Chapter 72 The Prodigal Brother (12) A Merchant's Son's Counterattack Against a King of a Different Surname...

It was still early, and the horses were pulling the carriages loaded with luggage and dowry with all their might. The wheels were rolling and creaking as they headed towards Lu Wu Niang's estate, which was part of her dowry.

The carriage traveled for about an hour before finally coming to a steady stop in front of a quiet farmhouse.

This estate was originally purchased by Madam Lu as part of Lu Wu Niang's dowry when she was still unmarried. It had been vacant and unattended for most of the time. Later, after Li Mama's daughter got married, Lu Wu Niang had the couple move here to take care of the estate, a rather easy job for them.

At this moment, Li Mama's daughter, Zhenniang, and her husband, Bai Chunlai, were waiting outside the farm.

When the carriage stopped in front of her, Zhenniang, with a smile on her face, quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Madam, my husband and I have been waiting for you. Did you have a safe journey?"

Bai Chunlai followed behind Zhenniang, and also respectfully bowed to Lu Wuniang and Song Ce, saying, "Greetings, Madam, greetings, Young Master."

Seeing this, Lu Wuniang nodded slightly and said gently, "The journey has been relatively safe, but I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

“Madam, you’re too kind to us. This is all our duty. Please come in quickly. My husband and I received the news yesterday and have tidied up the house carefully. If you have any complaints, please just let us know,” Zhenniang said cheerfully.

Hearing this, Lu Wuniang couldn't help but laugh. She turned to Li Mama beside her and said, "Zhenniang really has a very pleasing mouth. It's strange, though you two look somewhat alike, your personalities are completely different. You each have your own charm."

Upon hearing this, Madam Li's eyes were filled with satisfaction. She smiled and replied, "Madam, you flatter me. This girl must be so proud of you. She takes after her father; she's always so sweet-talking and knows how to coax me."

“Madam, let’s not stand here at the door. You must be tired after your journey. Please come inside and rest. Look, Miss is almost asleep in the young master’s arms,” Zhenniang said.

Lu Wuniang nodded after hearing this and slowly walked towards the farm.

As soon as Song Ce entered the courtyard, he saw that the apricot tree in the yard was full of heavy fruit, but it looked like it was not yet time to eat them.

"This estate is very well-maintained, Zhenniang and Chunlai, you've put a lot of effort into it," Lu Wuniang praised with a smile.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Madam."

As soon as Zhenniang finished speaking, she saw Song Ce staring at the apricot tree, so she smiled and said, "Young Master, do you want to eat silver apricots? But they are still astringent right now. They will be sweet and fragrant after the fifteenth!"

"Then we're in for a treat this year," Song Ce said with a smile.

Lu Wuniang took a few steps forward, her tone full of nostalgia, "This apricot tree has grown so big!"

"Yes, this was planted by the young lady herself when she was still a young woman!" Mother Li stepped forward and couldn't help but sigh.

“That’s wonderful! Madam, Chunlai’s family used to tend to fruit trees. He saw that this apricot tree was growing well, so he carefully nurtured it for several years. This is the first time it has borne so much fruit. It’s a very auspicious sign!” Zhenniang said with a smile.

Lu Wuniang gently stroked the trunk of the apricot tree, recalling, "When I first saw this courtyard, I felt it was so desolate. On a whim, my mother and I planted this apricot tree, hoping to add some life to the courtyard. I never imagined it would grow so lush now." As she spoke, she turned to Zhenniang and Bai Chunlai, "This is all thanks to you two."

"You flatter me, Madam. My husband and I are able to live peacefully on this estate entirely thanks to your kindness!" Zhenniang said with a smile.

As they talked, they walked into the house.

The main house is now fully furnished. Although it is not as magnificent and exquisite as the Song Mansion, it looks quite warm and inviting, making people feel comfortable and at ease as soon as they enter.

