I saw Chun'er standing outside.
"Miss Fu, what's wrong with you?"
"Is Master Jiu still in the mansion?"
"Yes, the master is in the front yard lobby."
"Help me over there."
"Yes, Miss Fu."
In the lobby.
Lu Zhenzhi sat in the main seat in the middle of the hall.
Sitting in the hall was a middle-aged man with a strand of silver hair and a thin face. He was wearing a long white robe with gold-embossed prints, two jade rings on his fingers, and cowhide boots on his feet.
This man was none other than Duan Qinghong, the wealthy owner of Shangyang County's Duan Manor. He sought to be known for his refined and elegant demeanor, hence his courtesy name, Qingyi, and nickname, Qingyi Jushi. His rise from humble beginnings as a tofu vendor to regional tycoon was largely due to his ingenuity and the local Marquis of Pingxi Dingnan.
"Prince Regent," just as Master Duan opened his mouth, Master Jiu raised his hand to stop him.
"We have been friends for more than ten years. Just be cautious and law-abiding."
Manor Master Duan said, "No, no, no. Your Highness is no longer the Ninth Prince, and I am no longer the poor boy I once was. I haven't been feeling well these past few years. I've been taking some tonics. Look at me, my hair has turned white. After ten years of separation, Your Highness has become even more vigorous and handsome."
Lu Zhenzhi took a sip of tea and said nothing more.
Master Duan continued, "I wonder which family the Regent Prince married. As Qingyi said, a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. That's not a bad thing."
At this moment, a voice came from the door of the backyard corridor: "Brother Lu Jin~"
Lu Zhenzhi was slightly startled, remembering that he had been out for quite a while. He turned around and saw Fu Tong'er being supported by Chun'er. Didn't that girl have a sore leg? Didn't it hurt when she found him? Or was she deliberately letting him carry her on his back and hold her? Was she... being deliberately coquettish in front of him? Thinking of this, he stretched out his arms towards Fu Tong'er:
"Come."
When Master Duan saw Fu Tong'er, he felt she was elegant and lovely, very much like Yan'er who had been with Master Jiu in the past, except that this lady was still young. He stood up and bowed: "This must be the lady."
Lu Zhenzhi put his arm around Fu Tong'er's waist, sat down and introduced her, "Master Duan, my childhood friend."
Fu Tong'er bowed and said, "Master Duan."
"Be polite."
"Qingyi, sit down. Don't be so restrained."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Manor Master Duan stepped back and took a seat.
Lu Zhenzhi stood up, pulled Fu Tong'er to sit on it, and stood beside her. He said to Chun'er: "Chun'er, you go down."
"Yes, Master."
Chun'er walked out of the main hall.
Master Duan said with a smile, "Your Highness is very lucky. Your Madam doesn't look very old. Is she over sixteen?"
Fu Tong'er said: "I'm eighteen years old."
Master Duan was stunned for a moment. "Madam, do you know that your master is already over thirty?"
"Master? Oh, yes, I know. Brother Lu Jin is thirty-two."
"Brother Lu Jin?" Manor Master Duan looked at Master Jiu for a long time before asking, "Brother Lu Jin, you really have the guts to do this!"
Just as Lu Zhenzhi was about to speak, Fu Tong'er spoke.
"No, I fell in love with him when I was a girl, and I pursued him."
Lu Zhenzhi smiled slightly, and his Tong'er spoke for him again.
"Master Duan," Fu Tong'er continued, "was it you who sent someone to ask my brother Lu Jin to go to the brothel today?"
Lu Zhenzhi: “…”
"Yes, that's me. The Second Prince is having a banquet there. Let's talk about some court affairs. Madam, do you understand these?" He then said to the Ninth Master, "The prince sent someone to say that there was a fierce tiger in the house. Qingyi was wondering what kind of Hedong lion the prince had found, but he didn't expect it to be such a quiet girl. Brother Lujin, your wife is a beauty that can shame the moon and flowers, and a gentle and virtuous wife."
Lu Zhenzhi nodded and said, "Indeed, gentle."
Fu Tong'er smiled slightly, but pinched the man secretly with her hand. What did this bastard mean when he said those two words!
Then he remembered what he had heard the owner say before: "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. This is not bad." So he said: "My father often taught me personally, and I have read a lot. Brother Lu Jin also often gave me guidance, so I understand some things."
Lu Zhenzhi smiled faintly.
Master Duan didn't expect that the young lady didn't agree with him and was speechless for a moment.
Lu Zhenzhi said: "Brother Qingyi, it's getting late. She is weak and needs to rest soon."
After saying that, he led Fu Tong'er down and picked her up in front of the guests.
Manor Master Duan saw this and realized it was a sign of turning guests away. He could only stand up and bow, saying, "Then I won't disturb the Regent Prince and his wife. By the way, Qingyi's annual Wanhua Festival is about to take place. The Prince's wife is so young, I'm sure she will enjoy it."
Lu Zhenzhi said, "Brother Qingyi, please arrange it. Come on! Send the guests out!"
A young man came in and said, "Master Duan, please come in."
"Goodbye!"
Back outside the inner bedroom, Lu Zhenzhi put Fu Tong'er down and pushed the door open while saying, "Tong'er, your legs don't hurt anymore?"
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