Chapter 085
Chapter 85: Blocked
After Lu Rong Fang left, Xia Meng Yan felt a headache. She could not stay in the capital any longer. Too many annoying people were here.
Chun Yue was upset for her miss, thinking of all the men who kept showing up uninvited. She muttered with loyalty: “Big Miss, do not be sad. After we go to the Lin Family, we can ask Old Master Lin to find you a good one.”
Xia Meng Yan smiled and shook her head: “Forget it.”
When the people around you all have hidden motives, even the sharpest eyes cannot see clearly. It was better not to marry at all.
Lu Rong Fang did not return to the Lu residence after leaving the shop. He went straight into the palace.
Consort Ping sat in the great hall. Seeing him come in with worry all over his face, she sat up straighter and asked with concern: “Fang’er, what has happened?”
She had no children of her own, and among her nephews, Lu Rong Fang was the most capable, so she paid him extra attention.
Lu Rong Fang bowed and said with care: “Greetings to Your Highness.”
She waved off the formality and beckoned him closer: “There are no outsiders here. Come up and talk.”
Seeing his downcast spirit, she asked with a frown: “Is your father giving you trouble again?”
“Father is thinking of me. I understand that. This is about something else,” he said. He then told Consort Ping the talk he had just had with Xia Meng Yan and finished with a guilty look: “I have let Aunt down. Xia Meng Yan is firm in her refusal. I really have no way.”
Consort Ping had thought it was some great matter. Hearing it was about Xia Meng Yan, she smiled and said without much care: “Child, she is only a woman. What is there to be so upset about?”
With her and the Lu Family to shield him, what kind of noble girl could he not marry?
Lu Rong Fang understood what Consort Ping meant, but his reasons for marrying Xia Meng Yan were not only for silver. He also wanted her all-or-nothing nature. His birth mother’s status was a lasting weakness. Even if he took a highborn girl as his main wife, he would still be a step lower in many eyes. Among the noble girls in the capital, none suited him better than Xia Meng Yan. She could be held with a handle while helping him reach his goals, easy to control.
Of course, none of that could be said to Consort Ping.
He lowered his eyes and said humbly: “I only feel useless for failing the task Aunt gave me.”
His attitude pleased Consort Ping. She liked people who listened to her word for word. She said, slow and careful: “Xia Ping Yuan has just been promoted to Hanlin Academy Chief Academician. Anyone who pushes close to them right now will stir His Majesty’s suspicion.”
Surprise flashed in Lu Rong Fang’s eyes before he smoothed it over: “Aunt, not long ago you were in a hurry and said it was His Majesty’s hint. Why change your mind so suddenly?”
Consort Ping raised her teacup, took a slow sip, and said: “His Majesty is suspicious. We must follow his moods. Do not worry. Aunt will choose a good match for you.”
He was unwilling, but in front of Consort Ping he still showed a happy face: “If Aunt chooses, it will surely be good.”
A quarter of an hour later, Lu Rong Fang left the Imperial Palace. As soon as he got into the carriage, he flipped the tea cup over with a sharp motion.
A’Four frowned and asked in a low voice: “Your Highness Consort Ping will not help?”
“All of them are selfish. They see the Xia Family in favor and do not dare to reach out,” Lu Rong Fang said as anger surged up. They really thought he was a puppet to summon and dismiss at will.
A’Four’s eyes turned as a sly idea came, and he whispered: “Young master, there is an easy way.”
“Xia Meng Yan does not care about her reputation. What could make her agree?” Lu Rong Fang closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. He had calculated many moves, yet he had not counted on Xia Meng Yan being a stone.
A’Four leaned closer, a crafty light flashing in his eyes: “As long as Big Miss Xia becomes the young master’s woman, she will have no way to refuse.”
Lu Rong Fang opened one eye and spoke with caution: “There is an expert by her side. And she is very smart. If this fails, even friendship will be impossible.”
“Naturally we cannot dirty the young master’s hands,” A’Four said. He lifted the curtain and pointed toward a certain place as he hinted, “Right now, someone else is even more anxious than you are.”
As the day to leave drew near, part of their supplies had already been sent ahead to Man Lin City. Madam Lin, still uneasy, wanted to send a personal nanny to go with Xia Meng Yan.
Xia Meng Yan laughed a little and said: “Mother, I already have enough people with me.” She was going to the Lin Family, not into a wolf’s den.
