Governor Mansion, under the cover of a dark and windy night.
A small, sneaky figure crawled out quietly from a basket, huffing and puffing as it tiptoed into the small kitchen.
Seizing the moment when no one was around, it snatched a big drumstick with a swoosh!
However, when Bao Shu returned to her room clutching the drumstick, she was horrified to realize her basket was gone!
Her cheap dad was gone too!
"Wahhh!"
Bao Shu went berserk!
...
Since Bao Shu wasn't present, Lu Grand Commander had no reason to stay in Haitang Courtyard any longer.
He casually tossed the half-read storybook back onto the bedside cabinet and stood up with an air of indifference.
His tall, lean figure blocked out the flickering candlelight behind him. His sharply defined handsome face lingered in the shadows, and his narrow phoenix eyes seemed to pierce through the night with chilling clarity.
Meng Qianqian asked calmly, "Will you come back later?"
If not, she'd just go to sleep.
Lu Grand Commander let out a sneer, looking down at her from above: "Coming and going, the sky will be bright soon. Do you think I have nothing better to do?"
Meng Qianqian glanced at the storybook he had flipped through entirely and blinked with composed indifference.
Lu Grand Commander bent his noble frame, a powerful sense of oppression and a masculine scent surging forward.
His bone-chilling fingers pinched her chin as he smiled playfully, "Or are you hoping everyone will witness me walking out of your room? I wouldn't mind, but I wonder how the Lu Family might treat you."
Meng Qianqian gazed steadily at this most ruthless and cruel Grand Traitor of the dynasty. "Fortune lies in risk. If gaining the Grand Commander's protection means offending the Lu Family, so be it."
Lu Yuan's lips curled into a smile—one filled with sharp, menacing intent. "I will not protect any woman. No matter how much merit you achieve, your life or death has nothing to do with me."
"Remember this well: I have never been a good man."
It wasn't until he left that Meng Qianqian unclenched the silver needle tightly held in her hand.
Her entire back was drenched in cold sweat.
She had long heard that this infamous traitor was capricious and merciless. Yet, during the past several days with little Zhaozhao around, he had toned down his killing aura, giving her the illusion that he perhaps wasn't as fearsome as the rumors suggested.
To make matters worse, the ease with which he agreed to their previous transaction only deepened this illusion.
She had been too hasty.
As a mere merchant's daughter, how could she ascend in a single leap to cling to such a high branch, untouchable even to the Lu Family?
It was he who brought Bao Shu to her for his own amusement, not because a little baby could truly hold him hostage.
For this Grand Commander, feared by many, there were no weaknesses, no attachments, and no affections.
When Meng Qianqian woke up, everything in the room had returned to its original state. She had no idea how the Jinyi Guard managed to move such large objects back and forth, but it wasn't her concern to worry about.
Nanny Li brought in hot water, pulled the curtains aside, and seeing Meng Qianqian's pale face, asked, "Miss, did you have another nightmare?"
Meng Qianqian's expression remained unchanged as she replied, "No, I stayed up late reviewing accounts and didn't rest well."
Nanny Li said earnestly, "You caught a cold just the other day from the rain. You've only just recovered—take care not to overexert yourself."
Meng Qianqian nodded, "Understood, Nanny."
Nanny Li brought over some clothing, saying, "In the past, you never liked hearing my nagging."
Meng Qianqian said, "I was young and childish before, but I always knew it's for my own good."
Nanny Li smiled, "Of course."
The young lady had always been sensible, raised with care yet unspoiled. Ever since the drowning incident, however, her personality had grown much more poised and perceptive.
"Miss!" Ban Xia entered carrying a food box. "I just came from the communal kitchen—they said the Old Madam lost her temper this morning!"
The Old Madam losing her temper came as no surprise to Meng Qianqian. She had only expected the Old Madam to hold out for a few more days, not to lose her composure so quickly.
To be fair, Meng Qianqian had spoiled the Old Madam during her years in the household. The Old Madam had grown used to taking from others, and suddenly having no one to foot her bills left her restless.
