ng Qianqian still had another doubt in her heart: Who was it that disclosed King Chu’s lineage to the Crown Prince back then?
Could it have been Pri Minister Xun?
The epidemic within the Imperial Palace had a minor outbreak, mainly centered around the Supre Emperor’s Zhuanghe Hall.
Since the Supre Emperor had not summoned any concubines after returning to the palace, the ladies of the harem avoided the disaster.
Princess Wanping and Zong Zhengxi were not infected, but Third Prince and Fifth Prince contracted the illness and barely survived.
ng Qianqian entered the palace in May, and by the ti she treated the last epidemic patient, it was already the peak of sumr in June.
"Soon you’ll be able to go ho and won’t have to stay in the palace accompanying this old man anymore."
The Supre Emperor sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, placing a white piece onto the chessboard.
ng Qianqian placed a black piece: "It is Little Nine’s blessing to serve the Supre Emperor."
The Supre Emperor said: "Everyone says that, but no one truly ans it. I don’t feel like playing anymore. Go call Fu Dequan over; I’ll play with him."
ng Qianqian sighed solemnly. Alas, he always cheats whenever he’s about to lose.
Lu Yuan arrived at Zhuanghe Hall to pick up ng Qianqian after his morning court session.
ng Qianqian packed her belongings and went to bid farewell to the Supre Emperor.
Eunuch Fu erged from the room, smiling, and said to ng Qianqian: "The Supre Emperor has retired for the day. These words shouldn’t be conveyed by a servant, as it might diminish Lady Lu’s status."
ng Qianqian said: "Eunuch Fu, you’ve been by the Supre Emperor’s side for many years. In my heart, I respect you as if you were an elder."
Eunuch Fu was flattered: "Lady Lu flatters ! I only wanted to say that Lady Lu has worked tirelessly these past days, tending to the Supre Emperor and curing us servants without minding our lowly status. It’s such a blessing to save one life after another..."
ng Qianqian said solemnly: "All living beings have spirits, and every life has its worth, regardless of rank or status."
Eunuch Fu gazed at ng Qianqian with emotion and personally escorted her out of Zhuanghe Hall.
Over those days, ng Qianqian had grown visibly thinner, partly because of overwork and partly because the intense heat made it hard for her to eat.
Lu Yuan had also lost so weight.
The past month had been challenging for everyone.
Moreover, whether because they had spent too long apart or due to the gambling kiss, they both felt sowhat awkward eting each other again.
"Where are Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan?"
ng Qianqian asked.
They’re off gossiping — the palace’s gossip is both plentiful and better than the Lu Family’s.
Lu Yuan said impassively: "No need to wait for them; they’ll co back on their own later."
The two walked side by side.
ng Qianqian added: "I wonder how Old Madam and Bao Shu are doing."
Lu Yuan replied: "According to Steward Cen, everything is fine."
This past month, Lu Yuan had not returned ho and had stayed in the palace to prevent the spread of the epidemic.
ng Qianqian smiled faintly: "That’s good to hear."
And then, their conversation fell silent.
ng Qianqian secretly berated herself. Why did their chat turn out like this?
Were they always this awkward in the past?
Ever since that night, sothing seed to have changed.
"We’ve arrived. Get on the carriage."
Lu Yuan reminded her.
She had been walking with her head down, lost in thought. If he hadn’t cautioned her, she might have bumped her head as he once did.
ng Qianqian murmured an "oh" and climbed onto the carriage.
After sitting down, she suddenly rembered sothing and quickly jumped off the carriage: "Grand Commander, please."
Now that felt appropriate—after all, their marriage was fake, and she was his lackey.
ng Qianqian exhaled deeply. No more awkwardness.
Lu Yuan shot her a sidelong glance, his expression cold as he boarded the carriage.
ng Qianqian muttered under her breath: "Was that necessary? Just forgot my status for a mont, and now he’s angry?"
The palace wasn’t the place for conversation, and the things ng Qianqian had discussed with the Supre Emperor that night remained untold to Lu Yuan.
Originally, she intended to tell him in the carriage, but he kept his face cold—what could she have done to provoke him again?
Forget it. Perhaps he already knew.
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the Governor Mansion.
