Chapter 231 Yun Xiujun tries to forcibly remove Lu Zhaoruo
Then, another group of people arrived menacingly in front of the Lu residence.
A dozen or so servants surrounded a nanny who appeared to be in charge.
The old woman was well-dressed, but her eyes were extremely arrogant, and her chin was held high, as if she hadn't come to invite someone, but to take them away.
Without waiting for the gatekeeper to announce her arrival, she called out, "By order of Lady Yunxiu, I request that Lady Lu come to the manor immediately for a chat! Go and inform her at once!"
The gatekeeper, having already received instructions from Lu Zhaoruo, replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This old lady, I am truly sorry. My lady caught a cold after returning from the banquet yesterday and is currently resting. It is really inconvenient for her to receive guests. My lady appreciates your kindness, but she will come to apologize in person once she has recovered."
Upon hearing this, the old woman glared, her face contorted with anger, and she shouted sternly, "How dare you! My lady's invitation is an immense honor for her! What kind of noblewoman is a merchant's daughter putting on airs! You, a mere gatekeeper, dare to make excuses here? Get inside and announce our arrival!"
Her voice was shrill and her demeanor intimidating.
Seeing her so unreasonable, the gatekeeper knew that arguing would be pointless, so he could only feign fear and say repeatedly, "Granny, please calm down. I'll go and report right away, right away!"
After saying that, he turned around and ran quickly towards the inner courtyard.
Seeing this, the old woman snorted coldly, crossed her arms, and looked smug and impatient.
A short while later, Dongrou came out and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, my wife is indeed ill and needs to rest. It is really inconvenient for her to receive guests. I hope you will inform Your Highness and ask for your understanding."
The woman in charge glared at him, her face turning fierce: "Enough with the nonsense! Someone, come in and 'invite' us in!"
He then ordered his men to force their way in.
Just then, a series of neat and hurried footsteps came from the street corner!
Wang Wu, dressed in military uniform, led several dozen of Xiao's personal guards, who quickly formed a line like an impregnable wall in front of the Lu residence, completely blocking the people from the Grand Princess's residence.
Wang Wu clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone cold and hard: "This humble general is ordered by General Xiao to assist in guarding the residence bestowed by His Majesty and to prevent any disturbance by thieves. You may all return!"
Seeing this, the servants of the princess's residence knew that forcing their way in was impossible, so they had no choice but to retreat dejectedly and return to their residence to report.
Upon hearing the report, Lady Yunxiu was so angry that she smashed her teacup: "That Lu Zhaoruo! That Xiao Yeming! How dare they disrespect me like this!"
Enraged, she went straight to the palace to complain to Emperor Shuheng.
Inside the Imperial Study, Lady Yunxiu said that Lu Zhaoruo was feigning illness to act arrogantly, and Xiao Yeming sent troops to threaten her.
Upon hearing this, Shu Heng's face darkened. Before she could finish speaking, he coldly rebuked her: "Nonsense! If the person I bestowed upon you is ill, then he is ill and needs to rest! As a princess, you show no compassion and instead allow your servant to commit violence. What kind of behavior is this! General Xiao's dispatch of troops to protect you is simply fulfilling his duty! This matter is not to be mentioned again. Go back to your residence and reflect on your actions!"
Lady Yunxiu was stunned by the scolding and left the palace in anger.
Back at her residence, she smashed things and threw a tantrum, gritting her teeth and saying hatefully, "Just you wait! When my mother returns from Xiangguo Temple, she'll make you pay!"
Meanwhile, Han, who had witnessed the entire process of the Grand Princess's people being forced back by Xiao's personal guards from a corner, knew that she definitely wouldn't be able to get in.
Lei Jingyun has been gone for so long, but he hasn't come out yet.
I'm afraid they're not planning to come out.
She secretly ordered the coachman to turn around and go back to the Emperor's brother's residence.
