Chapter 090
Chapter 90: Climbing Up by Relying on Women
Lord Lu rubbed his jade thumb ring, his brows drawn tight.
Lu Rong Fang watched his father without pressing him. The Lu Family held its place today not only because of the Imperial Palace’s Consort Ping, but also because of his father’s cautious self?control. In the Capital, where schemes swarm like ants, one wrong step can destroy years of work.
After a long silence, Lord Lu spoke: “The plan is fine, but we must be careful, let ‘strangers’ do it.”
Lu Rong Fang understood that “strangers” meant the students the Lu Family sponsored. They were very learned and talented, but they did not know worldly ways. They were stubborn, reckless, and easy to stir up. Even if they were caught, people could say they were simply standing up for the Lu Family.
He answered softly: “Your son understands.”
When business was done, Lord Lu walked over and looked at his son’s shoulder, then patted a smudge from his robe, saying: “Xia Meng Yan does not know what is good for her. You do not need to waste time on her. When this is over, your aunt will find you a good bride. You are the hope of the next generation of the Lu Family, and as the future family head, the mistress of our house must be an equal match.”
Lu Rong Fang bowed with respect, his voice carrying a hint of guilt: “It is your son who is incompetent and has worried Father.”
Lord Lu patted his shoulder and eased his stern tone, saying: “I do not mind you making mistakes, but some mistakes have results we cannot measure, so we must be careful. In the days ahead the Lu Family will depend on you. Remember this: speak and act with care.”
He replied: “Your son will remember.”
Leaving the study, Lu Rong Fang was joined by A’Four, who hurried after him. Only when they reached the front courtyard did the servant lower his voice and ask: “Young Master, what did the Master say?”
Lu Rong Fang asked instead: “Any changes at the Hall of Light Guildhall?” His head was full of the words be careful what you say and do. This time, he had truly been careless and let that old fox Xia Ping Yuan seize a gap. [I am not someone to be pushed around.]
He thought of Xia Ping Yuan, who had won Emperor Xuan Ming’s favor with words alone, and he sneered in his heart: [I don’t believe there isn’t someone in the Hall of Light Guildhall who can stand against him. If one won’t do, then two. If two won’t do, then ten. I will see how Xia Ping Yuan answers.]
The Master never cared about the guildhall. A’Four did not know what had happened, but he still reported respectfully: “In these past few days, the Lu Family’s business has caused a stir in the Hall of Light Guildhall. Everyone has different opinions, but it has not spread outside.”
The Hall of Light Guildhall stood close to the Lu Family estate, only a quarter hour’s walk. So as not to disturb the students, no one from the Lu Family was allowed to go there except the family head.
Lu Rong Fang crooked a finger, and A’Four leaned close.
At the Xia Family villa in the Capital Suburbs, Xia Meng Yan woke after a full night of sleep feeling clear and refreshed.
Hearing movement, Chun Yue tiptoed in with a maid behind her holding a copper basin and a towel. They waited at the door. Chun Yue reported in a low voice, saying: “Big Miss, Master and Madam have returned to the city. Heir Apparent Duan had breakfast, left two men here, and also went back to handle matters. They both left word that if anything happens, we must tell them at once.”
Xia Meng Yan murmured an answer through a yawn. Life without restraints was truly comfortable. Her father was a Second Rank Official and a close minister. Since he had been attacked in the street, His Majesty would surely ask questions. Duan Yi Chen had used the Marquis Xuan Ping estate’s people to search for her, so he would need to go back and explain as well.
She asked lazily: “What are people in the city saying?”
Helping her sit up, Chun Yue answered: “At first they all laughed at the Lu Family. This morning when Nanny Song came back from the kitchens, she heard some folks speaking up for the Lu Family. Especially after learning that Heir Apparent Duan sent you home, many say the Xia Family flatters the powerful and looks down on the weak, that we repay kindness by choosing whoever holds the higher post.”
Xia Meng Yan’s hand paused on the comb, then she said: “Keep going.”
“These are all ugly words. With Master and Heir Apparent Duan handling things, Big Miss should just care for the baby,” Nanny Song scolded as she returned from checking the chicken soup on the stove. She shot Chun Yue a glare, took the comb, and began to fix Xia Meng Yan’s hair, saying: “Right now, nothing is more important than your health.”
