В Цзянху есть Сяо Чань

Глава 50

So, upon arriving at each place, there would be food, horse-drawn carriages, and other necessities prepared in advance. After a short rest, they would spend a few days sightseeing before continuing their journey.

In addition, there will be a handwritten letter from Lu Ziqi.

The content is quite complicated and detailed, no wonder the trip was delayed by wind and rain, and you have to pay attention to adding or removing clothing when the weather is cold or hot, and what places are fun, delicious, and worth buying as souvenirs...

Occasionally, he would briefly mention the preferences of family members, or the customs and traditions of prominent families in the capital. Additionally, if he came across a place where the patriarch of the Lu family had once lived and fought, he would say a few words, such as what military achievements or political accomplishments the patriarch had, or whether he preferred the local cuisine, customs, or beautiful women…

After reading the letter, Song Xiaohua would write a reply and have it delivered by express courier. The letter was full of trivial matters.

For example, Song Wuque scared away several cowards, and one night he ran to the inn's kitchen to steal meat, making the cook think it was haunted the next day; Lu Ling learned two-digit addition and subtraction, learned how many characters, memorized how many poems, grew taller, fatter, and more handsome, and seduced countless innocent girls; Song Xiaohua, in her spare time, disguised herself as a man and roamed the martial arts world, so handsome, dashing, and charming that she could shatter the hearts of countless girls wherever she went...

Each letter was a collaborative effort between her and Lu Ling. The little boy would talk about things like eating, drinking, and having fun, and when he encountered words he couldn't write or scenes he couldn't express, he would draw them—in the style of four-panel comics that Lu Ziqi would shake his head at. Occasionally, Song Wuque would run over and leave a dark paw print on it…

With such an emotional bond, although half a year has passed and the longing has intensified, it hasn't felt too unbearable, except for a slight hunger when I'm sleepless and alone at night...

As they approached the capital, Lu Ziqi left a letter mentioning that his family was looking for maids to serve them and asked Song Xiaohua if she had any requirements.

Song Xiaohua generously picked up her pen and wrote: "I don't have any requirements. Just don't be taller than me, thinner than me, fairer than me, have better skin than me, a better figure than me, or prettier than me!"

After traveling for more than ten days, they finally arrived at the last post station on the way to Bianjing. Lu Ziqi left many things here, including clothes, hats, shoes, socks, jewelry and accessories for Song Xiaohua and Lu Ling from head to toe, as well as several beautifully packaged jewelry, jade, antiques and calligraphy and paintings.

As for the letter, besides explaining the various arrangements for returning home to the city at the appointed time, there was a small line at the end: "Regarding the maidservant, there is no result yet, because it is very difficult to find someone who meets the requirements."

Song Xiaohua was so depressed that she vomited blood...

As the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, which was relatively developed in terms of economy and culture, Bianliang's bustling prosperity needs no further explanation.

Song Xiaohua, Lu Ling, and Song Wuque rode in a large carriage, specially arranged by Lu Ziqi and prepared by the post station, exuding an understated luxury, as they slowly passed through the majestic city gate.

As soon as they entered, a servant in green came forward, bowed respectfully, and said that the Second Master had instructed him to wait here to guide the Second Madam and Young Master Ling.

At that moment, Song Xiaohua truly felt like she was about to enter a wealthy family. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but more than that, she was curious. After all, she had only ever seen such grand mansions of officials and noble families on TV. She never thought that one day she would be able to experience it firsthand and become one of them. She was quite excited.

As for those petty squabbles and infighting within the family, I didn't really take them to heart, because Dongqing was there, her Dongqing...

After traveling south for about half an hour, the carriage stopped, and a servant's voice came: "Second Madam, Young Master Ling, we have arrived at the Lu residence."

Immediately, the carriage curtain was lifted from the outside, and a round-faced, smiling girl dressed as a maid of about thirteen or fourteen years old extended half an arm towards Song Xiaohua. Song Xiaohua paused slightly, then, without making a sound, imitated the posture of Empress Dowager Cixi, placing her arm on that fair, lotus-root-like forearm, and, holding Lu Ling's hand, slowly lowered her head and stepped down from the carriage.