Madam Lin would not hear it. While talking to her daughter, she also told the maids to pack the new things she had bought and said: “If it were only you, I would not worry. But this time you are going to give birth, and we do not know when you will return.”
Thinking it might be three or four years before she saw her daughter again, Madam Lin felt grief rise up and could not hold back her tears.
Seeing her mother cry, Xia Meng Yan’s eyes also reddened. She hugged her mother and said softly: “Do not cry. I will take the nanny, all right?”
Mother and daughter held each other, weeping for a while. Nanny Song and the maids came up to comfort them.
Madam Lin wiped her tears and went back to practical matters: “I have two houses in Man Lin City. I have already sent people to clean them. If you do not want to live with the Lin Family when you arrive, go to one of those. Do not worry. I have written to your maternal grandfather and your grandmother. They will not blame you.”
Xia Meng Yan nodded: “All right.”
Madam Lin continued with careful advice: “Your maternal aunt has a fiery temper. When you are with the Lin Family, try not to argue with her. She is the matriarch now. If she loses face, it will be hard for her to manage the people below.”
Xia Meng Yan answered with calm understanding: “Mother, do not worry. Maternal Aunt has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. I will not argue with her.”
“Besides your maternal aunt, be cautious with the others. Do not get too close and do not offend them either. The Lin Family looks harmonious, but who knows what lies inside.”
Xia Meng Yan understood her mother was talking about the adopted sons her maternal grandfather had taken in. Both were now married. Along with her blood uncle, they all lived in the same compound. Her blood uncle was easier to read, but the foster uncles were separated by a layer of distance.
She said with a plan in mind: “I understand. Once I arrive, I will live in Grandmother’s courtyard and focus on keeping the baby safe.”
The more Madam Lin talked, the less at ease she felt. She held her daughter’s hand and tried again: “Or do not go to Man Lin City at all. Let us find a quiet place in the mountains where you can rest and carry the child.”
Xia Ping Yuan had already told her that someone was working in secret against the Lin Family. This trip was not only to rest and give birth but also to quietly pull out the Huo Family’s hidden spies inside the Lin Family. Madam Lin wanted, just this once, to be selfish and take her daughter out of danger.
Xia Meng Yan hugged Madam Lin and soothed her: “Do not worry, Mother. I will return safe and sound.” In her past life she had enjoyed the wealth the Lin Family gave her. In this life, she would protect the Lin Family no matter what. [I will keep the Lin Family safe.]
After court, Xia Ping Yuan came to Autumn Lotus Court. Seeing mother and daughter with red eyes, he knew they had been crying. He said, sounding guilty: “I will claim illness and rest at home. I will stay in the manor with you for the next few days.”
Mother and daughter looked him up and down with doubt on their faces, thinking the same thing: With his current energy, would Emperor Xuan Ming really believe him?
Xia Ping Yuan scratched his head, embarrassed, and avoided their eyes.
The next day would be the day to leave, so Madam Lin came to Autumn Lotus Court and slept with her daughter in the big bed. The two of them nestled together and fell asleep.
After breakfast in the morning, Madam Lin and Xia Ping Yuan took their daughter to the city gate to see her off. On the way Madam Lin kept talking, unable to settle her heart. Xia Ping Yuan could only keep sighing. Xia Meng Yan nodded again and again, eyes red.
Suddenly the carriage stopped, and the three inside all started.
Madam Lin moved at once to shield her daughter. Xia Ping Yuan lifted the curtain and asked: “What happened?”
The driver held the reins tight to keep the horses calm and answered: “Master, there are many beggars ahead. They are blocking the road.”
Xia Ping Yuan glanced at the sun and said, thinking of the time the gates stood open for morning traffic: “This is the hour when the city gate is wide open. It is normal that a swarm of beggars comes in. Tell the lads to buy some steamed buns and ask them to make way.”
The driver nodded, got down, and sent a serving lad to do it.
No one expected that once the buns were handed out, even more beggars flooded in. They closed in until the carriage was surrounded.
Inside the carriage, Xia Meng Yan frowned and said: “The Xia Family’s carriage may not be as grand as the Royal Family’s, but it is not ordinary. Usually the people on the street step aside when they see it. What is going on today?”
Xia Ping Yuan’s face grew solemn as he said: “Yan’er, you are right. Wait here in the carriage. I will go look.” He knew he had offended many at court, and this latest promotion had made more men jealous. Someone making a move against him was within his expectations. [So it begins.]