Xia Meng Yan smiled lightly, a touch of playful complaint in her tone as she said: “Think of it as a story. Nanny, tell me.”
Chun Yue peeked at Nanny Song and lowered her head to busy herself with other tasks. Nanny Song sighed. She knew that if she did not explain, Big Miss would not rest easy. So she said: “They all talk about the Xia Family flattering the high and stepping on the low, and they drag you and Heir Apparent Duan into it. In short, the Lu Family is stirring this from behind.”
Looking at herself in the glass mirror, Xia Meng Yan suddenly thought of the old saying: you can know a face but not a heart. She had thought Lu Rong Fang was gentle and proper, but he was not as he seemed. Rebirth could change many things, but it could not change a person’s heart. Thankfully, she had seen it in time.
She said calmly: “The sedative powder used by the kidnappers that day is exactly the same as the sedative powder found on Lu Rong Fang. Send trustworthy people to spread that news.”
Nanny Song was startled: “Big Miss, we cannot tell that. If it spreads, those gossips will say even worse things about you.”
Xia Meng Yan put on her home robe and chose a simple hairpin as she said in an even voice: “The Lu Family is counting on this weak spot to slander the Xia Family without fear. If it were only the Xia Family, that would be one thing. But the Eldest Princess already dislikes me, and now there are rumors about me and Duan Yi Chen. She will think I repay kindness with spite.”
Nanny Song felt a jolt and found the argument sound, but she still worried: “Even so, you cannot risk your good name.”
“Compared to life, a name is nothing.” She remembered too well her last life, when caring too much about reputation let Huo Ying Zi ruin her. She sighed and said: “Forget it. Send this news to Father and let him decide.”
Nanny Song nodded and dispatched reliable people back to Xia Manor. Xia Meng Yan also wanted to see what excuse Lu Rong Fang would make for himself.
Xia Ping Yuan soon received his daughter’s message. Madam Lin happened to be present. When she heard they wanted to start with the sedative powder, she objected at once, saying: “No. The matter of Lu Rong Fang carrying Yan’er must never get out.”
Lu Rong Fang looked refined, yet he was a hypocrite. If he went to save someone, why would he hide sedative powder on himself? It clearly showed bad intentions.
Xia Ping Yuan was even more protective of his daughter than Madam Lin was. He would never use her name as a stake. He paced the room, troubled. Madam Lin stamped her foot in anger and cursed: “They are heartless people. They have no skill and want to drag Yan’er down. Serves him right to spend his life relying on women.”
Xia Ping Yuan froze mid?step as a thought flashed by: relying on women? Why had he not thought of that?
Lu Rong Fang slandered his daughter, so he would strike at the father for relying on a woman. Before half a day passed, the wind in the Capital changed again. Someone dug up that Lord Lu had risen to his post by leaning on Consort Ping in the Imperial Palace. The reason was simple: among that year’s Provincial Graduates, many were still serving out in the provinces, and many were still enduring the wait in the Hanlin Academy. Only Lord Lu had shot upward and become a Vice Minister at the Ministry of Rites. Now the son wanted to follow his father’s path and shamelessly cling to the Xia Family. With the Xia Family’s power and wealth, if Lu Rong Fang truly married Xia Meng Yan, his career would surpass his father’s.
While eating supper, Xia Meng Yan heard a new version of the rumor. Chun Yue, laying dishes with bright eyes, said: “They say the Lu Family dared to press the Xia Family because Consort Ping is backing them. Some even say Consort Ping spends a lot and wants a money pouch, so the Lu Family set their hearts on our Big Miss. Our people heard that anyone coming out of the Lu Family gates gets surrounded with questions, like whether Madam Lu runs the household.”
Amused, Xia Meng Yan thought her father clever for pointing the spear at Lord Lu. If the story touched Consort Ping, His Majesty would send people to check, and then it would be beyond the Lu Family’s control. So they would try to calm the rumors.
She gave orders calmly: “Keep eyes on them. Don’t be idle. Once this is settled, we move.”
Chun Yue understood that Big Miss did not want to stay in the Capital one day longer than needed. She said: “Nanny Song has already begun the preparations. Rest easy, Big Miss. You will not be wronged on the road.”
A voice came from the courtyard as a figure hurried in: “Yan’er, are you leaving?” Duan Yi Chen had just entered the yard and caught those words, so he ran inside.