Chapter 6 A Pure Fraud
Qing'er: "A lot of people have come to the manor. The doctor wants you to see them."
Lu Jinlan assumed it was just those relatives coming to join in the fun. She quickly washed her face, her mind still foggy, and staggered towards the front hall.
The moment she stepped across the threshold, more than twenty unfamiliar faces swept over her as if they were on a mission, instantly dispelling her drowsiness.
At a glance, she saw eight or nine young masters in the room, along with their elders, who were probably uncles, aunts, and uncles-in-law. She knew what was going on without even being told.
Mrs. Yan smiled and pulled her over, introducing her to everyone in the room.
"This is the third young master of the Feng family, who is seventeen years old this year."
"This is the sixth young master of the Li family, born in the same month and year as you."
"This is the young master of the Qi family, he is fifteen years old this year."
...
Lu Jinlan was so angry she was about to burst out laughing, but because of the system task, she had to pretend to be interested in observing each young master and rack her brains to think of a few words to start a conversation.
After completing the entire process, she could finally relax.
"I haven't finished reading my book yet, excuse me."
"Oh, you child..."
Madam Yan quickly chased after her, "Stop! I've gone to so much trouble to arrange your marriage, can't you give your father some face?"
Lu Jinlan took a deep breath. "Who told you to arrange the wedding? When did I say I was getting married? You didn't consult me at all and just gathered a bunch of unmarried young men. Did you even consider my feelings?"
Yan was taken aback. "You don't want to? I thought you were quite willing. Weren't you just chatting happily with them?"
Lu Jinlan had no way to explain, "That was...that was basic courtesy."
Madam Yan didn't believe her. "Don't pretend in front of your father. I know you too well."
As she spoke, Madam Yan suddenly lowered her voice: "Everyone outside calls you a charming and talented woman. Who in the whole of Yunzhou doesn't know your character? But I don't mean to criticize you. What woman isn't attracted to men? I understand. You're young and full of life, at the age when your heart is just beginning to flutter. It's only natural for you to glance at those boys a few more times."
Lu Jinlan moved her lips, but she really didn't know how to defend herself.
"Let's not talk about the past. Now you're a great talent and a popular figure. You can choose any man you want to marry. I'm just worried you'll be lonely, so there are some things I can't say directly. I'll have to wait for your mother to come back and teach you. But I must tell you one thing: Qing'er is not good enough for our family. If you really like him, you should wait until you've married a proper husband before you talk about it."
Lu Jinlan was about to lose her temper. "What are you saying? What does this have to do with Qing'er? I don't have time to think about these things right now. I don't want any of them."
Lu Jinlan turned and left, leaving Madam Yan standing there awkwardly. Just then, the housekeeper, Aunt Zou, came to report, "The old lady is back."
*
Lu Jinlan lay on the bed, sulking, when she vaguely heard someone push the door open and come in. With her back to the outside, she simply closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
The person sat down beside her bed, and then something rubbed against her nose.
"It itches." Lu Jinlan opened her eyes unhappily, the crimson sword tassel still swaying in front of her.
The tassel is attached to a finely crafted sword that can cut through iron like mud, and even the scabbard is inlaid with various gemstones, which reflect each other in a dazzling fire.
Lu Jinlan sat up abruptly, her eyes lighting up. "Mom, you're back!"
Lu Jinzhao smiled and patted her head affectionately, saying, "On my way back, I learned that you had won first place, so I made a special detour to Chengzhou to buy this precious sword from a famous swordsmith. It's incredibly sharp, capable of cutting through iron like mud. The gemstones on the scabbard were inlaid by a craftsman at my request; they're worth a fortune. If you carry it with you, others will know that you come from a wealthy family and won't dare to bully you."
Lu Jinlan didn't take it to heart: "Everyone knows I'm your daughter, no one bullies me."
Lu Jinzhao smiled and shook his head, "There aren't many people in this world who are richer than us, but there are quite a few who are more powerful than us. Your mother is just a businesswoman, and the protection she can give you is very limited."
"You've given me more than enough." Lu Jinlan had never been so satisfied. She couldn't wait to jump to the ground, draw her sword and test it. The blade gleamed coldly; it was indeed extraordinary.
She turned around and saw Lu Jinzhao hesitating to speak, then suddenly realized, "You're here to force me into marriage too?"
Lu Jinzhao hesitated for a moment, "Uh, your father just told me that he didn't think things through today. He's a simple man, and his thinking is too simplistic. He only chose sons of merchants for you, judging you solely on their character, appearance, and virtuousness. That's far too casual."
Lu Jinlan nodded frantically: "That's right, that's right."
Lu Jinzhao: "When I go to Lingzhou, I've chosen General Song's only son for you. He's not only handsome and virtuous, but his mother and I are also close friends. After you get married, you'll have the Song family army as your backing, and I can rest assured."
Lu Jinlan's vision went black. "Wait a minute, don't worry. Why are you in such a hurry to get me married? I haven't finished studying yet. The dean said I have a chance to take the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. I want to go to Shenjing to study for another three years."
Lu Jinchao's expression changed, and he said seriously, "No, the capital is far away, and the place is too complicated and dangerous. You can't go."
"I'm going to study, not to cause trouble, so why can't I go? Besides, if I really get into the Royal Academy, I can bring honor to my ancestors and become a high-ranking official. What's wrong with that?"
Lu Jinzhao's face showed anger. "The Lu family doesn't care about you bringing glory to the family. I only hope that you are safe and sound. Even if you achieve nothing, it's better than you running off to the capital and making me worry."
