The butler led Lu Chengzhou, Gu Mang, and the others to Old Madam’s yard. Lu Zhan followed them because he was afraid that something might go wrong. As soon as they walked out of the banquet hall, they saw the full moon in the sky surrounded by a cold glow.
A slight breeze brushed past their ears. The weather at the end of September was rather cold.
Lu Chengzhou turned sideways and held Gu Mang’s other hand. It was rather cold.
He put the coat in his arms over Gu Mang’s shoulders and asked, “What do you want to eat later?”
She had not eaten much previously.
Gu Mang brushed her fingers through her black hair and her eyes looked cold. “Let’s go to the night market.”
Lu Chengzhou nodded.
Lu Zhan looked at the two of them expressionlessly. He looked as if he were doubting that the person before him was his son.
Lu Shangjin couldn’t be as calm as Lu Chengzhou and Gu Mang. They were so calm that they could even talk about what to have afterwards.
The closer they got to Old Madam’s yard, the more nervous he got. He was afraid that when he got to the Old Madam’s yard, she would get so mad and cause something bad to happen.
After turning through several walkways, the group reached the main entrance of Old Madam’s yard. The two-story courtyard had white walls, blue tiles, and a traditional Chinese roof. It encompassed quite a large area. The stone steps in the courtyard were filled with potted plants and precious flowers. Firm bamboo lined both sides of the marble pavement.
The faint aroma of the flowers and the bamboo reached their noses. It was Gu Mang’s fourth time here. Like the other three times, it was nighttime.
She raised her pretty eyebrows and entered the front hall.
Lu Zhan turned to Lin Zhou. “Sister-in-law, bring your children along and come sit with me in the front hall.”
Lin Zhou did not wish to cause trouble for Lu Shangjin, so she nodded and replied politely, “Thank you, elder brother.”
Lu Shangjin thanked him too.
Lu Zhan ordered the servants to serve them tea and he walked towards the waiting hall to the side.
The butler led Lu Chengzhou, Gu Mang, and Lu Shangjin to the first floor. They passed through the magnificent corridor and stopped in front of a double-door with exceptionally beautiful carvings on it.
The butler opened the door and bowed. “Sixth Master, Third Young Master, and Ms. Gu, this way please.”
Lu Chengzhou and Gu Mang walked casually, half a step behind Lu Shangjin. The room was hot and the heat permeated from it. The faint aroma of essential oils filled the room. The room was furnished with sophisticated furniture.
Old Madam leaned on a massage chair by the window.
Lu Chengzhou took the coat from Gu Mang’s shoulders, put it on the back of the sofa, and pointed his chin towards Lu Shangjin. “Sixth Uncle, have a seat.”
Lu Shangjin sat down cautiously.
The sofa was L-shaped. Lu Chengzhou and Gu Mang sat at the other side.
Lu Chengzhou poured three cups of tea and pushed one in front of Lu Shangjin. Then, he passed Gu Mang a cup. “Warm your hands.”
Gu Mang took it.
Lu Chengzhou leaned back casually and looked as if he owned the compound.
Old Madam glared unhappily at Lu Chengzhou, who was acting as if she did not exist. She almost gave up on trying to keep her cool because of her position and wanted to scold him. In the end, on account of Gu Mang’s presence, she held her anger in.
She turned to look at Lu Shangjin and the elegant smile on her face disappeared. Her tone was very cold. “When you left the Lu family, I said that from then on, the Lu family would no longer acknowledge your presence. What is it now? Why did you return? ”
“Grandma, Sixth Uncle is the one who got Gu Mang to perform the operation on you.” Lu Chengzhou played with Gu Mang’s hand and spoke slowly. “Since the relationship was severed back then, no one owes anyone anything. Do you dislike him being your savior?”
Old Madam pursed her lips but stayed silent.
Lu Chengzhou looked up and turned sideways. He smiled. “He saved your life. The head of the Lu family cannot kick someone to the curb when they’ve outlived their usefulness. ”
Old Madam was so mad that she sat up straight and yelled furiously, “Unscrupulous grandchild! Who do you think you’re talking to?!”
Lu Chengzhou took a sip of tea and answered calmly, “Grandma, you’re asking the obvious.”
Lu Shangjin watched as Old Madam’s face turned pale from anger. He called out firmly, “Chengzhou.”
He tried to signal for him to stop talking. The atmosphere was tense.
Lu Chengzhou found a lollipop in his pocket and he passed it to Gu Mang.
She took it from him naturally but she did not eat it. She just held it in her hand. She twirled the white lollipop stick with her pale, slender fingers nonchalantly.
…
Meanwhile…
The crowd dispersed from the family banquet unhappily. The second yard was in a mess.
The doctor treated Lu Xiwei’s wound and got up to pack the medicine box back up.
Second Old Master Lu looked at the scratch on Lu Xiwei’s face and asked the doctor with a solemn expression, “Will there be a scar?”
The doctor replied respectfully, “Second Old Master, don’t worry. The cut is not deep. If medication is applied regularly, it will not scar.”
Second Madam sighed in relief. Anger surged immediately afterwards. “I won’t let this matter pass just like that!”
Lu Xiwei clenched her fist tightly. Her eyes were filled with hatred.
Fourth Old Master Lu stood aside and raised his hand to call for a servant outside the door. “What is happening in the Old Madam’s yard?”
The servant stepped forward. “Old Madam got angry at the Third Young Master. Everyone in the yard heard it.”
Second Madam sat next to Lu Xiwei’s bed and she looked like she was holding back her anger. Her eyes were slightly red. “I think it was Lu Shangjin’s plan for Gu Mang to perform the operation on Old Madam. He brought Gu Mang over and matched her up with Lu Chengzhou, then he took advantage of the relationship to return to the Lu family.”
Second Old Master Lu narrowed his sharp eyes. “Wouldn’t Old Madam have guessed that already?”
Fourth Old Master Lu looked at him and hesitated for a second before asking, “Second brother, what do you mean?”
“What kind of person is Old Madam? Would she ever be at the mercy of others?” Second Old Master Lu got up and walked out. “That Gu Mang will suffer along with them.”
She was not even officially engaged to Lu Chengzhou yet. If Old Madam wanted to quash the relationship, it was just a matter of making it known.
It would be best if Lu Chengzhou left the Lu family because of a woman just like Lu Shangjin.
When Fourth Old Master Lu realized this, his eyes lit up slightly. That means Lu Shangjin’s family and Gu Mang had to get out of the Lu Residence. Did Gu Mang really think that she could have a say in front of Old Madam such that she dared to cause such a ruckus at the family banquet?
