spoke with utmost seriousness, "What if he wakes up while you're not in the mansion? Should I send him off directly or wait for you to return before doing so?"
Lu Zhaoyan: "...Let's wait until I return."
Jiefeng: Are you sure you still want to send him off?
Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian, Si She, and Chen Long sat on stone benches in the courtyard, discussing their next plan.
Yu Zichuan sat on the rooftop, polishing his bow.
Ji Li lay on the rooftop, gazing at the moon.
Suddenly, a falcon swooped down from the sky, its wings flapping as it flew past the top of Shangguan Ling's head.
Shangguan Ling shuddered and almost drew his sword to kill the bird again.
The falcon landed on Meng Qianqian's arm, where she wore a protective wristband.
It began its performance.
The falcon tilted its head, spreading its wide wings, and passionately hugged Meng Qianqian's arm, "Chirp~"
Shangguan Ling: "What is it doing—?"
Meng Qianqian: "Lu Yuan is calling for his father."
The falcon rolled its eyes and stiffly fell onto the stone table.
Meng Qianqian: "Lu Yuan fainted."
The falcon struggled to stand up and continued its performance.
"Lu Yuan, take your medicine."
"Lu Yuan, crying for a hug..."
Meng Qianqian twitched her lips. She was overacting; she was told to act, not to add more to the act.
Shangguan Ling shuddered.
Is this the Grand Marshal?
How shameless can a father be?
Falcon: A man worth only two pieces of jerky, what face does he want? Continue the act—
At this moment, Lu Yuan was unaware that his illustrious reputation was being thoroughly destroyed by a falcon. If he had known, he would have definitely killed the falcon before falling asleep.
"It seems there's no immediate danger on Lu Yuan's side."
Meng Qianqian spoke with utmost seriousness.
Shangguan Ling's expression was hard to read, "Second Lady, you call this no problem?"
The Grand Marshal was driven mad by the provocation!
Meng Qianqian coughed lightly, "A temporary measure, a true man can pick up and put down, in ancient times, there was King Yue who endured hardships..."
T
...I really can't make this up anymore.
"Regardless, the Crown Prince's Mansion has allowed him to stay. Compared to him, I'm more concerned about Wuyou."
She quickly changed the topic, trying to salvage her husband's reputation, even though there wasn't much left to salvage.
Shangguan Ling also returned to the main topic, "I'll head back to the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion now."
Meng Qianqian asked, "As an outer disciple, can you see the Young Master of the Pavilion?"
Shangguan Ling smiled, "I can't see him, but he can come to see me! Brother, deliver a message for me."
He reached out to touch the falcon's head.
The falcon flapped its wings, swatting his hand away. Don't touch me, old man!
-
Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion.
Tan Er had just finished eating red braised pork and was feeling full. She left the Listening to the Waves Pavilion and strolled around nearby to aid digestion.
"The Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion is quite big, huh!"
She seemed to be aimlessly wandering, passing through a small garden, walking along a winding path that led to a secluded pavilion built on a slope.
Standing in the pavilion, one could overlook half of the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion.
"Then, where does Gongsun Yanming live?"
The Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion had just moved, and even Shang Wuyou didn't know where the Pavilion Master's courtyard was.
Just as she was trying hard to remember the layout, a haughty voice came from the side, "You, come here."
Tan Er continued to look around.
Gongsun Ziyu furrowed his brows, "I'm calling you, didn't you hear me?"
Only then did Tan Er turn to look at Gongsun Ziyu and pointed at herself, "Reverse Call?"
In the tranquil surroundings of the Listening to the Waves Pavilion, Gongsun Ziyu couldn't help but be amazed at Tan Er's appearance. This petite maid had a more exquisite look than the young ladies of the Imperial City.
If not for Tan Er's maid attire, Gongsun Ziyu might have mistaken her for a young lady from a wealthy family. Gongsun Ziyu examined her up and down, "Which courtyard are you from? I've never seen you before."
A maid of such caliber, if she had seen her before, it was impossible not to have an impression.
Tan Er replied, "From Listening to the Waves Pavilion."
A hint of disdain flashed in Gongsun Ziyu's eyes, "Listening to the Waves Pavilion? Are you the maid Gongsun Wuyou brought back?"
