Chapter 228 You must sever all ties with the Lu family!
Wang Miaoyin had already felt ashamed and indignant when everyone was praising Lu Zhaoruo. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, she covered her face and ran away, sobbing softly.
Madam He's face turned ashen, but she had to force a smile, her resentment towards Lu Zhaoruo deepening.
During the banquet, everyone toasted Xiao Yeming, praising him for his youth, talent, and promising future.
Xiao Yeming responded calmly, but his gaze kept inadvertently falling on that elegant figure.
While chatting and laughing with Yongfu, Lu Zhaoruo looked up and her eyes met those of Zhanfujun across from her.
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
Lu Zhaoruo noticed more keenly that although her brother Lu Bohong sat silently to the side, his gaze often unconsciously followed Zhanfujun. The concern and appreciation in his eyes made her understand.
As the banquet came to an end, the guests began to take their leave one after another.
The Prince of Yan approached the Marquis of Anguo and Lady Zhan, bowing respectfully and speaking in a gentle and proper tone: "Marquis, Lady, I have matters to attend to at my residence, so I will take my leave first."
Marquis Anguo and Lady Zhan naturally smiled and nodded.
He then bowed to General Xiao, Madam Xiao, and other hosts to say goodbye, showing utmost courtesy.
However, as he turned and followed the crowd toward the gate of the mansion, passing by Zhanfujun, his steps faltered almost imperceptibly.
His gaze, which seemed to casually sweep across the crowd, lingered on Zhanfujun for a moment.
He then walked away as if nothing had happened.
Lu Zhaoruo deliberately walked up to Zhanfujun, took her hand affectionately, and spoke clearly enough for the Marquis of Anguo and his wife, who were not far away, to hear: "Lady Zhan's dance today was breathtaking. I hope that you can come to the Lu residence for a small gathering when you have time in the future, so that we can get to know each other better."
Lady Fu was still somewhat unsettled by the elusive glance from Prince Yan when she heard Lu Zhaoruo's words. A hint of surprise and gratitude flashed in her eyes, and she quickly and softly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Lady Lu. I will certainly do my best to trouble you."
Marquis Anguo and his wife exchanged a glance. They were naturally pleased that their illegitimate daughter, whom they usually looked down upon, could befriend Lu Zhaoruo, who was rising in prominence and clearly favored by the Xiao family. A smile appeared on their faces.
After the guests had all left, the number of carriages and horses in front of the Xiao residence gradually decreased.
Lu Bohong remained standing there, his gaze unconsciously following the direction in which the carriage of the Marquis of Anguo Pavilion had gone, until the carriage disappeared around the street corner.
Lu Zhaoruo walked to his side, gently tugged at his sleeve, and smiled, "Brother, everyone's gone. If you keep looking, your eyes will pop out."
Lu Bohong snapped back to reality, a rare blush of embarrassment appearing on his face. He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, trying to regain his usual seriousness: "Don't talk nonsense! I... I was just looking at the street scene."
This attempt to cover up the truth only made Lu Zhaoruo smile even more.
As the brother and sister were talking, the carriage of the Duke of Di's mansion slowly approached.
Lady Di lifted the carriage curtain and greeted her with a smile, "Madam Lu, are you heading back to your residence? If you don't mind, you can travel with us for a while, so we can chat along the way."
Seeing that Duke Di and his wife were sincere, Lu Zhaoruo readily agreed and boarded the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Lady Di, the Duchess of the State, inquired kindly about Lu Zhaoruo's life in the capital. Her words were full of concern, and the atmosphere was harmonious as they chatted happily.
The Xiao residence, Kangning Hall.
Madam Xiao dismissed everyone else, leaving only Madam He by her side.
She looked at Xiao Yeming, who was standing below her, with a gloomy expression, her voice filled with suppressed anger: "Yeming, your actions today are truly incomprehensible to your grandmother!"
She paused deliberately, her voice suddenly turning sharp as she questioned, "Back then, at the welcome banquet your mother organized, she was so fond of Lu Zhaoruo and personally tried to match you up, but you rejected her in public, which shows that you had no interest in her."
"What? Now that times have changed, you're willing to offend both Lady Yunxiu and the Imperial Uncle for the sake of someone you once looked down on. What's the reason for your double-dealing!"
Xiao Yeming met his grandmother's sharp gaze with a calm expression, without flinching in the slightest.
He bowed deeply: "Grandmother, you are wise. It is precisely because I refused your kindness at our family banquet that I must protect Lady Lu today."
He raised his eyes, his gaze open and honest: "I refused the marriage proposal that day because it was a major event that required following proper etiquette. I also did not want her to be accused of 'climbing the social ladder' by staying at the Xiao residence, which would damage her reputation. That was a private matter, and I should have been careful."
"Today's defense is because she was unjustly humiliated in public. This is justice. As an official of the court, if I were to sit idly by and watch the powerful bully those who have rendered meritorious service because of personal concerns, that would be true cowardice and disregard for the law. That would be a disgrace to the Emperor's grace and would damage the family's reputation of loyalty and righteousness for generations!"
"Grandson acts with a clear distinction between public and private matters. He knows when to be courteous and prudent and when to step forward. Please rest assured, Grandmother."
"you……!"
Madam Xiao was so enraged by his impeccable "reasoning" that she pointed at him, speechless for a long time.
Madam He quickly stepped forward to soothe her, gently advising, "Madam, please calm down. Ye Ming was acting out of a sense of justice..."
Xiao Yeming bowed again: "I have said all I need to say, I shall take my leave."
Having said that, he turned around.
Old Madam Xiao slammed her hand on the table, her voice sharp and stern: "Stop! I'm telling you, from this day forward, you must sever all ties with that Lu woman! She's just a merchant's daughter; she'll only be a burden to you!"
"Please forgive me for being unable to comply with this request."
Xiao Yeming answered without hesitation. He turned around, his gaze calm: "Madam Lu has rendered meritorious service to the country and is of noble character. I respect her and will protect her. This has nothing to do with family background or social status, but only with right and wrong and fairness."
"You...do you even care about the Xiao family anymore!" Old Madam Xiao trembled with rage. "For the sake of just one girl, you've offended the Grand Princess's residence and the Imperial Uncle one after another! With your stubbornness, have you ever considered where the entire Xiao family will end up!"
Xiao Yeming: "I will bear all the consequences myself and will never let the Xiao family suffer. As for Madam Lu..."
He paused slightly, then said clearly, "Although I have not yet welcomed her into the family, I have already publicly defended her and will protect her. As long as I, Xiao Yeming, am alive, I will not allow anyone to bully her. Once I have said this, I will never go back on my word."
"You...you..."
Madam Xiao was so angry by his resounding words that she could not finish her sentence.
Xiao Yeming bowed deeply: "Grandson takes his leave."
Having said that, he turned and strode away, leaving behind a resolute silhouette.
Watching him disappear outside the door, Madam Xiao slumped back against her pillow, feeling a splitting headache.
Madam He tried to comfort her gently, but she wouldn't listen to a word. Filled with resentment, she choked out to Madam He, "Look at him... look at him like this! He's just like his bandit mother! What have I ever said? Has he ever really listened to me?"
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