Chapter 220 World Nine (Seventeen)

Because a few days ago, Zhang Qingping, under Zhiyi's advice, took the initiative to take out some money to buy some nourishing food for Baoshan to make up for his inappropriate words and deeds at that time, which caused Baoshan to have heart palpitations.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Lu released Zhang Qingping and all the maids in the courtyard from detention in advance.

Zhiyi had been detained in the courtyard for a long time. Once released, she left the house under the pretext of shopping. When Zhiyi returned, the maids who followed her were all clutching heavy envelopes in their arms, but Zhiyi, empty-handed, beamed with joy. As she crossed the threshold, she saw the red-maned horse led by the concierge. Its sleek coat was an obvious asset.

Zhiyi paused, thinking, the women in the family always traveled in carriages, and Master Lu wasn't a horseman either, so this majestic red-maned horse's owner was a clue. Zhiyi turned around, casually took the paper envelope held by the little maid beside her, and put it into the doorman's hands.

"In such hot and humid weather, hawthorn jelly is the perfect appetizer."

Even through the paper seal, the concierge could smell the sweet and sour taste of hawthorn. His throat was rolling up and down, and he said in his mouth, "How can this be so embarrassing?"

Zhiyi was very eloquent and in no time she persuaded the doorman to accept the hawthorn jelly.

Zhiyi turned sideways, standing in the shade under the eaves, and asked casually, "Is the young master back home?"

The doorman naturally wouldn't hide it from Zhiyi and replied, "I came back half an hour ago."

The hawthorn jelly cake was refreshing and appetizing. The doorman narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned over to say a few more words: "As soon as the young master returned home, he went to look for Miss Baoshan."

Zhiyi frowned: "Young Master shouldn't have gone to see the Master first, how could it be..."

The doorman smiled but said nothing. Everyone in the mansion knew that Lu Yuanhui and Master Lu were not close.

Since Lu Yuanhui took on the post of commander of the Imperial Guard, he rarely returned home. Therefore, few people in the capital knew that Lu Yuanhui's father was Master Lu.

If Miss Baoshan had not stayed at the mansion these days, how could Lu Yuanhui have come back so frequently?

Zhiyi wanted to get more information out of him, so she stuffed two more envelopes into the doorman's hands. The doorman's smile deepened, and he whispered, "Miss Baoshan is beautiful and has a kind of lovable personality. Even the young master is not immune to this."

Hearing this, Zhiyi was slightly stunned, and retorted in disbelief: "Although the treasured fan is beautiful, she is a widow after all, and her husband died before. The young master is the commander of the Jinyiwei, how could it be..."

The concierge didn't explain too much, but simply said, "Miss Baoshan is so soft and gentle, under such a beautiful woman's skirt, which man would care about being a widow?"

Zhiyi looked solemn when she saw Lu Yuanhui walking out of the mansion.

Zhiyi and the doorman hurriedly bowed and greeted her. When Lu Yuanhui passed by Zhiyi, the wind blew up the fragrance on his body, which was elegant and refreshing, making people forget the world.

Lu Yuanhui mounted the red-maned horse and gently pulled the reins. The sound of horse hooves gradually faded away.

Looking at Lu Yuanhui's receding figure, Zhiyi looked solemn.

Even when Zhiyi returned to serve Zhang Qingping, she still looked distracted. She even nearly spilled the tea in the cup when she poured it. Zhang Qingping frowned and asked, "Zhiyi?"

Zhiyi quickly came back to her senses. She pondered for a moment and finally made up her mind to tell Zhang Qingping the news she had heard from the doorman, adding fuel to the fire.

The originally ambiguous feelings became an extremely passionate love in Zhiyi's description, as if she had seen with her own eyes that Lu Yuanhui pushed the treasure fan into the corner and humiliated her.

Zhiyi had her own plans in mind. She had been with Zhang Qingping since she was a child, so naturally she hoped that Zhang Qingping could get what she wanted and have a husband of her dreams.

However, the matter of Zhang Qingping marrying Mr. Lu was a fait accompli, and Lu Yuanhui had no intention of violating etiquette and causing a conflict between father and son.

If Zhang Qingping wanted to live a better life, she had to completely give up her thoughts on Lu Yuanhui and get along well with Mr. Lu.

