Volume 1 Chapter 111: Another Advance

  When Lu Xuan rushed into the government office, she saw at a glance that there were two servants standing outside her alley, looking around cautiously.

  As soon as they saw Lu Xuan, both servants were overjoyed. They hastily stepped forward and after bowing to Lu Xuan, one of the servants said: "Miss Lu, our young master has been waiting for you for a long time."

  Lu Xuan looked up and saw a luxurious carriage at the gate of her own house, with four beautiful maids standing beside it.

  Lu Xuan walked slowly away amidst the diligent servants.

  As she approached, the carriage curtain opened, and Zhang Feng, dressed up in a white robe with his hair tied back, looked even more handsome and charming as he revealed his face.

  Zhang Feng's expression was somewhat complex, his eyes fixed tightly on Lu Yue.

  As Lu Yun approached, he dismounted his horse carriage and bowed to her, politely calling out: "Miss Lu."

  "En." Lu Xuan responded faintly and walked up to him, looking up to ask: "Why has Zhang Lang come?"

  Seeing her elegant movements, cold and beautiful face, Zhang Feng's eyes were fixed on her for a while before he lowered his head, continued with the ceremony, and said: "I came this time to personally apologize to you, young lady."

  He ordered, "Bring down the things."

  The two servants stood on the horse's front and lifted down several wooden boxes placed in the carriage.

  Lu Xuan's gaze swept over the wooden boxes, and she said lightly: "Lang Jun's intentions, I understand." She walked over to open the door and stepped inside. Slightly turning her body, Lu Xuan quietly watched as the maids carried the wooden boxes in, a faint smile on her lips, seemingly understanding everything.

  Before long, she felt Zhang Feng's gaze still staring at her intensely.

  Lu Xuan turned her head.

  Four eyes met, Zhang Feng cleared his throat. He followed the maids into the courtyard. After glancing around in all directions, his gaze stuck to Lu Yue again.

  Lu Xuan walked into the kitchen and said lightly: "My humble abode is crude. There's only plain water. Would you like some, Lord Lang?"

  "Ah? Use."

  Lu Xuan heard this and poured him a cup.

  Lowering his head, Zhang Feng took the bowl of white water from Lu Xue's pale hand and saw the calluses between her fingers.

  This encouragement greatly boosted his confidence. After taking a casual sip of his drink, Zhang Feng opened his mouth and said, "That Ah Yu, I really admire you."

  Look at this position is slightly different, even the words have changed. Now they all use the word "admire".

  It seems that Lu Xuan didn't notice the faint smile on Zhang Feng's lips, and after clearing his throat, he made an effort to speak in a calm tone: "Yesterday's matter... I was too abrupt... Madam doesn't mind, does she? My heart is extremely happy."

  Looking up at her, Zhang Feng looked at her gently and said seriously: "However, my heart is open to you, Ah Yue." After a pause, he smiled brightly, his white teeth shining as he said: "Ah Yue, I've spoken to my parents and they agree that I should welcome you as my concubine with the rites of marriage."

  Take her in with the rites of a wife? That is to say, give her the position of first wife?

  Lu Yu's lips curved slightly upwards.

  Seeing her like this, Zhang Feng also revealed a mouthful of white teeth, smiling brightly, his eyes filled with pride. He said gently: "Ah Yue, I know you have a good relationship with the Shang, Wang, and Xiao families. I also know that you are intelligent and talented. To be honest, I felt that welcoming you to the Zhang household in such a hurry was a waste. Now, my parents hold you in high esteem. Ah Yue, as long as you nod your head slightly, I will take care of everything. Just wait for three months, after I get married, I will immediately welcome you into our household."

  It seems this person didn't find out he has a relationship with you.

  Lu Xuan felt Zhang Feng's tone becoming softer and softer, seeing him getting closer and closer to her, she raised her head and said quietly: "No."

  Only two words.

  And still said with a smile.

  Zhang Feng was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but be taken aback.

  Seeing his stunned expression, Lu Yue curved her lips and said slowly: "Zhang Jialang Jun, this is not good, I don't want to be your concubine."

  She said as much and gave the order to withdraw the guests, "It's getting late, now that you've finished speaking, Lord Lang, it's best you head back early."

  Zhang Feng's face changed several times, and a hint of despair flowed out from his eyes.

  After a while, he said: "Miss Lu, you are almost grown up, aren't you? And your courtyard is so simple. Your brother's studies and future career, whether it's finding a good teacher or traveling to the capital for further education, all require someone to take care of him and provide financial support. If you follow me, you won't have to worry about these things."

  He looked at Lu Xuan sincerely and said in a gentle tone: "Miss Lu, I really like you, and I will treat you well in the future... why must you be so stubborn?"

  He spoke very sincerely, extremely sincere.

  Lu Xuan raised her head to look at him, nodded slightly and said faintly: "I know you are not a bad person." In fact, if he were really a bad person, she wouldn't have forgiven him so easily.

  Luoyin continued: "It's just that I have my own views on marriage, and no matter what, I will not be entangled with Lang Jun."

  She walked to the gate and curtsied, "Farewell, young master!"

  Lu Xuan was so blunt that Zhang Feng's face couldn't hold up. He walked past her, and as he passed by, he calmly said: "What I said, Miss Lu might as well consider it. Miss Lu can also ask around what kind of person I am. Although I was abrupt and rude yesterday, I'm still a man who values relationships and righteousness. If you follow me, Miss, you won't lose out."

  "Let's go."

