Lanting - Kapitel 52
Lu Qingcheng closed his eyes briefly, and soon a faint smile bloomed on his lips. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked over. Qing Jianyue's heart pounded wildly again, and she subconsciously took a few steps back. Lu Qingcheng's deep and unfathomable eyes were inscrutable.
"Jianyue, you are the treasure I finally found, a very cute treasure."
Kiyomi Tsuki was extremely shocked, and his whole body trembled.
"You are my precious darling. Everything about you, from head to toe, is mine. I would rather die than let anyone take you away, not even your life." Lu Qingcheng spoke extremely gently, but the terrifying determination and icy chill he revealed made it clear that he was not joking and that he meant everything he said.
Kiyomi Tsuki trembled even more violently. For a moment, he had the urge to run away through the door.
Suddenly, Lu Qingcheng burst into laughter, as if he had encountered something very amusing. Qing Jianyue was baffled by his laughter. Lu Qingcheng laughed and said, "Jianyue, your face turns red, then white, then blue, then green, all sorts of colors, just like a little tabby cat. Wouldn't it be boring if someone as amusing as you died?"
W-what? A funny person? A clown who makes people laugh? Kiyomi Tsuki had a strange expression on her face, thinking: So he was just playing a trick on me. That scared me to death. I thought he was serious.
"I heard that Qingfeng sent someone to deliver some gifts to you last night."
His sudden change of topic left Qing Jianyue completely bewildered. She stammered, "It's ten sets of autumn clothes and ten sets of winter clothes. I was just about to ask someone to return them."
“Keep it, it’s free. Qingfeng has always had excellent taste, and the clothes he sends will look stunning on you.” Lu Qingcheng chuckled softly. “As for dinner, there’s no need for that.”
Kiyomi Tsuki felt her heart pounding from his laughter and stammered, "But, but..."
"You've got dark circles under your eyes. Were you thinking too much last night and didn't sleep well? Your smart brain isn't suited for thinking about things you shouldn't be thinking about." Lu Qingcheng looked at him with pity.
Kiyomi Tsuki laughed awkwardly, "Ha, no, no. I'm just a little flattered."
Lu Qingcheng smiled and said, "You are extraordinary; otherwise, I wouldn't have spent so much money to hire you as my attendant. Remember, your value is different from that of ordinary attendants. Therefore, those rewards are well-deserved."
Kiyomi Tsuki smiled and said, "Yes, I've got it."
"The time is almost up. Next, something even more interesting is about to happen."
Lu Qingcheng walked towards the carved door as if nothing had happened. The white fox jumped excitedly, and the moment the carved door opened, it darted out and ran to the garden to play happily.
Kiyomi Tsuki let out a long sigh, thinking: Whew, he almost scared the soul out of me. How awful, always bullying people like this. Hmm, what did he just say? Something even more interesting is about to unfold. What does he mean? Is he referring to his mother? A thought struck him, and Kiyomi Tsuki raised his right hand, a finely carved, ancient-patterned ring on his ring finger flashing with a dazzling light.
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Noble Madam Lu
Lu Qingcheng's mother, Madam Lu, who had dominated the fate of Lu Family Manor for twenty years, had returned. Lu Family Manor was heavily guarded inside and out. Lu Qingcheng led her subordinates out of the manor to greet her and ushered Madam Lu into the council hall. With Lu Qingcheng's support, Madam Lu gracefully took her seat in the main seat. At forty years old, she was as beautiful as ever; her well-maintained face, apart from fine wrinkles, was still fair and rosy. Sitting there, she exuded an aura of dignified and unapproachable nobility.
Qing Jianyue thought to herself: Lu Qingcheng really does look like her mother. It's a pity that if those cold eyes were a little more kind, she would be like a Bodhisattva in a temple, making people burn incense and kowtow to her. Her gaze shifted slightly, landing on the man and woman standing beside Madam Lu.
It was a man in black, around thirty years old, of medium height and build. An ordinary face, ordinary eyes, an ordinary nose and lips—combined, he appeared utterly ordinary! However, the cold, cruel aura emanating from him made his ordinariness extraordinary. Yes, he was not only extraordinary, but he also drew the attention of all the lords, supervisors, and deacons in the meeting hall. He stood beside Madam Lu, his eyes closed as if no one else was there. His appearance was strikingly similar to the unsheathed sword tucked under his arm.
