Chapter 069
Chapter 69: Fickle at Heart
Chun Yue saw the Marquis would not release his grip and rushed forward to stop him, pleading: “Marquis, let go. Eldest Miss is pregnant. You must not hurt her.”
“Get out of the way,” Lin Ye Lan roared. He had been swallowing his temper for the child’s sake, and now Xia Meng Yan used the child to threaten him. If so, he would show her that with or without the child she could not escape.
Xia Meng Yan feared Chun Yue would be hurt and called quickly, saying: “Fall back. I am fine.”
“This maid will not fall back. They have joined hands to bully you… ah.” Chun Yue’s scream cut off as she flew past Xia Meng Yan and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Lin Ye Lan, you bully women. Beast,” fury surged to Xia Meng Yan’s chest as she flipped the silver needle hidden in her sleeve and struck straight at the side of his neck.
The needle was quick, sure, and ruthless. Before anyone could react, Lin Ye Lan went limp and collapsed like a boneless puppet.
“Ah… murder,” Second Miss Lu shrieked when she saw him fall.
Xia Meng Yan ignored the crowd and hurried to Chun Yue, took her pulse with fast fingers, and only relaxed when she was sure it was nothing serious.
“You poisonous woman, Xia Meng Yan, you actually killed someone,” Second Miss Lu found her voice and screamed even louder. If the Marquis Ping An died, Xia Meng Yan would be executed, and the schemes of Lu Rong Fang and his mother would be ruined.
Huo Ying Zi was stunned, clutching Second Miss Lu in shock. Lin Ye Lan could not be dead. If he died, who would help her gain a stable place in the capital.
Even Lu Rong Fang had never thought Xia Meng Yan would dare kill Lin Ye Lan. He was a military officer, and just like that he was… dead?
Settling Chun Yue against her, Xia Meng Yan did not spare the crowd a glance and snapped, saying: “You did not even check before you screamed. You really are dogs.” She pulled the silver needle from Lin Ye Lan’s neck, and the man who had lain still gave a muffled groan.
Second Miss Lu’s next insult died in her throat as she saw his fingers twitch. Her legs turned to jelly. How was he alive again.
“Do not be afraid, Second Miss,” Huo Ying Zi said quickly, explaining: “Sister Meng Yan must have used the needle to seal Elder Brother Ye Lan’s acupoint. He is not dead.” She had spent years at Northern Fortress Pass. She had never been on a battlefield, but she could see the trick.
Xia Meng Yan lifted Chun Yue and turned to leave. She had already taught Lin Ye Lan a lesson. Once he regained strength, he would only make more trouble. Best to leave this mess at once.
Lu Rong Fang hurried after her, but before he could speak, she said with a cold laugh, saying: “If Young Master Lu was going to explain, it is already too late. You chose silence earlier. Please keep it that way.”
“I am sorry,” Lu Rong Fang replied, gentle and calm, saying: “For now the Lu Family cannot afford to offend the Marquis Ping An. I will explain the reasons another day. Your maid is hurt and your condition is delicate. Let my elder sister escort you home.”
Xia Meng Yan admired Lu Rong Fang’s knack for finding reasons to get close even now and answered, saying: “No need.” Her words had barely fallen when her foot slipped and she almost fell.
Lu Rong Fang moved fast and steadied her. His lips held a faint smile, but to Xia Meng Yan it looked cold and shadowed.
Eldest Miss Lu arrived with several maids. She hurried forward to take Xia Meng Yan’s arm and said, saying: “Men and women should keep their distance. Second Brother, let me.” She guided Xia Meng Yan herself, ordered a servant boy to ride along as escort, and then Lu Rong Fang stood at the gate of Green Mountain Temple, watching the carriage roll away.
Lin Ye Lan came to with a start. Realizing he had been played, he stormed over to search for Xia Meng Yan. Lu Rong Fang stepped into his path and turned with a mild smile, asking: “Marquis, where are you rushing off to.”
Clutching his neck, Lin Ye Lan scowled and demanded, saying: “Young Master Lu, step aside.”
Lu Rong Fang was famous in the capital for his talent, and his aunt was Consort Ping of the Imperial Palace. If not for his concubine-born status, he would already be married. Lin Ye Lan had thought that even if Lu Rong Fang could not wed the legitimate daughter of a grand clan, he would choose a distinguished lady from a noble house. Who would have expected him to set his sights on Xia Meng Yan. As he glared, Lin Ye Lan cursed Xia Meng Yan for being fickle and Lu Rong Fang for being calculating enough to swallow even a divorced woman for his career.