  Lu Xuan saw them off.

  She closed the big gate and walked in front of several wooden boxes. This time it was interesting, one of the large wooden boxes was filled with a whole box of iron coins.

  Seeing this iron money, Lu Yue suddenly thought: Could it be that they found out about me exchanging the jewelry given by Zhang Fu for iron money?

  And another small box was more than half full of gold, which looked like over 300 taels.

  In addition, there were several boxes containing some stationery and treasures, and another box with some precious Shu brocade.

  This official residence is really generous with its gifts; the money from the two rounds of gift-giving could be enough to take in a few concubines.

  These things Lu Yu couldn't move, and she didn't rush either. After leisurely reading a book for a while, Lu Yu cooked the rice. She stewed the dishes with a three-legged cauldron, just waiting for Lu Yun to come back.

  In the late afternoon, Lu returned on time. As soon as he saw several boxes placed in the courtyard, he was shocked and exclaimed: "Sister, has someone given us money again?"

  "Alright."

  Lu Xuan slowly put down the bamboo slips in his hand and said, "This time we got a lot of money, enough for us to enjoy ourselves comfortably in Chengdu for a while."

  She smiled and said: "The room is still a bit empty, Ah Yun, after we put our things in order, you accompany your sister to buy some more things."

  Lu Yun happily agreed, walked over to open the box and looked at it for a while, his eyes shining brightly as he said: "Sister, how about we buy some land or set up some shops?"

  Lu Xuan hesitated, speaking slowly: "My heart is always uneasy, and I don't know how many years I can live in Chengdu. It's better to put these things away properly. It will be more reassuring."

  Lu Yun Dao said: "Good, everything will be done according to sister's instructions."

  The sister and brother hid their things well and each carried a bag of iron coins out of the house.

  Next, the siblings found a few more carpenters and arranged for some people to fix up the room even better. They also had some bedding and whatnot delivered, and by the time they got home, it was already nighttime.

  The next day, Lu Yun went to school as usual, while the carpenters who were invited began to work busily. They made new tables, new beds, and various desks, replaced old doors with new ones, and renovated walls, working for three days before finishing everything.

  At this time, the small courtyard was already filled to the brim. Several rooms were filled with furniture and household items, every corner exuding a sense of homey warmth and coziness.

  Lu Xuan had just sent away those hired workers and hadn't rested for a day when another horse carriage came to the door.

  This time, seeing the horse carriage, Lu Xuan was beaming with joy.

  As soon as the carriage stopped, Xiao Yan and two maidservants jumped down. She looked around and said in a clear voice, "Ah Yue, it's been several days since I came here, everything has changed."

  Lü Yuán led her on a tour and asked: "Why didn't ā Tí come?"

  Xiao Yan rolled her eyes at her, "Do you think I'm always stuck with Ati?"

  Isn't it?

  Towards Shang Lu's expression, Xiao Yan was too lazy to explain. She waved her hand and said: "A Yu, this time I came, it is at the order of my grandmother, please come to Xiao Fu as a guest."

  Lu Xuan was taken aback and slowly asked: "The matter between me and that noble, did you mention it?"

  "No way." Xiao Yan immediately looked up at her, and she pouted: "We've already discussed it, no one will say anything about this. Ah Yue, you're still unmarried after all, we can't harm your chances of getting married just because you saved us."

  Luo Ying said gratefully: "Thank you."

  "What am I thanking you for?" Xiao Yan glared at her and complained, "You may not say it, but I just feel that you like Atie more."

  She didn't wait for Lu Xuan to say anything, she patted her clothes and smiled: "Hurry up and get ready."

  Seeing Lu Yu hesitating, she opened her eyes wide and called out: "Yu, don't you want to go? Your younger brother is very knowledgeable, isn't he? Even if it's not for his sake, you should also get out more often, so as to find a suitable husband. Besides, you said your surname was Xiao the other day, but you used my family's surname, oh? You should at least meet my grandmother!"

  Lu Xuan heard this, her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but smile: "I didn't say I wouldn't go." After speaking, she returned to the room, changed into a woman's dress, left a note, took some silver money, and then followed Xiao Yan out of the door.

  At that time in the city of Chengdu, it was a bustling and prosperous time. A horse-drawn carriage came along the road, meeting the respectful and cautious glances of the common people coming and going. Seeing one new and interesting street performance after another, Lu Xuan's eyes were glued to them.

  At this moment, Xiao Yan, who had been sizing her up, suddenly leaned in and whispered: "Ah Yue, what did that person ask you to do the other day?"

  It's hard to clear her name now. Lu Yuan is really innocent, but as a widow, she has been summoned by that noble many times, and this rumor has spread everywhere with an unusual tone.

  Lu Xuan turned around, facing Xiao Ruo's curious face, and sighed: "He just came to talk to me." With a bitter smile, Lu Xuan explained seriously: "Maybe that person saw how bold and reckless I am, and always act like Lang Jun, so he thinks it's interesting."

  Xiao Yan nodded, and then she whispered: "Ah Yue, legend has it that the person is extremely moody, you must be careful in front of him." She stuck out her tongue, and her tone was serious, "The person's identity is a secret throughout Chengdu. However, no matter what, you must remember not to offend him. You have to remember, those who offend him, not to mention you Lu Yue siblings, even the famous Shang family in Chengdu cannot protect themselves. So, you must be extremely cautious and careful in front of him."

  The tone is extremely sincere.

  Lu Xuan nodded repeatedly and said in a low voice: "I will."