Lu Wuniang stepped forward and sat down, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Looking at the yellow stamens flowers displayed on the table, she smiled and said to the two of them, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Madam and young master, please try this year's newly picked tea." Zhenniang came over quickly, carrying a tray.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wuniang took the teacup, took a small sip of the fresh tea, and soon, the rich aroma of the tea spread across her tongue. She nodded slightly and smiled, "The tea is clear and fragrant; it's a fine tea."

Seeing that Lu Wuniang was satisfied, Zhenniang smiled even more charmingly: "I'm glad that Madam likes it."

Seeing that Lu Wuniang was a little happier, Song Ce put down his teacup, stood up and bowed, saying, "Mother, I will go and send them to unload the dowry and all the items. You and Yu'er can rest in the room."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, my son." Lu Wu Niang nodded in response.

Upon hearing this, Song Ce turned and walked out of the house, directing the servants who had come with him to unload the dowry and belongings from the carriage one by one. In no time, everything was moved into the storeroom that had already been prepared.

As dusk approached, Li Mama took Zhenniang out. To cheer up Lu Wuniang, the mother and daughter prepared a sumptuous feast to celebrate Lu Wuniang's regaining of her freedom.

After three rounds of banquet, Lu Wu Niang waved her hand, signaling Li Mama to go back to her room and rest. She had been by Lu Wu Niang's side for many years and had not seen her only daughter, Zhen Niang, for a long time. Presumably, the mother and daughter had a lot to talk about.

After the two women left, Lu Wuniang rested her chin on her hand and looked at her two children. She couldn't help but recall the past in the Song family, and her heart was filled with emotion.

"mother?"

Seeing her son, whom she had raised single-handedly, looking at her with a worried expression, Lu Wuniang smiled, "My son, I just never imagined that one day our family would be able to live such a peaceful and comfortable life without your father."

Upon hearing this, Song Ce sat down next to Lu Wu Niang, gently took her hand, and solemnly said, "Mother, don't worry. With your son here, I will definitely protect you and my sister in the future and make sure you live a better life than before."

"Yu'er too, will definitely make sure Mother lives a good life!" Song Yu ran over and snuggled into Lu Wu Niang's arms, saying in a clear voice.

"Alright, alright, then Mother will wait patiently." Lu Wu Niang smiled with relief and gently embraced her two children.

...

The next morning, Song Ce got up early and went out of his room to see Lu Wu Niang pressing Li Mama down on a bamboo bench in the courtyard.

"Madam, this...this is not right..." Madam Li waved her hand, hurriedly trying to get up, but was firmly held down by Lu Wu Niang, who urged with a smile, "Mother, don't be so reserved. This is a spring flower porridge that I cooked in the kitchen this morning. Please try it and see how it tastes."

Unable to refuse, Madam Li took a small sip and exclaimed sincerely, "Madam, this Shengchunhua porridge tastes wonderful! It's the first time I've ever had such delicious porridge!"

"That's wonderful! I haven't cooked in over ten years, and I thought my skills had long since become rusty, but I succeeded this time!" Lu Wu Niang said with a smile.

Seeing this, Song Ce walked over curiously and asked, "Mother, did you cook this porridge?"

"My son, you're up so early today, you're really in for a treat! Try it quickly." As she spoke, Lu Wu Niang handed Song Ce the Shengchunhua porridge that had just been cooled, her eyes smiling. "This is made by your mother with new glutinous rice, and I added some Shengchunhua, candied fruit, and snow sugar. My son, try it and see if it suits your taste?"

Song Ce took the bowl of porridge with both hands and took a few sips. The Shengchun flower porridge was sweet but not cloying, and it also had a just-right fragrance of Shengchun flowers. It tasted really good.

"Mother, this porridge is delicious. I'll have another bowl." After finishing his bowl, Song Ce affirmed Lu Wu Niang's excellent cooking skills with his actions.