Lu Jinlan keenly sensed something was amiss. "Why are you afraid I'll go to Shenjing? Are you worried I'll run into someone there?"
Lu Jinzhao's pupils dilated slightly as he avoided the probing gaze, but he quickly composed himself and said stubbornly, "No, I just don't want you to be too far from home. My birthday is in three days. General Song and her son are already on their way. I think we should celebrate three things at once: my birthday, your academic success, and your engagement banquet with Young Master Song. It's a win-win situation."
Lu Jinlan said angrily, "I won't agree."
"There's no room for discussion." Lu Jinzhao made a firm decision and turned to leave. Enraged, Lu Jinlan threw down her sword and summoned the system's customer service to urgently discuss countermeasures.
「给点提示吧，我拒婚算不算违背男频精神？会不会被狠揍一顿？」
"No, although being open to all comers is a characteristic of male-oriented content, being free and unrestrained is its essence. You have absolute freedom in choosing a partner."
"That makes things easier."
Lu Jinlan thought, "My legs are my own, so I can decide where I go."
She lay low for two days, dealing with the guests at home before rushing to the dean's house, hoping for a notification from Beijing so she could make her escape quickly.
The third day arrived, the actual day of Lu Jinzhao's birthday. Lu Jinlan knew she couldn't wait any longer; the Song family would be arriving soon. If they got engaged in a muddled way, and she left, leaving Young Master Song alone in his empty room.
She hurriedly packed her bags in her room, preparing to leave first. Qing'er came in, startled, "Young Madam, what are you doing?"
"Never mind that. If my parents ask later, just say I went to the capital."
"Going to the capital? Is it to the Royal Academy?"
"Yes... How did you know?" Lu Jinlan remembered that Qing'er was illiterate and didn't understand these things.
Qing'er hurriedly said, "I just heard Dean Meng and my mother talking about it. Dean Meng came to offer birthday wishes and brought some kind of qualification notice. I saw it when she handed it to my mother."
Lu Jinlan excitedly grabbed his wrist, "Where's the admission notice? Where did you put it?"
"It should be in the study."
Without a word, Lu Jinlan rushed to the study. Qing'er stood guard at the door, her heart pounding, and advised, "It's my fault for being so talkative. I shouldn't have told you about this. If my mother finds out, she'll beat me to death."
"If I don't say anything and you don't say anything, how would anyone know it was you who said it? Oh, I found it!" Lu Jinlan unfolded it and saw that it was the letter informing her to go to Shenjing to participate in the selection. It was stamped with the seal of the Royal Academy. She quickly put it away.
Qing'er continued to persuade her, "Shenjing is so far away, and you've never traveled far before. What if something bad happens to you?"
"I'll bring extra money, just in case," Lu Jinlan said, opening Lu Jinzhao's drawer and stuffing a stack of banknotes into his pocket.
Qing'er hurriedly hugged her leg, "No, I can't let you go alone, it's too dangerous outside."
Lu Jinlan hesitated for a moment, "What you said makes sense. It's really inconvenient to travel alone. How about this, you pack your things and come with me."
"Huh?" Qing'er was caught off guard. "But...but neither of us has any experience in the martial arts world. Isn't that dangerous?"
"Then let's invite Ximo along. Once I've safely arrived in the capital, the two of you can come back together to report home."
Xi Mo, that girl, always loved to run around, and she was overjoyed to hear that they were going on a long trip. Without saying a word, she immediately went to the backyard to get the carriage and waited excitedly at the back gate.
Lu Jinlan hastily left a letter that could infuriate anyone: Mother and Father, your daughter is leaving. I will return in glory once I've made a name for myself in the capital. Of course, if I fail, I'll come back even if I have to beg for food and end up in rags. Anyway, don't be angry. I'll decide my own marriage. If you pressure me any further, I won't come back.
"Let's go." Lu Jinlan picked up her sword and took one last look at her room.
The two walked around the corridor and suddenly heard a commotion in the front yard. They vaguely heard the gatekeeper announce, "General Song has arrived!"
Lu Jinlan ran over curiously, hid behind a pillar, and muttered, "I want to see what the young master of the Song family looks like."
Qing'er leaned closer, pointed to the middle-aged woman in the crowd who was greeting Lu Jinzhao, and praised, "Look how heroic and extraordinary General Song is, her only son must be no less so. Why don't you stay and get married?"
Before he could finish speaking, two young men appeared behind General Song, and their appearances were truly... indescribable.
He was incredibly fat, so fat that the buttons on his clothes were crooked. From a distance, he looked like a water vat that had grown legs and walked out on its own.
He was incredibly thin, as skinny as a satiated praying mantis, his clothes hanging loosely on him. With Lu Jinlan's current strength, a single push would likely cause him to suffer multiple fractures.
Is this what I meant by top-notch looks? Isn't this a complete scam?
Qing'er was also stunned. "Young Mistress, which one of these... is General Song's only son?"
Lu Jinlan chuckled, "Does it even matter which one? Is either of them a normal person?"
Qing'er gave him a sympathetic yet determined look. "Then let's run without delay."
The two boarded the carriage, and Xi Mo quickly whipped the horse, galloping out of Yunzhou City in a flash.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have unlocked the 'Self-Centered Behavior' feature. Health +1000!"
Huh, another unexpected bonus?
With a joyful smile, Lu Jinlan lifted the curtains and breathed in the fresh air.
Shenjing sounds like a special place.
Lu Jinlan couldn't help but shout towards the empty fields, "Shenjing, I'm here!"
A note from the author:
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All the setup is done~ The main characters are waiting to appear.
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