https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-86-The-Grand-Commander-is-Far-Superior-to-Lu-Lingxiao/12582512/
Chapter 87: Qianqian Astonishes the Lu Family
Chapter 87: Qianqian Astonishes the Lu Family
Manager Cen's eyes narrowed into a smile, showing his teeth, "I will definitely pass on the message to the Grand Commander."
Maids usually couldn't invite guests on behalf of their masters, but since Dan'er had arrived at the Hall of Crabapples, she was unlike the ordinary maids.
She didn't seem to view herself as a maid. She slept as long as she wanted, and Meng Qianqian never urged her nor bound her by the rules of the courtyard.
Maid Li had tried to teach Dan'er some manners for a few days, but then she found out... it was futile.
Banxia still decided to admonish her sternly, that as a maid, she should be self-aware.
"Dan'er."
"Hmm? Good morning!"
"I want to tell you something."
"Hmm hmm! Good morning! Say it!"
"We, as servants..."
"Good morning, I'm gonna cry! Boo hoo hoo! I'm gonna kidnap a cook from the Commander's mansion! Banxia, what did you just say?"
Banxia sighed, "Nothing."
Baoshui and Meng Qianqian didn't have many opportunities to ride in the carriage together.
The first time was when they met, during a torrential downpour. The little one had cried herself tired and curled up in Meng Qianqian's embrace like a little kitten.
The second time was when Meng Qianqian returned to the capital. Baoshui, who hadn't seen her for a long time, stayed in her embrace throughout the journey, refusing to be pried away.
Today, Baoshui was much livelier. She stood on the carriage stool, craning her neck out the window, howling all the way, even scaring a passing dog with her loud voice.
In the capital, the second month marked the end of winter, yet Baoshui still managed to work up a sweat.
"Rest for a while."
Meng Qianqian hugged the little one and placed her on her lap, wiping away her sweat and using a towel warmed by a hot water bottle to pad her back.
The little one leaned comfortably in Meng Qianqian's embrace, contentedly kicking her little legs.
The carriage from the Commander's mansion could enter the palace directly, but Baoshui wanted to get down.
Meng Qianqian hugged her and got off the carriage.
Banxia and Dan'er followed.
Dan'er said to Baoshui, "Baozhu, I'll carry you."
Baoshui shook her little head and immediately buried herself in Meng Qianqian's embrace.
Dan'er poked her little butt, "Just let me carry you for a bit~"
Baoshui kept her head buried in Meng Qianqian's embrace but stretched out a small, chubby hand to reach behind and pry away Dan'er's fingers, refusing to be carried!
On the other side, the Lu family had also arrived.
Not only were Old Madam Lu and Lin Wan'er dressed up, but even the Second Madam and Lu Linglong were adorned with pearls and jewels to attend the banquet.
In comparison, Lu Mu was much simpler, but she still looked dignified and proper.
Lu Er Ye, who feared the pomp and circumstance of courtly banquets, feigned illness at home, leaving Lu Lingxiao to bring Lu Lingzhou.
As soon as the Lu family's women entered the palace, they saw Meng Qianqian and her group.
Meng Qianqian wore a light blue martial arts outfit, her hair tied in a simple bun with a blue headband. She looked neat and crisp, her figure valiant and heroic.
Apart from Lu Mu, everyone else was stunned at first sight, thinking she was some female general returning from the battlefield.
But then they realized, there were no female generals in the court.
"It's Meng Qianqian!"
Lu Linglong exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone took a closer look, and it really was her.
This valiant and heroic appearance was completely different from the bullied little daughter-in-law they had raised for five years, so it was no wonder they didn't recognize her.
Lu Linglong immediately showed a look of disgust, "What is she wearing? So masculine!"
People's prejudices can be terrifying. After recognizing Meng Qianqian, the crowd no longer felt amazed or shocked; they only thought she was odd and out of place.
The Second Madam also scoffed, "How dare she come here?"
Old Madam Lu coldly rebuked, "Meng Qianqian! What are you doing here?"
Meng Qianqian ignored her.
Old Madam Lu was furious at being disregarded, "Meng Qianqian! Are you deaf?"
Dan'er turned around, "If you keep shouting, I'll beat you up, believe it or not!"