Of course, what attracted the most attention was the beautiful woman beside him, who seemed to have stepped out of a painting. She had a very classical beauty, pure and elegant, graceful and quiet. She lowered her head shyly, like a pure, fragrant, and beautiful lily blooming under the moon.
Kiyoshi couldn't help but sigh: What a beautiful person! Standing next to Miss Yang, she's just as beautiful.
"Qingcheng, meet her. She is the aunt I mentioned to you in the letter."
Madam Lu pointed to the woman in her forties sitting below. She was Madam Lu's younger sister, Tong Fengrui, five years younger than Madam Lu, but looked like Madam Lu's older sister. The arrogance of her youth had been eroded away by the merciless years, leaving only paleness, haggardness, and the fear and unease of living under someone else's roof.
Lu Qingcheng showed her the courtesy due to a junior, and she immediately hurriedly helped her up.
Madam Lu said, "Third sister, there's no need to be so polite to him. He's a junior, and it's only right that he pays such a respectful bow to you."
Tong Fengrui said with a worried look, "Elder sister, please don't do this, I can't bear it. No matter what, Qingcheng is the lord of a fortress."
Madam Lu sighed, "Qingcheng, forget it. Let your aunt be more comfortable."
Lu Qingcheng turned around and sat down.
Tong Fengrui suddenly said urgently, "Zhen'er, what are you doing hiding in the back? That's so rude of you. Go and kowtow to your cousin to pay your respects."
A refined-looking young man emerged from behind Tong Fengrui, forcing Lu Qingcheng to stand up again. The young man was around twenty years old, with a fair and clean-cut face. Although not handsome, his shy smile and proper demeanor showed that he was well-mannered.
"Cousin," the young man called out shyly.
Lu Qingcheng nodded slightly in return.
Madam Lu said calmly, "His name is Li Zhen, he is a year younger than you, and he is your aunt's only son. Qingcheng, for your aunt's sake, please take good care of him in the future."
Lu Qingcheng replied coldly but politely, "Yes, Mother."
After the relatives exchanged greetings, Madam Lu introduced a man and a woman beside her. The man was Xu Lan, and the woman was Xu Yun, a brother and sister. The brother had been hired by Madam Lu at a high price to protect her safety, while the sister was Madam Lu's most honored guest.
Xu Lan finally opened her eyes and gave a polite, slight nod. A gasp filled the conference hall—what an arrogant and rude fellow! Lu Qingcheng showed no displeasure and returned the greeting with impeccable manners. A glint flashed in Xu Lan's eyes, then she closed them again to rest.
His sister, on the other hand, was completely different. She greeted him with a shy and charming demeanor, saying, "Greetings, Lord of the Fortress."
Madam Lu smiled and said, "Qingcheng, isn't Miss Xu beautiful?"
Xu Yun's cheeks were as red as the evening glow, making her appear even more delicate and charming, and I felt sorry for her.
People thought to themselves: Madam Lu praised this woman in public; she must be planning to betroth her to the lord of the fortress.
Lu Qingcheng answered expressionlessly, "Yes."
He had assumed the shy young woman would tactfully back away, but to his surprise, she blinked her bright, beautiful eyes and asked coquettishly, "Does the Lord of the Fortress find my answer so reluctant because he thinks I am not beautiful enough?"
Not only was Lu Qingcheng stunned, but Qing Jianyue also became curious.
Xu Yun smiled with her dimples, her beautiful eyes gazing openly at Lu Qingcheng. Beneath her quiet exterior, she exuded an air of refinement and inner strength.
For some reason, Kiyoshi suddenly tensed up. He immediately looked at Lu Qingcheng.
After a slight pause, Lu Qingcheng quickly recovered and said politely, "Miss, you misunderstand. I had no intention of being disrespectful."
Xu Yun smiled with satisfaction and gave a graceful bow. Lu Qingcheng nodded in return with equal elegance. Xu Yun then gracefully retreated to Madam Lu's side.