Chapter 147 Why can Greenie go, but I can't?
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly taken aback after hearing this.
She never expected that this timid girl harbored such deep concerns in her heart.
Her decision fulfilled a long-cherished wish buried deep in her heart.
She softened her voice: "That's good. I hope this trip will help you find your younger brother."
However, her expression turned serious, and she continued, "This journey is long and arduous, and it will not be easy. Moreover, the affairs of the people in the capital are complicated, and it is not as simple and peaceful as Jizhou. There are many uncertainties along the way, and I cannot fully protect you. It may not be as comfortable and safe as it is now."
Greenie, however, did not hesitate. Although her eyes still showed fear, they revealed a rare firmness: "This servant is not afraid. Being able to serve by your side is already a great blessing. Besides... perhaps there is a real chance to find my brother. No matter how hard it is, this servant is willing."
Lu Zhaoruo took her along because she was kind and gentle.
She said gently, "Then you should pack your things properly in these three days, and take only the essentials with you. You can get the rest once you arrive in the capital."
Greenie suppressed her excitement, respectfully replied "Yes," and then left the small hall.
The thought that she could not only follow her mistress to the capital to continue serving her, but also go to find her younger brother filled her with joy.
However.
As I turned the corner of the corridor, I nearly bumped into someone.
Looking up, I saw Wan Wanning.
Greenie didn't know if she was waiting here on purpose, but subconsciously lowered her head again and softly called out, "Miss Wanning."
Wan Wanning's gaze was fixed on her blushing and joyful face as she asked, "Lü'er, your elder sister called you to the small hall... is there something important she wants to tell you?"
Greenie was simple-minded and didn't think much of it. She honestly replied, "Miss Wanning, the lady said that she will be setting off for the capital in three days. She asked... asked if I would like to go with her to serve her."
Wan Wanning's face darkened, and her fingertips suddenly dug into her palm.
Why?
Lu Zhaoruo went to the capital, and she actually took a lowly tea maid with her, but she never mentioned me to her? I am her sworn sister! Didn't she promise before her elder sister's spirit that she would take good care of me? So in her heart, I am not even as good as Lü'er?
Why? Why can Greenie go, but I can't?
That's the capital! Right under the emperor's nose, a place of prosperity and where high-ranking officials and nobles gather!
If I could go, I might be able to escape this dependent status, meet truly noble people, and perhaps... perhaps even secure a completely different future, no longer having to live at the mercy of others and have to watch their every whim! That's the kind of life I should be living!
Most importantly, General Xiao is also returning to the capital this time.
A great sense of injustice and jealousy rose in her heart.
Then, looking at Greenie who was still immersed in joy, he felt that her smile was extremely irritating.
She struggled to make her voice sound less stiff: "Oh, I see. That's...that's wonderful news! Congratulations, Greenie."
After saying that, she turned around almost hastily, not looking at Greenie again.
I feel disgusted just looking at her.
How could someone who is even more timid than himself and of lowly status receive Lu Zhaoruo's favor and be allowed to go to the capital?
——
Lu Zhaoruo then summoned Sun Jing.
Upon hearing that he would be accompanying the delegation to the capital, Sun Jing readily agreed without hesitation.
After making the arrangements, she immediately returned to the Lu family home, intending to secretly inform her brother of her itinerary so that he could make preparations in advance, so as not to alarm their father and cause unnecessary trouble.
The Lu family residence.
Before she even stepped inside, she heard Tu's shrill shouts and foul language coming from inside the courtyard.
She frowned slightly and quickened her pace.
In the courtyard, Madam Tu stood with one hand on her hip and the other gripping Lu's father's ear, roaring with a ferocious expression, "I've really committed a sin by marrying you, you saw-out gourd! You're so taciturn! Your good daughter is now all swaggering, she doesn't even respect me as her mother anymore! She's practically climbing all over me and trying to tear the tiles off my head! Say something, will you!"
"Do you know how she humiliated me in front of the magistrate and the general? She brazenly called me 'Tu Shi'! She trampled my face into the mud!"
"Do you know how many people gossiped about me behind my back when the yamen runners dragged me away? Their eyes were like needles, pricking me so much that I can't sleep to this day!"
"Do you know I stood in the yamen gate wearing heavy shackles for three days! People from all around came to see me and laugh at me! I've already lost all face!"
“My brothers on my mother’s side all pointed their fingers at me and called me a disgrace! I’ve never been so ashamed in my life!”
Lu's father let him pull his ear, his face ashen, his eyes vacant as he stared toward the northeast.
Seeing his state, Tu Shi's anger flared even more. She flung her hand away, fell to the ground, and wailed, "Heavens! Open your eyes and see! I've worked so hard to manage this family, and this is what I've come to? My husband is a block of wood, and my daughter is a heartless ingrate! That little slut wears silk and satin, living in a brothel where she earns a fortune every day, has she ever thought of her parents even a little?"
She stole glances at him as she cried and cursed, and seeing that he still didn't move, she continued to yell angrily: "You damned devil! Go and make her give me half of the embroidery room! Hand over all the money! Does she dare not listen to you?"
Lu Zhaoruo stood on the threshold, watching coldly.
She was already used to her father's distraught state, and Tu's shrewishness was a daily occurrence.
Mr. Lu finally spoke, his voice dry and low: "It was your fault to begin with."
Upon hearing this, Tu jumped up from the ground and slapped Lu's father hard across the face!
"You bastard! You blockhead! Your daughter is practically shitting on my head, and you still say it's my fault? I raised her, fed her, clothed her, and fed her, how am I wrong?"
The crisp sound of a slap echoed throughout the courtyard.
Mr. Lu was knocked to the side, and clear finger marks immediately appeared on his face.
He simply raised his hand and slowly rubbed his cheek, his gaze still fixed on the northeast direction, as if the slap hadn't landed on him.
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes reddened.
Over the years, she had seen how harsh and difficult Tu Shi was to her father, but she had never seen her directly slap her face and humiliate her like this.
She couldn't hold back any longer, rushed in, shoved Tu Shi aside, and opened her arms to protect Lu's father with tenderness: "Tu Shi! How dare you hit my father?"
Madam Tu stumbled from the push. When she saw who it was, she was first stunned, then her anger flared even more. She rolled up her sleeves and said sternly, "So what if he hit me? Why can't I hit him? He deserves to be hit! He's like a soulless piece of wood all day long. Apart from going to that lousy private school to teach a few little monkeys, does he even have the appearance of a living person?"
"I've been married to him for so many years, living like a widow! Me, hit him? I'd hit him to let him know that there's still someone breathing in this house!"
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze was sharp as she stared intently at her: "Even if he has a thousand faults, it's not your place to lay a hand on him! No matter how bad he is, he's still your husband. Even if you have a huge grudge, how could you... how could you lash out at him like that!"
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