Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 148

Zhang Zhichun solemnly replied, "This subordinate is not entirely clear either. Chief Enforcer Cai has sent someone with great urgency to deliver this message, requesting that the Fortress Master go there immediately."

Qing Jianyue got up from the ground and pulled Lu Qingcheng away from Hong Qiaoying's grasp. Hong Qiaoying glared at Qing Jianyue with needle-like eyes as she whispered in her beloved's ear. Lu Qingcheng's expression changed slightly, and she straightened up. Hong Qiaoying leaned in seductively and said in a sweet voice, "Fortress Master."

Lu Qingcheng smiled and looked at her mother, "Mother, I have something to take care of. Please entertain these distinguished guests on my behalf."

Old Madam Lu was a woman who had seen many storms, and without asking any questions, she said, "Be careful and bring a few more people with you."

"Yes." Lu Qingcheng offered no explanation, maintaining a perfectly polite smile. "I'm preoccupied with worldly affairs, and I hope Lord Hong and his wife will forgive me."

Hong Wantong laughed and said, "Go ahead and do whatever you need. We're all family, no need to be so polite. Hahaha..."

Qing Jianyue glanced sideways at Lu Qingcheng, only to see Lu Qingcheng's lips twitch slightly. Without saying a word, she led him and the little fox away from the banquet hall, accompanied by Liu Xicheng and Zhang Zhichun.

Hong Qiaoying was furious, her face turning pale. She returned to her mother's side and acted spoiled. Hong Wantong stared lecherously at Qing Jianyue's retreating figure, thinking to himself: What a pity. If it were a boy, I would definitely get my hands on him.

As for Cai Zhonghe, that was another kind of torment. Watching his beloved leave with Lu Qingcheng, an indescribable and inexpressible sense of loneliness and desolation suddenly overwhelmed him, and he could no longer shake it off.

Lu Qingcheng and her group rushed to the punishment hall, where Cai Bo'an, Lin Feng, Lei Yongxiang, and Fang Runmin welcomed them inside. On the floor of the hall lay a stretcher, upon which lay a dead body covered by a white sheet. The moment Fang Runmin removed the sheet, Qing Jianyue quickly turned her face away, feeling an indescribable nausea. The deceased's appearance was extremely gruesome; even Lu Qingcheng felt uncomfortable and turned her face away. Cai Bo'an presented a letter, and upon reading it, Lu Qingcheng flew into a rage, tearing the paper to shreds in a few swift movements.

"Li Zhen's blatant provocation is truly hateful," Lin Feng's voice boomed like thunder. "He even dared to boast that he would take Young Master Jian Yue's life within three days. This despicable villain only knows how to use such underhanded methods."

Qing Jianyue was filled with suspicion. Why was Li Zhen so determined to take my life? Even if he wanted to avenge Xu Yun, the methods he used were utterly ridiculous. Furthermore, the search of this fortress was so thorough, practically impenetrable, yet they still couldn't find his hiding place.

Qingfeng rushed in from outside after receiving the news and asked, "I heard something happened, what exactly happened?"

“Qingfeng, from today onwards, you will hand over all matters to Zhonghe. Yiting will be responsible for the Hong Wantong family. I want you to be in charge of Jianyue’s safety.” Lu Qingcheng’s breathing was somewhat disordered.

Qingfeng was stunned.

Kiyoshi was horrified. Oh no, he had actually lost his composure. This was exactly what Li Zhen wanted.

After escorting Qing Jianyue back to Bingyuan, Lu Qingcheng was invited to the guest courtyard. The banquet had ended, and the guest courtyard was brightly lit with candles. Old Madam Lu, Bai Yiting, and Cai Zhonghe were still chatting with Hong Wantong's family. Lu Qingcheng's arrival made them all breathe a sigh of relief, but at the same time, their expressions became serious.

Hong Wantong chuckled and said, "Qingcheng, everything is done."

"From being promoted from Lord Lu to Qingcheng, next he'll probably be promoted to son-in-law," Lu Qingcheng thought sarcastically. He smiled elegantly and said, "Are you satisfied with the arrangements here, sir? If there's anything you're not happy about, please feel free to speak up."

“Lord Lu, I have come to your fort today with my wife and daughter. You should know this very well. I have also mentioned this to you more than once through your chief steward Bai and lord Cai, but you have repeatedly made excuses.” Hong Wantong said with a smile that concealed his malice, “I am very unhappy.”

The smiles on everyone's faces vanished.

Lu Qingcheng smiled calmly and said, "I am well aware of your kind intentions, sir. However, I am just a commoner with no official position, and I really dare not be a match for your daughter."

