He patted An Ran's hand silently, indicating that she should just listen to him and not get involved with those two disgusting people herself.
An Ran nodded slightly without changing her expression, silently cheering for Lord Lu in her heart.
"Bring me their indentures, and I'll thank you both."
Unexpectedly, the couple's witty remarks were always spot-on! They completely ignored the two beautiful women, treating them only as ordinary maids!
Knowing that they would be returning empty-handed again, Madam Luo and Madam Zhu were at a loss and just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"These two are clumsy and incompetent; I'm afraid they won't be able to serve you well." Zhu Shi, disregarding the incoherence in her words, forced a smile and said, "We'll send over better ones another day."
But Lu Mingxiu couldn't let them have their way. What did they think the Pingyuan Marquis's residence was, a place they could come and go as they pleased? Did they think there would be another day? He hadn't settled the score for disturbing Jiu Niang last time; this time, he would teach them a lesson.
"Could it be that these two people can't produce a contract of indenture?" Lu Mingxiu's face immediately darkened, revealing a scrutinizing gaze.
Although Zhu felt a little embarrassed, she still forced herself to explain, "Third Aunt and I are my fourth aunts—" Meeting Lu Mingxiu's gaze, Zhu swallowed back half of the words "fourth aunt." "They are our distant relatives. Their family is really struggling to make ends meet, and they want to find a way out."
She thought that if she spoke pitifully, Lu Mingxiu would let them go.
"Oh?" Lu Mingxiu said calmly, seemingly having taken her words to heart. "So you're relatives of the two of you. I remember your family is doing quite well. Not long ago, I heard that your second young master was spending money like water at Changchun Garden, going there for three consecutive days to patronize the top courtesan." He raised an eyebrow and said, "And when a distant relative who can't make ends meet comes to your home, you actually want to send her out as a slave? Instead of providing some financial assistance?"
Lu Mingxiu's words were scathing, and Zhu and Luo were drenched in cold sweat. It seemed that although Lu Mingxiu ignored their families, he still had several things he could use against them.
"Could it be that these two are not relatives of yours?"
At this moment, Zhu and Luo felt as if they had shot themselves in the foot; answering yes was wrong, and answering no was also wrong.
“Then, then it’s not—” Luo stammered.
An Ran watched from the sidelines, finding it all rather amusing. The two women, cornered by Lu Mingxiu's words, were filled with regret. Having brought him along, they couldn't avoid the issue. Therefore, they were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
“These past few days, some of Prince Rui’s former subordinates have been stirring up trouble, planting many spies in the capital. I am currently under orders to investigate this matter.” Lu Mingxiu regained his usual coldness, his sharp gaze fixed on the two men, his tone not heavy but firm. “I find these two highly suspicious, as they have neither indentures nor are they related to you two, and their origins are unclear.”
"Qin Feng, Zheng Peng." Lu Mingxiu suddenly called out to the two men, and said coldly, "Take these two away and take them to the yamen for interrogation until they tell the truth."
Qin Feng and Zheng Peng had fought alongside him on the battlefield, so their execution skills were top-notch. Without even looking to the side, the two restrained Tong Niang and Xuan Niang, cruelly twisting their arms behind their backs.
The pain caused Tongniang and Xuanniang to shed tears, and they cried out for mercy.
"Auntie, Auntie, please save me!" Xuan Niang cried her heart out. She had originally harbored some fantasies about Lord Lu, but now she dared not have even the slightest improper thought. "I don't want to marry Lord Lu as a concubine anymore! Let me go back!"
Xuanniang told the truth, and Tongniang couldn't hold back any longer, crying and pleading, "Auntie, Auntie, please beg the Marquis to let me go!"
Zhu and Luo's faces turned pale and red in turns, their expressions quite a sight.
"Oh, and don't forget to put the two Lord Lu's residences under martial law and search them thoroughly." As if that wasn't enough, Lu Mingxiu looked at Madam Luo and Madam Zhu and said indifferently, "If those two are really spies, then their residences should also be thoroughly searched."
Only then did the two realize the seriousness of the situation.
If they were to become associated with the rebels, their families' political careers would come to an end.
Driven to desperation, Madam Luo shouted, "Lu Mingxiu, don't go too far! We are your elders, after all! This is disrespectful to your elders. I don't believe you dare to openly search the homes of court officials—"
Lu Mingxiu was not provoked.
Instead, he looked at Luo calmly and said in a gentle voice, "Let's see if I dare to do it?"
Zhu was filled with regret and tried to cover Luo's mouth.
Why wouldn't Lu Mingxiu dare? He now holds immense power and enjoys the Emperor's deep trust. His word carries far more weight than theirs. If Lu Mingxiu insists on pursuing this matter head-on, while Lu Mingxiu may suffer some losses, they will be utterly destroyed.
"My lord, please don't be offended, it's all a misunderstanding!" After weighing the situation, Madam Zhu had no choice but to smooth things over, saying, "They are indeed distant relatives of ours. They happened to meet you, my lord, and became very fond of you, developing feelings for you. That's why we rashly sent them here—"
In desperation, Madam Zhu had no choice but to sacrifice Tongniang and Xuanniang to save both families. She forced a smile and said, "We were reckless. Please be magnanimous, Lord Marquis, and don't take it to heart. You can deal with them as you see fit. We dare not bear the reputation of being rebels."
Tongniang and Xuanniang stared in astonishment.
They were the ones who seduced her first, saying that she could become a concubine of the Marquis of Pingyuan, and if she bore him a son or daughter, she could be on par with the Marquis's wife... In the Marquis's mansion, she would have endless wealth and honor.
An Ran sat to the side, smiling as she sipped her tea and watched the show.
Zhu had the courage to make a painful decision, willing to sacrifice Tongniang and Xuanniang rather than let her own family be implicated.
He extricated himself from the situation, but pushed the two of them into a fire pit.
An Ran spoke up at the opportune moment: "My lord, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, and they are not rebels, but simply harbor improper thoughts... this is a family matter. Family matters should be resolved at home."
If things really escalate, the two families will undoubtedly suffer far greater losses. But An Ran doesn't want Lu Mingxiu to damage his reputation for someone like that.
It's not worth it at all.
"Release them," Lu Mingxiu said calmly. Qin Feng and Zheng Peng released the two men as instructed and left. Lu Mingxiu said, "Today, for the sake of Madam, I will let you off this time."
Tongniang and Xuanniang dared not have any more improper thoughts and knelt on the ground begging for mercy.
Lu Mingxiu was too lazy to get involved in their family's affairs; he just wanted to intimidate them a little so they wouldn't come knocking on his door again and again.
"You'd better remember what you said today," Lu Mingxiu warned coldly. "If you dare to do it again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Luo and Zhu nodded repeatedly.
"see a visitor out."
The four of them, supporting each other as if fleeing, quickly left without daring to linger.
"Ninth Sister, I'm sorry to have troubled you." Lu Mingxiu looked at An Ran, his tone full of apology. He sighed, "All these troublesome things have been dumped on you."
Since the last time, fearing that the two would cause trouble for An Ran again while he was away, he ordered someone to immediately notify him whenever they came. Sure enough, not long after, the two came again. This time, they went even further, attempting to send someone into his residence.