Old Madam Lu angrily scolded, "You dare?"
Here, within the halls of the imperial palace, Dan'er rolled up her sleeves and said, "You watch, do you dare?"
The memory of the slap she received at Liu's funeral suddenly flashed through Old Madam Lu's mind, causing her to flinch involuntarily.
Banxia returned, carrying Baoshui who had gone to relieve herself.
Meng Qianqian hugged Baoshui and said, "Dan'er, let's go."
Dan'er glared at Old Madam Lu and, with a huff, followed Meng Qianqian, leaving the latter behind.
Old Madam Lu trembled with rage. "This is outrageous! Simply outrageous!"
The Second Madam, confused, asked, "How did she get into the palace? And where did that child come from?"
Lin Wan'er hesitated for a moment before gesturing to Green Vine.
Green Vine explained to Old Madam Lu and the Second Madam, "According to the General, Meng Qianqian has become a maid at the Governor's mansion."
The Second Madam was shocked. "What? So that child... is the daughter of the Governor? Now I understand why she looked so familiar. I caught a glimpse of her at the temple."
Everyone in the Lu family knew about Baoshui wandering off at the temple and how Meng Qianqian, along with Lu Mu and the Old Dowager, had spent the afternoon looking after the little one.
However, they never expected that Meng Qianqian would become a maid at the Governor's mansion.
Lu Linglong spoke with disdain, "How shameful!"
The Second Madam gave her daughter a reproachful look. "You still see her as the eldest young mistress of the Lu family. Now that she's no longer part of our family, she's nothing more than a servant to others."
Green Vine sighed. "To get close to the Governor by becoming his daughter's maid... Who knows when she started harboring such intentions? And to sever ties with the General..."
Lin Wan'er glared at her, signaling her to stop talking.
Realizing her mistake, Green Vine quickly apologized. "This servant spoke out of turn."
But the damage was already done. Old Madam Lu, the Second Madam, and Lu Linglong had all heard it.
The Second Madam finally understood. "So that's why the decree of severing ties seemed so strange. She's just a small merchant girl from Youzhou, so how could she possibly have the influence to get the Grand Emperor to issue such a decree? It must have been the Governor's doing! Then, at the temple... Did the two of them already have something going on?"
Old Madam Lu's anger knew no bounds. "That fickle and shameless harlot! Carrying on with men, and she still had the audacity to sever ties with Lingxiao!"
Lu Mu frowned. "Mother, Second Sister-in-law, this is the imperial palace. Walls have ears, so be mindful of your words."
Frustrated that she couldn't vent her anger on Meng Qianqian, Old Madam Lu turned on Lu Mu instead. "You're the one who raised such a good wife! Our Lu family has raised so many ungrateful wolves in sheep's clothing!"
Even Lu Mu wasn't spared from her venomous words.
Lu Mu was used to this treatment and remained silent.
Old Madam Lu was further infuriated by her lack of response. Fortunately, at that moment, a palace maid from Consort Li's quarters approached them. "Consort Li invites Old Madam and the other ladies to the Changchun Palace for a while before heading to the banquet together."
This was a huge honor.
Old Madam Lu's mood improved significantly.
The group made their way to the Changchun Palace, where they met Consort Li's relatives.
After the Lu family women greeted Consort Li and inquired about her well-being, Consort Li asked the palace maids to show the women to their seats. She then introduced the dignified and luxurious-looking woman sitting beside her. "This is my sister-in-law."
Ms. Wen smiled and greeted the Lu family women, complimenting Lu Linglong on her cuteness. She then turned her attention to Lin Wan'er. "You must be Miss Lin."
Lin Wan'er stood up and greeted Ms. Wen respectfully.
Ms. Wen walked over, took Lin Wan'er's hand, and said warmly, "No need for formalities. Consort Li, look at her. Doesn't she resemble Juer?"
Juer was Ms. Wen's eldest daughter, who had married far away a few years ago.
Consort Li exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law, now that you mention it, I understand why I always felt a special connection with Wan'er. So, she resembles my niece!"
Ms. Wen smiled. "Miss Lin, if you don't mind, would you like to become my goddaughter?"
(End of Chapter)
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