Chapter 145 It was her! She's the one who killed my brother!
Her words were clear and cold, each syllable distinct.
All the guests in the hall heard it clearly, and a low murmur and whispers immediately arose.
Magistrate Li's face was ashen; his lips moved a few times, but he could not utter another word.
Li Nian'er's face was covered in tears, and her whole body was trembling.
Little did she know that her reckless behavior that day would lead to her losing everything and even her ancestral home!
Seeing the crowd gossiping, Master Li was so angry that he raised his hand to slap her again, but she suddenly dodged and shouted desperately, "Lu Zhaoruo! Why should I pay for this? I smashed your boudoir because I wanted to avenge my brother!"
Upon hearing this, all the guests were taken aback and looked puzzled.
Seeing that no one responded, Li Nian'er became even more frantic, raising her voice: "Listen up, everyone! It was her! She killed my brother! She's vicious!"
However, the crowd was not swayed by her words. Instead, they shook their heads and sneered, "Madam Li, don't make false accusations! Wan Miaoniang, who murdered your brother, has already confessed to the crime and the case file is ready!"
"Master Lu donated funds to support the army and was just commended by the prefect. General Xiao even personally thanked her. How could she do such a wicked thing?"
"You're just desperate and making baseless accusations!"
Lu Zhaoruo showed no panic whatsoever, her expression remained calm, and she simply asked, "Where is the evidence?"
Li Nian'er was speechless for a moment, her face turning bright red.
Seeing that no one believed her, she scanned the crowd frantically, finally fixing her gaze on Wan Wanning in the corner, and pointed at her in a shrill voice: "It must be Lu Zhaoruo who killed someone and made your sister take the blame! You actually recognized her as your sworn sister and kept her in the embroidery building, you are utterly foolish!"
Wan Wanning trembled with fright when she was pointed at.
She knew that her elder sister could never have killed Li Yanei, but her elder sister had indeed confessed to the crime herself... For a moment, she was in a state of utter confusion, and her lips trembled as she could not speak.
Seeing this, Master Li broke out in a cold sweat and shouted angrily, "You wretched child! Shut up!"
Li Nian'er seemed to have gone mad, clutching her father's sleeve and crying out, "Father! It really is her! She's the one who killed my brother!"
Lu Zhaoruo's last bit of patience ran out, and she coldly ordered, "Someone, 'invite' Master Li and Madam Li out."
Two waiters immediately stepped forward and, while polite, forcefully dragged the Li father and daughter outside.
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze swept over the pale-faced Magistrate Li, and her voice, though not loud, was clear and cold, piercing into his ears: "Master Li, within three days, deliver the remaining 1,700 taels to the embroidery tower in full."
"If payment is not made by the due date, I will send someone to your door..."
"I will personally inventory your esteemed residence and use the proceeds to offset the debt."
Outside the embroidered tower gate.
Master Li was so angry that he trembled all over and could hardly breathe. He was only able to stay upright because his servants were supporting him.
Li Nian'er was shoved out without any politeness by the waiter, stumbled, and fell to the ground in a sorry state.
She recalled how grand and flamboyant she had been when she smashed up the embroidered building, and seeing it like this now, a strong sense of humiliation and resentment welled up in her heart.
The embroidered pavilion's vermilion doors were lightly closed, restoring the previous hustle and bustle.
As night deepened, the embroidered tower closed its doors.
When Lu Zhaoruo returned to her boudoir, the room was bright and clean, without a speck of dust.
A vase of fresh spring flowers sits on the table by the window, its subtle fragrance permeating the air and soothing the soul.
Abao rushed into her arms and said softly, "Mother, it was Aunt Lü'er who cleaned and tidied up. It's so clean now." She then pointed with her little paw at the colorful embroidered flower ball next to her and said with a grin, "Look, she even sewed this for me to play with."
Lu Zhaoruo's heart stirred slightly.
Greenie was always quiet and reserved in the embroidery room. She was illiterate and not very skillful, but because she was grateful, she only knew how to bury herself in her work and was exceptionally diligent.
She suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but tap her forehead: "I almost forgot... today is Greenie's birthday."
Her tone carried a hint of self-reproach, "Look at me, I've been so busy that I forgot about such an important matter."
Dongrou chimed in softly, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I almost would have been careless. The hairpin I prepared for Lü'er a couple of days ago is still in the box and I haven't given it to her yet."
Green lost her father at a young age; both her parents died early, and she had no other close relatives in the world.
She's pitiful too.
Lu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then instructed, "Pick some of the dried lychees, candied dates, and candied plums that Madam An sent today, pack them in a box, and send them to Lü'er. Also, have the kitchen cook her a bowl of longevity noodles, and make sure to put an egg on top of the noodles."
After she finished speaking, she realized that she had been so busy that she was dizzy.
It was late, the stoves had long been extinguished, and everyone had gone to bed.
She gently put Abao down and said, "I'll cook it myself."
She had prepared a new set of clothes and a pair of embroidered shoes for Lü'er long ago, intending to give them to her today, but she forgot because she was busy all day.
Dongrou responded and went to fetch the fruit box.
Lu Zhaoruo then took out a strand of five-colored thread and carefully braided it into a "福" (fortune) knot.
He then went to the kitchen and personally cooked a bowl of birthday noodles for Lü'er.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
—
Greenie's house was in a remote location, right next to the embroidery workshop, because she usually served tea and water to the embroiderers, and it was cheap to come and go.
She was sitting alone on the threshold, a cool crescent moon hanging in the sky, its light as still as water.
She had just finished cleaning the embroidery workshop inside and out, and out of consideration for the two new maids who were shy, she quietly took over the remaining chores until now, when she finally had a moment to rest.
She looked up at the moon, a smile on her lips, and murmured softly, "Father, Mother, I am doing very well now... I have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear. Madam Lu treats me very well, like family. Since I followed her, I have finally... lived like a human being."
As she spoke, she laughed through her tears: "I've worn the most beautiful new clothes, tasted the most exquisite pastries, and had a light and simple daily routine. I only regret that my daughter is naturally stupid and can't learn embroidery... but the monthly salary she receives is the same as that of the embroiderers."
"If... if you two were still alive... your daughter would be able to take good care of you and support you..."
Her father was worked to death.
Her mother was ill and had no medical help, and she died of exhaustion.
Greenie wiped away her tears and stared blankly eastward.
Before her mother passed away, she told her that she had a younger brother who had been sold to a nobleman in the capital when he was young.
Her mother's only wish was for her to live well and one day be able to reunite with her younger brother.
That was the only blood relative she had in the world.
But how could she possibly have the ability to go to the capital?
A breeze has picked up, carrying a slight chill.
She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and whispered devoutly, "Happy birthday to me. My wish is to go to the capital in this life and reunite with my younger brother."
After saying that, she sighed softly and was about to turn around and go back into the house.
Suddenly, clear footsteps sounded behind them, followed by a gentle call: "Lü'er..."
Greenie trembled and turned around abruptly.
Under the moonlight, Lu Zhaoruo stood there holding a steaming bowl of noodles, her eyes gentle.
Dongrou followed beside her, carrying a tray with a delicate box of pastries, a neatly folded set of new clothes, and a pair of brand-new shoes.
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