Tan Er nodded, "Yes."
The maid beside Gongsun Ziyu scolded, "You insolent thing! Why aren't you coming to greet the Second Miss?"
Tan Er hugged her arms and looked down at Gongsun Ziyu, "I'm not her maid!"
The maid angrily said, "How bold of you!"
Gongsun Ziyu sneered, "If my brother isn't here, I thought you would have improved outside. Even the servants he brought back are so crude. Where did this country bumpkin come from? Get her out of here!"
The maid whispered, "Second Miss, the Lady agreed to keep her."
Gongsun Ziyu arrogantly said, "My mother agreed?"
The maid awkwardly said, "The Lady always dotes on the Young Mistress. The servants she brings back, the Lady will surely not oppose."
Tan Er stuck her tongue out at Gongsun Ziyu.
A hint of resentment flashed in Gongsun Ziyu's eyes.
Today, after being offended outside, she had to endure the maid's attitude upon returning to the Thousand-Machine Pavilion?
How could that be?
Gongsun Ziyu said, "If I say get out, then get out. I'll explain it to my mother."
As the Second Miss of the family, she often dealt with the Dragon and Phoenix Twins, and it wasn't the first time she had driven away their servants.
Especially with Shang Changle, the servants she used were either taken away or driven out.
The maid walked up to the pavilion and spoke to Tan Er without any courtesy, "Didn't you hear? The Second Miss told you to get out of the Thousand-Machine Pavilion!"
Tan Er hugged her arms and looked up at the sky, ignoring her.
The maid coldly said, "Can't you understand human language?"
"I understand human language, but I don't understand donkey calls!"
"You ignorant maid, watch me deal with you!"
As Gongsun Ziyu's personal maid, she also had some martial arts skills.
She didn't put this petite Tan Er in her eyes at all, and with a slap, she struck Tan Er.
How could Tan Er be slapped by her?
Tan Er still hugged her arms, raised her long leg, and stomped on the maid's shoulder, shaking her to her knees on the ground.
"Second Miss—"
The maid cried out in pain.
Gongsun Ziyu said to the disciples behind her, "What are you staring at? Why aren't you going to drive her out?"
The disciples exchanged glances.
They had only met the Second Miss on the way, and it just so happened that they were on the same path as the Second Miss.
They didn't want to get involved in the personal grudges between the Second Miss and the Young Mistress.
Gongsun Ziyu sternly said, "If you don't listen to this Miss, today this Miss will drive you out along with her!"
The Young Mistress was kind-hearted, and even if offended, she could seek forgiveness.
But if you offended the Second Miss... there would be no way back.
The disciples exchanged a glance, made a choice in their hearts, and rushed towards the pavilion.
What surprised everyone was that these disciples of the Thousand-Machine Pavilion couldn't even touch the hem of this wild maid's clothes.
"Useless bunch!"
Gongsun Ziyu drew the whip from her waist, displayed her light body skills, and lashed the whip towards Tan Er.
Tan Er, unaware that the whip's tail was poisoned, was about to grab it with her bare hands.
Suddenly, a sharp eagle cry rang out in the sky.
The hunting eagle swooped down, its claws aimed at Gongsun Ziyu's face.
Gongsun Ziyu quickly pulled the whip and swung it towards the eagle.
The eagle nimbly dodged.
Slap! The whip snapped the branches beside the pavilion.
Tan Er looked at the withering end of the broken branch, widened her eyes, and said, "This whip, something's not right."
The eagle provoked again.
Gongsun Ziyu lashed the whip towards it again.
This time, as the eagle seemed to be unable to dodge, its feathers bristled! Whoosh! Tan Er tightly grasped the tail of Gongsun Ziyu's whip.
Gongsun Ziyu pulled hard, but she couldn't pull it out.
This maid... how could she be so strong? Gongsun Ziyu looked at Tan Er's hand, originally wanting to gloat, but now this maid had grabbed her poisoned whip, sealing her fate.
Who would've thought that on her hand, she saw a pair of strange gloves that she didn't know when she had put on.
Tan Er shook her head, "Grandmother's gift, it's so useful!"
Finally, she didn't have to keep it hidden. It wasn't her sister's territory, so she could do whatever she wanted!
(End of Chapter)
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