Hong Qiaoying's expression changed drastically.

"Lord Lu is too modest. Lord Lu inherited the family business at a young age and has done a great job, owning businesses all over the country. He is truly the richest man in the world." Hong Wantong laughed, "If our two families were to marry, it wouldn't be difficult for your son-in-law to become an official in the court in the future."

"That's right, he's indeed been promoted to son-in-law." Lu Qingcheng said with a forced smile, "I only want to make a living. I have no ambition for anything like becoming a general or prime minister, getting promoted, or making a name for myself in history. I'm afraid I've disappointed you, sir."

"Hahaha..." Hong Wantong laughed heartily, "My son-in-law is too modest. It's fine if you don't want to be an official. As long as our two families are united by marriage, what can't we get?"

Everyone in the room was looking at Lu Qingcheng.

Lu Qingcheng thought to herself: "That's right, it's always been believed that collusion between officials and merchants makes things easier. However, even if I were to engage in collusion, I wouldn't do it with a greedy and insatiable person like you." Lu Qingcheng said with a half-smile, "I am deeply grateful that you would be willing to marry your beloved daughter to me. However, I already have a fiancée, and our wedding is approaching. How could I possibly demean your daughter into becoming a concubine of a commoner?"

Hong Qiaoying was so ashamed and indignant that she almost fainted.

Madam Hong roared, "Lu Qingcheng, this is utterly rude! My daughter is a daughter of an official, yet she's inferior to an actress? This is outrageous! This is utterly outrageous!"

“Madam, please calm down.” Hong Wantong’s face darkened. “Lu Qingcheng, you’re really asking for trouble.”

Lu Qingcheng thought to herself: They're going to tear off the mask of civility so soon. Hmph, they're too impatient; this is no fun at all.

Hong Wantong said sarcastically, "Lu Qingcheng, don't think that just because I don't say anything, I don't know anything about the things you've done in private. With just one word from me, I can not only make you lose all your wealth, but also have your head roll."

Lu Qingcheng's face showed fear, but her words remained stubborn, "I believe I have not done anything shameful, so what can you do to me?"

"Hmph, some things can turn black into white, and white into black," Hong Wantong threatened. "How could someone as intelligent as Lord Lu not understand what I mean?"

Lu Qingcheng glanced at her mother, then lowered her head, pretending to be at a loss.

Madam Lu understood the meaning behind her son's glance and hurriedly said, "Please calm down, sir. My son is young and ignorant, and his words offended you both. Please forgive him. In fact, I don't know how many times I've scolded him. I am also very dissatisfied with Qing Jianyue. Now that I have such a smart and virtuous girl as Qiaoying as my daughter-in-law, I really don't know how to be happy!"

Bai Yiting laughed and said, "Yes, yes. A marriage between the two families is a wonderful thing, and we servants are more than supportive of it. Lord, please agree to this marriage."

"Even if he were willing now, I still wouldn't be," Madam Hong said haughtily. "My daughter is the daughter of an official, and her status is extremely noble. How could I allow that little slut to disgrace my daughter? If Lord Lu wants to marry my daughter, he must drive that little slut away."

Lu Qingcheng clenched her fists, suppressing the anger in her heart.

Cai Zhonghe said coldly, "If your daughter is truly a virtuous woman, then please remember the virtue of not being jealous of one's wife. If your daughter cannot do this, then she is not worthy of being the wife of the lord of this fortress."

“You, you…” Madam Hong was speechless.

Bai Yiting said with a worried look, "Oh dear, this is a bit difficult. Everyone in this fort knows how loyal Young Master Jianyue is to our fort lord. If we drive away the virtuous Young Master Jianyue because of his official connections, everyone in this fort will definitely hold a grudge. This is really not good for your daughter."

Hong Qiaoying said urgently, "Mother, I am willing to be on equal footing with Young Master Jianyue."

Madam Hong exclaimed in surprise, "Qiaoying, what nonsense are you talking about? To put you on equal footing with a little actress is an insult to you."

Hong Qiaoying blushed and said, "I don't care. As long as I can serve Lord Lu, I'm willing to accept anything."

Madam Hong snorted, "Lu Qingcheng, listen to how devoted my daughter is to you. If you dare to betray my daughter, I will absolutely not let you off the hook."

Lu Qingcheng looked unwilling yet forced and helpless.

Hong Wantong was delighted again and laughed heartily, "Mother-in-law, I think this is the way to go. How about we announce it at the wedding banquet tomorrow night?"

Madam Lu smiled and said, "That's excellent."