They hadn't expected Lu Mingxiu's attitude to suddenly become so tough, so they trembled and didn't dare to speak.
"If you don't want to, then from now on you'd better watch your mouths." Lu Mingxiu said coldly, "You know in your hearts what you should say and do. If you don't want to live a peaceful life, I'll play along to the end!"
These words weren't just meant for the two of them.
"Lu Mingxiu, how dare you!" The Grand Princess of Lin'an threw her teacup away when she saw how arrogant he dared to be.
Lord Lu was, after all, a trained martial artist. He calmly and slightly deflected the tea, and not a single drop of the tea stains or splattered fragments got on him.
“If Your Highness has nothing else to say, I will take my leave with Ninth Sister.” Lu Mingxiu took An Ran’s hand and gave her a proper bow. “The child at home is still sick and needs her to go back and take care of her.”
At least he gave a plausible reason before he left.
The Grand Princess of Lin'an was so angry that her eyes widened, and she even shouted that she would go to the Emperor to impeach Lu Mingxiu.
Lu Mingxiu, however, paid no attention. He personally helped An Ran put on her cloak, then took her hand and leisurely left the Grand Princess's residence in Lin'an.
"My lord, is this alright?" Once she boarded the carriage of the Marquis of Pingyuan's residence, An Ran still felt a sense of unreality.
Although she had to admit, she had indeed enjoyed watching it. It felt so good to not have to worry about so much and to finally let out a sigh of relief.
"What do you think?" Lu Mingxiu, who had been cold and indifferent just now, curled his lips and looked at his little wife, whose eyes were full of excitement, and asked with a smile.
An Ran tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Just now she said she was going to impeach you, putting a lot of pressure on you, saying that you disrespect the Emperor."
Despite saying this, neither the couple showed any worry in their eyes. An Ran understood Lu Mingxiu; he was not a reckless person. He naturally had his reasons for doing this today.
“That’s a serious charge.” Lu Mingxiu agreed, nodding in deep agreement. “If the Emperor punishes me by deducting my salary, all the expenses of the household will have to be covered by you, my wife!”
An Ran winked playfully, feigning deep thought. She raised her chin slightly and said haughtily, "The Marquis's mansion doesn't support idlers."
Lu Mingxiu looked troubled, then after a moment he raised an eyebrow and smiled, his originally somewhat cold and hard features revealing a hint of flirtatious charm. He leaned close to An Ran's ear and whispered, "How about I serve you tonight, Madam? You're most afraid of the cold—"
"I'd rather hug a heater!" An Ran retorted stubbornly.
Lord Lu changed his tone and spoke in a softer, more intimate voice.
"Is it more comfortable to sleep while holding a heater than while holding me?"
******
Despite Liang's objections, Xu Hui moved into Chen Qian's residence ahead of schedule.
Her luggage was very simple; most of the valuables were gifts from Chen Qian. She packed everything neatly and placed it in the east wing. This time, she didn't go to the four-courtyard mansion, but instead went to the house that the Chen family had previously rented in the capital.
Chen Qian explained that he would bring Liang over in a few days so that Xu Hui could get married here, which would be more dignified.
Although the three-courtyard house was not large, Chen Qian had already transferred all the old servants to the new house, and the servants and young men here were all newly bought. Therefore, he handed over the management of the house to Xu Hui.
Xu Hui was naturally delighted, as she had taken over the household affairs even more smoothly and earlier than in her previous life.
Now, the servants all call Xu Hui "Madam," which makes Xu Hui feel quite flattered. The regrets of her previous life have finally been made up for, and she no longer has to be overshadowed by anyone.
The only thing that made her a little regretful was that Chen Qian kept saying he was busy these past few days and hadn't been back for long.
But Chen Qian said it was to prepare for their wedding and give her a surprise. In addition, Changqing had recently sent her a lot of valuable jewelry and clothing, so Xu Hui didn't pursue the matter too much.
"Madam, someone is looking for you outside!" Xu Hui's newly bought maid, named Qiuju, came in and said, "They say it's someone from your old neighborhood."
Xu Hui was somewhat puzzled.
“He said that once you see this purse, you’ll know who he is.” As she spoke, Qiuju took out a precious purse.
It was a gift she gave to Zheng Xing before!
Xu Hui frowned. What was he doing here? She had intended to refuse outright, but then she realized that it wouldn't be good if Chen Qian found out. So she instructed Qiu Ju to quietly bring him in.
As expected, it was Zheng Xing. He entered with a serious expression. His first words to Xu Hui were: "Chen Qian will soon marry the sixth daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an as his principal wife!" (Readers, you can search for "" to find this site immediately.)
Chapter 144
Xu Hui was stunned.
"No, this is impossible!" Xu Hui shook her head in disbelief, taking two steps back before finally regaining her balance by leaning on a high table. "I don't believe it!"
Zheng Xing looked at Xu Hui, a hint of pity showing in his serious expression. It seemed Hui Niang had been deceived.
"Hui Niang, why would I lie to you?" Zheng Xing had liked Xu Hui after all, and he didn't want to see her still being kept in the dark by Chen Qian. He couldn't help but sigh and said in a deep voice, "In a few days, the Chen family will go to the Marquis of Nan'an's residence to present betrothal gifts, and the wedding will be at the beginning of next month. The house has already been decorated."
Before he finished speaking, Xu Hui felt a sudden dizziness.
Chen Qian is going to marry the sixth daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an? That's impossible! Chen Qian clearly said that he would welcome her into his family soon!
How could he marry another woman? He clearly loves me!
However—Xu Hui still had a sliver of reason left. She knew Zheng Xing's character; he had always been upright and honest, and he would never lie to her about something like this.
"How did you know?" Xu Hui composed herself. After all, she was no longer a young girl who had just come of age. Her experiences in two lifetimes had given her a composure she hadn't possessed before. She stared sharply at Zheng Xing and calmly asked, "You only met Chen Qian once, yet you were able to find out who he was based on just your impression?"
Xu Hui still held onto a sliver of hope, wishing that Zheng Xing had made a mistake. If Chen Qian was really making such a big fuss about getting married, how come she hadn't heard a single word?
Once a woman is captivated by a man, she cannot escape his grasp.
Zheng Xing looked at Xu Hui, who was trying her best to appear calm, but whose eyes still revealed a hint of madness and disbelief, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
“Madam’s family is the Marquis of Nan’an’s mansion. I discovered it when I went to deliver something to the Marquis’s mansion at the request of the Marquis’s wife.” Zheng Xing looked at her with pity, his previous hatred for Xu Hui’s deception had lessened considerably. “Chen Qian’s mother has also arrived in the capital.”
The marriage Chen Qian was about to enter into was truly arranged by his parents, and it was a marriage between Chen Qian and a concubine's daughter from a noble family, so the Chen family naturally attached great importance to it.