If Zhang Qingping could get Mr. Lu's promise, the maid Zhiyi would also be able to rise to a higher position and become a leading figure among the servants.

“Madam,” Lu Yuan replied, “you are no different from an ordinary man, mesmerized by beauty.

Looking at Baoshan's weak and pitiful appearance, as soon as she surrendered and waved her hand, people's anger would boil over.

Perhaps the two of them have already become an uninvited couple, and have done a lot of things in the mansion."

After hearing this, Zhang Qingping's face turned pale. She closed her eyelids, and the scene of Lu Yuanhui and Baoshan entangled in endless struggle emerged in her mind.

The weak woman lay timidly on Lu Yuanhui's shoulder, her body swaying slightly, her face as delicate as a flower, gentle but shy, looking like she was being doted on.

As for Lu Yuanhui, his strong and powerful hands stroked her slender waist and held the treasure fan tightly in his arms, not allowing others to see it.

“That’s enough!”

Zhang Qingping scolded harshly.

The phantom vanished, but Zhang Qingping clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Zhiyi knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, Zhang Qingping seemed to compromise, her voice filled with fatigue: "Go and ask the master to come over."

Zhiyi raised her head, her eyes filled with unconcealable joy.

Zhiyi hurried to invite Mr. Lu, thinking that it would take more time to talk.

After all, Zhang Qingping had disgraced Mr. Lu since the day of their marriage, so it was reasonable for Mr. Lu to feel resentful towards Zhang Qingping.

But after listening to Zhiyi's report, Mr. Lu agreed easily.

Mr. Lu raised his foot and walked into the house. He looked at Zhang Qingping who was sitting upright in the armchair with an indifferent expression.

Mr. Lu did not have much affection for his young second wife. When he was young, he and Lu's mother supported each other and had a harmonious life together. After Lu's mother passed away, everything returned to normal.

Marrying Zhang Qingping was also because the position of mistress was vacant, and the Zhang family was willing to make this happen.

Mr. Lu still remembers it vividly. On the day of his wedding, Zhang Qingping lifted the wedding curtain in front of everyone and glared at him as if he were some evil thief who had robbed and robbed him.

But when they met today, Zhang Qingping looked gentle and even stood up to pour tea for Mr. Lu.

The two of them talked in gentle voices for a long time, which was quite peaceful.

Zhang Qingping spoke naturally as she mentioned the precious fan in the mansion.

Mr. Lu sipped his tea as he listened to Zhang Qingping frown and say, "This Miss Baoshan lost her husband at a young age. It's really pitiful. She has a soft personality too. I'm afraid she will have a hard time in the future."

Mr. Lu asked in return: "So what do you think?"

Zhang Qingping suggested: "After the 100-day mourning period is over, let Miss Baoshan marry someone else.

A person as delicate as Miss Baoshan can only live in peace with her husband by her side. Has the master ever seen her?"

Mr. Lu nodded: "I have met him once, and he is indeed weak in character."

Zhang Qingping's heart gradually calmed down. "I've seen many women like this. To use the folk saying, they can't live without men in this life. Only by relying on men can they survive.

The Lu family can certainly support Miss Baoshan for a while, but they cannot take care of her for a lifetime.

It would be better to take advantage of the present time to select a talented young man and hand Miss Baoshan over to him.

When the time comes, the Lu family can add some dowry and send it to Miss Baoshan, which will be considered as a token of their love."

Mr. Lu put down the teacup and thought that this year's tea was good and had a long aftertaste, but it was not convenient to drink it here.

"You are the mistress of the Lu family. Do whatever you want. No need to ask me."

Zhang Qingping looked embarrassed: "But——"

Master Lu continued, "I will tell Manager Zhao to listen to your instructions. However, Bao Shan has a soft personality, so you should be more sensible in your actions and not choose a man with a bad temper."

Zhang Qingping clenched her palms and replied yes.

Mr. Lu lowered his head, looking at Zhang Qingping's attire. Compared to the day they first met, it was even more luxurious and gorgeous. However, Zhang Qingping's eyes were no longer as clear as before she got married. She even calculated against a lonely and helpless woman.

But Mr. Lu did not want to stop him, no matter how pitiful the treasure fan was.

After all, she is a widower, and it is not appropriate for her to be too close to Lu Yuanhui.

