Volume 1 Chapter 114: Disposal

  As soon as they entered the room, Xiao Jia's fourth child put the jade pendant on the table and let his mother take a closer look. After that, he repeated what Lu Yue had said in the garden earlier.

  After a pause, Xiao family's fourth son said: "Mother, is this jade pendant really genuine?"

  "It's really true!"

  Mrs. Xiao took a deep breath and muttered, "That Lu girl, it turns out she's untouchable. That day when we mentioned taking her in as our adopted daughter, those with shallow vision said they looked down on her. Now I wonder who looks down on whom."

  Xiao family's fourth elder's attention was not here, he said seriously: "I discussed with third brother, this matter is of great importance, if we are not careful, it will be a disaster for the clan. No matter whether this thing was done by sister-in-law or not, since Lu Shi's daughter has determined that it was her, then it must have been her!" After a pause, Xiao family's fourth elder said: "As for your family, I have already sent someone to explain. Mother, do you think it is better to let her die suddenly or be imprisoned?"

  Mrs. Xiao clenched her teeth and said in a hoarse voice, "It's really her doing!" After fighting with this daughter-in-law for many years, Mrs. Xiao actually knew her well. So as soon as she spoke, it was affirmative.

  "Close your eyes and die!" Old Lady Xiao shouted again.

  "But mother, if we were to die suddenly, it would be easy for rumors to spread and it might bring harm to the two children and also to the Sun family, which is the maternal home of Eldest Brother's wife." The two children he referred to were the sons born to Lady Shao.

  Mrs. Xiao sneered, "Because of this fool, all the big families are still dissatisfied with us until now. Even if our eldest son has been dismissed from his post, they have not completely swallowed their anger. Last time, Shang Shi's words were already very unpleasant to hear. For the sake of the entire Xiao family and to satisfy them, some sacrifices must be made. Right, after dealing with this poisonous woman, remember to tell each of the families about it. Also, since Lu's daughter said she didn't want to make this matter public, then let it rot inside."

  "Yes."

  "Don't let the Sun family, your sister-in-law's natal family, know that this matter is related to Madame Lu. If another fool comes seeking revenge, we might end up thoroughly offending them."

  "Yes."

  "In the garden, everyone who knows about this matter is forbidden to speak a word. Even if they were to die or cut out their own tongues, they are not allowed to utter a single syllable! Remember, that noble person was willing to give such a precious jade pendant to Mistress Lu, yet still allows her to lead a life of debasement and suffering; he must be indulging in some sort of pleasure. You cannot spoil his fun!"

  "My mother is right."

  Lu Xuan went back to the mansion first.

  Sitting in the courtyard, Lu Xuan raised her head and gazed at the white clouds in the sky, where thoughts surged.

  After a long time, Lu Xuan let out a sigh and thought secretly: This is really getting difficult.

  In the past, she had also borrowed the power of a noble to get things done, but those things were ultimately caused by him, so Lu Yue felt no guilt in borrowing his power.

  It's different today.

  Today is by his light, drag his blessing, with power oppression and thus resolved her life crisis.

  After thinking for a while, Lu Xuan secretly thought: Forget it, first find a chance to thank him.

  In the afternoon, a knock at the door sounded, and Lu Xuan hurried over. Before she could speak, Xiao Yan's excited voice came through, "Ah Yuan, open the door quickly, open it quickly."

  Lü Yún pushed open the door with a creak.

  Xiao Yan Zheng was standing outside with two maidservants, beaming with joy. When she saw Lu Yue, she rushed forward and hugged her tightly.

  Hugging Lu Xue tightly, Xiao Yan said excitedly: "Ah Yue, thank you, thank you. This time you've really opened up a bright future for me and my brother."

  She was so excited that she put down Lu Xuan and spun around the yard with a smile. Laughing, she said: "Ah Xuan, I'm so happy, this is the first time I've been so happy since my mother died."

  Before she could say anything else, she called out again: "Ah Yue, wait for my brother to finish school and I'll bring him over. You have a great kindness towards us siblings, I won't let him forget it."

  After laughing for a while, Lu Xuan said with some annoyance: "How much longer are you going to laugh?"

  "I'll just keep laughing then." Xiao Yan was still spinning around, still giggling, and she said happily: "Ah Xuan, do you know? I've been wanting to laugh all day today, but in the mansion, I couldn't laugh, I had to hold it in. It's not easy to come here to your place, and you won't even let me laugh my fill?"

  "Alright, you laugh then." Lu Yue walked into the kitchen to boil some water. Just as she started, two maidservants ran over and took over her tasks with a smile. A fourteen-year-old maid with a melon-seed-shaped face smiled and said: "Young Mistress Lu, let us handle these chores, you go keep our young mistress company."

  The tone is also neither humble nor arrogant.

  When Luoyue was driven out by the two, Xiao Yan was still spinning and laughing. Just as Luoyue was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of Xiao Yan's tears streaming down her face despite her laughter, and silently sighed, pretending not to know.

  After a while, Xiao Yan wiped away her tears and said in a hoarse voice: "Ah Yue, I, I really appreciate you." After a pause, she continued: "My brother is only thirteen years old this year, but as of today, he has fallen into the lake twice, been poisoned once, fallen off a mountain once, and got lost six times. Ah Yue, I'm so scared, I'm always afraid that one day he'll have another unexpected accident and I won't be able to see him again."