Lu Rong Fang kept his elegant air and said, saying: “Eldest Miss Xia is carrying your child, and you still raised your hand against her. It seems the rumors in the capital were true. Since that is the case, why have you not proposed to the Huo Family.”
“Whether I propose or not is none of your business,” Lin Ye Lan shot back, then added bluntly, saying: “You also know the child in Xia Meng Yan’s belly is mine, yet you still make a move on her. Lu Rong Fang, we are the same kind of men. Do not think I do not see your plan. You want to please Xia Meng Yan so the Lin Family will support you. Keep dreaming. As long as the child exists, I and Xia Meng Yan are tied. I advise you to marry someone else.”
Lu Rong Fang flicked his sleeve and said in a flat tone, saying: “It is not up to you whether there is a tie. As long as Eldest Miss Xia agrees, the child will be a member of the Lu Family. As for the schemes in your heart, Eldest Miss Xia despises you to the bone. How would she ever let you have your way.”
“You…” Lin Ye Lan lunged and grabbed Lu Rong Fang by the collar. Cold light flashed in his eyes as he growled, saying: “Lu Rong Fang, what are you but the Lu Family’s concubine-born son.”
Lu Rong Fang smiled and answered softly, saying: “Young Master Lin has been a marquis for only a few days and has already forgotten where he came from.”
Lin Ye Lan’s hand trembled.
“I am at least a son of the Lu Family,” Lu Rong Fang continued as he pried open Lin Ye Lan’s fingers and calmly straightened his robe, saying: “And you are only the Huo Family’s dog. If Marshal Huo had not favored you, you would still be stuck in the back hills. I advise Young Master Lin not to be half-hearted. Since you chose the Huo Family, hold tight to your patron. If you keep wavering, in the end you will have nothing.”
“You…” Lin Ye Lan choked on his anger.
Lu Rong Fang finished smoothing his collar, stepped down from the terrace, then looked back with a pleasant smile and said, saying: “Young Master Lin, you and Eldest Miss Xia are already divorced. If you keep clinging to her every day, people will look down on you.” He swung into the saddle and rode away from Green Mountain Temple.
“Bah.” Lin Ye Lan stamped his foot in fury. He moved too hard, and a stabbing pain shot from the spot where the needle had struck.
Inside the Lu Family carriage, Eldest Miss Lu set a plate of pastries before Xia Meng Yan and asked with warmth, saying: “May I call you Meng Yan.”
Xia Meng Yan could not read what the Lu siblings were planning. With Chun Yue hurt, she would rather not offend them further, so she kept it polite and said: “If Miss Lu has something to say, say it plainly.” [If Lu Rong Fang cannot be swayed, approach him through his sister.]
Eldest Miss Lu, firstborn among the concubine-born daughters of the Lu Family, moved with the grace of a lady from a great house. She glanced at Xia Meng Yan with a soft smile and said, saying: “No wonder Rong Fang likes you. Your straightforward nature suits him.”
She raised her teacup and took a light sip, then continued, saying: “Rong Fang has already told me about the deal between you two. We all understand that in this deal, the Xia Family gets the short end.”
“Since everyone understands, why force me,” Xia Meng Yan answered, her voice tight with worry for Chun Yue.
Eldest Miss Lu did not get angry. She only curved her lips and suggested, saying: “Have a pastry, Eldest Miss Xia. It will soothe your mood.”
Xia Meng Yan felt like her punch had landed in cotton, and the frustration bounced back onto herself.
Eldest Miss Lu spoke in a slow, sincere voice, saying: “We siblings are concubine-born. I am the eldest of the concubine-born daughters, and Rong Fang is more capable than the legitimate son, so Father favors us a little. But such favor is fleeting. Noble houses value the divide between legitimate and concubine-born. In time the legitimate son will take charge, and there will be no path left for me or for Rong Fang. A month ago, my mother was punished by the legitimate wife and nearly lost her life. Rong Fang never speaks of it, but it hurts him deeply. Yet what use is pain. The line between legitimate and concubine-born is something no one can cross.”
Her tone would make anyone feel sorry for her. But Xia Meng Yan had lived a life before. She saw clearly that Eldest Miss Lu was retreating in order to advance. She looked over and asked with a cool smile, saying: “You two are pitiful, so I should be your stepping stone?”