He used to prefer dark-colored clothes, which made him appear more mature and composed. In his early years, because he was young, the veteran soldiers in the army naturally did not respect him. Only when Lu Mingxiu completely overwhelmed them in both martial arts and strategy did everyone truly admire him.
However, from then on, in order to appear more mature, Lu Mingxiu always wore dark-colored clothes, such as light blue, black, and raven blue. His temperament also became more and more aloof. Everyone couldn't help but feel a little regretful. From the young boy back then to the cold-faced marquis of today, it seemed that they had also contributed a lot.
Standing in his bedroom today, Lu Mingxiu frowned as he saw the two garments brought over by the servant Songyan—one indigo and the other dark blue.
He suddenly remembered what Chu Tianze had told him: "Young people should act like young people. Who wants to look at you if you always dress like an old man? Young girls are cute and pretty, who doesn't like a handsome young man who can sweet-talk?"
He may not be good at sweet talk, but he can certainly pull it off by changing his clothes.
"Find me some light-colored clothes, nothing dark." Lu Mingxiu felt a little embarrassed when he saw Song Yan's jaw drop-like expression as she brought over the clothes. So he cleared his throat and said seriously, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go!"
The pine smoke then seemed to awaken from its dream.
The Marquis's request is too difficult to fulfill!
He had been working as the Marquis's servant for three years since he arrived at the Marquis's residence. He thought he knew the Marquis's preferences like the back of his hand, but this time he was stumped. The Marquis's clothes were almost always dark-colored, and the seamstresses knew this, so they only made dark-colored clothes for him.
Songyan is a professional at being a servant.
He rummaged through chests and drawers, finally finding for his master an ivory-white brocade robe with a landscape painting and a moon-white brocade robe with subtle silver thread patterns. Songyan was quite impressed with himself for being able to offer his master two choices.
The Marquis should give himself a raise.
When Songyan excitedly carried the clothes away, the Marquis didn't even give him a word of praise. Instead, he picked up the two pieces of clothing and compared them repeatedly.
The ivory white one is a wide-sleeved robe, but it's a bit too flashy; the moon white one with silver thread patterns is better, as the patterns are less noticeable.
Lu Mingxiu chose the clothes he wanted to wear without hesitation.
After he changed his clothes, he stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at himself. Lu Mingxiu felt rather uncomfortable.
His dark coat had been replaced with a moon-white one, and it seemed that his cold and aloof aura had diminished considerably. Although he remained tall and handsome, he now possessed a more approachable charm.
"Don't always have such a stern face, or you'll scare the little girl to tears!"
Lu Mingxiu couldn't help but hear Chu Tianze's words again. They seemed to make some sense? The little girl always looked panicked whenever she saw him.
Thinking this, Lu Mingxiu tried to curve the corners of his lips into a gentle smile.
For a moment, he forgot that Songyan was still there. When he came to his senses, he saw Songyan holding the clothes, standing blankly behind him, looking completely stunned.
"Cough cough." Lu Mingxiu coughed twice forcefully.
Songyan then came to his senses.
Did the Marquis just smile at himself in the mirror? Or was he seeing things?
Before Lu Mingxiu could speak, Qin Feng had already entered carrying a large bag of medicinal herbs. "My lord, the medicinal herbs are all prepared. Here is the list; please take a look."
Qin Feng was looking at the list as he walked when he vaguely saw a white figure. He didn't think of his lord at all and walked straight over.
Lu Mingxiu's eyebrows twitched.
"My lord, my lord—" Qin Feng almost bumped into the wall before realizing the lord wasn't there. As he turned around to look for him, he suddenly noticed a person dressed in a moon-white brocade robe who had a face exactly like his lord's.
Qin Feng was horrified.
"Bring the things over!" Lu Mingxiu immediately put on a stern face, trying to be as cold and serious as ever. However, the shock of him changing into light-colored clothes was too great for Qin Feng, and Qin Feng was still completely bewildered when he handed over the list.
They couldn't sense their master's usual coldness at all.
"Qin Feng, come out with me." Lu Mingxiu said calmly, "Song Yan, go and reorganize the warehouse ledgers with the steward, and make a new copy for me."
The two responded in unison.
Qin Feng followed Lu Mingxiu, carrying the medicinal herbs, leaving Songyan alone to organize things. "Judging by this trend, I should make a few more light-colored outfits for the Marquis," Songyan thought diligently.
But just now, he cleverly found two sets of clothes for the Marquis as an emergency, and the Marquis didn't praise him at all!
Songyan sighed inwardly, thinking that following the Marquis was a dead end with no future and no money to be made.
It seems the only hope is that his future wife will give him a raise!
Chapter 82
Lu Mingxiu was already drinking his second pot of tea in Tan Lang's study.
His reason for coming was to discuss official business with Tan Lang, and he planned to go there first and then see how things went. All the way from the Marquis's residence, he kept thinking of excuses. Even if he couldn't see An Jiu, he would be happy to at least find out something about her.
Therefore, he first spoke to Tan Lang in a serious tone about the remnants of Prince Rui.
Lu Mingxiu was unaware that Yun Shu had already informed the Empress, instructing her to summon Princess Yunyang to the palace and to personally meet An Ran. Furthermore, with Chu Tianze's "help" and his embellishment of his nephew's "tragic love story," Princess Yunyang and her husband were already aware of Lu Mingxiu's intentions.
Tan Lang had followed Yun Shu since Yun Shu was still a prince, and had rendered meritorious service in his rise to power. He was originally a follower of Empress Xiao Jinniang, and was later recommended to Yun Shu by her. Now that he holds the position of Minister of Revenue, it is only a matter of time before he enters the Grand Secretariat and becomes a prime minister.
In front of such a cunning old fox, Lu Mingxiu's little tricks were no match at all.
Tan Lang had worked with Lu Mingxiu before, and he liked this junior colleague who was aloof, taciturn, yet capable and responsible. In addition, Princess Yunyang had mentioned An Jiu and Jia Niang's relationship, and Tan Lang had already sent people to Jiangnan to inquire about the situation. The couple had a very good impression of An Jiu and naturally wanted to help the two of them get together.
When Lu Mingxiu arrived today, he was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe. He stood tall and elegant in the study, and Minister Tan almost dropped the blue-and-white teacup in his hand.
Is this still the same cold-faced Marquis Pingyuan from before?
It's worth mentioning that Yun Shu values Lu Mingxiu so highly, cultivating and promoting him, which is perhaps because the two are quite similar. When Yun Shu was still in the army as the third son of the Duke of Dingguo, he was known for his cold and aloof demeanor.
Lu Mingxiu, raised in wealth and luxury, experienced a sudden change in his family's fortunes at a young age, experiencing the harsh realities of life. Therefore, he was determined to restore the Pingyuan Marquis's mansion. He only knew how to fight, and his achievements on the battlefield were all earned through his own hard work. He was injured many times, and once he almost did not survive.
It was only after marrying the Empress that the Emperor shed his coldness, changed his taciturn nature, and became more gentle and approachable.