??Chapter 514: Chapter 515: Investigate the Truth_1
Chapter 514: Chapter 515: Investigate the Truth_1
The servant looked around carefully, making sure that no one was nearby, before speaking: “I’ve only heard about this myself, but since you, Lady, are an old acquaintance of the Lu Mansion, I thought I’d share with you. These nobilities, it seems they’re all just following the trend by showing up after Mr. Rong Liming arrived. Others naturally ca to fawn over him, while so ca to ingratiate themselves with Mr. Lu.
Because soone of Mr. Rong Liming’s status is attending, everyone assus that Lord Lu must be on very good terms with the Rong Family and they co specifically to curry favor. But how long has our master been in Qinghua City? We haven’t even had a proper eting with the Rong family yet, so how could we be close? Not to ntion Lord Lu is feeling quite perplexed about it, even I’m feeling vexed.”
As soon as the servant finished, Muniang sensed sothing was off: “You’re saying Rong Liming actually made a point of coming?”
“Indeed, he’s already sitting over there in the garden, surrounded by a crowd,” the servant replied while leading Muniang and Yu Ze towards the garden where guests were being entertained.
With a snort, Yu Ze could see right through Rong Liming’s intent. He could easily spot any man who harbored designs on his little wife!
This area, with its artificial hills and clear waters, was modest in size but nonetheless refined. Lord Lu had gone to the trouble of setting up the guests here, which was a thoughtful gesture.
Maids and servants were weaving through the crowd, carrying trays of pastries, fruit, and tea.
Muniang’s gaze swept across the crowd and imdiately noticed Rong Liming at the center of attention, truly like the moon surrounded by stars.
Rong Liming seed to have noticed their arrival as well and was about to greet Muniang, but she didn’t give him a mont’s attention and instead went straight over to offer birthday wishes to Lord Lu.
Upon seeing Muniang and Yu Ze, Lord Lu greeted them with a joyous smile: “You’ve finally co. Qi’er has been talking about you since this morning. When you get a chance later, go see her. That girl can’t sit still; I told her to stay put in her room, and she nearly took the door off its hinges.”
Muniang laughed out loud. Lu Qi’er’s temperant was indeed capable of such antics, but with her wedding just a month away, she should be keeping to herself as per tradition—no leaving the house, much less coming out to see guests at her own father’s birthday. No wonder she was going stir-crazy!
“I’ll go check on her in a bit. Today is your great day, Lord Lu. I should first offer you my birthday wishes. May you have the fortune as vast as the East Sea and a lifespan longer than the Southern Mountains,” Muniang said with a smile.
Yu Ze also said, “We ca today especially to celebrate your birthday, Lord Lu, and have brought a modest gift for the occasion. We hope you will accept it with pleasure.”
Nowadays, Lord Lu would break out in cold sweat upon seeing Yu Ze, knowing his true identity, which made him feel even more unworthy of these birthday felicitations. Unable to remain seated, he stood up: “No need for modest or extravagant gifts, your presence is what counts, I don’t care about these things.”
Muniang smiled, gestured for Qingya to present the gift. Qingya held the box with one hand and lifted the lid with the other to reveal a quietly resting Jade Buddha inside—the stone was Hetian jade, considered precious in the eyes of ordinary people, but of little consequence to these nobilities.
As for Lord Lu, he cared little about the weight or worth of the gift; anything given by Prince An, even if it were a worthless weed, was a generous blessing. He quickly had the gift box carefully put away.
Yet imdiately after, a sneering voice could be heard: “Oh my, bringing such a trifling gift, aren’t you ashad to offer this? Aren’t you worried about losing face?”
Muniang glared at him. Why did this person always have to seek attention? Did he really think he was all that important?
Mr. Rong Liming raised an eyebrow at Muniang, then beckoned to a servant behind him. Three loads of birthday gifts were promptly brought forth. Mr. Rong Liming handed the gift list directly to Lord Lu, “Lord Lu, please have a look, do you like them? The most valuable items are a few trinkets from the palace, but we have many of those. After all, the Emperor has given us plenty. They’re just lying around at ho, so since it’s Lord Lu’s birthday, I thought I might as well bring them as birthday presents.”
Lord Lu found himself between laughter and tears. He already felt guilty about accepting gifts, but this man insisted on giving such valuable things. Those who didn’t know any better might think he was colluding with the Rong Mansion, engaging in unsavory deeds. Wasn’t this ruining his good reputation?
But the Rong Mansion was not one to be trifled with. Even before he ca to Qinghua City, he had heard about a favored concubine from the Rong Family who was currently enjoying great favor from the Emperor. How could he afford to provoke such people? How could he ever dare to refuse or say the gifts from the Rong Family didn’t suit his taste?
With no other option, Lord Lu suppressed the bitterness in his heart and said, “Thank you, Mr. Rong. I am honored indeed.”
The people around them could not help but admire the splendor of the Rong Mansion, to be able to casually give away items from the palace.
Mr. Rong Liming smiled proudly at Muniang and Yu Ze, like a triumphant rooster in battle.
Muniang truly found such a person to be utterly childish and boring. Perhaps it was because she had spent so much ti with Yu Ze that her taste in people had greatly improved. And, to tell the truth, although Yu Ze was a bit older, there were benefits to age after all. Indeed, n should be more mature and stable. If she really had to be with soone like Mr. Rong Liming, she suspected she would be infuriated to the point of internal injury within minutes.
However, she didn’t plan to share these recent thoughts with Yu Ze. Hmm, he probably wouldn’t be particularly happy to hear them anyway.
With that thought, Muniang couldn’t help but snicker to herself. When she turned to look at Yu Ze, she saw that his expression wasn’t great, and his eyes bore a somber cast; she thought he was angry at Mr. Rong Liming.
So Muniang tugged at Yu Ze’s sleeve and whispered, “My dear, what’s wrong? There’s no need to be angry with soone like Mr. Rong Liming. We’re much wealthier than he is.”
Yu Ze couldn’t help but laugh, “Do you think I would get angry with that kind of man over such trivia? I find him childish and boring; you really think I hold him in high regard?”
Muniang inwardly applauded; she and her dear husband really did think alike!
“Then what’s the matter? You don’t seem very happy.”
Yu Ze pulled Muniang to one side and then said in a low voice, “I’ve been thinking about the person who left the Rong Mansion last ti. The more I think about it, the more sothing doesn’t seem right, so I want to investigate further.”
Muniang blinked, “And how do you plan to do that?”
“I’m not very familiar with the Rong Mansion yet. I’ve heard that Old Mr. Rong is an extrely shrewd person; it’s probably not easy to coax information out of him. Maybe only soone as simple-minded as Mr. Rong Liming is easier to manipulate.”
Muniang felt embarrassed; she had actually been worried that her dear husband was angry at Mr. Rong Liming for flaunting his wealth, but to Yu Ze, he was nothing but a simpleton…
“If that’s the case, let’s lure him to a secluded place and rough him up a bit. No special tactics are needed to trick people like him. A few hits and he’s sure to spill everything.”
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