After finishing his second bowl of porridge, Song Ce breathed a satisfied sigh of relief. He looked up at Lu Wu Niang and said with a smile, "Mother, I have to go out today, so I won't be having lunch at home."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wuniang's eyes flashed with worry, and she asked softly, "My son, where are you going? Why are you in such a hurry so early in the morning?"

Song Ce put down his chopsticks and said carefully, "Mother, it's a friend of mine. He hasn't been feeling well lately, and I thought I might be able to help, so I thought I'd go see him."

Lu Wu Niang nodded slightly, "Then my son, go and come back soon. Be careful on your journey. Your mother will be waiting for you at home."

Song Ce smiled and nodded, then replied, "Mother, don't worry." After saying that, he walked along the path outside the manor towards Yongyang Taoist Temple.

After walking for about half an hour, Song Ce finally saw the outline of the red walls of Yongyang Taoist Temple. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickened his pace toward the temple's gate.

As they approached the mountain gate, the vermilion gate creaked open, and a tall butler in blue robes stepped out—it was Guan Mao.

"Young Master Song, you've finally arrived. The master has been waiting inside for quite some time," Guan Mao said politely.

"Please lead the way."

As soon as they entered, the two walked one after the other along the bluestone path in the temple. Along the way, Song Ce noticed that the temple seemed more deserted than usual. So far, he had not encountered a single Taoist priest or worshipper.

It was the same quiet little courtyard. As soon as the two arrived, Shunmo and Shunbi, who had been waiting at the gate, quickly opened it and invited them in.

"Master, Young Master Song has arrived."

At this moment, the man in black was sitting in a rocking chair, holding an ancient book in his hands, looking quite relaxed. When he saw Song Ce enter, he put down the book and stood up, saying, "Young Master Song, very punctual."

Upon hearing this, Song Ce cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Young master is too kind. Since I have promised to treat you, how could I go back on my word?"

"Young Master Song, these are all the things you needed yesterday." On a tray not far away, there were various medicinal herbs and a complete set of gold needles that Song Ce had written down yesterday.

The man in black smiled faintly and asked seriously, "When, shall we begin?"

"Let's begin, young master, please have a seat."

The man in black nodded slightly upon hearing this, and sat down on the wooden chair as instructed, then closed his eyes. Guan Mao was quite uneasy upon seeing this; he kept a close eye on Song Ce's subordinate's every move, fearing that he might do something dangerous.

Song Ce first carefully washed his hands in warm water, then picked up a gold needle, sterilized it over a fire, and slowly stabbed it into the neck of the man in black.

The moment the golden needle touched his skin, the man in black stiffened slightly and instinctively shrank back. Seeing this, Song Ce reassured him, "Young master, don't be nervous, relax." The man in black took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

The man in black could sense that the person in front of him was quite skilled. Every time a needle was inserted, he would carefully observe his own reaction, while gently twisting the golden needle with his fingers, as if adjusting something.

Seeing this, Guan Mao could only watch nervously from the side, not daring to breathe too loudly, for fear of startling this bold young master Song and causing his master to suffer.

About an hour and a half later, Song Ce finished administering the acupuncture. He carefully instructed Guan Mao, who had been guarding the room, "Boil these medicines in three bowls of water, then add these, and then add another bowl of water. Bring it to the room immediately after it's cooked. Please keep a close eye on this matter and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"This..." Guan Mao hesitated, glancing at his master. Although Song Ce's identity had been ascertained, his master's skillful medical techniques still made Guan Mao somewhat wary, given his master's status...

"Go, do as Young Master Song says." Seeing Guan Mao's hesitant expression, the man in black waved his hand decisively.

"Yes." Guan Mao quickly took the medicinal herbs and hurried towards the kitchen.

"Young master, today is the first time you will receive acupuncture. After the medicine is prepared, you must drink it while it is still hot. Please remember, you must not speak for the next three days," Song Ce said gently.

The man in black nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

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Author's note: I'm too busy today, that's all for now, I'll add more tomorrow~ (kneels obediently)