Chapter 156

Lu Feng, the eldest son of the Lu family, looked at the handsome young man in the corner, whose features were as cold and aloof as frost and snow, and spoke with suspicion.

All eyes were drawn to it.

Wen Shu spoke slowly and deliberately, using the words she had already prepared, "Uncle, this is my distant cousin. His parents have long since passed away. After the Wen family was raided, he came to Shanzhou with me."

Pei Lingjun smiled broadly and bowed to Madam Lu, saying, "My name is Song Yuanzhuo from Jinzhou. I'm afraid I'll be troubling you at your residence these next few days."

In public, he appears as a refined and aloof gentleman, his handsome face so striking that even the sun and moon seem to dim when he smiles.

He is a respectable gentleman in public, but a wicked and despicable person in private.

He's a master of disguise.

"No need to bother you. Since you are brought by Shuya, please feel at ease staying at the manor."

"Thank you, Madam."

As everyone left, Zhou Yun's eyes were still red. Wen Shu supported her and said, "From now on, we'll live in Shanzhou, and Mother can come to visit us anytime."

Du Erniang came out, flicking her sleeves. Seeing Zhou Yun still wiping away tears, she was still polite. "Elder sister, please wait! I was very worried when I heard about the Wen family's house being ransacked. I just don't know how you and your two children managed to escape?"

Her gaze fell on Zhou Yun's face, then shifted to Wen Shu and Wen Ji beside her. "I've heard that you faked your deaths to escape—"

"-Shh!"

Wen Shu quickly stopped Du Erniang from speaking, frowning as she said, "Aunt, please don't say any more. Only a few close friends and family members know about my, my mother's, and my brother's background. Aunt, you absolutely must not tell anyone, otherwise, you might bring about your own death!"

Du Erniang's face turned pale. "Deceiving your superiors and faking your death to escape is a capital offense! How dare you?"

"Aunt, please don't be offended. We really had no other choice. We resorted to this desperate measure only to find a glimmer of hope."

Wen Shu didn't want to say more and helped Zhou Yun leave.

Du Erniang's face gradually darkened. If others knew that there were family members of criminals in the Lu family who should have been convicted, wouldn't the Lu family also be accused of harboring criminals?!

The Lu family is a respectable family, how could they be allowed to be ruined like this?!

"Mother..."

Lu Jiang had followed them over at some point and called out to Du Erniang.

"Look at the mess you've made! It's easy to invite a god but hard to send him away. If it's discovered that they are members of the Wen family, our Lu family will be accused of harboring criminals. You're pushing the Lu family into a fire pit!"

“Mother,” Lu Jiang frowned in displeasure, “A-Shu is, after all, my cousin. How can you treat her coldly?”

Du Erniang snorted coldly, "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking about Wen Shu?" She gave Lu Jiang a look of disappointment, "If Wen Shu were still the illegitimate daughter of the prefect, that would be one thing, but she's now the family member of a disgraced official. I advise you to give up on that idea!"

“Besides,” Du Erniang glanced around and said in a low voice, “Zhou Yun is just a daughter brought in by the old lady; she’s not a true member of the Lu family. My child, isn’t Miss He Baixuan of the He family in love with you? Why do you only see Wen Shu?”

"—Mother!" Lu Jia abruptly interrupted Du Erniang, hurriedly bowing, "Mother, you need not mention He Shi again. I am not one of them."

Lu Jiang turned and left, leaving Du Erniang standing there sighing, "That clueless girl!"

Ever since the day He Baixuan fought Wen Shu for a shop in the street, He Baixuan had noticed the gentle and mild-mannered Lu Jiang and had been sending him many things over the next few days.

Unsurprisingly, Lu Jiang refused all invitations to the theater and teahouse.

Du Erniang was very troubled by her son's lack of understanding.