Yu Zhou's expression went from initial stunned shock to gradually calming down.
"We've troubled you, Lord Marquis, with your concern for our family matters." Although Yu Zhou was still not fully recovered from the news, he quickly composed himself. Regardless of the truth, Yu Zhou was grateful to Lu Mingxiu. "Thank you, Lord Marquis!"
Lu Mingxiu waved his hand dismissively.
“The key right now is whether Chen Li already knows your father’s identity,” Lu Mingxiu said. “If he has confirmed that your father is a descendant of the Xu family, then the fact that Brother Yu and your mother visited will definitely arouse Chen Li’s vigilance. The Chen family was busy with Chen Qian’s wedding a few days ago, so they may have temporarily put this matter aside. Now that Chen Qian has married, Chen Li may bring it up again.”
Yu Zhou remained silent.
If everything is as Lu Mingxiu said, Chen Li is very likely to retaliate. Perhaps he will think that his mother and he know the whereabouts of the Xu family's assets.
“I do have a plan, but I’ll have to trouble Brother Yu,” Lu Mingxiu suddenly said.
Upon hearing this news, Yu Zhou, despite his resolute nature, couldn't come up with a better idea for the time being. "Please speak, Lord Marquis."
“Brother Yu, why don’t you take your position as the manager of Jiu Niang’s family and move to Jiu Niang’s estate with your mother and younger brother? I’ll send a few of my personal guards over, which will also help guard against the Chen family.” Lu Mingxiu patiently explained, “After you have verified the truth, Brother Yu can make further plans.”
Yu Zhou naturally knew that Lu Mingxiu meant well, and this was the best option for them at the moment. If what Lu Mingxiu said was true, their own act of going to their doorstep was a threat to the Chen family, and the Chen family could not sit idly by.
Seeking temporary protection from the Marquis of Pingyuan's household is the best course of action.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Marquis." Yu Zhou made a decision immediately; this was not the time to refuse. "After I go back and persuade my mother, I will move there with her and my younger brother."
Lu Mingxiu nodded.
Now that the two had spoken frankly, even though Yu Zhou's mind was in turmoil, he still managed to hunt two minks with Lu Mingxiu, and the pelts were perfectly preserved. After quickly tidying them up, he handed them to Lu Mingxiu.
He already owed a favor to the Pingyuan Marquis's family, so when he learned that Lu Mingxiu wanted to give it to An Ran, he naturally put in even more effort.
It seems Lu Mingxiu has already realized that he secretly harbors feelings for An Ran. However, Lu Mingxiu never reveals this, and even goes so far as to help An Ran several times, demonstrating that Lord Lu is a magnanimous and upright man. With Miss An Jiu marrying such a man, Yu Zhou has already willingly conceded defeat.
The two didn't return from the woods until after noon, when Yu's mother had already prepared lunch.
Although there weren't any rare ingredients, it was clear that the Yu family had done their best to prepare the best meal possible, and it was evident that Mrs. Yu had put a lot of heart into the hospitality.
Lu Mingxiu didn't stand on ceremony and served himself two large bowls of rice. He only put down his chopsticks after he was full.
Mrs. Yu was delighted and kept smiling. She took out some dried goods that she had made and gave them to Lu Mingxiu to take back, as well as some for Qin Feng and Ke Lin. Lu Mingxiu thanked her and accepted them, and also gave some to Qin Feng and Ke Lin, not refusing her kindness.
Knowing that Yu Zhou still needed to persuade his mother, Lu Mingxiu did not linger and said that he had something to do and needed to return to his residence first.
Yu Zhou escorted the three of them to the door, watched them ride away on horseback, closed the door, and sighed softly.
Yu's mother had already noticed that although Yu Zhou looked no different from usual on the surface, there was a deep sense of unease in his eyes.
"Mother, there's something I need to tell you," Yu Zhou finally said slowly.
******
After Lu Mingxiu returned from the outskirts of the capital, he entered the inner city gates just as the city lights were coming on.
Having already informed Chu Tianze, he didn't return to the yamen but went directly back to the Pingyuan Marquis's residence. He had taken it upon himself to make the decision for An Ran without telling her about it yet.
Lu Mingxiu brought the mink fur in, but instead of handing it to An Ran, he had Song Yan deliver it directly to the sewing room, saying it was for the lady to use as a cloak.
Qin Feng and Colin were carrying a lot of dried goods in large and small bags, as if they had gone out to buy them on purpose.
No wonder Songyang was surprised when he saw them and said, "There's still some time before the New Year. Are you two going to buy New Year's goods?"
"I suppose so." The two could only exchange a wry smile; that wasn't entirely wrong. Madam Yu was far too hospitable, packing large and small bags, including those for the Marquis and their family, until they were overflowing.
Lu Mingxiu turned to the two men and said, "Colin, take four men to the Yu family tomorrow and make sure they escort the people to Madam's estate. After you've given them instructions, return immediately. Qin Feng, go keep an eye on things at Marquis Chu's place. It would be best if you could get the list of the remnants of Prince Rui's troops who were in contact with wealthy merchants as soon as possible."
Colin and Qin Feng agreed and then tactfully took their leave.
Lu Mingxiu was holding a fluffy thing in his hand, half of it sticking out of his sleeve.
When he lifted the curtain and came in, An Ran thought he had a little rabbit hidden in his sleeve. But then she realized it was impossible; they already had Xue Tuan'er at home, why would Lord Lu bring another rabbit?
"My lord, where have you been coming from?" Lu Mingxiu was shivering with cold, clearly having walked for a long time in the chilly wind. An Ran quickly offered him hot tea and a copper hand warmer to warm him up. "You wouldn't be hiding a rabbit in your sleeve, would you?"
An Ran couldn't help but ask.
Lu Mingxiu nodded with a smile, then said mysteriously, "If you say it's a rabbit, that's not wrong either."
As he spoke, he took something out of his sleeve—a delicately crafted rabbit figurine. An Ran took it and examined it; it was fluffy, pure white without a single blemish, quite exquisite. Holding it in her hand, An Ran asked in confusion, "My lord, did you buy this?"
"It was a gift from Madam Yu." Lu Mingxiu took it from An Ran's hand and, ignoring Qingmei and the others who were present, held it up to her head. "Not bad."
He took the scope and showed it to An Ran.
Seeing the Marquis and his wife interacting so intimately and naturally, Qingmei and the other maids were naturally delighted. So the three of them pursed their lips and secretly smiled as they watched the Marquis clumsily help his wife try on the clothes.
Sure enough, the fluffy bunny plush made her look even more pretty and cute.
"Make another mink shawl for us tomorrow, so we can have a complete set," Lord Lu suggested. "I've already sent the mink shawl to the sewing workshop and had them draw up a design for you to choose from."
An Ran was bewildered by this series of actions. Only now did she come to her senses and ask, "My lord, are you going to the outskirts of the capital?"
Otherwise, how could they have run into Mother Yu? It seems that Lu Mingxiu went to talk about the Yu family's affairs, so it's necessary to remind them in time.
Lu Mingxiu nodded and said, "I took Colin and Qin Feng to the Yu family."
Seeing that the two were about to get down to business, Qingmei, Qingxing, and the others tactfully withdrew.
"What did you say?" An Ran asked impatiently.
Lu Mingxiu then repeated what he had said to Yu Zhou, and added, "I thought it would be more convenient for you to come, so I decided to let Yu's mother and son move to your estate first."