  She turned her head, looked at Lu Xuan and muttered: "If it weren't for grandma's love for me, if it weren't for my maternal grandfather's powerful family background, and if Uncle Fang hadn't been taking care of me all along. If it weren't for my eldest uncle speaking up directly, there would be no peace as long as my siblings were around. If anything happened to my siblings, he wouldn't care about the reason and would make sure that all of my father's legitimate sons died off. If it weren't for Ati and her family always being happy to protect me, I might have been dead a long time ago. Lu Xuan, do you know what kind of fear that is? You clearly know who did something wrong, but you can't find any evidence, and if you're not careful, the bad things will be pinned on you... Lu Xuan, have you ever felt that way?"

  Lu Xuan shook her head.

  Xiao Yan stepped forward, embracing her and resting his head on Lu Yue's shoulder. He murmured, "I always thought that my brother would spend the rest of his life like this. And I, even if I were to marry and escape, couldn't shake off her control. Do you know how grateful I am to you?"

  Lu Xuan stretched out his hand and gently hugged her, softly saying: "It's all over now." Suddenly she asked again: "You haven't said yet, how did your family decide to deal with that stepmother of yours?"

  "What's going on?" Xiao Yan winked at Lu Yue and said seriously: "She suddenly had a heart attack this afternoon and died on the spot!"

  Died suddenly?

  This Xiao family member is quite decisive when it comes to taking action.

  She remembered something important, and Xue Yan took out the jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Lu Yue. The jade pendant was placed in an extremely delicate jade box. This jade box was carved from top-grade white jade, crystal clear and translucent, with exquisite craftsmanship, and just this alone was worth hundreds of taels of gold.

  She handed it to Lu Yue, and Xiao Yan said seriously: "My grandmother said that the things you entrust us with, our Xiao family will not take lightly. We won't let today's matter leak out, nor will we make things difficult for you." After a pause, Xiao Yan saw that Lu Yue didn't say anything and put away the jade box, feeling extremely delighted, her eyes narrowing into a slit as she smiled.

  Lu Xuan's identity was special, so much so that the Xiao family didn't dare to show her kindness. Even a small jade box like this one had been discussed by several family members for half a day before they felt it could be taken out without worrying about causing trouble. After chatting for a while, Lu Xuan suddenly remembered something and asked: "A Yan, do you know how many great scholars there are in Chengdu, and what their temperaments and hobbies are like?"

  Xiao Yan nodded, "I don't know, but someone in my family knows, I'll ask them tomorrow and tell you." Xiao Yan then hugged Lu Yue's arm, putting her face on her shoulder and whispered: "Ah Yue, I don't want to go back today, I want to sleep with you."

  "Good."

  "Tease you." Xiao Yan smiled and said: "This place is too old and too small, I'm not used to sleeping here." She added: "Ah Yue, would you like me to give you a villa?" she asked cautiously.

  Lu Xuan thought for a moment, then raised her head and said: "Forget about Zhuangzi. When I think of a way to make money, why don't we pool our resources together?"

  "Alright, alright."

  Looking at Lu Xuan, Xiao Yan suddenly burst out laughing with her chin resting on her hand, "A Xuan."

  "Alright."

  "You're really impressive today."

  "My grandmother also told me to be careful in front of you, not to offend you recklessly. She doesn't know that you're actually like this. In Hanyang, we said you were a fallen family, and you had an indifferent expression as if nothing mattered. Now, with just one flick of your wrist, you've dealt with my arrogant stepmother, and still, you have the same indifferent expression."

  I knew it, I just knew Ah Yue was always going to be Ah Yue, whether good or bad, that's just how she is."

  This sentence warms people's hearts when they hear it.

  Lu Xuan raised her head and smiled at Xiao Yan, then continued to lower her head and savor the plain water in her hand.

  Xiao Yan was still leaning against her, muttering to herself for a while. She slowly closed her eyes, and after a moment, when Lu Yue noticed that she was too quiet, she realized that Xiao Yan had fallen asleep leaning against her.

  Seeing that the young lady had fallen asleep, one maid took a long gown from Lu's bed and covered her with it. Another maid spoke softly: "Our young lady is usually very alert and often can't sleep. Madam Lu, why don't you let her take a nap?"

  Lu Xuan nodded slightly and slowly drank some water, gazing at the flowing clouds in the sky, remaining still.

  Xiao Yan slept until Lu Yun finished school and was startled awake, she hastily wiped her face and rushed back home in a flurry.

  Xiao Yan left, and Lu Yue began to make dinner for her brother while telling him about what had happened today.

  All along, Lu Ying has been trying to tell Lu Yun about all the big and small things that happen around her. She wants him to have a clear understanding of who his sister has helped and who she has offended. These things may one day affect his fate.

  The next day, when Lu Yun was preparing for school, she saw her sister wearing a men's robe and busy with something, and couldn't help but ask: "Sister, where are you going so early?"

  A sentence fell, Lu Xuan seemed to be thinking, and after a while, she said: "I want to go see that noble person. The jade pendant he gave me saved my life. In terms of affection and reason, I should go to his door to thank him." With a bitter smile, Lu Xuan murmured: "For such a person, even wanting to express gratitude, I couldn't come up with an appropriate gift."