As they got off the carriage, Nanny Li and Ban Xia ca to greet them, one holding mugwort and the other carrying a basin.
Nanny Li dipped the mugwort into Ban Xia’s basin and began sprinkling them with the herbal water: "Warding off evil spirits and calamities, bringing health and prosperity, and ensuring that everything goes smoothly throughout the year!"
Both were splashed with mugwort water from head to toe.
Nanny Li nodded with satisfaction and waved toward the mansion.
Brother Wu ca out with a brazier, smiling: "Miss, Sir, please step over the brazier!"
Lu Yuan gestured for ng Qianqian to go first.
ng Qianqian complied without hesitation.
After stepping over the brazier, Nanny Li brought out two peace charms from the temple.
Ban Xia set the basin down and tied one of the peace charms to ng Qianqian’s waist.
As for the remaining one, ng Qianqian said: "Let do it."
She personally tied the peace charm around Lu Yuan’s waist.
"Nanny Li, are we done yet?"
Tan’er was anxiously calling from the doorway.
Nanny Li chuckled: "Yes, yes, we’re done."
"Hehe, Sister!"
Tan’er dashed into ng Qianqian’s arms like a fledgling bird, wrapping her arms tightly around ng Qianqian’s waist and pressing her head against her chest. "Sister, you’ve gotten thinner!"
ng Qianqian smiled softly, reaching up to touch the top of her head: "Let see, has Tan’er grown taller?"
Tan’er imdiately straightened her posture to show off. "I’ve grown taller!"
Ban Xia made a tiny gap with her thumb and forefinger: "Just this much taller!"
Tan’er crossed her arms confidently: "It’s still growth!"
Nanny Li sighed: "Alright, you two can argue later. It’s so hot out; let’s let Miss and Sir go inside first."
The group headed to the main courtyard.
"Is that Miss and Sir?"
Nanny Wan heard the footsteps outside and quickly abandoned the half-washed laundry, scuttling out of the yard. "Oh, my! Truly! What did I say? Look eight hundred tis a day, and eventually, there’ll be a ti worth the wait!"
She excitedly bowed to the pair. "Miss, Sir, you’ve finally returned! The hot water has been prepared, and the als are ready. Would you like to bathe first or eat first?"
Lu Yuan’s expression faltered slightly.
ng Qianqian gently tugged at his sleeve: "Nanny Wan is asking for your decision."
Lu Yuan murmured: "Are you hungry?"
ng Qianqian replied: "Not too hungry. You?"
Lu Yuan said: "Then let’s bathe first."
Previously, the Governor Mansion was cold and desolate, like a haunted house. But at so point, it had beco a place where people awaited his return—truly like a ho.
After each bathing and changing into fresh clothes, the pair hurried to Tinglan Courtyard to visit Old Madam and Bao Shu.
Dusk sank in the west.
It was ti for the city gates to be locked.
Suddenly, a group of horse-drawn carriages adorned with exotic designs galloped to the city gates.
The guards at the gate stopped them: "The gates are about to close. If you want to enter, co back tomorrow."
The leading man displayed a Token.
"The Governor Mansion?" The guards were startled.
The Token was genuine, but the attire of this group clearly marked them as non-Central Plains people.
The guards steadied themselves and cautiously demanded: "Please present your identification plaques and passage docunts."
The man handed over the plaques and docunts to the guards.
The guards opened and examined them: "Miaojiang? What’s your relation to Grand Commander Lu?"
Given Grand Commander Lu’s involvent, the guards had to tread carefully.
"None of your business! Keep yamring, and I’ll slaughter you!"
"Ah-Lee, don’t be so fierce. We’re here as guests, not for bloodshed."
From within the carriage ca the soft, llifluous voice of a woman.
All the guards held their breath. What kind of lady possessed such an alluringly gentle voice?
Slightly obscured by the shimring streaks of a jade-beaded curtain, the woman smiled faintly at the guards. "We are family of Grand Commander Lu."
The guards caught but a glimpse and hurriedly lowered their eyes, taking a deep breath as they said: "Grand Commander Lu has no family."
"Oh?" The woman’s smile blossod like a flower. "In that case, may I trouble this officer to send word that his birth mother is awaiting him at the city gates?"
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