Before she could even stand up straight, she heard a scream, and then felt her hand go empty. It turned out that Song Wuque had jumped out and startled the little girl so much that she fell over.

Song Xiaohua quickly made the dog sit up, and was about to pull up the poor girl whose face had turned pale with fright, and apologize and comfort her, when she was caught off guard when the girl rolled over and knelt up first, her shoulders trembling and her voice shaking: "Xiaoyan deserves to die, please don't blame me, Second Madam!"

After a moment of silence, Song Xiaohua sighed inwardly, then merely raised her hand in a perfunctory manner and said in a gentle tone, "Alright, this isn't your fault, Xiaoyan, right? Get up quickly."

With tears in her eyes, Xiaoyan thanked her repeatedly, then stood up, managed a weak smile, and quickly regained her composure.

As usual, she maintained her composure and let Song Xiaohua support her. She glanced at the few servants in blue robes standing before the vermilion gate, only to find them all standing calmly with their hands at their sides, eyes fixed straight ahead, seemingly unaffected. Even though two of them were clearly startled by Song Wuque, their eyes merely widened slightly; otherwise, they showed no unusual reaction.

Even the security guards are so well-trained; no wonder they're from a high-ranking official's family...

Just as I was feeling sentimental, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps. The bright July sun made my eyes blur for a moment, and when I looked again, a tall and handsome man stood out in my pupils.

He wore a long black robe covered with a snow-white gauze, and long velvet tassels at his waist swayed from side to side with the gust of wind he created as he walked. His black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, and his temples, which were neatly combed, were faintly stained with sweat. He had sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and a square mouth, and his noble air was restrained, calm, and experienced.

"Father!" Lu Ling hesitated for a moment, then rushed forward with a cheer: "Father, why are you different from before?"

"Then Ling'er will still recognize her father?"

"Because Father is Ling'er's father~"

Lu Ziqi bent down and picked up the adorable little dumpling: "Ling'er, you've gained weight again."

"Because Ling'er has grown up~"

As he spoke, he approached Song Xiaohua, who had been smiling silently and gazing intently. He paused, took a slight breath, and said softly, "You've arrived?"

"Yes, it's here."

"Was the journey safe?"

"Yes, all is well."

"Come with me into the manor!"

"Okay, sure."

The language is so simple it's almost barren, the emotions so bland they barely stir a ripple, yet somehow it seems to dissipate some of the surrounding heat. It seeps into the heart, easing longing.

He instructed Xiaoyan to take some people to settle the carriage and luggage. Lu Ziqi, carrying Lu Ling, entered the vermilion gate side by side with Song Xiaohua. Song Wuque followed on his own, striding confidently and looking around arrogantly.

The Lu family rose to prominence through military achievements, and their residence is laid out in a grand, square layout. The Lu family also flourished through their civil service careers, resulting in exquisite and meticulously crafted interiors and furnishings. Small bridges, flowing water, carved railings, and jade-like structures blend seamlessly into the simple yet grand space, adding a sense of depth without being ostentatious.

Although Song Xiaohua had broadened her horizons and seen the magnificence of many wealthy families along the way, she could not compare with the Lu family, whose three generations had served as high-ranking officials in the capital. She was immediately shocked and moved to tears.

Lu Ziqi turned his head and saw her face contorted in surprise: "Yaoyao, what's wrong? Is it too hot and you feel uncomfortable?"

"No..." she said through gritted teeth, lowering her voice, "Your family is so rich, yet you still got angry with me over a piece of clothing and a meal!" As she spoke, she reached out and gently pinched his arm.

Lu Ziqi was speechless. It had been so long ago, and this girl really held a grudge...

Seeing the main hall in front of him, he took the soft little hand in his palm, and the two smiled at each other.

Author's Note: Although Xiao Hua has entered a grand mansion, there probably won't be too much fighting and infighting, because I can't write about monsters... *crying emoji*

So, let's mainly focus on making things interesting for Xiaohua and Xiaolu's daily lives~

Also, I don't understand many of the rules in a wealthy family, so this is just my speculation. Please don't take it too seriously.

Furthermore, the Lu family has no historical prototype; it is purely fictional and absurd. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is absolutely impossible!

