Qiu Yuanshang is a court-appointed official who has served at the Prince Mansion for six or seven years. He is arrogant, narrow-minded, nit-picky, and self-proclaimed debonair.
Jiang Shaohua sneered inwardly, showing no expression: "When grandfather was alive, did he ever allow my father to enter the study?"
Qiu Yuanshang coughed once: "These are different times. It cannot be compared."
Jiang Shaohua oh-so-casually replied: "I understand what Chief Steward Qiu means. Grandfather was Prince Nanyang for many years, wielding great power, and you wouldn't dare disobey him. But now, to you, the words of a ten-year-old girl like me are insignificant."
Faced with such an accusation, how could Chief Steward Qiu dare to admit it? He repeatedly and vigorously denied: "My loyalty to the Commandery Princess is unwavering; I absolutely dare not neglect what she says."
"It was my mistake earlier. The study is a serious place, so even if Lu Junma has concerns for the Commandery Princess, he should not have barged in."
Lu Xuan: "..."
Bah!
Those two beauties he gifted were wasted.
Lu Xuan held back his anger and looked towards Yang Zheng.
Qiu Yuanshang is lecherous, so Lu Xuan gifted beauties worth a hundred gold. Yang Zheng is greedy, so Lu Xuan bestowed a heavy gift to win him over. Now he regrets it as he painfully recalls the past.
Yang Zheng met Lu Xuan's gaze directly and declared righteously: "Lu Junma, please step aside. Once our discussion is over, you may come back to accompany the Commandery Princess."
No wonder he's such a seasoned official, he navigates these situations with such practiced ease.
Jiang Shaohua slightly smiled: "Since Chief Steward Qiu and Judge Yang have spoken, Father might as well leave for now!"
Lu Xuan's face was burning.
Yesterday, there was some private displeasure between father and daughter, but that could be disregarded. Never did he expect Jiang Shaohua to embarrass him before the officials today.
It was akin to being publicly humiliated.
Feng Wenming coughed once, trying to smooth things over: "Lu Junma, please do not take it to heart. When the Prince was alive, the rules were strict. Even we officials couldn't enter the study without the Prince's summons. Within this Prince Mansion, the only one who could freely enter and exit the study was the Commandery Princess."
This rule applies to everyone.
Lu Xuan secretly gritted his teeth and forced a smile: "Today, I acted without thought. Interrupting your business is truly inappropriate. I will leave first, and I will return when Shao Hua has free time."
Jiang Shaohua leisurely added: "I'm quite busy today, I'm afraid I won't have any free time."
Several pairs of eyes simultaneously focused on Lu Xuan's face.
The sun hung high at this moment, and its glare was somewhat glaring. Perhaps the sun was too intense, Lu Junma's handsome and fair face turned a bit red, yet he still managed to smile: "When you're free, send someone to inform your father."
Then, he gracefully clasped his hands in salute to everyone and stepped away.
Bian Dong, still kneeling on the ground, hurriedly got up to catch up.
Jiang Shaohua nonchalantly withdrew her gaze and said to everyone: "Let's continue inside for the discussion."
The officials responded with mixed emotions.
The Commandery Princess is indeed young, and her heart is certainly tough too. Just like that, she sent her own father away... Considering themselves, it'd be wise to humbly keep their heads down and serve.
...
Lu Xuan began unhurriedly, but soon his pace quickened, as if being chased by a wild beast.
Bian Dong panted heavily, catching up: "Master! Wait for me."
Lu Xuan abruptly stopped, glaring fiercely at Bian Dong, venting all his anger at him: "Shut up! Today, you showed off against those two trusted aides, you've completely disgraced me."
Bian Dong, knowing his master's temper, dared not argue back, and instead slapped himself hard twice.
Slap! Slap!
Symmetrical and perfect red palm prints appeared on each side!
Lu Xuan was still not appeased and grew even angrier: "You idiot! Who told you to slap yourself! With those palm prints on your face, how will you carry out your duties?"
Bian Dong represents his master's dignity when he's out. He must wait a day or two until the palm prints completely disappear before showing his face.
Bian Dong hadn't held back when slapping himself; his face was swollen and burning, making speaking less smooth than usual: "I'm foolish, please forgive my anger, Master."
Indeed he was foolish; in comparison, Fang Quan was much smarter. Therefore, most of the external duties were assigned to Fang Quan.
The Lu Family may be a noble family, but Lu Xuan was from a branch just as declined. If it wasn't for the clan school, he wouldn't have been able to afford an education. Thankfully, he was somewhat talented, passing the Scholar exam at seventeen, which boosted his presence greatly. The clan pooled silver to buy him two Attendant Students as a front.
After he married into the Nanyang Prince Mansion, Fang Quan and Bian Dong followed him there. For all these years, he's never lacked for servants by his side. However, the most trusted are still those two.
The two conspicuous palm prints were becoming more glaring. Even his own face seemed to throb with pain.
Lu Xuan scolded irritably: "Go back to your room and stay put."
Bian Dong answered dejectedly.
He really had a miserable day today. After scuffling with trusted aides for his master's dignity, then kowtowing for forgiveness, slapping himself, and finally receiving a harsh scolding.
Bian Dong lowered his head and used his sleeve to conceal his face as he returned to the room.
Unfortunately, on the way, he met several oblivious maids and trusted aides who couldn't see him avoiding people, each one coming over to greet and pay their respects.
Lu Xuan went out looking radiant and returned with a gloomy face.
Aunt Mei felt her heart tremble, dared not approach, and wanted to quietly leave with her two children. Lu Xuan's glance had already landed on her.
Aunt Mei's heart trembled again.
Everyone in the mansion envied her for breaking free from her maid status and being lifted up. She knew she was lucky, chosen among many maids by the Prince, and sent to serve Lu Junma.
Even luckier was that within two months of serving, she had good news, and the following year gave birth to a son.
What man doesn't love a son?
Lu Xuan held his newborn son, filled with joy, his face glowing. Due to his surprise, he even said to her: "You've achieved a great merit by giving birth to an heir for the Nanyang Prince Mansion."
She was overjoyed to hear such words.
She bore a son for the Commandery Princess, who could later inherit the title, estate, and continue the lineage of Prince Nanyang. Surely the Prince was also very pleased too!
Never did she expect that Prince Nanyang would not recognize this child. He directly let the child take the father's surname, Lu, and submitted a memorial of ten thousand words.
At five years old, Jiang Shaohua was officially conferred as the Nanyang County Princess by the court.
The day the decree arrived at the Nanyang Prince Mansion, Lu Xuan was outwardly jubilant, but privately his face was frighteningly grim. She was terrified, not daring to say a word.
Lu Xuan spent half the day in the study, came out with a calm face, and only said to her: "All this will eventually be my son's."
These years, Lu Xuan showed care and tenderness towards Jiang Shaohua, protecting her completely. After Prince Nanyang's death, that goodness had to be emphasized as even greater. Everyone praised Lu Xuan as the best father under heaven.
Only she knew his deep and terrifying thoughts.
With one look from Lu Xuan, she dutifully brought her children to approach.
"From today onward, take Ying'er and her brother daily to pay respects to Shao Hua."