Zhang Qingping slumped in the recliner. Zhiyi's words filled her with resentment towards Lu Yuanhui, hating him for being so heartless and ungrateful, entangled with other women and leaving her to suffer alone. But compared to Lu Yuanhui, Zhang Qingping hated Baoshan even more. If Baoshan hadn't deliberately seduced her, how could Lu Yuanhui have been so greedy for her body, even causing rumors in the mansion?

Zhang Qingping thought, since Baoshan wanted to get involved with Lu Yuanhui so much and couldn't live without a man, she should give her a man to satisfy her and see if Baoshan still had the time to seduce Lu Yuanhui.

After getting Mr. Lu's promise, Zhang Qingping immediately sent Zhiyi back to the Zhang family to find a few men.

Zhang Qingping advised that he should choose the type that is extremely ferocious in bed, and preferably one that looks good on the outside but is actually rotten on the inside.

Although Zhiyi was puzzled, she told Zhang's parents the truth and soon found a suitable man.

Zhang Qingping went to Baoshan's yard and saw the petals falling on the ground. Her eyes couldn't help but dim.

This kind of flower is only planted in Lu Yuanhui's courtyard.

Bao Shan came over gracefully and called softly, "What's the matter, Madam?"

Zhang Qingping stared at Baoshan's smooth and delicate face, and couldn't help feeling dazed: Was it this face that seduced Lu Yuanhui, who had never been interested in love affairs, to do so many ridiculous things in the mansion?

Bao Shan was puzzled and called out again, "Madam?"

Zhang Qingping came back to her senses and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

She was a model of a noble lady in the capital, her behavior towards others was impeccable, and she was also willing to show her affection to Baoshan.

Given Baoshan's simple nature, she naturally couldn't resist. After a while, she began to trust Zhang Qingping, the person who had bullied her in the past.

Zhang Qingping said with a guilty look on her face, "Last time, I was impulsive and caused you to have heart palpitations. You've been feeling better lately."

Zhang Qingping apologized so sincerely that Bao Shan naturally didn't make things difficult for her. She said softly, "It's alright. Madam, you don't know about the heart palpitations. It certainly wasn't intentional."

Zhang Qingping knew very well that nothing should be rushed, so today she just came to visit Baoshan and left after chatting for a while.

After a few more days, Zhang Qingping and Baoshan had become familiar with each other, and they naturally mentioned the matter of seeing each other.

Seeing Bao Shan's pale face, Zhang Qingping grabbed Bao Shan's hand and said worriedly, "You are staying at the mansion because Lu Yuanhui personally instructed you to do so.

But because he brought you into the mansion, Lu Yuanhui also received a lot of discussion. People said that he..."

Bao Shan frowned and asked worriedly, "What are they talking about?"

Zhang Qingping sighed softly, "It's said that Commander Lu didn't take you in out of kindness, but rather—he was attracted by your beauty and had ulterior motives. The rumors are spreading like wildfire, and I'm afraid it will damage Lu Yuanhui's reputation."

Baoshan's soft lips trembled slightly, and her eyes were filled with tears: "They, they are talking nonsense... My Lord is the kindest and best person in the world, not what they say."

Zhang Qingping covered her lips with a handkerchief: "If you have no place to belong and still live in the Lu family, I'm afraid you won't be able to stop the gossip.

After all, although you are a widower, there are still many women in the capital who remarry..."

Bao Shan tightened the handkerchief in her hand. Lu Yuanhui treated her so well, so she naturally couldn't bear to let Lu Yuanhui be misunderstood by others.

Therefore, although Baoshan was reluctant to look at him, she had to lower her eyelashes and agree in the end.

Zhang Qingping's brows relaxed, and she hurriedly said that she would find a good and considerate man, and would definitely not let Baoshan suffer any injustice.

Baoshan thanked him timidly, but there was not much interest in her beautiful eyes.

After knowing that Zhang Qingping had left, Zhenzhu asked worriedly, "Are you really going?"

Zhenzhu felt that Zhang Qingping's hasty handling of this matter was not out of good intentions.

But at this time, Lu Yuanhui was not in the capital, so there was no one to ask about Zhenzhu.

Bao Shan's beautiful eyes dimmed as she said, "Your Excellency's reputation is of paramount importance. Besides, Madam will certainly not treat me unfairly, will she?"