Drifting away with the 'anti-slap shield' on top~

Chapter 53 Taking Down the Big Boss

Lu Tuo, courtesy name Zhanzhi, is the eldest son of Lu Wu, the founding minister and Duke of Anguo, and is now the absolute head of the Lu family.

Born into a military family, he followed his father in countless battles from a young age, quelling rebellions. At the age of twelve, he led a hundred elite cavalrymen deep into enemy territory, beheading over a thousand, burning supplies, and breaking through enemy lines, earning him the reputation of a young general. His father, overjoyed upon hearing the news, immediately decided to change his original courtesy name, "Shoucheng," to "Zhanzhi," meaning "to behead all the enemies"...

When he reached adulthood, the country was at peace, and he followed Lu Wu to the capital, where he inherited his father's position and became an official in the court.

When he reached the age of forty, his father passed away peacefully, and he inherited the title.

He spent decades navigating the ups and downs of officialdom, rising from a sinecure of the sixth rank to the position of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, from a mere military man to the Emperor's teacher, wielding immense power.

Two years ago, he suddenly had the idea of retiring. He asked for the emperor's grace and was relieved of many of his official titles, leaving him only with the title of "Duke of Anguo" to live out his remaining years in peace.

He was naturally unrestrained and had a romantic reputation, with one wife and four concubines. However, he was deeply devoted to his wife, whose position remained vacant after she passed away twenty years ago.

She had six sons and four daughters, all of whom were outstanding in appearance and talent, and each was renowned. However, only her two legitimate sons were the most favored and valued by her.

Compared to the mature and upright eldest son Lu Ziheng, the second son Lu Ziqi was more favored.

This child showed signs of intelligence from a young age, displayed lofty ambitions in his youth, was unconventional, and excelled in both literary and martial arts, resembling his father in his prime.

After achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations, he won the favor of the young emperor, who promised him a high-ranking official position with real power. Unfortunately, even the most spirited and intelligent young man cannot withstand the sharp claws and teeth of the king of the jungle. Ultimately, he succumbed to the intricate power struggles within the court, ending up in prison, and his beloved wife tragically passed away.

After two years of drowning his sorrows in alcohol, he woke up one day and resolutely took his young son to the frontier, willingly becoming a county magistrate rather than having any further connection with his family.

Despite repeated attempts to persuade him, both gentle and forceful, to no avail. He even remarried without his parents' consent, informing them only through a letter.

Whenever he thinks about it, Lu Tuo lets out a long sigh.

Just when everyone thought there was no chance of breaking the deadlock, things took an unexpected turn. Six months ago, the eldest son, who had personally gone to persuade him, brought news that he had finally agreed to return home and accept the arrangement to become an official in the capital.

However, there are two conditions. First, she must enter the Privy Council. Second, the Lu family must accept the woman surnamed Song and not make things difficult for her.

Condition one: No objections whatsoever. Condition two: No objections allowed.

Old Master Lu still felt somewhat frustrated...

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked up at the figures slowly approaching. He struggled to swallow the tea and coughed twice without making a sound.

The son was holding his grandson, who had grown even more beautiful and adorable in the two years since they last met. His big, dark eyes revealed his intelligence; he truly was a child of the Lu family.

The woman the son was leading wore a purple gauze dress that reached the ground, her hair adorned with pearls and a hairpin, her eyebrows lightly powdered. Although she appeared dignified, her demeanor lacked the measured grace of a noblewoman, carrying a hint of rustic charm. However, considering the nascent air of elegance and refinement she possessed, she wasn't entirely disgracing the Lu family. Truly, the Lu family's taste in wives was evident…

The focus of attention is on the dog walking at the back.

Big, mighty, fierce, and purebred! What a great dog!

Lu Tuo was quite surprised to hear a few days ago that Lu Ziqi was building a doghouse in his own backyard. This son of his, who at five years old had played a prank by stealing dog food, resulting in being chased for two blocks and falling headfirst into a pond, and ever since then, fearing dogs like ghosts, actually wanted to keep a dog?! It would be more believable if he wanted to keep a ghost…

It wasn't until I saw it with my own eyes that I couldn't help but believe it. It seems my son's trip outside has changed his ways...