The warm sunlight slanted through the inner courtyard of the Lu residence.
Lu Zhaoruo and Madam Xiao were sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, enjoying tea. On the table were exquisite pastries and a set of antique tea utensils that Madam Xiao had brought.
The two were chatting and laughing, showing no signs of illness whatsoever.
Madam Xiao was gesturing animatedly as she demonstrated the new spear techniques she had devised, while Lu Zhaoruo listened with a smile, occasionally offering a brilliant insight.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the Lu residence, the gunfire had just subsided.
After Lu Zhaoruo and Madam Xiao finished their discussion, their foreheads were damp with sweat, and they smiled at each other.
Just as she was about to sit down and have some tea, Dongrou stepped forward and whispered, "Madam, Lady Yunxiu has come in person. She says she is concerned about the illness and wishes to come in to visit."
Madam Xiao scoffed upon hearing this, and with a flick of her sleeve, said, "Go and tell her that the lady is seriously ill and we are afraid that she might be taken to a nobleman. We appreciate the princess's kindness."
After Dong Rou left, Lu Zhaoruo poured tea, her eyes filled with warmth: "For ten days in a row, General and Madam have taken great care of Zhaoruo."
Madam Xiao took the teacup and laughed loudly, "What's so difficult about that! Can't my Xiao family protect someone?"
She leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Don't worry, the Grand Princess's residence won't dare to make any rash moves right now. It's a good opportunity for me to further refine the essence of that 'Willow Swaying in the Wind' spear technique!"
The Flower Hall of Princess Yongfu's Residence.
The lunch dishes were exquisite, but Princess Yongfu picked up her jade chopsticks and poked at the food in her bowl, showing no appetite whatsoever.
She suddenly put down her jade chopsticks, rested her chin on her hand, and muttered to her personal maid, Yu Yao, "I haven't seen Sister Lu for ten whole days, I'm so bored! Since she's 'sick,' why can't I go visit her?"
Yongfu had served Yuyao since she was a child and knew the princess's temperament well, so he quickly advised in a gentle voice, "Your Highness, think about it, the Lady Yunxiu has been sending people to keep an eye on things every day. If you personally visit the Lu residence now, what will the Lady Yunxiu think? She will definitely think that Lady Lu's illness is a pretense, wouldn't that just add trouble for Lady Lu? Let's be patient for a while longer."
Upon hearing this, Yongfu pouted even more, but he understood that Yuyao was right, so he could only sigh heavily.
Meanwhile, at the Duke of Di's mansion.
Lady Di, sitting by the window, absentmindedly pushed away the teacup offered by the old nanny, and sighed as she looked at the courtyard: "Although Lady Lu's 'feigning illness' is the safest method at the moment, we can't keep hiding like this forever. I can't even talk to her anymore."
Upon hearing this, Duke Di, who was reading a book nearby, looked up and joked, "I think your concern for this Lady Lu is almost greater than that for your own grandson."
Upon hearing the mention of Di Xi, the Duchess of Di's brows furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of annoyance: "Don't mention that good-for-nothing! He took it upon himself to impeach his father, causing his demotion, and then effectively confined his stepmother. Now, he's sending women to his father's residence every few days, tormenting him to the point of being emaciated and barely recognizable as a human! He acts so decisively, without even a word to us!"
She clenched the handkerchief in her hand, both angry and worried: "Now there's no news at all. She's twenty-one years old, drifting like a duckweed all day long, and we can't even find a trace of her!"
Duke Di put down his book, looking quite composed, and smiled reassuringly: "You know Xi'er's stubborn nature. He has his own ideas, let him be."
"Let him be?"
Lady Di gave her husband a reproachful look, "Shouldn't you be settling down and starting a family by now? How can I not worry about you if things continue like this!"
She thought of Lu Zhaoruo again and said with a smile, "Such a good person is a perfect match for Xi-ge'er. I think he would naturally like her too."
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