Early this morning, the Old Madam even sent people to pawn the gold and silver jewelry in the storeroom. Unfortunately, the jewelry was of poor quality and old-fashioned designs, fetching only a small sum.
So, the Old Madam turned to the second branch of the family, demanding money. The second madam claimed she had none and feigned illness immediately.
In her fury, the Old Madam reportedly smashed several plates.
"Serves her right!"
Ban Xia exclaimed with satisfaction.
Nanny Li quickly cautioned, "Keep your voice down, lest someone overhears!"
Ban Xia quipped playfully, "I know, Nanny!"
Meng Qianqian took a sip of tea. "She got this upset after just losing two shops. If we take back more, won't we be sending my dear grandmother to her grave?"
Ban Xia didn't follow, but Nanny Li's eyes lit up. "Miss..."
Meng Qianqian smiled lightly. "Nanny, there's no rush. We'll settle this slowly."
After breakfast, Meng Qianqian took Ban Xia out of the manor.
Everyone in the Lu Family knew the Old Madam adored storybooks. The ones others bought didn't suit her tastes, so Meng Qianqian personally went to select some every month or two.
A month and a half had passed since her last visit to the bookstore.
"Miss, why are there so many officials on the street?"
"It's probably because the year-end is approaching, just increased patrols."
Judging by this commotion, it seemed the two Beiliang spies who had escaped from the Wanhua Tower were still on the run.
Given their ability to escape from the clutches of the Jinyi Guard, their skills were undoubtedly extraordinary.
"Madam Lu, here to pick out storybooks for the Old Madam again?"
The attendant student greeted Meng Qianqian warmly as he led her inside.
Meng Qianqian asked, "Are there any new ones?"
He replied cheerfully, "Yes! With the imperial spring examinations approaching, many scholars have arrived in the capital to take the test, and our collection of storybooks has suddenly grown!"
Ban Xia was puzzled. "Aren't these scholars supposed to be preparing for the exams? How do they even have time to write storybooks? The two young masters of the Lu Family are so busy studying at the Imperial College they don't even come home!"
The student explained politely, "You might not know this, Miss Ban Xia, but some scholars come from impoverished families and have no choice but to make a living through some side work, earning a bit of food and travel money."
Ban Xia nodded in comprehension. "Oh."
Meng Qianqian selected five books and had Ban Xia pay the silver.
"Miss, are we going back to the Lu Family now?"
"To East Street."
She needed to take back two shops on East Street.
It wasn't far from here. Just cut through an alley, turn a corner, and you're there.
Meng Qianqian and Ban Xia walked there on foot.
To avoid being recognized, both wore veils.
As soon as they arrived at the first shop, Ban Xia grabbed her mistress's arm and pointed inside. "Miss, look, it's Miss Lin!"
This shop sold spices and rouge powders.
Lin Wan'er, accompanied by Lu Luo, was browsing a few boxes of high-grade rouge, picking and choosing. Even with a veil on, anyone familiar with her could recognize her at a glance.
Ban Xia snorted. "Wearing rouge while pregnant, such a seductress! Miss, are we still going in?"
Meng Qianqian smiled lightly. "Why wouldn't we? I'm the main wife—if anyone's to avoid the other, it's not me."
Ban Xia straightened her back. "You're right!"
The two entered the shop.
"Madam Lu?"
A woman's voice called out from behind, full of excitement.
Meng Qianqian paused slightly, about to turn and see who it was, when a richly dressed woman in her thirties walked past her, patting Lin Wan'er on the shoulder.
Lin Wan'er turned around.
Lady Wang beamed. "I thought it was you! I saw you during the banquet at the Governor Mansion last time. I'm from Imperial Censor Wang's household—do you remember me?"
At that moment, a few other ladies who had accompanied Lady Wang entered the shop as well.
One of them looked at Lin Wan'er and asked, "Lady Wang, and this is—?"
Lady Wang took Lin Wan'er's hand and introduced her to the group. "She's the wife of the General of the Northern Frontier, Madam Lu!"